Friends and The Boss…

I have spent the past week catching up on everything.  Last weekend, I went to New York City with 4 friends for my first ever girls’ weekend.  I can’t include all the details in one post but need to let you know about one part of the weekend before all else.  There will be more to come.

It is no secret to anyone who knows me or frequently reads this blog that I am so fortunate to be surrounded by family and friends and how much I value those relationships.  The people in my life are the single part of my life I treasure most.  I am extroverted and rely on people to recharge, energize and truly live.  Over the past few years, I have learned countless lessons about what freindship is and its importance, what I expect out of myself as a friend and have been shown how amazing my friends are over and over again.

With all of that being said, 5 of us headed to NYC for 3 days of fun.  Pam, Tammy, Jami, Leah and I planned a little and went with a list of things we would like to do, but with loose timing and plans for things while we were there.  Looking back, the signs were there.  I should have been tipped off but wasn’t.  I even checked to see if it was a possibility–if a dream could come true.  As far as I looked, it wasn’t.  I missed it on the website.  I missed the marquis.  I felt myself becoming annoyed with the unknown.  Why were we there.  What did we possibly hope to gain by being there.  We’d had such a good day and I had no idea what must have been going through my friends’ minds.  I stood watching the crowd move through security.  Wondering what on earth we were doing there.  Then I turned around.

Fifteen feet from me stood the wall of Springsteen concert t-shirts.  Too stunned to speak, I turned back around trying to figure out how I was going to get enough cash to buy a scalped ticket.  That’s when the unbelievable happened.  Everyone was in on it.  Tickets in hand, my amazing husband and friends put this together for me.  Jerry had somehow gotten tickets and my friends selflessly agreed to go with me.  Then it hit me.  I realized I was going to see Springsteen.  In New York City.  Next to seeing Springsteen in New Jersey, NYC is the next best thing.  It’s like the seeing the Pope at the Vatican or U2 in Ireland.  It just doesn’t get any better.

To top everything off, I was able to see Springsteen with my incredible friends, whom I had the spent the most wonderful weekend with.  I can’t say it enough.  My friends did this for me.  They all sacrificed a night in NYC to see another show, visit a gallery, have a leisurely dinner that didn’t start at 5:00, shop, take a carriage ride through Central Park, or do any one of the things we planned.

Springsteen, as he always has been, was fantastic.  The show didn’t disappoint.  I felt renewed like I always do walking out of his concert, but it was different somehow. Looking back on the whole evening, I am awed.  I am grateful to have been afforded the opportunity.  But most of all, I have learned yet another lesson about friendship.  I am privileged, honored and humbled by each and every one of those girls whom I am able to call friend.  From the bottom of my heart, thank you for giving me my greatest surprise.  And more importantly, thank you being my friend–it is truly my greatest gift!!!

Happy Birthday…

to my newest nephew, Remy!!!  Congratulations Marty, Katie and Brooksie!  I’ll post some pictures soon!  How I love being an auntie!!!

Halloween Fun…

Elaine had a great Halloween and we did our fair share of celebrating.  She dressed as a witch which she picked out with my mom.  Again, my mom amazed me with her incredible talent and skill as a seamstress.  She even made Elaine’s doll the same costume!!  Elaine picked out her costume from the pattern books–I’m sure she loved all the choices she had.  The fun started at preschool.  The kids had a party and got to trick or treat through the offices in the building.  Elaine was the line leader and took her job very seriously.  She loved leading her friends through the school. 

A class full of cute costumes and even cuter kids!

Next we carved our jack-o-lanterns at our annual get together with the Seabolts.  This year, the Coles couldn’t make it and we’re hopeful to be back on track next year.  The kids had a great time playing while Jerry and Gary carved the pumpkins.  In the end, the kids were very proud of all their hard work.

Trick or treating is quite the event in our neighborhood.  We had 296 trick or treaters and all our neighbors really get into the decorations.  It is fun to see all the different costumes and Elaine actually braved walking up to some doors on her own.  I love that she feels comfortable enough to do so.  Grandma and Papa visited to help us celebrate.  Elaine also did a great job helping me pass out candy.  I actually think she liked passing it out better than collecting it!

At the Chisesi’s house–Elaine loves Tammy!

 

 

We trick or treated to Mrs. Kemper’s.  Lane was there and just as excited as Elaine was!

Elaine got to see Ms. Nancy and was excited to get a quick hug and picture.

 

High Tea…

Yesterday, Elaine and I were invited to attend a tea party and fashion show highlighting American Girl Dolls.  A sweet second grader in my class invited Elaine and she couldn’t have been more excited.  In typical high tea fashion, we enjoyed cucumber sandwiches, fruit, sweets and hot tea.  Elaine happily drank 3 cups with sugar and cream and used her spoon to take sips.  She was so excited to see the girls dressed up and enjoyed spending time with Sarah, Hannah and Abby, the girls we went with.  It was a truly great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. 

Elaine and Abby

Sarah with Elaine  (Is this the “Mom, take the picture!!” look or what??)

Four dolls with 4 cute girls!!  (Elaine, Sarah, Hannah and Abby)

Learning to Breathe…

It has been a rocky few weeks.  I have alluded to it in my previous posts, but details have been slim, at best.  Here goes the explanation of my life since mid August.  We started another round of IVF.  This includes a cocktail of shots and pills, carefully timed, constantly monitored, not to mention the blood draws, ultrasounds, and bed rest.  This process typically results in an incredibly painful side effect caused by too much stimulation of one of the drugs.  I successfully fought the hyperstim and we were candidates to do our first non-frozen transfer since 2005.  Our numbers were great and the quality of embryos were fantastic.  We found out we were pregnant and were thrilled, cautious and optimistic, but thrilled. 

To make a long story short, I miscarried.  So much lost time and even more lost hope.  I never thought about how devastating this loss could be.  I’ve had friends who’ve gone through it and I never understood the sheer horror it entails.  Initially, I was so quiet about it.  I didn’t share with anyone.  Slowly, it began to leak out and I was forced to publicly deal with my ordeal.  I am blessed to have fabulous family, friends and co-workers all of whom rallied around me.  My poor husband was stuck watching me, most of the time helpless to actually do anything.  He is priceless to me.  While I tried to deal with all the emotions that were running through my mind and heart, I was forced to face the physical side of this process. 

While I tried and tried to move past this, my body had different plans and the doctor finally decided to do a D&C.  Because of this procedure and settling the hormonal uproar raging inside me, I am beginning to feel normal.  I am getting through days and nights without crying.  I feel like myself more and more again each day.  I am sleeping much better and working through my daily life as normal, at least, most of the time.   

From the bottom of my nearly broken heart, I thank those of you who knew and tried to help.  I know, without a doubt, my darling, sweet, innocent daughter is the person who sadly bears most of the responsibility for helping me heal.  She didn’t even know and she pulled me through.  She reminded me to laugh, breathe, smile and live.  I am so very thankful to have her.  She continues, everyday,  to be my miracle!

Ballooning Around…

We went to the annual balloon festival on Monday morning with Grandma and Papa.  When we arrived at the park, we heard an announcement that there was an hour delay.  We decided to wait around and struck up a conversation with a balloon pilot from California.  She assured us she thought they would launch so we waited.  We watched the ark and bunny balloon inflate.  Elaine was close to losing patience when everything started really happening. 

Our new pilot friend allowed us to watch up close with what they were doing and were so sweet with Elaine.  They offered to have her int he basket, which she had no desire to do.  We helped hold the basket down together.  Elaine did not like it when the pilots turned on the flames to keep the balloons heated.  Our time at this year’s festivals ended with a teary girl who was very tired and hungry.  Maybe next year, the scheduled launch will go off without a hitch!!

Waiting patiently…

Elaine likes these balloons–especially seeing all the animals on the ark.

Posing in front of her favorite regular balloon–all her favorite colors!!

Helping to hold the balloon down

Scared??  Hungry??  Tired??  YEP!

In a better mood after breakfast!!

Brooksie’s Visit #4…

Elaine and Brooksie had such a great time together and got along really well over the week we were together.  Monday night,  we went for pizza.  There is a 40 foot long slide at the pizza place and the kids had a great time playing on it.  Brooks proved to be fearless going down on his back.  By the end of the slide, he picked up a good deal of speed.  After pizza, we headed to the arcade for the kids to ride the kiddie rides.  Going to the arcade was a deal for not having to go to Chuck E Cheese and it proved to be a good deal for all of us!! 

Fun on the slide

Daredevil Brooks

One of their few rides together

The last night we were together, we had dinner at home and went out for ice cream.  Brooksie gave sweet goodbye hugs and I am once again reminded of how precious family is and how much I miss not seeing my nephews more often.  They grow so quickly and are so sweet!!  I wait anxiously for our next time together!!

MMMM!!

 

 

AAHH–who needs ice cream when you’ve got a truck???

Brooksie’s Visit #3…

All of us went to the Sunday on the Town fundraiser last weekend.  The kids did well considering it’s a lot of moving around, walking and sitting.  We saved the chocolate fondue and ice cream for last which proved to be the favorite with both Elaine and Brooks. 

Elaine so loves her cousin!

Eating chicken pot pie at our local Irish pub

So sweet!!

She’s my girl–eating chocolate with her finger–why bother with anything else??

Don’t their very chocolate covered faces say it all?

Brooksie’s Visit #2…

Last weekend was a busy one for us.  We started Saturday by going to the anniversary party of the Broadmoor fire department.  The event was very well done and the kids had a great time.  There were several fire trucks and fire engines, along with the flight for life helicopter, the search and rescue snow cat and different police vehicles.  The kids were able to sit in the different vehicles. 

Elaine in the mobile DUI enforcement.  I told her that better be the only time she’s ever in there!!

Crazy women drivers…

What’s going on here??

Brooks and Elaine in the flight for life helicopter

After we looked at all the trucks, we made it to the smoke house where the kids learn how to crawl out of a smoke-filled room and the CM zoo had an exhibit with live animals for the kids to pet. 

Getting help out of the smoke house from a volunteer

She loves snakes–thank goodness, so far, my fear hasn’t manifested itself in her.  (Disclaimer, I did not take this picture nor did I touch the snake!–eat your heart out Pam!!!)

Petting the turtle.  The zookeepers super glued the metal ring on its back so they can use a metal detector to find it when it buries itself in the exhibit.  Pretty smart if you ask me!

Looking at the very cute skunk named Lily.

Once we got the actual fire department, there was a bouncy castle, games, face-painting, hot dogs, popcorn, cake and drinks.    Elaine got to play with Brooks and Lane.  We all had a great time and went home tired.

Cute little firefighters!

Brooksie’s Visit #1…

Aunt Katie and Brooksie left this past Wednesday.  We had a great visit and I’ll break their visit into a few posts.  Elaine talked about Brooks’ visit for about a week.  She couldn’t wait to see him.  This time there was some jealousy and arguing and I think they got along better than when we were in New Jersey in June. 

Sorry Becky–I know you waited to see these. 

We started out going to gymnastics class together. 

Hanging out!!  Brooks does an amazing job compensating for his broken arm–it’s incredible!!

Elaine first time jumping off the spring board onto the balance beam.

Brooks realized the laying down means going faster.

Riding together–hang on!

We also went to the AFA soccer game on Friday night.  Every time someone kicked the ball, Brooks said, “Oh no!!”  I think he’s going to take after his Daddy!  He certainly seemed to love watching the game!