Success!

2020 would be a very easy year to write off just about any goal that one did not achieve. Any excuse under the sun could be found to push the goal aside and very little guilt would be felt in doing so. However, I am happy to report that I successfully fulfilled my 2020 reading goal.

 

One could say that getting some reading in during 2020 was easy enough. After all, didn’t we all spend some kind of time in some form of quarantine? But quarantine with two kids and a husband home from work does not allow for any extra reading time. If anything, it gave me less. And while I was able to spend time reading when Ellyson was first born, my plates seem much more full now. In fact, I didn’t get as much read as I usually do. But I did achieve my goals!

 

For while the closure of the library for a few months was a terrible loss (and thoroughly ridiculous), the fact that I couldn’t get any books from other sources allowed me to achieve goal #2: read books from my own shelves. I read at least three dozen off my own shelves, something I probably would not have accomplished if the library had been open.

 

Goal #1 was to read at least one biography or non-fiction book from my list a month. To be honest, I’m not sure if I read one a month, but all told I read seventeen. So, I can clap myself on the back as an over-achiever. I do like surpassing my goals!

And goal #3 was to read Charles Spurgeon’s The Treasury of David, volume 2.A worthy accomplishment and certainly the best thing I read all year, even if at times some of the expositions were a bit profound for me. But they were also very timely, especially the writings on Psalms 102 and 103. Very often I wondered: if Charles Spurgeon had lived in 2020, what would his response have been? Certainly no one can say for certain, but I think it would have been very different than ours.

The Anticipation is Killing Me

The above phrase took on new meaning this year as we approached Christmas. But it wasn’t my anticipation: it was my kids’!

 

The anticipation of the arrival of Christmas is by far more thrilling the actual day thereof. Emry and Ethan were so excited as their chain to count down the days got shorter, the pile of gifts under the tree got bigger, and the sure arrival of Christmas day became more apparent. When the actual day arrived, it was rather anti-climatic – new toys aside, of course.

 

I was glad to see it’s arrival. The pent up energy vibrating through the house was beginning to drive me insane. I had more things to get done than I had time to do and the two of them bouncing off my walls only added to my list. I was so glad Ellyson had no clue what was going on! She can be enough of a handful without additional energy.

 

But the day did arrive. We celebrated Christmas Eve at my parents, enjoyed Christmas morning at home with hardly any space to walk upon, and spent the rest of the day again at my parents with a cousin, aunts and uncle (who brought home a new dog). The anticipation now gone, Christmas became enjoyable!

 

The following day as I was helping Ethan in his room, he looked at me sadly and said, “Mama, that’s the end of Christmas. There is no more Christmas.”

 

“Ethan,” I replied, “Christmas comes every year. Just like your birthday.”

 

“It does?!?”

 

I admit I hesitated. After all, if this was the only Christmas ever I wouldn’t have to live through the killing anticipation again…and again…and again… But, I can’t lie…and he’d figure it out next year anyway.

 

“Yes, Ethan, we’ll have Christmas again next year.”

 

“Yea!” 

 

And so the anticipation starts all over again…

 

                                                                    Our favorite 2020 gift: Ellyson.

 

Emry and Grandma playing a new game.

 

Emry, Beto, and Ethan helping Uncle KK with the cookie tray.

 

I’m not sure what the hand signs mean…some guy thing?

 

Our new little handyman.

 

Emry: one dance performance down, three more to go!

Christmas Pictures

These days it is hard to get my kids to sit still. Emry and Ethan are over-the-moon excited about the coming of Christmas. It’s one of those seasons where the anticipation is nearly as good as the day itself. From lights to counting down the days to Christmas books from the library…hardly a moment goes by when Christmas is not the topic of conversation. To be honest, it’s rather exhausting.

 

However, we did manage to capture a few candid moments over the past week. The snow certainly helped. And since it was Ellyson’s first snow, she also had to go out for a little while!

 

This Sunday we got dressed to the nines in new Christmas dresses. It turned out to be rather timely that I had just bought Ethan new dress socks so even he was quite excited with new apparel. (Ah, to be three and get excited about socks!) The girls have matching dresses made by Grandma. Emry, a lover of snow (and all things Frozen) picked out the fabric. And since it’s not expressly Christmasy, they can wear the dresses all winter long!

 

In front of the tree.

 

Group hug!

What Kids Think Of!

It’s been at least two years since Emry and Ethan were in the finished part of our duplex in Rochester happily playing. It was one of those days when it got a little too quiet down those stairs…one of those moments when you hate to disturb their playing but also know you should check on them. So I made my way quietly down the steps and found baby powder…EVERYWHERE!!!!!

 

Somehow Emry had managed to reach the baby powder in the top drawer of Ethan’s changing table. And somehow she had figured out how to turn the top so it opened. From that point, it was quite easy to figure out how powder got over every surface of that room – and the two of them. What a cleaning job that was!

 

Well, yesterday I had a morning webinar for work. Thankfully most webinars I have felt inclined to sit in on have been in the afternoon, but this one started at ten in the morning. It worked out, though, that it was grocery shopping day. Emry went with Grandma to do her shopping and I provided Ed with a  thorough list so he could take Ethan to the store and leave me in the relative silence of only Ellyson. And since it was a webinar I only needed to listen to and not necessarily take notes (although I had a pen and pad ready should they be needed), I was able to login on my phone and have it nearby as I fed Ellyson her morning yogurt, gave her some toys to play with, and even folded the laundry. A little over an hour into this two-and-a-half hour webinar, Ed and Ethan arrived home from the first store. Ethan didn’t care to go out again, but that was okay. I figured I could manage for another hour, so Ed went by himself. I put Ellyson in her crib and Ethan joined her to play. Between the webinar and starting preparations for lunch, I hardly realized that it was rather quiet in the bedroom. So, I peaked inside and found this:

 

Yes, you are seeing that correctly. Ellyson is tattooed all over with blue and red marker – courtesy of her older brother who apparently has aspirations of being a tattoo artist. And while I don’t claim to be a very wise mother, I do purchase only washable markers. So, while Ellyson may be scarred for life, at least she won’t be tattooed.

Happy 29^thBirthday, Jenny!

 

Jenny - 4 years old

Three Kids at Six Months: A Snapshot

After I showed Ed the pictures I had taken of Ellyson at six-months old, he remarked how he would love to see the pictures of Emry and Ethan at six-months old. It’s funny how when I was going through those stages with them I thought I would never forgot the things they did and how they grew…and yet I have. And seeing those pictures – wow! 

 

I also looked back at the blog posts from when they were each six-months. Emry was our tiny one, barely wearing 3-month size clothes and weighed somewhere around ten pounds. Rolling over had just become a mode of transportation, but she wasn’t sitting up by herself. Ethan was nearly sitting up by himself, rolling everywhere, and already up on his hands and knees. (From there, he would launch himself forward and then start all over again, like an inch worm.) He had over a pound on Emry. But Ellyson? While she does roll from her tummy to her back, her way of getting to something she wants is to somehow wiggle her way over to it. Since she weighed the same as Ethan at six-months two months ago, I’m guessing she’s got at least two pounds on him now and probably an inch, if not two for she is quite long. But you can see for yourself:

 

Emry: she wins the hair contest hands down!

 Ethan: he just looks like a little old man.

 

And Ellyson: as the youngest, being the bigger one might prove quite beneficial…

Six Months!!!

Today, on Pearl Harbor Day, little Ellyson is six months old. And let’s just say that after a really rough week with her (sniffles, teething, a bit croupy), I am really glad she is smiling in these pictures! Because she has done so much crying this past week, her poor little throat is sounding a little hoarse…

 

Despite her bout with something, she is generally pretty happy. She is much more content now to be left on the floor on a blanket with a few toys nearby. She frequently rolls from her tummy to her back, but not vice versa. And while she wants to sit up, she can’t do it by herself yet. And she has been trying new foods: baby cereal, bananas (not a favorite), applesauce, sweet potatoes, and peaches. Animal crackers get good and soggy. Cheerios are a bit elusive.

 

And if there is one thing I can say about Ellyson: she regimental in her schedule. She eats every four hours. Unfortunately, she still thinks that includes the middle of the night. And while I am working to break her of this, something keeps arising to interrupt any progress we are making in this department. But a good schedule is wonderful for planning out our days!

 

Yea, six months!

 

With Sock Monkey!

 

And the first time in the little rocking chair.

Our Christmas Tree

Today we got our Christmas tree. We decided to go to Dogs ‘n Suds. From sometime in March until the end of October, it is a drive-in eating joint. And, boy, is it popular. So popular that on opening day, it has a police presence to direct traffic. And whoever owns it makes enough in those seven or eight months that they don’t need to be opened year-round (even in a “pandemic”). In November and December, it is a tree lot. Actually, a farm located in another town rents the spot to sell trees. And Ed is now totally sold on it. Because they shake the tree out, trim loose branches, net it, and even tie it on top of the car for you. What service!

 

It didn’t take us long to find a tree. Emry and Ethan aren’t picky enough yet to have to find the “perfect” tree. And Ellyson was just happy to be outdoors. Knowing what size we wanted, we found one in about five minutes – faster than it takes us all to get out of the car! And it’s a really nice tree. A gentle smell and doesn’t “shed” at all. 

 

 

Picking out our tree!

 

Next came the decorating. I think the kids thought Ed would never get the lights on. (I remember that feeling as a kid…) Then I had to sort out all the ornaments. Not that the ornaments aren’t in perfect order (after all, I put everything in order), but they are a little mixed up between two containers because of how they fit. The kids are so psyched, I probably say, “Be careful!” more than necessary, but quite a few of the ornaments are breakable. And yet somehow those didn’t get dropped by Ethan, although quite a few others did.

 Showing Ellyson how to decorate her first Christmas tree.

 

Even before it’s all over, I am beyond exhausted. Decorating is not something I particularly enjoy and doing it while I trip over two bouncing children is quite tiring both physically and mentally. But the tree is up, it looks quite nice, and now all we have to endure is the llloooonnnggg wait until Christmas day.

Behind

I can’t remember the last time I went more than a week without posting on my blog, even if I often back-date because I’m running a bit behind getting things uploaded. But November ended in a whirlwind. It started with the sudden passing of Ed’s dad. It ended with Ed’s sister-in-law calling me names I have never been called in my entire life.

 

Ed received a phone call from his brother just after noon on November 17. Ellyson was sleeping, the other two were outside playing in the abnormally warm weather, and I was getting an early start on work after two 20-hour weeks I was hoping I wouldn’t have to replicate for week three. Their father had had a heart attack, fallen, broken his neck, and was in the hospital. The next couple of hours were rather confusing. David (Ed’s brother) was actually in Mississippi on Army Reserves training. His wife, Sara, was the one at the hospital (as well as his dad’s older brother Bernie), so it felt like messages and phone calls were going all sorts of ways. When Ed got through to the doctor, he confirmed what had happened and said the pulse was weak and he was turning off the machines. Larry Camus passed away that afternoon.

 

Piecing together things later, Mr. Camus had left his brother’s house (he had just moved back there after having to leave his apartment a few weeks ago) to walk to his church. He was a devout Catholic and was at church more often than not. At the age of 80, he wasn’t in great health and walked nearly folded in half. But being independent, he didn’t like to ask Bernie for a ride. So, he started walking as he often did. He had a heart attack and as his body showed no signs that he tried to catch himself when he fell (and so broke his neck), the doctor said it was likely he was unconscious upon impact. Someone saw it happen, stopped, called 911, and tried to help. Whoever that person was, thank you.

 

So, the next day was a whirlwind. Ed wanted to get out first thing in the morning, but I warned him that I could not get myself and three small kids packed “first thing”. Not to mention I needed to run to the store because it was grocery shopping week and we had virtually no food for a trip. It was all very stressful and we didn’t get out the door until almost one. Despite everything, we made it to David’s house in Pittsburgh at about 8:30. And while I was glad we didn’t need to maneuver a hotel, I was hesitant. We hadn’t seen them since before Ethan was born. Sara can be…well, “prickly” would prove to be a minor adjective. They have four of their own kids. And this wasn’t a happy occasion to have a sudden family gathering. Ed assured me everything would be fine. I just decided to keep my kids as happy as can be and fly as low as possible until we left Sunday morning.

 

Although Thursday wasn’t bad, times like these are akin to a bottle that is slowly getting shaken until the build-up explodes. Not a lot happened that day and even Sara was pretty friendly, in her element as she and my mother-in-law tried to out-do each other with stories of how mistreated they had been and still were. Friday was the visitation. Ed and I did take the kids and I stayed with the kids for about an hour before we went back to David’s. That evening was also generally fine. Ed, David and Sara didn’t get back to the house until late and we all got the kids to bed. But Saturday…

 

The funeral was that morning and Ed and I had already decided I would stay at David’s with the kids who wouldn’t survive a full-blown Catholic funeral mass (not to mention myself). I also kept David’s three youngest Macey (10), Zoey, and Declan (just turned 3). Caley (his eldest at 15) went with David, Sara, and Ed. It would be a long day for all, but it started okay.

 

By 4 that afternoon, I had not heard from Ed and was exhausted with the televisions (yes, plural) being on all day even though I attempted to turn one of them off quite often, Ellyson sleeping in fits-and-starts, Declan saying “shut up, idiot” every time I spoke to him, and generally making myself as useful as possible by cleaning, washing dishes, and making sure everyone was fed and happy. I also packed everything so we could leave first thing in the morning as I was sure our welcome was wearing thin. I finally called Ed after four just to see where things stood and if I was supposed to find something for dinner. Within the next two-and-a-half ubered me not only pizza and milkshakes, but my mother-in-law. I called Ed. I had no intention of pushing the domino I apparently knocked over that started the effect. I simply wanted to inform Ed that sending over his mother was not remotely helpful (he had no clue what I was talking about as Sara had done that), and I needed him to start making his way back with a salad in tow. When he told David and Sara, the thin ice broke. Before I knew it, Sara stormed into the house trailed by David and Caley (who slipped upstairs and hid). 

 

She didn’t have the courage to yell at my face, but it didn’t take me two seconds to know I was the subject of her screams and swearing at David in the kitchen. I called Ed, told him we were leaving the moment he returned, and began gathering our things and my kids. This took some time as I was trying to be calm (even though I was physically shaking) as I directed my children, Ellyson needed to be fed, and Ed needed to finish packing change when he got back. It was the most awful half hour of my life as I shook, cried, and feared that she would hurt me or my kids. Emry picked up on it. Ethan had a three-year-old moment so I had to cross Sara’s path as I hauled him out the car. She followed, but David stopped her in the doorway so I wrangled Ethan in, told Emry to buckle up while warding off her questions, and ran back to get Ellyson. Ed had her, but I grabbed her and ran to the car, shutting myself in so I could shake and cry. After being able to get a few minutes to say good-bye to his brother, Ed joined us and off we went. And believe me, if I ever see Pittsburgh again, it will be too soon.

In a nutshell, that is why you have not heard from me in over a week. Driving through the night, we made record time getting home. And if anything good came out of it, the drive with sleeping kids gave Ed and I some time to talk. I hated that things had ended as they had, especially since Ed needed what time he could to say good-bye to his dad and be with his brother. Sadly, though, this was not the only family funeral when Sara caused a scene like that and Ed had been in the midst of those, too. So, while he shrugged it off as par for the course, it has left me feeling very sad in the midst of my fear and anger. And very grateful for my Savior who gives us hope above all the awfulness of this world.