bittersweet symphony

may 2011

May in the Marquette household ( and I think I can speak for the other Marquette households) is known as: crazy insane busy are you kidding me another concert will it ever end birthdays oh and 3 parades month. And the other marquette households might add more words such as: tests, state regulations, anniversary, retreats, homework, report cards, dress rehearsal, recital, costumes...

This May will be a little different.  It gets to be a month of recovery for me. My surgery is over and it went well and my sweet doctor called me with the test results today.  Everything is normal, average, fine. The cancer is gone and didn't spread.  So this May I find myself at rest.  (Let me say it's kinda of hard staying busy at doing nothing). But thanks to my amazing husband and amazing in laws I get to rest and heal and take my time.

I have a few lists and beautification household projects (thank you missy). But right now I am enjoying the quiet. Sitting with the windows open tonight at the dinner table.  Eating leftovers of wonderful meals brought by wonderful people.   Brady is already asleep (he fell asleep at 6:00 after one too many time outs). Eddie and Riley are outside enjoying the weather. Eddie was teaching Riley the fine art of catch. Eddie is such a patient father.  And then off to ride bikes. Oh and yesterday? Riley thought it was time to take off the training wheels and learn to ride a 2 wheeler. After about 30 minutes- eddie called me from the parking lot where they were riding (I am thinking okay how many band aids do I need?) instead I heard: Do you want to see your son riding a bike with no training wheels? So at 6.5 years old Riley is riding a 2 wheeler. And he rides FAST.

FAST that is where the time is going. This month Brady will also be 4. And he just knows Santa will come on his birthday and bring him a monster truck. He is still figuring out how the holidays work.  Other cousins will be 10, 5 and 7. How did this happen? I am hoping to take this may to catch up on some little details so I don't forget.

I want to breathe in the fresh spring air and breathe out the worry, the stress, the aniexty.  I need to talk to Sue again about that breath prayer. If you were in my sunday school class - right now your are remembering craig's funny response - well I have cold...

So hopefully I will be here more with pictures and memories and the goings on (and of course coupon deals! ) I have thought about taking this blog down - the pressure to post sometimes is too much. But then I figured - it's my journal of our lives right now. So I am going to leave it. But what I am stepping back from: Rachel Marquette Photography. I am hanging up the camera for a year or maybe more. I just want to focus on my family. I am just not feeling in my heart right now. And there are so many talented photogs out there - if you need one check out missy or marie - coming soon to a zip code near you...:)

I hope you got to enjoy the sunshine today!

 

10 on tues...well now wednesday

1.this is late because all the computers in the house were being used...fantasy football draft night.  It must be getting close to fall! Eddie is only in 3 leagues this year. He is quite serious with his excel spreadsheets and graphs. You think I kid, but it's all true.

2. Riley is now 6! hopefully I will be back with a birthday recap this week. We basically started celebrating his birthday Thursday night and wrapped it up Sunday afternoon with ice cream cake and presents.

3. We went camping this weekend - our church retreat. And Saturday was a crazy weather day - cold, cloudy, rainy, some sun and lots of wind. But that didn't stop the boys from having fun. We got there set up camp, next to grammy & papa. Everyone else stayed in cabins with indoor plumbing. We took a walk with the our charges - trying to keep them busy until lunch time. Lunch and then free time. Dinner, campfire then a hayride. Now the hay trailer was pulled by Farmer Bob and he wasn't driving a tractor - but a ford f150. More on that later. I don't think the boys have run so much. They had a blast. They even went on a snipe hunt thanks to mr. m, but the snipe got away.

4.Now I am more of a camp in a cabin with dish tv and a hot tub kind of girl, but growing up we did camp. Well if you call a tarp thrown over a clothesline, between 2 trees, by a river in a cow pasture in Shenandoah  -camping - then we camped. For as long as I can remember - all the men in my family would go to the river around the 4th of july for a week or so. My grandpa (before his stroke) my dad, uncles, cousins. Later on my dad would take my nephews and brother in law.  But when I was little-  I remember going on this camping trip. I know my mom was probably a nervous wreck all the time, and didn't enjoy it. But I remember it being fun. I remember my uncle denny catching an eel and trying to whack it before it squirmed back into the river. And that would become a yearly tradition - who would catch the eel this year.  I remember my dad's green coleman grill that he would cook eggs and spam  on the iron skillet in for breakfast. I remember catfish for dinner. I have so many memories, but I am sure I only went a couple times, maybe only once, and maybe those memories are the stories I have heard so many times. But I want my children to experience stuff like this, even if it is out of my comfort zone. I don't want them to see that. I want them to have happy memories, I want to be that mama that "does" instead of the "does not".

5. wow, sorry about that tangent up there. Thanks to my 2 readers if you are still with me. Hi Marie! Hi Missy!

6. Missy, I hope everything goes smoothly this week as classes start back. And I hope your new employee works out!

7. Now that the boys have bunk beds, Brady doesn't roll out of bed every night and come to my side of the bed. To tell you the truth, I miss it.  I miss his little face at my bedside, I miss the little snuggles and whispers. I miss the weight of his little body as I carry him back to bed.

8. Fall is in the air - which means fall TV. What are you watching? Me: glee, Grey's,' parenthood, heroes, private practice, modern family.  I need a break from reality tv.

9. The Hornets lost their game on Friday night. Hopefully they can keep this streak up. We are going to the game Friday night to see Daddy & the band. I don't want to see the home team stomp North Royalton. I would really like to see my husband in October.

10. Swim lessons and piano lessons will be put on the schedule this week. We didn't make the soccer registration due to a mix up with the spring team - but it's okay. Riley got a set of golf clubs for his birthday (and not the fisher price kind either) so I don't think he will be missing soccer this fall.

10 on tuesday

1.  do you love heluva good cheese & chip dip? go to www.heluvagood.com and print out 2 coupons for .50 cents off any heluva good product. giant eagle has cheese blocks on sale 2 for $4.00 until tomorrow. I grabbed some for $1.00 each.

2. Speaking of Giant Eagle - I spent $59.88 and save $70.91. ask me how: coupons

3. This week is beginning to have too many bittersweet memories attached.

4. Today would have been my parents 49th wedding anniversary.

5. Today we lost a member of our church. He was eddie's sunday school teacher and youth advisor in high school.  Wade will be missed.

6. Tomorrow is my dear mother in law's birthday! She is so precious to me. I really don't know where I would be without her. I love that she sends me daily texts, emails and pictures of what is happening during the day with Riley & brady. I love that she collects stuff ( stamps, dishes, cookbooks, to name a few) I love when she hands me a book to read, because I know it will be good. And I know she will have the others waiting for me if it happens to be a series. She is talented & crafty. She is passionate about life and her family. And I am thankful I am in her family. I am so thankful she was born!

7. Friday is Riley's 6th birthday!  What? I know. He keeps telling me he is 5 and 1/2.  He can't wait to be six - I think he's just excited for more legos! He is loving school so much! I am taking Friday off to spend the day with him and Brady. I think we will go have pancakes for breakfast, then maybe pick up some donuts with sprinkles for an after school snack.

8. Friday is also my mentor/guru Sue Morgan's birthday. I love that Riley shares his day of birth with this force of nature. Sue has such natural gift of getting to the good stuff. To digging in and finding out what's really going on. Sue asks the tough questions. She always makes me cry (in a good way) I love that our friendship has an ebb and flow - sometimes - life experiences bridging the gap and vunerabities leave space for breath and safe spaces.  Her whole family is going through such transition right now, jobs taking them far away from each other, waiting for word on job leads. And all the while she gives up her sunday morning and teaches us about faith, Jesus, and what was he thinking. I hope she has a wonderful birthday and gets to soak up her family this weekend.

9. Friday also marks the one year passing of our Meemaw. Oh, there are no words. She has left behind her legacy of love in her husband, her daughter, her grandsons, her granddaughter, her great granddaughters and great grandsons. ( I didn't put grandson in law & granddaughter in laws - because she never called us that). I miss her laugh. I miss her stories. I miss the way she would grab your hand when talking to you. And she never missed a chance to say I love you. I love you meemaw. I saw 2 dragonflies today, I wonder how many I will see on Friday.

10. okay, I didn't realize how emotionally loaded this week was! Sorry about that! I am editing some pictures from the 4th of July. The D'Amicos, The Lees, and 1/2 of the Gerbers came over for a very laid back picnic. I love that this year we have 6 and 1 on the way kids between us. How did this happen? I remember many a picnics before kids when our only goal was to make sure we floated the keg.  These are some of my favorite people and I love these kids like my own. I will be posting a lot more on facebook to Denny can see them - he is still serving over seas. 

this could be: anytown, usa.  

I love this snapshot of our picnic. The guys close to the grill, go browns, beer in hand, water in hand. american flag, lawn chairs, roller coaster.

my boys. I love that riley is squishing brady so close. I love that they look so completely different. I am so glad they have each other.
 
 

year 4

In 2 days, my baby will turn 5.  I can hardly stand it.  I don't want to forget what happened over the past year.  Since it's Erin's week over at www.writeclickscrapbook.com I am going to write it down so I can use this as journaling on some layouts about Riley.

Riley Joseph at age 4...

Started his 1st year of preschool on his birthday 9-03-08.  Grew by leaps and bounds and almost 2 shoe sizes.  Learned to write letters and numbers,  spell & write his name, phone number & address.

 

Always the shy guy, but from the 1st day of preschool, ran into the door without a glance over his shoulder, gained more confidence. Played his 1st organized sport, T-ball. Team Number 5, the Royal blue Lions, and daddy was his first coach.

Loves egg salad sandwiches, chicken bones (wings), lettuce, apples, cheese, ramen soup, lucky charms & cinnamon toast crunch, bananas, oatmeal with brown sugar, waffles, grammie's rice, donuts with sprinkles, potatoes, mac & cheese, fish sticks & pierogies, tacos, wraps, PB&J, chips & dip, ice cream sandwiches, green beans, noodles & sauce. You are a good eater and will try "no thank you" helpings even.

Loves to help me cook or make anything in the kitchen. The other day I asked if you wanted to help me make egg salad, to which you pulled a chair over and said: I would LOVE to help you make egg salad, mama!". Still a daddy's boy. Still loves to play ball on the stairs and go for bike rides in the parking lot.

Asks to say prayer. Sometimes consists of: Praise Jesus, Praise god, Praise the Lord, Praise Uncle Kenny, Praise Daddy. Amen. Clears plates after dinner, helps me load & unload the dishwasher. helps himself to snacks/dip in the refrig. Or can get his own fork/spoon/knife.

Slowly over the year, plays less with thomas the train and all the guys from cars.  Played more with legos (building ships from Star Wars) transformers (loves to draw Optimus Prime), Buzz (with his broken hand - he is now Buzz the Robot). But will build a track out of the blue track for Brady. Or play hot wheels with the racetrack.

Enter the world of webkinz. Gary the Gecko. You can play chess & checkers online and whatever else games are on daddy's laptop. Mama's is too slow because it has too many pictures on it. Your words not mine. You play Tonka & Lego Land @ Grammie & Papa's.  When my camera is out, you want to take the pictures.

Loves to sit and do "work". Drawing Optimus, coloring or writing your letters and lately wanting me to spell out words so you can write them down.

shoe size 11 1/2, 4t pants (they are getting a little short) 5t shirts. weighs 43 pounds

Can buckle his own seat belt, zips his coat.  Can still sleep 10 hours. Bedtime is still 7:30.  Still helps empty laundry baskets - but now Brady gets in on it and they take turns trying to push each other around in the baskets.  Wants to " read" books on your own, I will find at least 3 books in your bed in the morning along with various stuffed animals, cars or transformers.

Sweet, silly & sensitive boy.  Loves to give me "loud" kisses to make me laugh.  Will hug me randomly and say I love you mama. Will still come into our room sometimes, he comes to my side of the bed, when he has a bad dream or hears a bad noise. Knows I will let him snuggle for a few minutes then it's back to his bed.  This past year has generous with hugs and kisses when he knows mama is sad or when my belly hurts.

On the flip side - we have seen our fair shares of time outs. For shouting, kicking, screaming, fighting, not sharing, refusal to do something. We try to give you choices but if you still don't like your options, you will try to add another one or say: I don't like your words. 

Is turning into a pretty awesome big brother. Brady loves his big brother "ridey". Tries to reason with brady in the mornings "Brady -listen to my words - it's too early - go back to sleep" Brady, no jumping on the bed or you will have to the hospital like me" Brady -say English! Brady - if you do that one more time, you will get a 45 minute time out!  the other day - he actually put brady in time out and told him he could NEVER play trains again.  Yeah, mama put a stop to that. But the funny part? Brady actually listened and went to time out!

 

Has been to the ER 3 times over the year. Once for strep throat, once for an allergic reaction to penicillin, and once for the gash above his lip (no stitches) that he got when he "fell" out of bed which turned out he was jumping on the bed when he fessed up to Brady days later.

Went thru a phase of adding "right?" at the end of every sentence. That changed to correct!  correctomundo!  affirmative!  Got to travel to Hocking Hills, OH & Outer Banks, SC.

And there is so much more. I just want to remember some little things about you at this age. You are still my peanut, even though you remind me you are a big boy and Brady is the peanut now. You are the one that made me a mama. Daddy and I are constantly amazed by your growing personality each day. I love you Riley Joe and can't wait to see what year 5 brings!

Is it really June already?

(I started this post on 5-27-09)

I love a rainy day - but this afternoon was mosoon! barely could see the road ahead of me and brady kept shouting -puddle, puddle! And riley kept asking me - can you drive thru it again mama? We have been home 4 hours and it's still a steady downpour. Eddie's new grass will love it but I am not sure our basement will.

It's been a while since the last update...so much going on! Here is a run down for May...

• Eddie's last full month of school - concerts, concerts and more concerts! And a band banquet and a stuffed monkey named poopie (it's a band joke thing) 
• photo sessions have begun again for the season
• Jordan's baptism. Brady & I spent the ceremony outside while eddie & riley videoed the cermony in the balcony. Sorry JD & Joanie if you only here Brady shouting DADDY, DADDY on the tape
• t-ball has begun. Practice on Tuesdays, games on Saturdays.
• Becky & David married 1 year
• Mother's day tea at preschool. Nothing says tea like sub sandwiches :)
• Art show, bike day, field day, birthday day, last day picnic at riley's preschool
• more doctor appointments for the boys - thankfully no strep or the flu - just a cold
• Jd's Birthday month
• new haircut & color
• molly turns 8
• Missy & Ben married 8 years
• brady turns 2
• sadie turns 3
• maya turns 5
• Grandpa M turns a big number
• memorial day picnics and parades

ETA...I added an album over <---- there to recap our may.

So ready for June to begin. May traditionally has been the craziest month on record.  Maybe I will be able to catch my breath in June and post more!

10 on tuesday...birthday edition

1. 35 is an odd number -that I do not like much - but I will deal with it. especially when it comes in the cherry chip variety.  I have been alive for 35 years. I have been a mama for almost 5 years, I have been a wife for almost 8 years, I have been an aunt for almost 22 years, I have been a friend for 29 years, I have been an employee for 17 years (at the same company!)

 

2. This is the first year I have worked on my birthday in a long time. The day was so busy that I hardly noticed!

3. Mama Jill never ceases to amaze me with her card making skills. Opening a card like this just makes you feel so special and loved.  Not to mention the gift card too that went with it - stampin up goodness.  I am loved. Thank you Mom & Ron - I love you both so very much!  

4.Happy Birthday emails from your sister in law missy - I can't wait to buy some books on Amazon - thank you so much! love ya! lunch tomorrow?

5. Facebook is becoming a regular site to check in my world - this could be dangerous. But it was fun to read all the birthday wishes posts. I can't link everyone because I am lazy -but thank you all for making my day happy!  And receiving a birthday card in the mail today with a handwritten note from Meem and Pop was priceless

6. I love my family. I am really spoiled. Saturday my boys took me out to Red Lobster and then Dairy Queen for dessert.  They get me. From the squirrel themed birthday card, to the candle (because mama doesn't like it when the house is stinky - just daddy does - said by riley) to the shirt they picked out for me at Kohl's.  We had a good laugh - because I just bought the same shirt a few weeks ago! So I get to go shopping again.  I love it that Eddie took the boys shopping Friday night while I went to the movies with some sister in laws!

7. Brady. This baby is a constant source of laughter! I am so thankful for him. You simply can't be sad around him! he is so funny, such a personality. I haven't felt much like taking pictures so far this year - so I trying to make an effort. And these pictures just make me smile. The first picture is Brady praying. He loves to pray before eating, during eating and after. Sometimes he will reach for your hand and say "God is" and that means it time to pray. The second picture is like an arrow through my heart. I am in love  with this smile (and this baby) when you can see his sweet little baby teeth. And don't get me started on the cheeks or those slightly different colored baby blues. And the last picture is Brady driving the dump truck around because he likes it. Riley used to sit in the back of the dump when he was a baby and we would push him around - oh no not brady -he is driving it -so watch out man.

   

 

8. I do have another son - Riley - this was him today when we got home from the days adventures. He still does this - will pass out at 5 or 6 in the car on the way home, I will carry him inside get his coat off and put him to bed and he won't wake up until the next morning. From the age of 6 months he has always slept 9-10 hours at night.  But he is gettig bigger these days - so I had to put him in the chair to rest before I could take him the rest of the way to bed.  Such a sweet boy. This morning he ran into our room, jumped on the bed - gave me a big squeze and said happy birthday mama, I love you. Who needs presents and cake after that?

9. I had a spur of the moment dinner with my mom tonight. Eddie has a meeting or concert tonight (I can't keep his schedule straight if I don't write it down). So the boys and I were headed for Applebee's carry out, I got a call from my mom so we picked her up and she went with us. We had a good time. It's been awhile that we could just talk and be at ease in each other's company. And the boys are a good buffer. I am hoping this year will be full of more healing. You can't change the past, but you can choose your future. Some things never change - and I am grateful for that - see #1 - homemade birthday cake from my mom. 

10. I even talked to my dad today. He works at Good Neighbors on tuesday & thursdays. And if they have leftover goodies- he always makes a point to share with my sisters and I. I came home to a grocery bag on my garage flag pole holder full of baked goods.  We made plans to have dinner on Monday. He's busy until then! I am grateful for that -he needs to keep busy. I am missing the birthday pancakes he makes for me  this year but maybe we can have breakfast for dinner when we get together.

this day 4 years ago...

This baby boy was born! He came into the world  a couple days early because the doctors were concerned he wasn't growing. Weighing in at 5lbs and perfect.   And now he can eat 3 slices of pizza and still ask for more.

On 9-3-04 at  4:29 pm he entered our world and it is forever changed. He made us parents. He made us a family. He gave our life new meaning. He paved the way for his baby brother.

Today at 12:15pm he started pre-school.  He never looked back. He has been so ready to go to school.  As he should be as we have been talking about if for a year now. He was all business - standing there in his new green backpack, his cool new shoes waiting for the door open. And when it did - he lined up and ran in.  Just like that.  So thankful for all the new things he will get to experience, kinda sad that I can't be there to experience it too, but that's okay.  This is how it works.  But it's still a little bittersweet.

Happy Birthday to you,

happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Riley

happy birthday to you.

Oh how much your daddy & I love you, don't forget. And have a wonderful day! I will be there to pick you up at Grammy's later and we will get a special birthday dinner and then have some cake (brown & green with sprinkles and your name on top) and open presents.

(pictures to come)

today is your official birthday! Happy 1st Birthday Brady!!

today at 10:52pm you entered this world and ours hasn't been the same ever since. Mama took the day off work to spend it with just your and big brother Riley.  I gotta tell you little one - your day didn't start off too happy. Last night you were up every 2 hours. Nothing seemed to help you finally fell asleep at 4:00am.  We all slept in until 7:30.  We had a doctor's appointment at 9:15. So we had some breakfast and got dressed. While I was helping your brother - you helped yourself to the dog's water. You totally dumped it all over your pants and the floor. So we had to put on some dry clothes and out the door we went.  you were so patient at the doctors even though you were getting sleepy and had to hang out in just your diaper for 35 during the exam and through the shots. Yes shots. Only 2 and a little finger poke to test your lead levels. Have you been eating any paint chips lately?  You cried though the shots and finger test - who could blame you. Big brother tried to soothe you -it's okay brady - don't be scared.  Then Riley wanted to know - hey why is he bleeding? So 3 bandaids later, we got your clothes back on and headed home.  We went thru the drive thru for special donuts with sprinkles.  But you clearly didn't want donuts - you just wanted your binky and bed.  We got home you went right to bed and slept 3 hours!  when you woke up we got some lunch and played some more. You took your first big tumble while you pushing your mailbox and crashed into the hummer.  You love to sneak into the bathroom and play with the hairbrushes under the sink. In an attempt to brush my teeth - I tried to close the door with you in the hallway and pinched your little pinky in the hinge. Oh baby I am so sorry. It left a little dent on your little finger for about an hour.

so we got ready and went to the park. We met mama's friend Char there with her 2 little guys Trevor and Carson. While riley and trevor raced around the playground, went up the slides the wrong way you and carson watched a little from the sidelines then you guys got to swing.   You opened your first present from and ate your first tiny cupcake. You made a mess of the cupcake. No pictures as I was holding you and trying to contain the mess at the same time.  Then we came home for a quick dinner and it was time for baths!

You love bathtime.You and riley splashed around until you were nice and wrinkly. We got our jammies on and one more picture of the night. Riley wanted to hold you and then he said he wanted to give you a bottle while he watched tv.  Well it was a kind offer -but mama has dibs on the last bottle of the night.  So we rocked and you fell fast asleep. What a long day for you my sweet.  You were in bed by 7:05.  Good night my little one year old. I think I did pretty good keeping it together. But I might just have to go hold you for a minute when the clocks reaches 10:52am.  I am not ready to let go of my baby, not just yet.