You Take the Good, You Take the Bad

You take them both and there you have...

Good News
-Adi's antibiotics must be working as she can sleep again
-Adi has an appointment with the ENT to get her tubes put in
-Ellie does not have school tomorrow
-My Dad flies in tomorrow
-I don't have to work tomorrow
-Krystal is going to join me in Philly
-My Mom's foot doesn't require surgery
-I'm going to spend time with my Amy & her fam while in PA
-Rebecca is happier than I have ever seen her...AKA glowing
Bad News
-Dayton is sick with the stomach flu and puking like a mo fo'
-We missed his parent/teacher conference because of said flu
-We missed Ellie's dance because of said flu
-Dayton puked at the Book fair when I was picking him up
-Dayton continues to puke, poor kid...so sad
-There is way too much to do to prepare for my Popsicle's arrival
-Shell is grumpy
-The Grateful Ed is almost homeless AGAIN
-I looked like a moron at work & yes, I opened my mouth to prove it
On the B Side: Remember that week when it felt like all hell broke loose? I won't share the grimy details but Monday came in with a ROAR and the best part about it is that it is almost over! The good news is that Saturday will be my day to catchup big time on the blogs I love most! xxox

25 Random Things About My Dad

Since I will be making this into a book at some point, I have to post this to immortalize his wise words as he truely is THE BEST! In his own words;

"1. I graduated from Bloomsburg University when I was 51 years old and earned my Master's degree in Social Work from Marywood University at the age of 54.
2. I believe that education is something that we do for ourselves, to prepare ourselves to serve the Lord and to help others.
3. This is my third career (Carpenter/builder, Nuclear Plant Operator, and currently a Gender Responsive Therapist) and I have thoroughly enjoyed them all. Each provided very distinct opportunities and benefits.
4. I am now working with adolescent females in a residential treatment facility. Some of the teens are placed there by juvenile justice, but most are there through Children Protective Services. These teens have endured more horrific experiences in their short lives than you can possibly imagine. I believe this is the most emotionally challenging, but most satisfying of my careers. I absolutely love going to work!
5. My middle name really is Boy, named after my paternal grandfather who passed on before I was born. I have only ever seen one picture of him, but my father told me many stories about him.
6. I was raised to have a strong work ethic and the motivation to push through difficult situations. The only time we lose is when we give up on ourselves and quit trying.
7. I have 3 older sisters, 6 nieces/nephews, and 18 great-nieces/nephews. My sisters and I were born and raised in the New York City metro area. Wouldn’t want to go back there anymore, except to visit.
8. My father made the "rule" that we could each only have two children, one male and one female. And that is exactly what each of us had! That was back in the day when children listened to their parents!
9. Been to Europe three times, the final trip was to rescue my beautiful daughter from the clutches of the delightful missionaries! Britta and I spent almost three weeks touring around the continent, gathering many wonderful memories.
10. I have two unbelievable kid's, 4 grandbabies, and a very special daughter-in-law whom I so look forward to bonding with soon and a great son-in-law.
11. The Lord blessed me with the opportunity to have my beloved mother live with me the last 2 years of her life. It was a very small way for me to begin to repay her for the love and kindness that she and my father brought us all. I feel so blessed that I was born at a time when most moms were able to be at home all the time with their families.
12. I believe that we can indulge in just about anything (that is legal!) in life as long as we do it in moderation. You must be able to control yourself, not have the indulgence control you.
13. I have very few regrets about things I have done in life.
14. I believe there are purposes for each of us and that we must always keep looking for the next door to open and have the courage and faith to walk through it. The Lord provide these opportunities, as well as free-will, and we should follow our hearts when we decide.
15. I was married for almost 25 years and the most beautiful part of that time was raising my children. I like to think that I was a good dad most of the time, but, alas, human, and therefore not perfect. I believe I passed on to them (hopefully!) my better qualities and few of my faults.
16. I love to work with wood. It is so malleable and forgiving, but strong and enduring. It is one of my great pleasures. I built the home that I still live in today some 31 years ago.
17. I had two wonderful dogs that were with us for 25 years and almost countless cats. I now have seven cats, all of which were rescued, and two strays that spend time here, mainly to eat and for warmth in the cold winter months.
18. I believe that we should love and respect all that the Lord has created, from the grains of sand to the world itself, and all living things. We should be taking care of people that have greater needs than our own, and we must understand the differences between our “needs” and “wants”. I know the Lord wants us to lend our strengths to any who are weaker.
19. I have had two life threatening experiences in the past two years and I believe the Lord is reminding me of my mortality as well as the preciousness of life. My greatest hope is to be able to help as many people as possible in whatever time I have left in this place.
20. I believe in cycles. We spend our younger years teaching our children and spend our later years learning from them. My daughter is truly an inspiration to me, how she has never wavered in her beliefs, never faltered in her faith, and constantly tries to do the “right thing”. My son has taught me patience and that waiting has its own rewards.
21. I believe there is a place for everything and everything should be in its place! Right, Jazz?!?!
22. I love to bring a smile to people’s faces, laughter to their hearts. Humor is a big part of my therapeutic approach and my life.
23. The small things in life can do that, too. To this day, I always leave some change in the return slot of vending machine for someone else to find. This small act of kindness can make a huge difference in someone else’s day!
24. I believe in confronting the most unpleasant tasks as quickly as possible, leaving more time to enjoy all the rest.
25. I was very sick when I was ten years old and spent time in a children’s cancer ward. Miraculously, I didn’t die.
26. Each day is precious and we owe it to ourselves to make the most of whatever hand we are dealt. I believe we can find something positive in almost all situations if we look hard enough and long enough.
27. My sister and her husband have been life-long mentors and best friends.
28. I have to have 28 items in order to stay ahead of my daughter!"

On the B Side: Facebook has this tag running around online. This was a great opportunity for me share just how wonderful (as in Mr. Wonderful) my Popsicle is using his own words! He really, really is the best and I do so love him! xoxo

Manic Monday: Cloud

Please click here to see what all of the hub bub is about and join Mo's fun!

Many times growing up in the summer we could play in the front yard of my Grandparents home. Given that our home was next to theirs, this was something that Jazz and I (along with cousins and neighbors) did often. Oh how I miss that time and place. I look back fondly and with a heart full of love. It literally brings tears to my eyes as I do so miss PA and it will always be 'home'

I can still see it all so clearly in my mind. The grass was always lush and green. The mountains were always full of greenery and softly rolled across the horizon. We would lay down and roll down the slight decline of a hill laughing all the way. The hill seemed fairly big back then and almost even steep. Having seen it many years later I perceived it so much differently. Growing up tends to do that...some times, it's a good thing. Some times it is a bad thing.

When you got to the bottom of this hilly yard, it was normal to stop and lie on your back waiting for the dizziness to pass as you gained your barrings. Those quiet moments afforded time to study the sky and literally watch the clouds roll by. I loved to indulge cloud gazing and you really could see them moving. I loved to determine what type of clouds were in the sky (and based my analysis Mr. Costello's 4th grade science class!) and find images and shapes in them.

The world really was a simpler place back then. As I think back to this time in my life it almost just feels like a really good dream that leaves you feeling warm and peaceful when you wake. So much has happened since those care free days full of giggles. The word cloud quickly brought me back and if it is one thing that I love, it's a good memory.

On the B Side: I will be traveling to PA in March for work. The only piece of 'home' that really remains constant for me is my Father and he will likely be out west helping to tend the children in my absence. This is a great thing simply because he will get to meet our little Adalie, spend some time with Dayton, Ellie and McKayla and see Jazz and Micci (oh and this time he won't have be ill). I'm happy that things are working out this way (even if I don't get to see him) but that doesn't keep me from missing home and reflecting fondly back upon what made it all so great. Yes, I am wiping away the tears now but these are the good kind of tears. xoxo

Friday's Fab Five

Credit for Friday's fav Five goes to my darling Clancy Pants!

1. DD Cakes and Betty Beans come home tomorrow! Enough said.

2. Koug really is my hand maid! I'm just sayin'.

3. I've had so many heart warming chats with Rebecca this week. Fabulous? Yes.

4. The Presedential debates are over. Let's get a new President already.

5. I really miss my Dad. He is my favorite person, hands down. I love you, Mr. Wonderful!

On the B Side: It's Friday and it's good to be home and relax. This week has been full of wonderful things that have touched my heart and for as much as I cry it feels so good to feel.

Thursday Thirteen

1. I got the cutest phone call from the kids. They are in FL with their Dad and Step Mom for food, fun and fantasy (oh wait, that's Knoebels!) They were just boarding a 'big boat' for the Disney cruise of a lifetime!

2. Mark has had the whole week off and has done a flippin' butt load of packing, cleaning, moving and unpacking during his 'vacation'. Right now he's hanging our flat screen so I can get me a little Glenn Beck and Nancy Grace! Nothing but Good Vibrations here with my Marky Mark!

3. Is there such thing as a crazy cat man? My Dad got another cat. Does he really need that many? At one point he had 8 or 9 and they keep disappearing. Psst...someone is trying to tell you something, Popsicle!

4. Mark chipped his tooth almost completely out. While he was telling me how white trash it looked we had big ears in the corn field...Ellie has proceeded to tell people that Mark has white trash in his mouth!

5. Dayton was laying in bed the other night and said, "Mom, what if there was no night? We would just have to take naps all of the time!"

6. Sunday we went to Alan Alda's birthday party and had a blast! The highlight of the event was listening to my little nephew Carter tell people to shut their eye ball after he heard his Dad say shut your pie hole! Carter also told his Mom that Adi looked smarter than her!

7. Kayla has been with us this week while her Mom is out of town. We've enjoyed being full time parents and have had a blast. For some reason she loves the new place hardcore!

8. Adi was at the doc's. She had a diaper rash that just wouldn't quit. Turns out it was a yeast infection...wth?!

9. Last Friday we went to the clubhouse and watched, 'Mr Magorium's Magic Emporium' in the theatre. The kids were all in their jammies and allowed to stay up a little later. At 8:30 Ellie came over and told me, 'Actually Mom, I think I really need to exercise' as she wiggled her bum back and forth and pretended to run in place with her arms going back and forth! The best part: she was serious!

10. This week the highlights at work we had a paper plate throwing contest and a paper airplane making/throwing contest. The 800 pound gorilla has gone ape!

11. Dayton was munching on popcorn chicken in the back of my MAV when he asked, "Mom, what happens to me if you die?" We had to cautiously address this and of course the next natural question was, 'Wel, what if Dad and Mommy Amy die, too?". We explained that lots of people love him and nobody is going anywhere!

12. Our refi is still swirling :( We've got to dump that dang ARM.

13. My Mom finally told me the cold, hard truth. Rubin is in a no kill shelter and Eddie Spaghetti ran away. Nothing beats tears in Target with 4 sets of little eyes watching! Of course they wanted to know what was up and then I had 3 sad little munchkins who won't quit talking about it (and I'm sure Adi was sad on the inside!).

On the B Side: The docs did another EKG on my Dad and it went well EXCEPT for the dead tick that they found on his chest...lyme disease from a tick started this whole crazy mess. Just stay healthy Pops and remember, the good die young...you ain't going anywhere! xoxo

Birthday Boys

Roses are Red

Violets are Blue

I know you think you're strong Nordic stock

But I don't believe you! Happy Birthday, Popsicle! We sure do love you! Thanks for sticking around ;)

and for my Jazzy...

Roses are Red

Violets are Neat

No matter how cute your wife is

You still have rubber feet!

Happy Birthday, little brother! You are officially older than dirt!

On the B Side: I am incredibly blessed to have both my Dad (who has been my best friend for forever and a day!) and my Brother (who has continually been my hero and saved the day on far too many occasions). Happy Birthday to two of my favorite Leos!

Papa Don't Preach!

Are you kidding me? Let me repeat myself. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!

Yes, it's true. My darling Father skirted around an old near and dear promise. The promise as I have previously mentioned in past posts was that there were to be no secrets. The promise contended that we would not edit/delete/sugar coat any of life's happenings. For years he has held true and has told me the straight and very direct truth as life has unfolded.

For instance, while I was in the Missionary Training Center he wrote (there are no phone calls) and told me about my Grandfather's heart attack. This is the kind of thing that people neglect to tell others thinking that they are doing them a service of some kind. The intent is to spare stress and worry which is believed to be in the best interest of another. I get it...I just don't agree...at all.

While the intent is pure it doesn't do anyone any good to hide the elephant in the kitchen. I do not like secrets and let's face it, eventually information of this nature is generally given to everyone in these types of situation or found out in the natural course of time. So while my Father has fared extremely well and held true over the course of many secret ridden years he has alas faultered!

He was in the hospital yet again this week. He spent much time in the Telemetry unit given some iunexpected and unknown issues with his heart. HIS HEART. Now it wasn't all that long ago that he was in the hospital with lyme disease that took some time to diagnose and the reality is that we almost lost him last year while he was in the hospital with other complications.

On the B Side: I am so grateful that he is doing well now. He has received excellent care and is now home safely resting. He lives near a huge cutting edge facility and that helps as well. While I am sad that I didn't know while he was going through everything I let him know how I felt and hopefully despite his best intentions this won't happen again! Communication is everything and I firmly believe this. The other thing to consider is that if people don't know you are struggling or ill then they can't pray for you! Just say no to secrets.

Papa Don't Preach

Are you kidding me? Let me repeat myself. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!


Yes, it's true. My darling Father skirted around an old near and dear promise. The promise as I have previously mentioned in past posts was that there were to be no secrets. The promise contended that we would not edit/delete/sugar coat any of life's happenings. For years he has held true and has told me the straight and very direct truth as life has unfolded.


For instance, while I was in the Missionary Training Center he wrote (there are no phone calls) and told me about my Grandfather's heart attack. This is the kind of thing that people neglect to tell others thinking that they are doing them a service of some kind. The intent is to spare stress and worry which is believed to be in the best interest of another. I get it...I just don't agree...at all.


While the intent is pure it doesn't do anyone any good to hide the elephant in the kitchen. I do not like secrets and let's face it, eventually information of this nature is generally given to everyone in these types of situation or found out just by nature. So while my Father has fared extremely well and held true over the course of many secret ridden years he has alas faultered!


He was in the hospital yet again this week. He spent much time in the Telemetry unit given some iunexpected and unknown issues with his heart. HIS HEART. Now it wasn't all that long ago that he was in the hospital with lyme disease that took some time to diagnose and the reality is that we almost lost him last year while he was in the hospital with complications.


On the B Side: I am so grateful that he is doing well now. He has received excellent care and is now home safely resting. While I am sad that I didn't know while he was going through everything I let him know how I felt and hopefully despite his best intentions this won't happen again! Communication is everything and I firmly believe this. The other thing to consider is that if people don't know you are struggling or ill then they can't pray for you! Just say no to secrets.

Still Going

Adi and I are like the Energizer bunny! We saw Doc N this morning and have started to efface. The process is in the works but there is just no telling when we will have a birthday but we are getting closer! I measured at almost 37 which wasn't great news. He talked about gestational diabetes babies having bigger shoulders, birthing difficulties and permanent damage from delivery due to nerves being stretched in the neck and back. I did lose more weight but my blood pressure was great.

It looks like we may be having a C-Section given all of the risks. I'm also on the hook for not monitoring my blood sugar and have to report in early Thursday morning. This means insulin and weekly fetal monitoring. :( I'm tired as all get out all of the time but was pleased to get a bunch of cleaning done this weekend. I also got the crib set up and took care of a bunch of returns. This week I will tackle the basement...ugh. I'm determined to keep moving though so we'll see!

My Dad was in the hospital yesterday. I know he'd like to believe that all is well and that he is of 'good Nordic stock' but it makes me nervous. They were able to rule out his heart and a blood infection; however, it appears he has some type of muscle disorder. He's supposed to go back today so I am anxious to hear more from him. We've had a promise for years that there are no secrets. We agree that with holding information is dishonest, especially when it comes to these difficult matters. He's always upheld his end of the deal and I'm holding him to it now for sure!

Last night we had dinner at my Moms. It gave Dayton a chance to serve everyone since he didn't get to do so at school last week. Ellie insisted that she help out as well and the two of them were cuter than cute about it! Dayton was well pleased with himself and kept taking bows. Ellie was so excited about being a "waitress" and having responsibility! I think we have so me new traditions and I'll be honest that having them help clear the table was so helpful!

On the B Side: Jazzy and Micci return today or tomorrow! YAY!

Whatever Normal is, We're Back to It!

Grandpa John left us early Friday AM. He just missed the big snow storm! We were spoiled as he busied himself being Grandpa, cooking, cleaning, doing laundry and he made runs to the grocery store!

His time here always goes too fast. We appreciate that he's able to take time away from his clients and life at home to fly across the country and "relax" with us! He survived 60+ people at Thanksgiving and was a huge help when Dayton was home sick.

He talked me into a fake Christmas tree for the first time ever. I'll admit that I've been strongly opposed for years. He was here to help fluff it and all that jazz.

Bad Dad took us out for a Christmas dinner and we enjoyed ourselves. We had a nice time and laughed lots.

Needless to say we're already lookin forward to my Dad's next visit in the Spring and with a little luck I sure would like to head to PA next summer!!!

On the B Side: I am super grateful for my Dad! We have always been close and I still enjoy our daily calls. He continually supports me...even when he doesn't agree and is patient even when I'm not! He's my teacher, my dear friend and my Dad! I'm pretty sure that makes me one well blessed girl!