The Stomach bug

The stomach bug hit J yesterday. Went home from school early, and was sick all day. Nothing makes a mom's heart hurt more than to see their kids sick. Poor thing. He is pale, weak and miserable.
And his sister is no help.
Miss M is jealous of her brother getting the attention. Wants me to sit with HER! Wants me to get HER some ginger ale. Wants ME to run her a bath. ug....She is more hassle than the sick one!

Praying that she doesn't get the ick!

Hard Week

J and his teacher and my friend, Mary

About 10 years ago, I had to teach a 2nd/3rd grade spilt class. This is not easy. So to help with this my principal hired a part time teacher who taught math and science to the second graders in the afternoon. Her name is Mary. The following year, Mary was hired full time at my school and has been there since. She is older than me by more than 10 years but we have formed a sister-like bond. She came to the hospital when Miss M was born, she calls me (and I call her) all of the time. We became close friends.
Last year, J was put in her first grade class and this year she moved up with him to teach 2nd grade. She is the best teacher! All of the kids love her. Everyone loves her.
In April, her husband was diagnosed with a virus that was hardening his kidney from the inside. Through the past few months, he has been ill, but holding on. He was approved on January 10, 2012 to get a kidney transplant, after MONTHS of testing, setbacks and issues. His sister was to be his live donor. Through this hardship, Mary kept going. She went with Steve to every doctor visit, hospital stay, etc. She is a rock. We prayed together, cried together knowing that on February 20th, her "old" Steve would be back. A new kidney. A new chance .

This past Tuesday, Steve suffered a massive heart attack and died. They believe it all is related to his kidney issues. I had taken off that day for a doctor visit and afterward, when I talked to Mary, she told me that he was on life support and had no brain activity. They were taking him off of it as soon as his family arrived. She told me to come to the hospital. I sat with my friend as she lost the love of her life, her best friend. I sat next to Connor, their 17 year old son, who looked at me with sadness in his eyes and asked me, "So what do we do now?" I held my friend who just sobbed.
As I said, it has been a hard week.
I went back to work on Wednesday where we were a school in mourning. Mourning the loss of Steve, grieving for our dear friend. I cried all day. I asked God WHY??? Why Steve?? 13 days till his transplant? How can he allow this to happen to my friend?
I attended the viewings, and yesterday, the funeral. Mary spoke--the most eloquent words. Words filled with love, sadness, and of course, humor. Oh yes, Mary is a funny one. Humor is how she copes. We cried and laughed together.
I guess the reason I am sharing this with you is so you can pray for Mary and Connor. Pray for peace, understanding, strength. I know God has a plan, although we don't know what it is yet. I know that Steve's passing is part of it, but Why? I appreciate your prayers.

THe best!

In times of stress and frustration, there is nothing better than the smile my daughter has on her face each time she goes potty and comes to tell me. She is so proud and her smile makes my heart melt! It is like the first time each time she goes. And she is so excited. And I love it. :)

THe Christmas Season Fast track!

Our Christmas Season begins with the annual visit to the Festival of Trees. We indulged the kids this year by allowing them to get their faces painted. It was too cute! I am glad I out my Frugal nature aside and let them do it!

Miss M the Snow Princess and J the Snake!

J wrote his letter to Santa!


Little Miss rode the train. J deemed himself "too old" for the train this year. Made me a little sad, as he has been riding this train since he was a year old!

A few weeks later, my baby girl turned 3! Where has the time gone? We had a family gathering, complete with a Minnie Cupcake cake.

M and her Aunt Neicey!

My baby girl!

Fast forward two weeks to Christmas Eve. We took Dad and Butch to church with us. It was a lovely service and dad got to see the new church we have been attending!

Then there was Christmas Day. Miss M got her own DVD player for the car.

She is really into Minnie Mouse this year, can you tell? and Princesses....

J got his own "ipad" aka a Kindle. Does everything he wanted it to do. Plus the first thing he did was read the book I bought for it! BONUS!

J wrapped up in an Angry Birds blanket while playing Angry Birds on his Kindle.

Then we headed off to our nephew's house for brunch. Actually it was breakfast--that is how early we were there. It was delicious! We got to see the Brennan side of the family and snuggle with out great-nephew D!

Grammy (Aunt Terry) and her grandson and her niece!

Of course, D got some CAPS wear! GO CAPS!

Great Grand mom and her great grandson D!

You can tell I was wearing down- Super tired. I hardly took any pictures at my sister's house. She and I hosted Christmas at her house. Which means she did most of the work and I helped pay for the food!

Miss M and my niece, hiding in the blanket!

We gave my dad and his fiance' Butch a calendar. They loved it!

(Did I ever mention that my dad is getting remarried?)

We had a super fun time that day but thought we'd extend the fun.

The next night the alumni of our high school was hosting a happy hour at a local restaurant. Since my dad, sister, brother and I were all in the same town all at once, we decided to go! ( My dad is a former teacher there)

We hung out with some former teachers and mostly just had fun hanging out as siblings. How often does that happen? NEVER!

Last but not least, My besties, Amy and Christy and I got together for our "friends" Christmas. Our brood has grown to 7 kids, aging from 8 years, down to 9 months. (Judy- if you read this, the little guy on the left was born the same day as your Will)

It was impossible to get all of the kids to smile so this is the best picture we got!

So there you have it. Our Christmas in Fast Track!

Happy New Year all!

GO CAPS!

We here at our house, have morphed into Washington Capitals fans. Paul and I decided since it was Kids Night the day before Thanksgiving, that we would give it a try and take the kids. Aunt Ju-Ju and Uncle Tim, and our friend Brain and his daughter came along. Boy did we have fun! Being the worrier that I am, I expected the worst. Melting kids, crabby mom, crazy crowds. But I was wrong! The kids were great, especially Miss M! J was tired an a bit whiny, but not too bad!
Miss M didn't have her own seat so she sat with Aunt Ju-Ju and Uncle Tim most of the night.

(Terrible) picture of me and my boy! (Remember that I had been at work all day. That's my excuse for the circles under my eyes.)

World's Cutest CAPS fan!

J made his own sign!

UNLEASH THE FURY!

I am so glad we went! We were so sleepy the next day so after our Thanksgiving meal, we took naps. Miss M slept for three hours! WOo HOO! I hope we get to take them to another game one day!

Halloween Fun!

We went to a Halloween Party last night for J's scout troop! This is the first year J wanted to be something scary instead of something "cute". boo.....Miss M got to be a "fairy witch" although it didn't come with wings so I just think she is a pretty witch.
Being the teacher geek that I am, I was trying to get her to quote one of my favorite childhood book characters, Ramona Quimby. In Ramona the Pest ,Ramona is a witch for school and ran around screaming, "I'M THE BADDEST WITCH IN THE WORLD!" but Miss M wouldn't do it. She just kept telling me that she was good, not bad!


Anyhow, the party was so fun. They did crafts, had dinner, trick-or-treated to each table and played mummy where they had to wrap a den member up like a mummy with toilet paper. J thought that was the best!

October...finally!

J's 8th birthday!
J and Miss M sitting by the campfire.

Hi everyone! I hope all 3 of you are doing well! ;)

September was the busiest month. Between J's birthday, camping with scouts, WORKING, and life, we were busy each weekend! Exhausting!

J's birthday was at a bouncy place. I don't usually spent that much on a birthday but he didn't get a party last year AND they offered a 20% discount! :) The kids had a ball and we had fun watching them all play till they dropped!

The next weekend was camping. We had a ball. Miss M did great! It was cold but it only drizzled for a few hours in the afternoon.

The following weekend, Paul went to the Washington Capitals convention with his sister and was gone Friday into Saturday night. To keep the kids busy, we went to see The Lion King in 3D. I could have done without the 3D. I love that movie! The kids again, did great! That afternoon we had dinner at my moms. Busy but fun day!

This weekend Paul and J went to a CAPS game and yesterday I GOT TO GO OUT! I went with my BFFs and another friend to a winery for GNO! We ate yummy food, had a glass of wine and talked and laughed. It was so nice and relaxing! I so needed that!

The kids have been giving me a run for my money lately (or my sanity). Miss M has started getting up before 5 AM! No matter when I put her to bed she gets up. I know it is a stage but I can hardly handle it! J has been mouthy, stubborn and be clash a lot! I pray each night for wisdom and patience on how to deal with his new behaviors.

Anyhow, I hope to post again before another month goes by!