off topic

Hi.

I've been debating on whether or not to write this post because this isn't exactly the forum for it, but it's an important request. In this season of love and joy and hope I was thinking that maybe you can open your heart a bit more to say a prayer for my friend.

I'm a big believer in the power of prayer, positive thoughts, and would really, really appreciate if you said a quick prayer, a few positive words for my friend, Fort. You may have seen on this site a link to her blog called "B Positive: Not Just a Blood Type." I have been friends with Melissa, also known as "Fort," since we were freshmen in Jefferson Hall at OU.

You may know someone similar to Fort, but I doubt it. She is one of those people who doesn't have an enemy in the world, makes friends as easily as others blink their eyes. She is completely outgoing and interested in the world around her, eager to make those around her feel welcome and have as much fun as she is having. She is loving and caring, but also funnier than heck and has a knack for getting a smile out of just about everyone.

For about six years now she has been fighting cancer. You can read her blog for background, but basically she started off with Stage 2 breast cancer. In fact, she found out she had cancer and was pregnant on the same day. She lost her son when she was six months along. He would have been five this October. She beat the cancer, but a few years later it resurfaced, this time at Stage 4. She beat it! and we had a good time celebrating that. Unfortunately, about a year ago things started not going so well. She's been having treatment for a while now, but two weeks ago got so sick she was admitted into the hospital. Yesterday she was admitted into hospice.

I don't want this description to be all sad because, as you can see with the title of her blog, she has combated this illness with the very best attitude one can muster. She has opened my eyes to this world I didn't understand, and even though I still have a hard time wrapping my brain around so much of it, her incredible dedication to her blog has allowed me to realize that just because you are told you have cancer it doesn't mean that you have to stop living.

Fort means so much to me. I think the world of her, and believe that she has influenced me in ways that she'll never understand. Please keep Fort, her husband John, and her family in your thoughts and prayers. You never know what a little prayer can do.

Have a good weekend.

Santa Char wanted me to tell you...

Ho-Ho-Ho!

Holiday Junction!

After school today we headed down to the museum to have lunch with Owen, Eli, and Amanda, and to see the holiday train display. Much to our surprise, we ran into Grandma Alice and Lexi, too!

It was all we could do to pull them off the ride-able train. The volunteers who work there could not be any sweeter. Joseph, the man working the gate, let the train go 'round and 'round because no other kids were in line and the moms and grandma wanted to chat.

Later, there was a woman reading Christmas stories to the crew. Benny felt the need to show Charlie how story time is done, but Charlie was doing fine on his own.

Again, I was chatting and poor Charlie left the story to press these buttons. Each button operates something on the train table (i.e. the lights, or the actual train). Another nice volunteer picked him up so he could see and just as comfortable as can be, the two of them stood there and watched the trains go.

Owen and Louie would not let the lady stop reading. That, or else, they're the most thoughtful of the group and didn't want her to feel bad because all the others got up and left.

Yep, I'm still yapping while some stranger takes care of my kids.

Fun with snow

There was no stopping these boys from going out in the snow. Only stalling them.

I was able to get them to wait until Charlie woke from his nap. Then, the getting "appropriately" dressed took longer than it probably should have.

Here are a few pictures from our first snowfall of the season.

They had their tools out and working hard on fixing something or other.

But the joy and wonder of the marshmallow world was not to last.

Charlie did not know what to think of his older brothers.

And when Benny landed face-first in the snow, it was all over. We went inside to dry off and have some hot cocoa.

The sixth of December was covered with snow...

Today is St. Nicholas Day and in our house that means that when you wake up you find special treats that St. Nick has left for you in your stocking. This year the boys each received a jungle hand puppet, chocolate candy, along with apples and tangerines (apparently, St. Nick didn't realize if you leave bananas in your vehicle outside in the freezing weather they turn a really unappetizing brownish-gray color).

We woke to a yard covered in the beginnings of a snowfall and after admiring the beauty of the first real snow, they dived into the candy, then began using the puppets and tools for wrestling each other.

Lou's not a big fan of tangerines, or anything citrus. He put on a good face, though.

Charlie had no idea what was going on. His brothers were in his face checking out if he got anything good.

Now he's excited!

But the real joy came when he realized what was wrapped in shiny paper!

Watching in anticipation of making snowmen and having snowball fights. Mommy's not sure she wants to brave the cold today.

Last of the fall, beginning of winter art work

Coffee filter turkey

Thankful Turkey Feather

Gingerbread Man

What I'm thankful for (pulls at Mommy's heartstrings)

Jack-o-lantern

(sideways) Bird feeder and Lou

Music Therapy

I've found that when the boys are fighting and being otherwise unbearable, if I start singing Christmas carols (usually at the top of my lungs) it not only gets the boys to stop fighting but also allows me to cool down a bit. Which is good because a lot of times I use this strategy when driving.

Today, however, it occurred as I was picking up throw pillows from the couch and the coasters that are strewn around the living room at least nine times on a daily basis. Ben woke up from his nap on the wrong side of the bed and didn't like the choices in snacks. He was screaming, Lou was upset about something else, and Charlie thought it all was pretty funny and started to re-toss the pillows.

I began singing the "Christmas is Coming" song (not sure if that's the title), stopping after one verse because I wasn't sure where to go after that.

Lou looks at me and says, "What does that all mean??"

I didn't have an answer for him. I was never one for asking questions. I just sang about fat geese, hay pennies and figgy pudding without pondering what it all means. Feel free to send answers my way to enlighten my child.