This House

 My cousin, Adam and his wife, Nicki, bought our grandparents home after they died.  I have not been in the house since my grandparents lived in it but last night Nicki posted this picture.  Suddenly the memories of this home flooded my memory.  I think of my grandparents especially this time of year almost daily and the older I get the more I miss them and cherish them.  I had so many happy memories in this home.  Every Christmas our entire family would pile down in the basement to open presents, after the meal was eaten and the dishes were done, of course.  Often times we would pull into the driveway and grandma and grandpa would be waiting for us on the porch.  When we left grandma would be in the front window waving to us.  Grandma's sugar cookies and her peanut butter fudge were in abdundance during the holidays.  Driving to Sterling was a long drive so we would always spend the night.  I'd wake up every morning with the same greeting from grandma, "How did you sleep, Amy?"  Then she'd prepare my oatmeal which my mother could never perfect.  Only grandma knew how to make the oatmeal I loved.  

After the holidays were over last year I remember feeling disappointed with how the holidays had played out.  Nothing had gone wrong and I had plenty to be thankful for but it was an odd Christmas.  My in laws didn't come on Christmas Day.  Jay had moved out and although he spent a good amount of time with us it was an adjustment for me.  Most of my sadness came from the past and having a hard time moving forward.  I realized at the time it was not healthy.  Time marches on and I know I need to be thankful in all things/time.  I voiced my sadness with Mary one day after Christmas last year and as always she provided me with sound, godly advice.  She said I needed to make the holidays my own.  I had to decide how I wanted the season to look for my family and be intentional.  That's exactly what I plan to do this season.  Someday I want my boys and grandchildren to look back at my house and think that is the house where I was loved, cared for and blessed.  

Happy Thanksgiving

I noticed that I last blogged on Nov. 13.  It's been a nice few weeks and I really have no excuse why I waited two weeks to blog.  In any case all nine of us celebrated Thanksgiving together at Kim's house.  As my mom said, "It was wonderful, just wonderful."  We played a game together and we....being my family....are NOT game players but this was easy.  It was a simple coin toss.  My boys played along relatively happily.  

Mom is doing so well.  It is a struggle for her to get around but she does it.  I was sure this summer she may never walk again but God has proven me wrong once again.  His faithfulness and how He has moved in my mom's life is a testament to His grace and love for all of us.  

 Mike fried the turkey again this year.  It did not disappoint.  Of course I think it has 5000 calories from butter alone but it's worth every bite!  

Hob Nob & Brunch

I had such a fun weekend.  On Saturday I traveled to Springfield and went to the Hob Nob Market with my aunt and cousin.  I hadn't seen my aunt and cousin since this summer.  It was wonderful to spend time with them while we shopped.  

Today I went to brunch with Betsy, Calli and Laura to celebrate Betsy and Calli's birthdays.  B. and Calli have birthdays in November and Laura and I have spring birthdays.  It's our tradition to go to brunch in the fall and in the spring to celebrate us.  Nothing says fun like girlfriends, brunch and mimosa's.  
 

The Struggle Bus

 No one really prepares you what it's like to live with your adult child and teenager.  When I was pregnant many, many years ago I was able to read books to prepare me for what was to come.  I certainly felt more equipped and took the advice of women who were already parenting.  Years ago when Jay was in high school and Nick was in middle school my dear friend, Sarah, gave me great advice.  When dealing with teenage boys you bake, show up, repeat.  Once again I have to shift gears because the bake, show up, repeat doesn't work for my almost 21 year old.  It's not that I think Mike and I need to be actively parenting him.  He will be 21 in January.  That ship has sailed.  However, he does live in our home and there are times I want to say, "Really Jay - Do you think that is a good idea?"  I still try to limit the amount of questions I ask him.  Some things never change.  As far as Nick goes.  He's like a lightening strike.  He bolts into the house, eats and leaves.  Very typical and normal behavior for a 16 year old but this time around I'm four years older than I was when Jay was 16.  My biggest complaint   struggle these days is disrupted sleep.  During the work week this isn't as big of an issue but the weekends it's game on.  I'm asleep, then I'm not.  Then I'm waiting on Nick to come home.  Obviously I don't monitor Jay's comings and goings on the weekends but there is no telling what time he comes home and even though he's courteous I still hear him.  By the time Monday morning rolls around I am literally beat.  Mike and I both are.  For example, last night Nick went to a costume party (he didn't have school the next day).  Jay's girlfriend, Gabby, came over.  Nick was home promptly at his 11:00 curfew. Shortly afterwards Gabby left.  Nick comes into our room to say goodnight then takes his shower.  By this point Mike and I are wide awake.  We finally fall asleep around midnight only to hear Nick's alarm going off at 5am.  Thinking that maybe we can go back to sleep for another hour or so we can hear Nick in the kitchen filling his metal cup with ice.  I throw my arms up in disgust, get out of bed and start my day.  I've been on the struggle bus all day! 

Walker

 I refer to Walker as Big W.  He is our youngest dog and was rescued by my mom four years ago.  He lived with mom until June of this year.  When mom's mobility started to decline and then this summer literally blew up on us we knew that not only would mom need to move out of her home but it would also mean she could no longer live with Walker.  As upsetting as this was for everyone Walker's move into our home was seamless.  He instantly bonded with Jay and Jay is by far his most favorite person in the house.  Walker is Jay's sidekick, just as he was my mom's.  Jay and Walker run errands together and on nice nights Walker sits out on the deck with Jay.  I'm also pleased to say that Walker's behavior has improved since he came to live with us, as long as we don't have anything out on the counters.  Let's just say that issue is a work in progress.  Walker has no tolerance for Cole but will play with Copper.  His old man tendencies that he had with my mom are still who he is today.   Walker will shake with you when asked and will display a goofy grin.  We are never sure if he grins because he's guilty of something.  We surmise he grins to amuse us.  It works everytime.  Even though I say 3 dogs is ridiculous and I don't recommend having 3 dogs we do love Walker and we are glad he's a part of our home, especially Jay.  

Cole

Cole is our "middle child."  He is 100% Mike's dog.  We got Cole about 9 months after we got Copper.  Getting another dog was Mike's idea.  Cole was 4 mos old when we got him, still a puppy but house trained.  It was not love at first sight especially with Mike.  He complained that I had picked out a "defective" dog.  Mike had several struggles with Cole as to who was in charge.  Finally after what was a challenging first year Cole and Mike's relationship evolved into full blown obsession - on Cole's part.  Cole is the most loving dog we have and will probably ever have.  He has such a sweet soul.  His favorite place to be is on Mike's lap and if he can't be on Mike's lap, he wants Mike petting him.  His safe space is sitting right between Mike's legs so he can lovingly gaze up at him.  No kidding.  It's a weird thing Cole and Mike have going on but it seems to work for them.  He eats poop, gobbles down his food as if it's his last meal and is scared to death of thunder but Cole is ours and we love him, quirks and all.  
 

Copper

 I don't often blog about my dogs but I wanted to devote some blog space to each of them this week.  I love having dogs and I doubt there will ever be a time that Mike and I don't have a dog.  Granted, having three of them is a bit much and I don't recommend having more than two.  Just sayin.  We have three vizsla's.  Vizsla's are affectionately referred to as velcro dogs because they stick to you.  There is also a saying that the females love you and the males are obsessed with you.  I can attest all are true.  Copper is our oldest vizsla.  We will have her eleven years in 2023.  She is a good dog.  She is sweet and of our three dogs she requires the least amount of attention.  She is a little sneaky and finicky.  She makes it a point to get into the trash daily and tear up toliet paper.  She loves to eat grass and then barf it up.  And she loves to tease her brothers with her lack of eating.  Copper takes her time and chews her food.  She'll eat a little, walk away from her food and then come back to it.  Cole and Walker stand around her full bowl  completly bewildered that there is food left to be eaten.  Copper started out as Jay's dog but through the years she is the family's dog.  Her favorite person in the house is Mike.  She has her own language with Mike and I swear he can understand her.  Just another thing to add to Mike's resume.  Turns out he's a dog whisperer too.  

The Maple Tree

 Here it is November 1!  I have committed to blog more this entire month.  When I let our dogs out today I was pondering what I could blog about that would be light and humorous.  My maple tree was right in front of me so I snapped a picture of it.  This maple tree gives me so much joy.  My boys have hung from the braches for first day of school pictures.  I've taken countless snap shots of Faith, Curt, Jay and Nick nestled within one of its many trunks.  I find it to be a beautiful, old tree, especially during the fall.  Sure it drops leaves everywhere and I do mean everywhere and in the spring the helicoptors from the tree go every which way and often times I find maple leaves growing out from my planters.  Never mind the fact that a tornado could potentially wipe this tree out - right on top of our house. This tree also provides a great hiding place and get away for squirrels who stand at the base of it and mock our dogs.  Mike hates this tree for all the reasons above.  Everyday after work during this time of year he spends a good 30 minutes blowing all the leaves that have fallen during the day.  And in the spring our gutters get overrun by the helicoptors the tree drops.  Jay and Nick are no fans of it either.  This tree is only around because I love it.  Rest assured if I die first Mike will take this tree down immediately following my funeral.