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We decided on Sunday to head to Utah next week to see Derek’s parents.  We had considered it for months but could not lock it down because of Derek’s work schedule.  But with a 4-day weekend on hand, and decent airfares, we decided to take advantage. 

This will be us next week on the slopes of Alta (or Snowbird)…the ski resort that is just a little ways from Derek’s parents. 

 

CORRECTION:  This will be DEREK next week.  I will most certainly be on the BUNNY slopes with Caleb, while Derek and Jacob risk their lives on the blue paths.  And when Caleb passes me up and decides to go out with his brother and dad (which will inevitably happen), I will be in the lodge with a steaming cup of hot chocolate. 🙂

That’s what I’m blogging about today.  Nothing, really.  Just the musings of life around here.

Jacob’s new teacher is a DREAM.  She’s already written us notes saying that he is a ‘delight’ and that he’s doing great.  He loves it, and we’re pleased as punch.  What a difference!

Derek spent 3 hours with a professional organizer on Saturday…in the GARAGE!  It’s like a masterpiece now.  We can park both cars comfortably (yes, even the Suburban), still have room for all of the bikes, trikes, wagons and strollers, the trashcans (2), the lawn and garden stuff, a workbench, all of Derek’s tools, all of the golf bags and sports balls, and much, much more.  We’re so pleased and it was money well spent, if for nothing else, just to get it DONE!

I’ve been reading.  For the first time ever, I got on the bandwagon and read a Jane Austen novel.  I thoroughly enjoyed it, although I can’t say that I’m an addict just yet.  But it’s good to know Mr. Darcy, once and for all.

Right now I’m reading The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom.  Most of you are probably familiar with it.  It’s a true story about a Dutch woman and her family who became part of the "underground" movement for hiding Jews in WWII.  It’s so compelling and beautifully written.  It has made me wonder things about myself…would I be willing to risk my life to hide people in my home? to save their lives even if it meant risking the lives of my family? to protect the rights of others even if it meant losing my own?  What courage they had!  And moral fortitude.

And here’s a picture for Mike and Liv (because they gave him the cute outfit!).  Samuel’s one year picture.

So yesterday I took Samuel for his one-year check-up.  I had both the big boys in tow…one with his Heely’s on, which is always a little interesting. 

I knew Samuel would be getting the dreaded MMR shot.  Everytime I’m out with girlfriends lately the conversation seems to always turn to the MMR somehow.  Thanks to Oprah.  And Jenny McCarthy.  Who went on Oprah and told the world that immunizations (specifically the MMR shot) had caused her baby’s autism.  It wasn’t the first time that concern has been raised, but it brought it once again to the forefront of people’s minds.  The link between immunizations and autism is a touchy subject.  And one that leaves even me (who usually shrugs those kinds of things off) a little hesitant.  No one likes to think that something they are choosing for their baby’s health could be harming them.  Period.

I raised the concern with my doctor yesterday and she put my mind at ease with several studies and points of discussion that I won’t get in to at the moment.

She left the room and we waited for the nurse to come back in to administer the shots.

Then the doctor came back in…and explained…that they had just discovered that a nurse had mistakenly administered Samuel the MMR vaccine at his 4-month check-up.  It is not usually given until they are 12 months.  This is the very shot that I had asked about just minutes before.  WHAT?!? 

She was very apologetic.  And I was understanding (what else can you do?). 

But then I got home.  And made a shocking realization based on my records.  10 days after that shot was given to him at 4 months, he broke out with a rash.  Remember this? 

And then 10 days after THAT, we were admitting him to the emergency room with high fever and a high White Blood Cell count.  He/we endured a spinal tap, failed attempts at IVs, and a CT Scan.

Needless to say, we are NOT very happy.  And very alarmed. 

There is no way to say if the circumstances are linked.  There are no known studies linking high fever, WBC with the MMR vaccine.  But there are studies that link a rash in the first 10 days after administration of the vaccine. 
I have to wonder if his little body was working overtime to fight off the vaccine and it left his immune system weak and overrun.

I have had another discussion with the doctor, who I happen to admire and trust.  And thankfully I have worked with her enough to know that she is trustworthy.  Gratefully that nurse is no longer with her. 

Now we just hope and pray that there are no long term effects from that mistake.  I can’t imagine that there will be…at least I hope.

Wow – life can sure be interesting.

It’s fun to celebrate a birthday on a holiday!  It’s a little different…but very fun!

We had a good time celebrating New Year’s at our friends/neighbors, the Brooke’s, last night.  Their son Christopher came over here to watch the big boys…video games, popcorn, soda, movies…they were in heaven.  And to our surprise, stayed up until midnight!  We thought for sure they would conk out early.  But tonight they were ready for bed at 7.

We spent today relaxing.  My mom and Steve came over to celebrate Samuel and Derek’s b’days.  We had a snowman cake (the same cake that Derek had when he was ONE!).  My other boys were a little hesitant about the b’day cake when they were ONE.  Samuel DEVOURED his cake…and was picking up little crumbs off his highchair when he was done…so funny.  We had queso and watched football.  And overall, it was a great way to ring in the new year and celebrate the wonderful day that was Samuel’s birth.

Hard to believe that this year is over.  It’s been such a good one for our family.  And I am having a hard time coming to terms with the fact that tomorrow Samuel will be ONE.  Remember this…?

I’ll have fun birthday pictures coming soon…We’re celebrating with a snowman cake tomorrow.  When Derek turned one his mom made him a snowman cake.  So we’ll be recreating that!  So fun.

Had a fun dinner party on Sat night here with some couples from church (the Bishopric that Derek works with).  Here was my table.

Found those initial tags for everyone at Target!

I’ll have to do bullet points, because there is so much I want to remember:

Friday, Dec 22nd

Dad and Christy are here from Austin.  I was sick with strep/ear infection.  Dad went to Caleb’s preschool party.  Christy filled in for me and helped another mom with Jacob’s school party.  What would we have done without them?

They brought dinner from Campisi’s in that night and we opened gifts with Michael and Olivia (who was also sick) and Mark and Anne.  My surprise was antique glassware to go with my great grandmother’s china.  What a treat!

We got a kick out of Caleb and my dad performing "12 Days of Christmas" for us complete with actions.

Jacob got a metal detector…you’d of thought he had died and gone to heaven!

Saturday, Dec 23rd

Me and Sam are still sick.  My mom takes the big boys all the way to Arlington to see the Nutcracker.  They had a blast, but were exhausted when they got home.

Monday, Christmas Eve

We enjoy Christmas Eve dinner at my brother Mark’s house.  It was so fun to be there and see his place all neatly decorated and festive.  We had a nice dinner and then battled it out at "guitar hero".  Even my grandmother got in on it…how many kids can say they’ve played guitar hero with their great-grandmother!

Tuesday, Christmas Day

Santa did indeed come (and stayed up late the night before!).

For Jacob – a skateboard and a Tony Romo jersey

For Caleb – a new bike and a Dirk Nowitski jersey

For Samuel – a red wagon and a bear named "Sam"

I got a new camera lens…yippee!  And Derek got a new titanium wedding band. 

We met up at my Mom and Steve’s at mid-day with the rest of the gang…Grandma Haymond, Grandma Kake (Kay), Mike, Liv, Mark (and later Anne).  Before our big dinner, we like to have "performances" (don’t all families do that?).  This year Caleb and I have been working on a special song to entertain everyone with…complete with props.  But he backed out last minute (figures).  The show must go on though, despite his embarassment.  And we had a great time singing "Mele Kalikimaka" (Bette Midler Christmas CD)…thanks to Mike and Rocky for filling in.

But wouldn’t you know it…just when we thought Caleb was going to be afraid of the stage, he requests a chance to sing "Silent Night" for everyone.  And I hope I never forget it.  It was the MOST beautiful thing I’ve ever heard.  It was like an angel was singing…in perfect pitch.  His sweet little voice brought tears to everyone’s eyes.  That was my highlight…hands down.

Then on to a beef tenderloin dinner.  And almost 2 hours of gift giving/receiving/opening.  It’s quite a show with us Smith/Robinson/Lawsons, but it’s SO fun.

I got a big surprise from my brothers and LIv.  I had admired an artists work at a gallery in Savannah this summer.  And they picked up one of the pieces for me as a surprise.  I was so touched and it will always be a treasured gift to me…such a surprise.  You can see the artists work HERE.

What a Christmas!

Now Derek’s back to work, I’m still cleaning up, and now we get ready for 2 big birthdays next week…

I’m realizing now that these thumbnail pictures are much too small for the blog.  But I worked for over half an hour on this cute thing, so it’ll just have to do for the time being.  I’ll try to post bigger photos tomorrow. 

Samuel was diagnosed today with RSV.  He’s miserable…completely.  Doesn’t want to eat/drink much, sleep is out of the question, and cuddling…well, you can imagine.

I am running a fever of 100.6.  And I’m miserable too. 

We’re quite a pair.

And my Dad and Christy arrived today to celebrate Christmas with us a few days early.

We’re a bundle of joy to be around. 🙂

Although Derek and the big boys can hold their own when it comes to fun.

And I’m supposed to host/run/organize a one-hour party tomorrow for 19 2nd graders.

I might need 8 Advil to get through that, fever or not.

And our big purchase….drum roll, please… a 2003 white Suburban!  Our friends the Hickens sold it to us, and it’s perfect for our family right now.  It’s decked out with things I can’t even pronounce, but that Derek and the boys are ecstatic about.  And, Matt…the first thing my Dad noticed today…the wheels!  Thanks Matt and Dana!

Pictures when I feel better…

Ok, I finished my Christmas cards and have them sitting in the box waiting to be mailed.  So I am taking a few minutes to share some pictures from the last few days.

Here we go…

FRIDAY:

We took the kids to see Santa at the mall.  You’ll remember that this is something we’ve done every year since Jacob was one (SEE THIS post for a refresher).  The big boys were ecstatic and Samuel was serious, but not scared.  Pretty fun.

I love Jacob’s hand on top of Santa’s…

Here’s the behind the scenes:

It was the same story the next morning at our church party/breakfast, where Santa was visiting again (we say he’s one of Santa’s helpers…the real one is the one at the mall!).  The kids were told to wear their pajamas, but my big dude refused. 

SATURDAY NIGHT:

Gourmet Club – Holiday Style!  We invited our husbands to join us for a potluck.  All of us took assignments…mine was appetizers.  So I stepped up my game and did something I’ve never done (and did an old favorite).

Chili Bacon Breadsticks (brown sugar and chili powder make these a winner everytime)

Alaskan King Crab "Nachos" (wontons baked in mini-muffin tins, avocado, shallots and wasabi paste for the filling, and crab on top)

Both were a huge hit!

The evening was so fun, as always.

Ok…back to work…

Tomorrow I’ll have details about our newest purchase, and it’s a big one! 🙂

so little time!

Feeling buried, but have so many fun pics to share.

Later today…??

Maybe??

I had the MOST delightful 20 minutes this afternoon spent with Caleb.  Jacob had bought some things for the family at his school’s "Holiday Store".  So Caleb asked me if I could take him to buy presents for everyone also.  I agreed to take him to the Dollar Store.

We went after preschool today.  He was so thrilled to carry his own basket and pick things out for me, Derek, Jacob and Samuel.  At one point he had found something for himself, but put it back and said, "I think I’ll just buy for you guys."  When he found something for me he hid it in the basket.  It was in the girls toy section, so I can’t wait!  When we found something for Derek he was so excited…"he’s going to LOVE this".  So cute and precious.  He bought everything with his OWN money.  Which was also fun for him.  There is something about getting his own receipt that just makes him so proud.

I wish we could all go to the Dollar Store…with a generous heart and giving spirit.  We could get something little for everyone on our list, then walk out feeling proud and satisfied. 

It was the truest kind of Christmas spirit.  Simple.  Sweet.  Perfect.