Merry Christmas

Sending Kisses

We took some time this weekend to send Papa some love, kisses, and a card.

Courtesy of the purple helium balloon Molly picked out.

Celebratory Marathon

December marks the start of the celebratory marathon in the Wendel house which was kicked off with Alec's 14th birthday celebration last night. No that's not a typo - our little guy is 14!

Some signs that its not just my imagination but that he's really growing up include:

~ He asked for a birthday PIE instead of a birthday cake.

~ He patiently and joyously waited for his presents.

~ He didn't get one single toy because a new cell phone was way more important.

Happy Birthday Alec!

Light up

About 6 weeks before Molly was born the family across the street welcomed their second child, a little girl named Natalie. Little did we know what we these girls had in store for us.


Molly and Natalie are different in many way - Natalie talks a big game at home while Molly loves to be out and about experiencing new things. Natalie walked an ENTIRE year before Molly. Molly's a sleeper while Natalie welcomes the sun each morning.

But these girls LOVE each other, they MISS each other, and they NEED each other.

And I am thankful that the light of my life has someone to light up hers.

Girls, girls, girls

The best thing we can do for our children is to surround them with quality people; which we happen to have an abundance of! The presence of family is more important than all the presents we can give our children, and this weekend Molly's cup was overflowing.

Our Example

If you'd like to learn more about Batten's Disease please visit: http://bdsra.org/ or

http://www.betzfamilycolumbus.blogspot.com/

Lesson

We teach our children to say please, thank you, you're welcome, and excuse me.

We teach them to turn off lights, throw away trash, and wipe up spills.

We teach them to clean up, respect, and share their toys.

But how do you teach
Compassion?
Empathy?
Charity?
Benevolence?

By example.

And what a great opportunity to join us in that lesson on November 6th!

Mix Tape

according to Molly




a little Ozzy, some old school rap, and an oldie but goodie!

Bare

Like most things in the Fall, the neighborhood pool looks stark and bare. Molly was convinced if she could get inside she could make things better - it was a sunny day after all. Put up some umbrellas, get out the chairs, and jumping in would fix things!

Then she looked a bit closer and wondered where the water went.

Rainy Days and Mondays

are so much better when you have a cool brother to share them with.


Our kids get along great....now don't get me wrong you may hear growling, screaming, and stomping emitting from our house on occasion but on this rainy afternoon you'll only hear laughter and love coming from under the fort in the living room.

Boy meets Girl.....

They fall in love, get married, raise their children.....

Or so the story goes.

Five years ago Mike and I got married expecting the typical life of some bumps but mostly contentment, house in the suburbs, Mass on Sundays, and holidays with family. Well.....we got the house, Mass, and the holidays but the bumps have been more like craters.


One year ago we buried my dad. My go-to when something wasn't working guy, my I need to feel unconditional love guy, I need encouragement guy - my Daddy.

Throughout the journey with Dad especially in his last weeks, Mike's mantra to me was, "I'm praying for your peace and strength". Initially I was frustrated - why not "I love you" or "Its going to be okay" or "I'm here for you"? Because Mike knew, God knew that I needed peace and strength and it was Mike who provided it when my dad no longer could.


I'm blessed to have been raised by such a caring, loving, and devoted man and even more blessed to be married to such a caring, loving, and devoted man

Capture

When I fell in love with Mike, Alec captured a corner of my heart. We've journeyed through elementary and middle school together; hunkering down with flashcards of facts, ironing game day clothes at 6:30a.m., and running to school when something was forgotten.

We've cried, yelled, snuggled, and smiled.

Before my eyes the other day, Alec became a teenager and that corner of my heart wept. It longed for that little boy I played Stratego with on lazy summer afternoons; the one I used to need a babysitter for. Mixed with this ache is a dose of pride. Pride when I see him take time to play with his little sister, when he says "I love you" in semi-public places, when he thanks me for the simplest of tasks - trips to the driving range, time with friends, or letting him choose what to have for dinner, and when he asks how he can help when Mike is working late.

I used to muse about who Alec would be when he grew up, I now witness glimmers of this man and he captures my heart all over again.

Just What I Needed

The days are growing shorter as is my time at home. Although I am thoroughly blessed to have time off in the summer to sleep in, go to the pool, visit the library, and play for endless hours outside it gets harder and harder to replace my mommy hat with my professional one.

But this weekend was simply perfect.

Our flower beds, clothes, & cars are cleaner. We honored Grandpa Jack in the American Heart Association's 5K which then prompted a trip to the pool. There were picnics, movie nights, and a trip to the park!

Just the fix I needed to get through another work week.

Its Been

Its been 303 days since we held hands. 303 days since I prayed by his bedside - since I watched him take his last breath and the pain left his body.

But today, I honor my dad - he would be celebrating his 77th birthday! I will remember the best times we had (one of my favorites pictured below), the funny stories I share with my kids, we'll be sure to sing the Animal Fair song to Papa, and we'll have some of his favorite foods.



Today, I will also shed some tears. Those tears are selfish - crying because I miss him. But I know he's having the greatest celebration of all.

Tears are God’s gift to us. Our holy water. They heal us as they flow. ~Rita Schiano

Food, Family, Fun, & Finesse

Could we ask for anything more?

A girls' night out complete with manicures, make-up, sparkly shoes, and up-dos!


Opportunities to try out new decorating techniques AND having them turn out better than expected.


An afternoon of bowling with family to celebrate Oscar's birthday!


Pizza, cake, ice cream, presents, & an excited birthday boy.

Family evening playing Just Dance.....these pictures speak for themselves!

After a weekend filled with family, laughter, and smiles we can't help but be thankful for our endless blessings!

Color in our Life

We all need a little color in our life and we are blessed to have ours across the street. Molly doesn't have a sister or even a sibling close to her age but she has an abundance of friends who grace our house, yard, and toy box.

Learning

She looks like she's having a blast doesn't she? I'm not sure who had more fun; Molly playing or me observing.

Last summer it would've taken Molly 20 minutes to brave the fountains - but today the stroller straps were still in my hands as her feet hit the water.

When the fountain pattern changed, Molly stopped playing and began to think while watching the changes.

We set out for a morning of fun and relief from the heat; who knew it was also going to be a morning of learning, thinking, and discovery?

Independence Weekend

We were blessed to spend this weekend with each other and our Columbus "family" - filled with parades, sparklers, s'mores, swimming, and fireworks!

Racing, Spilling, Laughing, & Crying

These are the words of the day! We coaxed our friends into joining us at a frog jumping contest this morning, although after today they may never join us again.

"Dublin Frog Jump 2011"

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The kids (Alec - 13, Noah - 4, Natalie - 2, Molly - 2, Brooke - 1) had a blast, the weather was perfect, and we survived getting 20 gallons of water & frogs dumped on us, barely.

A Match Made in Heaven

Celebration

Mind vs. Heart

Father's Day seems to be the hardest holiday so far. We aren't trying to juggle both families, emails aren't going back and forth confirming the details of the Stahl's celebration and I'm not struggling to find that perfect gift.

But this Father's Day he's free! Finally. Free from the constant pain, from the gradual decline, and free in heaven!


This struggle between my mind and my heart can attack the simplest task. When shopping for cards this afternoon, I didn't get to pick the mushy from-your-daughter one that Dad would've loved. On this occasion, my heart won but on others my mind is victorious.

Although, I can't give my dad the mushy card or the well thought out gift, I'm still his daughter and he's still my dad. I can still celebrate him. And I can help my kids celebrate their dad - who is quite amazing himself!

Friends

Regardless of age, we all need a group of good friends. We need them more at certain times and less at others.

These kids (Brooke Hess, Tucker Betz w/ sister Celia, Luke Goode, Noah Hess, and Molly Wendel) are learning this lesson the hard way. In case you haven't heard (read), Celia has Batten's Disease.

If you're interested in being a good friend and doing something special to raise awareness or money for Batten's Disease this is the weekend to do it! Here are some upcoming opportunities!

June 12 -- until then, order jewelry from CaleCamo and 20-25% of your purchase will go to BDSRA for research.
*To read about promising research that has finally reached clinical trials and has been funded partly by BDSRA, go here.

Indefinitely -- order the Sweet Celia headband from Maya's Curls, and thirty percent of the sale will benefit BDSRA.

Indefinitely -- order Celia's Cardthartic card and profits will go toward infantile Batten research.

through mid-July -- follow Noah Coughlan as he continues to run across the country promoting awareness. Pledge per mile this weekend, if you can.

July 30, 2011 -- walk or run in the Heart of Ohio 5K/10K/1M event in downtown Columbus. HoO promotes numerous Ohio-based non-profits and BDSRA has been invited to participate this summer.

October 15, 2011 -- bring your pooch to the 2nd annual Barkin' for Batten Dog Walk at Hannah Park in Gahanna at 11:00 am.

November 2011 -- join us for the 3rd annual OSU MICU's Walk for Celia at Antrim Park, near Worthington. Exact date and time to be determined.

Thank you, JEB, for putting together such an extensive list of Batten's opportunities!

Pleaded

We've pleaded with our readers, relatives, friends, and co-workers since 2009 to raise money and awareness for Batten's Disease.

Why don't we give up? Because you wouldn't either.

Since we can't give Tucker the big sister he deserves or Jenni & Andy the preschooler who fills their home with art projects, make believe tales, and dance performances, we do what we can.

There are two upcoming opportunities for you as well.

Friday May 27th

Children's clothing and accessory Open House (with online ordering) in which a percentage of all proceeds will be donated to BDSRA.

June 3-5

Batten's Disease Awareness Weekend
This one's pretty easy. Tell someone about Batten's Disease; share Celia's story.

If you need more encouragement, just take a moment and look at Tucker with his big sister, Celia!

Photo courtesy Betz Family

Note: all words in pink indicate a link to an external page with additional information.

Change

I'm not a fan. Mike isn't either. Toddlers, as a whole thrive on routine and so do teenagers. But we don't always get to be in control.

Today was the first day of Mike's new work schedule. My biggest concern was how to manage the time between arriving home with Molly and Mike getting home a couple hours later.


We had a few hiccups and desperately awaited Daddy's arrival home, but if I do say so myself, we did okay!

Relief

Its hot. Very hot. Extremely hot if you work in an office without air conditioning and no windows.

Its always a relief to leave work, but since the weather change; even more so. To cool off we decided to call in reinforcements and nothing works better than a garden hose.

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Growing Up

is hard to do. Or so the saying goes.


But as I sat in the Church and watched Alec with my brother awaiting his Confirmation, a hollow pit formed in my stomach. The night when Molly announced she was moving to her big girl bed, caused a lump in my throat.

Each of these events were accompanied by smiles but also tears.

The funny thing is.....

the tears were not from the ones growing up but from the one who's already grown.

Molly & The Laptop

More like her father than her mother and most like her Papa, Molly loves to learn. She's a sponge; constantly exploring, thinking, and solving.

The Many Faces of Molly: Take Three

I guess I've started a Spring tradition begging you to humor this ever adoring mommy. Feel free to take a walk down memory lane with me to 2010 and 2009. Between which years do you think is the biggest change?

New Beginnings

We spent the evening before Easter at the cemetery giving Papa his Easter flowers, cleaning up, and replacing the worn flag that symbolizes his time spent in the Army. Discussing what headstone would be appropriate for the former leader of the Stahl clan.

Easter morning was the first time we had been at Our Lady of Lourdes Church since his funeral.

Easter afternoon was the first time we set foot in the same emergency room of that fateful night a little over 4 years ago.

But the outcome from this Easter trip was different; cleansing in a way. We conquered what I never thought possible because we were given no other choice and sometimes, I think, God plans it that way.

We survived, a little tainted, but all healthy and basically unharmed; and with enough time to enjoy an Easter Egg hunt!

Hiding

Wondering where we've been or if we're returning?

We're taking a short break from the Internet in the evenings during Lent. Rest assured, we'll have lots to share after Easter including a trip to NYC!

Exploring

We ventured to Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park to search for the newly delivered bison.

Bison in Ohio?

Well we learned a lot on our journey;

~ There's a marked difference between a 1 mile walk with a stroller through a park & a 1 mile walk with a determined, independent toddler on a dirt trail.

~ "Just across that field" is significantly different than "Just across that yard".

~ Sunset comes much more quickly when you're in an area without lights.

In addition to our education, we also had a great family evening together and hope to go back once the weather begins to cooperate.

Birthdays

"And in the end, its not the years in your life that count. Its the life in your years."

~Abraham Lincoln

Excuse

We all like to find excuses to endulge ourselves.

Molly loves when there is an excuse for pancakes, especially banana ones.

Alec loves to find an excuse to get on his computer when he should be studying.

Mike loves when there is an excuse to dress down for the day at work.

And I love an excuse to purchase something fun just for me.

Lucky for you, I've got all these covered but sure wish I didn't. There are many fundraisers and awareness events regarding Batten's Disease in the next couple weeks and if you look close enough you'll find your excuse to wear jeans, buy that cute bag online, and eat some pancakes!

By clicking here, you can place a 31 order in which all procedes benefit Batten's Disease research.

Also on this link you'll find information about an upcoming pancake dinner to raise money for Batten's research.

Finally, join the Wendels in wearing jeans on Monday, February 28 for the 4th annual Rare Disease Day.

Why do we continue to send these pleas? This is why.

Family Recipe

1 silly, devoted, hard-working Dad

1 loving, playful, consistent Mom

1 caring, over-protective, athletic Brother

1 cautious, thoughtful, precious Sister

Once mixed cover with love, affection, and honesty. Do not separate.

More Important

A good friend of mine asked when I was going to blog about this past week's events; emergency appendectomy for Mike, Molly baptizing my van with our first, but certainly not last, bout of vomit, 3 tests on one day for Alec, and me catching the flu bug as well. I replied that I wasn't in the mind frame to do so.
I don't want this blog to turn into my personal forum to throw temper tantrums, to stomp my feet like a toddler, or scream like a movie diva. I want this blog to be a place of celebration, milestones, and accomplishments.

So instead expressing all the emotions I've felt during Mike's hospital stay and recovery; I've decided to write about something much more important - BDSRA. Most of you have heard of Thirty-One products and now is your chance to purchase the item you've always wanted while justifying your purchase! There is a fundraiser to benefit Batten's Disease research and all you have to do is follow this link and make your purchase in February. Seems like a much better deal than listening to me complain about this past week!

Molly Smiles

Please wait for music to begin.