In-laws.
When I say that "word," what comes to your mind? Do you like/love to not like them? Do you live close/far away from them for a reason? Do you get along/fight with them? Would you prefer to/not see them all the time?
Well let me tell you a secret. (And I know they are reading this :).... but I never lie) I have the BEST in laws in the whole entire world. I seriously could not have handpicked them any better. Every last brother/sister in law (and I have 16) and my mother and father in law. Really. Don't be jealous.
Doug once said that getting together with family (any gathering really) is something that everybody looks forward to... except us. Because there is always food. And we have a child with Prader Willi. It is like throwing a crack addict in a crack house and telling them they can't have any, but they get to watch everybody else partake and be told not to. That is Savannah's life. At home, we do the best that we can.
But Doug's family has bent over backwards to make it easier. They all take their turn. They never complain that the food is all hidden in the laundry room instead of conveniently located on the counter. They don't complain when all the food has to be put away as soon as the meal is on their plates. And there are never ending offers to take the girls (Savannah) on tractor rides, or the snow machine, or on the sleigh with the horses. Or offering to do puzzles with Savannah or help her do a project or make part of the meal. They know the deal. They know how to barter with her. And I so appreciate that.
It is super fun to get all the cousins together and let them roam and play all day with NO parental instruction, except at meal and bed time. The girls love it. And I am not going to lie. The free babysitting of Isabella is awesome. And lets not forgot all the cute babies to hold. That's the great thing about having 16 in laws. There will always be babies :). Even after the kids are done having kids. Then the grandkids will be having kids and there will be a neverending cycle of babies. Now, I know that I work with babies all the time. But there is something different about holding a baby that is a part of you.
Particularly my nephew. He has an uncanny resemblance to my little Daxton at that age. And he lets me kiss on him. And he doesn't even complain. And his sweet mom lets me.
And that is what I love about being in Idaho.
PS I must say that I love being in Idaho.... But I must also leave a disclaimer. I DON'T love Idaho when it is -2 degrees outside. Sorry. I just don't. :)
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
Idaho for Christmas ... Part 1
Dear Fellow Passengers on Delta Airline,
Yes. That was me sitting in the middle of the aircraft with the cutest little toddler on the planet.
To the sweet woman who sat next to me on the way to Idaho. Yes. She is under 2. I brought her birth certificate to prove it. Just in case you were wondering.
To all the college students on the flight. Yes. I know she makes the cutest little faces as she talks to all the girls and boys.
I apologize to all the passengers as that sweet little face turned into mush and threw one of the biggest awesomest tantrums of her almost 2 year old life. Hitting me in the face, pulling my hair, throwing herself on the ground. Yes. That sweet little girl in the blue tutu is mine. You want her?
Oh and seriously... DON'T you think I KNOW that I "should stay in my seat during landing because it is dangerous" but sorry I had to get my 2 year old tantrum throwing child who ran 2 rows up from where I was sitting? Really? Did you really feel the need to announce that over the PAGING SYSTEM?????? Seriously.
Cordially yours,
Mother of the cute tantrum throwing toddler
PS I would like to publicly thank my brother and sister in law for coming to pick us up from the airport after our 6 hours of flight/layover time... only to listen to the said tantrum throwing toddler cry for 1/2 of our 1.5 hour drive at 11pm.
Yes. That was me sitting in the middle of the aircraft with the cutest little toddler on the planet.
To the sweet woman who sat next to me on the way to Idaho. Yes. She is under 2. I brought her birth certificate to prove it. Just in case you were wondering.
To all the college students on the flight. Yes. I know she makes the cutest little faces as she talks to all the girls and boys.
I apologize to all the passengers as that sweet little face turned into mush and threw one of the biggest awesomest tantrums of her almost 2 year old life. Hitting me in the face, pulling my hair, throwing herself on the ground. Yes. That sweet little girl in the blue tutu is mine. You want her?
Oh and seriously... DON'T you think I KNOW that I "should stay in my seat during landing because it is dangerous" but sorry I had to get my 2 year old tantrum throwing child who ran 2 rows up from where I was sitting? Really? Did you really feel the need to announce that over the PAGING SYSTEM?????? Seriously.
Cordially yours,
Mother of the cute tantrum throwing toddler
PS I would like to publicly thank my brother and sister in law for coming to pick us up from the airport after our 6 hours of flight/layover time... only to listen to the said tantrum throwing toddler cry for 1/2 of our 1.5 hour drive at 11pm.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Sometimes
Sometimes you wake up in the morning to a fresh batch of snow on the ground and fog in the sky. You can't see through to the next house because it is so thick. And it feels like it will never go away.
But you know it does. Because it has come and gone before. You just have to wait it out. But sometimes the waiting seems like a long time. It seems like the fog is getting thicker and thicker.
And then the fog goes away. The snow begins to melt. And the sun comes out. Because it always does. You remember.
If the fog seems too thick this Christmas season, know that the sun will come out.
But you know it does. Because it has come and gone before. You just have to wait it out. But sometimes the waiting seems like a long time. It seems like the fog is getting thicker and thicker.
And then the fog goes away. The snow begins to melt. And the sun comes out. Because it always does. You remember.
If the fog seems too thick this Christmas season, know that the sun will come out.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
A love like this
It's crazy how much I love Isabella. She seriously brings so much joy, peace, and love into my soul. She a ball of cuteness and a sure spitfire.
She is my right arm. She is my companion. We spend countless hours cleaning, running errands, shopping, going to out to lunch, going to the park, playing with her toys, cuddling, watching dora... and I love every minute of it. From the "hold choo" (hold you, meaning hold me :)) "Bella do it" to the full on tantrums head down-arms out-legs kicking, I. Love. Her.
Don't you?
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
My Middle Child
Mikenna wasn't supposed to be my "middle" child.
But as it happened she has ended up my middle child.
She plays many roles as the middle child.
She is the mother hen to Isabella and always keeps her safe.
When Mikenna gets home, Isabella can hardly contain the
excitement as she runs into her big sister's arms.
Mikenna is hard working. She is sweet. She is talented.
She likes to try new things... NOT. She is painfully shy,
that is until you get to know her and then all that shyness goes out the window.
Mikenna would do anything for you. She is like her dad that way.
She loves to give service. She likes to help around the house.
Sometimes Mikenna may feel left out. I try to not make this so.
Savannah has therapy, I let her go play with a friend.
She likes to have "late nights" with her girlie friends so
I think that is no big deal and let her. She is so sweet and I just love her.
She was my hardest baby, but my easiest child.
And I am so grateful for her.
I. Love. Her.
But as it happened she has ended up my middle child.
She plays many roles as the middle child.She is the mother hen to Isabella and always keeps her safe.
When Mikenna gets home, Isabella can hardly contain the
excitement as she runs into her big sister's arms.
Mikenna is hard working. She is sweet. She is talented.She likes to try new things... NOT. She is painfully shy,
that is until you get to know her and then all that shyness goes out the window.
Mikenna would do anything for you. She is like her dad that way.
She loves to give service. She likes to help around the house.
Sometimes Mikenna may feel left out. I try to not make this so.Savannah has therapy, I let her go play with a friend.
She likes to have "late nights" with her girlie friends so
I think that is no big deal and let her. She is so sweet and I just love her.
She was my hardest baby, but my easiest child.And I am so grateful for her.
I. Love. Her.
Lesson on Optimism
Lesson #1
Don't start your day by looking at pictures of your son's funeral. It really is a downer.
Lesson #2
When shopping during the holiday season, make sure you know what you want BEFORE you go to the store. That way you can get in get it get out. Especially if you have a 2 year old.
Lesson #3
Make sure to go to Fry's NOT when all the snowbirds are there.
Lesson #4
Love a little more. Yell a little less. Appreciate the small things. Don't worry about the big things that you don't have.
Lesson #5
When you feel like giving up. Don't. Work harder.
Lesson #6
"Come what may and love it"
Don't start your day by looking at pictures of your son's funeral. It really is a downer.
Lesson #2
When shopping during the holiday season, make sure you know what you want BEFORE you go to the store. That way you can get in get it get out. Especially if you have a 2 year old.
Lesson #3
Make sure to go to Fry's NOT when all the snowbirds are there.
Lesson #4
Love a little more. Yell a little less. Appreciate the small things. Don't worry about the big things that you don't have.
Lesson #5
When you feel like giving up. Don't. Work harder.
Lesson #6
"Come what may and love it"
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