Daily Grind Gone Mad

A New Chapter

noreply@blogger.com (michelle hays) — Sat, 21 Oct 2023 13:13:00 +0000

I started blogging when Katy was a baby. It was something to do to pass the time during the sleepless nights. She would lay in her crib, wide awake after a feeding and a diaper change staying awake for hours.

That’s when I discovered Myspace. I poured my thoughts onto the screen night by night and left them there for the world to see.

Katy just turned 18 today. We still have sleepless nights. During the beginning of my blogging stages, I was oblivious to the fact that Katy was actively incurring brain damage. I thought I was just documenting the nuances of parenting and recording my thoughts, feelings and experiences as a new mom.

Little did I know that the story I had written out in my head would have a completely different unfolding.

I envisioned myself raising my daughter as a bilingual, dual citizen living in Mexico and working actively in the church to make meaningful changes in the community we lived in.

But the story wrote itself. I was it’s record keeper

Katy did not learn two languages after all. In fact, she struggles to even use one. We did not continue to live in Mexico and my idea of being a model stay at home mom fizzled out as our financial needs pushed us to become a dual income family.

Here we are. Katy is 18. An “adult.” Our “teenage toddler,” we call her.

Life is not at all what I had written in my head and from time to time,. I still grieve the loss of my imaginary story.

However, I won’t deny that I’ve also found meaning and joy and…so much more!

That’s a story for another entry. Right now, I got a fresh pot of coffee and kitchen full of family.

Cheers.

After three long years- summer is here for US!

noreply@blogger.com (michelle hays) — Sat, 21 Oct 2023 13:13:00 +0000

Today was probably the best day in Katy's life. She had her first visit to a water park and she went NUTS! If any little kid deserved to have "their day," it was Katy. She is such an overcomer. She has fought and battled against every medical prognosis and has come out a winner time after time. Epilepsy, Hipotomia, extreme poor coordination, hypersensitivity- let me stop right there.

HYPERSENSITIVITY- every texture used to feel overwhelming for her. A little less than a year ago, even the touch of water was too much for her. She would bathe with her arms raised up in order not to touch the bath water. Naturally, beach and sand was out of the question.

But not anymore. After hours and hours and hours of play, we literally had to pry an over-exhausted but ecstatic little girl from the waterpark. To think that a year ago we feared that she might never walk or play!

Cheers to you, little honey! There are many more days like these up ahead.

My husband can be so cute. I sent him out on an errand as I did my household chores. I went to the back yard for a bucket of water. It was when I opened the faucet that I noticed the strange movement. Just a few feet away from me was a four foot long snake, slithering past me. It only took a second, but it moved very far.

I froze.

The snake froze.

There we stood, staring at each other- getting better aquatinted. I noticed it was thin and black. It noticed I was having a bad hair day. He noticed my hair was frazzled. Slowly, I backed away and went into the house to await my hero to come and rescue me.

An hour later, the sun had set and it was dark. Isaac came home and I told him the story. His eyes shone. There is something about catching snakes that always dazzles him. Before I had finished my recount of the events, he was up and around looking for a flash light.

He darted out into the yard, in search of danger. Its funny how eager he is when it comes to snakes. It had been an hour since the encounter, and the snake had probably gone very far. Nevertheless, Isaac persisted in the search. He ducked, he climbed, he stomped and stooped. After what seemed an eternity, he finally gave up- looking disappointed and let down. He can be so cute.

Don't worry, there are only four venomous snake types in Texas- we're going to be fine.

Se me olvidaba soñar

noreply@blogger.com (michelle hays) — Sat, 21 Oct 2023 13:10:00 +0000

Estaba frente al espejo peinandome cuando Dios me interrumpio.

"¿Que quieres?" me pregunto.

Deje caer mi cepillo. Fue una pregunta tan inesperada para un momento tan cotidiano. Ahi, en mi baño me encontraba en la precencia de Dios, el creador del mundo y de los tiempos. Este mismo Dios se me acerco para preguntarme acerca de los deseos de mi corazon. Me quede atonita, pero la respuesta la tenia en la punta de mi lengua.

"Quiero ver a mi hija totalmente sana, viviendo una vida plena y feliz. Ademas, quiero que ella tenga su propio encuentro con tigo asi como yo lo tuve."

Dios no hablo. Solo habia silencio. Pensando que Dios queria una respuesta mas grande, continue.

"Quiero que mi esposo tenga exito. Que la gente sea cambiada atravez de su musica. Que el pueda sentir la gran satisfacion del fruto de su labor, y que nunca mas se preocupe por dinero."

Silencio.

Pense por un momento, y derrepente comprendí la pregunta. Dios queria saber acerca de lo que yo queria para mi. Imaginé mi vida como Dios la veia, de principio a fin. Imaginé el dia que yo regresára al cielo y pense en lo que queria lograr antes de llegar.

Me quebrante, y comenze a llorar. Hacía tanto tiempo que no pensaba en mis propios sueños. Entre lucha y lucha me absorbi en mi identidad como esposa y madre. Pero en esta mañana Dios pregunataba por Michelle- la individua.

"¿Que quieres para ti, Michelle?"

Comenze a escarbar mas profundo dentro de mi corazon. Saque cosas que tenia muy guardadas. Sueños que ya habia olvidado. Esta mañana, Dios comenzaba a despolvarlos y a respirar nueva vida dentro de ellos.

Me senti como una niña pidiendo sus regalos de navidad. Cosas que yo no puedo comprar, pero que mi papa me quiere dar. Entre lagrima y lagrima Dios comenzo a recordarme quien era yo antes de ser madre, antes de ser esposa. Me mostraba lo importante que eran mis sueños para El, y como no es demasiado tarde para perseguirlos.

Si escribiera acerca de las cosas que le confese esa mañana quizas te reirías. Hable de sueños tan grandes, tan locos- pero no pude ocultarlos. Son las raizes de quien soy, y Dios quiso recordarmelo. Porque aun es tiempo de alcanzar.

Si tu vida a tomado giros inesperados, si tus sueños han sido escondidos bajo el escombro, te recomiendo que los despolves y tengas tu encuentro con Dios. El te quiere recordar acerca de lo que una vez te avivó.

primitive forms of entertainment

noreply@blogger.com (michelle hays) — Thu, 20 Jun 2019 17:53:00 +0000

Lately, Isaac has been Abandoning the conventional television entertainment and exploring a more… unique, unscripted style of amusement on YouTube.

No, it’s not porn.

He has been intrigued with a particular brand of DIY:

Primitive unique tool

(self ascribed title)

Basically, it’s a couple of guys dressed minimally (usually bare chested and barefooted) constructing things out of mud.

Isaac likes to wake up, grab a cup of strong, black coffee and binge watch episode after episode of these guys building water holes, caves or basic mud dwellings with the most primitive techniques.

However, one video led to the next one and it seems like Isaac may have found another Youtube gem today.

Apparently, there’s a guy out there on our planet that has the time, money and dedication to set up cameras and capture (harmless) cat pranks such as sensor exploding confetti bombs.

Behold Isaac’s latest interest

Yep.

He’s weird like that.

That’s why I married him.

That escalated quickly....

noreply@blogger.com (michelle hays) — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 22:30:00 +0000

Its summer in San Antonio, which means- I T 'S H O T .

That's why when we got a cloudy day I thought it was a genius idea to take the kids to jump on the trampoline.

Not surprisingly, it begun to rain. The clouds were a deep shade of gray, after all.

"Yay!" I told the kids "Let's JUMP in the rain!"

Katy didn't want to, but Josh seemed eager enough, so I insisted. Even though I had a nagging fear. Then again, I always have a nagging fear, so I shrugged it off.

Suddenly, out of nowhere-

WHOOSH!

Heaven broke open. Water cascades and strong gusts of wind started picking up the deck roofing. It was standing up straight on its side! Another 3 seconds, and one of the lattice walls flew across the yard, four by four beam still on it. Large tree branches were snapping off and flying across the yard.

And we were trapped in the trampoline.

It was so sudden, strong and scary that I wondered if this could be a tornado. What, with all the roof pieces standing up, fences flying and all.

I had to get us into the house, but could not snatch both kids under my arms at once. Katy is practically my size now. I had to pick a kid to save first, and blindly hope the other didn't get smacked with flying objects while I ran back.

It felt like "Sophie's Choice" for a moment.

I grabbed my toddler first.

"Katy! RUN! Follow momma!!!"
I shouted while I carried Josh like a football under my arm.

She didn't, just as I feared. Instead, Katy froze in a panic with her hands over her ears and screamed. I ran with Josh across the yard, through the deck and into the house, hurling him like a wet fish across the tiled flooring. He slid backwards on his belly, hands outstretched and eyes wide in bewilderment as he watched me run back outside for his sister.

"Stay here!" I ordered.

She was standing in the same spot where I left her. Hands, covering her ears, screaming as she curled into a ball against the safety netting of the trampoline. I began waving my arms at her-

"Walk to me, Kate-kate! Im going to carry you in!"

She would not move.

So, I jumped back into the trampoline and attempted to pick her up. She stiffened in fear, and would not budge, screaming and scratching at me.

Debris flying across the yard and laminate deck ceiling threatening to snap off and fly any second.

Being almost as tall and heavy as myself, I could not muster the strength to carry her. Much less without her cooperation. I grabbed her by her trunk and dragged her across the trampoline, down the steps and through our yard into the safety of our house.

We stood puddles from our drenched clothing and stared out our windows in absolute shock.

WHAT.

JUST.

HAPPENED?

We watched the storm fizzle out in mere seconds, leaving random, broken pieces of what-nots through our back yard.

Its funny how much can happen in 90 seconds.

BTW- We're all good.

I still exist (and lots has changed)

noreply@blogger.com (michelle hays) — Fri, 20 May 2016 03:42:00 +0000

Its been four years since my last post.

Let that sink in...

YEARS.

So lets take a quick visual tour or what's happened.

2013

We had an amazing vacation in Disneyworld

AND
Returned with a little surprise

2014- Josh had a rough start

Pneumothorax (he burst a lung at birth)

But, with a lot of care, he finally came home

I got a job in San Antonio

(still in special education)

So we had to relocate

We settled in nicely

2015/2016

and adapted to our new community

I think we like it here....

And here are some videos to recap the story

now, you're all caught up...

PKU (low protein) pumpkin pie

noreply@blogger.com (michelle hays) — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 22:51:00 +0000

P90Xperience

noreply@blogger.com (michelle hays) — Sun, 03 Jun 2012 23:39:00 +0000

Morons and Maniacs behind the wheel- crazy woman rant

noreply@blogger.com (michelle hays) — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 23:17:00 +0000

noreply@blogger.com (michelle hays) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:43:00 +0000

While i was away a work, isaac took katy to the pediatrician to check on a fever. It turned out she was tested possitive for strep throat.

Poor baby!

I got home and began to ask her questions. Im so used to us having a one way conversation, but i usually prompt the answers to her (to teach her propper conversation).

Today, she surprised me though.

I asked her if the doctor looked at her throat. Katy shook her head "no," and told me "nose."

(isaac told me he put a swab up her nose).

Then katy patted her chest and said "owking (choking)"

Isaac explained that then the doctor stuck a swab down her throat and made her gag and choke.

I told her she was going to feel better now, to which she responded

"eh-eh-ine (medicine)"

"yes, honey," i said "i'll go get it right now"

I got my keys and as i was headed out the door katy added

"boo boo" and pionted to her finger

I asked isaac " did they take some blood too?"

"yes. They pricked her finger," he said.

Wooow! A dialogue with my daughter! Thank you Jesus!!!

Katy ABCs

noreply@blogger.com (michelle hays) — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 04:03:00 +0000

For those of you who dont know, Katy was diagnosed late with PKU. She was 13 months when we found out. She was born in Mexico and they did not screen her. She suffered severely and was even having seizures four to six times a day. We put her on diet and therapies as soon as we got her diagnosis. When she turned three years old, we moved to the USA to get her into school. Little did I know that I would have the opportunity to have a career change and become a special education teacher. Katy was my student in my first year of teaching. I have learned so much stuff, and have been able to help not only her, but many other kiddos as well.

Here is Katy, working hard against all odds as she tries to catch up to her regular ed kinder peers. This is the tip of a great iceberg and Im looking forward to the many changes that are about to come...

Katy ABCs

noreply@blogger.com (michelle hays) — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 03:48:00 +0000

aty is working hard to catch up to her kinder age peers. This is a big step for her! Im looking forward to the changes that will come soon!

The Secret Society of Teachers- and what we do with our summers

noreply@blogger.com (michelle hays) — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 05:08:00 +0000

Growing Pains

noreply@blogger.com (michelle hays) — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 05:11:00 +0000

Whadda I do with all this time

noreply@blogger.com (michelle hays) — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 12:26:00 +0000

Making PKU hotdogs

noreply@blogger.com (michelle hays) — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 03:35:00 +0000

watermelon and "picker's luck"

noreply@blogger.com (michelle hays) — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 18:28:00 +0000

An unforgettable night

noreply@blogger.com (michelle hays) — Sun, 22 May 2011 14:57:00 +0000

Yanni is katy's favorite musician and isaac won some tickets (80 dollars each!) i dressed katy in that beautiful white dress her Nanna Fonda gave her and put on some shinny black shoes. When we got there, we discovered that the auditorium was very small and intimate. Like a movie theater. I asked the ushers to help me find our seats and was surprised when they led us to the very front! Just feet away from the stage! I kept katy busy with some grapes and fish crackers and she was so well behaved and civilized. She sat there for half an hour and we talked about the harps, bongos, drums, chellos, lights, and "THREE PIANOS!"

When the lights went black and the anticipating crowd began to whistle and cheer, Katy held a hand over her ear and scrunched her shoulder up to cover the other ear ( the way she usually does with loud noises). Suddenly, a familiar song starts to play- Katy's eyes turned big and round as she watched the lights change to her favorite color. Blue.

Then, just feet in front of us comes a man who's face has become very familiar to Katy. It was Yanni. Katy's arms dropped down and she began to clap loudly

"YEAAAAAAAH,"she shouted, turning to me in wild excitement.

Then the lights turned to the crowd. Everyone was elegantly dressed in rich and dark colors. Most of the audience were people over fifty. In fact, i could only spot two children in the audience. A girl of about ten years old and Katy. Katy was the smallest member in the auditorium, and dressed in a brilliant white dress amidst the formal darks, she stood out like a shinning star. Yanni saw her right away and gave her a smile and a wave.

Katy spent the rest of the two and a half hour concert completely enraptured by the music. She stayed in her spot and only moved to the music. Her eyes were filled with life as she took it all in. Near the end of the concert, some vocalists came out and sang opera style. I could swear Katy fogot to breathe. Moments later, she decided to join the singing and she turned to the audience behind us, half believing they were there for her.

At one transitional point in the concert katy could not stand the silence so she shouted-

"WOOOOOOO!!!"

And the audience joined in to start a wild cheer. It made Katy feel so powerful and important!

When the concert finally ended, and people huddled to exit the hall, katy just stood there, staring at the empty stage. I slowly led her to the isle and she kept finding other hands to hold. She always took women's hands and they were more than happy to oblige and and talk to her aboutYanni.

" hi, honey!" said the first "i saw you dancing to the music! You behaved so well"

When we finally walked outside Katy was so dreamy-eyed as she continued to hum and sing to Yanni's music. We drove home and she practically ripped the Yanni DVD out of the case. Two and a half hours of concert was not enough. She wanted to relive it.

At one in the morning here sleepy eyes finnally lulled and closed. She's still in bed this morning, and i can bet what she's dreaming about...

I just turned 33

noreply@blogger.com (michelle hays) — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 14:21:00 +0000

It was last week, but I forgot to post this video. WOOOO!

Driving, stupid music and my trip to the GYNO

noreply@blogger.com (michelle hays) — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 04:55:00 +0000

Europe tour 2010: Eutin, Germany

noreply@blogger.com (michelle hays) — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 14:51:00 +0000

Europe tour 2010: the van (VLOG)

noreply@blogger.com (michelle hays) — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 00:38:00 +0000

Europe Summer Tour 2010: Mudau (VLOG)

noreply@blogger.com (michelle hays) — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 04:20:00 +0000

Katy the flower girl

noreply@blogger.com (michelle hays) — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 02:38:00 +0000

making an entrance- and more on bathrooms

noreply@blogger.com (michelle hays) — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 05:56:00 +0000

Daily Grind Gone Mad

A New Chapter

After three long years- summer is here for US!

Se me olvidaba soñar

primitive forms of entertainment

That escalated quickly....

I still exist (and lots has changed)

Its been four years since my last post. Let that sink in...

So lets take a quick visual tour or what's happened.

2013 We had an amazing vacation in Disneyworld

AND Returned with a little surprise

2014- Josh had a rough start

Pneumothorax (he burst a lung at birth) But, with a lot of care, he finally came home I got a job in San Antonio

Pneumothorax (he burst a lung at birth)

But, with a lot of care, he finally came home

I got a job in San Antonio

(still in special education)

So we had to relocate We settled in nicely 2015/2016 and adapted to our new community

So we had to relocate

We settled in nicely

2015/2016

and adapted to our new community

I think we like it here.... And here are some videos to recap the story now, you're all caught up...

I think we like it here....

PKU (low protein) pumpkin pie

P90Xperience

Morons and Maniacs behind the wheel- crazy woman rant

Katy ABCs

Katy ABCs

The Secret Society of Teachers- and what we do with our summers

Growing Pains

Whadda I do with all this time

Making PKU hotdogs

watermelon and "picker's luck"

An unforgettable night

I just turned 33

Driving, stupid music and my trip to the GYNO

Europe tour 2010: Eutin, Germany

Europe tour 2010: the van (VLOG)

Europe Summer Tour 2010: Mudau (VLOG)

Katy the flower girl

making an entrance- and more on bathrooms

Its been four years since my last post.

Let that sink in...

2013

We had an amazing vacation in Disneyworld

AND
Returned with a little surprise

Pneumothorax (he burst a lung at birth)

But, with a lot of care, he finally came home

I got a job in San Antonio

So we had to relocate

We settled in nicely

2015/2016

and adapted to our new community

I think we like it here....

And here are some videos to recap the story

now, you're all caught up...