Birthday Parties and Back to School!

Well the Goebel kids have started school! They had a blast on their first day of school at St. Pius. I will say that they traded the crabbies as you can see in the pictures. Brady was not feeling the love at back to school night and Lauren may have had a minor meltdown the morning of the first day. Something about not finding her shoes, which her mother constantly tells her to put where they belong, and wouldn't you know, they were not where they should have been. She shook it off and had a great day anyway. Brady came home crabby from the first day, but a good nap fixed that! We're off to the races! The boys of August had their Bday party this past Saturday! They were supposed to have it at our pool, but their brilliant father saw that the weather was not going to be in their favor, so we changed locations to the YMCA. They still got to swim and they had ooodles of fun! Thanks for all who came out! You were more then generous with gifts and well wishes! They are still playing away with their loot! Thanks also to Uncle David who had a card waiting for both Brady and Max in the mail when we got home from the party. We went right then and there to redeem the generous gift card he sent them! Suffice it to say, we have more wrestlers than we know what to do with now! The Orendachs also gave spoiled them Sunday before Doug's volleyball game! Thanks again!

It was a good weekend! We will celebrate their actual birthdays this week and keep in the groove of school!

Tacos

So this title may be a little misleading. This post actually has NOTHING to do with actual tacos. This past Sunday, Doug and I got out for part of the afternoon without children. We had grandma come over and watch the kiddos. And no, we did not go for tacos. We went to the infant memorial service at Immanuel for anyone who suffered infant loss this past year at any Alegent hospital. We were told about this service back in March when our loss happened. Doug has been waiting and watching for info on this service ever since. If it were just me, I probably would not have gone, but it was clearly very important to Doug that we go. Being the good wife that I sometimes am, I swallowed all my reservations and excuses and away we went. It was held in a tastefully decorated conference room. We were given the candle at the beginning. I perused the program for the service. Some very poignant songs were chosen, such as Eagles Wings, (a funeral standard and tear jerker for us catholics) and I will Carry You by Selah, a contemporary christian group. There was a lady all alone in the row in front of us already crying. Tacos. The service started with the sisters singing. They were an adorable group of elderly nuns who apparently do this sort of thing often for the hospitals. Bible readings were read. A nurse gave a statement that was comforting. The presider, a chaplain from Bergan gave his statement. He spoke of his experience with infant loss and had a hard time getting through. Tacos. He had the nerve to look straight at me while I was clearly trying to distract myself with thinking of different mexican food dishes, ok, maybe just one, tacos. His perspective as a male I think resonated with Doug, so I was glad he spoke, just wish he didn't try to make direct eye contact. Then a parent statement was given by a very sweet and suffering couple about their struggles with infant loss. Tacos, guacamole. This statement took a little more distraction to get through. Their statements were very raw and hearbreaking.

So now starts the song, I Will Carry You, and they call each family to light a candle for their baby and each member of the couple gets a rose. Steady. I am as strong as a fortress. Uh huh. The first baby they call belongs to the tear streaked lady in front of us. She lit her candle and laid two pictures on the table next to it. Tacos. Burritos? Enchiladas? Carne asada? Nope. Didn't work this time. You could clearly see they were pictures of her holding her infant son. I lost it. The chaplain seemed to almost gloat that it finally got to me (not really, but that's how I felt.) To make matters worse, an eight year old kid came in half way through the service and was sitting right next to me. I could feel his awkwardness at my sudden gasping for breath. There was a mutual feeling of awkwardness there. They called baby Goebel. I let Doug do the lighting. The nurses who were facilitating this part of the service seemed as though they would be disappointed if I didn't hug them. Again, awkward. Doug would have gladly hugged them, anyone in the room and possibly people in the next room. Me, not so much a hugger. Needless to say, it was difficult watching each family go through this ceremony. I was pretty disappointed with myself that I didn't have the emotional stamina to get through the whole thing without bawling. I really thought tacos would work. By the end, I decided that maybe it shouldn't be a test of my stamina. That may be completely missing the point of the ceremony. I really do feel like we have moved on from our loss, but in some ways, we will always have that. A loss. I didn't really want to accept that. When the ceremony ended, Doug and I did what we knew best. We went straight to the next room for the free food. There was some more awkwardness, but at least now I had a cup of coffee and a white chocolate chip macadamia nut cookie to keep me going. Again, I would not have gone of my own volition. Again, my husband gently nudged be to go beyond myself and do what was right for us. Ahh marriage. Humbling, frustrating, unconditional loving marriage. I hope I am just as pushy, controlling and frustrating a wife for him, or more simply put, I hope I have helped him grow as much as he has helped me. I debated with myself (yes, I argue with myself constantly, but at least I always win!) on whether or not to write about this because it is not something I would sit next to you and talk to you about. But this blog is about my kids. All of them. Enough said.

Random Summer Thoughts

This summer is flying by! We are trying to enjoy it, but it is so stinkin' hot! The kids NEVER tire of going to the pool. It's hard to argue when it has been as hot as it is. The older three can navigate the pool with no problem and little supervision. Max can't quite stand in the 3-feet- tall, as Brady calls it, but if not by summer's end, then for sure next year! He has a healthy caution when swimming. He stays on the wall if not held by one of us. He wants to be a big boy so bad! When not swimming, we might be at a baseball game or practice! Walker has taken on baseball as he does all sports, very seriously! He tried out and got a spot on the team as catcher. He also tried out for pitcher but did not make it. I think that is so good for him to have some success, but to also realize he is not the best at everything all the time. I really like his coaches and team! Small soap box: Just to let you know, these coaches are VOLUNTEER! It never ceases to amaze me the type of people who will take on a team and the responsibility, and unfortunately the griping and criticism of parents, and all that for no compensation other then joy in their heart! Luckily, all of the teams we have been on, parents have been very supportive and appreciative of our volunteer coaches. But you see it on the field and on other teams. Ok, getting off the soap box now. Brady too is playing ball and enjoying it as he always does, in his fun-loving way. Such a big heart he has. The boys are all signed up and ready to go for flag football in the fall! With Lauren, I think it is safe to say that if she were a Spice Girl, she would not be Sporty Spice! She is holding out for girl scouts in the fall or something more crafty. She enjoyed dance and may take that back up in the fall. The world is her oyster (as long as she doesn't have to run or bat a ball to get there!) She loves playing "school" in her spare time. When I say "spare" time, I mean time not spent grounded in her room for throwing the mother of all fits which she does almost daily. Trying to get through to my little drama queen that screaming and crying are not attractive features nor is a potty mouth has been quite the uphill battle! When not battling the slings and arrows of her ever-changing moods, I am battling with her on clothes (at 7, REALLY?). She ties all of her shirts with a pony tail holder so they are tight. Ok. Not sure what that is about. Then she rolls any thing she puts on (pants, shorts, skirts). Ok. What is that all about. I am walking the tightrope between keeping her apporpriately dressed for her age and out of the clutches of pedophiles and completely squashing her creativity. SIGH!! Max, or "puppy-dog" as I call him (why, I have NO idea), is quite the little boy! He wants to play baseball, swing, play legos, cars or wrestlers. He has a bit of the pouties that Brady has when he is told "no" or something doesn't go his way. He is also my one-man justice league. You mess with his brothers or sister, and you have another thing coming, even if you can't really understand what he is saying! You take something that is not yours, he is on you like white on rice. He is, most importantly, the apple of his siblings' eye. The Max. Doug is on a brief hiatus from taking classes (he is getting his Master's, you know), so we are trying to get those little projects done around the house. Before we know, school will be upon us! First day of school pics will be drastically different from last year. Stick around and see!

It's Summer!

It is officially summer! It has been 100 degrees outside for the past week so there is no denying it! We have been busy going the the pool, baseball games and practices, swim lessons, VBS, and on top of all that, my kids have decided to have a social life! They have been playing with friends like crazy this summer! I owe a lot of kids overnights at our house! The picture of Walker is from our church festival where he got his hair spray painted. Lauren is forever trying new looks! Brady and Lauren took swim lessons together and both passed with flying colors! Stay tuned for more summerific pics!

All in a Saturday

Oh what a day! We started Saturday by going to the Y's Healthy Kids day. They had free bike helmets for the kids and all sorts of events! Walker got the autographs and picture with the UNO basketball team! Max got to see a real fire truck! He loves fire trucks and they let him and all the kids go inside and through the truck! All the mascots from all the area teams were there. Max was petrified of the Lancer hockey bird. Brady ran right up to him and got a hug and a twirl from it! After that, the kids and I went with Anne and Patrick to a Creighton baseball game. The kids LOVED it! Walker caught a T-Shirt! We ate popcorn and cotton candy. It was great weather and great seats right behind home plate! Then, to round out the day, Lauren had her dance recital at the YMCA. She did great! It was a very cute show with very cute girls! She was proud of herself! I can't believe we were able to squeeze all that in one day! The kids kept saying how it was the best day of their lives! This was a four day weekend for the kids, which I have to admit, I usually fear and dread. When I am home alone (without a car) all day with all four kids there is no telling what could happen. Add to that if I worked the night before, and it is usually a recipe for disaster. I tried to prepare as best I could this time around. Friday was baseball day. We did some baseball themed worksheets (hey, you can take the teacher out of the classroom, but you can't take the classroom out of the teacher!) which they always love the challenge. Then we played some baseball themed games and played catch in the backyard. We had corndogs for lunch and I made bases out of apple slices. They watched a baseball movie ONDemand during rest time. We were doing awesome until about 3 pm. That is when fatigue set in for all of us. We each took turns having a meltdown, regrouped and got on with out night. Everyone went to sleep a happy camper. Monday was another stay home day for all involved, but I didn't have to work the night before and I had the car! We went to the Y so I could work out and then tried to go to the library for a movie. Without getting too crass, it did not work out and I may have lost my marbles a bit there. I may have also called the library and complained. They apologized, I was all better. We went to the mall to play. The kids made some instant friends and burned some energy (wahoo!). We got home, played outside and the backyard became a splash zone. They came up with the idea and I just went with it. They were all wearing clean clothes they had just folded from the laundry and my towels were all nice and clean too. The Type A part of me was freaking out a bit, but the other part of me told me to just chill and let them be kids. It has taken me eight years to listen to that part of me, but hey I'm finally learning, right? We went to dinner with Doug before he had class and all were snug and asleep by 9 pm. I would say in their own beds, but no one sleeps in their own bed around here except for Doug and I. So, we are back to our regularly scheduled routine and ready for summer to kick in!

Mr. First Communion and Easter

It has been an eventful spring to say the least so far! Easter came out of nowhere! It was a fun day and the kids enjoyed numerous egg hunts around town leading up to the big day! Right after Easter, Walker Stephen Roddy Goebel made his first communion! He was very excited about this and took it very seriously! It was a nice mass. Grandma Goebel came with us and stayed for dinner. Walker picked dinner. The menu was (ahem): Corndogs, corn, and apple juice. Really. That is what we ate. I made a chocolate cake based on Aunt Wendy's butterscotch cake recipe and it was delish!! They totally grow up so quickly! I can't believe he has already made this milestone! Other than that, we are getting ready to wrap up the school year. Doug is going to hit his Master's classes hard this summer so that he can graduate in May of 2013 instead of December. Walker and Brady are all ready to go for baseball this summer. Lauren has a dance recital Saturday night. Busy, but good. Then there is little man Max. He is just doing whatever he can to keep up with the other kids. He is Mr. Independent, unless there is a bunny nearby, than he wants to be held. He is talking away, mostly repeating everything he hears. That about sums up our recent events!

Max and Me

Partners in crime. That describes Max and I as we go through our day to day routines. Max and I walk Brady to school every day and pick him up from school every day. This is after the big yellow bus picks up Walker and Lauren and we race home to get them off the bus in the afternoon. Every day is a mystery as to what Max will want to bring on our walks. He likes to pack a back pack like his older siblings and tote it around (in this picture he is wearing Lauren's Bratz backpack). Sometimes he free hands toys (these usually end up in my pockets). Lately, he has been packing his "bed" i.e. a pillow and blanket in a tote bag. I'm sure those that pass us think I am taking him to his next placement or that he has over stayed his welcome and is being shipped off. Max is a pro at pointing out ambulances and fire trucks. He can even identify their sirens (that's what living in the Benson neighborhood will do, we have plenty of sirens and even police helicopters frequenting our streets and air space). Motorcycles are tops on his list too. In other words, he truly does make every outing some kind of adventure. We have met our fair share of big barking dogs that scare the bejesus out of him. We have even seen a snake! When we get home I usually do my chores while he plays and watches his PBS shows. In between we cuddle and read and snack. I really do enjoy our days together. But he is growing so quickly, I know these days are numbered!
Some Maxisms:
"in a wittle bit" (when asked to take a nap or go potty)
"where that fire truck go?"
"We get Brady Bear now?"
"Aww, Tanks." (His version of thanks)
"Good job mom." This is when I cross the street safely or go potty. Hey, who doesn't need a little positive encouragement, even if I mastered these skills 32 years ago?
To say I love that kid would be an understatement!