No More Cast

Elisha is now cast free. They still don't know what he did, but there is evidence that there was a slight break. The doctor said he might still be a little weak and may limp some for about a week, but if he's not running by next Monday to come back in. Well, as we were leaving Elisha yelled out "race mom" and began to run to the elevator. So much for taking about a week to recover. This morning he pulled his leg out of his p.j.'s and said "hey mom, cast gone". He seems happy to be free.
Katie's excited too. We told her we couldn't drive up to see snow if he still has a cast because he might get it wet. As soon as she saw the cast was removed she jumped up and down and said "SNOW!" So next week we will be driving up to see the snow. Hopefully we'll somehow stay warm as we do it.
I'll try to remember the camera to take pictures!
Merry Christmas!

California Living

I love living in California. This morning when I was at a stop light I looked up and saw 2 palm trees with the mountains dusted with snow in the background and crystal blue skies over head. It was such a beautiful picture. I just wish I had a camera handy. Sorry, you'll just have to believe me!

Katie's accomplishmenst

I didn't know how to add pictures until just today. So I thought I'd add a few of Katie and her accomplishments this year. Learning to tie shoes, riding bikes and swimming in the deep end without floaties are just 3! She's such a big girl!

My dog can climb trees

Belle hates squirrels. When we moved to our house, we discovered that tons of them live in our back yard. This has driven Belle crazy. One day the hatred grew in intensity. She got one in her mouth. Not being a real hunting dog, she had no idea what to do with it, so it got away only to bite her nose. Now my sweet, loving, cuddly dog has a passion to get those squirrels (who we've named Mrs. Tibbs). In this passion Belle has discovered it is best to go get them in their own home. So she has learned to climb the tree. Imagine my surprise when I looked out my dining room window and saw her up on a branch howling at the squirrel who was just out of reach!

Christmas Questions

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! And as I see the lights and trees and decorations and beauty all around me I have begun to reflect on different aspects of the Christmas story.

One part in particular I've been thinking about is the verse that says "there was no room for them". I began to think about how Mary and Joseph had room for Christ. The inn keeper had room for Christ. The shephers had room for Christ. The wisemen had room for Christ. All of them suffered hardship in some way to have room for Christ.

Do I have room for Christ? Am I willing to suffer at all to be sure I have room for Christ? Am I giving Him all aspects of my life? Does He reign supreme?

These are just some questions I've been thinking of that might help us all have the right perspective at Christmas this year.

Have a very Merry Christmas remembering to make room for Christ!

Eli Update

Eli went to the orthopedic doctor yesterday. They put his food in a walking cast. He hated that! He cried and fought with the man casting him. He refused to walk for several hours but as usual his sister got him to do what she wanted. This morning he has alternated between walking and crawling-crawling is faster! He'll go back to the doctor on the 22nd and hopefully all will be healed.

Katie has had a big year this year

This is a post about my beautiful Katie girl, who these days has decided to go by Katerina! In the spring she learned to tie her shoes. In the summer she learned to swim. In the late summer she started 1st grade. And about a month ago she learned to ride a 2 wheeler bike. Oh, and somewhere in there she learned to read chapter books and taught her dog how to climb the tree. She's quite the girl!

Elisha's ankle

Today I have been waiting for the various doctors to call and tell me something about my son's possible broken ankle. At this time I have an appointment with an orthopedic specialist at 3:30. The funny thing is, the Urgent Care doctor last night told me not to let him walk on it for about a week or so. OK If you have an experience with a 2 year old boy, you'll know how laughable that is. He's already walked on the soft cast a number of times. He's slow, but moving! Luckily I have a wise pediatrician who said let him walk. If it hurts, he'll stop. God gave pain for that very reason! So, he's on his 3rd movie and keeping off it for now!
Basic medical history of my boy...he's had a broken finger October 2007, stitches on his forehead July 2008 and now a broken ankle. Now you see my frustration!

Opening Statements!

Well, here I am setting up a blog. My friend Debbie put the idea in my head a long time ago, but I just never got around to it. But I just thought maybe it's be nice to open one up and tell everyone about it at Christmas. That way, instead of a Christmas letter, I can just send you here and you can visit it all year. I probably wont write everyday, but at least once a week I'll add some new thing my kids have done!
Hope you enjoy!
Mendy!