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Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Valentines Pics

The kids had Valentines pictures taken a couple weeks ago.  Here are some of my favorites!




Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Back To Normal

The start of 2012 has brought some normalcy back to the Musselman family.  Avery and Logan started their new school, Luke and I started back to work (and travel for Luke) and we have all started battling the inevitable sicknesses that come with daycare and my job going in and out of doctor's offices all day long.  Although things are crazy as ever, it's nice to know what to expect on a day to day basis.
Many of you know about our nightmare with the kids last daycare.  I appreciate everyone's kind words, calls, e-mails and support.  I am still a bit nervous every time I drop the kids off at school, but I know the new school is amazing and I feel so much more secure with the teachers and director.  Fortunately, the drop offs haven't been too bad for the kids.  Avery usually runs into her classroom and immediately joins whatever activity is going on.  She constantly talks about her "jobs" at her new school and everything she learns.  Sadly, Logan is another story.  He usually cries when I drop him off.  It breaks my heart, but I continuously remind myself that he will quickly grow out of this phase.

As I write this post, the kids are soundly sleeping, Luke is working in Minneapolis and I am sitting in my bed eating ice cream and watching Whitney Houston's funeral. Kevin Costner's speech, WOW.  I know, it's sad I don't have anything better to do.

Today, I spent most of the day at the doctor and hospital with Logan.  Poor kid just can't seem to get healthy.  Thankfully, my friend Rachel didn't hesitate when I called to ask if I could drop Avery off.  The highlight of my day was when Logan peed in the potty.  Sadly, Avery still refuses.  It's driving me insane!  Moms out there, I'm open to any tips.  At this point, I'm willing to pay someone to potty train my child.

Since my scrapbooks are over a year behind and this is the only place I write down Avery and Logan's milestones, I must note a few of them.  In late January, Logan had his first dentist appointment.  Logan was amazing for the dentist.  Seriously, he opened his mouth for the dentist and kept it open for the entire exam.  The only time Logan fussed was at the very end when he wanted to brush his own teeth, but couldn't because of the fluoride.  Avery recently had her first haircut.  Although Avery has very little hair and I planned on waiting until she was 10 or 20 to get her first haircut, I couldn't handle the mullet anymore.  Finally, Logan gave up his pacifier on February 9.  Such a happy day for the Musselman's.


Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Love and Loss

"Sorrow comes in great waves...but it rolls over us, and though it may almost smother us, it passes and we remain." - Henry James

On January 31, the world lost an incredible man, husband, father, friend, grandpa and great-grandpa.  Newton Lawrence Chamberlain III touched the lives of everyone he met.  His commanding presence made you want to listen when he spoke.  While Grandpa Newt had firm beliefs and opinions, he never made anyone feel wrong if their opinions didn't align with his.

From the moment I met Grandpa Newt, he treated me like family.  He didn't love talking on the phone, but made it a point to check in on me and the kids every week or so.  In fact, I still have a voicemail on my phone that I like to listen to just to hear his voice.

When Luke and I found out I was pregnant, Luke insisted that we name any future boys after his grandfather.  After Logan was born, we called Grandpa Newt to tell him the good news, his new great grandchild was a boy and we named him Logan Newton.  Grandpa Newt was honored and proud.  I just hope Logan someday realizes the significance his name carries.

Grandpa Newt loved history, Paris, The University of Michigan, black and white movies, martinis and family. He used to say that Paris is the greatest city in the world.  At different times, he and grandma Marilyn took all of the grandchildren to Paris.  He joked that his last trip would be taking the great grandchildren there.  I hope Luke and I can take Avery and Logan there one day so that we can all experience Grandpa Newt's favorite city together. 

Since the Chamberlains spent most of the year in Michigan, Grandpa Newt was an avid University of Michigan fan.  He often harassed Luke and me by telling us that Avery and Logan needed to attend a real college like The University of Michigan.

At Christmastime, Grandpa Newt sent me the movie, Casablanca.  He wanted me to see one of his favorite movies.  Luke and I finally watched it the Saturday before he passed.  For those of you who haven't seen Casablanca, it is a must see.  After watching the movie, I told him that I was going to send a surprise of one of my favorite movies.  I never had a chance to send it, but I planned on sending Legally Blonde.  I'm sure he would have gotten a kick out of the ridiculousness of it.

In the short five years I have known Grandpa Newt, he has touched my life more than I could imagine.  His passing leaves a void that no one can quite fill.  Sadly, I have never had much faith in the idea of heaven, but I sure hope it is real so that I can see grandpa Newt and give him a big hug again someday.  I love you and miss you already.

"Don't cry because it's over.  Smile because it happened." Dr. Seuss