Snow - Finally!

 

It has been snowing off and on for a few days. Today, it started coming down a lot. When Noel got off work, she was scared to drive home. Luckily, I work from home and was able to take Chad's car to pick her up. Later, Sean did his weekly trip to the corner store for snacks and said that his foot prints were almost gone when he was walking home (he chose to walk). About 30 minutes ago the dogs went out quickly, and Sophie had snow stuck to the belly of her sweater when they came in. They say we will continue to get snow through the night. Thankfully, we live north of the metro area and will not be getting as much snow as the south side. Tomorrow morning, Chad will take Noel to work before he goes, and I'll either take her a car in the middle of the day if the roads are clear or pick her up when she's off. The snow could be worse, but Sean and Noel don't have much experience driving in it. 

21 Already!

 

My precious Sean turned 21 today! It seems like just yesterday he was climbing on my lap with "blankie" and "arrr" (his security blankets) and a sippy cup. He still love to give me hugs even though he can't climb on my lap anymore. I can't wait to see what the future hold for this boy. I love him more than words can describe. 

Day at the Beach

 

Friday, was a good day. We started at the beach and light house in South Haven. I was obviously more excited to be there than the kids, but I expected that because I'm the one that grew up going there periodically. We lakes down the pier to the lighthouse first and took pictures (a must when in South Haven). Then, we walked over to the shore, waded in the water, and played in the sand as we waited for my cousin, Sherry and her husband. 

Then, we went to a tavern for lunch with Sherry before walking around to the shops.

This was followed by another trip to Sherman's Ice Cream where we met up with my cousin, Clint, and his family. Then, we went to Kids Corner (a well known playground out there) and walked back over to the lake.

 At this point, it was finally time to go swimming. I took the kids back to our hotel (only 10 minutes away), left Sean there (at his request), and took Noel back to the lake. We swam and jumped into and over the waves for about an hour before heading back to shore to make dinner plans as Noel and Clint's girls played in the sand and weather a bit more. Then, I went back to the hotel room to shower and change before heading to dinner. 

We met at a brew pub by the harbor for one last meal before going our separate ways. 

I am very thankful to have had this day with my cousins making new memories. It was the best day of the entire trip!

Our Second Destination

Last night we made it to our second destination (the third being home). We are officially in South Haven, MI, and I could be more happy. I thought I would not be back after my grandpa's funeral, but I made it a priority and found a way. 

We dribble about 6 hours from where we were in Illinois to our hotel. I drove the first half and Noel the second half (Sean didn't want to drive). She did both state line crossings in rush hour/vacationer traffic. (We were close the residual traffic from Chicago and drove past a few resort town.) 

I am so happy to be here. It feels like I'm finally home!

Illinois/Michigan Vacation:Day 1

This year, we planned a big trip (for us). The plan was to have a "cousin reunion" in South Haven, Michigan, where we grew up going for family gatherings with my dad's family. (We haven't seen each other, for the most part, since my grandparents passed away.) As time went on, plans had to change here and there. Eric was not able to get the time off, so he couldn't join. Chad had to have surgery and no longer had paid time off, so he had to stay home. Most importantly, my cousin, Kara, the cousin I was always most connected to as a kid, developed significant health problems and is unable to travel. So we pivoted. Eric stayed at his home, Chad stayed at ours, and the rest of us planned a two stop trip: one stop in Illinois, and one in Michigan. 

Our first leg of the trip started yesterday. Sean, Noel, and I set off to Illinois early in the morning and arrived at about 10pm local time. 

It was a long ride, and we took pictures of each state crossing as we drove (it was the job of the person in the passenger seat).

Today, we will go to my aunt and uncle's house to swim and spend time with them and cousins. Tomorrow, I'm hoping to be able to have lunch before heading up to our second stop, Michigan. 

Recreation Photos

I love pictures that recreate past pictures. When Eric was a senior, I really wanted to recreate a kindergarten graduation picture with his best friend from that time period. We talked about it for months, and I worried we wouldn’t be able to do it because of COVID. Thankfully, his school was able to figure out how to do graduation at a drive-in and we were able to do it. 

For Sean, we were able to recreate his eight grade graduation picture with is favorite teacher. 

When it came to Noel, only one picture came to mind when I thought of doing this. It doesn’t include anyone else which is good because she changed schools in high school. She fought me a bit on it but agreed that it looked great when she saw the result. 

I love that even when they think my plans are weird or stupid, my kids indulge me in things like this. And in case you’re wondering, they are in frames with their senior pictures. 

50 Years of Pomona

 

My high school had a 50th anniversary carnival today, and I brought Sean along for the fun. There were a bunch of booth seeking things, a few food trucks, a car show, and an open house in the school. It was fun looking at the cars while joking with Sean about some of the more unique designs. I loved walking around the school and showing Sean where I went to school. I ran into some of my good friends and enjoyed catching up with them, as well. We also had ice cream, and I bought a yearbook from my senior year since the dog ate it mine a few years ago. 

I was glad I went and was able to share it with one of my kids. There is something special about doing things like this with the people I love. 

Eclipse 2024

 We don’t live in the path of totality for this year’s eclipse, but we did get to see a partial eclipse. We didn’t have the special glasses, so I got out the colander from the kitchen which was pretty cool. The kids weren’t as impressed as Chad and I were. We tried taking pictures with iur phones over our shoulders. They were fairly good pictures, but you can’t really see the eclipse like the pictures people too with good cameras. Overall, it was fun to witness again. I’m glad that I work from home and am able to all away from my desk to watch things like this. 

Stomach Virus

Tuesday, Chad was very sick. It seemed like no matter what he did, it just got worse. Eventually, he called his mom, a retired nurse, for advice and was told to go to the ER. After a CT scan of his abdomen and 3.5 hours of waiting, we were told he had a stomach bug and a large kidney stone stuck in his kidney. The solution: lost of rest and follow up with a urologist. 

The next day, I was suddenly sick after work. I laid down to nap and ended up running no to the bathroom on a regular basis. Each time, I got up, my energy was zapped. I just kept praying that I could keep my dignity through it all. Then, I ran to the bathroom, fainted when I was done, and had to yell for help to get back to the toilet to throw up. I was sicker than I have been in a long time. 

A few hours later, it was Sean’s turn. He violently threw up every 20 to 30 minutes for a few hours. He has told me that he now just mostly has no energy. 

Next was Noel. Thankfully, she only threw up once and seems to be doing fine now. 

This virus sucks. Somehow, it has been a bit better for each person. 

Easter 2024

I wasn’t allowed to do the Easter Bunny thing until Eric was in first grade and heard his friends talking about it. He was so excited about the Easter Bunny coming that I was finally able to talk the person in charge into allowing it. Since then, the kids have had an Easter basket every year. This year, I used baskets they can use for some kind of organization purpose. Noel specifically asked for the carrot, Sean wanted a fuzzy bunny but got a dinosaur because there were no bunnies, and Eric was given some Hot Wheels which he appreciated. I can’t imagine a day when I wouldn’t put together Easter Baskets for my kids. I feel like it is just one simple thing I can do to show them my love. 

My Sean

 There was a time when I could see my mom in Sean. It was a comfort to have this little person remind me of the best parts of her. As he grew older, I was seeing it less and less. I could only see his uncles from his dad’s side, especially when he laughed or smiled. 

Today, I took this picture of him to do a “then and now” thing on Facebook. When I looked at it, I saw someone else. Me. This child of mine who has the smile of his dad’s younger brother, looks like me. Of course, that also means he still looks like my mom. How have I never noticed this?

Valentine’s Day 2024

I like Valentine’s Day. My husband and kids love it. Yesterday, Chad gave me this beautiful bouquet. Then, we went to Walmart and got Sean and Noel stuffed animals and treats. Of course, I gave them to the kids when we got home. I can’t wait every time I get them gifts. 

Today, I made a heart shaped pizza for dinner. Our tradition was getting it from Papa Murphy, but after the Halloween pizza fiasco, I had no desire to go through that again. It is a bit fun to make pizza crust from scratch and shape it, too. I don’t know how many Valentine’s Days I have left with these two in the home, and I want to soak up these traditions while I can. I already have to miss Eric. 

Shoveling in the Cold

 

Sean knows how cold it is outside, but he wanted to shovel the snow. Thankfully, he too has plenty of warm clothing including a beanie I knit him over the summer. When he came in, he said it wasn’t as cold as he thought it would be. It’s -7F right now with a wind chill of -21F. How does a hat and gloves make that big of a difference?

Christmas/New Year Memories

The pictures above appeared in my Facebook memories today. I remember when they were taken 15 years ago. I had seen a suggestion somewhere to do a time capsule at the beginning of the year (there is a blog post about it from that year). One of the things I included for each person was a picture (the ex was deleted off of my Facebook page years ago).  We each stood in front of the beautiful Christmas tree that we bought not long after Noel’s 3rd birthday. At this point, I knew something was wrong in the marriage and was desperately trying create happy memories. 

I have complicated feelings when I look at these pictures. I love seeing the kids’ little faces. I often miss the simplicity of these ages. At the same time, I remember how it felt to do these things like this alone for the most part. I could feel the resentment as I tried to get the ex to leave the girls he was chatting with online in the bedroom. I would rather remember the happy, innocent, sweet faces of my children. They have been my reason for everything since before they were born. My hope is that in the future, the kids will be the only memory I have when I see these pictures. 

Christmas 2023

I love when I get to celebrate Christmas with my family on Christmas. I have been trading Christmas and Christmas Eve with the ex for most of the kids’ lives. This year was my year! I was so excited that Santa did his job without helpers this year like when the kids were little. The stockings were filled and presents set out on a table in front of the tree (to keep the dogs away from them). 

After Santa was done, I made a breakfast casserole for those who didn’t want the Pop Tarts he left us before waking Sean and Noel a little after 6am. Sean was still awake but resting, and Noel was not happy to be woken up so early (we agreed on a time the night before). Thankfully, her mood changed quickly as soon as she opened her first present and got better from there with each gift. 

Chad was given something for each of his hobbies I could think of as well as an emergency preparedness kit to keep in his car. I gave him a bike tool kit that straps to his bike, a hydration kit for marathon training, and a cookie cookbook (this one may have been a bit selfish since I love when he bakes). 

Sean was given practical and fun gifts. We gave him some jeans, the next book in the series he had been reading, a “Merry Sithmas” mug, and train set. He promptly set up the train and let it go around the track for a while before putting it away and going to bed. 

I think I did the best with Noel’s presents. She was given some gel nail things that I don’t understand but she loves, an easel for when she paints, a flannel jacket with pockets, and a hair styling kit with a crimper and three curling wands. 

Chad buys my Christmas present, for the most part, and he did a great job this year again. He got me a new sweater, a knitting book that I have wanted for a year or two, a planner for next year, bone conduction headphones, and Ticket to Ride (a board game). 

Eric and his girlfriend, Peyton, came over around 5pm when they were done hanging out with her family. They opened presents as what needed to be cooked for dinner was cooking or warming up. 

Eric is not easy to shop for since he buys himself a lot of the affordable things he wants. When asked, he said he wanted forks, cat toys, and car stuff. I did my best but forgot to get him car stuff. We gave him a cat laser toy, a set of silverware, a dinosaur taco holder, and an Eco Dot with a clock on it. I think the best thing he was given was a painting of his cat playing a guitar that Noel made for him. 

Peyton was easier to shop for this year than the past two years. I think it was because we have gotten to know her better. She also wanted car stuff and cat toys. We got her a car vacuum (which she was excited about), a cat toy, a Sherpa lined hoodie, and a dinosaur taco holder. Chad also gave her some kind of light for her car interior. I’m not sure what present she was excited to receive the most, but she seemed quite pleased with how well we have gotten to know her. 

After all of the presents were opened, we had a dinner of appetizers and charcuterie. Noel made a beautiful charcuterie that we all enjoyed, and Chad made cheese balls and cooked Anytizers. I baked an apple pie for dessert and helped Noel a bit. 

Dinner was followed up with my new board game. I love that Eric likes to play games with me and everyone else is willing to appease me when Eric wants to do it, too. 

After all of the sleep that I lost worrying about today, I think it was one of the best Christmases we have had in a long time. I am thankful for my family. I am glad that my kids love each other and like being around each other. I hope to have more special days with my family as we navigate having children in this phase of life.