Nurse Austin

Yesterday was the last day of school before Christmas break.  I woke up and did not quite feel myself.  I decided that I would go to work, it was only a half day--I would do my best to make it through.  I did end up leaving about 1 hour early.  My stomach was bothering me.  I was cold.  I hurt in general.  UGH!!

Mike came home a little while later and said, "I do not feel good!"  He actually had many of the same symptoms I had. 

We both felt like trains had hit us!

My first thought was, "if we are both sick, who is going to take care of the boys."  Then I remembered, "the boys are getting old enough that they can mostly take care of themselves.  THANK GOODNESS!"

As the evening went on Mike and I seemed to get worse.  There were several times that we had to call Austin up to help us with one thing or another.  When we called, Austin was very prompt about coming up to help us with whatever we needed him for.  Shortly before I went to bed, I told Austin that he would make a wonderful nurse, because he had done such a good job of taking care of Mike and myself.  He said, "no, because nurses don't get to lay down."  I wasn't sure where that was going, but he snuggled up to me, I think that was the most wonderful part of my evening!

I just cannot express enough how grateful I am that Austin was there to take care of us and his brother.  I guess he is growing up.  If he cares for his family one day, the way he cared for us, they are going to be pretty lucky!

The Cutest Waterman Singer...

...In my opinion, of course.

For the last 2 years Austin had been in Waterman Singers, and, of course, at that time he was the cutest. 

Now, Adam is following his brothers footsteps, and is in Waterman Singers.  I am privileged to  be the mother of the cutest Waterman Singer for a second time!

They had a concert in November.  (That is where we took this picture.  He had his hands in his pockets the entire time.   That is just a characteristic of Adam!!  I have to love that boy!!)  After they had sung several songs the children files off the stage in 2 directions, I thought they were headed back to the music room to collect their things.  The music teacher  stood on stage and was ready to direct.  I was a bit confused, because the children had gone off stage.  When the music started, the children started to sing.  Only then did I realize they had not left, they had gone to the perimeter of the room and sang a song about "letting the music surround you."  It was a lovely song, very beautiful, and very touching to know that my son was part of that moment.

Family Picture

It has been almost  1 1/2 years since we have had a family picture taken.  I was thinking it was about time to have another done.  Thanksgiving was a mild day, so we took advantage and had a quick snapshot done. 

I think this will passify me until we can have another taken by someone more professional than myself!

Pop-pop

Shortly before Thanksgiving, Mike's Grandfather, Pop-pop, had a health scare.  I decided that when we went to visit over Thanksgiving we were definitely going to get pictures.  I have always respected his pop-pop very much.  He gave the meditation at our wedding, and Adam has his name as a middle name (Henry).  As much as we love and respect pop-pop, I have to say it has been several years since I have had a picture of him. 

Pop-pop was doing well enough on Thanksgiving day to be able to have a meal us.  So, I took my camera and was ready to take some pictures.

I had to get one with my 2 boys.

Then I thought, I really need to get one of the 4 generations.  It's not too often that people can say they have 4 generations that are still living.  (L to R: Mike, Adam Pop-pop, Austin, Sandy (Mike's mother)).

 

I took the picture of the 4 generations and had to make one that was just of the 2 "Henrys".  It is definitely not the best picture.  However, I love what it stands for.  I have never regretted using Pop-pop's name, he is a wonderful man, and I hope that Adam will one day realize how special it is to have his name.

Violin

Adam has started taking violin after school, just as Austin did for the past 2 years.  I am really proud of the progress he is making.  The sounds are still "new player" sounds sometimes, but he is getting better. 

The other day, Adam was practicing and he could not get  this certain note right.  Austin went over and helped him figure out how it should be, since he knew the song.  I was so glad that Austin had taken violin for 2 years and was able to help.  I think Adam was glad too, since he had trouble figuring it out!

I hope Adam keeps up the violin!  I love the sound of that music in the house.

Laundry Detergent

Last Saturday, Adam was having a moment where he was not so happy. 

Several weeks prior, I had noticed on the computer that there was a way to make home made laundry detergent.  I thought at the time, one day I will try that. 

It just so happened that I had all the items needed to make it.  When he came to me and was having a hard time, I decided that, yes, that was the time we needed to make it.

It was truly amazing to me how quickly his mood turned around after he was able to do this with me.

He loved to grate the soap.  He is working so hard in this picture!!

His mood improved, and I got laundry detergent.  There is no down side here!!  As I type this, I wonder...Was it the fact that he could make the detergent, or did his mood improve from spending time with me?  I guess either way is good.  :)

Tidbits On Adam

Adam loves his cousin, Grace.  He plays so nicely with her and I really think she enjoys his company.  However, she is always reluctant to say his name.  For a long time I think she called him Austin, so that she would not have to say his name.  Recently, we have started pointing to pictures and asking her who is in the pictures.  She will name almost everyone, but when she gets to Adam's picture she will either cover her face and say, "noooooo" or she will look at us and say, "what." 

This evening we had supper together and that got to be the joke around the table that Adam's name was, "What."  At one point I asked, as a general opening to my story/question/statement, "Do you know what?"  Lana looked at me and said, "Yea, he's in the back the room." 

The interesting part is that we have told Grace that she can call Adam "Henry," as that is his middle name.  She will not do that, she looks at him or his picture and says, "What."
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Adam is a child that if there is an argument, he wants to state exactly who started it. (Just so you know, it's never him ;)

At supper this evening we were talking about Jacob and Esau.  As I was putting Adam to bed, he said, "I have a question about those fighting brothers in heaven."  Somehow, I knew what he was talking about.    I said, "Okay"  Adam looked and me and asked, "Who started it?"

Somehow, I think that is only a question Adam would come up with.