george

So this is George. Georgie. Curious George. George of the Jungle. George Frosty Ferguson is his actual name. Santa came a bit early this year & left us a tiny-tot-toy-rat-terrier.

Sam & George get along swimmingly; Sam is old enough to handle him with the perfect amount of fragility and fun.

Dad flew back late Friday night for the funeral; he is staying in Tarkio & came over Sunday to spend the day with the kiddos. It was wonderful to see him & fun for the kids to share George with Grandpa Curt.

Noah Baker & George have a great you chase me & I will chase you relationship. I can see that these two may get into some mischief...

Miss Madeline reading to George, going over their homework. She was actually singing one of her many daily songs about her brothers. :)

Santa

This morning we were pumped to see Santa...today! Izik was not so thrilled.

The time had finally come. We had filled our day with as much ice-cube painting as we could do in one day. We needed to go see Santa.

Madeline is just unsure what to think in general...

Hmmmm...

Madeline writing her secret Christmas list for Santa, on it she said, "A real pony".

Better luck next time~

This was my e-mail earlier today to my local MS Society chapter...

"This spring will be my second MS Walk here in Maryville.

I am eager to help out & most importantly I am anxious to support the Society's efforts with enthusiasm. Having participated in the past with K.C. walks I was disappointed with the lack of morale last year. Granted...it was snowing...but even more reason to give it our all! Though people on the street can not identify me as someone living with MS, it is impossible to separate this disease from my identity. For me, MS means an inability to decipher the slightest touch. Weakness in my right hand has changed all. MS is my wedding band slipping off because of my numb finger, and it's difficulty hooking my bra, using buttons and zippers. It was receiving a cane at 25 and needing Depends upon occasion at 30. I can identify and would love to volunteer my time; it's enthusiasm we need...and I've got it!"

I spoke with the new representative via phone for my local chapter regarding the upcoming (April is "upcoming" if you can believe that!) local Walk. He had called me. He asked if I had established my team yet & thanked me for participating last year, "those people with MS in your area really appreciate it" he stated. He thanked me for my offer to help, but assured me that there was a committee that has it all taken care of. I stated again, that I am happy to help with anything-doesn't need to be glamorous, it can be behind the scenes, I'm just happy to do so. Again me reassured me, at this point humbling me, that he will keep me in mind.

In that one quick very minor humbling moment I was reminded that I may not be the perfect fit for this occasion. And with that I'm glad that my first life reaction is, "What?! Not me? It can't be! But I'd be so great at that!" I much rather be surprised when I fail rather than expect life to always hand me lemons. Why never try? Why just assume that you won't 'get it' or that you 'can't'? Why just assume you aren't ready, qualified, capable, fearful of something new, fearful of rejection, just fearful. So thank you to all my Balcony People for helping instill that, "Of course I can do/try!" attitude.

So I will go on, and I will do my own community awareness and fundraising. And who knows, maybe they have all their ducks in a row & this walk will be amazing...regardless; I will be there and I will have a smile on my face & I will hand the MS volunteer the cow bell and show her the happy dance that she will need to do when I turn in my contribution form. This excitement was lacking last year. Maybe I will bring in my own happy dance background music.

night time cough...

Madeline came down with a nasty cough Wednesday night. So Thanksgiving was spent her & I starting our Christmas decorations & eating pancakes for lunch. The boys went over for the family Thanksgiving Feast & brought us home lots of delicious left-overs. Last night Madeline was having a really hard time breathing/coughing; so first Rob took her outside to sit on the swing while I was getting the boys ready for bed. We were hopeful that the cold air might help her breathing...

That seemed to help for a little while; but once she crawled into bed she was just miserable. Rob took a blanket, the humidifier, two small stools & the two of them were in a vaporizing tent.

She thought is was silly so it took her mind off of feeling miserable; meanwhile Rob was sweating buckets while having a great 'facial steam'.
It really helped quite a bit. I made Madeline some tea & while Sam was watching all the action from the top bunk he wanted to try some tea. I gave him a sip. In hindsight I so wish I had the camera to catch his facial expression during his sip of tea. Needless to say, I think it will be awhile before he will participate in tea-drinking.

The vapo-tent seemed to do the trick; she was starting to get very sleepy again...

4.5 years and a guitar later...

Today Madeline was strumming along, a song she had written herself, it had brothers in it, cookies & I think a "time-out" or two. The hat came first, and then as if it occurred to her that her outfit couldn't possibly be complete...came the guitar.
A picture of Mom around 2 years...

Santa's House arrived at Franklin Park...the boys are ready.

Peeking through the door...
Noah needed a boost...& he liked what he saw. He & Sam are pretty sure that they saw packages inside. Sam even thought he saw one that said, "805 Franklin Place"!
It's good to be mom of the Ferguson trio.

miss madeline

Madeline is playing with her very pink make-up & has her hair in rollers this morning. She just HAD to have her hair up like mommy today...Noah discovers the pink lip-gloss as well.It's mine noah baker!"This will not be pretty Noah!"Mommy: Madeline you need to share please...Fine, here you go Noah!"I'll share alright..."Just teasing! All this pink has gone to her head I think.
I love make-up & hair Fridays!
Is it ready? Madeline really wanted her hair in rollers & lipstick/blush today. Really. REALLY.
I love make up!Silly!

jd & November...

What a fantastic month November has been. Jackson Dean was a delight & the nation will be taking a turn...with high hopes for the better. It was interesting on the 4th sitting with Jackson on my lap, his parents praying for the right while I was praying for the left. Regardless; JD was perfect. JD is cute. Jackson Dean is the amazing combination of Matthew & Stephanie. When I saw my cousin during the trip I told him how I couldn't wait for him to experience a niece or nephew...it's almost like having one of your own again. Except this time around you are much more well rested & can give him back when he cries. But the love...same. I had no idea that a brother having babies could be so awesome. Indeed it is.

Notice anything familiar? Everyone's favorite, "Have a nice day". Brings memories of Grandpa picking me up from High School with a cold coke waiting in the passenger seat; to be quickly poured into the "Have a nice day" glass when we got home. I'm sure to the eldest three it brings back far more memories & much further into history than this 30-something can remember.

Here is the note that Matthew left on the counter after the hilarious (only if you weren't Matthew) breaking and entering "event" ...who knew they would go to a block party after all these years & on a Sunday night?!

No doubt to be re-told at family functions for years to come...

Leaving JD & back to my own munchkins...a picture from the air. It's good to be back.