Grateful and Thankful this November

“A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all other virtues.” ~Cicero

November has been full of life. We have done and seen so much that it's been hard to keep track of. I'm glad I enjoy taking pictures otherwise I wouldn't know up from down. We are so blessed by what we are able to take part in, and the Lord has provided so many wonderful opportunities for us to enjoy with loved ones. 

We got to enjoy Connor's first hockey game with our neighbors David and Stephanie. They are big hockey fans, and though the Panthers are nothing to write home about, we all had an enjoyable evening. Connor was hooked watching the activity on the ice and couldn't wait to try out a hockey stick and puck. He took right too it, he thinks it's just like golf. Little does he know. Too bad I like his face too much, because this will not be a sport I think he will play too much of.

 

We also went up for a spontaneous weekend at Disney with Uncle Casey and Aunt Kaitlyn. Lots of rides, food, and sunshine later made for a wonderful day of magic. It was fun because C and K were able to buddy up and do the big kid rides while we went and did Connor rides. Hashtag perfect!

Mike and Sully = BFFs

 I am so grateful that Connor spends his day with Grandma Glenda. It's always perfect for when my school has events because he is able to enjoy the fun as well. Connor had fun at Truck Day, and loved climbing all over the helicopter and fire truck. There were also police cars and ATVs that he was able to climb in/on as well. The next day was Career Day and he was an excellent assistant to Captain Glenda Guise who came to show a 5th grade class her gear and hear her great stories. It brought back so many memories of when mom and dad would come to my school on Career Day. They were always the highlight of the day and my school friends still bring up how much fun they were. I have a feeling we will need to visit the fire station very soon.

Connor is also very easily writing his name....anywhere and everywhere. Grandma's preschool is pretty awesome!!

 We also got to take our family pictures at a special location this year. Based on the sneak peeks I have seen the pictures are beautiful and will be perfect for our Christmas cards. It was our first time at Matheson Hammocks Park, but it's an important place for my family. Great Grandma and Grandpa Guise met at this site, and that is where Grandpa Ernie knew he wanted to marry Grandma Francis. Perfect location for love at first site.

We got to enjoy a day with our church family for an early Thanksgiving celebration complete with a full spread of yummy food and lots of things for the kids to do. Connor's favorite is the tractor ride and this year they even set up a fun outdoor movie. Blankets were spread and little kids were transfixed. It was so precious.

 Aunt Kaitlyn has been working for months to prepare for her part in the Ft. Lauderdale Christmas Pageant and this Friday was opening night. We got to see a preview of the show during dress rehearsal and it is fabulous as always. Connor loved the snow falling from the ceiling, and of course the three camels walking down the walkway are always pretty impressive. I know the pageant will bless many families this year. Can't wait to see it for real.

 Thanksgiving Day was spent at Disney World again this year, and it has turned into a pretty wonderful tradition. There is nothing that holds us to staying in South Florida for the day, and we all enjoy traveling together anyways. Grandma Glenda made a delicious serving of Monkey Bread before we headed towards the parks and it was a wonderful way to start the day.

 Only Disney would have the most perfect Santa Claus, and he was amazing to be sure. He was jolly, and sweet, and would have made even the biggest skeptic believe. He spent such great time with each family, and listened to Connor ask so sweetly for the presents he is hoping for. It's also a great incentive to use on Connor for behavior, because this year we can use Santa's judge of character for good and bad boys.

The day before Thanksgiving we had quite a scare with Uncle Casey. He collapsed in his bathroom when he had gotten up that morning. Not just collapsed but completely fainted and blacked out for about 20 minutes. Luckily I hadn't left mom's house for work, and mom was able to rush Casey to the emergency room while I took Kaitlyn to school and sat with Connor. I was able to let work know I had an emergency and Papa came to watch Connor when I went to work. After many tests they admitted Casey into the hospital for further examination. His heart rate was at 38 when he got there and by the time they released him it was at 45/47. Not great, but considering all of his tests came back clear there wasn't much more they could do. The doctor even gave Casey permission to go to Disney. While I was with Casey at the hospital mom went home to check on Molly who had been acting funny since the night before. She rushed Molly to the vet where they gave her really bad news. Tim was able to drive Kaitlyn to the vet to be with mom as they put Molly down. I'm still not sure how we're going to explain it all to Connor, but I hope when the time comes he will understand it in his own way. It was truly such an emotional day and I am so thankful that the Lord worked out all of the timing so that we could all be where we were needed at the right times.

There is so much reflection done around the holidays. We are so lucky to be able to travel, have our health, and put food on the table. I am so blessed by the people I call family and that we enjoy so much time together. That we are truly there for each other through thick and thin. I have experienced the opposite, and know what it's like to not have that. I'm grateful Connor doesn't know the difference. In his life he is fully loved and blessed, and that's all that matters. Now, only 25 days until Christmas!

Sleep Study Results

It finally happened. The doctor's appointment we have been waiting for took place this afternoon. After 2 months of waiting and countless phone calls later, the neurologist gave us some "answers".

Nothing is wrong with Connor, he's just a bad sleeper.

Talk about great news, just not the "answer" we were expecting. I wanted them to give me real reasons for the last 3 sleepless years.

Basically the doctor said that Connor just might have an overactive brain that he can't seem to shut off. That he is really smart, and he's unable to quiet down his brain to rest.

This is shown in the results. He had an arousal index of 60.8 events per hour. He had 324 arousals during the study, and 308 of them were spontaneous in origin.

They also diagnosed a mild upper airway resistance syndrome. That he has a sinus arrhythmia but that it should not cause markedly disrupted sleep. We do plan to follow this up, and will be scheduling more appointments for the future.

The good news is that over the last few weeks Connor has been sleeping more. Just to have a couple nights of consecutive sleep is an answer to prayer. And that is truly where I put the credit. I know that so many people are praying for our sweet Connor boy, and that is why I think it's starting to happen. He does still have nights of waking up, and if he's not awake he's talking, crying out, and sometimes even giggling completely asleep. His brain is always working. I guess there are worse things that it could be. The neurologist was so impressed with his ability to write his name and do math. Though right now, he's playing hockey on the porch with daddy.

Halloween 2013: Our little connor JAKE

"Connor, what would you like to be for Halloween this year?"

"Jake, mommy."

"Are you sure? You could be Fix it Felix."

"No mommy, Jake."

"Or you could be Peter Pan."

"Mommy.....Jake."

Ok, then, Jake it is! How do I make my tow headed, flaxen haired child, into Jake? Keep in mind...I am all about a homemade costume, and refuse to go and buy one from the store when I know full well I can make one. Enter the collaborative efforts of Grandma Glenda and mommy. We took a beautiful Tommy Hilfiger blazer, took off the sleeves, and Grandma added the gold ribbon. I found the right sized buttons at Michael's and painted them gold too. Blue pants from H&M, a white Fruit of the Loom undershirt that I lovingly made a few cuts on the sleeve and a puff paint "chord" at the neck for the outfit. Then to complete the ensemble, galoshes spray painted brown by Grandma, and I added the gold buckles and the letter J in paint. No Jake would be legit without his black hair, and that we found at Disney World on our last trip. I thought about spraying it black, and then I couldn't bring myself to do that to his beautiful hair. I did add black eye shadow to his eyebrows to finish the look. HE WAS THRILLED!!! He really thought he was Jake, and I am so pleased that this year he specifically asked for what he wanted to be. I can't wait to see what he comes up with for next year.

We trick or treated to a few homes around our house first, and then went to Emerald Hills with Isla (his pirate girlfriend) and Lola. It was so much fun to go door to door with friends, and the neighborhood really went all out. It was like a movie set with tons of extras on hand to walk the streets. A little hotter than would have been ideal, but everyone had fun together! How could you not with full sized candy bars being offered?

Tim and I went as Red Sox super fans.....I was told that's not really a costume when it's true...so I left on my wig from my costume I wore to school.

 A ring of ghosts that Uncle Casey put in Grandma's yard really made a statement. It was awesome.

After we trick or treated with Connor's friends we went down to Grandma Glenda's neighborhood as per tradition, and Papa really wanted to see Connor's costume! Uncle Casey and Aunt Kaitlyn dressed up like Fix it Felix and Venelope Von Shweetz, and Emily had on a purple morph suit. We all had so much fun together. Our bags were full of candy, and Connor always surprises us on Halloween. Last year it was the trigger that really brought out our little talker, and this year his eloquence truly surprised us all. How he loves to reason with people, and organize the little details is always so amazing. He would tell people which order they would be at the door to receive their candy, and kept us entertained with his narration the entire night. His excitement is always infectious. WAY TO GO JAKE!

The merry crew of Never Land Pirates
Through & Through - they're jolly buccaneers
Join with Jake and the Neverland Pirates
Come Along - We need some volunteers.

Liberty University Homecoming 2013

2 Corinthians 3:17 "Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is Liberty."

After coming off of a whirlwind birthday weekend, that turned into a whirlwind birthday week, we left during the wee hours of Thursday morning to partake in another whirlwind weekend to celebrate Homecoming at our alma mater. We flew into DC and our first stop was with Uncle Rich and Aunt Katrina and sweet little baby Ellie.

We went to the main street ice cream shoppe, had a yummy dinner, and enjoyed a wonderful evening walk around their new neighborhood. Because they insisted before we even got there, we stayed the night at their house and woke up the next morning to a delicious breakfast. They really outdid themselves, and it was just so wonderful to be in each other's company. I miss having my friend so close. I still cannot believe they live so far away now. They have become like family to us, and we now have a piece of our heart living in Virginia.

After leaving the Fisher's house, with tearful good-byes, we headed to that sweet little Hill City in South West Virginia. I think we are pretty open about our indoctrination of all things LU in Connor's life. We would both be so proud if that is where Connor chooses to go when the time comes. We made our way to the Hancock Welcome center to sign-in, and were warmly greeted by the entire alumni staff. We left with a bag full of alumni goodies, and I've been proudly sporting it all ever since.  

Friday evening Connor was dropped off with a great babysitter, who also happened to be an LU theatre alumna. Meanwhile, Daddy and I were able to enjoy a fabulous date night to see Aunt Hilary in the Alluvion Stage production of Les Miserables. It is amazing to recall the raked stage I made my college debut on, and then view the grandeur of the new Tower Theater. The production was wonderful, and I am so proud of Aunt Hil's performance. We picked a very happy Connor boy up from the sitter, and she sent us home with all of the adorable crafts they made together that evening. Connor wanted to go back the next day!

Saturday afternoon we made sure to partake in a true FALL tradition. We went to a REAL pumpkin patch, where you pick them off of the vine and everything! I may have been more excited than Connor. Not only was it Connor's first time at an authentic pumpkin patch, but it was mine too. Aunt Hil came along to enjoy the fun, and she told us most children up north take a yearly field trip to the pumpkin patch. That sounds great to me! I don't mind taking a yearly field trip to Virginia to go to the pumpkin patch, I see nothing wrong with that! After Connor got over the shock of the cold air, he quickly found all of the fun things to do. They had baby calves to pet, tractor rides, big wheel tricycles, rubber ducky races, bouncy balls to sit on, and barrel rides. It was the perfect fall activity!

We dropped off Aunt Hil, and quickly made our way back to the campus to watch at least some of the Homecoming football game. The stadium was full, the atmosphere was fun, and we of course sat on the student side. When we got to the game the score was 42-23 Liberty, I won't say how it ended, but we had fun none the less.

After the game Alumni Relations had a fun carnival set up for alumni and their families and we spent a few hours riding the rides and enjoying the activities. Free custom metal street signs, free caricatures, free cotton candy, and free rides...can you say fun? They really went over and above! Connor even found out he had super powers by making smoke with his breath as we waited in line for the rides. He thought it was magic, what a true Florida boy.

Sunday morning we left Lynchburg and headed to Richmond. Our goal was to spend as much time with the Zylstra family as we could before we got on our plane to fly home. This wonderful family has played a very special part in our lives, and we were so excited to finally have our kids play together. Addison and Connor played all afternoon and had so much fun together. She very graciously shared all of her toys, and hearing their conversations was a joy. They both are very verbal and were perfect partners for each other. Luke even let Connor sit in his police car and talk on the speaker. We enjoyed a delicious lunch together, and Ashleigh even made a special brownie dessert, complete with homemade butter scotch. She also sent me home with frozen home made goodies. We were so glad to have time with this precious family.

I think my biggest take away from this trip was how dear close friendships are. That even if there is distance, and you don't get to see each other as often, if there was a great foundation of friendship built before the separation, than you can pick up where you left off. With each loved one we spent time with it was if we were transported back to where our time together had last ended. What a gift that is. I hope we can impart to Connor how to make these lasting, worthwhile friendships. I hope in his life he will have these fulfilling relationships with others. What a blessing friendship is. Maybe he will make those friendships at Liberty like we did.

Phillipians 1:3 "I thank my God every time I remember you."