Jarrett and I are going to sneak away for a few days later this week, which happens to fall on Michael's birthday (we will NEVER let this down). In an attempt to celebrate early, we surprised him by having his great friend Bella over for an afternoon. Michael had been talking for weeks about going Ice Skating so that's what we did.
Belle rang the door bell and when Michael ran to open the door he was surprised to see she was there. He was slightly embarrassed he hadn't combed his hair so thankfully his hat was close and he could put it on to hid the bed head he had from the night of sleeping.
We had lunch and then birthday cupcakes to celebrate both of them having March birthdays!
You can see the two girls loved the frosting!
And then it was time to go skating!
This was Isabelle's first times on ice skates. She wasn't sure about it at first.
We laced them up and they were off!
Some more hesitant than others.
Dad kept Madelyn busy on the bleachers.
There was a brief break for the Zamboni machine to resurface the ice. Don't these kiddos look grown up?
Did anyone else notice the shorts and ice skates?
Only in Arizona right?
Michael and Belle had fun!
Soon they were twirling around and doing circles (stunt tricks)
Michael declared he will be a future gold medal ice skater and we should now drop several thousand dollars to put him in private lessons and it will all be worth it because he will for sure bring home a gold medal.
That Michael, he always has some sort of new plan he's rigging up.
It was a really fun day to get to celebrate Michael's birthday and I think he enjoyed getting to improve his skating skills.
Hard to believe this little guy that melted our hearts is now (almost) 11!
Tomorrow the kids return back to school after an AMAZING spring break.
It actually started a day early for them when we surprised them by pulling them out of school for their last day before break to take them to the ball park. My was it a fun day!
Thanks to our friends the Faulkners, and their charity Campbell's Crew Cares, they along with their friend Steve's Dreams Charity, gifted us tickets to the Chicago Cubs spring training game against the Angels. This was our first time getting to experience the fun of being a Cub's fan in the desert. We had heard many great things and boy did they live up and surpass every expectation we had.
That morning we met at the ball park and got to tailgate with our friends Carrie, Campbell, Sage and Emery. They took care of every detail... even down to the Chicago Style hotdogs.
It was so much fun and that was even before we entered the stadium!
Here are the girls reading about Steve's Dream, a charity set up in memory of a young man who left this world too early. His family set up a charity in his memory where they gift spring training Cubs tickets to families so that father's get the chance to take their kids to the ballpark for a day. I was lucky enough to get to go along too!
Here the girls are reading about Steve and his life. As a mom who lives to tell the story about her baby that isn't here, I know it means a lot to their family that their son's legacy lives on.
The girls were super interested in reading about him.
Madelyn was a big fan of Carrie's and it didn't hurt that she has rice crispy treats to eat! Yummy!
We were running low on some chairs so Madelyn improvised and used her big sister's back. Smart cookie in my mind!
Soon enough it was time to head into the ball park. There were more surprises ahead.
We were given the opportunity to have one of our boys throw out the first pitch. Michael was the lucky one but we all got to go down onto the field and see the players up close. IT WAS SOOOO COOL!
Can you tell how excited Michael was!?!!!!!
Gabriel, meanwhile was just dreaming of how cool it would be to actually get to play in the game.
Isabelle decided to take a seat right where the players sit when they are getting ready to be next in line to bat.
This is Lauren from the Cub's and she's great! She gave Michael the signal and soon enough he was taking the plate.
but not before Cubbie came over to give all of us hugs.
Here's the video of Michael getting to throw out the first pitch. It was such a neat experience and we were so excited for him!
On our way back out of the tunnel, we passed Anthony Rizzo who looked up at the boys, said hello and thanks for coming out. Madelyn was having a meltdown at this point (well past naptime) so I kind of missed it all but managed to snap this picture. The boys were floating in air! Another SUPER cool moment.
And then, after all those amazing moments, the game started and we had even more fun!
Our seats were awesome, right in front of the dugout and next to the tunnel to we got to see the players up close and Michael even got a few balls from the players.
Here is Campbell's friend Kyle at bat. He ended up hitting a homerun!
Madelyn ended up falling asleep and sleeping through the first 4 innings and then woke up ready to have fun.
Jarrett was thrilled to get to watch his childhood team in person. He was having a really stressful day at work but managed to cut out and join us for the afternoon. It was really nice to have him there.
Madelyn played with straws more than she watched the game but this kept her entertained for at least an hour and a half.
And this guy... he could eat, sleep and breathe baseball and still go back and watch more.
Yep she was still playing with the straw.
Then Belle decided the straw would be fun too.
Notice that hat? It's more than 30 years old and the hat Jarrett got at one of his first Cub's games as a boy. His mom and dad saved it and gave it to him to share with his kids. You wouldn't believe the compliments we got on this vintage hat!
As the bottom of the 9th ended the Cub's were up and the final song sang. We walked back to the car with so much joy and celebration in our hearts... it was such a fun day and we are so grateful for the opportunity gifted to us.
It was a family day we will never forget. We celebrate the time we got to spend together as a family as we honor Steve's legacy. While he left this earth too soon, the joy, happiness and kindness that his family shares with others, has to make him smile down from above.
What a great way to start off spring break.... and it was just getting started.
We have a candy drawer in our house which I admit is usually stocked full because it is my vice. Some like coffee, some like wine... I like candy, more specifically chocolate. Some would say I have a problem. Personally I don't see what the big deal is.
Turns out the girls in our family are following right in the footsteps of their momma. Madelyn and Isabelle have a sweet tooth too. I know they get into "the drawer" when I'm not looking or in the other room, and it really isn't too hard to tell when I see chocolate smeared across their face.
This past Sunday, when I was folding a load of clothes by the kitchen I watched quietly as Isabelle and Madelyn decided they needed a chocolate fix. Together they walked over to the drawer, Isabelle pulled out her treat and then Madelyn stood up on her tippy toes and reached in for the kisses. Then she carefully pulled off the wrapping, threw each piece on the floor near her and then when she finally got it pealed off, shoved the whole chocolate in her mouth.
I stayed back and took pictures while quietly watching them.
When they both had their candy in their mouth I surprised them and yelled, "Caught you two!"
They both smiled and when Isabelle decided to run away, Madelyn turned and chased behind.
They've become so consistent, I can almost predict when they are going to arrive. Each month, ever so many weeks, Jarrett brings the mail it and sets it on the counter. Each time they come the envelope is left unopened because we both now its just another reminder letter.
Since Noah passed away almost 3 years ago, we have been receiving notifications from our insurance company continuously reminding us that we are behind in getting our child vaccinated, that we haven't taken him to the doctor for his X (month/year) appointment. The letters aren't for Gabriel, Michael, Isabelle or Madelyn. They are for Noah. Yes the child that we had to say goodbye to 983 days ago (yes I know how many days it has been). No matter how many days, weeks, months, years pass, its a timeline that is forever etched into my heart. My life before Noah and my life after him.
At first the letters were like a knife stabbing me in the heart. I called the company and tried my best to hold my composure as I informed them yet again, that sadly my child has passed away. I asked them to please update their records. Before hanging up the phone, the customer service representative said they were sorry, that they would make a note and the letters should stop. They didn't. And I kept calling.
The letters continue to come and according to their records we are still behind on Noah's 2 year shots (funny that they never received record of him receiving any of his 3 month, 6 month, 9 month, .... 1 year, 18 month vaccinations but now they are worried about his 2 year shots. I called the company and talked to so many people I stopped writing down the names, dates and details of the conversations I had with them promising me they would remove him, it didn't matter anyway. The letters keep coming.
I updated the records with my work and supplied them with a copy of his death certificate. Yet he still remains on our insurance coverage and his name appears on our family insurance cards.
With each letter that comes or our new insurance cards that come and his name is still on them, I find myself feeling differently about these silly letters. One of the millions of things I grieve about losing our baby boy is all the experiences, the memories, the moments we will never have. From playing catch, to the missed hugs, to even the ER visits with a need for stitches... all experiences missed out on.
So in some silly way when a letter comes addressed to Noah's parents, or our insurance cards arrive with the names of all of our family members (ALL names included) I find myself cherishing the moment. To celebrate what it might have been like if he were here. If I was able to take him into get his 2 year shots. Or if I did need to have his name on our insurance card because he needed medical attention Oh yes, if only.
I'm not going to lie. Each time these letters appear in the mail, my first reaction is to feel sad and hurt that he isn't here, nut now, I am trying to change the way I feel about it. Instead of getting upset and hurt, I'm trying to think of it instead as a special reminder of the little baby boy we once had and who I carry in my heart and mind each and everyday.
Instead of it being a reminder letter from my insurance company of what I don't have and have failed to do, I'm going to instead pretend it's a letter from Noah just saying hi. I know it really isn't him, but why not let me make it a more peaceful moment. I've called so many times and tried to explain, which isn't really changing anything, so I might as well make lemonade out of a bunch of lemons.
I'm curious, how would you feel if this was you? Would you do anything differently? Would you pretend its something different if it made you feel better? I'm not sure how I'm supposed to feel, but I'm trying to find more happiness, peace and comfort in my life. And if the letters aren't going to stop, I might as well find a way to enjoy them, no?
Today seemed to be a better day. Madelyn seemed to be more herself. We were able to get a few things done, errands ran, house cleaned, outside chores done, some landscaping projects we wanted to do since we moved in started, and we even had time for a family game.
It was a nice Sunday and I was hoping sickness had left our house. I was wrong. Gabriel spent today under the weather, taking a several hour long nap (until we woke him up), then he skipped supper and went to bed at 6:00 p.m. He's still sleeping soundly and when I checked on him he said he didn't feel well. Fingers crossed he feels better in the morning, he is playing on his middle school baseball team's opening game tomorrow.
Man, can't this sickness just go away!
Anyway here are a few pictures of the day we shared today....
Yep this could pretty much be anyday, but they were in their positions enjoying one of their many shows while the boys and I did some chores around the house.
After we were done working inside we went outside to work on a few chores and the kiddos played.
It was a beautiful day to be outside.
We replanted some plants along the sidewalk as you come to our front door We're still saving up to get new rock to replace the small one, but for now baby steps for home improvement right?
Now we just hope the plants don't die on us. My thumb is definitely not green.
After all the work for the day, well what we decided to accomplish today, we decided to play a family board game. I should say we TRIED to play a family board game. Watch Jarrett's expressions in these photos... I don't need to leave a caption.
There were lots of shenanigans happening and not much game playing
Here Madelyn took all the cards and dumped them everywhere.
Here's Madelyn helping Dad "win" the game.
Michael thought it was funny.
Madelyn telling dad she didn't need his help.
Isabelle decided mid-game to give up and leave to go play her game instead.
And before bed Madelyn decided cup stacking would be fun!
More fun to knock them down!
Hopefully Gabriel will be back to 100% and the rest of us all healthy as well. Looking for daily moments of joy amidst the sometime challenges.
Until next time,
Angie
PS: Just because I didn't want to leave Gabriel out, here's our big boy Gabriel not having too much fun at the dentist last Friday. After all the trips he had to take to the dentist as a little boy (he didn't have the best dental care as a young pup) he now has pretty good teeth and still hates the dentist. Here he's hoping his "sealant" procedure isn't painful. It wasn't, like I told him, but he didn't believe me.
We tease him and call him our baby Gabriel, only because its so ridiculous. Seriously, he's a giant, big and strong (not really a baby), except when it comes to the dentist. Then the caring nickname is pretty spot on.
