Out-of-Our-Control Situations (Always Work Out in the End)

                              My little Thor and Captain America!

Our lives continue to be far from boring!  I honestly think this has made us appreciate all we have, though. Last week was stressful because of vehicle issues. I have learned we take our vehicles for granted. When one breaks to the point that its not worth fixing and you are stuck without a car while working on getting another vehicle--its not fun.  LOL   It all worked out, though--just like it always does.  We are now the proud owners of a mini van.  The boys love it.  I love it too.  There is so much room, you sit up higher than other vehicles, and it is just super nice.  We are all really happy with it. We were given an unbelievable deal on it and we feel its nicer than the vehicle we had.  We are also excited to have something with more space since baby #3 will arrive in a few months.

We called a company to come haul our old, dead car away.  We took Alex to a doctor's appointment yesterday and came home to find the car gone. A friend of mine was watching Logan and when we got home after picking him up Logan noticed the car was gone.  He said, "Carly is gone!" and started crying. He said, "I will miss Carly."  He cried for about 20 seconds and then moved on to something else.  LOL  It was a bit sad to come home and find the car gone.  We have this cool, spacious mini van now though--so it all worked out.

While at Alex's appointment yesterday we learned that he will need two surgeries within the next year.  One on his left shoulder and one on his right forearm. Jacob and I knew this news would come some day, but we thought Alex would be older.  We expected to go in yesterday and be told, once again, "we'll see you in 6 months." We trust the doctor and know he is doing what is in Alex's best interest to help with his growth, etc. We go back in three weeks and will schedule surgery at that time.

The drive home was a quiet one.  We all sat looking out the window--no one saying anything.  Finally, Jacob said, "It could be worse, I guess.  At least its not life threatening."  He is right. Surgeries are not something you want your children--especially small children--to go through, but Alex isn't sick--he is a healthy, happy 6-year-old boy.  For that, we are VERY thankful. Alex never complains--he is such an awesome kid.  We have always referred to him as "our trooper" because that is what he is.

Life is full of crazy things--things that are out of our control.  The Astleys are learning to find the positive in all of these "out-of-our-control" situations. And you know what . . . things always work out in the end!

Lovey Boys

Last night Jacob and I were watching TV in the living room before bed.  We heard pitter-patter down the hall and Logan appeared holding a Magnadoodle.  He smiled and said, "I drew an elephant eating peanuts for you guys."  He showed it to Jacob and then to me.  He set the Magnadoodle down beside me and said, "I'm going to leave it right here by you, mom, so you guys can look at it."  We hugged him and told him how good his elehpant was, thanked him for drawing it, and then sent him back to bed. 

A little while later Alex came out.  He said nothing. He just walked over to where I was on the couch, leaned down, and hugged me.  He stayed there for a long time.  When he pulled away from me I said, "Did you need something?"  He said, "No, I just wanted to hug you.  I love you, mom."  He told us good night and went back to bed.

The boys are getting so big--Alex especially.  They aren't as lovey as they were when they were little and that makes these little moments so much more special when they want to love on me.  I have two happy, healthy little boys who make me feel special and brighten my day--each and every day. 

Me? Crazy? Well . . . I AM Pregnant . . .

We have baby on the brain in the Astley house.  We are trying to get everything ready for her arrival in November.  We have four months, which seems like a long time, but it will be here before we know it.  In addition to all the baby craziness we have two little boys occupying our time, we are thinking about back-to-school shopping, and Jacob's job is keeping him busy.  As if this weren't enough, Jacob gets to come home to a pregnant woman--a pregnant woman in an 80 degree house (which is better than the 103-111 it has been outside). I understand why people write books about pregnant women and make them out to be crazy.  I will be the first to admit that I have moments where I am--yes, here it comes--crazy. I find myself thinking about the reactions I have to things and I have to laugh (at myself, of course).  One minute I'm freaking out because the baby's room is irritating me.  Yes, the baby's room.  I have all these plans in my head for how I want it, but there are times when I go in there and my stress level just automatically rises.  I look at it and feel grumpy because I think its going to be too crowded.  I start stomping around being grumpy and complaining.  Jacob listens and nods his head, knowing that anything he says can and WILL be used against him by this crazy woman he calls his wife. Two hours later I'm feeling less grumpy and thinking the baby room might (just maybe) work after all.

I have a doctor telling me I have gained too much weight (this happened while I was pregnant with Logan, as well) and I look in the mirror and hate what I see. Jacob keeps telling me, "You're pregnant!"  Well, I know that, but here is the thing--there are women out there who get pregnant and hardly gain an ounce.  They stay the same and only their bellies grow.  I look at these women through narrow (and annoyed) eyes and have to talk myself out of sticking my tongue out at them. Or, even holding them down and forcing them to eat a gallon of ice cream. I'm sure most pregnant women would tell you that temporary insanity is a common side effect of pregnancy.  Really. It is. I swear. I gave up my ice cream a couple of months ago and was STILL told I'm gaining too much weight. I may stick my tongue out at my doctor, too . . .

The reality is that we are excited about adding a little girl to our family. I feel her move--all the while smashing my bladder. The boys have come around and are now looking forward to having a baby sister.  They kiss my belly, rub it, and tell me they love "baby."  It is very sweet.  Logan tells me every day that I "look bee-oo-tiful."  That isn't what I see when I look in the mirror, but its nice to have those little boys to remind me that some things are more important than the things we get hung up on. Yes, I have gained weight, but once I have the baby I can focus on getting back down to my "normal" weight. Yes, the baby's room tends to stress me out, but in all honesty, it WILL come together and the truth is that the baby isn't going to care what the room looks like.  We can always change it as we go if we need to.

I'm sure I'll need to be reminded of all these things at some point when insanity strikes me again.  Until then . . .