(now) 4 in the Basket

 Where to start. My faithful readers know some of this already, so I'll try and be concise. 

I was diagnosed with Cushing's Disease in February of this year. Thankfully, I have a family physician who took my complaints and symptoms seriously. After testing and re-testing, I underwent surgery in June to attempt a removal of the pituitary gland tumor that's causing all the trouble. Surgery wasn't successful, so I've been taking a drug to control my cortisol levels and have undergone Gamma Knife radiation treatment to try and obliterate the remaining tumor mass. It's been an interesting journey. Although I can't be on the drug therapy forever because of the risk of liver damage, I will say I'm feeling well and pretty much back to my "old self." Time will tell if the radiation was effective.

Summer was spent on several camping trips, including a trip to the U.P. and our beloved Hiawatha Music Festival. Got to see some good friends, which is the highlight of our trip every year.

Recent news includes the fact that Keith was appointed registrar at Delta. Whoo-hoo! He's working really hard to get to this point, and I'm very proud of his will to serve Delta in a more visible role. I know he's going to do great.

The girls are settling into the school routine, although I'm missing the slower-paced summertime schedule. Spent a recent Friday as a chaperone for a school field trip to the Michigan Renaisssance Festival (great festival, albeit a bit racy for Catholic school kids -- cleavage, anyone?) and have been the proverbial mom's taxi. It's been interesting (and at times frustrating) watching Alina grow into a middle-schooler. It seems we're at that precipice between childhood and those pesky teenage years. Here's hoping the boat we're in is sturdy enough to weather the waves yet to come.

An aside: there's to be an October beer fest in town that is going to feature 25 brews made in our great state. I'm going to have to encourage Keith to brew another batch of his own. I have a feeling he's going to need it with this new job.

I'm maintaining a vigil over CD's being imported into our iTunes library (Keith and I got an iPod Classic and a really sweet Altec Lansing speaker system for ourselves as our Christmas gift this past year), so I figured I'd update the neglected blog. I've been avoiding Facebook lately -- though I'm not sure why.  I really like all the people I'm friends with. :-)  We really love our iPod, by the way. With four kids, and stereo system that has seen better days, most of our CD collection was gathering dust in our attempts to keep our music in playable condition once the kids got old enough to appreciate it.  I had forgotten how much I LOVE music!!!

Our laptop is "in the shop" right now, as the hard drive crashed on New Year's Day. I'm thanking the Lord that A) we invested in a three-year extended warranty when we bought the computer a little over two years ago and B) we bought an external hard drive only two days before and had backed up all our files and music only one day before it happened.  Whew.  I'm borrowing a computer from work and will hopefully have our other one back (or a new one) by the end of next week.  We'll see how it goes. I'm just grateful I have a loaner.  Two weeks, minimum, without a paycheck would have been difficult.

I didn't make any New Year's resolutions this year, but we did get a family membership at our local community center and I've been working out on the eliptical machine. Once I get back into the groove I'll also be doing aerobics class.  Just trying to workout without dying at this point.  I'm shooting for my college weight and college-sized jeans (150/size 12) -- still have 25 pounds to go, and taking it one day at a time.  I'm feeling kinda like I did when I quit smoking, but this time I'm giving up refined sugar and flour.  The more I know I need to give it up, the more I want it...rrrrr.  I wish I could be satisfied with eating just a little, but it's never as easy as that. And the Internet is a curse and a blessing the same time. I've found great resources for healthy recipes and good nutrition, but at the same time am sucked into looking at all those yummy, delicious desserts I'm trying to avoid. I'm wondering if it will get any easier as time goes on? 

As far as family goes, everyone is doing well outside of Camille having a cold. The girls are all enjoying school this year.  We head to a middle school info meeting next week (we're planning on Alina going to parochial through 8th grade) and kindergarten open house the 2nd week of February.  Alina and Elise continue to play and learn piano, and Alina chose to play trombone (like father like daughter) in 5th grade band this year. It's fun to listen to her practice -- she's got great tone and is doing a fine job playing in tune.

Elise is in 2nd grade and loves all things ART. She got a "fashion design kit" from Santa this year, and hs been passionately designing more clothes than can be imagined. She's a kid that has a singleness of purpose when it comes to drawing, painting, etc. It's awesome watching how patient she is in working on the projects she undertakes. 

Nadia is still liking preschool, although we've found that the full days were making her exhausted. I started picking her up an hour early and it seems to have helped. Nature preschool is still an awesome place for her to be.  This past fall she got to watch red-tailed hawks released into the wild, and the kids get to spend significant time outside taking hikes and just plain-old playing.

Camille is growing by leaps and bounds. She's crawling all over the house and is pulling herself up on whatever she can in order to reach the treasures she sees. It is an understatement to say that she is precocious, and keeps us on our toes. Camping this summer should be an adventure!

We head up north in a few weeks to visit cousins and a good friend who will be in town visiting from S. Korea. We'll hopefully be able to do some x-country skiing while we're up there, too. Now just to figure out how to fit the skiis in or on the truck.

I am feeling like a negligent pet owner.  Not only did we lose Mika a couple weeks ago, we found our middle cat, Vito, very very ill a week ago from this past Sunday.  Of course, there are no vets open in town on Sunday.  We knew there was something wrong when we found Vito under our travel trailer, howling and drooling thick mucus from his mouth.  He could barely walk at that point, and by later in the evening was totally paralyzed.  Our best guess is that he ate something poisonous.  Needless to say, he didn't make it and is buried next to Mika in the backyard.  Who would have guessed that we would lose two cats in two weeks.  It's been strange having only Katie to love on.

We were able to head up north last week and spent five days relaxing at a campground in Christmas.  The weather was in the low 70's during the day, and it rained almost every night, but we were able to spend some time in the Big Lake and do some waterfall exploration.  We have a great book of Michigan waterfalls and ended up doing some backwoods hiking to Memorial Falls, which is off the tourist route.  After an interesting switchback hike down into a deep (remember, deep is a relative term in the midwest) gorge, the girls spent some time exploring fantastic sandstone caves and having fun going behind the falls.  The falls are only about 3 feet wide, but descend from such a height that they seem impressive -- especially to kids under 10.

After our stay in Christmas we headed over to Marquette for the Hiawatha Traditional Music Festival.  This year we had friends who saved us "a space" and we ended up forming a compound with their trailer and the trailer of a neighboring festival goer that kept most of the night noise to a minimum.  Or perhaps the economy prevented people from buying too much beer?  This year's performers were a nice mix of blues, folk, zydeco and, of all things, accordian.  The biggest treat was the donut shop that ended up being included in the food vendors.  I thought I had gone to heaven with the warm, fresh mini-donuts straight out of the fryer and dipped in chocolate.  Wow.

Our trip back home took almost 9 hours, only because we stopped a couple of times.  Lakenenland is a free sculpture park created by Tom Lakenen on M-28 between Marquette and Munising. Our walk around the sculptures took almost an hour, and was thoroughly enjoyable.  I can't say I agreed with all of Tom's political statements (in fact, we are probably on the opposite end of the spectrum, politically), but I was blown away by his skills as an artist.

Our 17+ year old cat was euthanized last night.  It was such a tough decision.  She didn't seem to be in pain or suffering, but it was so hard to watch her health fail.  She had lost weight and muscle mass to the point of being only 4 pounds, she was drinking way too much water (a sign of kidney failure and/or diabetes) and missing the litter box (along with having accidents in inappropriate places downstairs).  We got Mika from the Humane Society in Milwaukee, in the spring of 1996.  She had had a litter of kittens, who were all adopted out, 8 weeks before we got her and she was as skinny as a rail.  I wish I could find the picture we took of her when we got her home on the first day.  Her eyes look haunted. 

Once we got her home she quickly regained her health and ended up being a fantastically intelligent and curious cat.  She was so incredibly kind and patient and loyal.  We joked, during her time with us, that she was actually part dog.  She would come when you whistled for her, would take walks with us -- to the point where we had to put her inside when we walked because she would follow us for miles down the road, would beg in the kitchen for her favorites - - tuna, chicken, turkey. 

Most importantly, she was great with the kids.  She "survived" three girls who loved her intensely.  It didn't matter if they carried her around, gave her a "furcut" (which did happen) or snuggled with her under the covers in bed.  She patiently put up with all of it, even though she probably didn't like everything they did to her.

I know it's probably not in line with our Church's theology, but I do believe God has a special place prepared for pets who have died.  I believe we'll see Mika again.  How could it not be possible?  Love is love, whether from a pet or a person.

Last night in the rain we buried her in our backyard, under the tiger lilies that are just coming into bloom, with special pictures the girls drew of her.  And she's covered piles of flowers the girls picked from the catalpa tree that soars over her grave.  I hope she knows how much she was loved by all of us.

Well, I need to change my blog name somehow.  We now have 4 in the basket.  Camille was born near the end of March, four weeks past her original due date, and three weeks past her "revised" due date.  Labor was 7 hours, pushing was about 10 minutes and our beautiful new daughter, who weighed 10 lbs, 1 oz and measured in at 22 inches or so, was born into the world.  It's hard to believe she's almost three months old already. Her sisters absolutely adore her, and she is one laid-back baby.  As long as she's fed, her diaper is dry and she's not tired, she is happy. 

What else is new? Not much.  Keith is working 4 10's during the week with every Friday off.  The long weekends are nice, but the long hours during the week are not.  I'm adjusting, as are the girls.  Now that school is out we have more flexibility as far as staying up later in the evening and the girls can sleep in the next day.  Last night was in the low 70's and sunny so we went out for a walk before bed to enjoy the weather. 

I'm back to working from home part time doing Web posting and database stuff. The work situation has been good so far, as long as I focus on limiting my hours.  I could be working 40 hours a week, if I wanted.  No thanks.  We "hired" Alina to be a mother's helper this summer.  She is 10 now and is pretty responsible for her age.  While I'm working she's able to change Camille, get her sisters breakfast, keep an eye on them up at the local school playground and get them lunch.  By that time I'm logging off from the computer, and she can be "off-duty."  It's a pretty good deal for us both - -she gets $1.50 hour ($30/week) and is getting some experience watching kids, and I have someone who can keep an eye on Elise and Nadia while I work. Alina figured out early on, when we first started talking about paying her, that she would have a chunk of change to call her own by the end of the summer.  It will be interesting to see what she spends it on.

We have a couple of camping trips planned for this summer, noteably a trip to Kingston Lake and Hiawatha Music Fest in July, then we head up to the Leelanau Penninsula the weekend after Haiwatha to camp with some good friends of ours.  We'll probably go to Wagner Lake in August sometime, as well. 

Alina, Elise and Nadia head to nature center day camp after we get back from our camping trips.  Alina gets to go on a two-night overnight for the first time, as well as kayaking and lots of hiking.  Hopefully next year she'll be able to move up to a trip to South Manitou Island for four nights/five days.  Elise is just doing regular day camp, as is Nadia.

We put in a patio made out of recycled patio bricks that came from behind my mom and dad's place.  These bricks have really been around: they were out in back of my parents' place for about 20 years, came over to our place as part of our front walk, and have now been moved to the back patio.  It's just the right size for our picnic table and we've been enjoying our dinner outside every night now that weather is finally nicer.  Now all we need is a sun canopy, as our oak tree only shades so much when the sun is angled low.

I know it's the middle of winter, not because of the piles of snow in the parking lots or the deer desperate for something to eat, but because Nadia has been begging to go camping.  She sees our trailer in the backyard and wonders when it is we can use it again.  Me too.  How to explain to a girl of almost four that it has to be warmer before we can go anywhere.  I tried talking Keith into a quick trip down to South Carolina before the baby is born, but he looked at me like I was crazy.  Hmmmm.  I'm just glad we can head up north this summer.  I missed our trips to the U.P.

I'm officially 34 weeks (out of 40+) into the pregnancy and have been moving pretty slowly.  It's a good thing I'm not very sensitive about what people say to me.  I've had more than one person approach me in the past week, inquiring "Are you always this big during pregnancy?" or "When are you due? It's got to be soon!"  It's not like I don't know I'm big.  I'll be lucky if the coat I've been borrowing from Keith still fits me in another couple of weeks.

The girls have been having fun feeling (and seeing) the baby kick and roll in my belly, so there are some benefits being large.

Keith is brewing a batch of beer tomorrow, and is looking forward to drinking it after the baby is born! (Me too.)  Not like I'm going to be drinking much, but a nice glass of beer sounds SO good.  I'm weak, I'll admit it.


 

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Elise and Nadia made it until 9:30 last night, Alina until 11:30 (we think -- she was downstairs reading).  My mom stayed to watch Star Wars: The Clone Wars with us (better movie than I thought it would be, although it took a while to get into it), then Keith and I spent the rest of the evening by ourselves watching Vantage Point with Dennis Quaid, William Hurt, Matthew Fox, etc. (didn't get it the first time around? Don't worry, they make sure you see it on the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th time).  I made it until midnight!  Gave and received a very *nice* New Year's kiss to and from Keith, then promptly went to sleep.

While Keith wrestles with the dishwasher (which Elise kinda did a job on when she accidentally fell on the open door), I'll try and pretend he's not swearing in his head and write this update. 

Christmas was a low-stress, family-filled event.  Went to Christmas Mass on the Eve, then spent all Christmas Day hanging out until our family gathering that night.  Adults in our family don't "do" gifts, so I was surprised when my mom handed me a largish, soft package.  My brother got one, too, and as we both opened them we realized what they were.  Ever since my dad passed away over four years ago, Mom has been hanging on to Dad's flannel shirts, shirt-jacks, t-shirts, ties, jackets, bandanas, etc.  Instead of giving them to Goodwill, she tracked down a woman who made the pieces of cloth into two quilts.  Talk about an emotional Christmas.  It's funny to think that pieces of cloth could bring back so many memories, but I can remember each and every shirt on that quilt as something he wore.  I can even remember how the fabric felt on my face when I hugged him.  In the middle of the quilt is the center panel of a t-shirt I had given him many years ago, that he wore and wore.  On it is a graphic of a fisherman in front of a full tacklebox, and above the graphic it says, "So many lures, so little time."  The funny thing is that the guy in the graphic bears an eerie resemblance to my dad.  The other great thing about the quilt is that Mom had two pictures put on the back, one of my dad and I at my wedding and one of my dad, brother and I after one of our squirrel hunting expeditions when I was 12 or so.  I keep forgetting that I'm a redneck at heart. :-)

Keith and I both have work off until the 5th, so we've been spending the past week relaxing and enjoying the break from the normal routine.  We were going to go to our friends' house for a party tonight, but she's in labor to have a baby, so instead we'll just stay at home, enjoying a dinner of homemade lasagna, salad and bread, then enjoy some pie and a couple of movies.  We've told the girls they can stay up tonight.  We'll see how that goes.

I have given up teaching natural childbirth classes and am officially in training to become a homebirth midwife, although I'm still not 100% convinced I'm meant to be one.  I assisted my midwife at a birth this past weekend and am going to be assisting at another couple of births in January.  I do realize that it is a true honor to be at these women's births; I just know I have tons more to learn.

Oh, and we bought a new (used) truck last Friday.  After much discussion, we decided not to go the route of buying a third row seat for our Yukon.  Keith needed a new vehicle and we needed a car big enough to haul the four kids (boy, that sounds weird to say), so we're selling the Jeep and invested in a 2005 Chevy Suburban.  The ironic thing is that we paid LESS for the Suburban than we did for our Yukon which, when we bought it, was a year older than the Sub.  And it's got a ton more options on it.  I guess we're the only crazy ones in town who want to buy a kid-cargo-and-trailer hauling V-8.  Now if we can just sell the Jeep.  Anyone?  Anyone?

Happy New Year's everyone!

The family spent Sunday afternoon up at the cabin (or "camp," as those from the UP would call it; 10 acres about 25 minutes north of town that has a garden, orchard and one-room cabin that was recycled by my dad out of a 100 year old grainary).  Back when Alina was a year old my dad planted dozens of pines, one of which we choose every year to cut as a Christmas tree.  This was the last year for getting our tree from up at the cabin, I'm afraid.  We chose one of the smallest and it still takes up almost half our living room -- after trimming it.  It was nice getting out with mom and my brother and his family.  Mom made venison chili to enjoy with homemade bread, and the kids, Keith and Uncle Steve had a grand time having a snowball fight; until a couple of the kids got snow down their necks, that is.

Monday and Tuesday evenings we spent decorating while enjoying egg nog and homemade snickerdoodles.  YUM.

Tonight Keith and I head over to his division's work party at a restaurant in a neighboring city.  It's only a couple hours long, and it will be nice to have some time together as our schedules have been the antithesis of togetherness lately.  Off to make pasta for dinner for the girls before mom gets here to watch them...