I was so worried that Allen might not get a Thanksgiving holiday and I was thrilled when he told me he got Thanksgiving off. Silly me thought that meant Thanksgiving DAY, but I was ready to do back flips when he said he had all weekend to spend with family. Allen came to my parents' on Thursday morning, and we all enjoyed a [mostly] traditional family feast. We had turkey, sweet potatoes, dressing and gravy, cranberry sauce, broccoli salad, and rolls. And since no Thanksgiving is complete without pumpkin pie, we had that, too. I said it was "mostly" traditional because I had this crazy idea to start a weight loss plan in the middle of October. Darn if the dieting ran right through the Halloween candy, the Thanksgiving feast, and then Christmas goodies. I ate very well on Thanksgiving and it could very well have been the first Thanksgiving I didn't overeat. I even saved room for a taste of the yummy pie. I was happy to see that I didn't gain any weight over the weekend;since I was sick most of the week, I didn't get my daily exercise in and I didn't lose any weight either. My goal was to lose 25 pounds before December. After weighing and measuring, I've lost a total of only 22 pounds, but lots of inches. As soon as I get rid of the cold and can do my walking again, I am confident the other three pounds will come off soon, too. The most frustrating part is my pants don't fit and I don't have time to go shopping. Except for this cold, I feel so much healthier now that I am eating nutritious foods and exercising on a regular basis. Usually I start a diet on January 2nd, but this time, I think I've found a better way to keep the holiday pounds off.
Friday afternoon Mom and I went to see Twilight at the theater, and that evening my brother and his family came for the weekend. Saturday was fairly laid back -- I think I slept in, then napped, while the kids seemed to play non-stop. It was a blur since I didn't feel great. Saturday evening we had a family celebration for my niece Julianne's first birthday. Then today Allen and I brought the kids back home. November is over now and it seems like the year just started. I plan to go to bed at a decent hour so I can get a head start on my rest for December -- I'll need as much as I can get.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Precious Moments
There were more than a few precious moments worth remembering from yesterday and today.
Yesterday we took my car to Sears for an oil change and decided to wander the mall until it was done. There was no line to see Santa so I jumped at the opputunity to get a picture of the kids with the jolly old elf. Will gladly climbed on his lap and smiled. Jon sat on the other leg, but had a worried look on his face. Maddie and Ben kept there distance from the big stranger, but they stayed close enough for a picture. Luckily there was no line, because the photographer needed some time and a whole lot of patience. The kids never cried or screamed, but Ben kept stumbling over the big black boots, Jon kept trying to climb down, Maddie lifted her shirt over her head and showed her tummy, then Ben pulled his pants down. All this time, the photographer and helper are trying to get the grumpy triplets to grin just a little, and Will has a fake smile plastered all the way from ear to ear. It was a fun experience, and the picture is going in the Santa scrapbook.
The kids have been excited to watch the wildlife in my parents' yard. From the honking geese flying overhead, to the hundreds of ducks warming on the sunny lawn, and the little chickadees eating the birdseed, the kids are thrilled to point out the birds. "DUCK!!! Quack-quack!" is said more often than "Mamma," and it was sweet to hear them pointing to the "kicka-gee's" chattering in the branches. Maddie did a nearly perfect imitation of Granddad when she dropped her animal cracker to shout "WOW! Looka DAT!" as a large heron swooped over the lawn. The squirrel who keeps trying to get the sunflower seeds and peanuts from the birdfeeders keeps popping up. Jon or Ben is often the first to spot it and will stand on the kitchen chair, point at the squirrel and yell "Sull!" I assume he is trying to say squirrel, but the consonants aren't coming forth yet.
Nothing got more applause than the deer that raced through the yard and stopped to peer in the kitchen window at the kids. It stood next to the porch just looking at them as they excitedly pointed and gasped, eyes wide as saucers and mouths gaping in childish surprise. I called Mom in to come see it, and just as she got the camera out, it dashed away. The kids looked out the window all day yelling "Dee!" and pointing just as they had when it was actually there.
Jon has a new phrase that is defining his first few weeks as a two-year old. Darn it, though, it is still cute. I will say, "Come on Jon, let's get a new diaper." He will turn, run the other way, shouting "NO WAAAY!" When one of the other kids asks for the toy he is holding, "NO WAAAY!" When I ask if he is sleepy, "NO WAAAY!" He always adds a little giggle, knowing, I'm sure, that his mamma is chuckling on the inside. . . .for now.
Yesterday we took my car to Sears for an oil change and decided to wander the mall until it was done. There was no line to see Santa so I jumped at the opputunity to get a picture of the kids with the jolly old elf. Will gladly climbed on his lap and smiled. Jon sat on the other leg, but had a worried look on his face. Maddie and Ben kept there distance from the big stranger, but they stayed close enough for a picture. Luckily there was no line, because the photographer needed some time and a whole lot of patience. The kids never cried or screamed, but Ben kept stumbling over the big black boots, Jon kept trying to climb down, Maddie lifted her shirt over her head and showed her tummy, then Ben pulled his pants down. All this time, the photographer and helper are trying to get the grumpy triplets to grin just a little, and Will has a fake smile plastered all the way from ear to ear. It was a fun experience, and the picture is going in the Santa scrapbook.
The kids have been excited to watch the wildlife in my parents' yard. From the honking geese flying overhead, to the hundreds of ducks warming on the sunny lawn, and the little chickadees eating the birdseed, the kids are thrilled to point out the birds. "DUCK!!! Quack-quack!" is said more often than "Mamma," and it was sweet to hear them pointing to the "kicka-gee's" chattering in the branches. Maddie did a nearly perfect imitation of Granddad when she dropped her animal cracker to shout "WOW! Looka DAT!" as a large heron swooped over the lawn. The squirrel who keeps trying to get the sunflower seeds and peanuts from the birdfeeders keeps popping up. Jon or Ben is often the first to spot it and will stand on the kitchen chair, point at the squirrel and yell "Sull!" I assume he is trying to say squirrel, but the consonants aren't coming forth yet.
Nothing got more applause than the deer that raced through the yard and stopped to peer in the kitchen window at the kids. It stood next to the porch just looking at them as they excitedly pointed and gasped, eyes wide as saucers and mouths gaping in childish surprise. I called Mom in to come see it, and just as she got the camera out, it dashed away. The kids looked out the window all day yelling "Dee!" and pointing just as they had when it was actually there.
Jon has a new phrase that is defining his first few weeks as a two-year old. Darn it, though, it is still cute. I will say, "Come on Jon, let's get a new diaper." He will turn, run the other way, shouting "NO WAAAY!" When one of the other kids asks for the toy he is holding, "NO WAAAY!" When I ask if he is sleepy, "NO WAAAY!" He always adds a little giggle, knowing, I'm sure, that his mamma is chuckling on the inside. . . .for now.
Monday, November 24, 2008
The kids and I arrived at my parents' yesterday in time for lunch. In the afternoon, Dad stayed with the kids while Mom and I ran to the store for some groceries. After chicking to make sure Dad was surviving we headed back out to go dress shopping. After dinner, Dad and I went walking for a few miles. It was a beautiful November night and not even cool enough to need a jacket.
This morning Mom worked and Dad and I took all the kids to the children's museum. It kept the kids busy, and every twenty minutes I sprayed hand-sanitizer on their palms. When I would call them, they'd line up with their hands out -- I'll do anything to keep them occupied, but I don't want all those kid germs ruining our holidays with sickness. This afternoon the babies napped and Will and I ran a few errands then scrapbooked together. Rephrase -- I TRIED scrapbooking while he used all the supplies to make a bunch of "Momma, Look!" After naps, the kids ran around outside for a bit, threw rocks in the lake, stomped in the mud, visited the neighbors dogs, waved at the horsey, and came inside when it got cold.
Now the kiddos are anxiously awaiting dinner, Dad is trying to hear the news, and I am stealing a few minutes of quiet to update the blog -- after all, Daddy will want to know what we did today.
This morning Mom worked and Dad and I took all the kids to the children's museum. It kept the kids busy, and every twenty minutes I sprayed hand-sanitizer on their palms. When I would call them, they'd line up with their hands out -- I'll do anything to keep them occupied, but I don't want all those kid germs ruining our holidays with sickness. This afternoon the babies napped and Will and I ran a few errands then scrapbooked together. Rephrase -- I TRIED scrapbooking while he used all the supplies to make a bunch of "Momma, Look!" After naps, the kids ran around outside for a bit, threw rocks in the lake, stomped in the mud, visited the neighbors dogs, waved at the horsey, and came inside when it got cold.
Now the kiddos are anxiously awaiting dinner, Dad is trying to hear the news, and I am stealing a few minutes of quiet to update the blog -- after all, Daddy will want to know what we did today.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Dreary day with probability of giggles
We decided, we being Me, to wear pajamas all day. That was the only way I could guarantee that the little boys would keep pants on and all the kids would keep their feet warm. In fact, I donned my red scrapbooking pj pants and Will changed out of his jeans and shurt into his footed jammies, too. It just seems cozier that way.
Allen came home for lunch and that was about the time Ben and Maddie needed new diapers. When I picked Ben up he was oddly shaped and Allen pointed out the silouettes of blocks in his britches. I unzipped him and found seven in the right leg of his PJs, thirteen in the left leg, and one in the seat -- 21 blocks total -- in his clothes!! The funny part is that the huge box of blocks only has 100 (when it was new, anyway) blocks. I took the two upstairs for a change and Maddie was chewing on something. When I finally convinced her to show me what it was, it was hard not to chuckle -- gross as it was, only one of my kids would enjoy chewing a toenail, a CAT toenail! We are all cuddling for books and a Disney movie on TV. This is what fall and family are all about, right?
Allen came home for lunch and that was about the time Ben and Maddie needed new diapers. When I picked Ben up he was oddly shaped and Allen pointed out the silouettes of blocks in his britches. I unzipped him and found seven in the right leg of his PJs, thirteen in the left leg, and one in the seat -- 21 blocks total -- in his clothes!! The funny part is that the huge box of blocks only has 100 (when it was new, anyway) blocks. I took the two upstairs for a change and Maddie was chewing on something. When I finally convinced her to show me what it was, it was hard not to chuckle -- gross as it was, only one of my kids would enjoy chewing a toenail, a CAT toenail! We are all cuddling for books and a Disney movie on TV. This is what fall and family are all about, right?
Dreary Day
Today it is cold and cloudy. The kind of day I like to grab a cup of cocoa, a warm blanket, and a long book to curl up and stay warm. I am guessing my three youngest feel the same way since it is almost 10 am and I haven't heard them stirring yet. Usually they are up around 7, so this is a late morning for them. Will was up before Allen left and I overheard them talking while I tried to grab a few more winks. I heard, "Daddy, when you are at the refinery it frightens me when there is a fire." I lost count of how many times Will said "frighten" -- it amazes me that that is his word of choice since I don't think I use it often.
As for the accident, it just sickens me. One of the men died. I am nauseaous thinking about Allen being there, but so thankful he is okay. Having been in a similar environment when I had a career, I understand the hazards, but I also feel like I know these men who I had never actually met. I supposed part of the sickening feeling is that it could have been to Allen (or to me in a different time and place) that this catastrophe happened. The days have been long here at home. I have always known Allen helps a lot, but sometimes, when he is working long hours, it reminds me just how much I depend on him to keep me sane. By the end of the day, the kids are ready for bed and especially cranky -- but so am I. With two adults, it's so much easier. I am overwhelmed, but partly because I feel like my "problems" are petty compared to what some people are dealing with now. Yes, I wish Allen could be here to help with the kids, to give me an extra couple of hugs on the rough days, to sit and eat with us, but at least I know he WILL be home. Someone's husband won't be and it breaks my heart.
Allen is working long hours. They are still trying to figure out what went wrong that caused the explosion, and he is part of the team trying to purge the lines to shut down the refinery. Eventually he will be working to get the refinery back up and going, and this all takes time. I decided to head to my parents for awhile -- they will be able to help me with the kiddos and Allen won't have the added stress of having to rush home to help around the house. I wish I could be here to encourage and support him, but I know I can do some of that on the phone. Now I am just hoping he can join us for Thanksgiving. . .
Hehehe -- I KNEW if I sat down to blog the kids would wake up. I am actually really glad they are awake. Even though they are two-years old, when they sleep this much later than normal, I still fear the worst. I struggle with whether to let them rest or to wake them to make sure they are okay. Even with Will, those mommy-thoughts go through my mind. I really thought when we got past age 1 I'd get over that. Now I'm off to get the kids dressed, fed, and packed. . . .well, maybe it's an all-day-PJ-day. Have a great weekend!
As for the accident, it just sickens me. One of the men died. I am nauseaous thinking about Allen being there, but so thankful he is okay. Having been in a similar environment when I had a career, I understand the hazards, but I also feel like I know these men who I had never actually met. I supposed part of the sickening feeling is that it could have been to Allen (or to me in a different time and place) that this catastrophe happened. The days have been long here at home. I have always known Allen helps a lot, but sometimes, when he is working long hours, it reminds me just how much I depend on him to keep me sane. By the end of the day, the kids are ready for bed and especially cranky -- but so am I. With two adults, it's so much easier. I am overwhelmed, but partly because I feel like my "problems" are petty compared to what some people are dealing with now. Yes, I wish Allen could be here to help with the kids, to give me an extra couple of hugs on the rough days, to sit and eat with us, but at least I know he WILL be home. Someone's husband won't be and it breaks my heart.
Allen is working long hours. They are still trying to figure out what went wrong that caused the explosion, and he is part of the team trying to purge the lines to shut down the refinery. Eventually he will be working to get the refinery back up and going, and this all takes time. I decided to head to my parents for awhile -- they will be able to help me with the kiddos and Allen won't have the added stress of having to rush home to help around the house. I wish I could be here to encourage and support him, but I know I can do some of that on the phone. Now I am just hoping he can join us for Thanksgiving. . .
Hehehe -- I KNEW if I sat down to blog the kids would wake up. I am actually really glad they are awake. Even though they are two-years old, when they sleep this much later than normal, I still fear the worst. I struggle with whether to let them rest or to wake them to make sure they are okay. Even with Will, those mommy-thoughts go through my mind. I really thought when we got past age 1 I'd get over that. Now I'm off to get the kids dressed, fed, and packed. . . .well, maybe it's an all-day-PJ-day. Have a great weekend!
Friday, November 21, 2008
To Friends and Family who are wondering.
There was an explosion and fire at the refinery where Allen works yesterday. Thankfully he is okay, but please pray for the men who were burned and their families. Allen is part of the investigation team, so I don't plan on seeing him much the next few days. I am praying that I can keep my cool with the kids, but also that I can support him like he needs during this stressful time.
Sad update -
BRENTWOOD, Tenn., Nov 21, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Delek US Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: DK), a diversified energy company with assets in the petroleum refining, marketing and retail industries, today confirmed that there has been one fatality resulting from a fire which occurred at the Company's 60,000-barrel-per-day refinery on Nov. 20.
Sad update -
BRENTWOOD, Tenn., Nov 21, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Delek US Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: DK), a diversified energy company with assets in the petroleum refining, marketing and retail industries, today confirmed that there has been one fatality resulting from a fire which occurred at the Company's 60,000-barrel-per-day refinery on Nov. 20.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Feelin' Creative
The creative bug has avoided me for several months, it seems, but it came back and bit me last week. I have gotten my desk cleared off and completed several scrapbook layouts in the few days. Some of the pages were started awhile ago and have been waiting for me, and some I just came up with when I was riding my crafty wave.I got to be crafty twice today, too! First when we did our cake decorating class with MOPS, and second when I was making the "fruit tray" for Will's preschool class's Thanksgiving feast. Allen and I worked for a very hard twenty minutes on this beauty (yes, that's really all it took.) My friend Kathie inspired this creation and I can't wait to show her the picture. Here is how we made it. I lopped off a chunk of a honeydew melon to be the body, and I used a curvy squash for the head. I made melon balls of the honeydew and a cantaloupe while Allen cut up a pineapple. Allen used 10-inch wooden skewers to skewer the cut fruit, grapes, and strawberries while I used skewer pieces and toothpicks to hold the squash on the honeydew. Then we poked the fruit kababs into the melon to be the turkey feathers. This was so much fun and I really like how it turned out -- I hope Will likes it, too. The good thing is that if the (now perforated) body doesn't hold all the weight overnight, we have pretty fruit kababs that I can put on a plate and the class will never know the art they missed.
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