Change Happens

Yesterday Ethan and I watered the flowers and the shrubs.

It has been so dry here.

This morning I was awakened by someone yelling, "MOM!" Forty-five minutes before Hilary normally rolls out of bed, she came screaming into my room, just so she could announce, "We're having a snow day!" Great. If my heart wasn't pounding I could fall back asleep. I peeked out the window. It was barely snowing. The streets were hardly wet.

Five hours later, the wind is howling. The snow is blowing.

Sorry, Christopher. I would have pulled your car in the garage if I'd known it would snow this much. (Well, you know. Then if we needed to go out at some point, we'd have a 4-wheel drive vehicle warm and free of snow.)

At noon, the news says it will keep snowing until Friday morning. Looks as if Spring Break began 2 days early!

A Few Of My Favorite Things

Tangerine,

my new favorite color.

I still love yellow,

How could I not?

And together,

Such a lovely combination!

Yum!

You Know You're Getting Old When...

You start blogging about medical stuff. Your aches and pains, doctor visits and "procedures."

You visit your gynecologist who sends you to your primary doc because your cholesterol is high.

Your primary doc sends you to the cardiologist.

Your cardiologist runs tests and sends you back to your primary doc.

Your primary doc sends you to the allergist.

The allergist runs tests and sends you back to the primary doc saying you need to see a gastroenterologist.

The gastroenterologist peforms tests and sends you back for more tests.

You have a mamogram and they call you back for further evaluations. They make you come back 6 months later.

Your gynecologist sends you to a dermatologist to have a skin lesion checked.

Your dermatologist removes the skin cancer and makes you return for regular visits.

Your doctor gives you drugs that counteract drugs your other doctor gives you causing side effects that another doctor has to prescribe to alleviate the side effects of the other drugs.

I hate getting old.

Mr. President's Recent Gaffe

I wanted to comment on President Obama's recent appearance on television. He is the first sitting president to appear on the Jay Leno show. My first thought was that our president is a Hollywood man. He presents himself as a famous, good-looking actor most of the time. Isn't this what celebrities do when they are pushing their latest film? They make appearances on the Tonight Show & David Letterman to generate interest in their recent production. If the actor appeals to the American Public, we pay money to see the movie. The movie becomes a blockbuster. The actor demands higher pay for his next film.

Our president was pushing his latest act, hoping to stimulate enough interest to cause us to dig deeper into our pockets. His worth goes up and we lose billions.

But when I watched the Jay Leno show something bigger appeared. Instead of writing about it here, I suggest you read Kate's most recent post "Out of the Overflow of His Heart, His Mouth Speaks." She does an excellent job explaining why President Obama's gaffe was more than that. It reveals his heart.

By The Light Of Day

We arrived at the center right on time, 6 a.m. Daylight savings time causes this hour to look and feel like the dark age, err...middle of the night. For the second time in history, I left the house with no makeup. I didn't even shower. Scary. The black of night isn't such a bad thing. Besides, nobody would have recognized me.

After checking in at admissions, Michael and I sat down to wait. And wait. Finally a nurse appeared. She called my name. As we walked through the swinging, double doors, she asked me, "how'd your prep go?"

"What prep?" I asked a bit alarmed.

She turned her head curiously. "You know, that stuff you had to drink and all."

"There was no prep. I didn't do anything." I sounded defensive.

The nurse stopped dead in her tracks and turned toward me. "You mean the prep didn't produce any results?"

"I mean, I wasn't given any instructions on how to prepare for this. Well, except to come looking like I just crawled out of bed." She wasn't amused.

"Aren't you here for a colonoscopy?"

"No, I am not." I now knew what results she'd been talking about. I'm slow when I miss out on my morning coffee.

"Well, maybe I have the wrong patient. What is your name?" Are you serious lady? You just stood in the waiting room, called my first and last name, and I dutifully followed you. I pointed to my name on her chart.

"That's me." She quickly pulled it away and made me repeat my name and spell my last name. I felt like a child who'd been caught with her hand in the cookie jar and tried to lie about it. While the parent does her best to get me to confess to what she already knows.

Exasperated, the nurse finally asks, "then what are you here for?" If I wasn't anxious about this procedure already, I was now.

"An endoscopy."

"Well, it says here colonoscopy. Someone must have written it down wrong. Wait here, I'll be right back."

Thankfully, the rest of my time at the Center went a little better. Well, except for when this same confused nurse jabbed and poked in her attempt to place an I.V. in my hand. After my little nap and scoping, I returned home. I promptly fell asleep and slept for 7 hours. It's weird to wake up at 4 in the afternoon. If the time hadn't changed it would have felt more like morning, as it wouldn't be so light outside. I wish they'd quit changing the time on me. The procedure photos they sent home with me would have looked less gross in darker lighting.

Seventeen

At seventeeen, you are so grown up, and yet still young. Teen birthdays seem like such milestones as you are handed more responsibility every year. It's hard to believe that you have exactly one year left until you are officially declared an adult. (It's a government thing. I'm not sure when it was decided or who made the rule. Someone decided if you mess something up, we the parents don't have to fix it. You are legally responsible.) So have a very happy birthday and a wonderful year being 17.

And for fun, here is a short recap of year 16.

The end of Pom Season

Your First Denver Nuggets Game

Spring-1st popcicle of the year

End of your sophomore year & Sarabeth's graduation

Aloha!

Camping Trips (The first was with Christopher & Lauren-you loved it so much, you went several more times.)

Summer at Elitches!

Homecoming Dance with who else, but David (He shows up a lot in pictures.)

You gained a sister

First time shooting a gun

After your first accident, you thought driving with Ethan was safer.

Wearing new glasses with your favorite nephew

Are you the most favorite Auntie?

Saying good-bye to Christopher & Lauren for a year.

Happy 17th Birthday Hilary! May you be blessed throughout the year.

And What A Birthday It Was

Traditionally we go out to dinner for my birthday. This year I was in the mood for lobster. I can't recall the last time I ate it. (One of those memorable events when I was sickened, no doubt.) But Michael phoned ahead and was assured the lobster was previously frozen. I should have no problem eating it.

First thing Friday morning, the phone rang. A call from Korea! It was so much fun talking with Christopher and Lauren and the perfect start to my birthday. Christopher was shocked that I'd consider going out for seafood. I thought about it. I wondered....what was I thinking??? Well, I had considered my inlaws observance of Lent and how easily seafood would fit into their plans. I had a brilliant idea, fish tacos, cheese enchiladas, bean tostadas. Mexican food began to sound absolutely delicious.

I must have been divinely inspired, as we went to a place that pleased everyone. Here's the most important one to keep happy:

Ethan and his dinosaur balloon


These two appear happy

I could be wrong, but I believe Brian and Elisabeth enjoyed their meal,


immensely!

Hilary & David-Ethan is highly entertained by them

Christina, Ethan , & Sarabeth- a happy trio:

The sombrero lady

And the happiest two of all.

Friday the 13th, Woohoo!

Fun & Freaky Facts (about me) for Friday the 13th

1. Thirteen is my favorite number

2. When you put on deodorant, which arm do you apply it to first? Is it the same every day? I wondered this myself. I reach with my right, so that means left. For variety, I decided to mix things up. I'd alternate. I turned the label facing left in order to remember to apply to the right side first the following day. I did this for a month. I was told I "must have too much time on my hands." Maybe I do.

3. Michael & I met in a coffee shop. He was with his girlfriend. I was his waitress.

4. My first date with Michael was disastrous.

5. I've been married over 25 years.

6. I've wanted a houseful of kids for as long as I can remember. Is it too late to have a dozen?

7. If each of my kids has 5 children, I'll have 25 grandchildren. Will my home be full?

8. I don't go anywhere without my hair fixed and makeup done. Since becoming an adult, I can count on one hand how many days I didn't wear makeup.

9. I've tried applying makeup by feel & without a mirror, just in case I ever lose my eyesight. I wouldn't want to scare others by looking different. Would anyone tell me, if I used black eyeliner on my lips instead of a lipliner?

10. I accidently used black eyeliner on my lips. I smeared it on in the car, right before going in to church.

11. I want to be a contestant on the television show, Survivor. The hardest part would be not wearing makeup.

12. I have never ever, used the slang word referring to a gas emission from the buttocks that begins with the letter after E. And I never intend to. I find it highly offensive. And if I'd said the letter it begins with, you might have immediately thought of another vulgarity. Which is why I didn't.

13. Today is my birthday and I love when it falls on a Friday!

The Unthinkable

It hung near the corner of the wall, almost inconspicuously. But by the end of the first day, I noticed it. Eighteen inches long and 3/4 of an inch thick, it hung by a thin leather strap. I knew the purpose of this plank of wood. So did everyone else in Miss Bate's 7th grade class.

Not a single 7th grade boy matched the stature of Miss Bate. The only thing close was her girth. She wasn't a pleasant teacher, but the daily, mean-spirited jokes were not nice. I often felt sorry for her. More than once, she caught crude drawings of herself, as they were passed between desks amid snickers. She'd crumple them, walk to her desk, and throw the wad into the wastebasket.

One time this happened, I sat at my desk horrified. I could not believe students could be so cruel. I'd caught a glimpse of the picture. Someone had drawn herwith a pig nose and a line pointing it out, along with warts and other ugly things. My sorrow for her quickly turned to fear when Miss Bate walked to the corner of the room and pulled the plank of wood from its place.

"Jimm," she said in an almost monotone. Walking towards the door of our class she spoke again, "Come with me." Jimmy stood up. He didn't look the least bit afraid. I was petrified for him. My older brother had told me stories of how Miss Bate wound up like a batter, before swinging. The standard practice of getting a swat was outside the door of the classroom. I'm not sure why. In elementary school, kids were swatted at the front of the classroom. Everyone watched. I think it was meant to deter other students from committing the same offenses.

Miss Bate didn't go outside for the sake of privacy. Outside meant that the boys & girls P.E. classes would stop what they were doing, to point & laugh at the student getting swats. That is except for that day. I didn't witness this myself, but my brother happened to be outside playing ball when the incident occurred. He later explained what took place outside of Miss Bates classroom.

Inside the rest of the class sat silent. Waiting. We silently counted the sound of each smack. Sometimes it was once or twice. But if a teacher was very angry 3 or 4 whacks were heard. It seemed a long time before we heard anything. Was that a yelp? We waited. Nothing. Students began looking from one to the other wondering what was going on outside. Ten minutes later, Miss Bate appeared in the doorway, redfaced. She hung her paddle back on the nail & smoothed her hair. She picked up her book and began teaching again.

The story my brother told at dinner that night, I don't think my parents believed. After taking Jimmy outside that day, Miss Bate had him assume the position. All of the bad kids new it. Bend over, grab your ankles. My brother stood up to show what happened next. "She grabbed that paddle with both hands and pulled it back far. Honestly, she looked like she was a batter winding up to bat." He stood holding an imaginary bat or paddle, twisted back as far as he could. He continued, "you know she has holes drilled in that thing so she can swing it faster." I could tell my dad wasn't impressed. He might have even rolled his eyes.

"I could tell she was so mad." Greg continued his very animated story. "And then she swung for all she was worth." Then Greg busted out laughing, practically falling to the floor. My dad was not amused. Greg tried to continue. "You should have seen her. Dad, you would have laughed too. As she was swinging," he positioned himself as a batter again, "as hard as she could, Jimmy jumped out of her way." My brother then spun himself around in a circle imitating what might have happened as Miss Bate missed her target. And then he was on the floor laughing. I think I caught the start of a grin at the corners of dad's mouth. "And then she dragged him to the Principal's office. I heard that Mr. Arredondo gave him 20 swats."

I'm not sure what made me remember this story from 7th grade. But can you imagine anything like this happening in today's classrooms? No, not a student humiliating the teacher, but a teacher administering swats with a wooden board while the student was bent over holding his ankles. This took place just 33 years ago. My how things have changed.

Story In Pictures

The Jetsons

Forty-six years ago, the Jetsons cartoon was created. It was my favorite Saturday Morning Cartoon. This was back-in-the-day when Saturday morning was the only time television aired programming just for kids. My how that has changed.

I loved the ease & technology of the Jetson's lifestyle. A push of a few buttons and presto! Out popped your favorite meal. I couldn't wait until real life caught up to the space-age Jetsons. Zooming around space in auto-piloted crafts, a robotic maid for the household chores, and a telephone which came with a screen so you could actually see the person with whom you were talking. I dreamed about the day.

Surely by the time I was old, like 40 something, I'd be living the life of ease & technology. But I've yet to step onto a conveyer belt with bed hair and emerge seconds later powdered and puffed, fully dressed, perfectly coiffed hair, ready for my homemaking job. With everything automated, what did Jane Jestson do? There's no Rosie around cleaning up after me. (But some of you might enjoy hearing her speak to you from your fancy cars, directing your every move.) And before piping hot food pops out of a box, I have to manually remove it from the freezer and place it in the microwave.

Oh, but I do enjoy space age telephones. In fact, we used ours over the weekend. It's called Skype. Here we are huddled around it.

We chatted with these 2, who are not in outerspace, but15 hours ahead of us on the other side of the world.

24 Hours

Friday was the beginning of Ethan's 24 hour EEG. The Neurology department said he held the record for pulling off wires on his previous ambulatory EEG. That was on Sarabeth's birthday last June.

Ethan has been doing so well, I was very hopeful that this time would go smoother.

It began on a positive note. But as soon as he was wired and wrapped, his countenance changed. He looked so sad.


I tried to post these pics from my phone, but they wouldn't upload. It is probably a good thing. One photo he was crying and I'm glad it didn't load.

Later in the evening, I went home. Hilary & Elisabeth were there to help. They ended up staying quite late, as Ethan began vomitting. That was a bit unnerving. Probably has nothing to do with it, but in December Children's Hospital was cited with food violations by the Health Department. At the time, they claimed no child became sick as a result of these violations. But I have to wonder, since he went in well.

Aside from a possible side illness, the staff at Children's is wonderful. One of the maintenance workers found batteries for Ethan's train set and even changed the batteries for him.

This morning, bright and early, Sarabeth headed up to the hospital to be with Christina and Ethan. Feeling a bit under the weather myself, I feel so blessed to have a large family who supports one another. Michael, who isn't a dog lover, took over the care of Daisy.

I can't imagine life without a large family.

Wednesday

"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgotton the words." Donna Roberts

Ethan Eats

Ethan cracks me up and impresses me every time I see him.

Last night, after sleeping for 2 hours, he came bolting out of the bedroom. Looking dazed and not really awake, he began mumbling. I had no idea what was going on with him. But then I recognized his signing. He was signing "eat."

"Ethan, are you hungry?" He nodded and signed eat. How could I deny him?

He took me by the hand and led me to the refrigerator. Both doors were flung open as he browsed the contents.

"How about a pretzel?" I asked, as I pulled them out of the freezer and tried to shut the doors.

"NO!" He pushed them back open, & pushed the pretzels back in place. He was searching for something. I continued to offer what I thought he'd eat. More emphatic "no's." Finally he pointed. A bag of frozen french fries. Ugh! He didn't really expect me to cook french fries, did he?

"You want french fries???"

It was unmistakable. He signed please, over and over, while nodding his head.

Guess who fried 3 batches of french fries at 9:30 last night? I've never seen a kid eat so many french fries and keep asking for more.

Dear Christopher

Dear Christopher,

It's hard to believe this day has finally arrived. Some didn't believe it would happen, but I was pretty confident it would. And here we are.

There's so much I want to say; how proud I am of you and how excited I am for you & Lauren. You are leaving as newlyweds and will return as a strong family unit.

I sit reflecting the man you've become, but remember the little boy. The almost 2 year old who wanted to be the diaper man, driving a big truck, delivering large sacks of soft, comfortable diapers. The six year old boy who proclaimed he was having 10 children when he grew up. When asked by his dad how he would provide for them, what job he would have, he declared, "I'll be a dad, silly."

You aren't a dad just yet. But you are about to become a teacher to many. For those young boys and girls, you will be a father-figure. You can be a living example of our Heavenly Father. In order to be that father to them, you will need to take the time each and every day with God, allowing Him to fill you with His love, His passion, & His desires. He will renew your strength day-by-day. As you are filled with the Holy Spirit, you will be driving a large truck, loaded with good things. To each child you encounter, you can clothe them with a soft, comfortable garment of love. You can provide something they lack.

Be strong and of good courage. Stand tall as a tree of righteousness, planted beside still waters. And know that I am here to support you, encourage you, and pray for you. I love you son!


(P.S. Anyone want to keep up with Lauren & Christopher in Seoul, you'll find the link in my sidebar: HawsSeoul)

What's Happening

Tomorrow is a big day here and I've been trying not to think about it. Probably the biggest reason I haven't been around. If I don't blog about it, it won't happen. But since I've mentioned it now, I guess it is for real. Christopher & Lauren are leaving for South Korea.

And I'm hoping someone will share pictures from Elisabeth's 22nd birthday, which was Monday.

Where Is The Love?

Last week I announced I wanted to have a week of positive love posts & wanted to do a giveaway to share that love. I was sidetracked. Valentine's Day happened to be my dad's 70th birthday.

I received a text from my sister that they wanted to share funny stories with dad for his birthday. I asked her to clarify. She proceeded to talk about a memory jar she'd made for her mother-in-law's 70th birthday. Memory jars are wonderful gifts. We made one for my inlaws. Someone had the idea to include photos. Guess what I spent a lot of time doing?

While sifting through photographs, I smiled & laughed a lot. But I noticed a feeling of sadness begin to settle into my soul. The pictures caused me to miss my family that lives in Arizona, and what happend to all of those little kids? Time passes so very quickly.

On Friday, Christopher phoned. One of the groomsmen from his wedding, and best friend from high school's mother died. She committed suicide. The day before Valentine's Day. I couldn't help but wonder if this day, set aside for romance and love, contributed in any way to whatever drove her to wanting to end it all. So sad.

And maybe, I am trying hard not to think about Christopher and Lauren leaving next Thursday on their grand adventure. I'm excited for them, but it isn't easy knowing they will be on the other side of the globe. It will be a life-changing experience for sure.


Watching our current government has also shifted my focus.

“In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem. From time to time we've been tempted to believe that society has become too complex to be managed by self-rule, that government by an elite group is superior to government for, by, and of the people. Well, if no one among us is capable of governing himself, then who among us has the capacity to govern someone else? All of us together, in and out of government, must bear the burden.”

—Ronald Reagan, First Inaugural Address

Compare that to our current president's idea of government:

“It is only government that can break the vicious cycle.”
-President Obama.