Hawaii.............

None of these clothes will be coming with us:)

Hawaii is near!!!!!!!!!! Yeah!!!!!!!!!! So exciting!!!!!!!!!!! In case you haven't heard...Make A Wish Foundation granted Tuba a wish and he chose Hawaii!!!!!!!!!! So soon we are off to learn the hula.


But, right now I'm in the midst of figuring out what to pack...who needs shorts, suits, sandals, hats, etc. Yikes, packing for 7 people (yes, 7, no, I'm not letting Cam pack himself;) is really daunting. Yesterday we tried on sandals and suits to see what fits and what I need to order. I've ordered a few things online...okay, really more like 100 things and we'll try it on as it comes to our door:) Luckily it's cold outside so I can pack all these warm weather outfits early.


On top of Hawaii planning we are getting in the Christmas spirit too. Because of our trip (and the toddlers X 2) we have opted to not get a big tree and instead put out a tiny one on our end table. The only other decorations we put out is a beautiful new Advent calendar. I'll post pics later...so fun and cute. So, for those who know me well....this is a great Christmas for me:) Less to do and less to clean up.....Yeah!!!! More time to enjoy the people and the season.

Brotherly Love

The thing that stresses Cam and I out more than anything in life is thinking about what will happen to Tuba when we are gone. It's so painful and scary to think about that usually we cannot discuss it for long. We do have a plan though. We hope and pray that Tuba's brothers and sister will take care of him. We know that this starts with how they treat him and each other here in our home. I was so touched the other day by something my boys said. I know for all the worrying Cam and I do it isn't necessary.

I was talking with Mr. P and Busy Guy about when they grow up and go to college. I was teasing them and telling them that I would miss them so much and I would come visit them and ask them things like, "are you taking enough baths, eating veggies, doing your homework, going to bed on time, dating nice girls, etc." They were giggling and reassuring me. I suddenly had the thought that Tuba will be here at home with Cam and I. I told the boys that Tuba will miss them so much while they are gone to college and when they move out. Mr. P got a very serious face and announced that when he comes home on break he will take Tuba to the beach. Oh! My heart just filled with joy. Busy Guy chimed in with an offer to take Tuba to the toy store:) So precious these boys. They know what Tuba loves. They will of course take care of their brother. I am so blessed. Thank you God for these beautiful children and their love for each other.

Happy Thanksgiving

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving today! Take time to enjoy family and friends and good food too:)

Cam is working. I'm sad about that but it's a fact of our life. I'm thankful for all the medical, fire, police, military men and women keeping us safe today. I know there are others too that have to work today...so leave it in the comments section for me to read. God bless all the families who are without their loved ones on this holiday...especially the military families with loved ones so far from home. Prayers for safe keeping go out to all of you.

Thank you also to all the people who spend this holiday serving those in need. The homeless, the needy, the impoverished around the world. God bless you.

Cam-the kids miss you! Have a nice day:) Mr. P is reminding his siblings why you have to work today..."people are sick, even on holidays". Love you and am so truly thankful for you and our family.

Is it time???

How and when a mother decides to wean her baby from nursing varies greatly.

With Mr. P I weaned him...cut him off at 19 mos. He was waking once a night and I'd bring him into my bed to nurse him. The final straw for me was when he let go of the booby, said "I shirsty (thirsty)", and proceeded to take a big gulp from his water cup that he brought with him. After his big gulp he went right back to nursing...burrrr!

Today I think I had the same sign from Baby George. He was nursing and let go to quickly pop a piece of bread into his mouth...a piece of bread he had locked up and hidden in his little fist. Then after chewing for about a nano second he went right back to nursing:) Sheesh!

ABC's of it..

I love these photos. Mr. P was holding Baby George on the scenic train ride at the OR coast. I keep revisiting these summer beach photos...if you know where we live...rain/dark/cold...you can see why!

Baby George has some new words this week. He added baby...he says it while he holds a teddy bear, milk, Sis, and Busy Guy's name.

And...the big news is that Mr. P is reading!!!! Whooohooooo! It's so much fun to see it click in his head. He is doing so well sounding out the letter and words. He is eager to learn more and Busy Guy is eager for him too...so that big brother can read him some books:)

A few more things I'm thankful for today:

Sunday paper

My MIL's friends...great group of gals!

Kids singing

Boots

Pantry of food

So Vain

Here I am as a little girl with my Marsha Brady hair. Really, it was the begininng of my hair love. Aren't my Sis and I cute???


I'm so old. How did this happen? I feel so young. I have young children...doesn't that mean I'm still young? My husband is a college student...that means I'm young, right?


I have found grey hairs! UGH! I'm a little stunned. I've been thinking about it all day and I've realized that I just never thought I'd get them...ever...well, maybe not until 80. I showed the to Cam and he quickly said, "no, it looks blonde to me". In the next breath he says, "it's okay, I've got tons of them in my beard". Okay, so which is it Mister?


I pride myself on my hair. I'm downright vain about my hair. It's the one thing on me that always looks good...well, mostly good...except when I go WAY overdue for a foil and cut:) I have good hair....lots of it too. But, now it's got greys...hmpf! I take good care of my hair. I use Aveda shampoo/conditioner/styling products. I visit a high and mighty salon.


In fact I take such good care of my hair that my own mom pointed this out to me recently. I was complaining about how I don't take care of myself...lack of sleep/don't floss enough/don't take my vitamins/don't exercise enough/eat all my veggies/etc. My mom was quick to point out that I do take good care of my hair. OH! She was right. Nothing like your mom calling you out on the carpet to get a point across;0


Not loving these greys. Sorry, I'm not embarrassing it. I keep thinking of the commercials for hair dye and I get it now! I'm vain...I admit it. I don't want these grey hairs. GO AWAY GREY. I'll take my usedtobenaturallyblondebutnowIpayatonforexpensivefoilsandcutstolookgood:) I'm feeling not happy about this.

Doing well

I thought an update on Tuba was in order. He is doing really well at school. He has been coming home with all smiley faces on his daily chart. His morning time behavior has been very good too. Seizures have been good. Not perfect...but okay. I see maybe a couple of seizures a week. The flu left Tuba pretty skinny. He doesn't have any extra fat so any time he gets sick and loses weight it really shows. He's 4'10" and weighs about 88 lbs. normally but is now down to 84 lbs. He's almost my height (5 more inches) but certainly no where near my weight;) He has done such a nice job going with me to pick up kids from school each day. I worried that he would give me a hard time and that doing it every day would become a huge problem. But...he has been perfect. Even better than I could have dreamed of. He helps me with the stroller and waits patiently. Yeah Tuba! I love this boy. I'm thankful for him.

A few more things I'm thankful for today:

A new recipe that was yummy, easy to make AND inexpensive

Freezer in the garage

Shiloh...my cat

Dreams...big and small