Grateful

It's hard not to see how many things I have to be thankful for today. Now that I think about it, it could be hard. I've been without a husband for kid help and emotional support for more than a week (I'm dying here!) My grandpa spent Thanksgiving in the hospital while we had dinner at his house. I could complain about so many things today. But I just can't.

I'm grateful that I have a husband who is so wonderful with the kids, one who holds me up and allows me to do the things that make me happy. I'm grateful for happy, healthy, smart, fun, loving, and oh so adorable kids. I'm grateful that, after all these years, my parents are happy. I'm grateful for all that my dad's wife is doing to make sure grandpa is cared for. I'm grateful that, with the miracles of technology, grandpa was able to sit at the head of his table and preside over Thanksgiving dinner while still in his hospital bed.

And the smaller things. I'm grateful that I finally learned to make the yummiest rolls. I'm grateful that I know my mom's recipes off the top of my head and could bring a few family favorites to Thanksgiving. I'm grateful that my boys have slept through the night several days in a row so that I've been more rested. (And for their grandparents who happily get up with them in the morning.) I'm grateful for this computer that allows me to stay connected to my life, even when I'm away. I'm grateful for my cell phone that keeps me connected to my husband, no matter where we are.

I could go on and on. But these are the things that stood out to me today. I hope everyone had a happy thanksgiving.

For My Family

Every member of my family is both a science or tech nerd AND a music or drama geek. This video is for all of them. Enjoy!

I'm My Mother's Daughter

If you don't know my mom, then you're missing out. For many reasons. But one of them is extra nice for those around her. When my mom is having a hard time accepting something (loss of a loved one, for example) she bakes pies. Emphasis on the plural. We all know that you can tell how much mom loved someone by the number of pies she made when they died. There were times when we would have to invite everyone we knew to come eat because the entire kitchen table was covered with pies.

I think it's a great coping mechanism. I realized today that I bake when I'm stressed out. Why add something else to my list of things to do? Because you get yummy things afterward! It's nice to put in the effort and get a result you can enjoy. I'm not extreme as my mom, and I've branched out from pies, we still have a lot of yummy food. Right now, we have oatmeal cookies, apple crisp, funeral potatoes (you bake them...), and dough for sugar cookies chilling in the fridge. I may need to start giving some of this away.

The even bigger upside is my mood. Even with so much to do in the next three days, and completely different stresses involved with traveling and why I'll be in NY, I'm in a really good mood. I guess it's ok to be like your mom sometimes.

Off again

I'm not feeling very settled in to Texas yet. Partially because it's not on the east coast, so it feels nothing like home. And partially because I'm barely here!

I wanted to let everyone know that I may not post much, or at all, for the next several weeks. The boys and I are heading to NY to spend some time with family while my grandfather is in the hospital. We've been through this before. This is the third fight with this same leukemia. And we know the odds aren't fabulous this time.

Few of us are handling it as well as we have before. We've been waiting for it to come back, but were shocked by how quickly it came on. No warning. We were hoping for another year to spend more time with him and allow him to finish his memoirs. There's still a chance that we'll have him around, but no one is counting on it. Ever the scientist, he even decided to go with an experimental chemotherapy this go round so that any result will be beneficial to someone.

Anyway, I have five days to get us packed, finish Ethan's birthday plans, and plan two events for church that will either happen while I'm gone or right after I get back. At least keeping busy is helping me dwell less on the chance that we'll lose him to infection before I get there.

Man, this post is sad.

I think I'm going to be sick...

I went to the gym tonight. (Will someone please revive my parents? I'm sure they just fainted from shock.)

Anywho, the gym has a pool. And the membership is pretty cheap. AND they have free childcare. Can't wait to try that out next time.

I went to go swim some laps. It was pathetic. I was winded after the third lap or so. Total, I probably only swam for about 15 minutes. I can't believe how out of shape I am!! (Yes I can. I'm breathing hard after going up the stairs some days.)

On the way out, I had to keep telling myself not to throw up. My body really isn't used to exercise of any kind. Have you heard the term skinny-fat? It means you look skinny, but your muscles and heart are incredibly out of shape. That's me. Not that I'm skinny anymore. But I'm not overweight by any standard. I even got a few admiring looks as I walked by the weight machines. (Gotta remember to put my wedding ring back on next time.)

Ooo Ooo. The best part. I weighed myself. Really, that was the best part. Even fully clothed and with my sneakers on, I've lost more than 15 pounds since having Edward! Pre-pregnancy weight is only 6 pounds away. Maybe I can make it before he turns one. I'd deserve a party for that. With cake. And ice cream.

Man I want some ice cream.

Skipping Ahead - Grownup Halloween Party

I needed to skip ahead b/c I've already posted some pictures of this elsewhere and just wanted to bring on all the comments at once.

DON'T SCROLL DOWN TO THE PICTURE YET!

SERIOUSLY!!

YOU'LL RUIN THE SHOCK OF IT!!!

So, John's new company hosts a big Halloween party every year. It's always music themed. This year it was 80's Beat-Boxing. (Break-dancing.) Everyone was supposed to dress along those lines, or at least some kind of 80's pop music.

Ummm... yea. That's just not us. So we decided to branch out to other 80's music. After weeks of searching for the right costume ideas, I saw a comment somewhere about 80's goth-punk. That was it. The best costumes ever were born. You really need to click to see it larger.

So yes, we crashed their party. It was awesome. And honestly, we loved wearing these outfits. Both of us commented that our clothes the next day felt like our 'regular costumes'.

You know you want to borrow that wig.

Florida Part 1 - The Beach

We started off October with a trip to Florida. The first night was spent with our old friends Alissa and Matt, and their 4 kids. Man we miss those guys. The next day, we decided to head to the beach. Of course, I have no pictures of them, or even of Ethan. Edward was being so danged cute, I couldn't stay away. (Thanks Liss for the last two photos!)

The Sand Monster
Not long after this he was coated head to toe. He loves sand.

He wanted to play with the big kids.

Watching the waves

Can you see the sand coating the left side of his face and in his fat rolls? He loved it.

Lounging in the stroller after a good rinse off. What a great day.

Wait! There's More!

Edward stuck under his exersaucer. I had to hold back my sniggers while getting him out.





You wouldn't think it most days, but these boys really do love each other.







And finally the joy of messy eating. Followed by a bath in the backyard. Even with Ethan and John trying, they couldn't keep him in the tub.

And More Pictures for you Voyeurs

Edward stuck at the gate because he still hasn't figured out how to step back down. Ethan in his favorite 'waiting for dad' spot. Edward's punk hair. Ethan's ever present tongue. And my boy reading his first book.

Would You Like to See Some Pictures???

Apparently everyone has given up on me. No one reads my blog anymore. I know that you don't care about me, you just want to see pictures of the boys. I get it. If that's what it takes to appease you. Here are some pictures of Edward back in Sept. He was being so cute! And yes, he did climb up onto the back of the couch by himself. Little stinker.

Edward's Game

Edward, in the middle of his misery, is having a few minutes of fun. I heard him laughing over by the fridge and called him over. He crawled to me, giggling all the way, to show me his new game. He has two circular magnets that he pulled off of the fridge. He picks them up off the floor, and lets go while still waving his hand around so that they go flying. He thinks it's hilarious.

He's also hitting them so that they slide across the tile. Chasing things is one of his favorite games, and he's always happy to send things flying himself if no one is willing to do it for him.

Oh! Now he's moved on to a plastic cup. It rolls better when he hits it. I really should be videotaping this, but I love sitting here laughing with him.

This is why we call him Sweet Boy. In the midst of sickness, he reminds us why we love him.

Apology, but we're sick over here

October was a very busy month for us, and I have a ton to recap. It would have been done this past week, but our sweet boy came down with a high fever. At least he managed to hold it off until the day after our second big trip of the month. Unfortunately, we're on day 7 of this. Yesterday we even went in and did lots of blood work and chest x-rays. (Thank goodness our dr's clinic not only has sunday hours, but radiology and a lab too!) Even after all of that we're still thinking virus, so we just have to wait it out. His body is fighting hard, so hopefully we'll be over this soon. Then I promise lots of pictures and details of our fun, exhausting month.

Please keep Edward in your prayers. He's having a rough go of it.