Happy Thanksgiving

This year our family took the week of Thanksgiving "off" from our usual work and daycare schedules, so the only responsibilities we had for the week were to take part in the fun festivities of the season...something to really be thankful for!

In addition to the Thanksgiving feast we celebrated at Collin's daycare (right), we celebrated at our home with Grandma Jan the weekend before Thanksgiving. On Thanksgiving day, we celebrated with the Grandma Nola and the many Rosenau Aunts, Uncles and Cousins.

In between Thanksgiving meals, we enjoyed the few days (maybe more like hours?) of mild weather and played outside, still taking advantage of the chill in the air and warming up with some hot cider (left) once we came back inside.

We hope that you all enjoyed your Thanksgiving holiday as well and found something to be thankful for.

Father of the Year?

Ok folks, I think we have a contender here....

• So I failed to mention that the long 3 day weekend we had together at the beginning of the month was the opener of deer hunting season. Doug traditionally goes hunting with his Dad each opener, no matter the weather, no matter...well...anything. He had this vacation planned again this year, then was told about the mandatory training. This year he voluntarily decided to stay home since he had been in Texas all week. I had not even mentioned it!

• Yesterday was a Thanksgiving lunch at the daycare for all the parents and kids to join the staff for a meal and celebration. I took Collin home after the lunch, but all he wanted was DADDY!..Not in a normal "want what is not in front of me" way, but in a sobbing, "oh my God, where is Daddy!" way. Doug was scheduled to go to an event at Concordia St. Paul that evening to learn more about the grad school program he will be starting this spring. He found out that Collin wanted him and opted out of the event...even coming home early from work!

• I think it was a residual effect from the afternoon "crisis", but Collin was a very restless sleeper last night. I think he was testing us to be sure we were both here and adequately at his disposal. Doug got up each and every time (and I mean there were a lot of times last night...), giving Mommy some sleep and Collin the Daddy time he craved.

• (STOP reading if you are not good with bodily functions) Today Collin is clearly coming down with a bug of some sort. Mostly labored breathing and some coughing, a slight fever...nothing major, but still it breaks my heart. At dinner the coughing turned into "regurgitation"...which has always been Daddy's weak point...He sees it or hears it and I have 2 sick boys to deal with. Through the last 2 years he has slowly adapted, as all good Daddy's do, and tonight did a very "mom" thing...and spared the carpet some major cleaning with some very quick moves. He also took charge of the bath that automatically follows that type of thing...

So, definitely in the running for Father of the Year...at least in my book!

Hanging Out

The last two of weekends have been pretty calm for our family...yet another thing to be thankful for as Thanksgiving approaches and the rush of the holiday season begins.

First, we took a long 3-day weekend together to reconnect after Doug's trip to Texas. We spent some time at the library as well as a lot of playtime at home. Oh, and how can I forget my favorite...some well deserved afternoon naps all three days!

Collin got his own library card this summer

and has made good use of it since then

This past weekend we were given the honor of watching JJ Hammill for his first overnight without mom and dad! He and Collin had a great time playing together, and JJ even took it easy on us and mostly slept through the night. Both of the boys must have been pretty worn out because Collin slept until 7:30am (unheard of!) and JJ woke up shortly after at 7:45am.

Collin & JJ at the craft table.

Looks like Collin did not appreciate this paparazzi shot!

Thank you James and Angela for letting us spend time with your little man!

Some Prayers, please.

You may have noticed the addition of a new Family/Friend blog link on our site to the left, the Callison Chronicle. I worked with Corey and Tina at Bar None several years ago. Since then they have moved on to other careers, gotten married and have been blessed with 2 beautiful daughters, Ashlyn and Lynnea. They are close friends with the Hammill family who have kept us informed from time to time on how things are going with the Callisons, and we have seen each other at baby showers etc. from time to time as well.

Lynnea is the newest addition to the family, just born this Halloween. Unfortunately little Lynnea and her family are in need of prayers and support as she has heart issues that were recently discovered and will require a series of 3 surgeries...with one possibly as early as tomorrow.

Please keep them in your prayers.

Baptism Anniversary

Flashback to November 12, 2006

Two years ago today, Collin was Baptized at the Church of St. Stephen in Anoka, MN. Today we wanted to say a very big thank you to his Godparents, Katie & Darin Bartsch and Jennifer & Trevore Butcher, for the important role you play in the life of our little man.





For those of you who also joined us to celebrate Collin's official entry into the Church, we also say thank you for making it such a special day!

We love you, Daddy!

Doug is in Texas for a required training session. He has been gone since Monday and will be back on Thursday of this week. Collin has held up pretty well, asking where Daddy is and accepting/comprehending the answer that he is working and will be home Thursday...as best he can for his age.

But, at home things are still not the same and Daddy is very, very missed by both of us.

A little boy needs Daddy

For many, many things:

Like holding him high off the ground

Where the sunlight sings!

Like being the deep music

That tells him all is right

When he awakens frantic with

The terrors of the night.

Like being the great mountain

That rises in his heart

And shows him how he might get home

When all else falls apart.

Like giving him the love

That is his sea and air,

So diving deep or soaring high

He'll always find him there.

--Nicholas Gordon

A politician?

Ok, so Collin did not actually vote today...but he thought that my "I voted" sticker was very cool. Here he is working on a puzzle and showing off the sticker. I'm sure he is trying to take his mind off the stress of the election.

I have to say that few candidates really inspired our family this year, but some of them caused me enough distress to go and vote so that hopefully they will not be voted into office...all we can do now is hope and pray that the outcome is good for America.