Time Travelling with Befrazzled
Although I’ve only been doing Befrazzled for a few months, I’ve actually been blogging for several years (in a secret, undisclosed location that only Dick Cheney, Condi Rice and my Mom know about). Anyway…today’s post is from a couple of years ago but it’s one of my favorites. It’s also timely. We are going to my grandfather-in-law’s big birthday bash tomorrow. I’m planning a Family Tree post about him this weekend, but for now…
All I need is my remote control, this chair, and my sweet babies
I always say, the key to my contentment (other than the health and well-being of the people I love) is credit and at least one thing to complain about. Most days, my perceived lack of the former forms the basis for the latter. Anyway…I digress. After Saturday night, I think I’ve come up with a new definition of bliss.
We had a wonderful, event-filled weekend with my husband’s family. It was a big party for his grandfather’s 80th and we got to spend time with relatives we don’t get to see often enough. Rented a hotel conference room and everything. The kids were holy terrors, but terribly cute. My husband got the idea we should stay at the hotel so we could just crash there. Translation: he wanted to play poker w/ his brothers and not worry about driving home (a perfectly reasonable request). Though, of course, it meant I got stuck in the room at 10:00 p.m w/ two ornery toddlers and a Mulan DVD that kept skipping. I was cranky, I admit. Tired and fighting a head cold.
At about midnight, I’d had enough. I was just about to pack everything up and truck the kids back home so we could salvage at least a few hours of sleep. Then, a miracle happened. The kids crashed. One on either side of me on the bed. My daughter was fiddling with her security blanket (ok, she’s 2, she still has a pacifier and takes a bottle…what of it?:)
She reached over me and latched on to her brother’s hand. OHMYGOD. They were asleep, cute as hell and holding hands!
I realized that it was probably the first, last, and only time anything like that will ever happen and I’ll remember it forever. (ok, and I’ll also remember how we attempted to go swimming in the indoor pool and found the cast of Deliverance in the hot tub on what was clearly bath and laundry night…the four year old seriously asked what Gimli from Lord of the Rings was doing in the pool…ugh…still, sleeping angels holding hands makes everything worth it).
Robin
Very sweet. We just watched old home movies (on VHS tape!). Same kind of feeling. Even as teenagers, they still tend to look innocent when sleeping. When you least expect it, when you’re at the end of your rope and you least expect it, that glimmer of wonder will pop through (like when they empty the dishwasher without being asked because they can sense you’ve had a rough day–even though seconds before they were acting like typical teens!)
Comment by phyllis — March 8, 2008 @ 9:19 pm
I would say spontaneous dishwasher emptying is pretty wonderful. At this point, I’m happy if their aim is spot on (not to get too graphic…but I think y’all know what I mean )
Comment by Robin Dec — March 9, 2008 @ 12:31 pm
On Friday I was pretty amazed. Kids had a 1/2 day of school I called to check on them and my daughter said all was well. I asked “what’s ur brother doing?” She says “he’s making a surprise for you.” Now my kids know I’ve had a pretty rough week–worst I’ve had in many years. This tid bit of info from my daughter brought tears to my eyes. My son will be 15 in a few weeks and believe me, its ALL about him-not uncommon for this age. Upon my arrival home–coming in thru the kitchen I say to myself–hmm wasn’t the kitchen he cleaned or made brownies, great room-untouched. I hear the lil people in my life in the basement so I proceed downstairs to find my daughter playing guitar hero and my son watching rocking in the chair. I see my Dyson, AHA he vaccumed the basement I thank him, he smiles. I said “Lola says you have a surprise for me”. he says “don’t you hear it?” I said “no” he says “look around” and to my wandering eyes should i see HE INSTALLED SURROUND SOUND FOR HIS GAMING TV IN THE BASEMENT!!!!! I say “that’s real nice buddy, how is this a surprise for me?” He says “well if you’d like to watch a movie in the basement you’ll have surround sound.”
Isn’t that nice—I seldom go down there, its his lil hangout for him and his buddiesn—pssst if I’m gonna watch a movie I’ll go in my room or in the great room, because I ALWAYS fall asleep LOL
Comment by Cheryl Engfer — March 9, 2008 @ 9:03 pm
Hugs Cheryl. Here’s hoping this week is better! Also…I find it most impressive that he can install the surround sound. Ours took several grown men standing around scratching their heads and much cursing.
Comment by Robin Dec — March 10, 2008 @ 7:39 am
Thanks
I know amazing isn’t it? These kids are so incredibly smart with electronics these days. He’s got quit the hook up already in our basement–pool table, ping pong, theatre room and tv/gaming room. He’s never gonna move out! Gotta good laugh out of that.
Comment by Cheryl — March 10, 2008 @ 8:43 am
that should read *quite not quit
Comment by Cheryl — March 10, 2008 @ 8:44 am