As I last posted, yesterday was the start of the NASCAR season with the Daytona 500!
Congratulations to the winner - Kevin Harvick.
The race started out slow and boring... but with about 50 laps to go it got GOOD.
Kurt Busch and Tony Stewart were running 1 and 2 and crashed out. Then one of my faves - Jimmie Johnson was in a big accident that brought out the green-white-checkered. Then, on the last lap, with Mark Martin in the lead, Kevin came on strong. At the same time a big accident happened - it took out much of the field - including Jeff Gordon.. and had Clint Bowyer skidding across the finish line on his hood!
Thankfully everyone was fine, and Jeff Gordon still finished 10th!
The top 5 were:
1. Kevin Harvick
2. Mark Martin
3. Jeff Burton
4. Mike Wallace
5. David Ragan
And since this is the first race, the points leaders are the same as the top 5!
Next stop - California on Sunday!
C-Ya!
Monday, February 19, 2007
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Start your engines!!!!
Ladies and Gentlemen... START YOUR ENGINES!
Today is the official start of the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Season.
Boogity, Boogity, Boogity... Let's go racing
Today is the Daytona 500!
Go Jeff Gordon!
C-Ya!
Out of the hospital!!
Well after just over 2 months in the hospital - including 5 weeks under sedation and just over a week in the rehab unit - my Dad is OUT OF THE HOSPITAL!!!
Can you tell I am excited?
At one point I wondered if we were going to make it to this day. Gosh, I thought we were going to lose him. But he pulled through and yesterday my Mom got to bring him home.
We were going to go yesterday to see him, but getting out wore him out.. so we will hopefully see him tonight or tomorrow.
Here is him last Thanksgiving... just under a month before he went in the hospital. Right now he has less hair and has lost some weight.. but his spirits are up.
We Love You Dad/Bapa/Ken!!
C-Ya!
Can you tell I am excited?
At one point I wondered if we were going to make it to this day. Gosh, I thought we were going to lose him. But he pulled through and yesterday my Mom got to bring him home.
We were going to go yesterday to see him, but getting out wore him out.. so we will hopefully see him tonight or tomorrow.
Here is him last Thanksgiving... just under a month before he went in the hospital. Right now he has less hair and has lost some weight.. but his spirits are up.
We Love You Dad/Bapa/Ken!!
C-Ya!
Friday, February 16, 2007
More kids?
Having two kids, with the youngest being 3, one of the inevitable questions is, "Are you having more kids?" My stock response is, "I am not done, but Nick is." Right now it is not in the picture with my friend, Roxanne's, wedding in the Bahamas at the end of the year.. and with our new health insurance we have to wait till we have it a certain amount of time till birth is covered.
Honestly in my heart, I think it is crazy to want more.. yet I still do. I do love the new baby stage, for a short while I am ok with the sleepless nights that newborns bring. But since I now have two preschoolers, the discipline issues are a lot harder to deal with. And right now the kids drive me crazy.
I just don't feel like our home is full... yet will that fullness but me in the loony bin?
Hmm.
On another note, Jeffrey sure thinks we are having more. He tells me all the time I am going to have 2 babies (even though I am NOT pregnant). I am going to have them at the same time.. a little Jeffrey and a little Samantha. And Jeffrey will help with one kid while Samantha and I will deal with the other. Too funny.
The thing is the chances of me having twins are slim to none.. because they don't run in our family and I wouldn't take fertility drugs (not that I am against them, just, because I have 2, I couldn't see us going to those measures). And I guess Jeffrey is a little right since as women we have all of the eggs we will have.
C-Ya!
Honestly in my heart, I think it is crazy to want more.. yet I still do. I do love the new baby stage, for a short while I am ok with the sleepless nights that newborns bring. But since I now have two preschoolers, the discipline issues are a lot harder to deal with. And right now the kids drive me crazy.
I just don't feel like our home is full... yet will that fullness but me in the loony bin?
Hmm.
On another note, Jeffrey sure thinks we are having more. He tells me all the time I am going to have 2 babies (even though I am NOT pregnant). I am going to have them at the same time.. a little Jeffrey and a little Samantha. And Jeffrey will help with one kid while Samantha and I will deal with the other. Too funny.
The thing is the chances of me having twins are slim to none.. because they don't run in our family and I wouldn't take fertility drugs (not that I am against them, just, because I have 2, I couldn't see us going to those measures). And I guess Jeffrey is a little right since as women we have all of the eggs we will have.
C-Ya!
Thursday, February 15, 2007
RIP Mollie
I have been holding off posting this - for awhile it was too hard to deal with.
On Thursday, December 28, 2006 we lost one of our fur babies. Mollie was 5 1/2 years old.. so as you can imagine this was a shock to us.
The night before we heard her whining.. we went out to the kennel to check her out. Her stomach was bloated. We thought that since both her and our male lab weren't fixed that she was pregnant. We had seen her getting some "action" so that would have made sense.
When Nick went to check on her the next morning she was still whining.. but we thought it was just pregnancy pains some more. We had to go out of town that day for a couple days, so we asked our neighbor to look in on the big dogs (the little ones were going with us). When she came home that afternoon from work she went in and checked and Mollie was already dead. Laying exactly where she was laying when Nick put her back in the kennel.
Our neighbor's son lives next door to a Vet, so they called her and she said it was a twisted stomach/intestines. Something fairly common in dogs that live with another dog.
This is my third pet to die. First was Mandi (Nick's Lab) who died at age 14, next was Klinger (parent's cat) who died at age 23... for some reason this one was the hardest. I think because this was my first puppy. When we got her over 5 years ago, I went with Nick and my fil to Nebraska to pick her up. I have pictures of her as a puppy laying on my lap. She never did get to live a full life. And that is the tragedy.
Here is Mollie
Now she is up in heaven driving my fil nuts, playing with Mandi.
C-Ya!
On Thursday, December 28, 2006 we lost one of our fur babies. Mollie was 5 1/2 years old.. so as you can imagine this was a shock to us.
The night before we heard her whining.. we went out to the kennel to check her out. Her stomach was bloated. We thought that since both her and our male lab weren't fixed that she was pregnant. We had seen her getting some "action" so that would have made sense.
When Nick went to check on her the next morning she was still whining.. but we thought it was just pregnancy pains some more. We had to go out of town that day for a couple days, so we asked our neighbor to look in on the big dogs (the little ones were going with us). When she came home that afternoon from work she went in and checked and Mollie was already dead. Laying exactly where she was laying when Nick put her back in the kennel.
Our neighbor's son lives next door to a Vet, so they called her and she said it was a twisted stomach/intestines. Something fairly common in dogs that live with another dog.
This is my third pet to die. First was Mandi (Nick's Lab) who died at age 14, next was Klinger (parent's cat) who died at age 23... for some reason this one was the hardest. I think because this was my first puppy. When we got her over 5 years ago, I went with Nick and my fil to Nebraska to pick her up. I have pictures of her as a puppy laying on my lap. She never did get to live a full life. And that is the tragedy.
Here is Mollie
Now she is up in heaven driving my fil nuts, playing with Mandi.
C-Ya!
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Happy Valentines Day!!
"I have found that to love and be loved is the most empowering of all human emotions." -- Jane Goodall
A Happy Valentines Day to all.
May love be with you.
And here are my 3 Valentines
C-Ya!
A Happy Valentines Day to all.
May love be with you.
And here are my 3 Valentines
C-Ya!
Monday, February 12, 2007
Dear Cupid....
For the Scrapshare blog challenge this week this is the challenge:
Write a letter to Cupid.
Say what's on your mind about Valentine's Day.
Is it a bunch of bunk?
Another chance for Hallmark to make some money?
Are you a romantic at heart?
Do you have hints for your Valentine?
Do you have a Valentine's memory to reminisce about?
Dear Cupid....
It is funny that this is the challenge this week (though of course this is all not coincidental since Valentines Day is in 2 days). I saw these two quotes in Oprah's "Mission Calendar Inspiration" email I get every day:
On Feb 9: "Love is my decision to make your problem my concern." -- Robert Schuller
On Feb 12: "Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone--we find it with another." -- Thomas Merton
Of course those of us with a love understand these quotes. One of the factors of marriage that Nick still is not so used to is that to have romantic love towards and with another person, you lose a sense of independence. No longer does every step you take impact just one person (not discounting those close to you - like your parents - of course). He has actually said to me he was not scared of dying till he fell in love with me. This of course has gotten compounded since we have had two kids. You walk through life together. And when the kids are grown - you hope that both of you will still be walking together, holding each other up.
Many people discount Valentines Day as a "Hallmark Holiday". I truly don't feel that way. For some, you show those that love you that you love and appreciate them all the time. For others, you need V Day so that you can be told "I Love You". Now Nick is probably in the middle.. and as we have gotten older I don't expect candle lit dinners and fancy jewelry. But I do expect a card. A card to me shows that you love someone enough that you took time out of your day (sometimes just 5 extra minutes) to pick out a thoughtful card (or make one) so that you show your love. I mean, I wouldn't turn down a nice gift.. I just don't expect it.
Of course I wish life was more romantic... but it is so hard to get to the romance through all the stress of life.
As for V Day memories. Nine years ago this V Day, Nick had his first "family trip" with my family. Funny, because Nick was my boss when we met.. and I knew I was going off to college but was going to try to come back and work on the weekends I was in town.. and on our first date (July 27, 1997) I told Nick I would need that day off (just for conversation).. well he was joking that I couldn't take it off. Fast forward over 6 months later.. not only do we both not work there.. he is with us on this trip for a family occasion.
The next V Day (1999) was actually the day I converted to Catholicism.
This V Day.. it will be me and the kids because Nick has to teach religion Wednesday night.. ah well!!
I just hope that this V Day, you tell your loved ones that you truly Love them!
C-Ya!
Write a letter to Cupid.
Say what's on your mind about Valentine's Day.
Is it a bunch of bunk?
Another chance for Hallmark to make some money?
Are you a romantic at heart?
Do you have hints for your Valentine?
Do you have a Valentine's memory to reminisce about?
Dear Cupid....
It is funny that this is the challenge this week (though of course this is all not coincidental since Valentines Day is in 2 days). I saw these two quotes in Oprah's "Mission Calendar Inspiration" email I get every day:
On Feb 9: "Love is my decision to make your problem my concern." -- Robert Schuller
On Feb 12: "Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone--we find it with another." -- Thomas Merton
Of course those of us with a love understand these quotes. One of the factors of marriage that Nick still is not so used to is that to have romantic love towards and with another person, you lose a sense of independence. No longer does every step you take impact just one person (not discounting those close to you - like your parents - of course). He has actually said to me he was not scared of dying till he fell in love with me. This of course has gotten compounded since we have had two kids. You walk through life together. And when the kids are grown - you hope that both of you will still be walking together, holding each other up.
Many people discount Valentines Day as a "Hallmark Holiday". I truly don't feel that way. For some, you show those that love you that you love and appreciate them all the time. For others, you need V Day so that you can be told "I Love You". Now Nick is probably in the middle.. and as we have gotten older I don't expect candle lit dinners and fancy jewelry. But I do expect a card. A card to me shows that you love someone enough that you took time out of your day (sometimes just 5 extra minutes) to pick out a thoughtful card (or make one) so that you show your love. I mean, I wouldn't turn down a nice gift.. I just don't expect it.
Of course I wish life was more romantic... but it is so hard to get to the romance through all the stress of life.
As for V Day memories. Nine years ago this V Day, Nick had his first "family trip" with my family. Funny, because Nick was my boss when we met.. and I knew I was going off to college but was going to try to come back and work on the weekends I was in town.. and on our first date (July 27, 1997) I told Nick I would need that day off (just for conversation).. well he was joking that I couldn't take it off. Fast forward over 6 months later.. not only do we both not work there.. he is with us on this trip for a family occasion.
The next V Day (1999) was actually the day I converted to Catholicism.
This V Day.. it will be me and the kids because Nick has to teach religion Wednesday night.. ah well!!
I just hope that this V Day, you tell your loved ones that you truly Love them!
C-Ya!
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
The Super Bowl Proposal!
Ok... so it was all over the news ... a guy wanted to propose to his girlfriend during the Super Bowl. Well, he didn't get his wish.. but I guess he got to do it during her favorite show "Veronica Mars" the other day.
So I found this clip through his blog mysuperproposal.com and thought some of my friends may want to see.
His Proposal:
Her Response:
*Disclaimer: I don't know this person... I just thought it was very creative.. my proposal was nothing like this!!
Also..just a note.. I have now written a leap year's worth of blog postings!
C-Ya!!
So I found this clip through his blog mysuperproposal.com and thought some of my friends may want to see.
His Proposal:
Her Response:
*Disclaimer: I don't know this person... I just thought it was very creative.. my proposal was nothing like this!!
Also..just a note.. I have now written a leap year's worth of blog postings!
C-Ya!!
Flinging!
Let's go Flinging!
What is Flinging?
Well Flinging is throwing out stuff.. espeically when you throw out a bunch at once.
We have been in the flinging mood here. We have a lot of stuff, some we don't need, so we are trying to either throw it out or give it away or save it for the church garage sale Nick says he is going to organize.
Flinging feels so good. Seeing bags and bags of trash leave the house is like having a weight lifted off of our shoulders.
So far I have worked on my closet and we worked on the front closet. But of course we have a ton more to do.
So here is my challenge to you... from now till the first day of Spring (officially - not seasonally), get to flinging... challenge yourself; fling 5 things a day or 20 things a week or whatever... start your Spring cleaning early. I know when it starts warming up here.. the last place I want to be is inside!!
C-Ya!
What is Flinging?
Well Flinging is throwing out stuff.. espeically when you throw out a bunch at once.
We have been in the flinging mood here. We have a lot of stuff, some we don't need, so we are trying to either throw it out or give it away or save it for the church garage sale Nick says he is going to organize.
Flinging feels so good. Seeing bags and bags of trash leave the house is like having a weight lifted off of our shoulders.
So far I have worked on my closet and we worked on the front closet. But of course we have a ton more to do.
So here is my challenge to you... from now till the first day of Spring (officially - not seasonally), get to flinging... challenge yourself; fling 5 things a day or 20 things a week or whatever... start your Spring cleaning early. I know when it starts warming up here.. the last place I want to be is inside!!
C-Ya!
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Crabby!
I admit... I have been CRABBY lately.
Maybe it is because it is around that time of the month... maybe it is the touch of Seasonal Affect Disorder the majority of Minnesotans have this time of the year... maybe it is just life stresses that are doing it to me. But basically don't cross me right now.
And of course, the kids and Nick deal with the brunt of it. Especially the kids. I give kudos to some parents out there that have patience.. because I rarely have it.. especially when it comes to something I know the kids can do (like clean up, get dressed, etc.)
It just sucks though.
Maybe I am just crabby because lately I have had a lot of feelings of inadequecy. At least when I was working I made some money for the family.. and even though it wasn't a ton of money, it was something. Now I am a Stay At Home Mom. Too bad I suck at the housekeeping part of it, not so great at the Mom part of it, and could definetly work at being a better wife. What does that make me?
Nick and I are working together to start a little web design business... something I could do a good job at since I am great with computers.. but yet I still doubt myself.
So where does that leave me?
I guess I am a floundering fish... too bad the lakes are all froze and I cannot reach the top!
C-Ya!
Maybe it is because it is around that time of the month... maybe it is the touch of Seasonal Affect Disorder the majority of Minnesotans have this time of the year... maybe it is just life stresses that are doing it to me. But basically don't cross me right now.
And of course, the kids and Nick deal with the brunt of it. Especially the kids. I give kudos to some parents out there that have patience.. because I rarely have it.. especially when it comes to something I know the kids can do (like clean up, get dressed, etc.)
It just sucks though.
Maybe I am just crabby because lately I have had a lot of feelings of inadequecy. At least when I was working I made some money for the family.. and even though it wasn't a ton of money, it was something. Now I am a Stay At Home Mom. Too bad I suck at the housekeeping part of it, not so great at the Mom part of it, and could definetly work at being a better wife. What does that make me?
Nick and I are working together to start a little web design business... something I could do a good job at since I am great with computers.. but yet I still doubt myself.
So where does that leave me?
I guess I am a floundering fish... too bad the lakes are all froze and I cannot reach the top!
C-Ya!
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Is 2007 any better?
That is the question.
Well, we still are on a roller coaster, just one that isn't so hight and so low. My Dad is getting better.. for over a week he has been off sedation. He has a trach still, but he is off the ventilator. He is eating but still has a feeding tube for back up. He gets dialysis three times a week, but they are still optomistic that he will not need that forever. He has lost about 30 pounds, some of which he could have stood to lose. And he can talk! Now that he is with it, you can truly see the joy on his face when us and the kids come and visit. We walk in and he smiles and he keeps telling us how much he loves us (and us to him). Things are really looking up. Sounds like the next step is a rehab facility where he can get physical, occupational and possibly speech therapy.
Of course on one of the visits to the hospital we got knocked down a peg when ours and my brother's friend's car got towed out of a lot. We assumed that even though it said M-F you couldn't park because it is a school lot, that since that Monday was Martin Luther King Day - which meant no school, that we could park. So that really sucked.
We got to see the goodness of life when our friends gave birth to a little girl last Tuesday. Their new little girl looks a lot like Samantha when she was born since she has a full head of black hair.
Nick has been around more, which is a mixed blessing because he said all year long that he would be around more come winter, but yet he gets frustrated when he cannot work.
I joined Curves two weeks ago. I just want to lose a weight a some inches. I have my friend Roxanne's wedding at the end of the year and want to look good on the beach of the Bahamas.
That is our January so far... I really should get some new pictures up.. I will plan on doing that soon.
C-Ya!
Well, we still are on a roller coaster, just one that isn't so hight and so low. My Dad is getting better.. for over a week he has been off sedation. He has a trach still, but he is off the ventilator. He is eating but still has a feeding tube for back up. He gets dialysis three times a week, but they are still optomistic that he will not need that forever. He has lost about 30 pounds, some of which he could have stood to lose. And he can talk! Now that he is with it, you can truly see the joy on his face when us and the kids come and visit. We walk in and he smiles and he keeps telling us how much he loves us (and us to him). Things are really looking up. Sounds like the next step is a rehab facility where he can get physical, occupational and possibly speech therapy.
Of course on one of the visits to the hospital we got knocked down a peg when ours and my brother's friend's car got towed out of a lot. We assumed that even though it said M-F you couldn't park because it is a school lot, that since that Monday was Martin Luther King Day - which meant no school, that we could park. So that really sucked.
We got to see the goodness of life when our friends gave birth to a little girl last Tuesday. Their new little girl looks a lot like Samantha when she was born since she has a full head of black hair.
Nick has been around more, which is a mixed blessing because he said all year long that he would be around more come winter, but yet he gets frustrated when he cannot work.
I joined Curves two weeks ago. I just want to lose a weight a some inches. I have my friend Roxanne's wedding at the end of the year and want to look good on the beach of the Bahamas.
That is our January so far... I really should get some new pictures up.. I will plan on doing that soon.
C-Ya!
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Bu-bye 2006, He-llo 2007!
An optimist stays up to see the New Year in. A pessimist
waits to make sure the old one leaves. - Bill Vaughan
How about both? This was my feelings about 2006. It SUCKED! We had the most miserable year, between deaths, illness and other various things. I think if Nick and I didn't go on our trip to the Florida Keys in December, 2006 would have to be buried 6 feet under. Plus, we ended 2006 with another tragedy that I haven't felt up to writing. So we are glad that it is 2007!! I only hope when everyone says that they have had a bad year like that, they never say bad years, and that it is true.
So HAPPY 2007!! And may this really, truly be our best year ever!!
C-Ya!!
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Christmas Card 2006
I know I have many online friends who I could not send Christmas Cards to.. so I hope you don't mind me sharing it here with you. Due to everything going on these got sent out right after Christmas, but before the New Year. Enjoy!
A very joyous holiday season to all,
For The Pickerts, this year has been quite the roller coaster... we are hoping that 2007 brings more of the even keel of a lazy river.
Unfortunately we lost our Father/Father-in-law/Bapa Gar this year. Nothing could prepare us for the shock and sadness of losing him so unexpectedly this past May. Our house seems so much quieter without him here. Nick felt so grateful for his love and support throughout the years and knows he is watching us from above. Jeffrey and Samantha still talk about Bapa all the time and wish he could come back to us.
The end of last year brought another new family member. Right before Christmas we got another dog. This time a Shih Poo (Shih Tzu/Poodle) named “Maggie”. For those of you that remember our letter last year, yes, we did get two dogs in a two week span. Max is now full grown and hangs out with Mollie all day long. And we also kept Gar’s dog Scooter, so we now have a zoo!
Just over five years after Nick’s burn we had to visit the HCMC burn unit again in November. Jeffrey was scalded by boiling water while Melissa was cooking spaghetti. He is healing well, and as of today only has one spot on his shoulder that needs to heal.
Earlier this year Nick made changes to his business; one of the biggest noticeable changes was the addition of his new partner, *** ; the other big change was the name to “Pepperberry Gardens”. He has had the biggest year yet, which has kept him quite busy, and is expecting to have a bigger year next year.
To help Nick grow, Melissa quit her job to stay at home with the kids in June. This has been great for her because she does not have to get up at 6:30am anymore. And it has been nice for the family because there is less rushing to do things, whether it was getting places or getting things done around the house (though if you ask Nick, Melissa could still get more done around the house, sad part is that she agrees!). The kids seem to enjoy her being home all day long. And as soon as Melissa left her job she joined the local MOMS club and has gotten to partake in many fun activities (including some various kid free nights out).
If Nick and Melissa are not at home (or work) they are spending time at their church, Our Lady of the Lake. Nick joined the Knights of Columbus this past year as well as started back up as a Catechist. He also is involved in the Landscape Committee and Ushers and will say Yes to anything they call for! Melissa is in the choir and joined the M.O.M.S. group. They are part of T.O.O.L (marriage group) and were a part of the Alpha group that met earlier this year. Jeffrey is four and growing and getting smarter every day. His speech has gotten so much better in the past couple years with help of a therapist at school. He is enjoying his second year of preschool at Hilltop and is looking forward to riding the bus to kindergarten next year. We also celebrated him becoming completely potty trained this year.
Samantha is three and is always trying to keep up with her older brother. We have never had to worry about her speech skills; she always has something to say. She is enjoying having the house “to herself” when Jeff is in school. Next stop for her is potty training and then preschool next year.
We learned first hand this year how scissors and children’s hair do not mix when Jeffrey gave Samantha a haircut (and took a nick out of his own hair). It took 6 months for her hair to grow back and only recently was she ok with going to a hair salon.
A big event for the Pickert men this year was Nick taking Jeffrey pheasant hunting for the first time at the ***** Farm. They (along with Mollie and Max – who had his first time out as well) enjoyed spending time out there and even shot some birds!! One of Jeffrey’s favorite parts was getting to hunt with his Great Uncle ****and still talks about him often.
Nick and Melissa just returned from their first trip together since having kids. While our friends, The ****, graciously watched our children, we enjoyed the 70s and 80s in December that the Florida Keys had to offer. We stayed at a beautiful condo in Islamorada, and have to admit some of our favorite parts of the trip were when we were laying out soaking up the sun. Due to it being “winter” there (which involves 70s and windy/partly cloudy!) we did not do all the outdoor activities we wanted to enjoy. We did take a day trip down to Key West and found that to be quite the experience.
You can always keep updated with the Pickert Family activities by checking out Melissa’s blog at http://empress4.blogspot.com. And you can check out the Pepperberry Gardens website at http://www.pepperberrygardens.com.
We hope and pray that next year brings better things to come. We also want to say a special prayer for Melissa’s Dad who is going through treatments for Multiple Myeloma (Cancer) and is in the hospital this holiday season. The hill seems like a tough climb but we know he is a fighter.
Merry Christmas,
Happy Hannukah,
& Happy New Year.
The Pickerts,
Nick, Melissa, Jeffrey, & Samantha
Mollie, Max, Maggie & Scooter
“Love you Dad (Bapa)”
A very joyous holiday season to all,
For The Pickerts, this year has been quite the roller coaster... we are hoping that 2007 brings more of the even keel of a lazy river.
Unfortunately we lost our Father/Father-in-law/Bapa Gar this year. Nothing could prepare us for the shock and sadness of losing him so unexpectedly this past May. Our house seems so much quieter without him here. Nick felt so grateful for his love and support throughout the years and knows he is watching us from above. Jeffrey and Samantha still talk about Bapa all the time and wish he could come back to us.
The end of last year brought another new family member. Right before Christmas we got another dog. This time a Shih Poo (Shih Tzu/Poodle) named “Maggie”. For those of you that remember our letter last year, yes, we did get two dogs in a two week span. Max is now full grown and hangs out with Mollie all day long. And we also kept Gar’s dog Scooter, so we now have a zoo!
Just over five years after Nick’s burn we had to visit the HCMC burn unit again in November. Jeffrey was scalded by boiling water while Melissa was cooking spaghetti. He is healing well, and as of today only has one spot on his shoulder that needs to heal.
Earlier this year Nick made changes to his business; one of the biggest noticeable changes was the addition of his new partner, *** ; the other big change was the name to “Pepperberry Gardens”. He has had the biggest year yet, which has kept him quite busy, and is expecting to have a bigger year next year.
To help Nick grow, Melissa quit her job to stay at home with the kids in June. This has been great for her because she does not have to get up at 6:30am anymore. And it has been nice for the family because there is less rushing to do things, whether it was getting places or getting things done around the house (though if you ask Nick, Melissa could still get more done around the house, sad part is that she agrees!). The kids seem to enjoy her being home all day long. And as soon as Melissa left her job she joined the local MOMS club and has gotten to partake in many fun activities (including some various kid free nights out).
If Nick and Melissa are not at home (or work) they are spending time at their church, Our Lady of the Lake. Nick joined the Knights of Columbus this past year as well as started back up as a Catechist. He also is involved in the Landscape Committee and Ushers and will say Yes to anything they call for! Melissa is in the choir and joined the M.O.M.S. group. They are part of T.O.O.L (marriage group) and were a part of the Alpha group that met earlier this year. Jeffrey is four and growing and getting smarter every day. His speech has gotten so much better in the past couple years with help of a therapist at school. He is enjoying his second year of preschool at Hilltop and is looking forward to riding the bus to kindergarten next year. We also celebrated him becoming completely potty trained this year.
Samantha is three and is always trying to keep up with her older brother. We have never had to worry about her speech skills; she always has something to say. She is enjoying having the house “to herself” when Jeff is in school. Next stop for her is potty training and then preschool next year.
We learned first hand this year how scissors and children’s hair do not mix when Jeffrey gave Samantha a haircut (and took a nick out of his own hair). It took 6 months for her hair to grow back and only recently was she ok with going to a hair salon.
A big event for the Pickert men this year was Nick taking Jeffrey pheasant hunting for the first time at the ***** Farm. They (along with Mollie and Max – who had his first time out as well) enjoyed spending time out there and even shot some birds!! One of Jeffrey’s favorite parts was getting to hunt with his Great Uncle ****and still talks about him often.
Nick and Melissa just returned from their first trip together since having kids. While our friends, The ****, graciously watched our children, we enjoyed the 70s and 80s in December that the Florida Keys had to offer. We stayed at a beautiful condo in Islamorada, and have to admit some of our favorite parts of the trip were when we were laying out soaking up the sun. Due to it being “winter” there (which involves 70s and windy/partly cloudy!) we did not do all the outdoor activities we wanted to enjoy. We did take a day trip down to Key West and found that to be quite the experience.
You can always keep updated with the Pickert Family activities by checking out Melissa’s blog at http://empress4.blogspot.com. And you can check out the Pepperberry Gardens website at http://www.pepperberrygardens.com.
We hope and pray that next year brings better things to come. We also want to say a special prayer for Melissa’s Dad who is going through treatments for Multiple Myeloma (Cancer) and is in the hospital this holiday season. The hill seems like a tough climb but we know he is a fighter.
Merry Christmas,
Happy Hannukah,
& Happy New Year.
The Pickerts,
Nick, Melissa, Jeffrey, & Samantha
Mollie, Max, Maggie & Scooter
“Love you Dad (Bapa)”
Monday, December 18, 2006
Prayers needed for my Dad.
I need prayer warriors from everywhere to help my Dad right now. I have never been so scared (myself and for him).
About 19 years ago he was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma (cancer) and was doing well till earlier this year. This is what happened the past couple weeks.
A week and a half ago (Wed 12/6) they started giving him Chemo so they could do a stem cell harvest.. he got out 2 days later on Fri. He was having a home health nurse come out and give him these shots. Well this past Wed (12/13) the nurse didn't like what she saw, so Mom came home and put him in the hospital (in protective isolation). His white blood cell counts are the lowest they can be.. which makes it hard to ward of infection. On Thursday they found pnemounia. On Friday they found his kidneys were failing so he started dialysis. On Saturday he was having a hard time breathing and they found fluid on his lungs so he started on a bipap machine (like a cpap used for sleep apnea). Well they moved him up to ICU then because those nurses can handle that machine. On Sunday they said his breathing was better buy his fluid in his lungs wasn't.. they still let him go back to a "regular" room and off of the bipap. Well overnight last night/this morning they didn't like what they saw so they brought him back down to ICU and started the bipap machine.. that wasn't working so overnight he went on a ventilator.. this also means he is sedated. Mom says he is hooked up to all sorts of machines.I have been there every day since Friday and he seems to look better one time and worse the next.
So we could all use some prayers.. of course mostly for him.. but also for the loved ones in his life so they don't get sick - because if we do we cannot visit him. Also, my Uncle ans Sister are out of town and just don't know if they should fly in.
One Dr. overnight told my Mom he is a long way from dying.. I really hope he is telling the truth.
I do know my Dad doesn't want my kids to lose both their Grandfathers in one year.. so he is fighting for them.He is at Abbott Northwestern in Minneapolis. As of right now I think I will be going down once Jeffrey gets out of preschool this morning.
BTW... Jeffrey is looking a lot better.. just has a couple small spots on his shoulder to heal.
Plus, Nick graciously cleaned my parents house on Saturday.. and helped put together a fake tree one of Mom's coworkers is borrowing her. So her house may be in the Christmas spirit. Can't say the same for ours. We bought a Poinsetta the other day.. otherwise you wouldn't know it was Christmas at our house.
Thanks for any and all prayers.
C-Ya!
About 19 years ago he was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma (cancer) and was doing well till earlier this year. This is what happened the past couple weeks.
A week and a half ago (Wed 12/6) they started giving him Chemo so they could do a stem cell harvest.. he got out 2 days later on Fri. He was having a home health nurse come out and give him these shots. Well this past Wed (12/13) the nurse didn't like what she saw, so Mom came home and put him in the hospital (in protective isolation). His white blood cell counts are the lowest they can be.. which makes it hard to ward of infection. On Thursday they found pnemounia. On Friday they found his kidneys were failing so he started dialysis. On Saturday he was having a hard time breathing and they found fluid on his lungs so he started on a bipap machine (like a cpap used for sleep apnea). Well they moved him up to ICU then because those nurses can handle that machine. On Sunday they said his breathing was better buy his fluid in his lungs wasn't.. they still let him go back to a "regular" room and off of the bipap. Well overnight last night/this morning they didn't like what they saw so they brought him back down to ICU and started the bipap machine.. that wasn't working so overnight he went on a ventilator.. this also means he is sedated. Mom says he is hooked up to all sorts of machines.I have been there every day since Friday and he seems to look better one time and worse the next.
So we could all use some prayers.. of course mostly for him.. but also for the loved ones in his life so they don't get sick - because if we do we cannot visit him. Also, my Uncle ans Sister are out of town and just don't know if they should fly in.
One Dr. overnight told my Mom he is a long way from dying.. I really hope he is telling the truth.
I do know my Dad doesn't want my kids to lose both their Grandfathers in one year.. so he is fighting for them.He is at Abbott Northwestern in Minneapolis. As of right now I think I will be going down once Jeffrey gets out of preschool this morning.
BTW... Jeffrey is looking a lot better.. just has a couple small spots on his shoulder to heal.
Plus, Nick graciously cleaned my parents house on Saturday.. and helped put together a fake tree one of Mom's coworkers is borrowing her. So her house may be in the Christmas spirit. Can't say the same for ours. We bought a Poinsetta the other day.. otherwise you wouldn't know it was Christmas at our house.
Thanks for any and all prayers.
C-Ya!
Monday, November 13, 2006
Poor little tough guy.
I, unfortunately, have found out that I have one really tough son.
Last thursday was like any thursday around here... I was cooking dinner and waiting for Nick to get home so I could go to choir practice. I was making one of our favorites, spaghetti, and going to try it with ground pork. Jeffrey was up on a chair closer to the spaghetti pot and not the meat - which is where he normally stands. And I had stepped away to go to the bathroom.
This is when it happened.
I do not know how Jeffrey slipped, if the counter was wet or the chair got unstable.. but I had just walked back to the food and he slipped, hit his chin on the pot and it started falling over on him. And he got burned... technically scalded by hot water.
And as much as it didn't have to happen, I also know it could have been worse because I got the pot or it maybe would have gotten all over him.
My first response was to tear off his shirt and I ran him in the bathroom.. there I stripped him down and turned on a cold shower.. but the poor guy really didn't want to be under it. Then I called Nick and finally 911.
You see, I really had a hard time calling 911. 5 years and 2 weeks previous, Nick had been burned in a terrible fire outside. Thankfully, due to quick thinking and a great burn unit at HCMC he recovered with only one little scar near his ear. And then 6 months ago I had to call 911 when I found my father-in-law in the bathroom, and it ended up he unfortunately had passed away.
But I also knew that if I called 911 they would be able to take him to that same burn unit at HCMC. And so I did, and they came, and Nick got home.
Thankfully the burns weren't as bad as Nick's. Jeffrey's seem to be first degree burns, whereas Nick's were 2nd and 3rd. In something really freaky though, they almost seem to be in the same spot. On his face and right shoulder and chest (Nick's also were on his right arm/hand when it happened to him).
The ambulance took Jeffrey (and me - a first for the both of us) downtown to HCMC, and Nick and Samantha came in his truck. Also my parents rushed down too (they ended up having Samantha for the night).
Again, thankfully it wasn't worse, we only had to spend one night in the hospital (and found out they do have a stupid rule that only one parent can stay in their kid's room at night)... and we were out on Friday.
We have since been back on Saturday to get his chest re-dressed and will have to go back every 3 days till it is healed. Because of Nick's experience he is doing an expert job cleaning and putting bacitracin on his face and changing his bandages.
And to top it off, yesterday was Nick's 31st birthday and everything we had planned the whole weekend was cancelled.
I will say, one of the hardest things about being a parent is seeing your child in real pain, even worse when YOU should have done something better so it didn't even happen. It also was very hard to be back in the HCMC burn unit. I do feel like Jeffrey had a guardian angel, his Bapa, making sure it wasn't any worse.
And now.. a couple days later.. he seems to be healing really well. They said it should be about 14 days.. but I wouldn't be surprised if it was quicker.
Of course.. a couple prayers wouldn't hurt. Thanks.
C-Ya!
Last thursday was like any thursday around here... I was cooking dinner and waiting for Nick to get home so I could go to choir practice. I was making one of our favorites, spaghetti, and going to try it with ground pork. Jeffrey was up on a chair closer to the spaghetti pot and not the meat - which is where he normally stands. And I had stepped away to go to the bathroom.
This is when it happened.
I do not know how Jeffrey slipped, if the counter was wet or the chair got unstable.. but I had just walked back to the food and he slipped, hit his chin on the pot and it started falling over on him. And he got burned... technically scalded by hot water.
And as much as it didn't have to happen, I also know it could have been worse because I got the pot or it maybe would have gotten all over him.
My first response was to tear off his shirt and I ran him in the bathroom.. there I stripped him down and turned on a cold shower.. but the poor guy really didn't want to be under it. Then I called Nick and finally 911.
You see, I really had a hard time calling 911. 5 years and 2 weeks previous, Nick had been burned in a terrible fire outside. Thankfully, due to quick thinking and a great burn unit at HCMC he recovered with only one little scar near his ear. And then 6 months ago I had to call 911 when I found my father-in-law in the bathroom, and it ended up he unfortunately had passed away.
But I also knew that if I called 911 they would be able to take him to that same burn unit at HCMC. And so I did, and they came, and Nick got home.
Thankfully the burns weren't as bad as Nick's. Jeffrey's seem to be first degree burns, whereas Nick's were 2nd and 3rd. In something really freaky though, they almost seem to be in the same spot. On his face and right shoulder and chest (Nick's also were on his right arm/hand when it happened to him).
The ambulance took Jeffrey (and me - a first for the both of us) downtown to HCMC, and Nick and Samantha came in his truck. Also my parents rushed down too (they ended up having Samantha for the night).
Again, thankfully it wasn't worse, we only had to spend one night in the hospital (and found out they do have a stupid rule that only one parent can stay in their kid's room at night)... and we were out on Friday.
We have since been back on Saturday to get his chest re-dressed and will have to go back every 3 days till it is healed. Because of Nick's experience he is doing an expert job cleaning and putting bacitracin on his face and changing his bandages.
And to top it off, yesterday was Nick's 31st birthday and everything we had planned the whole weekend was cancelled.
I will say, one of the hardest things about being a parent is seeing your child in real pain, even worse when YOU should have done something better so it didn't even happen. It also was very hard to be back in the HCMC burn unit. I do feel like Jeffrey had a guardian angel, his Bapa, making sure it wasn't any worse.
And now.. a couple days later.. he seems to be healing really well. They said it should be about 14 days.. but I wouldn't be surprised if it was quicker.
Of course.. a couple prayers wouldn't hurt. Thanks.
C-Ya!
Friday, November 03, 2006
Halloween!
Ok.. Halloween was a couple days ago... but you are getting your recap now!!!
We started out the "festivities" on Sunday (10/29) when we got our pumpkins. We went to the pick your own pumpkin place that we went to last year. The one downfall this year was the up and down temps.. so many pumpkins that froze were soft with the warmer weather. This also made them just icker! Though, we did find 7 good ones and a gord so we took them home (and paid a great price for them).
That night I started carving them.. got 3 carved and did the other two that I planned to carve done the next 2 days!
It just so happened that last year someone gave us a lion costume for Jeffrey for this year and he had been a lion a couple years ago for 2 straight years.. so Samantha could wear that.. so they matched!! And I decided to do the old witch thing.. ho hum.
On Monday (10/30) Jeffrey had his preschool party.
Then on Halloween, we started the day at the MOMS club Halloween party, the kids got to make crafts, get our pic taken together and eat pizza and get goodies!
They of course got stains on their costumes.. but I found out the Tide To-Go Stick really works well.. and they disappeared so they could wear their costumes later.
Here are my cubs:
And here is us again:
Nick thankfully volunteered to take them out this year, especially nice because it was in the 30s!!
And while they didn't go to many houses.. they did say they had a great time.. and that is what matters. And I got to enjoy handing out candy to about 25-30 kids, which was a lot of fun for me!
And now the holidays is over.. next one.. Thanksgiving!!
C-Ya!
We started out the "festivities" on Sunday (10/29) when we got our pumpkins. We went to the pick your own pumpkin place that we went to last year. The one downfall this year was the up and down temps.. so many pumpkins that froze were soft with the warmer weather. This also made them just icker! Though, we did find 7 good ones and a gord so we took them home (and paid a great price for them).
That night I started carving them.. got 3 carved and did the other two that I planned to carve done the next 2 days!
It just so happened that last year someone gave us a lion costume for Jeffrey for this year and he had been a lion a couple years ago for 2 straight years.. so Samantha could wear that.. so they matched!! And I decided to do the old witch thing.. ho hum.
On Monday (10/30) Jeffrey had his preschool party.
Then on Halloween, we started the day at the MOMS club Halloween party, the kids got to make crafts, get our pic taken together and eat pizza and get goodies!
They of course got stains on their costumes.. but I found out the Tide To-Go Stick really works well.. and they disappeared so they could wear their costumes later.
Here are my cubs:
And here is us again:
Nick thankfully volunteered to take them out this year, especially nice because it was in the 30s!!
And while they didn't go to many houses.. they did say they had a great time.. and that is what matters. And I got to enjoy handing out candy to about 25-30 kids, which was a lot of fun for me!
And now the holidays is over.. next one.. Thanksgiving!!
C-Ya!
Samantha's birthday - a recap
Last Saturday, October 28, my little girl turned 3 years old!! Hard to believe that I have been the Mom to 2 kids for 3 years!!! I don't know if it is because she is a girl, the second child or just her personality... but she really seems to have matured differently then Jeffrey. She talks more and is defenitely more independent then Jeffrey was at that age.
Because her birthday fell on a Saturday we decided to have her party on the actual day. Not a lot of people came, I think it is the mix of it being right before Halloween and other things that makes for a low turnout.
I decided to make the cake again.. I made the same one two years ago for her and I thought it to be appropriate.
Samantha had a great time
and Jeffrey helped his little sister celebrate her day
Happy Birthday to my "Little Angel"
C-Ya!
Because her birthday fell on a Saturday we decided to have her party on the actual day. Not a lot of people came, I think it is the mix of it being right before Halloween and other things that makes for a low turnout.
I decided to make the cake again.. I made the same one two years ago for her and I thought it to be appropriate.
Samantha had a great time
and Jeffrey helped his little sister celebrate her day
Happy Birthday to my "Little Angel"
C-Ya!
Friday, October 20, 2006
Happy Birthday Max and Maggie!
October 17 my Yellow Lab Max turned 1!
October 20 my Shih Poo Maggie turned 1!
Happy Birthday to my Babies!!!!
C-Ya!
October 20 my Shih Poo Maggie turned 1!
Happy Birthday to my Babies!!!!
C-Ya!
My 2 Hunters!
This afternoon Nick and Jeffrey along with Mollie and Max the Labs left to go hunting in Watertown, South Dakota. They are meeting up with Nick's Uncle, a long time family friend and his Adult Son. This is an annual tradition (baring Nick working and not getting injured). This is also a big deal because it is Jeffrey and Max's first time hunting. And this is an emotional deal because my father-in-law, Gar, was supposed to take them out for their first time. It has been hard on Nick and myself to think that this was the most important thing to Gar and he is missing out.
Nick did go with Jeffrey and get hunting clothes.. here are some pictures...
And Nick got a couple things.. so here is him and a pick of Samantha trying to do the same pose (both pics by Jeffrey)...
Of course I will have more pics after this weekend.. they will be getting back Monday or Tuesday and I cannot wait to hear all about it.
C-Ya!
Ad Plainfield Real Estate
Ad:
Newcastle Reality Group at Plainfield Real Estate is a Realtor that specializes in Northeastern Illinois homes and has over 1,000 visitors a month. You can check it out if you are considering a move into or within the Chicagoland real estate market. For those relocating, Newcastle has relocation experts who can help provide information on population, schools, income levels, houses of worship, commuting possibilities and other areas of interest. Newcastle has recently retained an Operations Manager with over 17 years experience, Jeffrey T. Schutter. Mr. Schutter maintains three Illinois state licenses in the fields of real estate appraisal, mortgage loan origination and of course real estate sales.
Newcastle Reality Group at Plainfield Real Estate is a Realtor that specializes in Northeastern Illinois homes and has over 1,000 visitors a month. You can check it out if you are considering a move into or within the Chicagoland real estate market. For those relocating, Newcastle has relocation experts who can help provide information on population, schools, income levels, houses of worship, commuting possibilities and other areas of interest. Newcastle has recently retained an Operations Manager with over 17 years experience, Jeffrey T. Schutter. Mr. Schutter maintains three Illinois state licenses in the fields of real estate appraisal, mortgage loan origination and of course real estate sales.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)