September 2009

What can I say? The end of August/beginning of September was a bit rough. Just as I was whining and complaining about having to go back to work...

Goodbye sweet Matdie

Our dear, sweet fur baby, Matdie, came to the end of her long life. She was closing in on 15 years old and her poor body had decided that it was ready to be done. Roger and I made the incredibly heart breaking decision to put her "to sleep" on August 28th. That evening we had a "going away" party for her. My family, and even some neighbors, came to say goodbye and shed some tears with us. On August 29th Nana came to stay with Ada and Emmet while Roger and I took Matdie to the vet and then to my Dad's to bury her. As a pet owner you are fully aware that they will not be with you forever...but when that day comes - no matter how prepared you think you are - the pain is intense.



Grandpa Arenz
Later that night I received a call saying that my Grandpa Arenz was in the hospital and not doing well. The next day Greg and I went in to Oconomowoc, with the rest of the family, to be with him. We ended up spending the night at the hospital, along with our cousin Jennifer, to care for him. It was one of the hardest things I've had to do yet in my life - both physically and emotionally. Watching my grandfather suffering and feeling helpless and yet trying my hardest to help was painful. The next morning the rest of the family returned and made the decision to move Grandpa to Angel's Grace Hospice center. It was determined that Gpa was stable enough for the move and this was a place that he had said he wanted to go to if there was a need for it. Gpa had contributed to the creation of Angels Grace and even crafted a beautiful cross for their chapel. When Gpa arrived the staff graciously moved the cross from the chapel into Gpa's room. I had heard amazing things about hospice care but had, luckily, never experienced it first hand. I can say now from personal experience that the level of care provided to the patient and the patient's family is astounding. Gpa was at Angel's Grace for a week and although he was not really consciously aware I believe that he found peace and comfort there. On Saturday 9/5/09, Gpa passed away with Gma, Kathy, Kodie, Greg and I at his side. Such a profound loss and intense experience for us all and also an amazing relief - knowing that he was no longer suffering, no longer in pain. Gpa was a brilliant man. He had such incredible knowledge about so many things and loved to share that with all. His absence will be felt forever.




 http://www.pagenkopf.com/obituaries1/item.nhtml?profile=obituaries1&UID=664


Happy Birthday Dad/Bumpa!!!


On September 25th we celebrated Dad's birthday with some good food and fun!

So, believe it or not, I have no recollection of anything else happening in September. I cannot believe it's long gone. I picked myself off, dusted myself off and trudged through the day-to-day crap until the world felt somewhat normal again.

Move it! Move it!

Pops took this video back in May when the kids had their sleepover. It's so blog worthy. When Ada isn't singing, she's dancing.

August 2009

August update...so far. I'll add more when it's officially over.

August is upon us. I'm feeling sad. I remember feeling more ready to go back to work last year. This year? I've been choking back the tears since August 1st. I'm enjoying my time with Ada and Emmet so much this summer. We haven't really done anything out of the ordinary or special but I find all of our very ordinary moments very special. We've spent the summer playing, at the park, riding bikes, going on walks, playing in the sprinkler and pool in the backyard, building in the sandbox, going to the library, reading lots of books, and so much more. See? Very ordinary, and yet what makes it all so special is that Emmet and Ada don't seem to think it's all that ordinary. They get excited about just about everything and find something new in every mundane circumstance. A simple walk around the block turns into a flower (well, weeds really) finding mission. An airplane flying overhead elicits squeals of excitement. Driving down the highway becomes a game of how many dump trucks or big trucks can we find. Folding laundry is somehow a fabulous game.

It's also really spectacular to watch two 3 year olds imaginary play. This has been a lovely new development. Ada and Emmet will spend countless minutes together pretending to walk through a castle (our living room) and come upon an evil queen and run away. Over and over and over. Can ya tell that Ada has officially hit "The Princess Phase"? They bring different things with them - sometimes a baby doll, sometimes an animal. They pretend to be mommy and daddy, or mommy/daddy and baby. They pretend to get married - this is usually Ada's initiation -

Ada: "Emmet, I love you"
Emmet: "I love you Ada"
Ada: "Should we get married?"
Emmet: "ok"

This is where Ada lifts the imaginary veil off of Emmet's head and gives him a kiss. I'm not quite sure where they come up with this stuff. Maybe daycare. Movies. T.V. Who knows. The point is - it's really adorable and entertaining. Roger and I have lots to giggle about these days.

This is not to say that we don't have our share of hard times too. There are tantrums a plenty. And many days where I reach dinner time and think to myself, "I've done nothing but yell all day long". I know I can do better than this as a parent. I know all the right things to say and what I'm "supposed" to do. I try to remind myself of the Love and Logic strategies...but there are just some of those days where I feel like a lunatic of a mother. When A&E totally get the best of me and push every single one of my buttons - and push them hard. Ada has a temper, and a loud one at that. Emmet shows his assertiveness in quiet but sneaky ways.

Overall though they are generally well behaved, very sweet and caring children. They love to laugh and have fun and will oblige Mommy with some lovin' when asked. Otherwise they are very busy little people.

ARENZ FAMILY REUNION
On August 1st we ventured out to Oconomowoc for our Arenz Family Reunion. Most everyone was able to make it except for my cousin Jon and his wife Katie because they had just had their new baby boy, Jackson. What a fun day it was. The weather turned out to be beautiful. Aunt Kathy and Uncle Jack had lots of kid activities planned. There's lots of room to roam and play at Kraig & Kay's house, which was ideal for Emmet because he pretty much road his bike ALL day long. Ada found a new friend in her 2nd cousin Jenna as they loved doing art projects together. Christmas was the last time we were all able to be together so, this was a very special day. I didn't take many pictures as I was busy running around with the kids. These pics are thanks to Aunt Karen.

Joshua and Jacob


Lots o' kids


Lots o' kids.


This was Ada's second time going up/down the slide. She didn't like it so much the first time so I was impressed that she wanted to attempt a second time. Lots of crying the second time around too.


Ada was freaking out at this point.



Jenna attempting the slide with the help of her grandma.


Jeff had fun on the slide with the little kids! Jaelyn in the water.








Daddy being crazy riding Ada's bike.


Ada holding her 2nd cousin Grace.


Jenna holding Grace.
PICNIC POINT ADVENTURES

The day after our family reunion we woke up to gorgeous weather. So, we packed a picnic lunch and headed out to Picnic Point for an "adventure". Ada and Emmet LOVE going on adventures! Neither Roger nor I had ever been to Picnic Point before and we both enjoyed ourselves as much as the kids did. A nice hike/walk out to the point with lots of little paths off of the main path. We ate out lunch out at the point and watched the boats in the lake, saw lots of trees and plants and bugs and even got to walk on a small beach. Afterwards we went to the Chocolate Shoppe for ice cream cones. Such a perfect day!










THE PURGE

Wanna know what happens when you have children? You collect stuff. Lots of stuff. So much stuff that it's hard to maneuver in your basement. So, Roger and I decided to have a garage sale.

Yes, this means no more kids. I think Roger has been pretty set in this decision since I was, oh I don't know...PREGNANT with the twins. Me? Well, I go back and forth. I do not have much of a desire to be pregnant again considering the last one was a little too eventful but I do get kinda schmoopy when I see and hold new babies. I sometimes wish I could experience a single pregnancy and infant hood but the majority of me is quite content with our little family unit and truth be told - I would kind of feel like we were going "backwards" in a sense. Back to the - up all night, lack of sleep, fussy, craziness of the infant stage. I know my memories are of TWO infants but I'm happy. I'm settled. I'm content. Now, Ada and Emmet on the other hand...I'm sure if it were up to them they would LOVE to have a baby around. They LOOOVVVEEE babies and are really very good with them. ramble, ramble, ramble.

We were garage sale rookies so it took us the majority of a week to organize, prepare and set-up. Talk about exhausting! This was A LOT of work. And when the sale was over - the work didn't stop there. While we got rid of a TON of stuff (had a sweet woman who was pregnant with twins come by and take a bunch of things) there was still a lot left. I've made numerous trips to Goodwill, with Ada and Emmet as my happy helpers and the garage still has stuff that needs to go. Overall though it was worth it as we made a nice chunk of money. I have vowed though, especially since we're not having anymore children, to purge more often than three years from here on out.

Yep, that's right folks, it POURED and THUNDERED for a good part of our garage sale morning.
And then the sun came out and turned the world into a 93 degree sauna.


I was pretty proud of our organization. I didn't think we'd get it all in the garage, which was necessary because of the weather but we did!


There's my strollers. Goodbye strollers. Sniff Sniff.


MID CONTINENT RAILWAY MUSEUM
The day after our garage sale Dad (aka Bumpa) and Julie took us all out to the Mid Continent Railway Museum. The kids were a bit tired and it was still pretty hot and humid out but we had a fabulous time. What a neat little place to explore. I'd like to go back again next year. Ada and Emmet really enjoyed riding on a REAL BIG TRAIN. Thanks Bumpa & Julie!



We got to ride on a commuter train that ran in New Jersey from 1917-1970.




Talking to Julie outside the train. A little while later the conductor told us to keep arms, heads, limbs inside the train as these windows have a tendency to fall down without warning.


Emmet was being very quiet - my hot sweaty little man.


The train track it runs on does not have a turn table so when we reached the end of the track, the engine had to disconnect, switch tracks and then connect to the back of the train to take us back to the museum. Way cool.



Emmet exploring more trains in the museum building.



Thumbs up for trains! Can ya tell Roger and I were still exhausted from our garage sale the day before?



JULIE'S 50TH BIRTHDAY PARTY

On the 15th of August we had a big bash for Julie's 50th birthday. Ada and Emmet spent the night at Nana & Pops, which they LOVED of course, so Roger and I could go and enjoy ourselves...which we did. Happy Birthday Julie!


Birthday Girl!

Roger & Nancy...probably talking shop.

Me & The Mr.



Party Goers


More party goers


Gina & I


Bon Fire


My handsome Daddio.



Greg entertained us for the evening!!!


Julie & her birthday hat.


Daddio & I


Roger after his chair fell off the deck. He calmly crossed his legs and took a drink. I would have screamed and probably fell out of the chair backwards causing a loud ruckus.



Rock n Roll


Anna & Kirby


The G's


The Outlaws


Dad & Julie.

RANDOMNESS


Apparently, this was at the "boat sees" (Picnic Point) Ada was talking on the phone and reading. Such a multi-tasker!


So, the other day Ada and I bought some beanbag chairs. They love them. That night, while listening to their music I look over and see Emmet lounging in his chair tapping his foot in time to the music. When I went to get my camera Ada - our little ham - quickly picked up on what I thought was so cute and decided to join in. My apologies for the dizzines.