:(

Found out this afternoon that Grandpa was moved to Hospice care.

Thankful: Day 3

I am thankful for trusting my instincts. As a mother, I think that following your gut feeling is extremely important.

The situation most in the forefront of my mind, though, is my taking the kids to Orlando recently. I felt a need to be there- and I'm so glad we went. I am much more at peace with the current situation than I would be otherwise.

News

I got a phone call this evening that my grandpa has taken a turn for the worse. I feel bad, because when I heard earlier this week that he had MRSA, I was mostly concerned for my two children who were in the room with him the day before the test results were returned. Now I learn that he has been less responsive this week, and that his kidneys are shutting down. My grandma has been given power of attorney and they are looking into hospice.

I can't put into words how glad I am we visited last weekend. I just had the feeling that we needed to. And because I followed that gut feeling, I was able to tell my grandpa how much I love him. He was able to see Abby one more time, and meet his beautiful great grandson.

My brother has promised updates. In the meantime, I wait. And worry. :(

Thankful: Day 2

I am thankful for the kindness of friends and strangers.

The smile or kind word of a friend goes such a long way to brightening the day. :) And as for strangers- last night, not one- not two- but THREE strangers helped me get my two kids, big diaper bag, and huge umbrella into Chic-Fil-A in the rain. :) Thanks, gentlemen! <3

Thankful

For whatever reason (family stress, work stress, random emotional turmoil), the past few weeks have been rough for me. My husband and friends have been super-supportive... but it hasn't changed the fact that I just feel blah.

A friend of mine made a challenge on Facebook- that I accepted and would like to both challenge in turn- and record here on the blog. :)

The challenge is this: Each day, from now until Thanksgiving, share a new something for which you are thankful- not repeating any...

Acknowledging my need to focus on the positive, here I am. :)

Day 1: I am thankful for that sweet smile my baby boy makes as he's falling asleep. <3

Family

I'll never forget a discussion I had with the owner of a women's consignment shop in Longwood, Florida, many years ago. I'd shopped there since I was a teenager who needed a week's worth of "professional attire" for a leadership forum in high school... and when we had this discussion, I was a college student embarking on my student teaching... She asked what my plans were, and when I told her that I planned to move to Georgia and get a teaching job in Atlanta, she said the following: "It may seem fun to live far away and on your own now, but you'll move back when you have kids."

I've thought a lot about her comment over the years. When I was dating Chas and we moved in together... one step further from "moving back". When I had Abby... another step. When we bought our home... another step. When Chas got his job at CNN... another step. I enjoy living where we do, and love my life here. I have no immediate plans to move, and even if we did, it's extremely unlikely that it would be to Florida.
Believe it or not, the thing that is making it harder for me to be far away is not the fact that I have two young children and my mom is in another state- it's the other end of the spectrum, actually. The fact that my grandma and grandpa are not doing well... that one of them is in the hospital- with no immediate plans of release- and the other is settling into an assisted living facility- it breaks my heart. Last weekend, I was able to visit. They're OK. They're being taken care of. But I wish I could be there. I love them both with all my heart and would be by their sides if I could. I'm glad I was there recently and told them how I feel, because if they ever doubted my love, it would kill me.

Halloween

I love Halloween. Growing up, I often celebrated my birthday along with the holiday, since they're only 6 days apart. I've enjoyed it even more since having Abby, and was excited for Alex's first Halloween. :)


Except for Abby's first Halloween (she wore a Dragonfly costume that I got at the local children's boutique- and slept straight through the evening!), I've made her costume each year.

This year was no exception- she has been in love with Wizard of Oz, so I made her a Dorothy costume, and a scarecrow costume for Alex. Aren't they precious??!