For any readers out there...and for myself.

It Has To Be Said:
An unrepairable fracture resulted in what was a family of four is now two families of three. For my part, it's just me and my two precious children. I'm fighting to keep them close and to shelter them from harm. The continuing posts will be about our struggle to start over and the joy it brings to grow roots in our new home and blossom forth about the world.

I treated a man and his young son to a Costco meal this evening. They are down on their luck, as so many of us are, and it brought joy to my day to share a meal with them.

Driving from Sacramento back to Brentwood, a daily routine now. My eyes just won't stay open and I pull over and take a nap at a trusted stop. I wake up warm and alert, happy that my blanket is so warm and that I thought to bring a pillow yesterday morning. An hour and-a-half drive turns into three but the cool blanket of fog is welcoming just as long as I drive safe and sure. The moon is bright, encircled by two rings, the subtle rainbows whisper and welcome wondering if their beauty is noticed and appreciated. Yes, I'm thankful for the quiet beauty of my favorite lunar guiding light and only wonder for a moment what the double ring-rainbow must mean :-). The fog's gentle fingers release and I'm faced with a cool clear night and a vast, calm, river guiding me home.

I can’t believe how time fly’s. You hear it all the time when you’re younger and always wonder how the endless hours could possibly fly by but then one day in your late 20’s, you’re almost in your late 30’s and not sure at all how it happened. Beautiful children doing miraculous things and all.

Madelyn is officially a school age little girl and not just because she’s going to be a 1^st-grader all too soon. Everyday James and I laugh at her precious personality that’s bubbling to the surface as she collects little pieces of life and puts them on display as she “decorates”. She’s now taken to tearing pictures that she likes, out of magazines. I had totally forgotten that I had a whole binder of porcelain dolls, and pretty plates and things that I had taken out of magazines a long long time ago and it makes me smile to think about this precious little girl doing the same thing. She still has all her pretty baby teeth and I'm cheering for them to stay in as long as possible. I can't keep her a baby but her teeth are sure staying for now, yea!

Christopher went from standing to running and quickly to attacking his big sister faster than we can keep up with. We feel bad but it’s just too funny how our little Billy Boy pushes around Madelyn sometimes. She’ll do something to upset him and not too much later, we hear Madelyn crying because Critter has retaliated. He’s so little to have such a large personality, walking around and making himself heard. His vocalizations are hilarious. He's decided that he doesn't need to talk. Just an occasional oooOOOO, OhHH, or AhhhHH and an increasing number of screams. He pretty much has his own language of sound and we know exactly what he wants. Poor little guy has all of the rest (about 7) of his teeth coming in at the same time still. It seems like they’ve been peeking thru his gums forever.

Sorry, about my lame Christmas cards and lack of birthday wishes. I only got out about a third of the Christmas cards and those weren’t even finished. I’m not so good about keeping in touch lately but James and I exercised today so at least we’re crawling towards our goals. Sadly, Mario Bro. Wii is how I have most of my fun. It is special to play with Madelyn though. It’s fun to see the excitement in her face and to share that time with her. Wednesdays are our Lost night. After Christopher has gone to bed and James to school, we cuddle and watch it together. Madelyn is actually quite into it, which makes it that much more fun to watch. I’m bummed it’s the last season though.

Above: A beautiful day in Capitola at the beach. Christopher is soaking wet after being rolled up the beach by the waves. He loved it until he realized that he was FREEZING! A quick clothes change and he was a happy clam again. Thanks for coming Magz. It was awesome spending some time with you.
Madelyn enjoying one of the many fun trees at our duck pond. We enjoy hand feeding the ducks. A few times I've caught one so the kids could pet their pretty feathers. We're all looking forward to the spring-time ducklings that are so precious to watch.

Madelyn Loves Kindergarten

8/27/09

Madelyn is doing so great in Kindergarten. At first I was concerned about her starting at only 4 years old but she's loving it. She's by far thy youngest kid in her class but that doesn't stop her from telling her teacher(s) how to do their job. Crazy girl. Fortunately she has an awesome teacher that's understanding and the school is really great. Other than having to purchase snacks once a month and buy all the classroom supplies that schools used to pay for, we're really enjoying her school. I love it that they wear uniforms. Makes everything so much easier. Anywho, above are pictures of her first day of school. She was very specific on how she wanted her hair. For those of you who watched Avatar The Last Airbender, she wanted her hair a mix between the firebending princess and Kai Lan (a Mandarin Dora the Explorer). Personally I prefer the curls mom sent me to school in but to each her own. Putting her hair up in buns was much easier anyway. I put her hair up for picture day but it was pretty flat for the pictures.

10/2009

12/4/09

After a very long blogging absence, I finally got around to posting some pictures from our recent and not-so-recent adventures. Below: Labor Day Weekend '09.

Nice slobber Toph.

Around the house. Below: 10/22/09 Toph with his Oopsie Bear. There is his new 5th tooth. Course he's got 7 now (12/13).

Our New "Topher" Vaccum

As those of you who were at Great Grandpa & Grandma's in Kaysville, UT know, Christopher was only scooting himself into corners, under tables and couches. One day about a week and 1/2 ago, he decided that he was tired of being so limited, got up on his knees, and started crawling like he'd been doing it for months. He is now our best vacuum and, of course, mess maker at the same time. Madelyn is doing awesome in school and starts her new hours of 8-2:15 in the beginning of October. Whoa! Long hours for kindergarden but we like her school a lot so far. There are so many spanish speaking kids in her class that are taught in an EL class separately that the student to teacher ratio is really small. Good thing since Madelyn demands lots of attention and doesn't pay attention very well. She's inherited that, "I only talk, not listen" thing that I'm struggling to shake. We're all really looking forward to her birthday, which is proving to be rather large again. James starts school on Tuesday and will be done with all of his pre-requisites for PA school and he's just two recommendations away from finishing his tedious application for PA school. I hope his health gives way to his ambitions. So far he's winning the fight.

Settling In

I'll add some pictures when we get our new 1.5 TB external hard drive hooked up. My pictures are taking up all the memory on my computer so it's kinda hard to add more and edit them. We're quickly getting settled in our apartment in Sunnyvale and are really enjoying the area. It's nice to be so close to so many enjoyable activities plus we live right by the cutest duck pond. Our apartment complex is a wonderful little community all in itself and the weather has been wonderful. James' health seams to be getting better and better and I'm feeling much better as I'm adjusting to everything. The kids are both happy and healthy. Christopher got his first two teeth last week and isn't enjoying that much but it's just so cute. He just fell asleep in his jumper after about 45 min. of laughing and jumping. He loves that thing. Wish Madelyn had enjoyed one when she was little but never took to it. Madelyn and Christopher are still absolutely enthralled with each other and it's fun to see how they grow everyday. Madelyn starts 2 1/2 hour kindergarten in August and 5 hour kindergarten starting October. That'll be exciting and hard I'm sure. We're headed to mom and dad's on Friday for a BBQ and to San Francisco on the 4th. James' sister and niece are coming for a visit at the end of the month and we're all really excited for that.

Sunshine & Rain

We enjoyed our Valentine's dinner at Grandma & Grandpa Nielsen's house and I enjoyed helping mom and dad frosten the pretty heart cookies.  Madelyn mostly liked the butter, frosting, and sprinkles.  Madelyn had fun, as always, with her cousins Jack and Austin.  We sure will miss you guys when you go.  :-(  Usually very cheerful Christopher was all pouts until uncle Michael got big smiles and laughs out of him.  He answered and giggled at all of uncle Michael's questions too, so cute!

We've been getting some very good rainfall lately, which is good but not so good for outdoor play.  I think Madelyn is starting to go a little coo coo since we took her out of pre-school and it's been mostly just mom and dad since, like practically everyone I talk to, Madelyn and Christopher have had a bad cold/flu thing since the beginning of the month.

Yesterday James and I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary and my honey treated me to some excellent lobster that he bought just for me.  What a sweetie.  He sure does bend over backwards for me.  I love you too James!

We finally got lots of beautiful sunshine today so James took the kids for a very long walk.  Madelyn did so good on her new big-girl bike, even up and down all the big hills.  Christopher even calmed down for the walk and took a little nap, he sure does love to keep moving.  While his big sister is getting well over her cold, Christopher has been getting worse so we finally took him to the Dr today and were sent home with a nebulizer thingy but he sure does act like he's felt better after his first two treatments.  Hang in there little guy, we've missed your constant smiles.

Up To Date

Not much going on around here; just a few more pictures to show. James did well on his first test this semester and hopefully when he finishes this class it's only 2 more classes to go before Physician's Assistant school. Madelyn's out of preschool and is certainly stubborn when it comes time for James and I to teach and get her ready for kindergarten this July. Christopher is growing up so fast. He's a very happy good baby; only wakes up once a night to eat. His laughs are quiet but frequent and he sure talks to me a lot. I'm trying to get it on video but then he just get fascinated with the camera. Happy 8th Anniversary to James and I on the 17th!

01/18/09

01/27/09

02/06/09

Light really shows off the red in Christopher's hair. With his hair, blue eyes, and James' green shirt, he sure looks like an Irish baby, to me, in this picture...definitely gets that from his dad's side.

December 27, 2008

A VERY big day for our ever growing family. Christopher was blessed and later that evening we (minus the kidletts) enjoyed a wonderful celebration of my sister Amy's recent wedding. What a luxurious night out!

2008 Collins Family Picture

Rose Red in her pretty dress from Aunt Mimi and ruby slippers from Grammy Collins.

Taking care of and cuddling with her favorite little baby buddy.

Before Christopher's Blessing.

Christmas at Last

A Very Merry (late) Christmas To All!

I feel bad it took me so long but here are some Christmas pictures at last.

Just Life

A new little bomb has dropped in the Collins household. Madelyn and Christopher have been sick. Christopher very sick with RSV (Respiratory Syncytial virus) pretty common but possibly deadly in newborns. He's much better than last week as he doesn't have a concurrent stomach bug anymore, is being treated for his ear infection, and smiled for the first time since he got sick the other day. I just came down with the bug(s) and feel TERRIBLE! The other bomb James asked me not to blog.

Christopher's Baby Announcement

Here's his birth announcement for everyone I didn't have a current address for. I Photoshopped it a little bit from the original just because I liked being able to add more than 30 characters per line and actually being able to have our last name on it.

Grammy Barbara's Visit

Earlier in the month of December, we had the pleasure of having "Grammy" Collins come and visit for a week. She was an absolute pleasure to have and a real blessing by cooking, cleaning, offering good company, spoiling us rotten, and watching the kids while I got some much needed sleep. I was able to take her by the John Muir home so at least Barbara was able to see something besides the inside of our house while she was here. She also spoiled us by taking us out (among other places) to Vic Stewart's; an extremely delicious high end steak house brand-new to Brentwood. Everything was so deliciously prepared that I didn't even need salt and I'm a salt addict. It was a great visit and I'll post some more pictures as soon as I can get this little ball of cuteness off my shoulder.

Madelyn Princess

Christopher stopped crying as soon as Madelyn put her finger to her mouth, so funny.

Christopher 3 weeks old.

Just Some Fun Past Christmas Pictures with the NEW!

Christopher with Uncle "Santa" David, Christmas Day 2008

Madelyn with Uncle "Santa" David, Christmas Eve 2004

Me with Santa, Christmas 1976

Jaundice & a First Bath

We had a little bit of trouble with Christopher being jaundiced as his bilirubin levels got WAY too high so we had to get re-admitted to the hospital on Thanksgiving. Poor James totally missed Thanksgiving dinner. I did too but I wasn't really too concerned about that. They made me up a nice microwave dinner when I got to the hospital, gag. I just felt terrible that I had to leave Madelyn again. She ended up being a real sport about it though. The doctors thought that we would have to stay for 48 hrs. at best but Christopher did really well under the bili-lights and we were able to go home the next day, yea! Christopher is still over 5 points higher than normal on his bili labs but he's doing ok. I just wish there was some sun we could put him in so he could get better that way.

Madelyn is such a helper girl. She really wanted to give Christopher his first bath. I told her about how all I had to do was hold her head and the rest of her body would float by itself for her first bath so she wanted to do that with Christopher. She did a great job. Madelyn would really like to help out more so James and I are really looking forward to Christopher becoming stronger and a little less fragile.

Madelyn meeting her new baby brother

11/22/2008
Madelyn's first look at her new baby brother.

Madelyn is very gentle with Christopher and extremely proud to be a big sister.

Very happy pair.

Baby Christopher

Christopher William Phinneus
was born on Friday 11/21/2008 @ 7:28 p.m.
He weighed 7 lbs 6 oz
and was 20 inches long.
This picture was taken right before his first sponge bath on his birthday.

Christopher William Phinneus Collins

HE'S HERE!!! Great labor, excellent delivery, and hopefully wonderful recovery. 3 pushes and he was out. It was so great having family there. Thank you to everyone that's helped and visited so far. Sooo much nicer than doing it alone in Texas. What a difference! We finally thought of a name Sunday right before we went home and then actually almost changed it but this one will just have to stick. It's about time! I just call him my little Tophie Cheeks. We got some precious pictures and will post them a.s.a.p. Now to get some sleep, hmmmm...

Baby Brother

Here's Madelyn giving her baby brother one of her wonderful hugs. She's looking forward to his arrival and being a helpful big sister. This same night Madelyn started explaining on how she thought he would get here, ouch!! She was very creative about what the skin on my belly was going to do.