In Sickness and In Health

I am so grateful for my husband on so many levels. In a bizarre set of circumstances, I spent Sunday night up pacing back and forth across my living room floor with the worst case of heart burn turned pukefest I have experienced in my life.

Sunday night turned into Monday morning and things were not getting any better. At 5 a.m., Chris drove to the 24 hour grocery store to find me some medicine, went to his office to gather his items for the day, and was back by 7:30 to take care of me and the kids. To say he has been busy at work lately is an understatement. But without question, he took the day off so he could work from home and be sure I okay.

By 9:30 and with no relief of removing my head from the porcelain god in sight, we were on the way to the doctor. Chris sat with me as I received an IV, heated blankets (my body temp had dropped to below 95 degrees!), medicines, and constant prodding. He took care of filling my prescriptions, managed the kids all afternoon and evening and even managed to crack jokes throughout the day.

What started as a super gnarly case of acid reflux that spiraled out of control ended in the most wonderful feeling of how lucky and honored I am to have a partner who is so willing to care for me during difficult (and disgusting!!) times.

For better or worse; in sickness and in health....

Yeah, he's a keeper. And for HIM I am thankful!

June 26, 2004

How To Spell "Friend"

B-F-F

...according to Sofia. :) Hilarious!

Well hey there, Summer.

Summer is here!

The kids are in daycare and school through the end of the week, so I get two entire days to myself. Crazy!  Between a haircut (actually a hair CHOP), lunch with a great friend, a workout at the gym, and a snooze, I'd say that my first day of summer break was well-spent.

I'm really looking forward to the time I will get with the kids over the next two months...but a little Meg time was just what the doctor ordered today. :)

And for this, I am thankful.

Sit With A Cause: Chair-ity

My sister is amazing. Not only is she an incredible teacher, friend, wife, sister, and daughter, but she is also super creative and crafty. Recently, her husband told her a story he had heard on Dave Ramsey's daily broadcast about a man who turned his life and community around by flipping furniture. He encouraged her to think about doing something along the same lines because of her many talents and passions.

Within 48 hours, my sister had a purchased furniture off of Craigslist, refinished it and SOLD it! The coolest part about it all is that a portion of her profits will be going to Wings of Hope Hospice in Allegan, MI, where our family has volunteered for many years. She has a goal of being able to donate $500 by December.

Step 2 was a website. We chatted and worked simultaneously tonight via Skype to set up a blog to keep track of her furniture flipping journey. It turned out so well! Be sure to take a look and think about donating any furniture to her cause.

I am a proud big sister tonight! Check out Chair-ity to learn more about Kristen's plans for making a difference in SouthWest Michigan. :)

Kristen's first furniture flip!

Tick Tock

I'm sitting at my desk in my classroom watching my students write. It's quiet. They're focused. They've just finished presenting out their research and experiments from their capstone project. Aside from the bare walls and super clean countertops, you'd never know school was going to end in just two days. 

I love watching them; smiling at one another, trying not to giggle, keeping one another accountable and enjoying their 55 minutes in Mrs. Daniel's science room. I love seeing that they've grown. 

The clock is ticking and summer is almost here. In the meantime, I'm going to treasure my moments with this group of kids. 

...they're worth slowing down for. :) 

Heavenly

En route to Saturday's ballet class...

Sofia: Mom, where is heaven?
Me: Well, I think it's wherever you want it to be. Many people like to think that heaven is up in the sky.
Sofia: Oh. Can animals go there too?
Me: Of course!
Sofia: Well, where do people and animals sleep when they are in heaven if it's in the sky?
Me: Hmmm...maybe they sleep in the clouds. It's probably very soft.
Sofia: So THAT'S why the clouds looks like animal shapes sometimes!
Me: That's exactly it, my dear. 

The Someday Park

When we bought our home 6 years ago, we were told that the empty 25 acres of dirt across the street would not stay that way for long. Plans were in action to convert that space into a park with trails, trees, and lots of open space! Even better, the construction was set to begin within a few months of us moving in. We were willing to compromise on space and lack of yard because of this and quickly signed on the dotted line for our first home.

Spring and summer came and with every pass of a large piece of construction equipment, we held our breath in anticipation for the digging to begin.

But it didn't. And it still hasn't.

Due to a technicality between the City of Denver and the City of Aurora, there has been an ongoing argument about water rights and thus we have no park. Still. What we DO have is the evolution of nature at it's best...

Over the last year grass has begun to grow, trees have filled out and our "someday park" is at least a peaceful to look at as the sun sets each night. :) No more dirt, just green. Goes nicely with my Spartan flag.

And for this, I am thankful.

A Rambling of Sorts

I've had a lot to be thankful for lately...

It's, of course, Memorial Day. This day always makes me think of our family and friends who so bravely and honorably have fought for what our country stands for. We owe so much to our service members and veterans and should be grateful for them more than once a year, if you ask me.

School's winding down, the weather is getting better by the day and the thought of summer just around the corner makes me want to squeal!

The kids and I are heading to Michigan in the end of June for our annual summer trip. I'm stoked! This year, I decided not to be crazy and drive cross country on my own with two squirrelly young ones....for all our sanity! It won't be the same without Chris but we're coming up with all kinds of creative ways to be sure he is included in our adventures.

I finished my mom's new website. Check it out if you're interested...it's pretty cool, if I do say so myself. :)  www.debbiemcfalone.com. The cool part is that it went ON THE DAY SHE GRADUATED with her Ph.D.!! She is officially Dr. Debbie McFalone and we are all so, so proud of her!

I attended a few graduation open houses this weekend of former students. It is always such an honor when kids who I haven't taught for 4 years want to share such a momentous occasion with me. I love meeting their families, seeing their friends and running into other students that I haven't seen in years. It definitely is a proud moment to see them all becoming so successful, confident young adults.

I've stunk at writing regularly lately, I know. On the other hand, I'm kind of OK with it. My days have been jammed-packed from 4:30 a.m. wake-ups to 11 p.m. flops into my pillow. I am constantly striving to strike a balance in my life...and for the last few weeks, the balance has swung in a different direction.

But, I'm back. :) And for this, I am thankful!

And for your Memorial Day pictorial enjoyment, take a look at my adorable, slip 'n sliding kids!

Ricky Ticky Techie

I love being a techie dork. I've been working on a new site for my mom's consulting business tonight and I'm soooooooo excited about how it's turning out! It's fun to be a part of her success in a behind the scenes way and I'm grateful to be able to offer my services doing something I love and not have her be taken to the bank by some random website designer.

It's always nice to help others...especially when it's your mom. :) And for this, I am thankful.

Just Perfect

I'm not sure that I ever expected motherhood to be as it is: a wild, crazy, passionate, rewarding, frustrating, hilarious, educational, and adventuresome experience. In fact, these descriptors can't even do justice to what being a mom is like to me. Sometimes there are no words. The pictures below do a pretty nice job of summing up what motherhood is like...

Today, I was reminded about the level of enjoyment that can come from a simple day with no plans. As a result, we played, we ate, we went to the mall, we laughed, and we attempted to take pictures. :)

It was a great Mother's Day. To all those who mother, you are deeply appreciated and loved!

 Trying to take a picture of the kids and I. 

 Nico waaaaaaay too excited to get into the bath. Got into the bathroom before I could get him undressed! We haven't laughed this hard in a LONG time. 

Sofia and I. :)