Friends, Teething, and Detours!

Dear Family and Friends,

We successfully completed our kick-off to the New Year of happy reunions when one of my best friends from High School came for dinner and fun during her stay in D.C. for the Walk for Life.  It was SO great to see Tara and her family!  Tara and Shelia (Tara's mom/a.k.a. one of my High School moms) came to my house with all four of the Bacon kids!  Andy, Katie, Mary, and Olivia were really sweet and very well behaved.  They all seemed to especially enjoy our growing toy collection and remained completely amused for the entire visit.  Olivia, the youngest one, even begged for seconds of my dinner so she's one of my favorites.  And then Andy re-taught me how to play the game Sous and would tell me the moves I was missing so I could get extra points, so he ranks as my very favorite Bacon! (I'm just kidding, I love them all!)

Playing Sous was so much fun! (We missed you Julia Stetter!)

The Bacon clan! I love you guys!  (Tara's husband Mike and Hannah Bacon didn't make the trip. We missed you guys too!)

Speaking of people I love...Check out the pictures I got of my kiddos this week.  Unfortunately we all came down with a head cold so we have been under the weather in more ways that one!

Claire peeks out the front door at all the snow!

Add teething to Will's head cold and you have one fussy guy. In fact, I've decided that sick, teething babies are to Muggles what dementors are to Wizards! Will's crying seemed to peak on Thursday so I headed out to Whole Foods to find some Hyland's teething tablets.  On the way out of the store with Claire in one hand, the baby seat/carrier in the other, and the small bag of teething tabs in between my teeth, an enthusiastic employee asked me if I needed help to my car.  I said, "Yes! You can carry the baby!"

So far, the Hyland's teething tabs and lots of chew toys have kept Will happy most of the time, but for some reason, bed time has been a real challenge.

Will someone tell this guy how to use a Binky? 

Before work one day this week, Claire woke up just as Chris walked out the door.  She yelled down the stairs, "Mom! Is Daddy gone?"  I said, "Yes, honey. He just walked out."  Claire dissolved into tears and said, "But I didn't get to hug him goodbye!" So I ran to the door and motioned Chris to come back in, then told Claire that Daddy was back for a hug.  She stopped crying and then hurried down the stairs to see Chris walking in. She ran into his open arms saying, "Daddy I love you!"  Chris said, "Good morning my Claire! I love you too!" It was SO sweet!  Later, when Chris got home from work, the kids were both so excited to see him.  Claire jumped off her trampoline and into Chris' arms and Will practically jumped out of my arms to go to Chris!

These kids love their Dad! (I know! I'd be cold with no shirt on too, but she says she's hot and takes off whatever I put on her!)

Will continues to improve at eating! I had a little photo shoot with my hungry guy.

This Sunday at Mass we read the Gospel about Jesus collecting Peter, Andrew, James, and John to be his disciples. In each case they immediately left what they were doing (and their families) to follow Jesus. When I heard the reading, I thought that this must be a reading that speaks to all religious people (Priests/Monks/Nuns) because they also dropped everything, family included, to learn from Jesus and to devote their lives to serving others. But then it spoke to me in a new way. I thought about times in my life when I had a big detour from what I was doing and how these detours are all a part of God's plan. Sometimes I was being brave and trying some thing new, like moving to a new city and new job or more recently it was starting a family and becoming a full-time mom. I had no idea how much that would change my life.  In that moment of hearing the scripture and picturing the disciples eagerly following Christ, I had a peace about leaving my career to focus on my family. Being a full-time Mom isn't for everyone, and as a former career person it's an identity that I often reevaluate, but I'm always surprised when I feel that same sureness that the disciples felt when they took their detours.

On that note, my Dad called me this weekend to announce his newest detour: into retirement! Congratulations on your retirement, Dad!  You have been such a great role model in loyalty, work ethic, and professionalism during your career.  I wish you lots of fun and new adventures as you begin this next chapter in life!

I hope everyone is having a great week!
Love,
Bethie