I sat down tonight to write about Tyler and Beth's first movie theatre experience....blah, blah, blah, they had fun but nothing earth shattering happened to write about except that it happened and it will be dated in the baby books. 

 

Before I opened up the site to type, I checked a few other blogs that I follow...that includes some CaringBridge sites for various people right now.  Man, this is one crazy, messed-up world with amazing God-stories happening all over the place!  Since the only thing that is always powerful and always at our fingertips is Prayer...I thought I would take this opportunity to drum up support for the Kesselhon family. 

 

Check out their amazing journey here: http://www.wdio.com/article/stories/S527989.shtml?cat=10335

This is how Tyler dressed for the park the other day:

No big deal to me....rather silly of course....but that is what kids do (in fact, a park visit after this had a boy running around in regular clothes plus a Batman cape).  But back to Tyler, I did have some concern about the boots being too big and too hot but we went with it. 

 

Before the park we made a few other fast stops around town.  I saw many old ladies (and other people) snickering and trying not to let Tyler see thay they were laughing.  A few people did somewhat whisper to each other "how cute"...but nothing was directed to me.  Ok, I can deal with that...some what akward, but they were trying to be polite and watching everything, knowing that Tyler was oblivious just made me laugh...but then I was trying not to laugh out loud so things were just silly all the way around....UNTIL....

 

.....we are at the park and a mom came up to me...."My mom and I were just talking about your son and how most moms wouldn't let their kids be caught dead and out of the house like that."  And she smiled and stuff so I smiled and shrugged akwardly trying to buy time to get some coherent thoughts together because I was fully aware of all that she said but this WHOLE situation just gets goofier and goofier  and before I had a chance to say anythying....she had turned and walked away.  OK, now what!!!!  I am sooooo glad that Tyler was far enough away to not hear the conversation because then that is one less thing to factor in, but are you kidding me!!!???!!  That was such a weird conversation/monologue.....I wasn't offended or anything...just super confused as to what to do with IT ALL.  Because what just really stuck out to me was that the mom who talked to me was dressed in a rather nice/trendy sun dress and even though she was doing the bohemian/natural look, she looked very "put together"....and her mom/the grandmother looked very "put together" and somewhat "well-to-do".  I never saw the kids but I saw enough to see the striking contrast.  And that is the thing isn't it....judging a book by its cover so to speak, and stereotyping people....HHhhmmm.

Just finished up one of Nathan's softball tournements this weekend.  They placed 1st for the season and probably 3rd or 4th for this end of season tourney.  Now they have their sights set on Regionals coming in a few weekends.  When I asked Tyler what his favorite part of Saturday was...he said "watching daddy hit a homerun at the sofball games."   Ahhh, like father, like son.

 

Pony Tail. Attempt #1

 

 

Pig Tails. Attempt #2

 

A lot of Clips. Attempt #3

 

She really doesn't like me messin' with her head.  Her hair may be long enough, but it is so fine.  I lack a lot of hair styling skills.  Makes for a funky process...but I am having fun....hopefully Beth will enjoy it more soon. 

....was Nathan's open heart surgery to repair a condition he was born with (Partial Anamolous Pulmonary Venous Connection) that was only found because we thought he might have whooping cough and a local Dr. just kinda thought something didn't sound quite right.....HHhhmmm. 

 

Now one year ago today, Nathan and I went to a Twins game to celebrate the year's worth of recovery, think about everything that had happened, discuss what we have learned, and sort of redeem the day back to a nicer memory.  We thought then that no further "remembrances" would be necessary.

 

But this 2yr. anniversary was marked by another visit to Mayo to check-in and discuss the Pericarditis that Nathan has been experiencing for almost the last 2 yr.   The appointment was Monday.  So far, nothing to report except we are trying one more year of medication and things will be evaluated next year.  We think this is good news so far because the other medication option and surgical option sounded somewhat "icky" (not a medical term, it is our translation of all the info).  And, since Nathan has reacted minimally to the meds, we will keep using them. 

 

 

Well, I also suppose that I could attempt to tell you all the things that we learned from our heart surgery journey as another nice 2yr. anniversary thing, but I don't recall much in that area....fickle human brains, in a fallen world, and my lack of journalling, (sigh)....But, actually, I will tell you about the fact that I remember a lot of people demonstrated a ton of love to us that I would never have expected.  I guess I just didn't know or understand or something about those various relationships.  Praise God for the ways He works.  Praise God for people who step out in faith no matter how trivial or small the task might seem to be.

 

  (pic from about 1 mo. after surgery)

 

 

http://www.emedicine.com/ped/topic2522.htm (PAPVC)

 

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pericarditis/DS00505 (Pericarditis)

The car ride home....all (about) 12 hours. of it! 

 

A lot of Eating.

(Nathan got his Steak N Shake fix)

A lot of Sleeping.

 

Fourth stop: Dayton, OH

Seein' the BIG BOY cousins!

 

Tyler was in heaven because of the new toys and "Big Boy" influences and 4th of July fireworks.

Beth was just enamored with Uncle Brandy!

A FRIENDly visit full of pool and darts.  Watch out....these guys get very competitive for their "World Championships"!!  As you can see, you can almost cut the stress with a knife...or a dart.   

Stop #3: Ft. Wayne, IN

Nathan has family spread all over IN, so we try to see as many as possible every time we go back.  This visit was quicker than usual, but we were able to dip in the lake, eat Pizza King pizza, and catch up with some extended family. 

(Probably 4 or 5 parts.  )

 

Task # 1) Drive to Charlevoix, MI.  It is a 10+ hour drive through WI and the U.P. of MI.  Very scenic.  Non-Fast roads. 

Task #2) Do the drive with a 20 mo. old (who isn't keen on cars, but does love her brother, food, her thumb, and her blanket) and a 3 yr. old (who is basically potty trained but at times can pee every 10-20 min. in a 2 hr. period).

 

Solutions:

1) Nathan drove like crazy when he could (only 2 or 3 short stops that only totalled 30 m. or so...actually I should varify this with Nathan). 

 

2) Tyler wore a diaper and asked for permission to pee in this diaper (so could gauge how many stops it saved us and stuff...pooping happened in restrooms....note to self and anyone else who cares....the diaper thing worked well enough on the trip, great in the car...but now we are paying the price and having to retrain a lot of things now that we are home!)

 

3) Keep feeding the kids...especially Beth.

 

4) (a minor one because Beth didn't get it at all and Tyler sort of got it...a good idea none the less because they had fun with it) I got an idea out of a parenting magazine for the kids to be able to understand the length and process of the trip and minimize the "are we there yet" whines.....put a long piece of masking tape on the roof of the car with labels for sites along the drive.  Next to the tape put a small car taped to the roof as well and every time you pass the milemarker you move the car. 

  

 

Results:  A GREAT TIME WITH OUR FRIENDS AT THE LAKE!!!

We are back from vacation and I am trying to catch up on things....things at various levels, sleep, laundry, groceries, cleaning, mail, phone messages, email....you get the picture. 

 

So, going through the mail was fun...I enjoy opening my mailbox to see what "treasures" are there anyway.  Getting back from vacation means a HUGE pile of mail so that is very exciting.  I have to admit that a large portion of the mail was junk but something caught my eye!  AARP had sent me something....me....AARP!?!?!  I am 31, soon to be 32 and I see no correlation to me and AARP!!!  Rather baffled, I opened the envelope and lo and behold it is a plastic card and a somewhat official invitation to membership...a 1 yr membership for $12.50...and Nathan can join too, for free!!!!!  I even had 3 yr and 5 yr choices too!  I am no Math Whiz, but 5+32 is still only 37...What is going on here!?!?!?!  What mailing list did I end up on because this just isn't right....it is down right "FUNKY"! (in my best grovelly (sp?) voice)

 

PS-I hope to post stuff about our trip soon.  Stay tuned