Ketchup

Sounds like a good idea to ketchup on everything, but I know it's not going to happen. So many excursions in Merida are just not going to make it on this poor little neglected blog...but here's my attempt to sort of sum up the past eight months since our return. I'm hoping to add some photos at some point.

I returned to Michigan with the kids in mid-April (why we came back early is a story for another post). A week later I fell ill. What could it be? A strange, Mexican parasite? Well, yes, it was. Surprise! I was extremely nauseated, had terrible fatigue and headaches and reflux, and was pretty much bedridden for almost three months. Meanwhile I was supposed to wrap up the school year home schooling Squeak and Pip and doing basic care for my four little ones while D was still working in Merida. Needless to say, not an easy time for me.

D was able to return in mid-June and he spent his first month back trying to clean up the terribly messy house and take care of his very ill wife. Oh, and we had some pipes burst in the basement while we were gone during the winter, so half of the living space in our little house was not livable.

I think I had one really good day during that time--and it happened to be the day in June when our Nena was baptized and confirmed.  I prayed to be able to feel well so I could enjoy that special experience. What a blessing the Lord granted me!

During those three months, I was too ill to care that I couldn't go running, couldn't leave the house, couldn't eat much, practically couldn't function, and couldn't socialize, but when I finally started to feel better in mid-July, I was ready to start being myself again. We made three frenzied trips back-to-back to see people and places--this helped to resurrect me. We went to St. Louis to see the land of my father (and show the kids many of the things I experienced vacationing there as a kid). So fun to have my dad show us around!


We returned home and took a day to unpack and repack before heading "up north" to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I felt that we couldn't really say we've experienced Michigan without taking a trip to the U.P. We stayed in a little cabin and then a nice little hotel and enjoyed time at various lakes.


After returning from that trip, we had a few more days to do laundry and clean and pack up for a 3-week trip to Utah, mostly to enjoy my sister's wedding festivities. The drive was the easiest we've ever done with our crew, what a treat! We all enjoyed the constant stream of social events, and I was so grateful to feel well enough to enjoy it all.

D had to return to Michigan a bit before the rest of us because he had started a new job, but the kids and I lingered with family. I drove with the kids to visit friends in Denver a week later. Dave flew there so he could drive us the rest of the way home.

We had one weekend before school started for Squeak and Pip. They were not excited about going and would've loved to have Mama continue to home school them, but I just couldn't do it. I spent a lot of time and energy psyching them up for it, and although they were nervous, things have turned out quite well. Pip especially has been blessed with perfect teachers for him and he loves going to school now! Squeak is also doing so well and enjoying her experiences. Yay!

We had a gorgeous autumn here. I was able to start running again and really enjoyed being outside and feeling somewhat normal again. I went crazy pressing leaves--I just couldn't get enough of the rainbow of colors. D was working in three different urgent care offices, enjoying the variety and the new colleagues. We tried to hire someone to fix up the mess in our basement, but that didn't work out, so handyman D did all the work himself, and then we painted. It was previously a hideous very dark peach (almost orange) and now it's a cheery white--I love it! We got things put back into place just in time for the cold weather to arrive.

We enjoyed being cats and a dog for Halloween. The pre-Halloween parties were a lot of fun, and thank goodness we didn't save all our partying for Halloween night because it was freezing cold and sleeting and we only went trick-or-treating for a short time.

Thanksgiving was delightful--we enjoyed a wonderful time with some friends whose policy is "there's room for everyone at our table"--they invite anyone and everyone to join them, and it feels like a wonderful family atmosphere even though we are far away from our families. The kids and I have enjoyed Thanksgiving with them every year we've been in Michigan, but this was D's first time attending--he was able to have the day off, a luxury he has missed out on for most of med school and residency.

I spent November and December trying to overfeed the bargain hunting animal that lives in my bones, knowing that when the new baby is here, that animal will have to starve at times. Ah, the thrill of coming home with bags full of items that only cost me a few dollars! D is antsy to simplify and get rid of things, but I have to keep reminding him that I'm in an accumulation phase because with a new babe, I won't be able to run out and get that soap or shampoo or shirt on sale.


All this time, I've gone through some serious personal growth as well. Already posted this on facebook, but here it is for the blog:

My friends, I'm beeg. As in, "estoy grande," not, "soy grande." I'm almost 40 weeks pregnant, and while I normally can run the whole 9 months, I was so sick this time that I was bedridden for 3 months and had to take 4 months off running. It seems it has taken its toll--I've never been this beeg in my life! So the other day I had a conversation with a gentleman that we will call "Mr. Tactful." Here you go:

Mr. Tactful: Why haven't you had that baby yet?
Me: Baby isn't due yet.
Mr. Tactful: (look of complete shock) REALLY!?!
Me: You don't have to tell me I look like a bus.
Mr. Tactful: Well! That is a VERY well-nourished baby!

I thought about this exchange (almost humorously, and actually unemotionally) for about an hour before deciding that it was my duty to educate him on how to converse with a pregnant mama.

Me: So I have some free advice for you on what you shouldn't say to a pregnant mama. First, know that whatever her size, she already feels huge.
Mr. Tactful: Oh?
Me: Yes. So you should never say things like, "Are you overdue?" "Are you sure you're not having twins?" "You look like you're about to pop!" "That's a very well-nourished baby!" "You look like a bus!" "You're baby is going to be huge!" [Did I leave anything out??]
Mr. Tactful: (a little bit speechless but nods his head)
Me: But here's what you CAN say! "How are you doing?" "You look great!" "You look energetic!" "Would you like to sit down?" "How can I help you?" [Did I leave anything out??]

The other ladies in the room nodded in agreement and said to me, "Well done!"
I think I successfully saved him from repeating his error with any other pregnant mamas--he apologized profusely and has been tactful and gracious about my size and state ever since!


And that's all the ketchup I can mustard right now. (I know, so funny!!!)