Survival mode

So, we're half way through Christmas break. I know I should enjoy it, but sometimes I just get tired.

Callie woke up at 4AM today and was just about to get back to sleep at 5 when the alarm went off for Mark to get Shannon off to surgery. So, I got Shannon ready while hoping Callie didn't wake up the rest of the house and Mark got ready to go. After Mark left - I checked my phone and Jonathan had called. He and Jill were going to Las Vegas for a grad celebration. Well, their cab didn't show and they were panicking. Thankfully their place and the airport were all on the way to the hospital. Apparently with all the increased security they just made it.

So, it took until about 6:30 for Callie to fall back to sleep and by then I couldn't. Nothing more frustrating then trying to fall to sleep.

Shannon's surgery was to remove her the plate which was put into place after her hip surgery last year. It has really caused a lot of pain over the last year and we are really counting on it relieving that. She also had botox and phenol injections which help with her spasticity. She is such a trooper, but it's been a tough year for her.

Here's hoping for a restful night - pretty please.

Mom of Many: In memory of Ian Henderson

Mom of Many: In memory of Ian Henderson

In memory of Ian Henderson

Last February the unthinkable happened to our friends Tom and Deb Henderson. They lost their 7 yr. old son and only child Ian to brain cancer. They will soon complete a year of firsts without Ian - a relief in an odd way I think.

For Ian's birthday this summer, they planned a celebration by inviting others to package food at Feed My Starving Children. In trying to turn their grief into something that would honor Ian's memory they thought about kids whose moms and dads are doing their best, but unable to provide the most basic of needs so their children can thrive.

Rather then turn the one year anniversary of his homegoing into a time of sorrow, they are again looking to help other kids in his memory. Deb said to me that there was nothing they could do for Ian, but kids are dying because they don't have clean water to drink - and we can do something about that.

Yes - we certainly can. So, if you are able to financially help in providing a well in Ian's memory through World Vision - please go to the site listed below.

Thanks - and thanks Tom and Deb for thinking of and providing for other kids in honor of your beloved son. How very proud of you he would be.

Great start to the week

Well, the way this week started out I figured it couldn't possibly go anywhere but up. First thing Monday morning Jacob came running over to tell us - there's dog poop all over the floor. Mark and I both ran over to the family room and sure enough there was dog doo traipsed all over the floor and area rug.

It looked like Christian was the most likely candidate so we made him sit immediately and proceeded to check the bottom of the slippers he had on, but no poop there. We kept checking shoes and feet - nothing. Finally Mark pulled the slippers off and sure enough - for some unknown reason Christian had walked the poo all over and then thought - I'll just put on Ella's new slippers to cover it up. So very very gross. We spot cleaned the rug and mopped the floor while trying not to fall behind in our morning routine - which is a pretty tight schedule.

There were other issues later in the week that made the poop mess seem like a walk through roses. You can walk through poop literally - or figuratively. Honestly - the real poop was a lot easier to clean up and just makes for hysterical storytelling. The figurative poop will take a lot longer to clean up - literally.

Oh Christmas Tree

Yesterday was a snow day - no school. It was pretty nasty outside, but Ella and Jacob braved it for awhile and Christian too, but Callie didn't make it outside. She started out the day somewhat calm, but once she ramped up it was nonstop craziness.

The tree is just too much for her right now - she likes the lights, she pulls the plug, then repeat. She got a little shock pulling the cord once we think. She likes the tree - she threw everything in reach at the tree and then took bulbs off and smashed them on the floor. I'm hoping eventually she will simmer down and the tree will become "normal" to her. It's possible that won't happen, but it could be the Christmas miracle of the year.

The tree is up!

Well, we managed to get our tree up and the few decorations we have put out. We had Jonathan, Jill and Kara here as well as Mark and I to control the chaos it brings. Callie was gone, which was helpful.

It's always fun getting out the ornaments and remembering where they came from and such. Several of the kids have a "baby's first Christmas" ornament and it struck me again. Some of our kids were not here for their first Christmas, in fact at least two were in PICU -Pediatric Intensive Care - for their first Christmas due to their extreme prematurity.

So, we are making Christmas memories now - just decorating our tree. Now if it can survive Callie's ire - she threw a barbie doll and a book at it during the hour or so she was here to notice the tree. It's tough for her - everything is suppose to have a place and, really a tree in the house! She may have a point, hard to explain really.

Ah - Monday - Monday

It was a busy weekend. Chris turned 19 on Sat. and Mark and the big boys went out to lunch and a movie to celebrate. I baked a cake, which I left on the counter - bad idea. Mark came in to find Callie grabbing handfuls out of the cake. Ya, she's not suppose to have gluten - so it was a wild rest of the day. Thankfully, it was Callie and she can do no wrong in Chris' eyes :)

Sunday morning the kids all sang up front at church. They did well, but Callie started roaming, so I had to sneak up and get behind her on the risers and hold her in her spot. Amazingly, she didn't object or it could have been quite the scene. They were all awesome.

Tonight the plan is to set up the tree and decorations tonight. It will probably throw everyone off, but we gotta do it. Merry Merry!

Mom of Many

Check out this deal on Disney on Ice this week - Mom of Many

Funny start to the day

As we're trying to put together breakfast and such I hear Callie yelling "Mom Mom" from the living room. I round the corner to see her completely naked. Laughing I say let's get you dressed. As I open the door to her room, which she shares with Ella, I hear Ella say - Mom I couldn't do anything because I was naked too. I laughed and said, "Oh, Ella she just doesn't get it." Ella said, with a sigh, "No mom and she never will." We had a good giggle and then I thought - oh, please Lord I sure hope she does - get it I mean. I love those silly girls and my very understanding El-Bell - she sure loves her sister.

Now that there's snow outside - come inside and enjoy Disney on Ice next week for a reduced price. I think my princesses might enjoy it. You can't beat the price!

Coupon Code Details

• The coupon code is ‘MOM’— four tickets for $44 for weekday shows Monday-Friday and $4 off all tickets for weekend shows. Any additional tickets beyond the 4-pack for shows during the week are still priced at $11.
• The tickets can be purchased from http://www.ticketmaster.com and by entering the MOM code in the “MC promotion” box when purchasing tickets.
• Offer not valid on Rinkside or VIP seating.
• Cannot be combined with other offers. Service Charges, facility & handling fees will apply.

Mixed emotions

Yesterday was a day of mixed emotions of my children's diversity. Jacob has had several experiences this year which have made us question whether it was some sort of racial harassment. It may seem obvious, but it isn't quite that simple.

Tues. he was hit in the nose at the playground making it bleed by one of his "best" friends. Then yesterday a little girl in his class - kindergarten mind you - said, thankfully in front of a staff member, "I'm going to tell my big brother to beat you up." Now, we homeschooled our first group of kids so maybe this stuff isn't unusual, but Ella is in 3rd grade and we've never had any of these issues with her.

My heart breaks for him that he has to deal with this stuff - for the rest of his life - just because he is a black child - and sooner then I will be ready - a black man. Mark and I both realize we can't possibly do that ourselves and are grateful we have friends and family in our life who can advise us. It's an odd spot to be in when you have to remind yourself to see these situations through a "racial" lense if you will. When you've grown up white in a primarily white community you just never think - I wonder if they said that, looked at me that way, hit me, pushed me etc. - because I'm white. I'm learning to do that for my kids, but am trying to walk that delicate line between being too easily offended or jumping on the - it's always about race - bandwagon, and being clueless to that fact that, yes it sometimes - lately, it would seem, often is about race.

Then last night Ella and I attended our third annual Black Nativity at Penumbra theatre. It is always so very uplifting and makes me so proud of the culture and history of my children - and how very grateful I am to be a part of their history as their parent. And so, although it makes me weary sometimes, I will press on because they have no choice and neither do I as they are my beloved children and I will do all I can to make them proud of who they are - because I most certainly am blessed beyond measure just being their mom.