5 on Friday

1. Our house is decorated!   We did the outside of the house twice (because I didn't like it the first time).  But it is now done!

2. Ellie really likes Christmas music!   It is much harder for Nick to say no to her than it is for him to say no to me when we ask to listen to Christmas music.

3.  Last night we went to my friend, Rich's, annual holiday party he puts on for his financial adviser clients.   This is the second time we have gone, and once again it was wonderful.   A perfect party with both kids and adults in mind.

4. Ellie and I went shopping this week to get Daddy/Nick a Christmas present.  She wanted to go to the bike shop.   As we are driving to the shop she tells me that she wants to go see her favorite person, Greg (the bike shop owner).   We walk in the store, she sees Greg and lets out a squeal.  It was pretty cute.   Greg came over to see her and asked if she wanted some fruit snacks... and this is why Greg is her favorite person.   Ellie got fruit snacks and Mommy got Daddy's Christmas gifts purchased.  I call it a win-win.


5. We had Ellie's fall parent/teacher conference this week.  Ellie can identify 17 out of the 26 letters in the alphabet, all of her colors and all of her shapes except for square/rectangle (she confuses those two).   We are super proud of her!

Prayers Requested

The above picture is of the girls, my college roommate, Elissa, her little boy, Bradley, and me.   Elissa, her husband, Ed, and Bradley live in Arizona and were back in Iowa for a wedding in September.  We were lucky enough to spend a few hours with them between all the festivities.  Bradley was two months old at the time.   He is now four months old.

A couple of weeks ago Bradley underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor.   The Drs. were hoping they would be able to avoid chemotherapy, but last week Bradley was diagnosed with cancer.   Bradley began a 51 week chemo plan last week. Prior to starting chemo, Bradley had surgery to have a shunt placed in his head. This assists with the swelling he has had since he underwent brain surgery. The shunt will control the swelling, in addition to transporting the medicine used during chemo.  Bradley is currently using a feeding tube to eat; they are hoping he will be able to eat on his own in a few weeks.

I do not know all the details.  But I am guessing the diagnosis of the tumor is fairly recent, as they were planning on coming back to Iowa for Thanksgiving less than a month ago.

I can only imagine what Elissa, Ed and Bradley are going through.  This is not something a four month old should have to go through, or a parent should have to endure.   Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.   They will need all they strength and support they can get, even from strangers.  Thanks!

Love!

I just love these two little girls!

Food

We fed Neve food for the first time around 5 1/2 months.   She couldn't care less.

We tried again at 6 months.  She loved it (although this picture makes it look differently).   

It is amazing what a couple of weeks does.

Corn on the Cob

A little behind on the picture updates: Ellie eating a summer-time favorite, corn on the cob.   She loves it!

5 on Friday

1.  On Saturday Nick ran the Living History Farms off-road race with my sister.   From the sound of if, they had fun and are planning to run again next year.

2. Monday Nick and I set out of a shopping day.  We filled the Pilot and had to go home to unload before heading back out.   I would call that a success.   I think we have 3 more gifts to buy for Christmas and we are done.

3.  We put lights up on the outside of our house for the first time!   And I found garland for on top of the kitchen cabinets, something I was frustrated I could not find last year (or at least what I wanted).   The tree is up, stocking hung (including Genevieve's that arrived on Wednesday) and presents are wrapped.   Christmas music was playing through the speakers today and Ellie is loving all of it.

4. We had a great Thanksgiving in Ames with Nick's side of the family yesterday.   It is always great to get everyone together.

5. On Sunday we made Kumla for my sister and her family.   This is a tradition we got from Nick's side of the family and we try to make it when we are off during Thanksgiving week.  

40 Days of Thankfulness: Day 40

Day 40: I am thankful that my two best friends get along so well.   Tomorrow Nick and Megan are running the Living History Farms Race together, good luck to both of them.