Happy Birthday, Sarah!

Today is a special day in the Hamel Household!  Our very own, Sarah B-Darah turns 15!

I am at a loss as to how 15 years could have possibly gone by since we first met her....yet, here we are!

Sarah was my easiest non-medicated (i.e. no epidural) delivery.(I delivered my first 7 naturally then chose to have medicated births for Luke and Kate.)

During the day that would become her birthday, I remember sitting on our deck under the awning, reading a book as the three boys(6,4, &3) played in the sandbox.  I was having regular, non-painful contractions every 10-15 minutes.  It was a beautiful spring day...not too hot and very sunny!

At 7:00pm, when I laid down next to Jon to snuggle as he went to sleep, I figured that the contractions would taper off.  Well, after 10 minutes and 4 contractions later, Jay and I headed out to the hospital.  Sarah was born at 9:55pm and stole our hearts from the moment they placed her in my arms!

Sarah is easy going, creative and super helpful.  She loves to cook-especially chocolate chip cookies and lemon meringue pies.  She is a great big sister!  She snuggles with Luke and plays dolls with Kate, goes for scooter rides with Peter, and sings lots of song with Ellie(especially songs from Frozen!).

Sarah is very easy going.  She does need some regular quiet time to decompress...but is almost always pretty happy.  I did find one picture a few weeks ago that shows her a little grumpy....but it's a rare find!

She didn't like sharing her newborn baby sister, Ellie!
(Kate has a very similar pouty face, but she uses it much more often!)

Sarah is very smart and a very hard worker!  Actually, she often works too hard and we have to remind her that getting a "B" every once in a while isn't a bad thing!

I don't know what I would do without my extra set of hands!  Having her help and brainstorm along side me is a lot of fun!

 Happy Birthday, Sarah!

You are a very special...and very loved...young lady!

Oh How The Time Flies!

I can't believe I haven't blogged all week!  It has been so crazy around here....and the crazy amps up to double the intensity next week!  Bear with me please!

#1:  Company Countdown

Our friends are coming for a visit from Tennessee.  They moved down south about 7 years ago and have only been up once about 5 years ago.  They are staying with us for 2 nights so getting our house company ready...and figuring out the logistics of fitting 6 extra people in the house(!)...is taking up quite a bit of energy!

#2:  Prep Work

Two weeks ago I made a list of things that I felt needed to get done before our visitors come.  Jay has crossed off a couple.  With Mike's help...and some help from Jon and Andrew...we have crossed off a few more this week!  

Wednesday was paint day around here!  Mike and I teamed together to put a fresh coat of paint in the kitchen, dining room, and living room.  The house so needed it!  Jon and Andrew both put a coat of paint on the deck and Mike painted the picnic table.  I painted some trellis for around the deck.  Then, I punted and ordered pizza because it was 5:30 and we were exhausted and trying to put the house back together!

#3:  Rash Boy

Luke broke out with an all-over body rash Wednesday night.  At first I thought it was just from the sunscreen I put on him on Monday because that gave him a small rash just on his arms.  But, after a Google search, I thought it looked like Fifth's Disease.  A trip to the doctors on Thursday morning confirmed my thought.  Thankfully, it's just a virus.  Once they get the rash it isn't contagious anymore.  Oh the joys!

#4:  Cough, Cough

Most of our house has a sinus cold/bronchial cough.  I have been coughing for over a month!  It's only bad for about an hour in the morning, but I just want it to go away!  Now that I'm almost "middle age", I have brought the ability to multi-task to a whole new level!  Who knew that kegels and coughing would be so important to me!

#5:  Cough, Cough, cont.

Kate and Luke have the wonderful cough, too!  Last night, Luke woke up at 9:30 and coughed/whined off and on until close to 11.  When he finally settled down, Kate joined in the fun and coughed for another hour!  Today I can't stop yawning! 

#6:  Tux

Today, Jon and I went to pick out his tux for next week's prom.  I can't believe that he is graduating!  I'm so proud of him but so sad that he's taking another big step in his life.  I'm not ready for them to grow up!  Feeling a little like the dad in "My Big Fat Greek Wedding"...."Why do you want to leave me?"

#7:  Busy, Busy, Busy

So, it's not just preparing for house guests that has things feeling crazy around here!  Tonight is Ellie's spring concert and a young adult group event(which Jay is running...well, running the group not the event but he is taking them to the event) at the same time.  Tomorrow is the Baptism of our friend's new baby(if we are all healthy!).  Sunday is Sarah's Confirmation rehearsal and celebrating Sarah's birthday with our families at dinner.  Monday is Sarah's actual birthday.  Tuesday is a field trip with Luke's class during the day(which I'm chaperoning)  and Sarah's Confirmation at night.  Wednesday is Ellie's field trip during the day(which I'm chaperoning) and Sarah's CCD end of year show' at night.  Then.....Thursday our house guests arrive and stay until Saturday.  Oh...and Friday is Jon's prom!

Lots of good things that happen to be piled into the same week! Yikes!

If posts are a little scant in the next week or so.....that's why!  Please don't give up on me!  I will be back into the swing of things before long.(I hope!)  And I'm sure I'll have lots of great pics/stories to share!  Really:)

Like this one.....

Luke is so excited that Mike is home from college!  Luke loves spending time with him.  Earlier this week, Luke told Jay....

Luke:  Daddy, I love all my big brothers!

Jay:  That's really sweet, Luke.

Luke:  Yeah, and my big brothers are really big!  Especially, Michael!  He's the biggest!  He's like a Rescue Bot!

Happy Weekend:)

It's the Weekend!

.....and it's Friday again!  Let's jump into Quick Take Friday!

1. May?

The fact that it is May is just blowing my mind!  Starting next week, we are in for a roller coaster ride of a very busy schedule!  I'm trying to enjoy the lull!

2. Night Out

Sarah joined the drama club for their spring musical.  The did Godspell. I went with Ellie on Friday night.  It was interesting...a couple parts that "made me go hmm"...but the cast did a great job.  It was hard work, but Sarah loved it.  (I love that it is over and I have my daughter back!)

crazy costume

Sarah, Ellie and Sarah's friend, Gladys

3.  Who's Watching Who?

Jay stayed home with the littles while I was at the play.  I made sure Kate had a good nap so she wasn't melting down at 7:30 because I wasn't there and she was ready for bed.

When I got home, this was the scene!  Jay and Luke asleep sitting up and Kate laying across Jay's feet watching Umizoomi.  Kate saw me before I could take the pic so she's already scooting off the ottoman saying, "Mommy, you home!"  

(Jon was asleep on the other couch in the room, too, but I didn't take a picture of that!)

4.  Finals Frenzy

Mike and Andrew have been in the midst of finals all week.  Andrew had his last 2 finals yesterday and Mike has his last final today.  They have both worked really hard and we are really proud of them.  Boy, that school year went by fast!

5.  More Lasts

Jon's high school years are winding down quickly!  He took the AP Calculus test yesterday and takes the AP US history test next week.  Finals are the week after for him.....then prom and done until graduation on June 1st!  Another child moving on, growing up, and taking a big step in their lives!  Sniff!

6.  He Said/She Said

We were in church on Sunday and Luke and Kate were having less than stellar days...(i.e. Can you sell children on Ebay?...kidding)

Anyway...At one point I tried to distract Luke...

Me:  Luke, can you pray for Mike that God helps him to get a girlfriend?

Luke:  No

Me:  Why

Luke:  Because girls are stinky!

All right then....you know this story will be repeated to Luke's first girlfriend someday!

7.  Sunday

To all mothers who have birthed babies, adopted babies, or spend their lives mothering nieces, nephews and anyone that God places in their lives......

I hope that God blesses each and every one of you and that you can feel in your heart how much the love you have given over the years has been cherished and multiplied!

...and that you get a nap!:)

Happy Mother's Day!

Throw Back Thursday

Throw Back Thursday!  This week I put together a poster board of pictures for Jon to decorate a "wall of fame" that his school has at their afterprom party.  I'm sharing one of my favorites!  Look at that cute little face!  And, yes, this is where his addiction to Smartfood started!

How is it Wednesday already?

Wow!  How did it get to be Wednesday already!

Thankfully, my anxiety levels are much better this week.  I have moments that aren't so pleasant, but I have more moments that are "normal".  I'm still moving forward with being nice to myself and getting help that will hopefully help the panic attacks go away completely!

So...Mother's Day is coming up this weekend!  Originally, I had this big brunch idea in my head with a strawberry theme and recipes already picked out......

.....But, with the panic attack/migraine issue, I have decided to punt because I just don't think I'm up for that.  My parents very generously invited us out to a local restaurant for brunch.(My sister and I always fill all my mom's planters for Mother's Day.)  I talked to my sisters-in-law, and they are going to the brunch, too, and we will take my mother-in-law as well.

Which is great because that means, once lunch is done, we can have the rest of the day to just relax!

(and focus on me:)

I have read multiple bloggers talk about just telling your spouse/kids what it is that you really want for Mother's Day.  They almost never guess right, anyway, even when you drop lots of hints.  It takes the pressure off the guys!  Maybe your guy is different, but most of the guys I know feel lost when it comes to really knowing what's in our heads!

So I did.  I told Jay that for Mother's Day I wanted pizza for dinner and homemade strawberry cupcakes for dessert.  As for a "present", I really want the deck painted and for lattice to be put up around the edges of it.  I have 2 hanging planters and one pot that need to be filled.  Because of the weather, the painting probably won't happen this weekend.  Hopefully, at some point next week, it will be dry enough that the older boys,(Mike and Andrew are done with school this week), can get it done!

Then, the backyard will be ready for our lawn furniture/awning that has been stored away over this looooonnnng winter and for all the friends and family cookouts I hope we will be having!

What's hiding in your head as a Mother's Day wish?

Friday, Friday, Friday

Joining in with Jen....let's hop to it!

1.  Feeling Better

I am happy to say that I am feeling a lot better than I did earlier in the week.  I'm still not "normal"...(not that I ever really am!)...but functional is a plus!(At least most of the day!)

2.  New Saints

This past Sunday was a special day for the Catholic Church.  Popes John XXIII and John-Paul II became saints.  I feel kind of bad for St. John XXIII having to share the day with JPII, who is well known!

3 &4.  Polish Power

I think that I can go out on a limb and say that JPII is Jay's favorite saint.  Jay has always loved reading about John Paul II and his teachings.  (Just ask the teenagers how many JPII tangents Jay has spun...especially over the last few years!)

Jay feels a special connection to JPII because they both share a Polish heritage.  So, since Sunday was such an exciting celebration and a special day for anyone that is Polish, Jay decided to make potato and cheese perogis with the kids using his Polish grandmother's recipe.

Kate sneaking candy out of the Easter basket while everyone was occupied:)

Sarah getting fancy

Timeout for a little love

#5: Ellie Dressed for the Occasion!

#6:  Divine Mercy 

It was completely fitting that JPII's canonization occurred on Divine Mercy Sunday!  It is one of our family's favorite days!  St. Faustina is one of our favorite saints...and, what a coincidence, she is Polish, too!:)

What better way to celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday then with Divine Mercy sundaes!?!

#7:  Still Not Completely Healthy

The winter illnesses continue to follow us into Spring!  Jon was down for the count 2 days this week with a fever virus.:(  He was sleeping on the couch on Thursday afternoon, and Kate put her kitty next to him, stood in the basket of clean, folded laundry, and was singing him 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star'.  It was so sweet!

 Then she rubbed his head.(Jon is a sound sleeper.)

Here's hoping for a healthy weekend!

He Said/She Said with a side of TBT

I read my friend, Colleen's, post today and realized I haven't done and He said/she said's in a while.  So I searched on my phone and found a few that were buried in my inbox.(I email them to myself so that I don't forget before I post them!)


Jay and I brought all the kids sans Andrew and Mike to an outlet mall about a month ago.
Jon:  "All day" and "shopping" should never be next to each other!  One of the levels of hell is just one big outlet mall!

Jon had a bunch of friends over.  They had all been hanging outside.  Jon, Mike and Andrew walked in alone after they left.
Me:  Is it just my biological children left?
Mike and Jon:(who like to tease Andrew that he was adopted because he is the only one with glasses)
Well, except Andrew.
Andrew:(teasing) I hate all of you.

Sarah:  Remember when we found out that Luke liked lasagna and to eat sticks of butter...I was so proud!


Jon(to me):  You have to cool it with the throwback Thursday.
Me:  Why?
Jon:  Because it's 'in' right now so you can't do it.

Well...you know what that means!  Here's 2 pics for Throw Back Thursday!

Sarah and Jon at the playground on a Vineyard trip:)
I think Jon is  6 and Sarah is 3.

Peter on the same Vineyard trip:)
He is one.

Take that, Jon!