Family Part I: My Week in Review 4/29/07-5/5/07

This week seemed to revolve around family unity. Lewis came to town because of a seminar for his company in Chicago for the week. He chose to fly into GR instead of Chi Town so that he could spend some time with us for Tyler's 22nd birthday and just to stay connected. He was able to return for the following weekend as well. Most of you who know me, realize this is a huge matter of personal growth. Being able to forgive and allow Lewis to be in my space so that our children can benefit from a relationship with their dad, while still maintaining healthy boundaries for myself and not allowing myself to be pulled back into non-working relationship patterns. I'm proud of both Lewis and myself, that we are able to do this and make it a good experience for our boys.
Sunday, April 29: We took Tyler to his favorite Mexican restaurant in GR, Don Pablo's. This was a touching time as we talked about the day he was born and the first time the three of us were together as a family.
On the day he was born, one of our friends, who was a police officer in town, gave us a police escort to the hospital. Because I was an EMT there at the time, we were treated like royalty, but also subject to a lot more people inviting themselves in and out of the birthing room during labor because they felt like extended family!No privacy! I had seen lots of babies born and many of them looked red, blotchy, wrinkled up like little old people, covered with cheesy stuff or scaly skin, looking like a monkey, etc. I have to say, Tyler came out just perfect. He looked like a little porcelain doll. Not a mark on that child. Lewis was a trooper. He was there coaching me the entire time. It's funny how little things stand out. When you're in the throes of labor and in very intense pain, stuff people say and do can really bug you! I remember telling Lewis to go get the nurse because I felt like I needed to push. So, he went out there and started hollering to the nurse, "She's pushing! She's pushing! " That, of course, started a frenzy at the nurses station since they didn't think I would be ready that soon. Boy, was I mad at Lew! As soon as the nurses walked into the room, I said, "I told Lewis I WANTED to push! I didn't say I WAS pushing!" Silly! Anyway, everything came out OK obviously, and 22 years later we all gathered together to remember the day! Lewis was one of those progressive, involved new dads who coached me through labor and cut the umbilical cord when Tyler was born. Then, after he did that, the doctor handed Tyler to Lewis first for a moment of father/son bonding at which time, Tyler let go with the waterworks and Lewis got a good dowsing from the little guy! Tyler got a kick out of hearing this story again. It was especially comforting to know that even if the configuration of our family has changed, some things DO and will ALWAYS stay the same. We are going to be there for each other at the important times in life, no matter what! After Trevor came home from work that night, Lewis got them involved in putting up some light fixtures in the lower family room. I tried to stay out of it, but no such luck! I am so pleased with the way the light fixtures look now, but tempers always flare in our house when it's tool time! None of us have the patience it requires to do stuff like this! It's a wonder we've all lived so long! Consider this, Lewis and I built our first house together. Let that be a lesson to you all-if you want to stay married, avoid the dreaded home improvement project!
Monday, April 30: I had the opportunity to rub some people the right way at Body Perfections! Then I went to small group. The topic for the night was: The Seed Must Lead. Joel Osteen talks about planting seed in the lives of others. If we want God to solve our problems, we should help other people solve theirs. It seems like backwards to our human nature, but once again we are encouraged to stop focusing on ourselves, our own problems, and see how we can reach out to others in need. If you are having financial issues, give what you can to those in even more dire circumstances, or give of your time if you don't have money. If you are seeking friendship, be a friend. Osteen says that we need to be more seed-oriented than need oriented. In the time of need, sow a seed! By watering others, we water ourselves.
Tuesday, May 1: Hooray, hooray, first of May! I AM NOT FINISHING THAT NAUGHTY POEM! However, I am so relieved to get to this point! My sister will be here next week from Oregon. My birthday is in 3 weeks. I will get to go see my family in Oregon starting the 26th. Life is good...Today I worked at Body. Another opportunity to be in service to others. I am always thankful for that. The highlight of the day was going to another one of those yummy cooking classes at Artisan. We were all about salads and vinaigarettes this night. Chef Doug prepared four different vinaigrettes: a balsamic, basil vinaigrette, an asian caesar, a pear, and a honey-mint vinaigrette. All the salads used interesting greens instead of the standard lettuce we are all so used to( and bored with!). Chef Doug likes to use cheeses other than the run of the mill shredded cheddar on his salads. He used an Irish cheddar, a parmesan, and a gorgonzola. He also likes to use nuts for added texture and flavor. The choices were pine nuts, hazel nuts, and walnuts. All of the salads were tasty and beautiful. I wish I had brought my camera in and taken a picture of each of them. They were so pretty, it was almost a shame to eat them! They were so good! Doug also likes to use fruit in the salads. The combinations were very unique. For desert we had truffles and the famous Artisan vanilla ice cream. Perfect! This coming week, my sister and I are doing a class on Horsie Dervies-he, he! If you want a fun evening, you should call and see if they still have room for you! It will be a blast. The following week, May 15, is grilling. I am going with my son Trevor and his girlfriend Courtney. Again, good times!
Wednesday, May 2: Work as a mediation once again at Body Perfections. Weight Watchers meeting. I lost another 1 1/2 lbs. See how many of these old sayings you can complete:
Don't change horses....Don't bite the hand that.....Strike while the iron is....These are all old messages that we have heard over and over again. The emphasis this meeting was on creating new endings to the old messages we play continually in our heads. Messages like: You never follow through! or You've tried this before and it didn't work! We were encouraged to find new ways of talking to ourselves. A more positive self-talk. It is true, I say things to myself that I would NEVER say to someone else. It is time to be kinder, more supportive, forgiving, understanding, and encouraging to myself!
Thursday, May 3: Work at Body 9-9. Then I went to the shelter for an overnight shift from 10:45 pm-8:45 am. A lot to do but still very thankful to have the opportunity to contribute.
Friday, May 4: Work from 9-7 this day. Jayden, my 20-month old grandson came into Body for his first haircut! Check it out....adorable!
Lewis had been nice enough to mow the lawn. So, when I got off work, we picked up Chinese food, went out for ice cream at the Corner Cafe in Beaverdam, and returned home to watch Departed. A good movie. Quite violent. A lot of action. In other words, a big hit with all the guys at my house!
Saturday, May 5: Worked until 3pm. Lewis' last day in town. We went to Rivertown and had dinner at Friday's. We went to Verizon and got me an new phone that takes pictures. Another high tech thing I'll have to learn to use! We each had a huge chocolate dipped strawberry at Godiva's. Then we went to see Spiderman 3. That was the best one so far! Incredible special effects! It's a long movie but so entertaining that the time really flies. You won't want to miss this one if you're a Spidey fan! That Tobey Maguire-what a kisser! So ends my week on a positive note. Next week will be very fun since Marcee will be visiting. Expect lots of crazy pictures!