Ball Games

As a family, a couple of weeks ago, we went to a baseball game and the boys had a great time!  We were on a party deck rented by his employer, and Merritt and Evy were free to roam as they needed (and eat and drink).

(he ate his and then he ate mine)

(wearing the shirts that *everyone* was wearing)

Earlier this week (wrote this during the weekend), thanks to work and to Aunt Kadi, we were able to go to the Mav's final game in the playoffs against the Thunder.  And, the Mavs won the Western Conference Championship.

I've been to my fair share of sporting events, some great games, some mediocre games, pro sports, farm teams, college teams, high school teams . . .  but I have never, ever experienced a crowd like I did at about 5 minutes left in the game.

The Mavericks led the scoring board early in the game, but it didn't take too long for them to consistently trail by 5 and even 8 points behind their opponents. Not to be deterred, the fans kept cheering . . . some of that was a response to the commentators, the music, and the blatant instructions to "get louder".  It seemed the close scoring game was a repetitive pattern of make a shot, miss it, other team gets the rebound, a foul occurs, make a shot, foul occurs, pass the ball, a foul occurs.  Frankly, I was kind of getting irritated by the fouling . . . watching men throw a ball from a free throw line isn't all that fun.

At 5 minutes left in the fourth quarter . . . the vibe became different.  The teams were actually making taking shots, some making-some not, rebounding the ball, and playing the game without gratuitous fouling . . . and then there was a shot made by the Mavericks and you could just sense a change in the air.  It was like a spontaneously scripted movie scene where the community pulls together . . . .

I was amazed. There didn't seem to be an apathetic, tired, irritated, or bored person in the audience for that span of time. All of the attendees whether drunk, sober, tall, short, tired, or wired were committed to the game . . . and that commitment paid off, especially in an amazing 3 point shot.

We were all cheering, like over 20,000 fans or so . . . and we were yelling "DEFENSE" or "Let's, Go, Mavs" . . . and without being directed to . . . all in tandem, unison . . . and the Mavs were doing a great job defending and scoring . . . BUT it was like the crowd knew it had a huge influence on what was happening.  . . . that the Mavs were winning because of the AWESOME job we were doing of screaming and clapping and pounding the stands. . . .

To be even more trite, it was almost as if the world were slowing and focusing on that game, right then and there, with no thought of what was happening anywhere else.

I will always remember that.  always.

Last of the Glue

BTW, we finally got the last of the glue out of Everett's hair from the Video-EEG in March.

And, it was because we were able to cut it off during his haircut.

FHE in Big Style

Erik has been home for a couple of weeks and we've started doing some "bigger" things for FHE.  Usually we read a story, talk about it, play a game, eat something sweet, and sing lots of songs.  Pretty simple.

One Monday, we went and saw "Rio"--it was Merritt's first movie and the first movie we have seen as a complete family.  Everyone enjoyed themselves.  And, the theater had only a couple of people in it.  So, when Merritt was tired of sitting, he could roam all he wanted!

Rain Forest Cafe

the cups lit up

This past week, for another FHE, we went to the Rainforest Cafe!  The kids had a great time and Merritt was mesmerized enough to sit for the ENTIRE meal!



A Visit to Grandpa's Grave on Memorial Day

We started our Memorial Day with a trip to Lewisville to visit Grandpa's grave.

Once there, we placed some flags on his headstone, said the pledge of allegiance (trying to do something to set it apart for the boys), and talked to Everett about soldiers and what it means to remember them.

A great part of the experience was that a local Boy Scout Troop was inserting flags near the headstones for every veteran buried there.  We walked around the cemetery reading the headstones . . . we even saw the headstone for a WWI veteran in that small cemetery.  The flags dotted the graveyard and it was humbling to see just how many there were. 

Though Grandpa's service marker has not been installed on his gravesite yet, the Boy Scouts placed a flag when Erik let them know about Grandpa.

It was a great experience to talk with Everett about what it means to serve our country. 

It was also quite nice to take a moment and remember those who served, my grandpa who served, and how blessed we are to live in the United States of America.

Robot Man Wins Again!

So, we had the follow-up to the EEG this morning.

Everett did an amazing job waiting patiently for the doctor and for his parents to get all their questions answered.  He is just an amazing boy!  At the end, he very proudly showed off his Spiderman books.

There was seizure activity detected (boo) but not severe enough to warrant additional medication (yay).

This is how the doctor goes through the decision process to make his recommendations:
Goal 1) Evy needs 100% control of his seizures to give his body a chance to heal and decrease the likelihood that his is a lifelong issue.

Goal 2) We need to keep Everett's body on the least damaging medication that will control his seizures.

So, with those two goals in mind, and the knowledge now that the seizure activity detected was LESS than what was seen on the super strong meds in the hospital, the doctor did not think that putting him on stronger medicine is warranted.

Great news!  It tells us a couple of things might be happening:
1)  That the medication is working, and, maybe . . .
2)  Evy may be outgrowing this challenge.

We keep him on his meds for another 3 months.  He'll go through another EEG, and then we'll regroup from there.

Very positive news for him!

He did have to go through a blood-draw . . . but he was SO brave and the technicians were extremely gentle with him.  No screaming, no crying!  Excellent way to start the week.

On the way home, we talked about the blood-draw.  I talked about how he was brave and he asked what that meant.  After a little while he said,"I was scared, but I KNEW I could do it!"

 . . . and then a few minutes later,"I think I need a chocolate shake as a treat after that hard work!"

That we can do!  Great job, Evy!

Chills and Thrills (preview)

This week was insanely busy.

I am exhausted.

I took a 2 and 1/2 hour nap this afternoon, which I never do, and I am ready to crawl in bed right now no matter if the boys are awake still or not.

Right Now:  Erik is reading books to Everett.  Merritt is verballing communicating his irritation at being put to bed.

This week we accomplished Tech Purge 2011, Garage Redesign-Part 1, and dedicated many hours to our church volunteer work.

I taught a lesson today on The Atonement.  I love teaching the Sisters in RS. 

This week included lots of splashing, getting caught in tight places, lots of dancing, lots of cleaning, and I'll add pictures another time.

Tomorrow, EEG results.

night.night.

Crown Me

Thus ends the longest and loudest, Tantrums To End All Tantrums.

Evy: Mom, why is Merritt acting like that? Does he have a fever?

*I* behaved marvelously.

Pass the Dr.Pepper.  Okay, and the sugar, too.

A Bird Walks Into a Bar . . . I mean Chick-fil-A

Merritt has been particularly cuddly today . . . each step I take, he is taking that step with me.  I sit down, he sits down on me.  I take a bite of my sandwich; he takes a bite of my sandwich, too.

Everett has been really thinking today; well, amidst Spiderman scene and skill reenactment and yells like,"Whoo-Hoo!  Go Spiderman; you can do it!"

This past weekend the cousins found a bird's nest.  In it, within the twigs, mud, grass, and feathers--they found a Sonic straw wrapper and pieces of rope.

Today
Evy:  How did that wrapper get in that bird's nest?
Mom:  The bird built it into it.
Evy:  How did the bird get it?
Mom:  (didn't answer immediately as she was concentrating on traffic)
Evy:  Well, maybe the bird found it on the ground.
Mom:  That sounds logical.
Evy:  'Cause, it isn't like he just walked into Chick-fil-A and asked for a straw!!!!  (Evy laughs hysterically.)
Evy:  And, he couldn't break into the restaurant, even with a sharp beak.

fo' real.

A Reminder To Myself

iHola Crayola!  This is been a bit of a day.

This is a reminder to myself: 

No matter how much someone else doesn't follow through or disappoints, there are others out there who will follow through and even surprise you with their efforts in going above and beyond.

Don't get frustrated, just wait.

Don't let the others bring you down.

Someone will be there to play catch. So, go ahead, play ball.

Chills and Thrills

The weekend was so busy I don't even remember much about the week!  The weekend was spectacular.  Lots of dinners and friends and family.  CREPES!  Erik and I blew the roof off with our crepe making.  He is just as good at it as I am. 

We were able to spend Saturday with my family.  The kids love seeing their cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents.  I feel so blessed that we all get along so well.  I can't tell Everett that his cousins are coming until a couple of hours before their arrival because I would be pestered to death with questions fueled by his excitement.  I love that!

The leak was fixed.  Our tile is next.  We have discovered more damage to the house from the leak. We'll see what we find over the next week or so.  Because it was in the slab and the water reservoir that is under our home is finally evaporating, we might see more things that need to be addressed.  In all, we were very blessed.

Aunt Connie was over for dinner tonight.  Whenever she comes, it is like a celebrity has entered the building.  So fun!

Pictures from this weekend, taken by my mom:

Rally for Higher Countertops

I am super tall. 

Sometimes I wish I lived in an environment that was better designed for tall people.  If I did, I'd hit my head less (keep in mind when you read the next paragraph), comfort of taller toilets-Hello, ATMs and keypads at stores would be easier to use because I could see the blasted numbers or directions, and cooking in my kitchen would leave me with fewer backaches because of the counter height . . . .

Even more unlikely than changing my house and community to be geared toward the 6 feet tall crowd would be transforming my body into becoming athletically awesome.  Like, I am a super klutz.  really.  I have been since adolescence.  I never played a team sport, unless you count SWIM team.  I'd really like the athletic grace and body ease that other people have.  That is just not going to happen, no matter how many miles I run or dance parties I host and bust a move.

And then there are more serious items that I wish I could change.

I wish I didn't struggle with infertility.  Now, don't get me wrong, I am ever grateful and humbled by my two sweet boys. I gladly sacrifice to be the best mom that I can. I am, like most moms, overly critical of myself in my personal quest to raise them well.
At the same time, I wish I didn't struggle with bringing children into our family.  I wish I had more control of the situation.  I wish it were really my decision on whether to have children or not.

At the same time, it is my struggle with infertility that has shaped and continues to shape me today.

I ache for myself and for others when they struggle with areas of life like this.  Areas that could be called  "righteous desires" . . . I am not asking for personal wealth and an increase in materialistic value.  I am not asking for my high school size waistline or supervillian power to control minds. 

Through my struggle with infertility, I have matured.  Really, I have.  But that doesn't mean that I still don't wish the situation were different.  I would still like answers now.

But, as hard as it is for my personality to not know it all, I don't believe that getting and knowing everything now is best for me.  (however much I struggle with it)

What I Can Do:  I do my best to rejoice in my blessings.  I refrain as much as possible from comparing my life with others, which will be MUCH easier when my peers hit menopause.  I withhold comment when others chat about how "those who have fewer children must be more selfish".  I reignite my faith when I doubt my Heavenly Father's plan for me.

I would harbor a guess that most of us have "righteous desires" that may not be fulfilled in this life.  Some may wish for a happier marriage, or better health, or to have the chance to marry someone who loves them, or that their children were happy and healthy, or wish to bring the most basic necessities of food and shelter to their family without a struggle.

I do know that I have a sacred trust and mission to be the best mom and wife that I can be.  I know that Heavenly Father is expecting me to put aside my pride and petty complaints to help those around me.  I know that the blessings I have received from being a mom have far outweighed the sacrifices I have made to become a mom.  I know that one day I will have a fullness of understanding the purposes of the challenges in my life.

As far as higher countertops, well, many stores sell a TALL in pant sizes; so, maybe the other things aren't that far off.

(I've had this written for awhile and keep being bothered to actually post it. I don't know why, but maybe now I won't feel so bothered.)

Robot Man Slams EEG

Evy was A.W.E.S.O.M.E. during his EEG.

He laid still, all wired up, for about an hour following directions from the technician . . . . "open your eyes" or "close your eyes" . . . . and his dad took him out for chocolate and Cheetos once it was complete.

We are so proud of him!

(Results in about a week.)

(Merritt's word for chocolate: oc.)

Some More Weird

Black playdough . . . seriously?

Because even I had a hard time thinking past shaping poop shapes with it.

And, don't you eventually get brown/black by the end of the playdough set's life because all the colors are mixed together?

I'd Rather Be Painting

"Wolf with Two Trees"

Today for Tomorrow . . . Robot Man, Again

Tomorrow is another EEG.  I had to tell Everett about it today to allow him time to ask questions. 

• The first question:  Will I get a shot?  (a blood draw)
• Will it be at the hospital?
• When will it happen?

We made a care package for him.  (Includes, by Evy's request, 2 Lightning McQueen bandaids in case they do a blood draw.)

He is slightly nervous.

We are praying that they do not detect any breakthrough seizure activity.  please, please, please, pleasepleaseplease.

After about 10 minutes of being repeatedly asked, constantly, when and all the activities between now and the EEG, we made a schedule (in pictures).  He picked out the music to listen to  . . . the treat . . . and asked that Dad surprise him with a treat after the visit to the doctor's office.  We are ready.

(we color in the circle once the activity is done . . . stuff like eating, baseball game, sleeping, and playing.  The last item is Robot Man at the EEG with his cape on.)

Merritt at lunchtime.  No, I don't know how he always gets chocolate on his neck.

Hide and Seek is the past-time of champions right now.

He is hiding in his brother's laundry basket.

His favorite?  Emptying out the toy boxes and hiding in them.

Uh, Weird

Have you EVER seen anything like this before?  The ball is less than a month old.  Last night at 8:00 it was fine.  This morning at 8:00, it had a problem.

No way to explain it to the return desk at Target.

Despite His Intention Not To

 . . . his body just couldn't keep up with the look-out without a bit of a nap.

Mother's Day Flowers

And, it was also the day that Erik learned to make crepes.

The Woo-ele-Rex Results

Here is the Woo-ele-Rex that spent some time in our home.  (Mechanic cross between a woodpecker, elephant, T-Rex:  for those just tuning in):

Here is the prep work they did to start getting ready.  The dryer and utility sink were pulled out. The lower half of all the walls and doors in the laundry room--covered in plastic.  The walkway through the garage was covered with sheets.  They were serious about being clean.

This is the marking from the $9,000 plumber who was going to tunnel 20 feet under the house to get to the pipe.

The hole created by the Woo-ele-Rex.

We went with the idea from our 3rd plumber.  They only needed to bust up a section that was around 4X3 feet. 

Here is the pipe that is newly fixed. It *was* really hot in the laundry room.  The foundation and the awesome clay dirt created great conditions to trap the heat. 

The hot water has basically been off for a week, and, the floor is still hot.  The kitchen floor, the laundry floor, and the office floor. 

This is the hole that was causing all the problems.

Looks inconsequential, right?  Another customer had the same size hole and lost over 10,000 gallons of water in a month's time.  It will be interesting to see how much this little hole let out at our house.

Here is the patched hole with the cement fill drying.

In all, though, we are VERY, VERY lucky that the damage is minimal and mostly cosmetic (from what we see right now) and that the leak was easily contained.

And, I shall pause for a minute of self-congratulation for finding the leak before it was catastrophic.  I'm the only one that writes this; so, I can do that.

PAUSE

Now, we work on the cosmetic issues of fixing the tile.

One of the things that I learned:  it does pay to have a 2nd, and even 3rd, opinion.  It saved us thousands of dollars.