All Souls Day

It was a beautiful, sunny, bluebird day, just like Auntie Theresa loved; we bundled up and went to the nearby cemetery said a prayer for, with, and to her and strolled through some of the grave sites. It was a perfect time to talk to the kids about what a cemetery is all about, how respectful we should be and how special it is for the people left behind to come visit and feel close to the one who died.

Hannah: "come on little guy".
A natural mother....just like her
God-mother.

Looking fwd to visiting Theresa’s gravesite when we next visit Montana.

Missing her........

　

 

It is approaching 8 months that my dear friend, truly a best friend, my sister, Theresa, left this world.
It is so hard to believe, so hard to feel really.

She had battled cancer already, 6yrs prior, only to beat it, with the determination she always had; even if it was to just reach the summit of one more mountain top. It’s what got her going.

At that time, I was just married, pregnant with my first. I was blessed to be there when she was diagnosed and was able to extend my visit for another 2 weeks, to at least see she was going to pull through.

There were so many miracles then and you knew God had a hand in it all, of course.

We were all tested to see which of us siblings matched her bone marrow in case she would need a transplant.

I must say I felt honored to discover that I was her only match out of my parents and 7 siblings.

It made me excited in a way to think that I would be able to do something for her, in a way go through part of the ordeal with her; like I said “in a way”!

It took awhile, but she got better and passed the 5 yr mark, married a great guy that had the same adventurous heart she had and brought 2 beautiful twin girls into the world.

Then, last June (2011) I received a call from Mom; Theresa’s cancer was back, of course stronger and worse. Deep in my heart I felt “this is it” but I (naturally) kept hoping, praying, believing in a miracle.

She started chemo the next day. She was told she would for sure need the bone marrow transplant this time.

Of course she called me that day and when I talked to her, for some reason I kept wanting to say….I am in it with you Theresa….but how could I? Look at my life. I had nothing to complain about, I could do nothing for her. I felt excited to be of use in the bone marrow process, but that would be no pain to me.

This was her cross and she had to carry it. I did feel helpless and so sad.

Why her…after these 2 precious girls, not even 2yrs old and her husband…surely God wanted her here, needed her here to help them get to heaven.

Well, I guess God is bigger than that and He had/has a different plan.

July we went to Montana and I am so grateful, we stayed for a month. My valiant husband dropped me and 3 mo. old Louis off at the airport and he drove the next 3 days with the other 3 kids to meet me in MT.

Theresa was in and out of the hospital, but whenever she could she would be out at Moms and Dads to be with, of course, her girls and spend time with us. As usual she delighted in my kids and would wear her cheer.

It wasn’t till February that I returned, thanks to Allison’s encouragement, and Pat and my mother and father-in-law for helping out at home so I could spend a week in MT. It could not have been better.

It is hard right now to say much more. I wish I could have all those times back but I don’t, so I am thankful for all the memories and the dear soul that she was.

She was always so bubbly and joyful. Her and I did everything together for the first 20+ yrs of our lives, being only 21 mo apart.

Now, every time I sit down to play the piano, my tears flow. All the emotions seems to flood in. I have hardly played all summer but I realized again the other night how… kind of… good it felt. I just sat there and cried and played and remembered and loved.

She will always hold such a special place in my heart.

All Saints

Happy All Saints Day!

This was actually "Halloween".

We did not take our picture until the end of the day,

thus the explanation for the enthusiasm.

 

At school, the kids have a half day of school and then have a "parade of saints" in which each grade presents their saint with 3 clues and the rest of the grades(k-6) guess. Followed by a carnival in the gym put on by the highschoolers, who plan different games for the kids to win candy.

Isabelle: St. Bernadette, Drew:St. Martin, Hannah: just wanted to wear what she had on!

I have to say I enjoyed making the kids costumes, it worked out well: a little apron and cloak for St. Bernadette (all out of old scraps I had) and Drew's 'toga' he looked the part even though he does not have his roman sandals on that we configured with brown ribbons. 

 

 For trick or treating we had to wait for Dad to get home from work so we just ran out the door and when we were done...came in for Chili and bread...and candy of course.

 

The next day when we really celebrated All Saints and dressed up in our costumes again,

and the kids re-enacted their Saints for the video camera in the basement.

I said after they did that we would have German Pancakes for lunch.

 

 

A few fall days

 

Well this post is late...but I wanted to add my little "saints" in the making. 

One Saturday when Dad was working and the kids needed their imagination to entertain them, Drew decided he would raise money for the poor.

The pic doesnt pick up the "saving mony for the poor" written on the wood board. Of course I didnt really realize what was going on until everything was quite underway.

The kids were going in and out and not needing me so I just kept about my business until I

noticed them knocking on the neighbors door, little did I realize, asking for money!

Of course the prolife sign that was strategically set up to the side I am sure would cause people to wonder.

I was unsure whether to put an end to their creativity or just pretend I didnt realize what was going on. They were so hoping someone would come along to buy something, a pumpkin placemat, a watergun, some apples (Hannah already started to eat one in her impatience).

Thankfully Grammie happened to call and I gave her the bug to come over and appease them.

 

 

I didnt want to forget this, so I sent Drew out with the camera.

They do not appear to be very enthusiastic saleswomen!

 

 Raking leaves just so the girls could jump in them.
Isabelle and little Nicolee.

Louis loves eating on his own, so until he receives his own bowl/plate and utensil
all we hear is "mu, mu".
Once its on his tray he is happy...whether he ends up using it or not.  

Yogurt and blueberries. Mmmm!






Blowing a kiss to Mary.

Daddy's Home!

I love it!
Pretty much every night Pat gets home from work, someone spots him: “Daddy’s home” and they book it to the front of the house to greet him.
Louis of course follows right behind as fast as he can keep up. Once Pat picks him up he just lays his head on his shoulder, as long as Pat will let him stay; enjoying it while it lasts. :)

Of course Drew just "happened" to have his green ND shirt on too!

　

　

　

Boys!

I forgot really how, “on my toes” I am required to be as a mother of a toddler boy.

I thought I was over-reactive, first time mother type when Drew was in his ‘toddler’ years.
I felt I could never let him out of my sight.
Well, he grew older, began to understand his boundaries etc. The girls followed suit and for the most part played on their own well without my 60 sec, 60 min, 24 hr watchful eye.
Total different make-up: scared of even the thought of a “stranger” or venturing too far from their safe surroundings.

However, Louis has reached the age that he realizes his legs can take him where he wants to go, forget what the rest of the crowd is doing! A ball across the retention pond in the neighbors drive is what he wants, why not go get it?
A big glass ball up at another neighbors front door, that’s nice too.

Forgot about all the balls in his own yard…these look a lot more exciting!
Warning crys (if they happen to be aware) shriek from the girls so that I can race out to retrieve him before he has gone too far.
Of course he has no way of comprehending this is not acceptable to just walk half-way up the street.
Here he is with his little pusher (reminds me of cousin Pierce) J
Turning around to wave each couple of feet before he bores full-bore ahead wherever he is bent on going.    

                           “Ba-bye…….ba-bye”


                    

A month gone by

Has it truly been almost a month?!

By the calendar date I guess it has. How time goes by?!

Well, we have enjoyed the month, obviously a little more fast-paced…but many moments to enjoy.

There was a theme for my camera.

It caught the moments that I just relish:


                         Drew is getting so good at reading and Hannah is his best listener.

 

My favorite.  I think they were waiting for Dad.

 

 

Louis,  just imitating.

 

 

                                     A favorite thing to do if it is just "us girls"........paint our nails,
                                          usually in need of a redo!

                                                   We love to look at pictures...

                    and play with dolls ....

                                                                            
                                                                                        .........read books
                                     
                                            and of course picnic outside!
                                                                            

 

 What is better than seeing your kids enjoying each other....not needing "Mom" once in a while?