Raymond is sentimental....

Raymond is a certainly a great kid. He just is. He is happy, smart, loving, and more than all of that, Raymond is sentimental. Oh my god, is he ever. It's so awesome to see and experience it, but sad too.

Today, we obtained tickets to the Disney on Ice at NRG Stadium. So the whole Tribe made the trip out to see it. The kiddos loved it. Even Raymond for it being so Disney Princess heavy, hey...he is kid still. We watched the show and decided to have a family dinner at Barnaby's Café in River Oaks. His first time there since he always spends the weekend at Little Grandma's and never wants to leave, even when she wants to go out to eat, he simply refuses. A nice dinner and it was time for him to go back to Grandma's house because he wanted to and he needs to keep her warm when it is cold outside he always says.

Ruby dropped off me and the girls and then went to take him to Little Grandma's house. When she came back home, Ruby told me that Raymond started to cry because he didn't want to ever forget today. They tried to assure him that if he always thought about it, that he never would forget. He is just like that. It's what he does.

A while back when talk of possibly moving started heating up, Raymond didn't want to move and started to cry because Elke (the family cat) was buried in the backyard. He couldn't think of us leaving her. Now, I have to figure something out on that front, but there are countless other instances of this kind of events.

Anyway, since I had sometime, I wanted to type this up since it was fresh on my mind...this just happened about an hour or so ago.

A New Week, a fresh beginning...

...has it really been 8 months? Wow, sorry. I knew that some time had past since my last post, but I did not realize that it had been 8 months. Damn it. It's funny that two different people asked me about blog posts and/or photography in a short span. Made me actually feel like I should continue to do it. I struggle with it sometimes, because I know that only like one or two people actually tune in, but I do enjoy it. I also run out of topics to type up about and don't want to bore the person or two that read. I have to do a better job of finding interesting, relevant topics....

Anyway, as one could imagine, a lot has happened in 8 months time. The loss of the family pet, end of school years, family trips, and a birthday...that's right, I am 38 now. 38? How did that happen? Doesn't seem right, or logical. I mean, I don't seem like I should be 38 years old. I'm still good ol' Nick, aren't I? (Boy do I have thoughts on that topic, more on that in future postings) I certainly don't feel like I am 38. Sure, I am not as spry as I used to me, every once and awhile I feel like I am wearing down a bit. I certainly don't bounce back from long nights of drinking like I used to...sometimes, but I don't feel like I am a 38 year old father of 3. But I am. Nothing wrong with that, just saying.

That being said, I have always thought on Sunday Nights that the dawn of the new work week is like a fresh start. Tiny fresh starts that happen every week. Kind of a mental thing I suppose. I always say, "That's it!! I am getting back on track this week!" But Alas, things never pan out like I envisioned them, they never do. I always look at the beginning of the week for the chance for me to start eating right, working out, reading, and other things that I want to get into. Somewhere down the line (like on Monday Morning) something goes horribly wrong. I hope to change that this week, this being a tiny hint of proof of that.

Being that I am 38 now, I do need to start taking better care of myself. I do go through periods where I work out consistently, eat well, and feel good, but always seem to get derailed somewhere. My goal is to keep it up and just change the lazy lifestyle. I might be at the heaviest weight that I have ever been. No joke. So tomorrow, I start fresh. Going to start by eating right. There is a payoff there, so I figure that's a great place to start. I want to stick around for a while. I want to see Raymond, Lylah, and Zoe grow up some, you know? Can't do that eating fast food, and just being plain unhealthy. See?? The motivation is there, I just have to get up and do it. I hope to tomorrow....

With that, maybe my goal of the "Social Media Monday" makes a bit of a come back. Photo ops for me have been few and far between since work has really skyrocketed this calendar year. I've got to figure out how to squeeze picture time somewhere. For now, maybe the update on photography and blog posting will be slow and steady, once a month??! Every two weeks?? Something like that.

Whew! Looks like I came out swinging, right?!?! I hope so! Maybe this is a good sign for my tiny fresh beginning this time around. Let's just hope that it sticks and a trends accidentally forms. I really do need it. Here's to a great week!

Helpless

After a pretty good day of Raymond staying home as more of a precaution than anything else, everything changed. It's funny (not really) how something can change in the blink of an eye.

Soon after finally getting to watch Teen Titans Go! Raymond's ear started to hurt him. Just out of nowhere, no sign of it coming, nothing. It's weird. The kids were so looking forward to finally getting to see NEW TEEN TITANS, they were sooo happy when it came on. They sat, they watched, and they laughed. They loved it! Then everything changed.

Raymond was in extreme pain. I didn't know how to take it, it was so sudden, so quick. I don't recall ever seeing him in the state that he was in. He cried almost constantly from after 7:00, until he fell asleep at around 9:00. I still don't know how he fell asleep.

As with most things, we look to home remedies first. Garlic is the big winner here, from drops, to just putting a fresh clove on your ear. We tried this tonight, knowing that we have had success once before. It wasn't working.

I anticipate a long night, knowing that illness tend to get worse at night, but so far, so good. I have seen a little discomfort, but he has been able to remain asleep. He sleeps now on the couch, and I don't want to move him or disturb him in any way. Eventually I will have to attempt some sleep, but for now...I watch some playoff basketball and keep an eye on Raymond...

In the meantime, here are quotes that will break your heart, as it did mine...just helpless to do anything to comfort...

"Why isn't it working daddy?"
"I just want to play,"
"How does your ear hurt you Daddy?"
"Why does god make you sick?"
"I just want to feel better than I do right now!"
"I don't like this feeling"

Yeah, etched in my memory...