We Take You To This Important News Update

All right, it's not really important, but here are the latest happenings in our lives.

Tom and I enjoyed our three days at Mt. Nebo State Park in Arkansas. We were there for some great Fall folliage and loved the time spent hiking, watching movies (five), mountain biking (two hours through gorgeous country but I wasn't sure I was going to make it near the end), and sleeping in (my latest time was 7:40 a.m.). Thanks to Julie and Grandma and Grandpa for watching the boys for us.

I really liked our Thanksgiving this year. I love my husband's family--they are a fun bunch. Everyone pitches in cooking, cleaning and watching kids and we somehow get in some good visits and games too. I tried Giada De Laurentiis' Citrus Herb Turkey recipe and had a food thermometer in the breast to give me a good indication of when the meat was cooked. I took it out and the breast was perfect, but had to put the rest back in. It eventually cooked. The next day I made Tom's family's traditional Turkey Noodle Soup. Yum!

As for Christmas, the kids and I decorated one tree and another is up and lit. I told Tom I'd stay up late tonight to finish . . . I enjoy when the kids wake up and are surprised. Grayson has a construction paper link advent calendar, and boy does he bound out of bed in the morning to remove the next link. We are also the proud owners of the very kitsch outdoor Santa and the Reindeer Teeter Totter, to go with our Stepping Up the Ladder Santa in front of the fireplace. Tom has been very persuasive in his argument that for us, Christmas decorating is more for the kids than an artistic expression. We're having fun giving the little boys a sense of wonder and excitement.

Last FHE we had a beautiful few moments. We lit candles around the fireplace and turned out all the lights. We brought out the children's nativity and talked about Mary and Joseph and their trip to Bethlehem and then sang "Away in a Manger." We added the shepherds and angel and sheep and wise men and sang "Stars Were Gleaming." I loved beginning our Christmas season that way. It's surprising how some of the simplest moments can also be the most spiritual.

And that's our news update.

Sweater and Sock Weather

I know Fall is truly here because it's finally cool enough to warrant wearing a sweater and socks in my home. I like to put off turning on the furnace as long as possible! We also had potato soup and homemade rolls yesterday for dinner (along with cake and ice cream), another indicator. My dad grew the potatoes in his summer garden and my sister makes the best homemade rolls ever. Mom still makes her own frosting (not from a can) and almost always adds peanut butter, her secret ingredient.

One of my best qualities, I feel, is that I always look forward to and enjoy the upcoming season. I love how nature moves us along and tells us when to get energized or when to slow down and enjoy simple things; when to be outward or when it's time to bring it inside. I'm ready for FHE by firelight, playing "Go Fish" in our jammies and having (almost) everyone I love at my home to carve the turkey and pronounce our annual "I'm grateful for . . . " sparkling cider toasts. I can smell the pie already.

Our Fall Getaway

I just reserved a "rustic cabin" for two in November at Mt. Nebo State Park in Arkansas. The cabins were built by the CCC in the 1930s and are made from logs and stone and have gorgeous views from the top of Mt. Nebo. Tom and I are looking forward to Fall leaves, a crackling fireplace, hiking, long naps, reading and playing Boggle. Heaven! Thanks to mom and dad for making it possible by watching our kids.

Garage Sale Christmas

The annual Bridlewood Garage Sale happened yesterday and I was one happy buyer. I've decided to make it a garage sale Christmas and have gotten off to a good start. Things I noticed this year: tons of CDs for sale thanks to MP3 players; cars and motocycles are now common garage sale items; the "never hurts to ask if they have any" philosphy yielded a bonanza but I still had to talk them down in price; and no one had any vintage jewelry. Word has gotten out!

My rules for a neighborhood sale:

1) Start early (buy when they're setting things out)

2) Begin in the rear of the neighborhood and move forward

3) Don't ask what they want for an un-tagged item--make them an offer!

4) Don't be afraid to ask for less than the tagged price: "would you take ___ for this?" and negotiate from there.

Remember, you're doing them a service! If they want a better deal they'll have to ebay it or consign it. They just want to get rid of it.

A Tale of Two Brothers

Once upon a time there were two brothers, one very big and one much smaller.

They grew up together in a land covered in blossoms.

A fierce storm came and blanketed their world in heavy snow.

They soon fell into a deep slumber.

The big brother awoke and, seeing his smaller brother asleep, dipped him into a refreshing bath.

He saved his smaller brother from hypothermia! And they lived (mostly) happily ever after.

The End

My Top Ten Inventions

I was preparing Sunday dinner this morning in my modern kitchen and started thinking of all the technology I embrace on a daily basis. It's strange to think my children have no concept of life without a cell phone, much as I couldn't imagine my grandparents living without electricity. Here are my favorite top ten inventions widely released during my lifetime:

1) Infertility Treatments: Tom and I would be childless without medical intervention and the world would be less rich without Carly, Bryce, Grayson and Elijah.







2) Coronary Bypass Surgery: OK, this was officially invented in 1960 but became widely practiced (and safer) only after I was born. Ten years ago my mother had quintuple bypass surgery and I can't imagine life without her.






3) Microwave Oven: I use it every day and remember when my family finally got one around my senior year in high school.



4) Personal Computer/Internet: my favorite uses are shopping (esp Christmas), researching (always looking for the best bargain or highest rated), email, transferring information, blogs (in moderation). Our family was surprisingly one of the first to have a PC, the beloved TRS 80.




5) Cell Phone: Tom had our first, a business car phone. It wasn't mobile. Know the difference?





6) Remote Control: Remember when you used to watch commercials?






7) Bulk Shopping: Costco, Sam's Club, Super Target, Ross, TJMaxx, Marshalls . . .






8) Digital Camera: We have very few pictures of our early years together. Sad, but true. We also still use our first and only digital camera. Again, sad but true.





9) VCR: Again, my family was slow to hop aboard; I think we had one in the home my sophomore year of high school.




10) Food storage: Not the two-year-supply type. I'm talking Ziplock bags and Glade Press n Seal. Press and Seal has changed my life.

Didn't make the cut: the Ipod (I listen to Tom's but still haven't opened the one he gave me for mother's day. If we had a car which utilized the ipod I'd be all over it. As Grayson's mom I have to keep ears open at all times); tooth whitening (I've only used one box of Crest Whitestrips, years ago. Is that too much information?)

Additions, anyone??

A Taste of Texas

We're settling down after all the wedding intensity, and spending a day at Abbott Acres really helped. Nothing like a warm Texas evening at the rodeo (pronounced ro-day-o, according to Tom) with good friends to get your mind in a different place. I sat in front of a family who was all dressed up in their best cowboy gear. They had the cutest children and I couldn't help but take a picture of the little boys. The dad saw me click away and said "That will be twenty dollars." During the events I'd hear the same man commend the best performers: "Ride 'em! Ride 'em cowboy!"

The next morning we headed off to the Bonham Ward's Pioneer Day Breakfast. Elijah went to town on the best home-grown canteloupe and apples; Grayson tormented a cage of roosters someone brought to give away (we didn't take one home) and played pioneer games. Tom played barefoot basketball with the youth in the gym (he had worn sandals) and I ate and talked and breathed in the fun, small-town air. To Texas!

Lost in Mall

We've all had those moments when you suddenly realize everything you've taken for granted--health, security, loved ones--can change in an instant. Tom and I experienced this yesterday at the mall. We aren't normally mall shoppers, especially on crowded Saturday afternoons, but we needed to look at something for Carly's wedding and decided to take the boys along. Grayson somehow made it there without shoes, so we started by buying him a pair of cheap flip-flops. Tom had Elijah in the stroller and was looking at watershoes; Grayson had his flip-flops on, elastic still connecting them. I was checking out the clearance shoes.

After just a moment I realized Grayson wasn't right by me. I took a quick look around and headed for Tom, thinking he had walked over there. He had not. Then we started cruising the large children's store, calling out his name. He's hidden among the racks of clothes before, but we couldn't find him anywhere. I notified the store's staff and they quickly sent a "Code A" through their headsets. Soon every staff person available was out looking for Grayson. I ran around the store calling his name ever more frantically and sent Tom out into the mall. Parents would look up at me and instictively reach for their own kids. Then a feeling of dread came over me: this is how it happens. How your son gets taken while you're looking at $4.99 shoes. How your life becomes unbelieveably altered in just a few heartbeats.

I knew then he wasn't in the store and told the manager, "He's not here. He must be out in the mall." She called mall security and gave them a description: blond four-year-old boy wearing yellow Intuit shirt, black shorts, wearing flip-flops still attached together. What I didn't tell her: he's named after his grandfather's hometown; he was born after trying twelve years; he's our miracle.

I ran out into the mall too. Tom and I called each other on our cellphones making sure we were both looking in different places. I checked toy stores and candy stores, knowing this is what he'd be attracted to. I kept calling his name and thought I heard him answer, but it was never him. Finally I decided to head back to the store and get an update, maybe get the police involved. I was pushing Elijah in the stroller and saw security and five or so store employees surrounding Grayson, who was sitting on the floor holding a gumball machine.

Grayson later told us he heard music and walked out of the store to find out where it came from. He then saw a candy store and went inside to look. He took the gumball machine and left the store, trying to find us to tell us he wanted to buy it. The store manager had been standing at the front of her store looking at everyone passing by when she saw a little boy in a yellow t-shirt. She called his name and he looked at her.

It's not easy being a mom to a very active boy. He often wears me out and completely frustrates me. But I love him. I love him. I love him.

The Biggest Boy

Now that our daughter Carly has left our home and will soon be getting married, Tom and I speak a lot about "the boys." Often we make a distinction--"the little boys"--because Bryce, our oldest son is twelve years older than Grayson and fifteen years older than Elijah. Bryce is further distinguished due to multiple disabilities. He is completely reliant on our care but is the peaceful heart of our home. The other boys love to climb into bed with Bryce and snuggle. Elijah often pulls onto Bryce's lap when he's sitting in his wheelchair. Elijah also likes to operate Bryce's hospital bed, lower or raising it when we need to get him in or out of his wheelchair. There have even been a few times I've found Bryce with his legs high up in the air thanks to his little brother! Yet Bryce loves their attention. He almost always looks directly at them and gives a big smile. The "little boys" have changed our lives, Bryce included.

Grayson the Eyeball Master

My four-year-old son's favorite word is "eyeball." It finds its way into every conversation: "What should we have for breakfast?" "Cereal and eyeballs!" "Old McDonald had an eyeball . . . ." "Knock, knock." "Who's there?" "Eyeball!" (sigh) "Eyeball, who?"

Yet today I overheard a few things which gave me hope we're nearing the end of the eyeball stage. We had a new male nurse for Bryce. Grayson went to visit and asked the nurse, "Why did you call my mom ma'am? Her name is Darla." Also "My dad's name is Tom and my mom adores him!" Two minutes without an eyeball word. I need to capture a few utterances, though, before it leaves him forever. I asked Tom for a small digital recorder for Mother's Day so I can hold onto the sound of Grayson at four years, nine months because, honestly, I'll miss him.

The Look of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

Elijah and Grayson have both contracted the HFM virus (it's been making the rounds in Elijah's children's class at church). So far, Elijah has had it worse with a rash all over including down his throat. Grayson so far has just had a high temperature and hasn't wanted to eat. He has, however, taken many naps and been very cuddly . . . the only pleasant side effect I've noticed so far. My glass half full take? Just another childhood illness helping to create lifetime immunities for my little boys.

San Francisco Getaway

Tom and I spent last week in beautiful San Francisco. He worked during the day and I got to explore. I love San Francisco's food (of course), unique stores, mix of people, vistas, architecture and even the weather.

My mode of getting around varied from cable cars, muni buses and plain old hoofin' it so I was able to people watch. I found myself feeling fondly towards so many: the career girl who held a leather grip so she wouldn't have to touch the muni rail; the homeless man who kept bumping into me when the bus turned; the tourists from Brooklyn who stopped the cable car so they could take pictures of Lombard Street; the P.E. class having races on the crowded sidewalk. Very good for my soul to relax and enjoy others going about their everyday lives. I get so engrossed with my own world. It's nice to remember we're all here bumping around together, hopefully doing the best we can.

The Life We're Living

My husband and I often say this when things get crazy . . . "Well, this is the life we're living!" What does it mean? That we're in the thick of things, and we're in it together. That our children are a priority and often dictate what we can and can't do. That we'd better enjoy, because soon it will all be over.

Our lives are complicated and yet, somehow, elevated by our children. Our only daughter is nineteen years old and a great friend; our second son, sixteen, has severe disabilities; our four-year-old is hilarious and hyperactive; our 21-month-old is getting a little sassy and wants to quit wearing a diaper. They make us feel so young and so old at the same time.