Good News and Bad News

Elannah has been in gymnastics classes for five weeks. Last week, Husband fielded a phone call from the manager of the gym, and she told him that Elannah's teacher said that Elannah needs to move up to the next level immediately and that her talent needs to be taught. So, yesterday, Husband and I met with the manager and discussed the options. Elannah will be moving to Elite Level 3, which meets twice a week instead of just the one time, but also involves a much greater financial commitment as well. Since Elannah doesn't move from one place to another without turning it into a gymnastics trick, and because of her boundless enthusiasm for gymnastics, we've decided to make the commitment and move her up. We know she won't get into the Olympics (too old. She's already 9, and if she wanted to be in the Olympics, she should have started at age 3 or 4. Plus, that level of competition is pretty brutal, so I don't think she's going to miss much emotionally), but she might be good enough to get herself a scholarship to college if she keeps at it.

Assuming, of course, that life as we know it exists after Dec. 21, 2012. Ha ha ha. Just kidding. But did you notice oil hit $100/barrel again today? And the entire Mid-East is in flames? I'm just sayin'.

Last night about 2am, Joseph burst into my room in a panic. He was barking like a seal and gasping for air so hard he could barely muster up the ability to cry like he wanted to. I didn't even have time to call 911 or drive him to the hospital. I carried him downstairs to the basement, where it's cooler, and started him on a double dose of albuterol in the nebulizer, which is what they would have done at the hospital. Poor little guy thought he was going to die, and to tell you the truth, I was a little panicked myself. As soon as the medicine was going, I said, "Okay, baby, you keep breathing and I'm going to say a prayer." I prayed as hard as I ever have, and moments later, Joseph's breathing eased up just enough to help him fight the panic level and get calmer. We were up for hours while he worked the albuterol's side effects of jitteriness out of his system, but he's doing much better today. I think I might need to get him some steroids, however.

I could probably take a very long nap right here at the desk.