Caelan Things

Classes are light and work hours are scarce, so Caelan is getting a few wedding things accomplished in her unexpected free time :) She spent hours carefully crafting this big N (for Noah) out of poster board. Then she shaved the flower foam in a cloud of green dust that coated the kitchen. Then she grabbed her greenery from a recent trip to Hobby Lobby and the Sola Wood Flowers that have already been colored pink, and she made this beautiful bit of decor for the mantel at the wedding. She has a C and an & to go--the & will be tricky!

Today, she and Noah are picking up her wedding dress! On Tuesday they have engagement pictures with my NGF. Caelan got her hair done with a birthday coupon in preparation :)

Before . . .

After . . .

We'll have to do a third round when her hair is straight to better see the changes :) She also interviewed for a management position at one job and got a significant raise at the other, now she just needs a few hours scheduled and things will be peachy!

Another Baby Kitty

So . . . we might have spoiled Spax. Gabby asked if we ever let him walk or put him down--probably we did? Occasionally? Caelan reported that Gabby wears a hoodie backwards, with Spax in the hood near her face, so she can get things done around her apartment without him crying to be held. Oh my! :) He also gets lonely at night and pounces on Gabby's head (she's sent pics of the scratches, yeesh!) So, she decided the best solution would be to expand her kitten collection, find Spax an energy-expending friend to keep him company. Her search began online; there were a couple of contenders, but she settled on a girl kitty at a shelter about an hour away. To her surprise, when she and Chase arrived, it was an "adopt a cat for free" day . . . they had 75 cats available!! We're told the sound alone, was incredible!

Miss Geely is only three months old and of a rare, diluted calico coloring. From the listing, Gabby thought she was older, but the little fluffball is light as a feather! I thought she was plump at first, but then picked Spax up and immediately felt the difference. Buck was so excited that Gabby brought the two over for a playdate! Only Spax wasn't in his usual cuddly mood. He's having trouble adjusting to his new BFF and would growl constantly, hiss, and surprise attack her. Geely was like "Whatevs, I'm used to dealing with, like, 74 of you." She's a sweetie!

Drivers Ed. Take IV

It was our plan from the day school ended for winter break until the day it started up again (today, actually) that Graysen would drive, drive, drive! But then there was a blizzard and the flu and a missing vehicle, and so we did not drive, drive, drive as planned :) Graysen started his online drivers ed course in December, so I guess we're well coordinated with that (he said all they've taught in the first three lessons is the variety of things that could go wrong--encouraging!)  And yet--"G$ drive" was on my "to do" list, which I like to make the "ta done" list. He waited 15 months from when he got his learning permit for his first driving opportunity . . . the others might have made it to like six months before they got a chance to drive, but wowza, 15 months!!

So, at the top of the New Year, we got a break in the clouds--dry streets, sun shining, and we decided: this is our day. I drove first--straight to the gas station, because empty tanks are most of our days ;) Graysen learned how to pump the gas before he got to drive the car. Our usual learning space, an old, abandoned mall, is under heavy construction, so that expansive and formerly deserted area is no longer accessible. Instead, we opted for our tiny church parking lot . . . which seemed fitting as Graysen squeezed behind the wheel of our tiny (to the boys) Nitro. We'd been wondering why Brennen had the seat soooo far back, but when Graysen got in, he tried to move it back farther and discovered it could go no more! His knees are all up in the steering wheel, so we're going to take Noah's suggestion and see if it will adjust up.

Graysen knows all the things about all the cars. In fact, Caelan came home recently and said, "I saw a car with a long, skinny logo that I didn't recognize. What was it?" Graysen rattled off the possibilities. In his free time, he studies Auto Trader printed sales magazines (the free ones in the entryways of stores that have mechanic aisles) and retains all the details of various makes and models of vehicles. He knows about horsepower, top speeds, and MPGs. All that to say, the introduction to basics like turn signals, gas and brake pedals, etc. was significantly more brief than previous first drives with previous first-time drivers :) He also could draw from a lot of experience in the basics of vehicle operation from driving the Polaris in the meadow near Grandpa's cabin, a year or so ago. So, we started with some loops around the parking lot, first to the right, then to the left. Our pastor showed up in his mega-van and said, "I know what's going on here--I'll just park out of the way, so you have space." Graysen practiced parking a couple times, got out to check his work, gave reverse a try, and within 15 minutes was ready for the open road!

We drove for more than an hour on curves and hills, past farmland and t-intersections. He got passed a couple times, but that's just fine--backroads people tend to be more friendly and understanding. We have some established driving routes, due to the 110 previous hours of driving around our community I've logged with the previous three students. Graysen certainly got to them sooner than the others did, so we're off to a solid start. The second drive is often a bit more challenging, so hopefully we'll be able to get to that soon . . . we only have nine months until he turns 16! Whoa. And we've got a bunch of our family turning 18 and a bunch more turning 21--all this year! Whoa!

I guess the only other thing I should add is--thanks for the heater, Gabby! It turns out, it was a Christmas gift to us all :)

Over Break

I'm thinking through all of the things the kids did over the break from school . . . the boys dug through their Lego tubs and did some building for the first time in a long time! (Gate to keep out kitty, who used to be able to climb over it with ease, but maybe now isn't so sure?)

Brennen interviewed, oriented, and started a new job at a sporting goods store! He was very happy to put in his two-weeks notice at his former job, which Graysen reluctantly called to get back on the schedule until he turns 16 next year :)

Buck took the boys to see Avatar in 3D on the IMAX, while we ladies were wedding dress shopping. Buck had the entire week after Christmas off of work, because we originally thought we were going to Africa. He and the boys got the bathroom door fixed, replaced some grout, swapped a toilet seat, changed a bunch of burnt-out light bulbs, got the trim back in the bedroom windows, got the hunting stuff sorted, and a bunch of other around-the-house tasks accomplished. Buck and I took the truck in to get it fixed (hello, unexpected new fuel tank 😒), because it had been a couple weeks since we had visited our nearly-family repairmen :)

The boys stayed the night at Chase's, stayed the night at Caedmon's (after digging at Chase's underground bunker) on New Year's, and stayed the night at Gabby's apartment last night. They also spent a bunch of time video-gaming with their friend Isaiah--his mom is really good at providing a ton of food, so they like going to his house :) Graysen got another haircut from "Uncle Jerry," and I completed yet another step in getting them registered at the public school.

A few days ago, Buck and I walked upstairs for a snack run, and discovered the kids had turned our multi-purpose library room into a home theater! With a less-wrinkled sheet, I believe the plan is to play video games in such an arrangement this afternoon.

Tonight, the girls are going to the fancy theater for a live performance, and the boys have plans with some of their friends from another church youth group on Saturday. Gabby might be bringing Spax for a playdate, since Buck misses the kitty, and that will just about wrap up our break. School starts Monday and so does Brennen, Caelan, Noah, and Gabby's next round of college classes! Ready or not, new year, here we come!

Wisdom Teeth Time

Caelan sported a fever for her first wisdom tooth removal appointment, so we rescheduled for the last weekday of the year . . . at 7 a.m. Noah, Caelan, and I arrived at the oral surgery center before the staff did. We watched them turn on the lights and unlock the door :) We said a quick prayer for Caelan and the operating team, and then headed inside. Pretty soon, the 80s 80s station--in German--played across the waiting room's speakers. Apparently, the usual secretary, who takes charge of things like music and television, was unable to arrive on time, so the financial gal took her place and couldn't make heads nor tails of the electronics :)

I joined Caelan for the consultation part and the payment part. She could see Noah through her room's door to the lobby. She tried communicating to him in sign language, which he doesn't know. This must have been the last thought on her mind before the surgery, because afterwards, she kept trying to sign information to him, and he kept saying, "I don't know sign language, love." :)

Let's see, she had four wisdom teeth, all impacted. The bottom two had "more developed roots," so were quite close to the nerve. The doctor said she was about average, as far as potential surgery complications go. Thankfully, she didn't have any (she only remembers that their heart monitoring machine wasn't working correctly and had to be rebooted). However, she was much like her dad waking up from anesthesia--sheet white and soooo sleepy. Noah and I both tried to wake her up, and she'd open her eyes for a second and then drop back into dreamland. No funny videos for Caelan, she just wanted to sleep :)

Noah waited with her and the nurse with the wheelchair, while I went to get the van. All of this happened just as the sun was rising in the sky. I think we were home by 9 a.m. Noah helped get Caelan in the house and then settled on the couch. She hardly talked at all, but did repeat the question, "How did it go?" She remembers very little of the ride home or getting into the house. Sleeping was her top priority, so Noah donned the surgical gloves included in her take home packet and carefully pulled the bloodied gauze from her mouth so she could rest. He was an amazing help during the process! He sat by her side, got her meds, switched out her cold packs, and made sure she was still breathing.

When she woke up once some pooled blood from her nap dribbled out the corner of her mouth and into her hair. He patiently cleaned her face, and she smile-grimaced at him with her red teeth and said groggily, "Vampire." She read Dracula earlier this year :) When the doctor called to check on her, I mentioned that she felt like there was a long stitch rubbing against her tongue. He said it was fine to cut it, so I sterilized some sharp (hair) scissors with peroxide, then fire, then boiling water. Caelan held her tongue down with a small spoon, while Noah provided light by iPhone. We managed to snip the stitch (it took two tries) and scrape the bits off of Calean's tongue with the spoon. Not a bad follow-up medical team, Noah and I, lol!

Noah stayed two nights, setting alarms to get her night medications on time. Day three and five were the worst for pain. Day three, she slept ALL day! Day four, she went to work (thankfully her management interview was moved to today), and out to eat with Noah, and engagement clothes shopping--a lot of stuff! So, day five she was hurting. She wrapped up her prescribed meds and feels much better today--for her interview and work commitments.

Knowing we'll have to complete this process likely three more times, I should remember: do this at the start of the year when the HSA is full to bursting, not at the end of the year when it is almost dried up. Food options: scrambled eggs, ramen noodles cut in small pieces, applesauce, yogurt, peeled pears, pancakes, melty ice cream, tomato soup, lemon fluff, and mandarin salad are all good options. Ground beef eventually, soft bread sticks eventually, the cravings for real protein start on day two. "No, Caelan, you can't have chicken wings--even if they're boneless--and fries, the day after surgery."

I spent a lot of time in the living room those few days, so my first Christmas gift puzzle is mostly built, and all the Christmas decorations are down and put away. Kind of a crazy end to the year, so bring on 2023!

Family Christmas at the Acres

My brother and sister-in-law offered, happily once again, to host family Christmas at their beautiful home. K did an excellent job decorating for the season's festivities. I asked Miles if having two Christmas trees meant he got twice as many presents. He said, "Aunt J there are three, and one in my room." Ha! Apparently, I've been doing something wrong--I've only ever had one tree!

Meanwhile, Buck and the boys and Chase were out in the back testing the new revolvers on some targets. I forgot to mention that our weapon count, gifted on Christmas morning, included at least half a dozen knives and two guns. While this didn't seem super odd to us, Noah probably wondered once again what he was getting himself into with this family, ha! He got a knife, too, though, so I'm sure that makes him feel more comfortable :)

I tried shooting a gun in the casual one-handed style of those before me, but it seemed to affect my accuracy some, lol! They are nice guns though, no kick, easy to hold--still loud!

Between K's baking and my neighbor's, there were plenty of treats! Yes. I said I'd bring something sweet to the occasion, but I completely ran out of time. When we opened our front door, there was a cheerful arrangement of homemade Christmas treats and a card from our neighbors. Great timing, neighbors! ;) While we snacked on sweets and charcuterie, my brother went to grab pizzas for our dinner.

Next, we all moved to the living room to pass around the gifts glinting around the tree--oh and the train that cruises the tracks makes real smoke rings as it chugs along! So cool! Mr. M of course had quite a healthy pile of gifts. He got to open them first. Graysen handed down the sweet cowboy hat he bought himself with birthday money when he was seven. His head outgrew it, but it fit Miles just right :) (My picture of K taking the pic of the pic below it).

Maga gave each of the kids a little white bag with personalized ornaments, light up trees that reminded her of her mom, and some cash. Noah and Chase are still surprised to be included, but they are part of the Crew, so gifts they get!

My brother also handed a gift to everyone--a real gold dollar! It was like everybody found a Wonka's Golden Ticket in their candy bar :) Very cool! K suggested we do a White Elephant gift exchange for any of the adults and teens who wanted to participate; it turns out everyone did. Everyone found nice things, too--it was hard to make exchanges because all the gifts were good. There were two massage contraptions, a local-themed Monopoly game, a one pound gummy bear, a hot chocolate bundle, chocolate dipped pretzels, a bow tie and action figure, a paint-by-number book and cardboard playhouse, a unique popcorn collection, and it's not Christmas without a pocket knife under the tree :) The final gift went to Chase--light-up light saber chopsticks; he can eat Chinese food in the dark now, if he wants to!

Such a cool place for the teens and twenties to hang out! They threw darts, they played pool, Aunt K showed off her skills at the pool table, a great time for them all :) My brother showed us his latest house project, which will be cool when it is complete. Miles showed off his new pajamas and sorted pokemon cards with Maga. The Acres is definitely the place to be! Merry Christmas, family!

She Said Yes to the Dress

A few days after Christmas, Caelan learned that two lady cousins in our church have another lady cousin who owns a bridal boutique just a few minutes from Noah's family's house. She also learned that they were having a yearend clearance sale, to give brides an opportunity to look through their selection of discontinued dresses before they were donated to charity, the day before New Year's Eve. Amazingly, enough, there was one time slot open after Caelan finished with work, on a day Gabby could go in to work early, and Noah's mom and sisters were free! Well, then Noah's sister's husband got a positive Covid test, so she had to watch from a very wifi spotty Facetime connection, but it worked out just fine :)

A quick search of the racks showed that no dresses were small enough for Caelan, so lots of clips were put in to use to get the idea of proper fit. She picked out six of the smallest dresses, (only one was on the big sale), and the enthusiastic and expectant bridal consultant helped her try them on. I wish I could show you each one in order, but they are saved on a behind-the-scenes post which will have to wait for late summer to appear :) She tried on just about every style except mermaid and tried her two favorites twice. There was a pretty obvious winner, so the bridal gal said, "Caelan . . . I have a question for you . . ." I said, "Wait, I need to start my video!" Pause, okay. "Are you saying yes to the dress?"

And then I started crying :) Noah's mom started crying on the very first dress, so I was in good company! I forgot to mention that the bridal consultant found a pair of heels, which made the dress length just right--no alterations needed. It will have to be taken in quite a bit on the sides, but I have a list of their trusted seamstresses in our area, so that should be fairly easy to fix. We don't actually have the dress yet, because it needed to be steamed and cleaned. Oh, and Caelan might take out some of the fluff and she can likely shorten the straps herself, but it is all-around gorgeous and she looks lovely in it!

To complete the look, the consultant put a veil on Caelan's head and handed her a bouquet of flowers. Noah's mom loved how well the veil matched the dress and immediately offered to buy it for Caelan. Caelan was planning to make her own veil, but it was an offer she couldn't refuse, because the veil really does match perfectly :)

Having the gown selected makes everything seem really real! How exciting!

After the shopping adventure, we went back to Noah's family's home and met one of his groomsmen. We all enjoyed pizza from a local restaurant and talked and got to know each other better. It was a good day!

** I should add that Caelan arrived home slightly early from work and planned to jump in the shower before we left for the hour drive to her appointment. I, too, planned to jump in the shower after finishing my exercise bike, time was ticking, we needed to get on the road! I turned the handle to my shower and . . . no water. I tried the sink--water! I flipped on the lights--electricity! I tried the shower again . . . no water. It worked fine yesterday! It sounds like no big thing, but at the time was so inconvenient that I just had to laugh. I don't recall having ever used the kids' shower (it's scary in there!), but with no other choice . . . I dug my robe--which I haven't worn in a decade--out of my closet and took a super quick wash after Caelan finished hers. Somehow we still made it out of the door on time! It turns out, Buck discovered, that the plastic piece inside the shower handle had snapped off, so there was nothing to catch inside the pipe to make the valve open and let the water come out. It was a super easy fix after a trip to the hardware store for a replacement handle, but what crazy timing for it to incomprehensibly snap. Good life lesson--no matter how well you plan, you can't always plan for the unexpected! Be ready to come up with another plan and try to have a good attitude about it :)