Mothers Day

I adore my mom. She's amazingly patient. She's my friend and example. I'm also grateful for my mother-in-law who raised the greatest gift in my life. Here's a video for them from the kids...

I'm blessed to be a mother- silly giggles, slobbery kisses, messes, tantrums, and all.

Spring pictures

Some spring happenings...

My brother's family came to visit- the kids loved having their cousins come for a sleepover.

We "attended church" by listening to Easter messages at home in our pjs. I also made these cute cards to send to our great-Grandmas. (I very rarely make cards anymore, but the few I do make are usu. for them b/c I know they love them enough to justify the time it takes to make them.)

Also, D just started another hockey season. His games are so fun to watch.
One game, I told him he'd done a good job & that I saw one of his shots was SOOO close to scoring. His response, "I had two close shots, Mom, weren't you paying attention?!"
Here's a picture of the last time he played goalie.

Enjoy the sunshine! (or the rain or wind or blistering heat or whatever signifies spring where you live!)

Good idea, bad idea

Do you remember watching Animaniacs as a kid?
I was always amused by the "good idea, bad idea" sketches. You know, like:
Good Idea: Playing the piccolo in a marching band.
Bad Idea: Playing the piano in a marching band.
Good Idea: Doing your own yard work.
Bad Idea: Doing your own dental work.

Well, we are starting a side business with a friend.
Here's our list of business ideas we think are a bad idea:
--A petting zoo with large predatory cats.
--"Super Skivvies" adult superhero-themed underwear.
--House flipping in this economy.
--Marketing "I heart Al Gore" bumper stickers in Texas or Utah.

So, after tabling those propositions, we decided to develop an on-line prep course for students taking the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT).
After law school, I taught LSAT classes for a large test prep company. There were strategies I thought were helpful & others I plugged with less genuine enthusiasm. I'm excited about the prospect of developing a course that is individualized, flexible, effective, and with any luck, somewhat profitable. We met with the friend we are teaming up with this week. Although this will be a tremendous amount of work, we are excited about the opportunity.

Good idea?

Lovable

I love this shot of my boys! They both look so much like their daddy. When we were in Indiana, a lady at church once told me, "I didn't realize who your husband was until I saw your baby." (I still chuckle about that!)
When I delivered James, we couldn't decide who's nose he had. But, we took some pictures and when I had them printed I couldn't believe I hadn't seen it before. He had his daddy's nose, just like my other cute, lovable boys.

Customized Bunk Bed

Since we live in a 2-bedroom townhouse, we have to be somewhat creative with our space. We designed a bunkbed that would fit our preschooler's smaller mattress. It's like a built-in loft bed.

My husband anchored the frame into the wall studs on both walls. Also, it's resting on the ladder itself for extra support away from the wall. I think he did a great job. It's nice because it doesn't take up as much room as a standard bunk & isn't too close to the ceiling fan because it is only a little higher than the chair rail. The foot of D's bed fits under it perpendicularly. The kids are thrilled with it! It leaves them a lot more floor space to play in their room.

We'll miss you Grandpa

My grandpa was a beekeeper.
He taught me that life is sweet.
Sometimes you get stung.
Even still, life is sweet.
We'll miss you Grandpa.

"The pain of grief is just as much as part of life as the joy of love.
It is, perhaps, the price we pay for love." -Collin Murray Parkes

Husband's Perspective

I thought I would record my perspective on all that is happening.

To say that this experience has be "a little hard" or "somewhat difficult" would be an understatement of epic proportions. The last several days have been arduous, mentally and physically. I hate to see my beloved wife suffer and I do all I can to comfort and help her; though there is only so much I can do. I am trying to meet the kids' needs while insulating them from the worst of this. Then, of course there is work, and more peripherally, church responsibilities. All while being unable to deny that I, too, have suffered a deep loss. The best analogy that I have come up with is that I feel like I am juggling three or four pieces of china (some obviously more valuable than others) while balancing on a high wire, and I can't remember if there is a net below. I have said to myself, on multiple occasions each day, "this s-ucks," (that one was for you, Don).

Despite these feelings, my family and I have been the recipients of some of the
most tender mercies imaginable. From quickly and powerfully answered prayers to the loving service of people who watch and play with my children, do my dishes, or simply and sincerely ask me, "how are you doing?" This experience has greatly strengthened my faith. I know my Savior has carried, and is carrying, my family and me through this.

Finally, to James, I am sorry that I never got to see you yawn, or feel your little hand close around my finger, or watch you take those first halting steps or watch you as father yourself. I hope someday, somehow, to be able to. But I am not sorry you came into my life. I am a better husband, a better father, and a better man for having you in my life, if only for a short time.
Rockabye Sweet Baby James.