I really hope I'm not jinxing myself writing this post, but I feel like I have to. This year, the year 2017, has been a crap year. The birth of my second daughter, Nora, has been the highlight of the year.
Why is it a crap year? Because of ALL of the crap that happened...let me get started!
It's been a little bit more than a year of crap happening with us. Right before last Christmas was when the car full of dudes showed up at my house and I had to run inside with my toddler in my arms, locking the doors and hoping they left. I learned from that experience and now know how to handle my weapon better and to call the sheriff.
At the beginning of the year we got a lot of rain and in turn, we noticed that our chimney was leaking in the basement. This is also in addition to a water pipe leaking and having to cut into our bathroom wall and get that repaired. SO with the fear of mold and having children in the house we quickly got the chimney damage inspected to get the ball rolling for repair. My husband and cousin started to dig in to fix it and it was a much larger project than they had anticipated so we found a contractor. A contractor - who never showed up. We waited months and finally later (I'll get to that) had it repaired with another company.
My house in Oklahoma also had to be sold which dealing with bids and everything is annoying, especially when you settle and then have the people get cold feet and fall through. I was glad when that was over and am grateful for my friends who lived there and got the house ready. I couldn’t have done it without them.
There was a field fire right next to our house that was really close to hitting our propane tank. That was fun to watch...NOT. The fire dept was really quick and for that I appreciate them even more!
Another story...While I'm in my third trimester, I decide I need to go get groceries while my husband is home to watch the kids so I go. On my way home (around 9-10 pm) I have a blowout. Thankfully, my in laws were right behind me on the highway on their way home so I got rescued!
My pregnancy sucked pretty much completely. Anxiety ruled my life and I was physically taken over with all sorts of pain. Nora has completely made up for it. She is the best baby. Life with 3 kids 3 and under has been quite the thrill and experience. My oldest has acted better since starting preschool which is a huge relief! Not to say that he and my oldest daughter get along, because mostly they don't. All in all, I have learned more about myself in the past 3 years than my whole life. I know what I can handle and what I can't. I've learned more of what I want out of this life and what I can live without. I've learned that 3 pregnancies is probably enough. I'd like to stay married and not feel so bad again.
Okay, onto more crap. Hahaha
So while we are waiting for the contractor that never showed up we have pretty wicked storms on and off. 4 days before I go into the hospital to have Nora a freaking tornado hits the house. Do you know how much I HATE STORMS? I was so scared and feared to keep my children safe. I really didn't think when we got upstairs that there would be a house, but we got extremely lucky and only minimal damage happened. We got a new roof, the chimney (finally) fixed, new doors and windows fixed with an awesome company (Burwell Construction - Hays, KS). My son Thomas will never let me live it down that I was "crying in the basement because of the cartado (his word for tornado) and his favorite tree was destroyed. Oh and another thing about the house...you know the paint on the siding that was peeling forever that we finally got fixed? Yeah, it's peeling again.
So on top of all of that crap, we had vehicle issues. Issues including me having to drive 20 mph on the way home from taking Thomas to preschool because our suv was stuck in 4WD low. We ended up getting a cheap minivan (yeah, I know) and it has honestly been very convenient for the whole getting in and out and dealing with 3 kids in car seats way. BUT the tires on it have been an issue. The freaking day I put insurance on the thing I have a flat going to pick up Thomas from school. Yet again, thankful for in laws for saving the damn day. And USAA for making it work to send someone out and be covered by insurance.
After that I've had another flat with the van and my husband ruined a tire on his pickup, all thanks to the wonderful Trego County Roads (sarcasm and eye roll here). Along with house and vehicle issues, health has been downhill since Nora was born. It has felt like we've been more sick/had health issues than not. Not the easiest thing to deal with. My oldest daughter, Clara, has had the worst eczema I've ever seen and I feel so helpless in relieving her symptoms. We are finally going to an allergist in January!
I would also like to add that during all of this, money hasn't been growing on trees for us. It's been really tight and we are hoping that 2018 brings us a much better outlook! And for another twist to our story, our house has been haunted. The activity really picked up after Nora was born. A radio has been on a couple of times downstairs when we weren't the ones who turned it on. We've taken a picture of smoke on our stairs, had Thomas tell us he's seen a man and describe him in full detail, seen orbs on their night cameras and the creepiest has been when Matt and I came home to hear people having a conversation. We both thought it was the tv, but it wasn't on and wouldn't have been since we were gone.
In the grand scheme of things, this is all trivial and could be incredibly worse. I am grateful that it wasn't worse, but am glad for the year to be wrapping up. Not that the universe knows the difference in years, but maybe it'll change. But in the meantime, I'll keep trucking along taking care of the kids while my husband works insane hours. I'll continue to load all 3 kids up Monday through Thursday, getting them all ready and myself ready in time, making the 22 miles trek to town, unloading them all to go sign the oldest in then loading the two girls up to head back home. Once home we will have our lunch, naps (if I'm lucky and maybe get in a load of dishes) and then load up again to get Thomas then load back up to come home and start dinner. Then get ready for bed! The days are long, but the years are short. How my oldest is going on 4 already, I don't know...I treasure my crazy life and I'm very thankful for family and friends who are there for us and for coffee and wine!
Wishing you all the very best 2018!!
