Good news from the Hansen household!  There's going to be a new addition.  Roman Frederick will be Everett's little brother and his ETA is August 28th.  Now that I'm of 'Advanced Maternal Age' things are a little more achey and I'm a little slower, but I'm so happy and feel very blessed to be able to be welcoming a healthy baby boy into our family. 

I do want to say this though, if you're working on starting or expanding your family and haven't had success, my heart hurts with you.  I'm not going to say anything like, "You'll get there someday," or "keep trying, it'll happen," because I know those phrases well and although they're said with love, you still want to flick the nose of the person saying it.  I didn't go into either pregnancy with fairy wings and rainbows.  Both had to be planned out with the help of doctors.  We've experienced loss and the disappointment that came along with every month somehow managing to get your hopes up just to have them crash down in front of you.  So I don't share my news lightly.  We are very well aware of our fortune and don't take that for granted one second. 

So, I stood in line and willingly got on this ride.  I'm ready for it and hopefully in four months, the world will stand still for a moment as I get to meet my sweet baby, Roman, and kiss his wrinkly forehead. 

Last Friday was like any other sort of day.  Got done with work, headed home to see my son and then we went downstairs to play.  That's where our sweet kitty, Piper, lives.  She's finally given up on trying to pretend that she likes the dogs and chooses to claim the entire basement as her kitty lair.  Everett loves being downstairs … a land full of toys, gigantic TV and a huge couch to jump on.  We're down there often – and Piper loves it when we're down there, too.  But on Friday, she didn't come out to see us so I went looking.  'There you are sweet girl,' I said as I walked over to her under Everett's easel … but she didn't move. 

My little kitty had passed on sometime that afternoon.  I was down there clipping her nails the night before.  My mom had fed her that morning and Piper was out and about.  I'm hoping it was some sort of a quick, painless something or other because she actually looked like she was sleeping.  So comfy and pretty.  I got Piper as a rescue almost 10 years ago.  They thought she was anywhere between 3 and 5 year old.  She was a Lynx Point Ragdoll and she was beautiful.  We buried her in our backyard next to lots of trees and we plan to make a little marker walking stone for her.  Crazy how these little furry, four-leggeds take some of our heart when they leave.  Enjoy your Heaven Catnip, sweet Piper girl. 

There are few events in your life where you remember EVERYTHING.  One of those rare times for me was when my nephew Carter was born.  It was five years ago on Monday, St. Patrick's Day.  I remember what I was wearing.  I remember the 24-hours leading up to it.  I remember what the air smelled like. 

I was about to become an auntie for the first time and I was beside myself with lots of different emotions.  Happy because … well … I was going to be an auntie … and terrified because Carter was diagnosed inutero with a Congenital Heart Defect called Tetralogy of Fallot with Absent Pulminary Valve.  We would also learn of other complications and issues that would finally lead to his 99 day hospital stay complete with seven surgeries – one while he was the ripe ol' age of six days.  This little boy captured my entire heart immediately and my life was never the same.  When I was at the anatomy scan for my own son three years later, I asked the doctor to explain to me what my sister was looking at during Carter's anatomy scan and that's when my heart sunk and the tears fell.  My little guy had to fight so hard because his tiny little heart just wasn't put together the correct way. 

So here we are five years later.  Every year I'm reminded of his bravery and hope someday he'll truly know how much he has changed every person in our family for the good.  In his first birthday card, I wrote him an auntie Netty poem.  I hadn't looked at it in forever, but all of these words still hold every ounce of power that they did when I first wrote them. 

~~To Be You
On the day I was told you were on your way
I smiled and thought what a beautiful day
On the day I was told you were a boy
I couldn’t help but express my joy
On the day I was told you might have a rough go
I believed you’d be fine and give ‘em a show
On the day I realized you’d have to fight
I cried myself into the night
On the day I first saw your beautiful face
I wanted to stay forever in that very place
On the day I got to touch your cheek
I fell in love and my knees were weak
On the day I first held you in my arms
I got a glimpse of all your charm
On the day I first heard your voice
I gave you my heart, I had no choice
On the day you came home to stay
I praised the Lord in every way
Now every single day is new
And you’re the focus through and through
I love you for your huge, brown eyes
I love you for your smile, so wise
I love you for always grabbing my nose
I love you for always grabbing your toes
May rainbows and unicorns dance in your dreams
May your beautiful soul learn to fly
May you always feel the love around you
May you see everything and try …
To be brave
To be strong
To be wise
To be you
 

I will never take for granted my little seven-minute drive to work I used to have.  We moved a year and a half ago to the east side of Madison, so now I'm a beltline commuter.  These are the things that I've all too many times seen, watched and witnessed that just baffle me … and sometimes anger me.  So here they go:

• If your car sat outside all night and we got inches of snow … clean the dang snow off your back window.  You can't see, genius!
• If someone obviously slows down to let you into their lane during rush hour traffic, make the lane change and then give 'em a quick wave out your back window to thank them.  They didn't have to do it.
• Do NOT take an exit off the beltline only to cross over the road and take the entry ramp back on to the beltine.  You, my friend, are one of the reasons why it's taking so long to get to work.  And do you honestly think you're saving yourself any time?
• When the light turns yellow and you go through the intersection, please make sure you're not going to get stuck in the middle of the intersection when your light turns red.  Because now, everyone who has a green light can't go.  There are expletives being screamed in cars at you … and you don't want expletives being screamed at you, do you?
• And here's just a thought: If there's an accident on the beltline during rush hour traffic because someone wasn't paying attention, their name should be published online so that they can be publicly shamed.  Pay attention!

Okay so now this is coming off of an almost two-hour commute yesterday and an awful winter for driving anywhere nevertheless the beltline.  So this is a little more negative and mean than I usually like to be.  Once we get a day above 45 degrees, I may have a change of heart and come back and delete this post.  ?  Be careful and be kind, commuters!!

                                   
Yep, we're on the hunt for a new vehicle.  My sweet, wonderful 2001 Jetta, Brigetta, has seen her better days.  She's got hail damage, a banged up passenger-side headlight from a fender bender and the 'check engine' light that used to turn on for me every once in a while just stays lit now.  It's time to look for a new car. 

We've never had a vehicle we could fit Everett and the two dogs at the same time, so we've decided on something with third-row seating.  My husband, Marc, is pretty dead-set against mini vans, so that leaves us with an SUV.  I like the Chevy Traverse and the Acura MDX.  Marc wants to look at the Dodge Journey – and I think a Toyota something or other.  We'll see what we can do here. 

Here's what I've learned about myself: I couldn't care less about vehicles.  I mean, I want one that works and has enough space for us.  Other than that, I'm pretty good to go.  Thank God Marc used to sell cars and is generally an enthusiast of the four-wheeled type, so I'll let him do all the hard work.  I'll take the keys when all is said and done, please and thank you. 

If you have a third-row SUV that you love, please let me know at: lanette@magic98.com.

There's an author who once said something that has stuck with me for years.  "Please be responsible for the energy you bring into this space."  I love that and think of it often.  So, I'm well aware that I'm about to bring negative energy into this space, but this winter can kiss my butt!  Oh my LORD … between the freezing cold and the constant snow, we haven't had any good time outside in the fresh air since December.  And to top it all off, my family had the stomach flu four weeks ago and H1N1 last week.  I have disinfected every inch of my house … every lightswitch, every doorknob, every surface that couldn't run from me – a million times.  I hope and pray we can stay healthy for the remainder of the winter. 

I will never underestimate a beautiful spring evening when we can eat dinner and then head outside to shoot some hoops or go for a walk around the neighborhood ever again.  Please Mother Nature … I'm sorry for ever cursing you out in the 100 degree temps just a few months ago.  I didn't mean it and I've learned my lesson.  You win.  Just give us a morning without a negative sign in from of the temperature.  The furnace needs a break.  There's not enough water in the world to put any moisture back into the air.  Last night I got out of bed and my fuzzy pajama pants actually created sparks when I moved in the sheets.  And our skin?  I should've bought stock in chapstick and hand lotion…after this winter, I would've been a millionaire!! 

It's time to do the right thing Ms. Nature, ma'am.  Give us our spring, please.  Nevermind that pesky rodent and his shadow … you can totally trump him.  For the love of all things sunshiney and warm … spring needs to be here. NOW!

Loss and grief are two powerful, powerful forces.  They can grip your gut and take you down in a moment's notice.  And it doesn't matter if your loss was 10 days ago or 10 years ago.  Grief has a way of sticking around to haunt you in your lonliest times,  but it can also empower you to do things you never thought you could.  Melissa is the founder of Mikayla's Grace.  From the grief of losing two babies, she was able to rise above it and start an organization to support families who have gone through or are going through child or pregnancy loss. 

My family stumbed upon Mikayla's Grace after having to say good-bye to our angel baby, my brother's son, Samuel Paul.  It was a sense of comaraderie and with that comes strength.  Being with other people who have experienced what you're going through is really indescribable.  It's like you can let your hair down and say what you want because they've been there and won't judge.  Mikayla's Grace is also focused on being proactive.  They help in the NICUs and the ERs doing what they can for families right in the thick of things.  They're also working on getting nurses bereavement training so they can feel better equipped to help as well. 

I'm very proud to be a part of their very first fundraiser tomorrow, Saturday, 1/18.  If you head to Point Cinema for the 10am showing of Despicable Me, you'll be able to see a great family movie as well as fundraise for an amazing organization.  Marcus Theatres is donating every single dollar to Mikayla's Grace…and that's SO cool.  Click here to buy your tickets.  See you there!

Everett started Toddler Time at Monona Grove Nursery School (same place that my siblings and I went.)  We finally got the dang carpets cleaned. Two dogs and a cat that we've managed to keep healthy and happy.  My brother and Julie got married! My grandma Hansen  turned 92! The furnace and both our cars pooped out on us all in the same week … but we kepts our heads above water.  I managed to keep off my baby weight.  Marc and I celebrated three years of wedded bliss (HA!  But sort of).  My family and friends are for the most part healthy and happy. 12 years here at Magic 98.  I guess it's been a pretty good year with lots to be thankful for. ?  Happy New Year!!