Pumpkin Farm-Oct. 21 2012

Gorgeous fall day! Perfect to go to our annual Burger Farm "Festibul!! We've been going since Alex Chapman & Emma Murphy were itty bitty. I'm sure there are pictures way back in this computer that are from other festibul days. This year we have Kate Chapman coming with us! Being 2, she loved all of the games, prizes and suckers. It was crowded and definitely warm. Alex ended up with a sleepover hangover since he had spent friday night at a friends house. We ended the day by picking out our pumpkins and getting ice cream at UDF. 

Grandparents Day

Today is finally the day. We are notified of this day as soon as the school calendar comes out. The excitement builds through the fall as the classes decide the fun activities the grandparents will participate in. Emma has been working with her class on a performance piece for the beginning of the day-"Thriller"-they dress up as zombies and dance and sing. Lulu had an interview to do as well as research on an inventor. Its been fun to hear who everyone's inventor is-Lu had the inventor of ear muffs-Chester Greenwood. The kids dressed as their inventor and the classroom became a wax museum of sorts. Grandparents pushed buttons and heard about each person. Looks like Emma then did a virtual surgery with Grandma & Grandpa. The day is energetic, crowded and rewarding. As parents, we enjoy the after calls to hear all about the events. We feel elated about our decision to send our kids to such an incredible grade school! One that challenges, treats the whole child and provides a spiritual environment.

Alex's Lemonade Stand-9/23/2012

David & Sara

Ms. Dolbey & Mae

Kara & Emma Mock in disguise 

Ms. Scullin & Grammie

For years now we have wanted to do a lemonade stand to raise money to donate to a worthy cause. Margaret suggested next time she came over, we would do a lemonade stand. From there, our day was born. Emma took it and ran with it-researched on line, learned all about Alex's Lemonade Stand, signed us up and got them to send free table cloth, etc. Alex was diagnosed with cancer and decided to have a lemonade stand to raise money for Pediatric Cancer research. She raised a lot of money! She lost her life in 2004 but her parents have established a foundation in her name. It allows kids and adults anywhere to host a lemonade stand and be connected with this wonderful organization. Emma set a goal of $150.00....they surpassed it and raised $396.87!!! 
The day was perfect-sunny, clear, and people were beyond generous. We made cookies, white chocolate mix, Aunt Monica baked cookies & Margaret made cinnamon apple cider muffins. Yummy! The lemonade was even good--good old Country Time lemonade. Lulu was in charge of making signs which we posted on a telephone poll and then used our old Villa Open House sign for the other at the entrance of the neighborhood. This day was incredible in so many ways--seeing Emma & Lulu work together to raise money to donate, having Margaret there with us, experiencing all kinds of people coming by--including Villa families--2 of Emma's friends, Kara Scullin & Emma Mock-too funny--they came in disguise to trick Emma!! The Kirwins came...all neighbors came. It was awesome! There really ARE good people in the world. And I was on cloud 9 for days after!!! SO proud of my girls! 
Daddy was able to come home for the last part of it-he was in Jersey saying goodbye to his dear friend, TJ. Heavy stuff. TJ is dying of melanoma cancer. 

9/11-we won't forget-ever.

SO many mixed emotions today-grateful beyond belief for the freedom we all have her in America.
Grateful to be here on this day.
11 years ago today America....the world changed. Planes were boarded by evil people, hijacked and driven into buildings. Killing thousands. Sick. Absolutely sick.
And the entire event was caught on tv.
I was in our bedroom at 4985 Cinnamon Ct. with music on, hanging out in bed with Emma as we did most mornings...we would chill, listen to music, have her mid morning bottle and be together. Matt was in Columbus for work and a golf tourney. The phone was ringing off the hook-beginning at 9am. I didn't get it because I was was trying to feed fussy Emma (she was hardly ever fussy! just happened to be this day) her bottle. Finally at 9:45 or so I picked the phone up-it was Momm-"where's Matt? and do you know what's happening right now? Turn the tv on..." From the very moment, life as I knew it had completely changed. Forever. I was sick-can't even verbalize it. Scared, alone. And here I had this beautiful baby girl I had brought into the world. And into what world? No need to go into details of the day-its all over the internet. Very difficult times ahead. Hard to let Matt get back on a plane after all of that.
The day after 911 I attended stroller class at the Healthplex and as I am pushing E around the track, snap-my ankle broke-girl next to me heard it. I strolled right out of there, out to my car and called Matt. He had just returned from Columbus and met me in the parking lot at Mercy Hospital. I walked myself in while he and Emma hung out in the parking lot. I knew it was fractured--ex rays were done but it was "too swollen to make a definitive answer. They wrapped it up, I got crutches and out to the car I went.
We were headed out of town to the beach-Gulf Shores...had flights booked etc. but due to 911 all airports were closed for a few days-we decided to rent a van and drive down. I spent the 2 days prior calling all orthopedists to see who could cast me so I could go. Purple cast, Emma & I in the back seat, Matt & David in the front-off we went. I had to elevate my leg the whole time so I kept it on the arm rest in between David & Matt. Emma's first time at the beach! I have pics somewhere...will have to scan and get them on here. It was great to be with family-although all of the news was devastating at the time. Still hard to believe that happened. Lots of heros that day too.

loosing sleep

Not sure what is happening here but Emma has started to be afraid to fall asleep...brings back horrible memories for me from Kindergarten. Not sure what to do-trying to talk through it all with her-she is upset about Halloween, worried she won't fall asleep, having nightmares about the dent schoolhouse, is constantly reminded of it when she sees a billboard, is angry when I'm asleep and she's not so she comes into wake me up-yes, she said that. She cries & cries, ends up in my room and then we both suffer lack of sleep. Matt is traveling 247-he is home for 1 1/2 days then gone for 6 then back for 1, gone on weekends-its not a good place to be right now. Feeling like the mojo here in the house is WAY off. I am loosing my patience. Feeling like when will we ever get a break. She did so well over the summer when she came off the lexapro in beginning of June. No problems at all until 1 week ago.
Where is the balance everyone talks about? I am never in balance....I am beginning to doubt the whole thing.
As a Mom I want to fix this for her-I am going to have to figure something out-its always the Mom, right? We love our kids beyond words and hate to see them suffer in any way. I know logically she needs to try to figure this out herself-but I also know she can't do it alone. I don't want to put her back on Lexapro. Would want to explore another drug for her. But what? I love my girls so much it hurts.