Romance at Sun Mountain Lodge....

Thomas and I got the opportunity to have 5- yes FIVE- days vacation  at Sun Mountain Lodge near Twisp, WA. This first picture is from our balcony window.... a great start!

It has been a different lifestyle since we moved from Texas. Not having "babysitters" at our call has been difficult.  Leaving the kids with my grandmother and mother can be a chaotic mess if longer than a weekend. So, it was a real treat to have my college girl ( Kate ) put her New Year's plans on the back burner for us. I booked the trip and presented it to Thomas for Christmas. It was a hit!

We headed out on a Friday afternoon. Due to the time change... it was dark, dark when we were driving. Washington has a thing about lights on the highways. Too much pollution.... ok?.... so they keep it dark.
After arriving at the lodge, I knew we were in for a treat. Gorgeous. With a bison meeting us at the front door and a raging fire in the fire place I knew we were in for a treat!! Not to mention, there is NO television in the rooms or internet. It was the FIRST time we have ever had a room like this and I knew we would finally unwind. We had a lovely, delicious dinner and lots of wine on our first night. No one asked to eat from my plate or tried to steal my glass.... it was heaven. Ok, I missed the kids- but it is nice to eat SLOWLY and CHEW my dinner!!

Our first day we went on a snow shoe adventure ( first time ). It was very interesting with finding "fresh tracks" , animal watching and discovering how the trees survive winter. Now I will say- NO ONE looks cute in these "beanie" hats. Seriously, it does nothing for you. Unless you are from Denmark or something with gorgeous hair, eyes and a super fit body-- no one looks cute! The scenery was just breath taking and we enjoyed every step in the 19' weather!

Lake Patterson... in the distance.. is frozen solid!

         

Beanie hats are NOT flattering... 

fresh cougar track!

On New Year's Eve we took a sled ride up to a tent and had a cowboy dinner with a real cowboy singing and crooning! Fun times.

We eventually had a cross country ski lesson. Holy Cow- it is the hardest workout I have ever had! First, I am use to down hill skiing. Where you have these stiff boots that help control your balance and skis with edges. I put these things on and it was like I was having a spasm. Trying NOT to fall I am sure I pulled something. Eventually, we got it and off we went.... admiring the beauty and sweating out the wine from the night before. Great fun!!
After, Thomas taught me chess. This was the FIRST vacation that we didn't have an agenda. We sat, we read, we napped, we laughed, caught up on "parent life", kissed and held hands as we walked around the beautiful grounds. Worth the cost!

Today, the image of marriage and family is so skewed. Most people think marriage is just focusing on the kids and their needs. Or spending holidays with a "girls" trip or "guys" trip because we need to be away from each other since we are never "with" each other because of the daily grind. When Thomas and I got married.... we vowed to always set 1-2 vacations aside a year to BE with each other. To rekindle, relax and revive our marriage. I guess that is why I love him so much. He has always been faithful to that vow! We always have a good time with each other. I am the odd duck among most. I LOVE being with my husband... just having him sit in the same room with me is a great time ( when we are alone). We still laugh like we did when we first got together!! It is tough to take the time, it is tough to get a sitter and there is ALWAYS a reason not to follow through with the plans. I guess my advice- put your marriage first! In the end, the kids will move away ( we hope ) and then you are stuck with someone you might not know anymore because you didn't put that relationship first!!
I love you Thomas B Tucker.... thanks for saving me , marrying me and loving me after all these years!

Piggy Bank

 The worst fear of our lives came true..... Henry started choking one evening.... then turning blue! It is a moment that will paralyze you. I am fine with blood spurting every where but this... this is something I never want to experience again!!

Blame it on "poor judgement" but I had Henry hanging out with the older boys one evening while I was cooking dinner. Our oldest tends to be over dramatic at times. You know the story of "don't cry wolf". I was cooking when I heard him scream, "Mom, come quick". I shouted back, "I am in the middle of something.. what is it". Another come quick plea then I heard crying and a strange cough. I dashed to the stairs and there was Henry-- choking, crying and turning blue!! I quickly pulled him over, swept his mouth and whatever it was was way too far back. The boys didn't know what he had in his mouth because he was dancing and jumping on the bed. Then- a cough, a gag, no breath, vomit.
He was turning bright red, blue, purple. Then he would cry, cough, vomit. The vomiting became constant and soon he couldn't make sounds. He could barely breathe.
I panicked. YES- total freak out. I have never had so much fear in my life. I called Thomas when he was vomiting.... HURRY HOME!! In a stern voice he said "Call 911". I said he is breathing... then "Oh Lord- he is vomiting and turning blue". I hung up the phone and dialed for the ambulance.

++ I must interject here. I am one that doesn't call 911 on a whim. I actually saw $$ signs running through my head....why I second guessed myself for the almighty dollar? Stupid!! You hear of large bills due to an unnecessary ride to the hospital. I thought I could "FIX" it... I was wrong. It is a service that is necessary when needed. Money is just money and a life cannot be replaced. Lesson learned.++

His pulse O2 was in the low 80's when they got there. The lady on the other end of the 911 call kept telling me I was doing good. I was trying to keep my other 4 calm, me calm and Henry calm. My grandmother was the most calm. The children cried and as we all watched him suffer. Henry doesn't talk so he couldn't express himself. The only thing that spoke was his eyes.... big, scared and worried.
My precious child. With each cough, gag and vomit he was slipping into being in a weak state.
Thomas ( my hero) came in the door and right behind him was the ambulance. We were strapped to the "cart" and off we went.

Because we were not sure WHAT he had swallowed they decided to do an MRI. That baby was so still while they took the pictures. Never moved a muscle. Not once.... amazing. There is was... a quarter.

What seemed like eternity, the on call ENT came in and said- its off to surgery. Lucky enough, we did not have any incisions. But he was completely put under and that was scary. Before he went into the OR, Henry could no longer make sounds or cry. His breathing was quick and shallow. I was terrified!!

All things went well and a couple of hours later he was back to normal!! Smiling!!
For the next 4 days I cried.... a lot!! It was sitting at the top of his trachea. One more cough, one more movement and things could have been bad... REAL bad. It made me REALLY realize- that our lives could have changed in a second.

We so take our "lives" and "routines" for granted. We so let the little things get in the way of the bigger picture. I am grateful for another day with our son. I am grateful for the days with my children, grandmother, mother and husband. I definitely looked inward and started to realize.... time to
"declutter". I don't want a serious situation to happen where I can't deal with it because I have "cluttered" my life with frustrations, complaints and anger. I have a long way to go... but I am DEFINITELY working on it everyday.
Thanks be to God for another day and another chance.

I will say- I have purged our home. If it fit in my hand it went to my garbage can. Henry still puts things in his mouth... but with a little more caution.

Right before surgery

Just out of surgery

'Thirsty!

Interest in a toy and Elmo show.

Finally, the smile we ALL know and love

!!! Viva Tejas !!!

Our trip to Texas started with our pilgrimage to Matt's El Rancho. Fr. Bud, Baba, David and Alisa all joined us. I hadn't had queso in over a year. So, that was my meal... queso and margaritas. Tasted sooo good...but when you haven't eaten that stuff in a long time, it will haunt you later in the night! It was worth every bite... the plane ride was terrible. Henry was just awful. YES, were were "those" parents with the crying baby. I was so exhausted from fighting him the whole trip. Thomas was a big help but honestly, I think he was over stimulated and just couldn't relax. Our plane trip started at 6am PST and we got in 8:30 CST. Long day! Thank goodness for TexMex!

OOOH-- QUESO

The gang- Alisa, Fr Bud and David.... Baba had to go home to study how to be a nurse

It was go, go go from the minute we got off the plane. From dinners with the Slevins and Guilloteaus to time with Grammy and PawPaw. My dad even picked up my grandmother Adcock from Houston to see the kids. It was great. My Nanny really enjoyed my kids. Watching Elizabeth play with her, whisper in her ear and playing "tickle" took me way back to my childhood. My favorite thing in the world was to sit in my Nanny's lap.... I don't fit so good anymore but it was worth a try!

The kids go to spend time with Papa and Grammy. I even got to see my "Nanny". It was awesome to see all my family.

Dad, Nanny and Me

Sweet hugs and kisses from Elizabeth to Nanny

I still fit in my Nanny's lap..... well, sorta!

                                              PARTY TIME AT THE HAUSMANN'S!!!

Wow, Wow, Wow.... we are so blessed to have such nice friends. Our friends from St. Theresa's gave us a nice "Welcome Back" party. They really went all out with great food and great margaritas. I couldn't believe the HEAT! The weather man was REALLY wrong.... it was suppose to be high of 80. It was over 90 and this Pacific Northwest Princess has become VERY sensitive to the heat. I was sweating in places that should be illegal!! The great thing was, the kids got to swim in the lake, jump off the boat, go "fishing" and jet ski. WOW- so much fun. My 2 highschool BFF's  ( Natalie and Amy) came all the way from Houston to see us. It was great to see them, hug them and laugh with them. They fit right in and the whole day was so VERY special. Our friend Denise organized the entire day. She will never know how thankful we are to her for that day and for her friendship.... Thank you isn't enough!!

2 peas in a pod- Franck and Thomas

"Nurse" Baba and Jeff

Cate D, Denise and Me at the Hausmann's home

Jeff ( Mr. Baba), Baba, My Sister Kelly and Patrick

Terri, Franck and Nancy

3 Queens....

BFF Natalie Parker.... all the way from Houston

Friends Forever!

Yes, Henry was naked...

Streaker!!!!!!

My friend Sarah, who "swam" with Henry alllll day long! Thank You!

BFFs for over 20 years!!!

Me and Baba-- I miss her so much.

God Mother ( Barb Jaloway) with Elizabeth

Fishing with BFF Liam!! So cool to watch them reconnect!

                                           THE HULK AND SPIDERMAN- REUNITES!
 One of the best parts, I got to see my God son, Luke Whitaker. He is so stinkin' cute! Even if it was a quick visit, I so appreciate them showing up with all the "cooties" that could have been flying around. I literally cried, when I saw him. Of course, he looked at me like I was a creature from out of space but to squeeze him was such a joy!!
Henry and Luke are only a couple of months apart. Luke was born a little "small" and Henry a little "thick".  So, the running joke is Luke is Spidey and Henry is the Hulk. You can tell in the pictures they weren't sure of each other. They are both use to BIG kids... to have someone their size is a special treat. Can't wait till the next visit!!

The day ended with a lovely ride on the houseboat. The kids and adults got to chat it up and then the boat was stopped so the kids could fling themselves off the side. Total fun!! A great way to end a HOT day! It was one of the BEST parties I have ever been to! I will treasure it....

Ken Hausmann and little Mia

                                    Thank you Hausmann and Aziz family for a super terrific day!!!

On our last day in Austin, I got to squeeze my good friend Taylor, her hubby David and baby Zane. If you remember from my other post, her dad passed earlier this year. He was a dear friend of mine. It was good to see them yet sad. It had only been 2 weeks since Tony's death. It was hard. I am so appreciative to just have that 10 minutes with her. Love you Taylor!

Bill Bastas..... Bill Bastas has been my photographer for 12 years. He started with our "engagement" photos, wedding, captured our first baby bump and the rest of the clan. He has been with us for many years and over that time has become a good friend. We have experienced joy and sadness. Great memories. It was especially important that we saw him on our visit. We literally rolled into town when I got a message....."Here we go again". See, his wife had breast cancer and was Thomas's patient. Unfortunately she lost her battle 5 years ago. His message went on to say.... I was just diagnosed with colon cancer. I immediately called him and we set up lunch date. I think it was good for all of us... to converse and confirm what would happen. Thanks be to God-- he had surgery and they removed it all. No chemo, no radiation. He realizes in 15 years it could come back. He accepts that and says- I will be close to 80... I will deal with that at that time. Agree! We love you Bill!

The last supper was with 2 of our good doctor friends. Shannon Cox ( in blue) and Dick Helmer. Dick was one of Thomas's partners in Austin. He and his wife, Angela, have been nothing but kind and supportive over the years. They are real gems. They even came for a visit to the great NW. We adore them.... Shannon Cox was my Radiation Oncologist when I was in treatment. He and Thomas have been friends for years. We have built a great friendship over the years.... now, we just got to get them to come for a visit!! He and his wife, Gay, are a total blast. We sit around and laugh the whole time....
                            Thanks for coming to dinner and hanging with the gang.... come see us!!!

Over all the trip was a little too fast! Total blast-- but fast and furious. It was great to see all our friends and family. I don't miss the heat... but I do miss some of the amenities you can get in a big city. Now, it is time for our friends to come for a visit. To sit in the grass with no chiggers, to go on hikes without passing out from the heat and to soak up some beautiful scenery!

We love you all-- come see us soon~