Happy 4th From Us to You!

For 3 years now, we have traveled to St. Mary's, GA for their parade. We love it! St. Mary's is typical small town America. Their parade consists of old tractors and cars. Police cars, trucks, and tanks. Firetrucks. Radio stations. Tae Kwon Do academies. Day cares. Music Studios. Knights of Columbus. Boy Scouts. There are no marching bands or anything else that would make you think typical parade. We love it. The neighbors drive their golf carts to Osteola Drive. Moms walk their babies in strollers. It makes me think of 1950's America!

After the parade, we returned home for necessary naps for all since we would not only be up VERY late, a certain unnamed 9 year old slept for a whopping 4 hrs the night before keeping said child's mother up. Once said child fell asleep, a certain 7 year old woke 1 hour and 33 minutes later followed by a certain 5 year old 25 minutes later. These unnamed children only allowed their mother to sleep from 4-5:33am - she was a tad cranky!

  After naps, we prepared to go see the Jacksonville Suns play the Chattanooga Lookouts! The final score was 3-0, Suns. So, it was a bit of a boring game! However, Daddy did catch a ball for the kiddos. Also, Grandma was able to join us! Father David was supposed to come, but there was an emergency at our parish, so he was unable.

After the game, Winn Dixie sponsored a huge fireworks show. Normally on Friday nights they will have fireworks, but this was about double what is normally done. The kiddos loved every single second!

After the game, Grandma, Daddy, and I grabbed a kiddo and headed to the van. We parked in the garage across from the field and arrived to our van at 10:30. We were finally exiting the garage at 11:05. Once out of the garage, all we saw were brake lights in all directions. There are only a handful of ways out of downtown Jacksonville and every single one was backed up. We had to go over the Matthew's Bridge and we could see that things were not moving at all. Finally, at 11:40 we were over the Matthew's bridge and headed towards Grandma's house. We dropped her off and were home shortly after midnight....

The kiddos were still on cloud nine from everything, but after a little night time routine aided and snuggles, all were out by 1am, quickly followed by Mommy and Daddy.

It was a wonderful 4th of July. I love the tradition we have began of attending the St. Mary's Parade in the morning. As we were driving home, Daddy and I agreed that this is something we always want to do - even when the kiddos are grown and we are called Granny and Papa!

Wesley-isms

While at Home Depot today, Wesley accidentally scratched me. I brought it to his attention and this is what he said....

"Mommy, you need a band-aid brand bandaid. They heal the hurt faster!"

After a curious look, he says, "It's true. I saw it on TV!"

He then proceeds to sing the entire jingle!!

My Plans VS God's Plans

Before bed last night, I told daddy about all I wanted to do today - go swimming, get the tires rotated/balanced, and a visit to the playground for a picnic. After the chaotic days of Monday and Tuesday, I needed a day to chill and have fun with the kiddos....

Apparently God heard this and thought it was time to teach me a lesson...

2 weeks ago, our fridge/freezer went kaput. We fixed it, but knew the time was fast approaching when we would need to replace it...

That time came last night around 11. Daddy went to get his pre-midnight snack of ice cream and I could see him from the bedroom pressing buttons. This morning, when he woke at 5:30 for work, the first thing he did was go to the fridge and open the door. Between this and the sour face, I knew something was definitely wrong....

The fridge had died...

By the time he left for work at 6:15, we had a plan. I would go to Home Depot and check out appliances since they offered free delivery, set up, and haul away. We also knew that we wanted to replace everything as our dishwasher has not been available for almost a year and our oven was taking longer and longer to warm up.

At 7a, I trekked to Home Depot with my 3, sure that we would be in and out in less than an hour and home in plenty of time before my friends kiddos arrived at 9...

Again, God wanted to teach me a lesson...

The 4 of us arrived there around 7:20. We walked straight to the appliance section where I found plenty of vendors, but no employees. After 10 minutes of searching and waiting, not 1 but 2 employees came to my rescue. I told them I needed a fridge delivered today - tomorrow at the absolute latest. I wanted it to be white. I wanted to replace all of my appliances and needed them the same brand. And then I gave them my dimensions. This pair pulled out and measured every single fridge/freezer there and wouldn't you know that only 1 matched my criteria and dimensions! I said go for it and one of the guys left. The remaining guy, Sean, helped me pick out all of the other appliances. Numbers were plugged in and a quote was given. I thanked Sean and told him I would return shortly after I spoke to my husband...

It was now 9am and my friend was arriving at Home Depot with her kiddos...

I called daddy and we discussed everything. I now had second thoughts and daddy had concerns. I trekked back into the store and no sooner had I stepped foot in the Appliance section, was Sean back asking me what he could do to help. I told him my concern about the stove and daddy's concern about the fridge/freezer. We spoke for another minute and then I decided that maybe I would open the door to stainless steel. However, this would create the need for a new microwave as our current is white...

With Sean's help, we opened the door to stainless. We found one that could be delivered on Friday, but in the 5 minutes it took to call daddy, it was snatched! So we started over again...

Then again...

Then again...

Now it was 10:45. I was done. The kiddos were done. I am sure that Sean was done!

At this point, I had come around to the idea that it would be Monday before we had a fridge and we needed a way to limp along until then....

I had a light bulb moment and decided a deep freezer would be the answer!

Sean and I finally find everything and he creates an invoice. I call daddy for the final okay before making this gigantic purchase official. He gave it, I agreed. Sean smiled. We were done! It was 11:30, 30 minutes before Sean's 5 hour shift ended!

In the end, we got a heck of a deal. Between shopping the deals, asking for discounts, and thinking ahead, we bought just shy of $5000 worth of appliances for MUCH less. This included a $200 discount that paid for the entire deep freezer and gave us $50 left over!

I don't know what lesson God wanted to teach me, but I learned to keep my plans to myself and not tell anyone...that way He can't hear me ;-)

Daddy's Girl TuTu 5K

Many weeks ago, I came across an ad for a daddy/daughter 5k. The caveat was that they BOTH had to wear tu-tu's! After approaching Hannah, we chose to double team daddy - he had no choice but to agree!

Hannah and I had elaborate designs for the tu-tu's - they would be bright pink and purple with LOTS of glitter and ribbons/bows. However, once we arrived at Hobby Lobby and realized just how much work this was going to be, we quickly changed out mind and opted for the pre-rolled tulle and various ribbons! This greatly lessened our workload, but little did I know there was still a lot of work left!

Finally, 12 hours prior to the race, both Daddy and Hannah's Tu-Tu's were ready; tiara's, hair bows, and all!

When we arrived in Nocatee Saturday morning, our jaws hit the ground; there were dads in tiaras, boas, beautiful tu-tu's, etc! It was incredible to see what these dads did for their girls!

Both Hannah and Daddy had a great time and completed the 5k in 36minutes! However, regardless of their final time, or the fact that Hannah placed 3rd in her age group, they had a great time and made memories that will last a life time!

I am one proud mommy!

Memorial Day Hail Storm

  We had all just returned home and were cooling off when the horizontal rain began. Within minutes, it started to sound like someone was tapping their fingers on the window and I asked daddy if he thought it was hail. He opened the garage door and there it was - it looked like little gumballs bouncing on a trampoline! The kiddos were scared, yet quite curious and within moments, they all had their helmets on and were off to collect some hail before the lightening began again!


The hail was not large - dime to nickel size and only lasted 10-15minutes, but we all enjoyed the show!

Summer Adventure #1

Today we began our summer adventures! The kiddos are so excited to not have any school for the next 2 months - little do they know, Mommy is tricking them and they are doing plenty of school!

After Wesley finished his final speech lesson this morning, we headed over to Bertz-Tiger Point Preserve to do some exploring. While there, the kiddos learned about the Timucuan Indians. They learned about how they used the St. John's river. They laughed as they practiced saying the names of their Chiefs. They enjoyed having conversations, but only using a certain sound that mommy told them - just like the Timucuan's did with the English when they first arrived.

The kiddos also learned about plants and animals. We learned to identify poison ivy and various spiders, along with different shells.

However, I think the all time favorite activity was capturing the baby frogs! As we were walking towards the van, Hannah noticed these little creatures jumping through the grass. As she got closer, she realized what they were and the collecting of frogs began! At one point, Lil'Robert had 7 in his hands! They all had a great time - we had frog races and jumping contests. We even had a competition to see whose frog could stay in their hand the longest with the palm open (Hannah's won!) As our time at the preserve ended, the kiddos begged to keep their newest pets. Poor Wesley even cried as he wanted to be a daddy to his froggies, since he has never been a daddy before!

All in all, I think today was very positive! We had a great first Summer Adventure and will continue discussing information for the remainder of the week!

 

I'M BACK!

Well, I am back! I have greatly missed sharing the children's antics with my family 600 miles away. They are all there for each other, but only have the opportunity to see my kiddos when we make the trek out as a family. From here on out, this blog will only be about the kiddos and our family life. I will no longer share my private feelings...

Since I last wrote a year ago, a few milestones have occured...

• Daddy is now a TriAthlete
• Lil'Robert and Hannah have participated in 2 TriAthlons
• Daddy and Lil'Robert have done 3 5K's together
• Hannah, Wesley, and I have done multiple 1mi Fun Runs
• Daddy has completed 3 1/2Marathons in 3 months
• Lil'Robert plays Little League
• The kiddos are now 5, 7, and 9
• We went to the mountains in the Fall and picked apples and played in the waterfalls
• We returned in the winter and it snowed 3 times
• We celebrated with my sister and her husband as they welcomed their long awaited first born, Olivia Anne, into the family on 4/10
• My younger sister, Clare, graduated nursing school (Her husband graduates med school next spring!)
• My brother, Michael, graduated college (again!) with a second BA in Engineering

I am sure that there is MUCH more, but the kiddos are ready to go outside and play, plus laundry needs folding, and dishes need washing!

To Germany We Go...

This summer, the kiddos and I have decided to travel Germany and Europe alongside Uncle Michael. Over the next 11 weeks, as Uncle Michael visits a new country in the EU, so will we. We will read books and try their food. We will listen to videos of how they speak and see how they dress. We will learn about the landscape and agriculture. We will read about their history. Every Monday, we will enter a new country and on Friday, we will depart after a family dinner eating native foods and sharing our favorite facts. Uncle Michael will also be helping us out by sending pictures and passing on neat information that he finds...

This week, we are beginning with Germany. We have borrowed books galore from the library and have already read through most of them. Last night, we read about their food and learned that hot dogs (frankfurters) originated in Frankfurt, Germany. We also learned that with every meal, there is a bread and potato dish. They also eat a lot of raw cabbage!

On the menu this week is Hot Dogs on Buns, mashed potatoes, and a raw cabbage salad. We are not really stepping out of our comfort zone this week, but it is also our off week for grocery shopping, so we must use what we have!

I look forward to learning more this week and finding out where next week's adventure will be!

Home...



At 0445 Eastern Time Tuesday morning, we backed out of our driveway and began the 600 mile journey to Mississippi. We woke the kiddos moments before leaving, had them potty, and brought them to the van with the high hope that they would fall back into a restful slumber until the sun made an appearance - how wrong we were! They never closed their eyes again until they laid their heads down in the camper that night, a mere 19hours after they woke! This set the tone for the remainder of the trip - late nights and early mornings! Suffice it to say that Mommy and Daddy are still playing catch up!

The reason for our pre-dawn departure was because Daddy was taking the kiddos to see the Mississippi Braves play the Jacksonville Suns at Trustmark Stadium while I attended the Baccalaureate Mass with my parents and siblings. While at the stadium waiting for the game to begin, Robert and Hannah were asked to be the Honorary Bat Boy and the Play Ball Girl! This meant that they were able to go on the field and do 'special things' prior to the games beginning! However, shortly after it began, Wesley decided to get sick, throwing up everywhere resulting in a rapid departure from the game - luckily he was fine!



Wednesday came and was a HUGE day. That morning, we took family pictures (not an easy feat when you are organizing the different schedules of 20 people - great job, Aunt LaLa!), followed by a celebratory lunch/dinner, a short rest period , and finally Mollie's Graduation - even Aunt Maura's pig and Aunt MooMoo's Maura bear attended! It was a crazy day, yet one full of SO many memories and good times!


Thursday came and we just had family time scheduled. We started out by visiting the cemetery and then heading over to get Mississippi Brave's hats for the kiddos. Once we were done with that, we headed to Grammie/Grampy's house to get some lunch and get ready to go swimming at Uncle Will's Daddy's house. We spent almost 4 hours swimming and having a great time! Grammie helped Hannah build her swimming confidence. Lil' Robert learned how to dive to the bottom - 9 feet deep! Wesley learned that when he jumps into the deep end without floaties, that he WILL sink to the bottom, and Mommy will jump in fully clothed - shoes, glasses, everything - to save him... and then we will both be inconsolable for the remainder of the pool time! Once we arrived back to the house, we learned that Grampy was in an accident on his way home from work - he was doing 77 on the interstate when a deer ran in front of him. He had no option but to hit it, which resulted in a good bit of damage to his car, but he was fine - All Praise Be to God! Once he arrived home and we saw that he was safe, Mommy and Daddy went on a date to Keifer's and Target while Grammie and Grampy watched our kiddos! It was another incredible, exhausting, memory filled day!

Friday, I woke up and took Grampy to the body shop so that he could begin the process of getting his car repaired. Once I returned to the house, we all got ready and went to the MS Children's Museum where we met with Mommy's good friend Mrs. Hailey and her kiddos, Hank and Gus. We had a great time spending the late morning/early afternoon with them! Once we went back to Grammie/Grampy's house, my other good friend, Ms. Jordan came by where I learned that she was engaged! We had a great talk and loved catching up on life. Once she left, Aunt RaRa and Uncle Bret came by and we enjoyed drinks and a fabulous dinner! Once dinner was done, Grammie took Hannah and Grampy took the boys out on an ice cream date while daddy and I worked on packing the van...

Robert's Farm just outside of Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Saturday morning, Grampy made us a big breakfast and we enjoyed spending our last bit of time together before leaving. Around 10am central time, we loaded into the van and began the 598mile, 12 hour drive home with a little something extra in the van with us...

This trip was hard. It was very emotionally draining - I did good keeping my brave smiley face on while around others, but in the privacy of the shower, I would lose it. Coming home is hard. Coming home is very hard. But, coming home is full of memories. It helps to strengthen relationships that have struggled. It helps me emotionally. Although hard, it is good to go home ....

The Riker's Have A...

DOG!

Uncle Michael... and Wesley!

Now let me back up a bit... My little brother, Michael, has a 5year old Australian Shepard/Black Lab Mix, Jazzy Belle. Michael is heading over to Germany to work for the Army Corp of Engineers for 10 weeks and upon hearing this, we offered to 'try it before you buy it.' Daddy and I were quite surprised when Michael agreed to let her travel the 598miles from his house to ours....

 

Daddy and I chose to not tell the kiddos that she was going to come home with us and instead just have her jump in the car and drive! Well, on our way out there, they all had the idea to steal Jazz, so we went along with it! At points, they even told Uncle Michael their plans! Hannah did become suspicious when she saw the bag of dog food in the vans trunk while we were packing, but Uncle Michael quickly covered!

 

Finally, Saturday came and it was time for us to leave with Jazz. Uncle Michael and Aunt LeLe had gone out of town, so we decided to write a ransom note and have some fun! The kiddos were so excited, yet VERY confused!

"We have Jazz - If you want her come to Florida and find her - Bring small/unmarked bills - The Riker 5" (Yes, we signed out note!)

After snapping a picture, the 5 humans and 1 wannabe human jumped into the van and began the journey home! The kiddos were so excited and have been having a great time with her. They are frequently fighting over who can walk her or throw the ball. Or seeing who she will listen to when they are all talking at the same time - we definitely have some work to do on our end and how better to learn than a very well trained, obedient, easy going dog!

We are so very grateful that Uncle Michael trusts us enough to care for his baby!

Thoughts on Ceserean Deliveries

Lil' Robert, Hannah, and Wesley were all born too early. They were all born in a cold, sterile, very rushed, invasive manor. Not at all how I ever thought it would be...

When Daddy and I married, we spoke at length about family. Being one of 9, I wanted to have that big family, full of love and blessed chaos, and he was all for it. Together we decided, that we would have baby #1 in the hospital and the remainder that God blessed us with would be born in the comfort of our home...

On April 8, 2005, when I was 36wks along, part of that dream forever changed. When the doctor told us that we would require an emergency cesarean section NOW or risk losing our baby, I knew that having home births would be difficult to come by, especially since VBAC's were quite taboo at the time...

When we became pregnant with Hannah, all of our doctors agreed that a VBAC was okay to try and we were so excited! However on March 2, 2007, at just 35wks, that dream was crushed. While at work, I began having very strong, very painful contractions - not just the uncomfortable early ones, but doubled over, cannot walk, one does not end before the next begins kind of contractions. On the way to the hospital, things changed for the worse and 15 minutes after arriving at the hospital, Hannah was on her way to the NICU for a few hours of intense observation...

After this, I knew 2 things: 1.) A home birth would never happen and 2.) An eventual VBAC was unlikely. It took a lot of self affirmation to know that this would be okay. That never having the natural, family centered, non medically invasive birth was not the focus, rather having children that survived. I will not say that I was ever okay with having c-sections, but I did eventually accept it...

Until March 2, 2009 when Wesley made his hasty entrance into the world at just 32 weeks with my 3rd emergency C-section. I was mentally prepared for a planned, calm, following my birth plan type of C-section. I was not at all prepared for what happened and all that followed...

Months after his birth, when he was healthy and growing and I was recovered from all of the complications/surgeries following his C-section, all of the guilt and emotions that I had overcome had returned in full force. Part of this was due to the fact that a full term pregnancy would never happen, if we were even able to have another, which never would happen due to the hysterectomy on March 3, 2011...

I am writing this because I don't understand this huge rise in C-sections. I do not understand why anyone would choose to have one for convenience. Emergencies, true life or death emergencies are one thing, but to choose major surgery just because is something I will never understand...

C-sections carry the same risks as any other major surgery - infection, blood clots, blood loss, anesthesia complications, damage to bowel and bladder, and of course death. There are also risks to the baby - they can be cut by the scalpel, lose oxygen, etc. I know many families of full term newborns who have suffered collapsed lungs requiring NICU stays, chest tubes, ventilators, etc solely because of the C-section. These babies would have been healthy and would have gone home with their parents instead of fighting for life had it not been for the C-section...

I know that they save lifes, my 3 children are perfect examples. I know that there is good behind them, but this huge rise in C-sections for convenience or because of a failed, non medically necessary induction, is saddening. I hope and pray that one day they will not be as common...

Here are just a few of the research articles/news links of what I have seen lately:

• http://news.msn.com/videos?videoid=acd9ef4c-b4c8-be25-e887-73624b8a1b0d (the link between obesity and C-sections 15 years later)
• http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-01-20-c-sections_N.htm?csp=34 (statistics on the risks to mom)
• http://www.medscape.org/viewarticle/512946_4 (long term/short term risks to mom and baby)
• http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130211134842.htm (info on the gut bacteria that is influenced by type of delivery)
• http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2277046/Babies-delivered-Caesarean-section-higher-risk-asthma-allergies.html (link between asthma/allergies and C-section)
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3110651/ (National Institute of Health article)

Home Sweet Home

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Typically, many days before we are to leave for vacation, I have the kiddos packed and ready to go. However, this time, as I prepare for our trip home in a few days, I have not even started. In fact, I have piles of laundry that need to be folded, ironed, and put away. I have chores and preparations galore and not a single 'free' day (No Mass, birthday parties, nursery, etc) in which to get everything done...

Yes, I could get things done right now instead of writing (and being distracted by the kiddos on the slip and slide!), but honestly, the desire is not there. I want to go home. I want to see my family. I want to have the reassurance that just because our trip home 4 months ago was hard, that the others will not be. I want the reassurance that my parents and siblings are happy and healthy. I need this trip, but like I have mentioned before, I am terrified...

In a few short days, I will drive through small town in Mississippi. The same small town that we would stop in on our way to/from Jackson to see Maura Anne. This was Maura's home for almost a decade. She loved it, we loved it. She was so happy here. As we drive through the town there will be a McDonalds on the right hand side. This McDonalds has a playground. On this playground, I said farewell to Maura as we moved away from Mississippi. On this playground, Maura held her nephew, Lil' Robert so tenderly and lovingly; showering him with kisses and too tight squeezes. It was here that she met her niece, Hannah, for the first time. Sadly, when Wesley made his entrance, our trips home lessened and they were short and busy. We traveled at night and did not stop. I carry great guilt for this...

Later on in our stay, we will take a trip to the cemetery to visit and place flowers at both Maura and John David's gravesites. We will say our prayers and shed our tears. The reality that this is where now not only one, but two of my siblings reside (I know their soul is in Heaven....) is scary. Last time I was there, I was on autopilot. I was making the motions and doing what I was told. This time, it will be by choice. There will be no autopilot. I will be me, Mary Pauline, making the decision to go...

I know there will be great joy and celebration on this trip - Mollie is graduating High School, Clare is graduating Nursing School, Will is entering his 3rd year of med school, JoJo is graduating 8th grade, Michael's upcoming Germany trip, Rachael/Bret's 3rd anniversary, professional family pictures,  etc etc. However, I cannot move beyond my selfish fears. They keep me up at night and fill my little sleep with nightmares. They have me on edge and procrastinating during the day...

Even with all of my fears, I am confident of 2 things - 1.) That this trip will be a huge success, even if nobody has matching clothes or must wear the same outfit the entire time because I did not pack appropriately! and 2.) Once I am surrounded by my brothers and sisters and Mama and Papa, that all of my fears will be forgotten...

It will be a good, reassuring, trip home...

PS, When we return from MS, the kiddos will be in for quite a surprise! I will not open my mouth here, but very soon you will find out - stay tuned!** Click here to see what we brought home!**

Wesley Can...

...ride a bike WITHOUT training wheels!

For the past year, Wesley has been riding a balance bike that we borrowed from a friend. He adored this thing and was just incredible on it - doing all sorts of tricks and stunts. Giving mommy a heart attack nearly every single time he was on it!

Daddy and I have been using this bike as an experiment of sorts. We were wanting to see if it would make a difference when it came to transition to a 'Big Boy Bike.' Given the fact that he was quickly outgrowing the Strider, we decided that the time was now. However, there was one big problem - Wesley had no idea how to pedal! Because of this, we decided to leave the training wheels on until he knew how to pedal...

This afternoon, I decided to give it a go and let him truly ride for more than the mere 2 minutes he had done prior. Within a few minutes, I realized that Wesley pedaling was not happening as the training wheels were to high, preventing the rear wheel from touching the ground - making it near impossible for him to move. Therefor, the decision was made to remove the training wheels and hope for the best...

Once the training wheels were removed, we made sure that Wesley was fully padded - knees and elbows - and then onto the bike he went. I was fully expecting to hold onto him as he balanced and tried to pedal, but Wesley had other plans...

He literally climbed onto the bike, asked for a push, and took off down the street before I could process that my 4 year old was riding a 2 wheel pedal bike for the very first time with absolutely no help! Within 20 minutes, we had made our way around the block 2 times, as well as showed off for every single neighbor that was willing to watch!

All of us, Daddy, Lil' Robert, Hannah, and I, are SO very proud of him. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect him to just take off like he did! I am still quite shocked with just how simple the transition was from the 2 wheel balance bike to the 2 wheel pedal bike!

I would say that our experiment was a success!

Maura's Memory Bear

 

11 years ago, after the death of our brand new baby brother John David, we were introduced to DD's Memory Bears. She used her incredible talents to create not 1, but 2 bears using the hospital gown that Mama wore... {I am not able to upload a picture to this post, but if you click on 'bears' and 'hospital gown', you will see the gown and then one of the two bears...}

 With Maura's death, we all knew that Maura Memory Bear's were a must. After Rachael, Clare, Aunt Mary, and I cleared our her room and brought home all of her clothes, the search began for memory bear materials. After they were chosen, we placed our items in a ziploc bag with our name so that they could all be shipped together. Honestly, that time was such an incredible blur, that I had forgotten what I had chosen!

Finally, 10weeks, 8 bears, and 1 pillow later we have our Maura Anne Memory Bears! They were all shipped to Mama and Papa's house, which as much as I want mine N.O.W., I think it will be more beneficial to get her surrounded by my parents and siblings...

Without further ado, here is my memory bear...

The main fabric was a long sleeve cotton shirt and the colorful fabric was a zippered jacket that she picked out all on her own! Maura Anne had a love for color and patterns that was all her own! I ADORE the hood/bonnet that was created!