Saturday, December 6, 2014

Gingerbread houses 2014

never wanted to start this tradition. It looked time consuming, tough for little fingers, one of those activities that the kids end up watching the parents do.

And then I bought one of those kits, just because it was on sale...5 years ago. Every year since, we have built a house (or houses, this year) and every year I'm pleasantly surprised how much fun the kids have making them. I do have to help with the construction, but the decoratin is all them.












Sunday, October 12, 2014

Seizures

I was scrolling through old blog posts and came across the Dec 2011 one when Lainie had another seizure. It got me thinking about all sorts of thoughts.

-our health insurance is constantly sending us info to help treat Maggie's asthma. They haven't once sent us info on epilepsy.

-I read random blogs about families whose kids have heart conditions or leukemia or brain rumors or congenital defects. And so often, the family can handle the load til the seizures start ... Then they break a little.

-Even at work, the report of a seizure gets people fidgeting in their seats, more than a heart attack.

I think it's because you can't control it and as humans, we want control. We want that algorithm to follow that leads to results. We want to know what to expect, have warning signs, know how long it will last. We want absolute confidence it will stop.

With epilepsy, you don't get that. You don't get the guaranteed all clear. There aren't many meds to try, and the surgical fix requires removal of part of your brain!

 L won't  ever be in "remission" from seizures. She might get a reprieve, we might think we have them under control, but the next fever, the next growth spurt, even normal hormonal changes in a few years, can all set them off again. 

Talk about a loose cannon.

Even Lainie has said, "When I have my next seizure..." Not if. When.

But maybe I should just take a lesson from Natalie. I was trying to find out where a certain stuffed toy came from and Nat said it was Lainie's, "You know, from when she got all shivery."

Shivery. Much nicer than seizures. And neither in our control.

Saturday, October 4, 2014

Hometown football

It was one of those happy-kid-fun-night-popcorn-snack-winter-coat-close-score high school football games tonight.



Farewell

I said goodbye to my double stroller today. I got emotional, still am. We logged a lot of miles in her over the past ten years. I'm unreasonably sad but just couldn't rationalize keeping her.

Farewell, old girl. Thanks for your years of service.


Saturday down time


After two weeks of non stop go, with work and markets and cross country meets and religion class and homework, we are ready to stay home and chill.

My baby girl and baby boy missed me this week: 

That is how I spent most of the evening, with this two on me, one way or another.



Saturday, September 6, 2014

State Fair

State Fair 2014

























Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Mr. Music

My piano may be out of tune right now, but oh I love watching them all tinker -- or pound -- on the keys.

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Shoe tying

I know most kids learn to tie shoes in Kindergarten, but she's not "most kids" and we are ecstatic about this accomplishment.



Day and night

During the day, L and N fight almost all the time. They fight over brushing teeth, where to get dressed in the bathroom,  who gets to sit in the back row of the school bus, who sits next to John at mealtime, it goes on and on. They are no longer allowed to sit by each other at mealtime because they fight so much. And not just with words: L has the bite marks to prove it.

But as they fall asleep, so many nights they end up in the same bed, snuggled together, enjoying the comfort only a sister can provide.

This mama just hopes someday the night bond with show up in the day, too.

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

So long, Oreo!

I'd like to post about how much Maggie is going to miss her bucket calf, but no. No more morning chores before school. No more getting butted. No more lectures on the critical importance of taking care of animal who depends on you.  

So long, Oreo!  I hope your next owner likes a sassy heifer!

Monday, August 25, 2014

A day in the life

When I look back on John's year from one to two, I'm pretty sure this image will pop up, since it's how he is most days: without a shirt, pounding on the door, calling for the kittens to come say hi.


And then there are those moments you either shake your head or try to forget, like when he reached the bowl of applesauce and decided to feed himself. Hmm, maybe that why he never has a shirt on at home.


"Maybe if I suck in my finger all innocent-like, she'll just laugh."

Birthday girl

Seven amazing things about our Katie:

1. She truly tries to be kind to everyone she meets, and only has a problem with those who have hurt her friends or family.

2. She is a great big sister. She has her moments of kicking them out of a room or calling names when she thinks no one can hear, but they all know she loves them.

3. My girl is smart. Not sure why I have such a hard time admitting that, but she is book smart and has a healthy dose of common sense, too.

4. She is beautiful and becoming even more lovely each day.

5. She is a very hard worker, whether she is trying to solve a math problem, draw a sketch, learn dance moves, pick and sell vegetables, show livestock, or run a race.

6. Her laugh is a gorgeous sound that I wish we heard more often.

7. She is 13.

Sunday, August 24, 2014

Grandma's and Grandpa's

Fun quick weekend visiting my parents. Darn it yet again I missed a photo of my mom, but she was there ... Playing tic tac toe, making birthday cake and fried chicken, laughing at the kids, helping with bath time, and even doing  some of our laundry.

But I did get a picture of dad, pulling the girls around the yard.


Thursday, August 21, 2014

Yellowstone, Part 2

















I want to go back. I knew it was beautiful when we were there, but I didn't realize how breath-taking it was until I thumbed through these pictures. I feel refreshed and unified as a family just looking at them.

Two years. We'll be back in two years.

Yellowstone, Part 1

This is Uncle Tom's Trail. Not our photo...just to show what we walked down to get the next photo:

Buffalo in the park

Katie's deer picture
Upper or lower falls
K S U at Yellowstone Lake
Mt Washburn
Family photo


Beautiful desolution
Mt Washburn







Upper or Lower Falls