Archive for the ‘Nate’ Category

Winning

April 23, 2012

If you missed the announcement on the Girly Muse Facebook page, this is for you:

Dun dun dun…and the grand prize of I Blame Eve by Susanna Foth Aughtmon goes to…MELISSA KIDWELL! Weehaw! If you’re not Melissa, you can purchase the book HERE.

How are you on this fine Monday morning? I must say, I am MUCH better than I was last week at this time. Although, if you saw me this morning, you’d probably think we were still going through the water difficulties and all sorts of other major trauma. I look haggard, y’all. I look like I’ve been through the ringer. I’m not altogether sure why my hair is on end and my eyes are so puffy. My dreams must have been something ELSE!

I assure you, I am just fine. My weekend was quite mellow and low-key…just what I like.

Nate and I had a little anniversary getaway Thursday night and we were surprised when the Hotel Sofitel gave us the PRESIDENTIAL SUITE. While I would never in a million years want to be President, I could sure get used to staying in such deluxe quarters. There were two huge rooms with gorgeous lighting, flowers, a cozy couch, two flat screen TVs, two fabulous bathrooms, all-you-can-dry towels, an UMBRELLA in the closet…obviously, when you’re the President, hotels think of everything.

This was also waiting for us in the room…

Delicious and so pretty…

It was such a treat, especially after the last few weeks…we felt beyond fortunate.

18 years…I cannot believe 18 years have gone by with my husband. And I’ve loved him a lot longer than that. Most of our married life has not been spent in presidential suites, but it has been full of surprises, extravagant blessings, love, pain, growth, trauma, renewal, passion, upheaval, laughter, sweetness, challenge, bliss and a whole slew of lessons just about every day that I could not begin to fill in this blog post. Marriage is not for the faint of heart. Today I can say that I’m grateful for every lesson learned and I’m ready for the next several decades with Nate Sabin.

Now, it’s back to all-you-can-wash laundry. Thank the good LORD again for water!!!

Posted in Adventure, April 2012, Books, Grateful Heart, Marriage, Nate | 4 Comments »

Yellow Eyes, Nightmares, Trouble Breathing…

April 20, 2011

I have never heard of this~ but I’m having an AWESOME side effect from all the Vitamin D I’m having to take…remember HERE when I told you about having to be on mega doses for the next year? I’ve been on it almost 9 weeks now and something strange has been happening…

I’ve become a woman of almost color.

Hallelu!

I noticed it, but thought I might be imagining things. Then Nate asked if I’d been tanning. Well, no. The confirmation was when Tosh asked what was the deal with me being so tan in all my recent pictures.

It’s the Vitamin D! Woohoo!

Another great side effect is that I believe it is what kept me from only getting 1/3 as sick as Nate, Greyley and Indigo have been. I got the funk, but it didn’t get as bad and didn’t last as long.

Shoe/Numb Feet Update. I have had peroneal neuropathy in my legs/feet. Pinched nerve, nerve damage, numbness, weird tingly things and some painful stretches. The feeling has been SUH-LOWLY returning the past 12 weeks and when I went to the neurologist last he instructed me on some strict “DO NOTS…” However, the only part I heard was that I could wear heels in moderation.

Oh, I jest.

I did get just a teensy bit excited about this, though. I have found some boots I love~ the brown I’ve shown you and some others that I will still show you…but regular comfortable flats have been much harder to find. And even though I tried a night of wearing heels at the 12 week mark, I sort of paid for it for a few days after…soooo. Sigh. Tired of hurting feet. The last 12 weeks have been gross in that area and I have LEARNED IT IS NOT WORTH IT. I want to keep my feet and I want to not be mad at them, so if shoes are not comfortable, they’re OUT.

Auf Wiedersehen

My husband and girl have had a rough bout with sickness. G’s finished her antibiotics and is feeling better, but is still coughing to beat the band. N finished his antibiotics and has shown no signs of improvement. He has been a SICK puppy. Oh, so sick. It has reminded me of when my brother had mono many years ago. Not exactly sure what he’s had~ we thought bronchitis, but it seems even worse that that. So tonight, the doctor put him on a new antibiotic.

I knew it was a heavy hitter when the pharmacist told me how much it was going to be…

Cough. Gasp. Choke.

And then I saw the side effects…

*Feeling dizzy

*Seizures

*Hear voices, see things, or sense things that are not there (hallucinations)

*Feel restless

*Tremors

*Feel anxious or nervous

*Confusion

*Depression

*Trouble sleeping

*Feel more suspicious (paranoia)

*Suicidal thoughts or acts

*Nightmares

*Yellowing of the skin or eyes

*Thinking your wife is a goddess and that you will whisk her away to someplace warm

Oh…oh wait…um…well that could happen (see *sense things that are not…)

*Hives

*Trouble breathing or swallowing

*Swelling of the lips, tongue, face

*Serious heart rhythm changes (because of the goddess wife, I’m thinking…or the Hawaiian heat)

Anyway! Good grief! I am thinking you have to be REALLY SICK to want to take this pill of horribleness! Lord willing, none of the badness will stick and all of the goodness will, especially that part about Mexico…and…you know, no more coughing and stuff.

In the meantime, I’m plying my family with Vitamin D and yogurt and all the good things I can think of.

If we all start looking brown, you’ll wonder which side effect we’re benefiting from~ my “meds” or Nate’s…

Posted in April 2011, Family, Kids, Life, Mama Musings, Nate, Touchy Subjects | 9 Comments »

Taxes Stink, Let’s Have an Anniversary Instead!

April 15, 2011

Today is my 17th wedding anniversary. 17 years! Can you believe it?

Happy Anniversary, Nathan Orville!

My poor husband is still so sick. We had big plans to go spend the night in a fancy hotel~ The Grand Hotel in Minneapolis. However, our getaway has been postponed until he’s feeling better. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen him so sick. Thankfully, he’s on antibiotics now and hopefully will be smiling again SOON.

But back to 17 years…that’s getting downright long! It doesn’t seem possible.

Highlights of my married life:

Our many travels together.

Fun places we’ve stayed~ some great B&B’s, a few not-so-great motels here and there, along with many fabulous hotels thrown in the mix.

Eating a LOT of delicious food~ there have been so many memorable suppers…I love eating with someone who loves good food.

Spooning. Period.

Those times (pre-children) when we were footloose and fancy-free and could take off at the drop of the hat, whether it was to the movies or an overnight trip.

Playing music together, especially when it’s really working.

Every time I’ve told him I’m pregnant, including every April Fool’s Day. (22 times, give or take 1 or 2)

Welcoming our children into the world.

Every time I hear him tell our kids how much he loves them.

The times when he looks at me and I know what he’s thinking and it’s sweet.

Our inside jokes.

When we saw “Phantom of the Opera” and came out singing at the top of our lungs…he will still come right in with me if I begin, “All I Ask Of You.”

The Christmas he put a tiny ring box inside the tree and inside the box was a note promising that ONE day I’d get this one ring I’d seen that I loved…and then opening another wrapped box inside another wrapped box inside another wrapped box…and there was the ring.

When we drove to Alexandria and ate all our favorite foods that we’d missed so much…and saw some of our favorite people…that we’d missed almost as much as the food.

Every first night in a new house…there have been three new (for us) houses…every first night is full of adventure and excitement at the new beginning.

When we sat in Barnes & Noble and pored it all out and recommitted to do whatever it took…

Last week when we were sick together…nothing is quite as bonding as that.

Every time I can get him to laugh until he’s rubbing his eyes…that’s the good life right there.

When we’re both happy and healthy and sane at the same time.

The time he was in a lot of pain and the doctor put him on heavy meds~ oh the joy! and the love! and the happy! feelings that came out with that. Good times. Except for the pain part.

When we put the kids to bed, watch a great movie, snuggle and snack…and maybe kiss a little.

While we’re on the subject of kissing…any kissing episode has been a highlight. He is the best kisser EVER. I have studied this theory, I am afraid, and know this to be true. You gotta kiss a lotta frogs to find the prince. Not really, but well, I’ll quit while I’m ahead.

The days when we always had a Monday Funday.

The glorious trip to Hawaii~perfection.

Waking up and realizing it’s not quite time to get up yet.

Holding hands.

Experiencing the pastries at Hotel Sofitel.

Sunning in Mexico, although the sunburn was NOT a highlight.

Sleeping on the futon in the 3rd Street house.

When he helped me turn over at night during my pregnancies. Bless him for that.

The Road to Hana.

Sugar Loaf.

When we brought our puppy, Alex, home that first night.

All the studio fun, songs that have turned into something really special, sitting at the piano together, Sunday mornings, live recordings, flutes…

Every time we’ve laughed and some of the times we’ve cried.

Nights when neither of us snore. What? We don’t snore…

When we realize again why we are meant to be together.

Posted in April 2011, Grateful Heart, Heartwarming Events, Marriage, Nate | 20 Comments »

Catch the Wind

October 22, 2010

Tonight’s the night…

This morning I’m feeling that scary feeling of, “Is anything really going to come out of this sinus-y infested throat/head?” But somehow it does. There have been many times that I could not speak, but when it was time to sing, sound actually comes out! It’s amazing.

It doesn’t necessarily sound good, ha, but it comes out.

I’m so glad to be part of such an awesome group of people…the ABC Youth Choir never fails to energize, encourage and bless me. The musicians and singers are so talented and have such good hearts. This night is especially fun because of all the new songs we’ll be doing…

Nate has been writing songs like crazy and I’m loving them. We all are. Can’t wait to share them with everyone.

Tonight at 7 we will be singing our guts out. Tomorrow at 9 we will have workshops directed to worship leaders, musicians, singers, and anyone who wants to know more about praise and worship. There will be a lunch break, we’ll learn songs together, etc. Fun times…and I think we’ll all learn a lot.

ABC 1545 Dieter Street, St. Paul, MN 55106

Posted in ABC Youth Choir, Ministry, Music, Nate, October 2010 | 6 Comments »

Shiny Red

October 5, 2010

Shiny Red…

is no longer with us.

The horrific event occurred last Thursday.

Nate (or Scoot, as we had taken to calling him every now and again) was coming home for just a few minutes before heading out for the evening. It was a perfect Fall day and as he rode Ruby or Shiny Red, he was thinking about how he loved being out on the bike on days like this one.

He was wearing his new birthday clothes (his birthday was the week before) and letting the wind whip through his hair. Greyley and I had fussed at him about this countless times, but to no avail, he rarely wore his helmet. He was almost home (with Cossetta’s! God’s perfect food!) when a little teenage ninny who’s only had her license for 2 weeks pulled out right in front of him. He had to brake…hard and fast…and went sliding down the highway quite a long way.

The girl had friends in the car and she failed to yield, so she was given two citations. Nate’s birthday clothes were ripped and his side scraped, bruised and torn raw. But he got up and walked away. His face came close to the car’s wheel, but he did not touch it. No bones were broken.

He is very, VERY sore.

He is very, very SAD about Shiny Red.

He is alive and kicking.

We are very grateful.

Posted in Nate, September 2010, Wheels | 13 Comments »