My migraine-free-streak had to start over today. I said a quick prayer of gratitude because it has been a long week. Some migraines were worse than others, but today was the first day I woke up without one since Saturday of last week. I’m hoping it was just because I was sick and not because I switched back to estrogen/progesterone. The progesterone only tablet was causing me some problems. Despite having a migraine, I had a very full week. I only made it to the gym once and honestly I probably would’ve only made it twice if I was feeling well because we had so much going on with the kids. I got my blood drawn on Tuesday by a nice lady who did NOT know what she was doing. I left with three miserable bruises. The appointment took a long time. I got there on time only to realize I’d forgotten the paperwork for the labs that my doctor had given me. The lady at the desk said, “Oh yeah. I don’t know why, but that doctor does everything by hand.” It’s true. His office is still filled with paper medical records. Seems pretty inefficient in the world we live in today. Also, made my life inconvenient because I had to drive home to get the paper. They saw me as soon as I got back, but the First Lady could NOT get blood. I know I was dehydrated a bit, but she also kept driving the needle in too deep and moving it all around, trying to get a flow of blood. It wasn’t until the other lady took over till they were able to get blood and I could go home.
The weather was wet and cold all week. Maverick’s second playoff game got canceled due to rain, but despite the next day being wet as well, they decided to go through with the playoff matches. The biggest issue was that the team that played before Maverick’s went into double overtime. It was in the 40’s and it was a wet cold, so we were bone-chilled. I told the kids before leaving, “Socks, running shoes, sweater and coat.” None of them listened to me. I told Mav, “wear a long sleeve under your jersey and bring a jacket so you can warm up when in the dugout.” He didn’t do either of those things. I should’ve done a check when we got in the car, but we were already running late. Harvey was wearing flip-flops. Mav had short sleeves and the other kids had sweaters, but no coat. I brought two blankets, wore a hoodie under my winter coat, and brought a beanie. By the end of the night I had my coat and the rest of the stuff was on the kids. I think lessons were learned… I hope. But seriously, why can’t telling them be enough at this point. They’re old enough to dress themselves. We were at that freezing field for three hours before the lights turned out and we had to end our game early. Because of where we were at in the game, it was highly unlikely we would’ve won, so we forfeited the rest of the game to the other team. I was secretly grateful I didn’t have to go to another freezing game that week.
Beverly at show and tell week at her dance class. 
Here is the beginning of the three hours at the baseball field. We were already freezing. 
Even though I was very specific with what they needed to wear to the field, none of them listened. By the end of the night, I’d given up my own sweater and both blankets I’d brought. 
By the time Mav’s team was up for their game, the other three kids were ice cubes, so I sent them to the car with Max to warm up. 
I got to go to Beverly’s field trip this week. 
Wednesday (the day after freezing our buns off), Maverick, Beverly, Harvey, and I stayed home. We all felt pretty miserable. We were already sick before that game, but I don’t think being cold that long helped anything. Thursday was Beverly’s field trip, so I was grateful we were doing better by then (I still had a migraine, but I wasn’t as bad off as the day before).
Friday, was the Elementary school’s fun run. It was a long day for me with three kids in three different runs. I rested when we got home, then made dinner, and got them ready for trick or treating. We went with the Durrants and the Rogers and had a good time.
Maverick ditched the claws for his costume and went with light up gloves… 
He stuck with his friend most of the night. 
Max didn’t come home with much candy. I think he only took a piece from the houses if it was something he knew he’d eat. He forgot about the power of bargaining. 
Harvey was a trick or treating champ.. though he did try to go for some adult beverages on a couple of occaisions. 
Beverly’s costume was looking a little haggard by Halloween. She insisted on wearing the wig to her dance class and you can tell… 
this is a repeat pic from last week, but you can see she looks a lot more put together.
Saturday, I felt crappy again so I didn’t get as much done as I would’ve liked. Lindsay offered to take up to 3 of my kids to the Wild West show. I had thought about going, but it wasn’t on the table with the way I felt. Beverly was the only one who wanted to go. She ended up losing her keychains (along with a rabbit foot she’d bought). The table with the rabbit feet let her have another one for free so she wasn’t too upset about losing the other keychains. I took Max on our date together. He just wanted to go to dinner. It was really nice to have that one on one time with him.
I had some really awesome spiritual moments when Andy first left. Since then, I haven’t had as many. But little things have reminded me that I’m not alone (aside from Linds stepping in to help from time to time). I got raspberries on sale. While eating them, I was brought back to a moment, sitting on the soft Utah grass at Grandma Ila’s house, going to town on her fresh raspberry bushes. Then I picked one of her favorite treats from Sam’s Club: Werther caramels. It isn’t as profound as the nearly physical feeling that I had when Andy first left, but I know she’s here. My grandma Ila and Andy’s grandma Beverly both suffered from migraines. I am sure they are doing whatever angels can do to try and help me through this time. Andy’s been gone four months now. It feels forever and it has also gone by fast (as most things do). But it is hard for me to think about the fact that I have to do the last four months (and some) again before he’s home. We have a lot to look forward to coming up. We have Universal Studios with the Jacksons, Utah for Christmas, and then I get to go out and visit Andy in January. I’m trying to figure out what to do for the kids’ birthdays. Keep it low key, but also make them feel special. My motto has become, “simplify simplify simplify.” I’m still working on some projects and my novel is plugging along, but where I’d normally go big, I’ve cut back. I’m really looking forward to the day when my partner is back here. It isn’t just the help that he is, which is a lot, but it is hard to feel connected sometimes. We talk every day, but he isn’t allowed to talk about a lot of things at work and my life feels pretty mundane at the moment. Plus it’s hard to see him struggling so much. I’m just excited to have him home. Man was not meant to be alone, but I don’t think woman was either. 😉