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!