Where have I been? Gone from my focus on a lot of things and I’m just starting to get back on track.

July 2nd I found myself purchasing plane tickets for myself and my two kids to fly to NY that night — purchased around 2:00pm to leave at 10:45 pm that night. Off to pack and spend some time with my husband before our journey. Boy was it one that I will never forget – VERY long story I wish to not relive in entirety. In a nutshell = plane delay, flight canceled, stuck at airport, Ryder on ground crying, angry mob of people, too many suitcases not enough hands, by myself, husband asleep and doesn’t hear me calling, 1:00am, Sister recovering from abdominal surgery gets out of bed to come get me waking up my 4 year old nephew, cannot fit luggage into her car, new flight next am after only 3 hours of sleep, new flight delayed 45 minutes!

I went to NY to help with my 1/2 brother and sister since my step-mom is in and out of the hospital, though I’m not sure how much help I really was except a few (if that) loads of laundry and dishes. Oh yes and Ryder took a ride in an ambulance to the ER after he accidentally got knocked off his feet 2 – 3 feet in the air from my 8 year old brother swinging while Ryder walked by (he’s OK). I flew back home with my step brother and sister – 8 and 5 years old. I was THAT CRAZY LADY on Southwest flying with a 6 month old, 2 year old, 5 year old, and 8 year old. Oh and by-the-way did I mention that we had a layover in Chicago? Yep, that’s right ; ) I cannot tell you how many people stopped me – not to help but to tell me how brave I was. I must have had things so under control that I didn’t look like I needed help — other than 4 other arms to carry everything! ; )

We got home on Saturday and my nephew’s 4th birthday party was on Sunday. My sister had her second laparotomy in 3 weeks on Monday, which is a big deal surgery especially to have 2 in less than one month. My normal, tougher than nails, sister was in so much pain I would go home from the hospital in tears hurting for her. I’ll just remind you here that I have a house full of kids  as my nephew was thrown in the mix since my sister was in the hospital from Mon to Thurs. So I had a 6 month old, 2 year old, 4 year old, 6 year old, and 8 year old. AND … that’s right … I Work From Home. FULL TIME.

I love each and every one of these children with all of my heart and the week went by well. They had fun (at least I hope they did!) and my husband and I made it through! My dad flew out on Wed to visit for a day and fly my brother and sister home Friday night. We took them to the CA State Fair on Thursday night.

My sister got home from the hospital on Thursday and she, Keaira, and I ended up back in the ER Saturday night until  5 am on Sunday morning. I took her to my house and have been nursing her for the past several days. Nursing her may be an overstatement as I have been working and helping with her son and my daughter while dealing with my son who became a maniac overnight. However, he was good today and I am so glad as I was not sure what to do with him anymore. Here’s an example of what he had been up to — we’re potty training and he decided to climb up to the top of the bunk bed, stand up, hold himself and PEE directly off the top of the bed onto the floor in his room. 100% on purpose and deliberate. He’s just 2 1/2 this month. Where does he get this stuff from? No punishment seemed to be working so I was thrilled that he woke up as his old self today.

I’m also very glad to say my sister is finally feeling better – there is color back in her cheeks and she felt good enough to go home today. I’m not saying I’m happy she’s not here, I’m just happy she’s on the mend and starting to feel better!

I feel like I’ve left out 8 million things … but you surely get the gist of why I am now sitting on the couch for the first moment in who knows how long — of complete silence and just say WOW. WOW, that was crazy. WOW.

I feel much stronger of a person now that I have accomplished all of this.