Going, Going, Gone

We have had lovely weather this fall! It has been absolutely beautiful!

The leave are changing fast and the winds are blowing them off the trees.

Sometimes it looks like it's raining leaves!

This weekend we were able to get out for a short walk and enjoy it!

80 degrees and partly sunny- we couldn't ask for much more!

This fall we were supposed to have the best colors in a long time but with 70's and 80's and no rain we lost some of our reds in the maples.

I'm still not complaining!

The sumac did not let us down!

They were every color imaginable!

Fall is my favorite time of year! The children are loving it and amazed at what they see!

Of course they want to collect and save every leaf they find!

I find God's creation amazing, breath taking and exhilarating!

The other night Anna slept between us! 

It was so cuddly, so wonderful, so precious... and then she wet the bed!

I love it! Never a dull moment and always a story to tell when you have children!

FYI- I moved her closer to Daddy just 10 minutes earlier!

I love that Momma's intuition!!

This boy is so excited for his brother! He says he is going to carry him all around- I wonder how big or little he thinks Luke is?? I don't think he'll be carrying him anywhere! There's only about a 7 pound difference between the two boys!

Our walk was short because little Anna is not up to par and we didn't want to push her.

It is quite fun with this crew! Everyone has been home long enough to have a sense of humor and we find ourselves laughing a lot! 

It's a good place to be!

It amazes me how leaves can be both red and green at the same time!

This little guy ran and ran and... then took a spill!

It looked like it hurt- poor dear.

2 skinned knees and 1 skinned elbow.

He needed lots of bandaids!

Mom, Help me!

Anna says as she walks up to me with blood and goop dripping from her nose.


Yesterday she looked good. 


Today she is more swollen and disfigured. She doesn't recognize herself in the mirror. She doesn't like what she sees. Twice today she asked me to "help her" clean up.


The other children are wondering why Anna "gets to eat" jello, applesauce, mac n cheese, yogurt and scrambled eggs. Even though they get it too, it seems unfair? Why does Anna get to sit on Mom's lap during school and then watch TV?


They don't understand that Anna is uncomfortable, that she would love to have the apples and carmel like them, play outside on the trampoline and not have bloody stitches on her face. I am hoping that they are developing a sense of compassion through Anna's experience, not sure they will BUT hoping!


I am loving cuddling her and at the same time am in awe that our dear children don't understand that when a child doesn't feel well their parents love and care for them.


I am certain that each of them have developed an "off the scale" pain tolerance because when they hurt no one cared... no one helped them and no one loved them...


It is heartbreaking, they need so much love... I pray that we can fill their "love bucket" and that they will someday understand that "their children" will need the same TLC when they are sick, or injured, or sad, or in need??


I am getting so much on the job training! My first thoughts are not always correct but in time I seem to get it! I love it and am so thankful for this opportunity!


The plastic surgeon told us that families often cry when they see their children... not because they are so thankful BUT because they don't recognize them. I mourned the change before it happened and really feel she looks great. She also said that often times the children are upset because they don't recognize themselves. I think Anna is feeling some of this- "why did we do this?" and embarrassment over the scabs, drainage and stitches on that cute little face of hers...


Looking forward to decreased drainage and swelling!


I think she's going to need to sleep with her Mommy and Daddy again! ;-)

Surgery Done and Back Home!

Last night she had a late night snack before going to bed!

Apples from a local orchard and caramel!

This morning she was up bright and early ready to go!

Once we arrived I could tell she was getting a little nervous and wondering what the heck she got herself into! 

If she coulda backed out she woulda!

The surgery began at 9:00 and the dentist started.

The cavities were worse than originally suspected- so Thankful we got it done now!

Two of the teeth were abscessed and draining. They were beyond saving and they needed to come out right away. I can't believe she was not in more pain. If it were me I'd be demanding to see the dentist no matter what time of day or night it was! All of our children have such a high pain tolerance.

Another tooth was in the roof of her mouth- which is common with Cleft Lip/ Palate.

And then 4 new crowns for a grand total of 6 in her mouth! 

Yikes- who is this girls mother!!

She brushed twice a day but it looks like we are going to have to step it up a bit when it comes to oral hygiene.

For the next 2 hours after that the plastic surgeon worked on her. The bumped up her little nose and took away the puff of skin she had under it. They tried to give her nice lines like the rest of us.

The found out her upper lip muscles are not attached to each other, so that will be another surgery.

Her recovery was fast! Once I got there she settled down and ate two freeze pops and watched a show!

The next thing we knew we were heading home!

I do love this cuddly time!

So precious, so sweet!

And so short!

She's up, she's eating and she is playing with the kids!

So much for cuddle time!

Stitches out in a week! No activities for 2 weeks! 

Wish me luck, it's hard to keep this girl down!

Why I Love Vanna!

She isn't particularly pretty but she has a nice look!

She gets me where I need to go!

She goes from 0-60, not saying how long it may take BUT she does it!

Everyone on the road wants to get around her! They see her coming and they step on the gas- anything not to be caught behind the big white family van! 

She doesn't care, she takes it like a champ!

Her only friends have writing on the side or carry criminals to the local jail!

Speed bumps are not her friend...

Conversation while riding in Vanna can be challenging- it's hard to hear what they are saying in the back seat.

Parking ramps USUALLY work! NOT ALWAYS! But usually!

She's 6'10" and I often find myself ducking (and praying) as we drive through the ramps!

I was just mentioning to hubby how our state has neglected their roads... he informed me that the roads were just fine... Hmmmmm?

There are a few empty seats in her... like ahhh, maybe 4!

Therefor she leave you wondering IF we may have something up our sleeve!?!

BUT

the best part of Vanna is she carries this crew!

We are all together!

We don't have to take 2 cars!

Even the big kids occasionally ride in her!

I would do it again in a heartbeat!

Cool is long gone but FAMILY is so IN!!

She even fits in the garage!

She's a keeper!!

Happy Spooning

Little things make me happy.

On a Tuesday evening a month ago, Scott and I were kid-less. We contemplated going to the local theatre for Comedy Night, but opted for a downtown stroll and a stop for dessert instead. With Zizou, our Chihuahua, ecstatic at the sound of his leash, we knew we had made a good choice - little did I know that Dana Carvey would make the theatre roar that same evening! The night was chilly, and with much haste, we made our way to the town's organic gelato place, tied the dog to the tree outside and headed straight for the colorful lit display of the handmade delicacy. After a couple of minutes perusing our options (decisions, decisions!), it was time to deliver our words of choice. Since my heart was torn between Fior di Latte and Honey Lavender, I let Scott decide. He too hesitated, and asked for a taster.

As I finally took my eyes off the display, I looked up and there they were! That's when I noticed the reusable stainless tasting spoons that the store had recently adopted  . "Yes! They did it!", I yelled. The sight of these little tasters made my day. Yep, that's right, as meaningless as it seems, this small change makes me happy.

Last year, as part of an Earth day event, my kids and I picked up trash around town. Not that picking up garbage was a first (we had participated in such events as Coastal Cleanup before), but this time was different. It was not about picking up the floating plastic bag that might have come from some faraway place, it was about picking up the waste that my own community would dare discard on their own city streets. The items we found also said a lot about the business practices taking place downtown Mill Valley. And from the amount of "biodegradable" plastic spoons and single serve cups that we found, I concluded that our gelateria, was the main source of street waste on its block. I found out "Looks ( Flavors) are not everything". An organic business ought to know that Tater Ware spoons do not simply "biodegrade" (as mentioned on the spoons) or disappear from the street.

I believe that it is not only up to residents, but also businesses to show care for the environment and lead by example. And as you already know, I strongly believe that one must "Refuse the things that we do not need or do not want to support in order to be sustainable". Along with a few words of explanation, I brought the found spoons back to the gelateria and discussed solutions with the owner. I boycotted for a year the practices that I did not condone, but let my kids enjoy a cone when Grandma offered.

The fact that the business is organic and uses local ingredients, shows interest in being sustainable. I am really happy that they took their sustainability further by offering reusable stainless taster spoons, and will support their business going forward. I thank you, Noci, for the new spoons, and applaud your efforts. At least until the cups that I still find on the ground, get me back on the boycott ;-)

She Took It Well!

Had the pre op today- went great and we have the green light! Tomorrow is the pre dental appt so this dentist can figure out what to do! Our normal dentist is not available and is not able to do dental work at this site. The guy we have is great, too so there should be no problem!

We talked to Anna tonight and she took it like a champ! I think she's holding out for the sticker and coloring book she's getting after the surgery. 

She was so cute- she just very calmly said Okay and nodded her head yes! Not what I expected - way way better!! I do think she is thrilled not to have to be awake for the dental work!

It is hard for me to imagine her any other way than the perfect way she is...

We love her so much and to think she will now have her adorable little face altered is a little difficult.

Thursday is the big day!

Praying the surgery and recovery goes well

Thank you for your prayers!!

A Moment Away!

Hubby and I have stolen a moment away to see our older children in Colorado! Billy arrived here before us on Friday night.

It has been so wonderful to spend a little time with them and to have our 3 big boys together!! Our little getaway is all of 36 hours from start to finish but we knew we needed to get out here quickly before our life gets even more crazy!

Anna has her surgery this week. She doesn't know about it yet but we will be talking to her tomorrow to prepare her. No matter what our little Anna will be freaked out but hopefully if she doesn't have too much time mull it over in her cute little head she won't think of more things to fear! I do believe strongly that knowlegde is power but in Anna's case it may be more like what you don't know won't hurt you!

Johnny had the Homecoming Dance last night. We were disappointed we couldn't be there but big sis Kate filled in for us and took pics of him and his date! The poor girl had to go with him looking like this!! The good thing is she picked the clothes out with him! 

Hmmmm- makes me wonder about both of them!?!

Yes- he even had a lovely pair of white men's dress shoes!!

He's a cheap kid- all the clothes cost $20 and he got them at Ragstock!

Yesterday, Saturday was in the mountains- a scenic drive and a little window shopping in Breckenridge! The Colorado mountains are spectacular! The kids took a hike before we arrived. The weather was perfect in Denver- 80's and sunny but a storm was brewing in the mountains and it ended up to be 44 and rain! Driving through the winding roads with drop offs and going up and down the steep grade is a little scary to me!

This morning we enjoyed a strawberry crepe and coffee and then watched Mark's club team play soccer. 

Then a late lunch at the Cherry Cricket was our last event before saying goodbye.

It's time to pack up and head home. This was such a blessing to see our big kids and now we off to MN to be back with our little joys!

The weeks ahead will be busy with surgeries, homeschooling, Johnny's soccer games and preparing to go to China.


Feeling so THANKFUL to HIM!