Easter 2013

Concordia Easter Egg Hunt, A visit from the Easter Bunny, Egg Hunt at the House & Church and Brunch with Honey and Grandy (still working on everyone smiling for the camera at the SAME TIME)

 

Medical Blah, Blah, Blahs

It's been awhile since I've had to give medical updates on my family but this last week has been filled with them.  Sooooo, here goes:

Last weekend, my dad (Grampa Jack to you all) was on the golf course and collapsed.  He was doing great and playing a good round one minute and the next he was out cold.  His regular golf group was with him and performed CPR and called 911.  Dad spent the night in the hospital and this last week has gone through a number of tests to which they have found nada.  A little frustrating to not know what this was caused from but thankful to know that there wasn't anything life threatening that's come from the tests.  

Then on Tuesday we were hit with a second blow.  Steve (Grandy) went in for his regular three month brain scan and the tumor that we've known all along would return has finally done just that.  Steve has been in remission for the last 4 1/2 years from glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive brain tumor.  Google it all you want but know that Steve's case is one that defies all medical odds and is proof of God's amazing faithfulness.  I would love to write to tell you all about it but why do that when I have a mother (Honey for those of you that know her best through this lil ol' blog) who writes so beautifully?  Mom has had a Caring Bridge page for Steve that hasn't had to be used in the last two years but thanks to GBM's grand reappearance on the main stage, she's warming up her typing fingers again.  I will keep you all updated briefly on any news but please feel free to follow Steve through my mom and the Caring Bridge page.  She amazes me with her outlook and her depth.  And Steve....well, there are simply no words to describe how much I love my stepdad. 

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/steveboswell/journal

And excuse me but I need to get deep for a second.  While this week has been one for the record books in terms of heartache for me, I have a sense of peace that I can only attribute to my God.  Given ALL of the medical hoopla that we've endured over the past 5 years with Steve, my brother, Harper, my mom and my dad, my faith and trust in the Lord has been strengthened beyond imagine.  I don't believe that God tests us or wants us to struggle but He lets life happen and our sin has given us the fear, the challenge and the reality of death.  We are human and we will face death whether it comes in two hours, in two weeks or in two decades.  I am thankful that I know Jesus Christ and I know His death saves me from my humanity.  And yes, I am sad at all of this news and yes, I have cried BIG tears this past week but I know that the Lord's will steers my ship and I am comfortable with that.  Regardless of the outcome of all of this medical blah, blah, blah that we will start to hear again, I am at peace with His will in regards to my family.  

Okay, you may return to your regularly scheduled programming.  Thank you for your prayers, thoughts and concerns.  They are felt and appreciated.  

Christmas 2012

This post totally got away from me but before we are too far away from Christmas, I wanted to post a little reminder for the future about Christmas 2012.

Christmas Eve Eve - Jared had one final trip to take for work before the holidays set in.  He was suppose to meet his client in Dallas on Christmas Eve but was able to convince them to meet on a Sunday so he could be home for all of the festivities.  Honey and I took H&H to the children's Christmas service.  It was great and soooo kid friendly.  

Christmas Memories - Harper loved the camels; Harris was great for about 20 minutes and then he had enough of sitting still so we had a little date at the back of the room.

Christmas Eve - Our church had a 3:30pm service for the first time ever and with the kids being as young as they were, we decided to give it a try.  While it made life much easier, there's just something about singing Silent Night in candle light when it's dark outside so I don't know that that's one we'll repeat.  We headed back to Honey and Grandy's for a small Christmas Eve Dinner with Bos, Aud, Bonnie and Tom - quite this year with all of the younger cousins spending time with other family members.  We headed back to the house at about 7:30pm and Cito was exhausted so he went straight to bed.  After putting him to sleep and getting Harper all ready, we said goodbye to Bobeck to try to soften the blow of his departure (our Elf - on a side note, if you REALLY want to confuse a two year old, get Elf on the Shelf and then after looking for him every day for 24 days, have him disappear!), we sprinkled our reindeer food on the front lawn, picked out the perfect treat for Santa to eat and sat by the tree for a little while.  

Christmas Memories - As always, my mom and I cried during Silent Night - gets us both every year!; Singing Silent Night to Harper as we put her to bed that night; Harper singing Jingle Bells as loud as she could for about 30 minutes before she fell asleep.

Christmas Day - We had an early riser, and by early, I mean Harper woke up at 5:45am singing Jingle Bells. I headed to her room to lay down and see if I could get her to fall back asleep but she was so hyped up that it was no use.  Cito woke up about 6:15am so we got the day started.  They didn't even notice all of the activity at the fireplace and by the stockings during breakfast.  We finished up breakfast, opened stockings, Honey & Grandy came over because they just couldn't stand being away and Brent got in town just in time for Honey's egg casserole.   We headed off to Honey and Grandy's to open presents from the immediate family and then Evelyn, Bonnie, Tom, Bos and Aud came over for lunch.  We had a fun afternoon and were back  home to relax by 6pm.  I think we were all exhausted by the end of the day!

Christmas Memories - Harris loved tissue paper this year; Harper and her BFF Uncle Brent playing in the backyard, just the two of them; Harper waking up singing Jingle Bells on Christmas morning; Kids getting a playscape which they both love; This was definitely the year of dinosaurs and Thomas the Train for both kids.  Until Harris gets a little older and can express himself, it looks like he's going to be stuck with playing with what his sister likes.  He's lucky she likes dinosaurs, trains and construction equipment - he could be dressed up like a fairy princess!; Harper also got big girl panties from Santa and when anyone asked her what she wanted for Christmas, the answer was "Big Girl Panties!!!"

Christmas Memories from the whole season - Harper didn't shed a single tear when it came to Santa.  She was a little leery but gave him a hug each time; Harris loved Santa until his stranger-danger mechanism kicked in the week of Christmas so he had a few tears at the Santa Party; Harper LOVED Christmas decorations.  We got in the habit of taking the kids for a walk in the neighborhood every night that Jared was in town. She would point from house to house and then say "More decorations Mommy?"; Harper also loved the tree and Harris was great about not getting too close or trying to attack it;  Harper also loved nativities this year, especially the "kings" - good thing since her mom collects them.

I can't wait for Christmas over the next few years.  This was the first year that Harper was into it and I can only imagine how much fun it will be each year as they get a little older and as Cito starts to grasp the concept!

Santa Party

On Saturday afternoon, Harper and Harris had a very special visitor.  Santa Claus came to visit so we just had to invite our friends over to meet him.  We had about 70 kids and adults over for Milk and Cookies with Santa.  We asked everyone to bring cookies to share so each family got to take home a bag of cookies for Christmas.  And Santa was AMAZING!  If you ever need an appearance from Santa in San Antonio, let me know and I'll get you his digits!