Almost Christmas

Ok, at long last I am actually making a new post. I use my blog to follow lots of other blogs, but rarely think to update mine. Here's to a new year resolution in December.

Family update

We are enjoying the beginning of fall in Illinois. The evenings are definitely cooler and this week's days have been sunny and beautiful. We went to the Apple 'N' Pork Festival in Clinton, IL last weekend. A lot of fun to visit little towns and wander around.

My parents went to visit my brother's family last week (Micah's birthday) and and she sent a few pictures. I always like to point out that David is younger than I but has much more gray hair... a little sister love there... Makes me laugh that the kids are all in jeans when it was about 100 degrees there.

Kendra is 15, Caleb is 13-1/2, and Micah turned 12 this week.

A Thursday Post

Today I just wanted to look at something pretty.

Almost looks like Oregon weather in central Illinois today. Has been really foggy the past 3 mornings and doesn't totally burn off through the day. Definitely has an autumn chill in the air in the evenings.

Headaches & Stomachaches

Between Mike's 4-1/2 day migraine last week, Seth's cold and now Brandon's "I don't feel good" mantra, I feel like "Dr. Mom".

Brandon had a physical yesterday and is perfectly healthy, but he got the bacterial menigitis vaccine and I think that's driving his "I don't feel good", as in he's talking himself into not feeling well. The doctor said Brandon is primed for a big growth spurt "any minute". As of yesterday he was 5 ft. 3-1/4 inches. In Oregon he was later at growing than most of his friends, but here it seems he is right in the middle of the pack, height-wise.

Seth has lost several pounds in the past month. He has a pair of shorts that now just fall off after he fastens them. In addition to PE at school, he is walking on the treadmill for 45-60 minutes almost every day. I think partly it's so he can have some quiet, alone time with his cell phone, texting. I know he's not moving very fast on the treadmill, but he's moving and that's what counts!

The dogs keep doing their doggy things. Buster really likes the toy box for all the balls and stuffed animals. He carefully digs around for each item and spreads them around the house. "Magically" the next day, they are all back in the box and he repeats the game. At least it keeps him busy & away from pestering Buddy for a few minutes.

And yes I did change the format & background. I had to mess around with it for awhile to get rid of the old one completely, but I triumphed in the end and everything was saved.

Monday Madness... never ends

While I wasn't directly affected by some of the chaos in the office today, it swirled around a vortex that was self-sustaining.

The boys have survived 3 full days of school, through today. Here is my text conversation with Brandon this afternoon:

Mom - texted to both boys - home yet? Shouldn't have 2 remind u everyday
Brandon - Yes im home and remind of what
Mom - 2 let me know that u r home
Brandon - Why mom. im capable
Mom - Yes u r capable of getting home BUT i need 2 know u made it alive. common courtesy 2 obey ur mother
Brandon - Ok

Five minutes later Seth replies - Yea we're home

August 19th

Lots of things have happened on August 19th in my past... My neice was born 15 years ago. A nephew was born 22 (?) years ago. Seth broke out in a measle-type rash on the 10th day after his MMR vaccine... wish I had a picture of that one.

And now 2009 - it's the first day of school! I did take pictures and will post those tonight. Our drive & drop-off times worked well. It's a short day for both boys. I took the afternoon off to spend with them. Maybe we'll do something fun... like shopping!

Twice Yearly Posting?

I can't believe that it has been almost 6 months since I posted here. So much has happened...

March - the boys came to visit Illinois during Spring Break. Loved having them with us, hated sending them back to Oregon. The apartment was sooo quiet after they left.

April - Seth's famous bike accident. More on that in a later post....

May - I don't really remember May.

June - I don't remember much of June either except that there was a hot, humid spell here and it was not fun. Then at the end of the month I attended Women of Faith in St. Louis with my mom. My dad and the boys arrived safely on June 30th.

July - A month of juggling Seth's doctor appts with new doctorsa nd figuring out the best course of follow-up treatment.

August - Now both boys are enrolled in school and are ready to start on Wednesday the 19th. Whew!