Trick or Treat?

So far a wonderful day... the girls are all ready to raid the neighborhood and Brody has NO clue what all the fuss is all about!
It has been quite the process this year trying to figure out what we were going to be... mainly because the girls are now at the stage were they want to make choices for themselves and don't want to match!
We have one "Fairy Princess" and one "Snow White Fairy Princess"... if you see us don't mention anything about the fact that Cassidy looks NOTHING like Snow White!
Then we have the Good Son who wants to be a worker like his Daddy... he did have a little coaching, but it is really cute. I hope he realizes that worker and union are not usually used interchangeably, but anyway you look at it he's cute and flattering to me!
Jesse is going out as a wonderful wife/ mother and I will be dressed as a "Baby Bjorn Carrier" model.

My Protector

Sometimes our little guys and girls simply amaze me. The world really is quite simple to figure out... people are either mean or kind, things are either good or bad... things really are black or white to children.
Tonight Ella was not all that co-operative going to bed or getting out of the bath. Just a few minutes ago I told her how tired I was, that I had a bad day, and that she wasn't making life easy for me. She asked, "Why?" (did I have a bad day). I just said, "Work!". Then as most 4 year olds do she asked, "Why?"again and again. I thought about giving the same answer, but I didn't want to be asked "Why?" 50 thousand more times! So I decided to explain that not everyone has the same heart we do... not everyone has love in their hearts like we do... not everyone knows Jesus. Now she insists on going to work with me to teach people about Jesus and His love. Though some of them may benefit from her "teaching" and some of them may understand it better coming from someone of their own intelligence... I don't think that my boss would allow a four year old in the garage with all those big trucks!

Flu Season... Already!

The kids, Jesse, and I all went to the doctors for their annual Flu shots. They all were given the option of shot or nasal spray. The little peanut Cassidy thought she'd be brave and try the shot. Ella could not be out done, so she thought the shot would also do. I think she realized either way, it was not going to be pleasant.
Usually we have arguments based on whose going first... not whose going last, not that I don't understand why.
Senior Volunteer, Junior Force... Union rules at home too!
Brody went first... "Ow"... and almost some tears but none really to speak of. Cassidy second... Some tears and a loud screech. Ella went last... lots of tears and very loud sobs.
The office manager met us on the way out to meet little Joseph. She asked the girls some questions... small talk. The shots were mentioned, so we asked, "could you hear that noise?"... she replied (with a smile)..."YES!; and so could the person I was on the phone with!"

My Friend, My Son.

It's amazing to me the things that this little boy says. You sneeze, a "God Bless You"... or something that sounds remotely close it anyway. You cough, an "Okay" or "K"... is shortly to follow. He is full of hugs and kisses... really wet kisses.
My little boy Brody is becoming my little friend. Friends are there for you when you need a laugh, a hug, or even a slug on the shoulder. Brody is pretty good at the hugs and the slugs, he's great at the laughter also. His little laugh is contagious.
Last night he was in bed and we heard a little voice... "DaDa... DaDa... DaDAAAAAAAAA!" I went upstairs to check things out of course. The pillows cases were off the "piwwows" and the little man was asking "elp... elp." He happened to say it with a little urgency, because Mommy would get mad if she saw this mess!

Family

Every time we bring home a new baby the other babies don't seem so baby anymore... Brody seems a little taller and smarter, Cassidy seems a little more Mommy, and Ella seems a little more "Hannah Montana" meets "Martha Stewart".
Our newly proclaimed BIG brother has started to "poopie" on the "poppie", only when he deems it necessary though, like at bedtime when he knows he'll be sitting in it for a while. He is showing lots of real affection toward all of us, what an awesome little man.
Cassidy, my little peanut, snuggle buddy, a.k.a. the real trouble maker, wants to really help and actually knows what to do to really be a help.
The oldest of all these beautiful gifts, Ella is... well just like her mother. She is soo loving, then when she gets hungry.... just watch out! She knows soo much... almost too much already! I'm praying for that young man that is going to be her husband already. She is strong, smart, and funny! Just yesterday she was walking around the house on her cell phone, Verizon of course, saying " no way! no way! REALLY... NO WAY!".... what an imagination. She is a little woman, who does little woman things.
I love them all and thank God for this new little guy. I've been Blessed by wonderful children, giving friends, helpful family and most importantly the perfect wife!
I Love You, Jessica!

Buk... Buk... Gen...

Every night we all have our little routines that should under no circumstances be changed, all of us with children anyway.

Brody and the girls usually start with potty time and the brushing of their teeth, then we part ways according to gender and start our snuggle/bedtime rituals. Brody and I leave the girls with the same "blow kisses" and "smell you later" almost every night. He has got an arsenal of books, but it seems we read only about ten of the hundred or so he has in his room. My favorite happens to be "I Love You... Good Night"... as boys always do, we make it fun by reading while making pig noises, windy sounds, and froggy ribbits ( you'd have to be there to understand what I'm talking about)!

When we finish one book, we move onto the next with Brody saying "buk buk". Then we finish with a song... yes that's right a grown man proud of singing "Itsy Bitsy Spider", just don't tell the guys at work. After we sing Brody seems to think that we should start all over again or as he'd say "gen".

Aren't these little creatures so amazing, they already know that we can't help but want to snuggle... and who wants this almost two year old to start screaming and possibly wake up the neighborhood!

Some... Some... Share!

Today Mommy and Baby Joseph came home from the hospital. They were welcomed with much love from sisters and the new big brother.
Mommy was missed very much... by all of us... Ella missed her snuggle buddy this morning and I missed my snuggle buddy last night...besides I had to get up with one of them last night, I couldn't just pretend I was still asleep... because there wasn't anyone else here!
All the kids rushed to help change diapers... I decided to give them space and alone time with Mommy and Brother. They all wanted to hold the little boy... after I was done of course. Today they were able to play outside while Mommy shot a few pictures, but were still comforted to know Mommy was still here.
Nursing time was a little more interesting... Ella wants Jesse to promise that she will be able to give brother a bottle some time. Brody... well... he uses few words but we all understood what he wanted.... "Some... Some... Share!"

Why Joseph?

After all that talk about how special and thoughtful a name should be for a child, you may be wondering "why Joseph?"

Joseph; God will increase.
Abram; Exalted Father (God the Father)

Joseph has much more meaning than what is described in a baby naming book... it does have some tradition behind it. It does happen to be my middle name given to me in honor of a truly great Great-Uncle, meaning he was an awesome man... from what I've been told by ANYBODY that has shared a story of his life. But this little guy was not named after Myself or that Great-Uncle; instead he was named after a Great-Aunt. No, that is no mistake... our son was named after a woman, a truly wonderful woman.

My Grandma Riley has used the words "very special" on several occasions to describe my Great-Aunt. I really hadn't ever realized how much she had understated how "special" she really was. Some of you may recall Jesse sharing a story about Sister "Dorofy"... in the words of Cassidy. Sister Dorothy is known to my mother as "Sister Joe"... when I say Sister you may wonder why... She is a Sister of Saint Joseph.... Sister Amelia Joseph. I think I could add just one more name... Sister "Simply Amazing."

Just under a year ago she was involved in an accident... in which she was severely injured. She will remind you of something that most of us know, but don't understand...there is NO such thing as an accident. She understands and reminds us all that Our Heavenly Father has a good and perfect plan for us... sometimes we may not understand... sometimes we may not like the paths that He leads us down, but as she has reminded me and most likely others... this was no accident and we must TRUST in Him.

I personally have been faced with loss before and wondered, "what good could come from this?"... Through all of our trials I think God intends for us to become closer to Him and to become more like Him.

Sister Dorothy has shared love and compassion for and with many people over the years... and that did not change... she found ways to care for others while they cared for her. She has always been "special" as my grandmother says, but I never really understood why, until she shared this with me. After all that she has been through... hospitalization, surgeries, rehab, and even a coma... she hasn't stopped thinking about how she can continue to serve God and the Church. She took the time to write a letter, a letter of forgiveness, love and concern for the person who some may say was responsible for her "accident". How could she be so understanding and forgiving... "Sister Joe" understands Gods Love and more importantly she understands how to share His Love. He has forgiven us, He has Loved us, He has given us His son.

I think this explains best why we chose Joseph... if our little boy becomes a man with half the character, love, and compassion showed by this truly "special" and Godly woman, than we've been blessed twice.... once with a beautiful son and also with an amazing Great-Aunt.

Are You Ready?

7:26 am
October 7, 2008
8 lbs. 8 oz.

Joseph Abram Svoboda

Mommy is doing quite well and so is the new baby brother... we are all on our way to visit right now... wish Mommy Luck!
Ella and Cassidy can't wait and Brody is still clueless... kind of like his father.

Thanks for your prayers and thoughts.

In Christ's Love,
Patrick

Official Name Announcement!

I'm sure that all of you have wondering what name we are planning on using. It has been reeeeally difficult with this little guy. There were/ are so many things to consider.
You will all soon find out, once you start praying for Jesse to have this kid... ASAP!

And then there was ONE!

One little BOY all alone with Mommy and Daddy... what is he to do? He did almost anything he wanted... The girls went to POOL Nana and Papa's for the night and we all got a little rest and relaxation. Brody got his deserved alone time and late morning snuggle time with Mommy and Daddy. He ate dinner out late with us. Went shopping early for Matchbox cars, one of my favorite toys as a young boy. We also went and looked at the fishies, gerbils, birds, dogs, and cats at the Pet Store, he loved that and so did Daddy, because we got to leave the cats there.
Thank You Nana and Papa for the Girls treats and the R&R for Mommy and Daddy... and Brody too!

Table for 5?!

Hopefully tonight will be the last time we will need a table for 5... I've been practicing.... Party of 6 please, 2 boosters, 1 high, and a lot of crayons please?
I think that Jesse is really less anxious than me, I keep wondering where will I be... Work, AWANA, Sleeping, or maybe in the middle of something in the bathroom?
I can't wait to meet this little guy, and I can't wait for his brother and sisters to see him for the first time also.... but most importantly I want Jesse to be able to see her toes again, I think she has had enough.

@ My Expense!

How do you get a group of boys and leaders to laugh at you? Tell them they need to be quiet, because they are being too Loud, and they are going to disturb the DEAF Ministry.

In my defense... we really can be distracting to some of the people in that room.