I am spending eight hours on the road today going to a consult with a hand surgeon in Raleigh with a detour through Greenville to pick up x-rays. On the road (yet) again . . .
I have quite a few Florida pictures/stories to share, so let’s get started. (And if you haven’t yet read them, there are a couple of earlier posts about the trip here and here.)
Noah and Madi decided they needed to take Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Sarah out to the front yard and show them how fast they could run. Madi went first, dazzling us all with her petite-esque speed. Noah was next in line and he was a veritable blur as he zipped along. When they were both done with their demonstration, Madi came over, took my hand and said, “Gwama, will you run, too?”
Now if you’ve been reading here for any time at all, you’ve pretty much ascertained that athleticism is not one of my primary gifts. And my first impulse was to say no.
But suddenly it hit me. Why not run? I’ve lost sixteen pounds. I’m feeling better. I’m feeling stronger. Why not, indeed?
And so to everyone’s complete astonishment, I took off around the yard, with Madi right behind me. We ran and giggled and had such a good time that we decided to go around a second time.
When we finally finished our display of dazzling speed my kids said, “We’re not gonna lie, Mom. We didn’t think there was any way you were going to run with Madi when she asked you.”
It was fun to run. But it was even more fun to be able to surprise my family with my rare foray into semi-athleticism.
I had to laugh when I went in to Noah and Madi’s bedroom one afternoon (they were sharing a room while we were there) and they were jumping on their air mattresses. I said, “I think your mommy said you weren’t supposed to jump on those.” Madi replied, “I wasn’t jumping. I was hopping.”
I laughed out loud because many years ago, when her dad was about the same age, I told him to stop running in church. He said, “I wasn’t running. I was dashing.”
The apple doesn’t fall far.
Steve bought a few fireworks for the kids. I love watching fireworks with children because they are so amazed by every little thing. We adults can get a bit blase’, but not kids. There is always the shimmer of wonder in their eyes.
Something else we did while in Florida was to visit the ICE! exhibit.
It was pretty strange to be in Orlando and be donning parkas. But hey. Nine degree temps was all the convincing we needed. I made a point of reminding the kids that I was growing up in Wisconsin, I had waited for the school bus in colder temperatures than that. They were all suitably impressed.
We got to see an amazing display of creativity and artistry where life-sized sculptures were hand-carved out of two million pounds of ice. This year’s presentation was based on the classic movie, “The Christmas Story.”
After going through all the colorful displays with their accompanying jaunty, Christmas music, we turned a corner and were unexpectedly treated to a magnificent sight: the nativity scene carved out of crystal clear ice complete with angels and wise men and animals.
To go from Jingle Bell Rock and bright, loud colors in one moment to the orchestral strains of “Fall on your knees” and dramatic black and white grandeur in the next brought tears to my eyes.
I’ll close with you a few miscellaneous photos from the trip.
I so love this wonderful little mama; I definitely hit the daughter-in-law jackpot. The fact that she makes such cute babies is a lovely side benefit.
I took this photo because I liked the happy chaos at my feet as I sat on the couch watching Noah and Grayson.
We three ladies went out for lunch one afternoon; it’s always a treat to spend time with some of my favorite people.
I also grabbed lunch with Sheri (Meagan’s mom), which I always love to do. You might enjoy her blog post about all the crazy things that happened to her before and after our lunch; it’s called, “The Pooping Pup and Other Afflictions.” A definite must read!
Is there anything sweeter than a sleeping baby in his daddy’s strong arms? So proud of Nathan and the great dad he is.
Since we’ve gotten home, life has pretty much settled back to normal . . . if there is such a thing.
Sarah left to go back to college Saturday after a month at home. On January 10th, she also celebrated her seventeenth transplant anniversary.
Hard to believe my little girl is grown up and will be graduating from college in four months. So much strength-forged-in-the-fire to be found in that face.
There are so many blessings to count as this new year begins. And as always, my Smithellaneous family is high on that blessing list.
What about you? Who is one person you are especially thankful for right now and why?
My grandmother, Louise Wilkins. She taught me that even though you may not agree politically, and you may actually end up in fierce arguments about said political disagreements, that you can like each other so much you love the other more fiercely than you could ever imagine.
And JaNiel Parker, one of my best friends. She has taught me goodness, and kindness, and she is an example of what it means to move in the world with a true servant’s heart.
Brooke,
Louise and JaNiel.
They sound like two amazing women who know what’s what and who know what’s important in this world of ours. You are blessed to have them teach you lessons and you are wise to have learned their lessons well.
I must say that the first picture of Madison with the sparkler looks a lot like Sarah (a younger version.) Before I read the story, I thought what a cute picture of Sarah. But, I was wrong.
I’m so glad you were able to have time with your family. Making memories are the best.
Happy New Year!
Krista,
You’re right–they DO look a lot alike.
Here’s hoping you make many great memories with your son in 2019.
It just came into my head to give it a try lol
Lesley,
Well, good for you! Glad you gave it a whirl. 🙂
Your pictures are beautiful, especially the ice nativity scene. Congratulations on being able to run with Madi!
I am thankful for my OWGs – Old Wise Gals. There are four in my group – three of us took advantage of the early retirement program and the fourth is 55. She lives in Springfield but usually comes to the Overland Park office of our company which is 1/2 mile from my house. We usually get together for dinner while she is in town. Sometimes we bring food to my house so we don’t have to worry about tying up a table at a restaurant.
Tonight, I’m thankful that I’m sitting in a hotel in Atlantic Beach – Jacksonville area. I left 9+ inches of snow behind in Overland Park on Sunday and the high this coming Sunday there is only supposed to be 13 with more snow predicted Friday and Saturday.
I loved Sheri’s two blog posts – the second one was hysterical!
Phyllis,
You are so blessed to have three long term friends that you get to see fairly frequently. That is something that many people wish they had. And I agree with you completely about eating at home rather than in a restaurant. That way you aren’t interrupted by servers and it’s much quieter and easier to have real conversations.
Enjoy your warm weather!
I hope the visit with the surgeon was helpful in clarifying what the best route will be for you hand. As always, your grandbabies are adorable. I just love when my grandaughter does something that is exactly my son at that age. Right now it’s stuttering. Genetics, indeed 🙂
I tried running the other day, just to see how went. Not terrible, ha!
Amazing ice scupltures, really outstanding.
I’m thankful that you continue to blog and share your family with us all, I look forward to every post and every photo. So thank you!!
Lesley,
I am curious whether you tried running as a result of the blog post or you just got it in your head to go run one day. 🙂
I’ll write about surgeon visit in the next post.
Thanks for your encouraging words about my blog. It’s great to know something that is meaningful to me is meaningful to my readers, as well.
Beautiful pictures.
I am curious did Sarah had blonde hair like Madison has when they were the same age? I seem to recall that chemo changed Sarahs hair
Katrina,
Yes, Sarah and Nathan were both blonde as children, although Nathan was a little more platinum than Sarah was. Her hair went several shades darker after chemo.
I hope you were able to discern a pathway to take with your hand after visiting with your doctor today. As always, your pictures are precious! Yay for you running with Madi!! I think we would do almost anything to be rewarded with toddler giggles.
Sue Ellen,
Toddler giggles are truly fabulous. They need to be bottled!
I’ll post on the surgeon visit soon; nothing too terribly earth shaking from the visit. 🙂
We go to Ice every year, have gone for the past five or six years at least, it’s always beautiful, especially at the end! Gaylord is a gorgeous resort, hopefully you got to check out the atrium with the giant tree in it. We always stay for a weekend and make sure we get a room with an atrium view!
Melissa,
Meagan has seen the atrium with the tree and loves it. Unfortunately, since we had 3 little ones and it was getting late, we just did the ice show and left.
It’s an amazing display; I can’t imagine the planning, time, talent and work that goes into putting those together.
Becky I’m thankful for the people in my life. Including you—you’ve brightened my life with your blog for many years now as well as your encouraging comments on my blog and on Facebook. Thank you!!!
Jenna,
Isn’t it wonderful that we can all make such a difference in each others’ lives just through the use of a simple thing like words? Your writing has challenged, inspired and encouraged me as well.
Oh, and by the way, congrats on the weight loss!
Thanks, Nicole! It’s been a challenge but I am excited to have made this much progress. Definitely feel better.
The ice sculpture is amazing! I can’t think of one person right now. I would have to say my husband and daughter. She is 28 and still lives at home which is fine with all of us. We are a close knit family and love doing things together.
Nicole,
What a blessing to have an adult daughter to spend time with–and someone who WANTS to spend time with you and your husband. Such a treasure in that relationship.
The Nativity took my breath away! I’m grateful for my grandson who makes each day amazing no matter how unamazing it’s been.
Guerrina,
I glad right along with you that you have a grandson to brighten your days. One look at their little and all your troubles fly away.
Grandkids are such a blessing. The other day I almost fell which caused me to take a few fast steps..My son came to pick up my grandson and he told his dad, “I saw Baba run”.. He knows I can’t get on the floor so we play games and draw/color at the table. I thought it was so cute. He was amazed!!
I was blessed so much by the ice sculptures…what a wonderful surprise to see the true meaning of Christmas at the end.
Virginia,
That is so funny that he thought your two few fast steps were running. I’m sure he was very impressed by your unexpected spurt of speed. 🙂
So thankful for many Pink Sisters who have been such an inspiration to me the past year and a half. God is so good to me and grateful for the breast cancer team at Duke who have been working with me finding the right treatment. So enjoyed your post and pictures and Sherry’s, too. Prayers as I have a PET scan January 22. Claiming NEGATIVE results. Prayers for you as you decide what to do regarding surgery. Safe travels. Hugs and blessings.
Ann,
Yes, those Pink Sisters are really great, aren’t they? So nice to have friendships with women who truly know what’s it like to go through breast cancer.
I’m thankful right along with you for your cancer team at Duke. You and Sarah are both huge Duke fans–on the medical front, at least!
Ahhhhh….that nativity ice display would have brought tears to my eyes too. I can’t imagine the beauty of seeing it in person. I would love to see the entire ICE! show. The Christmas Story is our all time favorite Christmas movie; we have a full size leg lamp (for the front window, of course!), a smaller one for the bar as well as a leg lamp puzzle that we put together and then preserved and mounted so we could hang it up. 😀 Oh, and the leg lamp tree ornament too. LOL
What a beautiful family and beyond adorable grandchildren!! 🙂
I am especially thankful for my parents. (Mom died in 1996 but dad is still alive) They have both taught me so many things in my lifetime that I appreciate beyond words. My dad continues to amaze me with his wisdom, compassion for others and his love for his family and friends. What a fabulous example he is to my children and grandchildren!
Wondering about the need to consult with a hand surgeon. Will be interested to hear about that. Safe travels!!
LeeAnne,
Wow, you guys are true Christmas Story fans! There was a large gift store and there were all SORTS of leg lamp gifts. You would have LOVED it. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen the movie and Sarah has never seen it. We definitely need to watch it again. I’m sure the display would have been extra amazing if we would have had more “movie history” to put it all into context.
I love hearing about senior citizens like your dad who are “finishing well.” It sounds like a he hasn’t just TOLD his family how to live; he has faithfully modeled it in front of you all. We need more good example like him.