Blogging Etiquette

So really... what is appropriate when you don't post for months... several times in a row?

Do you just give it up?

Do you make excuses?

Or do you go on like nothing happened in those months of absence?

Maybe we'll try a Christmas program video for the family miles away... how many days will that take to cut, edit, and upload?

See you in a few months... or maybe sooner if I'm convicted!

Light a candle for our babies...

Today, October 15, is the National Day of Remembrance for pregnancy and infant loss. It has been suggested that grieving parents and family members light a candle at 7 p.m. in their respective time zones to create a wave of light around the world in memory of babies lost to pregnancy and infant loss.

I personally was not aware of this until I saw it on another blog. It may seem that there is a "National Day" for about anything we can think of. However, this one tugs on my heart. As many of you know, we have 2 little ones, who I believe we'll see again someday. I'm also sure all of us know many who have experienced losses at various stages of pregnancy and early infancy, but the "common-ness" of it does not take away the pain that is felt over each individual loss. I hope this touches your heart and you will remember all those babies that have gone before us and remember to pray for family and friends who continue to grieve.

One Fish, Two Fish

Goldfish..... No fish!

That's the Wood luck.

We compromised a week ago Saturday to bring our first pet(s) into our home. Ryan has often asked for a dog, or maybe a cat... and recently he started the fish question. He's one smart kid. Dad doesn't care for dogs or cats, Mom's allergic to cats... so why not a fish. Nobody here's allergic to them.

So, we come home on Saturday with a bowl, some fancy rock, a little fake water plant, and a cute "No Fishing" sign, some fish food, and two little goldfish- name Goldie and Buster. We thought we followed all the pet store directions. But Goldie was floating on her side by the time I got home from scrapbooking late the following Friday night. Ryan and Steve obviously didn't tell them good night that night or they would have been in for a surprise. Not even one week. I didn't even capture them on camera for the scrapbook! It was a little tough on Saturday morning, but we made it... after some tears. Ryan wanted to give Buster back to the store so he wouldn't die too. We were hopeful.... telling him that Buster could live a lot longer. Well, you guessed it. He was lying at the bottom of the bowl by Sunday afternoon. Yes, we had changed the water, not overfed, drawn them pictures, talked to them.... who knows? We obviously are not meant to be fish owners.

After the second round of sadness lightened and several theological questions about pets and their salvation, Ryan says...."see, I knew we should have gotten a dog!"

Please pray for Grandpa (Papa) Floyd

***Update***
We made a quick trip to Indiana this past weekend and it was good to see Grandpa. He did have open heart surgery on Monday afternoon. They did 4 bypasses. He is slowly coming out of all the drugs and things seem to be coming along as expected, yet slowly. No major concerns at this point. I'm sure it will be a slow recovery for him. We are thankful everything has gone as smoothly as possible. Thanks for your prayers!!!

We found out last night that my (Anne's) Grandpa is in the hospital in Indianapolis, waiting to find out what's to come next. He went via ambulance as he was having chest pains. They discovered that 3 of his main arteries to/from the heart are blocked 90% or more(please excuse my lack of medical knowledge). He has always appeared to be so healthy for an 87 year old... still planting and working in his garden, taking care of himself, going to church and places all on his own. Right now they are waiting to hear what the surgeons recommend... open heart surgery or other options? Wish we were closer to pop in and see him. I did talk to him last night and at least his humor is still there... telling me that's the fastest ride to Indy he's ever had :).

Here he is with my Bro and Sis-in-law at our cousin's wedding last month... sorry, Matt and Erin, that I didn't ask permission :)!

We love you Papa Floyd and we'll be praying for you... and getting some of my blogger buddies, too, as well!

A New Chapter for Us

Well, today was the big day. The first full day of Kindergarten. Yesterday Ryan rode the bus for the first time, but I met him at school as it was just an open house day(with parents) to get acquainted with things. Therefore, he came home with me and we were home by 11am. Today, however, up at 6:45 on his own (no excitement there), on the bus at 7:30am and I am anxiously awaiting his arrival back in the neighborhood around 4pm. That's a big day! He was ready and I was ready, until I made it back to the garage. Then I had my moment! It's the end of a stage of life as we know it. I think not having any other kiddos at home with me is the tough/strange part. It's been a different day without my constant conversations and little companion :). Thankfully, the school we chose only has kindergarten 2 days one week and 3 the next. It will be a good transition for us! Hope you enjoy these snapshots... off to get the cookies out of the oven. Have to be a good mom, at least the first day :)!!!

PS... did I mention it was only 40 something this morning... I love this fall weather, but I am not looking forward to what comes after it!

OK OK....

Here we are and here's a post for the handful of you who check in. I've heard the requests and will attempt to update this week. We are alive, doing well and sad to see summer ending... but one of us is very excited to have school begin next week! We'll let you guess who that is.

Nearing the End

You know school is wrapping up when all the spring programs begin. Ryan's was last week and it is bittersweet. It has been a great two years at this school and his teachers are wonderful! However, he is very excited about kindergarten beginning, too! Here are some shots from the day with his teachers and some friends. The plate he is holding was his gift to us. It is awesome! A drawing he made of himself and Spiderman on a plate that his teacher says should last for years. She has some that are 28 years old and still looking good. Here's our boy!

Maybe I'll get some video up of the program some time soon, too! Don't hold your breath, though :)!

If I Were a Consistent Blogger...

You would have seen these pictures (and maybe more) over the past month and a half. But since I'm not, this is all you get, AND you get them way after the fact :)!

We had a fun time seeing "Nemo on Ice" back in March. We had great seats, just a couple rows up from the ice. The costumes were very impressive. You almost forgot these people were skating! Of course, a family pose taken by the "usher" guy. And after the big day, Ryan encouraged anyone that came over to do Nemo on Ice at our place... now called Nemo on Wood! Can you see their ice skates? We traveled to Indiana for Easter this year. Here are some Easter morning eggs. Yes, that is a Spiderman egg. What kind of Easter bunny do we have? Sure, we're smiling here, but Ryan was really in the middle of a melt down. Guess we take what we can get!
And here is the campaign picture for when Steve runs for President... yes, he has a plan. But... I tell him he won't be doing it with this wife :)!!!Steve flew back home on Monday morning to work and Ryan and I stayed for the rest of the week as my mom was on Spring Break. We got to spend some fun time with friends and family. Here are some pictures of what may be becoming the annual trip to the Indianapolis Children's Museum. The robot section was what Ryan says was his favorite part of the day. Here's Grandma, Ryan and their new friend. Ryan building a robot...Photo op with the dinosaur...We just couldn't pass up these last two shots. After all, it IS all about us, right? No, we know that is far from the truth, but a great picture opportunity nonetheless. This was actually an exhibit entitled "The Power of Children: Making a Difference". OK OK.... so we aren't as famous as Anne Frank and Ryan White, but maybe we could pass it off on this blog! :)

Grandma Donna

April 9, 2007. A day we will not forget. It's been a year since my mom-in-law, Steve's mom and Ryan's Grandma left this earth to go to her eternal home, Heaven! How cool for her! How sad for us! It was the day after Easter, and for Ryan (and us, too), Easter this year brought back lots of memories of where we were last Easter. We are so thankful we had 3 days before to spend with her. We've talked lots about her this year and this week we talked with Ryan about how it had been 1 year that Grandma had been in Heaven. We should do something special to celebrate her. He said we should have a party! Well, despite more creative intentions, our party turned into a night out to dinner, talking lots about her and then coming home to have S'mores in the microwave. It was his pick for dessert and he decided it was either cupcakes because that's what we made for her last birthday or S'mores because he first tried them with her at the Dells in WI. The final decision was S'mores.
He had lots of good "chats" with Grandma, even when she just felt like sitting. She had a great way of captivating him into whatever adventure they were on, even if she just played along from the chair. One of the last adventures at our home was that they were Jonah aboard the ship and in the whale(right on the sofa).
. Another thing that Ryan wanted to do for the "celebration" was write a poem. I love the way little minds think. So he composed, and I put it on paper. Although it might be missing rhyme and rhythm, it brought tears to our eyes and would make Grandma proud! Here goes... it's Ryan's words with no deletions or additions.

Grandma, you read books to me when I was little and when you came to our house you played with me.
You gave me lots of Highlights(the magazine), toys, and books.
You taught me lots of nursery rhymes.
When it was Easter you died. All of us were really sad. We went to your funeral. I know you couldn't see us and then me and Mom and Dad got to bring flowers home. I got to keep one in my room and we planted a tree in our backyard to remind us of you.
I know you can't see this, but I have your toys and that birdie you gave me. I'm making lots of new friends at school and I remember I got that wrestling toy for Easter at your house.
I'm really really happy that you are with God, but sometimes I still feel sad. We are going to look at your book (scrapbook mom made) and remember you.

I Felt Wrong

My last post, I said new life was coming... I could feel it. The snow was gone. Wrong. Last night and today we've had strong winds and at least 3-4 inches of snow? Enough to have everything white again and schools closed :(... I was so looking forward to green, not white. Hopefully the weather guys are right and 60's are just a few days away?! I guess we can be thankful that God is not always predictable and has a sense of humor! It is April 11th, isn't it?

Sweet Home Minnesota

Good 'ole snow. We returned to this and frigid temps. This has been the longest winter since we've moved here... but I guess others of you have experienced the same where you are, too. We literally had almost a 100 degree temperature change from 60+ in California to -30 here, before the wind chill. Sweet..as Steve would say!
And this is from the snow on April 1st... the leaning tower of Frosty. It was actually upright the day before, but then the heat wave came. Pretty impressive, heavy snow man. Steve was home with Ryan in the middle of the day while I was gone, and I came home to a snow man taller than me. I wish I could have seen the process. They had to make a ramp to lift the middle "ball"!

Today the birds are chirping and the snow is gone, hopefully for good! New life is coming!!!! I can feel it!

Magical Moments

Well, for you faithful readers, here are some pics from our California trip I promised a month ago. God is working on my patience in the big and little things of life, like Blogger uploading!!! It was a good trip and Disney is magical, even during the waiting in lines :)! Magical for a 5-year-old, for sure. I'm not so sure it was magical for a 30-something uncle and 70-something Grandpa, but they went along for the ride, regardless. It was also nice to see some sun and 60+ degrees in February and visit family we rarely see. These are in no specific order....
A special cousin that Ryan met for the first time... and he admired her very much. And she humored his desires to be with her non-stop very well. Thanks Amanda!
Chip and Ryan... just so you know Chip has the black nose like a chocolate chip and Dale's is brown and more round! We did one character breakfast. I'm having a hard time uploading some of the pictures, one being of Ryan and Princess Jasmine in her bikini top. You should see the look on his face... he was a little apprehensive and asked why she was showing her belly button? :)
Steve and brother Jim in an intense round of bumper cars... they were really pretty lame and didn't pick up much speed, what do you expect with a bunch of young kids driving? They ended up being "stuck" in a pile up for part of the drive. Grandpa was involved too, but I didn't get him on camera.
Steve, his sister Diana, her daughter Amanda, and Ryan on the pier at Huntington Beach. It was chilly, but fun to be at the ocean. We spent a few of the days visiting with Diana's family at their home. It was good to spend time getting to know them better. My camera battery died shortly after this, so I missed Ryan getting his feet wet and playing in the sand.
Getting yet another autograph from Pluto. These guys do a great job seeing out of their mouth!!
Waiting for breakfast at Goofy's Kitchen! One of the most expensive breakfasts you can find!! :)
Brotherly bonding as we wait in line for the new Nemo ride.
Aboard Tom Sawyer's boat ride.... we saw a real live plastic/stuffed moose!
The family pose complete with squinting!
This would be Dale... see the nose?
Silly faces as we wait in line.
Checking out the view from Nemo's submarine.
Another squinting pose in front of THE castle. Good thing we didn't go into photography, huh?
Aren't we cute? Another 3-D movie. Some of them very impressive, yet we possibly traumatized Ryan from a few. He is not necessarily the bravest little guy. Wonder who he gets that from?
We all live in a yellow submarine. This Nemo ride did take us under water and the effects were fairly impressive.
And last but not least, Ryan's favorite ride. Buzz Lightyear's Ride. We only rode it 5 or 6 times in our short visit, and a few times with a hefty line!

Good times. Great weather. Great to hang out with family.