Things that matter

Today a close friend of the family passed away.  June was such a part of our lives that I didn't realize she wasn't actually a relative for many years.  To me she always was family.  I feel especially grateful for the past couple of years when I got to know her as an adult.  We had weekly card games for a while before she got sick, where I learned that sweet little June was quite spunky :)  June was sassy, loving, and fun, and was the most giving person up until her very last days.  The world could use some more Junes.


 Graesen has a nasty cold and got a low fever last night, so he is home resting.  My aunt brought by something from my grandma for me. 

As a little girl I was completely enamored with this little mirrored tray, ice skaters, and fake snow my grandma set up each Christmas.  I thought they were magical and always dreamed I was on the skaters. 

Graesen loves it as well, and every year when I set it out I will talk to him about my sweet memories at my grandparents' house.

Because, those memories are really the most important part of the decoration.

Because he wasn't feeling well last night, Graesen got to sleep in my bed so I could keep an eye on him, and because when you are a kid and sick there is really nothing you want more than your mom.

Christmas pictures

Yesterday I took some pictures of Graesen and his cousins for Christmas.  I got the idea from here.  And, yes, Graesen really is asleep in the pictures.  I kept the stuff up when we went to my aunt's house for dinner.  Graesen fell asleep on the way home, so I laid him in front of the lights for some super slow shutter speed pictures.

 Graesen wanted to wear Phoebe's angel wings :)

Today Graesen got to decorate his little Christmas tree in his room.  We are decorating early since I will be throwing a family Christmas breakfast next weekend.

Back to normal

Graesen and I both got sick over the past week and a half.  First Graesen with a stomach bug that kept us both home for a couple of days.  Then I got a mild version of the stomach bug and a nasty cold.  Graesen slept away his first day home from school.

We house/dog sat for my parents last weekend.  Graesen still wasn't 100% so he enjoyed laying around with the kindle.

Last Saturday I took Graesen to a little art class at Michaels for kids.  He was the only kid there, but he loved it.

We picked up some supplies for Graesen to work on making little Christmas gifts for family.  He worked on it both days that weekend.

 

I can't remember what night it was, but Graesen fell asleep while I was getting something done.  

 

Graesen's new AFOs came in.  They are much different than last time and I don't like it.  The lady who makes them says she thinks Graesen needs at least one more year with this kind of AFO before we can cut down to something that doesn't go up on his ankles.  She said Graesen's ankles still pronate in too much and need to get stronger before he can have regular orthotics.  My mom took Graesen out to find new shoes while I went to work.  They went all over town and couldn't find anything that fit the new AFOs.  Finally they had to order a pair that will come in next week.  Oh yes, and the color/design choices of the AFOs were all made by Graesen :)