Birth, Life, Death, & Resurrection

We attended church this morning.  Ed, our priest, had a great sermon discussing the passing of Charlotte and his thoughts surrounding the experience.  He, the social worker and nurse from Noah's Children, Roger, and Rachel were the people with Charlotte when she took her last breath.  His sermon was about birth, life, death and resurrection.  He discussed the rebirth you experience at the death or end of something or someone.  It was a great sermon and Chris and I shed many tears.  Coincidentally, I hear Ian, who is supposed to be napping, singing "Frosty the Snowman" in his room.  Very neat.  Back to thoughts about Charlotte...  I was struck by a post on Chris's Facebook status.  Chris had put a status that included his feelings about the passing of Charlotte.  One of his friends wrote that he had not said a prayer in years and was going to pray for Charlotte tonight.  Maybe that's the meaning/purpose of the loss of a vibrant little girl.  I think I will be searching for the answer to "why" for a long time. 

Chris seems to be feeling better today.  He's required less headache medication and seems more "normal".  We went to Allen and Shirley's (Pop Pop and Mom Mom's) house in Heathsville, VA yesterday to visit.  It's about 1hr 30min from here.  I drove and the 3 others slept.  It was quiet, which is always a treat.  Ian loved Pop Pop's trains and enjoyed going down to see the creek/river.  Ruby had a great time exploring their house.  She loved coloring at the kitchen table, playing in the snow (stomping it w/ her pink boots), and playing with Mom Mom.  Mom Mom and Pop Pop prepared a nice dinner that we enjoyed.  I'm glad we made it because I think they are taking down all their Christmas decorations today.  Ruby was asleep in her carseat before we turned off of their road and Ian was asleep not too long after.  That's such a beautiful thing!  Chris dozed off and on.  Both kids then went to bed really well last night and slept well all night.  I first heard Ian around 7am which is sleeping in for him.  By the way, his bed was dry the last two mornings but his underwear wasn't.  I guess he's not getting to the potty soon enough when he gets out of bed.  But I can handle wet underwear more than wet sheets.  So, we'll see if we can make no pull-up a habit. 

Chris screamed at the Eagles a lot last night.  They were playing the Cowboys for the third time.  It was painful.  The only positive was when Vick came in and made a touchdown pass.  But the next time he came in the game he fumbled.  Geesh!  I went to bed at 10pm and was out!

Ian was sweet to Ruby this morning. She bumped her head and was whining about it. He went to the freezer to get her ice. He put it on her head and said, "there you go Little One." Very sweet. He really takes care of Ruby. He doesn't like to see her upset.

We were hoping Whitney, John, Lily, and Ben were going to come play today but it seems that Lily has been coughing a lot and Whitney doesn't want to expose us.  We could probably handle the bug but why risk it, especially when Chris is seeming to be feeling better. 

We're transitioning to 2nd shift tomorrow.  I know it is mainly Chris, but it's a big transition for all of us.  It means Chris does drop-off and I do pick-up.  And I'm a one woman show at night.  Chris's hours are 3-11 but they always seem like 2 -12:30 or so.  We'll see how long he stays in 2nd shift.  Thankfully, it's not 3rd shift (nightshift). 

Well, Ian just came out of his room and said he is done napping, which he never really did.  So, I guess my time is up.  Hopefully this means an early bedtime.

We are enjoying life and are blessed to have each other.

My Friday Off

I enjoyed my day off. 

Chris went to work this morning and he tried to keep Ian quiet so I could sleep a little longer.  He got an A for effort, but it didn't work.  I got ready for the day and got Miss Ruby up for breakfast. 

Ruby and Ian enjoyed looking out at the deck and seeing the snow.  We got a dusting of snow last night.  They both insisted on wearing their snow boots to school.  Ian took his school bus for show and tell so he "plowed" the sidewalk with the school bus before he got in the car for school. 

I then went to the grocery store to buy items for a couple of recipes I've wanted to try.  Then I came home and got sucked into email, Richmond Mommies, and Facebook.  There is so much support and love being expressed for Charlotte's family.  It really is remarkable how the community has joined together. 

I then went to get my eyebrows waxed (ouch!) and showed up at Ian and Ruby's school to have lunch w/ Ian.  I'm always torn about which child to spend lunch with but Ian at least understands that I'm going to leave him again but will be back to pick him up.  I also enjoy sitting at his table with him and chatting w/ his friends.  I shared macaroni and cheese, carrots, pineapple, and milk with Ian and his classmates.  I read Ian and his friends a book, The Gingerbread Boy, while his teacher got the cots ready and the children went to the restroom.  They were pretty attentive.  I felt good about Ian's teacher and he seems to be doing well.  I checked w/ the director and she said that Ruby was having a good day.  She'd been in the room dancing w/ Ruby earlier. 

I then left to take the Camry to be cleaned.  Chris has been feeling like the Camry is triggering his allergies since his headache has been worst Tues. and Wed. evenings on his drive home from work.  The 1995 Camry was a gift from my parents before Ruby was born and it has dust and animal hair (Molly's too) in it.  We've cleaned it before but some of those allergens are hard to get out.  It was time for a new vacuum and wash down.  It was a good opportunity to clean out all the children's daycare crafts and artwork that had accumulated in the backseat.  I took it to a place that washes the exterior and interior.  I made sure to tip 20% because it was cold and it is so nice to just pay someone to do it!

It was time for shopping.  I had a Kohl's gift and I need a new winter coat.  The old maroon Columbia coat that I bought in Boone, NC in 1997 (before the month-long twin study in NYC) needs to be retired.  I actually think it may be a men's coat.  Anyway, it's served me well and clearly, was a good investment.  But, I luckily found a purple (of course) winter coat that fits well and seems really warm.  And it was only $64.  So, I'll get to try it on my daily walks to and from the parking deck.  I try to wear my nice dress coat daily but recently, it's just been way too cold.    I also found a winter coat for Landen.  Meg has been looking for a new one for him for a while.  I also picked up a new baby gift for our friends, Gary and Terry, who live in Bellingham, Washington and had their second boy, little Winter on 1/1/10 at 12:01am. 

Then I made a quick run to Trader Joes for some of our TJ favorites.  I also picked up some red wine.  I'm enjoying it while I write.  :)

I then came home to start cooking one of my chicken recipes for dinner.  Chris came home and changed clothes.  He then went to pick up the kids from daycare.  He didn't seem to be feeling that good but took another headache pain medication and thought he'd feel better. 

Chris was frustrated when he got home w/ the children because Ian "did not want to go home" he told Chris he "wanted to go to something special".  That means Chick Fil A.  I'm not sure why he calls it that, it may be from us trying to not tell him where we're going when we're younger so he wouldn't drive us nuts w/ questions before we got there.  So we tried to be vague but he figured it out quicly enough.  We usually go on Tuesday evenings because we can get free kids meals.  So, Ian really likes to eat out and thinks we should go "somewhere special" every evening.  His protests to "going home" don't work but it makes for an unhappy ride across Rt. 1 to the house. 

I made a chicken recipe emailed to me by Kraft Foods. It was easy and yummy. The children really didn't eat it but Chris and I enjoyed it. And my wine went nicely with it.  Here it is:  http://www.kraftrecipes.com/kf/recipes/tuscan-chicken-simmer-111677.aspx?pf=true.  I substituted 1/3 fat cream cheese and whole wheat rotini for the fettuccine/ravioli. 

After dinner Chris gave Ruby a bath and put her in her PJs.  I did the dishes and Ian worked on a project.  I gave him a bunch of leftover envelopes and he started coloring pictures and putting in the envelopes for his family and friends at school.  It was really cute and kept him occupied.  Chris had said "no cartoons" earlier because of his behavior/attitude related to not going to "something special".  So, I was glad that he stayed busy.  Chris had sent Ruby downstairs to say goodnight to me but I realized that Chris was lying down.  We had a minor crisis with Ian trying to help Ruby downstairs that became an unattended push and Ruby started falling down the stairs.  Luckily she caught herself and I responded in enough time that she didn't hit the hardwood.  Ruby was scared and Ian was upset.  He sat in time out and cried.  Ruby cried.  Chris yelled from upstairs, "What's going on?"  I took Ruby to Chris to explain.  Chris tried to get up, lost his balance and fell into the dresser, I ordered him to lie back down.  I then went back to Ian.  He was so remorseful and worried about Ruby.  He's such a sensitive little boy and I love that he has a conscious and cares about others.  I reassured him that Ruby was okay, he said he was sorry and we moved on.  Lots of hugs.  Ian got back to work on his envelope project. 

Ruby and I read books.  She loves The Going to Bed Book and she says "exercise" at the right time.  It's so cute!  She hit the sack at 7pm and I didn't hear from her again.  She was sleepy tonight.

Ian then got ready for bed and we read 3 books, sang 3 songs and did prayers.  Then we had our "one last hug drama" but he eventually got quiet and fell asleep.  I realized that we were out of pull-ups so cross your fingers that he doesn't wet his bed tonight.  I'll be shocked if he doesn't and Mama will be doing a jig in the morning if he is dry!  No doubt. 

So, Chris is still asleep.  I'd hoped that we can go to Allen & Shirley's (my inlaw's) tomorrow but I'm not sure about Chris's health.  We'll make the call in the morning.  We want to see Pop Pop's trains before he takes down the Christmas decorations. 

We hope to get together with John, Whitney, Lily, and Ben on Sunday. 

Until the next adventure...