The Thurber Gang

I've spent the last week in quite the haze. Thankfully, there is now a light at the end of the tunnel as I was able to have my root canal finished yesterday. (A little update - I went last Tuesday to have an emergency root canal after my nerve had been left exposed on Monday. The endodentist was not able to complete it b/c there was too much inflammation and infection (gross, and OUCH!) I was on some hefty pain killers and antibiotics for the whole week just waiting until he could 'go back in'.) I am *so* thankful to say that I see a light at the end of the tunnel. I still can't eat solid food (unless I'm drugged. . . which I'm trying to wean myself off of them - I never take anything, so it's been quite the rude experience for my body!) so that's what I'm most excited about in the coming days. I *am* making a Thanksgiving meal tomorrow, and am hoping to partake of everything, but the mashed potatoes and gravy have always been my favorite, so I ...

I've been having some work done on my teeth. Unfortunately, it has not been at all pleasant. A lot of numbing, renumbing, drilling, digging, cutting gums, bleeding, filling, making molds, etc. Today's appointment was meant to be a little better than last - it was only 2.5 hours as compared to over 3 hours last week. I was uncomfortable, but the shock didn't set in until the freezing wore off a few hours later. I must have a nerve exposed or SOMETHING - I can't talk right, can't eat or drink (I literally JUMP when something even touches my tooth - including my tongue or saliva!) I almost cried when I tried to comfort myself by sucking on a mini egg - steering clear of that whole side of my mouth, of course, when the sugary saliva worked it's way to my tooth. There's no consolation at all!!! In all of this, however, I've had multiple people come and offer *much appreciated* assistance. . . driving my kids home tonight when I just couldn't wait ...

Madison asked me yesterday if we could start calling her by a new nickname. . . she assured me that she still loves being called 'bubba', but that she was hoping we could also use a new name. . . she said that she thought about it for a while, and that she really thinks that it fits. . . so, here it is. . . drum roll. . . Madiswim . What a cute girl. . .

Well, Milo got paid today. That's always a really good thing. . . we know we can get groceries, pay bills, etc. *OR*, we could blow the whole thing and have fun in Mexico. . . today, that's exactly what we did. Milo's entire paycheck was spent in Mexico!!! However, it's not quite as fun and fancy free as it sounds. . . we got a call tonight from our bank, wondering if we had made a large purchase. Actually, a few *very* large purchases. My first thought was 'maybe Milo's buying me a *super* awesome present for Christmas, and I almost wasn't worried (I'd give him trouble - but not overly worried). . . but then they spoke to Milo. . . More money than we even had in our bank account (thanks to our new draft protection!) was spent by someone in Mexico - drained us completely. . . You know - this is something that you hear about. . . and take steps to prevent. . . (just yesterday, Milo was explaining to the girls why we shred all of our statements and bi...

Normally, at this time of the year, I feel accosted by all of the Christmas paraphernalia that is rampant in every store I visit. I usually feel a little infringed upon that the commercialization of Christmas is what my girls see for *two* months of the year, nothing at all yet about the true meaning of our celebration. But, this year is different. . . this year, as Hallowe'en passed, I waited less than patiently for that holiday's merchandise to be put away and the Christmas wonders to be unpacked from their boxes. . . Then - to be safe, I waited just a little while longer. . . today, on the way to swimming, with *just* enough time to slip into Target, I unloaded the girls, we ran into the store and headed to the back - the seasonal section. . . I've had a little influence on these girls, so their breath was held almost as sharply as mine as we scanned the shelves. . . Madison found them first. Our hallowed Mini Eggs (Christmas Balls at this time of year). EUREKA! We ...

I have been having that 'am I feeling sick, or just run down?' feeling lately, and after a rough sleep last night, it was obvious. I am NOT feeling well. . . this morning at 5:30, I canceled running (sorry Celeste) but, I couldn't fall back asleep. So, I laid in bed feeling yucky. I finally got up after a while and watched saved episodes of Gilmore Girls. Thankfully, I've been busy lately and the DVR was getting filled with them! I've watched 3 or 4 episodes now, in between a nap or two - and now I think I'll head back for the last one that I have. . . but, I just had to share my gratitude for the silly, witty show. . . I miss it!!

While wasting a bit of time, I just figured out which Celebrity mom I'm like. . .ha. . . thought I'd share. . . You're Reese Witherspoon Plucky, positive, and fiercely protective, you are, above all else, a survivor. If your husband were to leave you for an attractive younger girl, you'd grab the nearest attractive younger guy and become instantly thinner, sexier, and more fashionable than ever before. Belying your broad comic talents, you're a remarkably private person, a defiant and devoted mom dedicated to raising your kids with the simple, down-home values your folks instilled in you. I found this quiz here: http://family.go.com/community/quizzes/which-celebrity-mom-are-you-qz/

A change has come. We'll be hearing that a lot now, I'm sure. I find myself really emotional this morning. No matter what your political beliefs, we have witnessed history. I heard that there was 'dancing in the streets' here in Detroit - people gathering by the bronze sculpture of prizefighter Joe Louis’ fist . . . living here, I'm disheartened as to how far we still need to come to be a united country - black, white, Christian or non, etc. So, here we are. Whether we (well, you) voted Democrat or Republican, Barack Obama will be our next President. I pray that change really *will* come. . . I pray that our country will unite. I pray that we can actively support what we believe in, and fight against what we don't, and at the end of the day, feel peace in knowing that God has a plan for us, whether we see it or not.

I am just wishing that I could vote tomorrow, and I'm hoping that all of you who are able to will exercise your right to vote!! It is a gift!!! These next 24 hours are sure going to be interesting. . . My girls voted in school today, and it's really funny how swayed they are by the media and their peers. . . I hope that their interest will remain as they get older, and that instead of what 'every one else thinks', they will eventually understand their own inner beliefs, and that THOSE will drown out all of the ridiculousness that elections seem to naturally bring. . . Living as a legal alien has it's benefits, but also it's drawbacks, and knowing that this is where we are paying taxes, educating our children, receiving health care, etc - I'm really finding it stifling that my voice cannot be counted. BUT, yours can!!! VOTE, VOTE, VOTE!!!!

We got our Christmas Pictures taken yesterday . . . and we really like them. . . and we think you will too . . . hey - you didn't think we'll show the actual pictures to you BEFORE Christmas, do you??? Enjoy the teaser, and wait patiently for just a few more weeks!!!

Tonight after finishing supper at the Thurman's all of the kids went downstairs while the adults visited in the kitchen. Madison and Lindsay came upstairs, begging for our video camera, which we didn't have with us, and they were so disappointed. They just kept going up and down the stairs, begging us to come and look at Vivien and Brayden. Thankfully, Kendall grabbed his digital camera and grabbed a few seconds of footage, because THIS is what we saw when we went downstairs. . . What do you think? Should we sign them up to be ballroom dancing partners? It's pretty good form for 3 & 4 year olds!! ha. . . Just after this, Madison, Lindsay, Lillian, Sydney and Ella organized a wedding - and Vivie and Brayden were married. . . they exchanged a plastic bracelet and sealed it with a hug. Silly kiddos. . .

We have had a LOT of Hallowe'en fun around here. . . School parties, church parties, class parties, street parties, ballet parties, skating parties, preschool parties, even a halloween swim meet! and OH MY GOODNESS - that's not even counting actual Trick or Treating. . . This Hallowe'en felt a bit like a never ending holiday, but the girls loved it. . . that's what counts. . . I have many, many, many pictures of the girls dressing up, but this was the ONLY one with just the four of them together (I guess I thought I'd have another opportunity, or maybe I figured I already took several. . .) I'll upload a few more tomorrow - but here's a teaser. . . Madison - Gypsy/Fortune Teller, Lillian - 50's girl, Ella - Ballerina/Little Black Raincloud (her ballet costume from last year's recital.) and Vivien - "Growlie" bear. While we were in Madison's classroom for her party yesterday, Vivie caught a glimpse of these frosted cookies. . . she lean...