A Bittersweet Christmas Update

Dear Friends,

As you may have gathered, our beloved Two has been struggling more than usual with her health these last several weeks. She was diagnosed with chronic rejection of her transplanted lungs earlier this year, and, though she has had many ups and downs, the downs have been winning lately. Things reached a crisis point this weekend, culminating in a rather dramatic Christmas Eve medivac flight to the Cleveland Clinic, where her doctors -- whom we all know and love and respect as the very best in the world -- are working to stabilize and keep her comfortable until a new set of lungs become available. She is doing a bit better now than she was a few days ago, but needs all the love and prayers her friends and the universe can spare.

In typical, mind-blowing fashion, Two was singing Christmas carols and cracking jokes as the flight crew whisked her out of the ICU to her waiting jet. She remains the most amazing, resilient, inspiring and deeply beautiful soul I've ever encountered. The privilege of loving her as a sister and friend is perhaps the most humbling thing I've ever done. She is facing this hard road with a song in her heart. Her grace, tenacity, patience and faith during this latest chapter just deepen my love and awe.

We know that so many of you are filled with love and concern for our sweet sister. Thank you. Your support means the world to us all. For those of you who would like to stay informed on her condition, we've added a new tab at the top of the blog, Two's News, which we'll keep as updated as we can. If past experience is any indicator, there may be many days where there isn't much noteworthy info to share, so please don't fret if there isn't a daily post. Please be confident that if anything important happens, we will let you know there.

For now, we wait and we pray. Mom -- who is both a saint and a bulldog and has literally saved Two's life so many times it's terrifying to even try to count -- is with her in the hospital now. She is at the top of the transplant list, but we have no idea when the stars will align for that to happen. It could be days or weeks or months.

During this beautiful season of thanksgiving, renewal and joy, I am so touched and humbled by the love and gratitude Two radiates, despite the incredible challenges she faces. As we celebrate the birth of Christ, I can't help but think how our actions and attitudes are the most eloquent form of worship. I am so easily bogged down by workaday cares, I am wont to forget what a privilege my so-called problems are. I am so grateful for her radiant light, and the way that it warms my soul through dark times and brightens my happiest moments. Thanks to all you wonderful friends who share and reflect that light. Please say a prayer that it will just keep getting brighter.

With Love,

One, and all the TD's

Some Christmas Lovelies

In honor of Four starting a Pinterest profile, I thought that I'd brighten your season with a collage of my favorite Christmas loverlies:


Beautiful.

Home for the Holidays

This week Sweet C and I felt like our house was seriously lacking in holiday cheer. 
So we blasted the  Christmas radio station on Pandora, poured several rounds of nog,
 and built ourselves a home for the holidays.













A Hanukkah Feast, Without the Roast Beast*

*Please disregard (or embrace) the blatant mixing of holiday references. We're kind of into that.









.
Think that kosher living isn't quite far enough? Why limit yourself to not eating shellfish and pork when you could knock an entire food-group out of your eating repertoire?!
That's right, folks! I'm talking about a flesh-free Festival of Lights. Five recipes. Zero meats(?).
One amazazing Hanukkah dinner.

Neither here nor there...











Some pictures from a simpler time.  Thank you for your prayers offered.  Please keep us in your prayers yet to come.  We're hoping for a perfect match ... ... ... 
again in the very near Christmas future.

For now, Mom, Z and I are back from Cleveland.  
Other than being cut up a few times, it was a good visit.

For now, I'm back with Mr. Two 
(only Mr. Two because I am number two.  He is number one in every other way.).

Have a wonderful weekend
and please remember to be happy.

Scraping the pail's bottom for you
Looks like a feast to someone else.

Inspiration....



Time is running short, and I'm feeling a little uninspired when it comes to some of my holiday shopping. But this link definitely helped me out. In more ways than one....

Important Holiday Messages








It's not alright to give a coupon for 12 McCafe coffees for only $10! as a gift.

Eggnog and latkes should be readily available throughout the year.

There's no place like home for the holidays. Other places can be alright, though.

Some people don't wear ugly holiday sweaters ironically.

Baby Jesus is cool. So are presents.

Fun Day!

Today, Five and I established a bi-annual holiday with our friend J.

We call it Fun Day.

We eat Christmas mochi,


go to the Salvation Army,

J was excited. . . mostly about the butter.

eat mini-loaves with lots of butter, and sushi. Then we nap.






When we wake up, we make glow in the dark bubbles


and sparkle together.

It's a fun day.

Procrastination (emphasis on the 'pro')



'Procrastinate' -- a dreaded and much-maligned word. But why? Its dichotomy is straightforward enough: 'pro', the Latin word meaning 'for', and 'cras', the Latin word meaning 'tomorrow'. For tomorrow. As interpreted by some, that is a tired excuse of feckless idlers -- but I hear in it the rallying cry of sanguine see-ers. A call to those who fix their vision beyond the drooping certainties of the present and instead root for the limitless contingencies of the future. For tomorrow! With pride, I take it upon myself to defend unrealized epiphanies; to imagine quixotic possibility -- even when it may be more practical to do. For all great things which have yet to be exist in a day still to come. Today may be a gift, but tomorrow holds unadulterated promise.*


*Finals? I'll get to those later. . .

COWBOYS AND CHRISTMAS!

I like Christmas music. a lot. So I kind of maybe started listening to it on November 1st this year....I know what you're thinking, but don't worry! I didn't start all at once. I knew Five would be opposed to the idea of Christmas carols before Turkey Day, so instead of blaring jingle-tastic tunes continuously, I performed a form of inception on her. By intermingling her favorite music with my favorite Christmas songs, I allowed her to think the Christmas music was normal music. This incremental introduction to holiday cheer worked. She didn't notice. at. all. At least for a little while. Like maybe one day. But this one day allowed me to prepare my defense--a strategy for convincing her that everything was OK. After explaining that though there may be some pretty spooky Halloween music, the Thanksgiving music department was generally lacking she graciously allowed me to continue listening.

Now that normal people have started listening to holiday music, I can finally share my newest discovery. You all know how much we love these timeless tunes, but I think I've found another favorite.
"The Cowboy's Christmas Ball" by the Killers combines all things magical and marvelous (Cowboys+ Christmas+Balls...Umm, ooh. Erm. Well, yeah. You know what I mean).
Anyway, it's amazing.
I'm in love.
Enjoy!

Fugitive

Remember when I said you should do something illegal in college?

done.

Wedding Announcements for People In Love

You know what they say? First comes love, then comes baby, then the momma becomes a married lady!  Wait... no... that's not quite right.  

Anyway... Mr. Two and I are trying to decide which wedding announcement we are going to send out.  During my search, I found this little book which I find--what's the word--inspiring. I think you all will find the jacket material quite illuminating: 

"Had enough of the same old wedding announcements?  The thick paper, printing press, the vellum and worst of all, the antiquated language?  In my new book, Wedding Announcements for People In Love, you will find ideas for wedding announcements that are totally original and speak to what each bride or groom really wants to tell people about their wedding.   Let us help you find the perfect message to share with all of your loved ones about your special day."

I'm pretty sure she's a genius.





It says, "We just want you to know, we weren't pregnant."