A New Year...A New Me

First of all....Happy New Year to you all. I hope everyone has a perfect 2012! 
 
Our New Year's Eve started out PERFECT! We spent the day at home with our children, which we don't do enough of. I am a very hyper person (which many of you know). I like to GO GO GO and not stop. In the past year or so {after having two little guys} I would say I appreciate the time at home more than I used to. So the day at home was much needed and we had a wonderful day. I was able to throw some YUMMY Hershey Bar Cookies in the oven for a New Year's Eve party my cousin throws every year. We got the kids all ready and headed to her home at 7pm. It was a most pleasant evening and I couldn't see it being any better than it was. We played games and I got to hold her little 3 month old baby girl....and while holding her....thinking about how great it is going to be to have a sweet, little girl in my arms in May (or April if she makes her appearance early- like the boys did). We played the game Scattergories, which was BEYOND fun! I plan to buy that one and so should you! So, at about 11pm, we decided to head toward New Carlisle (home) where our town was having a ball-drop downtown and Brad's parents were vending their DELICIOUS mini donuts! We walked around and saw so many people we knew, which made the New Year even more special. 

So, after walking around a while (and the boys were actually being GREAT!!) we ran into friends from church. This could be an incredibly LONG story...so let me quickly bring you up to speed.....

Julie Grusenmeyer was our high school choir teacher. She was a great, family friend and fellow parishioner at Sacred Heart Parish (where Brad grew up). She was so much more than a teacher to us. She was always there at every event we celebrated (weddings, parties, etc). I remember when she came to our house because my Aunt Jill was in town and we were all singing and jamming. My Grandpa and Brad's Grandpa are in a Bluegrass Band together. We all took turns singing. So one minute you would have Andrew singing 'Josh Grobin' songs and the next, we were all singing "I'll Fly Away". haha- great times. It was a wonderful evening. I remember going down to Cincinnati to the Arnoff Center with Julie, Tony, and the boys to see Andrew as Tony in Westside Story. We decided to go to Newport to eat at Bar Louie after. Tony was unsure of how to get there, so I said "HEY- follow us!" We got in the car and Brad said "ok...where do we go?" "uh....it can't be THAT hard to get across the river, Brad!" After we toured the Reds Stadium 5 times, I think we let Tony take the lead. haha. Good times. So...anyways. Great memories and hundreds more I could share. 


About 2 years ago, we got the devastating news that Julie had a rupture in her brain and was in emergency surgery. We dashed to the hospital to get the facts (because when you live in a small town, words get mixed up). It was a very hard time. Julie got through surgery and has had a very long 2 years trying to get her mobility back, speech back, etc. About three weeks ago, just before Christmas, we took the boys to her house to visit with her. We walked in and right away she looked at me (I had a coat on) and she pointed at my belly. She wanted to know about Amelia and how she was doing. She sang Jingle Bells with Liam and enjoyed being with the kiddos. It was a blessing that we went when we did because a few days later, she was rushed to the hospital and had another rupture, but this time...4X worse. It has been over two weeks since this occurred....and yesterday they decided it best to take her off of the ventilator and allow God to take his plan into action. She is still with us, but soon the choirs of Angels will take our dear friend.


I have to say that Brad and I have been devastated since New Year's Eve. On New Year's Day, Tony (Julie's husband) asked us to go say 'good bye' to Julie at the hospital. We sent the boys to Grandparents and headed there. The whole way there we had heavy hearts, almost feeling sick. After going, speaking with Rita (Julie's Mom) and her sisters....I have to say that my heart felt at peace with the idea that our friend would soon be gone. I could go on and on, but then my belly will be soaked even more, as all of these tears are pouring out on poor Amelia. I ask you all to please pray for my dear friend and her family. I know the Choirs of Angels are going to come and greet her and lead her to paradise. 


So, when people ask "How was your New Year's?" I would say..."not so good". Now that I sit here reflecting on everything......was is not so good? Should I say that it isn't good? Julie is going to meet our Creator who loves us more than anyone can love us. How can that not be good? What better way for her to have a new year. We spent almost 2 hours at Sacred Heart, outside at the grotto where we looked at the statue of Mary. It was peaceful and so appropriate. This is what Rita told me that will stick with me forever, "Julie is going to be with God who loves her far more than I love her. And I love her very much." Powerful! 


Here is what I have to say now. A couple at our church in Yellow Springs {Josh and Hollie} have made an amazing resolution for the New Year. They want to have a domestic church. What does that mean? They want to raise their sweet children in a home that is built on the love of Jesus Christ. Reading their blog:

http://becomingadomesticchurch.blogspot.com/

It is the most inspiring blog I have ever come across. What a wonderful commitment to make together. I am ready to do that as well. I want to raise my boys and little girl with the same goals as they have. Yes- we go to church. Yes- we believe in the Catholic church. We need more at home. We need to center our life at home around Jesus Christ. So, it isn't too late for a resolution like theirs. I am ready to bring my family closer to God, along with myself. I want to thank Josh and Hollie for inspiring Brad and I. They are truly a beautiful, young couple. I encourage all of you to read their blog and continue to do so as they update twice a week. 


I want to be a better wife, mother, daughter, friend. I want to value the life I have and the lives I have been given to raise. Happy New Year Everyone! God Bless you ALL!