Preparing for the rehearsed and the un-rehearsed

Sunday 8/5- We returned to Michura for worship.  There are four churches that serve the community including the aptly named Power of Jesus Temple.  One of the things I remembered about the introductions from the day before was the way in which the tribal leaders introduced themselves, praise to God, an example of God's mercy in their life, and THEN their name.

Here was our church, under a giant tree overlooking the valley below.  One of the things I loved is throughout the first hour of a 3 hour service more and more community members streamed in as the singing increased in volume.

There was prayers, singing, shouting, more praying, then sermons by two of the four pastors. Silas, one of the community members and who is the 410 Bridge lesion to the community translated much of the service.

Our team was asked to sing and give testimony and favorite scripture.  By the end of the service I dare say I've never heard God referenced as "pregnant and wanting to give birth to new life." It was hands down one of the most spirited messages I've ever heard.  The service, the music, and especially the outdoor setting was a celebration of the faith and testament that God is very much a presence in their daily lives.

After lunch, which was prepared and boxed by our hotel daily, we broke into three groups of a men's bible study, women's, and youth.  My teammate Jennifer, also a teacher, and I were asked to lead the women's group.  Before we left Jennifer and I reviewed the lesson we were asked to teach about responsibly and had the chance to talk to another of the 410 Bridge staff who lives and works in Nairobi.  We had questions about what topics should we focus on and those to shy away from as to be respectful of our cultural differences.

As we sat overlooking this beautiful vista surrounded by about 30 women dressed in every color and print we began in prayer.  Somehow it fell to me to open in prayer and I prayed that the rehearsed as well as the un-rehearsed would come forth and bring us together.  I was really nervous, despite talking all day for a living.

This felt different than daily teaching and surrounding us were the faces awaiting what were were bringing from a very far away place.  Jennifer and I introduced ourselves and  mothers, teachers, followers of Christ.  We received clapping that we are teachers. A first for both of us and evidence of the importance on education in the community.  Once we were finished, Beatrice, the wonderful leader of the village women's group and only female tribal elder asked if we wanted the women to introduce themselves.

What transpired next was amazing and the women through Beatrice's interpretation conveyed their faith in God despite hardships, deaths of children, spouses, the sheer hard work each performed just to live.  What was spoken was who was related to whom, how many children they had both living and dead.  It was their chance to identify themselves, free from the shadow of the men.

Near the end of our lesson all attention shifted to a game of Duck, Duck Goose called Zebra, Zebra, Lion in Kenya.  The women were straining to see the growing noise and sounds of children laughing and chasing each other.  Jennifer and I looked at each other and as teachers, retooled on the fly and opted to close in prayer.

As tradition, the women kneeled in the dirt as did we.  Beatrice looked over and says, "Not you. you are leading the prayer. You stand."  I was humbled. Somehow I again was the one speaking and closing us in prayer.  I asked the women again to name either out loud or in their hearts their requests.  As we started the prayer the kids voices began to drown us out so I wrapped up the prayer for,"God to give us the same joy of the children in our daily lives."

At the end, the women broke out in song, shouting and dancing.  Jennifer and I as well as our other female teammates Diana and Jessica gladly took part and garnered the attention of the men's group who were now watching and clapping along.  It was a celebration that despite the language barrier, we were all women. For months I've thought about how the struggles and want for a better lives transcended cultural barriers.  We all love our families and our children from the same heart. On that Sunday it was evident.

As we were leaving and walking back to our bus two of the oldest ladies among the group grasped my hands and walked me back over the rocky road.  As would become common in the days ahead, both in greeting and parting goodbye, hugging and the clasping of both hands connecting us together became the norm.

Truly a beautiful day filled with the shared experience of worship and celebration in faith in God. As far as church experiences it was literally a mountaintop moment.

Getting to Michura

Several friends have asked if I can share what happened day by day, so I'm going to take the next few posts to detail a couple of days at a time. Today I'll detail our team leaving on Thursday and finally arriving in Michura on Saturday.  Prepare for insane picture overload now that I have our team pictures.

Thursday 8/2- Our team of 12 left Left Raleigh-Durham on an overnight flight for London.  The same London smack dab in the middle of the Summer Olympics.  What else to do with a 12 hour layover then TOUR!

Friday 8/3- First up, buying day passes on the Underground and paying homage to the Queen.

Then a short stop at the Apple store.  Why?  One of our team leaders was the former head of global retail store development for Apple.  Don't even ask how or why he left a corporate job in CA for church service NC, it will blow your mind.  All I can say is our team benefited from his leadership in so many ways.

We opted for trying to make it to Olympic Park via the train in hopes of getting in, sadly once we arrived all tickets to enter were sold for the day.  Not since being at the Obama inauguration have I been in this much of a crowd.

The crowd was insane as well as totally alive with Olympic fever.  I picked up t shirts for our family as well as a Apple Olympics pin for Bill.  Next up we headed to the hotel we were suppose to be sleeping in instead of touring for one hour before heading to the airport, hello a much needed shower

We headed to Heathrow were we flew out of the Africa and South Asia terminal.  I totally won the "where is that city award" among the group.  Social Studies teachers rule.

Saturday 8/4-We again flew overnight bound for Narobi and lucked out with an extra seat so I got some sleep.  We arrived in Narobi at sunrise and had to change to the domestic terminal which involved crossing the street.  Yes that would be me brushing my teeth while waiting.  Two of the things I am most happy to return home to:  using safe tap water and US bathrooms.

We had a several hour layover in Narobi in which we got visas, got breakfast, exchanged money for Kenyan shillings.  We took a super short 30 min flight to Kisumu, and luckily we didn't take a super small plane nor did we land on dirt. In the last year a brand new airport had been built.  We did land in what felt like the smallest airport ever and I was very thankful that on journey to Michura was almost complete without incident.

We headed directly from the airport to Michura, a village of around 1,500 around an hour southwest of Kisumu.  Kisumu is the 3rd largest city in Kenya and is situated on Lake Victoria and near the border of Uganda.  I was surprised at how big the city was and sadly was also surprised by the poverty along the streets including wandering cows and goats, burning garbage, kids drinking from dirty water, and a population density with people on top of one another.

I took politics in developing nations in college and thought I had some idea of the vast differences between the haves and have nots. This was real poverty just feet away from me and never became easy to see on our daily drive.

Then there was the traffic and the smog.  We would drive through the main outdoor market and shantytowns each day along the one major road out of town.

By the end of our time I got used to the pervasive smell that seemed to permeate my clothes and body.  Even Bill commented when I opened up my suitcase once home that he was surprised the smell traveled thousands of miles home.

This is a good chance to also mention our hotel.  By US standards it would have been a low brow place to avoid.  By Kenyan standards and what we would see in the village it was a luxury to have access to indoor bathrooms, a bed with a mosquito net, food that actually was really good, and a private room for our group to meet nightly. We were lucky for our fan even thought it was technically "winter" season.  Most days it was in the 80s with moderate humidity.  Did I mention that there was a tv in the bar area with the Olympics on continually?  Every day we returned I sat in the bar drinking bottled sodas not available in the US like Black Current Fanta and watched the Olympics.  Awesome memory watching women's weightlifting with two Kenyans with no common language other than exchanged glances meaning "these women are insanely huge."

Plus, there were monkeys everywhere.  Monkeys, people.

I also spent time each night sitting here journaling the day.  I'm embarrassed to say that while I did miss my family, I also loved only being responsible for myself.  Each day was physically and also emotionally draining and I took time everyday to be alone, go to bed early, take a walk inside the walled grounds.

We arrived in Michura around noon in time for an opening ceremony lead by the town elders.  When we turned the corner to be greeted by teacher Beatrice and her students with flowers and singing. every bit of tiredness and culture shock was erased.

We are met by approaching children in their school uniforms, climbing over big rocks on the main trail into the village. I will never again experience a welcome like this again for the first time.  I wish you could hear the purity of singing and joy of the faces of Michuran children that will soon become our family.

Home

We arrived home late Saturday after 9 days filled with hope, joy, heartbreak, and simply amazing moments.  Thank you for holding us in your hearts and prayers throughout our journey.

More posts and pictures to come this week as I re-acclimate to life, something that is proving harder than expected. My life was forever changed by the sights, sounds, smells, and relationships built over a few short days. I was reminded that this type of hurt only comes when your heart has been forever changed.

As a team we committed to only have one group member photographing our days in the village as to focus all our attention on our mission to serve the Michuran community.

I'm awaiting to see what of our 5 days with this amazing group of people will emerge.  I know that many moments are treasured in my heart regardless is there is photographic proof they existed.

After leaving the community we drove across the Kenyan countryside spending our final night in a game lodge at Lake Nakuru. We took a sunrise safari during which I captured some of the following images.

I am living a beautiful story of which the following experience is only a small chapter.  The last thing I said to Siprin, whom I not only met but was able to spend time with her teacher and parents as well, was that I will see you again.  If our impact on the community was a fraction of their impact of me, it's still immense.

Leaving for Kenya

Tomorrow I'm leaving after nearly 9 months of preparation for Kenya.  Most of Thursday and Friday will be spent flying and in layovers, including a 12 hour stint in London.  I'm hoping and praying for good traveling conditions as well as the health of our 12 member team. 

We will reach Michura, a small village of 1,500 situated on the mountains that overlook Lake Victoria near Uganda by Saturday morning.  Our team will be continue work on a clean water project collaboration between the organization 410 Bridge and Crosspointe Church, Cary NC.  Already this year two teams have traveled to Michura and more trips are planned as this is an ongoing partnership. I originally thought I would be doing physical labor, but upon finding out that school teachers were among our group, we were asked to split our teams with some of us working with the village children.

Each day I will be teaching and working with the 6-7 year old primary school students in the morning.  Our afternoons will be spent in the community living and working alongside a family to understand their culture, traditions, as well as their daily life tasks.

On Sunday all four village churches will come together for a mass community worship celebration and later that afternoon I and one of my teammates will be leading the community women's bible study.  The pictures I've seen from past teams show the Michuran people living lives much like ours with emphasis on family, relationships, care of children and the want for a rich, full life.  

From  past team members I've heard how humbling it is to be among their community with all focus on just our small team.  It seems surreal to me how in just a matter of days that the community, and especially the children, will adopt you as extended family.

There is one child I am especially excited to meet.  Meet Siprin, a beautiful twelve year old girl our family has pledged to support her educational expenses through secondary school.  One of the ways we communicate is through Rafiki mail, uploaded messages on whiteboards that are printed and carried into the village through the Kenyan contacts with the 410 Bridge. 

This has been a great way to connect my own children with my planning and preparations as well as help them understand why I will be gone. The boys made Siprin pictures and I will leaving a photo of my family in hopes we will continue to communicate.

We will leave Michura next Thursday and will stay overnight at a safari lodge outside of Nairobi.  All hopes that we will be able to take a planned sunset safari before we begin the journey home on Friday.

It is not by chance that the 1 year anniversary of my mom's death passes while serving in Michura. I can't think of a better way to honor her memory than giving from my heart. My mom was a long time piano teacher as well as director of the children's choirs at my home church. I know she would be moved that we/I are serving the children in the Michura community. 

Thank you friends for your help in making this trip a reality.  Thank you for not only your financial support but your emotional and spiritual support as well.  My heart tells me this is only the 1st trip to Michura. Something within me knows what lies ahead in the next 9 days will change me in more ways than I cannot imagine.  

To follow our group facebook page for travel updates and pictures during the week link to: http://www.facebook.com/CrosspointeMissions

-heather

"let my life be proof of His love"

Tales from the little potty- Book 2, Volume 1

Do you see what I see?

As Ian is talking about a potty, wanting to flush any and all public toilets we are moving into potty training, Take 2.  We renewed his favorite potty book so many times that we finally bought a home copy.  This summer is all about some potty awareness  including letting him sit whenever whether clothed or not on the little potty.  Since we have been consciously tracking over the past couple of weeks weeks he's peed on the potty twice.

Unlike the almost 2 year battle to train Ben I am trying a much more relaxed approach.  I'm hoping that once back in regular daycare in late August that their efforts along with ours will help Ian along.

I'm hopeful that during book 2 of these potty diaries never to write the following sentence, "Like a bear in the woods my child sh*t behind a bush." Remember from Tales from the Potty, the Leather Bound Edition when  Ben graced me with not one but two nuggets of parenting gold?  Actually upon re- reading this is one of my favorite posts ever.  I'm glad I gave it the 2 friend test and published a keepin' it real parenting moment.

Tomorrow Ian and I are going to meet his new teachers and take his supplies/forms as he will be there all next week while I'm in Kenya.   While I'm not expecting anything in a week time frame I do hope that with the positive influence of other children as well as supportive teachers that some progress this upcoming school year will be made.

My God have mercy on my soul as well as my patience.

Ben ADHD update

We are close to 90 days into the decision to medicate Ben's ADHD.  Yesterday was a good example of the strides he has made but also how very difficult managing his behavior remains.  The third med trial resulted in a choice of a medication that he takes with breakfast that lasts until around dinner.

Most days Ben is at his best in the am so we have blocked out weekly tutoring, 1/2 day camps, or appointments early. Afternoons are for the pool, playing outside with our neighbors, t-ball, and being lazy until dinner.

We've gotten into a summer pattern that seems to work with the exception of tearful outbursts over what seems to be inconsequential nothing. Luckily the tantrums are fewer on the medicine but still occur and mostly are triggered without notice.

Let's take yesterday as a prime example.  Ben is in a 1/2 day art day camp called "Art Outside the Box."  All week the class is using unconventional items to create art.  Yesterday they created mud paintings. When I dropped him off today they were stuffing paper inside an upside down tomato cage with the intention of throwing paint a la Jackson Pollack for some type of sculpture.  For a kid that normally raids our recycle barrel to create art projects this was a great camp for him. 

Back to yesterday when he dropped the mud painting in the parking lot sending most of the mud to flake off and be ruined.  Enter a massive meltdown with crying, kicking my car, screaming and at it's worst hitting and kicking me.  


What I have found is that when Ben falls into one of these tantrum, it is best to let him burn it off in a safe place.  When driving, I pull off the road and if needed pull him out of the car if he's throwing items, if in a store or restaurant someone sits with him outside until he is calmed down.  In the case of the ruined painting we sat outside the building on a bench while he transitioned from anger to sobbing to asking if we could ask the teacher how to make the mud paint and try it at home.   


It is a test of all our wills not to react in anger but rather calmly explain that we are not leaving or returning until he is calmed down. What also works is to let him know that if he destroys something, it will not be replaced unless he pays for it, if he physically hits us or Ian he automatically goes into time out regardless of where we are with additional punishment once home.  Part of me has just has to suck up the embarrassment of a bear hug to temper an out control tantrum in public.  Luckily minus some scornful looks, I've not had anything said to my face.  


Part of helping Ben, is also letting him figure out how to rebound and move on.  Even with abysmal behavior he on his own apologize and tell me he is going to try to think.  I like "try to think over try harder, because ADHD is not about doing it harder."  This is a huge gain for him to learn to regroup and move on with limited adult involvement other than physical proximity.  

As I already have a toddler in tow some days it seems like Ben is just a 50 lb version of Ian. The days of double tantrums are hard.  I still wouldn't trade that he is better due to consistent medication.  He has soared with self confidence working with the tutor as well as with praise for listening and acting appropriately during t-ball games/practice from his coach. I finally decided to check the box on camp applications and briefly mention that he has a diagnosis and is on medication and asked to be called immediately if he has a tantrum at camp.  So far not one call this summer and each of his counselors have reported good behavior at pick up.   


Doing the medication trials over the summer gave me so much more time to evaluate beyond relying on teachers' observations alone and I have hoped that instead of blindly guessing what the deal is with a tantrum, if knowledgeable can react appropriately.  I feel like a huge piece of my job as a mother to a child with ADHD is public education that my kid has something that makes him different, just like any other illness. Providing insight into what works for him including legit praise and catching him being good as a 1st line of defense.  Ben also reacts well to silliness, just like every other kid this age I know.  


Being at home with the boys without the responsibility of work has also allowed me to spend time with each of the boys alone.  Ben almost always chooses water slide racing at the pool and the days Ian has been in camp from 9-noon we've raced to the point my 37 year old butt aches.

Before his last art class today we walked to a nearby old time soda fountain as a field trip Friday at Camp Mommy.  Ben's behavior was stellar to the point that the man behind us commented on my kids good behavior and that watching Ian eat ice cream was the highlight of his lunch.

Remind me to revisit this day when the transition to 1st grade arrives with what I've sure will be behavior to match.  I'd like to be surprised that Ben's gains are more than imagined, they are real.

Smitten

I think you could say Ben is smitten with a girl from his after school program that just so happens to also be at the same day camp this week.

He rushed home yesterday to make her this note.  What I would not do to be a fly on the wall when she opened it.

Note:  love the line, "the grat thins wee doo."  The 6 year version seems sweet, the 16 year old version scares me.

Shots, Nuns, and a Mechanical Bull

***Disclaimer:  No matter at what point of my life you know me, high school, college, even adulthood if you have ever asked yourself if given the opportunity to ride a mechanical bull would Heather partake in such foolishness?  

Folks, you would be right and today my Monday has been rather tame compared to my Saturday in Nashville.

Actually from last Thursday afternoon until yesterday lunch I was with my college sorority sisters for reunion weekend. Much like our weekend at the Grove Park last year expectations were high.  

Actually I must start a wrap up back on Monday with a single picture.

Say would that be a hella lot of shots you took at one time and  I would answer in the affirmative.  5 shots including:  Typhoid, Hep A, Yellow Fever, Tetanus, even a Polio booster.  Add in a prescription for Malaria meds to start next week and yes I will again tell you that going is totally worth it but man did those shots hurt.


Back to Thursday when my friend Meredith arrived in town to join me on the flight.  On our (thankfully) closed Facebook group the reunion has lived on with all bets were putting us on a plane together would


1.  result in a Bridesmaids-type confrontation
2.  someone would be really sorry if they got stuck sitting next to us, especially the nun

By Thursday night we had met up with our group with both of us not banned from Southwest airlines for life.  

Friday am I felt horrible, and not from the say 1 drink I had at dinner.  If you know me then you also know I know that post surgery I've super careful not to make myself sick with any amount of drinking. I felt horrible, like a bus has not only hit me, but also run over me horrible.  I stayed in bed watching the Brady Bunch movie while everyone else is at breakfast.    

I made it out for an amazing lunch of every southern goodness on a plate. I actually cannot stay awake and at this point all I want to do is sleep.  My awesome friend Beth C. (See photo below) is a nurse by trade and immediately linked the shots to the now asleep version that was fun lovin' Heatha just hours before.

Not that the time in bed was all bad, I finally after 4 months of waiting had this little beauty so when not sleeping I was reading.

I was in bed a total of 18 hours and minus leaving for dinner was in the bed for most of Friday.  So yes that kinda of sucked, but if at home would I have been able to pull an monster nap?  Why no, you have kids that would maybe let you sleep 1-2 hours but would want to be like to be fed and entertained at some point.  So in retrospect  it was a good place to be sidelined.


Saturday we opted for BBQ and shopping.  I felt a gazillion percent better so I headed out.  Note: neither Dabni or I purchased said hats or boots.  

We had an elegant dress up dinner followed by a clothes change to head out.  So if you must ask (because I did) what does one where to Nashville Honky Tonk row?

  

We went out for the night, making a stop by for bull riding.  Yes a bit touristy, but given the chance to ride a mechanical bull while my friends of 19 years sang the "Heatha Hendricks Song" aka it's 2 am and we are still practicing for rush events and need a comic diversion.

Well the answer was of course YES. As expected just like the song, watching me (as well as sister Stacy Jo) be thrown from a mechanical bull was in the perfect company.

Until next year ladies, it was as expected a wonderful weekend with a quote list of inside jokes a mile long.

Exit Through The Gift Shop

There, I'm done with all Disney cynicism because we had a wonderful time.  Of course with a toddler in tow as well as frequently whiny Ben not all moments were filled with Disney magic.

Bill and I worked together so we each had time alone with each child, each picked favorite attractions to either ride swap, or in some cases gave each other time alone.

We toured all four parks plus added Blizzard Beach water park.  This trip we opted to fly over driving or taking the train which gave us essentially an extra day.

I give Bill all the credit for planning the trip, staying again on site at Port Orleans-Riverside.  He also took care of all of our dinner reservations including the for the 1st time the campy Hoop Dee Do Review and the Luau at the Polynesian.  We also opted for some familiar favorites at Ohana, Garden Grill, and Biergarten.  If you've done WDW dining you understand it is a feat to get optimal times especially during peak season.  

Instead of taking our camera we used the Disney Photopass system and using a pre-vacation special essentially paid for any pictures we would have bought anyway.  We won't have our digital copies until end of month, but never fear we caught some pictures of the trip on our phones.

Florida forecast:  hot, sunny and 100% chance of cuteness

In each park we made sure we spent time on the "playground."  Needless to say the Boneyard at Animal Kingdom was a big hit.

Mom was adamant that we had to ride her favorite ride, Midway Mania at Hollywood Studios as many times as possible.  This is an insanely popular ride, all Fass Passes are gone within an hour or two of opening and without you risk a 2 hour wait.  I literally RAN to get tickets.

Pay Gold!  

Seriously, how to get me to agree to go back to Disney?  RIDE THIS RIDE!  Even the waiting area queue is awesome and filled with giant replicas of favorite old school toys.  Don't tell anyone but I cried at the end of Toy Story 3 when Ben and Ian... sorry Andy :) goes away to college.  

One of our secrets to staying cool and looking like the middle aged parents were are:  HATS!  Mine was an Africa trial run.  Bill opted for channeling Indian Jones, kinda.

We often split up with someone taking Ian back for an earlier bedtime and someone staying with Ben see the parades and fireworks.  I love this picture of the Illuminations show at EPCOT.  Ben made my glow necklace, then asked to wear it.   Indian Giver.

  
When asked what was their favorite thing:


Ben- driving a car at the Tomorrowland speedway

Ian:  any and all chances to get wet including fountains, spray park, and of course the kiddie waterslides

Bill:  The motherload of all Star Wars memorabilia. Add riding all the roller coasters with little wait being a single-rider.

Heather:  Seeing the electrical parade.  Nothing says childhood like the opening bars of that 1970s cheesy electronic music.  Admitting more misty-eyed nostalgia was in full force.

Thank you Bill for once again planning a great trip. While I still don't own a Disney t-shirt I'm going to admit that being in the kid mindset for a straight week was just awesome.  

Wordless Wednesday

Looks like another family moved in while we were on vacation.

We had a wonderful vacation at Disney.  I would go as far to say one of our best family trips ever.  Having a busy week back with a pukey toddler, lots of prep for Kenya, and realization that a blue crayon in the dryer ruined all my vacation laundry.  

The stuff of life.

The same life that is unfolding in the fern outside my door.  A perfect soundtrack of baby birds every evening on my porch during this lazy summer.

Choosing Dumbo Over Tyler Durden

I once said I would rather hang out with Tyler Durden than Dumbo and while that sentiment has not really changed, I must admit I’m getting excited to leave on vacation over the weekend. We are again heading to Disney World.  I beg to differ that it is “the happiest place on Earth” as I could make a good argument for a deserted beach with a butler and an open bar.

 

But having kids, better yet being married to a bigger one, Disney is about as family friendly as you can get.  We figured that being the last year Ian is “free” that why not take advantage of what has proved to be two successful past family vacations.   Everything about a Disney trip is designed to maximize making things easy for families. 

Bill is the master Disney planner and managed to shave close to a $1000 in discounts using a Disney Visa.  We are doing a few things differently this trip and frankly after going previously we have down how to do Disney.   I’m almost a little ashamed to mention this is our 3^rd trip in 5 years given the economy as well that this time next month I’ll be as far away from commercialization as possible.

 

Major changes for this trip include adding a water park day, the Luau at the Polynesian, Mickey’s Backyard BBQ and Musical Revue, and a night at Downtown Disney at the giant Lego store.  We are using the WDW Park touring apps to help with crowds and wasting time (and patience) in lines. 

We bought the boys these awesome ID bands from RoadID. We’ve been talking rules and how Bear Bucks will work on vacation.  Without jinxing ourselves, but Ben’s behavior on the 3^rd med trial has been amazing.  He’s been a big helper and an extra set of eyes for an increasingly fearless Ian. 

I give Bill all the credit for planning this trip from start to finish.  Other than packing he’s taken care of every l detail.  I’ve already offered to do naptime with Ian each day as well as taking meltdown return to the hotel duty.  I’m all over reading a book in the cool or taking a daily nap. 

  

The boys are beyond excited, even Ian who loves Mickey Mouse Club House calling him “Mick Mouse.”  Many of the Pixar and Disney classic movies have made the rotation into family movie night.  WDW bound for a week of fun. Besides where else will I ever pull off this outfit? 

Explains it

Bill was home today so I took advantage of a couple of hours to get some pre-trip errands run sans kids.

Pick up Typhoid preventive for Kenya trip from Dr- Check
Target run for more sunscreen and a travel first aid kit- Check
Bank - Check
Gas-Check
Library Hold Pick up-Check

I even had time to run by a local running store to try on a new pair of shoes, something LONG on the to-do list. You get the picture that without dragging a temperamental toddler and ever questioning 6 year old was almost as good as a vacation

Last stop the pharmacy to pick up all family medications. I typically pair with a grocery run with prescription pick up since they are in the same place.  As I'm waiting child-free I am checking through the prescriptions and notice that I am missing one.  I mention it to the Pharmacist and she finds it.  I comment that it's sixty 500 mg tablets.  

"What I have here is 1000 mg, are you sure you have the right medicine." Hold the phone as I think how when I fill up my old people sized weekly pill keeper I've been putting TWO of these tablets not ONE.  The pharmacist looks back and has been filling this dose since moving all prescriptions here last December.  


Before you ask how did you miss taking a double dose I've been taking the same amount off-label for PCOS for 11 years. Long story short, because the new pharmacy fills all Diabetes drugs for free I didn't realize that the default 60 tablet supply was giving me 60 tablets at the higher dose.   

I feel a little stupid for all these months when I picked up prescriptions and looked to make sure I had the right ones and the right number of pills.  Somehow I missed the dosage.  Kinda important, right? 


I had the pharmacist look up overdosing side effects including: extreme tiredness and depletion of Vit B 12 stores. 


Flashforward to how for the last 6 months I've been SO tired.  Like falling asleep by 9:30/10 pm many nights tired or even struggling to make it to the end of the school day.  I've had no energy to exercise outside of walking the dog even though I've wanted to get back to a routine. 


Only since school ending have I been back in a gym, even adding some running back oh so slowly.  Thinking it was all just related to two major surgeries recovery and returning to work I pushed it off and kept going while just dragging through the day living on caffeine until I could crash at night.   


So what to do?  I contacted my plastic surgeon's office remembering that I'd done extensive blood work before both surgeries. I don't remember anything from blood work turning up negative, just my EKG having to be repeated.  Still it's a good indicator if the double dose is part of the tiredness factor.


What to take from this story?  


1.  Double even triple check prescriptions.  At least this was MY prescription.    
2.  Don't take the kids when picking up prescriptions.  Sadly one month recently BOTH boys were in the middle of meltdown mode and I walked out leaving an entire cart of groceries at the pharmacy pick up window.  


Wow, kinda glad this happened.  It kinda explains a part of the persistent tiredness.  Kinda glad I have about a month before Kenya to try rebuild some energy especially since the pre-trip vaccinations are not a walk in the park. 


SCARY!   

Jr. Jazzercise- Not a Groupon Fail

Conversation about summer camps for Ben.

Bill:  What camps are the boys signed up for this summer?

Heather:  Did you look at the Google Doc I sent you?  I included where each of us including myself will be week by week.  I also included a list of free or nearly free places to go for the days when I'm home all day.  Maybe you could take a day off and join us? It's also posted on the fridge in bright neon green, you can't miss it.

Bill:  How much time did you spend on this?

Heather: Too much, but to my credit I was giving final exams and sleeping would get me fired.  

Bill:  Why is "Jr. Jazzercise" listed for Ben? Are you serious?  Is this some type of Groupon gone wrong?

Heather:  It's taught by one of the 1st grade teachers at his school and I've heard other parents rave about this class.

Bill: Define "rave" as right now I'm picturing is Ben in a Flashdance era one-sleeved shirt and legwarmers.

Heather:  Try an Olympics themed 1/2 day camp.  Each day has water play, a craft, snack, and then games  related to the Olympics.

Bill:  Ok, but I'm relegating any tshirts with the word "Jazzercise" to only to be worn to sleep in.

Heather:  Hater.

I'll have to admit everyday at pick up I noticed the overly perky instructor setting up the 5 pm class and wanted to ask if 'What a Feeling" was on the playlist.  By Friday Ben had already asked if

1.  The camp teacher would be his 1st grade teacher
2.  Decided if she wasn't his teacher he would come visit her daily on the 1st grade hall
3.  I would download Ice, Ice Baby for our car playlist.  I sadly broke into the first line when he walked out in this outfit. The jury is out on if I really want to hear this piece of 90s pain all.summer.long.

He had a blast and loved the camp, was super proud of his parts in the final performance including a solo in "Everybody Was Ku Fu Fighting", and was well behaved with no time outs at all during the camp. SCORE.

As far as the rest of the 1/2 day camps we are doing Art Outside the Box (using everyday items to make things like cars and rockets), the Secret Forrest at a local Nature Preserve, and a full week at all day camp with the town of Cary.  The last camp will be a couple of friends from his elementary school.

Will be back for Jr. Jazzercise?


Let me stop, collaborate and listen and tell you 


Hell yes.