WHAT A WEEK!

It's been a busy week. 

Leighton has had a few ups and downs. 

She lost about a pound. 

She was intubated for several days. 

But the days have been seeing positive blessings happen.

She is a sweet little thing. 

And has stolen our hearts. 

Tonight my son sent this picture. 

Do I see a little double chin?

WAIT! Not yet!!!

I received a phone call from Nate yesterday. 

Sara was having contractions. 

Wait! Not yet. 

Not due till February 10!

Then he called an hour later. 

Baby in distress and labor not stopping. 

They are doing a stat C-section. 

My son sounded so alone. My heart was breaking. 

A short time later...

The little warrior princess was born 

Initially she was breathing with a little

Bi-pap. 

During the night she had to be intubated. 

They did a couple of doses of surfactant. 

Grandpa and I decided to brave the horrible roads and drive the 4 hours to be there for a moment with our son and other grands. 

Beside it was Kendrix's birthday. 

We stole the two boys to stay with us in the hotel. 

That was fun. 

Then this morning got to see the little warrior princess. 

Princess Leighton Zella Egan. 

Fight on baby girl. 

Fight on. 

'TIS THE SEASON

Time for moments staring at the tree. 

Time for dipping the chocolates. 

I'm not quite done yet. 

Added a new treat to the arsenal. 

Salted caramels. 

It's a lot of work. 

I'll go back to staring at the tree. 

THEY'LL NEVER KNOW

As I go from room to room.

They will never know. 

As I joke with the ax vs hand injury...

He won't know that the lady in the next room died. 

As I give Motrin for the 3 year old's fever...

They'll never know that in the room a few doors down,

we just gave a mom and dad the worst news they could hear. 

Your child has a brain tumor. 

As I walk out the door after nearly 13 hours of chaos...

They'll never know how hard it is to face it again the next day. 

Happy Thanksgiving.  

THE BIONIC MAN

Here we go again.

Right shoulder repair. 

He's trying so hard to wake up from anesthesia. 

It's a little comical. 

He is such a lightweight. 

Home after just a few hours. 

Still trying to wake up. 

Unsuccessfully. 

Oh. There you are...... Asleep again. 

NIGHTLY RITUALS

While in Denver, it was reassuring to me that Lexi insisted on her nightly rituals.

During the 2 1/2 years she lived with us it was horsey rides on grandpa's back. 

Every. Night. 

Now there are rituals of "head knocker", "jack and the beanstalk" and 3 or 4 others that I couldn't remember. 

The important thing is the ritual. 

She rules the roost, this child. 

And she continues try other delay tactics. 

But after prayer and story, 

there is finally 

this. 

And it is sweet. 

ME AND MY SHADOW

I flew to Denver on Friday to be able to spend the weekend with the Conders.

Lexi was singing in Primary and I just couldn't miss that!

Besides, Howie has been in Minnesota for two weeks and I hate being alone. 

I love the area they live in. 

Most of all, I love hanging out with my shadow. 

I have missed her something fierce. 

Tonight we wrote stories. 

She writes some pretty fantastic tales. 

She would write a few paragraphs then I would write a few paragraphs. The plot involves some zombies, mashed potatoes and gravy and some other twists and turns. 

We aren't sure of the ending but it should be interesting. 

We have just enjoyed each other's company. 

I hate to go home. 

SMALL HUMANS

I'm babysitting for a few days while mom is gone and dad is working. 

Handsome Officer Egan. 

It's a tough job. 

But someone gets to do it!

And I'm having a blast. 

I love these small humans. 

My tribe. 

They live in my heart. 

TWINS THREE YEARS APART!

These two little brothers are 3 years (and some change) apart.

It's so amazing to see the likeness.

This guy loves grandpa!

Oh the squishy cheeks!

Yup. Twins.

 

CAN-tastic DAY

Today was a day to use up the rest of the garden produce. 

I canned Beef Stew

Beef Stew

5# red potatoes, diced

5# carrots, diced

5# corn (I used frozen corn)

V-8 Juice original (it took about four large bottles)

Season the stew meat with Lawrys season salt, garlic salt and pepper, add a little flour and toss in the stew meat.  

Stuff quart jars with stew mixture. Pour in V-8 juice to within an inch of the rim. 

Process in pressure canner for 90 minutes at 15 pounds of pressure. 

Yields about 26 quarts. 

Then I made my Grandmother Fullmer's recipe for Chili Sauce. 

The smells in the house reminded me of my grandma and my mother as they would make this every year. 

I thought about them all day. 

It was a good day. 

Grandma's Chili Sauce

8 quarts ripe tomatoes, skinned

3 C onions , chopped fine

3 C green peppers, chopped fine

1 C apple cider vinegar

3 C sugar 

In a spice bag:

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp cloves

2 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp ginger

6 Tbsp salt

Put the spice bag in the tomato mixture and simmer for 3 hours until thickened. 

Pour into 1/2 pints jars. Process in water bath canner for 10 minutes. 

Yield about 25 1/2 pints. 

WHAT IS THE NEW NORMAL?

Lynsey and Lexi have been gone about 3 weeks.

I miss them.

For over 2 1/2 years they lived with us. 

Our house was crazy chaos. 

And I loved it. 

Lynsey became more like a best friend. 

And I loved it. 

Denver is far. 

And I don't love it.

But they are happy and doing well. 

In the meantime I'm trying to figure out my new normal. 

I have been busy. 

Canning.

I love canning. 

I love fresh garden food. 

(Ignore the emesis basin...it is unused)

And I love getting pictures from the family. 

Technology.... I love it. 

Lexi's first day of 2nd Grade.

And then there is this little girl!

She loves her daddy.

She is just a smiling angel. 

Her big brothers going off to school. 

Kendrix to kindergarten and Krew to 3rd grade.

Then there is this little guy. 

Timothy Charles Egan

Those cheeks!!!!

They need some smooches. 

Then there are these kids!

How is it that they keep growing?

Stop!!!

Josh, Jessica, Justin and Jaren. 

They went down the Alpine slide in Park City over the weekend. 

Looks like fun.

We did that once as newly weds. 

They are sure cute!

But them getting older makes me older.

I'm not sure I want to be older. 

 

Is that my new normal?

And this picture....

I love this place.

SQUEEEEEEE

13 years ago we paid for the biggest mistake ever. 

We bought a used Cadillac Catera. 

For 13 years it has proved to be the worst car ever made. 

I'm pretty sure the previous owner was Satan himself. 

Today I bought a new car. 

Ok. 

Not new. Because that would just be ridiculous. 

But new to me. 

Proud owner of a 2011 Chevy Equinox. 

Isn't it pretty? 

I'm pretty excited. 

And I can even start the car from inside my house!!!!

Cars have come a long ways since the last century. 

GARDEN FOOD

No words needed. 

Pure deliciousness. 

Pure happiness.

NEWEST ADDITION

Timothy Charles Egan
8 pounds 4 ounces

Sweetness from heaven. 

Grandpa and I get to hang out with Teddy for a couple of days.