So yes, New York was awesome. 

The Phantom was amazing!!!!!!!!!!! Like, so, SO good. I was/am IN LOVE with it, and the actors.

We had breakfast at Norma’s– $110 worth. *gasp* I know. But it was aMAYzing, and so worth it. We didn’t eat the rest of the day, which also helped.

We went on a carriage ride in Central Park, and walked to Times Square and down Broadway. I can’t believe I’ve lived only 2 hours from NYC my whole life and have never really done NYC before. I mean… what gives??? I totally HAVE to go back again sometime, maybe in a year or two, and do/see/experience MORE. It was addicting! All the people, the sights, the sounds, smells, etc. etc. I am such a country girl. I felt like I was gawking the whole trip. And I talked to to three different cops who were all VERY nice and accomodating, which was nice. I really had such a blast…. I wish I could go back again every weekend.

But then I came back to three very cute kids and a sweet husband and a house in the woods with a waterfall out back and the sun in the trees, and a mountain that is a real mountain behind us and…. yep, I’m happy here too. As amazing and experiential as NYC was, I’m glad I don’t live there. I’m happy just pretending to be a city-girl every once in awhile.

Oh yes I am!! In about 15 minutes I’m leaving to meet up with my sister and mom in New York City. Never mind that I’ll be back in about 22 hours, I am so excited to be going!!! This will be the first night I’ve spent away from my kids in… almost 2 years! We are going to dinner tonight, and then to see The Phantom of the Opera.

As is my norm lately, I haven’t written in awhile, and yet I have nothing striking or unusual to report.

Will is asleep. He’s really past napping now, unless he’s really really tired from late nights/ early mornings or fighting a cold. All of which he is, so he’s sacked out in my bed, sound asleep. Tristan’s up from his nap, partly watching a bible songs video and partly pushing his bike around the living room. Hallie went to a friend’s house, alone, for the first time ever. I was actually really shocked she went! She is our family girl, who never, ever goes anywhere (including the church nursery) without a parent along. She was super excited to go, though, so…. maybe she’s finally breaking out of her shell.

My dad is due to come home from rehab on Monday the 30th. My mom is trying to get him home on Friday the 27th, because Dan’s whole family is showing up on Saturday. He is getting really adept at getting around in his wheelchair, and is working hard in therapy. We are all very proud of him and how well he doing. He has kept a superb attitude throughout this whole ordeal. Sometimes late at night (when I am tired and more emotional anyway) this whole thing just hits me really hard. Earlier today, though, I was reminded of a family I’m friends with, who lost their 5-yr.-old daughter recently. And also, a close friend from highschool, whose mom died of cancer and never got to see her wedding. How much would these folks give to have their loved ones back– even in a wheelchair? I’m sure a lot. I need to be thankful– our situation could be really, so much worse.

Tristan has diverted to playing with Play-Doh… and is dropping it in chunks all over the floor. *sigh* When Will gets up, I’m going to take the boys for a bike ride. It’s beautiful out, even if it’s not the amazingly hot  swimming weather we had last week. The mountain laurel is blooming all over the place here, and it is so beautiful. I am so glad we live in the mountains.

Last Wednesday my dad went into the hospital with extreme back pain. Thursday he had emergency surgery for a shattered vertebrae– a large piece of which had been pressing against his spinal cord, rendering him completely paralyzed from the waist down. Going into surgery, things looked very grim. The surgeons said that there was a 1-2% chance he would walk again.

Yesterday, five days after surgery, the surgeon told my mom that he thinks that dad will walk again. He is able to move both legs slightly, has regained bowel function, and has touch sensation in almost every area of his legs. His strength is returning more every day, and his spirits are high. He will be discharged today to rehab, either Allied (in Scranton, about 30 min. away) or McGee in Philly (2 hrs. away). We are hoping he’ll be able to stay closer, but of course want him to go where the rehab will be the absolute best possible. His rehab will be intense, off and on for pretty much 8 hours a day. The surgeon said to expect full recovery to take up to a year, so we are all adjusting to our new “normal”.

We take turns going down to visit, sitting with him, talking, watching movies, bringing food, typing emails as he dictates. Emily, Anna and I have taken on the 5 younger ones… I’ve hosted and coordinated multiple sleepovers and cookouts and playdates. I also was able to get a list of people who were willing to bring dinners, and so have meals taken care of for the next week +! (Thanks, everyone!!!) Mom is spending most early mornings and evenings with dad, and the rest of us (and lots of other people) fill in the days. But it’s good– we’re all super busy and running here and there, but dad is getting better, so it’s all worth it.

Coming home from my parents’ tonight, a big porcupine crossed the road ahead of us. I pointed it out to the kids, and after admiring it, Will stated: “Mommy, we better never touch porcupines, alligators, sharks, poisonous frogs, or poison ivy, because all those things are very very poisonous!!!”

YES, I realize it’s been awhile. Getting photos on here is just not as easy as putting them on facebook. So.. anyway, here you go! Enjoy.

Hallie’s 3rd birthday party. Very pink!
   

Daddy and Mr. T going quading, which is one of
Trister’s absolute FAVORITE things to do. EVER.

Hallie in pink. Shocking, I know.

Will (in his very-cool brand-new Bobcats soccer hoodie [that he wore
for like a week straight]) and Hallie playing on Gary’s tractors at the garage.

TRISTAN LIKES TO:

pick his nose

stomp in puddles

get bored with stomping in puddles and trek off

come back looking very put out that I am following him

Tristan is certainly ALL BOY. He would absolutely love to spend
every waking moment outside, in puddles, waving sticks,
stomping on slugs and squishing caterpillars. I have had to pry several
gypsy moth caterpillars out of his fat little hands already! Yuck! Of
corse he just laughs and runs off to find something else to get in to.

I think summer is finally here! We’ve been swimming in the lake twice already, and we had kabobs and corn on the grill last night.  YUM.

My life is getting so busy, between all the house decisions, working for my dad, and of course, my life here at home.

Will is going to be going to an outdoor kids’ camp for a week in June, and he is VERY excited. I also signed him up for soccer in the fall. He runs sprints around the house, “practicing” to be the fastest runner on his team.

Dan’s entire family is coming up to visit over July 4th. I CANNOT WAIIIIIT!!!! It is going to be such a FUN week. I can’t wait to spend time with everyone and have all the cousins (10 age 6 & under) play and make more memories together.

Yay for summer!