Happy Ending

Val found a turtle today. He called me earlier this afternoon to tell me he was bringing a turtle home. I was at the pool with Nora screaming her head off so I said, "uh ok" and hung up.

When we got home Val came straight out of the back yard with a smile on his face. He found the little beast in his office parking lot. With no nature in sight Val was thinking it was a gonner. So he grabbed a box and brought it home. At this point Drew and Nora were anxious to see this turtle and there he was in a box in the back yard. He or she was big! Val had some leaves in there and also some flour. Val's mom told him to feed the turtle flour and he did like it. Drew named the turtle Simon (also the name of Toby's baby in his belly).

We walked Simon across the road to the Quaker church's meditation garden. Picture me pushing Nora, holding onto old Kizzy's leash, Val with a big box and Drew running along(very excited). After surveying our spot we decided it wasn't the best place to leave Simon. The dog behind the fence, the bunnies everywhere, the man made water feature and the busy road all led us to this conclusion.

So Drew and Val and Simon piled in the minivan and headed to the duck pond at Ft ben state park. They let simon out about ten feet from the pond. He stood there for a while (as turtles do) and then made a break for the water! He bellied right in... swam around and then popped up his head as if to say, "ahhh paridise!"

Some little kid ran up to Val and indignantly said, "you are just going to let him go?!" Val didn't want to get into the whole captive wild animal thing, after all the kid was fishing.

But Drew sure was happy to see that turtle go. He acted the whole thing out for me, belly on the garage floor. ("he didn't jump in mom, he did this, watch...")

Val, you are my turtle saving hero...

Not so good times

When I first started this blog I intended it to be a good place to post pics of the kids so everyone could see them growing day to day. Of course, it became a little more than that. I have written a bit about being a mom and other topics that don't include the kids at all. Now I wish I would have been more specific on my subject because now I'm not quite sure what to include.

My point being that life is really different now. As all three of you who read this know, Pop has lymphoma. There, I wrote it. That is where my confusion lies. Should I keep blogging on with no mention of this obvious life changing event? Should I run home and spill out every little detail? Should I shut down this blog and start one that just posts kids pics? Or should I just be brave and record what is actually happening. Guess that is what I just did. He was diagnosed a few months ago and is going through rounds of chemo now. We are all holding our breath for september, when he has his last round and will go into remission. We are also looking forward to September because our little nephew will be born...pop chemo/emily prego.

So it has been a hell of a year. And the hits keep on coming. Now Kizzy is at the end of her life, she too has cancer, or at least that is the vets best guess. This has happened very quickly and we are in the struggle right now. Is she suffering? Is she ok? Should we end this life? Should we let it go on? God, its so much harder than I ever guessed it would be. All of it, this life right now. It's hard to tell people about cancer too, partly because it is so "en vogue", everyone knows someone...that makes it no easier. It doesn't change the fact that my dad has it.

But of course this is the reason I did not want to write about this on my blog. It is too much, this is the stuff that is meant for journals or late night talks. Not in a written, public, lasting forum.

But I wanted all three of you to know where I'm at right now. I'm not depressed, not crazy, just changing. Trying to navigate through this simple twist of fate.

and here come the mosquitoes....(somebody cue the violin)

Bathtime giggles

Nora is eighteen months, Drew is three going on four. Great ages!

Broad Ripple Art Fair

Mom and Pop are an art vendor's dream!

Drew in Wonderland


"whoa" Nora pulling yet another trick.

The boys enjoying some guitar in the kids tent.

Nora also loved the music.

Hey look, there's Willow!

Drew and Nora almost looking at the camera!

Aunt Emmy just left after spending a long weekend in Indy. We celebrated Pop's birthday by going to the Broadripple Art Fair and a fiesta back at Mom and Pop's. The plain white cake Drew picked out was a hit. We had a lovely day, the weather has been beautiful. May is when Indiana's weather shines (pun intended). Drew had a hard time saying goodbye to Aunt Emmy, he is already talking about skiing on the big mountain next winter. Look out.

The wild cardinals of Dearborn Street

The hungry chicks waiting for mama.


Last winter we kept up with feeding the birds and it has really paid off. All winter long we watched "Mr and Mrs Cardinal" feed outside our window. Mr's bright red feathers and Mrs's red crown and yellow beak were welcomed sights as the bare and white winter dragged on. And I got to keep a promise to Drew. I kept telling him that when spring arrived they would surely build a nest in our yard to lay baby cardinal eggs. And by golly they did.

I first noticed the nest when I saw Mrs (now Mama) dart into the bushes right on our back porch. I peeked in and sure enough she was sitting somewhat precariously on her eggs. Papa has proved to be loyal, trading shifts with her and coming back whenever she calls. She usually uses a high pitched peep to call him when we go out back. He comes flying in and tries to scare us with squawks from the crabapple tree.

After a few minutes they realize we are no threat and tend to the newly hatched chicks.
We check on them at least once a day and because we are out there so much I'm hopeful we will get to see their first flight.

Never thought I would be into birds but these co-habitating cardinals have captured our hearts!

To all the girls I've loved before...

Lily and Drew

Our good friends have moved. Shael, Lily, Tom and Cole packed it up and headed south to Greenville SC for a great job opportunity. This seems to be a recurring theme in my life. Meet a great friend, as soon as we become close, she moves. If it seems like I am feeling sorry for myself it is because I am. I'm trying to take the high road. Understand that there is a lesson in this but right now a pity party seems easier.

I will always have these wonderful friends, and for that I feel blessed. There, is that better?

Quote of the Day

Me: "Honey the plant is not a drum."
Drew (wielding drum sticks): "I know mom, it's a cymbal."