Christmas Ornaments

I am thankful for Christmas ornaments.  We have a BUNCH of ornaments.  As we pull them out of the boxes, someone has a comment about each of them - "Hey, that is the one that we got in Virginia!  Cool, I made this in kindergarten?  Where did this ugly one come from?" On and on.  

As I unwrap the ornaments, I usually have a few happy tears roll down my cheek.  I am an emotional romantic.  I am also an emotional hoarder.  I keep things because of the feelings and experiences associated with the items.  That is why we have so many ornaments.

The one that hung on my Great Grandma's tree - the ugly ugly red feathered bird?  Makes me smile.  The wooden bird that hung on my Grandma's tree?  Makes me smile and remember Christmas at their house.  The mailbox we bought and had personalized on our honeymoon?  I almost flipped out when I couldn't find it this year.  Luckily, Zach found the box was in and a tear trickled out.  The Barbie ornaments?  Lizzie's from over the years.  Star Wars?  Reminds me of Jacob.  The cars?  Brian and Zach.  The hand painted china ornaments?  Memories of when my grandmother had her sight and could still paint so intricately.  The foam frames with school pictures in them?  Memories of years past and reminders of how old the kids are getting.  Blue's Clues?  I remember watching that show over and over and over.  The list goes on and on.

Thankful for the ornaments that hang on our tree and the memories that come with them.

Brian's mom makes ornaments for us every year.  Not only do we have these, we also have the ones Brian made as a child.

The ornament we bought on our anniversary.  Our anniversary date is on the other side.

One of the porcelain ornaments my grandma hand-painted

One of our many Hallmark ornaments.

Another treasure from my grandma.

Illinois Athletics

I know, just two days ago I was thankful for Indiana Athletics.  Some will argue that I can not be thankful for both Illinois and Indiana athletics.  Well, I am.  I am thankful for Illinois athletics because Jacob likes the Illini.  I enjoy watching his eyes light up and the excitement in his voice when he talks about the Illini.

I am also thankful for Illinois athletics because Brian's store sells Illini sportswear.  Bad Illini teams = poor sales.  Good Illini teams = better sales.  

So, I am thankful for the joy that Illinois Athletics brings my son and the money it indirectly 

provides for us to live.

Jacob cuddled in his Illinois blanket

A house divided

Jacob even represents the Illini while in Hoosier Country!

IU Basketball

I am thankful for Indiana Basketball.  That may sound shallow, but it is the truth.  Watching IU basketball is a family event at our house.  Even Jacob, the Illini fan, will watch it with us.  Indiana basketball is entertaining to watch while allowing for some family time.  Basketball and popcorn anyone?

Snow!

Today, I am thankful for snow.  It may only be spitting snow and it probably won't stick, but I am so excited.  I love snow. 

I love to play in the snow.  I love to watch the excitement on my children's faces when they get to play in the snow.  I love the look of wonderment in the eyes of our students when it begins snowing.   I love to watch the dog try to eat the flakes as they fall.  

I love it all!!

A few pictures from last year:

Jacob on his snowboard and excited to go!

After a fun day of sledding

 Look at that excitement in her eyes!

A surprise snow shower last Christmas.  Zach taught his little cousins how to make snowballs.

Shew. . .

We were out of town for Thanksgiving and did not have internet access.  Therefore, I am behind with my thanksgivings.

Here they are:

Wednesday:  Thankful for the school calendar that gives me Wednesday off so that we can travel on that day and not be rushed on Thursday.  After riding with the three kids and Sadie on this day, I was also thankful for tylenol!

Thursday:  Thankful for pecan pie.  I do not know who first decided to put these ingredients together but I am thankful for that person!

Friday:  Thankful that I didn't need anything so desperately that I had to stand in the massive line at Kohl's that we encountered!

Saturday:  Thankful for the sounds of cousins giggling.  Well, unless I was trying to nap.  Then?  Not so much!  :)

Sunday:  Thankful for my own bed.

One of the reasons we heard giggling - playing indoor football/wrestling!  

Jimmy

My brother Jimmy is known to many of us as the golden child.  We jokingly say "Everybody Loves Jimmy" in the Robert Barone voice from Everybody Loves Raymond.  Yes, I know. . . right now you think we are mean.  However, anybody can ask my grandma something and she will snap.  Jimmy asks the same question?  She looks lovingly at him and says, "Well, yes honey."  Seriously?

All kidding aside, he is a good guy.  He is the kind of guy that I would like Lizzie to grow up and marry.  Here are just a few reasons I believe that and am thankful for him:

*  He only smacked me and broke my glasses once when I, indeed, deserved it more often!  I readily admit that the day he smacked me, I hit him over and over.  Lucky (for me) dad only looked outside in time to see him hit me!  :)

*  He is respectful and compassionate.

*  The way in which he interacts with his nieces and nephews.  He truly cares about them.  He listens to what they have to say.  He will even change a diaper if he HAS to do so.

*  His ability to play cards (and cheat).  Yes, he cheats.  Just ask my grandpa.  Rumor has it that he learned to cheat from dad.

*  We learn  much from his love of history and the genealogical work he has done.

*  He is an incredible teacher.

*  He is loyal to his friends.  He would do anything for them.

*  He takes my grandpa golfing in the summer and cares for him and my grandma when needed.

*  He is trustworthy - which is good since he will be responsible for our children should something happen to me and Brian.

*  His love of sports - he is a player, spectator and coach.

*  His ability to calm people down when the family discussions get a little tense.  "Hey, hey there.  Ok, ok!"

*  His love of books

*  His sense of humor and ability to  laugh.

Geez, no wonder "Everybody loves Jimmy!"

Jimmy, you are the kind of man I would like my daughter to marry one of these days.  The characteristics that I desire in her future husband are why I am thankful for you.  I love you for all you bring to the family.

Jimmy gives Jacob some advice during a card game.

Our Medical Team -

I am extremely thankful for the numerous professionals who have helped us throughout the years.

*  I think back to being pregnant with Zach and how my obstetrician helped this first time mom through the process.  I think how she made SURE she was there to deliver Jacob because of the experience we had with Zach.

*  The obstetrician who delivered Lizzie.  She cared for me as a "whole patient" during a pregnancy that was rough.

*  The NICU staff who cared for Zach at Carle.  The NICU staff at Provena who cared for Lizzie.

*  The Lifeline professionals who flew Zach to Peoria.

*  The cardiologist, surgeons and entire staff at Saint Francis.

*  The pediatricians who have taken care of your children.

*  Our AWESOME nurse practitioner.  Did I mention she is AWESOME?

*  Our general practitioners.

*  Numerous physician assistants.

*  Pediatric rheumatologist who diagnosed Jacob's JIA and established a plan of care.

*  Sports med professionals.

*  Surgeons

*  My INCREDIBLE neurologist (Did I mention he is INCREDIBLE?) and his INCREDIBLE staff.

*  Our dentists.  Between the 5 of us, we see three different dentist and they all rock!

*  My MOM!  Being a nurse, she gets a lot of the "What do you think I should do" calls!

*  My friend Dee.  She gets a lot of the "What do you think I should do" calls too!  She also gave me shots when Brian wasn't home or didn't want to.

There are more, I am sure.  In addition to this list, I would like to add many of you.  While you may not be a medical care professional, you have provided support for us.  During pregnancies, births, hospitalizations, diagnosis, broken bones, etc, you have  cared for us.  Whether it be a card, watching kids, letting us cry, providing food, or many other things, YOU are part of our medical team that I am thankful for.  Without you, my friends, we may have had our physical bodies provided for, but it would have been a long lonely road.

So, thank you to everyone listed and any one of YOU who has ever cared!  THANKS!!

Chris

I am thankful for my brother, Chris.  He claims that I was not always nice to him while growing up.  Something about flicking his teeth every time he opened his mouth to talk?  I am SURE that wasn't me!    I am also sure that I haven't always appreciated Chris and what he brings to the family.  Just a few reasons I appreciate Chris and am thankful for him:

*  He went on a search for a press-on nail when my nail broke right before my wedding.  That made up for the fact that he forgot to pick up my grandma for the wedding!  Oops, I digress.

*  He is incredibly talented and has knit and crocheted some beautiful things.  One of which is a nice pair of warm socks for me!

*  His love of music. 

*  His passion for Drum and Bugle Corp.

*  The excitement he brings to the political discussions at family events.  :)

*  His willingness to cook for the family.

*  The way he interacts with his nieces and nephews.

*  How he can make me SO mad with a comment but make me laugh with his next comment.

*   He can make snide comments about someone and they never know due to his ability to BS.  Now, I assure you that those comments were certainly not made about anyone reading this blog.

*  His ability to care for the injured as a paramedic.  However, if I ever call 911 for something like a paper cut, I would not want to deal with him.  

*  His ability to make dad and Jimmy almost pass out by sharing stories from his work day!  This is not an invitation to do so!

*  His willingness to stand up for what he believes in - even if he is in the minority.

*  His ability to roll his eyes so far back in his head and not have them stick.  

*  His tender heart accompanied by his hard headed attitude.

(Again,  it has been decided that we inherited that hard headed attitude from our mother!)

I am ashamed to say I don't remember the last time I said this:  Chris, I am thankful for you and I love you.

Lysol

I am thankful for Lysol.  I am also hopeful that last night's liberal use of Lysol will keep others in the house from catching the current Paragi virus.

INK!!

I am thankful for INK!  Why?

The author uses ink to put his or words onto the page.  The computer printer uses ink to print out the drafts of the story.  The editor uses ink to suggest or make changes.  The publisher uses ink to produce the books.

Ink. . . without it there would be no books.  Yes, I know, we can read ebooks.  But I am old fashioned and like to touch my books.  I love the smell of a fresh book.  I love turning the pages of a used book and imagining who might have turned those pages before me.  Basically, I am a book romantic!

Books take me away when I need a vacation from my reality.  I have traveled all over the world through my reading.  Books help me stay up to date on current educational practices.  Books provide me knowledge and inspiration to use in daily life.

I love the classics, contemporary, fiction and nonfiction.  I revel in them all.  I am one of those people who has trained my brain that it must read before I can sleep.  Yes - there is now research showing that we actually train our brains to do that!

I work with kindergarten students and teach explicit early literacy skills.  The other day, a very exasperated young man looked at me with rolling eyes and asked, "Are you in love with letters and books and stuff?"  Stifling my giggle, I replied, "Yes, I am.  I LOVE to read!"  He was unimpressed.

So, today I am thankful for ink.  The ink that the author uses to put the words on the paper so I can continue my love affair with reading and books.

Hold That Thought!

Brian is doing an operating system upgrade on the computer tonight.  It is hard to type on this iPad so I will post about that which I am thankful tomorrow.  Think ink!!

My Sister

I am thankful for my sister, Kelly.  She can be THE biggest pain in the rear one moment, and then make me laugh the next.  What makes me mad?  She can make me laugh even if I am still mad at her!  No fair!!

As we have grown older we have grown closer.

We share stories about children.  My children are perfect and hers are crazy wild children -  in case anyone was wondering.  I mean seriously, I have never found my children hanging from a ceiling fan!

We share stories about our spouses  -all good, of course, Brian!  I appreciate that she understands that my husband is the favorite son-in-law and not hers!  :)

We share stories about our family members  - don't worry, I am sure it is none of you!

We share stories about our work.

We share stories about our in-laws - I assure you they are all good.

Heck, we even talk about each other TO each other!

We have started traditions with our children.  We had a massive "Christmas cookie making day" last year.  The only problem is that I am a messie and she is a neatie.  So, the two of us in the kitchen together for eight hours surrounded by five children, may not have been the best idea.  It made for some good memories though!

I hope we continue to make more memories and start more traditions as our children grow.

I may not say it enough, but to my hard-headed, opinionated, yet tender-hearted, goofy sister:  I love you and am thankful for you.

PS:  In one of those discussions about family members, Kelly and I agreed that we inherited our "hard-headedness" from our mom!

No Particular Order

The following blog posts about my family members are in NO particular order.  All of them are very important to me.  None more so than the other.  So, please do not read anything into the order in which they are posted.

Cold Flag Football Games

Today, I am thankful for Jacob's cold flag football games.  I love seeing him run and play and enjoy himself.  Jacob was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis at the age of five.  That explained his crying during soccer and saying he wanted to sit with me.   I just thought he was being clingy.  (Mother of The Year Award was revoked at that point.)  We started him on daily doses of Naproxen combined with weekly aqua therapy and saw great improvement in his range of motion.   

Fast forward a year or so.  At an appointment with the pediatric rheumatologist he declared Jacob to be in remission.  He said there was no need for further follow-up unless he had flare.  To date, he has not had a flare.

I realize that I have taken Jacob's active, goofy self for granted - whether he is dancing in the administrative offices at school, swimming, playing flag football or riding his bike.

So, as I freeze my buns off at a late night cold flag football game, I am thankful that Jacob is able to run and play without pain.  

Already. . .

I already missed a day.  I actually wrote a post.  Then I deleted it.  Why?  Because I was crabby and grumpy and wanted to stay that way.  Why?  I have no idea.  I do know, however, that I was acting like a spoiled brat.  If I wasn't in a good mood, then I wasn't going to even try to find something good to write about!

Geez - could I have been any more childish?  There was so much I could have written about yesterday. But I chose to dwell in my crankiness.  I know people who tend to do this.  They are surrounded by blessings but they focus on the negatives instead.  Holy cow!  I was one of THEM yesterday!

What was I thankful for yesterday?  The fact that we have food in our cabinets.  To this point in our lives, we have never been without food.  We take it for granted that when we walk into the kitchen we will find something to eat.  We even get mad if someone eats the last of our favorite crackers.  But it is not something to be taken for granted.   Therefore, I am thankful for the food in my cabinets.

 

Brian

I am extremely thankful for my hubby, Brian.   What started out as just a friendship has turned into 20 years of marriage.  When one gets married, they tend to focus on the initial feeling of "love" and dream of the "ideal" marriage.  I know we certainly did so.

But, life is not perfect.    I would be lying if I said the past 20 years didn't have its share of ups and downs.  I am grateful that when Brian spoke his vows, he meant them.  For better or worse?  Yep, had them both!  In sickness and health?  Yep, both of those too!  Richer or poorer?  Sure thing!

Here are just a few reasons why I am thankful for Brian:

*  Even though he dislikes needles, he gives me my shot every week

*  When I am exhausted and need to go to bed early, he never complains.  He encourages me to do so.

*  He is a master with iron!

*  He can make me laugh.

*  He tells me like it is - even when I don't like what he has to say.

*  When Zach had his open heart surgery, he stood by my side and held me up.

*  If I am exhausted, he makes dinner and, again, doesn't complain.

*  He stood by me during my three pregnancies even though I was a crazy, hormonal, puking machine!

*  He puts up with my Sadie even though he doesn't really like dogs!

*  His ability to interact with our children.

* His willingness to apologize when needed.

*  The spiritual leadership he provides us.

*  He did not choke me when I backed directly into his parent's car in our driveway!

*  He knows that marriage takes work and is willing to do so.

*  He knows the importance of date nights and pushes me to go out.

I could go on and on, but this is enough to make his head get big so I will stop.

Study. . . Not Just Skim

 I am thankful for the freckles that sprinkle my little girls nose and cheeks. They are precious.  However, they are so easy to miss unless I slow down and really look at her - look her in the eye and give her my full attention.

Isn't that how many of us live our days?  Skimming by?  Giving situations and people a quick once over?  Missing our blessings because of our hurried lives?

So today, I slow down, look my little girl in the eyes and focus on her freckles.  

November 10, 2012

Over the last few weeks, I have had the privilege of watching Zach and his friends show compassion and concern for each other.

They are typical 14 and 15 year olds - goofy and loud.  However, the past few weeks have brought some pretty hard times for these young boys.  Whether it be the death of a loved one, receiving bad news, being let down by someone they love, or just the everyday things that accompany adolescence, it has not been a fun few weeks.

So, what did these loud and goofy boys do?  They really cared for each other.  They texted each other. They called each other.  Hung out with each other.  I heard them telling each other, "I am sorry man."  "I am here if you need me."  "Dude, that sucks.  What can I do?"  "Are you ok?"  I read texts that said the same thing.

While I am not happy that these boys have had to experience yucky things, I am extremely thankful that they have each other.  I couldn't ask for a better group of friends for my son.  

Just some of the boys that I am thankful for: