A Christmas Miracle

Every Christmas morning we have the kids call Brad's mom in Florida before they come downstairs. This gives us time to make coffee and relax a little bit before the mayhem (did you just picture that guy from the commercial? He wasn't at our house). This year the kids were extra chatty and were on the phone for almost two hours, which meant I had plenty of time for hot cocoa and seriously considered going back to bed at least three times

Either these pj's shrunk or Oliver has been hitting the bacon too much

Seth and Sam were done talking and pushing the naughty limit

Finally ready to go! The rundown on the gifts:

Alex: CASH for Belize, running shoes, clothes, zipfizz, and his favorite cigars

Dakota: BIKE, clothes, earrings, a nail polish thingamajig, and a cotton candy maker

Seth: LONG BOARD, clothes, slack line, frisbees and a long board tool set

Sam: LONG BOARD, a fan, clothes, drum pad and DCI Posters

 

After breakfast we enjoyed a quick Skype with my mom and sister and family (thanks Jodie!) then it was off to Brad's family party. It was poring down rain when we left, which made the long boarders angry because seriously we have had less than five rainy days since we moved here and lo, on the day they receive boards it rains. But when we returned home that evening it was all white.... Just for me

And it's still white today. In spite of that the long boarders have been out all morning and another miracle is bestowed unto us - no trips to the ER.  Yet.  

Whoops! There is went....

Last week I started a looonnng post about the band program here. How confusing it is, how well Sam is doing, how his teacher is a celebrity in the nerd world of percussion (Sam is saving all of his hall passes to sell on ebay). It was seriously a very long explanation, detailed and with pictures.

And then Seth called from school because he needed a site change. And then the insurance company called because I talk to them at least once a week. And then my email went crazy and I was locked out of my life for 24 hours.

And the post was gone. 

So we are moving on. 

A lot has happened in the past week. I was out shopping when Dakota texted me about the shooting in Connecticut. And then I heard people talking at Costco. I have a habit of getting obsessed with news but this time I just wanted to crawl under a rock. I pray for the families of all who are involved but I can't handle the details. It's just too incomprehensible. 

Yes I said I was out shopping. I know, my Christmas shopping is in fact done. We had a Christmas party Saturday night for Brad's team. So on Friday I went shopping and planned the extravaganza. It was a family party so I went with a Charlie Brown Christmas theme. It was a lot of fun and turned out great. I was putting rollers in my hair at 6:45 (the party was at 7) so I didn't get the "before party" pics of all the decorations. We ended up getting a Christmas tree but I didn't really want to put decorations on it since hellcat Junie has ruined my white tree by climbing it on a daily basis. If you're thinking she's too cute and "nice"

You would be wrong

Instead of putting my breakable ornaments on the tree I printed off comic strips to make garland (the kids' least favorite job on Saturday) and then I printed color pictures of the characters to make ornaments. My favorite is the Charlie Brown on top, modeled after our toilet paper angel Alex made at MOPS that we use every year. 

I put several other "trees" around the house that I made with a branch pushed into a foam square. I added an ornament and some blue flannel I bought at the fabric store.

I took the above picture for my mom. The picture I had framed before only showed three kids and the back of Seth's head. She's been after me for three years to change it. Ta-Done!

The food was all bought at Costco. Brad made wings for "Woodstock's Wing Bar" and I had several different sauces to try. We had "Lucy's Lemonade", "Charlie Brown Cake" (chocolate), "Peppermint Patties"(Dakota dipped York's into white chocolate and then sprinkles - super cute), and "Snoopy Snacks" which were different snacks in adorable dog bowls. We had a couple activities but mostly it was just socializing. I loved that the majority of the party happened by the pool (because it's Texas, y'all). We also got about 300 pounds of food to donate to a local shelter.

Now that the party is over and I've finished shopping, shipping and WRAPPING I can concentrate on doing some baking. Alex leaves WestPoint on Friday and flies to Ohio to see Katie and her family. He gets here on Sunday and then Katie flies down on the 26th to stay until the 2nd when they both leave. We will also be celebrating Alex's 21st birthday! AND we will have another guest when Mrs. Liley (Sam's band teacher from last year) flies in on the 27th. Ok, she's really only on a four hour layover but we still consider it a visit and will cram as much into that time as possible. 

For my mom, one last picture of Junie. She really does have a cute personality.

And yes, she's laying in her kitty litter. 

Type 1 Diabetes

I have so much to say about Type 1 Diabetes.

 I am committed to raising awareness.

I am committed to raising money for research and a cure.

I am committed to keeping Seth healthy.

And I am also committed to giving Seth a voice.

Because this disease is his.

This is a poem Seth wrote for school

Running Against Myself

By Seth Hart

"pat, pat" was the sound of my feet

with the nice and steady, accurate tempo

like a perfected drummers beat

and even though my blood sugar's low

"pat, pat" was the sound of my feet

"swish, swish" was the sound of my arms

synchronized with the breath of my lungs

passing by McAlpine's old creaky barns

and the trees that are speaking in tongues 

"swish, swish" was the sound of my arms

"drip, drip" was the sound of God's tears

falling down in the form of rain

scientifically called precipitation hitting my ears

or landing on the bag I carry with no shame

"drip, drip" was the sound of God's tears

"boo, hoo" is the sound of crying

running with diabetes is a hard thing to do

and the feeling is like your body is dying

with your legs like jell-o and your brain like stew

"boo, hoo" is the sound of crying

Giving Thanks

So Thanksgiving! Three days with all the Harts together! It was FANTASTIC.

Preface: I bought a new camera that I'm still getting used to. I mean it's a point and shoot so it's not that complicated but I somehow still manage to get blurry weird pictures. I'm awesome that way.

Truth: I cried when I put that sign up. 

Because we live so close to the airport Brad always wants to wait until the traveler is outside before we leave (which has led to guests waiting for us - not cool). I couldn't stand the idea of Alex waiting for us so I made us leave early and then I got crazy. I may have jumped out of a moving vehicle and ran through the airport because they switched Alex's gate. Why am I so awkward? At least I didn't do this

Thanksgiving dinner was great (except for when the pipe under the kitchen sink blew and sprayed water everywhere right when we were finishing the cooking - oddly there aren't any pictures of that).

We always give the kids an ornament on Thanksgiving - LOVE that tradition

After dinner the kids played roller hockey in the street while Brad and I and his parents enjoyed pie (for some reason I can't upload those pictures???). We finished the day with an evening in the whirlpool. Alex visited his best friend Derek the next day (they met at Marion and both received appointments to West Point). Even though they go to school together they don't get enough time to just hang out. That evening we went out to dinner (THANKS FOR THE GIFT CARD CHERYL!!!)

Tried to take a Christmas card photo - I think Alex DESERVES this one

Grandma's Pretty Girl

Accosting Santa

We also went downtown to enjoy the lights and music. This tunnel was so cool - I wish the picture had turned out better because that would be card worthy

On Saturday I took Alex to do some shopping and then we went to Sam's football game. This would also be card worthy except for the post coming out of Sam's head. I know I could photoshop that but that would require effort

Dakota had to work after the game so we visited her

Not pictured: the chinese buffet Sam insisted we take Alex to that night. Buffets really are not appetizing and this one was especially bad. The kids are sworn to never speak of it.

I did pretty good with Alex's departure on Sunday morning knowing that he'll be home for Christmas in just three short weeks. 

Sunday afternoon was beautiful so we started decorating, inside and out.  

Now I just have to do ALL MY CHRISTMAS SHOPPING. I'm usually almost done by now. Maybe I'll head out this afternoon as soon as the window guy is done. Which is kind of a long story but... 

When we bought our house four months ago there were some window issues that weren't finished by the time we closed. The seller's realtor assured us they would be taken care of but after umpteen house calls the window company said they had done what they were paid to do - but two of our windows still wouldn't stay open. Several phone calls were made and I finally got the seller's realtor to handle the problem and today a guy came out to finish the job. I was cleaning while he worked and every time I would vacuum the guy would fart really really really super loud. 

Did he think I wouldn't hear it?

Did I just tell that whole story for the first-grade humor? 

Yes. And my windows are finally fixed. 

Obviously it took some effort :)

Time Out

First of all, thank you so much for all your kind words and prayers. I'll admit to some last minute flight checks to make it to my Grandma's funeral, but in the end I knew I was needed here and it was ok. My mom called a few hours before the funeral to tell me my sister was reading my blog during the service and I was all "I literally spent 10 minutes writing that can I just rewrite it" but I let it go and it was nice to feel a part of the service. 

I felt a little slammed for a few days but I chalked  it up to post company let down and grandma died mourning but I finally admitted to being sick and went to the doctor today. Also Brad told me last night to go to the doctor today or else. So it turns out I'm sick, not just lazy. I got some good drugs and if I'm not better by Monday the doctor promised me a steroid shot, because I need to be 100% by Wednesday because this guy comes to town!

I can't wait to see him and smell him (yes, I smell my kids). Best. Smell. Ever. 

Also, today is Diabetes Day, during Diabetes Awareness Month. And Dakota has reminded me umpteen (gma) times. I feel guilty I haven't done anything about it yet. The truth is it's been a little crazy here with Seth's numbers. He'll run high a few days and then normal and then low and then crazy. We are smack in the middle of an "intensive testing" time to try and figure out if it's his basal rate, insulin - carb ratio, insulin sensitivity or what. If that all sounds confusing it is. The bottom line is on a good night my phone looks like this

On a bad night I've got this

So I will eventually do something to spread awareness on Type 1 Diabetes, as soon as I can think straight and maybe get more than a two hour stretch. And finish my good drugs and smell my soldier.

For now I will share the first video I made: 

PumpedUp!

Winnie

I'll be honest. I never told my Grandma we were moving to Texas. I know that others had told her, but she never talked about it with me and I never had the courage to bring it up. I knew that I probably wouldn't see her again after we moved, but we took with us so many wonderful memories.

On Saturday, Grandma turned 91. On Monday, Grandma passed away. 

On both occasions I'm told she was surrounded by loved ones. She was ready. She's been ready since Grandpa died. My sister Roxanne said she thought Grandma just couldn't handle another November and I think she's right. Both my Grandpa and Dad had birthdays in late November and Grandma missed them both so much. November was a difficult month for her, so she celebrated her birthday (she wasn't one to pass on a fuss being made about her) and went home. I picture her crocheting on a couch, with Grandpa and Dad dozing in recliners near her. 

Grandma stayed with us often in Michigan. I'm so thankful for those times. I'm happy that my kids will have those memories of her. She was so entertaining and we all doted on her immensely. She called our dog Oscar, jelly donuts were bismarcks, her purse was a pocketbook and if something happened more that once it happened umpteen times. Brad put sweet and low in her wine (he makes a dry wine, she likes sweet wine). And because I know you're going to ask for it...

Brad also shared a cigar with her. 

I'm not traveling to Michigan for the service.  Because you know it takes an Army to separate me from my kids (get it, Alex is in the Army - haha) and I can't really take them out of school. We will find a way to honor her memory. Maybe with a cigar and glass of wine. 

But more likely with a jelly donut bismarck.

Boo!

Our first Halloween in Texas was sunny and in the 80's all day. Because we live in a subdivision we thought we would get a lot of kids but I think the total was below 75. There isn't a time frame here - it's basically a free for all. At the first sound of kids outside Brad, Dakota and I went and excitedly set up in the driveway. Which may have been creepy...

Except Dakota looked like this

Seth had already left to meet friends and scare small children

Sam left for Austin early yesterday morning with the drum line to attend/compete in PASIC. He took with him every last cent he had because there is a crazy amount of vendors ("It's like the AutoShow for percussion, Mom" ). Cheryl and Alan arrived last Saturday but also headed to Austin yesterday to see the competition, have dinner with some family down there and visit the area they lived for a short time when Alan was in the Army. Hopefully the drum line does well. We previewed their show on Tuesday night and I have to say it's AWESOME. I'm sure there will be a youtube video soon, which I will definitely share. 

Because Dakota works at PetSmart we also had some super heros in the house

As soon as the festivities were over, Oliver threw up and promptly went to bed.  Our bed. Brad found other sleeping arrangements because Oliver is his baby and he didn't want to disturb him. I pushed Oliver onto Brad's side and slept like I owned the bed. Which technically I do. This morning when Brad came in to the bedroom he said "I see you've found another man" to which I replied "well, he is Spiderman". 

Oliver is back to normal today. He did not get any candy last night so we think maybe it was just from the excitement. Or he snuck out the back and saved some damsels in distress who maybe had strong perfume that made him sick. Definitely one of those two things. 

This weekend we have a football game friday night and on Saturday we are taking Alan and Cheryl to the stockyards in Fort Worth. I'm sure we will cram more into the weekend but more importantly it's just nice spending time together :)

You may have noticed in the pictures above that our landscaping is a little "unattended". That's because I'm sure there are snakes everywhere. I haven't touched a thing since we moved in. We had a landscape lady come out a couple weeks ago to identify our plants and we've come up with a plan (that includes plenty of "non-maintenance" because again, snakes).

Today it starts

Big Tex

I know, I know.... Homecoming pics! 

We'll get there my friends!

But first! Big Tex! We went to the state fair a couple weeks ago. It was big and awesome. The food, excellent. Brad and I gave the kids $20 

to share and then we headed for the first fried food stand we could find. Yum. 

It was the first time we saw Big Tex

and also the last time. This happened on Friday

The news reports said only his clothes burned.

So Big Tex was naked? As if the fire wasn't enough trauma!

I've done a few projects. I mean, Brad was in Michigan for

TWO WEEKS. So we all know what that means!

PROJECT PROJECT PROJECT PROJECT PROJECT

I chose to paint my ugly orange kitchen.  That's the actual

name of the paint color - I checked the can (and translated

from Spanish because the previous owners are Mexican).

What I neglected to plan was how tall the ceilings are and 

how I would actually paint the top

Let's just say there were several ladders and plenty of ibuprofin

involved. I'm so thrilled with the new look (Benjamin Moore

Creamy White with trim in Cromwell Gray). 

I did some tricks with

fabric for the curtains and now we just have to paint the 

cabinets and ceiling and a few other little details.

I though Junie was going to help me

but I was wrong

Oliver wasn't much help either

but at least he stayed away from skunks

He gets groomed this week because guess

who got a fancy new job?

Dakota loves her job! She works in the animal

area and gets to feed snakes and play with lizards 

all day. Plus she gets a discount on everything, 

including grooming and vet visits. Win! Win!

And now - Homecoming!

I have to say I miss the fancy clothes, corsages and 

funny "dance" stories from Michigan. Homecoming

here is different because there isn't a dance and the

students exchange mums/garters. Turns out the mums the boys

 made were less than the normal mums. I guess

I didn't realize how much stuff should be on them. Both

young ladies were very kind about the whole thing and 

assured us that they loved their mums but I know the

garters for guys are not supposed to be bigger than the girls

mums. But we are moving on....

Thursday night there is a parade that leads to a community

pep rally at the stadium. The pep rally ends with fireworks. Friday there 

is another pep rally at school and the students exchange

mums/garters and wear them all day. 

On Fridays we don't see Sam until around midnight

(except for at the game) because he stays after school, they have

dinner delivered, load up the semi and head to the game. The

games are played at Mustang Panther Stadium, which is shared

between the two high schools in our district. After the game the band

students are bussed back to school, unload the semi, turn in their

uniforms (they never come home), have a meeting and then are 

dismissed. It's a long day for Sam and is usually followed by a

competition on Saturday. Luckily Sam LOVES the band program, and

especially the drumline. And he really likes the other students, including Katie

Seth has a great group of friends and has a lot more free time to go to

movies and out to dinner. Usually he's with Chianna

Both guys have found their place in this 

huge school but they are still besties

AND the football team won.

It was a great night :)