Decorating the Christmas Tree

Christmas time is my favorite time of the year! The spirit I feel the whole month through is completely magical. We have lots of traditions through this season. One of which is decorating the Christmas tree on Thanksgiving weekend.

Since my kids were babies, my mom has given each grandchild an ornament every year. The kids can't wait to re-discover all of their ornaments to hang on our Christmas tree.

Luke and Nicholas hanging ornaments on the tree
The boys all busy at work

Nicholas hanging an ornament

Kyle showing some of his ornaments

Dylan by the tree

Luke

Daddy helping hang them too

Dylan is so tall he can reach the top branches

Our finished product (Of course after all of the kids hang their ornaments...then Mom comes along for the next month adjusting and re-adjusting the positioning of the ornaments. What can I say? I'm definitely my mother's daughter.

Thanksgiving mishap

Okay, so it is Thanksgiving morning...the house is buzzing with excited little boys anticipating a day with family, food and fun. Grandma was going to be visiting with her daughter, Nicole and her family for the day. I was in the process of getting Grandma all set to go. I made her oatmeal for breakfast and was on my way to her room, when I remembered that I had forgotten to grab the banana. I turned around with bowl in hand...right as Nicholas was unknowingly attempting to race past me on the right. In swinging around, the bowl hit him right in the corner of his eye. So hard, in fact, that the ceramic bowl chipped and blood went spurting.

Guilt, guilt, guilt! I don't know who was more horrified in this situation? Nicholas was afraid of the fact that he was bleeding "from his eye", that he would end up with a "black eye" and that I kept putting ice on his eye. "It is cold!" I was afraid that our Thanksgiving plans would get all switched around to us sitting in an ER for a good part of the day. After lots of tears, hugs, and kisses...I was able to assess the damage only to find a tiny gash, some swelling, and a definite probability of Nicholas earning his very first black eye.

Nicholas sporting his black eye
He's starting to think it's kind of cool!

After everything was said and done, we did have a conversation regarding passing laws and the illegality and possible consequence of passing on the right :) Nicholas on the other hand is thoroughly enjoying the accusations of abuse that I keep receiving ;)

Happy Anniversary

Happy Anniversary Jonathan

Thankful

My top 10 list of things I am grateful for...
1. My Savior Jesus Christ--My testimony in the knowledge I have in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. "Believe in order to understand," rather than "understand (in order to) believe."
2. My husband -- my best friend. Don't marry the person you think you can live with; marry only the individual you think you can't live without. ~James C. Dobson
3. My children-- they give me a reason to smile each and every day. While we try to teach our children all about life,
Our children teach us what life is all about.
~Angela Schwindt
4. My health and the health of those around me -- In my occupation I have had the opportunity to see many lives afflicted in an instant the effects of poor health and untimely deaths. Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. ~World Health Organization, 1948
5. My exteneded family...especially my mother -- Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible. ~Marion C. Garretty
6. The opportunities I have to serve -- Only those who have learned the power of sincere and selfless contribution experience life's deepest joy: true fulfillment..
Anthony Robbins
7. The house that keeps us protected from the world and the elements. The house that is a home to all those who enter therein. Every house where love abides
And friendship is a guest, Is surely home, and home sweet home, For there the heart can rest. ~Henry Van Dyke
8. Friends who love us and support us in all we do -- Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.
9. Trials -- I know it may seem an odd thing to be thankful for, but it is truly when we are going through adversity when we gain the most learning and receive the greatest blessings. As sure as ever God puts His children in the furnace, He will be in the furnace with them. - Charles Hadden Spurgeon
10. The internet -- it allows me to keep connected with all of you. Hooked on Internet? Help is a just a click away. ~Author Unknown

My list could go on and on, but I'm sure it would be boring to you...but to me, for even the small and simple things...I am truly grateful.

Happy Thanksgiving!

A House Divided

The Ohio State University/University of Michigan rivalry in football began with their first game in 1897.

UM won that game 34 to 0 and dominated the series until 1919. That year the tables were turned and the Buckeyes won 13 to 3.
The Ohio State/Michigan game has always been important, but it was not always the last game of the season.

This practice began in 1935 and, except for one year, the tradition has continued. Often the game has determined who is the winner of the Big Ten and who will represent the conference in the Rose Bowl.

The Ohio State and Michigan rivalry is a big deal in our family.

Jonathan comes from an era when Michigan would stomp on Ohio State. All through high school he was a Michigan fan. Even through their many years in a "dry spell", he has remained loyal.

Kyle decided years ago that he was a Michigan fan and has been an avid supporter ever since (even with my threats of needing to find another place to live :)

On the other hand, I grew up in an Ohio State family. My blood runs red and gray! This year we thought it would be fun to get everyone their own "spirit" wear and have a friendly rivalry between teams

Ohio State Buckeye Fans

Uh oh...there's a rivalry here!
Michigan Fans

Seeing beyond our differences :)

Ohio State won 42-7...Go Buckeyes!

Dylan's Birthday Dinner

Dylan chose to go to TGIFriday's for his birthday dinner. The food was so much better than what we have been experiencing at Red Robin's. Believe it or not, it was cheaper too!
Grandma and Dylan

Dylan and Nicholas (They always look so cute together)

Dylan and Luke...Dylan considers Luke his apprentice and when they aren't pestering each other, they spend hours together as Master and Pupil.

Dylan sucking a chunk of his smoothie through the straw

The balloon was attracted to Grandma's head. Dylan would move the balloon away, and somehow it would find her again :)

Each member of the wait staff would bring a balloon to Dylan. He ended up with 9 of them. We didn't know they did this at Friday's. It's a good thing my mom didn't end up coming with us...she HATES balloons! :)

Everyone singing Happy Birthday to Dylan

The staff sing to Dylan

Nicholas makes me smile

I was on my way to take a specimen to the laboratory in behalf of Grandma. Nicholas asked if he could come along? I readily agreed. He was his usual talkative, inquisitive self on the way over to the Flower Hospital lab. Through his inquisition he discovered that Flower Hospital was the place where he was born.

We drove around to the parking area for the laboratory. I parked the car and picked up the specimen. Nicholas wasn't moving yet, so I asked "Are you coming with me?" Nicholas baffled, inquired "Mom! Are you talking to the pee?"

I don't know why on earth he thought I would be talking to the pee, but apparently he thinks I do such things? :) He then proceeded to tell anyone within his view as he walked through the halls of the hospital "I was born at this hospital!" He is such a character! I enjoy him so much!

Dylan

When Jonathan and I were dating and we decided that "this was the real thing"...the next logical step was to get married. The question of should we get married was easy, but then the question arose of when we should get married? I had overcome quite a few stumbling blocks in my own life and getting married in the temple was extremely important to me. Therefore, my initial thought was that we should get married the following summer after Jonathan had been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for a year and I was on summer break from school. Jonathan on the other hand, kept requesting that we get married Thanksgiving weekend. This didn't seem logical or practical to me (especially since all of this transpired in August...only giving us 3 months to plan a wedding and we had only been dating since Memorial Day). I suggested that we pray and fast together about when we should get married...certain that Heavenly Father would definitely want us to be married in "the right place by the right authority". Little did I know that there was a much different plan.

Jonathan and I both began our fast and went to our knees. It wasn't long before I received the answer to my questions, we were to get married Thanksgiving weekend and then to get sealed as soon as we could after that. I was so confused by this answer. It certainly wasn't the answer that I was expecting. So, I went to my knees again and again, asking the Lord why it should be this way? My answer came very directly "I needed to get married now, because there was a very special spirit who had a certain mission they needed to fulfill. A spirit that we needed to be the parents of. They had to be born at this time, in order to be in the right place at the right time to fulfill this mission. This baby would be conceived before we would have the opportunity to go to the temple to have our marriage sealed." That answer was all I needed...without any further questioning, Jonathan and I set the date for Thanksgiving weekend and started our wedding preparations speedily in motion.

(I was indeed 3 months pregnant for Dylan when we were able to go to the Chicago Temple in May of 1995 to receive our endowments and be sealed together as a family. )

My pregnancy for Dylan was far from easy. There was only a couple week span during my pregnancy when I was symptom free. My gallbladder went bad during my pregnancy...so even when Dylan was born, I still struggled with horrible pain and illness. Dylan screamed throught the night every night until he was three months old. We moved into our new house, and suddenly the crying at night stopped. Dylan was the most sweet, lovable little guy from that time on. He and I have always had a "connection"...understanding each other's needs and what makes the other "tick".

Through the years as I have watched Dylan grow, that experience I had so many years ago has remained in the back of my mind. I understand the great trust and responsibility that my Heavenly Father was placing in us by sending us the children that He has. I've endeavored to teach them correct principles, so that one day they might be able to govern themselves and be prepared for all that they are meant to do.

Dylan is such a great kid with a good head on his shoulders. He is so creative and puts his whole heart in to whatever he is interested in. He has a great heart and can be very giving. When he found out about the misfortune of a classmate having their house burned down...he asked me if I would be willing to take him to the bank to withdraw money from his savings so that he could donate toward a fund to help her family. Unfortunately, he is also a little too much like his mother in his stubbornness and need to test out rules and theories before blindly following them. He has his challenging moments and he doesn't do anything unless he deems it is the thing he wants to be doing, but I am learning that these moments are just temporary set backs...they certainly don't define who he is, but rather (depending on what he learns from them) can become important tools in growth and maturity that develops him into the person he can become. I know Dylan has so much greatness in him and he has so much to offer this world. I am so grateful for the opportunity to have him in my life and to be touched by all of the things that he teaches me through being his mother.

DARE Graduation for Luke

DARE Graduation for Luke

Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) is a police officer-led series of classroom lessons taught in the Fifth Grade in Sylvania Schools.
The D.A.R.E. program is more than just drug prevention education; it teaches students good decision making skills to help them avoid high-risk behavior to ensure they grow up healthy, safe and secure.

Arbor Hills Fall Orchestra Concert 2008

Dylan playing in his Annual Fall Eighth Grade Orchestra Concert with Mrs. Pam Thiel conducting

They played Candleberry Bay, Theme from Canon in D, and Dragon Dances

Dylan and Ian playing the cello

Dylan and his fellow eighth graders waiting to go on

Dylan with his cello

Kyle's 7th Grade Fall Choir Concert

Kyle decided to switch from Orchestra to Choir. I was skeptical at first, but it is the best thing he could've done. He absolutely loves it. He was extremely excited about this concert. Unfortunately, I had to work and couldn't attend :(

They sang "Come Sing a Song", "Psallite", "Ode to Joy", "One Song", "Every Time I Feel the Spirit", "Side by Side", "Stand By Me", and "You're a Grand Old Flag"

Kyle is standing in the second row in the middle

The girls section

Our love songs

This was the song we danced our first dance to when we were married. This is Jon's favorite love song for us.



This was a song I dedicated to Jonathan for one of our anniversaries a few years ago.



Last year, I flew in to town for a court date on our wedding anniversary. A tough day for both of us. Jon knew that I loved Garth Brooks so he got me this cd set. My interpretation was he was dedicating this song to me. He didn't realize it at the time, but it ended up becoming our "theme song" for a little while there.



This song was a catalyst in convincing me that maybe my journey back home had more meaning than I had initially anticipated. This song is actually what started me thinking that maybe Jon and I could make it after all :)



We are coming up on 15 years at the end of this month. It has been quite the ride! I can't wait to find out what happens next!



I got in to the car last week and Jon had this song cued up for me to listen to. He is so sweet!

Trick or Treating 2008

Kendra (my niece), Dylan, Kyle, Jonathan, Raelynn (my niece), Clark (my nephew), Nicholas and Luke ready for Trick or Treating
Cute little bug!

Clark the Transformer

Grandma enjoying the candy bowl a little too much!

Luke very excited to go!

After Trick or Treating...Dylan was pretty hyper. He was begging anyone and everyone to spar with him.

Kyle is always happy to oblige Dylan. The two sparred with their light sabers. (Look at the intensity on Dylan's face).

Nicholas and Dylan standing on the wall in front of our house sparring

Pretending to cut off Nicholas' head

Nicholas at Dylan's mercy...They'll do anything to amuse him.

Family Fear Factor Night

Family Fear Factor Night

Click on picture above to see Family Fear Factor Night pictures

The Cub Scouts Pack had a Family Fear Factor Night organized by Lisa Kijowski. (Thanks Lisa). It was really fun! Dylan and Kyle weren't able to be there because they were working on the video the Youth are making for a Stake wide competition. They had their own kind of fun! Grandma came along. It was a little much for her just yet, but she did enjoy getting out.

Hold them a little tighter

Sadly, there have been some unfortunate tragedies that have occurred around the boys in the last few weeks. One of Dylan's friends at Arbor Hills was hit by a car while he was riding on his skateboard. His injuries were too great and he didn't make it. This was the first time that an untimely death had come into my children's life. In their memories...they have only lost great grandparents. Though those losses were felt deeply, it was understandable to them...their grandparents had lived a good life and now it was time to return to their Heavenly Father. On the other hand, losing a friend that is their age adds a whole new dynamic to their once innocent lives.

Dylan really mourned the loss of his friend, Reid. He suddenly recognized that mortality was something that truly faces all of us. The school was wonderful about coming in and talking with the kids and providing grief counselors for anyone who felt the need to "talk to someone". Dylan had wanted to go to Reid's funeral, but when the time came he backed out. I'm sure it was intimidating to anticipate what going to Reid's funeral might be like for him. I didn't push him to go...wanting him to determine how he wanted to "deal" with his own grief and how he was feeling.

The following week I read in the obituaries that there was another student (this time from Northview...but we had known him from years past) had died "accidentally". I was mortified. This young man is the brother of a very good friend of Kyle's. Kyle eats lunch with him everyday. Adam has been such a good friend to Kyle and really seems to overlook Kyle's "differences". When I initially read the obituary, I didn't put two and two together to figure out that this was Adam's brother. I was shocked when Kyle mentioned something to me concerning Adam's brother dying. Thankfully, Kyle's teacher recognized that Kyle was close to Adam and spoke to him about appropriate things to say and how to be a good friend to Adam right now. Kyle doesn't quite comprehend the ramifications of it all, but Dylan is very aware of all of the circumstances surrounding Jeffrey's death bringing even more questions and concerns to the table.

My heart breaks for these families who have lost their "little ones" way too soon. It is a concept difficult for me to even begin to comprehend. I know for a surety that I want so much more time with my boys...and know the devastation I would feel to lose them so soon. I think about Grandma who has lost as many children as I have (one at a year old--she got into the iron pills and overdosed, her 9 year old son--who was following his older brothers on his bike and was hit by a car, her son in his 40's who died from cancer, and yet another son who took his own life when he was almost 40). I can only imagine the grief that she has had to endure and would engulf me to experience such great loss.

It is in these moments when I realize the importance of never taking a single thing for granted. I enjoy so many of the little things...the way my children say certain things, their enthusiasm, their ideas, their mannerisms, their touch, everything about them. I came across this poem that accurately says these things for me...

Touch
by Kathie Davis

Mothers, touch your children,
Fathers, hug them tight,
Let them know you love them
morning, noon, and night.

Put your arms around them,
hold them near to you,
Feel the beating of their hearts,
the life that you made new.

Roll around the floor with them,
tease and laugh and play,
Listen to what they'll tell you,
they have so much to say.

Take time to get to know them,
see the colors in their eyes,
Appreciate that person
that deep inside them lies.

Let them run their fingers through your hair
and down your face,
Fill their hearts with words of praise,
make home their favorite place.

Cuddle with them on the couch
and watch a t.v. show,
Sing with them or share a book
and help their world to grow.

Take a walk into the park,
hold each other's hand,
Smell the flowers, feed the ducks,
build castles in the sand.

Mothers, touch your children,
Fathers, hug them tight,
Show them what a gift they are,
to love them feels so right.

I truly hope that we all recognize how precious these moments are for each of us. Not only do I treasure my little ones, my husband, and my family...but I treasure each and every one of you who make such an incredible difference in my life in what may seem to you as small and insignificant ways...but to me these are the ways that truly matter.

Pumpkin Carving 2008

Pumpkin Carving 2008

Click on the picture above to see the slideshow

We braved pumpkin carving with the boys. Jonathan and I ended up doing most of the carving, because we were afraid of the boys hurting themselves or one another. The boys each designed what they wanted to do on their pumpkins. Dylan's ended up being so elaborate that he just decided to leave the drawing on instead.

While the boys would wait for their turn we would play Halloween videos on Youtube for them to watch. It was definitely a fun family night!

Grandma is home

Just wanted to let everyone know that Grandma came home to us on Thursday. She was very excited to get out of the hospital. I think she may have thought she was going to end up staying there permanently...because she lit right up when we told her she was being discharged.

She is still healing and pretty much laying low so that she can continue to get better. We have all of the services and equipment in place to give her the care that she needs in the comfort of our own home. Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers! We have truly felt their power sustaining us through this time.

Update on last week's adventures

For those of you wondering how things are going...I thought I would post a quick update.

My girlfriend and her children returned home to her husband. They are attempting to work things out, get some counseling, and improve their family situation. We wish them success in their endeavors. The kids miss them desperately, but we are always grateful to see a family reunited.

Grandma remains in Toledo Hospital. It was a fortunate thing to get her to the hospital when we did. She was only in the preliminary stages of how ill she would become. What started as a cold complicated with an urinary tract infection, developed into what they thought was congestive heart failure...only to discover it was Pneumonia. Now they are even testing to verify that she doesn't have a Pulmonary Embolism, which is a clot that has traveled to the lungs. (I am highly skeptical that she does due to the fact that she is well in to a therapeutic range on her Coumadin keeping her blood thin). She is on Levaquin and Zithromax for the infections! We are still trying to persuade Dr. Nahhas to perform the stent procedure while she is there, but so far, he continues to lean toward keeping her scheduled procedure date. Doctors! Grrrr! So, now we are getting social work involved to try to figure out what our options might be.

Grandma misses being home with us, and we miss having her here. Everytime we walk in her hospital room, she is hopeful that we have come to bring her home. Not having her at the house is definitely strange to say the least. I keep finding myself thinking that there is something that I should be doing, and it stems from being used to having a routine in caring for her. Grandma is getting stronger and is walking better than the day I brought her in. They started her in Physical Therapy yesterday and she commented how much the therapy helped with the pain in her legs. (Funny thing since I asked the doctors whether she should have PT to help with the circulation in her legs when she was first diagnosed with arterial insufficiency and they told me that it wouldn't help. Hmmmm!). Grandma has a nice roommate, who Grandma is just starting to socialize with now. (She was too sick to want to socialize...before). We are taking things one day at a time. Once again, your continued prayers are always appreciated.

TLEW Haunted Train Ride Adventure

Make a Smilebox slideshow

We have planned for some time now to go on an outing with the Kijowski's and their neighbor family to go on the TLEW Haunted Train Ride. I discovered this morning that the kids would need to go in costumes. I started when the kids were very little, having theme halloweens. We've had a Winnie the Pooh, Super Heroes, Rescue Heroes, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Sporty Simons, Star Wars, and M&M Halloweens (to just name a few). This year was no different...we would be the Pirate Family. I raced around town picking up supplies and then it was over to my mom's to whip out some pirate costumes. I had some pirate costumes that I borrowed from a friend of mine and thankfully, I have a talented Mom who can usually come up with something for me. I even did some of the sewing for these costumes. (Any of you who know me well...know that me even being willing to sew is an absolute miracle. I hate it! And find it quite stressful). We were successful and made quite the pirate family. Argghh, Matey!

The TLEW Haunted Train Ride is located out past Waterville. The Bluebird Passenger Train is a diesel train manned by volunteers who endeavor to give you a Halloween adventure filled with cookies & cider, train bandits, monsters, candy and fun! Along with the train ride, there is also a hayride, "haunted house", and a corn maze. It was a beautiful day...blue skies and warm enough not to need jackets. Some of the attractions were "cheesy", but the kids had an enjoyable time and we all spent time together. That is what truly matters!