Roots

Roots, what do you think of when you see that word?  Ok yes I've looked in a mirror and I need a highlight. My roots are nasty. Ok wait not those roots. The kinda where you came from, where we all started.  This whole experience has made my appreciation for my family even stronger. I'm proud of where I came from.

I was always taught you don't quit, don't give up. Trudge on, fight for what you believe in and achieve your goals. Is it hard at times heck yeah. There were times I was so frustrated as a kid with my parents for not allowing me to quit. But it wasn't an option. I thank God and my parents everyday for that.

We have an amazing support system around us, but today for me I need to put my family in the spotlight. Not to minimize anyone else but I need to recognize my family.  From my parents who taught me to be the person I am today to my grandparents who were all amazing people.  I'm surrounded by amazing family.  My family may not have any idea how much they mean to me, how they have helped.  From one of my aunts coming to help with the kids when Sophia was taken to Children's for emergency surgery to another one of my aunts who is also my Godmother sending me messages to help me through this.  My family knows me well and then have all been there. I have heard from all of my relatives through this and it means so much to me, to us.  You have no idea how much you have helped.

So the next time your family frustrates you, stop and really think.  They helped make you who you are today!

Stubborn is as stubborn does

Stubborn, who me?  Ahh yes just a little ok or maybe a whole lot.  I totally get that I'm crazy stubborn. Buttttttttt I thank God for that.  It has gotten me through some of the toughest times in life and kept me going.  Phia stubborn oh heck yeah. I love it. I love that she is a feisty stubborn little lady. I think all of our kids were destined to have a stubborn side, yes daddy has a stubborn side too.  :).  Phia is a girl after my own heart well and all of her siblings. She knows what she wants how she wants it and when she wants it.  Tricking her into meds or special diet foods are not easy.  If something works one day it sure will not the next day because Phia learns quick.  I love it, she keeps me on my toes. 
Phia and I are very attached to each other. If I give Phia to daddy she is content for a little while but quickly knows what she needs to do to get mommy again. And yes she gets her way, she has earned it :)

Phia is our warrior princess!

Nesting

You know that crazy person that some of us turn into towards the end of pregnancy?  We prepare our nest for the arrival of this new little person as if once the baby comes we will never be able to do anything again.  Or like this new little person really cares if you have scrubbed every last crumb from the back of the oven.   I am a crazy nester, I have been with each pregnancy and with each pregnancy I got even worse about it.  Arvid dreads that period of time because he is barely allowed to finish food off his plate before I'm am scrubbing the plate clean again.  Suggestions have been made that we actually move out of the house the last few weeks so I can do a crazy clean once and then come home with a new baby :)

I have recently found that having a medical child I have turned into that version of myself again.  Everything must be just so, everything has it's place, I need to have all my ducks in a row as my grandpa used to say.  I need to remind myself daily, ok sometimes hourly to CHILL!

Yes this lovely controlling side of myself is rearing its ugly head once again.  I'm controlling what I can in our lives right now.  I have no control over so many things, but this I can control, I can keep our house clean, our laundry done and the cabinets stocked.  Is this important, no not really but its me.  It makes me feel better.  It's my grandma coming out in me and I'm ok with that.

I have to thank my wonderful husband too, for his every attempt to clean.  You do an amazing job, but when you finish and I follow behind, please remember, it's grandma Pat in me!

As far as the medical side, I organize Phia's meds too, we have to, it's so important to keep track of what she needs when, so I organize them.  She is a rockstar with her meds, her new diet and smiling away!  I wish everyone could meet Phia.  To see her and her attitude is the most amazing thing.  You can't complain about the simple things in life when her only complaint is wanting food now and well umm, gas!

Lexi said it best, "my sister is a rockstar"