So yesterday was a particularly busy day for me, and th children did lunch with Grandma and Grandpa while I was gone. As I am making dinner last night, I instruct the children to clean the play room. Gus rushes upstarirs with a sausage in his hand declaring that "Greg and Margwet are eating the ends of the sausages!" Indeed, upon inspection, the Polish sausage was chewed- through the plastic! So I go downstairs to the overflow fridge abd there they are- having a little snack! I had 4 packages of polish sausage and a package of sliced cheese- they had chewed through the plastic of all of them and were eating them! And to make matters worse- they chewed both ends!
Guess what we are having for dinner tonight? ::sigh:: Those two have way too much fun together.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Friday, January 20, 2006
Daddy, you can have my quarter...
to help buy the new house. This was said to Dan by Gus (age 5). It was a nickel by the way, but the thought is what really mattered.
Last Thursday, the 12th of January, we were having our last planning meeting with our contractor before demolition was to begin on Tuesday. At this meeting they tell us our project is going to cost $80,000 more than our well known budget amount. I guess they just thought we had that kind of money sitting around. I blew an absolute gasket, and fired them. I feel as part of taking care of Dan's parents we are to be good stewrds to protect their assets in case they are needed later. In order to continue with the construction project we woudl have to seriously dip into their nest egg and there was NO WAY I was willing to do that.
I really do believe that the project cost more than our budget, I just think that long ago they should have realised that and made it known that bids were coming in high. At that point I was worried that no contractor could do it for our budgeted amount, and honestly, at this point of waiting 6 months already, I really was not willing to live through a major construction project with 5 small children, homeschooling and taking care of 2 elderly adults. I told Dan there was no other choice, we are moving.
Friday I called my good friend and attorney, Angela, and she recommended her real estate agent. This woman was such a gem. I told her we need someone to be patient with us and hold our hands through this whole process. We started looking at houses on Saturday and looked also Sunday and Monday. On Sunday I had seen a house and told Dan when going through it- this is it- he looked at me worried :) We continued to look on Monday. On Tuesday we put a contract on the house, they had until 5 pm Wednesday to respond. Before 4 on TUESDAY, they countered and we accepted. We close on our new house on February 17th. The family who owns it happens to be a homeschooling family with 5 children!
House hunting with our particular needs is quite a challenge. Dan and I are really committed and sewn into the city. And to find a house that has a first floor bedroom with a bathroom attached, plus an additional bathroom on the main level was a challenge to say the least. We looked all over- Soulard, La Salle, Compton Heights, Saint Louis Hills, University City, Kirkwood, Glendale, Webster Groves. By Tuesday we were utterly exhausted, and I already knew this was the house.
The House:
The interesting thing about this house is in some ways it is a side ways move. It is still just 4 bedrooms, but the layout of the bedrooms is so much better for our needs. No longer when I'm working in the kitchen late at night or early in the morning will I worry that I'll disturb Mom and Dad. Dad will have his own private bathroom that he can linger in as long as he wants and the rest of the family will still have another one to use in the mean time. This house is very contemporary- which if you know mine and Dan's taste- you know I describe it as "Old, stuffy and Traditional". I'm sure this has all happened for a reason and that God has a beautiful plan for our family.
Back in September when Dan's parents moved in with us this house wasn't even on the market- so even if we had been looking we wouldn't have found THIS house. Then when they put it on the market in October we would not have been able to buy the house and do the things needed for Dan's mom before move in if we had bought it at that price. But waiting until they had already lowered their price, and then negotitating an even lower price will protect the nest egg and allow us to take care of Dan's parents. The yard is significantly smaller than our current home. But there are positives in that too- now we should be able to maintain the beautiful landscaping they have, and the children love the playground on the small piece of yard we do have at the new house.
I have begun asking Saint Joseph to help us find a good buyer for our current home. I hope it blesses someone else, as much as it has immensely blessed us. ++Saint Joseph, pray for us++ And God bless sweet Gus who wanted to give all he had to help us buy a new house to help take care of Grandma and Grandpa.
Last Thursday, the 12th of January, we were having our last planning meeting with our contractor before demolition was to begin on Tuesday. At this meeting they tell us our project is going to cost $80,000 more than our well known budget amount. I guess they just thought we had that kind of money sitting around. I blew an absolute gasket, and fired them. I feel as part of taking care of Dan's parents we are to be good stewrds to protect their assets in case they are needed later. In order to continue with the construction project we woudl have to seriously dip into their nest egg and there was NO WAY I was willing to do that.
I really do believe that the project cost more than our budget, I just think that long ago they should have realised that and made it known that bids were coming in high. At that point I was worried that no contractor could do it for our budgeted amount, and honestly, at this point of waiting 6 months already, I really was not willing to live through a major construction project with 5 small children, homeschooling and taking care of 2 elderly adults. I told Dan there was no other choice, we are moving.
Friday I called my good friend and attorney, Angela, and she recommended her real estate agent. This woman was such a gem. I told her we need someone to be patient with us and hold our hands through this whole process. We started looking at houses on Saturday and looked also Sunday and Monday. On Sunday I had seen a house and told Dan when going through it- this is it- he looked at me worried :) We continued to look on Monday. On Tuesday we put a contract on the house, they had until 5 pm Wednesday to respond. Before 4 on TUESDAY, they countered and we accepted. We close on our new house on February 17th. The family who owns it happens to be a homeschooling family with 5 children!
House hunting with our particular needs is quite a challenge. Dan and I are really committed and sewn into the city. And to find a house that has a first floor bedroom with a bathroom attached, plus an additional bathroom on the main level was a challenge to say the least. We looked all over- Soulard, La Salle, Compton Heights, Saint Louis Hills, University City, Kirkwood, Glendale, Webster Groves. By Tuesday we were utterly exhausted, and I already knew this was the house.
The House:
The interesting thing about this house is in some ways it is a side ways move. It is still just 4 bedrooms, but the layout of the bedrooms is so much better for our needs. No longer when I'm working in the kitchen late at night or early in the morning will I worry that I'll disturb Mom and Dad. Dad will have his own private bathroom that he can linger in as long as he wants and the rest of the family will still have another one to use in the mean time. This house is very contemporary- which if you know mine and Dan's taste- you know I describe it as "Old, stuffy and Traditional". I'm sure this has all happened for a reason and that God has a beautiful plan for our family.
Back in September when Dan's parents moved in with us this house wasn't even on the market- so even if we had been looking we wouldn't have found THIS house. Then when they put it on the market in October we would not have been able to buy the house and do the things needed for Dan's mom before move in if we had bought it at that price. But waiting until they had already lowered their price, and then negotitating an even lower price will protect the nest egg and allow us to take care of Dan's parents. The yard is significantly smaller than our current home. But there are positives in that too- now we should be able to maintain the beautiful landscaping they have, and the children love the playground on the small piece of yard we do have at the new house.
I have begun asking Saint Joseph to help us find a good buyer for our current home. I hope it blesses someone else, as much as it has immensely blessed us. ++Saint Joseph, pray for us++ And God bless sweet Gus who wanted to give all he had to help us buy a new house to help take care of Grandma and Grandpa.
Sunday, January 08, 2006
I am married to the best man ever put on this earth!
Russ has been steadily declining since they moved in September 2005. When they moved in Dad was often confused, but still mostly functional. Recently Dad has been having difficulty sleeping at night and has been walking many times and falling on the floor. Sometmes more than 4 times per night! This obviously wears on all of us, because no one is getting sleep when this happens. Russ also babbles nearly non stop while he is "sleeping" which means none of us really sleep either because mom has to listen to the constant chatter and we have a monitor in our room to keep track of them in case either of them need us during the night.
This week has been particularly bad for Russ' sleep. Despite the fact that he takes medicine to help him sleep(Ambien) he wasn't sleeping, so then we added in Benedryl to try to help him(and us) sleep. But that didn't work either. Then he started getting confrontational with Dan's mom and then we had to give him an Ativan. He still didn't sleep and then started falling more! We called his doctor and he recommended giving him 2 Ativan at night with his other medicines! So we did this. Saturday Dan had to shower his father twice due to incontinence. (Then later that day Russ decided he needed a shower- he didn't remember having 2 in the morning!)
Then on Sunday morning although our schedule was tight in order to get to Mass on time, Dan showered his father again. Dad was incontinent and unaware of what he had done. It is so sad to see him declining so rapidly. But Dan takes it all in stride, even tho patience and disruptions to his schedule are very hard for him to take. He treats his dad with such love. When I listen to him shower and dress his dad, it just makes me want to cry because his heart is so tender .
May God bless us and especially Dan as we live through these mext few months!
BTW, we are going to try to cut back on the bedtimes meds and see what we can do that helps Dad stay continent and all of us sleep. Its all trial and error!
This week has been particularly bad for Russ' sleep. Despite the fact that he takes medicine to help him sleep(Ambien) he wasn't sleeping, so then we added in Benedryl to try to help him(and us) sleep. But that didn't work either. Then he started getting confrontational with Dan's mom and then we had to give him an Ativan. He still didn't sleep and then started falling more! We called his doctor and he recommended giving him 2 Ativan at night with his other medicines! So we did this. Saturday Dan had to shower his father twice due to incontinence. (Then later that day Russ decided he needed a shower- he didn't remember having 2 in the morning!)
Then on Sunday morning although our schedule was tight in order to get to Mass on time, Dan showered his father again. Dad was incontinent and unaware of what he had done. It is so sad to see him declining so rapidly. But Dan takes it all in stride, even tho patience and disruptions to his schedule are very hard for him to take. He treats his dad with such love. When I listen to him shower and dress his dad, it just makes me want to cry because his heart is so tender .
May God bless us and especially Dan as we live through these mext few months!
BTW, we are going to try to cut back on the bedtimes meds and see what we can do that helps Dad stay continent and all of us sleep. Its all trial and error!
Introduction to our cast of characters
Dan- father of five married Natalie in April of 1995. Dan went to Saint Louis University Highschool (SLUH), then went to the Air Force Academy for college. He graduated with a BS in Russian History. Dan went on to pilot training where he was a cargo pilot for USAF. During our time at Little Rock AFB, Dan decided being a pilot wasn't compatible with his aspirations for being a Catholic husband and father(too much time away from his family). He left flying and worked desk jobs for the Air Force until January 2001. Dan went to Washington University in Saint Louis and got his MBA. He is currently employed at Edward Jones.
Natalie- mother of five, married Dan in April 1995. Natalie went to Saint John the Baptist highschool. After highschool she went to community college for a year, then to Lutheran Medical Center school of Nursing. Natalie graduated from Lutheran in 1995, two months after she & Dan were married. Natalie has never been emplyed as a nurse. She & Dan knew they wanted a large family and she became a SAHW, before becoming a SAHM. These days Natalie is busy caring for her 5 children, homeschooling Anne & Beth, caring for her in laws & managing everyone's busy schedules.
Evelyn- Evelyn is Dan's mother. She is in her 70's and currently she is confined to a wheelchair de to having spinal stenosis. She has been in a wheelchair since March 2005. In May 2005, she had a surgery for spinal stenosis. In November 2005, another blockage was noticed on a follow up MRI, and later that month she had another surgery to fix it. She is currently having Physical Therapy at home a couple of times per week. She is walking more with the walker these days and is getting stronger everyday. We have hopes that she will actually walk again one day. Evelyn enjoys reading the newspaper, books, cross word puzzles. She also likes to help out around the house and is an excellent ironer!
Russ- Russ is Dan's father, also in his 70's. Russ has Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. The Alzheimer's is the biggest reason Russ & Evelyn moved in with us this year, he was becoming to hard to manage for Evelyn alone at home anymore. Each day he steadily declines. There is pretty much no joy left in his life these days. We are trying to make him as happy and comfortable as possible. Dad was a postman for 35 years and the highlight of his day is still when the mail arrives!
Anne Catherine-AKA Annie- born in 1996 is the eldest of the children. She is currently in the 4th grade of our homeschool. We use the Kolbe Academy curriculm and she is an excellent student. Aside from her normal studies she studies Latin with Dan and is also involved in piano lessons and swimming lessons. Anne is a total bookworm. Her other interests are playing cards with her grandmother, playing Scrabble, riding her bicycle and playing with her many friends. She is a wonderful helper around the house.
Elizabeth Claire-AKA Beth- born in 1998, and typical second child. Beth is currently in second grade of our homeschool. We also use Kolbe Academy for her lessons. I can't say Beth loves school, but she does well as long as someone stays on her to get her assignments completed. Besides her normal lessons Beth also takes swimming lessons and will start piano in the summer of 2006. Beth loves to be mommy's assistant. She doesn't love reading the way Anne does. She enjoys playing with Barbie dolls, and she is an excellent artist. Beth is also very athletic, it just all comes naturally to her. She was the first one to learn to ride her bike. She loves to climb trees, walls, poles, anything she can! She is a very happy child and has lots of enthusiasm.
August Conrad -AKA Gus- born in 2000 and what an awesome 3rd child he is! He is so happy and animated. He will start kindergarten in the Fall of 2006. Gus is such a typical boy. He loves to play outside, dig, make a mess. He enjoys plaaying with trucks, trains, planes, and horses,etc. Gus also enjoys drawing and making paper airplanes. We have to be careful with Gus when he plays with others because he has a very serious life threatening peanut allergy(as well as other allergies too). Gus is very careful to ask if something has nuts before consuming it because his reactions are so scary.
Margaret Rose- AKA Meg or Meggie or Delicate Flower born in 2001. Yes, you read that right she thinks she is a delicate flower. She is an amusing child. She tells us her petals are dirty(hands and face) and asks us to clean her. Meg is not nearly as independant at her age as the other girls are, but I think that is mostly because the older girls coddle her so! Meg was born 4 weeks premature and is small for her age. She also has a very low pain threshold compared to others, which is why I orginally told her she was a delicate flower :) Meg loves to color and cut. Meg is quite bright has wonderful dexterity for a child her age. Her favorite things to do are to cuddle and to play dolls. Meg has some issues in that she whines incessantly- this is something we are working on! Meg also has a very serious peanut allery.
Gregory Leo- AKA Greg, or Hurricane Greg was born in 2003. Greg is the happiest child ever. He was very colicky for the first YEAR, but he is now making up for the terrible beginning. Greg plays way his days, mostly with Thomas the Tank Engine and bulding train tracks. He has no desire to be potty trained at this point at all :( We hope to have him potty trained by summer of 2006. Greg also enjoys cuddling in bed with mommy in the morning and making "visits" to grandma to greet her when she wakes up. He is a joy for all who encounter him!
Natalie- mother of five, married Dan in April 1995. Natalie went to Saint John the Baptist highschool. After highschool she went to community college for a year, then to Lutheran Medical Center school of Nursing. Natalie graduated from Lutheran in 1995, two months after she & Dan were married. Natalie has never been emplyed as a nurse. She & Dan knew they wanted a large family and she became a SAHW, before becoming a SAHM. These days Natalie is busy caring for her 5 children, homeschooling Anne & Beth, caring for her in laws & managing everyone's busy schedules.
Evelyn- Evelyn is Dan's mother. She is in her 70's and currently she is confined to a wheelchair de to having spinal stenosis. She has been in a wheelchair since March 2005. In May 2005, she had a surgery for spinal stenosis. In November 2005, another blockage was noticed on a follow up MRI, and later that month she had another surgery to fix it. She is currently having Physical Therapy at home a couple of times per week. She is walking more with the walker these days and is getting stronger everyday. We have hopes that she will actually walk again one day. Evelyn enjoys reading the newspaper, books, cross word puzzles. She also likes to help out around the house and is an excellent ironer!
Russ- Russ is Dan's father, also in his 70's. Russ has Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. The Alzheimer's is the biggest reason Russ & Evelyn moved in with us this year, he was becoming to hard to manage for Evelyn alone at home anymore. Each day he steadily declines. There is pretty much no joy left in his life these days. We are trying to make him as happy and comfortable as possible. Dad was a postman for 35 years and the highlight of his day is still when the mail arrives!
Anne Catherine-AKA Annie- born in 1996 is the eldest of the children. She is currently in the 4th grade of our homeschool. We use the Kolbe Academy curriculm and she is an excellent student. Aside from her normal studies she studies Latin with Dan and is also involved in piano lessons and swimming lessons. Anne is a total bookworm. Her other interests are playing cards with her grandmother, playing Scrabble, riding her bicycle and playing with her many friends. She is a wonderful helper around the house.
Elizabeth Claire-AKA Beth- born in 1998, and typical second child. Beth is currently in second grade of our homeschool. We also use Kolbe Academy for her lessons. I can't say Beth loves school, but she does well as long as someone stays on her to get her assignments completed. Besides her normal lessons Beth also takes swimming lessons and will start piano in the summer of 2006. Beth loves to be mommy's assistant. She doesn't love reading the way Anne does. She enjoys playing with Barbie dolls, and she is an excellent artist. Beth is also very athletic, it just all comes naturally to her. She was the first one to learn to ride her bike. She loves to climb trees, walls, poles, anything she can! She is a very happy child and has lots of enthusiasm.
August Conrad -AKA Gus- born in 2000 and what an awesome 3rd child he is! He is so happy and animated. He will start kindergarten in the Fall of 2006. Gus is such a typical boy. He loves to play outside, dig, make a mess. He enjoys plaaying with trucks, trains, planes, and horses,etc. Gus also enjoys drawing and making paper airplanes. We have to be careful with Gus when he plays with others because he has a very serious life threatening peanut allergy(as well as other allergies too). Gus is very careful to ask if something has nuts before consuming it because his reactions are so scary.
Margaret Rose- AKA Meg or Meggie or Delicate Flower born in 2001. Yes, you read that right she thinks she is a delicate flower. She is an amusing child. She tells us her petals are dirty(hands and face) and asks us to clean her. Meg is not nearly as independant at her age as the other girls are, but I think that is mostly because the older girls coddle her so! Meg was born 4 weeks premature and is small for her age. She also has a very low pain threshold compared to others, which is why I orginally told her she was a delicate flower :) Meg loves to color and cut. Meg is quite bright has wonderful dexterity for a child her age. Her favorite things to do are to cuddle and to play dolls. Meg has some issues in that she whines incessantly- this is something we are working on! Meg also has a very serious peanut allery.
Gregory Leo- AKA Greg, or Hurricane Greg was born in 2003. Greg is the happiest child ever. He was very colicky for the first YEAR, but he is now making up for the terrible beginning. Greg plays way his days, mostly with Thomas the Tank Engine and bulding train tracks. He has no desire to be potty trained at this point at all :( We hope to have him potty trained by summer of 2006. Greg also enjoys cuddling in bed with mommy in the morning and making "visits" to grandma to greet her when she wakes up. He is a joy for all who encounter him!
Saturday, January 07, 2006
An Alzheimer's funny from 2005
Last Decemeber I was making myself a cup of hot tea. I have these awesome huge red coffee mugs in my kitchen that I was using. I am really the only one who ever uses them...so... it surprised me when I came upstairs to see my FIL(with alzheimer's) pouring a beer into my red coffee mug- luckily he pulled a fresh one and it wasn't the one my tea was is- so no biggie.
But, FIL didn't finish his beer before dinner, so the mug came to the table with us. After dinner we had Christmas cookies for dessert. FIL takes a drink of his mug and says:
FIL:ugh- this coffee is cold
Gnat: that's not coffee, its beer, taste it- what is it?
FIL(takes drink): coffee. I need to warm it up
Gnatno, its beer, not coffee, we don't warm up beer
FIL: I have to warm up this coffee(walks to kitchen)
Gnat(follows him): Look in the mug- what does it look like?
FIL: beer
Gnat: taste it.
FIL(takes drink)
Gnat: what is it?
FIL: coffee- ugh its cold.
(this goes on for another minute before I finally give up and help him warm up his beer)
we go back to the table for dessert and he takes a drink of his hot beer
Gnat: How is your beer?
FIL: the coffee is good!
The moral of the story is: find humor in all that you can- we all enjoyed a good laugh and FIL was totally unaware he had done anything funny and just sat eating his cookies and drinking his hot coffee..er I mean hot beer.
But, FIL didn't finish his beer before dinner, so the mug came to the table with us. After dinner we had Christmas cookies for dessert. FIL takes a drink of his mug and says:
FIL:ugh- this coffee is cold
Gnat: that's not coffee, its beer, taste it- what is it?
FIL(takes drink): coffee. I need to warm it up
Gnatno, its beer, not coffee, we don't warm up beer
FIL: I have to warm up this coffee(walks to kitchen)
Gnat(follows him): Look in the mug- what does it look like?
FIL: beer
Gnat: taste it.
FIL(takes drink)
Gnat: what is it?
FIL: coffee- ugh its cold.
(this goes on for another minute before I finally give up and help him warm up his beer)
we go back to the table for dessert and he takes a drink of his hot beer
Gnat: How is your beer?
FIL: the coffee is good!
The moral of the story is: find humor in all that you can- we all enjoyed a good laugh and FIL was totally unaware he had done anything funny and just sat eating his cookies and drinking his hot coffee..er I mean hot beer.
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Junk...er..stuff I mean- where does it all come from???
And how do I store it all??? I sware things multiply while my back is turned. Since we are at a point where I can not be in a pregnancy on bedrest, we are using NFP to avoid more children. So yes, I am giving away the little girl things when Meg out grows them, and giving away the boy stuff when Greg outgrows them, but SHEESH!!! we own a lot of stuff- tents, sleeping bags, toys, books, decorations where does one store all this junk..er ,I mean, stuff?
Freecycle, here I come!
At least today was a good productive day. I have gotten rid of 4 boxes of boy clothes & shoes, got my car washed, went to the pet store, ordered new glass for the coffee table Greg broke the other day, and gotten together at least 2 big boxes to go to charity.
4 days until homeschooling resumes. I better get busy!
Freecycle, here I come!
At least today was a good productive day. I have gotten rid of 4 boxes of boy clothes & shoes, got my car washed, went to the pet store, ordered new glass for the coffee table Greg broke the other day, and gotten together at least 2 big boxes to go to charity.
4 days until homeschooling resumes. I better get busy!
Oh the joys of home ownership!
We bought our home in July of 1996. The people who owned it before us were awesome- but here 10 years later everything seems to need to be replaced all at the same time. So last week our hot water heater went out- we got it replaced andthen our garbage disposal went out- UGH! We got it replaced. Then yesterday we are having a prty with our friends for the Fiesta bowl(sorry Notre Dame lost) and there is no hot water when I go to wash up some dishes!! Double UGH!
So I call our contractor- Kenny comes over first thing. Finds the problem, and gets it all fixed. Ahhh blessed hot water. Its amazing how much you appreciate something once its gone.
So I call our contractor- Kenny comes over first thing. Finds the problem, and gets it all fixed. Ahhh blessed hot water. Its amazing how much you appreciate something once its gone.
Monday, January 02, 2006
The good bad and ugly of 2005
GOOD of 2005
January-
*Natalie gets first professional massage
February-
*Dan has a rare chance to play Bridge with the guys
*Natalie has bridesmaids lunch with the girls
*Beth has slumber party to celebrate her 7th birthday
*Gus turns 5!
March-
*Anne & Beth's first trip to the city museum
*Natalie attends the Catholic Homeschooling Confrence
*Natalie teaches a cooking & etiquette class to homeschooling co-op
April-
*Dan attends Opus Dei retreat
*Natalie hosts bridal shower for Ann Campbell
*Dan & Natalie celebrate their 10th Anniversary
*Anne has a slumber party to celebrate her 9th birthday
*Anne has her first piano festival
May-
*Beth receives First Communion
*Evelyn has back surgery for spinal stenosis
*Family takes a much needed family vacation to Florida for 2 beautiful blissful weeks
June-
*Gregory turns 2!!
*Miss Ann & Mr.Dan get married!!!
*Grandma treats the family to Circus Flora
*The Cyr family visits from Miami
July-
*Dan turns 36~ how time flies!
*We host "Evening at the Beach dinner party" and swim in galvanized pool with 6 other adults
*Sign with Cornerstone Concepts for major addition & renovation
August-
*Annual Family camping trip to Alley Springs(Natalie, Meg & Greg stay in motel)
*Family goes to a Cardinals baseball game- a gift from the summer reading program
*The Oldenburgs visit from Pennsylvania
September-
*Dan participates in much anticipated Fantasy Football Draft
*Homeschooling for school year 2005-2006 begins
*Dan's parents move in with us!
*Natalie goes to Des Moines for a girls weekend with her friends
*Annual Apple picking at Eckert's Orchards
October-
*Margaret turns 4 years old!!
*Natalie goes on Opus Dei retreat
*Edward Jones hosts trick or treating for employee children
November-
*Dan's parents sell their house
*Dan's dad(Russ) turns 74!
*Dan's mom (Evelyn) turns 76!
*Evelyn has second back surgey
*Anne parade of American Music(piano recital)
*Natalie brines her first turkey this Thanksgiving- YUM!
December-
*Natalie turns 32!
*First Christmas without running all over creation
BAD of 2005
March
*Natalie has jury duty(only bad because of needing to find childcare)
*Dan's mom admits they can't do it alone anymore and agrees to move in together(bad because they lose independance)
August
*Gus has bad allergic reaction to peanuts at the ballpark
September
*Natalie has foot injury spends 6 weeks doing physical therapy
November
*Evelyn needs second back sugery
*Greg goes to ER for croup
December
*Greg goes to the ER for croup(yes, again!)
*Meg goes to ER for very serious allergic reaction to peanuts
UGLY of 2005
June
*Natalie gets shingles- 3 full weeks of misery
and the general ugly of 2005 is the extreme deteoriation of Dan's Dad. He has alzheimer's and becomes more disoriented by the day :(
January-
*Natalie gets first professional massage
February-
*Dan has a rare chance to play Bridge with the guys
*Natalie has bridesmaids lunch with the girls
*Beth has slumber party to celebrate her 7th birthday
*Gus turns 5!
March-
*Anne & Beth's first trip to the city museum
*Natalie attends the Catholic Homeschooling Confrence
*Natalie teaches a cooking & etiquette class to homeschooling co-op
April-
*Dan attends Opus Dei retreat
*Natalie hosts bridal shower for Ann Campbell
*Dan & Natalie celebrate their 10th Anniversary
*Anne has a slumber party to celebrate her 9th birthday
*Anne has her first piano festival
May-
*Beth receives First Communion
*Evelyn has back surgery for spinal stenosis
*Family takes a much needed family vacation to Florida for 2 beautiful blissful weeks
June-
*Gregory turns 2!!
*Miss Ann & Mr.Dan get married!!!
*Grandma treats the family to Circus Flora
*The Cyr family visits from Miami
July-
*Dan turns 36~ how time flies!
*We host "Evening at the Beach dinner party" and swim in galvanized pool with 6 other adults
*Sign with Cornerstone Concepts for major addition & renovation
August-
*Annual Family camping trip to Alley Springs(Natalie, Meg & Greg stay in motel)
*Family goes to a Cardinals baseball game- a gift from the summer reading program
*The Oldenburgs visit from Pennsylvania
September-
*Dan participates in much anticipated Fantasy Football Draft
*Homeschooling for school year 2005-2006 begins
*Dan's parents move in with us!
*Natalie goes to Des Moines for a girls weekend with her friends
*Annual Apple picking at Eckert's Orchards
October-
*Margaret turns 4 years old!!
*Natalie goes on Opus Dei retreat
*Edward Jones hosts trick or treating for employee children
November-
*Dan's parents sell their house
*Dan's dad(Russ) turns 74!
*Dan's mom (Evelyn) turns 76!
*Evelyn has second back surgey
*Anne parade of American Music(piano recital)
*Natalie brines her first turkey this Thanksgiving- YUM!
December-
*Natalie turns 32!
*First Christmas without running all over creation
BAD of 2005
March
*Natalie has jury duty(only bad because of needing to find childcare)
*Dan's mom admits they can't do it alone anymore and agrees to move in together(bad because they lose independance)
August
*Gus has bad allergic reaction to peanuts at the ballpark
September
*Natalie has foot injury spends 6 weeks doing physical therapy
November
*Evelyn needs second back sugery
*Greg goes to ER for croup
December
*Greg goes to the ER for croup(yes, again!)
*Meg goes to ER for very serious allergic reaction to peanuts
UGLY of 2005
June
*Natalie gets shingles- 3 full weeks of misery
and the general ugly of 2005 is the extreme deteoriation of Dan's Dad. He has alzheimer's and becomes more disoriented by the day :(
Ahhhh.. a New Year....a fresh start
*******sniff****** I love the smell of a new year, of a fresh start. I'm hoping this blog can be a diary of sorts and also that this blog can be a way for our family members near or far to keep up to date on all the happenings in our bustling home.
Goals for this new year:
1) lose 25 pounds
2) blog at least once a week
3) daily Mass
4) daily exercise
5) implement new schedule
Goals for this new year:
1) lose 25 pounds
2) blog at least once a week
3) daily Mass
4) daily exercise
5) implement new schedule
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