Sir Isaac Newton III

This is a post that I have been attempting to write for a few days. A post that I needed to put in writing for that some day. Some day when I can look back at this date, and think, wow, we had a lot of time. Some day when the unthinkable happens. When we might be faced with a decision. A decision that no one ever wants to make. A decision to end a life. A life that is like no other. A life that we chose to be part of our family. A being that we looked at and said "Yup, he's the one, he will be our son".

Today, I can't even imagine for Isaac not to be part of our picture.

Isaac had surgery this week and was diagnosed with a rare Nerve Sheath Tumor. Fortunately, the vet was able to excise enough surrounding tissue to prevent I-Z from having any further treatment. Luckily, for now, we did not have to make any of the hard decisions that we could be faced with for this type of cancer. We watch him closely now for any changes. We are told that it is very likely that it will grow back.

What does this all mean? Information was shared before they took him to surgery about new springer pups in our area. The mother and the father are known by our vet and she wanted us to know that now might be a good time to have Isaac help us train a puppy. What?! What am I supposed to do with this information? It is stuck in my throat right now and won't come out. I can't say this out loud without emotion. She was talking about getting ready for some day.

For now I can't think about this. For now, I have to believe that we have many more years with Isaac. We just have to. It isn't time yet.

Our New Nephew

Meet Molson Elliott.

This little guy was welcomed into the Elliott Household during the month of January. We are smitten, including I-Z. He sure is handsome! And, boy does Sam relish him (Aunt Lori, too)! We love that Big "E" is able to experience this special bond between a boy and his dog. We look forward to future play dates with all of the boys...frogs and snails, and puppy-dogs' tails!

Reading with Big Brother

A few special minutes shared between brothers. Noah and Sam are almost a decade apart, but the love of books certainly brings them together.

Moments such as these make a mom proud!

January 13, 1916

Ninety-four years ago a very wise woman was born on this day,

my Grandmother, Durma Pearl Elliott.

I am partial as she is mine, but I am telling you, she is special.

On a day such is this...what do we give to a woman who is 94? What can we give her that she hasn't already given to all of us? She loves you like you are the only one in the family, but turns around and duplicates this love for the next person. She continues to do this even with the great-grandkids making each one feel special. She brags about every achievement, every ball game, each journal article that her family is in. She makes us feel good even when we do something bad. She reminds us that this might feel like a big deal today, but in 100 years no one will remember. Her knowledge is either verbally shared or constantly being shown...she has taught us many things.

My Grandma is: love without boundaries, faith in God, acceptance, and grace. She demonstrates how to share and to give to others. She teaches us day to day life; working hard, but enjoying the work; how to win, but more importantly how to lose; how to save your earnings for later in life; cooking dinner and sitting down to that meal as a family; shucking peas; canning and freezing; saying what is on your mind without letting it fester; even ingenious ways of keeping your feet dry. Growing up she treated us with fun stuff like homemade cookies or a candy out of her 'Elliott refrigerator drawer'. And, if you were really, really special, she might share one of her treasured Little Debbie's.

Grammy Durma taught me how to live in a world of boys growing up. How to make them think I was like them. For instance, how to catch crayfish. Then proceeding to chase the boys with them before they could even think about doing it to me. Or, how to walk through the garden repeating "the snakes are more afraid of me than I am of them". I often wondered if she was reminding me or herself?! She always tells me that I am the bravest coward that she has ever known. Is there such a person?

I believe the one most important lesson that I have learned (still learning) from Grandma is simplicity. Less is always more. I struggle with this, but as I age, I am trying to embrace it. Reminding myself often, do I really need that? Most often, the answer is no. Truly, all I need is my family.

This evening, Grandma celebrated her 94th year by giving her family a present. Yes, you heard it, she wanted all of us to have a present on her day. Dinner with all of her family together in one room, with the bill being paid by her. We love you, Grandma!

2010

Funny, when I was a teen, I remember reading books where 2010 was a popular year for good fiction. The date always seemed so distant, but yet here it is upon us, we are living it, making history. I welcome the fresh year with new adventures with my family and friends, great books, excellent music, and fantastic food (healthy? still up for vote). 2010 marks my 40th year on earth, and I think I have finally embraced who I have become. I intend to live to the fullest for myself, my husband, and our boys.

Now go out there, take charge, do the things that make you happy, and enjoy your year!