Sickies

We've all been sick this week, some more than others. Scott, Drew, and I have the annoying, hacking cough and Nathan and Thomas have coupled the cough with high fevers. We're all extremely drained. So, this week I am thankful for:

1. Vick 's Vapor Rub-- it does a nice job calming the cough if rubbed on chest at bed time. In contrast, 2 nights with NyQuil provided me with very strange dreams and a cotton head in the morning...I couldn't do it any more.

2. My bed--I miss it. I've been sleeping sitting up on the couch.

3. Sunshine--I just took Murphy for a lakeside walk in the sun. A little vitamin D does a body good.

Here's to healthier days.

Competition

The boys are competitive about everything. Apparently it's a boy thing...or a brother thing...or a sibling thing...I have no expertise in this area. Anyways, the past day I have witnessed new areas of competition. Last night, they were very interested in the Oscars. They have no idea who 99% of the nominees are, but because there was a definite winner, they were very interested.

Currently we are all sick. Today they are fighting over the bragging rights on who has the highest fever. Our ear thermometer has never been put to so much use. It seems every time I walk in the kitchen, someone is taking their temp to see how hot they are. Here comes the Motrin to cool them down for at least 6 hours, and quiet that contest!

Little Dawg on Campus

I copied this photo from the blog of the Husky mascot's owner. So incredibly cute! Dubs (the puppy) will be the size of the statue in no time. Becca, is he as cute in person as he is in the photo? Can I come visit you at your office? I'm a huge fan!

The 3 things...

We are finishing up mid-winter break. Not sure a break is necessary for the students, but I'll be ready for one once this week is over! We spent the first part of the week down at the beach house. We then travelled over to Gearhart, OR to spend the remainder of our time with 3 other families, minus the dads.

1. The house we stayed in belongs to the grandmother of one of Nathan's best friends. This is one of her five homes. The boys and I scored the master bedroom (not sure how), so we were living large. One evening, Drew went to use the toilet and when he came out of the bathroom, I asked him if he remembered to wash his hands, knowing that he couldn't reach the sink, so his answer should have been "no."

D: "Yes, I washed my hands." (adamantly)

Me: "Drew, how did you wash your hands? You can't reach the sink. I've been lifting you."

D: "I washed my hands."

Me: "Where?"

D: "In the sink by the toilet."

Me: ???thinking???

Me: "OHHHH!!!!!" "Drew, honey, that's not a sink. That's a bidet."

D: "What's a bidet?"

Yuck, yuck, yuck!

2. Being at the ocean never fails me. I am always calmed, revitalized, reflective, and awed. I will always live my life in such a way to make the ocean a part of who I am.

3. These three were a pleasure to be around this week. I feel so fortunate to have them in my life. I loved watching Nathan and his buddy, Henry interact. They are both so interested in pop culture and music. Their ipods were always in play. Thomas enjoys everything about nature. He always wanted to be at the beach, was fascinated by the elk that grazed in the dune grass by the house, and can always find something interesting in a pile of sand. Drew was just one of the gang. His age never stops him. I am blessed.

Happiness this week...

The 3 things:


1. This week I'm happy because of Drew. He turned 4 on Wednesday. He is sweet, funny, stubborn, smart, sassy, patient, perceptive, coordinated, and most importantly, very healthy. Here he is 4 years ago at Children's Hospital with RSV:











He was so sick, and so fragile for so long. I was already neurotic about germs and cleanliness, but that episode really pushed me over the edge.



And now:















2. Another bright spot this week was Drew's birthday dinner. Drew picked the entire menu: sparkling cider, vegetable sushi, artichokes with butter, (or was it really just about the butter?), and Grandma Pat's meringues which Drew calls "meringue-a-tangs". Hey, the vegetarian in me loved the meal. Happy Birthday Drew-Drew!




3. And finally, I know one of the main reasons I LOVE The Tudors:

Henry Cavill, aka Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk. I can't take my eyes off the screen when he is on. I worry that Charles Brandon will be beheaded, or burned, or boiled alive like others were. Dare I check the history books? No, I'll just hope that Brandon remained Henry VIII's humble and loyal servant.

It's the simple things...

I'm focusing on the simple things in life these days to help my happiness. Illness, namely cancer, the slow economy, the cold temperatures, and grey skies are dragging me down. I usually feel pretty upbeat on Fridays, so I'm going to reflect on 3 things each Friday that make me happy.

This week:


I can't get enough of avocados these days. I put them on everything that they could potentially be tasty on. I usually mash them with salt and pepper, plop on food, and I am happy.

A natural boar bristle brush. I've never had one, but I splurged after my last haircut, and I couldn't be happier. To all the woman who have been blessed with flat, I mean FINE hair, this brush will become your best friend!

I am hooked! A true guilty pleasure, but at least I'm learning something about King Henry VIII...not sure how accurate it is, but the costumes, the acting, the accents...I love it. I need to slow down watching the DVDs, because Season 3 is being aired right now, and I'm just starting Season 2. I would even consider getting Showtime for this show.

Contractor Roll Call

We have lived in our house 7 1/2 years. I think over the past 6 years or so, we have talked about remodeling or moving nearly every other day. We do love our house, but we want more space. More space to entertain. More space for our boys and their friends.

I sat down at lunch the other day and made a list of all the contractors we have met with. Meetings, bids, phone calls to all these guys...and we still have done nothing. Just so Scott and I don't forget, here is the list of contractors we have talked with: Jason, Kirk, Jerry, Tom, the team of Paul, Kyle, and Curt, a different Curt, Wade, and most recently, Ray. Did I forget anyone? I wouldn't be surprised if I did.

It's a problem, I tell you. For some reason, more than just funds, we cannot make this remodel happen. Hmm..I wonder why?

Drew-isms

Phrases currently uttered by Drew:

"Yeah, so, who cares?"

"I'm so hungry firsty!" (thirsty)

"Aspen!" (see below)

"Can I have my super duper last piece of gum?"

"Mommy, I love you. I love you a million trillion thousand."

New Swear Word

As all good parents say to their child, "We don't swear." What do you do if your child creates their own swear word... and knows how to use it at times when a little !@# would be appropriate?? Drew has coined the word "aspen" for his own personal form of profanity. He uses it here and there, and will call his brothers "Aspen!" when he is mad. It really is quite funny, but perhaps it shouldn't be so.

2009 so far

I had hopes for 2009 being a year of more good things than bad. Anything had to be better than 2008 and the slow economy which effects everyone in so many ways. But, 2009 has been a year where I have said the word cancer more than I would care to. Last week we found out that my Aunt Theresa was diagnosed with liver cancer. Not good. She is only 47, and has children ages 10 and 7. Theresa had a profound impact on me growing up, and I've always felt a strong bond with her. If anyone can fight this, and beat it, it will be Theresa. But, I think liver cancer usually has the upper hand.

Then, on Sunday, I learned that Theresa's brother, my Uncle Bob has brain cancer. He had surgery on Sunday that removed a tangerine-sized, stage 3 or 4 tumor. And now we wait.

My aunt and uncle are my dad's siblings. They are a close, tight-knit family, which is surprising to some because there are 9 of them. They were brought up in a Irish Catholic military family, where family meant more than anything else in the world. I've always been amazed at how every single one of them is successful, healthy, and has managed to navigate this crazy world so well. But now, for the first time, 2 of the 9 are dealing with cancer. Dealing with their mortality. It's the circle of life, I know. We are all getting older, but that doesn't take away the shock and fear.

So, I try to remain positive, and love the ones I love.