Moving...Again

<Sigh>


I hate moving.  I hate the disruption of my routine.  I hate that I can't find ANYTHING.  I hate living in one place while my stuff is in the other. I hate it.  AND, I hate moving with children.  I have not yet recovered from our move last August.  Can you blame me?  It has only been NINE months and we are moving again.  Two adults (one being a history teacher with her own personal library), FOUR kids (two age 5 or younger, which means TONS of toys) and two BIG dogs.  On the bright side, there were SO many issues with this house, I protested unpacking and so there is a 2 1/2 car garage storage unit full of boxes - like bursting at the seams.


Now, I am SO EXCITED to live in the new house. The boys will each have their own rooms.  The yard is already fenced in.  I have paint colors already picked out!  BEST part, we are right next to another fire family and we hit it off BEAUTIFULLY.   I can't wait to spend summer with them.  Our kids get along great.  I am excited.


Can I just skip the rest of May?  Skip the packing and the moving and the "Honey, have you seen the________________________?" that comes with this.  Can I skip the senioritis that is SO in full swing and my juniors thinking they are already top dog?  Can I skip finals and grades?  PLEASE???


FINE!  I'll be a grown-up and just do what needs to be done, just not with a smile!


So, tomorrow, here is the list of things to pack...

• Tupperware, that is not absolutely necessary
•  Girls' toys and stuffed animals - tower o' toys,princess dresses, books that are not still packed from last move, 2 babies per girl and pillow pets will be left for sanity's sake
• Boys' toys
• Stemware
• Cookbooks

Hopefully, this will be the case!

Not really much, but as I look around, there's not much to pack.  I never got this house settled.  It was never truly home. 

So, I am indeed looking forward to the next chapter, just not the dirty work to get there.  I think we might even splurge and get a mover for the furniture and appliances.  That will make life easier for my hubby, seeing as I still have school until the end of the month.  It takes some of the burden off of his shoulders.

And, once we are done, I can enjoy the summer rather than having to get back to school with boxes all over my house!
 

Courage for Kyle, the Epilogue

It is 3:50 in the morning, I can't sleep, so I got some work done.  I decided to check to see if there was any news about Kyle McGetrick, as I do about once a week.  Unfortunately, there was. May 1st, Kyle lost his battle with cancer. The little guy that touched so many hearts in the fire world has left this world and is now free of pain and cancer.


Please say a prayer for his family, friends and community. The Barnegat Fire Department mourns and we all mourn as well.  The pain of losing a child has no words. But I can only imagine that watching helplessly while your baby fights to be brave is so much harder.


Kyle was made an honorary firefighter by his father's department, helping to make a dream come true, that would never have otherwise been achieved.  I collected patches and sent them to NJ for Kyle's collection as did so many other departments in the world.  The fire family responded to his dad's request for a small parade at Christmas time, to help boost his spirits and make Kyle smile, with 100+ rigs.  There have been so many fundraisers in his honor.  Kyle touched so many and brought so much good to the world, just by being Kyle. 


Today one of the most precious gifts in my life left to a place where there are no more doctors, treatments, pain and sorrow.  For today our family let Kyle jump on his own fire truck to heaven.  He taught me as a father the true meaning of love, courage and strength. Kyle fought so hard for the last 7 years with fearless strength and valor that cannot be measured or imagined.  He fought and face the enemy o(f) cancer till the very end.  Rest now forever my son and feel no more pain. Your will to continue the fight and help other kids will go on by those you touched.  I will see you every night in my dreams.  Thank you to everyone through the years who have supported Kyle.  His mission will continue to help other kids of Barnegat.  We love you all.  Kyle will always be my little fireman.

~Gene McGetrick

Peace, love and prayers to the family.  And to the fire family that supported Kyle, you are a true example of why this world of firefighting is so amazing.  Peace to Barnegat FD and the community.


Kyle requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Oceans of Love Foundation or to the Barnegat Fire Company.  Any Donations can be sent to Barnegat Fire Company Station 11, PO Box 539, Barnegat, NJ 08005.  They will ensure that Kyle's parents receive all donations for the Oceans of Love Foundation.

RIP Kyle, be proud of how many lives you touched and inspired.

Peace

Probably sick of hearing about it

So, if you are, please forgive me and I'll see you tomorrow.  I just can't live with this idea that so many babies are dying when there is no need.


Insert elevator music here...just in case you are sick of listening to me...

Feel free to stop in tomorrow.  I promise it will be something that will make you smile.


Okay, I was sitting on the front porch with my hubby.  Waiting for the storm to come.  Playing with my new love Instagram (I'm slow, I know).  When I decided to check the paper - bad move.


The headline made my stomach turn and the article made it worse. 

Infant electrocuted after sleeping in bed with mom, another child

Really?  All in one phrase?  Bed sharing and electrocution?  And when you read the article, it is even worse.  The danger level is so high, screaming for a fire inspection.  Had that baby been in a Pack N Play, this would NEVER HAVE HAPPENED!  NEVER!  She would still be among us, waiting to flower to a point where she can discover the world.  UGH!  

Had she called any non-emergency line in the city, my husband's rig would have been the one to come and set up the Pack N Play and help with the education process and that baby girl would still be blossoming.  Her momma never had to leave the house.  

I asked J WHY???  It is all over the news.  There is controversy and scary images.  Press conferences and Sleep Summits.  WHY IS THIS STILL HAPPENING?  His answer was simple, they think it won't happen to them.   It happens to other people's babies, not theirs. What is happening is not working, so there needs to be a fresh idea.

So, N and I came up with a plan for the summer.  We are going create a print campaign to take to the MFD and city Health Commissioner to see if they would work with us, using real mommas of angel babies - no posed pictures - with the idea, "Think it can't happen to you, ask the moms of these angel babies.  That was what they thought, too."  Or something along those lines.  He wants to do a fundraiser for more Pack N Plays.  Education and availability.  I am so proud.  Wish us luck!