Good Fortune

I take the health of my children for granted ... I try not to but I do. I try hard to remind myself their health is a blessing BUT ... I get busy working, cleaning, helping with homework, living and it slips down the list of things for which I express gratitude for. 

I know that not every family has this luxury. 

The Dziekan Family lives the flip side of the coin.   Almost 12 years ago, at just a few weeks old their daughter, Brianna, had her first open heart surgery.

She would endure 3 more - the most recent in the Spring of 2011.  Sprinkled in between 3 Cardiac Catheterizations and countless other procedures and tests. 

Things that I don't give another thought are challenges.  It took some doing to find an orthodontist who would take her as a patient because of her complicated health history.  If Obama's Health Care plan  gets repealed she will, no doubt, max out her lifetime medical benefit before she turns 18.  Other injuries that most kids rebound quickly from don't heal properly.  Activity has to be monitored so she doesn't over exert herself.  She has to be mindful to keep hydrated. Then there are the migraines, the pain, the insomnia .... it is an awful lot for a kid to process.  As her mom, Carol, is constantly researching new advances in treatments in addition to networking with organizations that provide support to special kids like Brianna.  Oh and did I mention that Brianna has a sister and 2 brothers ... something else Carol has to manage, the rest of the family.

There will be additional surgeries.  There are bills. There is uncertainty.  

On March 17, a benefit is being held in Brianna's honor.  The hope is that the funds raised from ticket sales, raffles and other donations will make a dent in the expenses that have amassed over the last 12 years and that there might be some to cover the next surgery.  Tickets are still available and raffle items still being are still accepted.

You can read more about Brianna at her Carepages Website

If you need tickets, have something for the raffle, or would like to make a cash donation, please contact Brianna's Mom, Carol at caroldziekan@yahoo.com or her Aunt Laurie at lsavino@charter.net

Good fortune, yes, we at Romanskiville are so thankful for it.

Best Valentine's Day Present ....EVER

 On Sunday, Feb 12 we saw Shrek the Musical at the Garde in New London.  I should tell you all that my family has a love affair with Shrek.  We have all four dvds, yes, there are FOUR.  We love it so much that the girls and I bought the The Final Chapter for Paul for Christmas and he bought it for us... thankfully the grown-ups in this house are pretty good with receipts.

We parked and made our way to the theater and collected our tickets.  We asked Brooke to read what the ticket said .. that was our big reveal.  "Shrek the ...." "Musical" (We help her out on that word) and we explain that we are going to see real people perform the story -- she seems intrigued and is filled with anticipation.  Kristen says "Shrek the Musical" and gets a big smile on her face.

We get down to business and purchase our souvenirs ... Princess Fiona ears and crown for Brooke.

And a Gingy - the Gingerbread Puppet for Kristen (editors note - the kid now HATES getting her picture taken and generally protests. The face = annoyed not scared to death... really!)

We take our seats and the show starts.  Kristen sits with her eyes and her mouth wide open in awe.  Brooke sings and dances in her seat the whole time.  At intermission, Kristen declares "It is SO awesome."

As we are backing out of our parking spot in the garage she says "It was so, SO good"

Today they are telling anyone who will listen to them about the show and the "best Valentines Day present EVER"

You can buy your kids expensive toys, clothes, and things and they love them and use them and then forget them.  When you invest in an experience, you give them a memory.  I'll cherish the time we spent together yesterday and look forward to the next big thing.

100th Day

Today was the 100th day of school.  Apparently it is a bit of a holiday.  I don't remember it being a big deal when I was in elementary school, but if you ask my dear daughter that was "a long, long time ago." Brooke was filled with anticipation for the whole thing and could not stop talking about the crown she would make and place 100 stickers on as part of the day.  I arrived at daycare this afternoon and she was at the table proudly wearing that crown.  When we arrived home, she promptly stripped down and donned her Rapunzel dress up garb to complete the outfit.

I'm not really sure I understand all the hoopla behind "100th day" ... but hey it didn't require gifts, goodie bags or mean any time off from school.  Yay!  I am just thrilled she loves school and is excelling. I visibly smile each morning that she wakes and eagerly dresses in some form of blue and khaki without any fighting, yelling, threatening, etc ... I know this WILL change.  For now, I am going to ride the wave.


Secretly, I was rejoicing inside that there was a note in the backpack that "Collections of 100 things" were optional and NOT required.  Thank you Mrs. Bosse, we working parents salute you !!!

Whoopie !!!!

Brooke and Daddy love Whoopie Pies.  For Christmas, Santa left them a Whoopie Pie mix complete with sprinkles.  We took advantage of a snowy Saturday Morning and baked them up. Brooke was so excited.

After baking in our PJ's, Brooke got all decked out for the tasting party.

They were delicious!!

Snow Days

Winter was slow to arrive here in Southeastern CT.  Last week, things changed.  Snow overnight brought a 2 hour delay on Tuesday. A 2 hour delay in Morning Kindergarten means you don't go.  Off Brooke went to Jeanne's house - snowpants in hand.  They had great fun playing outside.  They read the book Sadie and the Snowman and then made the characters in the snow!!!

Saturday brought the much anticpated 3-6 inches that actually ended up being more like 10 .... we dressed everyone up and headed out.  Kristen couldn't pick up her feet to walk it was so deep.  I grabbed the sled and settled her in.  She loved it ... NOT!

This might have been right before she said "May I please be excused?" 

When Brooke joined in the fun she seemed to enjoy it more!!  We ran up and down the driveway and they took turns pulling each other.

 Today at school - Kristen was an old pro. Good thing I was finally able to locate her "Snowman Pants" late Friday night. Talk about just in time!

I'm back

Dear Romanskiville Blog,
I know it seems as though I have deserted you and, frankly, at times I have.  I love creating funny and clever blog entries and would do it for a living if I could. I let 2011 and all that came with it -- clutter, chaos, the anguish of losing our beloved Storm (no, we aren't over it), transition to a new routine, school, uniforms and weekday dance class swallow me up.  As the year wore on, I was more and more consumed by work and home ... and potty training (yup, still fighting that battle too.) Then the holidays arrived and Paul's hours increased - exponentially.  We grew tired and frustrated and started to count the days til Christmas would pass all the while putting on a brave face for the girls.  The girls LOVED Christmas so we seemed to do ok there. I bought more then 85% of my gifts online or in stores like Kohl's, Target and Walmart that are open til midnight or 24 hours. I was still shopping on December 23.

We declined multiple invitations. That hurt feelings and caused disappointment. I felt guilty and some saw fit to add to that guilt.  Then there were those who "got it" ... the ones who put their arm around you and said "you can only do so much" ..... the people who reminded you that Christmas is for enjoying your kids and the wonder and excitement that seeps from their pores ... the people with grown children who sympathetically told you "it won't always be like this" We are so fortunate to be blessed with so many more of the people who provide support and encouragement in our lives.

I read my 2011 New Year's blog post again the other night -- I talked about 2011 being all about learning a "new normal" ... I realized as I re-read that post that learning and accepting are not the same.  I did learn that new normal, but I did not accept it.  On the outside I played it like I was all "good" .... inside not so much.  I'm not telling you anything you didn't already know -- keeping up a charade like that is exhausting.  By December, I wasn't even really able to pretend anymore, it became glaringly evident when a colleague said to me "Oh Heather, you sound so weary."

I'm so thankful for every single person - friend, family member, co-worker who helped pull me thru December 2011. I appreciated every phone call, email, conversation, errand and babysitter. 2012 has started off better.  Paul is still working long days but most nights is home by 8:30. I have better control of the evening routine. I'm excited about all we have planned for our family this year. The girls are healthy.  I've come to terms with the fact that what works for us will not make 100% of the people in our lives happy and I'm ok with that- I really, really am.  I accept my new normal.

So Romanskiville Blog and Followers, watch out - - I missed you and all the smiles that you bring me. I'm back and I promise to be more committed.  The residents of Red Neck Blvd have big plans and we hope you'll join us for the adventure.

Where does the time go?

Thursday is Thanksgiving ..... THANKSGIVING .... how did that HAPPEN?

We made it through Halloween, Parent Teacher Conferences and budgets .... budgets are literally the WORST part of my job, but Yahoo, the most time consuming part of them is done.  Just in time too, I have bronchitis and it seriously is taking the wind out of my sails. I am very much looking forward to 4 days off and hopefully getting some rest.

In 2009, I wrote the following Thanksgiving Post on Romanskiville.  It might be my all time favorite, I am thankful and I smiled when I re-read it again this week.

I'd like to think that I am the type of person who is thankful everyday for something, but I find myself particularly reflective around Thanksgiving.  My Tetlow Grandparents had a November Wedding Anniversary and that Grandmother died the day before Thanksgiving in 2000.  They were married over 50 years and their house was the hub of family gatherings and Holiday dinners.  At times it was utter chaos.  Thanksgiving dinners have changed since then  - the menu is largely the same but the guests are fewer.  We all gather on Mains Crossing, Mom and Dad prepare and cook the entire spread.  I bring the wine and Heidi brings the desserts and in 2005 ... we added in the first grandchild and the babies continued to arrive.  It is a quieter, more relaxed gathering then those of my childhood but frankly, in my mind, it is just perfect.   We are together sharing some of the most delicious food and some of the heartiest laughter and yes at some point every dozes off on a couch.

I love Thanksgiving, I mean what isn't to like about a holiday where the main event is all about food!  I love Christmas for the wonder and excitement on the kids faces, Easter for reminding me that Spring and sunshine are on the way but Thanksgiving feels like less pressure (maybe because I'm not thawing and basting a turkey for 3 days) and allows me to really appreciate all the blessings in my life.

There are so many blessings in my life and I am thankful, so very, very thankful ~