Hello, Boss?

People ask me all of the time if I miss working. Today, my answer is yes. But I don't miss the working part, I miss the not working part. I miss the sick days. I miss the mental health days. I miss calling the boss and saying I'm not coming in and then having no responsibilities for the remainder of the day.  I guess I have to come up with my own solution to what a day on the couch used to cure. So I'm gonna finish this cup of coffee, put on our tennis shoes (oh, and get out of our jammies) and go for a walk.  Hopefully that will be a start to curing my mental health. :)  

Laughing and Lightening

Has anyone ever heard of a child laughing during a middle-of-the-night thunderstorm?  More than once, Reagan has awakened us in the wee hours with his clapping or singing or jibber jabber. Apparently he wakes up and keeps himself (and the rest of the house) entertained until he falls back asleep.  Well last night, during the storm, he was awake again. But this time he was cracking up. At first we thought it was because of the sounds of the storm, which was odd enough, but then we realized it was in time with the lightening. Every time the house would light up, he would laugh out loud. Maybe the silliest thing he's ever done. And he does a lot of silly things. 

He is Good

God and my Grandpa :)
We've definitely had answered prayers so far. It was a LONG day starting with a FIVE HOUR DELAY actually getting into surgery. (Nothing like waiting half of a day just to get to the actual waiting room) Grandpa at least got to rest a little during that time, but otherwise we just took turns having small visits with him in his room. He had a peace that was very comforting to the rest of us. They came to get him for surgery right before 4:00 so we all got to give hugs and say "see you soon" (a no-good-bye-rule was enforced) before we headed off to wait/sleep/eat/laugh/chat some more. My Grandma has been an absolute trooper the whole time. I can't fathom what it would be like to go through this with your husband of almost 62 years, but I'm sure its supposed to be done just like she did it. She didn't want to go home last night ("He wouldn't leave me, so I won't leave him") so I stayed at the hospital with her last night. Luckily, Grandma fell asleep before midnight and is still sleeping now at 7:30. I didn't do much for her, but its nice to take care of one that's taken care of me so many, many times.
Grandpa's nurse says he's starting to stir just a bit, so he may not be sedated much longer. He's not "out of the woods" yet but everything is looking good.
Thank you for your prayers. From the bottom of my Grandpa's heart.

Tomorrow is the Beginning

As you know, I'm in Iowa visiting with my family before my Grandpa Willy's (triple) bypass surgery. Grandpa will be at the hospital at 11 in the morning to start the process for his surgery. Right now some of us are watching a video from his doctor's appointment yesterday. If you know my Grandpa you know its not unusual that he had my Uncle Terry aim a video camera at the doctor during the visit. He explained that the surgery is of course a risk, but its the lesser of 2 evils as his blockage will most definitely cause a heart attack. There is a 5% chance of not making it through and a 5% chance of complications. Pretty good numbers in Papa's favor. His surgeon told him yesterday "I'll make a deal with you. You pray for me and I'll pray for you." So I'm asking you to please pray for Dr. Beggerly, along with Grandpa Willy. Apparently he's known as one of the best heart surgeons in the state, so that's reassuring in its own way.

Grandpa just got us all together to talk to us all. I don't remember him ever calling a "family meeting." I've also never seen my Grandpa choke back tears like I just did as he thanked us all for being here and basically told us that he loves us. He said he knew we'd all pray for him so I believe he knows he will come through this. He also thanked us all for the memories, so I also believe he understands the severity. If you know my family, you know my Grandpa fighting tears means the rest of us streaming tears. We are a group of Believers so we are believing tomorrow is the beginning of a healthier Grandpa. But we are also an emotionally attached family so we know what's on the line. And that's why you will find each one of us on our knees tonight. Please help us pray for peace for my Grandpa.

As a stated in an earlier post, my Grandpa is the strongest man I've ever known. And that's not an exaggeration by any means. My dad was the other one. I've already lost him and I believe losing Grandpa Willy will be the next hardest thing in my adult life. And I'm not ready.

Grandpa

I'm off to Iowa. We'll know today when Grandpa's surgery is. Please pray that everything goes well. Grandpa is the strongest man I've ever know so if anyone can make it through this, its him!  I'll keep you updated. 

A Better Shot

Busy and Buzzed

I'm sorry that I haven't posted in a while. We had a weekend filled with everything from baseball games to high school graduations and subsequent parties to spending time with relatives in town. And in between all of that, I've been trying to figure out the best plan to get home to Iowa to visit my Grandpa before he has a triple bypass this week. 

BUT TODAY Aunt Kirsten came for a visit and brought her clippers.  Kiefer's blonde hair just got a little trim. Reagan, on the other hand, got his first summer buzz. His crazy cowlicks really leave us no choice. :) 

 

He definitely looks like the big brother now. 

Too Scary

Okay, so I'm not sure what's happened to me. I used to watch scary movies. I "grew up" watching horror films. I may have closed my eyes during the very worst parts, but I could handle most of it. In high school, my favorite movie was "Scream." I saw it in the theater more than once (I think the only time that's happened), I owned it, I had it memorized. In college, anytime a scary movie came out, I always saw it. Fast forward to today. "Scream" was on tv. I watched part of it in the middle of the afternoon. And I had to turn the channel during the scary parts. I don't watch scary movies anymore. They're too scary. There was a preview of some looks-way-too-freaky-for-me Liv Tyler movie on tv today and I couldn't even watch the whole trailer. I don't know what's happened. I guess it's not a bad thing. Just weird. Thanks for listening. :)

(Somehow I can still handle reading thriller/crime novels. And some pretty graphic ones. Hmm)

Reagan Hearts Music

Just a little snapshot of Reagan enjoying music. He loves it all, but particularly when cute girls are singing :)  He danced, clapped and turned circles during the entire performance. 

Looking Back

I like looking back at pictures from the same time last year. Its fun to see what we were doing and what stages the boys were in. Last May they were babies, but somehow this May they are KIDS. 

They were 8 1/2 months old last Mother's Day. Kiefer was crawling and pulling up on furniture. Reagan was having fun watching!! 

   

Mother's Day 2007 : 

The Office

Based on tonight's episode and previews for the season finale, I think Pam and Jim get engaged, move to New York and become the subjects of the confirmed spin-off. (But probably not because that seems too obvious.)

Books

One of their favorite places. In the big chair, under a blanket, piled high with books. 

     

Kiefer Eats "Green"

Does "eating your greens" include green fruits?

   

Because he gobbled up the kiwi. 

Maybe I should mix green beans in there, too! 

Not Liking the TeamWork

Sometimes when I had the twins out in public the first several months after they were born, strangers would stop me, touch my arm and say "It will get easier."  I thought, "yeah, right" and went on my way. But it did get easier. And recently, they've become the best of playmates, and they spend a lot of their time entertaining each other.  And we've thought, "Man, this is still getting easier."

Well, then there were other people that would say things to me like, "Wait until they team up on you" or "wait until they start working together against you."  I thought, "ha, ha." And now I'm finding it difficult to "go on my way."

Just today, they've worked together to knock the pack-n-play over on its side to get the puppy dog inside of it. I had just checked on them, and they were playing nicely. Later, I ran back to my room to get dressed, and they moved their book sling away from the wall and dumped every book out onto the floor. In less than 3 minutes. And then there's the plugs in their room. We've got the other ones hidden behind furniture, but the lamp and air filter cannot be hidden. And they cannot be left alone. One will unplug the lamp while the other goes for the filter. At least 9 times today, I've had to plug them back in.  It's like they've hit this stride where they think if they do it together, than its not bad or something. Or they are just enjoying the extra strength and endurance that comes with teamwork. Whatever it is, I hope they hit a losing streak here soon.  

Featured Friend

                                  
I think maybe I will just "feature" some people that I like a lot every once in a while on here. Maybe cause I have nothing else to say or maybe because that person is just super cool at the moment. 

Today it is my BFF Stacey. We just celebrated her 30th birthday this week, so what a great time to give a shout out.  She was my college roommate turned best friend turned co-worker turned still best friend. She's in a season of life of trying to live healthier and she has a goal to shed pounds. If you haven't already, check out her website www.TooCheesy.com  As a Cheese Puff, I wrote the following in support of her efforts. It will tell you a lot about her.  

I walked into my new dorm room on the first night on campus and found my roommate/ stranger/future BFF sitting on the bed next to mine. She was 19 and I was 18. Now, TEN years later, I am so anxious for this new step in Stacey's life, and I am excited to be a part of it. In honor of living our 30th year healthier, happier, and closer to those we love...  
Top 30 Reasons Why I Am Honored To Be Stacey's Cheese Puff
1. she deserves to be treated as she treats the people around her
2. she is the most generous person with her time, money and emotions 
3. she didn't tell me she hated the sunflower decorations I used in our dorm room until after we moved out
4. she taught me how to make guacamole
5. she talked me through and helped cry it out during the most heart-wrenching loss of my life
6. she dressed in an orange t-shirt & denim jumper with white tennis shoes (okay, me too. on the same day.)
7. she spent the night at my apartment when I didn't want to be by myself
8. she sees movies she doesn't want to just to be around her friends
9. she is really, really smart
10. she is really, really funny
11. she co-authored the "butt print" theory with me
12. she likes my kids a lot
13. she came to hold them, change them, and make their bottles several times a week when they were first born
14. she's listens to my "I don't know what to do with my life" speeches more than anyone else 
15. she loves people more than they should be loved sometimes
16. she forgives people more than I can forgive sometimes
17. she would be more clever writing these 30 things
18. she told me every day how great of a pregnant lady I was
19. she is compassionate in all of her work
20. she has always dropped what she's doing to help me 
21. she explains Bible stories to me when I forget them 
22. she brings me coffee
23. she let me linger at her desk 6 times a day when I was bored or avoiding responsibilities at work
24. she will greatly benefit from everyone's support and enthusiasm
25. she succeeds at whatever she tells herself she will succeed
26. she told me she didn't think the plane hitting the building was that big of a deal, to keep me calm on the phone 
27. she spent the next 72 hours with me when it turns out, it was a big deal
28. she served cheesecake at my wedding (man, thanks again for that)
29. she will most definitely take her new healthy self to many countries to spread Love
30. she will live up to everything she wants to be and everything we know she can do, when she doesn't have this burden of being Too Cheesy

And Guess What Else?

My nephew, Carson, is collecting the Quarters of the United States. He only has 4 states left to collect. If you come across New Mexico, Arizona, Alaska or Hawaii, set it aside for me. 

Carson called me yesterday to ask a question about something he was learning about in school.  We talked for 17 minutes and 43 seconds. That's a long time for a 7 year old! And that's a lot of "and guess what else?" I now know that Peruvians eat a lot of potatoes, including red potatoes; if you are lost in the jungle/woods/deserted island, you can eat elephant, goat tentstico (translation: testicles), snakes and fish soup; you can gut a camel and sleep in its skin to stay warm; you can't fly a toy plane unless there are no trees; and the Sex and the City girls were coming up on Oprah (his mom was in on that one).