I guess I should have put this post with our Saying Goodbye post....this one is about Petey. He was number 2 guinea pig. Emma picked him out at Petsmart one Saturday afternoon to join Pickles in the guinea pig homemade cage. I was against having guinea pigs from the beginning-mainly because I didn't know a thing about them. I re- thought my decision and suggested to Emma that she do research about them, answer some questions I have and we would re-visit the possibility. Boy, she did her job! Pages of information-how to feed, with what, how to make a cage, etc. The week before Emma's 11th birthday, we surprised her and took her to Petsmart and purchased Pickles for her. She had the cage, had spent some of her own money and now it was time for her reward-Pickles!   Pickles was the first purchase-he was the cutest out of the options. I was drawn to him because his one ear has pinkish skin with no fur on it-so cute! Luckily Emma saw him as the cutest too.
A week or 2 later, we decided to get Pickles a friend-Petey would be his name. Smaller than Pickles, cute with brown on him. They seemed to get along well except Pickles was a bit of a bully at times. Nothing horrible but would definitely show Petey who was boss.
Mid week we did notice that Petey wasn't as active as Pickles. Nothing too different-but definitely sleeping more. Then his breathing became weird-but not knowing much about Guinea Pigs we assumed he was sneezy or had a cold. Saturday after getting Petey, June 2, 2012 he passed away. Emma had been out with the Roberts all day, came home, up to check on them-the scream-I knew. Thankfully, Matt was here to assist. It was not easy on anyone. Emma chose a box from the basement-Erin Condren (the calendar's I get) which are decorate nicely to begin with. It said Celebrate Life on it. Emma further decorated it-Matt dug the hole in the backyard-its pretty back there because we have seeded the area with Wildflower seed-so many unique pretty flowers.
I have to believe in my heart that Petey was sick from day 1. It happened too quick for it to be anything else. Pickles knew. He was laying by his side when we found Petey.
Death is never ever easy. Especially, as a child its difficult to understand that death really is a part of life. Lu couldn't come outside to say goodbye. Too upset. Its hard as a Mom to watch your children hurting. Wish I could take all of that away. Unfortunately, its part of living and growing.

petey

pickles

new beginnings

Hard to believe we are here-another school year. First couple of days were easy, fun and exciting. Luckily only a 3 day week. Yesterday began the reality of it all-6th grade is going to be a challenge to say the least. Lots of tears last night and this am--lots of mouthy attitude and lots of frustration. Emma you have 2 of the very best teachers I know. Amy Arnold is your homeroom teacher-I have encourage you to discuss with her your feelings--overwhelmed, in need of slowing down-we'll see what happens. Lisa Wolfer is your other teacher. Lu had her for Kindergarten-she is trained for 6th grade and that's where she belongs. 
Lu you have Mrs. Finkbeiner-one of my favorite teachers. She is calm, relaxed and has been teaching for 27 years. So far so good in her classroom. You look so old though-grown many inches. 
I need to start praying for us! Without Daddy here for balance, we need to pull together and get through the next few years of hormones, heavy workload and life! 
I miss you at school and know SUV is the right place for you both. Its a wonderful environment that will give you the tools you need to succeed in life. After all-our job is to raise you for life beyond our nest here. 
I love both of you very much!! 
Mommy 

School's out for Summer...Alice Cooper

FINALLY! Its happened to me right in front of my face....FINALLY you came along....Crystal Waters 
An incredible song to say the least! 
School's out for Summer by Alice Cooper is another awesome song. Its going to be a busy but fun summer. Camp Ernst, Art camp, Drama camp, choir camp-all going to be fun. May has been nutty so I am looking forward to lots of down time with you both. 

Last Day!!!! 

2nd grade class

playing tug of war-5th grade party

Saying goodbye

Its never easy to do. Goodbye for a trip...for the day...until months from now....until we meet again-in Heaven. Jean Purcell Overbeck--Great Grandma Jean-has begun her journey. Its the beginning of what will be her new life in Heaven. Her sons, Kevin, David & Mark Purcell are trying to deal with this new stage. Jean is a strong woman-she raised all 3 of her sons, alone, while working in the school cafeteria at Cardinal Pachili school.  She will be reunited with her Mother whom she cared for until her death, her cats, and her true love-Frank X. Overbeck. She & Grandpa were cute together. 10 years went quickly for them, unfortunately. Jean lived next door to Grammie & Grandpa on Paxton dr. in Hyde Park. After Grammie died they started to spend more time together. It worked out well. She helped Grandpa pass on in November of 1995. He was unable to attend our wedding and we prayed for him at dinner at the reception.

She will spend her last days on earth at the New England club on Beechmont. Not a bad place-Uncle Drew and I went today to say our goodbyes until we meet Great Grandma Jean in Heaven some day. She is comfortable. Responded a bit to Drew's voice. God speed ahead Jean! Please pray for us after you get settled up there--we will see you soon! All of our love-

So now you're 11.....

Unreal to me that you Emma Kate Murphy are now 11!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
Happy Birthday dear daughter-my eldest, wise one. 

at Main Street with Grammie & Baca

swimming at Jordyns

the Sleepover...happy 11!!!! 

I love you so so much! 

teeth, Pickles, Singing....

taken with my iphone-we are relaxing pre-surgery with the meds! 

A lot to catch up on. Someone has a new smile! Lu you were so brave on May 4 the day of your mouth surgery-3 teeth out and a frentectomy which is the muscle thing that holds your top lip to your top gum. I was nervous-no worries at all. You are good to go! 
Emma sings again-amazxing job at the spring concert. Of course I had trouble video taping for Daddy. Turns out, Lori was nice enough to save Baca & I a front seat! Daddy was out of town and Grammie was at Reagan's graduation from pre-school. As a choir group you all sang "Rolling In the Deep"-Adele. Great job! Not an easy song to sing. You also had a solo in a really neat Americana type song. I will have to get the name of it. Wonderful job! 

Welcome to the family-we have a boy! Pickles Alec Murphy! I am so proud of you Emma for how you have handled the whole guinea pig thing. Months ago you came to Daddy & I to ask if you could get a gpig-absolutley not I said. I took some time and really thought about it-just because I know nothing about them doesn't mean you shouldn't have one. We can learn together. I suggested you do some research and answer some questions. This way, we could see how serious you really were. Boy, you showed me! You had pages of research from on line, you came to me and asked what I would want to know, checked in with us several times about it. And, you measured, saved money and ordered supplies to create your very own, unique guinea pig habitat. Its awesome! You are responsible for his food, bedding, cleaning, etc. So far so good. He is kinda cute...but spends a lot of time in his paper bag-seems to feel secure in it. The original plan was for you to purchase the gp after your birthday with your own money. I thought it would be neat to surprise you on May 12, take you to Petsmart and we would buy your gp for you!!! It would be your bday present. Well, its difficult to surprise you--I had errands to run and planned on taking you in the afternoon-you were so persistent-'can't we just stop by Petsmart and look at the guinea pigs? Please?" UGH...I had to just tell you our plans because you would not let it go.We all packed up and went. Honestly, upon seeing them for the first time, I thought they were hideous. I rounded the corner and there were 2 on the bottom in a cage like thing-one was much smaller than the others and I thought the cutest-just had to convince you of that! Luckily, you felt the same way--he was so cute-we signed paperwork, paid for him, got some supplies-you had bought most everything prior. So far so good--only one mishap. The night of the Gino Dimario concert, with 45 minutes until we needed to leave, you had Pickles out for some floor time and he ran behind your bookcase...sigh. Now what!!! You can't call him like a dog! We set up a paper bag at each end and thankfully, he ran into one of them. He is cute...nips a little and loves his paper bag. 

3 months

3 months ago yesterday Baca became extremely sick. Christmas day 2011 will never be forgotten. Rushed to Mercy then to University of Cincinnati hospital to find out Baca had a serious infection that went into his brain. (Streptococcus pneumoniae). Surgery  to remove part of his mastoid bone (behind his right ear), 5 days in a coma, 3 weeks at Drake a rehab facility and he is FINE!!!!! This is a miracle-truly. The power of prayer is what has gotten us all through this amazing journey.We have more time with Baca, we have learned how important family really is and God is good.