Hate to See Christmas Go...

It's true. I love Christmas, and now that it is over, I already look forward to next year's season. For me, it's all about the reasons behind Christmas, something I never tire of contemplating. I love the music, too. I fix my radio dial to one of those stations that play nothing but Christmas music from the day after Thanksgiving thru Christmas day, and I am always surprised and disappointed when they go back to their regular format on December 26th.

It's a bummer, but we are still fighting illness. We didn't go to church today, and barely made it last week. Toby has come down with some sort of respiratory illness, leaving my precious almost-four-month-old to wheeze and rattle when breathing. Our whole family went to the doctor (Okay, physician's assistant--you can't get a last minute appointment with an MD these days, aargh. This PA is really nice, tho.) on Friday and Mike, Toby and myself were all put on a course of antibiotics.

It is good that we were able to pull off going to church last week, though, since it was the Sunday for Toby's dedication. I love our church--they are such a family to us. Our pastor and his wife are fantastic! Pastor Jim is hearing and his wife, Dawn, is Deaf. He is one of those rare people who fell into the Deaf world and has never looked back...and he isn't an interpreter, he is a full-time chemist and full-time pastor (though I know it is supposed to be part-time, but, truth be known, it is probably more hours than the full-time gig.)

The people in the church are really a family to us. I know most people like the churches they go to, but I am so happy that we have found a place where we fit. The Deaf church is so warm, Mike loves the weekly Deaf Men's Bible Study, and it's also great because the kids go over to the hearing church for Sunday School/Church with other hearing kids. It helps us strike a great balance. When we had Toby dedicated, I couldn't help but feel so blessed to be able to commit to this great task again; raising a child who has the opportunity to have God in their lives and to see God work in our lives.

As a silly side note, with all the rain, the kids have been inside a lot. We (intentionally) don't have cable television, but have quite a few DVDs. Gavin is obsessed right now with Bibleman; a campy action-packed, sword slinging Christian adventure show. It doesn't take itself too seriously, which would be impossible anyway, considering Willie Aames (yes, of Charles in Charge and Eight is Enough fame) is the star. Gavin runs around quoting lines from the show and throwing any implement nearby at his brother. He doesn't always get the lines right, though. He kept talking about the "sword of fake" until I gently told him that it should be *ahem* the sword of faith.

Wasn't sure if I would post the next one, but...I am so glad that Gavin talks to me about things before experimenting sometimes. He came to me the other day saying, "Your body makes poop?" I inwardly sighed, knowing that with three boys, the body function talk will likely never end, and said, "Yes, that is right." Then the kicker..he said, "That's nothing to eat, right?" I ASSURED him that was right, eek!

We seem to have acquired another cat. This little cutie was hanging around the yard for a few days, and Mike (being the animal lover he is)

couldn't let it go without feeding. Mike picked the name "Deccy" as in December, and we pronounce it "dekie". He is a very sweet and affectionate kitty and joins Mr. Kitty and Dokie as our outdoor/mudroom kitties.

This was our first year to try putting stuff in the stockings. We are working on solidifying our traditions, it is funny how that takes a little more work than I thought in terms of coming together. We let the kids open the stockings (wonderful creations made by Pat's mom, Edie, and Pat) and eat some candy while we waited for Mom to come over at a bleary-eyed 7am. Jude was told not to eat the whole chocolate bar, but you can see how successful that request was:

Christmas day was lovely. Relaxing, because we didn't do much except hang out as a family and visit my sister (Gavin and I) Christmas evening. Gavin loved his Christmas gifts, and it pleases me so much to hear his gratefulness. He said, "I just love my skates, mom." Jude enjoyed his new drum (thanks, Mike, for buying something you can't hear, ha) almost as much as he enjoyed the packing materials that came with my digital picture frame.

Hope your day was great like ours!

Typhoid Mary blues...

I decided to start the post with this picture because Gavin took it. He is quite the photographer, I must say. Gives me an idea of his perspective on things.

Well, after my last post declaring that we were over being sick, I was faced with the reality that we weren't over it and we were infecting everyone we came in contact with. My mom came down with the bug, and so did Pat and her whole family.


We have hunkered down and are beating this thing! I will go out to work tomorrow but we really have tried to minimize any contact until we are sure we aren't spreading our joyful germs...it's especially odd because I didn't feel sick when I went and saw my mom. I opted out of a cookie party in order not to pass out poision treats :)

Toby slept till 6 a.m. one recent morning, giving me hope of uninterrupted rest. Sadly, that was the only night, but I am trying to get him to bless me with that again. Meanwhile, Mike went to the attic last night and got out the "baby standers" so Toby could stand up and play with the toys. He loves it! Seems a little early at three months, but I won't take it away since he likes it so much.



Gavin and Jude pretend that they are cars and want to drive Toby around. If I'm not careful, they'll love him too hard...ouch. More risk of this with Jude than Gavin.


I am in the throes of Christmas cards. Because of all the sickness, I got a late start this year, but figure friends will forgive me and just be happy for the chance to reconnect. (right?? *sheepish grin*)

Mike has a clever way of keeping track of the kids while cooking....

Jude is a pensive guy...

There are few things in life as sweet as a baby passed out on you.

Batman goes for a drive in his modified Batmobile...

Offical Membership Application to the Blogsphere

With thanks to the Coates family, I have decided that I could likely handle a blog. This seems like a wonderful way to allow Mike's family in Tennessee access to our life, as well as our friends across the country. Certainly I am one of the last to jump on the train, but haven't missed the ride yet!

Our family is recovering from a bout with the flu. For those of you who don't have small children or have forgotten the joy of a gastrointestinally-challenged youngster, DO NOT try to imagine and please, don't try this at home! Days blend into a 7UP haze...

Because of how long we have been sick, we ended up putting off the Christmas card picture until a few days ago. However, with the beauty of digital photography, our cards will be ready in about two days, delivered directly to the Wal-Mart of my choice. I am posting some of the pictures that didn't make the final cut for your enjoyment.

My sweet friend, Jill, was kind enough to come to the house to take pictures. I simply don't know how we would have made it otherwise. Gavin and Toby are generally "picture friendly" (well, not in the adjacent photo) but Jude takes one look, laughs and either runs away or screams while we try in vain to keep him in the photo.

Jude has been a delight of late--truly, he is most of the time. His current fixation and toy is a tea towel. Mike tucks it into the back of his shirt (or pajamas) and Jude runs around like a superhero. He asks for it by coming up to one of us and asking for "My batman." This is Jude code for "put that thing on me NNNOOOWWW."

Gavin is enjoying his pre-school immensely. He is "the" kid in class...you know, you look at a class full of children and say, "there is always ONE." He is the one...and we love him for it. God has given him such a strong will, personality and drive that I cannot wait to see what he will become. However, in the meantime it is slightly disconcerting while entertaining.

Point in fact, his preschool had a Christmas program. Gavin came home one day and announced that he did not want to be a cow, his assigned part. Both Mike and I explained the importance of doing a good job and accepting the role you are given, etc. (Or as Gavin hears/sees: Blah blah blah) He wanted to be an angel.

At the program, he decided to take off his cow costume. On STAGE! Blessedly, he did have clothes on underneath. I doubt anyone could overlook the cow in a state of undress, sigh. He then proceeded to attempt "flips" on stage and fell down, making the whole audience laugh. If you want Gavin to do something he doesn't want to do, you either provide 100% supervision or be willing to let it go. Don't get me wrong, we talked about how wrong it was, and he regretted it and was punished, but there are some things I can't prevent and I frankly can do nothing but laugh about.

Well, if you like this, then please subscribe to the blog and make comments. Would love to see if it is something people enjoy as well as have the utility of a record of our lives.