Whew, it’s been quite the whirlwind of activity around our home the past week or so. I’m sure you are all feeling the after Christmas crash as well. I know a few of you lucky ducks have still had some pajama days this week and I’m a little jealous. For those of you who don’t know, my mom, dad, brother and his dog Chico were at our home for Christmas and my mom was scheduled to have heart surgery the day after Christmas. She had an anomolous heart condition, not even sure what it is called but from what I gather, her artery was in the wrong spot, dumping blood into the wrong side of her heart and when she exerted herself it would get squeezed making her blood pressure drop dangerously. She was lucky to have found this out as most people with this condition usually just drop dead while exercising or have a heart attack.
Before her surgery we did all the fun Christmas stuff, which at our house is opening presents and eating, of course. Although my brother thought he should add a little excitement to our holiday by also heading to the hospital. On the night of the 23rd my dad (who is diabetic) checked my brother’s blood sugar after he kept complaining about how thirsty he was and how he was peeing all the time. Turns out my brother’s blood sugar was 554 or something ridiculously high like that. After calling the nurse line he was told to head to the ER. They decided to admit him for the night and thankfully he was released on Christmas Eve. He was diagnosed with diabetes and given a prescription for some pills to start and no insulin shots as of yet. Thankful that he was diagnosed and will be able to get it under control with some medication.
After all that drama I thought I’d share some pics of gift opening and the dog cousin because he was super photogenic and we love him. I tried a different setting on the camera and the pics didn’t turn out like I had hoped. Still learning how to use my camera and on a side note, the day after Thanksgiving I purchased the photography 101 video series by Shoot Fly Shoot and can’t wait to start it! Josh and Kevin are amazing, I loved their session at Haven this summer.
This one turned out a tad blurry but loved his facial expression, so eager.
We call this his Senior Picture pose.
Trying to get kids and dogs to look at the camera at the same time is no small feat!
The bub’s was wearing his robe and looking a little like Hugh Hefner. So when taking his photo he gave me a goofy pose.
I always love a picture of the tree with gifts around it.
The obligatory photo in front of the gifts.
I even bought the hubs a big gift this year. He loved it but maybe also looks a little frightened about all the new projects we can do with his new table saw. More to come in a future post for house goals 2013!
Does anyone else have a hard time balancing the photo taking vs being in the moment? I always start out taking photos but then abandon the camera because I’m oohing and aahing and opening packages, directing who’s next, etc. and then the moments are over and I only have 10 photos and 7 of them are just ok, nothing amazing or blurry and I wish I had more to chose from. And forget videos, I don’t even know the last time we took video of the kids. One of my goals for 2013 is more videos and candid photo shots. On a positive note, I have discovered is I love photographing nature and dogs, although Ruby does not like the camera. Holding treats by the lens helps if she doesn’t try to jump up and grab it.
My schnauzer loves to be photographed and she has a beautiful face so it works well. Behind the face is her little sausage body but that’s easy to crop out. Not that we don’t love her sausage body too but it makes her head look really small in photos.
To end this crazy post, my mom is doing really well. She is going to be released from the hospital either Saturday or Sunday. She has had no pain and this surgery required her chest to be cut open. We are so thankful to have such an amazing medical facility nearby with world renown surgeons! Thank you all so much for your prayers and thoughts during this week. I really appreciate and treasure them all! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and spent time with loved ones!
So glad to hear the good news about ya momma. Both dogs are beautiful but the black one is gorgeous!!! Oh also High Hefner is a cutie pie!!!
So glad your mom is doing well! And I think you may have a career as a dog photographer– those shots are absolutely stunning!
Holy moly…when ya’ll get together to celebrate you do it big. So much drama! No, seriously, I’m glad your brother is doing better and that your mom came through successfully. I’ll continue to pray for a speedy recovery. Take care of yourself, friend. It’s stressful being in your shoes too.
Wonderful update about Mom! And amazing story about the family and all the drama, but so happy to hear that everything is working out. Now go take some more pictures….I’m glad I’m not the only one who has a tree with colorful lights. Hubs wants it that way :0
So glad to hear your mom and brother are alright. I will continue to pray for complete and speedy healing for your mom. Loved your Christmas photos, your son is too cute in that robe!
So glad that everything turned out so well. Both Craig and your mom are going to be just fine. I love all the pics of the kids that I hear about so often. Take care of yourself after all of the stress that you have had also.
So glad all is well with your mom and your brother. What an action packed Christmas, luckily with a happy ending. We take video Christmas morning and almost no photos just to try to stay in the moment. It’s not easy to balance both…plus we had to shut the video camera when my daughter opened something she was less than thrilled with and announced that to the camera…LOL can’t show family members the video anymore! Happy New Year!
so glad your mom is doing well! your kids and family are adorable, and i am jealous of your hubby’s gift. 😉
Ange, so glad your mom is doing well and on the mend! Sorry to hear about your brother’s diagnosis though – that’s too bad. Your munchkins are so cute at Christmas…..and I laughed at the photo of your Bubs in his robe. We actually call my 10 year old “Hef” because he loves his robe and wears it 12 months of the year….comes down all bundled in it every single morning! Glad to see you back in the blogosphere…..happy happy new year!
Ange! I had no idea. I’m sorry I’ve been such a bad friend/blog follower that I missed this. I am so glad your mom and brother are on the mend. You have the CUTEST family. Lots of love and hugs to you. Wishing you all the best in 2013!!