Christmas 2013

We had a lovely Christmas. I always worry if I've done enough and the kids are always so pleased with what they relcieve I feel foolish for having worried. Di, Matt and Livy came over on Christmas Eve and Di helped me cook our Melanessa (Argentine food) and it was tasty and then we had a rather hyper nativity program with Livy dressed as a Peacock because she wanted to wear the blue fairy outfit, Sarah as a sulky angel, etc.. all captured in grainy, wiggly iPhone pics (Nelson was being very clingy so I couldn't get a shot to save my soul).

Merry Christmas and on to New Year!

week before

Hi world! Last day of school around here and I hope we are ready! Presents are "done", only one kid is sick (Sarah), peanut butter balls are in the fridge, roast is in the freezer for melanessa, we are making sugar cookies tomorrow, I have NO CLUE what to wear to a dinner party with work people tomorrow (but I am taking peanut butter balls for a host gift), Ryan and I get to see Audra Macdonald in concert on Saturday (she was scheduled to come in March, so Ryan got tickets for my bday...it was canceled and re-scheduled), and  yea, that's life.

The doctor did say Sarah is his favorite.... mine too.

small surgery

Nelson was born with a scabby bald spot on the top of his head about the size of a nickle. Since day one doctors have all said it was fine and they could remove it someday. When we switched to our new doctor Dr. C. he said we should get it off since about 15% of these things turn cancerous in the teen years and if Nelson keeps growing like he's started I won't be seeing the top of his head for too much longer, so we decided to get it taken care of.

Here is our before shot with his hair over the spot.

I was worried most about Nelson being hungry all morning since he usually eats straight from 6:30-10 am but today he had to fast and his surgery was at 11:30! He actually did OK with that, but the rest of it was pretty much a joke.

He was mad about the lavender jammies, despite the rocket ships (the toy train was OK though), he was furious about the wrist band so they moved it to his ankle and that was tolerable (barely). He yelled at the blood pressure cuff.... and on and on.

He was certainly not happy to be taken away by the nurse to the actual surgery and the impression I got is that he put up a fight with the mask.

Then, he woke up ANGRY! He yelled and cried to a good half hour (sigh). He finally consented to drink his juice and eat a popsicle, but only just.

He has a nice lightning bolt scar on the top of his head now. 

It was a long, stressful day and I realize this was a WAY EASY surgery with no real risk and very manageable paint. I hat is off to my friends and loved ones who have had to watch their kids deal with major, life threatening stuff.

So, that was our day. Glad it's over.

grateful

It was such a crazy last few weeks. We did Thanksgiving with the whole Boren gang coming to AZ. We weathered a pretty nasty stomach bug. Last week alone we did 2 therapy appointments, an orthodontist, 3 sick appointments, 1well visit and 2 trips to the lab. We also sang 4 choir concerts. Sarah gets the special prize for going to all of the appointment although none were for her! She was so good all week and that in and of itself was a huge blessing. Here she is with the best of all cousins, Sage.

This week I am thankful for time at home. I've cleaned bathrooms, read to the kids (though still not enough), I've watched 2 movies and I even took a NAP today (unheard of!). Needless to say, it has been a really nice change of pace. Oh yea, and we are having one of my favorites for dinner, ham and bean soup from the Thanksgiving ham leftover bone! Life is good.

Sibling ages

The photo below is kind of in age order, the boys lined up right. So left to right it's David 34, Stephen 32, Michael 26. The girls go L to R Dianna 25, Marian 36, Jessica 37, melani 33

Yes, my mom had the first 5 super fast, took a break and then the last two in a set. She somehow managed to keep her humor, good looks, and grace.

Thanksgiving

This post could also be titled, "I love my washing machine" or "if you want your big family to come... get a bigger house"(just saying).

We had a marvelous Thanksgiving, despite the fact MY KIDS got sick and spread the joy. We played outside, went to the zoo, ate LOTS OF FOOD, laughed at Michael as a wooed a girl (we'll see if it goes anywhere), took family pictures (we even had colors . . .fancy) and played some more. All told I think we had 32 people spread between 3 houses.

In case you ware wondering, I think I did 12 or 13 loads of laundry on Saturday when everyone had gone home. Love that machine. I'm seriously considering having a picture of a washing machine etched on my tombstone.