The Fire in our Home that Night
The firefighters waited. The house was closed up. Not a window was open and there were at least 2 other propane tank heaters in the house. They were waiting for the oxygen to run out and the fire to mostly put itself out. Going into the house meant possibly more fire and bringing in the hoses.
My mom went over to the house when the firetrucks arrived; my siblings and I stayed at our neighbors.
At some point, the firefighters went into the house, putting the rest of the flames out. They never brought in hoses. They threw my brother's burning toys out his window upstairs. Only the kitchen, stairs, upstairs bathroom, and brother's room burned. Everything else was black with smoke. The other heaters never caught fire.
The firefighters brought out our cats and two finches who didn't make it. The cats were on the other side of the house from the fire, laying next to each other with their noses by the front door. Our black lab, Dakota, was outside in the kennel and just fine.
The fire had stayed in the kitchen and shot up the stairs. My shoes were melted near the kitchen door, but not burned. At the top of the stairs was the bathroom to the left, my brother's room straight ahead, and the door to the right leading to a large closet and all the girls' bedrooms. The door on the right was closed. We didn't have hallways in this house. You had to walk through rooms to get to my parents room and the other set of stairs. Both my room and my brother's room had two sets of doors. I think my parent's bedroom door had also shut as my brother's room's 2nd door led to the other set of stairs and then to their room. And I remember that when the home was being restored, they couldn't re-stain my parents' door and had to paint it instead.
My dad got a message at work about his home being on fire, and showed up during this time. He had driven 30+ miles crying, believing that his family was gone. I'm sure he was relieved to find we were all okay.
My parents came back to our neighbors and filled us in and told us about the cats and birds. I'm sure I cried. We began making phone calls to find people to stay with. My sisters and I each went to different friend's homes so that we could go to school with them the next day and wear their clothes and shoes. This would leave my parents undistracted in figuring out where to go from there.
I stayed at my friend Jessie's house. Her family took care of me for a few days. I don't remember how long. And I went to school with her the next day, sharing the story with my friends. It was all so grievous and shocking that I didn't know how to respond, but we were all okay and besides our cats & birds, I didn't yet know what we had and hadn't lost.
More to come.
Monday, December 3, 2007
16 years ago, part 1
on a Monday, December 2nd just after 5:00pm, my family's home caught fire.
Many of you know the story. We were all home except for my dad, who was working. My mom, sisters, 3 year old brother, and I all made it out of the house unharmed.
My big sister (17) was making soup for us in the kitchen. My younger sister (11) and I (14) were huddled under blankets while lying on the couch watching television. I was holding one of our cats, Libby. My mom was napping upstairs with our other cat, Mittens. My brother was napping in his room.
Our furnace had gone out, and propane heaters were brought inside to help keep us warm. Snow was on the ground outside. We were all huddled under blankets except for my big sis who was cooking.
A family friend had just stopped by to change the propane tank on the heater in the kitchen near the stairs. He was gone now.
I don't remember what I heard. I remember my big sister screaming, and the flickering glow coming from the kitchen. I held onto my cat as my younger sis and I ran into the kitchen. The entire propane tank was a tower of flame and the window curtains were already on fire.
We lived in an old Victorian home that had two sets of stairs, one that came down into the kitchen, and another on the opposite side of the house near the original front door that we never used. It was at this point that I think I remember seeing my mom coming down the kitchen stairs and then running back up them. I'm not sure she could go down those ones because of the flames.
My frightened cat bolted out of my arms and back into the living room. I ran after her, searching under the couches, but I couldn't find her.
Meanwhile, my younger sister had run outside in the snow without shoes to our detached garage. The garage door had been left open, thankfully. She used the phone in there to call 911.
I knew I had to get out of the house (thanks to everything I learned in school through fire drills). I got up off of the floor and ran out the door without my shoes, which were right by the door. As soon as I stepped outside I met my big sister, and I said, "Brandon!" (my brother). I started to go back in. Just then my mom came out the door, carrying Brandon, her purse and car keys.
We all got in our mini-van and drove to our neighbors' home where we would watch for the fire department to come.
At our neighbors' and using their phone, my mom tried to get a hold of my dad. This was before cell phones, and as an electrician, my dad could be anywhere. I'm not sure if she called his company or the site he was at or the Electricians' Union. But eventually, she talked with someone who would try to deliver a message to my dad.
Twenty minutes later. The fire department still hadn't come. We lived on 3 acres of land, but we lived in town, less than a mile from the fire department. My mom called 911 again, and the operator said that they didn't get a good address the first time.
Soon after three large fire trucks barreled into our long horseshoe driveway. One of the trucks got stuck in a snowbank at the end of our driveway.
The firefighters did
nothing
for a while, but waited.
To be continued.
This was probably the most memorable experience of my life outside of my wedding and giving birth to my children.
What's yours?
Many of you know the story. We were all home except for my dad, who was working. My mom, sisters, 3 year old brother, and I all made it out of the house unharmed.
My big sister (17) was making soup for us in the kitchen. My younger sister (11) and I (14) were huddled under blankets while lying on the couch watching television. I was holding one of our cats, Libby. My mom was napping upstairs with our other cat, Mittens. My brother was napping in his room.
Our furnace had gone out, and propane heaters were brought inside to help keep us warm. Snow was on the ground outside. We were all huddled under blankets except for my big sis who was cooking.
A family friend had just stopped by to change the propane tank on the heater in the kitchen near the stairs. He was gone now.
I don't remember what I heard. I remember my big sister screaming, and the flickering glow coming from the kitchen. I held onto my cat as my younger sis and I ran into the kitchen. The entire propane tank was a tower of flame and the window curtains were already on fire.
We lived in an old Victorian home that had two sets of stairs, one that came down into the kitchen, and another on the opposite side of the house near the original front door that we never used. It was at this point that I think I remember seeing my mom coming down the kitchen stairs and then running back up them. I'm not sure she could go down those ones because of the flames.
My frightened cat bolted out of my arms and back into the living room. I ran after her, searching under the couches, but I couldn't find her.
Meanwhile, my younger sister had run outside in the snow without shoes to our detached garage. The garage door had been left open, thankfully. She used the phone in there to call 911.
I knew I had to get out of the house (thanks to everything I learned in school through fire drills). I got up off of the floor and ran out the door without my shoes, which were right by the door. As soon as I stepped outside I met my big sister, and I said, "Brandon!" (my brother). I started to go back in. Just then my mom came out the door, carrying Brandon, her purse and car keys.
We all got in our mini-van and drove to our neighbors' home where we would watch for the fire department to come.
At our neighbors' and using their phone, my mom tried to get a hold of my dad. This was before cell phones, and as an electrician, my dad could be anywhere. I'm not sure if she called his company or the site he was at or the Electricians' Union. But eventually, she talked with someone who would try to deliver a message to my dad.
Twenty minutes later. The fire department still hadn't come. We lived on 3 acres of land, but we lived in town, less than a mile from the fire department. My mom called 911 again, and the operator said that they didn't get a good address the first time.
Soon after three large fire trucks barreled into our long horseshoe driveway. One of the trucks got stuck in a snowbank at the end of our driveway.
The firefighters did
nothing
for a while, but waited.
To be continued.
This was probably the most memorable experience of my life outside of my wedding and giving birth to my children.
What's yours?
sharing is caring, even during discipline, right?
When Henri gets a timeout, he has to sit on our steps. We've encountered a problem with our now mobile daughter going to visit him during his timeouts.
Another typical preschooler problem we deal with daily is teaching Henri how to share toys and other items with his sister and friends.
While Henri was in a timeout this morning, I was cleaning up the breakfast dishes, and Henri announced, "Mama, look! I'm sharing my timeout with Cosette!"
I peaked over the counter and there was Henri smiling proudly with his arm around his sister who was sitting next to him on the step.
He emphasized his sharing a second time, "See? I'm sharing with Cosette my timeout! Yes, I am."
Uh, not quite what I had in mind.
Another typical preschooler problem we deal with daily is teaching Henri how to share toys and other items with his sister and friends.
While Henri was in a timeout this morning, I was cleaning up the breakfast dishes, and Henri announced, "Mama, look! I'm sharing my timeout with Cosette!"
I peaked over the counter and there was Henri smiling proudly with his arm around his sister who was sitting next to him on the step.
He emphasized his sharing a second time, "See? I'm sharing with Cosette my timeout! Yes, I am."
Uh, not quite what I had in mind.
fly away mouse
Upon coming home from church yesterday, I noticed a mouse walking across the alley on the snow. It started scampering up our driveway toward our garage, so Johnny tried to scare it away. The mouse kept coming anyway. Then Johnny scooped it into his two gloved hands and tossed it high up into the air and across the alley into the empty lot behind our home. The mouse landed in the snow and waited a bit before running under a dead bush weed in the snow.
Stay away mouse. Stay far away.
Stay away mouse. Stay far away.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Warning: This post is full of random thoughts. Some may think it too quirky or way too long.
We have a tree, a Balsam I think. And it's fragrance is wonderful.
Then there was the trip to get the tree. Our Realtor's office was giving away trees about 20 miles away from our home yesterday morning, which means our family braved the snow storm that arrived with a flurry. Because a free tree is worth the risk. At least I'd call driving through a snow storm risky; Johnny calls it fun.
And as Johnny knows all too well, driving in snow storms is one of the things I love doing the least. I love it the least, as my high school choir director used to correct his students when they said that they hated something. "Don't say you hate it," he'd lecture with a grin on his face. "Say, you love it the least." And most of the students would roll their eyes at him. The rest of us choir nerds would giggle. Yes, I was a choir junkie, but when you are completely inept when it comes to sports, you've got to love something! Phy-Ed was my worst class and usually ended in embarrassment for me...every day...and I really did TRY (sometimes), which is why I was so mortified over my inability to throw, kick, or serve a ball.
Then when I got to college and began a minor in music, I realized how not talented I was when it came to sight-singing and ear-training, and I had to drop it or stress out. I chose the former.
Math, now math, that's where I could EXCEL! Well, only algebra, and with a calculator. Don't you dare make me add, subtract, multiply, or divide in my head! That's Johnny's forte, which is why I carry a calculator in my purse. And calculus is above my head, which is why I didn't like it.
So I'm not coordinated, which is why I think I can't drive Johnny's manual transmission car. I just can't move that many feet and hands at the same time. When I'm behind the wheel of my automatic car in a snowstorm, I freeze up. And when Johnny's driving through the storm, I'm very tense in the passenger seat, but I'm comforted that my very capable and coordinated husband is driving. I feel tense, but safe. We plow through our alley at top speeds while Johnny cheers and tries to get Henri to cheer with him. We slide through the streets, and Johnny says, "Wheeeeeee!" I close my eyes, wishing and sometimes saying out loud how I wish we would have left our home earlier before the storm began.
***UPDATE***
I should mention that Johnny doesn't mess around in the snow when he's driving with the kids and I. We have to keep the car moving through the alley in order to get our mid-size car through the drifts. And by sliding, I mean the usual sliding that happens on slick streets, not the sliding that happens from crazy driving on slick streets.
***POST CONTINUED***
And Johnny's, "Wheeeeee!" reminds me how he enjoys going down hill really fast on rollerblades, on his bike, or on skis. This is why he mountain bikes. I broke my wrist when I fell off of my bike while going down hill on a trail during high school. We used to rollerblade on our streets together before our kids came along. When we got to a hill, he'd rush up and down it a few times while a creeped my way down it. I'm out of control when skiing, so I've stopped doing that. Johnny does not enjoy walking or hiking (too slow), but sometimes he'll come with me or I'll agree to jog with him. But when hiking, he must have the right shoes with him because sand in his sandals is a big no, no. And sometimes we'll bike together with the kiddos in the bike trailer, but I slow way down on the hills.
Back to getting the tree...
While on the freeway to get the tree, we saw a SUV in front of us do a 360 degree turn and crash into the median than bounce back & 360 the other way where he stopped on the side of the road. Whew!
The parking lot to our Realtor's office was full of snow already, and I was regretting wearing my open-heeled sneakers. We went inside for snacks and a picture with Santa. It was waaaaaaayyyy past Cosette's nap time, so she cried while on Santa's lap. We didn't plan to have the kids sit with Santa, but Henri wanted the candy cane Santa was giving out to each child that sat with him. Since Henri couldn't enjoy the other homemade treats (cookies & brownies--Henri has an egg allergy), Santa became his BFF.
The trees were all the same kind and all wrapped up, but hey, free tree, right? And I wasn't about to be picky. I asked our very tall Realtor for a short, scrawny tree. (The scrawnier ones are easier to decorate, I think. And I've been into short trees for the past couple of years...maybe it was the hefty price of the taller trees that influenced that desire, but don't we usually desire what we CAN'T have? Like a digital SLR? But that's another story.) Good thing I grabbed those bungy cords right before we left to hold the trunk down. The tree stuck out of the back of our trunk as we drove home. And we made it home safe & sound, tree in tact.
The tree is up in our living room. The branches needed to settle. Today I was busy doing other chores, so tomorrow I hope I will trim the tree, but I've been known to put off such things.
Johnny put Chistmas lights on our house this evening. We had only one strand of icicle lights left that still worked (except one small section in the middle), which was just enough to cover the roof above our front door. Hooray the lights are up! And my loving husband puts them up for me each year when I know he'd rather not. Unless I can figure out if the other strands need a new fuse or bulb, I think that's all we'll have outside this year. Since we're trying to sell our home, I'm not about to invest in more outdoor lights if we end up in an apartment a year from now. Do I hear Johnny cheering in the background?
Henri was soooooo excited to help Johnny shovel as soon as the snow began falling. He actually asked if they could go outside for the last snowfall we had, which didn't stick. Outside this morning, Henri detoured off the sidewalk often and into the snow, so his pants were soaked when it was time to leave for church.
In his closet, Henri was out of pants that matched his shirt (the jogging pants just weren't going to work with the button-down shirt), but we scraped up a pair from the drying rack in the basement just in time for us to head to church.
Then I peaked outside this evening as Johnny was hanging the Christmas lights. Henri had his shovel and was traipsing through the snow without snowpants again. Hoping that his blue size 2 snowpants would fit my almost 4-year-old who was wearing this years size 4 camo green & black coat, I called Henri in. Success! They mostly fit! Good enough! They didn't match (I've been kicking myself about not picking up snowpants, gloves, and hat last year on clearance when I got his coat), but they fit. Note to self, next time find a coat on clearance that matches son's navy snowpants, mittens, hat, and scarf. His boots are gray.
We're a little behind on the traditions as usual. Our Christmas advent calendar & devotionals start on December 1st, and I haven't pulled them out yet. So we'll start a little late, but we're always a little late. Plus we're still working out the traditions. We want our kids to enjoy our Christmas traditions while learning that God the Son became a man two thousand years ago to take our just punishment, paying our fine so that we can be cleansed and forgiven and live happily with, delighting in, and loving God forever.
Merry Christmas!
We have a tree, a Balsam I think. And it's fragrance is wonderful.
Then there was the trip to get the tree. Our Realtor's office was giving away trees about 20 miles away from our home yesterday morning, which means our family braved the snow storm that arrived with a flurry. Because a free tree is worth the risk. At least I'd call driving through a snow storm risky; Johnny calls it fun.
And as Johnny knows all too well, driving in snow storms is one of the things I love doing the least. I love it the least, as my high school choir director used to correct his students when they said that they hated something. "Don't say you hate it," he'd lecture with a grin on his face. "Say, you love it the least." And most of the students would roll their eyes at him. The rest of us choir nerds would giggle. Yes, I was a choir junkie, but when you are completely inept when it comes to sports, you've got to love something! Phy-Ed was my worst class and usually ended in embarrassment for me...every day...and I really did TRY (sometimes), which is why I was so mortified over my inability to throw, kick, or serve a ball.
Then when I got to college and began a minor in music, I realized how not talented I was when it came to sight-singing and ear-training, and I had to drop it or stress out. I chose the former.
Math, now math, that's where I could EXCEL! Well, only algebra, and with a calculator. Don't you dare make me add, subtract, multiply, or divide in my head! That's Johnny's forte, which is why I carry a calculator in my purse. And calculus is above my head, which is why I didn't like it.
So I'm not coordinated, which is why I think I can't drive Johnny's manual transmission car. I just can't move that many feet and hands at the same time. When I'm behind the wheel of my automatic car in a snowstorm, I freeze up. And when Johnny's driving through the storm, I'm very tense in the passenger seat, but I'm comforted that my very capable and coordinated husband is driving. I feel tense, but safe. We plow through our alley at top speeds while Johnny cheers and tries to get Henri to cheer with him. We slide through the streets, and Johnny says, "Wheeeeeee!" I close my eyes, wishing and sometimes saying out loud how I wish we would have left our home earlier before the storm began.
***UPDATE***
I should mention that Johnny doesn't mess around in the snow when he's driving with the kids and I. We have to keep the car moving through the alley in order to get our mid-size car through the drifts. And by sliding, I mean the usual sliding that happens on slick streets, not the sliding that happens from crazy driving on slick streets.
***POST CONTINUED***
And Johnny's, "Wheeeeee!" reminds me how he enjoys going down hill really fast on rollerblades, on his bike, or on skis. This is why he mountain bikes. I broke my wrist when I fell off of my bike while going down hill on a trail during high school. We used to rollerblade on our streets together before our kids came along. When we got to a hill, he'd rush up and down it a few times while a creeped my way down it. I'm out of control when skiing, so I've stopped doing that. Johnny does not enjoy walking or hiking (too slow), but sometimes he'll come with me or I'll agree to jog with him. But when hiking, he must have the right shoes with him because sand in his sandals is a big no, no. And sometimes we'll bike together with the kiddos in the bike trailer, but I slow way down on the hills.
Back to getting the tree...
While on the freeway to get the tree, we saw a SUV in front of us do a 360 degree turn and crash into the median than bounce back & 360 the other way where he stopped on the side of the road. Whew!
The parking lot to our Realtor's office was full of snow already, and I was regretting wearing my open-heeled sneakers. We went inside for snacks and a picture with Santa. It was waaaaaaayyyy past Cosette's nap time, so she cried while on Santa's lap. We didn't plan to have the kids sit with Santa, but Henri wanted the candy cane Santa was giving out to each child that sat with him. Since Henri couldn't enjoy the other homemade treats (cookies & brownies--Henri has an egg allergy), Santa became his BFF.
The trees were all the same kind and all wrapped up, but hey, free tree, right? And I wasn't about to be picky. I asked our very tall Realtor for a short, scrawny tree. (The scrawnier ones are easier to decorate, I think. And I've been into short trees for the past couple of years...maybe it was the hefty price of the taller trees that influenced that desire, but don't we usually desire what we CAN'T have? Like a digital SLR? But that's another story.) Good thing I grabbed those bungy cords right before we left to hold the trunk down. The tree stuck out of the back of our trunk as we drove home. And we made it home safe & sound, tree in tact.
The tree is up in our living room. The branches needed to settle. Today I was busy doing other chores, so tomorrow I hope I will trim the tree, but I've been known to put off such things.
Johnny put Chistmas lights on our house this evening. We had only one strand of icicle lights left that still worked (except one small section in the middle), which was just enough to cover the roof above our front door. Hooray the lights are up! And my loving husband puts them up for me each year when I know he'd rather not. Unless I can figure out if the other strands need a new fuse or bulb, I think that's all we'll have outside this year. Since we're trying to sell our home, I'm not about to invest in more outdoor lights if we end up in an apartment a year from now. Do I hear Johnny cheering in the background?
Henri was soooooo excited to help Johnny shovel as soon as the snow began falling. He actually asked if they could go outside for the last snowfall we had, which didn't stick. Outside this morning, Henri detoured off the sidewalk often and into the snow, so his pants were soaked when it was time to leave for church.
In his closet, Henri was out of pants that matched his shirt (the jogging pants just weren't going to work with the button-down shirt), but we scraped up a pair from the drying rack in the basement just in time for us to head to church.
Then I peaked outside this evening as Johnny was hanging the Christmas lights. Henri had his shovel and was traipsing through the snow without snowpants again. Hoping that his blue size 2 snowpants would fit my almost 4-year-old who was wearing this years size 4 camo green & black coat, I called Henri in. Success! They mostly fit! Good enough! They didn't match (I've been kicking myself about not picking up snowpants, gloves, and hat last year on clearance when I got his coat), but they fit. Note to self, next time find a coat on clearance that matches son's navy snowpants, mittens, hat, and scarf. His boots are gray.
We're a little behind on the traditions as usual. Our Christmas advent calendar & devotionals start on December 1st, and I haven't pulled them out yet. So we'll start a little late, but we're always a little late. Plus we're still working out the traditions. We want our kids to enjoy our Christmas traditions while learning that God the Son became a man two thousand years ago to take our just punishment, paying our fine so that we can be cleansed and forgiven and live happily with, delighting in, and loving God forever.
Merry Christmas!
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
tiny sweet Brynn
Here are some pictures of my niece, Brynn, from three days ago. I got to hold her for the first time since I got over my cold, and she is a TINY little princess. I liked these photographs of her and thought I would share.
Brynn with Rachel & Ava
Brynn with her daddy
Now if only I could hold my other new niece...
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
her new favorite activity
climbing up this step stool
Success!Cosette also enjoys climbing stairs. She does not enjoy falling down them, though she does think she can go down them...head first.
Cosette also had her well-baby check-up today. Here are the stats:
Height: 28 inches (between percentile 10 and 25)
Weight: 19 pounds (between percentile 10 and 25)
Head: 18 inches (between percentile 50 and 75)
Weight: 19 pounds (between percentile 10 and 25)
Head: 18 inches (between percentile 50 and 75)
You could compare these to her 9 month stats here.
Henri at 12 months
("I really can't see any resemblance at all," their mama says tongue in cheek.)
Henri's 12 month stats:
Henri at 12 months("I really can't see any resemblance at all," their mama says tongue in cheek.)
Henri's 12 month stats:
Height: 30.5 inches (between percentile 50 and 75)
Weight: 22 lbs 6 oz (between percentile 25 and 50)
Head: 19.25 inches (95th percentile)
Weight: 22 lbs 6 oz (between percentile 25 and 50)
Head: 19.25 inches (95th percentile)
Johnny says the kids are blessed to have my generously proportioned head; he thinks they will be smart. I smile coyly.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
for your shopping entertainment
How is a mother to shop with her two young children at Trader Joes & Super Target when the baby no longer is in an infant carrier car seat? I should have brought my wrap to carry Cosette around in. Since the cart at Trader Joes can only carry one child and the carts built for preschoolers at the particular Super Target I was at would only carry two preschoolers and no babies, Henri walked at both stores.
Overall, he did a good job, holding onto the cart and staying nearby at Trader Joes. But then began the entertainment. It went something like this.
Overall, he did a good job, holding onto the cart and staying nearby at Trader Joes. But then began the entertainment. It went something like this.
Run in place with your head down;
Flop your body to the ground;
Stand up; run down the aisle;
Slide on your belly & go a mile!
over and over and over again
Flop your body to the ground;
Stand up; run down the aisle;
Slide on your belly & go a mile!
over and over and over again
This continued at Super Target. Henri got many laughs and smiles. I got comments about his energy (one older couple said it wasn't fair that children got all the energy when they needed it) and how my kids must be a handful. Since he was staying nearby and not bothering anyone or the store shelves, I let him do his thing. He eventually got out of line at Super Target, and I scooped him into the cart basket. I know, I know. The picture on the cart shows a big "X" over putting a child in the basket, but I had to do something! After the basket, he moved into Cosette's spot as she got tired and I had to carry her around the store in my arms.
While he can require a lot of attention at times, my boy is hilariously funny and full of energy. We love you and your "creative movements" Henri.
While he can require a lot of attention at times, my boy is hilariously funny and full of energy. We love you and your "creative movements" Henri.
pictures to post, things to do, but...
I do want to quickly announce the birth of my little niece. Johnny's sister, Kristin, and brother-in-law, Matt, delivered their first baby last night.
Iris Grace
5 lbs 6 oz
19 in
5 lbs 6 oz
19 in
Another tiny baby girl: first from my sister and then from Johnny's sister. My babies were not big (6 lbs 4 oz & 7 lbs 13 oz), but they were not so small.
Oh how we wish we lived closer to Matt & Kristin, but 2,000 miles is too far to visit often. They started a blog at http://irisgracewilliames.blogspot.com/.
Iris is named for Johnny & Kristin's maternal grandmother. Here is a picture of Grandma Iris with her 7 1/2 month old great-granddaughter, Cosette, this last summer.
Baby Iris' middle name is also Matt's mother's middle name I believe.
Oh how we wish we lived closer to Matt & Kristin, but 2,000 miles is too far to visit often. They started a blog at http://irisgracewilliames.blogspot.com/.
Iris is named for Johnny & Kristin's maternal grandmother. Here is a picture of Grandma Iris with her 7 1/2 month old great-granddaughter, Cosette, this last summer.
Baby Iris' middle name is also Matt's mother's middle name I believe.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
why? why?
Why must the 3 year old boy wake up his sister from her morning nap for the 2nd day in a row while I'm drying my hair?
Hearing Cosette screaming at the top of her lungs, I walk out of my bathroom and into the hallway.
A boy, skipping toward me waving a handful of wooden spoons, says, "Cozy woke up!"
"Henri, did you wake her up?" I asked.
Henri: "Yes, I did. Because she wanted to wake up."
Why? Why? Why?!
Hearing Cosette screaming at the top of her lungs, I walk out of my bathroom and into the hallway.
A boy, skipping toward me waving a handful of wooden spoons, says, "Cozy woke up!"
"Henri, did you wake her up?" I asked.
Henri: "Yes, I did. Because she wanted to wake up."
Why? Why? Why?!
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
visiting Auntie Kristin & Uncle Matt
While I folded clothes in our unfinished basement this morning, Henri sat in his car and announced that he was going to visit Uncle Matt & Auntie Kristin, who live on the west coast.He zoomed across the basement, stopping near me, and saying, "We're here! Mama, you be Auntie Kristin! Auntie, Kristin, look what I brought you. A remote control and a Mary Poppins video."
Because what else would you bring your Aunt & Uncle after driving 2,000 miles?
You may remember that Johnny's sister Kristin & her husband Matt are expecting their first baby soon (a girl). I'll keep you posted. They are holding Cosette in the picture above when they visited us over New Years.
I have a cold
Maybe I got it from my Papa, who maybe got it from my brother.My mama has a cold now too. Maybe she got it from me.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Brynn comes home
My sister and brother-in-law took their baby girl home Saturday night. She weighed in at just over 4 pounds. We got to visit her on Sunday at their new home on a lake.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
the haircut
After pushing his hair out of his eyes constantly for days, Henri finally conceded to a haircut last Tuesday.
BEFORE
BEFORE
He could model this look, don't you think? :)
But this face is a more normal look for my boy.
But this face is a more normal look for my boy.
AFTER
I just don't feel like I've got any good pictures from that night. See the previous post for his "after" haircut.
I just don't feel like I've got any good pictures from that night. See the previous post for his "after" haircut.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Is it really Wednesday already?
Thanks to those of you who prayed about our showing. We did find out that the Realtor did not bring his client into the house, but they did drive by. With 34 showings set up that morning, they didn't go into every home. The client didn't like the location of our home.
My brother-in-law fixed my car yesterday, so I'm off to the grocery store today. Thanks Tony!
My brother-in-law fixed my car yesterday, so I'm off to the grocery store today. Thanks Tony!
Saturday, November 3, 2007
imagining
Imagine waking up Friday morning and getting out of the shower after an up and down day emotionally to a telephone call that informs you that you have 90 minutes before a showing on your home. Our 3rd showing ever since we put our home on the market at the beginning of May! We felt compelled to accept it.
Scrambling
I felt like crying. So we scrambled cleaning up as fast as we could, and Johnny asked if the Realtor could push back the showing a bit. The showing was at 10:00am. Johnny wasn't going to work. He was cleaning up. Our office/guestroom/Cosette's room was filled with computer items and office papers. I called my gem of a friend, Rachel, to beg for help. She obliged, and helped dress and feed my children while Johnny and I picked up, straightened out, and cleaned. (I wish I could say I kept the house picked-up all the time, but I don't.)
Around 9:30am, we got a call that the showing could be pushed back to 10:45am. Hooray!
Vacuuming?
I started vacuuming and THE VACUUM CLEANER BROKE! The upright part separated from the floor piece. Thankfully, all I had to do was push it back together. But I couldn't pull on the vacuum, just push it, or it would separate. I had to fix it many times.
Rachel had to leave to take Ava to preschool. We made her late. I'm so grateful for her help. She even arranged a pretty centerpiece of fruit on my dining table.
Windowing
Okay so that's not a word. Johnny was loading up the car around 10:15am. He came in laughing. "Guess what we forgot, Honey?"
"What?" I asked suspiciously.
"We forgot about the sash guys!"
Following Johnny inside the house were two men with a new window for our basement. It had been leaking, and I completely forgot about the appointment and to check my calendar. They thought they could get the new window in before the showing.
We waited while they worked quickly. The kids were loaded up and we were ready to go. It was 10:50am, and they were done. They gathered up their things and left. Whew!
Waiting
Since my car was outside our home and not working, Johnny took off the day from work. He drives a car with a manual transmission, and I cannot drive a stick. I've tried, but I just cannot coordinate it right.
We decided to visit my sister and our niece, Brynn, and drive a half hour north. Johnny got to see her as she wore her sunglasses and basked in the lights.
I saw her the night before with eyes wide open as the little pumpkin looked around, but I didn't get any pictures. She's doing good. Jaime's doctor said that developmentally, she's at 37 weeks. She's just tiny. The doctor suspects Intrauterine Growth Restriction. They're testing her for different conditions to ensure that's all it is. She's eating really well. Tony and Jaime headed home today, but Brynn is staying in the hospital until she starts to gain weight. (Most babies lose weight in the hospital). They're not positive as to when Brynn will get to leave, but it looks like it will be sometime mid to late week. (So soon!)
The end.
P.S. We got home, and there was no business card left from the real estate agent, no indication that anyone had come into our home. Johnny drove me 20 miles to work Friday night, picked me up, and drove me out there again this morning. Then back to work just 3 miles away this evening and back again tomorrow morning. My car goes in on Monday. Brynn's daddy, my brother-in-law Tony, is an auto mechanic and offered to look at it then.
Scrambling
I felt like crying. So we scrambled cleaning up as fast as we could, and Johnny asked if the Realtor could push back the showing a bit. The showing was at 10:00am. Johnny wasn't going to work. He was cleaning up. Our office/guestroom/Cosette's room was filled with computer items and office papers. I called my gem of a friend, Rachel, to beg for help. She obliged, and helped dress and feed my children while Johnny and I picked up, straightened out, and cleaned. (I wish I could say I kept the house picked-up all the time, but I don't.)
Around 9:30am, we got a call that the showing could be pushed back to 10:45am. Hooray!
Vacuuming?
I started vacuuming and THE VACUUM CLEANER BROKE! The upright part separated from the floor piece. Thankfully, all I had to do was push it back together. But I couldn't pull on the vacuum, just push it, or it would separate. I had to fix it many times.
Rachel had to leave to take Ava to preschool. We made her late. I'm so grateful for her help. She even arranged a pretty centerpiece of fruit on my dining table.
Windowing
Okay so that's not a word. Johnny was loading up the car around 10:15am. He came in laughing. "Guess what we forgot, Honey?"
"What?" I asked suspiciously.
"We forgot about the sash guys!"
Following Johnny inside the house were two men with a new window for our basement. It had been leaking, and I completely forgot about the appointment and to check my calendar. They thought they could get the new window in before the showing.
We waited while they worked quickly. The kids were loaded up and we were ready to go. It was 10:50am, and they were done. They gathered up their things and left. Whew!
Waiting
Since my car was outside our home and not working, Johnny took off the day from work. He drives a car with a manual transmission, and I cannot drive a stick. I've tried, but I just cannot coordinate it right.
We decided to visit my sister and our niece, Brynn, and drive a half hour north. Johnny got to see her as she wore her sunglasses and basked in the lights.
I saw her the night before with eyes wide open as the little pumpkin looked around, but I didn't get any pictures. She's doing good. Jaime's doctor said that developmentally, she's at 37 weeks. She's just tiny. The doctor suspects Intrauterine Growth Restriction. They're testing her for different conditions to ensure that's all it is. She's eating really well. Tony and Jaime headed home today, but Brynn is staying in the hospital until she starts to gain weight. (Most babies lose weight in the hospital). They're not positive as to when Brynn will get to leave, but it looks like it will be sometime mid to late week. (So soon!)
The end.
P.S. We got home, and there was no business card left from the real estate agent, no indication that anyone had come into our home. Johnny drove me 20 miles to work Friday night, picked me up, and drove me out there again this morning. Then back to work just 3 miles away this evening and back again tomorrow morning. My car goes in on Monday. Brynn's daddy, my brother-in-law Tony, is an auto mechanic and offered to look at it then.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
my brain is tired
Many things happened today from the birth of my niece (she's beautiful with dark rabbit-like hair and big dark eyes) to the jumping of my car (it's not working and sitting in front of our house). Plus many other things came up one after the other that affected me emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually. It's been one of those days where you feel different emotion after different emotion, both positive and negative (pity, excitement, shame, joy, impatience, fear, gratitude), that you can't process it all and feel paralyzed. Nothing tragic happened. Many good and wonderful things happened. Just a lot happened, and many I need to deal with tomorrow and within the next few days. I'm not trying to complain, but I fear it may be sounding like a complaining post. Ahh, for some wisdom and peace. But you know how it feels. I've been asking the Lord to drive me to my knees in prayer more often, and it's days like this where I sense he might be doing just that.
It's a...
GIRL!
My sister Jaime and her husband Tony gave birth to their 2nd child this morning at 9:52am.
We praise Jesus Christ for:
Brynn Noelle
3lbs 14oz
16 inches
Big brother Chase (3) is very excited to have a baby sister.
She was born 4 weeks early, is in the Level 2 nursery but doing fine. Please pray that Brynn will nurse and continue to do well so that she can leave the hospital sooner than later.
My sister Jaime and her husband Tony gave birth to their 2nd child this morning at 9:52am.
We praise Jesus Christ for:
Brynn Noelle
3lbs 14oz
16 inches
Big brother Chase (3) is very excited to have a baby sister.
She was born 4 weeks early, is in the Level 2 nursery but doing fine. Please pray that Brynn will nurse and continue to do well so that she can leave the hospital sooner than later.
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