Looking for the helpers...

Over the last year (or 12, since September 11th, 2001), as these national crises have happened, many a Facebook post has starred the photo and the idea above. As a parent, it is the ONLY thing I can cling to -- in times of bombings, shootings, natural disasters, and terror on our home soil, the only thing I can tell my children is to look for the helpers. Look at how our friends, family, and community come together to support each other. And, I always want to tell them to look to your faith and know that our God is in this with us, sustaining us in this life. Heck, these are the things I'm telling myself as these unthinkable acts happen.

And, so is true in our own family life. Over the last several months, we've had run-ins with the kindness of the helpers...some who are just "doing their jobs" and some who are giving of their time, energy and care without even knowing us.

Let me tell you these stories....they have been moments that have marked my experience of the world in ways that I don't even comprehend yet.

In August 2012, Mike was battling a supposed virus and fever. After a check-up at the doctor, he received a call while driving home from the appointment, "your blood counts are not good. Please go to the nearest ER and get checked." When he called me with this news at 5pm  on a Wednesday, I panicked. I went into problem-solver mode and tried to figure out who could help me with the kids while I went to the ER to be with him. I reached out to the school where our children spend each day. By the time I arrived there, they had a teacher who was ready to go home with me and the kids to stay with them until someone else could relieve her! When I arrived at home with sitter and kids, my neighbor was there on my front step, and said, "you sounded like you could use a hug"....boy, was she right! She helped me get the kids and sitter set and sent me on my way- - within an hour of being called, I was at  Mike's side and kids were taken care of.
Later that night, another teacher came to stay with the kids (prepared to stay the night)....and by the grace of God we were told the bloodwork from the doctor's office was faulty and it was, in fact, just a virus.
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In October 2012, we were traveling back from a very quick road trip to PA. We stopped at a Wawa in northern VA to get some lunch and fill the gas tank. When leaving the store, Ben decided to take off for the parking lot, and Mike quickly followed, meanwhile leaving the diaper bag (with my wallet inside) on the curb! Unknowingly, we got in the car and headed for home. We were 40 minutes from home when I said to Mike, "where's the diaper bag?" As the panic set in, I called the Wawa store and sure enough, a good samaritan found the bag on the curb and turned it in. The store manager would go to FedEx the next day and ship it, using the credit card in my wallet. The bag arrived in tact within 2 days.
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AND, today, April 26, 2013, while Mike was off to PA to enjoy time with college friends, I was picking up the kids from school. I had just gotten the kids in the van when a teacher approached and was telling me about some upcoming charity events. We got to talking and meanwhile, Ben was playing around in the van. Well, apparently, that was when he was pushing the lock button. After getting Rachael strapped in, I turned the car on to begin the battle that is getting Ben in his seat. I finally strapped Ben in and climbed out, shut the door and well..... Truly, it was my air-head moment. Lesson learned.Well, one of the Moms that I knew from Ben's 1 year old room was coming out with her boys and saw the panic in my eyes. She immediately came to my aid, giving me her phone and AAA card to call for assistance. And, even said, I'm not leaving until you get help. The tow truck would be there in 30 minutes...but the car was RUNNING with my babies inside! Rachael began to freak out and was crying and I couldn't get to her -- worst feeling in the world. Ben was, as usual, cool as a cucumber.
Another staff member was leaving the school and recommended calling 911, so, we did and within 5 minutes, the fire department (sirens and big truck and all) were pulling in to the parking lot and within another 5 minutes had the door open. I have never been so relieved to touch my babies!

In each of these situations, strangers and paid "helpers" made a serious impact on our lives....how do I repay them? What do you call these helpers in your life? Angels? Where does God fall in all of this? Is this the reward for believing or is this just "good luck"?
All I know is that I'm grateful and look forward to paying it forward. I hope there are opportunities coming my way to be the helper and teach my children to be the helpers.

The (end of the) Catch-Up

Well, I think we're finally down to catching up on February and March! (That's good since it's APRIL!)

February 2013:
Highlights:
This month included visits from both Nana & Gammy AND Mimi & Papa. We are so lucky that we live this far away and our families still come to visit. Nana and Gammy came early in the month since they weren't able to make it to Rachael's 3rd birthday due to bad weather! You know, when I was in the hospital waiting for Rachael's arrival, I didn't worry about nor envision January birthday parties. And, now I know that January birthdays mean: bad weather is possible (likely) and HELLO -- it's flu season! Of her first, second and third birthdays, Rachael was sick for one and had bitterly cold (but sunny) weather for the other....I suppose this is a fact of life and we'll just have to deal!
But, I digress....we enjoyed our time with Nana and Gammy...we did some shopping, some birthday celebratin' and some playing. Rachael got to stay home from school for one day by herself with Nana & Gammy -- such special time for them to play without interruptions. It was a goregeous weekend and we were able to play outside without being frozen and introduce Nana to more neighbor friends.

Mimi and Papa rounded out the month with a visit. We enjoyed going to Marbles Children's Museum in downtown Raleigh on a cold, rainy Saturday morning (with 1000 of our closest friends -- the place was packed!). I think Mimi & Papa were able to see how lucky we are to have that just 10 minutes away and just how many things there are to do there. On Sunday, Daddy and Papa built a cardboard train for Ben's upcoming 2nd birthday and Mimi and I got to play with the kids. That day brought sunshine and temperatures that made playing outside tolerable.

The same weekend that Nana visited, Rachael moved up to the 3 year old class at Cary Gymnastics. This class is without parents, while the previous class was parent-child. Rachael surprised me and delighted me when she approached the first time flying solo with absolute confidence and enthusiasm for learning new tricks. She was more than 20 minutes in when she looked around the open-air gym to find Nana and I in the lobby area...where we were watching her every move.

We were also surprised to be asked to move Ben up to the 2 year old room a month prior to his birthday. And, just like his sister, Ben moved up with no hesitation. He joined the group eagerly and made himself right at home. Ben's very verbal for a boy and loves to talk and sing and tell stories. His teacher commented on his 2nd day, "I heard this little voice singing in the play center, and turned around, and it was Ben just singing away while playing." Ahhhh....warms my heart to hear these things!

Lowlights:
Work was very busy for both Mike and I. It's a lot to balance when your work and home life are overflowing...the days feel long and the nights feel just as long.
Mom battled a case of pneumonia at the end of the month; very scary, but, after several days on antibiotics was on the path to healing.

March 2013:
*disclaimer: March was a very busy, crazy month in our house. I may not get to it all, but, this will cover *most* things!
Highlights:
The month came in like a Lion with a proposal from Uncle Doug to his girlfriend, now fiancee, Christen! They were traveling in St. John's when he popped the question. We were surprised! Wedding is planned for September 7, 2013 in Vero Beach, Fl.
We traveled to West Chester for the weekend in the middle of the month to attend the 10th annual Legacy Of Leadership dinner. This dinner involves the recognition of alums that were heavily involved on campus (in Student Affairs) while in undergrad and have continued that same leadership in their professional/personal lives after college. This year, in particular, was special because 4 of the people that were recognized were people I knew well in college. Sueann and Dan graciously put us up and their daughter Cameron watched the kids while we went to the event! It was a wonderful time to catch-up and reconnect with a place that means so much to me. While there, I felt like I knew the place, yet, it was all new. Very weird feeling!
Can't wait to go back for Homecoming 2014 -- my 15 year reunion from college!
Following our trek up the east coast, we celebrated Ben turning TWO!
CHOO, CHOO......Ben is TWO! :) We had a great day with friends and family (cousins Mary, Darren & Devon and my Dad were all here for the party). The train was a HUGE hit with the kiddos and we even managed time on the swings and to eat some cupcakes!

Things to remember about Ben at two:
Loves: pancakes, cereal, biscuits, raisins, mandarin oranges, bananas, apples, carrots, corn, chicken nuggets, BBQ, sloppy joes, meatballs, mac-n-cheese, pizza....he'll try just about anything and wants at least one bite of something from our plate at dinner!
He loves to play with anything that has wheels -- and even if he doesn't -- he'll make it have wheels for pretend. He loves a ball and  to throw, catch, pass it to you. He will eagerly get a book and back his little behind up to sit in your cross-legged lap to read. He'll easily play kitchen or doctor and loves to color, play with playdoh or stickers. He will swing until your arms fall off and then climb up and down the slide.
He has a real knack with his scooter and his plasma car.
He can say and sing his ABCs, count to 20 in English, count to ten in Spanish and uses his words to tell us what he wants. MOST of the time, Ben is a pretty happy, laid back kinda kid. He's easy to be around and very social -- loves to say 'hi' to just about anyone and isn't afraid to walk into a party!
He only gets cranky when he can't have his way or when his sister takes his toys. (go figure!). He does have his routines and likes to follow them, but, if we change it up, he'll just roll with it. Ben can also be a tease....loves to play cat-and-mouse around the ottoman or the kitchen island and will just giggle until he falls over.
Ben....you are a miracle in your own right....we couldn't have dreamed of having a baby without doctors or the work of modern science! Nor did we know what it would be like to have a full-term, healthy baby from the start. Little did we know that you would come into our lives and our hearts with such a peaceful, gentle, loving way and I couldn't be more honored and proud to be your Mama. As long as you're living, my baby you'll be. Love you, sweet boy!

And, to round out the highlights, we had Nana and Gammy visit for Easter weekend. Lots of fun was had by all with decorating a cookie puzzle, shopping, playing, dyeing eggs and getting baskets full of goodies.
We also had our 3rd annual Easter dinner (along with Nana and Gammy) with the Blazei's and Beggs'....two of our neighbor families. There were 8 adults and 6 kids -- 2 three-year-olds, 1 two-year-old, and 3 one-year-olds! Amazing....the blessings are abundant!

Lowlights:
The only "bummer" about March was the weather....it was hit or miss and colder than normal, so, we were all anxious for April to bring spring!

Phew! I'm caught up....boy, that was harder than just writing something monthly!
Going now to schedule reminders on my calendar to keep up!

xoxoxoxoxo

The NEXT post in which I cram 3 months!

Are you seeing the trend here??? I'm having to do 3 months at a time....wow. I'm going down in blogger history as one of the best, most consistent blogger out there. :)

OK....just get on with it, Gammy would say here.
November, 2012:
Highlights: Finally, a slower month for me at work...much needed as the semester's peak month of October really takes on a life of it's own. We were lucky to be able to schedule a week in PA, including the weekend of my birthday through Thanksgiving. Mike went out with some of his dearest college buddies and I spent my birthday eve at home with Mom and Christy...drinking wine and eating cake...what could be better? Mom, Dad, Eileen, the kids, Mike and I went to Monkey Joe's during the day and then they treated me to a lunch at the Pizza Grille, where Alex joined us. It was a great time to be with the Craft crew and the kids love Monkey Joe's! On my actual birthday, we went to church and brunch and the kids had a nice long nap....just what Mommy wanted on her birthday- - thanks, you two! As the week went on, we enjoyed lots of adventures...to Hershey's Chocolate World with Nana and another trip to Monkey Joe's with Mimi and the cousins. Thanksgiving including a yummy meal with Mimi and Papa and the Concini crew where Uncle Doug's girlfriend, Christen, joined us.

Lowllights: Since it's so long ago.....I can hardly remember any lowlights....this must be a good thing! :)

December 2012:
Highlights: Mike and I started off the month right -- with our first trip AS A COUPLE. ON A PLANE. WITHOUT THE KIDS. :) We went to St. Pete Beach, Florida and stayed at the Don Cesar Hotel & Spa. A beautiful facility on the beautiful gulf coast. The weather was phenomenal, the drinks were tasty, the time was TOO short. Mimi and Papa came to stay with the kids and give them lots of attention and love...can you say, spoiled rotten? Meanwhile, I was spoiled rotten with 3 wonderful, MUCH needed days of alone, quality time with Mike. By the time he left me in Florida for a conference for work, I was in tears because I just didn't want him to leave. (Much like the scene when we would leave each other during the long-distance part of our dating). Needless to say, we have resolved to do something like this every 18 months, because it's good for us -- and the kids.

December brought many other good things -- Ben's talking was just starting to take off....and he could get all the way through his ABCs and count most of the way to 10. He was pretty set on most major body parts and knows how to get what he wants by being as cute as a button.

Rachael continues to bloom...doing well at tumbling, ontinuing to love reading books, talking up a storm and singing songs. She has developed close friendships at school with Claire and Sienna -- she swears those are her 'best girls'.

Nana and Uncle Alex came to NC for Christmas....the first time we got to stay in our own home on Christmas Eve/Day and wake up in our own beds on Christmas morning! What a special treat.
Mike cooked a phenomenal meal and the kids were showered with gifts from Santa and Nana and others.
We went to see Santa and Ben was OK with it, but, Rachael didn't want to sit on his lap or get closer than 50 feet. Ironically, she'd been terrified of him for most of the Christmas season, so, that she even got that close was an accomplishment.

We made it to PA the day after Christmas for 5 great days with Mimi, Papa and the crew. It was a lot of fun, as always, and included a great time with the Hermance cousins that we rarely get to see and enjoy being with so much!

We rang in 2013 with the cousins in DC....it was a too-short visit, but, we packed in lots of play and plenty of great hangout time and yummy food thanks to Chef Nick.

Lowlights:
Unfortunately, Nana was sick before her visit with a bad bout of bronchitis. Her energy was zapped, but, she was such a trooper and kept up with the kids!
AND.....after a treacherous drive to PA on the 26th of December, we made it safely....but, not without plenty of white-knuckling from me.

January 2013:
Highlights:
RACHAEL is THREE! Wow....where did those 3 years go??? I feel like she just got here....and at the same time, I feel like I've known her my whole life.
Things to remember about Rachael at 3:
She loves:
food: pizza, pancakes, fruits (most), chicken nuggets, meatballs, pasta (of all kinds), peanut butter, cereal, english muffins and most any sweet treat.
toys/activities: princess dolls: Snow White and Cinderella are by far the faves. Minnie Mouse was a big hit for most of age 2 to 3, she loves puzzles and games -- Candyland and Hi Ho Cherry-O are go-to games. She loves to read....just about any kind of book. Her doctor's kit is never far away and is very good at taking care of her 'patients'. When outside, she loves to swing and climb on the slide as well as riding her scooter and tricycle.
Dancing and singing are also two favorite pasttimes.
Rachael also loves to say grace at mealtimes (no matter the time/day/or audience at the table) and loves to go to "her" church and participate in Children's Chapel and other activities at church. It is amazing to see God working through her....He is an amazing God.

Rachael is my 80/20 child -- 80% of the time, she is happy and curious and sweet and loving. 20% of the time, she is overly emotional and can be vehemently opposed to things she does not want to do and is very clear about her displeasure. She is learning (slowly) how to rein in her emotions...I am hoping we can help her learn how to manage them better as she grows.

Everyday, though, in every way, I love you, Rachael-girl from the very bottom of my heart, with every fiber of my being. You are and always will be my baby.....my miracle....my one and only daughter. You are a light to those who know you and the sparkle in your eye is your gift to me daily. I can not wait to see what this life has in store for you.

We celebrated with a Minnie Mouse party and had a grand old time. Rachael repeatedly said "Momma, I love my Minnie party". That line made every penny and every bit of effort worth it.

Lowlights: The month went by with a blur....can't recall any major lowlights (thankfully!).

PHEW......I did it! There.....those 3 months...for you...for me....for our memories. And what fond memories (mostly) that they are.