Sunshine...finally!

Our April weather has pretty much stunk it up.  March was a really nice month, mostly at least, in terms of the weather, but April has been COLD, and yesterday it rained so much I think we all thought we were going to float away.  Today though, the temps are below average still, but it is sunny...not a cloud in the sky!  I took the opportunity to take a walk around the block, and honestly I can't remember the last time I did that.  I'll be honest, it felt good to get out and soak up the sunshine, and it felt good to work off some stress.  I think we are actually going to see the sun quite a bit this week, and it's even going to get a little warmer.  Catherine has a track meet this evening, and I'm grateful for the sun!

Finally some healing

I am happy to report that things went well yesterday with Robert's follow up appointment for his hand.  The doctor is finally seeing some healing and is pleased.  He was quick to point out however, that this is not yet a complete success story and this can still be messed up, so Robert is to continue to be careful.  That being said, I actually encouraged the doctor to cast the hand rather than juts go back to the brace.  Ultimately the doctor did agree that was probably the best thing to do, and we go back in three weeks to have that removed.  In doing so, Robert has been given the use of two additional fingers, and has also been released to go back to work.  Finally some things are moving in the right direction with his hand!

The end of another week

We are down to 33 days of school remaining this year.  I know, I am certain, that I shouldn't wish away the next 6-1/2 weeks, but our summers are just so fabulously relaxing...and so much less stressful.  It's not just the schedule of school, it is other, some little, some big, things that make it challenging.  Catherine does well, but there is just so much meanness and drama with middle school girls.  For Robert and Thomas the challenges are school specific, and they can truly make me feel like a parent fail.  I know that it isn't my job to "do" school for them, but it is my job to guide them and help them to be successful...and I just don't know how to do that very well it seems.  At least it feels that way.

But right now we are at the weekend!  Andrew has taken Thomas to the Reds game for the evening.  I admire their fortitude as the wind chill is currently 31 degrees.  It even rained earlier, and you know that had to be a bone-cold rain.  Fortunately it didn't last terribly long, and I'm grateful they took this in together.  Thomas absolutely loves Joey Votto, and I'm glad that he's able to see the game in person.  Catherine was supposed to have a track meet this evening, but it was cancelled due to the weather.  Robert is volunteering three days a week at the community resource center, and this is one of those days.  The older two and I have spent the evening mostly just hanging out around the house and I've appreciated the down time.

Tomorrow I have to attend a baby shower and some friends are coming over for the evening.  Sunday morning is a youth activity at church, and then we were just invited over to my cousin's house in the evening for a quick surprise gathering for my uncle's 70th birthday.  I'm grateful that our weekend isn't overly packed, because we have reached that point of the school year where the weeks are unbelievably full.  We wouldn't know to appreciate the down time though, if it was like that all the time!

Reds win on Opening Day!

I know this season isn't going to be the best in Reds' history.  At this point, I'm just hopeful that the experts aren't right and this isn't going to be the worst ever either.  I had kids going this way and that way, and Monday is Andrew's night class so I was soloing.  I was able to catch most of the game on the radio while I was away and on TV while I was home, but to be honest, I wasn't totally paying attention.  Dinner happened to coincide with the eighth inning though, and that is when things became fun.  The Reds scored five runs in the bottom of the inning and came away with a 6-2 victory over Philly.  I know there are 161 games to go and most of the teams we will see are far better than the lowly Phillies, but for today at least, we are in first place...and a full game in front of the Cardinals!

Spring break is over

I have to be honest, none of us were particularly thrilled that the break is over.  Only 38 more school days though...and in 51 calendar days we will be done for the summer.  Even Thomas said he doesn't want to wish away his life, but I think we all feel not just worn down, but in some ways beaten down by this school year.  I truly want to treasure and enjoy these days with my kids, and I'm grateful that for the most part, that is how we spent this past weekend.

Robert has done well handling things from his hand surgery.  Hopefully that continues into today and that he makes good choices (my fervent prayer EVERY DAY).  Friday Andrew took Catherine and Thomas to a movie, and Robert stayed at home just resting (but with full control of the TV remote).  That evening we played a game that Andrew had received for Christmas, and we enjoyed that.  Saturday Catherine had her first track meet of the season, and I went to watch her run.  It was absolutely BRUTAL.  The temps were in the low 40's and the wind was in the 40mph range as well.  I felt so badly for how cold she was out there standing in her lane.  She ran well for the first 130 meters of her 200, but then she pretty much coasted/jogged the rest of the way.  Regardless, she had a blast and I'm grateful for that.  The winds picked up even greater strength later in the day, and Andrew decided it would be a great evening for a fire.  It was so cozy in our living room, and it was made even cozier by having all of the family together to watch a movie.  The kids had purchased a DVD for me for Christmas and after watching it a few weeks ago, we really though the kids would like it...and they did.  I absolutely love watching my kids laugh and it fills my heart more than I can even explain.  After it was over we watched a few episodes of Friends, and then we all had a really good night sleep.

Andrew had spent Saturday while I was at the track meet working on his lesson plans, and since Robert is not allowed to return to work for a few weeks, we had the afternoon open.  We decided to head into Cincinnati and visit the Museum Center because they had the "Art of Brick" exhibit.  Thomas had visited with his Godfather over Christmas break, but the rest of us wanted to see it as well.  We decided to purchase a membership to the museum, and we are excited about the opportunities that we'll have over the next year...not just at this but at the many others for which there are reciprocity agreements.

It was really a truly fabulous way to end our break.  I'm so grateful for the good days that we get to experience as a family, and I'm so grateful for the three kiddos that help to make us a family.  I hold onto and treasure the really good days!

Last weekend's Easter

I didn't mean to take so long to write about Easter last weekend, but it is what it is.  We had decided that we would drive separately to my in-laws so that Andrew would have the freedom to stay longer without worrying about getting back for the kids' commitments, or my level of irritation that tends to set in after 48 hours of being there.  My in-laws are truly wonderful people, but we just function very differently.  Anyway, Andrew left the afternoon of Good Friday, and I stayed home and picked up the house.  I truly appreciated the quiet and alone time, and I know everyone there enjoyed the extra time together.  I got to sleep in Saturday and then headed over.  We had church first thing on Sunday morning, then had breakfast out.  We had a very nice afternoon, and all worked together to make the meal.  Andrew's brother was over to visit for just a couple of hours, and that is plenty.  Easter day was an absolutely gorgeous weather day, and in fact the only really great one we've had in a few weeks.  Monday after breakfast I hit the road with Robert and Catherine, and Thomas remained behind with Andrew to continue to help with things there.  Driving that far myself tends to make me nervous, but we had a fairly uneventful trip home.  The three of us sat and relaxed Monday evening, and we all just really enjoyed that.  All in all, it was a very nice holiday.

The end of this year's break

There is part of me that just can't help but wish it was a week ago and that we had this entire week off ahead of us.  Reality is not the case though, and time, as always, marches on.

Robert's hand surgery yesterday went very well.  There were none of the unfortunate complications that occurred with the first surgery.  This time, they were aware of how Robert reacted the first time and things went much better this time.  The doctor is pleased with how it went, but is stressing the importance of taking it easy.  He is really convinced that Robert had some part in the fact that it didn't heal the first time and wants to make sure it all goes according to plan this time.

In other somewhat stressful news, Andrew's brother is in the hospital with pneumonia, and is currently somewhat delusional.  I feel very badly for his parents who are watching their child suffer, and I pray for all involved.

Thomas was able to have his best friend spend the night earlier in the week.  Those two always do their best to fill the world with laughter, and it is just a wonderful sound.

Today is an absolutely gorgeous day, and I am looking forward to spending the day with my family!  I'm grateful for a completely unscheduled day.