Remember You

Recently Molly's been asking, "does that remember you of....". Tonight she was playing in the living room and kept talking to her friend Celia and choreographing the Celia dance; it remembered me of our sweet friend, Celia.

photo courtesy www.betzfamilycolumbus.blogspot.com

I've written about Celia and her family many times and I come back tonight to ask again for support. As you peruse online retailers please consider stopping at bdsra.org and making a donation. All donations through the end of the year will be doubled through generous match pledges.

I hope that this post remembers you of a cause that needs your help to save future children from its devastation.

Sweet 16

I don't remember my 16th birthday but I remember getting my driver's license the morning after getting my wisdom teeth pulled. 

Tomorrow Alec's celebrates his 16th birthday and although its not important that he remembers that he chose chocolate covered strawberries and chocolate covered bananas instead of a cake or that he chose to eat at Waffle House when we offered any restaurant in a 30 mile radius. But I do hope he remembers how much we celebrated him, how much he and his sister laughed tonight while playing who knows what, how much we value him, and how much we love him. 

I hope I remember the other night while practicing night time rain driving that Alec said to me, "We are making memories tonight."

Here's to a birthday full of memories......

What a Man

I joke that this picture shows the Molly will choose the right partner because she's already chosen one who can cook! But don't all parents hope that if their children choose a partner that they choose one who will be a much better partner than we are? Someone that they can share a lifetime of happiness with?

I was on the phone with my mom the other day and she asked me about something and I replied that I didn't know because Mike handles that for our family. She reminded me, as she often does during hunting season, how lucky I am. And she's right!

I believe that most people's attributes shine during times of stress, chaos, or tragedy. I wouldn't say my surgery yesterday was tragedy by any means, but I did end up with more holes in my abdomen than I expected! Although it wasn't chaotic like my appendectomy it was stressful for my family whose lives were rearranged to accommodate me. 

Mike went with the flow, loaded bags, cars, chargers, and kids. Didn't eat his breakfast in front of me and spoon-fed me ice chips when I stubbornly refused to drink water from my first nurse. He attempted to listen to my garbled drug-induced slurred speech when he gently reminded me I only had 45 minutes left in recovery before they were going to give up and get me a room and I rebutted that I certainly couldn't walk out of the hospital if I couldn't even open my eyes.

I'm so blessed that Mike chose me as his lifelong partner and I hope my children find a partner who is half the one that Mike is. I certainly need to do a better job at showing him how thankful I am to have him in my corner! And no, honey, this post was not medicinally induced - love you.

Becoming

I was shocked to see how long it had been since I posted! Where in the world have we been? Well we've been working, parenting, and chauffeuring - much like most. 

There are moments when I wish away the time, even though I know better. Moments where I think, "I can't wait for Alec to drive." or "I can't wait for Molly to be able to shower." I'd like to be able to say I catch myself and quickly change my train of thought but that doesn't always happen.

But the other night, I was talking to a friend who's house recently went into contract. She was talking about how this is the beginning of getting something her family's always wanted. While I understand the want of something bigger when you have small children, the realization came to me that in less that THREE years, we will be one less in our day to day living. Alec will be miles away making his dreams come true.

Alec talks about college and how much he hopes to work as a game warden or a park ranger. He talks about going to far away states that are more rural and desolate than Ohio (hard to believe that's possible as we enter the winter months). Excited to live through harsh winters in a virtually solitary life. While I can't imagine that life, I hope the life he chooses brings him as much happiness as he brings me.

There are times I feel slighted that I didn't get to witness his first steps and I don't have memories to share about his first words or his first day of school. And while those things are important, I get to share how I witness every day him becoming a man. I get to hear him talk about his future, help him make those dreams become a reality.

I think those privileges are just as good, if not better, than those years of firsts. And I pledge to do better at being in the moment instead of wishing it away.

Photo Dump

I finally got around to take the photos off my camera and realized how behind I truly am! Each of these events deserve their own post but I have to accept the reality that its not going to happen.

 First day of Pre-K

 First day of Dance

 Katey's Homecoming

Hanging out with my mom; beyond thankful she's feeling like herself again.

The perfect caption escapes me. Please offer suggestions :) 

Fun at the FAREWalk for Food Allergies 

 Our wonderful city; wonderful friends

 Support from friends

Always something to explore 

Preschool Fall Family Fest 

No longer neighbors but still BFFs 

The Works Museum 

Little bits of my dad everywhere we go 

Future ice cream scooper? 

I think she looks good in a white lab coat 

Molly magnified

Plans

Other than the grocery or my commute, I can't tell you the last time I've been alone. And I LOVE to be alone - one of my most favorite past-times is to go to the movies - ALONE. Mike is aware of this so he planned an outing for him and the kids to a Bluejackets game.

Well a certain 15 year old got a little mouthy about the quality of our seats. He is under the impression that his $8/hour part time job warrants box seats, so he relinquished his ticket to me.

Oh joy.

My evening alone was stolen right out from under me. Instead of sitting in the silence of my house, I sat in the noisy arena. Instead of stretched out cozy on the couch with my blanket, I was bundled with a fleece and a scarf in section 202. Instead of getting ahead on my to-do list, we rushed home and jumped into bed for school the next day.

And I'm so thankful because if my plans wouldn't have changed, I wouldn't have gotten to witness the joy and excitement seeping from Molly's every pore. And I'm sure I'll carve out some alone time for myself, eventually (probably after hunting season).

Walk With Us

I had to train Molly's teachers how to administer her epipen on Friday. Its been 2 years and 4 months since her reaction and its not any easier to leave her with someone new. It could be worse. We know worse. But its still scary.

Researchers are closing in on a treatment but not soon enough. A 13 year old died in her father's arms in June after suffering an anaphylactic reaction to Rice Krispie treats. Even though her father is a physician, her parents administered the epipens, and called the paramedics they still lost her.

If you're available on September 22 please consider joining us at the FARE food allergy walk. This walk means so much for Molly because its the one time she's not alone; she spends the afternoon with kids just like her!

Many

We shared the many face of Molly in 2009, 2010, and 2011. 2012 came and went without a face photo shoot. Now that Molly's 4 1/2 she's graduating into the Many Poses of Molly.

Flying

Although I often feel the days flying through my finger tips and the to-do list never getting any shorter, its a blessing to spend sunny days practicing super powers.

Days Like These

The weather is simply perfect; warm but not hot, sunny but not blistering, breezy but not knock your shingles off windy. Days like these throw me for a loop.

In summers past we've spent most July days up to our necks in the pool trying to catch some relief from the sweltering heat, with highs in the mid 70s the pool is out of the question. So what if we've taken bike rides and walks instead of swimming? Does it matter that we've had picnics at the park instead of picnics under the pool umbrella?

It doesn't matter. But the time with my family does.

Doing, Designing, and Dancing

To say this summer has not been what we expected would be an understatement. We had the best plan: a calendar full of low key events (library reading club, lemonade stand, swimming, and outdoor concerts). But even the best laid plans can be turned upside down, so instead of a lemonade stand we're making the best of this summer that we can!

On Mom's very first HOURS at home, a large tree was knocked down during a thunderstorm. The positive is that no one was hurt and it fell the one way possible to avoid hitting one of the three buildings around it and Molly learned how to roll logs with her cousins.

We did find time for a face party with friends! We had so much fun designing these lovely faces with bling; lots and lots of bling!

And then it was a week of camps. Alec headed off to sleep away camp where he spent lots of time outdoors; building forts, meeting new friends, and having fun! Molly spent the evenings at Princess Dance Camp which is right up her alley!

I plan to make the last two weeks of summer meaningful. But we know what usually happens to my plans......

Growing Old

Last night Mike and I were able to have a date night without arranging for a sitter because Alec was with friends and Molly had her first ever sleepover. We didn't realize this benefit of them growing up - we knew the benefits of sleeping through the night, of potty training, of driving, but this one was a bonus!

We were able to go to three difference venues - 3! There was no rushing, no counting the hours to determine how much we were paying the sitter, and no lists for those in charge. We just dropped kids off and were free! Well as free as we could be holding our phones - which were on vibrate - while in the movie theater, just waiting for the call saying Molly wanted to come home (which never came).

It was an awesome night but we were so excited to catch up with the kids this morning, well at least for the 15 minutes Alec was home before headed out to hang with friends again!

Guests

We've had unexpected guests, siblings sacked out on couches & Alec's bed, cousins littered across our basement & bedroom floors. Mike and I've always mused what it would be like to live 'back home', how different our house would be if it was often filled with relatives, and if we could actually handle hosting a Stahl holiday.

As much as we wanted these experiences, we did not want the cause. At 2am on June 27, I received that call (once again) that my mom was having a stroke. After some tears, some not so appropriate words, and lots of encouragement from my husband, I headed back home only to turn around an hour later as they prepped Mom to be transferred OSU.

However, Mom's stroke has been much much kinder than Dad's. She's recovering beyond anything we could have hoped for and her spunk is refreshing to all! She did so well at her first week of therapy that she earned a day pass to spend the 4th of July holiday at my house which prompted a classic Stahl cookout! I am so blessed to be a part of such an amazing family even if they do fill every nook and cranny of our home.

I've Got a Good Excuse, This Time

I've been neglectful in my posting but I promise I have a good excuse!

About 2 1/2 years ago I vowed not to write about the emergency appendectomy that couldn't have come at a worse time. So I won't. But I will write about the emergency appendectomy that couldn't have come at a better time.

Last Wednesday, the day before my last day of work until August, I found myself telling Mike that we needed to go to the hospital because I was pretty confident that I was having appendicitis. Lets be honest, I like to be right (don't we all?) but this time, I was praying I was wrong! By 8am Thursday morning I was appendix free and by Saturday morning I was home.

Mostly good came from my emergency surgery; Molly got to spend some quality time with Aunt Teri, Miss Jenni, Aunt Sandy, cousin Leah, and cousin Jessi (all who pitched in to make sure I had enough time to recuperate). Molly got some extra time at our neighbor's who jumped right in when Mike took me to the hospital. We got good food - food that my family normally wouldn't eat but that I love! And the cat scan showed that I've inherited my mother's gallbladder and will need to have another surgery probably before the end of the year. Yes, I realize I listed that under the good column. Its good to know so we can plan this surgery and have help lined up so we don't have to inconvenience so many people on such short notice.

Not to mention the timing couldn't have been better - I didn't have to miss work and I don't feel like I missed out on a lot of my summer.

So even though I may have said some not so pleasant things in the emergency room and I may have even shed some tears over this whole ordeal, it really was a blessing. It could be worse - much worse. We will be able to prevent a future emergency surgery and we were reminded how much we're loved.

Awareness Week

When Molly was diagnosed with a tree nut allergy I instantly thought the worst, especially because we'd experienced a severe anaphylactic reaction where she stopped breathing and her eyes rolled back in her head. But after watching this PSA produced by the Food Allergy Research and Education group I realize how blessed we truly are.



Everyone in Molly's life has been vigilant, cautious, and accepting. Even so, Molly feels the divide. She knows she's different and there have been times I've picked her up at the end of the day in tears. Granted, I'll take the tears over the deadly reaction any day but it still breaks your heart when your baby girl is sad.

But there is something we can do to help not only Molly but the children in the video. We can fight for a cure. The most recent studies indicate researchers are within 10 years of being able to cure nut allergies!  We'd love for you to join us in supporting this cause by joining our team http://www.foodallergywalk.org/columbus/wendelwarriors  at the FARE Walk for Food Allergy to say FAREwell to Food Allergies on September 22, 2013 at Genoa Park 2pm. This walk does more for our family than just raise funding and awareness, it helps Molly connect with children just like her - its a place where she's not the different one but is just another face in the crowd. So if you're free please come out and support our sweet girl and the hundreds of other children in Central Ohio that suffer from food allergies.

One of Those Days

I often encourage the kids to play together but then I regret it almost immediately as there is usually screeching, tattling, and stomping because Alec doesn't play just right and Molly has zero tolerance for him. But today was one of those days that they played well, it worked, they laughed and got along. And I was even able to get a few pictures out of them!

We need more days like today!

Should Be

We've sat in a gym, on a field, or in the stands for hours upon hours upon hours for the past 10 years that Alec has been playing sports and finally he's playing a sport that I thoroughly enjoy. And one that I understand more than Mike!

But more importantly, Alec is part of a team that is close-knit, friendly, and fun! He's laughing, learning a lot, and having tons of fun. What more can you ask out of a sports team (they even sit alike on the bench)?

More than my love for watching the game of volleyball is my love for what it gives to my son. This is what sports should be about!

I Lost but I'm Glad

Molly's been begging to play on a soccer team since she could talk. I've affectionately redirected the conversation, blatantly ignored her, and even, at times, provided chocolate to change the topic.

My avoidance wasn't fueled by a dislike for the sport. If Molly was able to play soccer, that meant she was growing up. And as much as I know that growing up is a privilege we are blessed to experience, its still hard.

Mike signed Molly up - because he's kinda, sorta, completely wrapped around Molly's finger. And when Molly said on the way to her first and only practice through hiccups (brought on by sheer excitement), "I'm so excited I don't even know what to say!" I realized this was a good choice.

The league doesn't keep score but we can certainly say the other team scored more goals than us and I did lose my stance of no soccer for Molly but we all won yesterday which was evident by the smile that never left her face!