Babies and Baptisms and Impromptu Reunions

It was quite possible that my head could have exploded with all the fun jam-packed into one tiny little weekend.  When I heard the news that all 6 of us siblings would be joined for an extended period of time, I think I could feel the excitement bubbling up in anticipation of the pure adrenaline rush!

Erin's oldest child, Braeden was to be baptized on Saturday, April 13th; and her youngest, baby Addie was to be blessed on Sunday, the 14th.  To celebrate these joyous events, my parents went to the effort of transporting us all there.  What an awesome reason to celebrate, right?!?

It was so great to be together again (I think the last time was when Avery was born at her blessing...10 years ago! You may recall a certain sibling of mine jumping out of a rolling, red suitcase...haha!)  Of course, we've had reunions, but not an event where we were able to just be together as siblings under my parent's roof.  It was extra special.

Friday night at Buca de Beppo in Livonia...we were seated in the "Pope" room.  It was hilarious and awesome!  And the food was delicious!

 Saturday before the Baptism, Maryn and Avery gave Cole and Braeden their birthday presents from the Browns.  They were so happy to get to spend some time together.  When it came time for Braeden to sit with his family for the Baptism, he wanted to sit with his "MarynAvery" instead. :)

 Erin did a fabulous job setting a beautiful table of refreshments for after the Baptism.  

"If you feed them, they will come."  

Reminded me of similar baptisms over the years in our beloved Livonia Ward. 

 The Griswold Family, with newest member of the Church, and newest member of the Day clan!!

After the Baptism, we took some time to have a photo shoot to get an updated "sibling photo" for my parents.  We had a hoot goofing around together, despite the crummy weather we managed to get some great shots!!

 Hannah and Melanie chillaxin' at Jeff and Amy's house on Saturday night after the Baptism. 

 J'amy made us a yummy dinner, and then we sat around and talked and laughed for hours.  It was great!! (Jeff, Ryan, and Shauna in pic)

 Sunday morning at the Livonia Ward for the blessing of Adalyn Cora Griswold.  

She is such a sweetheart, didn't cry a bit for her blessing!

As you can see, poor little Addie was just done at this point.  She was so good for her blessing, but at this point, her hunger took over her emotions.  What girl hasn't felt that from time to time? Ha ha!

Feeling grateful for so many wonderful people to share my life with, and the opportunity we had to spend time together.  Wish we lived closer so we could see each other more often, but honestly moments like these definitely make up for the distance. 

I love you all so much!!

Peoria Zoo Members

I think I posted earlier this year about how we are members of the Chicago Field Museum, and we usually use that membership to help pass the dreary winter months.  This year we decided to become Zoo members to help us pass the spring/summer/fall months.  We have enjoyed getting to know our little Peoria Zoo better over the years.  It's small, but sweet.  It will hold a special place in our hearts I think.  Especially our beloved giraffes.  :)

During our break from school for the girls, we made a lovely Spring day of it with a picnic at a park halfway down to Peoria in a little town called "Washburn".  We love traveling through the little towns on the way to the city, and this one is especially cute.  We have even caught Washburn on the day of their town-wide garage sales before, and that was a special treat!!  They have a fabulous park for being such a small town, so we decided to enjoy that on our way to the Zoo!

Easter Recap '13

 Parker's basket from the bunny included her many loves of late: a book called "Butterfly Kisses", Cinderella stuff, coloring equipment, and My Little Pony.

 Avery's basket included a book called "Avatar" to go along with the cartoon they all watch together on Nick.  Next time you see Parker, ask her to take Avery's "bending" away, and you'll get a kick out of it.  She loved it!

 Maryn's basket included the next book in a series called "The Candy Shop Wars", available from Amazon or Deseret Book.  She has loved the others, and because it's hardcover only she has had to wait for a special occasion.  She gobbled that up just as fast as her chocolate. 

 Dying the Easter eggs on Friday, always an adventure!  This year's technique was using rubber bands and dipping eggs in sugar to make "glitter"...nothing too fancy.

On Saturday, we had a fun Easter egg hunt with some new friends in our Ward.  They invited us over for lunch, an Easter egg hunt, and they even made an Easter egg pinata for the kids to crack open!  It was so fun!  And even better to have some new friends!!

Easter Feast (so my Mom knows we didn't just eat Mac 'n' Cheese) on Sunday evening.  The menu included: a pork roast with a citrus mustard gravy, balsamic green beans with red peppers, baked ranch potatoes, deviled eggs, and glazed carrots.  It was quite yummy if I do say so myself. 

Disappointment and Discovery

I feel like I'm becoming a Jedi.  I'm getting all wise and stuff with age.  Haha!  I have learned recently that along with disappointment, comes discovery.  The disappointment of which I speak is that Mark was not selected as the candidate for the job at Delta, or Weber, or Lincoln-land.  What we were feeling about "change" and impending movement for our year 2013 wasn't exactly what we thought it was. 

BUT, it doesn't mean that change and movement aren't taking place...and that's where the discovery part comes in.  I feel like my eyes have been opened to a new horizon that I didn't realize was unfolding parallel to the one that I was hoping for.  Things are still moving forward, and that needs not be ignored!! 

Discovery #1:  Mark has done a great thing this year!!  The darn prospectus that has plagued him for literally 3+ years is complete!  About a week before we heard back from Delta, he heard back from his committee chairman that it was good to go, and he was ready to defend.  That is tremendous news!!!  He is now slated to defend at the end of April...even better!  After this he is able to start writing the DISSERTATION...dun, dun, dunnnn.  Haha!  But really most of it is written in lieu of so many chapters and versions to that darn prospectus, right?!?  So that's a good thing too.  Because this process has taken a little longer than expected he will need to complete the dissertation by the end of 2014.  If we had gotten a new job, and all that entails there is NO way that this could be accomplished.  So this will allow him to focus on getting this complete, free of distraction and stress...hopefully, knock on wood!! 

Discovery #2:  Now when we approach the job search at this time next year, he will have a PhD!  That will open up so many new opportunities and possibilities.  Who know what it will be?!?  But, like I said in my post the other day...I know that the Lord always makes what's supposed to happen, happen.  Even when you don't realize it. 

Discovery #3:  We will be okay.  Even though I have my days when I can't take it one more day, I know that ultimately we are all okay.  We have sufficient for our needs.  We are being blessed and watched over.  We are learning, and we are growing.  I am able to work a job that is giving me lots of flexibility, and great experience to move forward in my own career when the time comes. Our wheels are not spinning, and we are making progress.  The girls still have some time before HIGH SCHOOL (which is my main concern and focus), so the rush isn't as pressing.  Parker is looking forward to preschool in the fall at one of the best in the area, which is something I have had time to research and prepare for...couldn't say that for a new area at the last minute.  We also have some time to continue making updates to the house, so that when the time comes to sell we are current and lookin' good!

Discovery #4:  "Tying up loose ends" is my theme for the next year.  I now know that treating my relationships with people and this place as if I am relieved I won't have to deal with them/it anymore in a short amount of time is not the way to live.  I need to confront the people and things that aren't working instead of avoiding them, and reconcile with them.  I need to find solutions to the problems we've had from day 1, and find a way to make things better...or at least as tolerable as possible while we continue to be here.  I need to just treat each day as if we are staying here forever.  Stop wasting time, stop putting off, and just DO!  I'm kind of tired of the whole "it's them, not us" mentality we've adopted.  We just need to get over it...and deal.  I will try, but please be patient with me.  I know I will have my days when I continue to wish "Tonica was never born".  Haha!! 

So there you have it...some Jedi wisdom from a humble Padiwan.  Even though I'm disappointed, I will try and continue to discover.  Because I know that "all things are possible through Christ, Jesus".  He has a plan, and that's all that matters.

Beauty In Bloom

A group of fashion designers from BYU-Idaho came to visit some of Chicago's fashion institutes and do some research and work here in the Windy city.  As part of their trip, they coordinated with stakes all over the Chicago area to put on a "modesty fashion show" for young women and their families to participate in.  All girls from 3 stakes were welcome to join.  They sent in their measurements, and each designer hand picked their "models" to show off their designs.  It was a lot of work, but I think the designers and girls had a great experience!

As part of the experience, the girls were told to come prepared with hair and makeup, and then they would get dressed and learn some modeling basics the night of the show.  Maryn had lots of fun getting her hair and makeup done...I tried my best, but I am not really great at this kind of thing.  I guess I am going to have to continue trying to get better with three girls coming up in the world.  

 

 

 

The finished product didn't turn out too shabby, eh?

The fashion show was called "Beauty in Bloom", and was held at the Napervill stake center.  Maryn was in a group of girls that wore some altered/modified dresses and skirts that were once considered immodest, but with extra length and/or fillers became modest.  Maryn's skirt was actually just from Old Navy, but the designer added 2 rows of ruffles beneath the hem to make it more wearable and modest.  You can kind of get a sense of this with the other models too.  Each outfit has been "modified".

 

Maryn is on the far right...cream shirt and skirt.

 

 

I love this "where do we go now?" look.  Ha ha!! 

Once again, standing in awe of the young woman she is becoming...it goes so fast truly.

A Song Stuck in my Head

The snow is slowly melting in Tonica, and the longest shortest month of the year (February...boo!) is finally relenting her will to March.  March is putting up quite a fight though...marching in like a lion and all that jazz.  But just you wait and see!  That lamb is on her way just around the corner!!  Ha ha!!  What song does THAT remind you of?!?  (See my post from a couple years back about my favorite child-hood song, "June is Bustin' Out All Over!")

Lately it seems I always have a song stuck in my head...sometimes it'll tumble around in there all stinkin' day!  Other times for a brief moment, and then it's gone like a random vapor of melody.  Ha ha!

Yesterday, I was cleaning up after dinner and busted out in a strong winded whistle to the melody of an 80's classic, "Take On Me"...my family looked up from the dinner table.  I laughed..."does anyone know that song?!?"  And Avery piped up, "Yeah, it's 'Take Me On'"...to which everyone replied, "No, it's Take ON Me"...to which she insisted, "NO!!  It's 'Take ME On"."  And that's pretty much where it ended.  The whole thing made me smile.  What's funnier?  My seemingly super-power abilities to recollect names, faces, and belt out random melodies at random times, or the fact that my family is now trained to title-check them on the spot without so much as a scoff.  I dunno, but I love my family, and I love my "gift".  Ha ha!

Other random things tumbling around in my head lately (some deep, some silly, some just plain disturbed):

1.  Whatever will be, will be.  As many of you know we have been on pins and needles about "the JOB".  We both have felt that our time here is drawing to a close, but why?!?  We don't know what it will be, but we know that something, the right thing, is around the corner.  Even if he doesn't get this job, that only means that there's another one waiting for us after that.

2.  Our children can look like one parent, and act like the other.  I think Maryn favors me physically, but her personality is all Mark.  Avery looks like Mark, but is a lot like me.  Parker is...well...haven't figured out that one yet.  :)

3.   Is it just our Ward that calls people to organizations where your children are?  I don't know how I feel about it.  Sometimes it makes me wonder if callings are given based more on practicality and lack of ingenuity than divine inspiration.

4.  I was able to go to the Temple a couple weeks ago.  It's been awhile unfortunately.  I was surprised and happy to have been greeted by a warm feeling that a certain family member was there with me that day.  This reconfirms my testimony that it is the Lord's house, and a place where we are able to connect with our families, either by doing the work or being able to feel their presence.  It has been awhile since I've thought of this person, and it really made my day.  I sure do miss them, and can't wait to get to know them better someday.   

5.  You can think you know a person, and lo and behold, not really know a thing about them.  You can never really, truly know what kind of burden a person is carrying unless you walk a mile in their shoes.  Reminds me to not judge, and to try and be kind.

6.  Last night I made a killer pan of enchiladas for dinner...only thing is the enchilada sauce was past it's expiration date.  That's why I called it a literal "killer pan of enchiladas", see?   Well we didn't die, and it actually didn't taste that bad either.  Does anyone else do this?  (I told you somethings were a little disturbed).

Have a great week everybody!!!!!!

Please Bless Us...

Each time it is Parker's turn to say our night-time prayers, as we feed her the lines to speak out loud she makes little adjustments to the verbiage.  This is one of those moments that makes us all grin, and appreciate the individual that she is.  Instead of saying, "please bless us with good health, and good sleep", Parker will say, "please bless us with a good helf-er, and a good sleep-er".  Now I can't help but hear those words when I say my own prayers at bedtime.  :)

Lately our family has needed blessings of good helf-er, and sleep-er.  I have avoided writing a blog post about our struggles because I hate sounding whiney, and complaining.  But truth be told, this has been the sum of our existence since the new year.  Truth be told, this is the reason I haven't blogged since February 13th.  So in an effort to "keep it real", and blog/journal our lives...here goes.

Avery got it first.  She started coughing...well, actually hacking back in January.  After a couple weeks, we took her to the dr. to see what we could find.  Usually they just tell us "virus", and shoo us out of the office slamming the sliding glass window with a look of disdain.  This time, they said "bronchitis".  They started her on prednisone, and gave her an inhaler.  She sat out of gym for 2 weeks to allow her lungs time to heal.  The steroids had awful side effects on her.  It was not fun.  She is getting better now, but I think this cough will linger until the air turns warm and humid again.  Sigh.

Parker got it next.  Her symptoms were slightly different.  Simultaneously congested whilst having the River Wild coming out of her nose, coughing, achey, and generally unpleasant.  This sad girl has followed in her father and sister's footsteps with her trigger gagging reflex too, which means each time she coughs it will often lead to her gagging on the congestion coming up from her lungs resulting in....well, you know.  She doesn't like this to happen and is now quite insistent on carrying "the red bucket" from room to room.  Each time she feels it coming, she'll say, "I need to froa-t" which I interpret as a combination of throw up and throat.  Poor thing. We drug her to the dr's office as well, just to be turned away with V-I-R-U-S stamped on her forehead.  It took a couple weeks once again to get her well.

That's where I come in.  While Parker was in the midst of her bug, I came down with my own.  Once again a different strain with different symptoms.  Mine was settled in my head for the most part, with coughing and aches and chills too.  What sucks about being sick when you're the Mom is that you can't take a day off to sleep and drink plenty of fluids.  You can't sequester yourself beneath a pile of blankets and watch Sense & Sensibility all day long...life keeps moving, laundry keeps piling up, homework needs to be checked, dinner prepared, etc., etc., etc.  So it makes the healing process all the more frustrating.  I finally relented my will on a Sunday afternoon. After waking from a fitful nap, I realized I couldn't hear...out of my right ear...at all.  And hearing from my left ear was at a 50%.  Not only that, but painful!!  Feeling like pins poking around in my ear drum.  I went to the Urgent Care...being awfully careful not. to. touch. anything!! (Is it just me or are these places hives of sickness and germs?  I can almost see them swarming around like bees in the stagnant air.)  The dr. informed me I had double ear infections, a sinus infection, and that my throat was pretty raw as well.  I got some antibiotics, some cortisone ear drops, and was told to take ibuprofin when needed.

It is now day 10 of my course of antibiotics.  I still can't hear in my right ear.  My left is clear, but I am only at 50% in my right ear.  My sinuses are still very much congested and miserable.  I am frustrated.  I went back to the dr. on Friday, and they said to come back when it was 10 days.  So, looks like I will be making another trip to the dr. in the near future.  Ugh. 

Not to sound pathetic, but I haven't been this sick in years.  I haven't had an ear infection since I was a kid.  It's been a crappy start to 2013 I have to say.  Add to that the fact that I have entered into a new phase of life in the womanly department.  [WARNING:  This part of my blog post is not for the faint of heart.  If you can't handle the heat, get out of the kitchen now...Mark, this means you...ha ha!]  So my last period was in December.  When I missed January, I had a pregnancy scare the likes of which I've never seen...moments of sheer terror and fear...I. was. sweating. it. y'all.  I took a couple pregnancy tests...both negative.  Weird.  This is super unusual for me.  I am like clock-work, and if anything I ovulate earlier than 28 days, something about my personality possibly.  Ha ha!  Anyways, I waited for Feb, and it still didn't show.  Now I was concerned.  This time I went to my lady dr.  He ran some blood-work (thryoid which tests pre-menopause, and a blood pregnancy test).  The tests came back normal, as in not menopausal and not pregnant.  Phew!  I can stop sweating now.  But still...no answers!  He also ordered a mammogram for some fibrous tissue problems I have had for several years now.  This is really what made me worry, as you can all probably understand.  The mammo came back normal again.  Sooo, I am just supposed to wait...wait for a period that is missing in action for no apparent reason.  This is where I start to wonder...what could it mean?  The longer I wait, the more worried I become.  The more I worry, the weaker my immune system.  The weaker my immune system, bam!  Double ear infections, yadda, yadda, yadda.  Vicious cycle!

So to put your minds at ease, and end what very well could be the longest, freaking, whiniest, crab fest of all time I will let you know that I got my period a few days ago.  It didn't come on schedule, it just showed up.  Now I am all wonky.  What does it mean?  I have been googling, asking.com, and researching...the only leads I have are PCOS, or stress-induced amenorrhea (sp? which means absence of menstrual cycle).  Whatever it is, what the heck?!? 

So there you have it...WAAAAY more information than you ever expected from a blog post.  You're welcome.  Like I said before, this stuff ain't for the weak of heart.  Seriously though, what do you think it could be?