The Fulton Family

January Training Run

2012-01-07T14:50:00.000-06:00

Never ever would I have believed it if you told me we'd be running together as a funny, without coats on a Saturday in January but sure enough...here we are. Bubba is training for his first 5K in May and we used today's weather to get going.

Lots of stretching.
Mara HAD to do whatever Bubba was doing

The run was amazing and we were so proud of Alaric! He ran 2 miles straight!!!!! WAY TO GO! THis 5K is really going to happen!!! SO IMPRESSED!

Goodbye tree

2012-01-07T14:44:00.000-06:00

As you know, no decorations come down until after Epiphany. Today was the day. I was sad about it- especially when I began my beloved tree. One tradition I love that we do is outlining the kids handprint on the back of the tree skirt each year....since Bubba's first Christmas. I love to see their tiny hands and the dates and reflect. Sigh.... My tree was gorgeous this year but we went economical and we will not do it again next year. it stopped taking water the weekend before Christmas and as long as you didn't touch it, it was fine but by Christmas- every movement sent hundreds of needed to the ground. By the time I got the lights and every ornament off the tree, look what I had....

it looks worse than Charlie Browns. It served its purpose and was much loved!

Couples Night Out at Kamakura!

2012-01-06T23:32:00.000-06:00

All of us were excited to go out tonight...without the kids, after the holidays, and also to celebrate Lisa and Ryan's birthdays. They chose Kamakura- one of Brian and my favorite places. A few were nervous about the menu.
Not these three...they were just trying to decide how many sushi to buy!

Lisa and Ryan ( happy birthday!)

US!

Kurt and Kristy

Melissa and Blake ( their first night out without their new baby, Elle)

Cara and Sean

Nathan and Kristi

I hate sushi but this was really creative!

Our chef was great but he seemed to take pride in putting his body IN to the flame.

The group

After dinner we went back to Lisa and Ryans for drinks and games! What a great night!

****

Way to go Blake!!!

Epiphany!

2012-01-06T09:58:00.004-06:00

Today is Epiphany. Its the day the Wise Men finally arrived to meet baby Jesus after 12 long days of traveling. I didn't even know what Epiphany was until I started teaching at a Catholic School. I always thought those men arrived on their camels twenty minutes or so after Jesus popped out. Nope. No such thing. They traveled for 12 long days to get to Jesus. They were committed to their journey and let nothing get in their way. They brought gifts. They worshiped. They prayed. I love the idea of this day.

I began doing research on it. I began looking at my Nativity Sets differently. I learned new things. The12DaysofChristmas is not a countdown to December 25th. It actually is the 12 days STARTING on Christmas and ending on Epiphany with the arrival of the Wise Men to Bethlehem. I began to cherish these 12 days. I love Christmas. Not just the decorations and the magic through the eyes of children but the Spirit. The love. The family. The history. The religious components. I hate to see it end. I began to learn that Epiphany serves as the official end to the Advent Season and the 12 days between Christmas and Epiphany should be about reflection and enjoyment and celebration and anticipation of the revealing of the new year and the light in our lives.

And so, the decorations stay up now, when they used to be gone as soon as the New Year rang in. We try hard to enjoy our time between Christmas and Epiphany. We don't stess over decorations or even putting away all the gifts and stuff. We relish in it. We spend extra time with family and friends and count our blessings.

And the day has become one of anticipation for my babies too-since they were babies! On this day, they get to have breakfast with Baby Jesus-yup! that's right. Jesus comes to the table with them. When they were in highchairs, their personal Nativity Set got to sit on their tray ( check out these two flashback pics of Baby Mara with her own Holy Family and trying to feed Baby Jesus. I also found it funny to see that she has the exact same breakfast everyday since she was a baby.)

Today both kids were so excited to see all the Nativity Sets in the house on the dining room table, waiting for them, along with their breakfast

Its also a special day because they get to interact with My Nativities- the fancy ones. The breakable ones. The ones that I cherish. While they mean so much to me, there is nothing more incredible than seeing the kids pull their favorites close to them and observe and dramatic play and talk to the "characters" while they nibble on their bacon or their bagels. Its priceless-even if I break one along the way ( and I never have-they are incredible cautious as they know their importance)

Not one piece ended up in the same place it started

Mara even played peek a boo.

And we talked. We told the story of the Kings. We all asked questions. We read from thier children's bible. We guessed about how they must have been feeling and how tired they must have been and how sneaky they were to not tell King Herod and worship Jesus. It was magical!

Happy Epiphany Friends. May this be a day that is revealed to you. Where you look ahead. Where you see the promises of God to you and you to others. Where you find magic again in your children and in yourself.

New Years Eve at The Jacksons!

2012-01-01T11:04:00.001-06:00

We love our groups of friends and feel so blessed to have different groups we are part of, all with children! Last night we headed to The Jacksons for their annual NYE party! Tons of kids, fun adults, and lots of laughing!
After hours of playing and eating, the kids get into jammies and get stuffed animals and watch movies, play video games, and run around like crazy!

The girls!

The guys

Here's who was there....usour amazing hosts, Tiff and Clint

Courtney and Nate

Scott and Steph

Adam and Anne

Jenny and Zack

Andrea and Jake

Tara and Darren

Ryan and Cynthia

Everyone gathered for the countdown to midnight-the kids loved it!!!!

I love you, Miss Mara!!! Its going to be an incredible 2012 for all of us!We loved every second of our time together, with friends we see often and others only a few times a year. The kids were incredible and they too cherish the times with dear friends they've had since birth!

Happy New Year to each of you! May 2012 be amazing and filled with happiness and love!

Christmas in Coal City!

2011-12-28T19:58:00.000-06:00

Our last Christmas celebration of the season was yesterday and today. We headed to Coal City to visit with Great Grandma Fulton, Uncle TOmmy, and Aunt Mary and Uncle George. The kids LOVE visiting Grandma. And while she only has about 3 toys and few books, the kids are in heaven and play together so nicely.
The kids were so excited to have G. Gram and A.Mary and U.George open their homemade gifts.

We love you, Aunt Mary (87) and Uncle George (93)!!!

When we visit Coal City, we play hours and hours and hours of Liverpool Rummy. yesterday, Tommy, Mary, and Bri taught the kids how to play. It was time!

Lots of visiting and sharing stories and lots of tickling and laughing with Uncle TOmmy!

Oh, and rides on Gram's new lift chair!And when we got home....that wiggly tooth came out, making 2 teeth lost in 5 days!!!

What an incredible trip and time together as a family!

SNOWY DAY!!!!

2011-12-27T19:52:00.000-06:00

When we woke up this morning and saw a little bit of snow on the ground, I'm not sure who was more excited to get outside, the kids or us! We love playing in the snow-preferrably sledding. Since the hills weren't quite ready for us, we headed to the yard! it was the best packing snow imaginable and perfect for a snowball fight over the fence with our neighbors!!!
Snow angels

First Fulton Snowman of the season

and lots of sled rides through the yards!

When the kids decided they wanted to make another snowman, we headed to Jack and June's yard (ours was now free of snow thanks to the packing ability) We began rolling

And rolling and rolling. And before you know it, we had three HUGE balls that were impossible to lift. Brian and I tried and tried and tried and ended up having to reduce ( or beat the crap out) of two balls so we could lift them! The kids loved their monsterous snowman so much, they wanted to sit on its head to be on top. Then Mara, our gymnast, wanted to stand.

Then Alaric tried

Then me. ( if you could have seen the effort that went into getting me on top of a 6 foot, frozen, snowman with no gloves and no upper body strength)

Brian too!

Snowy Days, we are ready for you! Hills, beware- we've got two new sleds ready to break in and 4 Fultons DYING to try them out!

Christmas with The Bechtels in Monticello

2011-12-26T22:48:00.000-06:00

We couldn't hardly wait for everyone to get to our home. We did change but the kids put on clean PJs for another comfy day at home with family!
There were plenty of gifts to go around ( HOLY CRAP!!!)

After the family arrived and nibbled on from scratch cinnamon rolls and monkey bread, we began the feast of opening.....pianos

and mermaids

hats and gloves

star wars dollstents and everything else imaginable!!!!

After a wonderful soup and bread lunch, the kids rested and the parents played games-or game. Game after game of Mexican train Dominoes! SO FUN! The kids can play too!!!

It was a wonderful day. The kids played in jammies together all day, without one bicker or fight. The parents got to talk, uninterrupted AND play games. We killed 5 bottles of wine and a 6 pack of beer ( would have had more but we ran out) We had a make your own pizza bar for dinner and everyone left with rubbermaids full of loot, full bellies and happy hearts!

What a wonderful day with the BEchtels! I love you all!

Christmas at OUR HOME!

2011-12-25T22:41:00.000-06:00

For those who know me, you know Christmas is my favorite day of the year. I don't care at all about the gifts ( however it brings both Brian and I great joy to see the kids' eyes light up and to create a very magical day for them). I love it because its US. Its PJs all day. Its snuggling and playing and leaving messes as they are. Its pillow fights, binge eating, and watching tons of movies. Its napping throughout the day and having no guilt about it. And lots of kisses and zerberts and laughing. I love it!

So, we were all so excited to get out of bed and race to the living room to see what Santa brought for everyone!

The kids got everything they asked for ( Santa only brings stocking items to our house so the kids know they must only ask for small items that will fit in their stockings).

5 years ago, Brian and I began a Christmas tradition for our family that has been life changing. We don't like "stuff". We don't need more. We prefer giving and spending time together and creating life-long memories. So, we began 3 gifts. Only 3 gifts. Each of us only receives three gifts under the tree ( not including any handmade treasures from school or church or crafting). One gift is just for the person ( something they would love!). Another one is something for us to do IN the house or at our home that we can share together as a family but totally geared towards the person who is receiving the gift. The third is something for us to do AWAY from our house as a family, again geared towards that person.

So, here ya go! Here's a rundown on what we got.

Amara

Gift for her: All things My Little Pony!

Gift for Home: Amara's Art Cart! A cart filled with all new art supplies, paints, paper, coloring books, clipboards, glue, and other craft supplies for us to all use at home!

Gift for AWAY from Home: PINKALICIOUS LIVE!!!! We are going to see Pinkalicious The Musical at the Parkland College Theatre!

Alaric

Gift for him:All Things StarWars!!!

Gift for AT Home: Two Kung FU Panda movies, his own popcorn and his own shaker of nacho cheese sprinkles!

Gift for AWAY from home: LEGOLAND!!!! A trip to Chicago's Legoland!!!!!!!

Katie

Gift for me: Apron with a picture of me drinking the biggest Octoberfest Beer I could find and the words "Id rather be drinking" LOVE IT!!!

Gift for AT Home: A picture puzzle of my one of my favorite pics of the kids!

Gift for AWAY from home: Audiobook of the newest Nicholas Sparks Book!! I run and listen to audiobooks. helps me disconnect ( don't make fun of me-its works)

Brian

Gift for him: Book by his favorite blogger, Fatty. He had been asking for it for awhile. Because of technical difficulties when trying to order it on line, I actually got to communicate and text back and forth with Fatty and that was so fun!!!

Gift for AT Home: A Book of short stories of Greek Mythology so Brian can read it outloud to the family!

Gift AWAY from home: Scavenger hunt. Coming in the next few weeks. Around town, you name it. Just wait for details on this one!!!!

Alaric made us a couple beautiful ornaments ( you know how I love my ChristmasTree ) and a coupon book with services he will provide!

And Amara made two beautiful ornaments for us too!!!We sat back and enjoyed the destruction only 12 gifts can createand played with our kids and their new toys!!!Oh, and Amara showed off her new princess panties she very specifically asked Santa for with the promise she would do better.

After an amazing home-made breakfast, we did what we always do...blew up the Aerobed in the family room right in front of the TV and ran around the house getting every pillow we could find and settled in for hours and hours of laziness!! It was perfect!!!

And while work is usually strictly prohibitted on Christmas, we did have to do some to prepare for hosting Bechtel Family Christmas tomorrow. So, we stayed in the jammies and Mar and I got to work making dough for the greatestcinnimonrollsever.

It was an amazing day!Merry Christmas everyone. So sad that its over!

Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T22:31:00.001-06:00

We woke up this morning, Christmas Eve Morning, hung over at my parents house from the crawl last night with two anxious kids and a big day ahead of us.

The kids were so eager to get home and get to their advent calendars for the last day of the countdown. They knew what was to come...their scavenger hunt. ON THE LOOK OUT FOR BABY JESUS!!!

The first one says to go to the place where we put Christmas pictures from friends....THE DOOR!!!
What does Daddy use to workout his big muscles? THE WEIGHTS!!!!

Time to watch a DVD...The DVD PLAYER!!!!

Beer! To the BEER FRIDGE!!!

OUR NATIVITIES!!!!!!( along with a few toppled beer cans and weird green substance) Yup, I thought it would be just fine to put the Holy Family on ice with the beer for the hunt.

The kids love getting their Nativities-which they keep under their Christmas trees by their bedsides until Epiphany!Christmas Eve morning, the kids ( and mommy and daddy) get their new PJs that they will wear Christmas Eve night and ALL day on Christmas. The kiddos also get an ornament that commemorates the past year. Alaric got a Yoda and Amara got a pink princess! They have their name and year on them too!

Oh, then Alaric's tooth fell out while brushing! Yeah!!!! Big Night- Santa AND the Tooth Fairy arriving on the same night!

After laying around most of the day, we all bathed and got ready for Christmas Eve in Champaign at Grammy & Papa's!

The Fultons

with Grammy & Papa

then with Jack and Veronica

The Bechtels

All the kids love being together, especially at Grammy and Papa's where there are always interesting things to explore- like a light up wall decoration.

Sweet Bechtel Grandkids!

Not sure Grammy & Papa could be happier!

All of us!

This year we simplified Christmas Eve greatly and had dinner together and only opened stockings at Grammy & papa's. The rest would be opened on the 26th. It was a nice treat for the night and the children ( and adults) loved opening the stockings to discover all the small treasures!!

The, as Bechtel Family Tradition has dictated for the past 30 years or so, Grammy and Papa read The Night Before Christmas to all four grandkids. With more than 30 years of practice, we've recited it many different ways...taking turns reading, rapping it, acting it out, you name it. This year's ultimate goal was to simply keep Jack in place long enough to get a good picture of the event ( also required each year). Dan and I decided to be the actors this year....

and while Grammy recited and Papa held down two of the kids, Dan and I put on our show-acting out every part of the story ( and getting even more dramatic for the brief moments of page turning or silence to keep the kids engaged). The kids LOVED watching us as did Grammy & Papa. One of my favorite years yet...simply to be able to see the faces of FOUR beautiful children I love so much enjoy my favorite story of Christmas!

After some hot cocoa and cookies, we headed to church together and then home to get tucked in so Santa could get to work!

Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl!

2011-12-24T10:26:00.000-06:00

Last night was our first ever Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl and it was amazing! One of my dear friends from high school and her hubby, Cory planned it for about 30 friends. Brian and I had so much fun borrowing pieces and putting our outfits together. I think we did well, don't you?
We only crawled to a few random bars throughout the night and would spend quite a bit of time partying and drinking and karaoking with our friends on the party bus!

Some of my dear friends at our first bar, Esquire!

Pit stop for supplies!

Two best friends from High School, Jill and Arin! Love you, girls!

Murphy's Pub was our next stop

The bus was loud, crowded, out of control, and I loved it!Bri performs "Gin and Juice"Then to Bradley's for country night and riding the bull.An unscheduled stop at Guidos and then finally to Tumble Inn to finish the night the way we have so many times over the past 15 years....drunk and happy!

Thanks Lacie and Cory for hosting us! Can't wait to begin my search this spring for the next ugliest sweater imaginable for next year's crawl!

An Update on Advent and What's Happening at The Fultons!

2011-12-23T09:05:00.003-06:00

We decorate the outside of our home almost the same every year but this year, I love it even more than before. I love going outside just to look at it from the street. To see our beautiful tree in the window and find such satisfaction in knowing others get to enjoy our home as much as we do!

The Christmas cards and pictures are finally rolling in. It took alot longer to get started but the front door is almost full. We lay out the new cards at the dinner table each night and talk about each family as their card and picture comes in. Then they go to the front door for the entire month of December and January. the kids LOVE looking at all their friends and family and people we care about and hearing how we are all connected. Then the kids get to pick a few select ones to be tapes inside their closet door and enjoyed for the rest of the year.

The TREE is trimmed and stuffed to the brim with gifts!!!

TheELF has been really keeping the kids on task and helping them to make the nice list everyday. Each morning he finds a new place to hide and watch and listen to the children. Today was the fridge. They loved it!

Their basketsofbooks have been combined and they each have only one wrapped book left for tomorrow. They both know it will be a Night Before Christmas book. I have dozens. Its my favorite book of Christmas. Its not a matter of what the book is but which one they will get. They have LOVED getting old favorites and new books each morning! The Advent Calendar has served us well. Today the kids got a piece of candy but most days it's something for us to do. An experience. Last night we drove all over town looking at Christmas lights. Another morning was red and green milk with breakfast. One day was a dance party in the kitchen with our favorite Christmas songs. What a joy to experience the advent calendar together.

The cupboards ,or as we call it, our Gallery, are almost filled with Christmas crafts and proud projects to share with our guests.

Our plush nativity set and Little People Santa's Workshop are much loved and always all over the house....and its just perfect!

Today I write this in my sweats. While I did get up at 4:30 ( a half hour later) to get my run in, I just threw on sweats when I was done. The kids are in their PJ's still and playing nicely together. The TV is off ( we are still limiting their viewing to only Wild Kratts in the PM and maybe a Christmas DVD...limiting thier viewing even through break has really helped with thier behavior and their imaginations). Bri gets off today at noon and is home with us for a whole week. He and I have an ugly sweater pub crawl tonight and the kids have a sleepover at Grammy and Papas. We have a day planned tomorrow of recovering and baking and prepping for another amazing week of Christmas celebrations and familytime! And lots of jammy days!

I'm no saint during all this. I sleep maybe 3-5 hours a night for the week between Thanksgiving and Christmas to get all the Advent stuff done and all the gifts purchased. Everything, every last thing is completed by the 10th of December. And I do it year after year to see my kids eyes light up each morning when discover something new to celebrate that day or a wrapped, much-loved book, or a silly elf hidden in the bathroom. I also do it for days like today- where I can lay around with my kids on the floor and play a board game in our pjs while others are juggling last minute trips to the mall and wrapping gifts in the wee hours of the morning. Thats not for me. I'm stress free now and loving every second on it!

I'm off. Mara just put a Knight's helmet on my head and Al just threw a sword in my lap. I've got bad guys to fight and gigglefests to have!

Gingerbread Houses in the 'HOOD!

2011-12-21T22:09:00.000-06:00

We headed to our new neighbors, The Robinsons, tonight to make gingerbread houses! 6 kids under 6 making houses, 2 babies, and 2 older kids helping!
Look at these creative cuties!

So much fun together!

The kids, especially Mara, ate ALOT of candy as they worked.

And Alaric and Jake couldn't wait to be done to transform into superheros!

I snuggled with 3 week old baby Lucy!

Then all the adults came over after work and we shared pizza and from the fridge potluck ( can't go buy or make- just pull from the fridge). I LOVE MY NEIGHBORS!!!!!!!!

Aunt Jenny & Aunt Alicia come to visit!

2011-12-20T11:05:00.000-06:00

We all have been waiting for this visit! Me more than anyone. You all know I have 4 BestFriends I love every second I get to spend with them. So when Jenny AND Alicia decided to come down for a quick trip yesterday, I was overjoyed. And so were the kids! They love their aunts!!! Oh, and Jenny brought her one year old son, Michael and my kids LOVE Michael!

Love Love!

Bubba couldn't keep his hands off of MJ!

The decided to bring as many toys and dolls and stuffed animals and books TO Michael. They created their own mountain for him.Michael is the happiest little baby and it was so much fun to entertain him.Love you so much, Aunt Alicia!

We miss you already!

Nelson Family Christmas-in Knoxville!

2011-12-18T11:57:00.001-06:00

So, the kids get to watch one show in the mornings. Usually they sit on seperate couches. SOmetimes they sit next to each other. But today, they must have been filled with the Christmas spirit because today, I found them like this. Intertwines. Bubba rubbing her head. Sissy holding his feet. SO SWEET!!
Another photoshoot before we headed to our next Christmas celebration. GOD, I love Christmas dressed for little girls!

And I promise you, I SWEAR to you...Bubba was more excited about this bowtie than I was. he loved it!

The Fultons!

We headed straight to the Houstons for another family celebration of the Nelson Family!

Everyone loves to document each moment.

Alaric's Uncle Jeff and Aunt Tammie and Uncle Kent and Aunt Tracy got his a new bike!!! He was nervous because it didn't have training wheels but as soon as we told him we could add them, he was overjoyed ( can you see his nerves?)

Mara loved playing with her new jewelry box with Aunt Anita and dressing up with her new jewels!

THen tons of delicious food!

Then a family favorite....Girls and Guys Gift Exchange! Its intense, fast paced, and so fun!

The Fultons

The Hennenfents

The Nelsons

The Houstons

The original NelsonsGrandma and all her grandkids and great grandkids!The whole gang!And while I desperately want a white Christmas and really don't mind the cold and snow, it was incredibly nice to be outside without our coats and to have the kids play on the trampoline together.

What an absolutely wonderful day! We are so very blessed to have such an incredible family who likes to be together and gets along so well. I love you, Nelson Family!

Fulton Family Christmas-in Galesburg!

2011-12-17T22:22:00.000-06:00

The kids woke up this morning to one special, unwrapped gift near the tree from Santa Claus! They went crazy running to their toys.
Mara got twin babydolls and Al got a Star Wars ship.

Happy Happy Kids!!!

And happy Nana and Grandpa! ( Its almost as fun to watch them as they watch Bubba and sissy!)

Oh, we were happy too!

My sweet man and me!

Love this little guy,

and this angel too!

Yes, we coordinate. Almost always. ( Don't make fun of me)

So many gifts...so little time!

It was torture was the kids when we told them they had to wait and have brunch before gifts.

The kids entertained us all.What an amazing year of gifts...Brian got a custom made medal display with the name of his blog, RacingHome This year we are giving Giftsfromtheheart. So, when I asked Mara what she wanted to give to others, she said a tea party. So a tea party she gave. Anita and Nana were excited to recieve their invites ( look at sweet Mara's face and she looks to see if they like her gift she worked so hard on).

Nana made stuff too....she made Mara and her Bitty Baby, Emma two matching outfits- masterpieces! GORGEOUS!!!!

Aunt Anita loved her time with these two!

SO, the biggest and greatest gift we've ever received was from Anita. Brian had been wanting to see BookofMormon . Its a musical written by the same writers as South Park. Bri asked Anita to keep an eye out for it to come to Chicago. Anita called a month or so ago and told me that Book of Mormon was coming to Chicago but not until Dec 2012. Damn! So, we opened the card to her gift. It said,

" I couldn't wait for Book of Mormon to come to Chicago so...."

and in it was 3 tickets. Book of Mormon tickets. Huh? We looked at her. She told us to look closely at the tickets....

NEW YORK CITY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She is coming with us and flying ALL THREE OF US to BOOK OF MORMON IN NYC on March 30th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He got us two rooms at TheRooseveltHotel and we are staying Friday through Sunday! I cried, then Bri cried, then Anita cried! It was amazing! So incredible.

After hours of opening gifts and much needed rest time since we were still in shock , we headed to cousin Katie's basketball tournament. SO fun watching her with the family before she heads to college next year to play college ball. While we watched the game, Amara flirted with her cousin, Tyler, and his friends.

We ran around the gym after the game.

and then went to Buffalo Wild Wings with the family afterwards!

What an incredible day!

My gift to myself, my family, and others...My Tree

2011-12-15T20:44:00.000-06:00

My favorite Christmas decoration is my Christmas tree. Its stunning to look at. There are many times in a Christmas season I will find myself staring into the tree...to look at the lights. At an ornament. To remember. To dream. To enjoy. Its full. Not a branch has been left without an ornament or ribbon. They have been pushed into the middle of the tree and hung on the very outmost branches. Just when you think you can't add one more thing,You add 10 and they fit perfectly. They were meant to be there. To tell the story.

I LOVE this tree.
Its who we were. Who we are. Who we've become and hope to be. Its us. Our story. Do you hear it? The stories are there. The memories...

...Our first ornament purchased together for our first Christmas as a couple. Double Happiness.

My babies' mother of pearl and sterling teethers engraved with thier names and baptism dates.

Ornaments I made as a child ( I'm forever grateful to my mom for not only caring for these as if they were priceless jewels but entrusting me with them the first year Brian and I became a family). The one on the left was dated..."Katie HighSchool Preschool 1982) The one on the right, a gift to my parents in 4th grade. ( 1987)

Places Brian and I have traveled to and never want to forget.

Ornaments my kids made in school ( the tree and the penguin joined the tree yesterday). The stocking: a gift to Brian from his Great Grandma. Handmade. The gift tag still attached with her beautiful handwriting.Sweet Alaric's...placed low and clumped together by him. His very first ornament from us. A construction truck documenting the year he learned more about Construction than his Grandpa who ran a Construction company. Star Wars.

Amara's first ornament. Her Elmo one comemorating her year-long obsession. An ornament she made herself that took my breath away with its simplicity and beauty and knowing my little angel made it herself for our tree. The stories, the memories, the love...continue.

Brian's mom also saved his ornaments. I'll never forget our very first Christmas together-taking each ornament out of the box and telling each other about it and the memories we had. One of his very first, dated 1977. Sweet little guys playing sports documenting all the amazing things little Brian may have done that year.

No matter where you look, the story gets better. More to hear. More to see.

Its truly a gift. To myself. To my family. To you. We discover it over and over each year and we share it with whomever enters our home. Our stories began seperately decades ago.

Then is was just him and me.

Now and forever it will be us. My family is complete. My story and this amazing journey through life keeps changing....

as will my tree every year.

The Moms Group of Monticello-Celebrating the Holidays at HOME

2011-12-15T12:28:00.000-06:00

Today was my Moms Group annual Holiday party. The tables were set...
The most amazing food was prepared

( look....I made this!!!!)

Rediculously creative drinks were served.

20 amazing wifes, mothers, and women gathered today to celebrate our friendships and motherhood-together. We ateand then we learned how to make beautiful beaded bracelets for ourselves with the guidance of our much loved member, Lori.

It was so much fun to see mommies working independently on a project for themselves without interruption and during the daylight hours. We talked while we worked.

There were a dozen different types of beads. here are a few I chose.

While some worked, others passed around one of our newest members...Baby Emily ( SO sweet)

It was so lovely to be able to gather together in Kim's home and chat and catch up and laugh and be together before our own family Christmases.

I love TheMomsGroupofMonticello !!!!!

Small Wonders Christmas Workshop

2011-12-14T17:01:00.000-06:00

Today was so fun! It was Amara's Christmas Workshop at school. She got to invite one special person, ME, to come to school with her and make crafts and have snack! You know I love this stuff! Not only to craft and create with my kid but to spend one on one time with Mara and see her with her friends. She has such a wonderful personality!

Proud little girl as she created
We loved being together

Mara and her teachers, Mrs. Munster and Mrs. Donovan! So lucky-these teachers are amazing!

Her good friend, Westin!

LOVED it!

P.P.P. Pretzels!!!!

2011-12-12T19:59:00.001-06:00

This week the Kindergarteners are focusing on the letter P and I went in to Alaric's class today to do a project with P. We made soft pretzels.

I made the dough in the morning.
Gave each kid a blog and let them create!

Everyone had so much fun and it made my heart so proud that Alaric was happy I was there.

They were so creative. I had a blast watching them decide what to make and then trying to turn the dough into a masterpiece.

While Mrs. Elliot put them in the cafeteria oven, I read the kids Peter Pan and we practiced Peter Piper tongue twisters.

When the pretzels came out they were MASTERPIECES. The recipe was amazing and everyone's came out with a nice golden crust on the outside and soft and hot on the inside. I slathered butter on plates and the kids LOVED it!

Great Kiddos!!!!

I saved 4 blobs of dough for home so Mara could participate too. They loved making them right before dinner. Amara made a telephone and a heart. Alaric made a snail and a....a...

What do you think this is?

I know, I know. I did a double and then a triple take as I gained my composure and played out responses in my mind.

"Baby, what did you create?"

"Its the letter i"

"The letter i? It doesn't look like the letter i to me, hon."

"Mom, that's because its a lowercase i and I made the dot on top a smiley face. Can't you see it?"

" Yes. I see it now. I see it"

I waited until Bri got home from work before I put it in the oven. I needed him to see this for himself.

The Christmas Pageant!

2011-12-11T11:55:00.000-06:00

Alaric was a king this year
And Amara was an angel.

They were so excited to participate in McKinley's Christmas Pageant again.

The church was beautiful and it was hard not to focus your attention up to the top of the church alter because the sun was gleaming brightly through the beautiful stained glass window- stunning!

While Jack did get to participate as a tiny baby last year, this was his first year standing and dressed up as a sheep. Mara looks on to make sure Jack is doing everything right.

Sweet angels

Alaric was happy to be a king!

Cousins!!!!

My sweeties!!!

What a fun day!

That Damn Little Drummer Boy!

2011-12-09T05:42:00.004-06:00

The Little Drummer Boy was always one of my least favorite carols. We all sang it in elementary school. Over and Over we sang it. I remember singing Pa Rum Pum Pum Pum hundreds of times by force and then having that damn song in my head for hours.

As an adult, I turned the radio station when the song played or fast forwarded it on my Christmas CD. Its not that I didn't like it but rather...wait. No. I didn't like it. I found it annoying. The lyrics were simple but that chorus drove me nuts and although my elementary memories of standing on stage wearing a huge paper Christmas bow around my neck along with all the kids was a positive one, I was over it. I didn't want to be Pa Rum Pum Pum Pumming all day. I felt like the songs about Santa and snow and the manger and rocking around the tree were not only more fun but more meaningful at Christmastime.

And then something happened. Something changed. I changed.

It was a year ago. I had endured a mystery medical crisis a few months prior and was recovering. And Brian was in a serious one himself, his much scarier, much more severe, and so full of unknowns. We felt lost. We felt frustrated. We were overwhelmed. We had incurred quite a bit of credit card debt with medical bills and travel expenses because Brian was going back and forth to Iowa to see a specialist. We were trying so hard to find the Christmas spirit and be filled with love and adoration and gratitude ( as we really did feel blessed by the amount of support we were receiving) but we were tired and weary and the idea of buying Christmas gifts and how we would afford them and how we would make it special for our family AND try and get Brian healthy in the middle seemed like a lot to manage.

And then I read a post by one of my favorite bloggers and mommy mentors, JillSavage. She's the author of a book Living with Less, So your Family has More. Simplify. Go without. Save. Bargain Hunt. Create Memories, not create clutter. Re-prioritize. If your focus is the kids and their future and raising them to be loving, kind humans, don't worry about buying the perfect gift for a friend. Worry about making sure you tell that friend you care for them. Offer to help with something. Give them a hug. Be like the Little Drummer Boy.

Huh? What did she say? That friggin' little drummer boy that got stuck in my head for days and annoyed the crap out me? Not that guy. No way. But sure enough...she challenged us to listen to the words of the song. Really listen. Relate. Act. Give.

So I did.

Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum

A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum

Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum

To lay before the King,

pa rum pum pum pum,

rum pum pum pum,

So to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum, When we come.

Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum

I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum

I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum

That's fit to give the King,

pa rum pum pum pum,

rum pum pum pum,

Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum,

On my drum?

Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum

The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum

I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum

I played my best for Him,

pa rum pum pum pum,

rum pum pum pum,

Then He smiled at me,

pa rum pum pum pum

Me and my drum.

And I was moved to tears...literally. I sat in front of my computer one late night, taking a break from worrying about getting it all done and making it all pretty. I read the words. And for the first time in my life I understood that little guy. Tears streamed down my face and I too began to relate to him.

I was feeling unworthy. Not good enough. Wanting to please everyone and not feeling like I had the "right" things to give. Feeling overwelmed that our family wasn't healthy, our finances were tight, and everyone wanted something.

But I realized as I imagined a sweet little boy meeting Baby Jesus for the first time that we were not too different. I pictured him wanting so bad to give some THING as a gift. The lay it before Jesus to honor him and feeling sad that he couldn't. And then realizing that what he had was enough. Giving of himself. Looking inside himself and seeing what gifts God gave him and sharing those. For him, it was playing a drum. For me...perhaps its baking or making a meal for a family in need. Maybe calling a friend and asking how they are or hugging a person at church alittle longer because I know they needed it.

While I fought internally with providing gifts that others would love, I really was able to take a step back and realize that whatever I chose. Whatever I gave would be enough. It had to be. And the people receiving it would understand.

This has been an incredible year. Filled with lots of highs and lots of lows. With the help of Dave Ramsey, we've paid of thousands of dollars of debt and saved thousands of dollars- in only 10 months. We realize more than ever that "stuff" doesn't matter at all and our values run very deep and the morals we are trying to instil in our children need to be shown, not just spoken of.

So, when the drummer boy pops into my head, I hum. I still find it annoying when its in my head HOURS later but I'm OK with it. The kids have heard the story of The Little Drummer. We've asked how they can give of themselves to others. We've brainstormed. We've talked about how great it feels to give and love,without receiving anything in return-just like Jesus ( and even Santa).

This year is our Christmas from the Heart...our self titled theme. Everything we are giving this year is either homemade or home inspired. Its experiences and opportunities for memories. We've discovered that homemade or from the heart is not necessarily cheaper and definately not easier. But for us, its worth it. We want to give of ourselves. Share our talents. Share our love. And be sure the people we love and care for the most feel it and know it.

We live with less occassionally so our family can have more.

I no longer turn the radio station when the song comes on but rather turn up the volume. And listen. And pa rum pum pum all over the house. I know I am worthy. I know I am enough. I know those who love me and those who know me will feel it this Christmas and every other day.

Christmas Party at Jack and June's House!

2011-12-06T21:59:00.003-06:00

Today was June's much anticipated Christmas party for the kids! The kids couldn't hardly wait to be with their neighborhood friends at Jack and June's house!
These darling snowmen, made by June, greeted us when we arrived.

Jack loves to steal his hugs and the kids love to have them stolen!

It started with snack. June only serves family style...teaching the kids to pass and take only what the need. Today, all food items had to be picked up with a Santa toothpick. The kids loved it! Jack mostly watched TV from his chair, but occassionally he'll come in and steal a bite to eat.

Then on to crafts---pom pom trees!

June picks up things all year long for the neighbors. She loves doing it and the kids LOVE finding out what she has in store. You know its going to be fun when she gives you a garbage bag with your name on it.

June likes to have the kids pick things. So, she'll put out 9 little boxes or nine bags/purses,etc and then the kids take turns picking. Everyone loves it.

They sat perfectly still, with their bags, waiting for June's instructions.

then she gives each child a special gift for them. The 5 little ones each got a book. They took turns watching and waiting to see what the book would be. This year they each got an Usborne book...1001 things to find....( with Pirates, on vacation, animals, fairies, around town). They loved them! The girls huddled together while Bubba sat on the floor engrossed in his pirate book.

The 4 big girls each got beautiful jingle bell bracelets from local jewelry store, Pearls and More!

WE LOVE YOU, JUNE!!!!!!!

Then the big kids took the little kids to our home next door to feed them and babysit so the adults could have our own happy hour/holiday party

We are like family so its just so nice to stand around, have a few drinks, eat amazing food, and just BE! I LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS ( you all knew that, though), right?

Jack and June's house is so beautiful at night!

Love you Jack and June...thanks for spoiling our children and us and making us feel so loved. We are so blessed to have the best neighbors ever!!!

Trimming The Tree....I LOVE the Tree!!!

2011-12-04T19:56:00.002-06:00

The tree is my favorite holiday decoration. I love it! I don't have a pretty, color coordinated tree with only one or two or three colors and perfect ornaments and beautiful branches. I have a story to tell. A journey. I lifetime of memories. And putting all that together is the best part.

The tree spent the night stretching out and finding its place in the living room. Tonight was the time to dress it all up pretty.

While Brian and I attached 600 lights, the kids colored in their Christmas coloring books.
Then while I made a new bow for the top of the tree, Brian and Amara made the BEST hot cocoa ever!

And then Bubba and I snuggled.

The secret to the best hot cocoa...frozen cool whip! A big dollop on top not only makes it super creamy but cools it off nicely for everyone, especially the kiddos!

Our parents gave both of us our childhood ornaments when we moved in together so we have hundreds of ornaments, come almost 35 years old. We have the sweet ones we made in school, the ones our grandma's gave to us, the ones we were given from our parents and had to do with whatever we did that year ( babysitting, soccer, etc). Then we have ones from our honeymoon and ones we bought to represent trips we've taken. Each kid has their own too. They get one from us each year. The kids LOVED finding thier ornaments, remembering what they loved and were obsessed with that year, and putting them on the tree.

Mara really enjoyed looking through each and everyone. And Bri and I loved telling the babes about them.

Sweet girl even tried to drink from Brian's beer ornament.

Christmas music playing, lights dimmed, cocoa to sip, children decorating...Brian and I began to dance. And our well trained son captured it on camera.

The tree is a gift within itself. A reflection of our family. Each ornament, each twinkly light, each well placed item shows onlookers that we have so much to celebrate, so much to live. SO much to love. We have each other. We have a family that is strong. We are lively and colorful and bold and sparkly and unique. I love this that stands before me...the tree too!

Before we went on with our evening, we all sat on the couch with all the lights off except the tree and just stared. And snuggled. We talked about which ornaments were our favorites. Why we liked the tree so much.

The tree completes our holiday decorations. Everything else is done. Now...we enjoy!

Lunch with Santa on the Train!

2011-12-04T16:51:00.000-06:00

We were all so excited for our first time on the train with Santa! Mara shouted when she saw the train coming!
We sat together and enjoyed the train ride while we waiting for our time with Santa.

We looked out the windows at the scenery in town.

We read books and colored in coloring books.

We ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, chips, cookies, and drank juice boxes!

We snuggled and giggled!

We read more and waited patiently.

Oh, and we took a few pictures too

And then he was there!! SANTA!! He came and talked to each child and asked exactly what they wanted. He hugged and high fives and gave compliments. The kids smiles and talked. It was precious.

He took pictures with each family.

We loved our time together as a family and with Santa!

The Kids Meet Santa!

2011-12-03T21:50:00.000-06:00

After the swim party, we went home, threw on Christmas clothes, went to Champaign to pick up Brian and went to the mall to meet Santa. This is the first year Amara did NOT scream and actually sat on his lap- I was SO happy! They did amazing!
They talked to him for awhile and gave hugs- so sweet!

Brian carried the crew out of the mall and we headed to get our Christmas tree. After we had that, we headed to Deland to see the coolest house....

its amazing! Locals-well worth the drive!SInce Deland only had about 20 people in it, you can't miss it. The kids LOVED it ( I think I did even more)

Tree in the stand. Watered. Jammies. Bed. FREAKISHLY LONG DAY!

Alyssa's 7th Birthday Party!

2011-12-03T16:43:00.000-06:00

After a super fast lunch, Brian and his dad flew to the Basketball game and the kids and I flew to Alaric's girlfriends' swim party at Best Western. It was so much fun!

The kids swam all by themselves. The water wasn't too cold. Everyone was happy!

They played and splashed and loved every second of it!

What a fun group!

Happy Birthday, Alyssa! We love you!

Monticello Christmas Parade!

2011-12-03T12:40:00.000-06:00

I got home from Chicago and we got ready for the Christmas Parade in Downtown Monticello. We love this event! The kids were ready for the floats and the candy!
The street looked beautiful! And as I looked across the street, I saw my friend from HS, Lucas and his wife Leslie and their daughter Brooke. They were in town to see Santa on the train and stayed for the parade. It was great to catch up and watch the parade together.

The floats were fun and we loved seeing lots of friends we knew!

But of course, the highlight was SANTA!!!! The kids screamed and Santa smiled! What an amazing small town tradition!

GGE! GGE! GGE!!!

2011-12-03T07:36:00.000-06:00

My favorite holiday party of the year is always the Girls Gift Exchange, or GGE, as we call it! It is highly anticipated with e-mails and texts and fb posts chanting nothing but GGE over and over again for weeks before the event. Friends wonder, husbands complain....whats the fuss? And honestly...I don't know.

It could be the food....and there is always so much delicious food.

It could be the friends...mostly from college and a few special collected post who truly love each other unconditionally and genuinely LOVE being together.

Maybe its the alcohol...often times obsurd amounts of wine consumed quickly and diligently and with enthusiasm and pazazz!!!

Or could it be the gifts? There is a $50 gift limit. You buy one. you think about it for months. It must be just right. The ultimate goal-to have your gift stolen. You draw numbers. You pick from under the tree in order. You can open a new gift or steal someone elses. Gifts are frozen after two steals. You want your gift to be stolen twice and getting a gift and having it frozen is for sure bragging rights! No matter what though, all the gifts are amazing. And everyone walks away with a great gift and good stories about the process- which can take HOURS!

This year the big hit was the ForeverLazy! A gift from Alicia, it had warmth, humor, coziness, and FUN written all over it. Who wouldn't want to curl up with this on the couch. And Samantha and Monica fit in it together to snuggle!
No matter why this group of Amazing women gathers- we do it every year. We love every moment. We laugh, we cry, we wear PJ's, we talk about our life and our loves and our families and our struggles. We stay up super later. We snuggle. We are just together. We love it!

This trip I arrived at 7PM and left Chicago at 6:30AM, only sleeping about 4 hours and it was WELL WORTH IT! Can't you tell....don't you love me in the Forever Lazy too?

Mon wore most of the gifts all at once to model.

And while JV won the lampshade award, hands down-Mira was the first to pass out.

Oh Jill....LOVE YOU!

Thanks Ladies for an incredible night. Erin- your home was gorgeous and the friendships I have with each of you make me a better person. Love you all!

Its Here! Its Here!!!

2011-12-01T14:40:00.006-06:00

Its DECEMBER!!!! And that means its time for the Christmas countdown. I have been working non-stop and have only slept 5 hours and 2 days to get everything done for THIS morning! AND it was worth it.

I take my extremely large collection of Christmas children's books and pick the newest or the most loved 50 and divide them and wrap them. Each morning the kids may unwrap ONE book and read it independently or bring to breakfast for me to read. They LOVE doing this every morning.
A snow truck book for Bubba...

and Sesame Street for Sis!
We have about 25 Christmas DVDs so I try and display them low on the shelves so the kids can see.

Along with this stuff, each kid got all their PJs taken out and replaced with warm footy pajamas and 6 Christmas jammies for the month.

All the books in baskets or in their room have been replaced only with Christmas books.

All their Christmas clothes and dressy attire have been hung and pointed out to them.

All the decorations are up in the house except the tree ( Sunday)

All the lights are up outside

All the plates and bowls in the kitchen have been swaped out and replaced with Christmas ones or reds.

Bathroom and kitchen towels are Christmassy.

Its everywhere. And I love it ALL!!!

My favorite thing is the Advent Calendar. I remember the chocolate ones as a child with great fondness. My mom bought this one for us and I thinking of things to surprise the kids with each day. I dont like "stuff". Unless its small or memorable. I like memories and things to DO!!! So, while some days they will get a new Christmas t-shirt or a pez dispenser or a santa toy, most of the days are things to do together.....pick a second book from your basket. Have a dance party to your favorite Christmas music before breakfast, watch a Christmas movie tonight after dinner, go look at Christmas lights around town, do a Christmas craft together, bake, etc. And always on the first day of December, they go on a hunt to find their Christmas trees. They point to the #1 and then look inside for the clue...it says to go to the place where Mommy and Daddy keep their IPods

After they went to the computer desk, the next clue said to change the channel on the TV....up the stairs the kids ran to the TV Room to find the remote...

There it is, There is is. Now it says to go get a snack....

Watching them run around the house is my favorite part. They found the clue on the snack cabinet quicky. The final clue said to TAKE A BATH!!!! They giggled and jumped as they raced to the bathroom....

Our trees! Our Trees!! Hiding in the Tub!!!! They were so eager to pull the trees out of the tub and get them set up by their bedsides!

They love having them by their beds all night and watching the lights twinkle and the ornaments gleam!

I love the magic of Christmas. I love doing all these amazing things for my babies....and its all worth it when they attack you with hugs and kisses and tell you thankyou! ALL WORTH IT!

The last thing to reveal was the ElfontheShelf We got our elf for the first time last year and while I actually did NOT want another tradition, the kids love it. The elf finds a place to hide each day so he can watch you and see if you are being good. Then each night after you fall asleep, he magically flies to the North Pole to report to Santa if you've been good or bad. Then he races home to find a new place to hide each morning before you wake up. Everyday, the kids run around the house looking for the elf. This morning, the kids found him connected to the stained glass window. They jumped for joy and begged to hear the book, Elf on the Shelf that was already waiting for them at the breakfast table.

We are ready! The Christmas gifts are purchased and it's now time to enjoy this amazing time together as a family! HAPPY DECEMBER!!!!

Thanksgiving AND Christmas in Iowa City!!!

2011-11-27T23:40:00.000-06:00

Because my cousin is dancing in a Bowl game in Florida right after Christmas and The Bechtels can't get to Iowa until after they leave, this will be the first Christmas in my 33 amazing years that we haven't seen our Houser Family at Christmas time. And while,after spending 2 days with them makes me long for more time with my favorite people, I'm so glad we were able to come together at Thanksgiving and spend just a few minutes spoiling the 4 youngest cousins ( and a few of the older ones too).

The kids were excited...especially when they saw that their bags were as big as they were!
Their cousins, Maddie and Brady gave some of thier old gifts that were exactly what the kids wanted, instead of shopping. They got TONS and TONS of stuff and all 4 kids were really happy to say they got their cousins stuff too. it was so generous and amazing!!!

The kids could have played for days!

We spent Friday night just hanging out. Eating, drinking, telling stories and playing games with some our our family's dearest friends. It was great. I loved getting my teenage cousin, Benjamin out of his dungeon and talking to me, about school and girls and cars and sports. One of my favorite memories of the weekend! I told him I must be his favorite cousin. Don't I look like his favorite cousin?!

Or maybe I'm Becky's favorite? She's married to my cousin Brad but I think of her as my own. She's my food, wine, shopping, talking, texting, dieting, everything cousin and I love her!

There was even some Math tutoring going on with Alinia and Dan. And yes, Mr. Bechtel would where that shirt to school.

Then we found my Auntie Doris' apron purchased in Rome.....enough said...or is it? Who looks better?

The girls! Mara loves having so many wonderful young ladies to look up to. ( where are you, Maddie?)

Brian is wearing a "Brad shirt". Not only because Brad and Becky bought this for Bri a couple of Christmases ago but because when Brad discovered how comfy and versatile and zip sweater could be, he bought as many as he could....he's taking over the world, one zip sweater at a time ( they both do look nice, though)

After a late night Friday night playing games, Saturday was much of the same. The Bechtels went back to Champaign after lunch but the rest of us stayed. The men, minus Dad and Dan, played Monopoly for HOURS!!!While Mara colored dozens of pictures and played with all her cousins and her new toys.

She did some snuggling with Phoenyx.After we decided $13 was too much to pay per person for a 3D movie, we agreed to stay in and rent. We had it narrowed down to Cars 2 and Spy Kids when I found Swiss Family Robinson in Auntie Doris' collection. We all were interested. So Saturday night was spent eating bowl after bowl of popcorn and taking in a Classic Disney movie-TOGETHER! it was great! We all loved it!

I love the Bechtel/Houser Family! I love every second I get to spend with you and I'm so blessed and honored to call you all my family!

Thanksgiving with the Nelsons & Fultons in Galesburg!

2011-11-24T23:29:00.000-06:00

We got to Galesburg Wednesday afternoon and immediately starting in with catching up, drinking, and playing games wtih family! This year's favorite game was Pictionary!
Look at my sweeties on Thanksgiving....who am I thankful for everyday of my life?My babies!!!

Brian and his dad carved the beautiful turkey.

While the rest of us stood around and chatted. Here Aunt Kathy tells the funniest story about an old lady telling her daughter to "shut the F#@* up!" Let me know if you want to hear it, its good.

Not everyone sat around, we all brought dishes to share. Brian and I tried something new this time-Ratatiouille. It was SO easy and so amazing. That's goat cheese on top. Let me know if you want the recipe. When I say easy, I mean EASY...I can make this!!!

After our bellies were filled to the brim, the adults cleaned up while Mara ate chocolate pie and worked on her alphabet with Uncle Jeff...I think they both loved the moment shared more than they let on.

While some people napped (teenagers!)

Another group of us went for a walk. it was nice to get some movement in our bodies. We spent the rest of the day just hanging out with family. It was wonderful. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

"A corn" ucopia of Gratitude!!!

2011-11-21T08:58:00.001-06:00

We give the kids' teachers and special staff members ( principal, secretaries, janitors, etc) gifts throught the year to say thanks and make sure they know how much we appreciate them. It was also snack day for both kids so we spent part of the weekend making this precious acorns! The kids loved helping and it was super easy!

Snack for both classes and treat bags with notes for the staff= ALOT of acorns!
Thankyou teachers and staff for all you do for our children!

My How We've Changed!

2011-11-20T21:03:00.000-06:00

So with 4 years of doing this special dinner with our friends, we've been through alot of changes....I notice first the families....The Ryles and Eckhardts have moved away and Meyers have joined us. We've gained LOTS of kids in the past 4 years. Mommas have gotten pregnant and had babies, my hair color and style changes every year, most of our weights have changed ( check out Bri), and the babies have all changed so much!

What hasn't changed....always in the same place...in the basement so we can put the camera on the bar on a timer. Brian and I are always in the same location ( so he can run to get in the picture from setting the timer), we all look happy, and we have a great time every time we are together!!!

4th Annual Thanksgiving with Friends

2011-11-20T20:52:00.000-06:00

Its that time again...Thanksgiving at our house with our group of friends from Champaign. We spent the day working! Brian cooking, me cleaning. We both had helpers! Mara loves being in the kitchen with Daddy.
Everyone arrived, all 25, and we ate!

And ate and talked and talked and ate. This is the first year I couldn't get everyone at the same table. The 4 oldest had to sit at a kid table next to us.

FOURTEEN kids under 7!

The group!

Johnsons

Jacksons

Meyers

Shaws

Dills ( Adam was at the Bears Game)

The Fultons

We are so blessed and so thankful for this amazing group of friends we share New Years, Wiffle Ball Tournament, RibFest, Thanksgiving, and Christmas with! Love you all!

The Fulton Family's Favorites Friday

2011-11-18T04:15:00.007-06:00

POPCORN!!!!! If you asked me my favorite snack- it would be popcorn.

If you asked me what my favorite thing to do with the family was, it would be watch a movie and eat POPCORN!!! I love it!!

I'm a traditionalist....real butter melted and dribbles all throughout my huge bowl and sprinkled with salt. Lots of it!

So when my girlfriend, Rachel told me I HAD to try one of her client's line of popcorn products, I was skeptical. Sure, I can always use the actual kernels but I liked air popped popcorn, not bagged. And I don't need a bunch of flavors to add...just my little pitcher of melted butter goodness and nothing else.

I'd seen KernelSeasons flavors before at the theatre. Butter, Nacho, Sour Cream and Onion. But who knew about the rest.

So, I told Rachel I'd try them. I don't like to just try things, I like to experience things. And turn it into memories. So I told Rach I'd have a popcorn party for Alaric and Amara's friend and we'd taste, try, enjoy.

AHHHHHHHHH( thats the sound of the heavens opening up and shining light right down on my dining room table)
Hmmmmm....while my excitement was growing as I layed each item out on my table, I also was a little bit crabby- I longed for my simple salt shaker. I mean, come on....Chili Lime? Cajun? Chocolate Marshmellow?
I love my StirCrazy popcorn popper. Put the combination of good kernels and a stir crazy together, and almost every kernel gets popped. Its beautiful to see the golden kernels in the oil spinning and getting hot, just ready to pop and become an incredible snack!

And I find it absolutely fascinating that it then turns into this beautiful, white fluffy product!!

I prepared the space for the party. 16 hungry children and their parents would be arriving shortly. I loved these cute little nacho cheese shakers I was using as favors.

Ta Da!!! Ready to go....15 shakers, 3 HUGE tubs of popcorn ( made with Kernel Season's popcorn and oil) and two cans of kernel season's popcorn spray. Before everyone arrived, Mara wanted me to tell her the names of each flavor. We went around the table and I read her the name on each one.

"Chocolate Marshmellow?" she asked

"Yup!"

"I want that one."

"You can try them all"

"I can? Ok!"

I left the room and came back to find the lid off the Chocolate one and her sweet head on the table, waiting. She knew she had to wait but she was going to be ready!
Everyone arrived and was excited. Alaric had been waiting for this party for weeks ( he, like me, LOVES popcorn!)I gathered everyone in the same room and gave instructions and pointers and send the kids and their parents on their way to the table.

THEY WERE THRILLED!!!! Reading the lables. Spraying the spray so the seasoning with stick. Running to the other room to start eating and then running back to try something new.

Mostly, the flavors were appreciated. Maybe even loved! Smiles...

Full mouths...

Big laughs as more popcorn was shoved in!Within minutes, the table was destroyed. Shakers on their side, bowls everywhere. And the popcorn was really EVERYWHERE. 16 children under the age of 8?! lets just say i'm glad I didn't vaccuum before they arrived. A few flavors caught the children by surprise ( salt and vinegar, barbeque, jalepeno) but some loved those too and I was so proud of the kids for trying them.The kids just kept coming back for more and more and more. What I thought would only be a 30 minute party lasted well over an hour. And the kids were engaged in popcorn the whole time. They became adventurous too....adding two together to come up with combinations. Hating it, throwing it away, and starting over. Asking parents for their advice on concoctions. Over and over.

Seems to me that this was a good sign that the kids were having fun!The parents loved it too. I couldn't wait to try the flavors. We not only tried them on popcorn but talked about other ways to use the product...how about Carmel on oatmeal? Or apple cinnamon on toast? Maybe nacho cheese on veggies? or Chili Lime on rice or sprinkled on your taco? The brainstorming was fun!

And when the party drew to an end and the kids booed about having to leave when there was still more popcorn ( did you see the size of the buckets I used?), we took a group picture.

All happy children. Stuffing their face with amazing popcorn, products,and flavors from Kernel Seasons! Thanks for making this fun group a popcorn drunk group....giggling and content!

But the party didn't stop there. That night I was making two types of chicken salad. One sweet with grapes, apples, and a dash of vanilla and one savory with vegetables and garlic. All the Kernel Season products were still out. Hmmmmm....

Yup. I did it! Apple Cinnamon and Caramel to the sweet one and Chili Lime and Ranch to the savory one. They were delicious.

And just yesterday ( no picture), when I made pancakes to share for a meeting I was at, I threw Chocolate Marshmellow, Caramel, and Apple Cinnamon shakers in my bag to see if anyone wanted to sprinkle on top of their pancake-HUGE hit! What fun!

Rachel, you were right! The products are amazing. Even a traditionalist like me can enjoy something new and different. It was so fun! I loved every second of it....and vacuuming up thousands of popped kernels didn't even bother me! Thanks!

Mini Me!!!!

2011-11-07T05:32:00.001-06:00

Me- Halloween 1980
Mara-Halloween 2011

Bubba's Surgery and Recovery

2011-11-05T22:50:00.001-05:00

We arrived at the hospital a few minutes before our scheduled time and got a number. With all the privacy laws, they no longer call your name but rather your number. Alaric thought it was cool to have a card and began memorizing his number just as the nurse called it.

We got him all situated in his bed, especially with green blankie and puppy, and he relaxed....some.

I did not think through things very well that morning...I brought no toys AT ALL! My diaper bag is stuffed full of them but since Mara wasn't with us, I didn't bring it. Luckily, Alaric seldom complains and has an incredible imagination. Green blankie can turn into just about anything. Also...they had a TV in the room. This is the hospital version of Hot Dog Dance after The Mickey Mouse ClubHouse.....it looks alittle different than we're used to as he's laying down and doped up on Demeral.

We waited and waited and waited. Our surgery time came and went. Nurses came in to check on us. Lori, our neighbor who would be his post op nurse, came by a few times and gave hugs and also gave us the scoop on what the computer was saying. Surgeries were running behind. All of our doctor's surgeries this morning were kids. We'd just have to wait. Our pastor came by to pray with us and hang out and gave Bubba a friendship bracelet. A dear friend from church stopped by with a baloon and a green frog for Bubba. He was thrilled. We tried to do things to fill the time and occupy his sweet mind that we knew was racing.

Bubba has been talking about this surgery for weeks....more than I have, and thats ALOT!!! He is so sensative and internalizes everything. We've done all we could to prepare him but when you are sitting in the hospital bed waiting, with a gown on and no pants- its hard to relax.

He had already been spoiled...yesterday Nana and Grandpa gave him a Star Wars Lego set and this morning we gave him a Ninjago Lego set. He was in heaven and it really did help him keep his mind off the face that he hadn't eaten in more than 12 hours and hadn't had a sip of water in 6. The only thing that made him, or us feel better was some snuggly time! That always helps. And Brian and Bubba giggled as both of their tummies rumbled as they snuggled ( Brian hadn't had anything to eat or drink since last night either...I did eat a piece of sausage after my run but that was it).

Finally, around 1PM, they came to get him. Lori came to walk him down and be with him ( thank God) and two nurses in full surgery scrubs with their heads covered and everything came to wheel him away. The nerves hit us all.....you could feel Alaric tense up and while we had been waiting for this for hours....hell, weeks- all of a sudden it was happening too quick. I wanted my snuggly time. I wanted more kisses. I wanted to tell him everything would be OK, AGAIN. But we quickly loved on him. We reassured. We hugged. We kissed. We walked with him. I'm grateful for the Demeral that took the edge off but you could still feel the edge...We stood at the door of the point we couldn't go past. We watched. We waved. Bubba stretched to see us again. My throat closed. My eyes filled with tears. I swallowed. "Bye Bubba! We love you so much. See you soon!!!!" I called. And he was gone.

Deep Breath. I held Brian's hand ( I knew he was feeling the same). We were nervous and anxious and STARVING!!!!! We ran down to the cafeteria and stuffed our faces with soups and salads ( and they were really good and cheap too) and raced back up to the waiting room.

One of the cool things about everything being computerized is this board. They list the statuses of every patient so loved ones can see where they are at all times....pre op, procedure, recover, post-op. It was so nice. Of course, i couldn't take my eyes off the board and Brian laughed hysterically when I took a picture of it ( I knew you all would want a visual)

The doctor called us to a conference room and we stood and talked about his surgery. Everything went great. Everything was fixed. He would be great. No worries! he drew a couple of pictures for me of the procedure on the dry erase board, we shook hands, and away he went.

Lori was by his side. She had been the first person to see him when he woke up. She said hi to him and asked him if he was ready to see us....OUR ANGEL!!! She came to get us and we walked with him from recovery to his post op room. He was out of it. Sleepy. Sensative. Flushed. Swollen in the face from the IV fluids. But our Bubba!!!! When he seemed to realize who we were, he cried a bit and so did I ( shocker).

We spent the next hour an a half or so just getting him to drink juice and eat snacks and wake up some. He had a great desire to pee. The first time was just moments after he returned and while both nurses said that he shouldn't have to go, HE said he did. So Brian and an orderly got him and his IVs to the potty and nothing happened but pain. Then it did happen after an hour or so. And it went better than expected. Lots of pain and burning. A few tears. But OK. We looked through our magazines, watched some TV, held hands with Bubba and waited.

Finally, we could take him home. He was so excited to have a new frog, which he named John Frog and a new teddy bear and balloon that magically appeared from his girlfriend on his gurnee in the recovery room ( his girlfriend, Alyssa is Lori's daughter...imagine that!). He was such a sweet boy as we carefully got him dressed and ready to go, "Watch the penis, Mommy!"

Sweet boy never let go of green blankie or puppy and while the wheelchair ride wasn't the most comfortable, he was thrilled to be able to say he got to ride in one.

We got home and there were balloons waiting from Aunt Anita- he was so excited!

We snuggled him in for the night on the couch. All of his stuffed animals around him. A friend brought us a meal and Alaric wanted chips and cheese from the local mexican restaurant-DONE!!! We watched episode after episode of Star Wars Clone Wars until it was time for bed.

He slept great and woke up in a great mood. Thursday was spent lounging around and taking it easy. When he was laying down, you'd never know anything was wrong. So much so that when visitors came, we almost felt bad acception gifts since he looked so great. The pain was still there. He was walking funning and peeing was not the easiest. Staying ahead on his tylonol was key. And his privates look like hell....black and blue...stitches...swollen...blisted. Its bad but he's a trooper.

He was comfortable enough to start his homework and we did that for awhile but mostly, he spent the day chilling- receiving visitors and some amazing gifts from friends who love him and just napping, playing, and hanging out.

Grammy and Papa came to visit in the morning on Thursday. Grammy MADE him a Yoda and a Luke Sywalker doll. He LOVED them! He had transformed the family room into his room and created "zones"...a snuggling area, a lego area, a schoolwork area, a coloring area, a reading area. it was so week to have him take Grammy and Papa on a tour of his space.

And when his best friends dropped off this huge basket of transformer and star wars stuff- he went crazy!!!! He couldn't believe it. The kid literally jumped up and down and wanted everything in the basket NOW! We convinced him a puzzle was a nice, quiet choice and he and Grammy and Papa got to work!

Mostly movies and hanging out THursday. Friday Amara came home and he got some extra time with Nana and Grandpa. We left the house for lunch and he did great. By 4PM on Friday, he was having friends over in the yard and were having to tell him NO CONTACT with lightsabers, no jumping, etc.

And today, we were so busy playing and working in the yard and then hosting our neighbors for a wonderful bonfire- the kid didn't complain once about pain!!!!Its been a wonderful few days....really! We were able to really focus on Alaric and his time in the hospital and his recovery. We were able to give him lots of attention and have plenty of downtime. We were surrounded by lots of love and support and again overwhelmed by people's care, concern, and generosity! Thankyou for all your prayers, all your kind words, and your constant support!

Bubba will be back at school tomorrow. Perhaps with a few restrictions at PE for awhile but almost fully back to normal. We are so blessed for his doctors and nurses and the care we received and for the extra love Alaric has gotten these last 5 days- Thankyou, Thankyou, Thankyou!!!!

He's Home!

2011-11-02T17:07:00.001-05:00

Thanks for the prayers everyone!

Surgery went well. It was two hours delayed but he did great and didn't even act nervous until the nurses came to get him. Lori was with him the whole time! More details to come. Movies to watch and popcorn to eat!

Bubba's Surgery is TODAY at 11AM

2011-11-02T07:00:00.002-05:00

We are anxious. Nervous. Concerned. While the surgery is routine ( read about the details behind his surgery here ), he's our baby. Its his privates. He's under general Anesthesia. We worry about the recovery. The pain. No one wants to see their baby in agony and we've been prepared it could be.

We've been preparing Alaric for going to the hospital. Reading lots of books, saying lots of prayers, answering lots of questions, watching movies about characters in the hospital. He is our sensative child. He needs to be reassured often. He needs every question answered with care and patience ( even when he's asked the same question a dozen times).

He told me that I could talk to people about the surgery but he wanted to be there...he wanted to hear everything I had to say. I told my best friend that comment and her response, "he is definately your child!"

Even with a new health struggle and all our family has faced in the past few months, we are able to find great blessings....our dear friend and old neighbor, Lori, is a post-op nurse. She was able to answer a thousand questions for me and to even talk to Bubba about it. Most importantly, she told Bubba he could bring his blankie and his loved "puppy" into surgery with him. She scheduled herself to be his post-op nurse that day at Carle too! AND, one of our biggest anxieties was the short period of time when he leaves his pre-op room and is wheeled down to surgery before he is put under. He'll be without us. Lori agreed to walk him down to surgery so he will have someone he knows with him all the time. She will be the first person he sees when he wakes up too. She is our angel. Thanks, Lori!!

In order for us to best focus on Alaric getting home from the hospital and healing, we are having Mara go visit Brian's parents for a few days. This way we know she is getting the best care and tons of attention and we can get Al back on track and not scare or neglect her in the process.

So, pray for Alaric. Pray for his surgeon and the procedure and pray for little Bubba's recovery.

We'll keep you updated on his progress here.

Happy Halloween...May The Force Be With You!

2011-10-31T22:55:00.000-05:00

This is the year of Star Wars at our home... and others too....14 kids in all had the Star Wars theme...and that's just from our small group that gathered at Lisa and Ryan's house!

The Buehnerkempers live in a new subdivision filled with tons of kids so every year they host everyone for crafts and dinner and then trick or treating in the neighborhood. It was great, as always!

Amara's favorite "big" girl is Emmerson (Emmie). And she was so excited to find out Emmie would be Princess Leia tonight too. They were inseperatable. You could even hear Mara calling after Emmie while they were trick or treating, "Emmerson!!!! Wait for me!!!"

Alaric and Kelton battle it out!

Look at these two- so precious!It is so fun being a parent and dressing up with your kids. Not only do you get lots of silly looks but you get lots of smiles and fun comments, especially from the kids who think its cool ( for now)! So, for now....we love it!

Yes, Queen Amidala does carry around a Solo cup with beer!

What a fun night as a family!

And so much candy to eat!!!!

When the Star Wars kids gathered for their picture, someone said they needed to take down Darth...here's what happened to Bri!

Happy Halloween Teachers!

2011-10-31T08:51:00.000-05:00

The kids helped me make ghost cakes with orange sprinkles mixed in.

Then they each had to write their own cards to their teachers and the Principal and secretaries that said, "Have a BOOtiful Halloween"
Everyone loved it!

Meet Annika Narree

2011-10-30T19:49:00.000-05:00

As if our Sunday wasn't busy enough, we added one more thing and its what I was the most excited about. Our friends, The Pellums, had twins in September. Annika and Nadia. Annika has been home from the hospital for weeks and Nadia is still in the NICU getting her lungs stronger before she too gets to come home. I've been waiting for the chance to meet them and Sunday we got to meet Annika!

She's so beautiful and at almost 3 months weighs just around 7 pounds. It brought back so many memories of Alaric and having such a small baby. She's precious! Pretty much I just held her and snuggled her and looked at all her little features. Since Mara was such a colicky baby, it had been years since I got to have the undivided attention of a perfect little baby! I even offered to change her diaper before her feeding!

It was nice, too, to catch up with Josh and Julie. Thanks Pellum for having us over to meet your sweet little girl....we can't wait for the chance to meet Nadia and see the twins together!!!

GHOST Train!

2011-10-30T14:47:00.000-05:00

Monticello Railway Museum has a Ghost Train every year. We weren't sure if we were ready for the night time Train so we went today to check it out in daylight.

Our kids love the train and we are so blessed to have it in our town.
They are like old pros when they load and unload.

We went with some friends of ours who have kids the same age. They all got along famously!

Honestly, its kinda lame....but it was fun and the kids loved looking through the windows to try and see all the things hidden in the trees and the witches and goblins!

So sweet!

After the train and the haunted car, we went and had snack and the kids got their hands or faces painted. A fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon with friends!

It's Pumpkin Carving Time!

2011-10-30T11:40:00.000-05:00

We raced home after the run to carve pumpkins! The kids love it!
They design their own pumpkins on paper and then Brian and I try to recreate them on pumpkins!

This year they went for simple and they turned out great!

Love you, Pumpkins!!

Allerton Park Trail Run

2011-10-30T10:39:00.001-05:00

Every year Allerton Park hosts a 5.7 miles trail run through the beautiful trails along the Sangamon River and through the sculptures and gardens of Allerton. Brian has worked and set up for the trail run before but never ran it. Until today. Its always the last Sunday in October and therefore, often near Halloween. Its tradition to dress up. Many do. Brian didn't. Our dear friend, Anne did however!
We even saw HeMan! The costumes made it fun.

Pretty Princesses!

Go Runners, Go!

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO DADDY!!!

We had some time to kill since you can't go onto the trails to cheer on the runners. So we headed up to the Koi Pind and fed the fishes!

and then to the finish line to see Brian and all the other runners finish

Brian did great! We love you so much and are so proud of you!.

Halloween at the Douglas'

2011-10-29T23:59:00.000-05:00

Brian went home with the kids and I went to my friends' house for a party.

It was a bunch of my highschool friends I don't get to see nearly enough and I loved every second of my time with them!
Leslie, Lacie, me, and Arin! I love these girls!

We mostly stood around and talked and just caught up....until Lace got out the beer bong. No one wanted to do it....you know me, I stepped up!

And many followed.

Thanks Lacie and Cory for hosting! What a fun night!

Trick or Treat at Presby/Trunk or Treat!!!

2011-10-29T22:06:00.000-05:00

Each year our church hosts Trick or Treating at Presby Hall ( the residence hall connected to our church) and then Truck or Treat in the parking garage! I organize with the Family Ministry Team and the kids LOVE IT!!!

Mara couldnt wait to get her hair done, her costume on, and get out the door!

The dinner was great this year. So many people. We also incorportated a pumpkin carving contest and people voted by putting in money to cup next to the pumpkin they liked best! The one with the most money won...and all was donated to UNICEF!

Our Star Wars Family!
Queen Amidala and Darth
May the Force be With this group!

Are you kidding me? Could these girls be any cuter?Trick or Treating is my favorite part....the students are great. Its all inside. There are 7 floors of trick or treating, it goes so fast, and they decorate amazingly! HEre we are with the kids Sunday School teacher, Brigid!!!

All of the floors were impressive. Some were amazing!!! Pitch black, spooky music, etc.

Truck or Treat is a blast too. People decorate their cars and then its like an indoor tailgate. The kids go car to car getting treat and play games and do activities while parents talk and hang out. Here is my parent's van!

Dan and Jack were Star Wars people too! And V and Jen were super heroes!!! What an amazing night!

Grandparents Day at Lincoln!

2011-10-28T09:41:00.000-05:00

Today was Grandparents Day at Lincoln School. Grammy and Papa came to have breakfast with the kids at school in the cafeteria, see their classrooms, and visit the bookfair!
They all loved it!

A Pumpkin Filled Morning!

2011-10-28T09:37:00.000-05:00

Look at my sweet little Pumpkins!!!!

Weinie Roast at The Osborne's!!!

2011-10-23T23:32:00.000-05:00

The Osborne's had tons of friends over tonight for a fire, some hotdogs and smore's and lots of fun.

No matter where my kid is lately, he find the guns!
Love my Monticello friends!

Oh, and since most of the people at the party are part owners/contributors to the beer bong, it too made an appearance.

My dear friend, CaraSome of the kiddos piled on Kim and Rich's bed to watch a movie.

Yeah, so glad my friend Lisa could come late!

Don't ask what they are doing...

...whatever it was caused Brian to fall down on the ground!

What a fun night! LOVED it!

Jennifer's Birthday!!!

2011-10-23T17:35:00.000-05:00

Could a little booger like my nephew look any sweeter in his YOda hat made by Grammy? NO!
Today is my sister in law's birthday and after an amazing lunch out, we headed back to mom and dad's for gifts and cake and icecream! These three cousins are inseperatable.

And they love thier Aunt Jen!

Happy 35th birthday!~~

We Love You!

A Leafy Sunday

2011-10-23T10:40:00.000-05:00

This morning, Brian started the HUGE job of raking leaves. When he got the back ones into a big pile, he called the kids over for some fun!
It was heaven just being in their presence. They were precious and SO MUCH FUN to watch!

We got in too....I was still in my pjs-slippers and all!

What a great way to spend a morning together as a family!

Our Fall Family Picture

2011-10-22T11:31:00.001-05:00

Nothing like a perfect fall day and two compliant kids to help you take a few great pictures!

Last Soccer Game

2011-10-22T11:26:00.000-05:00

It was a great season! It was a learning experience. It was fun! Today was Bubba's last game. Our goal for him....make contact with the ball. Somehow, someway.
He's my spirited child who cheers for everyone and celebrates the biggest and smallest of victories.

He concentrated as goalie

And liked to be near Coach Daddy as much as he could! It was so great being able to watch the kids work hard, play hard, and have so much fun!

Go Black Team! Thanks coaches for a great season!

The Great Pumpkin Patch!

2011-10-19T17:25:00.001-05:00

It was raining. Cold. Really Cold. Windy. Muddy. Miserable. But still the entire kindergarten travelled by bus 45 minutes to the Great Pumpkin Patch in Arthur. Its a really great place but not a day like today. The kids did better than the adults but no one was happy.

Kids do love these cutouts though
And the kids kinda liked the mud ( the parents did not)

We were only there for about an hour but the kids quickly found ways to have fun and use their imagination.No matter what....I loved getting to be with sweet Bubba and his friends.

Kindergarteners were exhausted and falling asleep right and left on the busride home

We were chilled to the core when we got home ( mara was at a friends all afternoon). So- I got the kiddos in their swimsuits, the tub full of bubbles and added rainbow colors to the water-an easy way to pass an hour and get warmed up!

Daddy's Little Girl!

2011-10-18T17:22:00.000-05:00

A precious moment, captured in the kitchen!

More Than Meets the Eye!

2011-10-16T20:21:00.000-05:00

We were hungover beyond belief but we dragged ourselves to Avantis first thing to stock up like everyone else in town, headed to Dwight to get the kids, and headed home to meet my Brother Dan and his kiddos for a fun night in. All Bubba has been asking for was a Transformer night with Uncle. Tonight they got it. They all watched the feature length movie from 1986 together.
Dan brought over a huge bucket of some of his transformers. Bubba was in heaven

While Bubba did that, Sissy and I made her snack for the next day. Look at those fun owl faces!!!

Her class is going to love them!

Happy Boy! Thanks Uncle Dan!

ISU Homecoming!

2011-10-16T08:16:00.001-05:00

So, one week after surgery I had a 5K. I was nervous. My rolled ankle was still swollen. I hadn't run in two weeks. My doctor didn't want me to do it. But I had to. I HAD to. needed to run. needed to prove I could...to myself. To others. Everything still hurt on my chest. Everything. My incision is much more painful than I anticipated. Sports Bra. Two layers of binding my boobs. Incision covered. Ankle bound. My "girls" were going nowhere.
My crabby face when we discovered our registration had been lost, even though I had already been charged $50 and we weren't going to get a cool gift bag with tshirts, water bottles, etc.

Brian ran with me. He runs so much faster but wanted to stay by my side.

It felt good to run. Bri and I laughed alot and talked the whole time. It was fun!

We set up our tailgate with our Sig Ep friends and back to the hotel to get ready. So cute, aren't we?And then it began. I've never seen anything like an ISU tailgate. Seriously. I thought it would be comparable to U of I. the only thing it was comparable was to a bar on a Saturday night at 2Am before last call when everyone is shoulder to shoulder, in a drunken haze, and trying to pound drinks and hook up. It was out of control. I LOVED IT! I loved that so many of our dear friends came with us. And that Bri got to see ISU for the first time.

Perfect coozie for my hubby with liver damage!!!(AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH) That's the sounds of the heavens opening up and the beer bong slowly decending to Earth....or us taking it out of our kick ass mini van!!! the college kids looked in wonder. Our friends knew it was coming. Look it Bri's face...its like he's saying " yup, thats right- its a 6 person beer bong. and yes- the over 30 year old brought it"!

the college kids listened to my instructions and my friends ignored me as they knew I was full of shit.

First beer bong of the day! GO GO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!I. LOVE.IT!!!Mira brought Boozy Bears

Trips down Zeta memory lane....a boda!A Boda and my BF!!!

Out of control...and its' only noon

This is Nick. Poor guy. Hes only been out of school for a year and took over as the Sig Ep organizer. He got partnered with me to do tailgate planning. Seriously. I feel for him! We had a blast though.Jill. 12:30 in the afternoon....foreshadowing for the night ahead...who knows? Who remembers?

God I love my friends!

And some collegiate Zetas found out the alums were nearby. It was nice to say hello!My friend Jason....presidents together in 1997

Two of my besties...Jenny and Alicia

I wish I could tell you more about my day and show you pictures but I don't have many. You all know how excited I was to get that beer bong, right? Well, I'm also a stay at home mommy who doesn't drink that often. I thought I was so cool and could drink like the 20 year olds and lost track of beer bonging at TWELVE!!!! 12 beer bongs in 3 hours.

After everyone else went to the PUb, bri and I had to clean up. This is where I lose my memory on the details....lets just say I had a Real Housewives of Jersey moment and flipped my tailgating table over for absolutely no reason-sending food and salsa and crap flying....never made it to the Pub . Woke up hours later asleep with my face in the toilet at the hotel.

NOTE- I am not 20, or 25, or even 30! I cannot pretent anymore! I may think I'm cool but I'm really not!

It was SOOOO fun though and I love, love, love my friends!

Family Reading Night

2011-10-13T20:14:00.000-05:00

TOnight was Family Reading Night at Lincoln School. They celebrated 100 years of Lincoln School by having Abraham Lincoln come and talk.
Everyone brings a blanket and books and reads together. Simple. We love it!

I love you,sweet Bubba!

And I LOOOOOOVE reading to kids! ( I miss teaching)

I feel so blessed that we are a family that reads together every night.

What a fun tradition Lincoln School has!

Can We Get a Break? Seriously!

2011-10-10T13:09:00.003-05:00

So, Alaric had a Urology appointment Friday afternoon that had been scheduled for 2 months, before my surgery had been set for the day prior.

I was in too much pain to go so Brian brought Alaric and Amara to the appointment.

Why Urology you may ask? At his Kindergarten physical in August, the nurse practioner noticed that Bubba's little pee hole looked to be in the wrong place and wanted to refer us to Urology.

Sure enough, Friday we learned he has a condition called Hypospadias and its basically means the opening to the urethra is on the underside instead of in the middle. Sadly, he was born this way and it took us 5 years to figure it out. Nothing we could have done to prevent it, nothing we can do about it now. But, it needs to be fixed.

So, he will have surgery , called Meatal Advancement and Glanuloplasty Hypospadias Repair(MAGPI), on November 2nd. He will be under general aanesthesia for 90 minutes-3 hours to repair the urethra.

We are scared and overwhelmed and really just exhausted by this. We have been in a continuous medical crisis pretty consistantly for the past year and a half. We need a break. We DESERVE a break!

Our Dinner In Gibson City!!!

2011-10-08T21:11:00.000-05:00

Tonight, my parents and Brian's parents met us at our favorite German restaurant in Gibson City.

Gotta love the Octoberfest beers!!!!
You can't really tell in the picture but Mom and Dad's beers are half the size of ours!

ive drank more in the past two days since surgery than in two weeks! YUM!!!

Happy Birthday Dad!!! ( there you can see the difference in beer sizes)

The kids did great

Partially because of the Oompa Band. We were the only ones dancing but it was so fun to get out on the floor with the kids and move around.

What a wonderful evening with the grandparents!!!

Probably the biggest day of my life...I'm cancer FREE

2011-10-07T11:41:00.003-05:00

The last week has been the hardest of my life. This whole cancer thing has had me laughing hysterically at times and so depressed at others. But honestly, I was dealing. I was functioning. I was staying busy and simply waiting. I felt so incredibly confident about making the choice to use Mohs Surgery that I really didn't have any doubt I'd have more cancer or wouldn't have success. I was just anxious.

And then last Thursday, things changed. I was on the phone with a friend, touching my scar ( as I seem to do a thousand times a day). And then I stopped. I froze actually. I stopped talking. What was that? What did I just feel? My fingers ran over the area again and again, each time finding it again. A bump. A lump? No, cant be. Just scar tissue weirdness. I felt again. No, not scar tissue- not even on the scar. A bump. My friend knew something had changed and asked me what was wrong. I said it. I found something. I'm scared. What do I do? I started sweating. My mind racing. My heart pumping. I got off the phone and ran to the mirror. It was there. I could see it. I could feel it. I could almost move it around under the skin. I called Brian freaking out. He told me to calm down. Told me I could call my doctor now or wait til he got home and evaluate. Everything would be OK.

I waited and when Brian got home and felt it he agreed it was something. Not my insane imagination and it was something that was not there before. We decided to give it the weekend. To see if it changed or went away. To give it some time.

In the meantime, I began to lose it. I had been asked to have faith. To trust. To stay calm. To listen to my body. And while I can put on a good show, the reality was that everything had changed. Everything. Knowing I had some cancer in my chest and was only 7 days away from having it removed was one thing. Having a lump, near the site of origin was completely another. A lump, under the skin.

I tried to trust. Tried to believe things would be OK but I became irritable, reserved. Didn't want to share. Didn't want to be open. Pretended things were good and I was excited by the upcoming surgery but really the anxiety I began to feel became consuming. Every thought I had was a "what if" every time my hand went to my chest, it found the lump, not the scar. I was scared. I was emotional. I decided to only tell my parents, brother and sister-in-law, and the BFs. I didn't blog about it. I didn't tell my local close friends. i didn't tell my pastor. And that was a big deal. There was so much uncertainty. IN me. About it. I became quiet...well, lets be honest, quieter. And as each day passed and the surgery grew closer, the anxiety became more. Couldn't even connect with Bri or the kids. Just couldn't. Began nesting and cleaning and at 12:20 Friday morning, I woke Brian up vaccuuming and realized I had to stop. It was time. Time to lay my head down and be still. And I did. For a few hours until the alarm went off at 4AM yesterday morning.

I knew things would be OK when Brian came out wearing this shirt...

Even after you look closely, I still love it!

Now, what was I going to wear. What does one wear to a surgery to remove cancer from your chest. Hmmmm....something to show off the boobs some, right? Atleast the chest. Something comfy. I worried. I wondered. I even stressed about which of the 75 plain v-neck tshirts I should wear with my yoga pants. Went with grey. I wear mostly black and grey so this was fitting. Now onto the undies....remember you are always supposed to wear clean undies in case you get into a car accident- you don't want to embarrass yourself or your mom. If this had only been a surgery on my chest, undies wouldn't have mattered however I knew Dr. Youse would also be removing a mole on my hip ( or side ass, as I call it) that he was concerned about for melanoma so undies were important. Brian laughed at me as I told him these were my thoughts at 6Am. I went with stripes. Grey, black, and pink. They were me. they were comfy. They were clean and didn't have holes. I was set!!!

We had been prepping the kids all week for this day. Who would be taking and picking them up from school, what was going on. What mommy would be like after surgery, etc. And if you have ever had a 3 or 5 year old, we also had to have conversations about no whining, no fussing, no asking for things, no selfishness, say thankyou to those helping today. Brian gathered both kids right before their ride came to pick them up. They stood like soliders as he went through the routine.

Brian: "Who's day is this?"

Kids: "Mommy's!"

Brian: "No what?"

Kids: "No fussing, no whining!"

Brian: "Who loves you?"

Kids: "YOU DO!!!!"

The kids left and Bri and I walked out with them to get in the car. I was crying before my feet left the porch. Deep breaths. Prayers. I was so happy. So excited. SO nervous. My heart was beating out of my chest. My neighbor and dear friend, Staci came over to hug me. I cried. We shared "I love yous" and I got in the car.

We arrived around 8:15 and were in the procedure room by 8:25. There was room in the procedure room for Brian if I wanted him with me. Hell yes I did! If I had gone the plastic surgery route, it would have been at Carle's surgi center. This was no Surgi Center. This was a suped up doctor's office- with sterlized stuff at one end and a table and big lights and chairs at the other. Weird at first but warm. comforting. First our nurse, Hope came in. Cute. Nice. Then Dr. Youse. I told you before I liked him. And he's cute and that helps. Seeing him in his surgery outfit freaked me out a little but he immediately extended an hand to Bri and me and smiled. Learn more about him here and here. I like to think I'm a pretty serious person but really, I'm pretty silly and clumsy and talk too much and swear WAY too much and put me in an uncomfortable situation, especially with my husband and partner in crime, I'm either gonna be inappropriate and piss someone off, or amazing! Today everything was amazing. It brought back tons of memories from when Alaric was born.

He was almost 7 weeks premature. My water broke when visiting Chicago. We were at Northwestern. We had just found out we were not leaving and having this baby. Everyone else was panicky. I was at peace. And because of that, Brian and I decided to make every connection we could with the people around us. Even with all the uncertainty of how our baby would be, we wanted to enjoy. To make memories. TO take 1000s of pictures ( and we did). We wanted school stats on every doc and nurse and janitor. We wanted to know how they felt about the Illini ( they were in the tourney that day), we wanted to make people smile and bring some light-heartedness to this situation so it wasn't so serious and alittle more bearable. And we did. And it was fun. And even though Alaric was in the NICU for 26 days with lots of issues and lots of crazy moments, some of our favorites were of that first day and the amount of laughing and loving we did and how many friends and contacts we made.

With a deep breath I showed Dr. Youse my lump. I took his hand and put it on my chest. He felt, he wrinkled his nose. I started shaking and tears welled in my eyes. Then he told me I was probably touching it too much and caused a calcification. He laughed. Brian laughed. I hit him in the arm.Then I showed him my ass...let the fun begin!

So the actual removal was super fast and super easy. The 5 syringes of pain meds being administered was hard and my hands shook and I cried some but after that, I was numb. Lots of pressure. I felt like he or Hope were sitting on my chest and one or both of them always seemed to have the butt of their hands pushing down on my chest. Odd sounds. But I couldnt see anything and neither could Bri. He chose to stay over on the chair side and not watch. We all talked the whole time. Talked about our kids and what our spouses did. Where we lived. Where we grew up. Bri lightened the mood by telling them about my incredible milk production when I was nursing Alaric. He told them he used to say he could enter me in the County Fair. we all laughed. Speaking of boobs and nursing, Dr. Youse tells us that his wife also was a milk production machine and when her first freezer became so full of frozen milk and she didn't know what to do with it, she wanted to help others and found there was an orphanage in Africa that needed breast milk to give to orphans with HIV. She donated and decided to start her own organization. In 2006, she founded TheInternationalBreastMilkProject WOW!!!! All I did was buy another freezer. We talked lots and laughed more. He thought he got it all. Now on to the lump. He cut out the top of the lump to do a biopsy. There was lots of blood. Its a wierd thing to have two people loiking over you and to see gauze and gloves bloody as they work and you and you can't feel a thing. The doc needed to cauterize the area to stop the bleeding. He leaded over me and told me it was going to smell like smoke. And Brian said from his chair, "Honey, thats what they did to my balls!" I started lauging hysterically. I was moving so much I thought I was going to screw up the doctor. Hope was belly laughing too. Once I calmed down, I realized the doctor's hand was shaking too. Looked up at him and saw smile lines behind his mask. He was laughing too. He said, "that was awesome". Then they packed my wound, bandaged me, and sent me to the waiting room for over an hour.

Time went fast. Bri and I talked and laughed. We both made lots of phone calls and sent texts. And before ya know it, we were being called back to the room. THEY GOT IT ALL!!!! No need to go back for more tissue. And the lump was just a benign cyst! Biopsy results said no cancer! THANK GOD ! I sighed. Tears welled again. Deep breath. Now just time to remove my mole from my side ass and stitch me up.

Hope needed to take an after picture. So, she removed the packing. And got her camera. bri knew that if someone else was taking pics, he needed to all ( he's trained so well). He asked if he could peek.

"Sure thing" she said.

"Woaw!" Brian said. thats really big. I needed to see. Hope got me the mirror.

HOLY SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I really said that. This is what I saw....

It was much rounder than I thought. Not necessarily bigger but I wasn't expecting it to be so open. When he drew on me with a sharpie this morning it was a slit, not a circle. So to see this was a surprise. I looked deep into it. Wondered what the hell all that shit was. Looked at Hope and asked what the heart like thing was in the middle that looked like it should be beating was. She said it was just tissue. I thought that seemed crazy. I said it looked like it had its own personality in there. She joked I should name it. And I responded,

"HOPE" "I'm naming my lump and my oozing wound HOPE!"

She laughed it was the first time anyone named a wound after her.

Doc numbed my side ass and then put a napkin like thing with a hole in it over my chest and most of my face and put tools on my chest to pull my all back together. It took way longer than I thought. We talked and laughed more. About his dirty, hippie brother in law that lived in the hills of NC. I told Doc that Bri was a dirty hippy in the hills of NC once. He looked over at Bri with surprise. Sure enough, Asheville was where Doc's brother lived. We talked about hippie life and a simpler life. We talked about the names of our kids and why we named them what we did. I liked this guy. Wanted to meet his awesome, milk-producing wife. Wanted to say hi to his kids who were the same age as ours. Wanted to hug Hope as she talked about her family and her two kids. Talked about Mayo and Minnesota and where he went to school and the weather. It was great.

Then he moved to my ass. He was pinching the fat to try and get his first cut as he told us he was a Cards fan. BOOOOOO!!!! Then i told him it was gonna be a big game Friday.

"Huge" he said, with my ass in his hands.

"The game, not your ass" he said. We all laughed. I pretended to kick him.

He said it was so nice to be able to say the things he was thinking to a patient. I said it probably didn't happen very often. He responded,

"Never. Its never happened."

That made me smile. Here he was making my day. Taking away my cancer and making me feel normal again and here we all were laughing and having a good day together.

While I was still being stitched up (3 on my hip and around 20 in my chest) I asked if we could talk about my acne. Told him I was out of my meds and never wanted to see my PA at Carle ever again. Asked if he would see me for my regular acne needs too, not just my cancer. Of course.

The medicine was wearing off and I was shaking all over. Couldn't stop. Felt like after I did after my babies. Tears in my eyes. Happy.

He told me Hope would be giving me all my instructions( not doc stuff) but as I slowly sat up and tried to see if I felt normal again, I had dozens of questions. And he answered everyone. Should have been nurse stuff but he took care of it. Normal stuff...take it easy. rest. No exercise. Huh? What? What about running? can I run?

"NO", he said.

"SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" I said back. "I have a 5K next Saturday. I've already paid $50"

"Dont want to jiggle the stitches or move them. Take it easy. See how the week progresses. No training. Have common sense. if you feel ok, do it. If not- don't push yourself"

I am good at directions. I take them well. I listen. Mostly though when its things I already planned on doing. You know how controlling I am. I had to take this whole week off running because I rolled my ankle. Another week off sounds like torture. I can almost feel the fat depositing on my huge ass. But I'm cancer free. I'm so happy I can't stop smiling. I feel lighter. I feel content.

"Got it, doc!" He asked me to see him in two weeks to check the chest. Then appointments every 3 months for a year to check my skin, feel for lumps. Perfect.

Hope told me no showering for 3-7 days. Baths for body, sink for hair. Lots of rest. No lifting for a few weeks. Keep the stitches tight.

I hugged Hope as we left. I loved meeting her. She made me feel safe, she told me to breath, she touched me while he cut.

Brian grabbed my hand as we walked out. Both of us smiling. I'm CANCER FREE!!!!!

****

We headed to CHili's for lunch....it had been 3 hours at Christie. I needed a drink! Margarita!!! It was time to celebrate. Dessert too! Yum!

Came home to my warm, comfy bed Bri had turned down for me. Fell asleep deeply after a few texts from friends.

Woke up to this....my #1 gift. From 9 of my friends! The beer bong I've been wanting!!! Read about my dream of owning one here. God my friends know how to make me happy!

All at once, the silence and calm was over. My parents and the kids came home. My neighbor and her daughter brought soup. My brother and two kids arrived for a few hours. My neighbor, June, brought dinner and stayed for a drink...it may have only been 4PM but it was time to celebrate! And I needed a beer!

Kids ran around and adults tried to talk as my kids tried to snuggle and have me hold them...not easy when I can't pick them up and they cant nuzzle into my chest like they usually do. I watched Bri put together my beer bong as the kids wondered what it was.

TA DA!!!!!!!! I called our neighbor D over to help christen in in the front yard ( do you think Dr. Youse would approve of beer bongs as part of the post-surgery recovery?) but as we were bringing it outside, our new neighbors who just moved in were out, along with their family. We decided it wasn't the right time to introduce ourself or have to explain how our neighborhood really is. SO, we set up chairs in the carport for my parents, brought my baby nephew out in his highchair, and got started!

We only had 4 people for the first time. It was so great!

it dripped some. D and Bri got to work fixing it while I sent a text message to my BFs telling them what I was doing.

Not 5 minutes later, Lisa came over after dropping off her son at soccer to get in on it.

it was kinda surreal...hovering with some of my favorite people deep in the carport while my parents watched and we had lookouts so the new neighbors wouldn't see. My chest ached because I just had surgery. My smile couldn't be bigger. I was so happy! We ate our yummy meal and went to Jack and Junes for another drink with the neighbors. Things felt normal. The numbness was gone, my chest was aching. But I was happier than I had been in months.

Today's pain is much worse. Bad even. Almost every movement causes my chest to move and then shooting pain. I realized,sadly last night that if I don't wear a bra, my boobs pull down on my chest skin and cause intense pain. So-a bra it is! Damn!

I need to rest. I'm tired again. Napping is in order. I need to lay down and take the pressure off my chest. But my great desire to blog fills me. This blog has been my therapy during the past 56 days and it will continue to be. Its been my lifeline to you all and my way of documenting this amazing journey. I had a chocolate/caramel brownie for breakfast while I wrote. I felt my bandage. I worked through the pain. I thought of each of you and how you played a part in this story. I will remember it all. How I grew. How I changed. How I learned to deal. Who was there for me. Who wasn't. Who came into my life. Who never left my side. Who cared for me and who held me. Who I trusted. Who I confided in. Who I laughed with. Who I cried with. Who I became along the way.

With the ups and downs along the way, Iwill forget nothing. This is me. I'm Katie Bechtel Fulton and I'm Cancer Free!

Another update

2011-10-06T20:17:00.000-05:00

What a day! What an amazing day. Its been so incredible I can't even describe it...but don't you worry- you know I'm going to write the wordiest, most dramatic blog post ever. It just has to be tomorrow. I've spent the night celebrating with family and friends and my body aches. My mind is shutting down. I have more than 20 stitches in my chest and my wound is kinda seepy ( taking out the tr...ash-not a good idea). I feel like a hole was cut into my chest and tissue was dug out and then someone sat on me and then sewed me back together. Oh wait, that happened. I'm doing good. Actually great. I'm so blessed and so happy and so relieved. I'm sleeping til I can sleep no more and hoping for less pain and continued blissfulness tomorrow. Please know I am counting my blessings tonight and am so grateful for each of you and your wishes and love.

Update

2011-10-06T16:06:00.001-05:00

This is Brian. I am writing on Katie's behalf. The procedure went very smoothly. All of the cancer was removed with the first incision and was confirmed by pathology. We kept the feeling in the procedure room light-hearted and we are very thankful for Dr. Youse and Nurse Hope. Katie is now resting. She expressed to me how wonderful it was to have so mnay people praying and thinking of her. She also has said what a great relief it is to be cancer-free! Thank you to everyone. We appreciate your words, gifts, and well wishes. I am sure that Katie will be posting for herself (at great length and with much more detail) very soon.

Tomorrow....

2011-10-05T23:35:00.001-05:00

"Dear God" I heard Brian say as he began nightly prayers with the kids and I stood nearby in the bathroom scrubbing a toilet.

Tears sprung to my eyes. Prayers are my favorite time of the night. I put down the brush and stood in the doorway with my hands crossed. All three of my angels turned to me and smiled and they continued their prayers. Tears streamed down my cheeks. No one even flinched. My kids have seen my cry more in the past 2 months than ever before. Its almost normal for them.

They prayed for our friends who are bringing home one of the premature, month old twins Friday. I cried some more.

Then Brian prayed for me. Both kids watched me. My lips quivered. My hands, still folded, shook. My cheeks wet. My eyes overflowing. He asked God to take care of me. To help me be strong. To be with me tomorrow. To help to doctors take away mommy's cancer.

We finished the way we finish every prayer..."We pray for World Peace, Barack Obama, the Chicago Bears, and the Chicago Cubs" I smiled. I love that part.

I kissed all three of them and doted on them and held each of their faces. I walked back to the bathroom and picked up the brush. Cleaning still needed to be done. The world keeps turning. Toilets still need to be scrubbed and laundry still needs to be folded. Everything stopped for just that moment and it was lovely....

What a journey this has been for me. From the decision to have the leasion looked at, to the diagnosis, to making fun of myself and this situation, to telling the kids, to the doctors appointments, to, to, to...wow, what a ride!

I've had every emotion you can think of. Sadness, guilt, joy, panic, contentment, anger. I have prayed more than ever in my life. I have leaked tears from my eyes for days on ends and sobbed uncontrollably for no specific reason. I have laughed harder then ever before.

Most of the last 50+days have been dramatic...I don't really expect anything less. Those who know me know I can bring that element to a situation just by being present in it. This thing has made me more emotional, more on edge, more driven, more focused at times and scatterbrained at others, more insecure, more sensative, more caring, more compassionate, more full of life.

Just a simple photo shoot with the kids in the front yard could leave me on my knees in tears or a day with my husband alone could leave me feeling more full of love than ever imaginable. I've actually tried to be aware of my drama and lay low but all thats really done is make people wonder more what's wrong with me. Where to possibly start?

Its 11:20PM the night before. Everyone else is asleep. I still have loads of laundry to fold and cleaning supplies to pick up and a basement to vacuum before I leave in the morning. I've had a great day though. I got nothing accomplished at all. But...I got to spend time with some of my favorite people. I was loved. I was comforted. I was held. I cried. I giggled. I was spoiled rotten with gifts. I forgot for a moment.

I've found I feel safest in the presence of those who grant me Grace. Who know me for who I am and love me anyway. And I've learned that there are more people that fit in that catagory than I thought. I was held tight today and whispered to that everything would be OK and to trust. I was brought pizza and had help dusting my entire first floor. I was texted and called countless times. But still there is such anticipation. Such anxiety.

I'm really ready for this to be over. Ready to move on. Ready to stop crying and start over. But I'm a bit different now. Not quite sure what the changes are but I know that I will never be the same. I've found parts of myself I wasn't aware of. I've looked into the eyes of others and seen myself. I've found a piece to my puzzle and I'm trying to make everything else fit together around it. I'm learning to be by myself. To ask for help. To enjoy the friendship and companionship of different people. I'm trusting. I'm listening. Maybe even to myself. I'm scared. I'm sad. I wonder.

Soon I will lay my head on my pillow and say my own nightly prayers. For strength, wisdom, calmness, resolution. For me. For others. I pray. I will sleep. I will wake. I will wonder. I will wait...I"m ready!

Brian is the guest post on Chicago NOW, Cubicle Dad

2011-10-05T13:11:00.002-05:00

Brian is the guest blogger on one of his favorite ChicagoNOW blogs, Cubicle Dad. Please check out his blog about Dads Who Run here

My Amazing Church Family

2011-10-04T21:27:00.002-05:00

My wonderful Christian Ed Director and friend, Barb told Bri there was something for me at church. Never would I have imagined it would be a prayer journal.
Filled with best wishes, prayers and poems, notes of encouragement, and even a gift certificate to Biaggi's.

This has been a tough 53 days. One thing that has been the hardest for me is accepting help. Letting others do for me. Care for me. Love me. I'm the one who makes meals for others. I'm the one who sends cards, notes, and love. I'm the one because i'm good at it. I want to. I feel a great calling to do so. Its feeds me and makes me who I am to help others and accepting it makes me less strong. Less able to manage. Less. Or so I thought. A select few have seen through my screen of bullshit and realized that you don't ask to help, you just do. You don't ask if I'd like a meal, you just bring one over. And you don't believe it when someone says they don't need anything at all and they are OK. You hug. You hold tight. You do. Because while it might fill my soul to serve others, lately its felt damn good to be loved and served. I am so humbled by it all. I feel so empowered. So lifted up by the prayers and compassion of others. COMPASSION- the word is tattooed to my body forever. I try to live it each day. And the feeling of it. Having it envelope me during this time is the most incredible gift.

Thankyou to the many people in my life who are reaching to me. Still reaching and realizing I'm full of it. I need you. I appreciate you. I'm changed because of you.

#3 ( part 2)

2011-10-04T21:18:00.000-05:00

The knock on my back door brought Kathy Ballsrud Sowinski with a bushel of gifts to spoil me...3 small bouquets of flowers ( does she know I am obsessed with using small canning jars as vases), the most AMAZING chocolate caramel brownies ( she knows these are my favorites), and a gift certificate for a manicure. AND an incredible card I want to buy a dozen of. Inside she wrote "C ...isnt always sucky. This is your chance to splurge on yourself with many C indulgences...Decadent Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Cravingsm Cuticle Caress, Cut Carnations, etc carefully cast throughout your chateau." So creative, Kathy! I love it so much. And the bushel too! You made me feel so loved and I'm so grateful.

#3(Part 1)

2011-10-04T14:06:00.002-05:00

Liz Oliveira Mortland dropped off this basket of goodies including a candle, perfume, lotion, lipgloss, chocolate, a journal, and a squash ( she knows its my favorite veggie and I have been begging her for one). All things to pamper myself with. She also wrote in the beautiful card "Friends are like candles, when you are feeling burnt out, they are always there to brighten your day" Agreed! The past week has been an awkward one for me. Full of ups and downs and a few scary moments with new discoveries and how I will handle situations. Having these daily reminders of how blessed I am has been such a joy. Liz- thanks for brightening my day today and making me feel so loved!

#4

2011-10-04T05:17:00.000-05:00

Kim Dalton Osborne surprised me with this gorgeous bouquet of flowers, a Willow Tree Angel called courage ( she didn't even know I collect Willow Trees, an ice pack, a mix CD with all fun songs ( she's called it Kick it Katie), a beautiful card, and ribbons in orange and yellow to represend the sun and me being a ray of sunshine. SOOOOO sweet. Thankyou, Thankyou, Thankyou-Kim! Each day I get more emotional and more humbled by the love and support I'm receiving. What have I done to deserve this?

Another Whirlwind Weekend!

2011-10-02T23:55:00.000-05:00

After soccer, an Illini game, and a tiny bit of down time, I headed to a Girls Night IN at my friend Kim's house. She totally overdid herself with the purple and black theme and we all loved it. We each got a zebra print bandana and a treat bag with snacks and glow stick earrings. And she made each of us a friendship bracelet!

We ate only pink foods and drank girly drinks ( I had beer)

Don't Kathy and I look totally cool in our glow earring?The purpose was to watch Bridesmaids and we did finally do that but for much of the time, we joust talked and laughed and hung out. It was much needed! Thanks Kim!

Sunday morning came fast after a super late night out but my kids were too cute not to snap pictures of.... Bubba

Bubba and Sissy

Sissy

My dad's birthday is my surgery day ( Sorry Dad) so we celebrated it together as a family after church with lunch out and home for gifts and dessert. V made him a picture

While Baby Jack looked up to his big cousin.

Pumpkin pie, one of dad's favorites.

A papa and all his grandbabies...nothing sweeter!Sunday afternoon we headed to Jupiter to hang with some Zeta Alumnae, kick off breast cancer awareness month, and play some games and eat pizza!

What a great group of ladies!

The weekend was exhausting but so much fun!

#5

2011-10-02T21:36:00.000-05:00

Kristi Pyatt blew me away with today's gift. She is a professional knitter and is so amazingly talented. A true artist in each thing she designs or creates. http://treefrogknits.blogspot.com/ She made me this gorgeous lux cowl with one of kind handspun wool THAT SHE MAKES HERSELF!!!! And these incredible fingerless gloves. Along with a note with the words to "These are a Few of My Favorite Things" I feel so loved and so honored to be the recipient of something I know she worked so hard to create, just for me. Kristi- I'm so grateful to have a treefrog original and I'm incredibly thankful for your friendship and love!

#6

2011-10-01T21:40:00.000-05:00

Jill Huelsebusch Bayless dropped off a sexy gift today...A fun bra, some lotion, a healing bar of soap, chocolate, and the coolest homemade card ever in the shape of boobs on the front and a thong on the back. She wrote inside "Glad its not your Ta Ta's!" Love you Jill! Thanks for making me laugh and helping me to not take myself so seriously!

#7 ( Part 1 & Part 2)

2011-09-30T21:25:00.002-05:00

‎#7 ( Part 1)...Cara German delivered an Illini gift today.... Handmade Illini earrings and necklack, Illini Chocolate, Illini Rice Crispy, Illini Tortilla Chips, and an Illini Cooler/Jug thing. She probably meant for it to serve lemonade but I can't stop thinking about adding some Vodka and having a nice cocktail! I LOVE IT! Cara shared my deep love for the Illini and all things orange and blue and I share a deep love for her and the friendship and support she has given me! Thanks Cara!
#7 (Part 2) Melissa Good surprised me today too and told me she doubled up with Cara. She gave me this beautiful mum plant that I will love, plant in the ground, care for gently, and kill instantly AND shes an Esthetician and she offered to give me a facial after the surgery! YEAH. Melissa and I have only been friends for a short time but her kids are the same age as mine, our hubbies are friends and Im pretty sure she'll be someone in my life for a long time. Thanks Melissa for your kindness!

#8

2011-09-29T16:34:00.002-05:00

Today I got this amazing gift! Something for everyone....Yummy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup and beer bread for the whole family. BEER for Brian and me ( and Octoberfest is my favorite right now for a number of reasons), a homemade CHOCOLATE body scrub just for me, and stick puppets for the kiddos!!!!! Jenn, you spoiled me rotten and I love it!

THankyou, Thankyou, Thankyou!!!!

#9

2011-09-28T22:11:00.002-05:00

Today Lori dropped off this beautiful gift to me! She made me the earrings last year and today, today I got one of her designs. My own matching necklace. Its beautiful. Its stunning. Its bold! Its me! I love it. I wore it tonight with sweatpants and slippers. I'm planning my outfit for tomorrow to incorporate it! And all I'm doing is cleaning. Don't you think it will be just the perfect accessory for cleaning?

A Wonderful Day, and Amazing Surprise

2011-09-27T21:46:00.000-05:00

Brian told me last week he wanted to plan a special day for us. Just he and I. I was supposed to be cancer free by now so it would have been a celebration but instead, we used it as a day to recharge and just be. We wandered Target and then he took me for a massage while he waited in the lobby. Then to Sunsinger for Octoberfest beer, goat cheese appetizer and shared sandwiches, soups, and salads. And when our bellies couldn't be any fuller, we went to a movie and ate popcorn and candy. Then to the mall to shop for a beerbong. Then to my parents to get Amara then home to Monticello. And what do I see on the table by the door but a stack of magazines, a few other items, and a note.... My dear friend, Kristy, gave me the most beautiful card with dozens of C words other than cancer and told me that she and others who loved me would spend the next 10 days until surgery making me feel great, keeping my mind off of it, and spoiling me. Today Kristy gave me a ton of great magazines, each one very personal to my likes and hobbies, two CDs with music, and her Kindle, since she knows I devour books and love to escape in them.

Kristy, thanks for helping make these next 10 days bearable. This creative gesture is so appreciated and much needed. I feel loved. I feel blessed.

Quad Cities Marathon...Brian's first half!

2011-09-25T21:22:00.000-05:00

Brian and I left Galesburg at 5:30 to get to the Quad Cities for the 7:30 start. Brian, with his new look and energy was ready to go!
There was a great crowd and of course, Brian found people to talk to immediately as I stood on a wall with my fancy big zoom lense and snapped away- we were both happy!

Last goodbyes....

and they were off!

The kids, and Brian's parents, met me an hour or so later with signs, ready to cheer Daddy on!

After what seemed like forever, we finally saw Brian. We cheered and yelled and hooted and hollared...but i could tell he wasn't doing well. He wasn't his normal, post run high Bri! All I could do was yell at him and tell him I loved him and run to try to find him at the finish. This is his story.

And my sweet man was at the beer tent, sipping on beer #1 and #2 for the first time after taking a 2 month break from drinking to train. That's the Bri I know and love! He didn't reach his goal but finished his first half in 1 hour 50 minutes!! Impressive.

And our running family continues. I'm so proud of you, Brian! For making this comittment, training your ass off, making huge sacrifices, and completing this run! Never stop RacingHome to us!!!!! We love you!