A day late...

I didn't get around to posting yesterday. Not enough free time. The boys were home from school due to an inservice day, Thomas had two basketball games, and then we had his team party.

What am I happy about this week??

1. The Huskies continue to dance in the Big Dance. I surprised the boys on Thursday and took them out of school early so they could watch the big game. I loved surprising them. Now, it's T minus 50 minutes and counting until they take on Purdue. Go Dawgs!

2. Our new camera arrived! This is the camera I've been wishing for for nearly a year. Now it's here, and I'm intimidated by it. I have visions of taking beautifully clear candid portraits of the boys. But true to form, I feel the need to read the instruction manual before I begin. I just need to go against my normal ways and jump in and start shooting.

3. I had the realization this week that my former least favorite time of the day is now not so bad. Ever since I had children, the time from 3:00 pm until 6:00 pm had the potential to be dreadful. That was the time of day when each boy, as an infant, experienced the "5 o'clock Fussies"...crabbiness and irritability. Couple this with keeping the older brother(s) happy and entertained, and I dreaded that part of the day. Oh, don't forget figuring out dinner and making it. As the boys got older, the neediness of the baby mellowed, but I still felt like I was counting the minutes until Scott walked through the door. Then, this week, I realized that this time of the day is not so bad. Everyone is home from school, and happy to be. We eat snack, talk about the day, work on homework together, and then they play. I'm able to fix dinner while listening to some tunes and sipping on my wine. It's actually a very nice time of the day. A happy realization indeed.

Still thinking...

This has been a strange week for us. There are rumors swirling around Scott's office that an "organizational audit" will lead to layoffs...possibly for Scott because he is the newest member of the staff. So, we've been forced to face what so many people are facing in these uncertain economic times. Feeling positive and optimistic has been harder this week and so I'm still thinking about 3 things that make me happy this week. Perhaps this exercise is exactly what I need to remember the good and stay grounded in the moment. So, after pondering, this is what I've come up with this week other than the obvious thankfulness I feel for having a healthy and happy home:

1. Homemade Fettuccine Alfredo: we will eat this twice this week. Warm, cheesy pasta is my ultimate comfort food.

2. UW Men's Basketball: they continue to win and Overton's scrappy style of play makes me smile every time.

3. American Idol: I think Adam Lambert is going all the way. Thomas is pulling for Danny.

PAC-10 Champs!

The champions are wearing purple once again! Go Dawgs!

The three things:

1. Antibiotics. After 3 weeks of being sick and not getting better, I visited my favorite Dr. Tammy and learned that I had bronchitis. Antibiotics to the rescue. I feel like a million bucks now.

2. Scott took Murphy to take his CGC (Canine Good Citizen) Test this week and Murph passed! At 7 months! He is such a good dog...so mellow and wants to please...a perfect good citizen.

3. Aunt Theresa started chemo this week, and Uncle Bob started radiation. Hopefully this means that they are on the road to recovery. We wait and pray and hope.

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.

Snow! And lots of it!

We've been having lots of fun with all the excitement that snow brings: numerous hours sledding, watching Murphy run through the snow and eating it, sharing wine and fires with good friends. The snow is beautiful and white, but I'm not a snow driver...so cabin fever is setting in, mostly because I still have a couple of items to buy for Christmas which is in 3 days. Luckily, Scott LOVES to drive in the snow when he is home from work. Here are a few images from the past couple of days:

Me and Thomas at the starting line of our sledding race:

Nathan after a wipe-out:

Scott and Murphy:

The cousins whose sledding goal was simply to crash into each other:

Brrr...

Seattle has been under a blanket of snow the past week. The temperature has only risen above freezing briefly here and there, so the snow is still here. In fact, this morning when we got up, the thermometer read 14 degrees. The forecasters are predicting much more snow tonight, and blizzard-like conditions. Very strange for the Pacific NW. The boys have missed much school, but they are not complaining. Honestly, it's been a bit of an inconvenience when it comes to Christmas shopping, but the bright white landscape is a nice change from the typical Seattle grey. We'll see what tonight brings.

'Tis the Season

We visited Santa on Sunday. Nathan had a master plan: he would tell me he was asking Santa for Gift A, but he would quietly tell Santa he wants Gift B. Gift B is what he really wants the most, so if he ended up with Gift A as his Santa gift, then Santa must not exist. He was encouraging his brothers to do the same. But his plot was foiled. There were enough nerves that they all really wanted Scott and me present for the conversation with Santa, so we heard exactly what they want. Nathan wants an electric guitar. Thomas wants a pocket knife. Drew wants a trampoline.

We've done a bunch of baking already this year. My pants feel tight. Our tree and house have been decorated for over two weeks now, and there is a blanket of snow and ice on the ground, with another snow storm predicted to hit tonight. I'm enjoying the holiday season very much this year.

Back on the Horse

I'm very disappointed with myself. Where has my blogging self been? I've missed the entire fall of 2008, and it was a good one. Scott started a new job that he is happy at. All three boys are in school, well Drew is 3 days/week, which has provided me with predictable time to myself for the first time in 9 years or so. Murphy is growing every day and we all are crazy about him. Our weekends were filled with many soccer games and fun times with friends. But without my regular blogging, simple moments, funny conversations, and the mundane have not been captured. At least I was good about taking pictures.

So, here's a glimpse of the Fall of 2008 for our family:

MURPHY:

Murphy and his dad, Axle

One soccer game too many

ARIZONA:

At the beginning of October we travelled to Tuscon with our good friends the Petersons to witness another humiliating Husky football loss at the U of A. The game was frustrating, but the weekend was fabulous:

The Hilton

Game Day

Husky Warm-Up

Post-game

HALLOWEEN:

This year we had Slash from Guns N'Roses, the Grim Reaper, and a friendly ghost:

FALL SOCCER:

N&T played soccer this fall. Nathan has been on his team for three years now, and it has been fun to watch the boys develop their skills and perfect their game (some more than others :) ).

Thomas' team, the Orcas, were a force to be reckoned with. They had an undefeated season,

and were an exciting group to watch!

THANKSGIVING:

Thanksgiving this year fell on our 15 year anniversary. To celebrate this milestone, the 5 of us, and Murphy, rented a cabin on a river in one of our favorite areas, Plain/Lake Wenatchee area. We relaxed, hiked, met up with our friends the Haywards who own a cabin over there, saw bear tracks, ate a great Thanksgiving meal, played games, took bubble baths, and just enjoyed each other away from our crazy daily lives. We had so much to be thankful for and to reflect on over the past 15 years.




Well, that's the update in a nutshell. I know that the reason why my blog has suffered coincides with joining Facebook. Am I able to spend time on both time-suckers? Probably not, and I realize that the huge chunk of time missing from my entries is more important to me than browsing Facebook. I hope to get back up on the blogging horse and chronicle our amazing life. Until next time...

Murphy!

Murphy is here! Turned out we didn't get the one with the orange collar. I think the breeder pulled the old "bait-n-switch", but we're fine with that. Apparently the one with the red collar is the calmest of the litter..."perfect for your family", says the breeder. He is incredibly handsome and calm. With Day #1 under our belt, no accidents at all in the house. He slept in my lap while we drove home, took multiple naps today, even a few in his crate. At bedtime he squawked for a bit in his crate, but he is sleeping soundly right now. We'll see how the night goes.

Murphy is Irish (like me) meaning Sea Warrior...perfect for our beach-loving family.

Orangey it is!

Scott talked with Stephanie, the breeder, last night and it looks like "Orangey" (look below at the puppy with the orange ribbon) is her pick for us. "Orangey" was my favorite. He is the puppy I played with the most, and he ended up falling asleep on my foot while we were standing there talking. I'm very happy.

Now...what are we going to name him?! Our top picks so far:

Murphy
Coach
Gus
Mac
Brody (ie)

Hmmm.....the boys and I like Murphy. Scott likes Coach. The other names are only attempts to try and replace Murphy or Coach. Stay tuned.