Kent, Mariam and co.

We had a fantastic Thanksgiving this year.  Kent's entire family got together at a lodge and had a blast.   Kate and the other girls had lots of fun playing dress up.   The "adults" had fun talking, playing games, and just being together.   There were lots of naps to take.  K found a comfy spot with Gramps.   D had lots of fun playing with all his cousins.  I think there were 8 little boys under the age of 8 so, it was very noisy and fun.   The little boys got fun race car jackets from Grams and Gramps.  While we were all together, we exchanged Christmas gifts.  And, it just would not be Thanksgiving without food.  Here K is enjoying chocolate pie.   Here is Aunt D enjoying the best part of Thanksgiving (other than the family), the turkey.   I hope all of you had a fantastic Thanksgiving.  All of my wonderful friends and family were definitely on my list this year.  Thank you.  

While drifting off to sleep tonight, I suddenly found myself crying, almost sobbing.  I know this might sound strange, but I suddenly felt the huge loss of my grandparents and friends this past year.  I think it is the upcoming Holidays that stirred so many emotions.   I suddenly realized there would be no Christmas card from Grandma and Grandpa in the tree this year.  There were not as many cards to send, and no gifts to think of (Grandparents were always the hardest to get gifts for).  There would be no reason to make phone calls Christmas morning, and most of all, no visits for the Holiday season.   I felt that I had dealt with individual deaths of my Grandparents and friend okay (as a whole loosing 3 grandparents and a close friend in 4 months was pretty rough).  I felt happy for them at their passing.  I knew they were now free from pain and suffering, and they were with our Heavenly Father, and others who love them.  I knew I would miss them, but I didn't realize just how muc...

This was a few weeks ago at my in-laws.  K tried on a long red wig, and LOVED it.  She danced around all night swinging her long flowing locks.  She is such a funny little girl.   When she saw herself in the mirror she said, "Ohhhh, I looks like Aurora".  (Sleeping Beauty).  Poor thing, she will not have long flowing red locks for many, many years (if ever).   Curse Disney Princesses for giving girls unrealistic dreams of hair : ) Honestly, who doesn't want Sleeping Beauty hair?  I guess you need fairy godmothers to give you that.  Oh well.  

Why is it so hard to get a good family picture.  I would be happy if everyone just looked at the camera.  Here are our latest pics. This was our best family picture.  As you will see, K did not want to cooperate.     Isn't that fun.  All the crying and the whining, and that was just Kent.   The kids and the dog took some cute pictures.   Kent and I did okay.  Together we were a mess.  By the way, this is the picture I ended up using to represent our family.  It seemed the most fitting.   Someday, (sigh) someday we will have a great family picture.  

For those of you who don't know, my 5 yr. old D was diagnosed with asthma when he was 18 mo. old.  It was a long and difficult diagnosis.  We were in an out of Dr.'s offices and the ER.  We also dealt with poor and under-qualified doctors in our pursuit for answers.  But I regress. I am publishing this post not as a pity party, but as a PSA for those living with asthma.  It is difficult to be the parent of a child with asthma, and have most of society not understand.  The illness itself is hard.  You panic at every cough (the #1 symptom) and illness worried that it will be the start of an attack.  There are many sleepless nights and worried days.  Aside from that there is huge lack of understanding with others. People think that asthma means D is fragile and can't run and play like other kids.  He isn't always out of breath and wheeze all the time.  Like I said, the #1 symptom of asthma is a cough, a very distinct cough.  Caregivers, relatives, and teachers are intimid...

It is that time of year again.  The time when I spend hours writing a Christmas letter, making cards and then....forgetting to mail them, not finding addresses, and getting wrong addresses.  I am horrible at sending Christmas cards.  I make them up, but getting them sent is another story.  So here is my question, is it tacky to send e-cards this year? We don't have many people without an e-mail on our list.  It is also a cheaper and greener option.  I know I could get them sent this way, but is it too impersonal.  I know it is fun to get a card in the mail.  Please help me out.  Let me know what you think.  

Teresa tagged me, and then I read Miss M's blog, so I guess it is my turn.  Here goes.   5 things on my to-do list today: ( I guess I should have a to-do list hmmmm) 1.  Get D ready for pre-school. 2.  Get the mail (we have to go to the post office) 3.  Get groceries 4.  Think of something to fix for lunch and dinner 5.  Feed my addiction to blogs and facebook My 5 favorite snacks: 1.  Hot brownies with vanilla ice cream 2.  Dark Chocolate 3.  popcorn 4.  apples and cheese (together) 5.  I am a food junkie.  I will eat almost anything.   5 things I would do if I was a millionaire: 1.  A bigger, but still modest, house 2.  A new piano 3.  A really fun family vacation 4.  Have fun giving some away 5.  Bank it 5 places I have lived:  (really just 5) 1.  Mesa Az. 2.  Several Native American Reservations in Az. 3.  Tucson Az. 4.  Bartlett Tennessee 5.  Pocatello Id.   5 jobs I have had: 1.  personal assistant 2.  Deli clerk 3.  Day care provider 4.  Teacher 5.  ...