One Year Ago . . .
my Grandpa Mike passed away. He had been in a skilled nursing facility, with severe dementia for so long, that it really was a blessing and relief. But now, after a year?  I can't believe I'm going to say it, but I miss the stinky halls of that place.  I miss the all-too-infrequent moments of clarity where he had a glimmer of recognition for me. I feel so bad for my Grandma today.  It's been hard for her.  And we haven't always been there for her.  While Grandpa was in that facility?  It's where we all visited.  Out of habit, we stopped going to her home.  And God love her, she has the yappiest and most annoying dogs on the pl

Insomnia . . .
is the devil's curse. Or something like that.  And apparently?  My daughter is having her own little bout of insomnia tonight this morning.  Right on schedule (for me).  3:00 am. I hate 3:00 am! So after putting her back to bed countless times (and now realizing exactly what we have done by putting her in a big-girl-bed), I caved. She is now happily ensconced on the couch, eating a snack and watching . . . you guessed it . . . MIckey Mouse Clubhouse. I am cocooned in the down throw, rolled up like a cold Mama burrito because I made the silly choice to sleep in a tank top and boxers.  It

Relaxed and Lazy . . .
that's what our Thanksgiving Day was.  Well, at least for the kiddos and I.  For John it was chaotic, bloody, stressful and looooonnnnnngggg.  He was at work, obviously. The kids and I?  Barely got out of pajamas.  We had Mac & Cheese (the extra creamy fancy kind) for lunch.  And cake for breakfast.  And a hodge-podge of snacks for any other necessary meal. We watched movies and parades and a plethora of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (aka, crack for toddlers).  We also did the hot dog dance more times than I can recall.  Halle napped.  I edited photos.  I worked on our Shutterfly album.  Dylan played Age of Empires.  He read.  I re

Thankful . . .

My Big Girl . . .
is sleeping in her big girl bed!  It's crazy!  The other crazy part?  My Dad and I started and finished a project in one weekend, which truly is a record for both of us :)  I got it moved into her bedroom yesterday - squeezed it in there is more like it, since her crib is still in there as well.  (Her cribby as she calls it.  No idea why, but it's super-cute.) Last night she was determined to sleep in it, so she did.  She called me a couple of times during the night, but I just went in and tucked her back in each time.  This morning she woke up at 6:00 and it was so nice to be able to snuggle into her bed with her and coax her back to sleep