Worlds Collide

The Trifecta entering the sanctuary...

Remember, that one time on Seinfeld, when George worried that his two worlds were colliding?  Relationship George (the man who spends time with his wife) and Independent George (the George we know around Elaine, Jerry, and Kramer) clash when Elaine wants to get to know his wife.  He called it his, “Worlds Collide Theory.”  It’s one of my favorite episodes because George has a crazy tantrum in which he yells, "Anybody knows... You gotta keep your worlds apart!"

Today, as I watched The Trifecta enter the church sanctuary for their Thanksgiving Program, it occurred to me that my worlds were colliding.  Not in the same way as George of course.  Quite the opposite, actually…all the things I love the most were meeting head-on in one location, at one time. 

My parents sat to my right, my brother and Chris Jackson to my left.  I sat smashed in the middle, in a pew, in a church I adore to tiny pieces.  First Presbyterian Preschool and The Trifecta’s teachers, Ms. Allison and Ms. Tasha…have I mentioned how much I cherish them today?   And then, just when I didn’t think I could take it anymore, The Trifecta; Elizabeth, Hendley, and Mary Ellis, walked into the sanctuary. 

And for a moment I couldn’t breathe.  I couldn’t take the happiness that palpitated inside me.  My worlds were colliding; my parents with my brother with my church, with our preschool, with my husband with my precious children…things that I treasure, in one room, at one time.

But, unlike George, I didn’t have a tantrum.  I did burst into happy tears though. Check out the show: 

Join Them

Once upon a time The Trifecta used to take magical naps.  The kind of naps blessed by unicorns and sprinkled with enchanted sleepy horn dust.  Then, the unicorn galloped away and naptime stopped. 

No more time for Mommy to eat lunch.  No more time to fold laundry while watching, “The Real Housewives of New York.”  Or, “Bridezillas.”  Or, “Law and Order.”  Or anything on the Lifetime Movie Network.  No more cruising EBAY for NWT Lilly Pulitzer or obsessively scrolling through my smocked auction pages on Facebook.  Mommy time died when the magical unicorn ran away. 

I tried all sorts of tricks.  I sat in a rocker and told them I would call Santa if they didn’t sleep.  Instead of sleeping they spent the whole time whispering, “You won’t have to call Santa on me, okay Mommy?”  Or, “Hey Mommy, look at me, I’m sleeping.”  Or my personal favorite, after not sleeping at all, “What a great sleep.  I’m wide awake now!”

I Pinterested and found a glorious idea for nap boxes filled with books and “quiet” toys. This resulted in The Trifecta leaping from bed to bed, fighting over books, piling the “quiet” toys on the floor and eventual mayhem. 

Then, one day, after my 26^th trip up the stairs and my 14^th personal depiction of the police banging on the door and threatening to cart away non-napping three year olds, I had an epiphany.  If you can’t beat them, join them.  I’m a fighter.  I don’t give up.  But this battle, this insane combat from 1:30-3:30 each day…The Trifecta had the upper hand. 

“Move over,” I ordered as I climbed into Mary Ellis’ bed.  “What are you doing, Mommy?” she asked. “I’m going to take a nap.  In your bed,” I answered.  Elizabeth and Hendley climbed into bed with us.  I had a toddler on each arm and one on my stomach.  Within 10 minutes, The Trifecta fell into sleep.

The mystic unicorn had returned. 

The system is not perfect.  It’s hot and sweaty when you have three bodies napping upon you.  There is drool involved…lots and lots of drool.  Most days two of the three fall asleep while I spend the rest of the time whisper-shouting, “Get still and quiet or you’ll wake your sisters!” 

And one time, I fell asleep.  And when I woke up there was not a Trifecta in the bed.  There was a duo.  The third had crept out of the bedroom and into the playroom.  There was a big mess in there.  But she was still alive so I didn’t worry about the mess so much.

Periodically, my limbs will endure such a smashing that my arms and legs will fall asleep.  Leaving only my face muscles active.

I still love naptime.  The snuggling.  The laughing.  The whispering.  The kisses.  I love hearing them breathe when they sleep. 

Welcome home, enchanted unicorn.

Pumpkin' Paintin'

 

 The Trifecta loves Fall.  They love all things scarecrow, hay, and pumpkin.  After we purchased our pumpkins we decided to paint them.  The Trifecta wore their uniform of choice...underwear.

 

 

 

 

Did you know that pumpkins are the world's largest fruit?  Elizabeth does not eat pumpkin, but she loves Granny Smith apples because they are sour.

 Pumpkins are 90% water.  Hendley is 100% precious.

 

Pumpkin seeds are known as pepitas!  Pepita was my Spanish name in high school.

 

 Painting pumpkins is serious business.  Various colors are needed as well as multiple brushes.

Pumpkin flowers are edible. Have you tried them?

The world's largest pumpkin weighed 1,140 pounds!  Mary Ellis weighed 3.2 pounds when she was born. 

Pumpkin seeds are small but powerful, just like The Trifecta.  From a tiny seed grows a GIGANTIC fruit!

 

Trivia Tidbit:  Dreaming that you eat pumpkin means that you will live a rich lifestyle.  I have never had a dream about eating pumpkin.

 

Pumpkins are grown on six of the seven continents. 

 





80% of the pumpkin supply in the United States is available in October.

Native Americans used pumpkin seeds in medicines.

Mary Ellis enjoyed mixing all her colors together.



Elizabeth used a lot of purple and blue.

 

Hendley Grace used green, of course.

 

In the end, Mary Ellis just painted her whole body. 

Bono Says...

BT (Before Triplets) Chris Jackson and I used to run together.  We were both getting our Masters and I read somewhere that physical goals helped with academics so I made us run two marathons.  Because I don’t mess around with goal setting.

We would have to get up between 4:15 and 4:45 am so that we returned by 6:45 am.  That gave me just enough time to take a shower, drink two to three cups of coffee, pull my wet hair up into a pony tail, and make the 2 minute commute to school by 7:30 am.   When you set your alarm for the early morning, you need some tough ammunition to prevent the pushing of the snooze button.  Our first strategy involved placing the alarm clock clear across the room by the door to our bedroom.  The second strategy was most effective.  We purchased an alarm clock with a CD player and set U2’s “Beautiful Day,” as our wake up song. 

When Bono greeted us with, “The heart is a bloom, shoots up through the stony ground there's no room, no space to rent in this town, you're out of luck and the reason that you had to care, the traffic is stuck, and you're not moving anywhere…” we somehow managed to crawl out bed, throw on our running clothes, bob our heads and point at one another (sometimes Chris Jackson busted out into a full dance sequence) and make it out the front door.  We usually didn’t speak until we crossed the pedestrian bridge. 

Now when my alarm goes off around 5:15, I crawl out of bed alone.  The only marathon we’re training for together now is the long distance course of parenthood.  I leave Chris Jackson in bed, usually with one of the girls, and sneak into the kitchen.  Even though I complete my Bible study first, it’s still dark when I walk out the door.  I send up a quick prayer before I hit the play button on my ipod.  1) Please allow the girls to sleep peacefully until I return home. 2) Please protect me while I’m out in the dark of morning. 3) Please keep all my post-triplet organs, specifically my bladder and intestines, from falling out of my privates while I run.

The first song on my play list?  “Beautiful Day,” of course.  Bono says, “It’s a beautiful day, don’t let it get away,” and I begin my slow drag (picture an injured dog) of a jog.

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the verse:

What you don't have you don't need it now

I have a tendency to manipulate lyrics to fit my own personal wants and needs rather than listening to the artists intention.  In this case, I think Bono is telling me to be thankful for what I have.  Because I think Bono is a guy with deep thoughts.

Sometimes I grumble; I don't run as fast or as far as I used to, I don't get a solid 8 hours of sleep each night, loading triplets into the Jeep makes me sweat, I got a bad hair cut last week. 

But I think I should listen to Bono about this when he sings to me. Everything in my life is a gift and a blessing.  During my Bible study last week I came across the following quote.  I wrote it in my study guide without crediting the source, “With thankfulness comes contentment, a satisfaction with what God has given us and where He has placed us.” 

I want to think about where God has placed me in this crazy, glorious, sometimes confusing world. And I want to feel thankful. 

I'm No Cream Puff

Call me emotional, but I’m no sissy.  I’ve described my fertility struggle.  Let me provide a brief recap:  Shots in the buttocks, hell like hot flashes, tubes and other uncomfortable devices in my privates.  I’ve described the physical journey of carrying triplets.  Let me provide a brief recap:  Internal organs pushed into my ribs, flattened digestive system, insane bladder pressure, bed rest for three months, hip and back pain that would bring Earl Campbell to his knees, and the agony of my insides when The Trifecta decided to fruit basket turnover…in my uterus. Did I mention I breastfed triplets for a year?  Have you seen a breast pump?  Do you know how they work?  

If you’re not yet convinced, I will message you photos of my C-section scar. 

I’ve been writing this post for several weeks now on the pain of parenthood…because it’s not for cream puffs. I’m not talking about the physical stuff I described above.  I’m talking about the stuff that goes on in my heart.

I felt it the first time I got to “see” my girls.  Dr. Brody made an incision through my abdomen and uterus and then carefully removed three babies from my insides.  Immediately, The Trifecta was whisked away from me and taken to the NICU.  I had to wait 6 hours to see them.  Chris wheeled me to the hand washing station and then into Pod 3.  They were doing “great” according to the neonatologist.  I had MUCH to be thankful for.  But they were hooked up to breathing machines.  And they had IV’s in their petite heads.  Their minuscule hands were taped up with different tubes and devices.  And they were SO small.  It took my breath away.  “Please God,” I pleaded, “If they are feeling any pain, take it from them and give it to me.” 

  Hendley

 Elizabeth

 

 Mary Ellis

 

How many times, as a parent, have we said that prayer? 

I learned recently that one of my favorite students of all time (a spunky, brilliant, darling, little girl) was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.  After reading the details of her diagnosis from one of her older sisters, (equally as precious) the world stood still for a moment.  My first thoughts went to this insanely wonderful little girl; I will pray for her with all my heart.  And then my thoughts went to her parents.  Two of the most outstanding parents in the world. Because I knew they hurt.

Last week I learned one of my oldest and dearest friends is sending her two year old into surgery next week to remove tumors from her head.  I pray each day for this little girl, but I find myself thinking about the heart of her mother, who I love so much.  Because I know she hurts.

One of my little ones is struggling too.  Nothing like what I have described above, please don’t think I’m even comparing.  She may be on the autism spectrum.   It may be Asperger’s. It may be “sensory defensiveness.”  I truly don’t mind a label, but it’s the behaviors and the inner strife I see her demonstrate that I want to remedy.  Transitions throw her.  She won’t release her favorite lovie from her death grip.  Sometimes she runs away from her teachers.  She doesn’t want to join the group.  She plays alone a lot.  Her distress is bringing me to my knees.  I’m no wimp, I’ll get through this.  I’m researching every possible accommodation, modification, and behavior plan available to man.  I’ve talked with the therapist who diagnosed her.  But right now, it’s hard.  Really hard.  It hurts my heart.  I can’t stop thinking, take it from her, and give it to me.

I was running last week.  While I was running I was pleading with God, asking Him to show me how to help my daughter, questioning why one little girl has to have surgery and the other has to have chemo and lose her hair.  All of a sudden, I pulled a muscle in my right leg and I was forced to walk.  This irritated me because I don’t like to walk.  It’s slow.  It takes me longer to get from my starting point to my destination.  But when my body slowed down, so did my mind.  Then God slapped me with Psalm 139:14, “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.” It is the verse on The Trifectas’ birth announcement.  They were engraved, Crane announcements.  The same verse hangs in the room of their preschool. 

 

When I first read the word, “fearfully” in this scripture, I wanted to change it.  Yes, I wanted to change the Bible.  Because I didn’t like the idea of the word “fearful” associated with The Trifecta.  So, I looked it up.  The third definition in Webster’s dictionary for the word “fearful” is “full of awe or reverence.” Reverence: A feeling or attitude of deep respect. 

And then I thought and prayed and thought and prayed.  I’m still thinking and I’m still praying and I don’t quite have a logical conclusion to this blog post. But this is what I’m working on today.  It’s not easy for me.  The pain I feel when one of my girls is hurting is so insanely awful that a tough gal like me can’t even find the words to explain how it makes me feel.  (Did I mention I nursed triplets for a year?)  But then God reminds me that He made these little girls.  AND THEY ARE WONDERFUL. And there is a reason He formed them the way that He did.  He didn’t just slap some cells together and call it a day.  And, when He was finished forming my little girls, He loved the results.  And so do I.

He loves all His children.  He will give each of us, as parents, what we need to get through the tough stuff. 

Trifecta & Treehouses

 

Long, long overdue post.  Granny took us to Cheekwood to see the treehouses.  A-MAZING.  I would encourage you to go, but they are no longer there.  Sorry.

 

Hendley Grace

 

Sisters frolicking.

Hendley and her most Favorite Person.

 

Studying light and color.

Trifecta exploring.

 

Heading over to the PIRATE SHIP!

Adventures!

 

Mary Ellis

Trifecta takes control of the ship.

Fish Treehouse!

Made of CD's!

 

Hendley, Elizabeth, Mary Ellis

String House!

 Playing in the Treehouse!

Mary Ellis the Zebra.

 

 

It's A Beautiful Day

 Today was a big, beautiful day! 

I started sweating as soon as I woke up...from sleeping two hours.



Elizabeth, Mary Ellis, and Hendley Grace were ready to rumble!

This weekend Mary Ellis asked Uncle Ben, "Will you please take me to school on Monday?"  Because he is the very best Uncle and brother in the whole world, he came along.  This morning Granny asked Mimi, "Are you nervous?"  Mary Ellis answered, "No because Uncle Ben is here."

  Some mothers get a "silly picture" on the first day.  I get a "sassy picture." I didn't even have to ask.

Uncle Ben, Grandfather, and Granny all came along.  Because they are the best, that's why.

Mommy felt very nervous when we arrived at school. Working puzzles helped me feel less anxious.

 

Elizabeth felt unsure (and cried...and screamed) at first.  I believe she was the only precious gem to have such an adverse reaction to the room.  After a trip to the ladies room she felt better. 

Best. Uncle. Ever. SERI-OUS-LY.

Hendley Grace did not feel afraid. She felt ready. 

One of our loving and wonderful teachers.

 

One of my favorite verses.

Uncle Ben and Grandfather hold Hendley's hands as she skips out of school.

Hendley Grace cannot wait to go back to play with blocks.
 

Libby Lou's favorite part of the day was working with puzzles.

After school we went to City Cafe to have a celebration brunch.  We keep it classy.

Mary Ellis has many tricks up her sleeve.  She really loves her teachers.  She would like Spider Man to be another teacher on Wednesday.

What did Mommy learn today?  I learned that school we be held Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  NOT, Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.  I think that is very important.