UPDATE ON LAITH:

UPDATE TO POST BELOW: Laith's prayers have been answered. Although the full donation of $1.5mill has not been met, a Pittsburgh hospital has agreed to help the family by providing the use of a heart pump to keep him healthy until a new heart can be found. You can read the story here.

Our vacation has been going very well. We have had a few injuries along the way, mainly in the form of bumps and bruises but it's been great. The beach house is spectacular and so far I've enjoyed my afternoons quietly while Fin is asleep - while the boys go down to the beach.

We did have a scary experience yesterday, however. The Oregon coast is notorious for their sneaker waves; you have to be very careful. Without warning, Maysen took a run for the water, Nate had Fin, and I noticed just in time that it was one of those waves where it was going to travel a ways up the beach before receding. The wave caught Maysen, pulled him down and I got there in time to pull him out of the water before it's receding. I got him up and out, Nate was able to get him back to the sand. I unfortunately was caught in a 2nd wave right after pulling Maysen out and was drug down. I held onto the sand underneath until all of the wave had receded and was able to get out but I have had my share of water-close calls. 2 years ago while White Water Rafting on the Trinity river in California, I was thrown out of the boat and held under by a current under the river. Amazingly I'm not afraid, per se, of the water, rather I just have more respect for it's power.

We're heading home tomorrow where hopefully our new shed will be ready and waiting for us. We decided to have it built by some contractors vs Nate building it himself. In the end it was worth the money to have it done compared to the length of time it would take for Nate to complete it. More on that later! Hope you have enjoyed your weekend thus far...

for anyone who has a heart to help ...

Do you remember the movie John Q starring Denzel Washington whose son was going to die because his insurance wouldn't pay for a heart transplant?

Please read HERE about the living and breathing John Q, a baby boy named Laith. Without $1.5 million up front for a heart transplant, no hospital will touch this little boy and have prepared his family with the statement that essentially they just need to start deciding how he dies. All because of money. His family is desperately trying to raise this money to save their little baby. Having had a sick baby in the NICU just this past year, I can't imagine the terror this family is experiencing.

It is a harsh, harsh world out there we live in these days and I'm hoping that all of you who are able will give to this little boy. If nothing more than a few dollars - it will all add up in the end. And if you're the praying kind, please stop and say a prayer right now for this little boy named Laith. I know I've done both ... please keep this story going ...

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO THIS LITTLE ANGEL.

Maysen's Day Out

We had a wonderful day yesterday with our little Mr Bean. It seems like we don’t get all that much alone time with Maysen with both daddy and mommy so that was made a priority and he ate that up. Fin got his own alone time with Grandma while we were out.

Our afternoon started with Put-Put golf in which Maysen blew us out of the water! There were several times that Maysen “accidentally” hit his ball in the water, because I think fetching it out was more fun than focusing on hitting it right.

Then it was on to our own private slide-ground. No one was there yet so we enjoyed having free reign over the place. Even the Slide-Tickle Monster came out once, and only once. Dad even enjoyed going down the slide, which I’m sure was prohibited somewhere in the rule book.

Love the reflection ...

Next door was bowling which is always fun. Maysen was the Ball-Keeper-in-Line’er. I think we have a smidge OCD act going on there …

Good shot 'o Nate. I think he looks pretty pro. He said he was trying not to fart during this throw ...

Doin' the success-jig. It took exactly 18.4 minutes for the ball to hit the pins. I think that was the success part. That's got to be a record!

I posted this picture purely for shock-value. Isn't she our perty-piggie?

This morning we went to Open-Gymnastics with some friends of ours. They have a 6wk class for Maysen’s age that I think T is going to enroll A into along with Maysen. He really picked up on the trampoline and by the end of our hour was going across the high monkey bars by himself above the huge foam pit. Since our karate disaster, I am thinking this is something he’d be really good at, a way to expend energy, and something fun for him to enjoy with his friend, A.

I got some interesting news last night. Some other friends of ours D&R have been invited to be on Dr Phil. They start filming on Monday. The topic of the show is very interesting as we learned a bit of information about them we hadn’t known! As soon as I get her OK, I’ll share all of that with you, including the date of their airing! We now know celebrities (not really).

The rain is setting back in for a few days. I hope it clears up before our trip on Thursday. Then again, who cares because I can't wait to snuggle up to our fireplace, playing games drinking hot chocolate. Then again, grilling steaks outside throwing a frisbee with iced tea after returning from building sand castles on the beach sounds just as appetizing. Ok, now I am excited ...

In light of a few afternoons that have been filled with never-ending Time-Outs for Maysen, tomorrow Nate and I are going on a date with Maysen. We haven't done it but for a few times since Griffin has been born and it's about time. Grandma Bobbi is going to have some alone/cuddle time with Griffin while Daddy, me, and Maysen go do some mini-golf, pizza, and bowling. I'm hoping his acting out lately is only in response to needing some Mommy/Daddy attention.

Then it's off with some friends to take the kids to gynmastics, which really is like taking them to psycho ward ... padded walls for them to go nuts on, scream, kick, and bounce insanely around. Seems a little demonic. But to those who have kids under the age of 5 you know exactly when I mean when I say that it sounds heavenly. Better the padded castle/room/pit than my tiny-walled house.

I think we'll all sleep well tomorrow. I'll have pics from our special day tomorrow.

Why my mirrors are dirty ...

This is the reason I don’t wash my mirrors …. Just kidding. I do. But I can’t hardly stand to wash away such baby handprints. Someday I’ll look up at my mirror, my clean mirror, and wish I had those baby handprints back so I’m allowing it to be dirty a bit longer!

I think our toilet paper addiction has continued to new lengths. Wonderful little progression …

And doesn’t this just scream Linus from Charlie Brown? Isn’t it Linus who plays the piano? That mini-grand piano? Well, Linus minus the clothes.

And lastly we decided that our little family of four needed a vacation so we have booked a Beach Cottage on the Oregon Coast to enjoy 4 days on the beach! We’re even taking our dog, Bailey. After the week Nate had last week (big conglomo politics .. need I say more?) and the fact that I've decided to do another massive fund-raising Garage Sale for Maysen's Christian School. I tried to find the link from where I talked about it last year but I must not have explained or announced it via blog last year. I am planning to do things different this year, including a two-day Garage Sale. Last year we did it all in one day and came close to $2000 and we still had a ton of stuff left. With the US Economy in the dumps, I think people need it more than ever these days ... so it feels good to be dedicated to giving back. So, in light of everything from last week, and what we're facing over the next few months with being busy with that, we need to get away from the hussle-bussle -- we’re going to go and veg, cozy-up (as Maysen would say), and just relax some Scovil time. You can see where we’ll be staying here.

My favorite things:

1) Feeling of jumping into bed with new/clean sheets

2) Smell of crock-pot chili on a cold/rainy day

3) tick-toc of an antique clock in the otherwise-silent room

4) Listening to the rain/wind from my warm bed

5) Hearing Nate come home at 5:00

6) putting away groceries (I know .. shush)

7) Freshly popped popcorn

8) Baby snores

9) Unexpectedly turing on a TV show from your childhood

10) Watching Maysen sing in the shower/school programs

11) .. Via mom ... Watching snow fall on Christmas Day 2008. Considering we never get snow, let alone 3 constant hours of huge-white-flakes on CHRISTMAS DAY was very magical.

My Cooker

Isn't this a beautiful Amaryllis? I got 2 bulbs for Christmas and got them planted in planters shortly after and they bloomed last week. Very beautiful!

Maysen decided to be a little baker today. He has always loved getting out the bowls, plastic spoons, but today it took a new mold. He wanted the pot holders out, the apron on as he was going to cook lunch for everyone.

He's making "candy" (aka: Griffin's spoons).

Such precise measures ... check that tongue out!

Ahhhh .... delicious! The timer has gone off and the food is done. He finishes this off with, "Careful, it's really hot!" What a good husband this little man will be some day!

So many people have asked how I'm losing my weight so I thought I'd share. It's slowing down (to my dismay). I started on 1/1/09 walking 5x per week in the evening when Nate gets home. I walk about 1.5 miles those days and on weekends when Nate is home we walk longer (ie: did a 4mi walk this weekend). I had lost about 13lbs doing this within 3 weeks. I joined Weight Watchers Online 1/23 and have lost 5lbs more. It's slow but sure -- I have to remember it's taken me years to put on, it's going to take a while to get off. So that's that :-) If you want more info on it ... just email me.

Until then ... I have to make my little Baker Man lunch. Or did he already make it? He probably didn't fill up too much on the candy spoons ...

NO TRESPASSING!

As noted in my previous post, Maysen "won" back his train table. This has brought mixed curiosity on the part of Maysen's arch enemy, Griffin, who (in Maysen's eyes) is only out to destroy him and his trusty train table. "I'll solve that!" he thought and up went his solution, on the door. A sign, written in Hebrew, stating "GRIFFIN STAY OUT!". You can see how well Fin obeys signs. Perhaps he couldn't read the language....

Yes, our son is a pirate. It wasn't until Maysen brought it to my attention that Griffin, in fact, had no feet any longer. Ahhh, he must be a pirate walking on peg legs. These certain pants have elastic along the bottom and slide over his heels and cover his whole foot. Cracks me up when he comes blazin' around the corner, no feet visible.

sidenote: You'll notice along the side that I have included a little "losing leslie" tracker. For the last 30 days, I have been on a road to losing my extra butt, neck, thighs, arms that I have had around WAYYYYY TOO LONG! It's been exciting so far but I keep this on here to remind me, keep me motivated, and accountable. Wish me luck!!

Same rock, New name

Good Boy Rocks. That is the new name for an old friend. These rocks were successful in getting Maysen potty trained and so far they're paying off in teaching him patience, savings, and reward! Whenever Maysen is "good" (ie: feeding the dog without being asked, putting his plate/bowl up on the counter when done, picking up his room, making his bed, etc) he earns a "good boy rock". When he has saved a certain amount (ie: 5 for minibag of M&Ms), then he gets to cash them in.

He also loses rocks for bad behavior. A couple of weeks ago, he went "surfing" on his train table. That broke the boards in the middle, so he got grounded from his table. Out it in went to the garage and we had on devastated little boy. However, when he was told if he saved 10 "good boy rocks" he could cash them in and Daddy would fix his table, the lightbulb went off. Well, tonight it was achieved! He has been cashing in his rocks for M&Ms until it clicked one day and he started saving them to get his table back. Tonight, he jumped up after dinner, put his plate on the counter and ran to get Bay's food. He came back and said, "I earned 2 more rocks, now I will have 10!" Earlier today we counted his rocks, and he came up with needing only 2 more (good Math lesson!) to get his table back. I currently hear "CHOO - CHOOoooooo" coming from a happy (good!) boy's room....

President Barack Obama is here.

History class was never my thing. I couldn’t have cared less. So to think I might actually be a part of history was never a consideration. Until yesterday. Yesterday I became a part of an era of Change. An era of New Beginnings. I believe to the center of my being that President Barack Obama is what we, as a country, need. We have let go of so many of the morals we used to stand behind, weakened ourselves as a nation, and lost our way as a whole. I believe that yesterday, that changed.

I remember in my (dreaded) history class, learning about Martin Luther King, Jr. and what Rosa Parks went through just to prove a point. I remember thinking, “All that because of the color of their skin?” Yet, even thinking that, I never considered there being a black president. I am still amazed and grateful that I have lived to see that change, to feel that change. I’m even more grateful to know that my children will be learning about this historic change and to see that no matter how high the wall is, it can always be overcome.

I know it will be a hard road. I don’t think anyone is fooled that overcoming the challenges set forth by past leadership will be easy. But I think we have just the man to do it. I thank him prematurely for changing this Nation….but I thank him even more for changing the course of my children’s lives.

Poor Birdie ...

UPDATE: Bird has borderline pneumonia but is now back at home and doing great! She was given IV fluids/meds and was glad to get home. Bailey the dog (I failed to mention) was taken in too (scheduled) to have a tumor removed from her armpit. I'm not sure who is in worse condition! Bailey walked in, eyes so droopy (beyond norma) she could barely see and slept the evening away last night. She didn't move when the kids welcomed her home. We have the circus back to complete ... now onto medicating animals, my 2nd passion in life. (insert sarcasm)

Please pray for our 10yr old kitty, Birdie. She's not doing real well right now. We'll see what the doctor says tomorrow.

I have a small confession ...

I have been known to have these little spiffs of “unhappiness” I guess you could call it with some of my decorating techniques. I wouldn’t say “unhappy” … I just feel unrested so I continue to look for something that might work better. We’ve been through 3 sets of living room furniture in 2 years. Some might think that’s stupid, but I actually sold each previous set for more than what I bought it for. So it worked out … and we’re settled in the living room furniture department.

And just when my mother-in-law thought the illness was over (she laughs at me), it continues. And that continues in my bedroom. I have yet to find an adequate replacement of our bedroom comforter that we had to retire last year. You’ll remember this one ….

But it was white. And when you have a 3-4yr old who eats popcorn on our bed while watching various Noggin shows.... Well, I didn’t like the $30 dry cleaning tab. So, I found this one, on a ridiculous sale, and I’ve always liked the cocoa brown/baby blue gig.

This picture stinks because the comforter seems white, but its really blue. A light baby blue but darker. Best part? I can wash it in my own washing machine ... no dry cleaning! And I won't even feel guilty for how cheap I got it. I also took the mirror off the wall and painted the gold frame to a cocoa brown, matching the browns. I even took those wall sconces next to the mirror off the wall, removed the glass and painted the backing that same brown instead of black. I got a little Martha itch in me I guess. I also took the time to play DOCTOR and stitch up Sam from Dr Suess for Maysen. I’ve had a busy day.

I have some trips planned coming up. Starting with a train ride to Seattle for the weekend with my sister in law. I've never been except when we boarded our ship to Alaska, so it's not like we toured the city. We'll stay the weekend, take a ferry to Victoria Island and play around without kids or men. Should be fun! Then we are coming with Jessica and Josh for Memorial Day .. and then having a Condo-girl time in July when our men go on a hiking trip, hopefully taking Jonas and Maysen with them. This weekend should be nice as we'll be minus one boy for a might. Mom has asked to take Maysen and have him spend the night Friday and then they're going to go watch my other nephew play basketball. Hopefully getting to watch DeShawn play on a team will show Maysen how big boys act on a team. He's going to love it!

Tomorrow night we're having dinner with some new friends - I met D at Bunco a few months ago and she and I have a lot in common. We've had coffee once and chatted but tomorrow night R is fixing us ribs! (I'm a rib-virgin .. never had them). The boys will meet and do their boy talk. So I'm excited about that, so I'd better get to bed. I'm such a night owl...(or should I read a few more pages of Twilight? .. Jessica??..hehe).

gotta love cardboard

Everyone who knows me well knows of what a sentimental person I am. Sometimes I forget that not everyone is like me and I have to, and do, respect that. However, I was surprised to how open Maysen was to us getting rid of our play area. Maysen was 1yr old when we moved into our new home. Every summer that is spent in our backyard has been spent playing around our play area. However, last summer it became filled with bees and wasps, Maysen getting stung twice. Spiders make their huge webs in there, catching all kinds of scary bugs. So we decided that not only was it taking up a huge part of our lawn, it was getting unsafe for him to be playing on. So we sold it … sold his “tree house”, his playful castle-like fort.

On Monday Bailey got her new basket in the mail. She sleeps in a blanket-filled basket which Griffin found a weak twig in the 7yr old basket, and started pulling it apart stick by stick. It, too, became too unsafe for us to have around. Her new basket was delivered in a huge box. When Mase saw that, his eyes lit up and I jumped up to get the markers. When I was small, my dad would get us refrigerator boxes. These hummers are huge! We turned them into our own homes. I was immediately took me back to the summers we slept outside in our new little cardboard apartments.

I helped Maysen draw his name on it, cut out windows in it, and he has informed me that this is his NEW playhouse. So, this will remain his inside playhouse (which he’s been sleeping in) and when summer comes (seems so long away) we’ll replace his play set that was taken away with a newer, smaller, safer version. And I'll have a lot more grass to my backyard getting all the mulch chips up and getting new grass put down in the missing area.

Karate

Karate started back up recently after taking a 4-week break. It was a baaaad night. He didn't listen to the instructors at all, ran a MUCK, and thought it was a joke. I had recently talked with them about his behavior and I was told that a) they don't "sit them out" because they want the experience positive and not negative b) he was the youngest in his class, but he's actually very good for age c) Maysen is very smart, and he's getting what is going on and manipulating it. They told me to just relax and they'll work with him. They will not let us intervene (as in, remove him from karate when he's not listening) and therefore he's taught how he can act there, and man does he lay into it. He would even look back at Nate and smile while goofing off knowing they wouldn't let Nate intervene. So, we are removing him from karate for a bit - maybe wait until fall when he's learned a bit more self-discipline. This karate outfit doesn't provide the type of structure that he needs.

Maysen does very well at school - he listens, he obeys, he's put in time-out if he's out of line, or he's removed from the project if he's messing around. And he does great there! He can sit on the church pew and wait his turn, will stand on stage and sing while behaved. It's not my son....it's how they've allowed him to get away with horse play ... and it's blatant that he's not 100% interested right now. So, onto another activity!

Welcome 2009

Reflecting back to this very time last year, I wouldn't have fathomed all that would occur over the next 365 days. Today I sit and ponder the same thing. If you take in the thought that literally anything is possible, it's mindblowing. Last year here are just a few things that happened that swayed our life in one way or another:

1. Griffin got seriously ill.
2. Then he got better, and through the year has proven to have beaten and surpassed the illness and any of it's potentially harmful effects.
3. Nathan got very ill same time as Griffin - trying everyone's faith, hope, and patience.
4. Nathan, too, recovered fully with amazing speed. God is good!
5. Nate got hired full-time at Weyerhaeuser in February and is in love and at "home" with his new job.
6. We put our house on the market so that we could obtain a bigger home ... and that plan flopped. Must not be the right time.
7. Maysen became POTTY TRAINED!
8. We historically elected the first black president into office.
9. Our country is suffering a major economic recession. It certainly has taught me how to budget more effectively, as just affording gas (at almost $5/gallon) became a challenge.
10. Last but not least, this year I was a mommy to two little boys - two brothers, one in which I have to keep from killing the other. Being a mommy to two is a whole lot different than being a mommy to one!

So, what now? I just hold on for the ride and pray that I will make it through whatever comes our way within the next year. I pray that our economy starts to get repaired. I pray that our new president brings the new and complicated changes that our country desperately needs (and I pray for his sanity!). I pray for health, wellness, and prosperity for all of my family. Lastly ... not matter what happens, I continue to pray for strength and happiness.

Here's to all of you on your journey through 2009. Thanks for being with me during the last 365 days ... and I hope you'll pop in on my next 365. Although the road could get bumpy, sometimes the bumps are more important than the good, smooth parts.

First Birthday Party

Last night was Griffin's first birthday party. The day before was his birthday and we celebrated in our own little way. Lets just say this year has been a tad overstimulating. First we have 3 different Christmases to attend and that's all ways chaotic and everyone's handing him these shiny packages to pull on, and lets face it ... he just wants what is inside and couldn't care less about all the frill to get there.

Maysen got a wagon for his first birthday, but I'm hoping that this one lasts a bit longer than the 3 years that Maysen's was alive and kicking. The handle to this one is all metal, which was the main problem on M's wagon. This one just seems ... more sturdy. (Noting ridiculously large blow-up wagon wheels similar to an ATV)...


You'll notice that M's hand is very close -- that's because Fin wasn't in it for longer than a minute before big bro (Bubba, as he's been named lately it seems) jumped in. I had told him that Griffin had to get in first because it was his. Within seconds Maysen was bounding in, leaving Fin a little ... awe struck at his speed and agility of wagon-hopping.

Oh great ... a hammer! (He loves this thing! He has pounded on it all day ... note the new shirt, dad?)

And he grasped this concept really fast ... he just can't figure out how these stinking things go in!

Here are the "cake shots". Thanks again to Jessica for baking the super cute Snowman cake for Fin to eat. It was perfect! Fin sat awfully quiet while we sung Happy Birthday and sort of looked at everyone as they sang thinking, "Am I paranoid or are they all staring at ME?!"

This is awfully sticky ... but good ...

Does this heaven really exsist in a small snowman? I'd better try it again ...

IT DOES! See dad? You gotta try this!!

I love this world ...

Why am I starting to vibrate?

Ok, I'm hallucinating ... because I swear this bee is talking to me ...

Happy Birthday, Mr Boozle-Oozle-Wooze-Doozle. We love you and have had the best time over the last year. We're looking forward to many more ...

PS: Tomorrow is Griffin's last (hopefully) and final appointment with his neurologist at OHSU. He's only seen him twice and both times were good news and that "He looks completely normal!" so we're expecting nothing less tomorrow. Will let you know how the appointment goes.

Santa Came

Can you believe it's over? It went as fast as it came. This year was another exciting holiday season as this week started with an ambulance call and an all-nighter in the ER. Yes folks, leave it to Leslie to start things off just blissfully (sarcasm). I had a sudden run of SVT, a very fast heart arrhythmia. I am fine, and aside from a few tests to make sure there is no heart defect, things are all back to normal now.

We got Maysen a hope chest this year for all of his keepsakes. Of course he didn't think this was nearly as cool as his Transformers or other cool toys, but I think he'll grow to appreciate this.

Griffin really didn't "get" Christmas or the whole present thing. He did pick up on the excited mood and did start to join in on the excitement with his own squeals and claps.

Once the toys were open he was having a ball. How to get them open and ready he left up to his brother!

Since I can't keep my stethoscope off of Maysen's neck and out of his ears, he got a doctor's kit for one gift. We've got to be the most immunized family on the block!

It was a fun Christmas morning and now it's all over for this year. Maysen snuck out of his room after Santa had come and fell asleep. He was covered up with a throw blanket and woke us up not stating that Santa had brought toys, but that "Santa ate my cookie!". All in different perspectives, I guess. Nate outdid himself this year. We had decided on a budget for "our" gifts and apparently he doesn't listen (why does this surprise me?) My two big gifts were a bread machine (something about the smell of fresh bread...) and a 70/300mm zoom lens. I love that man!

Christmas Eve was held at Nate's mom's house. It was fun as always ... and just as chaotic. There are 5 grandchildren that run laps around that house. I remember doing stuff like that as a child, so I can only imagine the memories those kiddos are forming with each lap and laugh.

Nate's mom made her lasagna ... so yummy! Along with lasagna we had wine (Um, yummy!) and by the looks of things, we had a few too many sips ... but pictures can speak a thousand words! I won't tell what we were talking about. That might incriminate me ...

Am I the only one who wonders why she's checking internal temp of lasagna? Hehe .. only kidding, mom. If someone ended up sick you'd never hear the end, and now you have proof it wasn't your lasagna! It was so perfect ...

The boys had a hard time sharing the job of Santa this year. Or, should I say MAYSEN had a hard time. He was Santa last year and wanted to be it again this year, but it was Jonas' job. Mom actually is "Santa" while the boys were the elves and helpers.

Then yesterday afternoon we had Christmas #3 at my sister-in-laws with Nate's dad. The above picture is of Nate's grandma and great aunt -- those two girls are very frisky and don't let them fool you. They crack me up with just about every phrase they can whip off their hip (like "that's softer than a frogs tail" ..?) and they're just so ornery I love it!

Is this a true Scovil or what!? I get such slack because I'm not a coffee drinker and apparently to be a real Scovil you've gotta be drinking coffee out of your bottle. Aunt Bonnie is the culprit behind this photo -- and also the culprit behind why Maysen likes coffee already. You're busted Aunt Bonnie!!

I attempted to take pictures for the family this year. We have one of "those" families where it's nearly impossible to get us all together so when we are, we have to take advantage. I'm not too happy with how they turned out, but lighting and miscommunication with my focus mechanism weren't my friends yesterday. Here's a pic of all the grandkids with Papa and Grandma Sherill.

Jenn was supposed to come, but due to an absolute freak of a snowstorm that hammered Portland, the weather was too dangerous for her to drive down here. She'll be coming tomorrow and staying the night. We'll be celebrating a late Christmas but also Fin's first birthday ... in a little over 14hrs, my baby will officially be one year old. And with that, another season is gone, a new year is around the corner, and we'll start all over again. Here's to hoping each and every one of you had a great holiday season ....