Crazy Tired.

Forgive my absence, I have been so busy chasing two little boys' needs that I haven't gotten to update you all on our lives. And, frankly, I've been too tired to even remember one day from the next - it all just kind of blurs.

I do remember that we had a wonderful visit from A. Corrina. She came to keep me and the boys company while Marc went to the All-Northwest Conference in Spokane, WA. Well, she came to keep the boys company and me sane. She went right to work cleaning and cooking and distracting Des so I could work at getting Jax to sleep. She also brought Doris Day movies galore...so I got caught up on some classic TV. For Valentine's day we did the most romantic thing possible: ate Ghiaridelli chocolate brownies with ice cream and caramel sauce! mmmmm. I was quite pampered! Thank you A. Corrina!!!

We went to play group once last week. they brought out the little scooter boards (you remember those from elementary school?) and Des had a grand time being pulled around. I, on the other hand, paid for it dearly with a sore back - but it was well worth it to hear my guy's giggles. All time favorite sound! =)

Marc's Middle School Band and High School Band and Choir concerts are going on as I type this. I am sure everything will go off well, they always do a great job. The band and choir kids are getting quite the rep around the community! They were asked to do their drumline music (from their percussion ensemble that Marc put together) for a basketball game. Marc said the crowd went "wild" everything they did something cool. I wish I could have seen it. They were also asked to do pep band tunes for the speech meet. Not sure the logistics on that one but it is so neat that people are noticing the improvements in the music program.

We had an impromptu visit from Gpa Michael and Gmannette just for a few hours last weekend. They were here long enough to have lunch, take pictures, rile up Des and go! =) We enjoyed seeing them for a moment and Des always loves visitors.

We also took advantage of the great weather on Saturday and went to Cody, WY to visit the Buffalo Bill Museum. We have a year pass and it will expire soon so we decided to use it and show Des all the taxidermy that they have. He had a great time. Although the glass floor that is in some of the exhibits was a little disturbing to him we worked through it and he was walking on it fine by the end of our visit.

Here are some random pictures. If I get time I'll upload a video or two of the boys and their giggles. =) Take care!

Gives out smiles and giggles quite readily now.

Cute outfit courtesy of Cousin Judy.

Yes, Monte tolerates this and yes, Des loves to do this all the time.

Getting pulled on the chair by A. Corrina.

Hanging with A. Corrina.

From an impromptu photo seesion when we realized both boys were in red and kacky.

Another pic from our photo session.

Playing at the Buffalo Bill Museum.

Riding in style to see all the sights at the museum.

Lunch break in the car.

Deer, Deer, Deer, Deer, DEER!

The Shack

Just wanted to put a plug in for a book I read recently (over weeks of a chapter here and there in my busy life). I found it very good. While the first few chapters are difficult and sad (it tells the story of a man whose daughter was kidnapped and murdered) the rest of the book was very thoughtful and inspiring. The man tells of his sorrows first and then relates his experience asking God about those sorrows in person over a weekend at "The Shack." Challenged many stereotypes about God that I did not realize I had. Don't hold me to everything the author says because there is a fair amount of speculation involved in this kind of writing but I will say that it challenged me to have a closer and more authentic relationship with my Maker and Savior. Read it!

PS The retelling of the kidnapping is in no way graphic or detailed just facts that need to be known in order for the man's conversation with God to make sense.

Moaning Mertle and Forgotten Events

So in my exhaustive state of mind I forgot a couple of exciting events to post. First I got to be an adult again and give a presentation on nursing for career day at the high school. I fully overestimated how exciting nursing would be to high school kids and I underestimated how hard I would have to work to even get them to look like they were listening in with interest. Hmmmm. Neither here nor there I had a good time with a non-mommy project and did get some good feedback. We also had a visit from Grandma Marge who graciously filled our freezer with meals and goodies to last all month. I am SO excited to not have to worry about dinner every night now. Its just a mater of opening the freezer and picking out something to reheat - can you hear the relief in my voice? =) Des, of course occupied Grandma's every waking minute (when she wasn't cooking) showing her all his new animal sounds and the cats.

Speaking of Des - I am tempted to start calling him Mertle. For those of you familiar with Harry Potter this will make sense. Moaning Mertle is a character in the books/films that moans and cries all the time - only its not real crying she just tries to get people to feel sorry for her . Which is exactly what Des is doing. Its half cute half sad. He sees babies (Jax, kids at church, kids at playgroup) crying and then screws up his face and starts to moan looking to the nearest parent to console him. Very classic jealousy for a under-two toddler. I know this because a.) I suspected as such and b.) I finally found an article on 'two under two.' I looked and looked for info on helping a young toddler adjust to a new edition but all the suggestions were for kids that had reached two years old! Not helpful. This article I found is great and helped me know that what I was trying to do with Des was indeed on the right track, doesn't make it easier but its nice to know my efforts are at least in line with "experts" opinions. =)

Have a good week!

A miracle and then life as usual

I will try to make this story short. Desmond's screening blood test for anemia came back low. He also has not gained a lot of weight and has been battling swollen lymph nodes. This paints a scary picture and his doctor and I were both very concerned. We scheduled a follow up blood test and a doctor's appointment to discuss the results. The two days that I knew about this I prayed harder than I ever have and I also learned more about unconditional love than I ever have. The follow up blood tests were fine AND God has healed his anemia. The lab results were so much better in such a short amount of time that I attribute it to nothing but divine intervention and for that I say Praise the Lord!

That health scare has not changed our daily life but it has changed my attitude. I am more patient with Desmond (even though I still loose patience sometimes) because I feel like his life was given back to us to treasure. Can anyone relate to this? Or am I just over emotional because of my PICU experiences? Either way I feel even more blessed to have him in our lives than ever AND I have come to realize a few things about experiencing unconditional love and what that loves means in my life. I used to think that I knew what it meant that God loves us unconditionally but that meaning has fully expanded since having kids and now even more so.

We stay busy. I am already counting down to summer because I think it will be so fun to have our whole family doing things together. AND because I am excited to be able to give Des some outdoor time! I feel cabin fever sometimes with this cold weather, I can't imagine being a little boy and being stuck inside the majority of the time.

Des is increasing his vocabulary. He can do the sounds for elephant, pig, horse (and zebra), cat, cars/trucks, anything that says "roar." He is also having a grand time with his new found talent for climbing and sitting. He backs up to everything and tries to sit. Boxes, dad, the floor, even the cat!!! (don't worry I intervened, but he kept trying to do it!). Very cute. He finally started calling me mama although only to command not in conversation or anything. He is also becoming adept in spoon feeding himself. Des loves to play peek-a-boo with Tana. He finds her hiding and leans over to make eye contact, she whines, he squeals with joy and runs away then starts the process over again. Tana never dissapoints as she just stay in her hiding spot and whines everytime Des comes around. I can't help but laugh although I'm sure Tana fails to find the humor in anything that Des does. =)

Happy Boy!

Sleepy boy.

Getting very social....

Story time with Daddy and Monte.