"Don't the hours grow shorter as the days go by?"

Please forgive if the captions don't go with the pictures. It's been a blur of a Christmas for us! The Gradys before Christmas Eve Mass.
Buck in front of our tree.
Buck and CSG
Our happy family on Christmas Eve.
Buck (in a blue sweater - a gift from our cleaning lady) opening a gift from Jackson.









The pictures are a collection of some of the things that happened this holiday. This last shot is our Christmas dinner in Children's Hospital. They have really lovely donated sandwiches. We've eaten these for dinner twice now.
It's already been a long Christmas. I don't know if we've got "It's a Wonderful Life" happening here, but it certainly is eventful. And RKZ is still here - so I got that going for me.

I've decided I should go over all that is going on. At least for me since I don't know who all reads the blog these days (thanks for looking in!) This is a lovely "digital diary" most of all, so I feel the strange need to explain what has been consuming our thoughts and decisions for these last few months. Again, mostly for us to keep.

We were selected by a 17 year old girl as the family who she would like to adopt her baby. A lot of you know that (or have heard it). She subsequently has changed her mind - sort of. This young woman is amazing and it's a very big deal to decide to place a baby for adoption, so we are not shocked by her confusion. H (the mom) was due on the 23rd of Dec. We haven't heard anything one way or the other for sure. And so, we wait. There is a good chance that she and her family are also still waiting, so right now it is more like we are just sharing in the family's frustration of waiting. Then, we will wait to see what she decides.

I'm sure you can all guess that this means we will not be taking a ski vacation for the new year. We are in a waiting pattern of life-changing (or not) proportions.

And, speaking of waiting - Buck had his third seizure (unexplained) on Christmas. We were off visiting friends and he told me he was tired. I said we should go but 10 minutes later, he was seizing on the ground at my feet. We called 911 (as we've been instructed to do until we see the neurologist). The ambulance came (no fire truck this time) and the EMTs were very nice and cordial. RKZ was able to carry Buck to the ambulance (a first of the 3) and I rode with him to Children's hospital.

As Buck had his last seizure only 10 days ago (at Costco, which I'm not sure I posted), we have been shortlisted to see the neurology doctor and we have an appointment for tomorrow morning. It's a relief to finally be able to ask some questions - although we have gotten every test for Buck (CAT scan; EEG; blood) and they all come back "normal." I'm glad Buck's normal, but that doesn't explain the seizures. So - we wait again. And there is a big chance that we'll always wait - that Buck will need medication for something that can't be explained.

I'm starting to feel as though I need medication (or just 10 drinks) but I can explain exactly what that's for.
We're praying for a more peaceful 2009. Or at least a 2009 filled with answers.

"I'm burning up for your love"

Buck (dressed as a fireman): I know why firemens wear suits, so they aren't cold.

Me: Maybe it's also so that they don't get burned

Buck: Well, I don't get burned because I stay out of the way.


You can take that to the bank.

"Gone away is the blue bird..."

It's not warmer. I wish I could post the weather forcast - but it would be redundant. Cold, colder, coldest. We're like an English lesson.

Getting close to Christmas and we're missing our families SO MUCH. There was a "drop-in" neighborhood party last night. We didn't have a sitter, so I went from 8:30 - 12:30 (am) and then RKZ went from 12:35 - 2ish...It was a fun party, even if we didn't anticipate that it would be so fun. Walking the four houses was chilly. It's funny when breathing in hurts.

This morning, we were off to Mass - the 4th Sunday in Advent already - Buck was big on counting the 'FOUR CANDLES" very loudly. We also found out that we won the Knights of Columbus pew raffle for a reserved pew and parking space at Christmas Eve Mass. That WAY beats showing up with a 3 year old an hour before Mass to be sure to get a seat. My dad would SO love a reserved pew. We were very excited - but we gave the parking space to an elderly couple so that they don't have to walk far in the cold. Christmas spirit and all. We asked them to sit in our pew, of course, but there will already be 5 kids in our pew because we're sharing with another family - so what do you guess that they take their chances with the crowd :)?

Poor Broncos really lost today. It's a sad evening around here. We had friends over to watch the game, but they weren't exactly fans. Poor RKZ - no family and no Bronco win for the Holidays. At least he'll be home for a few weeks.

We love you, family. Miss you and wouldn't even mind the cold (it'd be warm to us anywhere you are). RKZ says "it's warm in our hearts" - he's such a sappy guy. That's why I love him.

"Baby it's cold outside"

To celebrate freezing my bum off today here in Calgary, I am posting pictures of sunny Mexico and our favorite part - the beachThis is a view of our walk from our condo to the beach.
Buck waiting for breakfast (notice the short jump to the beach chairs from the breakfast table).
Grandma and the amazing beach view.
the Sea of Cortez is beautiful. RKZ and Buck are fuzzy in the water.
Swimmin'
Buck got a Mickey Mouse tatoo on his arm. He was very excited.
The Duke, Duchess and RKZ hanging out at our favorite breakfast on the beach spot.
Buck & RK hanging out on the beach chairs next to the breakfast table (no lie)
the view from my beach chair
Happy family in the sun

It is -29 degrees F in Calgary right now (7:05am). That's right, NEGATIVE TWENTY-NINE DEGREES. that's -34 degrees celsius. How do I even begin to explain how cold that is? There is a wind chill warning in effect where basically they are saying to not go outside. I have no plans to move from this house. It's looking like a cookie & craft day for Buck & his mommy.

"If it smells like Christmas"

Here are some shots (pun intended) of our first day in Mexico. We have a few places we always must head. If it looks bad, it isn't. The food is amazing at these 2 places - in one pic the owner is doing shots with us because Grandpa Duke can make friends with ANYBODY. Viva!

















A new collection of Mexico. I am jealous of my past self. -17 degrees now (balmy ...) Making some beer & cheddar soup before we put the babe to bed and finish up with Christmas cards (RKZ's favorite event).

"Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland"

Photos from our Mexico - Cabo San Lucas - trip for US Thanksgiving. It's so fun to imagine the heat now that even my Uggs can't keep my feet warmThe Duke and Duchesses' balcony - so cool!
Some shots taken as we sipped drinks and the sun went down...


The view from Grandpa Duke and Grandma Duchesses' balcony
The pool below their patio
Buck hiding under a chair. He had such a good time.
Buck standing in front of the sunset. It's too beautiful there, isn't it?
Sunset in Cabo.
It's -18F/-23C outside right now. Yes, that really is unimaginable cold. Our automatic garage door has frozen both shut and open twice now. We have to warm up the cars for about 10 minutes to be ok. RKZ is working at the Knights of Columbus breakfast this morning, so Buck and I were on our own making it to Mass (RK met us there after setting up the hall). This seems so simple if it's not -18 degrees outside and the world is not a winter wonderland.

The breakfast was yummy (french toast and ham) and we had a great morning talking with friends. Buck has an entire slew of people to play with, so it's a good time.

Today, we'll just be watching the Broncos try to secure a play-off birth and I'll be finishing up the Christmas cards. It seems like the holidays have been breathing down our necks for a while. How quickly time goes!

More Mexico in late posts today!