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Rest? What's That?

Our weekend was filled that I'm not sure we were home for more than a few hours. On Saturday, Ethan & Noah had belt promotion testing for Tae Kwon Do. Ethan was in the morning group and Noah was in the afternoon group. We were there from 8:45am to 3:30pm. Thankfully, I packed lots of snacks and they had their electronic games to keep them busy. It was cool to see a couple of guys break concrete.

Saturday evening, David helped watch kids at our church's annual Parents Night Out. He was really tired that night. Our neighbors had a progressive dinner that Josh & I went too as well.

Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest, but not happening. We did get to be involved with delivering Christmas presents from our church's giving tree. It was eye opening for the boys. Sunday evening was the children's Christmas pageant at church and Ethan sang in the choir.

Very glad to have the weekend over and looking forward to next weekend when it's not so busy.

Wanted Gifts vs. Needed Gifts

This year, we have been stressing to our boys about gifts. We have been telling them numerous times, that we are focusing more on the true meaning of Christmas. They were even told to think about what they really needed/wanted for their Christmas lists. We have had mixed results.

On their letters to their Grandparents, David asked for gift cards to Bass Pro. This is helpful for scouting. Noah asked for a new PSP game. Not a necessity, but I was glad he only asked for that and nothing else. Ethan asked for a Nintendo DS. Now, that isn't a necessity at all. I told him not to be disappointed if he didn't' get one, but I'm fairly sure one will be arriving soon.

We always get them 3 gifts each. I am finished shopping for Noah & Ethan and need to get David one more thing. His request was an IPod - not going to happen. He has an MP3 player that works just fine.

I want us to enjoy time as a family during this Advent season. My goal if for us to visit a local Walk-Thru Nativity display. It's free, and I've heard it's very well done. We simplified our decorations this year - I love it!

I wish you all a Merry Christmas!

An Ache That Won't Go Away

I have a big ache in my heart. No matter what I do, it won't go away. This ache came upon me almost one month ago. My father passed away October 18th. It was very unexpected and the shock is still so real. We do not know the cause yet. My mother is still living at their home, with family members taking turns spending nights with her. I spent one night and I'm not ready for that. It is too hard to be there at night.

I miss my Dad so much! He wasn't always the most affectionate Dad, but I know he loved me. I am very thankful that we spend the past couple of months together. Even though he didn't like that I took him to his doctor appointments, I appreciate that time more now than I ever thought I would.

I need a Bubble

So, round 2 of germs have invaded our house. This time, it is Ethan and myself. Ethan started with a lovely sounding cough late Friday night. I took him to the doctor today and found out that it's just a bad cold. But, he now gets to take a steroid inhaler to help prevent pneumonia, since my boy has asthma. Besides his cough, he seems fine.

Me, on the other hand, would like to crawl in my bed for the week. Not going to happen since my darling husband is out of town for the week. Yep, I'm whining.

Now, excuse me while I go invent a bubble to keep the germs away from my family.

Ki-hap!

Ethan started Tae Kwon Do last month and he loves it! He had played two seasons of soccer and one season of basketball - team sports are not for him.

I enjoy watching him concentrate on his moves. He is very focused on his instructor, which can be hard when you are 7 years old. And it can be hard when your class is held in an indoor soccer arena that echos.

It is awesome as a parent to witness your child doing something that they really like.

Running on Fumes

It's been quite a week for us, actually, it's been quiet a couple of months for us. I blogged before about my parents health and feeling the squeeze of being mom and daughter. My mom is home and receiving home PT 2x week and a home nurse visits 2x week. This is a good thing, yet she's not getting better.

My parents life has changed so much since August. My mom no longer has a queen size bed to sleep in - she now sleeps in a hospital bed. She isn't interested in leaving her house often becuase the 2 steps to the outside world are hard for her to climb. She has lost her independence.

My dad has seen several doctors to find out what is causing his slurred speech, shuffling steps and weakness in his legs. Today's visit determined it was not Parkinson's but the result of side effects from a depression medicine. So, he will stop that medicine and try something new to treat the Parkinson - like symptoms. I have been taking him to his appointments since he doesn't always remember what the doctor says. He too is slowly losing his independence.

I feel as if I am sinking further away from friends and my own family and most importantly, God. I haven't turned my back on God by any means, but I haven't turned to Him either. The thought has crossed my mind that I might be sinking into depression. But I can't - I need to press on and turn to God right now. I was told tonight by my husband's grandmother that I need to look out for myself, Numero Uno. This is a piece of advice I will actually use. Tomorrow, I will go to the YMCA for a class. Each day, I plan to make the effort to have some quiet time with God and myself. You may hold me accountable to that.