Bball and such

Marc had a basketball game this morning and did so well- he scored three baskets and got a ton of rebounds.  He also won the tip-off.

Go long arms!

Tonight we decided to roll all the change in our giant change jar.  All the children helped- even Charlie could make five rows of four quarters.  Tucker would count out fifty dimes.

Putting baby to rest

Wednesday afternoon we had a little graveside service for baby Gabriel Marie.  Baby was placed in the same tomb as Brendan Patrick- it is sweet to think of them together.  We had the service at 3:00- the hour of Divine Mercy (the hour that Jesus died on the cross).

Sweet Sissy started crying.  She is so dear.

Showing Tucker the nameplate.

Eternal rest grant to our baby, O Lord, and perpetual light shine about Gabriel.  May the soul of the departed rest in peace.  Amen.

To the edge and back

I mentioned earlier that I had a rather dramatic miscarriage two Sundays ago.  It went on and on for days and was very painful.  Well, that whole week after when I should have been healing I kept bleeding.  On Friday I had an extremely scary bleed out, and then by Saturday I was weak and unable to sit up well or really walk.  On Sunday we finally went to the ER they said my blood count was 24.6, which is rather low- but they only do blood transfusions if you get to 21- and they did an ultrasound saying everything looked good.  They said I should go home and talk to an iron doctor on Monday.

I protested leaving the hospital- I pointed out that I was unable to walk and was shaking and chattering and still bleeding.  Finally they relented and admitted me for observation.  At 2 a.m. my blood count got down to 21 and my hemoglobin was 7.  My normal blood count is 40-60.    They decided to give me two units of blood and brought in a specialist with a highly sensitive ultrasound machine.  They discovered that I needed surgery immediately and that I would not quit bleeding without it.

Our Parrish priest came and anointed me and brought me the Eucharist before surgery.

I had surgery around 2:00 on Monday and then received one more unit of blood after that to get my blood count up to 29.  It is so scary to think of how close I got to the edge.  If I had gone home on Sunday night I would have deteriorated quickly.   

This whole two weeks of suffering has been something.  I have wondered a bit why it has all been so hard and dramatic, but at the same time I see God's hand in everything.  If I had simply gone to my regular doctor they may not have caught the problem- you couldn't see it on a regular ultrasound.   And I went to the ER on the day that my all my levels were plummeting.  Any earlier and they would have said "it's not so bad".   If I had gone home Sunday night I would have likely come back in an ambulance.

And even though the miscarriage itself was terrible, I got to see my sweet baby.  I got to baptize my baby and confirm that he or she was not an "idea", but a real, adorable, flesh and blood member of our family.  So, "though He slay me, yet I trust Him."

Thank you to BB who has been at our house constantly watching babies, cooking and cleaning.  Thank you to Poppy who fixed a million things in our house.  Thanks to the many friends who brought many meals, and thank you to Shana, who kept telling me what to say to the doctor over text.  She was saying "this is crazy- tell them you are symptomatic and tell them they should be taking your blood pressure lying and standing...." Shana takes care of me.  :)  She also brought emergency donuts Monday morning for Marc.  :)

I came home Tuesday and feel so much better.  I am going to be totally fine and this chapter is closed, Lord willing.  Thanks be to God.

Troops Hike

This morning Marc took Marky and Tucker on a hike with the Troops of St. George.  They weather was crisp and perfect and they had a great time.  And they were extra excited to see their chaplain- an EWTN Friar and Priest- join them.  They walked 2 and a half miles and prayed as they went.

The leader said, "I have brought two maps..." and Tucker lost his mind- "Can I HOLD the other map?!!!"  :)  My little map man.

John Muir 
“The mountains are calling and I must go.”

 Ralph Waldo Emerson
"In the woods we return to reason and faith."

Anne Frank
"The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature."

Richard Louv- Last Child in the Woods
"The woods were my Ritalin. Nature calmed me, focused me, and yet excited my senses.” 

Johnny Cash
"If you don't get outside every day, even for a minute, you have not appreciated what God has done.  It makes you grateful for our surroundings and starts your day differently."

By the way, I forgot to mention that Poppy took Marc and Marc Jr. hunting for the very first time last Friday.  They woke up at 4:15 and hit the woods early.  They loved it and can't wait to go again.

The daily puzzles

Tucker and Charlie are in a huge puzzle phase.  I'm trying not to let the hundred of pieces drive me crazy.  :)  Tucker works at least two puzzles a day and Charlie is right there and can really help.  Last night he kept talking at bedtime and Marc had to keep going up and he said, "Tucker this is the last time I am coming up here- stop talking and go to sleep."  Tucker said, "yes, sir, but Daddy you guess what?  I have been thinking of your head as a giant puzzle piece."  Oh Tuck Tuck.

Mild winter days

I have to say we have really enjoyed these mild winter days.  The children are outside all the time.  And yes, the child most likely to bring me a lizard, worm or frog is the sweet girly girl.

Tucker and Charlie are not the best at throwing and catching the football, but they've got tackling the guy with the ball down.

They have been on many hikes with Daddy to gather kindling wood for the fireplace.  They say, "Daddy, it's time to go exploring!"

Thank you for all your sweet thoughts and prayers.  When we got home last Thursday from the bad news ultrasound I had two full meals already delivered to the house by friends.  I have had meals every day since.   In fact today I received a meal that someone was making for another friend of mine who is sick.  My friend said, "please don't bring it to me- take it to Donna."   I am humbled and grateful for the Body of Christ.