Fun Weekend!

"Look, Grandma! Reading is fun!"

We had a great weekend! We started on Thursday with Mom, Aunt Prudi, Sharon, Shirley and me going to see Tell Me On a Sunday in Chicago. It was a one-person show, we discovered when we arrived, and it was VERY good. (Sorry, I didn't take a camera!)
Friday night, Mom, Dad, Jack, Grace, Katie, Mary and I went to the White Sox game with school. It was fun and a VERY late night with a not-so-good outcome for the Sox. The kids got the experience of a major league game though.

Jack and Grace at the beginning of the game.
After a couple innings... It had been a long day, and the Sox were doing their best to lose big time! We all had a very nice time though :).

Saturday morning brought soccer games. The weather was beautiful. The perfect fall day! Katie and Grace took pictures during Jack's game. I think we may have some budding photographers in the family!

Jack had fun at a birthday party in the afternoon, and I headed off to work. Sunday was relaxing between church and work. The kids now think edging is cool (shh, don't tell them otherwise!) and we all played a game of soccer in the yard. Bryan made some absolutely delicious black beans. The kids and Bryan ended the weekend with a trip to see Grandma M. and Auntie Shirley. Just a nice way to kick off the week! The kids were tired and happy. Who could ask for more?

Still a Boilermaker!

Just wanted to let everyone know that Mary is still cheering on her Boilermakers!!

Don't forget Mommy!

Amy runs a household of 4 sometimes 5 kids :). She does an amazing job and has served as my inspiration in both my spirtual and physical health and well being.
She is my rock!
Just thinking about her "normal" day exhausts me. She is in amazing shape mentally, physically, and spiritually.
Somehow this amazing person has found it in her heart to include me in her life.
We have many traits that complement each other and my weaknesses in life are overcome by her many strengths.
She truly completes me.

And, Bryan...

I should mention Bryan. My loon (they mate for life in case someone thinks I'm being mean :)). Or in the Friends' realm, my "lobster." God truly knows what He's doing - Thank you, God! And thank you, Sweetheart, for not complaining and just doing and being right there with me. I can't imagine being on this ride with anyone else.

I love you to infinity times one!!!

And what about Jack and Mary?

Mary is her usual sweet, easygoing self. I think we have had a couple days where she wasn't feeling 100% but thankfully, she is still nursing and that helps keep dehydration at bay.

Jack has been so wonderful! He also really wants the girls back at school. He misses dropping Grace off in the morning and watching for both of them after school. It is so sweet. This morning, he woke me up and asked me if I could feed the animals while he makes breakfast. I thought, sure, if that means a few extra minutes of precious sleep! (I am working on about 13 hours in 3 nights at this point) When I got up, he had not only made his breakfast, he made my toast AND his sandwich for his lunch! I am so proud of him. So many times we focus on what they DON'T do (Jack, pick up your clothes, turn off your light, put your lunch dishes away, etc.), so I thought I would stop for a minute to think about how blessed we are and what a GOOD kid he is (as are the girls :))! Thank you, God!

The Sickies updated

Well, the short update is, "They're still sick." The long one? They are MUCH perkier than they were yesterday. Today I don't have to wake them up to drink. Praise God, we avoided the hospital admission by 3 hours! Katie is back to chatting like she usually does. They both keep ASKING to go back to school, which I take as a positive. It has been a quiet week. Again, it is so wonderful how people just step up and step in when needed. Something we all need to remember - none of us is in this alone!

The Sickies...

Don't viruses know they are supposed to hit mid-winter when the weather isn't beautiful outside?!? No, they don't. Oh well. We had an early wake-up call on Friday with Grace saying her tummy and head hurt. Trust me, by mid-morning, I wasn't thinking she was all that sick. We carried on with the weekend and the beautiful weather. Bryan and Jack had some much-needed Daddy-son time at the Purdue football game Saturday. Grace played a great soccer game. Sunday was a productive, fun day. Bryan and I both managed to exercise (no small feat on a Sunday lately). I mowed the grass, and he took Grace to a birthday party. They had a really nice time and came home for me to go to work. All in all, a really nice day. Then I came home from work. Mary woke up and wanted to nurse. No biggie except she was wide-awake and wanting to play with Daisy. Then Grace came in and said her tummy hurt again (first real mention of it since Friday morning). Honestly, if she were older, I would have thought she was trying to avoid school! Well, she quickly put that thought to rest when she got sick. So Mary, Grace and I headed downstairs to set up the "sick couch." We fell asleep around 3AM and got up with Jack at 6. Katie came down and told Bryan she didn't want breakfast but easily drank her milk. Poor little thing got sick about an hour later. I don't even think she saw it coming. So the plans for the park and for a walk are on hold. I am in bleach-cleaning mode and praying that Jack, Mary and Bryan stay healthy! The thing is, as yucky as the stomach flu is, I know how blessed we are. This too shall pass and we will be stronger for it in the long run. And, maybe the house will be spotless by tonight :). And maybe, just maybe, they will take a nap and I will sneak out and get those mums planted! You know, I really believe sick days are God's way of MAKING us slow down. I can almost hear Him saying, "If you aren't going to take the hint, here's a 'clue-by-four'" as a friend calls it!

Stir Craziness...

Today loomed in front of me with open-ended possibilities. The kids had a "rain day." Not sure I've heard of that one before, but with 9.9+ inches of rain in 48 hours, it isn't too surprising. After a not-canceled meeting that should have been canceled and an unexpected visit to the vet, we were home with nothing else planned. Bryan headed to Mom and Dad's to take their carpet out of their family room. They were hit harder than we thought but will be ok. The silver lining is that I think Bryan is starting to realize how much he can do, be it epoxying the pipe in the basement or whatever, he isn't afraid to try anymore. The kids and I started thinking of things to do. In the midst of it, they were rambunctious and, well, kids. Looking back, they were adorable and so together. They got out model magic clay, each with two colors. Instead of separate sculptures, they decided to pool their efforts and make one big snowman. I kept thinking but we need to go here or maybe we should go there, to get errands out of the way. We didn't go anywhere, and I think we are all better for it. We plan so much of our time away. This rain, this constant rain, for the past few days and then today with the roads still a mess, has forced us (me) to relax, to just focus on the moment, and that's where I need to be right now.

Perspective

Good Morning!
Amy is probably going to take away my ability to post on her blog or tell me to go create my own :) as I have made the last couple of posts. I can honestly tell you that I have had the wonderful opportunity to gain perspective over the weekend with our battle against the Flood of 2008.
I was panicked in the morning when water started rushing into our basement downstairs and Amy, Don, Linda, and our neighbors all came rushing to our aid. We did finally get the hole around the pipe plugged (epoxy putty works wonders). That afforded us the time to then get ahead of the issue and ultimately get the basement dried out.
As Amy and her mom finished the basement at our house I ventured over to Linda's house to fend off the lake that was coming perilously close to their house. They also had a sump pump fail.

I thought our day was just horrible. I then came to the realization as I was driving home and watching homeowners in Dyer trying to save their houses from the over run ditch that our day was busy but we still had our memories and our living space had not been invaded. We truly were blessed even if we were exhausted.

Traveling Down Route 30

Rain. Rain. Go Away!

Good Morning.
Today started with a reprieve from soccer as the weather has flooded the fields.
We received many elated laughs and comments like “Sweet, free morning!” from our parents as we called to notify them.
It is funny how we all enjoy being outside and playing with our kids yet still cherish the occasional rainy “family time” day also.
We are blessed to have just such a day.
We do have water in our basement and that is a bummer.
It is only a small amount from seepage thus relatively minimal compared to those who are in the throws of Ike (Who names a hurricane IKE, silly NOAA).

Freedom 09*11*01 Remembered

WTC 09/11/01

The photo above is a reduction of a satellite photo over the WTC after 09/11/01.
We pause and pray for all of those who lost loved ones on this day.
We have had a lot of issues recently at work that revolve around appropriate conversation and behavior while at work. There have been accusations and comments about our right to freedom of speech. I also have reflected on the aspect of freedom of religion. It is imperative as a nation that we all reflect upon the concepts that this nation was built on.
We have freedom.
What is freedom?
Freedom is not the right to do what we want when we want.
Freedom is the ability to do what is right!
This is a concept I think many have lost sight of.

We also are a country founded on the principle of Freedom of religion.
What does this mean?
It means we have the ability to choose what way we wish to Glorify God.
We were founded as one nation under GOD!
It is not as is widely interpreted today as the Freedom FROM religion.
GOD BLESS AMERICA!

"Let Go and Let God!"

It is amazing how powerful this can be.
I am an individual who finds this little prayer to be one of the most difficult things to pray. I am used to being in control and have difficulty relinquishing it. I have been surprised how God's grace can impact us by praying for the Holy Spirit's intervention and for God's Will to be done.

Daddy Can Blog Too!

I am so blessed to have a wonderful wife who is much better with the written word than I. I do actually exist and contribute to "our" blog. I am usually more into the formatting and widget side of things. I wanted to post this evening as it has been quite a stressful few weeks at work. The only thing that has kept life in perspective is our family. Amy's blog entry today hit me square between the eyes. This ultimately helped me to "center" myself on what is truly important in this world. We have several of our friends currently struggling with a multitude of various problems:
1. One little child is struggling after having major surgery involving an aggressive brain tumor
2. One Mommy and Daddy are struggling with anticipation of an appointment with a pediatric cardiologist for their little guy who was recently diagnosed with "bicuspid aortic valve with trivial aortic stenosis and aortic regurgitation".
3. One Mommy and Daddy are still getting used to their new little one who wasn't able to come home for many days after they were born.
4. One Mommy and Daddy are worried with how their little 3 and 1/2 year old is going to be accepted by their peers as he has been diagnosed with autism.

I ask you to give your prayers to these families.
Please pray that these parents are given the strength and faith to persevere no matter what the outcome is.

Getting myself recentered...

Blowing up the tubes

Grandpa and Mary on the dock

Amy and Katie

Our "fish," Jack

Bryan and Mary - we play hard; we sleep well!

I am trying to refocus and recenter after a day of nonstop running with that e-mail in the middle. Honestly the day has been a good one. A dentist appointment this morning (yay, don't need to go back for six months!). Then almost made it to gymnastics. Had a last-minute emergency at school (yes, everyone and everything is fine), so we didn't make it. Instead, we returned shoes (had been putting that off for weeks) and got a hot fudge sundae at McD's. Doesn't ice cream make everything better?!? Only bad thing was, when I asked Katie what she wanted for lunch, she said the sundae WAS her lunch! Oops! Did I do that?!? There are worse things, right?
Don't worry, she also had some yogurt and grapes! We went to bible study and had a wonderful discussion about peace. I really had missed bible study this summer! It is so great to be back visiting with the other moms from church! After bible study (and school), we came home and managed to get through homework and the newsletter, ate dinner and got to soccer practice. We survived soccer practice. Yes, for today "survived" is the correct word! There is something to be said for kindergarten teachers! Oh my! The boys jumped from the van into the car and headed to Cub Scout round-up. The girls and I are home and jammied and heading downstairs so I can burn off the rest of this adrenaline! Have a great night!!!

We are ALL called, but not to the same thing...

Ok, this post is not going to have a lot to do with the kids. I'm frustrated and need to get this out. An acquaintance sent a friend of ours an e-mail about how he is growing in his faith and has realized that it is "more important to fight for a cause than to have fun and socialize." This person used to be part of our planning group. He left in a fit of anger during an event last summer. Sporadically, he will send cryptic e-mails to our friend, who is also part of the group. This time it is all about how happy he is at his new parish. That is great. I'm glad he's happy. That isn't where my issue lies. He ended the e-mail with how as he's grown in his faith, he has realized that there are causes worth fighting for and that is more important than having fun and socialization. On the surface, one may wonder why I have an issue with that statement. It's true, after all, right? There ARE causes that needed standing up for. My issue is that I don't think one outweighs the other. Hear me out, I think we are called to do something particular. God has a specific plan for each of us, a purpose just for me and just for you. As a mom and as a wife (and daughter, sister, friend, etc.), I also believe we are all called to evangelize, get as many people to know and follow God as possible. One big way to spread that word is through socialization. I also believe that anyone who works 100% of the time is going to burn out more quickly. Jesus didn't preach all the time. He made time for the wedding at Cana, for example. I KNOW as a mom if I get out and away for a couple of hours to visit with friends, I come home much more ready to be 100% there for the kids and Bryan and that's when the best example can be set. I am not saying I run out and "play" all the time. On the contrary, the times are few and far between. Really, my bottomline is that we all lead by example. Our actions speak much louder than our words. If we truly LIVE Christ's teachings, then others can learn through us. THAT is what I hope and pray to teach our children. I may not solve world hunger or end abortion or the death penalty or war or so many other atrocities that plague this world, but maybe my children or my grandchildren will or maybe it will be someone who I touched at a "social event" that is so unimportant in some people's eyes. Fighting for a cause is important; it's PART of the evangelization and call to Christ. It is not everything, and not getting out there every day to fight for a cause because I am raising my family does not make me less of a Christian than someone who does!

I would love to hear comments on this one. It is really bothering me today, obviously!

Is it Katie or Kathryn?

Kathryn has been "Katie" almost since day 1. She would correct us. "I KATIE, NOT Kathryn!" Well, at SCHOOL they call her Kathryn. She is ok with that. Last Wednesday she started gymnastics, where they have called her Kathryn in the past (last spring). There were two Kathryn's in the class, so they asked our Kathryn if they could call her Katie. She said, "No! I'm Kathryn." Um, you don't need to grow up quite so quickly!
Then tonight as if she knew, she came back downstairs and said she needed me to fall asleep. She has long been our, "Cuddlebug." Then she started school and decided to just sleep in her bed without the extra hugs at night. Just like that. But I worked all weekend, and she decided she need some extra cuddle time tonight. Just tonight. I'll take it. :) I love you, little Cuddlebug!!! And thank you, God, for these wonderful blessings in our life!

Some pictures...

Mary 7-months old

Jack's first day of second grade.

Grace's first day of kindergarten

Katie's first day of nursery school

Fuzzy Water

Most families have their special treats, I think. One of ours is "fuzzy water." No, really, the kids think this is the best thing since chocolate! Grandpa got them started on it. What is "fuzzy water?" you may ask. No, it isn't the water left in the bucket for too long! It is seltzer water. Seriously. Grace has her own way of saying things, and this is one that was too cute to let go. :) She started calling it, "fuzzy" instead of "fizzy." It stuck. They will probably be grown with children of their own calling seltzer water "fuzzy water" and all of us will remember fondly the time that passed way too quickly.

Late nights and soccer practice

Here I am. The house is quiet. I think the kids were worn out tonight. They had a snack after soccer and went to brush their teeth. I followed them up to tuck them in, prepared for the usual, "I'm thirsty," or "Mommy (Daddy), I wanted to tell you..." You know, all the important things that happened during the day that they were too busy to tell us about until now. But no, they all went straight to their beds. Even Katie. She actually WANTED to go to bed in HER bed, which I think is the first time EVER. She was falling asleep saying her bedtime prayers, holding a baby doll (she is rarely without one). Each said their prayers and fell straight to sleep. So what did we do differently today (so we can do it again tomorrow!)? Well, tonight was the first soccer practice. They played hard the whole practice (as did Bryan and me as coaches). Mary was the only one who "took it easy" in her stroller :)! And she was the LAST one to fall asleep, having much to say about the whole evening. Good night!