Wee Ones
Little Ones
Bigger Ones
Loved Ones
Smart OnesWhere I’ve Been
Posted on February 21, 2010
Have you noticed how quiet things have been around here lately? Yeah, me too. Unfortunately things in my life have gotten a little hectic. February has not been the best month for us, health-wise.
About a week and a half ago I spent the entire day running Griffin from doctor to doctor, and finally ended up in the pediatric ER in Syracuse. He had woken up unable to put any weight at all on his left leg. There was no bruising, and no injury that he or I could think of, so we went to see his pediatrician. The ped figured out that problem was in his hip joint, and sent us off to an orthopedic surgeon. Keep in mind that Griffin could not walk at this point – I was carrying his 75-pound body everywhere. Fortunately we were able to grab a wheelchair at North Medical when we were there. The orthopedic surgeon did some x-rays and suspected that Griffin had an infection in his hip. No, I had never heard of such a thing either. So they sent us to the ER so that they could aspirate the infection. Griffin had to have an IV put in, because they were going to have to sedate him for the procedure. THAT was not a pleasant experience. Then after hours of questions by various doctors and nurses, more x-rays, and more blood draws, they finally determined that there was no infection, but that it was just inflammation, probably the result of a virus. We were finally able to go home, and by that point Griffin was able to put some weight on his leg. He had a limp for the next couple of days, but he seems fine now. He’s been taken out of gym class until his follow-up appointment this week, which is killing him. He loves gym. Then the day after the trip to the ER, I got a call from the hospital saying that one of his blood cultures was growing something “funky” (love the technical medical terminology). So we had to spend the next few days keeping a close eye on him for any sign of infection. Our ear thermometer got quite a workout.
During our time in the ER, I could feel myself coming down with a cold. And it has been with me ever since. I can’t remember the last time I got hit with a cold this debilitating. I have been so exhausted that just getting out of bed is a chore. Even when we had the swine flu a few months ago, it wasn’t this bad! I even managed to lose my voice for a few days. It’s finally back today, so I can get back to yelling at my kids. 
So now it looks like the worst is behind me, and hopefully I can start getting caught back up again. I have four sneak peeks that I have to get done, as well as a few order deliveries, a couple of galleries, and a few emails. If you are one of the ones who have been waiting, I appreciate your patience. I will try to get everything done as quickly as possible.
I’m looking forward to a much healthier March!!!
Mom 2.0
Posted on January 29, 2010
I saw this video posted on Facebook yesterday, and it really spoke to me. It expresses exactly how I feel as a mother. Especially this:
“…nurturing the good in this world is nothing short of a privilege.”
Yes, yes it is.
So now I will share this with all of you. All of my friends who are mothers, all of my mothers who are friends , and everyone who knows that motherhood is the best there is. Especially my friend Jen, who welcomed her first little baby into this world on Wednesday, and will soon get to discover how wonderful it all is.
(It also doesn’t hurt that the photography in this video is gorgeous!)
We have a little bit of snow today…
Posted on January 2, 2010
And it’s at times like these that I’m thankful for the traditional division of labor that Vance and I have. I take care of the inside of the house, he deals with the outside.
And in case you were wondering – yes, it’s still coming down.
My hubby
Posted on January 2, 2010
It’s a rare day when I’m allowed to point my camera in his direction. And rarer still when he allows me to share a picture. Actually, I hadn’t really gotten permission to take this one. He was wrestling around with the boys, and I snapped away. Despite the strange crop (a result of him trying to avoid the camera), I really like this picture. I think it’s the gleam in his eye.
The Great Snowball War of 2009
Posted on December 28, 2009
Today our visitors from North Carolina were treated to several inches of new snow. That, of course, means just one thing. SNOWBALL FIGHT!!!!
Watch out, Uncle Jo!
Oh, never mind. Griffin’s aim is not that good.
He does make a good show of trying, though.
Faith joined the war, so Josiah brought out the heavy artillery – the shovel. He yelled, “Griffin, duck!” And Griffin did, just in time.
A little bit of sisterly revenge.
But then the tables were turned, and Griffin tried to rescue Faith.
It’s a tough job being King of the Mountain.
Hey, where did that one come from?
Oh, that’s where.
Or did it come from Grandpa over here??
A Very Marriner Christmas | The One With the Mustaches
Posted on December 26, 2009
One of the more fun things that the boys got for Christmas was a set of fake mustaches. The whole family joined in the furry fun, starting with Griffin (of course).
Grandma sits back and enjoys the silliness…
…until Griffin brings the silliness to her.
That’s a nice look for you, Mom!
Griffin tries on a couple of different styles…
Griffin hangs out with Aunt Sara…
…while Grant snuggles with Grandma.
The whole crew. My FAVORITE shot of the day – I may have to have this framed. (Project 365 – Day 360)
Grant, looking a whole lot like his father. Except for, you know, the hair. (hee hee!)
And finally, a non-mustachiod pic of my beautiful sis.
A Very Marriner Christmas | Play Time and Family Time
Posted on December 26, 2009
After all of the presents were opened, the boys jumped right into playing. And I started playing with my new camera lens!
Totally missed the focus on this one, but I like it anyway.
Griffin working on his new Lego set…
Meanwhile, Grant builds with his new Erector set…
Cars and trucks lined up.
My sister Sara and her pretty bows.
Sara got a new camera. We’re a Canon family.
Bowhead.
A Very Marriner Christmas | The Morning
Posted on December 26, 2009
The tree and all the loot.
The stockings were hung…
The boys running down the stairs.
Checking out the gifts. (Project 365 – Day 359)
Finally – the game he’s been waiting for FOREVER!!
More unwrapping.
Balloon architecture – should be fun.
Gee, thanks Grandma.
Cool, a math game!
Griffin’s new iPod. Someday I will have to post a list of the songs he has added to it so far. It’s a very eclectic mix for a six-year-old. Everything from Frank Sinatra to the Black-Eyed Peas. Strange child.
Yet another Mario shirt.
Lego Rock Band!
Two of Griffin’s favorite things – Transformers and Jenga.
Star Wars science – cool!
Griffin checks out one of his (many) new books.
An Erector Set for Grant the Builder.
The Tony Hawk Wii game!
And Hot Wheels. of course.
Legos!
A globe for the boy currently obsessed with geography.
The last present under the tree. Griffin hoped and prayed that it would be…
DEVASTATOR!!!!!
A Very Marriner Christmas | The Eve
Posted on December 26, 2009
This year Griffin is a member of the Children’s Choir at our church. They performed two songs at our Christmas Eve service. You can see one of them here (the video is quite dark because of the low lighting in the church, but you can see Griffin is the one in the shepherd’s costume on the right).
He’s wearing the shepherd’s costume because he was also part of the little pageant that they had. Isn’t he adorable with his little lamb??
Getting ready to sing.
The Children’s Choir (point & shoot – sorry for the quality)
Too cute!! (Project 365 – Day 358)
Merry Christmas Everyone!
Posted on December 25, 2009
