Sunday, November 27, 2005

I think I used to be a cat...

Perhaps its all the leftover L-Triptophan running through my veins or the lingering of this bug that seems to be plaguing everyone around here, but I found myself wanting to nap quite a bit this holiday weekend. My visions of a possible former life as a feline came as memories...

We've had a cold snap here over the last few days. Truly - we go from needing the AC on one day to needing the heat on the next - certainly not COLD as per Eastern standards, but chilly just the same. I decided I needed a nap, so I went upstairs and cuddled down in bed - and could not get warm. As I lay there rubbing my chilly toes together in hopes of creating some heat, I remembered being a kid and laying down in the middle of the living room in a sunbeam during those all-too-precious sunny winter days. I vividly remember how wonderful the sun felt through the glass window - and how it gave just enough heat to lull me off to sleep. I can only imagine what my mother must have thought to see me laying there, stolen sofa pillow under my head, laying on the floor sound asleep.

Between my cold toes and my sore throat, a nap was never meant to be. But the quiet time was refreshing and much needed. I thought about Dad a lot this weekend. Thanksgiving seemed just fine until the evening was nearly over and one of the guests started petting Cali (Dad's Black Lab) It struck me at that moment that something huge was missing. I don't think time heals so much as life simply continues... I miss him just as deeply now as I did in August, its just that perhaps the goings-on of every day don't allow me the time to think about it as much now as I did then. Maybe that's a good thing - maybe not - who is to tell? Mom is planning to be away for Christmas. I can understand her desire to do something totally different this year. I am quite thankful that Steve's sister and her family will be with us, or else I might have wanted to be away this year, too.

Father Jon, the rector of our church, talked this Thanksgiving about the fact that holidays allow us to go back to our roots, to think about where we come from and to be thankful for our heritage, our history and our creation, both familial and physical. Maybe that's why we miss our loved ones so deeply at this time of year. We spend a great deal of time remembering - who we are and where we came from. As I look back, and as I look ahead, I see much to be greatful for.

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Not the way I want to loose 5 lbs!

We got hit... big time! Evidently there is some very nasty stomach thing going around and we got it, in spades! It was my worst nightmare come true, and literally every man, woman and child had to fend for him/her self. I'll leave the gorey details to your imagination, but if there is an upside, I lost 5.5 pounds in the process... now if only it was "real" weight loss and it would stay away!! Not that I want to go through that any time again soon!

Wednesday, November 09, 2005

Gosh - its been forever!

I keep this blog as more or less a journal of our lives, and I also try to write nightly in my 5-yr journal. Well, somehow a whole bunch of time has gotten by me and I've not written at all.

There's really not been a whole lot to write about, I suppose. We have been working on the room that had been my office and turning it into a storage room. Houses in Arizona have no basements and no attics, and ours has only a 2-car garage. The "office" was originally the 3rd car stall, but we guess that the original owners wanted it turned into a room. The insulation, however, is most definately that of a garage!

I was without a computer for 5 days. I felt SO isolated and out of touch. Made me almost a bit panicky at times... and showed me the depth of my addition to my online friends! We also have moved the computer upstairs, meaning that it is less accessible to me than it was in its original location. Indeed - not a bad thing. Less time on the computer means more time doing something else. But it also means that some of my habits, such as blogging, have also suffered.

Updates on everyone - Parker has started the more challenging words for his spelling lists this week after a not-so-encouraging parent/teacher meeting. His teacher seems OK with the fact that he has not really learned any new skill so far this year. I am decidedly NOT ok with this. We compromised that she would give him a harder spelling list. Yeah - See Mrs. Jensen, be careful what you ask for... Could, Because, People - all words that do not conform to any spelling rule at all... thanks! I think he will rise to the challenge.

Matthew has started reading! He is sounding out words and reading many of the pre-primer books I have at the house. His whole class is starting to read books, as well! He is so proud of himself - as are we!! I've also noticed that despite his leaps and bounds into the world of learning, he is more sensitive lately. Needing more hugs, some time for just him to cuddle, wanting to hold my hand more now... and that just tickles a mom's heart to no end!

Christopher is inching closer and closer to that 3-month mark. Still has blue eyes and very little hair! He's overall a very happy baby who absolutely loves to be held. I think he enjoys sitting with Steve, watching football as much as Steve does! He grins from ear to ear when he sees his big brothers and laughs uncontrollably when you change his clothes - he is mighly ticklish!!

School continues to go well... nothing much to report there. Steve spent a bit of time travelling last week, and is very excited that his year-end will end quite well.

In a nutshell - that's us!