More on 9's and 1's

A friend once told me about an article she read describing life as a parent as "all 9's and 1's." Before kids, most of your days are 7's (on a 1-10 scale). After kids, 9's and 1's. This past week: all 1's. One of Jack's cavities developed an abscess. All night on Thursday, he cried because of the pain. I had given him Tylenol but it did nothing. It was awful. Thankfully, we got some antibiotics to treat the infection on Friday and his pain has subsided.

Later on Friday, I took the kids for a haircut and was informed in the middle of Sonia's haircut that she had lice. On subsequent inspection at Lice Knowing You(TM), I learned we all had it. Super! 5 hours and $400 later (seriously), we were lice-free. I may open my own Lice Knowing You franchise as they are seriously raking in the money.

So, that happened. On Friday morning, pre-lice discovery, I thought "I hate my job." It reminds me of the Peace Corps slogan "The toughest job you'll ever love except when you hate it which is some of the time" (slightly amended to meet my needs). The weight of being responsible for these little people feels like tons of bricks on my chest after a sleepless night comforting a crying child.

But last weekend: 9's. I took Sonia camping in the North Cascades while Ryan and Jack went fishing outside of Olympia. Jack has seemed much happier after having Dad to himself. Sonia and I loved being outside with friends in the American Alps(TM).

pre-louse-removal. Kids are happy. My face looks different.. more like Ryan's face in the background

Camping!

North Cascades kid-friendly hiking trail