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Writer's pictureRyndi

46: We Found It!


Our three sons, Ryan (16yo), Bear (11yo), and Cord (10yo) continue to grow out of dependency on Jason and I, and into their own independence. As they mature, Jason and I find ourselves shifting within our parental roles. Jason has taken the lead in showing our little boys how to become men. Teaching wisdom, strength, responsibility, and courage to take on this world around us. Sure, all three of them still need to be reminded to do the basics: Did you brush your teeth? When was the last time you showered? Have you had any water today? How about that deodorant? But in the big things: kindness, compassion, stewardship, honesty; these men-in-the-making are crushing it. It’s not easy on this momma’s heart to reign in the doting or stop myself from rushing to a son’s defense when they’re being corrected. I know the world is harsh, and these boys of mine need kind hearts with the ability to show grace – but they also need to know when to straighten their backbones and be a leader. To trust their spectrum of right and wrong and stand firm within the right – even when they must stand alone.  Knowing full well that I’m overprotective of my sons, nothing turns up my need to coddle more than seeing them suffer. When someone, or something, has hurt my baby, my dials are turned up, and I’m ready with the bubble wrap and electric fencing to keep them from further harm.

My eldest, Ryan, is so close to going out on his own and with this age comes girls and heartbreak. Ryan would quite possibly kill me, or in the least, shun me for several days, if I delved into his personal life, but for the record, my heart breaks when his does. Fun fact about Ryan – Jason gave Ry his first shaving lesson this morning!



I wanted to cry. That’s such a “man thing” and I’m not ready for my first born to be a man. I also grinned from ear to ear and cheered at the handsome face now free of the fuzz that was making an appearance on my baby’s face. I snuck around the corner for a picture. Because I’m a mom, and it was another first that I wanted to celebrate and document. I only got one picture before I got, “Mom, stop being weird!” from my dear son, so I’m glad the camera was able to focus on two of my favorite guys bonding over razors.


Sickness has reared its ugly head within each of our boys. Bear was first to go down. He was sick with terrifying high fevers for almost three weeks. Doc said there was nothing to do but wait it out. It’s a weird conundrum to take your son, feeling dreadfully miserable, to the doctor and what you’re hoping for. On one hand, you’re hoping that it’s nothing serious and he’s going to be just fine, maybe get some antibiotics for whatever infection has taken this mighty son of mine down. No big deal. On the other hand, you have taken your son to the doctor because he NEEDS a doctor. That doctor had better find something wrong with him and fix it immediately because it’s been over two weeks battling fevers that are hitting the 105 mark, and there HAS to be something truly wrong with him. Does he need a shot? IV meds?? Surgery?!? So when the doctor tells you it’s a waiting game and “keep doing what you’re doing and it will pass”, there’s a flood of relief and fury that run over you at the same time. Grateful there’s nothing serious, but helpless there’s nothing the doctor can do. He’s the doc though, so my sweet Bear was sick another week before finally coming out of it. Then Ryan got it. However, as he will be quick to boast about, his immune system is a fine-tuned machine, and he kicked the fevers and cough within a week (after we discovered he’s allergic to penicillin and switched his meds).

As you may have guessed, with a family of five living in a 36-foot RV, we share everything, so Cord was the third stop for the Germ Train. Unfortunately for Cord, the germs really amped up their grasp and took Cord down hard. After a week, his cough changed and my momma’s heart couldn’t handle listening to him struggle night after night. At the doctor’s office, I kept repeating myself with each staff member that asked about the symptoms, “He has high fevers that we’re controlling, but he has a cough that I’m worried is an infection with his lungs. Truly, I’m here hoping you will listen to his lungs and tell me they’re fine and we just have to wait it out like my other two boys.” No such luck there. After lights shined, deep breaths taken, and a couple coughing fits later, we were sent to the hospital to get some x-rays. Cord’s germs leveled up to pneumonia, ear infection, and swollen tonsils. Doc put him on some super meds to get everything under control quickly and soon we were all sleeping through the night again.

With doctor’s orders of taking Cord to the E.R. if he’s not significantly better in 48hrs, going back and forth with a grieving elderly brother about buying his sister’s home that is getting worse with every night squatters find it vacant, and Jason having specific supplements coming to continue his journey of getting his body’s inflammation under control, we were over a week late in leaving Hermiston in our search for more sunshine and less snowfall.


After about 20 hours of driving over the span of two days, Jason got us all safely to a wonderful RV resort in Palm Springs, California. Yesterday was our first full day here, and we all soaked in the warmth. A couple of us got so much sun, that we’re looking a little pink and sunscreen is on the menu for today’s outings. This resort has pickleball and basketball courts, mini golf, a giant inflatable jump pad along side the kids’ playground, games and billiards room, and a full schedule of events put on by the staff (Bingo night today!). But the best surprise amenity at this place is the natural hot spring spa pools accompanied by the hot springs warmed swimming pool. Not quite bath water, but so pleasantly warm I didn’t have to spend my usual 10 minutes of slowly stepping into the water, getting acquired to the temperature, before braving the next step down. We found it! We found the sunshine!


Big plans for us while we’re here in Palm Springs for two full weeks. All of them involve being in the sunshine and letting our bodies soak in the Vitamin D we were all needing. We’re close to Joshua’s Tree National Park, so there’s some hikes on our list. There’s also some family just a couple hours away that we definitely have plans to visit. Perhaps what I am over-the-moon, kid-on-Christmas-Eve excited about is the Indian Wells tennis tournament that’s happening just down the road. I’m a diehard fan of all things professional tennis and Jason and I have been wanting to get to a big tournament where we can see all our favorites. We have tickets for one day, but given how much all five of us are excited to see the big names, we’re likely to spend another day or two soaking it all in.


Until we get to our scheduled adventures, our boys have been taking the lead in planning our days. Yesterday was pickleball, swimming, hot tub, and another round of pickleball after dinner.  Today, Jason is over at the basketball courts with the boys while I get this wrapped up and I can join them. Then it’s more pickleball, and a swim. Likely to hit the billiards room and that $6 buy-in Bingo later this evening. All in all, a nice little Wednesday here in Palm Springs.


So here’s to raising men, overcoming setbacks, and getting our bodies out of hibernation. 



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