A Different Perspective

So two years ago we were pacing the floor in the hospital, waiting for tests to be completed, and trying to mentally prepare for this:

There is no way we could have ever been prepared for this.

Last year, we were preparing for a Celebration of sorts. We decided to throw a party to say THANK YOU. We were finally able to breath, to sit down with our family, friends and co-workers and tell them how much we appreciated everything they did to help us in whatever capacity we needed. We would have never been able to make it without them.

This year, although quiet and peaceful it will always be lingering around remembering where we have been. But the pure simple joy that today brought is something I would like to always cherish.

Today started out very early as I greeted Phil's parents about 12:30am when they arrived at the house. After sleeping a few hours and getting Kaitlynn and Jackson off to school, Madelynn and I took Phil's parents to Trader Joe's. After lunch, I put Madelynn down for her nap and headed to the elementary school to Kaitlynn's class. Her teacher was doing something really fun for the afternoon and needed volunteers.

For most people not only is this an uneventful day it might even border on boring. But two years ago I had to trust someone else to care for two of my children while I lived at the hospital, Phil traveled back and forth I missed so many day to day things it made me cry. Today, I savored the hour and a half that I spent at the school hanging out with Kaitlynn and her classmates.

After dinner, the five of us and Phil's parents headed off to the rec center for the Halloween Spooktacular. The kids dressed up and we took them to a free indoor activity where they played games for candy and prizes, jumped in the bounce house and had their faces painted. They had a ball and were completely exhausted and I didn't miss a minute of it.

Trying to be proactive about my father calling me to make sure I get a picture of the kids dressed up for Halloween I tried to take a photo. I figured the weather was nice, they were already dressed up, get the picture, send it to dad and surprise him. As you can see the kids were too excited and not very cooperative.

Not too bad but could be better....

She liked the Pom-Pom's just a little too much.....

If her eyes would have been at facing the camera we would have been in business....

So although I did not get the Halloween picture I wanted lucky for me I still have another chance when they actually trick or treat this weekend.

Before I forget, THANK YOU Uncle Jon and Aunt Dixie for the University of Notre Dame cheer leading uniform. When Madelynn was born they sent it as a gift. I carefully put it away and saved it, never thinking I could use it for Halloween. Since our weather has been crazy, 85 degrees and humid at the end of October, I figured it would be a great costume that she wouldn't melt in. She loved her little pom-pom's. I think I was only whacked in the head twice.

This was a much better way to spend the 29th of October then that in 2008.



TTFN~