Rainbows

There’s something about a rainbow that gives me hope.  Last night while it was raining, yet the sun was shining off in the distance, we saw a beautiful full-sky rainbow.  Obviously the photograph doesn’t capture its natural beauty or its magic, but I wanted to give you an idea of what we saw.

Things around here have been pretty good, except for a very sick mother-in-law/grandma out in Montana.  But looking through the rain to the sun and out to the beautiful rainbow gives me strength and hope to KNOW she’s going to be okay.  A little time, LOTS of love and caring, and good positive mojo and prayer should get her through this tough time.  Something about that rainbow gives me hope. . .

Chloe had her 6-month well-visit last week.  Talk about magical!  Watching her strut into the doctor’s office with her monkey harness back-pack on with a sense of confidence that is newly surfacing in her was like a gift.  Smiling, greeting everyone, approaching the toys as if she OWNED them (not in a possessive way, but in an I-know-just-what-to-do-with-this-stuff way).  Then the doc came out and she greeted him with a BIG hello and smile and bounded into his office ready to go.  “Play” she signed and said.  The next 45-minutes to an hour were spent watching her captivate our wonderful pediatrician who sat next to her on the little kiddie chair when he was invited with a pat on the chair and snuggled with her when she crawled up into his lap.  We all sat cross-legged on the floor and Chloe beamed at her ability to do so and be a part of the “group”.  We discussed all the wonderful progress she’s made and of course covered the medical basics.  It was an all around fantastic visit.

Sadie is busy with school and reading and writing stories and poems.  She recently wrote a poem/bookmark for me that I just love called "Loveable":

My mother is a loveable person.

She is a diamond,
Shiny as can be.
She tucks me in my bed.
I look at her when she tucks me in bed
And think
“You are so loveable”.

When she isn’t being sweet and fun-loving, she’s a difficult spoiled little middle child who HATES her mother!!!!  LOL The ups and downs of being 6!  She is looking forward to summer and camps and vacations and most of all a visit from cousin Macy for Camp Mason-Mann.

Xander, with his handsome new haircut, is busy breaking hearts.  After a very swollen groin lymph node from an infection on his leg, he is now healthy and also looking forward to summer vacation.  He’ll be enjoying a variety of camps as well as some days just hanging around at home.  Maine is always a big hit with him and he can’t wait for Macy to come (they’re doing a CSI-type camp together in the mornings). 

Stacey and I are doing well, minus our worries about Stacey’s mom.  We both feel healthy (knock on wood) and strong and aren’t the “hot messes” we were a few months ago.  Stacey has just finished up his spring 6-day-work schedule and is enjoying some time with the family mixed with lots of yard work.  As for me, I’m just enjoying my family and life and getting ready for the summer.  My job is going well and I feel comfortable with my current work/family balance.  We have THE BEST nanny in the world, so that makes it that much better. 

So please direct your prayers for us towards Stacey’s mom in hopes of a speedy recovery.  We of course love her very much and want her better soon!!!!  We look so forward to our visit with her and hope she is well enough in time to visit us in the fall.

**Since writing this Xander whacked his thumb playing drums and took a trip to the ER for an XRay (which was negative), started getting bullied at school and Grandma Linda was delayed from being released from the hospital, but we're still all in good spirits and hopeful for a speedy recovery for Linda and a quick resolution to Xander's bullying. 

Peace and love to all our friends and family!