Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Catching Up

SO.

It's been awhile. I'll attribute my lengthy absence mostly to sick kids. This last bout of illness was a difficult one.

Poor Will was sick for 9 days!!


And Richie fell ill shortly after I took the video highlighted in my last post.


Seriously, how pathetic do they look here?


We have had sickness in our house for about a month now. It started here when I said a REALLY, REALLY, REALLY stupid thing.

On top of the sickness we have had some really bad weather as well. Our school district has missed 8 days of school due to snow and/or ice.

Spring, anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

Thankfully we were able to procure some antibiotics and were feeling better in time for a visit from some of our dearest friends from college. Mark and Beth were our first neighbors as a married couple. We lived next door to each other in married student housing and became great friends. I wish I could show you pictures of our little 400 square foot apartment. My favorite feature was that I could vacuum the whole place without unplugging the vacuum cleaner. My least favorite feature was the puke green carpet. And we had only ONE drawer in the whole kitchen! Let's just say we learned to be really creative with our utensil storage.

Yet, we really look back on those days with fondness. Especially the times spent with Mark and Beth playing cards, watching movies, sharing dinner, going for coffee, etc. That was almost 12 years ago and we still keep in touch and try to see each other often.

Things have changed a bit for the four of us since those carefree days. Our family has increased by two children and theirs has increased by four! So, our little get together this past week was a quite lively with six kids running around, especially since we were iced in for their entire visit! However all of the essential elements were still present...food, games, coffee, laughter and good company. Here's some pictorial evidence...

The Grown-ups
The kiddos
(Riley, Richie, Hannah, Alana
Will and Emory)

The Entertainment (PS2 Star Wars Lego Game)

The newest addition to their family


This was our first time meeting little Emory. And let me just say that if I end up "with child" in the next few months you can blame it all on this little guy...isn't he the cutest thing? I couldn't stop squeezing him. Especially those cheeks.

Well, that is a little bit of what we've been up to. I'm really behind on my blog reading, but I hope to catch up with you guys soon!


24 comments:

Lynn said...

There is married student housing?

Glad you were able to enjoy such a nice visit with your friends. If you had to be iced in...that is a great way to do it!

Unknown said...

Some of my most special memories include times like you are describing with friends who were once neighbors. They moved to FL a few years back and we miss them dearly!

Welcome back friend! Glad everyone is feeling better in the house!

Janelle said...

Ohhhhh. I would love to see you "with child" in the next couple of months. Come on, Emory, work your baby magic!

Glad the plague is gone from your house!

Anonymous said...

The pencil test never lies!

How fun it would be for you to be "with child".

Heather said...

Glad the boys are feeling better. Hope you all stay well from now forward! Glad you are back!

Teresa said...

I remember Mark and Beth! It's great to see their pictures!! Oh, yeah, the puke green carpet... that was nice!! :) Let me just say for the record, you did an AWESOME job making that little apt. homey! Especially for poor college students away from home!! :) l loved your place!! Glad your house is illness free! Come on baby magic...
TT

Bev Brandon @ The Fray said...

What fun in the midst of all that. Kind of sympathize with you as I am back sick again with sore throat/fever but have to push through this cause I can't miss my job which I have already been paid to do...but my post today puts my little troubles into much different perspective for me.
Thank you for praying for my friend Cyd---come read my post. Hebrews 11:4 her faith still speaks even in her death.

Short Stop said...

Oh, those sweet sick faces. It's so hard when they're sick...on them, and on Mommy.

Sounds like a fun visit with friends. And that little Emory is just adorable! Love that face!

His Girl said...

Oh, am I ever glad you are back! Totally missed you- sorry ya'll got the funk (we're still trying to battle it) and I hope you are going to enjoy a long stretch of healthy days!

Oh Emory! Can I just eat him up?

Pearl said...

I am glad that you're back! I hope your family can all stay well!

Denise said...

First, i didn't comment on the last post... your son was adorable, and at that moment there was much i needed to release and just worship with abandon again (like a child).

Good friends are so refreshing.
Did i read that right? Is their daughter named after you??

Happy Health!

Anonymous said...

So glad that everyone is feeling better. I am ready to be done with sicknesses and winter too!

Glad you were able to enjoy your friends!

Xandra@Heart-of-Service said...

Those little faces were so pathetic! I'm glad to hear that eveyone is healthy again, and I am equally glad to have you back on the radar!

Xandra

Fran said...

This momma has finally come down with this nasty funk that is hitting my family hard.....i want to crawl in the bed...electric blanket on...sleep til April.

I hope you are well for months and days and months and weeks! :)

Hugs~
Fran

Sarah Markley said...

So glad you are all feeling better! And, I'm glad you are back. =)

Carissa said...

always love catching up with you...just wish we did it in person more often!!! : )

beth said...

Oh, good times! I could use another "Alana & Rich fix" right now. Once every two years is just not enough!! Thank you for the visit and the great, new memories. Riley told me the other day he wants to go back to visit Richie. :)
Thanks for the trip down memory lane...I really miss the feeling of cleaning your WHOLE place in two hours! Ha! Gone are those days. And, even though we got the newer carpet...I always thought your apartment was cozier! I envied that green carpet a little! Hee Hee.
Also, Em(e)ry sends his kisses. Can you feel them? (His name is often misspelled.) We'll have to plan our next visit to meet your new addition! :)
Love ya!

Mrs. Gray's Class said...

Sick or well, your boys are adorable. Glad you all are feeling better. Aren't long-time friends wonderful!

Sara at Miller Moments: said...

3 is fun! Go for it! :)

Earen said...

I'm glad you're back & I'm sorry you've had a rough go of it with your family being sick. That stinks for sure! What a blessing long time friends are...it's almost like coming home.

Susan said...

Such sweet little munchkins! I hope they are much, much better now.

Heather C said...

Aaaaaaw... I can relate to the sickness. We've been down for the count too.

I'm with you on Richie's praise-time. One of my favorite sounds has to be Noah, belting out the words to those Seeds of Praise CDs in the backseat of the car! Yep. Does a mom's heart good. :)

Love you!

Heather

Pam said...

So glad you are all feeling well again!

Your weekend sounded wonderful. We got snowed in once at our house with my brother and his wife and kids. SO FUN!!

Mary@notbefore7 said...

Oh Alana...not fun! I am sorry that you all had the "bug" hit the house. Poor kids!

What a fun time with friends from "way back". Looks like fun and that Emory...OH HOW CUTE!