homefront

kalli plays

2009-11-30T06:23:00.000-08:00

Each time Kalli does something unusual, I realize my camera is not on! I missed most of her escapades this time, but she did at least let me get a little on film.

more dancing

2009-11-29T07:31:00.000-08:00

I wish I could have this much fun. Did you ever see someone enjoy an activity this much?

pure pleasure

2009-11-29T06:55:00.000-08:00

I can't watch and enjoy all the school moments of the grandkids, but this Saturday opportunity I could enjoy. Reagan LOVES every minute of her ballet class experience and I had to share them.

gathering together

2009-10-20T19:31:00.001-07:00

All the kids had a great time at the bday party for Brenden - thanks to Marc and Kathryn for hosting us for the day - for fun and visiting with each other. Karyna liked playing in the little house outside.

yummy macaroni and cheese, chips and sloppy joes - and a special place to eat together

choices, choices. what do i play with now?

reagan tickling kalli as they played together.

nayeli still enjoying the playhouse - after making sure the squirrels were gone.

austin playing hide and seek - surprise!

brockden and dad chilling and ignoring all the other confusion created by the older kids.

karyna decided to stay in the playhouse for a while - as long as she could keep her flowers with her

kennedy relaxing with her daddy

exercise anyone?

still pals no matter how much time passes

brenden and grandpa watching the set up of the bouncing house

the birthday boy and his daddy getting ready to go into the bouncer house

kalli checking out the house

katie deciding to PUSH her children into the house - gently of course

brenden getting bounced about a bit

adults gathering in the basement

stopping by to see baby darby on the way home

is molly saying cheese?

beautiful baby darby

passing of time continues

2009-10-20T19:07:00.000-07:00

It has been quite some time since i had a chance to post to the blog and again, time is limited. why is that? what has happened to our lives that we are reduced to sound or word bytes? Anyway, we managed to get to St. Louis two times in two months to visit our family there. Here are just a couple pics from that trip.

Brockden smiled ALL the time - he is the happiest of boys. Here he giggles at his dad.

Both girls demonstrated their natural ability to dance and enjoy the music.

Karyna danced in and out of the sunshine, hence the shadowed picture.

Can you tell how mesmerized Nayeli sometimes gets while listening to lyrics?

Brockden - serious for the moment.

only a child

2009-08-04T22:51:00.000-07:00

after frantically searching for my car keys for what seemed like forever (in reality about 8-10 minutes) - knowing that I had seen Kalli pick them up once - and this search included dumping out my overloaded purse twice, checking outside, looking in the locked van, looking in computer case, in couch cushions, bathroom, counters, etc., Austin saved the day. He looked INSIDE a toy mailbox and that is apparently where Kalli thought they belonged.

summer begins today

2009-06-21T19:44:00.000-07:00

and again - i am already behind. spring cleaning is not done, no spring planting or yard work - is this just going to be the way it goes?

idyllic spring day

2009-03-09T20:19:00.000-07:00

This winter has been so long - so cold - so full of snow and gray days. Even the most optimistic attitudes had work trying to find good things to say about the season - and I am not a super fan of winter in the best of times. Which is why the recent respite was so welcome. I felt an uplift to my whole mental status just by experiencing a day out of doors. Having a chance to share it with kids made it just that much better.

Reagan and Kalli started by climbing the playset together.

Kennedy was not about to be left behind either. She crawled up the steps too.

They got a chance to run around some - although the ground is still awfully wet.

Is there anything better than the smiles we get when the weather is good enough for playtime?

I can't wait until this is the norm for our activities, although I will take it any way we get it.

feeling idiotic (pronounce eye-dot-ic for katie)

2009-03-09T19:31:00.000-07:00

I used to tease my sister that she had accidents all the time. She broke her finger while swimming and got a head laceration while trying to catch a ball in softball. She shut a window on her toe. and locked her jaw when yawning. But even though I tease her, she has been a good sport about it - especially as, it seems, I actually have some pretty good 'accidents' of my own.

There was the time when our family and friends all went to a concert at the fair. There had been rain and a lot of mud. Do you see where I am heading? I lectured all the kids to be careful and not slip, and then totally lost my own footing, wiping out thoroughly - yes, covered in mud.

Another incident involved the breaking of my little finger (picture a break that includes a right angle) when I tried to catch a basketball thrown by one of my children. It was bouncing low to the ground and I hit my finger on the gym floor.

But the newest episode was just as silly. This past week I went to the park with my two daughters and grandchildren. I was pushing a stroller (an empty one I believe) towards a bench. My head was down looking at the stroller and it must be admitted that my hair was in my face too, but I basically ran full face into an iron rod. Right at eye level - one I should have seen - but instead I bounced off it like a rubber ball. It was slapstick at its best. I now sport a small black eye and a little more understanding of the word 'accident' - at least as it relates to my sister - or myself.

random

2009-02-19T11:31:00.000-08:00

Bud and his Miller granddaughters in St. Louis in February this year.

I realized I never post on the blog any longer - have been reading everyone else's - but we have had great times lately with family so here are a few pics.
Karyna in her own back yard - while Nayeli was in school we played in the sunshine.

Nayeli showed us some dancing and her costumes for her dancing - I think ballet.

Kennedy being a good sport waiting for the numerous pictures to be taken at the Brooks.

Reagan found she has a calling for music and here she is practicing her rock star moves.

Kalli was emptying out my suitcase - and shaking everything she could find in it.

Bud asked Austin to please carry on his tradition of the tourist wave - so Austin did.

perfection

2009-01-08T05:58:00.000-08:00

I am way behind in posting about events in the family - will have to try to catch up soon. However, I have time to post one picture of the perfect children - from a great day together.

goodbyes

2008-12-03T20:28:00.000-08:00

One of the best - and worst - aspect of being part of the Williamston Ward is the fact that it is so transient. It is good because we have so many wonderful people entering our lives that we would not experience in a different ward. The bad thing is that they leave. And it hurts. It is amazing how hard it is to say good-bye to all of them. This time we said good-bye to the Mauss family. I had no idea when they first arrived that they would become such an integral part of our ward and my own family. Rebecca - I will miss you - you were always such a positive person - an example for all of us. And Austin will miss his good buddy Charley for a long time. I am so glad they got to be friends! Good- bye and good luck in the next phase of your life!

I think Jill would say that you look simply fabulous here - but you always do.

Austin and Charley - the world would be a better place if we all had their kind of friendship.Molly and Kalli will miss seeing their friends the Mausses too.

playing around

2008-11-18T19:07:00.001-08:00

One of the first really cold evenings of the winter, we had some fun company. Nothing like kids to warm up the night.

Kalli likes to chew on anything and everything - and here we see that she found a straw to chomp on. I THINK it was one we got for the kids to play with - don't remember leaving used straws around at least.

Here we have Austin showing me what he thinks is the look of Zack and Cody. We played a game where we had to act or look like different characters.

I think this is Kalli's perpetual look - big grin - or snorting laughter.

This is another character shot - here Austin is Iron Man. I never saw the movie but am sure it is a good portrayal.

Both the picture above and below are the serious moments for both kids. So adorable.

sliding along

2008-11-16T21:18:00.001-08:00

I never seem to have enough time to really get through all the pictures - but here are a few -and hopefully I will have more to post soon.
Kennedy just plain likes to chew on everything. I rarely find her NOT chewing on something. She must be going through teething all the time - and Katie said it could go on and on for a long time. She isn't fussy though when she can chew.

This is the perfect picture for the way Reagan looks most of the time. She LOVES to laugh.

Katie brought the slide into the house - and Reagan has mastered it completely - she loves to go up and down the slide now - and has to be reminded to SIT DOWN at the top. She even takes her letters to the top and will say "J wants to go down" and she sends down the letter.

watching ...watching....watching - doll goes down

As you can see - even dolly has to have her trips down the slide - and brings a lot of laughs.

Don't you wish you still enjoyed sliding this much??

Kennedy looks so serious here - but she really was smiling and laughing a lot too.

love in st. louis

2008-11-16T20:56:00.000-08:00

We had the opportunity a week ago to go to St. Louis and visit Nick, Allison, Nayeli and Karyna. It was a great weekend - very little sickness (Nick was the only one this time) - and seriously we had so much fun. I only wish we could have been there even longer. It never seems like there is enough time to visit and chat about all the things we miss out on because of the distance apart that we live. It is always sad to leave everyone behind again.

We went to the museum one day. Nick and Bud wandered the museum and Allison and I and the girls went to a storytime and craft time. In the picture above, Nayeli and Karyna are up and dancing. Three books were read - and all had dance themes. I think the favorite was the 12 dancing princesses (or some name like that)

Karyna's craft was an eye patch for a pirate - although it could have been a necklace. I unfortunately don't have a good picture of the NECKLACE and pirate treasure map created by Nayeli. They also made dance rings.

This trip we got to visit the preschool that Nayeli attends. Here is a picture of Nayeli and Karyna wheeling around part of the play-yard.

I was totally surprised at Nayeli and her climbing of the monkey bars. The last time we had been to a park, she didn't climb up at all. She actually climbed to the top of these and FELL! Didn't even cry - just kept playing.

Karyna had lovely pigtails - and a snack - trying to get all the good food off the fingers.

Back at preschool Nayeli is pointing out her own artwork on the wall. This wall is on a ledge that gives a play space above and below.

Had to have a going to preschool picture - as I missed the first day of school. Here with the backpack is Nayeli (without her coat).

Karyna was playing on one of the play areas at the preschool - and didn't really want to quit. She would love to be at preschool herself I think.

Another climbing picture - with Karyna in the corner.

Here is Karyna wearing part of Nayeli's jacket. I was TOLD by Nayeli that it was Karyna's so put it on her to go outside - only to find out that it was the inside liner of Nayeli's own coat - that she didn't recognize.

Nayeli is here getting ready to play with her new princess stickers.

Karyna still loves to color - and there is a lot of evidence of her love of coloring throughout the house.

Just another snapshot - can't resist - they are both so cute.

See? So cute! and looking so innocent!

In their Sunday best - with multiple hair accessories. They were great.

fun weekends

2008-11-01T20:46:00.000-07:00

So no pictures will be in the right order, but I wanted to put up some evidence of a really good weekend. Reagan is happy here and entertaining all of us at her home on her mom's bday.

As you can see, Kennedy has mastered sitting by herself and is doing fantastic. She sat up most of the evening- on the floor or at the restaurant. happy birthday mom - sorry I was up all night

Birthday night and story time with Grandma and Grandpa - winding down for bed.

This picture wasn't even taken this weekend, but it is just so darn cute I had to post it.

Teeth must be coming soon - if it is not chewing on feet - above, it is chewing on hands below.

The hardest thing of all is trying to fit everything into the short time frame we have each week and Halloween was no different. We got to see everyone, but not a lot. Here are some of the Miller clan kids trick or treating in Williamston - totally could not see (except online) my two girls in st. louis - but saw my howell girls earlier.

Williamston trick or treating at Elaine's - good face Molly - and Austin leaving a house with more candy yet again -

Kalli was finding the night a little long - wasn't it time to go home and swing around on the bouncy seat again?

Here we are traversing the subdivision of the Brooks family. So warm out that neighbors often parked themselves outside with chairs near the road - LOTS of people.

That is one cute giraffe - with a two-fisted beginning of her candy collection.

Halloween shirts from Grandma and Grandpa Brooks - before putting on their costumes.

Piglet is one of the cutest characters in the whole Pooh collection - especially on Kennedy

Grandpa resting up before the beginning of trick or treating.

Halloween program for Austin - he was a real trooper and totally entertaining.

Austin and his pal at the program.

conference day

2008-10-05T18:40:00.000-07:00

It was a a good day today. We were invited to share a meal with family and friends in between sessions. Thought I would post a few pics from today. I had a great time.

the outside world

2008-10-05T18:26:00.000-07:00

It has been a long time since i posted anything on this blog - but time has been pretty short as we try to get back into the regular world and catch up on life. Bud is really home now - has been home for 1 week and 5 days. I am hoping and planning that this time we more than beat his record of two weeks home (between hospitalization 2 and 3 of the year) - and maybe even make this return home permanent.We now host a ramp into our house - and a curtain in place of a door for our bathroom (all part of making the home wheelchair accessible). The curtain is a little odd - but as we hope the wheelchair is a temporary change, there WILL be a door put back in later. Bud gets rehab in the home a couple times a week - and theoretically in 3 weeks, will be able to put weight on his arm and use a walker - so sayeth the surgeon as of Friday. We have actually gotten Bud out of the house a couple times now - and here is a picture posted from a trip to an apple orchard with Katie and Rick and the girls. All was fun.

Time is going by so quickly - seems impossible to imagine ever catching up, but no matter what else falls behind, we hope to spend lots of time with our kids and grandkids. Nothing else is as important.

outside play

2008-08-17T10:41:00.000-07:00

The good old game of duck duck goose is still a favorite. Even the oldsters (Nick, Molly, Katie and Rick) had fun. The filming is still very amateurish - obviously I am not good at this yet - but the fun still shows through. We took advantage of light-hearted moments to ease the stress inherent in any hospitalization. I know I took heart from moments like these.

track stars

2008-08-17T10:33:00.000-07:00

We noticed that our young track olympians had unique and different running styles and tried to capture it for their future promotional videos.

photo time

2008-08-17T10:23:00.000-07:00

As you can see, trying to get everyone to face forward at the same time is a challenge. BUT, I believe Molly and Katie got a few good shots somehow. Unfortunately, at the end, there was singing, which frightens Reagan. We will have to think of something else to do on her birthday.

summer is ending

2008-08-17T10:20:00.001-07:00

Summer is drawing to a close - well, technically at least - as school is about to start. And this year it certainly seems as if there has been no summer. There is something about a hospital room or rooms that is universal - no weather or season exists in them. You can see the sun occasionally, but temperatures and fresh air are just in your sensory memory. SO... no summer this year. I hope to make fall a lot more enjoyable.

Bud is better- at least in the lab report sense. No more seizures we think, head injury healing, labs improving. We will take it a day at a time now to try to rebuild his strength and hope that he is able to leave here in the not too distant future - on his own speed and ready to embrace all that is waiting for him.

I can't wait.

BACK IN

2008-08-09T20:32:00.000-07:00

sigh and more sighs. bud unfortunately took a bad spill outside the home on Thursday - which resulted in many health issues. he is currently back in the hospital in NCU and he is having a rough time. keep him in your thoughts and prayers

BUD IS OUT

2008-07-29T10:47:00.000-07:00

Okay - forgot to post - for all of you out there who actually wonder what is going on with Bud - he is OUT OF THE HOSPITAL - and has been out 7 days at the end of the 29th! That is good. After 7 dialysis treatments Bud is doing well and his kidneys are functioning again. Once he regains his youthful figure he says he will be ready to join one and all in fun and games.

Bud diagnosis

2008-07-13T17:51:00.000-07:00

I found out that I had the wrong name for what the docs say is the issue for Bud's renal failure. It is not microglobulin - it is Myoglobin. Here is what it says in the textbook: Myoglobin is released from damaged muscle tissue (rhabdomyolysis), which has very high concentrations of myoglobin. The released myoglobin is filtered by the kidneys but is toxic to the renal tubular epithelium and so may cause acute renal failure.^{[9]

so now we are in dialysis. please keep bud in your prayers.}

repetition, repetition

2008-07-07T12:37:00.000-07:00

SO... back in the hospital yet again - as of Saturday. Seems like the same old thing, but with new faces and a new panorama of thoughts and views. Maybe a changing of the guards is a good thing - a fresh perspective may be just what Bud needs. The food choices haven't changed though - nor has the same old, same old, of hospital routine. BUT there is a slight plus for anyone coming to see him - - - he is in the TOWER this time - much shorter walk from the parking ramp. Bud doesn't reap that benefit, but it is a definite positive for me - and even such a small highlight is still a good thing. But poor old Max....

tball is fun for all of us

2008-06-20T14:38:00.000-07:00

they all wait to bat again - can we consider them being patient?

loyal fans watching and cheering on their athletes

hugs for friends on the same team - charley and austin having fun with it all

pretty in pink and loyal to her brother and his game.

and it goes on and on

2008-06-19T08:47:00.000-07:00

Today is day 34 for Bud at Sparrow Hospital. Nan was by today - lifted his spirits, as did visits from Sue and Jack and others this past week. But... after she left he tried walking - out of breath and hard to breathe very quickly. More swollen feet and an issue with hemoglobin ... and he is feeling the stress and starting to wonder if he will ever get better.

time together

2008-06-13T09:42:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, we had big plans to play and spend time together as a family when the Nick Miller family came to visit. Bud's surgery and hospitalization brought about some adjustments to the original plans. We still had fun though, either in the hospital or when we could spend time away from it. Here are some pics from a couple moments we were together.

Karyna outside playing
Nayeli tired and about ready for the day to end.

Nick accepting that it is his turn to get soaked and take what is coming.

one of many moments that Karyna and Bob bonded - which happened often.

just hanging out at Pat's
Spy kids checking out the neighborhood and watching for 'bad guys'.

austin playing with karyna and making her laugh.

Nayeli getting excited about whatever plans we were making at the time.

Karyna and Max actually liked each other - as long as they were outside.

Austin and Nayeli climbing the fence and checking out the local excitement.

Just woke up and eating breakfast.

Still like each other best most of the time - really MOST of the time.

Showing a picture creation for Grandpa in the hospital.

Going down the small slide- way too easy for her.

Out in the backyard at Grandma's

Uncle Bob can help put my shoes on - I like him.

This slide is still too tame for me, but at least it is higher than the other one.

Come watch me uncle Bob.

another beautiful day

2008-06-13T09:20:00.001-07:00

We had another memorable day this past month - Kennedy's blessing day. It was fun, beautiful and memorable also. As you can see from the following pictures, it was a good day for all.

About to get dressed for church, Kennedy just chilled out.

Wanting to be left alone to sleep instead of posing for pictures all day.

Pretty as they come and wide awake now.

Two goofs and an Austin

Two serious and happy faces and two rather funny faces.

Spy man looking out for strange things in the toy room.

It was hard to get everyone happy and ready for a picture at the same time.

Maybe it was easier for the Brooks family.

No broken back this time. Such trust in uncle nick.

Reagan is picture perfect in her spring outfit ready to celebrate with Kennedy.

Rick and Kennedy having their own moment after church.

Kalli was happy to dress up in her nautical outfit and come on board the Brooks place.

Austin checks out Dennis's toy when he was able to pry it away from him.

missing time

2008-06-13T06:15:00.001-07:00

Haven't posted forever, and so many things have happened BESIDES the very obvious long and serious hospitalization of Bud. Here are pics from some of the lighter events.

Pat, Chuck, Steve and Eric all hosted us again for Memorial Day - for fun cooking out (yum) and lots of playtime. As you can see, water balloons played a big part yet again.

Reagan contemplates the pool while Aunt Pat shows excited enthusiasm for cooling off.

Kalli enjoyed the sites, and had no desire to focus solely on the many cameras facing her.

Do I have to have my picture taken? Water fights are waiting!! I can take them all.

Nothing like a popsicle on a hot day - especially outside where all the melting drips hit the ground or land on my arms and legs.

Sigh, rest and relaxation for one of the family anyway. She looks content.

So Granny didn't join the water balloon fight - seemed to find the sidelines safer.

Kennedy found Granny's lap perfectly comfortable as a place to snooze away when tired.

I see bubbles!! LOTS of bubbles are heading my way.

Kennedy takes another nap, this time with Grandma.

I could be sleeping, but it is fun to lay on this quilt and look at people and the tree above me.

Is Steve dancing to entertain Jill and Austin?

Forget the doll in the pool. I am really playing in the water and just splashing myself.

Austin enjoys muddy buddies in a cup and Reagan gets ready to play in the pool again.

Wake up Kalli. Smile for the camera - look at Mommy - she ALWAYS knows how to smile.

Austin tries to convince Steve to part with his water balloon.

Who was Mel trying to hit?

This has the appearance of an ambush - are they aiming for Eric or someone else?

Austin loving playing with the big kids in the water and joining in the fight.

What were you doing?? Was there a frisbee in this picture sometime?

Fighting over the toys again.

Tiptoe through the grass in socks.

a long 28 days

2008-06-13T06:10:00.000-07:00

We are at the 28 day mark - yep, 28 LONG days at the hospital for Bud. He is anxious to get home and we have hope that MAYBE this next week will bring the magic moment that he can finally exit Sparrow and resume some normal life. He is improving, but it is slow going. His big goals are to (in no particular order) actually play with Reagan and Kennedy, go to a Tball game of Austin's, make Kalli laugh, sit with Max and down the road take a trip to St. Louis. Those sound like good goals to me.

welcome kennedy

2008-05-03T19:07:00.000-07:00

katie likes to be different - we all know that - but three hours (MAYBE) from first contraction to delivery is a little more exciting and eventful than we expected. barely making it to the hospital in time, kennedy made her appearance at 8:28 a.m. (i believe - as WE didn't get there in time). she is beautiful - katie did a splendid job and family is doing well. we can't wait to see photos posted.

Rick turns 27

2008-04-21T08:13:00.000-07:00

thanks rick for having a birthday because those are the only occasions we see everybody!
happy birthday to rick.

reading bud's card and enjoying the special photo he was given.

joey was a happy camper all day and gave us quite a few high pitched squeals.

uncle jack is okay because he reads to me or listens to me read.

this picture is not accurate as most of the time mel was busy playing with the little kids.

collin and his curls! looking cute as ever as he explored the toy room.

no, aunt alice is not boring - she is fun, but i was a little tired.
my best friend and my bethie - because uncle rob picks on me.

mom

2008-03-20T14:10:00.001-07:00

See how much fun we all had? smiles everywhere - can't get any better.

This picture should have been with the birthday post - but oh well - I can add it now - we had such fun that day - and Mom is a good sport!!

more road trip

2008-03-20T13:56:00.000-07:00

I need to share some moments of our recent road trip - although more the destination than the trip. I can't post any pictures from it - we have no camera ... and Nick and Allison's is either not working or needs a new battery (did you get one yet?).

It was really great to have the opportunity to go visit my St. Louis kids though! I can't say enough how much we miss them and WISH THEY WOULD MOVE BACK! But seriously, it is so exciting to be a part of their life for a short time and really see what their days are like - what their environment is and how they interact in it. Each time we visit I come back and have visuals when I hear from them or they talk on their blog.

Nayeli and Karyna were both perfect and fun and sweet and how many adjectives can I use? We got to watch Karyna do her stomp dance in person and eat off her tray without hands. I got to read her a story and hold her and play and it was priceless. Nayeli and I played 'princess' and colored and bonded and talked and talked and talked. Yes, Nayeli can really talk - but it was great. We hit the park and watched Karyna go up and down the climber and slide repeatedly. Nayeli tried a few more playground toys. Bud added to the fun by going down a slide and sliding right off the end - he couldn't stop himself - and then entertained us by crawling many feet away to an object he could hold onto to get back up. Sorry Bud, but both Karyna and Nayeli were better sliders than you.

We got great food from Allison - anyone who wants a recipe for a great taco soup - or coffee cake - should contact her. Nick and I got one spell of time to chat when we went out for some fantastic Mexican food. (I am forcing myself to try more foods and of greater variety and their recommendation for this place was justified).

We got to visit Cameron and Brittany and new baby and listened to a lot of NERD chat about WOW from Nick and Cameron. Allison and I got only one chance to shop together - not enough time to do more - or do it right, but it was fun. Nayeli came along too and it was a true 'girls' moment.

Also, Bud initiated Nick's house by falling into or through his front window. Hope it is fixed soon as the boarded up window made it hard to enjoy this long missed sunshine.

All in all it was a great time and I hated to leave. WE hated to leave. Bud talked (and talked) about everything on the way home. Yes, it was sad and sort of weepy, but worth it. Can't wait until they make it up here in May.

just a mindless thought

2008-03-18T13:44:00.000-07:00

I love road trips. Always have - and I love to drive and drive. So this next comment will not jive with my normal feelings. As Bud and I traveled to St. Louis this past week, there was a really clear sky. It was beautiful. I suddenly wanted to be able to RIDE along and just look out at the sky or the city lights as we passed each area. I kind of wanted to just enjoy the views for a change and I realized that option is for the most part closed. Long ago, Bud and I did share driving on trips and I did enjoy looking out at scenery. It was a normal part of trips back then to share driving time. It was a little sad to recognize that those days are fully past.

happy birthday mom/grandma/etc.

2008-03-13T01:15:00.000-07:00

okay -so not much time to write, but another fun party was had at the Cross home and this one was to celebrate the auspicious occasion of a 75th birthday for everyone's favorite person - called many different names (most good) like granny, grandma, mom, hey you, jackie and firetruck

making her first party appearance just for this occasion was newcomer kalli beth

exchanging 'loving' and supportive quips with grandma were the notorious cross boys

and of course, there were pictures WITH grandma - and more to come.

monday blahs

2008-02-18T11:30:00.000-08:00

Today is one of those days when I feel disconnected even from MYSELF! Ever feel that way? Sort of like the world is going on but you are watching through a window and not really involved? I don't have any reason to feel that way - my weekend was fine, I have nothing to complain about, i don't think I am sick, but today there is a disconnect. A blur in my perspective. I am betting tomorrow is totally different, but i am finding it very hard to focus on anything. hmmm.

love them

2008-02-15T11:43:00.001-08:00

newest addition

2008-02-15T11:40:00.001-08:00

already Kalli is changing. at first she was the spitting image of Austin, now she is developing her own look - sometimes looking like Molly, sometimes still Austin. Meanwhile Austin is trying to be gentle when he gets to hold her.

austin time

2008-02-08T05:57:00.001-08:00

Austin got some time of his own with Papa - sharing tickles and jokes

old and young

2008-02-08T05:56:00.001-08:00

Grandpa and Kalli sharing a moment together (Kalli was bored and asleep)

pretty in pink

2008-02-08T05:52:00.001-08:00

as i remember, austin also used to have really skinny legs that didn't fill the clothes - and as you can see Kalli has tiny little legs.

2008-02-06T08:43:00.001-08:00

Wanted to at least post a picture of baby Kalli and Molly. She is a beautiful little girl and a real trooper. I will post later about hospital experiences from THIS person's point of view, but meanwhile she is home again and doing well - and is a perfect gem.

cuddling moments

2008-01-15T16:25:00.001-08:00

I had to post this picture of Beth and the kids. Auntie Beth is a favorite and always family.

new year notes

2008-01-09T21:22:00.000-08:00

kids grow up so fast - change so quickly - and i don't want to forget each step - so here are a few reminders for me when i need them:

reagan, with her vast (and continuing to grow) vocabulary, has a unique name or elephant - and it is ALWAYS 'eh'

karyna calls nayeli 'yedi' - and loves to look at pictures on my wall and call out names - most often yedi, daddy and mama

nayeli received princess figurines on Christmas day and was more excited about those than anything i ever imagined.

nayeli is always cinderella in make believe - and said austin was prince charming

karyna is climbing on chairs and tables and not afraid. she loves max

austin loves max and tried to ride him. austin loves music and pretending to play the guitar. he loves high school musical 2 and relates and talks about it (like brothers fight but then don't fight)

reagan has a very deep voice and likes to shout at her movies - she knows them by heart and preempts the actual script

austin loves his action figures and mimicking the actors in hannah montana or zack and cody

karyna likes to wear beads and hats - nayeli likes play shoes

reagan likes to 'make a mess' and knock all the figures off the piano bench

there are tons more - but no more time tonight -

precious pictures of the best of us all

2008-01-09T21:05:00.001-08:00

sideview

2008-01-09T21:02:00.001-08:00

loved this pic - all it needs is for Molly and Katie to pose the same way next to Reagan

Christmas day

2008-01-09T20:54:00.001-08:00

john wayne's beginning

2008-01-09T20:49:00.001-08:00

I walked into the kitchen the other day to find this strange site. After the picture and a silent chuckle, I lectured Austin about the mistreatment of Max - and the difference between being a family pet and a horse.

returning from the holidays

2008-01-09T20:37:00.000-08:00

Wow - over two months since i even typed a word on this blog. Busy schedules and holidays - some sick time and visitors - no time to think - all valid and true excuses. Writer's block plays a part. I actually tried to open up the site and write something a few times, but my thoughts always flew out of my head and I ended up staring at a blank screen and deciding that I had better things to do with my time.

Two weeks into the new year, I still have not gotten all the holiday stuff put away. I have not caught up the house-cleaning - have not caught up the paperwork - and feel more behind at the office than before the holidays hit. That does not bode well for the new year - and I haven't even done my traditional new year goal setting or calendar updates. SO, for the sake of my sanity, I am considering the new year not to actually begin until the 15th of January. By my calculations, I have a fair chance to make headway by then - and then I can start my New Year with a clear conscience.

How about the rest of you? Ready for 2008?

still recuperating

2007-11-04T14:00:00.001-08:00

It has been more than two weeks since the tornado or tornadoes ripped through Williamston. I have seen a massive clean-up effort, and decided today to go out and look around to see what still remained to be done. What started out as a simple drive through town, turned into a trip across the countryside - following the path of the storm. I cannot adequately describe now how I feel. I would say I was speechless, but here I sit trying to put into words the awe I felt and the feelings of insignificance compared to the force of this storm and the pattern of destruction. I am left with total gratitude that so many survived. Pictures cannot really do justice to the horrifying reality. Even after extensive clean-ups, there remains so much to do and so many are still dealing with the emotional after-math in addition to the practical picking up of the pieces. I drove down Haslett Road, down M 52, down Harris Rd, Moyer, Shaftsburg and Bell Oak. I witnessed the hop skip and jump of the storm as it jumped over one barn but destroyed it's neighbor, merely 100 yards away. Trees were sheered off at their base, or 30 feet in the air. I never before thought of Williamston as tornado country. Now I do. I snapped a few more pictures while driving - and yet barely touched on what is out there. If there is a bright side, and we need to find one, it is that the people have turned back into neighbors - as so eloquently stated by Judy, and we are re-discovering the need for support and friendship. We would not be moving forward without that.

Massive roots still lying around McCormick Park which has a totally new skyline

More of the destruction of the Mitchell Road homes and Meadowdale. As I drove down that road, more than half of the homes were under repair, and many had either dumpsters or storage units in their driveways.

The mangled remains of some of the stands and metal work near the high school.

Haslett Road, the site of the worst destruction in which a home was totally destroyed.

If you look closely, you will see the trees sheered off as the storm progressed north and east.

The above were all on Haslett Road. Debris of this sort were in trees and strewn across multiple fields.

On M-52 - heading into Perry, this was one of the worst hit homes.

music creates every mood - or becomes the answer

2007-11-03T22:28:00.000-07:00

bittersweet nostalgia - homesick - memories - overfull emotions - pictures in souls

finally...

2007-10-22T07:26:00.000-07:00

Bob got a short break and spent some time at the park with his family. At the top picture, Austin is doing some shanana dance move from The Office TV show and below, Bob and Austin are preparing to race down the slide. Bob had the head start as his feet practically reached the ground right away.

the weekend improved

2007-10-22T07:15:00.001-07:00

Happy birthday today to Eric - who is 20 today - so all shout out to him when you can.

Taking yucky medicine was not the highlight of the party for Reagan .

Ready to help Eric blow out his funny candles - which neither of them did on the first try.

After storms and clean-up, life moved on... as it always does - and we had the chance to celebrate Eric's birthday. It was a great day but we missed the Nick Miller family.

tornadoes

2007-10-22T06:25:00.000-07:00

Thursday evening storms raced through the mid-Michigan area. As luck would have it, that area included our little town of Williamston. I can’t even begin to describe the shock I felt as I viewed the destruction.

We lost power Thursday evening and had no way to monitor the passage of the waves of storms. Molly and Pat kept calling us and giving us updates. Pat called once and said the rotations and storm were at Zimmer road and heading our way. We took refuge in our bathroom and when we emerged and looked outside, the last remaining tree in front of our house had been snapped off midway and lay across our driveway and our neighbor’s yard. And we were lucky. I had no idea just HOW lucky we were until morning arrived and we discovered that the whole town was without power and that the damages were extensive and widespread. We had to have our ID to get into our city if we left, and the routes were round-about.

Caring and wonderful volunteers came and chopped up the tree blocking my driveway – as one of the many jobs of service they did that day for many more. I was so grateful as my best source of labor for cutting up the tree was Bob – who was putting in mandatory overtime as a police officer helping out in the emergency. But I was only one of the beneficiaries. Williamston is making quick progress, but that is due, in my opinion, to all the volunteers helping with food, supplies and service. Kudos to all of them!!

For those of you from Williamston who have worried about everyone, I am posting some pictures of the storm damage.

We got the lightest damage in our area - a single snapped tree across our yard and driveway

And these three men cleaned it up for us before the end of the day on Friday!

Take a close look at the way the tree is broken - can these trees be saved at all? This is the norm for trees all around Williamston. Where once we saw houses and trees towering above, we now see housetops and either bare skies or just broken tree trunks. The skyline is so altered in some places!

Teri's back yard - Click on the image to see larger - see the tree broken at the base. She lost so many trees that her yard is permanently altered. Her pool has a tree in it, as did her house.

More of Teri's house - showing some of the structural issues.

View of some of the houses on Mitchell street across from the high school - a very hard hit area. We saw tarps on MANY houses . More structural damage in this area - less grown trees to uproot.
McCormick park - the playground and looking towards the river. Trees are IN the river. Wheatfield golf course. The houses close to it also suffered damage.

See anything missing? The tree used each year for the Christmas tree lighting is gone.

Yes, this is near where the new library is supposed to be going soon. This is right on Grand River -maybe a half mile from us ... if even that. Note that the tree is UPROOTED onto the car and house.
The overhang here at the Speedway station was so damaged that shortly after this picture was taken the structure was totally gone. McDonald's next door lost some roofing.

Service vehicles working along the road next to Felpausch.

This is also from Felpausch parking lot looking west.

This shot is from the Felpausch parking lot. You can get an idea of the heights of the trees broken.

This shot is looking from Grand River down towards the community center south of town

Reminiscing

2007-10-07T20:14:00.000-07:00

This isn't my story - it is Molly's, but it just gave me so many flash-backs that I had to tell it.

This evening Molly was doing dishes in her kitchen and she heard Austin running to the bathroom a couple of times. She called to him to see what he was doing and he told her (both times) that he was washing his hands. Okay, so after this was his 2nd response, she got suspicious and went to see what he was doing.

Austin had climbed on top of a piece of furniture and gotten out her craft paints - deciding to do some painting on his own toys. By the time Molly got there he had painted his 3 ft superman figure, his floor, sheets, a couple other toys and his beautiful hand-made quilt! Needless to say, Molly was pretty upset. Austin wasn't trying to mess things up...he was being creative and trying to make something... but that doesn't help when you are faced with potential permanent paint spots everywhere.

So tonight Molly is running multiple loads of laundry, and I am reminded of similar incidents from when my kids were themselves that little. I am reminded of all the melted crayons we have had on carpets and in registers. I am reminded of stickers and even writing on walls. I am reminded of tipping over bookshelves and dumping toy drawers. I am reminded of secret potions and fashion statements and all the multiple times that the kids went to bed and I sat back and looked at the destruction of my house. And I am glad for all those times... they really permeate my memories as much as the so-called 'good' moments. And i chuckle a lot more at the memories than i did when they were in the present.

my sides still ache

2007-09-23T20:11:00.000-07:00

Tonight was a blast - totally and completely. From start to finish, i laughed all night long. I laughed at the stories during lunch/dinner (meaning we stayed in one place long enough for two meals) and then again at dinner/snack (another meal was necessary as we could NOT go home yet) - but also laughed so hard that tears were running down my face ... at 'Menopause, the Musical'. I highly recommend it to everyone, and sincerely hope to go see it again. AND, to go see it with Jude, Sue and Alice. What a hoot! When I wasn't rocking in the seat myself, I was watching Jude rolling forward, or Sue sliding down in her seat, or Alice clutching her side from laughing so much. The humor and songs in this show - and the facial expressions on the cast - wow - I had no idea menopause was so funny. But it sure is now!

I should have known the night would be hilarious, as from the moment we took our seats, Jude entertained us. She stood in front of the auditorium fanning us and occasionally dancing to the music. And yes, we were in the front row, (great seats - thanks again Alice) so everyone in the theatre got entertained by Jude also. Did you know that at the end of the show we all went up on stage to do a chorus line kick (except Alice - who I thought would surely join us!) Yep, lots of 'older' women dancing a chorus line. And hey, no one fell off the stage either.

Anyone reading this, if you get a chance to go see this musical, I would suggest you take the chance ... and call the rest of us and let us know - we will probably want to go again.

After watching this play, I no longer feel even slightly worried that I occasionally go to work with my clothes on inside out or backwards ...because it sounds like this is just another in a never-ending list of fun things EVERYONE does at sometime. ha ha - just another 'change' symptom to laugh at.

great times - great company - loved the day. thanks all.

so far behind

2007-09-20T19:32:00.001-07:00

not only have i been behind in verbal blogging, but it has been a long time since pics posted too. i don't have time to put many on tonight, but here are a couple

Katie, Rick and Reagan enjoying pieces of duck cake (so cute) from Reagan's first b-day party.

The best thing about this picture of Bob, Austin and Molly is the way Austin is smiling at Dad.

Just realized that i had NO pictures of the WHOLE Miler family, but here are three of them. Karyna, Allison and Nick are just arriving for our family picture time on a COLD day.

There were definitely two people who enjoyed their time together after a month apart. Best friends forever - in some manner. They were excited to see each other from the first moment of arrival at my house, and squabbled barely at all the whole weekend.

of two minds

2007-09-20T18:03:00.000-07:00

so i titled this entry "of two minds" knowing full well that for my kids, that would be opening myself up to quips and ridicule - smart remarks about how well my mind works at the best of times - but it is an apt title.

i have been trying to define my emotions to myself - about all the changes that have gone on in my life over the past summer - and i can't pin them down.

as an example - a good change is that all my SIX kids have now completed at least one college degree. i am thrilled - i am relieved and happy for them all - and yet i miss seeing them in my building. i ridiculously miss the late nights that i worked while keeping Nick company as he jammed two weeks worth of homework into a few LONG, LONG nights. i miss Katie stopping by when she would come by to pick up Rick or visit him between classes. it has been longer since Molly regularly was on campus, but it sure was fun when she worked down the hall. Cheryl's office has not been the same to me since Molly graduated.

was i an extremely lucky person to have all my kids around me for so long? YES!!!!!!!

since graduation, Katie and Rick moved and the easy stop by their apartment to see Reagan has ended. No more babysitting - and I really miss that. I even miss Katie chewing me out for leaving phone messages (i don't do that anymore). But they moved for a good reason - a wonderful new job that Rick wanted! They are buying a house - a great thing. So I am happy and sad too. I know this is a good step and they aren't going to be THAT far away, but it feels so different.

The same is true for Nick, Allison and the girls. I am so excited that Nick has gone on to a program he is thrilled to be a part of. I am happy that they found a wonderful place to live and that it is already beginning to feel like home. It is an amazing opportunity for them as a family - they will experience tons of new things - both good and bad - and grow through it all. The girls already like the new apartment. But when Nick talked about how St. Louis already felt like home, and how much he loved it there, I still had a little ache inside that no longer were we home.

and last, I am hoping and praying for the perfect FULL TIME job to happen for Bob. I am proud of how diligently he has worked towards his career, and I want him to also get the job he wants and deserves, but worry that it will be also away from here. Then we will have to struggle to be happy for yet another event that tears away at our life patterns.

so do I seem like i don't like change? honestly that is not it. I do like change ... in almost any other aspect of my life. why does it bother me? because i look at my own experience with my own immediate family. my parents and brothers moved away. do we still love each other - i would say yes, at least from my perspective, but are we as close as we could have been? no. are my kids as close to their cousins as they could have been? no, I don't think so. And i see that proximity does impact a lot.

will i let this bother me for long? i sure hope not. but i will be putting a lot of miles on my van.

can't sleep so posting favorite pics

2007-08-28T22:24:00.000-07:00

hot new digs

2007-08-20T19:48:00.000-07:00

hey everyone - i just heard that there was a camera accident at the st. louis miller family's home. therefore no pictures immediately of the new place. unfortunately, we didn't take a camera there either. i can't do it justice, but here is a description.

large. really. a good amount of space for an apartment - configured differently than my house, but the apartment is probably bigger than my whole downstairs. big living room - large dining room - one really big bedroom, a medium one, and a small one. a hall and small to medium bathroom and an old basement that is good only for storage and laundry. the basement can be reached down a kind of circular stairway indoors that is shared by the upstairs apartment - or from the back yard.

hardwood floors in most of the house. the old fashioned radiators in most rooms - looking quaint, and luckily, not the actual heat source (making them even more attractive). the kitchen is lacking good counter space and cabinets, but other options are being explored. the kitchen is large enough for more counters, so fingers crossed that the management will add them. kitchen is tiled.

three stained glass windows. two in the living room and one in the dining room. a fenced backyard - that actually can be used. an iron gate in the back of the smallish back yard - that leads to an alley from which those who are lucky enough to have a garage (they don't) can park their cars. everyone else parks in the street.

other interesting features - cool woodwork in most rooms - and a great ceiling in the dining room (with a ceiling fan - remember high ceilings). an old built in medicine cabinet that is really large, and a narrow small linen closet (envision rolling up towels). high enough ceilings that you almost need a ladder to reach them to change the light bulbs. there is storage built beneath one of the kitchen windows.

all in all, a pretty interesting apartment - and once the repairs are all made, it will be most comfortable too

... it will help when the heat goes below 100 and stays that way!

first day - 114 degree for the heat index. lots of water taken - LOTS of water sweated off! funny story to relate later regarding a strange noise the first night.

everyone should visit sometime - you would be welcome and st. louis looks interesting.

reality hits

2007-08-20T19:23:00.000-07:00

i know there is a reason that cliches exist - there are so many repetitious events and emotions that hit everyone - of course there are words to describe them and to 'assist' us all to understand or cope.

fine - but i don't really feel like hearing them now. not today. nick and family and katie and family are no longer physically close. we miss them. don't give us reassurances that this is the way it is supposed to be - that kids move away and we will adjust and get used to it. i don't care today. today we are sad - tomorrow we will move on.

no one has time

2007-08-06T20:18:00.000-07:00

to post real blog entries lately - and i don't envision a lot more time in the near future - i would assume nick won't put much onto his site until he is settled in the new place. i also assume katie won't have much time until after they get back into their own place. BUT... we still need pictures - so here are a few. bethie at the 4th annual austin and jack birthday party.

Austin and Nayeli ready to blow out candles on ninja turtle cake and spice cake

austin opening his presents

grandpa keeping maddy happy

having fun at the pool with toys

katie and reagan enjoying the weather and water

dad helps with the instructions

ninja turtle man and kowabunga time off the board

pat recording the day for everyone

happy birthday jackie

time to sit and chat

joe and joey make a perfect picture

rissa chilling with the cool shades

protecting the pool with his firepower

time for a break

love the surfer suit

thanks for coming to join us shirley : )

time is whizzing by

2007-07-24T10:48:00.000-07:00

Three weeks from today we pack up Nick and Allison. We move them the following day. Time is going by and there is no moment to stop and breathe and enjoy. First Katie and Rick move and now the Nick Millers - and the potential is there for a move by the Stump family. During these next weeks we have a party for Austin, a yard sale and work, work, work. I want more time.

harry potter

2007-07-24T10:47:00.000-07:00

Who has finished the book?

more goodbyes

2007-07-22T21:21:00.001-07:00

we all had a great day at marc and kathryn's home - good food and even better company

cousins enjoying each others company and stocking up on memories of each other

reagan at the office

2007-07-22T21:08:00.000-07:00

filing away papers already and beginning a pattern of organization

work can become boring so taking a break is important to keep happy

after harry potter world

2007-07-22T21:00:00.000-07:00

Time to play in the playground adjacent to the hogsmeade village. slides, rides and balance beams - plus playmates to make up games with

potterpalooza

2007-07-22T20:40:00.001-07:00

Austin took three good aims at this game - and just missed dunking the dementor

traveling through azkaban safely is a very difficult thing to do - many obstacles to avoid and austin avoided them all and chased after dementors and other evil doers from the wrong side!

i have my magic wand and you can't come any closer to me!

SEE THE DEMENTOR GRANDMA?! WAND OUT AND READY!!!

EXPECTO PATRONUM!!!!!!!!

after escaping the giant spider (see web) austin poked his wand at hidden dementors

it was fun to see all the people in costume - from hogwarts students to hagrid to umbridge
couldn't resist a snap of this boy - as he was one of the closest to what i visualized as HP

this and that and here and there

2007-07-08T09:20:00.000-07:00

trying to catch up on days and days of non-posts is ludicrous, yet there really are tons of things to note-things important to me more than anyone else...

1. hey, we are starting to catch up at work- thanks to the wonderful help of Chris Kennedy - who is now on board half time - and i can't emphasize enough how good this feels to me. i was beginning to think it would never happen. i admit to wanting to take some days off and NOT have to go in at other times(and work extra to make up for the work that is missed). with help, that should change - and to add another positive to that - chris is also fun to work with.

2. nick pointed out he has about 5 weeks before they move. katie maybe one week? wow - two moves within a little over a month - and somewhere in there we hope to sandwich in a yard sale to get rid of some of our excess items - especially important for those who are moving. this all can be a little overwhelming - and not just the move itself - but the fact that everything is about to change for all of us. i have enjoyed the fact that the family has all been living practically on my way home from work! that has been perfect.

as much as i mention how much i am going to miss the grandkids - which i will immensely, i should say that I actually will miss as much the grown-ups. nick and al- and katie and rick add tons to our lives, and their moves will leave a hole in our day to day lives. still, hooray for the opportunities in front of them!!!!!

3. i cut my hair off - pretty short - the first time since nick was a baby - and i like it. and even more important --it only takes about 5 minutes in the morning to fix. i am a big fan of that! in addition, i am HOPING to actually start getting some exercise now - not to get skinny (no hee haws please) - but to make sure that as i keep aging (can't stop that) -i keep healthy and mobile.

4. bud's moods change daily, of course, but he does do better with more contact with people, so call him when you can (he thinks no one wants to call him) and those of you moving away, how about dropping a letter in the mail once a week. it would give him a real boost. i may try to get him connected to the internet still, but worry about his gullibility with internet scams - so would want all the child-protections in place. anyone know how to do that?

5. cousin eric is going on a church mission soon - maybe call him and cheer him along the way?

new beginnings

2007-07-08T09:17:00.000-07:00

Isn't the Sabbath, or Sunday technically the 7th day - our day of rest? Then why, psychologically, does it seem more like a new beginning to me? I kind of feel like IT is the day to start over- the day to give a new start to my new week? It is the day I usually make new plans for the upcoming week, the day I set new goals, the day I actually TRY to get motivated to do better in anything and everything - from being nicer to working harder at things like cleaning my van or eating healthy. Is Sunday the beginning or end of the week- to all of you?

just more pictures because i like them

2007-07-08T08:52:00.001-07:00

trying to get a close up while in my lap

nick at his most normal ... if there is such a thing

looking angelic - don't you think?

cozy and cuddly

babysitting baby r

2007-07-07T20:56:00.001-07:00

phones are for more than talking... they are good for teething too apparently

reagan kept wanting to chew on the camera and reaching for it - so this pic was hard to get

hitting things together - clapping hands - reagan excels at these motor skills!

making faces at grandma

babysitting is a blast. i highly recommend it to anyone - of course, it helps to have such perfect kids to babysit - and no prejudice here, but my grandkids are perfect to me.

Fun at grandma's

2007-07-07T20:51:00.001-07:00

even molly likes to come home for a sleepover - both she and austin shared reading time at grandma's house before a good night's sleep. austin also loved spinning on stool as you can see.

old navy

2007-07-07T20:34:00.001-07:00

karyna wanted to help austin put together all the animals that were part of a particular toy

austin so much likes to play with karyna - and reagan - hope it lasts with his own baby.

nayeli was showing her nurturing side with babydoll - for a few minutes anyway - until the purse and lipstick became more interesting to her - at which point baby was thrown in a toybox

say what?

old navy had a 50% off sale - which called to allison - and which i sent molly ... and so the kids opted to not shop and instead to stay home with fun and exciting grandma instead of their boring mommies

4th of july with the nick miller family

2007-07-07T19:45:00.001-07:00

nice face nick...
we decided to take toys outside for karyna - but eventually the grass and sticks proved more interesting to her

something fall in her hair?

this is what the lazy hazy days of summer are all about. outside and inside we did almost nothing but relax (until the fireworks). nick continually refuses to take a normal picture!

no clean clothes

2007-07-07T19:43:00.001-07:00

when we run out of clothes, t-shirts always come to the rescue and double as jammies - just as they did for nick, molly and katie when they were growing up. happens a lot at my house - and apparently at beth's too - based on the picture below

love the shirt

2007-07-07T19:04:00.001-07:00

contrary to what the shirt says, Austin has not become a fan of Wonder Woman over Superman. he and nayeli both watched the fireworks on the 4th very sporadically. often nayeli had her hands over her ears and just as often, austin was busy talking to people and oblivious to the display in the sky.

expressive faces

2007-06-28T20:36:00.001-07:00

like my look?

2007-06-28T20:25:00.001-07:00

i love the way the girls in this family embrace unique and interesting fashion looks

fun together

2007-06-28T20:08:00.000-07:00

bonding time with grandpa during disney channel time

finally

2007-06-28T20:02:00.000-07:00

a couple of minutes free - can actually post again for a change - and on top of that the weather got nice again - hooray. tonight was one of the most perfect evenings (weatherwise) we have had so far this summer. i got home around nine'ish and it still wasn't dark. the sky had that pinkish glow as the sun was going down - a very slight breeze - mild temps and i went outside to sit on the swing and just soak up the fresh air. i loved it - peaceful, quiet, a few moments to think - or in my case tonight - not think. it was great. i highly recommend it to everyone - and this weekend is supposed to have the same weather for the most part.

whew

2007-06-07T21:16:00.001-07:00

First of all - I think I am making up for such a long interruption in my blogging - so this is lengthy - sorry about that - and I also posted tons of posts FOLLOWING this one - with more pics.

Here goes:

Tonight was interesting – and good. Even learned a lot – which is always a plus. So first - news to all family – I NOW know why all my grilling so far has produced dry meat – and I think I can actually apply my new knowledge! - so I should improve! Wouldn’t that be great? I got some new recipes – gotta try some if anyone is brave enough to eat them. Even learned the RIGHT way to grill fish – can’t wait to try.

I was told tonight there are 115 lighthouses in Michigan – and I think I would like to make it a goal to see all of them. Anyone want to come along? This could be a number of road trips.

Also had an interesting lesson on how to tell your story. Wonder what that means? I thought at first it would be a scrapbooking instruction because of the display - but it really wasn’t. Instead, the storytelling angle took a different turn - it was pointed out to all of us that we all probably wish we knew more about our ancestors – more than just who was related to whom, when were they born, when married, grew up where, etc.

Wouldn’t it be fun to know more about their personalities, goals, passions, day to day life? Sure. And there is even a chance our future generations may want to know about old Aunt Molly or Great Grandma Barb – and wonder what our lives were like.

That was what this lesson was about. It was about taking pictures, writing stories, keeping a journal. But as it was pointed out that often our lives have a sameness and routine about them, sometimes writing in a journal might be boring – I got up, went to work, got groceries, cleaned the kitchen, went to bed. Okay. Does that tell who I am? Not at all. Jill told us to write down thoughts – keep our doodles – draw a picture of an emotion. She also gave us TOPICS – I will share them all later with you – but some were just plain fun. Make lists of things that you may want to remember later – or compare. How about making a list of your contacts in your phone? Then compare it in 5 years to your list of that time. Have you lost touch with someone? Did you stop talking to someone? Why?

Some interesting lists to make:

Things that inspired you growing up

Who I love or who loves me

Words that describe you

Things you’ll never understand…and so on

Here are two lists I would like to see from everyone:

If money was no object what would you do?

My first thought was very practical – if money was no object I would pay off all the debts of my children, set up college funds for THEIR children and help them get their first homes. My second thought was – oh wait – that is selfish – I should think of others – so I would want to check out charities that really make a difference and share there. THEN I thought, wait a minute, if money were no object we could be good AND selfish – so what would I do for me? I would take a month and travel – and I would take my WHOLE family along!!! After all, money is no object, so I could make sure their paychecks were covered – and as long as we are dreaming – I would bring along others to help with childcare. Might as well have it all!

So how would you answer that? But seriously - think about it.

And then...

What are the 7 wonders of YOUR world.

At first I was going to answer the 7 wonders with the names of my family – and that would, of course, be true – but also cliché. So here is a different direction for my response – and reasons

MY SEVEN WONDERS OF MY WORLD:

Heart surgery – I will always be amazed that the techniques were developed that enabled Molly to grow up healthy.
Love – sounds so corny – but it is a wonder to me because the emotion is so unexplainable and yet so simple
Genetics – How in the world did my children get all MY good genes (hee hee) and all the bad ones from their father. But seriously, genetics has more meaning to me since Reagan was born. It was unbelievable that gene markers that are totally random can impact a life so much.
Lake Michigan – okay – so there are many Great Lakes – so why is that one so special? Lake Superior is arguably the most intriguing because of the history and mystery around it, but Lake Michigan always makes me feel good. Memories of camping trips with family, playing in COLD water, and just the sense of peace you can feel sitting by the lake as twilight approaches. Nothing like it.
Stories/books – I love them. They entertain, they inspire, they intrigue and confuse, they stimulate my mind and senses. They go along with Lake Michigan – combine the two and it is a perfect day.
Creativity and imagination. HOW does the mind work? Inventions and progress come from those two characteristics – but more importantly to me, our imagination knows no boundaries and we really CAN reach the sky. I was continually amazed at the thought processes of my own kids – Nick’s writings, Molly’s playtime games and forts, Katie’s imaginary friend and then characters for dress up – their plays. Now I get to experience all that again with Austin, Nayeli and soon Karyna and Reagan.
Nature – mother earth – whatever you want to call it. So glad I don’t live in a concrete world – so glad that the whole life circle process gives us something so beautiful.

Yeah – I know there are a ton more items to make this list – but someone somewhere decided there were 7 wonders – so that is our number. Did you know that there are MULTIPLE lists of 7 wonders though? Google it sometime.

And finally fears – write down what you are afraid of? Spiders? Snakes? The dark? Getting bad grades? Fire?

Jill made us all pause – she said that this week her fear was of Target stores and the fact that a place we all go, a place we all think of as safe, is just like anyplace else – and her fear for her daughters in this world, or anyone’s daughters or sons – is that this happens.

sleepover

2007-06-07T21:11:00.001-07:00

Which fairytale is correct? Sleeping beauty or Cinderella with the slippers?

kudos to katie c

2007-06-07T20:47:00.000-07:00

Kudos to Katie C - i just felt like it was time to post something about this person. She is a friend - a colleague - a character - and gone.

Why kudos? I guess I would say maybe because she successfully made it through the MSU EJ program- and to do so she had to really persevere as it was not all she hoped it would be ... and she still accomplished good things while there. She would deny it - actually probably would argue it too - she IS fairly adept at arguments - I think she enjoys a good one - but anyway, she did good work - she was independent and efficient and responsible - and improved so many aspects of the magazine, web and even our PR.

Katie is done - she graduated - no picture of cap and gown yet - but i know she finished. She also received the best graduate student award for the whole J-school this year. She didn't know if she even wanted it - glad she took it though - best speech in many a year. But still she is gone - and some of us are wondering if we will ever have another student like her. So kudos to Katie - and good luck and best wishes.

walking in no time

2007-06-07T20:43:00.000-07:00

just a few more

2007-06-07T20:35:00.001-07:00

Please note that the sign says nothing at all about strollers ... so no rules broken.

pix of the day

2007-06-07T20:31:00.001-07:00

Three beautiful ladies spending a day at the tennis courts

exercise and sweat

2007-06-07T20:21:00.001-07:00

On a very hot day, Katie called me and said that Nick and Rick would play tennis, but she needed someone to elp watch the girls (Allison had a commitment). I went - we walked around MSU - you can't get anywhere there in a straight line. Yucky construction zones.
I stopped by to get Nick and the girls - we got to the courts first, but if you look closely at Karyna you can tell why - yeah, there is food stuck to her poor face everywhere. Our rush kept us from a thorough cleaning job. that was fine though - as later on Nayeli got ice cream in her hair and everywhere - necessitating a bath as soon as home. We got our exercise though - as when we tried to go one direction, invariably we hit a roadblock - no sidewalk - turn around and retrace steps and try again.

no time at all

2007-06-06T11:18:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted anything to this blog for quite a while ...and feel guilty even throwing up a comment now. How can time pass so quickly? There just is NEVER enough time to do all the things we want or need to do. Does anyone have any great ideas on how to manage time better? I could really use some good suggestions.

I really enjoyed taking time off when Mom was here - and would have liked to take even more - but the downside is that there is no one at work to pick up the slack when I am off - a real quandry when there are no other employees and not even the possibility of student help. Therefore, the daily work just accumulates and I end up working EXTRA to make up for being off. Kind of defeats the purpose of days off in my mind.

Big sigh!

PARTY ON

2007-05-23T14:27:00.001-07:00

I have to admit that the sash, hat and wand were a nice touch Nick. Happy 30th to Allison - it was a great day!

imagination continues

2007-05-23T14:18:00.001-07:00

Who do you suppose had the most fun? I don't doubt all of us enjoyed visiting with each other and eating Kathryn's yummy foods, but the KIDS had adventures. THEY had camp-outs, played hide and seek and watched for pirates.

company

2007-05-23T14:14:00.001-07:00

These are the reasons we enjoy parties - we love our family! Any reason to see them is right by me.

envy of all

2007-05-23T14:08:00.001-07:00

This swing was a hit for everyone - and the envy of all of us who would not fit in it - so a little over half the crowd watched the children enviously as they were able to relax and swing in wide slow motions across the yard. This swing was awesome. Karyna relaxed enough to eventually take a short snooze. Wouldn't we all have enjoyed that? I think I want that tree in my yard - and then a swing more my size - I would use it continually.

mothers day

2007-05-17T19:51:00.001-07:00

steve and austin seemed to have bonded mother's day - both grilling for their moms! isn't that nice?

care to blow some more bubbles?

party on

2007-05-17T19:37:00.001-07:00

happy faces at the superhero party and boy did they all have fun. wyck gave all his friends personalized capes and fun was had by all - down to the chance to make their own pizzas and chase all over the yard

time to share

2007-05-17T19:32:00.001-07:00

saturday morning austin came to join the circus at our house. austin and nayeli had to try on costumes to prepare for the superhero themed birthday party coming later at wyck's house

babysitting

2007-05-17T19:20:00.000-07:00

seems like time is going by so fast- this week is almost over and I have not even posted once about last weekend. i had the opportunity to have both nayeli and karyna overnight for the first time... well, not the first time for nayeli, but first for karyna. i was REALLY nervous as she was newly weaned. i envisioned some very worrisome moments - i guess i assumed she would be very unhappy and would refuse the bottle. silly me. that happened not a bit. she was perfect - ate well, went to bed well - it was not stressful and tons of fun. I also got to watch both she and nayeli interact together - as you can see they explored toys together. karyna, by the way, has great eye coordination - she could actually follow the balls as they fell through the cylinders on this toy.