Catching Up

I was looking at my most recent post and decided it needed to be replaced by a new one, I was just getting too sad. So much has happened since then, it's been a whirlwind of highs and lows. I keep hoping life will slow down a bit....hopefully November will be that time before the craziness of the holidays hits (Although I have a plan for a much simpler, less crazy Christmas this year. More on that later.)

Well we lost the battle with our cat, Grayson. Just uploading these pictures today made me sick to my stomach and brought tears to my eyes. I miss him so much and I know our other kitty does too as well as the boys. I took these pictures of the boys saying goodbye to him. I tried not to get their faces in them because they were so upset but I knew someday they'd appreciate having these last pictures with their furry friend. As many of you know, we'd been battling health issues for months with him. First a blocked urethra, then a bladder infection that we couldn't clear up for anything, then the stones in his bladder. He was scheduled for surgery on the 22nd but a few days before he woke up in really bad shape. I took him into the vet to find out he had a blocked urethra again. He would have to have 3 different surgeries to be well again. I asked the dreaded question that I had an awful feeling I knew the answer to. Then what?? I so appreciate the vet being honest with me. He told me Grayson's prognosis was poor. Since he was having such extreme problems at such a young age (he was 3) then the chances were great that we would continue this cycle again and again. Considering the money we had spent over 2 1/2 months ($3000) and how miserable Grayson has been and would continue to be, we made the horrible decision to put him down. I NEVER want that decision again. The only thing that helped was that the vets and the techs all came in and told me I was doing the right thing. I felt like such a dork. I was there by myself for 2 hours and probably owed them a box of Kleenex by the time I left. I also thought we'd have more time to say goodbye but because of the blockage, we had no time. They were able to take a syringe to his bladder and remove some of the urine to buy us time until the boys got home to tell him goodbye. It just all happened so fast and was such a blur. NOT what I had been planning my day to be like. To break the news to my boys.....heartwrenching. I made the choice to stay with Grayson during the process. I was completely freaked out at the thought of it but wanted him to know he was loved through it all. We actually got to be in a beautiful and peaceful room. They gave him a shot to put him to sleep and I got to hold him through it all. When we were ready, they came back in to give him the shot to stop his heart. God forbid anything should ever happen to my family because I about lost it when the vet listened to his heart and there was no longer a beat. I sat and held him for a long time after that (sorry if that's morbid to you all, I just couldn't let go, this was my furry baby) I finally allowed Todd to pick him up and put him in the box they provided for us. That about did me in too. He now is buried safe and sound with other previous pets of the family out at my dad's cabin, where we have so many beautiful memories.

Sweet sweet Grayson

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Between a sick cat, two different sick kids, a car AND a van all in the shop, a crappy new teachers' contract, and some bad news for some people that I love, we actually did have some good happen too. I haven't taken too many pics lately but thought I'd throw just a few in.

My brother Matt and sis in law Beth had their awesome annual Fall Harvest party. The best part is everyone brings canned goods to donate to a local food pantry and this year we had over 400 items. They have so much fun planned for the kids too.....here they sat waiting to start hitting the pinata!

Drew got to go on a 2 night campout with the Boys Scouts. That same weekend, Todd and Noah camped out with the cub scouts. Aiden and I went along for all of the festivities but came home at bedtime and "camped" in my warm, cozy bed. Todd caught this picture of Noah after he'd fallen asleep.

Aiden is counting Noah's push ups while Dad cheers him on. The kids all took a fitness test that day.

We attended our 2nd annual Trunk or Treat at school last friday night.

Aiden was an adorable Darth Vader, minus the mask.

Drew dressed in his hockey gear to go as a......hockey player. Bet you didn't see that coming did you??

Noah was Ash, the cutest Pokemon trainer you will ever find.

My genius husband borrowed an overhead projector and along with our DVD player, set up a "theatre" in the back of the van. He even pulled the bench seat out of the back and set it and some chairs up for seating. We showed the movie Monsters vs. Aliens. The kids got a kick out of it and were running in and out all night. We won 3rd prize for most creative trunk.

This has by far been the most beautiful fall weather we've had in years. We had a gorgeous field trip to the pumpkin patch with the 6th grade class, trips to the apple orchard with my family, other fun field trips with the two older boys, trips to the cabin and fun class Halloween parties. This weekend I look forward to a fun Halloween party with families from school and trick or treating with the boys.

After all the events of the past weeks, both bad and good, I'm plain exhausted and am soooooo looking forward to a girls weekend away to St Louis next weekend. We're going to Christmas shop, eat good food, relax, go out, and sleep in. We won't have to worry about anyone but ourselves (a rare occurrance) but will also inevitably spend a large amount of time talking about and shopping for the same people we are escaping from ! LOL

Man's Best Friend......

Is Not Always A Dog

This is why we spent a couple grand to make this cat healthy again. A certain little someone, who is head over heels in love with this cat, would have been crushed. Problem is, Grayson is having issues again. I'm just sick over this. We can't continue to drain our savings account yet we can't speak of the alternative. There is no clear cut answer here. All I know is something has to be done before our house is ruined and before he gets any worse off. Technically Grayson is my cat, it was love at first sight with him. But everyone here knows his heart belongs to Noah and Noah thinks the sun rises and sets on Grayson. First thing when he gets home or wakes up in the morning, guess who he searches for? The vets are kind of stumped as to what his whole problem is. Last urine text showed abnormal cells in it that they had never seen before. What do we do with that??? I feel either decision I make will be the wrong one. It's tearing us up. But we have to do something. To start, it's time to call the vet again and discuss options. He has an ultrasound Friday and then we should have answers, I hope.

Happy 9th Birthday Noah!

Today is my sweet Noahs' 9th birthday. So hard to believe he's getting so close to the double digits. We started off celebrating a day early (on 10-10-10!) with a swim party at Sheridan with his classmates and family.
It was such a gorgeous day, we decided to do cake, ice cream, and gifts outside on the deck!

He opted for one candle over nine so it didn't tax his lungs too much to blow that out! :)

Noah picked a sea animal theme since we were swimming.

He was spoiled with so many wonderful gifts.

Drew giving 2 thumbs up before going off of the dive.

I know Noah enjoyed his party and for his birthday today, he's also lucky to only have a half day of school because of teacher inservices. So we are picking up Subway and meeting Beth and kids at the park to enjoy some more wonderful fall weather.

Oh, Mr. Noah, there are some things I never tire of. One is your sweet smile, your big green eyes, and your cuddles. You have one of the kindest, gentlest hearts of anyone I have ever met and even though we jokingly refer to you as The Cat Whisperer, there is definitely a special connection between you and animals. You will make an amazing veterinarian someday. You're goofy, you're imaginative, you're super smart (who gets all A+'s on midterms anyway?!), generous, and the slowest. eater. ever.! :) We love you for everything you are and so very proud of you. Love you my Little Porkchop.

Another picture I will never tire of. He had the Cutest. Cheeks. Ever.
Seriously, there has never been a more adorable Dumbo!!! 12 months old and toddled around amazingly well in that costume!

Happy 9th Birthday to my Noah!

Memories

Playing around on http://www.wordle.net/

Titled "Memories". I'm going to play around till I get it just right, print it out and frame it. I might do a Christmas one also.

A 5 Year Olds Views on Marriage and Death

Aiden has been on this kick lately about wanting to marry me. We keep trying to explain that he can't marry his mommy, I'm already married to daddy, and so on.

Cuddling in bed at bedtime tonight, the conversation started again. He asks me who he is going to marry and I say we have no way of knowing. It could be someone he works with, or someone he meets in college, or a friend of a friend. He then asks when he gets married, how long will he be married. I tell him that when we get married, it's supposed to be forever. To which he replies, "You mean until it's dark out?" Mmmm, not quite getting that concept. He also tells me he can't be a grown up because he doesn't know how to cook anything except peanut butter and jelly. I reassure him that there are guys out there with that same problem but I will make sure he knows how to cook.

Then I make the mistake of trying to explain the idea of forever by saying that when we get married, we should be together until we die. Death is not an easy topic for a 5 year old. Why, oh why, did I go there? He starts getting upset about me or Todd dying and I told him that hopefully me and daddy live a long life and don't die until we are really old. He starts crying and cuddles closer to me and when I asked him what was wrong he says "But you're almost really old!" I felt bad to see him so sad but I laughed out loud at that one. Yes, a real LOL! Then we went through a million scenarios about who dies first and this and that. Oh. My. God. That was painful.

I get him tucked in and come out to blog about this little conversation because I was still snickering about it. I'm typing away and Aiden gets out of bed and comes out to ask us if he will have a car when Todd and I die. We told him he would. He gets really despondent looking and says, "But I don't know how to drive." We assure him he will by then and please go back to bed and stop thinking about death.

A few minutes later he comes out again all worried, because once Todd and I die, AND he and his brothers die, then who will feed and water the cats?? I tell him that cats don't live as long as people and that the cats will die long before the rest of us. Now go sleep on that! Haven't heard a peep since. I'm trying to be honest with him but at the same time, get the conversation over with. I didn't have the best answers, I know. Unfortunately this kid does not forget anything!! So I'm sure it will come up again!

Ty & Aidens' 5th Birthday Party

I have to start off the party post with one of the cutest pictures ever! My sister in law, Beth, made these superhero shirts with the boys initials for them to wear to their party. She also took this picture. It just perfectly captures them and their relationships. These 2 cousins were born 4 days apart and have been tight ever since. I swear they are brothers from different mothers--it's scary how much they are alike sometimes. I just want to hug them both up every time I look at this picture. (yes, we've heard all of the t and a jokes. lol)

Obviously we've got the superhero theme going on here!

Aiden's "Cupcake"

The kids got to decorate their own superhero capes and they turned out so cute.

Here Aiden is trying his out as he "flies" through the air.

SuperDrew

Dance Noah

Preparing for the superhero obstacle course.

Show 'em what you've got Super Aiden!

Noah and Ty show off their muscles.

Princess Ellie has no trouble showing up the boys.

The birthday boys blow out their candles.

Big brother helps Aiden read his cards while he opens gifts.

The boys were showered with all kinds of birthday goodness.

The weather was beautiful, the kids had a blast, it was a good day indeed. Now to finish getting ready for Noahs birthday party. Have kids 2 weeks apart keeps life busy this time of year!

One more time because I can't get enough of this cuteness!