In Memoriam

 know I promised an entry of birthdays and Valentines and first steps (yes, you read right!) but I wanted to make a post in honor of an amazing woman.

Bertha Rany Hides, A.K.A. Grandma Hides (my Mom's Mom) passed away on February 9, just three days after her 95th birthday. 
She was the embodiment of goodness, kindness, compassion, and love. Her life couldn't have been more different than ours and yet she always understood and had the right thing to say. Growing up, she was not given the love and tenderness and frequent hugs that every child should have. But she was never bitter and never felt sorry for herself.  She said she was thankful for the care she did receive. 
When she was a teenager, she became a "nanny" to 7 children in a family who loved her very much. Ultimately, after the matriarch of that family passed away and the depression was in full force, she married George Hides and became Mom to those 7 children.  They had 3 more (my mom being the youngest of those 10.)
She always had a hug, a song, a story, a kind word (unless your room was too messy, hair was too long, or skirt was too short, she'd mention that, too.) She brought us all together and began my life of "we feed because we love." Whether it was Browns Chicken, or Chinese ordered from the place down the road, Homemade mostoccoli, greek meatballs, lamb & shells, corned beef & cabbage (I'll never forget how her apartment would smell when we'd arrive for a dinner!) pancakes after a sleepover, grahm crackers with cream cheese, or pound cake with homemade frosting, she was always looking to feed her family (biological and everyone else she cared for, including friends that she'd "adopt" as family) body and soul. Her first concern when she started losing the sight in her one good eye was who would help Marie (a friend of hers in the nursing home) play Bingo?
She decided on hospice care on a Friday. She was tired of fighting and being in so much pain and was ready to go. That Saturday she had (no exaggeration) 20 people in her hospital room to celebrate her birthday. She was comfortable, lucid, talking, laughing, and eating with us. She got to talk to Molly (9) Charlie (7) Adam (4) and she got to hold her namesake, Samantha Rany (1.)  As the throngs of people left and we helped her out of her wheelchair & back into bed she said "What a way to go- big family party!!" I kissed her and told her I loved her.  She died peacefully in her sleep (just like she wanted) 3 days later.
She loved her kids, grandkids (I was her favorite, but she told me not to tell the others*) and great grandkids.  She is loved - very much.  She will be missed.
Here are some pictures of her with my kids from just this year.
 

*Gram was pretty notorious for telling all of us we were her favorites- but not to tell the others... but she meant it to me.

Rest now Gram.  We love you.

Are we really already almost through January?!

Bad Blogger!
Things have been here so crazy here (fritzing computer, busy family, holidays, hospitals) I've slacked on the whole holiday update!
It was wonderful!
The season kicked off with the annual Blenderful "Madrigal" party. We really don't sing madrigals, but we invite all our musician friends to our house on the Sunday after Thanksgiving week. This gives me the motivation I need to get all our holiday decorations up in a timely manner! We provide food, drink, and every piece of sheet music we have. Everyone who wants to, brings their instrument and if they have a piece of music they want to play, they bring that, too. This was our 6th year (really? Already?!) and we had QUITE the band section this year! Gifted musicians, all!
Some cheezy choral music, some tough stuff, some jazz (since we were graced with a Kevin's drum, Tony's sax, Ron's bass, Bob's violin, & Drew's piano) some traditional Christmas tunes. We sounded like angels in the heavens (at least that's how it sounded to us after a couple bottles of wine.)

Really, my favorite song of the night is when we all sing "O Holy Night." No music- we all just sing whatever arrangement we know. It's beautiful. It's moving. It makes me tear up EVERY year. The only thing missing from the evening was Sandy's beautiful soprano voice singing with us.

Of course there was a shadow over all of our holiday festivities. Sandy's still in the hopital and NOTHING is the same without Sands & Mike. But Christmas was nice. The tour began on Christmas eve morning with brunch at my Mom's. There were too many presents to count. Santa made an appearance and the kids had a great day.

After a visit to the hospital, Andrew & I sang the 4:00 service at St. Rosalie's (Sandy's church.) Thanks to Bob's amazing violin skills, it was beautiful & special.

Then off to Uncle Don's house for the Jarosz family Christmas celebration.

The kids were adorable as always.

After much kielbasa, pierogi, ham, beef, mushroom soup and other tasty treats, we broke oplatki (a Polish tradition of breaking bread and making well wishes for one another for the following year.) Santa came for another visit. Sounds like a long day, huh? Santa didn't even get there until 9:30 (2 hours past the Blenderkid's bedtime.) But they were angels and we had a great time.

Andrew brought all his equipment and everyone sang and danced until late in the night.

Well- those who could keep their eyes open sang & danced late into the night.

Poor kid almost made it to midnight.

Christmas morning, everyone slept until they woke up. We had a nice, leisurely morning getting ready for another day of parties ahead... and of course, the stockings were full, gifts were under the tree and we sang happy birthday to Jesus.

Another visit to the hospital followed by Christmas dinner with the Hides family at Aunt Bev & Uncle Gary's house. Another visit from Santa, more food, more wine and a lovely end to Christmas tour 2009.

We definitely have our challange this year. We missed Sandy so much and continue to pray multiple times a day for her recovery. But we are also very aware of our many, many blessings and were happy to CELEBRATE the birth of our Lord with family and friends and give thanks for all He provides.

I'll try to be more timely in 2010.
Next up Adam's 4th birthday on 02/07 and Sam's 1st on 02/10 (can we believe she's going to a whole year old already?!) Their party is on 02/13, so expect another post around then.
Thanks for your prayers & patience, gentle readers.

Thanksgiving/early December

So... here is the runner up to the family picture we ended up using on our Christmas card.

We had a lovely (albeit busy) day. It started bright & early with Andrew playing a mass at St. Rosalie Church, appetizers with the Jarosz family, a visit with Sandy & Mike at the hospital, and dinner with the Hides family..

The food was amazing. The company was fun.

Sam was as adorable as ever. Adam is pretty officially one of the big kids now & gets himself right in there to play with them.
It was an all around beautiful day. It was a nice start to the Holiday Season.

Now- if only it weren't for that pesky Sandy in the hospital thing...

For those of you not "in the know" my baby sister, Sandy (she'll turn 30 on 12/20/09) was diagnosed with Lupus last March. That's not a huge deal as my mom, older sister, and I all have it too. But in October, when she started having tingling in her hands & feet, early November when she started losing feeling in them, and mid-November when she lost the use of her legs altogether, she was diagnosed (after a few other diagnoses) with CIDP. She's been in the hospital since November 18- first in the Neurology department, then rehab, then back to Neurology, and now in the ICU because the disease is not responding to treatment (plasma washes, steroids, IVIg, and chemo) and is seeming to be getting worse. Now she's completely immobile (except for the ability to wiggle her fingers on her left hand) and she's on a feeding tube & respirator. The MRI & blood tests indicate that there doesn't seem to be any permanent damage-so the doctors are still talking about her making a full recovery. But because if her low immune system right now- so much as a cold could drastically change that prognosis.

She is an amazingly strong woman. She's had THE BEST attitude through all this - and continues to be crazy good-humored & optimistic. She's got a LARGE and STRONG support system of friends & family caring for her and praying for her.

Her husband, Mike, has barely left her side. The love & support he's showering on her is the very thing one promises when they say "in sickness & in health." ...but the health is so much easier & more fun. They could sure use a break now. We're hoping for a turn around any day now to put her back on the road to recovery. We're so proud of Mike's dedication & Sandy's strength & optimism and are praying for them just about constantly- but can always use some more. If you've read all this... I think it counts. Just say "Amen."

Here's a picture of Sandy & Mike (Samantha's Godparents) at her Christening in April.

Hope all is well with you and yours. We hope you're gearing up for a blessed holiday season.
We'll be enjoying eachother... and continuing to pray.

Autumn

So how 'bout those teeth, huh?!

Sam has sworn off baby food, now. She loves her bottle, but wants NOTHING to do with anything on a spoon in our hands. Now- if she can wrestle with the spoon herself, that's a different story! Her favorites seem to be potatoes and broccoli.

She's climbing up on everything- cruising on all the furniture & generally getting into all kinds of stuff that she's not supposed to be in to. She's way more inquisitive than Adam was. She just wants to explore everything and when we tell her "no" she looks at us super cute & smiles, like we might change our minds.... She'll learn.

Adam had his Thanksgiving party at school yesterday. He stopped singing Beatles songs long enough to sing "Leaves on the Trees" and "1 little, 2 little, 3 little Turkey Feathers." And he shared his snack with Mom & Samantha. It was very sweet. He's getting more fun (and more clever) every day!

Maybe someday I will wear make up and have my hair out of a headband long enough to volunteer to be IN a picture- but for now, please enjoy the super happy smiling Blendermann family. Believe me when I say I was smiling too- but SOMEONE had to TAKE the picture.
It was kind of a gray day. There was a little chill in the air. But there was a BIG pile of leaves (we have a postage-stamp sized lot, but 3 giant trees- this was less than 1/4 of the leaves that fell- 18 lawn bags FULL!) THAT is a recipe for FALL FUN!

I'll post Thanksgiving pictures soon.

We're SO Thankful for so many things...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

More pictures & stories will follow, I'm sure.
This one was from last night before we went to the local High School for some practice Trick or Treating.

SAM'S GOT A TOOTH!

SEE IT? SEE IT?

Well- it's there. Take my word for it! Bottom right. The bottom left is there too- but it's not quite as sharp! I've been looking (and feeling in there) every day for the last month (or more.) Last night... OUCH! She bit me! I have never been so excited to be bitten! It finally broke through. My baby's growing up!

And on that note: the little lady is already pulling herself up on stuff. The pillow is there to prevent her from getting into the stuff under the coffee table. Maybe giving her a ramp wasn't our wisest choice.

Notice how she's not climbing up by her bottle- but by my Starbucks cup... that's my girl!

(And did I mention that Adam's potty trained now? We are all about the milestones, here! It's been a big couple-a-weeks!)

Blenderful Beatles Birthday Barbeque (and Bears)

A month before Andrew's 41st birthday, his wonderful wife got him his (much wanted) Beatles Rockband (see previous post.) Since then, Adam has learned most of the Beatles songbook and Andrew has been yearning for a meeting of the Beatlemanics for a rockin good time.


FOR his 41st birthday, the real gift was a "Blenderful Beatles Birthday Barbeque."

After a MARATHON DAY of family church and baby shower, we had a FANTASTIC party to celebrate Andrew's birth (happy gave-birth-day, Mom!)

















Great friends, great food, great music! The kids behaved (and so did the adults, for the most part) and we had a WONDERFUL evening with 20 of our closest Beatlefriends!


We had a great day!...and to top it off- the Bears won- GO BEARS!!!