6 months later...we are settling in after Chris' stroke--November 29, 2016

It was 6 months ago today that everything changed.  I can remember the moment when everything changed, and I remember thinking..."this isn't good.  This is going to be bad."   And I was right, and I was wrong, because it hasn't been all that good, but it really hasn't been all that bad.

It was supposed to be a day at the beach.  We were supposed to be going down to the beach for a weekend of fun over Memorial Day.  Instead, when Anna and I arrived at the beach that Sunday afternoon, I realized something was wrong with Chris.

Anna leaves to go back to Boston College--November 27, 2016

Anna has been home for almost six full days, which has been wonderful, but a little whirlwind, and very busy and fun for her.  Which, as I suspected, would make it even more difficult for her to go back to school today.  She loves being at college, but I think she also really loves being home, and she has so much fun when she comes home, that she doesn't really want to leave here...especially when she knows these last few weeks are going to be so hard, with 5 finals and tons of work between now and December 20th.

This is the same look I got when she was two and told her it was time for bed.

This is the kind of craziness I deal with...she is crying, but still has time for a quick piece of pie! 

Can you see how Lily is trying to keep from laughing? 

And at some point, Lily just gave up, and made it clear to Anna that she was being ridiculous! 

Luckily, our goodbyes were rushed, because Chris didn't leave on time (doesn't she look rushed eating the pumpkin pie??)  Apparently, you don't want to get anywhere near 30th Street Station on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, because there was such a back log of cars trying to get off the expressway at 30th Street Station, and so she missed her ride, and had to get on an emergency back up ride.   As I write this, she still has another two hours before she gets onto Boston College campus, and she left here this afternoon at 1.   It is a long trip back for her.

Happy Thanksgiving, 2016! November 24, 2016

This year was probably the 9th or 10th time we have done the Gobble Wobble, which is a 5K put on by the Abington YMCA.  I used to take just the older ones, but now, we all go.


After doing some leaves this afternoon, we all left for Thanksgiving dinner.  This year, our friends, the Hitchings, invited us to Thanksgiving dinner.  It was just so lovely.  Sue is really talented, and a great entertainer, and everything was so beautiful.

Anna comes home for Thanksgiving...and we are all so much happier when she is here! November 22, 2016

Anna comes home for Thanksgiving...and we are all so much happier when she is here!  It made us all so happy that she was here.  I got her from 30th Street Station on Tuesday morning, and everyone rushed in the door when he or she got home from school to rush in and see her.  We are all so much happier when she is here.  That is just it.  It is better here for all of us.

Happy Birthday to my Baby...Lily turns 10! November 9, 2016!

Lily this morning...still only 9 she reminded me.  She was born at 12:50 pm.

I really cannot believe it has been 10 years since Lily was born.  I was almost 45 when she was born...which seemed so old back then, but now, 45 seems so young.   Because now, I will be 55 in February, which is officially AARP territory.

But this is about Lily, not me.   Today, she turns 10.  And I can't believe it.   I remember Matthew being so sad I was in the hospital with her.  I remember the four oldest coming to meet her...and them setting my bed on fire because they were playing with it, making it go up and down.  And I remember bringing her home, and having 5 children ages 11 and under.  I am so blessed to have her.  She is truly the best thing that ever happened to our family.  I mean, we were very happy before she came, but having her come into our family has made it so much better, for our family, and she has made everyone so much happier.   It is hard to describe.

We aren't going to really celebrate today, though, because she has play practice until 5:30, then Matthew gets picked up at 7, and I have my final knitting class from 7-8:30, and it is a Wednesday, etc, etc.   We did have her birthday party on Saturday (7 girls, to go see Trolls...I was really happy when they all left at 11 pm.)   I think we are going to try to make it down to Sprinkles before it closes, to celebrate just a little bit...the real celebration will be in 10 days, when we can celebrate, on a Saturday.

So, happy birthday, my love.   I love you just because you breathe!