Wow...where has time gone. It seems like only yesterday that you came into my life ..after allowing us to enjoy our Thanksgiving dinner. We certainly had alot to be thankful for from that day on. In 8 days I will give a precious piece of myself to a wonderful young lady that is sure to bring as much love and joy into your life as you have mine. Joanna...I am blessed to share my son Matthew with you and know that you will continue to love him as we have. He has grown from a cute little blonde to a handsome young man that you soon will call "my husband, my partner, my soul-mate...my love". I can't think of a better person for Matt to be spending his life with. When he speaks of "his Jo", the feeling that he has for you can light up a room.
I never realized that sharing your child with another would be this hard...I know that you both will continue to grow together as a couple and then into a family (but not too soon). Enjoy these next few days that you both have as a single but know that in just 8 short days two hearts join as ONE.
I know that I can speak for both myself and Marianne, in saying that both Frank and Dan will be looking down on the two of you that day, and say to each other..."We did pretty damn good."(with a beer in hand for the toast)
It is fitting that you both chose Memorial Day weekend to celebrate the start of your new life together, when others are celebrating the lives of their loved ones that have moved on to be with their maker. Both Frank and Dan gave of themselves in service to their communities and their country for this "We salute you". So if by chance there are tears from the sky on May 27th, 2011....just know that Frank and Dan are celebrating with the Novak and White families and their friends.
We look forward to next friday and remember....Enjoy Yourselves....it is the first day of your new life together.
Love you Matthew (Matt)
MOM
PS....can you spend one last night at home as my little boy(son) before you are Matt the Man (husband).
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
A Letter to my Son
Matt,
It is hard to believe that in less than one month you will no longer be my little boy but a loving husband to a wonderful woman. You met Joanna as a young kid playing in the neighborhood, and classmates in school. Over the years the two of you have become inseparable. I am glad to say that Joanna has brought out the best in you and you in her. You both are wonderful young adults that have faced great losses in your young lives. Losses that help to mold and make people what they are in their lives, but you both missed a great part of that. Still you both are able to share with others the part of what your fathers taught you in the short time they had to spend with you.
As the days get closer to you spreading your wings and taking flight with your life, let me say that I could never be more proud of you. Joanna is the third luckiest person in the world because your father and I are number one and two. I know that your father would say to you...."Matt, marriage is a serious commitment that two people make and as two you will become one. You will have good days and there will be some that are not as good as others....but remember, there are never any bad days as long as you have each other. Marriage is like a job, something that you will have to work at everyday but the rewards will pay off, not in a monetary way, but in blessings of abundance. I know that you both are ready to take this path together and along the way will be bumps and turns, but as long as you both travel together, the end will bring you both great joy and happiness."
I am happy that you have found each other and that you both have made the choice to share your lives with us....we are excited to see you exchange vows as man and wife and proclaim your love for each other. I cannot promise you that on May 27th that I will not shed any tears but remember that most tears that are shed...are tears of joy and elation. As your mother, I will forever love you but as you become a husband to Joanna, may your love for her be greater than the love that we share. As you begin your lives together, always know that I am here for you.
In the next few weeks, take time to stop and appreciate what you both have achieved to this point, and know that on May 27th....at the end of the day, whether perfect or not....you will be Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Novak. Be proud and be blessed but most of all.. BE LOVED......
I Love Matt and you will always be.....my little boy.....
LOVE,
MOM
It is hard to believe that in less than one month you will no longer be my little boy but a loving husband to a wonderful woman. You met Joanna as a young kid playing in the neighborhood, and classmates in school. Over the years the two of you have become inseparable. I am glad to say that Joanna has brought out the best in you and you in her. You both are wonderful young adults that have faced great losses in your young lives. Losses that help to mold and make people what they are in their lives, but you both missed a great part of that. Still you both are able to share with others the part of what your fathers taught you in the short time they had to spend with you.
As the days get closer to you spreading your wings and taking flight with your life, let me say that I could never be more proud of you. Joanna is the third luckiest person in the world because your father and I are number one and two. I know that your father would say to you...."Matt, marriage is a serious commitment that two people make and as two you will become one. You will have good days and there will be some that are not as good as others....but remember, there are never any bad days as long as you have each other. Marriage is like a job, something that you will have to work at everyday but the rewards will pay off, not in a monetary way, but in blessings of abundance. I know that you both are ready to take this path together and along the way will be bumps and turns, but as long as you both travel together, the end will bring you both great joy and happiness."
I am happy that you have found each other and that you both have made the choice to share your lives with us....we are excited to see you exchange vows as man and wife and proclaim your love for each other. I cannot promise you that on May 27th that I will not shed any tears but remember that most tears that are shed...are tears of joy and elation. As your mother, I will forever love you but as you become a husband to Joanna, may your love for her be greater than the love that we share. As you begin your lives together, always know that I am here for you.
I Love Matt and you will always be.....my little boy.....
LOVE,
MOM
Monday, April 25, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Happy Birthday Blake......you are 6 years old today
Wow...hard to believe that 6 years ago today you came into our lives....Happy Birthday Blake..... You are the light of our lives. Everyday you come up with the funniest things. Oh to be in the mind of a 6 yr old. You were ready to come into the world before it was time... and you have been making the most of your days ever since you got here. Your brothers and sister love you with all they have in them and your love for them is just as great.
We had lunch at CiCi's Pizza today for Blake's birthday and tonight we will be having cake and ice cream with the family. Blake started early with a brownie from CiCi's for dessert. Hopefully we can get out tomorrow and have some fun in the sun before they are back in school and I am back to work. Happy Birthday Blake....WE LOVE YOU.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Easter is right around the corner....but where is the sun?
I know we have all heard April Showers brings May flowers....but don't we need some sunshine and warm weather as well. I heard the weather person say the other day that April and May are the two most unpredictable months of the year. It was in the 80's one day and 50's the next with heavy rain. I am so ready for the warm temperatures and sunshine. I remember as a child that Easter was always a tricky holiday....long sleeves or short for the Easter dresses...and now for my kids is it shorts or long pants. Everyone is ready for the shorts and t-shirts on a daily basis.
Blake is learning to ride his bike and enjoying being outside with his new friends. It seems everyday it is someone new....what a social butterfly he is. Colbey and Darren have been enjoying the warm weather also but not near as much as Blake. We are eager to get the boys out to the campgrounds again this year. They are up early and out like a light at dark because of all the fresh air.
I have been waiting anxiously for the flower stands on the corner with the Easter flowers and Mother's Day flowers. The stores have a few Easter tulips and lilies but I am waiting for the bright pinks and reds to appear, that is the true sign that Spring has Sprung. The Cherry Blossoms are starting to bloom and that tells me that the warm weather is right around the corner. Can't wait.
When we lived in Maryland years ago, there was nothing more beautiful than going into Washington DC to see the Cherry Blossoms....that is a must see for everyone...and make sure you get the kids there as well to see all the history in our Nations Capital.
We are hoping to get to Ringing Rocks next week while the boys are on Spring Break...pray that the weather cooperates. Looking forward to an Easter Egg hunt and a nice Easter Brunch with the family. Just have to get through the next few days and a nice break will be here....
Blake is learning to ride his bike and enjoying being outside with his new friends. It seems everyday it is someone new....what a social butterfly he is. Colbey and Darren have been enjoying the warm weather also but not near as much as Blake. We are eager to get the boys out to the campgrounds again this year. They are up early and out like a light at dark because of all the fresh air.
I have been waiting anxiously for the flower stands on the corner with the Easter flowers and Mother's Day flowers. The stores have a few Easter tulips and lilies but I am waiting for the bright pinks and reds to appear, that is the true sign that Spring has Sprung. The Cherry Blossoms are starting to bloom and that tells me that the warm weather is right around the corner. Can't wait.
When we lived in Maryland years ago, there was nothing more beautiful than going into Washington DC to see the Cherry Blossoms....that is a must see for everyone...and make sure you get the kids there as well to see all the history in our Nations Capital.
We are hoping to get to Ringing Rocks next week while the boys are on Spring Break...pray that the weather cooperates. Looking forward to an Easter Egg hunt and a nice Easter Brunch with the family. Just have to get through the next few days and a nice break will be here....
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
The Journey to Home...
It is hard to believe that 16 yrs ago today I started on a journey with my best friend and children that continues for myself and them, but saw Dan reach home on Oct. 17,1995. It started on a Tuesday morning, like today...you see Dan had been experiencing some rather strange symptoms for a couple months. As fate would have it, the previous Sunday evening Dan had the responsibility of watching the hospital at Fort Dix. He was in the Air Force stationed at McGuire AFB, N.J. At the time he was a Pharmacy Technician at Walson Hospital on Fort Dix. Part of his duties in the military was to occasionally pull an over night watching the building...so that Sunday was his turn. He had not been feeling well for several months but especially on that particular weekend.
That previous Friday had also been a landmark day as well....you see I was a nursing student at Holy Family College, now Holy Family University, and the nurses, as well as the nursing students were having a march on Washington DC. Danielle was out of school for the day with "pink eye" and there was no reason for her to spend the day in the house when she could be a part of history being made, so off to Washington DC we were headed with other college friends. Several hours into the trip I received a phone call that Dan had been sent home from work...an unheard of situation in the military. I spoke with Dan and he assured Danielle and me that he would be fine until we got home from our trip which now was changing to a turn-around trip instead of a girls weekend. So we did our part for nurses with the march and returned that evening. Dan was tired as he had been but was resting to be able to do his duty on Sunday.
As Sunday approached Dan went to his work as he was required, but on Monday morning as he was leaving the hospital he came upon a friend that was a Physicians Assistant at Walson, who just by chance, or as I would call it fate, never entered the facility through the same doors as Dan was leaving but had been off on leave and as he later told me, was ready to make a fresh start so he was entering the facility through that door for the first time that morning....thank you.....You know who you are....
The conversation was short between the two of them but life changing for all of us...he told Dan as a fellow runner and a friend, "wow man you look like --it, " Dan explained to him that he had been having these vague symptoms, numbness in his jaw, swelling in his legs, and pain with difficulty walking for the past few weeks. He explained that he had been to the dentist and received antibiotics for an infection...no help. He also had seen someone for his back who suggested physical therapy, that had made things only worse and pain meds that did nothing at all but take up the counter space since he had now started a collection of medications. His friend suggested to him that Walson Hospital did not have the resources there at that time to see Dan and he may recommend going to Bethesda Naval Hospital in Rockville, Md for an open clinic with a neurologist. At this time Dan was willing to try anything. That goodness that this was Monday morning and he did not have work and the clinic was on Tuesday, so we only had another day to get through before we would find out what was going on.
Again as fate would have it, another one of the kids on Monday morning had "pink eye" so now that was two down with only one left to go. Monday was spent resting and getting ready for Tuesday and the trip to DC. Dan and I decided that since they had all been out with "pink eye" except one of them, we would keep them out of school on that day and all go to Rockville together. We would see the doctor and then spend the rest of the day in DC seeing the sights...so off we go Tuesday morning to see the neurologist.
I don't know if anyone has ever rode in a car with a woman in labor but that was how the drive from New Jersey to Maryland was for us on that Tuesday morning. Dan did not want to take any pain meds before he was seen by the neurologist, so I am sure it was the longest and most painful 3.5 hour ride of his life. We arrived bright and early ready to be one of the first to see the MD only to find out that patients would be seen in order by military rank....WHAT?????? No triage or severity of symptoms considered. So the long wait began....Dan would not be seen until about 3:30pm and only after passing out because of the pain in the waiting room.
He was given a thorough neurological examination and in the end the neurologist recommended that he stay over night for further evaluation in the morning. It was now about 530pm and we had not had anything to eat all day, but it seems no one was hungry. I had several calls to make because I was due to work the night shift that night...I was an LPN at the time, doing home care over night for patients. So I called and let them know that I was in Maryland with my husband and would not be at work that evening. We were sent to the floor and yes....the kids were still with us. Our visit to Rockville was now to be our new home for the next few days. This now completed the 1st day of the journey.
The staff were the best group of professionals that I have had the pleasure of meeting. They soon became a part of our family, as Dan would not leave the hospital until the day he was called home...Oct 17th, 1995. The first night they provided myself and the children a place to sleep and a meal that was greatly appreciated. A long day had ended but others would be longer....
On Wednesday morning Dan and I were greeted by several new MD's and residents. They came in small groups, all very pleasant and eager to share the information that we requested and even some that we didn't. The first group was the neurologist along with his TEAM, to let us know that several other groups of people would be seeing us today. "We have consulted with Rheumatology and Hematology to see you today." Dan and I were both in the medical field so those words were not new to us...but why these folks...no time for questions. In walks the next group of people and soon Dan would be making a trip to another area of the hospital for a Bone Marrow Aspiration. With kids in tow, we made our way to the next clinic and waiting area. We were accompanied by a young Asian resident (sorry but the name has slipped my mind in the past 16 yrs) but not the face. She was about to have several firsts for her that day. One was doing the bone marrow aspiration herself, and next having to tell a young man (35), his wife and three children (13, 12, and 8) that his life was in for a huge change. Before 3pm on Wednesday, we had been informed not only that Dan would be staying at the hospital but he was going on a journey to save his life. You see, Dan was diagnosed with ALL-3 and Burkitt's Lymphoma. What the hectic did that mean...he had Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia and Burkitt's Lymphoma. We had a huge decision to make and little time to decide. He needed treatment immediately but where would he go.
Bethesda Naval Hospital is across the street from N.I.H.(National Institute of Health) and one of the largest centers for treating all forms of cancer. The choices were limited but easy to make...we would stay at Bethesda and be treated immediately versus going across the street and waiting 2-3 days for an available bed. The team worked quickly and had the regimen ready for Dan that night. We would use the NIH protocol but at Bethesda, the best of both worlds. Back on the floor the news had already spread and the staff was prepared to assist all of us. There was a group of counselors available for both Dan and myself and the children. I am not one for support groups but they knew that we would need them before we would realize it. Nothing like your world crashing in on you in less than 48 hrs....and we both thought we were in control of our lives...another lesson learned...God is in control.....He just lets us think we are in control by letting us in the driver seat.
Leukemia is a common form of blood cancer (ALL) especially for children but more rare for adults and even more difficult to treat as a result. The team from Hematology were on a search for a treatment that would now treat my husband. Again N.I.H. would be there, they would take their successful treatments for children and adjust the doses for an adult. Dan would receive his first chemotherapy on Wednesday night. So what do we do from here...sit down with the MD's and the children and explain as best as possible what was happening to their dad. Dan and I took the most direct approach...honesty and told the children that dad had Leukemia and would be in the hospital for a while. The doctors were doing everything they could for him and he was going to be okay.....
That previous Friday had also been a landmark day as well....you see I was a nursing student at Holy Family College, now Holy Family University, and the nurses, as well as the nursing students were having a march on Washington DC. Danielle was out of school for the day with "pink eye" and there was no reason for her to spend the day in the house when she could be a part of history being made, so off to Washington DC we were headed with other college friends. Several hours into the trip I received a phone call that Dan had been sent home from work...an unheard of situation in the military. I spoke with Dan and he assured Danielle and me that he would be fine until we got home from our trip which now was changing to a turn-around trip instead of a girls weekend. So we did our part for nurses with the march and returned that evening. Dan was tired as he had been but was resting to be able to do his duty on Sunday.
As Sunday approached Dan went to his work as he was required, but on Monday morning as he was leaving the hospital he came upon a friend that was a Physicians Assistant at Walson, who just by chance, or as I would call it fate, never entered the facility through the same doors as Dan was leaving but had been off on leave and as he later told me, was ready to make a fresh start so he was entering the facility through that door for the first time that morning....thank you.....You know who you are....
The conversation was short between the two of them but life changing for all of us...he told Dan as a fellow runner and a friend, "wow man you look like --it, " Dan explained to him that he had been having these vague symptoms, numbness in his jaw, swelling in his legs, and pain with difficulty walking for the past few weeks. He explained that he had been to the dentist and received antibiotics for an infection...no help. He also had seen someone for his back who suggested physical therapy, that had made things only worse and pain meds that did nothing at all but take up the counter space since he had now started a collection of medications. His friend suggested to him that Walson Hospital did not have the resources there at that time to see Dan and he may recommend going to Bethesda Naval Hospital in Rockville, Md for an open clinic with a neurologist. At this time Dan was willing to try anything. That goodness that this was Monday morning and he did not have work and the clinic was on Tuesday, so we only had another day to get through before we would find out what was going on.
Again as fate would have it, another one of the kids on Monday morning had "pink eye" so now that was two down with only one left to go. Monday was spent resting and getting ready for Tuesday and the trip to DC. Dan and I decided that since they had all been out with "pink eye" except one of them, we would keep them out of school on that day and all go to Rockville together. We would see the doctor and then spend the rest of the day in DC seeing the sights...so off we go Tuesday morning to see the neurologist.
I don't know if anyone has ever rode in a car with a woman in labor but that was how the drive from New Jersey to Maryland was for us on that Tuesday morning. Dan did not want to take any pain meds before he was seen by the neurologist, so I am sure it was the longest and most painful 3.5 hour ride of his life. We arrived bright and early ready to be one of the first to see the MD only to find out that patients would be seen in order by military rank....WHAT?????? No triage or severity of symptoms considered. So the long wait began....Dan would not be seen until about 3:30pm and only after passing out because of the pain in the waiting room.
He was given a thorough neurological examination and in the end the neurologist recommended that he stay over night for further evaluation in the morning. It was now about 530pm and we had not had anything to eat all day, but it seems no one was hungry. I had several calls to make because I was due to work the night shift that night...I was an LPN at the time, doing home care over night for patients. So I called and let them know that I was in Maryland with my husband and would not be at work that evening. We were sent to the floor and yes....the kids were still with us. Our visit to Rockville was now to be our new home for the next few days. This now completed the 1st day of the journey.
The staff were the best group of professionals that I have had the pleasure of meeting. They soon became a part of our family, as Dan would not leave the hospital until the day he was called home...Oct 17th, 1995. The first night they provided myself and the children a place to sleep and a meal that was greatly appreciated. A long day had ended but others would be longer....
On Wednesday morning Dan and I were greeted by several new MD's and residents. They came in small groups, all very pleasant and eager to share the information that we requested and even some that we didn't. The first group was the neurologist along with his TEAM, to let us know that several other groups of people would be seeing us today. "We have consulted with Rheumatology and Hematology to see you today." Dan and I were both in the medical field so those words were not new to us...but why these folks...no time for questions. In walks the next group of people and soon Dan would be making a trip to another area of the hospital for a Bone Marrow Aspiration. With kids in tow, we made our way to the next clinic and waiting area. We were accompanied by a young Asian resident (sorry but the name has slipped my mind in the past 16 yrs) but not the face. She was about to have several firsts for her that day. One was doing the bone marrow aspiration herself, and next having to tell a young man (35), his wife and three children (13, 12, and 8) that his life was in for a huge change. Before 3pm on Wednesday, we had been informed not only that Dan would be staying at the hospital but he was going on a journey to save his life. You see, Dan was diagnosed with ALL-3 and Burkitt's Lymphoma. What the hectic did that mean...he had Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia and Burkitt's Lymphoma. We had a huge decision to make and little time to decide. He needed treatment immediately but where would he go.
Bethesda Naval Hospital is across the street from N.I.H.(National Institute of Health) and one of the largest centers for treating all forms of cancer. The choices were limited but easy to make...we would stay at Bethesda and be treated immediately versus going across the street and waiting 2-3 days for an available bed. The team worked quickly and had the regimen ready for Dan that night. We would use the NIH protocol but at Bethesda, the best of both worlds. Back on the floor the news had already spread and the staff was prepared to assist all of us. There was a group of counselors available for both Dan and myself and the children. I am not one for support groups but they knew that we would need them before we would realize it. Nothing like your world crashing in on you in less than 48 hrs....and we both thought we were in control of our lives...another lesson learned...God is in control.....He just lets us think we are in control by letting us in the driver seat.
Leukemia is a common form of blood cancer (ALL) especially for children but more rare for adults and even more difficult to treat as a result. The team from Hematology were on a search for a treatment that would now treat my husband. Again N.I.H. would be there, they would take their successful treatments for children and adjust the doses for an adult. Dan would receive his first chemotherapy on Wednesday night. So what do we do from here...sit down with the MD's and the children and explain as best as possible what was happening to their dad. Dan and I took the most direct approach...honesty and told the children that dad had Leukemia and would be in the hospital for a while. The doctors were doing everything they could for him and he was going to be okay.....
Monday, April 4, 2011
where is the warm weather so we can get back to nature..... AKA camping
So after a long tough weekend in the Emergency Room in Trenton it was off to the dentist. It has been a while so anything is to be expected. After the blast cleaning and the ice pick to the bleeding gums....you will need a root canal at a special price of $1800.00. Wasn't it enough to hurt my teeth, now you want to hurt my pocket. Stay tuned for the follow up....
Time is getting short till the wedding and everyone is getting so excited. Took the boys for haircuts over the weekend and they are getting ready for the tuxedo day. Coming home from getting the haircuts I told Darren and Colbey the key to keeping the hair as nice as it was right then was to wash it with a little shampoo, rinse all the soap out...apply a little conditioner and rinse it out, then towel dry and apply a little gel...Colbey says to me, "Mom, can you write that down for me." Gotta love the mind of a child. I reassured him that he would be able to remember without me writing it down. And he did great this morning.
It seems I missed the beautiful day we had today but did get a little rest for the crazy ride I am about to go on. I will not be off until the 15th. Guess I will have to take this one day at a time. I did manage to get some much needed laundry done on Sunday...which is another story in and of itself. First we have been without a washer for almost 2 months courtesy of Lowe's and Electrolux. We purchased a washer from Lowe's and it has washed 2 loads since we got it. Flooded the basement and 2 trips to the laundromat later, we should have a new washer from Electrolux this week. They better come through on this one....
The weather is starting to try and get nice so planning the camping trips for the summer and the weekends. Hope to get to Ringing Rocks Campground during spring break and Blake's birthday. Come on sunshine we need you. Stay tuned for the camping adventures, last year was great....in fact hard to believe that last year at this time we had our first camping adventure at Old Millstream Campground in Lancaster, PA. Hope to make it back there soon. Check out the pictures of the campground.
Early morning on the first day of our 1st camping trip. This was the sight from our camping site looking over the farmlands of Lancaster.
Picture of the morning dew over the farms. Wow what a beautiful and crisp morning it was.
Another picture of the morning dew over The Old Mill Stream.
Nothing like a morning dip in the stream for the ducks, they seem to be enjoying the day already.
The tepee at the playground of Old Mill Stream Campground. We would recommend this place to all of our camping friends out there that are looking for a small family-friendly campground without breaking the budget. It is conveniently located behind Dutch Wonderland.
Beautiful sunrise over the stream.
Can't wait to get back there. The boys absolutely loved their first camping experience. Looking forward to this years experiences.
Time is getting short till the wedding and everyone is getting so excited. Took the boys for haircuts over the weekend and they are getting ready for the tuxedo day. Coming home from getting the haircuts I told Darren and Colbey the key to keeping the hair as nice as it was right then was to wash it with a little shampoo, rinse all the soap out...apply a little conditioner and rinse it out, then towel dry and apply a little gel...Colbey says to me, "Mom, can you write that down for me." Gotta love the mind of a child. I reassured him that he would be able to remember without me writing it down. And he did great this morning.
It seems I missed the beautiful day we had today but did get a little rest for the crazy ride I am about to go on. I will not be off until the 15th. Guess I will have to take this one day at a time. I did manage to get some much needed laundry done on Sunday...which is another story in and of itself. First we have been without a washer for almost 2 months courtesy of Lowe's and Electrolux. We purchased a washer from Lowe's and it has washed 2 loads since we got it. Flooded the basement and 2 trips to the laundromat later, we should have a new washer from Electrolux this week. They better come through on this one....
The weather is starting to try and get nice so planning the camping trips for the summer and the weekends. Hope to get to Ringing Rocks Campground during spring break and Blake's birthday. Come on sunshine we need you. Stay tuned for the camping adventures, last year was great....in fact hard to believe that last year at this time we had our first camping adventure at Old Millstream Campground in Lancaster, PA. Hope to make it back there soon. Check out the pictures of the campground.
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