Wrapping up the Year

Well, we're about 7 hours away and counting until 2011. I, for one, am looking forward to a new year. I felt like I needed to wrap up 2010. Maybe just to give it some good old-fashioned closure. 2010 was a rough year for the Myers family. And yet, here we are, still blessed beyond any great measure.
We took two trips to the ER. One in March - after a very disorienting telephone call from the Normal Police, I quickly met Gabe at the ER after he had been hit by a drunk driver going 74mph in a 35mph. While this could have changed our world dramatically, the Lord was watching over Gabe and the other driver. If not for the ridiculous headache from being strapped to that board in the ambulance for 2 hours, he felt great. We did have to say goodbye to our trusty Buick. No worries though, there's another sitting in our driveway as I write this.
The second trip to the ER came in June. This one slightly more eventful. After finally deciding to spend the money and go on a short trip for our 5 year anniversary, we ended it with a good round of golf - one of our favorite activities. About an hour later, I started feeling bad and by midnight, there we sat in the middle of THE smallest ER/hospital known to man. I'll spare the details, as most of you know them. However, after 7 hours at the Benton hospital, an excurciating 40 minute ambulance ride to Carbondale, more tests and surgery, we finally got to leave and go home 2 days later. This may have been the toughest test for me in my miniscule little lifetime. After learning that we lost the baby, we knew it would be hard. Then losing a part of me that may very well keep us growing our family - well, that was a whole other thing. And yet, the Lord was there. I see Him in the love of my family, in the timing of illness, in the fact that the surgery could have been worse and they could have taken more, in the way my husband cared for me and Caleb in those weeks following. Even at my worst, I see His very best.
Final blow of the year came in August. Yes, it seems we would see another baby come and go. It was hard. It was emotional. After this point, I began doing some searching online for some support on what I was feeling. I found an amazing blog that helped me through that time. There was a mother that had written in about her 9 miscarriages. I cannot even fathom her strength to go through that. She wrote that she is one to serve God, and for all she knows, God needed those little babies in heaven with Him. Isn't it such a great thought that God might call us to be servants in this way? Hard, yes. But the ultimate outcome is amazing. It's the most positive way I can think about this situation, so I'm choosing to put my faith in it.
And now, as we approach 2011, I can say with great joy that my belly is getting larger. We will have baby #2 in June and couldn't be happier. Has it been a tough year? Yes, it has. Will we have more tough years? Yes, we will. But I know the Lord is with us every step of the way, blessing our lives in countless ways, even when we don't realize it. I look forward to 2011 and all that could be for the Myers family....and that includes 0 trips to the ER. :)

Pictures bringing you up to speed

I've absolutely been terrible about keeping up with my blog. I think I went practically 2 months without posting anything. I apologize. I just couldn't stay motivated to download the pictures that inevitably people want to see. So here is what's been happening in our lives during the last 2 months:

The real reason I've been unmotivated....we're expecting #2! I've felt pretty awful through the first trimester, so it's kept me on the couch during any free moment I have. But we're excited!

Caleb was a TRex for Halloween. He really enjoyed going "trip or treating". :)



And of course, Caleb turned 3. He was a little cranky the day we had his party, so I have no picture that shows him blowing out his candle. He didn't want to do it. So he laid on the couch sulking while the whole family sang "Happy Birthday" to him. I will surely tease him about this when he is older.

Other than that, life with Hearts has been super busy! We've just finished rebranding - new logo, new tagline, new colors...the whole shebang! We're looking pretty swanky! Thanks to my lovely friend Leslie who knows how to make us look so good. You'll have to check us out: www.heartsathome.org!

Happy Birthday, Caleb!

Caleb, you are 3 years old today! It's funny how quickly time can pass within a blink of the eye. You're the most amazing little boy that I could have ever imagined God could give us. You're smart, funny, curious, calculating and so many other things that I can't wait to find out about you.

We had a busy day today. We started our day with some breakfast waffles (a breakfast of champions!) and then headed out to the Discovery Museum for fun with Gracie. We spent some time there and then headed to the Golden Arches to pick up lunch to take to Daddy at Grove. You always love to go to Grove, because Daddy's music room is the best place to play. We both got a nap after lunch and then headed back to the museum for more fun to round out the day.

Daddy and I think you are incredible! Thanks for the all of the jokes, funny stories and made-up words. You are quite the ham, and I love how your little brain works! You love reading books and then making up your own version of the story. You love playing with every toy in the room...but not for very long. You love CARS. May God bless the next year of your life - I'm looking forward to all of our new adventures!

Imaginary Friend

We discovered two days ago that Caleb has an imaginary friend.

Her name is Mags. No idea why his imaginary friend is a girl - other than the fact that most of his playmates are girls - so perhaps he doesn't know any better. Mags is also 2 and was born on December 2nd. Isn't that an amazing coincidence? I hope I don't have to make two cakes for their birthday! Mags goes everywhere with us. She eats breakfast with us, rides in the car, takes naps, goes potty, changes her clothes...everything!

Mags is also a dog on a show he gets to watch on Saturday mornings called Turbo Dogs. So I know that's where he got the name. I'm not sure if Mags is a dog most of the time or if she's a human. Sometimes Mags morphs into his "sister". To which I reply, "yes, I get it. You need a sibling. We're working on it."

I think it's adorable. I don't remember having an imaginary friend when I was a kid, but I've read that it's a good sign of creativity. And of course, as a mom, you love to hear that. So, Mags lives at our house. I don't know how long she'll be here - a few more days, a few more weeks or a few more years. But it's definitely getting written down in my Caleb journal so we can tease him about it when he's 15. :)

Brass On Deck

Our house was the place to be last weekend. I know, I know. I should have posted all of this a week ago, but life happened. Not that it's an excuse, but October has got to be the busiest month for me at work. I'm yearning for October 29th to be here so I can breathe a sigh of relief. But I digress....on to more exciting things!
Last weekend, the Myers' hosted the first annual Brass On Deck concert. What is Brass On Deck you ask? Well, just as it says - brass music being played on our deck. This all began from a particular student Gabe used to have at the high school. Ryan, now a very successful peformer out in New York, comes back to his parent's house every summer and performs a concert for family and friends in the backyard. This gave Gabe an idea. Wouldn't it be great if we did something like that when Caleb got into high school or college? But if you know Gabe at all, you know that his patience quickly ran out on that idea. A revelation was had that he, too, plays an instrument, and yes, he could do it right now instead of waiting 15 years. So what started as a random idea quickly snowballed into quite the event.

With my blessing (and the neighbors' blessings), he began contacting good friends to gather their quintet. The casual invitations were being made. The snack menu was being planned. And by October 1st, we had at least 100 people invited. Yikes! This was seriously giving me a panic attack. Our backyard is big, but was it 100 people big? We didn't ask for RSVPs so I had no idea what to expect. All sorts of worries were running through my head - what if people don't fit? what if it's freezing? what if the music is too loud? what if someone calls the cops? what if it rains? I'm a bit of a control freak, in case you didn't know that already. ;)

Well there's a reason the Lord tells us not to worry. It's simply not worth it. It was an absolute perfect day. We had approximately 75 people, and there was plenty of room for more (Gabe, no doubt will be doing more inviting next year because of this); the weather was a balmy 80 degrees for October; the music was perfect; and no, the cops were not called.

And so, we had a great brass concert on our deck. They quintet did awesome, the music was fantastic and everyone had a great time. We've already started making pseudo-plans for next year. Here are some highlights:

Waiting in Line

I was lucky enough to need to visit my local DMV on Tuesday. My birthday fell on a Monday, which meant I was forced to be a rebel and drive around on an expired license for a whole day. I would make Ricky Martin proud "livin' la vida loco" (living the crazy life...for all of you who missed the RM craze a few years back).

I just couldn't let this opportunity pass without giving my two cents on the DMV. For one, my local DMV is located in quite possibly the shadiest section of B/N. So perhaps this is what led me to my second observation: why does the DMV always have the armpit of america sitting in it's waiting room? I mean, really! Everyone has to go to the DMV. For a variety of reasons, nonetheless. So in theory, there shoudl be a nice blend of people there. And yet, every time I'm there I feel a little more grungy on my way out.

And it's been said, but literally no one is happy when they're there. Virtually everything you go in to do costs money. Even renewing your license costs money - I'm out $30 just to be legal again. Except of course, one man. There is actually one man who was smiling the whole time I was there. The picture guy. How can that guy not be smiling. People smile at him for a living. So he basically just stares at smiling people all day. And when he does take a picture that's bad, it's probably pretty funny.
He was enjoying his job so much, that when he called out my name to get my picture taken, I felt like I was "comin' on down" at the Price is Right. Perhaps he needs to spread a little bit of that joy to the cashier lady and the front desk officer. Then, just maybe, I wouldn't dread going there every 4 years.

30: The Age of Refinement

Happy birthday to me! My age officially starts with the number 3 as of today. It's really pretty hard to believe. I think most would agree, that I certainly don't look...oops, I mean, feel 30. Wasn't I just leaving my dorm room headed to class? Or picking out my wedding dress or something? Remember being 23 and thinking that 30 was old. Well, I have arrived. And with it has come some mixed emotions. Depending on the day you ask me, I'm either taking it really hard or doing really well. But I'm hoping to lean towards the latter. As my friend Emily and I agreed on the other day, 30 is just a perfect age for reflection and refinement. Pinkies up! So many things have happened in the last 10 years - I've been busy. And with all of those things comes the natural tendency to forget, or at least put on the back burner, all of the things I love to do. Instead of lamenting about how that happened, I'm challenging myself to do something about it.

First up, buy a camera. For anyone who has known me in the last 10 years, buying a camera has been on my to-do list. But it just seems that other things came up that needed to be paid for, and having a camera (at least the big expensive kind like I want) just wasn't practical. Well, I'm on my way. I might not have that envelope completely filled yet, but it's close. I've allowed myself to actually research the kind I want. And honestly, I don't even care if no one but me like the photographs I take. I just simply love photography.

Second up, take some classes. Since I started at Hearts at Home, I've been feeling more and more like I've let my skills slip. I keep seeing these people come in (interns, mostly) who know all of the stuff I used to know, but have forgotten out of sheer lack of use. So two weeks ago I started an InDesign class. And next week I've got an Intermediate Photoshop class. I'm loving it!

And last, writing. I really do love to write. I just never sit down to do it. That was the intention of this blog, but I've really been bad about staying on here. I come up with great ideas at about 10:30 at night and then they never come to fruition.

So here's to refinement - the kind that comes after you turn a big scary number and people start calling you "ma'am". Bring it on!

In other news, I had the most FABULOUS birthday celebration on Saturday. Gabe had been secretly planning a "Girls Day Out" for me with the help of some friends. It really was one of the best days I've ever had. Great friends, great food (seriously, better than I could have imagined), great conversation, and one great bracelet!

The girls: Jenny, Jen, Amie, Ruthie, me, and Sara (April met us later)

Kelly's for lunch where I had the most delectable salmon caesar salad and iced chai!

On to a dessert cooking class at The Garlic Press! Scones and chess pie. Yum!

After class we headed to a bead place, where after many hours and quite the drama later, I'm the only one who got my bracelet. But isn't it fabulous - I can't wait to wear it - if they ever call me to pick it up. :)

Greeted at home for dinner by this handsome waiter.

Our fully prepared gourmet meal awaits! 3 appetizers - shrimp cocktail, bruschetta and marinated cheese; Salad - spring mix with cucumbers and pomegranate seeds; Main course - herb crusted pork loin, garlic mashed potatoes, vegetable medley; dessert - butter cake with berries creme brule. I can't believe I forgot to take a picture before I devoured it!

Jen, Jenny and Sara

Ruthie, April and Amie

Compliments to Chef Chad who prepared everything. It was the most glorious meal I could have imagined. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

There's that cute waiter again. Thank you, honey, it was fantastic!

One last pic before the night ended - compliments to the party planner, Jen!

Michigan 2010

We were lucky enough to go on vacation with Gabe's parents again this year. We decided to head up to Michigan to find some fun. And we did! Here are some pics from the vaca:

The Bubble Man - courtesy of the Kalamazoo Public Library. Want to know how to make a perfect bubble: 10 cups water, 2 cups Dawn, 1/2 cup glycerin. You'd be amazed.
The Bubble Man was good - but it was naptime. Grandpa had to carry a tired little boy back to the car.

The next day we went to Battle Creek for a Frisbie Dog Show. It was sort of a bust. Too much talking, not enough dogs jumping. Caleb found a pinecone he was much more interested in.

Since the dog show was a bust, we decided we needed to hit Binder Park Zoo. Here we are on the tram to Africa.
The best part of the zoo was getting to pet and feed the giraffes. They come right up to you.

No, we do not know this girl...but check out the tongue! It looks like they were posing together for the photo.

Family shot!

Perhaps my favorite pic of the entire vacation. Isn't it beautiful?

Caleb caught his first fish on vacation. Grandpa said it was the biggest blue-gill they had caught that night. Doesn't he look so proud? If you ask him, he'll tell you "it was this big" with his arms as wide as possible. A true fisherman at heart.

On decidedly the hottest day of our trip we went on a 1-mile surrey ride in Portage. I wish I was two so I could ride in the basket on the front!

The following day we left Three Rivers and headed to Lansing. After a date night for Gabe and I which included jazz at a local cafe, a walk on MSU's campus and a movie, we got up the next morning and headed to their Discovery Musuem. This is a pic of Caleb inside a bubble.

That night we did glow-in-the-dark mini-golf. It was hit! I won the first 9!

Our last day was a Sunday, so we visited a couple local churches (morning and evening - some lively....some not). Grilled out at the hotel and played some basketball.

It was a great vacation! We headed back to IL on Monday. Thanks to Tom and Marilyn for making it such a great trip. We had a wonderful time and have a ton of memories (and pictures)!

We're about to embark....

...on a potty-training adventure. I gotta say, I'm both excited and terrified at the prospect of teaching my 2 year old how to use the potty. Diapers are safe. Diapers are easy. Accidents are messy. Talking about pee-pee and poopy all day is starting to wear me down.

But I suppose we've got to do it. Gabe and I agreed that we'd try and if it was a no-go, we'd put it on hold for about a month and try again. I've talked to about every friend I know who has done it, posted for suggestions on FB and have even skimmed a few books at Borders trying to find the right way to do this. But I know, there is no right way.

For now, here has been our technique. According to many books, you should get a doll that pees, takes a bottle and wears underwear. Well, the Myers have their own way of doing things sometimes....did you know that Curious George is really interested in using the potty right now too?

Yes, that's right. We've taught Curious George how to use the potty. He can pee, he can poop (little chocolate covered raisins) and he reaps all of the rewards. He even got to wear his big-boy underwear. How exciting!

And while this has piqued Caleb's interest and has caused more visits to the potty, we're still wearing diapers. We've told him that he gets one piece of candy for going pee-pee and he gets a CARS sticker for going poopy. He gets two pieces of candy if he goes pee and his diaper is dry when we get there. Both are things he LOVES and it seems to be working. He's done both on the potty, but for the life of us, we can't get him to tell us when he needs to go. That seems to be our roadblock. Sitting on the potty doesn't freak him out, I just think he gets too busy and distracted to tell us what's happening. But if we ask him too often, he gets frustrated. Ugh! I'm leaning on the fact that I know he won't go to kindergarten wearing pull-ups (or so I hope!!!)

Daddy

I'm a little early to make this a Father's Day tribute, but we've enjoyed having Gabe home a lot more. And today marks the end of the school year. We're all thrilled about that! With all of that said, Caleb has had a lot of daddy time lately and has been loving every minute.

Okay, I just threw this one in there for all my Cardinal fans out there! Gotta love the hat....Daddy doesn't....but I do!

Rett Syndrome Strollathon

Thanks to everyone who either donated, attended or did both this past weekend at the 3rd Annual IRSF Strollathon in St. Louis! It was a great day! We raised a ton of money for research, had one of the biggest crowds yet and had a wonderfully beautiful day to walk around Tilles Park.

Go TEAM SOPHIE!

Sophie knows we're there to have a great day in her honor!

Thankfully Aunt Amy brought the wagon for the boys to ride in!

The wagon also provided adequate shelter from this guy....Fredbird...there was fear in my child's eyes, trembling and crying. He is not a fan of mascots.

All of the girls and their families

Easter Updates

My mom reminded me that I haven't posted anything in awhile. So here it is in picture review:

Gabe comes in and says "hey, you want to see our son's first kill?" Something only a daddy would say (and so proudly). Yes, apparently this very large yellow jacket was causing Caleb some distress so he just killed it. He's braver than me. I probably would have been running around the neighborhood like a lunatic trying to get it away from me.

The kiddos on Palm Sunday. Aren't they cuties?

Boy, don't they just look like they're going to get in trouble together.

All dressed up for Easter. Now, where else can he wear that so it will be worth the money spent?

Caleb and Gracie having a playdate. Those cabinets are the best for hiding!