Happy Birthday Elijiah!

Happy Birthday my dear boy! Ah Elijiah 9 years old. Can we just stop the clock? You have obviously grown taller, learned much and done a ton this last year! Its really sad to know that the time continues to fly right on by and I have no power to halt it and keep you my boy forever. It’s a terrible thing you know :)

So lets see the recap of last year? This is getting harder to do each year- because there are so many milestones and memories but some of the best has been to see you continue to develop and grow in your talents. Piano continues to be something you are getting better and better at. You were on the competitive soccer league and you are incredible. Your primary role is to play defense…you have naturally gravitated to that spot- hating to loose and feeling that by keeping the offensive players at bay and stopping them for getting goals is your sweet spot. I cant tell you how many times your team has fallen apart when your not on the field. You have natural leadership and the other kids not only look up to you LITERALLY- but also because you are a consistent player- one that no matter what when you walk on the field the game changes. Parents have told me time and time again when your on the field they don’t have to worry about the game, but when your not there- its noticeable.

I know you have have struggled with the move, and its been hard on all of us. Believe me- we wouldn’t have done it if we didn’t think that it was for the best. With time I know that you will appreciate the things that we do about the change.

You and Tristan continue to be at odds 75% of the time but there are times, where you can play well and enjoy one another. I hope that as you get older you will protect, love, and want to be around him more. I know that its hard when he plays with your toys, or messes up your legos. But know that its only because he looks up to you and wants to do everything you do

You have done remarkably well in school- so much so that teachers from last year and this year, think you need to be in accelerated programs…unfortunately no matter what we have done, we cant seem to get you into those schools. Too many kids, not enough funding. Not sure what we will do for sure next year, but in all reality sending you back to Lourdes may be what happens. I know you don’t love catholic school, but its really a fabulous education and we want the very best for you.

Thank you for continuing to do your best at everything. I know you don’t like certain things, but you always try hard. What also amazes me is the level that you are reading. You are reading all the teen books and then some…you just finished the Hunger Games series and if you aren’t reading late in the night I know its because you have finished up yet another book. I honestly cant keep up with you. 

Well Elijiah-Today is such a special day…its YOUR day- the day that you truly brought happiness in my life…9 years ago you made me a mother and forever a better person. Thank you for being who you are and blessing those around you. I hope you have a wonderful year.

Much love,

Mom

paint colors

I never knew that finding a pale grey/gray color was so difficult.  A total of 14 paint samples have gone on our living room wall.  NONE are working.  They either have yellow, green, blue, brown or purple undertones.  I believe now that it probably has more to do with our lovely brown carpet and brown couches - but I still cant seem to pick a color.  Its a small room that is open to our kitchen that is grey/white/black so I wanted to paint the walls in something that would be a neutral color that would blend to the kitchen.  Between elephant skin, rain water, grey skies, sterling, pewter- etc etc its just not working so the room that should be so easy to complete - has still a lot of work to be done.
I have considered just painting it white again...afterall picking a white paint cant be THIS difficult!

Kitchen Progress

While I thought we would do the white subway tile to match the fireplace in the adjoining room...I saw this mosaic and reconsidered.  Our tile backsplash in the kitchen is coming along

Halloween Madness

A little slice of our Halloween this year.

Family Fall Hike

Weve been a little preoccupied with projects around the house to get out much.  Its been a bit sad really.  There is nothing more that I love than to be outdoors as much as possible.  So even though Jonathan is sick...we took the kids on a short but very pretty hike not far from our house. 

Not really sure why these pictures are so small...They really are great pics of the fall colors in normal size.

In other news- Jonathans Ireland trip was cancelled two days prior to departure- Raegan had to postpone her trip due to a family emergency.  Halloween is next week and honestly I havent thought much about it- and Elijiahs Birthday is also coming up quick.  What to do what to do...

Surgery news

( right before he went in)

Wow two posts in one week! Im on a roll.

Well considering Jonathans surgery --I had to document it for our posterity! Many of you may or may not know that Jonathan has suffered for years with sinus issues. This last round of sinus issues has lasted for several months with terrible daily headaches that would cause him to have to leave work or be on tons of medication with little relief. There was discussion of doing the sinus surgery for a long time, but it seemed like a last resort as folks reported mixed reviews on the outcome.

He hit his breaking point though and we decided to go for it. Needless to say, the day of surgery came and we thought it would be a simple affair. We didn’t count on a 2 hour surgery lasting 4.5 hours or me getting a migraine while at the hospital with no medication on me. I cant tell you how much I wanted to go to a nurse and ask if they had imitrex they could give me. Can you imagine? lol Anyway I wasn’t able to be much help after being at the hospital from 11-6:30 pm with the pain I was in---and so Jonathans parents came and picked us up and took us home. I wont go into the VERY yucky stuff that is currently draining out of his face, or how much pain hes has-not sure what we are in for as far as recovery goes, but Jonathan is hoping he will be ready to board his plane for Ireland come next Thursday. 

FHE anyone?

( not the place we went btw- camera charger still missing since move- sure looks good tho)

In trying to get it all done-

Pick up T after work

Pick up J

Pick up E

Go to ski store and grab our waxed up skis, and get Tristan his…

While in the car on the way to get Pumpkins for family night do a quick FHE lesson in the car

Figure it’s a captive audience

Doesn’t go well

Pumpkin picking quite the let down

Family dinner turned out to be Jonathan and I as the boys spent it in time out

Elijiahs 5 minute time out turned into ALL night time out and he was asleep in bed by 7:30

Not so lucky with T- he didn’t turn in so quickly

Night ended on a high note however, but yea family night was anything but.