An analogy

Moving (or, more accurately, watching my mom, aunt and cousin do the moving) loved ones out of a house containing years of memories is like a bad on again, off again break-up.

Stay with me. The analogy is brilliant. Really.

For the last couple of months every time I have been over to my grandparents' house it's the "last big family dinner" or the "last garage sale" and every time, as I drive away, I cry a little thinking of all of the things I'll never do again. I'll never see that special house again, never go down into the basement and remember playing school with my cousins or watch Papa work in his workshop. Never find my old hiding places outside, never swing on the hammock out back, never trip over the fake snake in Papa's garden or help pick the fresh vegetables. I will never sit around the tv shelling peas while watching Braves baseball with Mana. I will never sit around the dining room table again or watch Mana cook in her kitchen and see that old fan about swing off the ceiling. Never put my feet up near the fireplace, never sit on the porch and listen to the rain, never watch the birds in the bath or feeder, never sit on the milk box...then I do. Every trip back toyed with my emotions and left me sad.

It has certainly been an emotional couple of months for our family. I drove over there again this afternoon to get the last few things (noteworthy is the old sewing table that will be Anna-Kate's school desk when we begin homeschooling). As they will be closing on the house on Friday, this really was it. As I drove up the familiar street, past the old Methodist church and saw the houses that I've ridden past my whole life, I had both a sense of sadness and one of closure. I've spent far less time there than others in my family but it finally feels done, and I'm glad it's done. It's bittersweet, but, like a breakup, there is always sadness at a loss and difficulty accepting change, but the closure and finality that moving on lends are a good thing. I'm left with happy memories, and am so thankful!

Party-time!

The kids had their halloween fall parties (we attend a Baptist school and halloween isn't allowed) this week. What fun! Ryan's was yesterday, so I got to attend with Captain Hook (WH000K! according to Ryan) and today, I attended Anna-Kate's with Wendy ("Wendy-bird", if you will. If you don't get it, you haven't watched Peter Pan recently). Both mornings started off with games, then pictures, a hayride and their class parties. Such a fun time and so sweet to see all of the little kids dressed up! :)

With Hook, sans hook and sword. Your welcome, Mrs. Tanya and Mrs. Courtney!


The golf master!



He got all 3 footballs in, no misses!



Class picture of 2 year olds



Sweet Jack, always along for the ride (let me insert--Chris is awesome. Jack was schlepped all over yesterday during Ryan's festivities, so Chris worked from home this morning so Jack could sleep and I could get a little quality time with my girl. Also, I share room mom responsibilities, so I was there the entire time).



Beanbag toss



Anna-Kate's 4 year old class



With her friends, Natalie and Campbell, on the hayride.



With my little Wendy-bird



With Mrs. Mandy

Lost in translation AND, dun, dun, duuuuun.

...or something like that.

I feel a bit "bamboozled". Today's appointment was merely to talk me into the surgery (for Ryan, in case you don't follow my internal thought processes). There was nothing actually done. Not sure if the pediatrician was confused himself and therefore passed the confusion to me or what. Sigh.

***

I went upstairs to get Anna-Kate from her quiet play time and discovered why she was so quiet. (these are stairs, in case you can't make them out). (Also, she is in to putting multiple bows in her hair. Style diva.)



I wish I had snapped this .05 seconds before I did. Ryan was talking to Jack and they were both giggling. I went to take the picture, and instead of taking, my flash popped up, moment lost.



Sweet, happy boy!



Sweet, happy boy part two.



...and the reason he's happy? He's standing (it's when he's the happiest). He is now pulling up. Sigh.

Ryan update

So last week when I was at the pediatrician for Jack's appointment, I asked a few questions about Ryan (and his breathing/croup stuff). The kids' doctor has this way of looking at me and rolling his eyes without them ever actually moving and smirking without actually smirking (I bet he used to annoy the snot out of his mama!). Anyway, being the person I am, I get to experience this a lot. Any-who.

So I must confess, that although I didn't think he'd actually call me back, he did. In fact, he has called three times in the past 4 days. He called Ryan's ENT and I'm not quite sure what was said but they are going to do something in office without general anesthesia. Not sure exactly?? I was also happy to find that often (or, sometimes?) polyps or cysts can form in the throat after being intubated and if they are present they would remove those (I mean, I'm not happy that there might be polyps, I'm happy there might be a somewhat simple fix, or at least something that could make Ryan's situation a bit better). So, *something* might actually come of all of this after all. Taking him in on Wednesday.

In an effort to start the week off strong, I will be getting a cavity filled tomorrow. So, let the good times roll...

Of course, I have a lot of questions for the ENT, but my epi pen idea was absolutely shot down. I don't feel like I've been given a good reason on it, but it was a big fat no. Evidently, the oral steroid is the way to go. He (Ryan's ped) also suggested that since his symptoms are so severe that I carry it with me at all times (as I would an epi pen...) and that I get a second prescription to keep for him at school. So, we'll see what comes of that.

And there was much rejoicing!

We went out to dinner at Pappasitos to celebrate Chris' new job!!!! (Glory, hallelujah and all God's people said, "AMEN!")

(Side note, not sure what all of the fuss is about. Wasn't that impressed. Uncle Julios is better.)

I am so proud of Chris and am beyond excited for him to begin this next step in his career. God has richly provided for us and I am so thankful to Him and for Chris' faithfulness to wait for the perfect job for him (something we have been praying for for quite some time). Thank you Jesus!

Anyway, while we were at dinner a mariachi band began playing. My kids were enthralled. The men seemed to enjoy the kids' attention and came over to our table to play their version of "Old McDonald had a farm" (that would be "nick-nonald" if you asked Ryan). The trumpeter made remarkable cow, horse, rooster, and elephant (???) impersonations--so fun! :) Our food came out literally covered in cayenne pepper. I like spicy food (and, for the love, Chris puts Chalua on everything) and we absolutely couldn't eat it. The manager came out, saw the thick layer of seasoning and ordered it again for us. Any-who, we brought the leftovers (of which there were plenty) home. I'm hoping that a combination of no seasoning/too seasoned will somehow meld into perfect.

Whelp, that's all I've got. Happy Friday!

From one end to the other...

Geesh.

Went to the pediatrician today. (ugh.) Jack is 26 1/2" tall (45%) and 16.8 lbs (17%). Thankfully, his head is still truckin' along in the 87%. LOL. Evidently, we have some smart kids on our hands. :) I'm amused that his stats dropped so much, (He's technically underweight now. Please recall, he was "husky" at his 4 month appointment) especially considering he's days away from 7 months, not 6 like he was being averaged against.

Other than that, however, all was good and he was proclaimed to be healthy (and, was the hit of the office). The nurses were all cooing and making a fuss over him. Amazing what a dimple can do (I'm smiling right now, showing you my dimple...). The only unfortunate thing was that he's officially been put on Miralex for his constipation. Such a bummer, but am hoping this will help his little belly (and yes, he eats prunes every single day).

He got his shots and we were off for a morning of errands. He is such a good baby! I think it's a 3rd kid thing, Anna-Kate would have cried the whole time.

***

While we were there I took the opportunity to discuss options about Ryan's health with the pediatrician. It occurred to me that instead of doing the exploratory surgery (for seemingly no reason/no result) it might be a better option to get an epi pen (a huge shot of epinephrine that gets jammed in the thigh for kids with anaphylactic allergies--it opens their airways). Seems like it could work for us. My pediatrician was reluctant at best at my idea. He said he'd ask his pediatric ENT friend and get back to me. For some reason, I'm not holding my breath waiting on his phone call...

Fashion Statement

Rockin' heels with her swimsuit (Dreaming of summer already. She's asked me 3 times this week when we can go to the pool.)



A little "risky business". I had to laugh.



Sibling love.