Family Time

      



Kenzie had lots of fun getting to know some of her cousins, her aunts and uncles and grandparents. It wasn't bad for me to hang out and chat either.

Was It Worth It?

             

                 

                                 


Despite the chaos of getting to Las Vegas...it was SO worth it. Being in the temple with my brother's family as their handsome little boy was sealed to them...a priceless experience which I will never forget.

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PS - How fun it was to have Amy Roger's (a good friend from H.S.) dad conduct the sealing. Too bad I didn't figure out who he was until after we'd left. I would have loved to say hello.

Direct VS. Nonstop

Beware the wrath of Mother Nature in February -- especially if you plan on traveling with an almost 2-year-old.

If Kenzie and I weren't considered "seasoned travelers" before last week (we did fly across the country 4 times last year...), we certainly ought to have earned that title now.

When we woke up at 4:15am (after a whopping 2.5 hours of sleep for me) last Thursday, we thought we were in for a long day -- simply because it started so early and because we were changing from Eastern time to Pacific time. Little did we know...

We departed Cleveland on a DIRECT flight to Las Vegas around 7:15 am -- arriving around 8 am (CST) in St. Louis. We were merely supposed to drop off passengers, and pick up a few more. It was scheduled to be a 20 MINUTE STOP. (Thus, the definition of a DIRECT flight -- we might stop, but we don't change planes.)

Passenger after passenger boarded...completely filling up every overhead bin space and floor space underneath the seats. I held out as long as I could -- hoping to save a seat for Kenzie. No such luck -- every seat was taken as they allowed many stand-by passengers to board.  Good things come in small packages, and luckily for me, the last person allowed to board was a fit and trim looking girl about my age.

We chatted for a few minutes -- me immediately apologizing that she got stuck next to us. Thankfully, she was a mother of 2 young children herself. Ironically, she had lived in Cleveland for 3 years while her husband did his medical residency. We all settled in for our 3.5 hour trip to Vegas.

Time passed and the plane didn't move. People started getting wondering what was taking so long. Kenzie enjoyed doing squats on my lap and laughing at our fellow travelers. 

More time passed.

My new friend informed me that it had taken 40 minutes to scrape the ice off her windshield and that the roads had been pretty bad on her way to the airport. A glance out my window revealed that ice pellets were sticking to the glass. A feeling of foreboding tried to creep in but I did my best to ignore it.

More time passed. 

The other lady in our row became very anxious -- expressing to us that her dad was dying in Las Vegas and that she was desperate to arrive before he passed away.

More time passed -- and more ice pellets formed. I started to get a panicky, "I-wonder-if-I-might-be-clausterphobic," type feeling.

I'll spare some details...but around 12:30, after sitting on the runway for 4+ hours, the plane went back to the gate. We were instructed to get off, grab lunch, use a "real" restroom, and stay close so that as soon as we got the OK, we could take off.

That's bad huh? Imagine how much fun it would be for you to travel with a 2 year-old, on 2.5 hours of sleep...only to sit on the runway for 4+ hours. Who knew that would be the good part? It only got worse.

We were ushered back on the plane about 40 minutes later -- only to pull away...and sit. And sit. And sit. Kenzie finally crashed for about 45 minutes. Finallly, around 3:30 pm - we were told, "We are really sorry. We've done our best but Mother Nature has won this battle. We are going back to the gate. You'll need to get your luggage and go home. We are closing the airport."

WHAT?!? Go home? That would work if we had a home in St. Louis...but what about those of us who don't? And what about those of us traveling with small children, (a backpack, stroller, diaper bag and two suitcases?) who can't even carry their luggage and their child?

Enter here the kindness of strangers:

My new friend was hardly a stranger at this point. I mean really, when was the last time I talked to Greg for 8 hours straight? I felt I knew a lot about this girl (including the fact that when she lived in Cleveland, we had the same OBGYN. What are the odds of that?) She, along with another family traveling with small children offered to let me spend the night at their house. And, out of complete desperation and not-knowing what else to do...I decided to take her up on the offer. 

Greg's comment when I called to inform him of our situation was, "Don't get murdered." Isn't that just like a cop?

So, we deplaned and spent the next 30 minutes trying to sort our black luggage from the thousands of other black bags that were piling up in baggage claim. Afterall....the airport was closed. (Note to self: if you are ever in the market to purchase new luggage -- canary yellow is a good option!)

We braved the roads and arrived at my friend's house where I met her husband and enjoyed a turkey sandwich. At some point during the conversation, we realized the ice had stopped and that the weather looked much better. So, I made another call to 1-800-I-FLY-SWA. Once again, I was told that it would be difficult to get a ticket from St. Louis to Las Vegas as I was never supposed to be in St. Louis. (I skipped those details previously.) I was also informed that the airline had pulled all tickets to accommodate those people displaced by the weather in St. Louis. Hmmm....wasn't that ME?

To make a long story longer...I got put on a "we-can't-guarantee-it" flight to Kansas City, connecting to Las Vegas at 6:15pm. My new best friends rushed me back to the airport, where I left Kenzie in their car as I ran inside to get a boarding pass. (I still can't believe I did that...but at this point, I felt I could trust them 100%). I cut in line and begged to get on the flight (it was supposed to leave within 30 minutes.) Unfortunately, the ticket that had been put on hold via the phone, was no longer available...and it was at this point that I momentarily broke down and cried.

After much deliberation, Jim (my new Southwest employee friend), got me on another flight to Kansas. I thanked my other friends for the offer to spend the night -- and sprinted towards security -- only to get stopped for the FULL-BLOWN security check. If you've never had that experience, it includes the wand, the drug test, the camera battery test, the "what are you really carrying in that sippy cup test," and so much more. Suffice it to say that by the time we made it to the gate...the flight that was scheduled to arrive in St. Louis (and take us to Kansas or Kansas City or Oklahoma City or who-knows-where) had been sent back to the gate in Louisville...and we were stuck. AGAIN.

The news was not good -- we were told that if we didn't get out of St. Louis that night...we likely wouldn't make it out the next day either. The storms were supposed to continue and the flight schedule was iffy. I think I cried again at that moment. Fatigue and frustration had set in. Kenzie was an angel...but she was past her limit as well.

Normally, I wouldn't let my child roll around on the airport floor, or take candy from strangers. But, desperate times call for desperate measures. Finally, with no other viable alternatives, we got booked on another flight-- to Cleveland. We waited another 1.5 hours and arrived home around midnight -- in the same place we had started 19 hours before. 

Thankfully, the Friday flight was a NONSTOP...meaning that barring some unforeseen circumstances, assuming we could leave Cleveland...we wouldn't stop until we made it to Las Vegas. Talk about a sense of deja vu' as I entered the airport again, greeted the same TSA employees, bought another bagel at the same shop and was greeted by the same clerk. (I remembered that on Thursday, she told me it was her birthday the next day. Imagine her surprise when I told her Happy Birthday. She gave me the bagel for free since I wished her a happy day.)

The flight arrived late from Baltimore (Mother Nature was wreaking havoc there) and we finally arrived in Las Vegas late Friday afternoon -- about 2.5 hours past schedule...and only about 36 hours from the time we started. We could have driven in that amount of time!

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PS - Our return trip was delayed by a day as well -- due to the 12-18 inches of snow that was dumped on Cleveland. At least this time I was enjoying the sunshine, blue skies and 70 degree temperatures!

Good Things Come to Those Who Complain

                                      

I guess I complained loud and long enough to the right person... 

because someone took pity on me (THANK YOU JOSH AND RACHEL!)...and...drumroll, please...

Kenzie and I are heading to Las Vegas tomorrow. 

Will it break my heart to board an airplane at 6:55 am in Cleveland? No.

Will I be sad to say goodbye to 18 degree temps, snow and slush for 5 days? Not Likely.

Will it be hard to adjust to sunshine, blue skies and 70's? Are you kidding?

Will I miss the 3 children and spouse I am leaving behind? You Bet.

Will I be eternally grateful to my in-laws for watching my kids so that this trip can become a reality? Absolutely.

Las Vegas...Here We Come.

Feeling a Little Less Guilty

I was feeling a bit guilty because I am heading to Vegas tomorrow (hooray -- my sanity might be saved afterall!) and due to lack of return flights, I will be out of town on Monday - Addysen's 9th birthday. So, in an effort to ease my guilt (because I wasn't about to miss the trip), I arranged a special surprise -- to have Addysen's dear friend, Claire, visit from PA for the weekend. The shock and surprise were great -- and the chitter-chatter didn't stop all weekend. 

I Want Candy

Anyone who knows her knows that Brynnley LOVES her treats.

Not being able to get it open was a great effort in frustration.

Give A Little Love

"We never know the love of a parent till we become parents ourselves." 

--Henry Ward Beecher

I realize it's a day late...and possibly quite cheesy, but, oh well.

I can say, with quite a bit of certainty, that when my mom made this pillow for me -- 28 years ago-- for Valentine's Day...she had no idea it would last as long, or be as loved as it is.

The original pillow had a sparkly  "T" on the big toe. It probably disappeared sometime during elementary school. The stuffing, once so full and puffy, is all but non-existent now. 

Who could have guessed that this pillow, the final prize in our Valentine's Day treasure hunt that year, would go on to represent so much more than a fun surprise for a 6-year-old? 

Could she have known all the tears and laughs this pillow would experience? Could she have known the love and support it would offer to a 16-year-old, living in Nebraska when her family moved thousands of miles away to Las Vegas?

When she made it, could my mom have known it would make the trip to college, to marriage, to motherhood? And yet, still, it sits on my bed -- all these years later.

I have no doubt that making this pillow was a labor of love...yet, I can almost guarantee that my mom had no idea what treasure she was really making that year....... But, isn't that what moms and dads do -- they love, without fully comprehending the extent of that love? 

Inauguration of the Carpet...

The poor sweet girl...she said "CHEESE" when I told her I was going to take a picture.

I realize this is entirely too graphic -but the point is to notice how empty the toilet is.

    

It's hard to teach a little girl how to throw up. (This was a staged picture. I'm not that mean of a mom - to take pictures while "in process" would be truly cruel.)

Good thing I had been out of the shower and dressed for less than an hour. (For those who are sincerely worried about my sanity...the fact that I had Brynnley take a picture means it's all ok. There is more cause for concern when I don't share the intimate details of my life. Ha - if we could only be so lucky!)

Inauguration of the Carpet

Believe it or not, I was preparing to post a "tribute to parents" article on our business website (www.babynbeads.blogspot.com) when we had a rather unfortunate situation occur. That post, highlighting the things parents go through for their children, ways to show love, etc. is temporarily on hold.

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It's no secret that I think white carpet was a dumb invention. But, installing it anywhere that has a chance to come in contact with children is borderline insanity. Putting it in a house with 4 children -- just plain stupid. (It's a good thing I had nothing to do with this decision or I would have no one to blame by myself.)

How was I supposed to know that in 23-month-old language, "Mommy, back hurts," translates to: "Mom, you better get ready. Any minute now, that-hot-chocolate-you-gave-me-for-breakfast-is-going-to-come-spewing-forth-from-my-mouth. It-will-not-only-cover-me-and-you-but-the-spatter-will-be-found-within-a-10-mile-radius-for-the-next-10-years!"

The rest of the pictures say enough.

Oh - and you can ignore my flaring nostrils. I am certain I was just taking deep, cleansing breaths!

Oh, Mr. Sun -- Please Come Out and Play With Me

                                                           

I've been here so long

I think that it's time to move.

The winter's so cold, 

Summer's over too soon.

Let's pack our bags and 

Settle down where palm trees grow.

~~ Swing Life Away

For someone whose childhood nickname was, "Sunshine Girl," Northeast Ohio is not the place to be -- at least from November - April. Before you get the wrong impression and think I am negative, here's what today's Plain Dealer reported about Cleveland weather.

"If the sun does not shine today, we'll set a 5 year record for the most sunless days in a row - -eight -- and the National Weather Service says we will probably get through 10 before we get a chance of a glimmer, on Monday, when the prediction is mostly cloudy." (These are not the kind of records I care to participate in setting.)

"The Cleveland area has enjoyed only two perfectly clear days since Nov. 1. That leaves the other 97 dismal days since then either cloudy or partly cloudy."

"Cleveland ranks among the cloudiest cities in the nation -- 40th by one count and 21st by another."

"Cleveland averages 202 cloudy days a year."

Finally, validation that it's not just me -- and an explanation for why it feels like I am losing my mind. Clearly, I should have been a bear - -then I could just hibernate (which is pretty much what I do anyway) from November - April. 

But hey, at least it's not Milwaukee..."The robust and pale people...endured 17 straight sunless days in the winter of 2005-2006."

As always...something for which I am grateful.

Painting the Van -- Oops - I Mean the Trim

                                           

Few things test a marriage like owning rental property.

Few things test sanity like being a landlord.

What was meant to be "for retirement" has turned into a full time job -- or five.

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Apparently, it's very true that you get what you pay for. Too bad we can't all afford to pay what we really want for products and services. That might save a lot of headaches.

Nevertheless...we hired a painter to paint our old house. That was the first week of January. He said it would take 3 days. Then he ended up in the hospital. When he got out, he assured us he'd be finished by the weekend. He needed paint for the trim. Greg dropped two gallons off at the house around the 10th of January.

Then, the painter seemingly fell off the face of the Earth.

Despite endless attempts to reach him - - no luck.

We showed the property to a potential renter on the 30th. Imagine how thrilled we were to discover the trim paint was still sitting in the middle of the dining room -- untouched -- weeks later.

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Time for Plan B....

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My kind in-laws agreed to watch the little girls so I could paint yesterday. I dropped them off early and was making the obligatory visit to Home Depot by 10am. $60 to Home Depot. (Oh...if only we owned stock in that company!) By 10:30, I had my ipod blasting (tuned in to my aptly named playlist -- "Let's Clean Rental Properties.") I ignored the fact that the painter had started in nearly every room of the house -- yet not completed a single room. I was determined to have a better attitude.

Energized and motivated to get the entire house done - - I began.

My enthusiasm did not last long, however, as I hated the color for the trim. 'Cookie crumb' was apparently meant to be eaten...not painted.

Thinking it was pointless to spend precious time painting a color I hated throughout the entire house, I pounded the lid back onto the paint, using my fist -- that is an important point -- rather than a hammer. I threw both cans of paint into the back of the van -- and returned to Home Depot for the second time in 2 hours. (I think Greg's record is 4-5 times in one day -- I'll have to confirm that with him.)

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Picture this: There I was -- so happy to be in Cleveland Heights on a gray, cold, winter day -- spending my time, once again finishing a job someone else had committed to. I hopped out of the van and experienced mild curiosity as I saw a thick, brownish-orange discharge dripping from the back of the van, puddling in the parking lot. The curiosity turned to horror when I opened the van and discovered that the ENTIRE GALLON of cookie crumb paint had spilled all over the back of my car.

Take a moment to visualize what your reaction would be....

I was immediately grateful for three things:

1) That I was no longer driving my in-laws car as I had been for the previous six weeks

2) That I had to tell Greg, rather than my dad, about the accident. (Sorry Dad!)

3) That now I could pick out a new color for the trim, in case they couldn't lighten the old color enough.

Who says I'm negative?

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* It took 3 full rolls of Bounty paper towels, just to absorb the majority of the paint ($10).

* Two spray bottles of upholstery cleaner has yet to make a dent in the mess ($14 ).

* $30 for new "Water Chestnut" paint.

* Approximately 2 hours attempting to clean the mess.

* Paint on my coat, in my hair (you'll remember, it was dripping), and on the camera.

So much for painting the entire house. And as for the painter...he must be dead or in jail.

    

                                                                           

The Landlord Chronicles - And So It Begins...

A friend and I have joked many times that we totally missed our opportunity to become millionaires. With her husband's video skills, and our landlord/tenant issues, we could have made an incredible documentary. Ok, who I am kidding -- there is no money in documentaries! Had we known what the last 8 months would entail, we could have created a reality TV series that would put "Survivor" or "Biggest Loser" to the test.

It donned on me yesterday that I can still make make some money off this mess -- it will just take a little time. When I came home from painting at our old house, I asked Greg which actor he wanted to play him when I sold "The Landlord Chronicles" to Hollywood. (I'm thinking Brad Pitt.) Surprisingly, Greg wasn't impressed with my "solution." But...have you ever seen "The Money Pit," or "Pacific Heights?" I think we have possibilities.

Because the list is endless...I'll start with yesterday...and work my way backwards - in no particular order.

What Can I Say? Reality Bites.

Greg informed me that he thinks my first post was entirely too negative. I'm not sure what life he lived last year :), but I maintain it is an accurate description of our family's history.  

Nevertheless, we have much for which we are grateful.

* We are healthy.

* We are employed.

* We have the Gospel.

* We have incredible support from the most amazing family and friends.

* We are gaining valuable experience that is necessary for our growth. (Or so I am told. Just kidding - I do believe that....most of the time.)

Did I Love Him More?

Greg is all the way in the back, on the left.
I managed to get through most of the broadcast of President Hinckley's funeral without getting overly emotional. That was due, in large part, to the fact that Brynnley and Cannon kept running around the family room. It was only after I "excused" them to go downstairs, that I was truly able to focus on the words and music. I laughed and smiled during the reflections given.

How can you really explain how you feel about the Prophet?

Just 2 weeks ago, I taught Relief Society in our new ward. I commented that although President Hinckely certainly didn't know me: I felt like he was my friend. I pondered: How can I teach my children to feel the same way about the Prophet? To listen to his counsel and guidance with the same attentiveness that they would use when listening to a close friend?

My tears started during the closing song -- when the video clip began to play.

Brynnley (who had come back upstairs by this point) quickly stopped running and said, "Why are you crying?" I replied, "Because I loved him."

She looked at me, with her 4-year-old wonder and replied, "Everyone did. Did you love him more?"

And so, with profound wisdom, so often found in children, she summed it up. I do feel like I loved him more -- just as I am sure everyone who is mourning his passing feels - -that he or she loved him more.

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President Hinckley was sustained as the Prophet one week before Greg and I got married. His counsel and wisdom has literally guided our entire marriage and parenting experience. We all have our memories, and I will forever be grateful for mine.

* When he spoke at SUU's graduation, I had the opportunity, as a waitress at Adriana's, to serve lunch to President Hinckley and those who traveled with him. There was a lady who came into the church where we were serving and she desperately wanted her 4 or 5 year old daughter to meet him. (The little girl had drawn a picture for him.) She was "paparazzi-like" in her desire to see the Prophet. She forced her way to the crowd -- almost to the point that the security personnel had to restrain her. At the time I thought, "Lady, we all want to meet him...but back off." Not exactly the attitude I should have had -- but I felt the same sense of urgency. Knowing how I felt as a young newlywed, I can now appreciate the experience that mother wanted for her child.

*I remember the counsel to only have one set of ear piercings. I was a new mom and momentarily questioned whether or not that applied to me. (I know - - I'm not the most intelligent being.) But, I listened, and took my extra earring out.

*Greg had the amazing opportunity to be local security for President Hinckley, Elder Maxwell and others when they came to rededicate the Kirtland Historic Sites a few years ago. (http://www.meridianmagazine.com/kirtland/prophet1.html

Although I didn't spend the weekend traveling with the Prophet, I got to live vicariously through Greg. I enjoyed being in the chapel for two days, listening to our leaders speak. Unfortunately for me, I don't remember all of the words spoken, as I was transfixed watching Sis. Hinckley and Sister Maxwell - - so beautiful and always smiling. It was a joy to shake their hands when the meeting was over.

Many have expressed that it's hard to imagine life on this earth without President Hinckley. I echo those sentiments. And yet, how grateful we are for his life, his legacy and his love.

Above Average Intelligence

Addysen and Cannon have recently discovered how to use the effects and distort images with the webcam. It's pretty obvious from the looks of these pictures, we are living among geniuses.

Happy 2008

Insanity took over and we didn't send out Christmas cards last year. It was not for lack of wanting too...and we certainly hope you won't take us off your card lists for THIS year. Life just got to be a bit overwhelming and something had to give.

So, now that it is February...we're trying to get a grip again. I don't know if anyone will actually read this...and that is ok. But, perhaps after/if you do....you'll be grateful that you didn't hear from us in December!

I won't lie...last year was not my favorite. I was GLAD to see it go. If only symbolic in nature...I couldn't switch the calendars fast enough. Goodbye 2007 -- HELLO 2008. My mantra is: "2008 -- it's going to be GREAT!"

But, just as a recap for the sake of our family's history:

February - Car accident - the van has never been the same. We're still driving around with 1/2 a bumper.

Addysen turned 8 and was baptized. We loved having both sets of grandparents, family and friends in attendance.

March - Kerrdog, our yellow lab, died a rather traumatic death.

Took our first of 4 trips to the West coast. This was to attend Kristine and Ben's wedding.

May - Jason West, Greg's friend and fellow police officer was killed in the line of duty. A police funeral is an amazing sight...and an experience I hope to never repeat.

Our dear friends and next-door neighbors, The Cannon's, moved to New Mexico. (Cannon still hasn't recovered from the loss of his best buddy)

June - More dear friends, The Klippel's moved to Pennsylvania (Addysen still hasn't recovered from the loss of her best friend). It seems our friends always leave.

The CAVS made it to the NBA Playoffs!

I was sustained as the RS President in the Mayfield Ward

July - Attended a Purcell Family Reunion in Idaho. Enjoyed a trip to Island Park before heading back to Las Vegas. It was the first time in years that all I have been with all of my siblings.

August - Addysen, Cannon and I drove to Iowa to meet Connor, Josh and Rachel's beautiful baby boy. We played lots of games and tried to distract ourselves as we anxiously waited for 96 hours to pass - -that's how long the birth mother had to change her mind.

Both tenants in one of our rentals vacated in the midst of their contracts - - trashing the property and destroying all the hard work we completed the previous summer. (They didn't like that Greg told them they had to pay their rent in full, and on time. Go figure.)

September - Began the eviction process for another tenant (who was supposed to be buying the house.)

Drove to Maryland to attend Greg's grandpa's funeral.

Flew to San Francisco again - for Nate and Lauren's wedding.

October - Flew to Seattle for John and Tenaya's wedding.

Worked feverishly to repair our rental. Everything becomes a blur about this point. Every spare minute was spent installing tile, painting, cleaning, replacing bathtubs and surrounds, drywalling, and throwing out endless piles of trash. I think it was about this time that the Indians made it to the playoffs.

November - made the decision to move our family into the single-family house...a total leap of faith or an act of stupidity...the jury is still out on that.

December - moved from our home in Cleveland Heights to North Ridgeville. I was released as RS President. Half of us came down with the flu the week before Christmas. Spent hours driving back and forth across town - -cleaning, painting, throwing out trash, etc.

So...not that you were sitting around wishing you'd heard from us at Christmastime...but now you know why you didn't!