The week that kept punching me in the throat

This week has been a doozy. More than a doozy. I don't even know where to start except to go bullet style. I have to put this down so I can laugh (hopefully) one day, soon.

*Sunday at church while singing, my ear did something and started hurting. It felt like something was stuffed down in there. I couldn't hear out of my right ear. Well, what are you gonna do? We had a birthday party that afternoon, so I went with Emma and powered through. Then came home and took some medicine and a nap while the kids napped.

*Monday morning I got up and went to urgent care right when it opened. I was diagnosed with a raging double ear infection (really, at 33 years old?). Lots of sinus pressure and other lovely things going on in my face, too. The doctor called me in some medicine and off I went. I got to the pharmacy and realized it didn't open until 9:00. So, I went home. Jason had to get to work. After Harrison's morning nap, we loaded up to go get the meds. Kroger didn't have it. It was a rare form of Amoxicillin-Augmentin. Very high strength. So they called it over to Publix. So we go across the street, after about 15 minutes. I assumed it would be ready. It wasn't. They hadn't gotten the fax. So we waited. I finally went to get it and the lady said, "It's kind of expensive. It's $131." I am not lying, I felt so bad and was so frustrated, I burst into tears. And then told her sorry but no, and walked out. I called the Dr. back and said get me something cheaper, for the love. So, I had no meds until that night when Jason got them and came home. (Sidenote-he brought me "treats" for feeling bad. Doritos, a cookie from the bakery, and nacho cheese in a cup, like from Taco Bell. Ha! So sweet!)

*Tuesday, Harrison's ENT called about a culture they did last week. Harrison has strep in his nose-hence the constantly running/clogged up/boogerfest he has going on in there. So he needed Augmentin. No joke. I couldn't make this stuff up. I've never even heard of a strep infection in the nose. Probably from me picking his boogers out so often. So we hit up the Kroger drive through and tried to rally.

*Wednesday, my ear started hurting again. After not hurting on Tuesday. So, yeah. Just feeling clogged. Then I pulled out some form of a crusty booger from Harrison's ear. About three weeks after tubes. I just pray to GOD that this is not drainage from an ear infection. This is on top of school, lots of holiday school obligations, shopping, etc. Fighting kids, miserable feeling mom and kid, etc. Just blah. And Jason has to work late (like 10 pm) every night this week since it's the end of the fiscal year (or whatever it's called in accounting). So he gets to come home and deal with me and the kids after working.

*Thursday I was so done with the ear, so I called the Dr so I could go back in and find out WTF. The kids had early release, so I had to pick them up by 11:30. The Dr. office told me they were packed and wouldn't be able to get me in before pick up. So, no doctor. After pickup and a McDonald's lunch/playground festivus, we came home and took early  naps. All of us. Me with alcohol and a cotton ball in my ear. Upon waking up, I felt much better. Until I blew my nose. Then it all started up again. And Harrison was a FUSS BUCKET. So I bundled both of them up like Ralphie in A Christmas Story (it was about 45-50*) and we played outside on our playground and drank cocoa. Cause something needed to redeem the day. And it was great until Harrison poured the whole dog water bowl on himself. And was freezing.

*Friday (today) we have a playdate with some friends. The Dr. just called me and said to come in so he could look in my ear. So I'm about to take TWO KIDS TO THE URGENT CARE and pray I come out alive. Then, we are going to play. We have a very busy weekend with Altar Guild, another birthday party, cookie making for church, etc, so I have to be feeling better. Emotionally and physically.

I am just spent y'all. Taking care of kids is hard enough when you are well. And when you feel like shit-it's even worse. Duh. Obvious statement. Hopefully I will get this ear junk resolved shortly. And then we can go back to life as normal, with less throat punches. Okay, life? Thanks.

Where do you hide the goods?

So, Christmas is fast approaching, and I've been socking away all of my presents for a few months now. The problem now lies in the fact that I have a few large items (dollhouse, toddler basketball goal, toy toolbench, Littlest Pet Shop, etc) that I have to hide, and I practically have no place to do it where the kids won't be. (#firstworldproblems)

I currently have all of the kids' stuff under a giant tablecloth in the majorly disorganized junkpit that we call a garage. Last week while packing the car, Harrison walked up to me with a Dora DVD from the stash. Problem dude.

I can't have them knowing/seeing/Santa stuff. We have no attic space (it's about 2x5 and full of suitcases and boxed baby keepsake clothes), we have no basement, we have no guest rooms currently. I would consider my closet, but some mornings while getting ready, the kids go in there and play with my shoes.

So, where do you hide the Christmas goods? The stuff I've bought for other family members is in the hall closet, but if they saw that, it wouldn't be the end of the world.

I guess I'm going to HAVE TO get my a$$ in gear and clean/organize the garage so I can properly hide the goods. But, I was hoping to avoid it. So, tell me, where do you hide your Christmas goods?

Thanksgiving Recap

Since I still haven't even started getting things out for Christmas decorating, why not blog about our Thanksgiving? Ha! We had a great time traveling around and seeing ALL of our families!

First we went to Nashville and stayed with bestie! Luckily, she has a nice, big house for us to crash at and has a high tolerance for mess and loudness! And when you put six adults, four children, and two lively Yorkies under one roof, shiz is about to get real, right quick.

After starting out trip out with Jason leaving my iPhone on the roof of the car, then pulling onto I-75 (do the math-it was bad), we started our first full day in Nashville going to an AT&T store so I could get an upgrade (and not get glass in my face/ear/hand.) After FINALLY getting the new phone, getting it set up, and eating lunch, we went to the cemetery to see Grannie. May I also point out that this was around 3:00 and my kids nap around 2:00. The moods were....difficult, to say the least. I had a nice long talk with Grannie while the heathens went on around the cemetery and attempted to pluck flowers/flags/etc out of the ground. Yikes.

On Thursday, we headed over to Grannie's and got the festivities going!

PICTURE OVERLOAD.

My precious niece Scarlet posing by Buddy.

This is my cousin James (aka Bubba) who moved to St. Croix on Monday for a chef job!

My Daddy

It wouldn't be a Trickey family gathering without Melissa giving out free haircuts to the men folk.

Bestie and her boy (aka Laura and Fenn)

Bestie's hubby Erik (he's a cool cat)

My "about to get married" cousin snuggling Buddy after his nap. 

So sweet.

Playing cornhole-since Uncle CR travels with his boards!

The piano buffet of shiz-not cute with the foil on, but Aunt Kathy would've beat me.

And in true sister fashion, I got a little jig on camera. ha!

On Friday we left Nashville and headed to Montgomery for a four day play fest! We had a great time just chilling, eating, cooking, and playing with family. And then both kids got pinkeye on Monday. The pits. What the.

So we came back home on Tuesday and we are still trying to get it together! Did y'all have a wonderful Thanksgiving, too?

Happy Thanksgiving, Y'all!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Thanksgiving! We are having a great time (albeit sleepless) sleeping over with my bestie Laura and my sissy. That's six adults, four kids, two dogs, and a ton of toys in one house. Yikers! Can't wait to head over to Grannie's for a wonderful Thanksgiving lunch and time with family!

Gobble gobble y'all!

Thanksgiving Plans and Apps!

I cannot believe it is almost Thanksgiving! We have big plans to travel to Nashville for our "Last Thanksgiving" and to Montgomery for the Edwards Family Thanksgiving.

I say "Last Thanksgiving" in Nashville, because honestly, now that Grannie Annie gone, I'm not sure how many more Thanksgivings we will have together as a HUGE FAMILY. It was a central location, and now....who knows? So, we are going ahead with the holiday as planned. As Grannie had planned. I mean, she wanted to set the table in July! Very prepared, that one. :)

I can't wait to get away as a family and SEE family, especially family we don't get to see often. Hi, far away aunts and uncles that I only see 1-2 times per year!

So with all of the fun that comes from traveling with young children, (ha bloody ha!) I have to have some app and dessert plans to share with la familia!

Up on the "menu" is cream cheese sausage balls, crockpot spinach and artichoke dip, and pecan squares. YUMMY.

So, what are you all making for Thanksgiving? I'm so excited that I'm not having to host dinner this year! I'm happy to just make some fun appetizers and desserts!

Harrison gets tubes

Harrison was diagnosed with another double ear infection on Monday. This is his tenth one in ten months. I was so done-I had a mini breakdown in the pediatrician's office. Then, I called his ENT and said let's do this. Let's get tubes so my baby can feel better and stop getting sick all the time. Thankfully, he does surgery on Wednesdays, so he fit us in and today we went down to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta for the surgery. At 5:00 am. Surgery at 7:50 and we had to be there by 6:00. We live about 30 minutes away and there is never any telling about Atlanta traffic. Yikes. Harrison didn't know what was happening-when we got there at 6:00 am, he was just glad to see a playroom in the waiting room.

Playing in the waiting room.

 Pitiful. I hate seeing my babies in hospital gowns. Hope to never again! 

He was playing with some "tools" he chose out of the treasure chest for taking his nebulizer.

 Ball!

These little pre-op rooms were perfect! We got in ours around 6:45, and to wait for awhile, they thought of it all! Basketball hoops, a box of toys, TV, a little bed. Boyfriend was having fun!

He did great until anesthesia. I thought he would be wigging out because he couldn't have any food or drink, but he played and chilled.  I took him back to the OR and held his little hand and sang to him while they put him under. PS-that was the most NON FUN thing I've ever done. So pitiful! But it was quick.


I went and got a coke, used the bathroom, texted Jason, and then the surgeon came in! Wow! Maybe 15 minutes? A minute later, I heard a cry that I knew belonged to my heart. Sweet boy rolled in and was pissed! I got some snuggles and then just loved him up while he came out of anesthesia.


After a few more minutes of crying with his eyes closed (heart wrenching), he opened his eyes, saw me, cried, then pounded a huge cup of juice. We got our stuff together and left!

I set him up in the car with juice, teddy grahams, a Thomas movie, snuggly blanket, and he was all happy for 5 minutes. Then, I looked back and saw this.

Sweetest angel

He slept all 40 minutes home, and I even was able to transfer him to bed without him waking. That never happens! He's been asleep for 3 1/2 hours now. I am sure he will be feisty when he wakes up, but I have him some soup and grilled cheese and applesauce all ready.

Here's to hoping my sweet boy feels better by tonight! And maybe I can take him to his school feast tomorrow! Thank you all for saying prayers for him this morning! They were felt!


*Update-I started this post during nap time, and when Harrison woke up, he was his old self! He killed his lunch, played, layed down for a while and had quiet time, ate a good dinner, and had a bath (with earplugs!) He was ready for bed at 7:30 and went right down! He's back! Going to school tomorrow for the feast!!

Halloween 2012

Halloween this year was a blast! Emma has an opinion and actually voiced it. She wanted to be Jasmine, from Aladdin. She is obsessed with Jasmine. Harrison has no preferences, except to run around, so Jason selected a fly fisherman costume that was to die for! I'll let the pictures speak for now!

But first, the outtakes of trying to get 2 kids to look at the camera at the same time. Hahahaha!

We had a great time trick or treating with my good friend Jill. We always go to her 'hood and do hay rides, Halloween party, and walking around, Emma loves her sweet friends Reed and Sara Kay!

It was a wonderful Halloween! And Emma is STILL digging through her treat stash each night after dinner for the good stuff. Ha!