Christmas Cards

Christmas cards are finding their way to our mailbox, so thank you. 

Christmas 2013 was the last Christmas that we had our Colin physically here with us.  It was also the last time I sent out holiday cards.  I enjoyed the whole process of holiday cards.  Making my list, joining a card exchange with SMA families, picking out cards, thinking up how to dress and pose the boys, and trying to get a decent photo :), writing out the cards and envelopes and even putting the stamps on each envelope. 

But without Collie, it's too hard.  I can't imagine doing all the above and not having Colin included in our picture.  I just can't. 

So you won't be getting a card from us this year (or in the previous 3 years)  Thank you for all of those that continue to send us cards without us reciprocating.  I know some of you have asked, especially our first year without Collie, if we wanted to get a card from them--most likely with a picture of their family.  I said "yes."  It was hard to see the cards come in that first year but I still cherished each one. 

It's that time of year again....Christmas Bazaar time!

I've gotta give Gene credit here.  Every year we make the rounds of several Christmas Bazaars.  Gene is usually one of the only guys at these--besides the priests, ha ha.  Usually they are held the first day of deer season but this year they were a week early.  Anyway, he has to give up most of his day to drive us around, get the boys in and out of the van, and traipse around crowded church halls looking at Christmas things and mostly girly stuff--and he doesn't complain.  So, thank you, dear.  I really look forward to our tradition each year.

We headed out later than normal since we had the boys last night.  Casey was a PERFECT sleeper.  He didn't ask to be flipped once.  And, he didn't complain or even notice whenever I got in and out of bed and smooshed his feet :)   Colin, on the other hand, was a rotten sleeper.  He was restless and then the Trilogy started beeping for 'disconnect.'  He was using the Mirage FX mask and sometimes the side cave in and it leaks.  After a bunch of times getting up and fixing the mask, I finally swapped it out with the Wisp and he slept better.

I went up to bed for an hour or so this morning after getting up early, letting the dog out, feeding the dog, feeding the cats, giving the boys morning meds and starting the dishwasher...I try not to wake up too much while I do all that so I can fall asleep pretty quickly and it works :)

Nancy H came at 9:00.  Let the boys have a morning movie--Elf.  Then it was time to get the boys up and washed and dressed and in their chairs.  Aunt Chris came here to ride with us.  And we headed out.  Gas, ATM and finally we were ready for the bazaars.

We hit the Holy Family bazaar at the rec center first.  Maybe next year the new hall will finally be finished...Found a couple of books for the boys.  Colin picked out some sort of angel for me but I won't know which one until Christmas!  I found a pretty Christmas wreath pin for 50 cents.  Got some raffle tickets, some baked goodies and we were off to the next one.  Oh, Casey was very cooperative and did not 'yell' so that was a bonus.

Next we went to the Congregational Church.  Judy, Aunt Chris's friend was working the door so it was nice to be greeted by someone we know.  They have the nicest people at this church--everyone is so nice and accommodating.  I think the building used to be a house and it is very cool, unless you're in a wheel chair or can't use the stairs.  Lots of different levels and little rooms everywhere.  We were able to fit one boy and two of us on the first elevator.  The second one was a little trickier as it's very tiny.  Gene got Casey in and sent him down by himself--don't worry--it's kind of an open elevator and there are only about 5 stairs right next to the elevator.  He thought it was cool.  We didn't think we could get Colin on it since his chair is so long so we left Gene with Colin while we checked out some of the other rooms of crafts and food.  After a little while we see Colin and Gene laughing and snickering because he got him in the elevator!  Colin loved it--he was very excited that he got to go in it by himself and that he had to sit WAY up--like he never does.  Found a couple of goodies.  Got a gift for Aunt Julia.  Colin loved the ride up the elevator again.  I wish I had my camera with me.  We NEVER sit him up like that and boy, does he look big!!

Then we went to Saint James.  We didn't bring the boys in.  Two was enough for them (although Colin really would have liked to go but he was in front of Casey in the van).  Alaina wasn't there this year with her mosaic cards but it was a nice time anyway.  They have the best raffle baskets there.  We've won one or two before and hope we're lucky again this year.  We were there pretty late so we were able to snag some cookies for 25 cents each, yum!

Headed home after that.  Tuckered out.   Crazy because we only went to three bazaars  but it's a lot of work and stress with the boys--physically having to get them in and out, pushing them up ramps, over thresholds and trying to avoid running into people and things.  Mentally worrying about sick people, worrying that the boys would be stared at, etc.  But that's part of daily life living with SMA.

Chilled out for the rest of the afternoon.  Google mapping, football on the ipad, scary shows and X-Factor.  

Holiday Bazaars...we went, we conquered and we're pooped!

How is it that we were only out for 3 hours and we come home and we are totally pooped and my house is trashed?  I love going out with the boys but it is a lot of work and it is stressful.  Stressful because we worry that they will be safe, that we have all the equipment that we need, that we have their food, that Casey will not 'yell', that Colin will hate it and just keep saying, "out, out, out."  We worry about pushing the boys through the crowds.  We worry about germs.  We worry about steps and elevators.  We worry about people staring at the boys...the list goes on.  Why do we still go out?  Because we want to do normal things with the boys.  We want to do normal things ourselves.  We want people to see the boys and learn not to be afraid or freaked out by their equipment and wheelchairs.  We just want to be a family.

And, going to the holiday bazaars is a tradition.  It's changed some over years.  Some churches don't hold them anymore, some have changed locations.   But we always hit at least 3.  This year we brought the boys into two and Nancy H and I went into the 3rd one ourselves.  It really is not an easy feat getting the boys in and out of the van and doing it 6 times was enough this year.  They didn't mind hanging in the van with Dad at the last one.  I think they enjoy seeing the crafts and the people but I'm sure they (especially Colin) worry about people bumping into them and us having to push them through the crowd without their being able to protect themselves from flailing arms and distracted shoppers is probably leaves them feeling anxious.  

So we left at about 10:30 or so.  Hit St. James first.  Saw Alaina and Jennifer (Alaina's Mosaics) and chatted with them.  Saw Heather and Connor and a few other friends.  One woman was giving out a little stocking with candy to the kids that came through.  When she knew that the boys couldn't have candy, she gave us the little angel ornaments that we were looking at for Aunt Chris.  So, Casey didn't have to spend any money to get his gift for AC, lol.  They had some beautiful raffle baskets and I had fun deciding which baskets to go for.  I hope I get a phone call from them later!  Last year I won a dog themed basked which was exciting.

Then we headed over Grandma O's and picked her up.  I convinced her that she should go to at least one with us.  Headed over to the Rec Department where Holy Family now holds their bazaars since the parish hall burned down.  What are the chances that we'd find a Scooby Doo book and two whale books that we don't already have????  The boys were happy with that.  Colin picked out something for AC for Christmas which I won't describe since she will probably be reading this.  Bought some yummy looking bar cookies and some trail mix.  Put in for some raffles there, too.  Then we dropped Grandma off at home.  One was enough for her :)

Headed to the Congregational Church.  The parking lot was PACKED and the boys were pretty much done so Gene stayed in the van with the boys while Nancy and I went in.   I'll tell ya.  All of the places we went had very nice people but this church really has the nicest.  Everyone was so courteous and happy and gracious and they had a lot of people showing you where things were, etc.  It's an old building with lots of different rooms and levels so things are kind of spread out.  I remember last year the boys went in and we had to use a little elevator.  Anyway, we found some more yummy treats.  I found something for Julia for her birthday.  I bought a Christmas book by a Vermont author...hmm, I think there were a couple of more things.

Headed home after that.

Casey stayed in his chair and watched some college football for bit and Colin got in his spot in the living room.

We're all snuggled in here now, including Jaxon who is half on my lap.  Gene has the wood stove on.  I'm waiting for a call from one of the churches to let me know that I won something!  We'll see!

Last day before school starts!

The boys want to get lots of computer and wii in today since school resumes tomorrow. Goal for the day is to teach Nana H how to play wii!

...........................

Whew. It seems like all I did was go, go, go today and nothing is completely done. I hate that!

Casey had a little bit of a restless night as the night nurse kept fiddling with him to try to get his respirations down. I finally said to give him some Tylenol and when she told him, he immediately went down to 15! She's not here that often so I sleep on the couch in the living room so that I'm available. She only woke me that one time but I felt like I didn't sleep much. I didn't even take a nap today so I deserve to go to bed early (if you're reading this, dear).

I broke Nancy in with wii bowling. She finally got the hang of it and almost beat me! I think if we start slowly, she'll eventually be able to play the more complicated games.

Then we finally tried Casey's Oceans game. It's really cool and intricate. There's a lot to explore and learn. I think that Casey should get to use it for some credit in science! The funniest thing is that we got GENE to play. He did it for quite a while and he caught on quickly.

Casey's favorite part of the day was watching the Patriot's. He also liked watching the sports talk station.

Colin's favorite part of the day was playing wii baseball with me. He liked it because I kept yelling at my fielders.

Gene's favorite part of the day was probably sleeping in, or eating Julie's oyster stew or his homemade turkey soup.

One of my resolutions is to get outside for at least a few minutes a day (I flunked Day 1). I spent a few minutes cleaning out my car (found some weird stuff in it from when Peggy used it while she was here) and wiped the dash and shook out the floor mats. Then I took out some of the junk that has accumulated in the van and wiped that down a bit. Thrilling, I know!\

Worked my butt off boxing up Christmas books, CDs, odds and ends and there's still more. Sigh.