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.