Year after year the boys watch as their sisters perform. Musicals, plays, halftime, concerts and drumline performances. So many wonderful memories, even the time Nathan's orange had to be retrieved from the orchestra pit during intermission.

This weekend it was their turn. Samantha behind the scenes cheering them on and seeing her amazing artwork adorn the stage.  Saturday they premiered in the Art Inspired Academy troupe performance of Elaine Hall's Miracle Project.  My children smiled as they showed an audience they are miracles. They showed they can dance, act, sing, draw and play the harmonica. Nathan's smile lit up the auditorium at his chance to be on stage. Chase rocked the house with his blues duet. And, Samantha designed the cover for the program.

 One of the best parts of the show was after...

Just take a look!

 

This was truly an emotional journey that brought together many wonderful people who were captivated by this program and the miracles that happened every week.

Snow Day!!!

Ready set,

GO!



Congratulations

Samantha!

Visual Arts category in this year's

Reflections competition.

Theme:  Dreams



Painting on canvas at Art Inspired tonight. The three more classes until the final layer is put on. It's going to be good! 

  

Date Night!



Another week full of appointments.

Sitting patiently for his EKG this morning Chase waited for all of the equipment to be brought into the room.  Then he quietly raised a finger and said, "Excuse me please.  Are there any needles in this room?"

I think he has met his quota of blood draws for the year!

 Now this is the only way to end a long hard week.  Last Saturday night I was ushered out of the grocery store at midnight by an armed guard.  Knowing the week we had ahead I wanted to make sure we had food in the house. It was okay though...he offered to push my cart. 

There were doctor appointments and two musical performances.

 Bloodwork times 2 and therapy.

 Evaluations and new provider meetings.

 Parent-teacher conference & Halloween parties.

 Trick or Treating and new diagnoses.

 A genetic report, my work and Samantha's volunteering.

But Saturday night there were

s'mores and grandparents.

All is good in Obreyland.

Art Inspired Academy

performed at Art Walk tonight.

Just a sneak peak at the performance

 

 December 7^th at 3:30 at Clara Thompson Hall at Drury.

Save the date!

 I just love going to Art Inspired.

We also discovered Whisler's around the corner

between performances.



What a week. I found myself too tired to take the boys to their school function tonight. But, more than physically tired my thoughts are tired. My emotions are heightened and I feel the need for chocolate. I have noticed over the past week I am distracted and unfocused. The need for me to be focused is more important now than ever. As deadlines and possibly a new diagnosis loom near I find I am distracted by the blahs. As I rally what energy I have I think of what has changed that has caused this digression.
I have a thought. An understanding. I have had the pressing matter of gathering all of Nathan's records and creating a comprehensive file to send to Washington University.  I had to let something go. It couldn't be work. It couldn't the semi-annual checkups that all land in October. And, all of the appointments that result from my children walking into a doctor's office. It couldn't be family, pets or laundry (well maybe laundry). What I let go was 'my time'. My time with my friends.

What a mistake. This picture was last spring when I was taking time going out with local mothers and spending time with my support system.  The trap happens quick. But, getting out of it can take time.  This picture was taken as I was heading out to a girls' night with my friends.  Dinner and a show.  If we made it to the show.  Sometimes we end up just talking.  I wanted to post a now and then, but I have no current photo.  Taking 'time for me' gave me the confidence and the desire to step in front of the camera. 
 
I can't believe since I turned down a trip with a friend to do a service project (which is a bit self serving for me because we take time to relax and be ourselves) I have noticed tension has heightened and all that I thought would get done with that time still clutters my kitchen table.  So lesson learned. 
 If momma doesn't take care of herself she can't take care of others. 
                                 So I made brownies!

Just when I thought I cannot possibly feed this

chocolate chip pancake to my child.

Chase walks in and says,

"Wow, great pancake mom!"

That's how we roll!

 



End of the Season for the Dodgers

at the Miracle Field tonight.

And brrr was it cold.