The Ford Crier; Christmas Edition 1997

Here is the yearly newsletter most of you enjoy getting during the holidays. This year I am sending hard copies to everyone. If you have email, send us a note. The past year has been a challenge and our family eagerly awaits big changes next year. You will have either to subscribe to the Ford Crier (only available on line) or wait until next year's Christmas card to find out all the details. 

I spent a good part of the past year taking care of sick kids. A housewife strives most in the home when the children are miserable with the flu, ear infections, pneumonia, kidney infections, chicken pox, pink eye or the common cold. The flu ran through the family swiftly --each daughter had it only for a day or two last winter-- but it exhausted me just to keep up with the laundry. Infections, on the other hand, are longer lasting but not nearly as demanding. Other than child care, I kept quite busy with my business of Creative Memories. In April I was featured in an article in the Money Section of the Wisconsin State Journal that really boosted business. By September I had become a Unit Manager with the Company. 

Erika finished first grade and started second grade this year. Although she had a slow start with her reading skills, she has caught on and is catching up. In April, we went to Minnesota's Mall of America where Erika showed us she can take on any roller coaster or scary ride with joy. In June, Erika helped me plan a surprise birthday party for her Grandma Ofelia, who turned 50. It was a special trip to CA for all of us girls. Erika especially enjoyed camping with Grandpa Jim and swimming with Grandpa Frank. In July, Erika and I visited Washington DC for some much needed time away from babies! We had a blast and fell in love with our nation's capital. During her Summer break Erika started swimming lessons again and advanced quite quickly. She may be small but she is lithe. In November Erika turned SEVEN! 

Jessika began the year with potty-training. It was a challenge for both of us, but an accomplishment we can both be proud of. Jessika's vocabulary grew leaps and bounds after having a very slow start. Her improving articulation helped alleviate much aggravation and frustration in our relationship. In June, Jessi experienced her first visit to Disneyland which she loved, of course! In August, she had a 104 fever, which we found out later at the hospital to be from a kidney infection. She was so ill that she slipped in and out of sleep for almost a week, living on sips of diluted juice and Disney videos. The worst part of it all were the daily trips to the hospital for shots and the aftermath of tests to find the cause. Then in September, she burnt her arm severely, as she reached over the stove for a cookie! That hospital visit qualified us for their frequent patient discount! In November Jessika turned THREE. We had a small party for both birthday girls at the Discovery Zone. Although Jessi requested Chuckie Cheese, I just couldn't submit myself to another loud and demanding birthday party (like last year). The party was on a weekday afternoon, so the place was empty except for us. Jim graded papers while I made sure Monika didn't kill herself trying to keep up with Jessika. 

Monika had no birthday this year, as there was no February 29th. We decided to celebrate her year and a half birthday on August 29th instead. In February she had the flu, in March she had pneumonia, and in October she brought the Chicken Pox home. Her sisters caught them two weeks later, just in time for Halloween! In May Monika weaned herself, in one day, out of the blue. I was surprised at how sad I was to see this part of my life to be thoroughly over. In September Monika began to have tantrums. Jessika has tantrums still, so there were two kids banging their heads and kicking their feet around the house, not to mention the occasional stomp Erika still gives. Over the year Monika's hair grew increasingly lighter and her temperament grew increasingly darker. We can't wait until she is three. 

Jim finally accomplished his life long dream to become a manager at Pioneer Chicken last summer, but he still needs a lot of work on his business skills. Over the year he pursued body-building, stamp-collecting, and karaoke. His 1997 New Year's resolution to believe everything he reads in order to help him grow as an individual, quite honestly did little help. In June he finished up a second degree on gender theory and attempted to reverse his vasectomy through his new study of visualization. At the end of August reality kicked back in when he begun teaching a Mediaeval course and grading a Reformation class. In October he went to Atlanta for a conference. He will amazingly finish grading his students exams and papers in less than 2 days time in order to join his family in sunny (or perhaps rainy) California for three weeks.