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.
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
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.
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.
Monday, July 22, 2013
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......
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......
Saturday, July 13, 2013
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!
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!
Saturday, July 6, 2013
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.
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.
Sunday, June 16, 2013
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.
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.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
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.
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.
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