Martinez Family Journal

We had a bit of a rough day yesterday, right at the bewitching hour. I had a number of stresses, due to so many different sources. I told Drew and Matty to go take Rory for a walk and it seemed like forever til they were finally ready. I had so much on my mind, and felt there was an overwhelming amount to do: so many errands to catch up on that I would never get caught up.. it was a most depressing feeling and it got me quite irritable. Sadly, I snapped at the boys who were taking too long getting out the door. Matty came back a few minutes later saying it was too cold to walk, so I had them put on jackets. Drew hadn't remembered a bag for Rory (if he eliminated). Ao there were so many things holding them up from leaving that it seemed I would never have a moment ALONE to catch my thoughts and be able to think. It has been hard lately to think and organize my thoughts, for Matty talks 24/7. wow. Now he is a total delight and soooooo fun to spend my days with, but wow, the talking overwhelms me often.

When they returned, it made me quite ashamed of how harsh I had been, especially when Drew was carrying a sweet bouquet - the prettiest I ever saw- of purple asters from the field and yellow flowers as well - for me. This is so like Drew to think of me when he has been yelled at. I thanked him and then again did so the next am. He said it was no trouble, for he got them to calm me! (he said it respectfully and kindly) wow, I laughed! and huggedhim. he said it was to make me happy took, but mostly to help calm me. wow, this child is so special.

When I record stories like thisi one, poignant stories that every parent has, i wish I could better remember my own childhood so i could retell stories of me to the children.

I was searching all over house for Drew - although this house is not THAT big. But nonetheless, I was getting awfully frustrated at not finding him – it is not like him to dispapear. Finally, I peeked out front to see him standing there, and then remembered that he had brought home, again, a grasshopper or cricket – in his lunchbox. Luckily, it was a very light homework night, so there was no rush to have to get that done. I yelled at him that I need to know where he is, if he leaves the house. He turned and happily came in, saying what a good time he had had with his darling cricket. He explained how they had become friends, after getting to know each other earlier at Hope, and being handled and all. He said the cricket liked him, and that they had "played tag on the front lawn." Drew adores wildlife, and especially insects. When I dispose of a spider in the house, I have to make double sure that Drew is not within half a mile, or he might see what is happening and break down in tears. Sometimes he will even give a dirty look and spit out the word, "Killer!"

As Mary was changing Matt in PJs last night, he wasn't paying much attention to what she choose for him to wear. One item was a "shirt" that started its existence as a hooded onesie, with arms that were far too long. Matt doesn't like this top too much, however.

A little while later, Mary was upstairs, and Matt, out of nowhere started yelling to her, "Mom! You didn't say you're sorry!" Mary answered with a puzzled, "Sorry for what?" He replied, very indignantly and mixed with a little moaning, "Sorry for putting this shirt on me!" After he let that be known, he went back to what he was doing!

We had just headed home after meeting up for dinner following Drew's soccer game and haircut. We split the boys up again for the ride home, with Matt coming in my car. Matt wasn't paying too much attention when we split up after dinner, so he was a little unhappy that he was in my car, instead of his more familiar seat in Mary's car. Close to getting home, he said, "I'm sad I'm not in Mom's car." I asked why, and he replied, "Because I don't like you." I was really taken aback, since he sure seemed to understand what he was saying. Even though he is only four, and doesn't comprehend a lot of things, I was still hurt. I told Mary about it when we got home, and she talked to Matt about it. He remembered saying it, but it appeared that he was mostly saying that he preferred to ride with Mommy. When Mary told Matt, that it hurt my feelings, he paused a moment and said, with great sincerity, "OK, I like you now." That was too funny!

John

Yesterday was Matty's fourth birthday! Wow, four years old. I can remember so vividly when he was newborn; and for me, that is saying something! For I do not have great memory. Where does the time go?

Drew has been painfully sick for 11 days now, and so all our effort and mindpower went into making him most comfortable, TRYING to cure him and attempt to keep him up to date with his schoolwork. So Matty's presents got forgotten til that day, when we hurriedly pored through catalogs, our best source we have found for finding cool toys. it is quite a drive to the nearest large toy store, toys R Us at the mall, and all that is left is a tiny hole in the wall toy store nearby and Walmart. Walmart only has so much to offer. So we got the presents ordered. Drew was feeling miserable with a bad case of nausea and upset stomach, though no vomiting, but plenty of diarrhea. So with a test to see if he has a parasite (ghiarrdia) we had to sit tight and wait. Luckily John had a day off, and we went to Hope to formally switch Drew's teacher. It will be effective in the second quarter to begin in 1.5 weeks. So now that that was taken care of, I collapsed in exhaustion. What a stressful week trying to communicate with Mrs. Lindberg about the unfortunate situations in Mrs. Groening's class. So I napped and John and Matty ran errands. Errands have been piling up as we have been housebound due to Drew's illness. Then later we ordered a pizza while walking to the park at dinnertime. What a cool idea we have been wanting to do for quite a while - Drew told us he had no idea one could have a pizza delivered right to a playground! We enjoyed a very relaxing couple hours watching the kids play at the playground and eat the luscious pizza. Luckily Drew was feeling much better and able to play.

our oven has been dysfunctional for over a month now 9no time to look into fixing it/purchasing new one) so we have been missing pizza with no oven. so this Pizza Hut pan pizza with pepperoni and cheese was SO PERFECT. I swear pizza never tasted better. I am not even hooked on pizza but wow, the joy of eating THAT luscious pizza!!

We enjoyed a msot leisurely walk home in this perfect fall weather, watching the huge full moon rise above the mountain's sikhouette. It lit up the sky so brightly as if it were sunrise. Rory loved being out in the fresh air; he has been missing that since Drew took ill 11 days ago. We sung happy birthday to Matty with his birthday hat and candles, video'd it and had him make a wish. Then Drew and john went to rent movies, came home with Star Wars and Hoodwinked. Hoodwinked is a very clever movie! I was halfway amazed Matty enjoyed it, though being a Red Riding Hood movie, for it was rather sophisticatedly done. But he was often giggling. He cuddled on the sofa with me watching. Nothing like a movie to help him tolerate being cuddled.

That was Matty's birthday, with Drew's ilness taking over the day and my exhaustion from dealing with the mess at Hope, I do hope to have full energy next weekend (Drew's three day weekend - fall "break") to more fully celebrate Matthew's fourth birthday.

Mary