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.
                                                 **************************
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.
                                               ****************************
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.

The post in which I cram 3 months...

So, I know that it's not possible (nor realistic, nor relevant) to give you every blessed detail of the last 6 months of our life....but, I'll provide an overview, for record-keeping sake.

August 2012:
Highlights: A busy month for me at work with a successful association retreat and a kick-off event that exceed my own and my manager's expectations! $10K well spent, we all agreed!
Seeing the love and outpouring of support from our family as we experienced the lowlights....

Lowlights: Mike faced his 3rd fever/illness which landed him in the ER. It was a terrifying several hours as we waited for results; thankfully they pointed to a virus (not the Leukemia/Lymphoma we feared!). Hallelujah!

A week later, my mom went in for what was supposed to be a cardiac catheterization to check for possible blockages; turns out she was 70% blocked in her left main artery and needed a quadruple bypass right away. Terrifying doesn't even begin to describe it. I was so thankful to be able to be with her as much as possible and am very grateful to Mike and his parents for taking care of the kids so that I could come-and-go as needed.
Resulting highlight: Mom has recovered well and is feeling much better and stronger and we are amazed and blessed.

September 2012:
Highlights:
Mike and I were invited to attend a wedding for our friends Darren and Joanna. It was a beautiful ceremony and swank reception at the The Umstead Hotel -- we embraced the opportunity to stay overnight....it was wonderful in every sense of the word.

The kids started swim lessons and enjoyed going each Saturday morning to learn how to do a front crawl and jump off the side of the pool.

Rachael started a parent-child tumbling class. I was (and am) absolutely blown away by her confidence and willingness to try something new. It was amazing to watch my preemie be a 'big girl' and do things that others can do. At the end of the trial class, she didn't want to leave! (This is how I knew I needed to enroll her). The other benefit: both Mike and I are able to get some one-on-one time with each kiddo once a week.

Another milestone: Potty-training! Rachael took very well to potty-training (daytime only!) and was peeing in the potty regularly within a week's time. Now, #2 is a whole 'nother story. Again -- so proud of her for embracing the challenge -- and the M&Ms rewards. :)

Ben's language was continuing to develop and his gross-motor skills continue to shine...he's a careful and coordinated monkey!
Lowlights:
The day after the wedding mentioned above, (Sept 10), I started with a low-grade feeling....and typically low-energy -- along with mouth sores, which were determined to be my first attack of Herpes 1 -- oh, boy, the fun! The fever lasted for 21 days....IT. WAS. MISERABLE. I had several rounds of blood work taken -- nothing could be found (thankfully?!). I was able to continue to go to work, but, that was about the max of my functioning....ask my tremendous husband who held it all together while I just couldn't keep juggling.

October 2012:
Highlights: Starting the month by making a quick weekend trip to visit with Mom and to see that her recovery was coming along and she was getting stronger. Middle-of-the-month trip with the Helms to the pumpkin patch....it was a bright, sunny, warm day and we had lots of fun! It's amazing how our families have changed and grown (by one boy each!) since last we were at the same farm.  Also, in the middle of the month, we had a great weekend visit from Allyson, Nick & the boys...the kids enjoyed going to the park and the neighborhood block party. Ending the month with a visit from Gammy....she had a great time as we wore her out by going to Pullen Park to the restored carousel, attending the fall festival at the kids' school, and carving our very first jack-o-lanterns. The cherry on the month was Halloween night...we had 16 kids and their families at our house for a pre-trick-or-treating tailgate. It was so much fun and a great time with our wonderful neighbors! The kids dressed as Minnie and Mickey Mouse and Ben kept up so well with his sister and the older set that he was going strong after going to 10 houses!

Lowlights: The kids had a quick (thankfully!) bout with the stomach bug...also thankful that Mike and I didn't catch it. Mike mistakenly left the diaper bag (my wallet inside!) on the curb at a Wawa stop on our way back from visiting in PA....LUCKILY, a good samaritan turned it in and the store manager fed-exed it to me! PHEW! Other than that...it was a full, busy and super fun month.

Next up....a review of November, December and January and PICTURES to catch us up!

Health...

Just to get caught up....here's a draft post I wrote on October 17, 2012:
There's been a theme in our life the last 5 + months....health...good, bad, and ugly. And, for the most part, I've chosen to compartmentalize it...taking each illness one-by-one and not allowing the bigger picture to be present in my mind's eye. Well, I've finally come to it. Even in the last post (WAY back on July 31) talks about Rachael's 2nd ear infection since the tubes were no longer in the proper position in her ear canal. And, now, we're just completing a course of antibiotics for the THIRD ear infection since the tubes have been removed.

I don't take good health for granted -- I never have. I count my blessings for each day that my family (extended, included) is healthy. So, while my blessings are many, I'm struggling to keep that focus when our little family has had so many illnesses this year. Since May, the kids have had 3-4 viruses a piece, Mike's had 3 bouts with fever (one case that was tonsilitis) and I've had a run-in with possible oral herpes and a virus with fever that lasted for 21 days in September! Now, none of this compares to the chronic illnesses and life-threatening illnesses that are being faced by members of our extended family, but, for these working parents who live 350 miles from family, these illnesses haven't made life easy.
I never expected life with kids to be "easy" but, whoa. My eyes have been opened to the real deal that is parenting two small children and holding down two full-time jobs. I'm beat. I can't seem to focus on my own health (especially my exercise routine) when I'm focused on my children's health and balancing a full work schedule. It's been a rough road and I know it won't necessarily get easier, but, I do hope that I'm learning to cope better and to get our family in to a groove where these setbacks don't throw us for a complete loop.

JINX!

See....I told you....in the last post -- there were 5 days left in the month and I wasn't holding my breath....well, good thing I didn't. Guess who started with a fever yesterday? The same girl who had been saying for 2-3 days prior, "my ear hurts".....POOR Rachael...she's got her 2nd ear infection in less than 30 days. Doc said that one more infection and we'll be back to the ENT to talk about another set of tubes.
She can NOT catch a break....grow sinuses, grow. She just does not need this. Thankfully, we started antibiotics today...fingers crossed they will help!

The Pool and The Beach!

Well, 2 months since the last post? Really? Why does it feel like it was 3 years or just last week??? I suppose that's the pace of life, isn't it? No excuses. No more talking whining, self-deprecating cracks about how terrible I am at updating....it is what it is, right? At least I'm here...finally taking a precious moment to update on the goings-on in our too-fast life. We'll go with summer highlights....these babies (and Mike and I) have been spoiled by TWO (so far) trips to the beach this summer....Memorial Day weekend on Hilton Head Island and 4th of July week at Myrtle Beach! To say we've been beachin' it would be correct. I'm thrilled to report that these kiddos L-O-V-E the beach and the pool. (for those of you not familiar, Rachael doesn't usually separate the two...each morning on vacation, she'd wake up saying, "Let's go to the beach and the pool." It was never one or the other...but always both...thata girl.)

Photo evidence of said trips:

Rachael heads out the door for the beach in Hilton Head.

All of us on the sand at Myrtle...what a great week!






What else have we been up to this summer?
 We started June off with a special day for Rachael and Mommy/Daddy -- we took her to see Sesame Street Live. She loved seeing the characters on stage but sure didn't want them coming too close.

 A visit to Springfield for Father's Day weekend, 5 kiddos 4 and under...whoa. It was a great (but too fast!) trip.

 Multiple baby pool parties in our yard and those of our neighbors. Have I mentioned that we have great neighbors? There are 20 children that are 6 and under on our street...what a wonderful sight to see...families playing together and supporting each other in this life.

 Nana was here for a week in mid-June and had fun playing with Ben and Rachael and did a great job helping us to keep up on the never-ending housework. She and I even got to take an afternoon sans kids to go shopping (one of the FEW benefits of daycare!)

 June saw very little let-up on the sickness for us -- Ben and Rachael each had ear infections and I had a sinus infection...luckily, Nana was here while Ben was sick and Rachael was able to keep on going during her ear infection with very little fever. As I type, daycare has not called this month...and no one has registered a fever. Now, with 5 days left in the month, I'm not holding my breath! :)

 And, last, but, not least: an update on the newest tricks for these sweet babies:
 Rachael continues to talk up a storm...and is really starting to enjoy pretend play. She loves to play mommy to her baby and to play doctor...poor girl has been to the doctor so much in her short life that she knows the drill. She loves to swim and isn't afraid of the pool, the ocean or the sand. She has been working on drawing circles and cutting with scissors (at school) and enjoys the math center and gym/water play at school. Her favorite pasttime is still reading books...any and all and her pre-bedtime books rotate every couple of weeks. She said one of the sweetest things just a couple of weeks ago...I came down on a Sunday morning ready to go to church and she said, "Mommy, you're so bootiful in your dress. Do a twirl" Ahhhhhhh.....melt my heart and make me feel like a million dollars. Proud mom-moment (have had lots of these and am so thankful!): Rachael likes to say grace before every meal. No matter where we are. No matter what we're eating. No matter who's with us. No matter what the weather. For her, "prayer" is everywhere. Every time. Always. I LOVE it!

 Ben...gosh...he's just doing something new every day. On June 3rd, he took 4, 6, 8 steps and by the end of the day was walking across the room. The next day, at school, spent most of the day on his feet. It's like the light bulb just turned on and won't quit, now. His language is coming.... at 15 months, here were his words: mommy daddy blankie ball banana go no down up get down thank you all done milk my milk bye-bye hi yay ei-ei-o doggie papa nana elmo amen uh-oh baby We can add to this many more words now, but, especially, "love you"...which isn't crystal clear, but, this momma knows exactly what he means...so precious. He's just as sweet (and stubborn)as he can be. He's a sympathy crier at school and has adjusted to the big kid room very well....as of July 20, he settles in to the room with no 'separation' anxiety, even if snack isn't immediately available. He continues to be methodical in his problem solving approach and loves to play with trucks, cars, anything with wheels. He also likes to work with puzzles and the shape sorter. His favorite activity is being close to sister and 'wrestling' with her...playing in her BIG GIRL bed (which happened on June 24th!)...mostly, he just wants to do what she can...and then some. Both kids love to sing -- they even sing Old McDonald in unison (at least the ei-ei-o part!).

 I couldn't really ask for anything more in this life and I get frustrated when I succumb to the Earthly idea of wanting/needing/must have more.
 Who could want or need anything more than these precious two????????? xoxoxo

Catching up!

Well, hello, blog! How nice to see you! We might have met before....I'm your author...I've been MIA. I know. Terrible. I've been out making memories instead of recording them. But, before they do fall out of the grey matter, let me get some milestones on this little slice of our family's story. The spring for us has been very up and down...sort of like a country ride. Twists and turns...flat straightaways...hills and valleys. Lemme see if I can bring you up to speed. Major holidays since the last update: Easter and Mother's Day. Easter = super fun! I was able to sneak away from work thanks to community service leave to volunteer in each of the kids' classrooms for their Easter parties. Now, for Ben, in the infant room, an Easter "party" looks like this: 3 or 4 moms (and 1 rock star dad!) sitting around, holding their baby on the floor of the classroom with a pile of plastic, empty eggs in the middle. Fun? Eh, sort of. But, I was there, and that's what mattered to me. Now, just down the hall in the 2 year old classroom, the part-ay was ON! First up was a snack of Cheetos and Oreos (not the usual fare at Little Pros) -- Rachael snacked her little heart out. Then, it was out to the playground for an egg hunt. After 15 minutes of collecting and then climbing around the slide and other toys, it was back inside for diaper changes and hangin' out. Over the weekend, we dyed eggs together and then enjoyed Easter morning church (in the cry room with 3 other families!) and then a festive coffee hour in the fellowship hall. Rachael really had fun at the church egg hunt and then, we met up with our Amigo friends for a group photo. In the early evening, we had a potluck with the Beggs' and the Blazei's...2nd year in a row...so fun! After Easter, the rest of April was a blur...work was really busy for both of us and the kiddos help the days and weeks fly by and meld in to each other. Then, May hit...with a vengeance. It started on a high...at the NCACE conference, they handed over the gavel to me. Who knew? I am president of a state-wide professional association. It's an honor and a challenge...I'm looking forward to serving in this way. NCACE has been a very meaningful part of my professional life...and through the group, I've made some wonderful friends and colleagues. I also feel like I could go anywhere in NC and get a job...or at least, have a referral source! On the ride home from the conference, I got two pieces of not-good news. Ben was running a 101 degree fever and Gammy was admitted to the hospital. What followed was the worst virus either of my children has ever had -- Ben was running 105 by the middle of the night and I took him, terrified, to the ER. It was just a virus (thank God!), but, it was 5 days of a high-temp and general discomfort for my poor sweet Ben. Rachael started with her own variation of the virus just 2 days later...she spent 4 days not eating and drinking only milk, but, her fever remained low (100.8-101) and she was able to play with a good dose of Tylenol on board. Meanwhile, my Mom and Aunt Barb/Uncle Ted were taking care of Gammy and helping her navigate her way through a stay in the geriatric psych unit of the hospital. It seems the move was harder on Gammy then even she realized and so her brain compensated by going in to a depression of sorts. It's very difficult to watch someone who's strong-willed and typically very social have a hard time coping. The medicine is helping and the MRI did show that mini strokes from years' ago might have contributed to this. We're continuing to pray for a stronger Gammy -- day-by-day. My mom graciously agreed to leave the hospital and come help with our kids so that I could go back to work...what a lifesaver....yay for retired grandma's! :) Fortunately, her visit meant she was here for Mother's day. We celebrated with a trip to the park and a yummy char-broiled hamburger lunch. I'm so thankful for my Grandmothers, my aunts, my Mom, and my Mother-in-Law who have shown me what it means to love and live life fully!

Ben is ONE!

My sweet baby boy.....happy birthday! I can't really believe this year is complete. Ben, you are a sweet, gentle little boy. Determined in your own way, you are headstrong when needed, but, more often than not, you're laid back and go-with-the-flow.
We celebrate you, Ben, and are amazed by what you bring to our family. I can't imagine life without you in it. The love which poured out from my heart the day you were born was shocking because I wasn't sure I could love a child more than I love your sister. And, I learned, it's not a matter of more...it's a matter of all...both...equally intense...the love I feel.
Happy birthday, Ben, we wish for you to be a strong, independent, happy boy and we want you to know that we love you and will do all that we can to give you all that life has to offer.
And, now, here are pictures of the birthday party, "The Very Hungry Caterpillar".....

Every new beginning...

comes from some other beginning's end.

We traveled last week to gather, for one final time, at my grandmother's home of 62 years. It was a trip I was looking forward to and dreading, all at the same time. To most, this looks like just another old house. To me, it is a place....a sacred place....where my mother and her siblings were raised and loved and sent out from, to be in the world. It is a place where I spent a week each summer...swimming in the pool....going to Vacation Bible School...and being loved on by Gammy and Pop. I vividly taste the sweet, cold peach that I snagged from the fridge in the garage/pool house on a hot summer day. It is a home in which I have many, many happy memories...celebrations of all kinds -- birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter. It also is the place where we all came together when Pop passed away to be together and remember Pop. It is, above all else, the only house that has been in my life for it's entirety, thus far. So, when my grandmother leaves it on March 30th, this large chapter of her life and mine will end. And, I'll just say it....I'm sad about that. But, I'm happy for the opportunity for Gammy to live in a place where she can be with others and settle into a life that won't require the upkeep of an older home. She'll be near my aunt in Lynchburg, VA, so, they can see each other often and go to church together.
And, so, like many, many things in life....we'll close this chapter and start another. A new beginning....for Gammy and for our family.
Uncle John put it best: we're thankful and fortunate that Gammy gets the chance to share her love and compassion with a new community and we'd be selfish to keep it to ourselves. I can only hope that I am able to walk in her footsteps and be even just half the woman she is.
We love you, Gammy!