What He Does

He admires the gifts that they are from God, seeing past annoyances.

He takes Aidan to every single Boy Scout activity, enduring an abundance of bug bites for the sake of fishing.

He rocks Brennan in the middle of the night, even though he is 4 and too old to be getting up still.

He wakes up every single morning with the kids.

He wears our babies to keep them happy.

He provides food on our table. clothes for our backs, and a solid roof over our heads.

He leads us in prayer each day.

He rides a 6-ft unicycle...that is certainly unique.

He is a father who sets a great example for his children, reflects God to his family, and today we wish him a most HAPPY FATHERS DAY!

We love you, Patrick!
Thank you for all you do for us.

31! & Mother's Day!

Sunday was a double-whammy for us: my birthday and Mother's Day.
It was a wonderful, sunny day.
One in which I did no cooking, we were all together, my husband & kids made me a CAKE, I was able to get in a lot of exercise (that always makes me happy), and we had delicious food & fun.
I am blessed to have such a thoughtful family.

Cillian gave me lots of smiles

 Me w/ the bigger boys at the park

 cool tree on the path we hiked

 it was just gorgeous

 3 of my loves

 the "big boys"

 Cillian snoozed most of the time

 more of the beauty

 the delicious cake!

Family Portrait

Courtesy of my 6 year old. :)

I love it. I find it to be just precious.
He's so thrilled to have another brother.
This one will stay hanging for a bit. :)

Sledding in 2011

I never shared the sledding pics from last weekend.
We're certainly not sledding this weekend...with the wind-chill, we're hovering right around 0 (during the day). It is fri-gid!

Last weekend we got the boys out for their 1st sledding trip this season. We think it was Brennan's 1st sledding trip, period.

A new sledding hill was built at a Metro Park near us, and it was impressive. A better hill than it looks, with one side having the extra "bump" some sledders enjoy flying off of.
Best part?
When they built this sledding hill, they built a firepit for those who want to stay warm. Complete w/ wood provided...it was nice. I stood by the fire & watched Pat & the boys do some sledding.
Next winter I plan to join them!

the hill

 Pat & Brennan coming down the hill

 all 3 of my boys!

 fun times

the firepit...wonderful, wonderful heat!

Once we hit the 20's again, provided the snow remains on the ground, I'm sure there will be at least one more sledding adventure.

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!

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!)

Pumpkin Patch Time!

For the 3rd year in a row, we had a wonderful time at this pumpkin patch over the weekend! Our 1st time there was with Aidan's 4yo preschool class, and last year we enjoyed the trip with Pat's side of the family. 

This year it was just the 4 of us (5 including the baby in my belly;), but we had a great time! The boys absolutely LOVE this place, and Trabbic Farms has earned it's place as a tradition in our family.

the boys

silly guys

Brennan, 3 1/2 years old

Aidan, 6 1/2 years old

and the only family picture we got:

What a good way to kick off the final week of October!

October! Kicking off the month with...

~Selling Cubscout popcorn with Aidan who started the Scouts this year.

~A ridiculous bill for some plumbing work we had to have done. Have I mentioned I hate money?! I do. And I hate not having a fully funded emergency fund, too.

~Rainy soccer games

~Getting together a master list so I can soon start my Christmas shopping!

~Doing our Fall Decorations :)

~Washing the extra blankets to avoid turning on the heat (our low was 42 last night!). I have a mental contest with myself each year, seeing how late we can wait to turn on the heat. I don't want to turn it on at ALL in October. I think we can do that.

~Trying to find the best place to buy toilet paper

~Participating in 40 Days for Life, 9a.m. this morning. Despite the cold & rain, I'm looking forward to it.

~Doing fun "schoolwork" with Brennan at home.

October is my favorite month. I love that it's cooler but not frigid.
I love the trees changing colors, the smell of fires going.
I love going to the pumpkin patch, preparing for Halloween, making the good Fall foods...
It's a great month in a great season.
Happy October! Enjoy!

6 fine years

My oldest, Aidan, turns 6 today. That's more than one hand, ya know. ;)

He's sitting here with me, eating his jelly toast for breakfast watching a cartoon, eager for everyone else to wake.
I'm sitting here in disbelief...six? I mean, six?!

It dawned on me I never shared his birth story, seeing as I didn't start blogging until almost 2 years later.
So if for no one else other than my little family, here goes:

Aidan was born on Easter Monday. I started labor Easter Sunday, 1 week 1 day before my due date. At my appointment that week I was only dilated slightly-not even a full centimeter.
Contractions were sporadic and not predictable yet, so we carried on with our Easter plans. We were living in Michigan, joining Pat's side in a family get together (Moose & Jen's).
While there I had some good contractions..Pat's sweet Aunt rubbed my feet trying to ease my discomfort, but I didn't know yet if it was the real thing or not.

The day was uncomfortable but not alarming, so we went from a day full of a family party to home (an apartment at the time).
We attempted to go to sleep. Except from about 11pm until 1 am I was miserable. I mean, the feeling like your bum is going to explode from pressure, and no matter what position, you ache. You hurt.
I moved from the bed to the couch, tried laying on my side, pacing, and it only got worse. Pat was a great sport about it all, with that cute first-time-dad attitude.
Finally by 1am we called the on-call doctor, which was not my doctor. I explained how I was feeling, and he told me that it's my first baby, I'm a first time mother, it's probably just Braxton Hicks, and I probably have at least 2 more weeks. He rambled on about how many women's first babies don't come until after the due date, and it was still a week until mine.
Finally I had a good one while on the phone, and told him it was burning, I mean burning.
So get this--he told me to reach to the netherlands and make sure I couldn't feel the baby. AHHH!
I was freaked out. Fortunately I could NOT, but he said come on in to the hospital, warming me I'd probably be sent home.

Well it was a 45 minute drive to the hospital from our apartment. It got worse, and that car ride was no picnic.
They got me into triage, hooked me up to the monitors, and finally got some student or resident to check me. Have I ever mentioned that I despise cervical checks? HATE.
Anyway, my doctor was mentally told to EAT HIS WORDS, because I was dilated to 5. Ha!
At which point I said "give me the epidural as soon as possible!".

There were some issues:
I did have the epidural, but I still felt most of it. I had horrible burning in my left hip.
I had the oxygen for a bit, and Aidan's heart rate dropped, if I remember correctly, so I had to lay on one side for some time.

They were scared that the cord was wrapped around his neck, scaring me, of course.
They had to break my water.
They used forceps when I was pushing.
I remember watching the Ellen DeGeneres show while delivering. (ha!)

He was born early afternoon, with a head full of dark hair.
He was a moody little thing. An adorable, kissable, moody little thing.

And here we are 6 years later, hard to believe.

Aidan is my creative and artistic one.

 He is thoughtful, wears his heart on his sleeve, and always comforts people.
He loves space, dinosaurs, robots, and aims to make this summer the one to ride his bike without training wheels.

He's my farmer-at-heart, waking super early each and every morning. (4:45 one morning last week).
He's an amazing big brother.

He made us parents, and we feel so blessed to have him.

Happy Birthday, Aidan! We love you!