life is a toilet bowl full of candles...

I caught a bad flu bug yesterday. or at least it feels like the flu. honestly, I don't know what's going on with myself these days. I think it's typical for me to have contractions for a while before the baby arrives. So this "flu" could be my body reacting to the pre-labor... I dunno. What I do know is that I am feeling really sick and that I have spent a lot of time at the toilet. So not fun.

To make matters even less fun, after flushing the toilet in my master bathroom yesterday, I noticed something was stuck down inside. Turns out five or six little somethings were stuck.. I received a bunch of little white candles for my birthday. I was hoping to light them for a nice bubble bath, but Simon got to them first. He had to climb the bathtub ledge to reach them, but don't put anything past this kid. Anyway, I fished everything out- or so I thought- and went about the day.

I was feeling so sick around 7 PM, so we moved FHE up to our bed because according to Ben, "If it's not the whole family then it's only Home Evening." Whatever you say, kid. After about ten minutes, I kicked everyone out of my room and fell asleep. At 10 PM, after the kids were in bed, I woke up and rushed to the toilet in my room, but there was no water in the bowl. I flushed it and watched the water gurgle slowly down. I tried reaching inside, but couldn't feel anything. Great. There's nothing like being sick AND having a broken toilet. I told Aaron about the candle incident, he groaned, and then I went quietly into the boy's bedroom to use their toilet. Apparently I wasn't quiet enough because Sy-Guy got out of bed and joined me in the bathroom... I want so badly to get mad at him, but I can't because he is unbelievably cute. especially with groggy sleepy eyes. I told him to go and find Daddy.

He found Daddy. Daddy was out of bed and working on a "project". When I came back into our room, I found the two of them like so:

My husband, who is the furthest thing from a plumber, literally ripped our toilet out of the bathroom and was fixing it... ? When I saw them, I busted out laughing. Aaron figured if it was broken and we had to call a plumber anyway, he might as well play around with it first. Within a few minutes, he found the lost candle and had the toilet back in it's original spot. I was completely entertained/amused/impressed by the whole scenario. Aaron came out of the bathroom and said, "Why don't you take it for a test drive, honey." When I told him it was in perfect working condition, he said he might switch occupations. Plumbers bill at a higher price than attorneys nowadays.

Simon was completely enthralled with helping Daddy with the toilet.. until he realized that 5 rolls of toilet paper were in the sink. While Dad was putting the toilet back in it's spot (and I was laying down) Simon got a stool and turned on the water. When Dad came out to see him with 5 sopping wet rolls of toilet paper, he swatted his behind and sent him to bed with me. Simon was SO upset. He gets scolded by Mom all day long, but Dad is his best friend and never gets mad at him. As he laid on my pillow, he said over and over in between sobs, "Daddy mad. Daddy mad." Eventually he closed his sleepy eyes. Earlier I had put in CD to help me relax... and at the perfect time, Mindy Gledhill's Hourglass came on. I was holding my darling little baby, who will only be my baby for a handful of days. He's growing up so fast and I wish he wouldn't! It was such a perfect little moment.. One of those "coincindences" that make you grateful and sappy and filled with nothing but goodness. Are you familiar with the song? turn on your speakers and have a listen.. the lyrics are below as well.

Little boy, when you speak
I can't help but kiss your cheeks
I love the way you grab my hands
And tell me all about your plans

Rocket high, comets fly
You and I could hitch a ride
And fly away to Neverland
And give our best to Peter Pan

When you reach for the stars
Don't forget who you are
And please don't turn around and grow up way too fast
See the sand in my grasp
From the first to the last
Every grain becomes a memory of the past
Oh, life's an hourglass
Life's an hourglass

Stories read, prayer is said
Close your eyes sleepyhead
While angels linger in your dreams
And hold you in their feathered wings
Just like you, I was small
Not that long ago at all
I wish you all the happiness
That God gives freely if you ask

When you reach for the stars
Don't forget who you are
And please don't turn around and grow up way too fast
See the sand in my grasp
From the first to the last
Every grain becomes a memory of the past
Oh, life's an hourglass
Life's an hourglass

Isn't it a beautiful song? It perfectly sums up my feelings on motherhood and could easily be dedicated to each of our children. Life is hard. Some days you have to fish for things flushed down the toilet.. but each of these moments are fleeting and become memories to add to our book. As frustrating as it can be at times, it's SO WORTH it. They are so worth it.

*behind Simon in this picture is my shoe rack. He is obsessed with this contraption and makes a mess of my shoes almost every day. He has toothpaste all over his face, which is also very typical.

**in the toilet bowl picture, you can see my new black bathroom cabinets.. Did you know I spray painted them? They look awesome, if I do say so myself. I should post a picture of my "new" bathroom. Maybe if I am feeling better tomorrow....