Happy Birthday Justin

Ian helps daddy with his drink at Red Robin

Cami and Ben help daddy finish his birthday sundae at Red Robin

Cami and Grandma bring daddy's Birthday dessert of Peach pie to the picnic table

Ian points to the piece of pie that he wants.
Today we celebrate Justin's 33rd birthday. Neil and Sandy were able to come down early this morning and spend the day with us. They will head home tomorrow. Justin and Neil spent part of the morning installing a new kitchen faucet as our old one had problems with leaking. It is a nice tall Kohler faucet. The kids went to their Korean language class in the morning and Ian slept, so Justin and Neil had no distractions as they did their installation. The kids were eager to go back home and see grandma and grandpa. Ben and Cami chose to go to Red Robin as daddy's birthday present. It is one of their favorite restaurants, so they thought it would be the perfect present for daddy (and a nice treat for them). For dessert we had Grandma Sandy's homemade Peach pie and Blueberry pie. Justin asked for pie instead of cake since Peach and Blueberry pies are some of his favorites. We are looking forward to a relaxing day tomorrow with church and then Justin has a massage scheduled in the afternoon.

Justin relaxes in the backyard after an enjoyable birthday.

Update on Ian

Today marks day 18 of digestive issues for Ian.  We went to the doctor last Wednesday to have our doctor run some tests and hopefully figure out what is going on.  Poor little guy is up at night, has a minimum of 5 diarrhea diapers every day, and has lots of tummy pain and gas.  We switched him to soy milk last week in hopes that it would settle his stomach a little.  He is a happy boy most days and takes good naps, but I feel like the day is focused on taking the kids to and from school, making meals, and changing Ian's diapers.  I don't mind any of those things, except that I know it is not comfortable for Ian to have so many poopy diapers.  

Today I was told by the nurse to feed him a diet high in fat, but no dairy.  We had been doing the BRAT diet, which is Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast, but it really has not helped.  We find it funny and felt we should document that a doctor has advised a diet HIGH in fat...not very often that happens!!!

September 11, a reflection

As we pass another anniversary of 9/11, we look back and remember those that lost their lives on that day.  

After waking up early and taking the kids to before school care (for 10 minutes), I headed to the dentist where I spent just under 3 hours getting dental work done.  Not at all exciting, but necessary since I lose my dental insurance at the end of September.  I left with a completely numb mouth, having a temporary crown put in on the left side and a cavity done on the right side.  My face was numb from ear to ear and my tongue felt like it was as big as my head, just in time to pick up Cami from preschool.  I dropped her off at home where Rachel, our sitter, and Ian were waiting so that I could head off to get a haircut, which is a HUGE luxury.  It was a busy, yet productive day.  I was happy when the numbness finally was gone around 3pm, although I felt like someone had punched me in the face.  I was happy to be home with the kids.  It is always nice to get away for a bit and get some errands and appointments done, but I always enjoy returning to them.  

I avoided TV for most of the day, with the exception of about 10 minutes on the World News at 5:30pm.  I still have a difficult time with all that happened over the course of that week.  I reflect up that Sunday before, flying into New York and on a VERY rare occasion, being able to see the most beautiful and clear view of Manhattan and the towers.  My schedule had me flying into at least once a week many, many months.  It is rare to have that clear view of the city as it is usually overcast or rainy.  We specifically made note among the crew and several passengers of the amazing view as we looked out the windows of the plane.  It was almost surreal.  It is hard to explain, but we literally all were looking out the windows at the view for several minutes, trying to take it all in, before getting the bell for our final approach into the airport.  On Monday I flew to Boston and Kansas City and every flight was like clockwork, which is another odd thing in the airline business.  Tuesday morning as I got my early wake up call, I decided to NOT work out, something I try to do every morning when I am working, and just lay in bed a few minutes and watch the Today show after I showered and got ready for what was suppose to be the final day of a 3 day trip.  I was geared up to go to Washington DC that morning and be headed back home for an early afternoon arrival.  I watched in horror as they showed the tower burning from "a small aircraft" hitting the tower and talked about an air traffic control 'glitch' on the east coast after the second plane hit.  Ready to check in despite the uncertainty of what was happening, our crew checked in and was set to take our flight to DC.  We were fully aware that the plane hit the Pentagon and were not too disappointed when our flight was cancelled.  We thankfully were able to check back into our hotel rooms and spent the next few days in lock down at the hotel (due to a threat to airline crew members).  We were so thankful when the FAA finally allowed airlines to fly their planes and their crews back to their bases on Thursday, September 13.  I was so happy to be home. I was given the option to not fly my next trip due to the situation, but felt it was important to get back.  The country was terrified and as a Christian, I felt that by allowing the fear to take over, I was not allowing God to have the control that He has anyway.  I completely trust God's power and have faith that no matter where I am, whether it be at home, in my car, an airplane, or anywhere else, that He alone knows the time and place when He is going to take me home.  I trust Him to protect me and keep me safe at ALL times, not just when I have both feet on the ground.  I am currently reading the book Touching History by Lynn Spencer, which is a book on the people who worked in ATC, NEADS, FAA, pilots, F16 fighter pilots, CEO of American and United, etc on 9/11.  It gives some of the untold stories of what happened "behind the scenes" as things unfolded on 9/11.  I encourage you to read it if you are interested.  For instance, did you know that a mid air collision was avoided by the narrowest of margins between a Midwest Airlines plane and United Flight 175.  History would have been dramatically different and more lives possibly lost on the ground if there had been a mid air collision.  I could share pages more on that day and the few days that followed.  The memories are still fresh in my mind as I am sure they are in many minds.  

Time flies!

Krizan Family at a park in Cornell
Ian loves hanging out with Grandma Sandy

Daddy and Ian riding on the tractor with Grandpa
Fishing with grandpa

Cami likes riding on the tractor with Grandpa. She even got to drive a little.

Cami sporting her 'I love daddy' shirt

Ben is hiding next to grandpa waiting for a fish to bite. All together, Cami and Ben each caught 4 fish.

I can't believe that the last post was about 2 weeks ago. Time sure does go fast. I thought there would be more time once the kids were in school, but now I find myself getting the kids up and ready for school, driving to school by 8:15 and then having to be back by 11 to pick up Cami. We eat lunch, clean up from lunch, play, sometimes she gets a nap when Ian naps, then off to pick up Ben from school at 3pm. The kids usually like to play on the playset at school for a while, so we get home around 4 and play, find out about Ben's day, make dinner and Justin is already home. I am not sure where the day goes, but I am sure it is lost somewhere driving and making meals. I don't seem to get much accomplished at home most days, except the never ending loads of laundry and dishes.
We got a nice break this past weekend when we traveled up north for the weekend. It is always a restful time for us and an active, packed time for Ben and Cami and also for Grandma Sandy and Grandpa Neil. The kids usually have their list of activities they would like to do while they are there. Since most trips are short, it means LOTS of non stop activity for everyone. The kids like to go fishing, ride on the tractor, see the bunnies, read stories, make cookies, go in the garden and pick some vegetables, have a campfire and make s'mores, watch a movie with grandpa's yummy popcorn, and make sure there is lots of time for snuggles at the end of the day. Thankfully grandma and grandpa look forward to the activity. Justin enjoys getting a nap or two and a long run in. We all enjoy the delicious food that grandma makes for us.
We went up on Friday night and spent Saturday and part of Sunday crossing off all the activities on the kids list. We went to Cornell on Sunday for a Krizan family (Sandy's side of the family) picnic. It is always a nice time getting together with everyone. We had a great time visiting, eating, and even having a sing a long, thanks to Sharon playing the keyboard and Mark and Lynn bringing the karaoke machine.
Yesterday we enjoyed a day of fun and work. Justin took the kids to a park, the state capital, and his work while I stayed home to clean, sort and organize. The kids looked forward to their daddy date. They had a picnic lunch on the steps of the capital and then enjoyed some gelato (similar to ice cream) after. I stayed home to get some house work done that doesn't get done during the week. It was nice to have some quiet time to clean out closets, organize shoes, steam clean carpets, etc. I know this does not sound like a fun time, but I actually enjoyed it! I love being with my family, but also enjoy some quiet time. Now that I am home full time, I don't get the quiet time on the drives to and from Milwaukee or on the plane. The quiet time helps me to recharge and be a better mom and wife. Justin and the kids got home around 4 and we enjoyed family time outside and then had dinner and more play time. The kids got their bath and off to bed in order to be ready for week 3 of school.