Happy "Noon" Year!

Welcome (almost) 2011!

Alright, so it's not quite the end of 2010 yet. But today we took advantage of yet another cool thing our zoo does: Noon Year's Eve.

They have a ball to drop (actually raise), and it's a fun way for the kids to have some New Year's excitement when staying awake until midnight isn't an option.

The zoo offers free glasses of apple juice in special cups for the kids to toast, as well as crafts to make (like party hats, etc). Our zoo membership is so worth it.

So while Pat & I will struggle this evening to stay awake til midnight, we did get to ring in 2011 with the boys. It was FUN! :)

waiting for the clock to hit 11:59 so the countdown can begin

Happy Noon Year!

 making party hats

 celebrating before the rain hit

 a t-rex!

My recap of 2010 will be on its way this week, but for now, I say
Happy New Year to you all!

Christmas 2010

With much anticipation, it came & went faster than expected!
God has really blessed us, and for that, I am very thankful.

Aside from getting the gifts I wanted most (booty slippers, new robe, foot massage bath!), as well as what my boys wanted most (Leapster Explorer, Lego Thomas, Wii games), there were several moments of feeling just "thank you, God, for this family of mine and our life together".

And of course, none of it would be possible without Jesus. Cheese & corn, it may sound, but it's true. Through prayer he led Patrick & I to each other, and in our marriage he gave us Aidan, Brennan & this one still growing in my belly. Our small little family is blessed.

Without adding more sap, here is a pictoral review of our Christmas 2010:

Aidan & Brennan with their cousins on Christmas Eve (it was supposed to be casual)

 Aidan wearing the cloak for the procession to lay baby Jesus in the manger

Brennan patiently waiting his turn to open gifts

 Excited to go see what Santa brought!

 Santa came!

 Pleased with their stocking stuffers

 Aidan THRILLED that Santa brought him the Leapster Explorer he asked for

 Brennan delighted that Santa brought him the Lego Thomas that he asked for

 Christmas Day Mass

 My heart melts for this picture

 my handsome guys, again

Me & baby boy #3

iphoto is being weird & not letting me access the rest of our pictures. No pictures of Patrick so far...must work on that. ;) How about this one? Pre-Christmas sugar cookie baking with the boys:

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

Christmas Vacation!

It's FINALLY Christmas Vacation!

Aidan's last day of school was yesterday. It's not that I won't go crazy with everyone home for the next (almost) 2 weeks. It's that right now, I am ready for a break in playing taxi driver, homework, and leaving the house at 8a.m. 

Pat can drive himself, I can get the car when we need/want it, and we don't HAVE to be any where super early! Not that it stops my boys from waking just as early, but still.

I love the movie Christmas Vacation. Dumb humor, yes. I love it, though. I remember watching it with my grandma (GW), and she laughed so hard she nearly wet her pants. I hope to catch this movie some time over break.

Today's 1st day of vacation isn't too thrilling: calm day at home, probably watching Toy Story 3 for the 2nd time, and my most daunting task is making the grocery list. 

Tomorrow Pat is off from work, and we have MAJOR grocery shopping & laundry to do. I'm hoping we head out shortly after waking to beat the madness. And cookie-baking.

Then Christmas Eve & Christmas Day already! Crazy. How did it come so fast? 

This year we break tradition in order to satisfy my in-laws' schedule: we will not be attending Mass on Christmas Eve. It will be Christmas Day this year. It feels so incredibly odd for me, I don't like it at all. I've gone ONCE to Christmas DAY Mass in my 30 years. It feels like we're missing something to not go on Christmas Eve. I'm hoping it won't damper things too much.

What are your Christmas plans?

He Did It

My husband: the graduate.
I am so incredibly proud of him.

This "journey" technically began for us in the fall of 2005, when Aidan was going on 1.5 years old.
That fall Patrick took a class at the local college, which (at the time) we believed was a required prerequisite for grad school. That was the 1st step.

2006 thew us some curve balls, and school went to the back burner.
Financial difficulties, losing our 2nd baby, my grandmother and my uncle/godfather died...then Pat was recruited to a new job, relocating us from MI to OH.

2006-part of 2007, we were adjusting to our new "home", as well as Pat was commuting nearly 1 hour away for work, and we had 1 car (still do). No family in town, and we knew ONE person in the area. (one is better than none, I know).

Spring 2007 his office moved closer to home (as in 2 miles!), and Brennan was born. Life is calming down. School is more on the brain.

In the fall we start discussing the GMAT and Aidan going to preschool.
By February 2008, we have Aidan registered for preschool, and Pat prepping for the GMAT.
Summertime, Pat takes & passes the GMAT.

Fall 2008: 2 of my "men" start school: Aidan began preschool, and Pat started grad school. 2 classes, 2 nights a week.

That alone isn't most amazing, though. At the risk of sounding corny & mushy, I have to share.
During most of grad school, Patrick not only worked his full-time job, but also a 2nd job driving a limo. God Bless him for that. The hours were sporadic and often into the middle of the night, leaving him quite sleep deprived. Last fall we also did the FPU course, taking yet another night away from the week. Yet he pressed on and not only did what was needed, but he succeeded. He never had to repeat a class, never received poor grades.
Add to the mix that during this time we also bought our 1st house & moved.

Now for the confessions: obviously Pat had to fully throw himself into this to succeed. There were times when we'd barely see him, and we'd drop him off for the day to study, with the boys & I rolling solo.
Tuning fully into school, plus the stress of work/school/exams, the limited time we did have together, it'd often be crabby. Many times I started to wonder, fear even, that when he was done with school, we'd have nothing left in common. It often felt like we were growing apart, with very few opportunities to be together just US, without stress, etc.
I know he had plenty to keep him distracted and busy, and in it all, I was very lonely at times. I had the boys, sure, but with no family in town, there was barely any grown-up interaction for me. School needed to be done, but this was one of the hardest parts. The loneliness, fears, and not knowing how well we'd re-connect. Pitiful as it may sound, I really am grateful we've had DVR during this time. That has been my evenings.

Now sure, it's not even been a full week (graduation was only last night), but it already feels like we can exhale. Relax. Reconnect.

I know I'm not the only one who felt like a "grad-school widow". Several other bloggers out there posted, sharing similar feelings. I took comfort in that.

This isn't just about me, though.
Despite all that, feeling the tension, stress, everything...Patrick stuck with it when it would have been easier to call it quits. Going straight through, including summers, missing trips to MI & SC for events, time with the boys...he bravely sacrificed the smaller things for the greater future.
What an example he is, especially to our boys, and we are proud.

It wasn't easy on any of us, but most of all Patrick, I am sure.
In his nature, he is a very hands-on husband and dad. When he doesn't get to see Aidan & Brennan, he feels it. It's part of why I love him so much.

We say a big THANK YOU to you, Patrick. We are impressed, proud, and we love you so much.
I know many people do the grad school thing before having kids, but I am glad our boys got to witness this. Them being there last night, seeing you graduate, is priceless. Motivation. Encouragement. 
It would be easier for them (when it's their turn) to do it before having a family, but the example is that they CAN DO IT. YOU did it. 
And now, our third little boy will be here soon (9-10 more weeks!), and he will benefit from your sacrifices, too. 
Our family is blessed to have you. We look forward to the time we're gaining back with you. The boys look forward to daddy's evenings involving more play and boys' nights, and I sure as heck look forward to having my best friend back. 


It felt forever-long at times, but it's over with now. You did it. Way to go! 
We love you.


P.S. If this is too much "corn" for any of you readers, tough. I want this for us & the boys to look back on one day.  This blog is about our life, memories, and preserving those memories. This was a huge part of it. :)

Finally, pictures:

the stage at BGSU

Buppa & Brennan waiting for the ceremony to begin

Aidan (poor kid had been sick all week, but was such a trooper!)

Just graduated! Our family (Brennan is half asleep)

Patrick with his parents (so glad they came!) Oh, and Brennan who refused to not let Pat hold him.

Us back at home (and boy #3, of course;)

Now for getting busy on prepping for the party later today!

What a Week!

TGI...crap, one more day until Friday.

It's been quite a week already.
This is part of why I like blogging. Posts like these enable us to look back at a later time and appreciate our life, as well as say "yeah, it was worth it".

Monday was a snow day. It was pretty outside, we didn't have to leave the house, it was nice. The down side was Aidan would not have gone to school anyway. :( My poor boy was running a fever.

He rested all day, seemed to feel a bit better....and then bedtime came and he ran a fever through the night. Tuesday he was home from school (there goes perfect attendance! 1st day absent), miserable. Achey, lethargic, etc. I felt bad for him. Being sick on Tuesday not only meant missing school, but it also meant missing his Christmas program that evening. Boo to that.

Thankfully he made it through Tuesday night fever-free, so Wednesday was his day to remain fever-free so we could make sure he'd be good to go back to school. His appetite was back & he was acting more himself.

I was now the problem. I went to bed Tuesday night feeling achey and with a sore throat, woke up Wednesday feeling even worse, adding to it a horrible headache. Thank God for my amazing husband. He took the day off so I could rest, and he took care of the boys. I slept until NOON...even pre-child days, I was never one to sleep until noon. I'm not feeling 100% today, but better.

So here we are...Thursday. Tomorrow is Pat's graduation. It still feels surreal to be able to post that!
But with graduation and the party this weekend, there is so much we have to do. I'm stressing over getting it all done and wanting everything as perfect as possible.

If you have an extra, maid, chef, nanny....send 'em our way. I can put them to work!
I know seeing Pat walk in his graduation ceremony tomorrow night will make it all seem worth it. Being up there, cap & gown on, being an amazing example to our boys...lump in my throat.
Having everyone here on Saturday to celebrate with us will be worth it, too.
I can work through not feeling well and get this house cleaned, go to the store, etc. We can keep the boys up late and bribe them into behaving.

I know it's worth it.
It's been quite a week.

Sunday was Darn Near Perfect

Just one of those good-feeling family days. Unplanned, but cozy.

The boys woke before 6a.m. (of course), and we weren't thrilled about it. But we decided to make the best of it.
It was pouring down RAIN, cold, and so dreary.
We went to 7a.m. Mass, and that in & of itself was peaceful. Good way to start the day, and being the early Mass, it wasn't overcrowded. That made it more peaceful for me. The music was prayerful and soothing.
It was just a very nice feeling to have Mass 1st thing in the morning like that.

From there we went to Meijer to get bacon & other groceries. Knowing the rain was supposed to turn into a lot of snow, this was a good decision.
We got our groceries and headed home for Pat to make us a DELICIOUS breakfast of bacon, eggs, and toast.

Making Sunday incredibly relaxing, dinner was made while breakfast was being made. Ha! How, you may ask? Well, we tried a new recipe for Beef Stew. So after Mass, the boys were playing, Christmas music was on, Pat was cooking breakfast, and I was prepping dinner for the crock pot. Making it even better, the rain turned into gorgeous snow falling! The boys were fascinated.

I tried to capture a picture of how hard the snow was falling...wasn't so successful

I have to admit, I may have been a little giddy-happy about having both breakfast & dinner done at the same time, at least as far as cooking goes. Ha! But it made the day so much more enjoyable and less stressful. The house smelled good from the stew cooking, and I didn't have to do anything else. I told Pat all Sundays should be like that!

We lounged around for a bit, and then this pregnant-chick was able to NAP. Bliss! Oh, speaking of, Sunday marked 29 weeks, so here ya go:

About 10 more weeks left of baby-invasion within my body!

(Andrea, this one was for you;)

I woke from nap & my wonderful husband had gotten the boys dressed to play in the snow. They had so much fun! It was cute seeing them out there, enjoying the snow & each other's company (without fighting!).

The boys came in to some hot chocolate and Brennan revealed some awesome hat-hair. I couldn't resist a picture:

Aidan, Brennan & I did some arts & crafts while Pat studied, and not too long after it was time for dinner. I am happy to say that the beef stew turned out well! It was quite good. The only thing we didn't care for was that it sat heavy...you got to burp it up all night. Too often good food does that!

It was just one of those good-feeling, at-home family days. 

I hope much of Christmas vacation will be like that. 

And guess what?! It will ALL be without Pat having to study or stress over school! (because right now, he's taking his LAST final!)

Menu Plan Monday--December 13, 2010

Sunday:  Slow Cooker Beef Stew, bread rolls *we had this just now and it was delicious!
Monday: Honey-Mustard Pork, potatoes, green beans or broccoli
Tuesday: Leftovers or ? (Aidan's Christmas program)
Wednesday: Tex-Mex Rice and Bean Casserole
Thursday: Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo
Friday: TBD (Pat's Graduation!) Shepherd's Pie?

Wild Rice and Beef Casserole is a back up meal (which means it will probably be on next week's menu;)

The Calm Before the Storm

That's what I feel like this week has been, even though we've still been busy with grocery shopping, Pat studying, etc. I'm sure it will feel like the calm after the next 2 weeks. Or 3 weeks.
I hope to savor the down time this weekend while it's still available.

So what's "the storm" of busyness?
It starts Saturday: that's 1 week until Pat's graduation party, and we need to finish the bathroom repairs. At least make it presentable looking. Prime, paint, and put up the new wall panel.
Saturday we also have our newest niece's Baptism in Michigan. Hopefully the snow won't interfere!

Sunday Pat needs to study and we need to finish the bathroom. Go over the menu/purchases needed for his party.

Monday will be semi-normal, thank the good Lord.
Tuesday: Pat's final exam! His LAST final, too! That evening is also Aidan's Christmas program at school. Looking forward to it. :) Brennan has story time at the library that day...we'll see if we make it.
Friday is Pat's Graduation! One week from TODAY! He has his cap & gown, I want to buy a nice shirt for each boy, and Pat's parents plan to be there. I can't believe it's finally here. Already holding back the tears.
Saturday is party time! Celebrate! Family and a few friends will be joining us, along with a 4-foot party sub, cake, taco dip, chips, guacamole, etc. Snow or not, we plan to offer a bonfire in the backyard, too. The day will be all about celebrating Pat and this awesome accomplishment. Think that all sounds corny? It does. But it's true.

During the week I hope to prevent the house from becoming a pit so we don't need to cram to clean up. Let's hope I feel well enough to do that!

Of course, the following week is THE week, but unfortunately Aidan has school Monday & Tuesday (his last day before break is the 21st).
So we have my OB apt (every 2 weeks now), Aidan's last day of school, any Christmas shopping that needs to be done, and Christmas Eve in Michigan! Crazy. It's going so fast.

So here we are, the calm before the storm.  (I wish I could enjoy a glass of pinot grigio)

Why Not Visit the Zoo in 32 degree Weather?

When you can go for The Lights Before Christmas, it's worth it!

We've gone nearly every year since we moved here, and this year our brother-in-law and 2 of his kids joined us.
I know we had fun, and I hope they did, too.
It was definitely hectic & more crowded than in the years past, to the point where we may try and go during the week next year. But it was still beautiful!

Aidan & Mercy on the train

the 4 kids, bundled up

David & Brennan

Inside at Nature's Neighborhood: Mercy doing her hand for the craft tree

Aidan adding his hand to the tree

playing in the honeycomb

 more honeycomb

 Mercy & Aidan digging through dinosaur bones

the little boys fascinated by the trains

Mercy & Dave

I slacked in taking pictures of the decorations, but this was THE big tree

I hope our guests enjoyed their trip!