Reflective Mood....

This past week, 3 different people’s death have hit close to home.

First, a guy named Matt “Doc” Keim that I went to Illinois College with, died at the age of 36 of an apparent heart attack. I did not know him extremely well, but we were friends. We hung out with some of the same people, and partied together a few times. I remember going to STL while still in college with some friends to see him at this bar he worked at. I haven’t seen him over 10 years, but I will remember that he always had a smile on his face and never had bad word to say about anyone. As far as I know, he never married, and did not have kids, however he was an only child and both of his parents are still alive.

Second, is a friend that I went to junior high and high school with, named Erik McCormick. Erik was traveling with his wife Erin and their two young kids from IL through IN on their way to Walt Disney World on Friday, Nov 6th when they were in a horrendous car crash. Erik’s 4 yr old daughter, Gwenna, was seriously injured and was taken to Riley Hospital in Indy. Turns out I was just minutes ahead of this crash as it happened in Indy. Gwenna succumbed to her injuries on the 11th. Erik and Erin donated Gwenna’s organs, which I think is the most selfless act anyone can do. There are so many ironies here with their situation; it makes me ill to think about. My heart breaks for them and their loss.

Lastly, a 15 year old boy from Plainfield (Ben Kempf) was killed last night in a freak accident….he was riding a moped when a truck pulled out in front of him. The accident happened right by where the kid’s sitter lives. I do not know the Kempf family well, however I do know of them as they also go to St. Susanna Catholic Church. Another family looses a child….

As I go through my own grief journey, it is moments like this that remind me that life is too short to hold grudges but one must life their own life with their held up high. Though I am sad for the families, I am reminded that though they lost a loved one, it should be celebrated that 3 people have met Jesus.

No Training Wheels!!!

After spending most of the summer trying to convince Luke he could ride his bike without training wheels (when he rode his bike the training wheels were not even touching the ground!!), on this cold, November day, he finally let me take them off....and he was off like he has been riding a bike his whole life! He only fell once but got up and kept going. I am sooooo stinkin' proud of him!!!

I must say this was a rather emotional moment....cheesy, I know....but it is moments like this that I wish Mark was here....I know he is here, but I mean physically here. This is a moment that makes a Daddy (and Mommy) proud. I know my childhood, and Mark's too, was filled with great memories riding our bikes ALL the time and all over our neighborhood's.. It is just one of those rites of passages of childhood.....

Luke riding his bike....Check it out, he is STANDING while he is riding?!?!

Halloween 2009

Luke being silly at the Indy "Zoo Boo"

Luke and Kate at the "Zoo Boo"

Kate being silly with some candy 'eye balls'


Kate and her friend, Chelsy, (a neighbor) before Trick or Treating.

Luke and Kate already to go Trick or Treating.

Luke on his bike.

Bippty, Boppity, BOOP!!

Luke with his bud, "Blue School" Jake, Trick or Treating in our neighborhood.

Luke, Kate and Jake Trick or Treating.

Our neighbor's, Gracie and Sam. Kate and Gracie are best buds and go to preschool together.

The Month of November....

Sorry I haven’t posted much on here lately. Partly due to being EXTEREMLY busy, especially now that I have started the ‘field experience’ portion of my schooling. So on top of the time I normally volunteer in Luke’s classroom, I am going into a separate classroom several times a week to do one-on-one work with a student. I LOVE being in the classroom and the student I have is a 'diamond in the rough'. While this class is very challenging and time consuming, I am learning so much.

Then on top of that, I have been in a funk. Maybe it is due to the fact winter is coming. Maybe it is due to the fact I have made it through the first year and I was on auto pilot. Maybe it is due to the fact the holidays are coming and my auto pilot has stopped working. Maybe it is due to all the family drama that is going on (I’ll spare you the details) that has opened up one on the few wounds I finally had healed from Mark’s death. Maybe it is due to the fact I am trying my best daily to keep things normal for Luke and Kate while trying to find our ‘new’ normal?

Luckily the kids are doing great. They both love going to school and are doing well in school. They love being able to play with the neighbor kids when at home. At this point they have adjusted well, and of course I worry that further down the road, that is when it will be hard for them. And as any mother, I want to prevent any pain and hurt, so I worry about that.

Oh, and on top of that, I had Gilbert (the cat) declawed last week because he has been scratching the kids. Oh, it has not turned out like I imagined at all! Within a couple hours of coming home, he ripped open three of the stitches (surgical glue). I won’t even describe the horrible mess it left all over the house. Of course it was AFTER the Vet was closed, so we made a trip to the East side of Indy to the 24 hour vet….so the declaw bill now doubled after both paws were stitched up. He is actually BACK at the Vet because his paws are still bleeding. At least this overnight visit is ‘free’ of charge…