Getting back at it

The last year has been a full one. Lots of things happpening in our lives and not much time to blog. I just revived my mobile app to see if I can get my blogging mojo back. 

Ok, so I remembered how to add pictures!! 

That picture above is of Wayne and Julie’s second child, due Oct 10! So thankful for this new life! Can’t wait to see who it is! 

I am back with joyous news to share!

Life has been busy since last I posted.

Most significantly, we have a new grandson! Griffin Thomas Belter was born 6/10/18 at 5:58am, weighing in at 9 lbs even. 

Griffin is one handsome dude! He looks just like his dad.

Ellie is doing a great job being a big sister. She stayed with us when Griffin was born.

Both Ellie and Vivi were with us the night that Sally went into labor which was so fun!

Here is Griffin's birth story:

Wayne and Julie had a wedding in Cincinnati the weekend of June 8-10 and we offered to have Vivi stay with us.  We made plans to meet Sally, Matt and Ellie at Cosley Zoo in Wheaton late Saturday afternoon(Cosley is a cute little farm more than it is a zoo). When Jack, Vivi and I met up with them at Cosley, Sally said she thought she might be having contractions. We walked around for a while, then Sally decided she should call her doctor. Sally was told to go to the hospital to see what was going on. Jack, Ellie, Vivi and I took off for our house (after a stop at McDonald's to get an ice cream cone that had been promised). After two hours at the hospital, they were going to let Sally leave because it wasn't certain that she was in active labor when all of a sudden, her water broke! This pregnancy, the water-breaking was well-timed! 

It was a bit of a hectic night, but luckily preparations had been made ahead of time. We had an extra pack n play at our house and we had Ellie's overnight bag here (including her beloved Dogga).

We got the girls to bed and then I tossed and turned all night, checking every ten seconds to make sure I didn't miss a call.

At 6:30 Sunday morning, my phone rang and it was Sally! She said "We have a baby and everything is great!" Jack and I listened with great joy as Sally announced "It's a boy!" I cried tears of relief and happiness and thanksgiving for this new life. 

It was a crazy busy morning and afternoon. After Wayne and Julie picked up Vivi, Jack and I took Ellie to meet her new brother. We stayed out in the waiting room so that the four of them could have that time alone together, then got to meet Griffin. 

April Showers

It's April. I have not blogged since February.
I am not sure why I have lost my mojo for blogging.
I have been at it for 8.5 years and man, how much has changed in that time.
I still think it's worthwhile to document the daily events of my life as well as my thoughts and feelings. I think my family will find it interesting (and will hopefully make fun of it!) after I am gone some day in the waaaay distant future.

Wayne’s Birthday and Snow Day

Wayne is 33 years old today. 

That is just crazy! He was just born, it seems. 

We also had a snow day today, our first this year. 

I am not a huge fan of snow days, as a rule. These unexpected days off require lots of flexible thinking. That’s not my strong suit. 

Complicating the day was the fact that Wayne was in Seattle on business and really wanted to get home for his birthday and lots of flights were cancelled. 

I really do not like when my loved ones are not where they want to be, especially on snow days (goes back to the Blizzard of 1967, when I was stranded at a classmate’s home)

Today it all worked out well because Wayne was proactive and got himself from Seattle to Denver to Indianapolis via plane, then took Amtrak home to Chicago to his sweet family. 

God is so good. 

Vivi’s video

Here’s a cute movie of Vivi pictures and videos from last Saturday!

hhttps://vimeo.com/251257165

Yes, I am blogging!

Here I am, blogging two weeks in a row or something like that.
It's Friday night and Winter Break '17 has officially begun. I can't even believe that it is already December 22nd.
Here I have to insert my usual grief-y thoughts...yesterday was the 6th anniversary of my mom's death and on the 26th is the 4th anniversary of Jack's mom death. Not to mention Jack's brother Mike's anniversary on the 12th.
Those grief-y thoughts always put everything into perspective as to what is important and what counts for eternity, but I still want to have gifts selected, purchased and wrapped and food ready to serve. It always gets done. I am glad we don't entertain here at our house during the Christmas season because it is a mess.
We had dinner with Jack's dad tonight, a little Home Run Inn pizza and split a bottle of Folie et Deux chardonnay. It is awesome to spend such meaningful time during Advent. Lots of good discussions and just being together.
Tomorrow is our annual get together with Chuck, Teri and family. It's one of my favorite nights of the year. So special to me in so many ways.

Am I blogging or not?

I have not blogged in over a month. What is up with that? Am I in or am I out?
I want to be in because I get so much out of reading posts from years past. It helps me process life.

It's almost mid-way through December. Less than two weeks til Christmas and less than 3 weeks til Lauren gets married! Such happy events! Even better, Jack's dad returned from Florida for these holidays. It is so good to have him back here.

Thanksgiving was lower key this year, but fun as always. Smaller crowd on Thanksgiving, then we celebrated again on Saturday with the Hall side. Staying flexible and always remembering that traditions are great but they are not obligations.




I am constantly reminded of how blessed I am to have my health and to be surrounded by people who love me for who I am and encourage me through the ups and downs of life.