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