my visit to the pediatric specialist, this time

I spent the better part of an hour this morning waiting with Grace to see her Ophthalmologist. I really don't mind waiting 20 minutes, 30 is fine too. But over an hour. Wow. And of course it is like this every time. It was the same way with Jimmy's Orthopedic surgeon. Whew.

My nerves bundle up into little clumps every time I enter the parking garage of a children's hospital. I'm so glad our little situations are just that - little and situations - not huge and life threatening. However, I'm always worried about what the doctor may say. We spent years (about 7) patching Grace's eye. This was the "conservative" approach. They would say, 'let's patch for just a little bit longer,' and then at the next visit, 'she's so close, we'll patch some more,' or my favorite 'she's actually slipped a little, we need to patch a bit more this time.'

At the time we had no idea there was another route to go. And not to try and unsuccessfully toot our own horns over here, but we were in position to know there was another route to go. It wasn't until we moved to San Diego (and had a change of doctors) before we found out how slow we had been moving along. Surgery was recommended, and we decided to go for it (with a second opinion) once we moved here. It was successful. We all lived. And Grace's eyes seemed to do exactly what they were supposed to do.

Until Christmas morning. That's when we discovered they were not doing what they were supposed to be doing. And for the record, that isn't the best time to find out you have a non-urgent problem. If you've got a medical emergency on Christmas morning there are people there to take care of you; if you've got a non-urgent problem, well not so much! It took many, many days to get in to see our guy. Many, many days is too many for me.

As we pulled off the freeway, the nerve bundles begin to clump. I can tell this is happening because I put a force-smile on and answer every question Grace has (she has many, by the way) in a positive, yet tense, fashion. I cling to the steering wheel as we turn to drive through every level of the garage (we had to go all the way up this time) and I remind myself that breathing is better than the alternative. I also remind myself that whatever happens we'll deal with it. Whatever it is, it will be fine.

We sit in the waiting room. The Lion King is on (never one of my favorites). Grace loves it and the time passes quickly for her. I flip through magazines, send random texts to Nate (those always amuse me, but that discussion is for another time). I get in some serious people watching. And finally, it is our turn.

We are hurried back into the exam room. Grace chitters and chatters non-stop. She tells me fascinating facts from a 2006 almanac she checked out at the library. We discuss
Roman mythology. I am grateful we are finally back, grateful I cannot hear "The Circle of Life" song playing during the credits, and grateful I can't overhear various mothers in the waiting room discussing their personal problems.

The doctor rushes in. He looks at her, at the three pairs of glasses I brought (if we need to wait for new ones to come in, I want to know if any of these are better than none during our wait time), and then he rushes out. In the two minutes he is out of the room, Nate magically appears. Once the doctor returns, within 5 minutes he determines that everything with her eyes is JUST FINE and that further corrective surgery is NOT required. All we need is to get new glasses, ones that aren't as strong. Turns out we need some that aren't as strong as any pair we've ever had.

I am stunned. I am breathing. Everything is okay. Everything is more than okay.

I'm still stunned.

the elves

There was little doubt on the children's part that the Christmas Elves would find us this year.

I'm not sure what one does to ensure a place on the Christmas Elves' exclusive list, but we somehow manage to be on it every year. See, they bring you brand-spankin' new pajamas. For real. Right to your front door. It is amazing.


Sometimes new pjs on Christmas are kind of dull (especially when you realize that this is your one and only gift you get to open on Christmas Eve), but when you get new Christmas pajamas straight from the North Pole, well that's just a whole new ball of wax!

(feather boa not included, it just happened to look awesome)

some might think I'm getting old

Next week I will officially become old (by some people's standards). When newly acquainted contemporaries learn of my age (or soon-to-be age) they are astounded (must be my young vibe I give off all the time). Its really quite funny.



This year I want two things (well, three really if you count another trip to Hawaii, but I know that won't happen next week, so I'll keep it at two):


1. Dinner out with only grown-ups
2. This:

I can't remember the last time I owned one. And I know Nate will insist on a helmet. I suppose mid-thirties is an excellent time to revert back to childhood, right? And as they say, you never forget how to ride a bike. We shall see, people, we shall see.

life in the desert

its christmas eve

YES!

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!


(and hoping you aren't learning the true meaning of "some assembly required" like Nate currently is...)

its here!

The magic is back this year. I can feel it buzz around here. Grace is extra helpful and kind these days. Jimmy keeps hugging everyone and saying, "Merry Christmas." (I think they both realize this keeps them from being in trouble!)

There's lots of hustle and bustle, but we've managed to keep things relatively calm at home. Its been Christmas music and movies non-stop. Our tree is up (and still standing, which is surprising seeing how many needles have already fallen off!)

The kids are so excited. So am I. Hope you are too!

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

a holiday song

The following is an excerpt from my version of Christmas Waltz (Carpenter's Style)

Its that time of year when Moms want to scream out loud,
Every child near seems to say,
Mom can you do this, can you bake this for me, can you play?

And this song of mine,
in three-quarter time
Wishes you and yours
Serious Sanity

The end for now.
PS. Jimmy will be more than happy to help you wrap your presents. He does an excellent job of randomly assigning gift tags, knotting up the ribbons, and wrinkling and smooshing the paper. But he's also very, very cute and sincere about it all.

Santa Baby, slip some non-educational reform under the tree for me

Grace informed me this morning what she intended to discuss with Santa the she next time she saw him. She was going to make sure he knew that Mr. Obama's ideas on education reform and plans for implementation just would not work and should be stopped. She's amazingly passionate about this.

As one who never really delves into politics, I was a bit surprised. But it turns out her teacher yesterday told the kids of The President's plan for lengthening the school day and the school week.

Grace's response:
If its longer in the morning, well that just won't work. I mean I don't even get up until 7:00 as it is. If its longer in the afternoon, well then I won't get home until like 6:00 and then I'd have just an hour to do my homework and when will I get to watch all my shows? And if there is school on Saturdays, well I just won't even go. That's when I spend time with you guys [her family]. (Evidently she's not going to miss out on that.)

So that's what she and Mr. C will discuss. Perhaps the years of childlike innocence are up already. Whatever happened to, "Santa, what I really want is a pony"!?!!?

yes, that's my kid

what's black and white and red all over?

We are!!!!

how to live dangerously

Is it a bird?

A plane?

Nope.

Its just my fabulous Father-in-Law celebrating sixty years of good living!

rockin' the holidays

We've been way too busy to even consider blogging. So pardon us as we party on. New fabulous posts will come soon.

flabbergasted

Did you know this gal is a mere 407 days away from being 10? She informed me of this lovely fact this morning. Can time really be moving this fast?!

thankfully

Its officially the weekend here; and not just the weekend, but the first weekend of November! Halloween came and went (I have the candy to prove it, and on that thought I'll share with you that Skittles are highly addictive and I wonder if there are traces of crack in them because I cannot stop).

I've already begun with my Christmasing (I just might convince Nate we need to put lights up outside the house this year, I mean we have a house (and it has outdoor plugs, something my dreams were made of years ago) and we have no chilly weather to contend with, I think its a must!) I've also started my shopping (though I dread the wrapping, maybe I'll stay on top of it this year?)

But what am I missing? Well, we almost missed the notion of Thanksgiving. It just sort of gets washed out in between the great holidays of Black & Orange and Red & Green. A friend of mine mentioned on November 1 she would list things she was grateful for each day.

Lucky for me she mentioned this on our night for Family Home Evening. So we did the Grateful Jar and the Grateful Jar, Jr. The Grateful Jar, Jr. houses strips of paper and markers. And the Grateful Jar is filling up with those strips of paper with what we are grateful for written on them. Some are silly and some are serious (and Jimmy's are really worth listing out for you sometime).

I am looking forward to reading them all together. I'm thinking we'll do it sometime during the week of Thanksgiving. Our T-day meal will be with Nate's whole family (lots of fun yes, but not necessarily the time for our little family to have our Grateful Moment). Maybe we'll do it during breakfast on Thankful Thursday while watching the parade on TV (I love to watch the parade, do you?). We'll see.

I'm trying to remain true to the holiday. I think it will help balance us between the sweet indulgences of the holidays it is sandwiched between.

(And speaking of sandwiches, my pantry is seriously lacking in Nutella).

were you aware?

Did you know its already November?! I'm stunned by this reality.

done

She did it, and did it well! As I'm sure you aren't surprised, she was brave and witty, and most of all quite stylish.

She is now on her surgical sabbatical, making lavish costume plans for the trunk-or-treat (which happens to be tomorrow night) and has been basking in the glow of grandma-love and relishing in the comfort of ice cream, root beer, and hot chocolate.

This is all being washed down with a little Harry Potter.

Happy Friday!!!

the time is now

How she does it, I don't know. The night before, she's so happy, so calm, so content.

I've decided not to think about what the procedure actually involves. Sometimes ignorance is bliss (even if you pretend you don't know). (They are her eyes, for goodness sake!)

Okay,
peace out peeps

words of wisdom

For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others;

For beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness;

And for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.
-Audrey Hepburn

the time has come

Marshall Grace will soon be taking a short hiatus.

During this "restful" time, those beautiful eyes of hers will be undergoing a short "procedure."

She is totally cool with this. (See, the above picture just screams, "Bring it, Anesthesia!")

I am doing my best. (Pretend the above is a picture of me making this face and gesture).

Thursday is the big day. Prayers and positive thoughts on her behalf are always welcome.

famous author

My mom's book was featured on a fun blog. Thought you'd like to know.