I knit these hats very quickly. The pattern is very easy to remember. The one Pumpkin is wearing was knit on a size 4 while the one above was knit on a size 8. I used the same I Love this Cotton yarn. I don't know who will be the recipient for these hats. I do know it won't be for any of our Northern relatives. The holes make it impractical. I'm knitting for Christmas.
This is Father Kevin Peek's sister. She had her baby yesterday, but…from her blog:
jedidiah joseph was diagnosed at 20 weeks gestation with trisomy13, a chromosomal malformation that is not "compatible with life" and manifests itself in various ways. he is our seventh child and is already such a blessing. he has already touched so many. please pray for him and our family as we travel along this new path God has laid for us.
Please pray for them.
~1~
We are in the midst of Nutcracker season. We all love it. Sister loves to be a part of the rehearsals and fills in for any missing ballerina. Honey is loving her part as a bunny. From what I have seen, it will be a great battle scene. Pumpkin will participate next year. She's anxiously awaiting it. I have a few costumes things to work on. I have material for a skirt but haven't cut it out yet. I need to make pantaloons for the party girls. There are also plenty of moms willing to help even if they don't sew. It's nice to have a crew helping to cut the fabric. When all the snow dancers get together for rehearsals, I can start fitting them to the bodices. Last year, the girls were mostly younger girls who were just starting to physically mature. I think we'll need to adjust in certain areas (if you know what I mean).
~2~
There's a running joke military wives make about appliances or vehicles breaking down the minute the soldier walks out the door for a TDY (temporary duty aka business trip) or a deployment. Well, in my house, my children get sick. This week my children have been fine except for a few sniffles except for Honey today. She started complaining of pain in her right arm last night. Apparently, she first felt it when she raised it at ballet on Tuesday. It's gotten worse. We've tried to figure out if she had injured it somehow sometime this past week, but she insists she did not. I took her in for a doctor to check it out, but came away with an inconclusive diagnosis. The X-ray is normal so at least I know her bones aren't affected. I just need to figure out how much she needs to rest that arm and if there's anything we can do to help the healing process. She's a tough one. She hardly ever complains of physical injuries although she's very, very sensitive emotionally.
~3~
Brother decided not to go trick or treating. He wouldn't even put the costume on. Needless to say, when everyone was eating candy, he regretted his decision.
~4~
Ben's Aunt Kathie is coming to visit us on Saturday. She's in Texas for a meeting and will drive up from San Antonio to spend the night and leave again on Sunday. We love visiting with her. All the children love her as they do all their aunts. The kids hope the Long Island aunts will visit again soon too.
~5~
My housekeeping has been wanting of late. I need to revamp my schedule. Okay, who am I kidding? I need to write my schedule. I've stopped the routine I had a couple of years ago. I need to get back on track. You know, wash floors on Tuesday, downstairs bathroom on Monday. Stuff like that. I'm terrible if I don't have it down as a routine.
~6~
Thanksgiving is coming up. Every year I plan on making a tree to add leaves to for all the things we are thankful for. I've not succeeded. Ever. I don't think I'll succeed this year as well. How does this happen? Well, it's because I'm seriously disorganized. My mind is very well organized but my house is not. Sigh. The clutter. My brothers always remind me of all the clutter I have every time they visit.
~7~
Do you know how hard it is to find pants for a boy whose waist is 23 inches (I wish!)? He's in 14 slims. Apparently, clothing manufacturers feel that once you hit the size 14, you no longer have a skinny butt because they do not make size 14 slims. Oh, how I wish Gymboree went bigger than 12.
~Bonus~
It's the end of daylight savings this weekend. Put your clocks back an hour. Can I just tell you how happy I am to gain this extra hour? It seems I never feel rested enough. I can stay up later chatting with Kathie and not be too tired on Sunday. YAY!!!
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I often read about the differing opinions on social networking. You know, Facebook, Twitter, etc. I do have a Twitter and a Facebook account. I enjoy social networking online. It's fun although sometimes it can be very time consuming.
Last month, I posted a quick status update on FB requesting prayers for my SIL, Erin. One of my family members mentioned that I shouldn't have posted something so person on there. My response was that it was a prayer request. I didn't feel I was putting Patrick's personal business out there so much as asking for prayers. As I was driving down to Houston, my iPhone kept dinging letting me know someone had responded to my prayer request. They were praying for Erin. Each ding was a balm to my soul at a very frantic time.
I was grateful each and every one of those responses. I know some of the greatest prayer warriors even if only in cyberspace.
So, social networks? I love them.
~1~
The weather has finally turned a bit. The morning was wonderfully cool with a nice breeze. I say that now, but tomorrow when we stand outside during our 40 Days for Life prayer vigil time, I might be complaining instead. My children think I'm torturing them by making them say all twenty decades of the rosary in front of the abortion clinic. One of the things I say to them is that an hour is nothing compared to the 3 hours Jesus was on the cross. I'm thankful for the opportunity to do this each year.
~2~
We are hosting our homeschool group for a Trick or Treating party on Saturday. Our town is having trick or treating on Saturday instead of Sunday which really works for us. Last year we had quite a group. I'm not sure we'll have as many this time around, but it will still be fun. We are having a potluck dinner after the candy begging. The kids will play outside while the adults enjoy time together inside.
~3~
My son oftentimes comes up with unique costume ideas. One year he wanted to be the US Capitol building. This year he wants to be the flag of Denmark. I just love that boy.
~4~
Pumpkin was trying to tell a knock-knock joke the other day. It's pure torture. I couldn't even bring myself to force out a laugh. She was so upset she wailed, "I don't know much!" She's so cute.
~5~
I've been putting off getting physicals and the flu shot for all the children. It's such an ordeal to make the appointments and then we have to spend about 3 hours from the check-in, to the actual physical, to the shot/mist.
~6~
Both the twins are coming to our party this Saturday. I'm looking forward to it. I haven't seen them since the funeral. I really want to make it down to Houston, but my schedule just does not permit it. It's been hard to be here and to feel so pulled to go spend time with Patrick. I know he understands, but it's still hard. My children need their mother. Now, if only I could get into the game at 100%. I'm at about 80% right now. I'll get there.
~7~
I barely had enough to say to get to number 7. So, I'll leave you with a picture.
This was taken this past winter.
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Please pray for the repose of Ben's dear Great-Uncle Jerry's soul.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. May his soul and the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
~1~
It's been a while since I've done this. I had started my post for Quick Takes when my dad called to let me know about Erin. I haven't been back in the groove since then. I can't imagine how Patrick is right now.
~2~
Today is the anniversary of the the death of Major David G. Taylor, Jr. He's been on my mind lately as well as his widow and son. I can't believe it's been four years. I can still replay in my mind every little detail of that phone call from Ben in 2006. I know where everyone was sitting at the dinner table. I can hear the silence which was deafening with all six children (mine and my two nephews) sitting there gaping at me crying while on the phone. Dave had come to visit my family while on TDY (temporary duty) at Fort Hood before his R&R in Florida with his wife. We all feel his loss keenly. He was like a big brother to me.
~3~
Onto happier news: Sister has been cast as the Fritz role in the Nutcracker. She will play Francesca.
~4~
This year the Nutcracker will the Texas one. Instead of mice, we'll have jack-a-lopes; instead of mouselings, bunnies. Honey has been cast as a bunny. It will be very, very cute to see her. She's nervous about being on the stage for so long and without the leader as a crutch but I think she will learn that she can do it. She's always had the dances memorized but would keep her eyes on the big girl who usually led the dance steps. Now, she'll be on her own. I'm looking forward to watching her gain her confidence.
~5~
Apparently, I've been under a great deal of stress. The right corner of my top and bottom lip broke out in cold sores on Monday. I put some medicine on it and found the prescription one but it's pretty bad. My face is irritated and broken out as well. Sigh.
~6~
I've been knitting quite a bit lately. I've decided to knit everyone's Christmas gifts this year except the children's. I have a huge yarn stash that I need to get through and there are lots of neat and beautiful things to knit out there.
~7~
The girls' ballet teacher had to have surgery. We are so happy that she is okay. She's trying to take it easy, but it's not been hard. My girls are very glad to have her back.
My aunt on my dad's side is ill with terminal cancer. We are not very close at all.
There have been a lot of things going on that seem to have brought me to my knees.
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The funeral service was beautiful. It was very comforting. I went into the chapel before anyone else had arrived and had my breakdown then. So many thoughtful people had sent beautiful flowers. Erin sat in the midst of all that beauty and it just broke my heart.
My friend Cecelia made up some pink bows and some pink ribbon pins for me. The girls all wore them in their aunt's honor for pink was her favorite color. I wore a bow as well and most of my family wore a pin.
Patrick held up well considering what the event was. He made it to the gathering to hear Erin's best friend give the eulogy.
But, now what? Get back to life? As if nothing had gone wrong? It seems like we have to but I'm having trouble. I can only imagine how Patrick and her parents feel.
It brings to the forefront that even though there are people in my life who are not always involved in my day to day life, I need to make an effort to connect. I will always regret not connecting enough with Erin. As I was driving down to Houston the last time with my mom, my sister, and future sister-in-law, I found out that my future sister-in-law loves coffee. Why didn't I know that? I've known her for over 2 years. I should know that.
So, what happens next? I will go on. I will continue on the best way that I can supporting Patrick and as much as I can, Erin's parents. I will get to know better my family and friends.
But, it will be slow. We are all slow to get back to the new normal for the old normal is no more.
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