The BEST Christmas Cards Ever

We have already received well over 50 Christmas cards this year. They are all beautiful and I cherish them all. However, this year, I’ll admit that there is one that blew them all out of the water. It will be hard to top it. EVER.

Thomas came home from school the other day and was looking glum. I asked him how he was. “Mom, I made you a Christmas card, but it didn’t turn out the way I wanted it to. I wanted you to think it was from Heaven, not from me. I’ll just show you.” He pulled the following card out of his backpack.

 

That was just the cover. I opened it to read the inside:

He said there was a coat he had drawn and stuck in the card but it fell out.

Just look at all the thought he put into that. Look at all the FAITH. Look at all the COMPASSION. Can’t you just feel it? It is  from Heaven.

Today I was cleaning off the table and I found this little gem Veronica had written:

Look at the sentiment. Look at all the LOVE. Look at all the UNITY.

Every week for school Mass, they have to fill out their offering envelopes. If they don’t give money, they are supposed to offer a good deed. I guess they forgot to take theirs this week. I was tickled to find them today:

Life isn’t always flowers and butterflies, but when you take a moment to have faith like a child – to at least listen to what faith is for a child – then even amidst the struggles, life is full of beauty. I don’t bring up Julianne and David very often. Even if I wanted to, I wouldn’t need to. On their own, these two make the thread between this life and the next, between earth and Heaven, between every member of our family strong, tangible and comfortable.

Infinity–Turned on It’s Side.

EIGHT. 8. Yes, that’s the symbol for infinity (∞) turned on it’s side.

Not quite infinity ago, but an 8 year old’s lifetime ago that we welcomed and said earthly good-byes to our Julianne and David. 8 years ago that their life became ∞ in Heaven.

Another infinity of nights (exaggerated for literary purposes here) on a magnesium sulfate drip in the hospital. Another infinity of nights with a man who loves me infinitely sleeping next to that hospital bed in a chair. That symbol loops around and gives brings us back around to the infinite love of our children – our hellos to their siblings. One in an infinity chance that we would have a second set of boy girl twins. One in an infinity chance that they would look so much like their older brother and sister. An infinite amount of love and respect these children show for two siblings they have never crossed paths with, at least not on this finite earth.

This year we celebrated a little differently. After stopping by my mother’s house, who shares her birthday with Julianne and David, we went to Madison to celebrate with Judson’s parents. I'm so glad we did.

Veronica and Thomas prepared their “notes” to be sent those infinite miles to Heaven, via balloons.

Thomas drew hearts…

Veronica drew angels: a boy and a girl (gril).

Daddy Gayle let the balloons go with us…

…while Mama, in all her strength, cheered us on.

Before we left, we thanked them for sharing in our celebration. (We made them sing ‘Happy Birthday,’ for goodness sake!) Daddy Gayle welled up a little and thanked US. I guess it should not surprise me. It is their infinitely flowing love that brings smiles to Veronica and Thomas’s face, that can make my husband laugh from his gut, that can make me forget I once was not a part of this family. Daddy Gayle thanked us for the opportunity to hold our babies. There are a finite number – a very small number of people who held my firstborn children. An even smaller number who held them while they were living. I’m so blessed that this man and woman who have experienced, seen, and loved many things in their 90 and 86 years would still cherish that experience.

When we left, we went to the cemetery on the way home. We had our second round of birthday cupcakes and balloon releases.

Veronica and Thomas are unabashed about correcting people who mention I have two children. They are proud to tell people about their brother(s) and sister(s). So of course, really knew how to party with cartwheels and dancing!

And so, just a few days later, Thomas was asked to write a personal statement for his reading class. He shared this:

(Funny thing is that he didn’t have title or the last sentence. He was a little distraught over needing another sentence. I said, “you may want a sentence about who “they” are. I don’t think the reading teacher knows you have a brother and sister in Heaven.” He looked at me like I was crazy, but heeded the advice anyhow.)

Just love the closeness of my family. Even if we all can’t physically touch. But, it’s nice when we can…

Veronica’s phrase sums up the infinite intimacy of it all: “I love you permanent.”

Snug as Two Bugs on a Rug

This spring we finally got rid of the toddler beds. The kids share such a tiny room we weren’t sure how to configure it with two beds. Thomas had long outgrown the crib mattress, however.

In hopes to keep them in the same room – and keep the larger room for the playroom – we got a loft. We put a second mattress under it on the floor in a trundle frame. The weeks leading up to the loft were full of fun anticipation. Thomas did NOT want to sleep on the top bunk. Veronica did. This did not stop Thomas from using things to his advantage. Whenever things were not quite going to his liking, he’d tell Veronica, “I won’t let you sleep on the top bunk…” She’d immediately relinquish power to him.

When the loft was installed, they picked out their own sheets. Thomas the Train and Transformers for Thomas, Dora and Butterflies for Veronica. Veronica slept well on the top for a couple weeks. Then, she got sick. She wanted to sleep on the bottom. Thomas wasn’t going up, so we padded the hardwood floor for her and she snuggled up. Once she recovered, she then started having attacks of fear at being on the top bunk. So, MONTHS have gone by with Veronica sleeping on the hardwood floor. Sometimes she’d have a quilt under her, but often she drifted off of it.

I wasn’t about to force one of them to sleep on the top. How do you choose? Who do you “punish” by making them scared all night? Nevertheless, my daughter sleeping on a cold, hard floor was wearing at my conscience as well. Today, I’d had enough! I moved around some carpets and furniture to make it work. In the process, Thomas had told Judson he wanted to sleep on the top bunk. The room needed a rug anyway, so I kept at it.

Tonight, Thomas climbed up proudly onto the top bunk. Veronica cozied up to the “arrangement” she’d made on the bottom bunk of books and stuffed animals. It seemed it was smooth sailing, until lights out… Veronica was devastated that she could not see Thomas. (The loft sits quite high). She tried laying on the floor, but she could still not see him. She asked him to come down near her, he didn’t want to. After listening to Veronica’s angst, I asked Thomas if he would sing to her so she could hear his voice. He happily offered 5 songs. When the songs were over, Veronica was back out sobbing that she couldn’t see him and she needed to know he was there. I told her to go back and ask Thomas if he would snuggle with her for just a little bit. I warned her it was his right to say no. Within five minutes we never heard another peep. We went in to see what the resolution: Two sweet, loving soul mates, BOTH on the floor.

This Guy!

 

Thomas is an extremely talented kid. He is also an extremely shy kid. He does NOT like the idea of public performance. For example, there’s the Christmas pageant two years ago.

The following Christmas pageant, they sang Feliz Navidad. During the first round, Thomas stood between two kids with maracas. Thomas had both his ears covered with his hands while he sang. Then, on the second round of the song, he was passed a maraca. He used one hand to cover one ear. He used the other hand to shake a maraca on cue while he covered that ear by pressing it against his shoulder.

He thoroughly enjoys watching performances.  He had quite a stomach ache last month before he had to perform again with his class for Grandparents’ Day.

Nevertheless, this weekend he told me he wanted to sing in my “choir.” I have recently started playing the piano at two Masses a month. We have an open-door policy, trying to encourage those who want to participate in the music to do so.  The last time I had three kids participate. Thomas had been ill, so we left him at home. This weekend NO kids showed up. He was still quite excited and ready to do it. About 20 minutes before the service a girl in Thomas’s school whom he knows, Anna, came to help her parents be greeters. He went to ask her to sing. And she did!

Despite the fact there were only 5 singers (including him), Thomas insisted that he sit in the 3rd row. He would be “more comfortable” there. He came down for each song and sang with the group, but then returned to his seat in the 2nd or 3rd row (depending on his confidence level at that point). He took it all very seriously.

Thomas made it through the whole service. He sang every song. Fr. Bob’s homily was about giving of your time and talent. I was pleased to tell Thomas and Anna what a good example they set for the whole church. He was pleased to do it “with the choirs of angels and saints,” understanding it was for Jesus and his brother and sister in Heaven.

My heart is full of love. He is loving. He is faithful. He is awesome. He is my baby. I LOVE this guy.

What’s in a Name?

This week’s religion homework is to talk about where the children’s names came from. We’ve been discussing it most of the week. I even typed up a paper for them to remember this information. They have proudly taped these to their walls and made binders (all of their own idea) with these sheets (below).

Tonight as I picked the kids up from school, we talked again about their meanings. We talked about the history of St. Veronica. Thomas insisted, "When I'm married and I have a wife who has a baby, we'll name her Veronica. And when she's 5 she can tell her teacher that we named her after her Daddy's sister who is a special girl."

 

THOMAS

RILEY

 

THOMAS

• My brother’s name is David Thomas. He was named after
• Thomas Riley: Mama ‘s (Daddy’s mother) brother. He was very special and helped take care of Mama when her mother died when she was 5.
• David Riley: This was Thomas Riley’s son. He was Daddy’s favorite cousin.
• Thomas means “twin.” Jesus’s apostle Thomas was a twin.
• Daddy’s Confirmation name is Thomas, after St. Thomas Aquinas.
  

RILEY

• This was Daddy’s mom’s last name before she got married.
• Daddy’s middle name is Riley.

Daddy’s name is Judson Riley. He is named after his Grandfather, Judson Riley.
Mommy’s name is Christen Marie. She was born very close to Christmas, so she was named after Jesus Christ and Mary.

VERONICA

JANE

 

VERONICA

• St. Veronica was a very special girl who was kind to Jesus when the soldiers were being mean to him. She was very brave and wiped the sweat and blood from Jesus’s face while he was carrying his cross. She was rewarded by Jesus. He put an image of his face on the veil she used.
• Veronica means “true image.” I look a lot like my sister Julianne. My parents also hope to teach me to show others the love of Jesus. They hope to make me show his image.
• Mommy & Daddy are big fans of Elvis Costello. One of their favorite songs of his is "Veronica."

JANE

• My sister’s name is Julianne Jane.  She was named after
• Julianne: Grandma’s sister was very close to Grandma’s age and her best friend. She died before Mommy was born.
• Jane: My brother and sister, David Thomas and Julianne Jane, were born on Grandma’s birthday!

Daddy’s name is Judson Riley. He is named after his Grandfather, Judson Riley.
Mommy’s name is Christen Marie. She was born very close to Christmas, so she was named after Jesus Christ and Mary.

Wordful Wednesday, December

Veronica

Someone in V's class must be talking about other holidays... V keeps running around the house yelling, "April FOUR!

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On 12/18… Veronica came out of her bedroom, well after bedtime, every 10 minutes for over 2 hours. She was amazed she learned how to snap and had to show me.

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Me: Veronica, you are becoming a wonderful artist.
V: I know. Aunt Dawn taught me.

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Thomas

Thomas's Joke for the night...
Why did the bubble gum cross the road?
Because it was stuck to the chicken's foot!

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While watching The Little Drummer Boy, “Bad guys don't usually sing, right Mom?"

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T: Mommy, I wrote you a book. (Hands me a folded piece of paper with scribble on it.)
Me: Can you read it for me?
T: It's called "Cutting for Stone 2". No, "Cutting for Stone 3." It says, "They were cutting for stone, and when there were no more trees, they did not cut anymore.”

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All Together Now…

We were discussing which adult was going to take the kids to the library this afternoon as we both felt under the weather.
V: I know. You can both stay here and rest. Thomas and I can go by ourselves.
Me: Who's going to drive?
T: Well, I don't know how to get to the library (we were speaking of Glendale), so I guess Veronica can drive.
V: But if it's our library (Irvington), I don't know how to get to that one, so you can drive.
Case closed.

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Early in the morning, snuggling in bed with me...
V: I'm so energized!
T: I'm so hydronated!
V: What is hydronated?
T: It's when something falls off your head.

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Speaking about his friend who plays very energetically, "He needs to be careful with my toys. They are very delicatated."
V: What does 'delicatated' mean?
Me: 'Delicate' means that they can get hurt or break easily.
T: Yeah, because they are made in China.

Feeling Five?

After months of wanting to turn five, the reaction to being five is a little different.
Thomas isn't sure he wants to give up being four. "I like being four."
Veronica stated tonight, "It's been a rough day. I'm nervous about being five. It's a little scary."
They are still pretty thrilled with being five. Sleep tight, my Bittersweet Babes.

Wordful Wednesday, November

Veronica

V's response to her friend who has a strawberry allergy: "Well, I'm only allergic to alligators.”

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You know when the kids spent the entire weekend with Aunt Peggy. Veronica, telling me about where she bought her new "motor"(bi)cycle... "You don't live in my town. I got it there. I live in Brown County.”

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I was telling Veronica to be patient as I was older than her before I could snap my fingers

V: I'll be able to when I'm 62?
Me: Yes. How old do you think I am?
V: 23.

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Thomas

Responsibility? I'm a Star Wars character - not a wild goose chase!

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Mom, can I ask you a question? Why do hunters... Well, you know... um... Well, why do they.... You know... well... Let me think of a question.

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My favorite Thomas word right now: "Poinky"
It seems to translate to pointy or pokey.

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All Together Now…

V:I'm sooooo permanent!
T: I am haberjized!

Wordful Wednesday

Thomas

While listening to “Werewolves of London with kids,” Thomas interjected, “Werewolves travel to Africa.” I asked him, “Where did you learn that?” He replied, “Costco. But no, they travel to Egypt. Not Africa, I think.”

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Veronica

“Mom, how do you spell ‘a-ok’? I already have an ‘a’. What's next?” (I make her figure out each letter, then...) “What's after k?"

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This is Thomas. He is crazy.

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We're playing school. When it's grown-up time we go to Disney World and color.

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Judson was cracking himself up.

V: Why are you laughing?”

J: I'm laughing at something that was funny to me.

V: Why's Mommy not laughing?

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Convo

Conversation after they were in bed.
T: What do you call a monster that can't hear?
V: Thomas, do you want to play flashlight school?
T: Sure!
V: OK, I'm Mrs. Eaton.
later, chanted, T: Mrs. Eaton, Mrs. Eaton, go away.
Together *Giggles*

Thomas’s Camping Journal

This weekend we went camping at Clifty Falls State Park. The kids were extremely excited. Thomas made a journal of things to do when camping. I hope to post pictures of us actually doing these things later, but I wanted to share this first…

We set up the tent.

This is Thomas looking for sticks.

Thomas looking for leaves.

Catching lightning bugs. (We didn’t actually do this one… maybe next time.)

Toasting marshmallows.

Brushing his hair. (I think this symbolizes getting ready for bed, although he never brushes his hair!)

Mommy reading stories to lots (!?) of people.

Looking at stars through the tent window.

Sleeping in the tent. (Thomas in his sleeping bag – his head on pillow with his teddy bear.)

Wordful Wednesday

Veronica

• “Oh my Heavens!” – her new catch phrase.
• I love you through and though!

 

Thomas

• Judson asked Thomas if he was finished getting ready for bed. (He’s easily distracted, we have to remind him to complete a task many times before it gets started). His response this time was, “I’m reading a book by accident!”
• Mom, that’s REALLY tall. Taller than a building, taller than a tree, taller than a skyscraper. Taller than Uncle Thad.

 

Both

They are really pulling for their birthday to be ASAP. The other day they were planning their birthday party in the car. Thomas wants to have his at Chuck E Cheese. Veronica would like to have hers in the school cafeteria.

while playing, Thomas picked up a girl toy and made it talk…

V: THOMAS! That sounds like a girl voice, not a boy!

T: Well, Veronica… I am a boy. I only have boy voice parts. My voice looks like this, see? (sings syllables)

V: You do it like this Thomas. (singing, “I love you.”)

T: I am a boy. I can’t do a girl voice.

And the winner is…

POOPY-POOP!

That’s exactly how they put it, often.

• And the winner is poopy-poop.
• Poopy-poop.
• Let’s make a poopy-poop sandwich.
• …and the variations are endless.

Wordful Wednesday

Veronica

Heard from the other room… “Dangit. DANGIT! Mom, you have to come here NOW!” I asked, “Why can’t you come here?” To which she answered, “Because I said ‘dangit’, That’s why you have to come now.”

While pretending to be a puppy, Veronica told me, “My name is Gorgeous.” Think she got this from Pa, who insists his name is ‘Good-lookin?”

chicken paddle = doggie paddle                      magnastics = gymnastics

“Mom, one time I saw someone reading a book when they were eating an apple. Could I try that?”

“Mom, you forgot to turn on your bling sneegle!” (turn signal)

 “I really like this song. Do you hear that bass, Mama?”

Thomas

During prayer the other night, this came out: “Angel of God, my Guardian Dear to whom God’s love commits me beer.”

A couple weeks ago Thomas told me, “mom, my name is not ‘Thomas’ anymore. I want you to call me ‘Super Thomas’ all the time now.” The other day when I called him ‘Super Thomas’ he said, “You don’t have to call me that anymore. I really like my name. Call me ‘Thomas.’”

“I love to sing beautiful songs to girls.” (After I complimented his singing to me!)

“Mom, I know why my wrestling moves are so hurty. It’s because she (Veronica) was born first and when I came out I was so long. That gave me a lot of energy.”

hang-a-bur = hamburger

Both

After going outside, Judson returned and said, “It smells like burnt toast out there.” To which Thomas asked, “What’s bird toast?” Veronica told me,

“Mom, it smells delicious out there. Want a taste?”

We made mailboxes for outside our bedroom doors this week. They have been making each other a lot of mail. Veronica was complimenting Thomas on what he had drawn her, telling him how much she’d treasure it and what a good job he did. Thomas came out of the room and I said, “You guys are good buddies.” Thomas replied, “Yep, that’s why we LOVE being twins!”

I love how “modest” these four-year-olds can be. When complimenting them, Veronica will nonchalantly say, “I know.” Thomas will answer in an exasperated tone (as if this is the most basic piece of information everyone shoud know – I’m awesome), “I knooooooooooooooooooooooooow.” To never lose that self-confidence…

Veronica: I want to be a pony!    Thomas: But I would miss my sister.      Veronica: No, you won’t. I’ll be YOUR pony!

Sally

We’ve known for about a month that we were going to have a 3 night, 4 day guest in September. This guest was so exciting that I started a calendar for the kids – specifically so they could check (three times a day or more) how long it would be before we were hosting and what we’d do in the meantime. And then, they day came. She came…

 

SALLY

She received a very warm welcome,

top notch care,

and she had a great time. The kids had a great time too. They were more than willing to share with anyone who would listen that “we have a dog.” Veronica would use a very commanding tone with “Sal” and give her treats to show she was proud of Sally for obeying this tone.

Because Sally didn’t care to sleep in the twins’ room, the twins had a campout each night on the living room floor with her. For three nights in a row, a four year old did not end up in our room overnight!

As much fun as Sally had, she was, however, ecstatic to see Peggy at the end of the four days.

A Walk on the WILD Side

Thanks to the Children’s Museum and the Ft. Wayne Zoo partnering up for a couple weeks, we were able to go to the Ft. Wayne Children’s Zoo free of charge. I had heard wonderful things about this zoo in the past. and Oh.My.Goodness. GREAT zoo!

321Family, Flesworthy, and the Kringalings caravanned our group of Wonder Twins (plus the fab “baby” Caroline) and got up close and personal with some wildlife.

 

 

We also encountered some wildlife more common to the Indianapolis region…

There were some great interactive stations for the kids.

I wish I could say that all our time was spent marveling that we were walking the same path as the kangaroos, or that birds were swooping at our heads, but the truth is, six four-year-olds together is quite wild. So wild, we don’t even need to look at the exhibits – we’ll just live the wild life!

First Overnight Retreat for the CCC

CCC… Cousins’ Club. That’s what the kids have been calling it for months. Each time we get together and they have their standard incredible time. Well, we made it happen – that sleep-over the four of them have been talking about. Amy and Brad’s anniversary was approaching, and well, that is one of my FAVORITE DAYS! (Judson and I met at their wedding!) So, as I owe all the glory that is the Kring-a-lings to this union, we thought we’d celebrate by letting Amy and Brad have the evening to themselves.

These kids all get along so well. Even little Emma was given a role in the CCC. They all had official titles, you see. (treasurer, president, secretary, etc.) Each person had an ‘office’ in which they carried out their duties.

We had a lot of good, clean fun…

We snuggled up for a movie…

And of course you know a good time’s been had when we see chalk outlines on the sidewalk…