to everything, a season...

Over a year ago, I spent New Years Eve at my Mother's house. The first day of 2009 dawned clear and beautiful and my sister Bethany and I received a rare gift, as all four of our children slept in giving us time to chat early in the morning. My mother came out to join us and said that her first thought upon waking was the scripture:

"To everything there is a season,
a time for every purpose under the sun.
A time to be born and a time to die;"

It sobered us a little as we all knew her cancer had returned, but we remained thankful for the time we had been given to be together. We talked more that morning and started the year off in love and harmony.

When I think of my mother, I think of all that God gave her and all that she gave us. When I think of my mother, I still hear those scripture words and as I go through our time in Ridgecrest, I know that God moved us there, before we knew about the cancer, to be with my mother.

"a time to plant and a time to pluck up that which is planted;"

Much of the time spent with my Mother was spent at her house. Much of that time was spent outside in her grotto and 'Mary garden'

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. Shortly after Giulia was born, Mother's work began in earnest on her garden. She pushed to place her paths, gardens and grotto where she wanted them and exactly how she wanted them. At the time, I wondered; "why the rush?" Now I know, she had found out she was running out of time. She remained healthy and had no pain, so she continued living her life to the fullest, and at the same time, she made a place for all of us to always be with her.

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I worked with her on that garden: advising, planning, planting, weeding, raking and laying pavers, and I enjoyed that garden.

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The kids love playing there. There is sand to dig in, flowers to pick, strawberries playing hide-and-seek under green leaves, tomatoes and watermelon to watch grow and sparkly, twirling pin wheels to keep the birds away.

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Rope swings, a fire pit, benches that rock and a horse.

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Apricot trees that bloom in radiant white then become a bounty of ripe, orange apricots to gobble down. Apricots, that my Mother grew from seed. As Mom always said, store bought fruit and veggies cannot compare to home grown, and she was right.

"a time to kill and a time to heal ..."

As Mom's hair began thinning, due to her chemo treatments, it became evident to us that something was wrong. She told us that her cancer had returned. Funny, but it wasn't as devastating as the first time I had learned she had breast cancer. That day, I was at work when Daddy called me to tell me. I just crumpled to the floor and cried. This second time, I just sent one big thank you prayer to God for moving us to California. Mom must have spent some time laughing at me that first year in California because I spent quite a bit of time walking her kitchen floor trying to figure out why God had moved us back there. She never said a word, but I can see her knowing smile. Something was killing my mother, but I began the healing, even then, because of the gifts that became very clear to me.

"a time to weep and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn and a time to dance ...
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing;"

What wonderful memories I have of our three years in Ridgecrest. My children really got to know their grandparents and had plenty of time to enjoy them.

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Grandmama, as Giulia calls her, made cakes with her spoiling her with extra frosting AND chocolate chips.

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We had tea parties, danced in the living room, played the piano and the billion toys in the nook, the kids rode Papa's tractor and swam in the pool.

We laughed. Something that Mom believed was the best medicine. When she was going through her surgeries the first time, I remember her forcing herself to laugh, because it helped. Force the body to do it, and you still get the same results. We had such merry times. Remember New Years Eve playing board games? Remember staying up past midnight just talking? I remember so much.

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We cried too. There were fights and family squabbles, but I believe they were handled well. I realized I had grown up a lot since the last time I had lived so close to Mom and Dad. I was able to stand up for my beliefs or my family, without being childish. I believe even the tears that were shed were healthy. We cried with each other over the news that her numbers were climbing. We held on to each other and cried. The tears I will always remember most though are the kid’s tears and how Grandmama comforted them. It wasn't good enough to just pat them on the back, she sat down and pulled them into her embrace and rocked them; encompassing them in her comfort for as long as she could give it with earthly arms.

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We mourned; who doesn't think about the end, how much time do we have? It becomes even more pressing when you are fighting it daily. Every time family came together, we all silently wondered, would this be the last time?

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We danced! Luckily, with all those grand kids running around, there isn't much time to stay melancholy.

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And they do dance, if not always physically, their energy and love dances in their eyes and is so contagious to those around them. Dancing to the spinning song, or simply because they're wearing a beautiful skirt and have to move in it. There was so much joy and energy and I will always remember that and use it as a blanket when I feel sad.

"a time to lose and a time to seek;"

Last year, March 11, Giulia and I were "teeking"(that means antiquing) and we found a beautiful book about a tiger called Who's the Beast?

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as well as a little Tigger key chain that Giulia wanted to buy for Grandmama, "because she loves tigers!" We went out to Mom's house and we laid in bed with her and read her the book. She spent the day in bed with the sounds of the grand kids outside her window. Those of us that were in town were there. The rest, were on their way. That night she passed away and Daddy called us all in to lay hands on her.

“The death of a mother is the first sorrow wept without her.”

It was now time to seek comfort in God and our families. There was no need to seek for peace, as I already felt it. There is no other way to look at the last three years and not see it laid out perfectly for my mother. She had all of her Grandchildren in town for a year. Ray was stationed in RC for two years, Bethany moved back and had her second child in town, then two months later I moved back to RC where I also had another child. (Mom and Dad were in my delivery room for three hours when I was in labor with Carrick. She brought me the pumpkin pie that I was so desperately craving.)

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Vivian was in her Senior year of College, Annie and Taylor were in Boston going to school. Both Vivian and Annie got to attend the religious education congress with Mom and Dad just weeks before she died. What greater gift could we have asked for?

I find myself very grateful that I have so many siblings and such a wonderful set of in-laws' as well as many close friends. I have sought comforting arms or laps, ears, prayers and company. I am so thankful!

"a time to rend and a time to sew;"

Just as quickly as we were moved away from Colorado, we were whisked back again right after Mom died.

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Although we knew it was the right thing to do, it was hard. It took Giulia away from her Grandparents and her cousins and set us on our own path again. I guess it would've been too easy to stay in RC and just be with family. Still, I am glad we are here, even though I miss my family terribly. Luckily, Mic is working hard and our friends are still here taking care of us. We are hiking and having great family time, just the four of us.

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We have had lots of visitors too. Dad, Ray(3x's), Bethany and girls, Annie and Chelsia have all come out to visit.

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We are looking forward to May, when Cricket and her family will be out here and in June, Bethany and her whole family will be here again. Anyone is welcome! If you have the time, please come. We have the space and we love to have guests.

You'll laugh, but one thing my Mom's death did accomplish was that I finally learned to sew. Now, I know that isn't what they meant in the scripture, but it fits, so I'm using it. Annie stayed in RC for a month and taught me to sew on my Mother's machine. One of the comforts I have had here in Colorado is sewing. I have hemmed and mended many things and have made burp rags, just like Mom, for my friends that are having babies and I have projects planned to keep me busy.

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I am loving it! Mostly, because I think of Mother when I sew. I have so many memories with the hum of her machine in the background.

"a time to keep silent and a time to speak;
a time to love and a time to hate;
a time for war and a time for peace."
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

A year, one year without my Mother here. A season. I have felt her presence in the silence of my heart so many times. I felt her guiding us back to Colorado and I hear her so often in my parenting, but I miss hearing her voice. I miss calling her and our long chats. I miss her advice. But, God gave me an amazing Dad who is filling her shoes quite well. He gave me four siblings that all have a part of her. I seek them out for different things, and I couldn't do it without all of them. Then there is my husband and my children.

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They loved my Mother too, they share my grief, but most importantly, they share my memories. Giulia talks about Grandmama every day. She tells me that she talks to Grandmama, but doesn't hear her answer and she says she misses baking cakes with her. She tells me that Grandmama is with Jesus and watches over her all the time.

The stages of mourning say you have to go through anger, I've had that too. But what I hate isn't my mother's death, it's the disease that took her. I am mad at the fact that she had cancer at all, statistically she should have been a very low risk. I am mad, and a little afraid that this disease will effect me or my seesters. It doesn't die with my mother. The battle against cancer is a war on so many fronts. It attacks your body, but doesn't stop there. It invades every sector of your life: family, friends, work, faith... The only way to fight it is to have faith.

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At the end, I have found peace. What a life she led, what a mother I had. Her body is at peace, no more war waging within. No more doubt or fear and no more weariness. She told me once about St. Bernadette who spent her last years in pain. St. Bernadette told her Bishop that she spent all her time suffering and offering up that suffering. She looked forward to Heaven where she wouldn't have to suffer anymore; she could offer an eternity in prayer. My mother will be right there beside her, praying for us! Praying for Peace.

I will begin blogging again. If you've missed the last year, you can find it narrated in pictures at our web album.

http://picasaweb.google.com/summerdemin

Please take a look as we have been very busy and the kids are growing quite quickly!

From Drop Box

God Bless,
Summer

Time to love...

Well, there has been a lot to love in the first month and a half of 2009. Mic went to Germany for work and arrived safely back home. He hasn't been traveling a lot which has been great for us. He's been able to work from home working on all the end of the year paperwork.



We've had lots of family time together. Hikes in the desert, dancing and games at home and lots of crafts and movies too. The most enjoyable part of our life is watching our children grow. Carrick is three months old now and starting to turn 360's on the floor. He cracks up at the antics of his big sister and as Grandmama says, his "only job is to make [her] smile." While Giulia needs to be held more than usual, we smile and praise her for being such a big sister. She is wonderful with Carrick and still keeps us all panting just trying to keep up with her.

We couldn't ask for more blessings in our life. We hope you enjoy our photos as much as we enjoyed making these memories.

God Bless,
the De Min's

Ready for the new year...

Well, it's 2009. Another year has started and we already have so much to share. We've taken photos of most of it and if you read the captions you'll know where we are and what we're doing. They are pretty well narrated so you could probably skip everything below. :D

Mic was home faithfully for two weeks after Carrick arrived. We had a wonderful time being together as a family and just getting to know our little man and of course, resting. I broke my pubic bone during delivery and that is proving to be the slowest thing to heal. It still pains me and I am very slowly getting back to normal activites. Hiking is still out of the question.

Ok, I've decided that I spent a lot of work putting captions on the pics, so read them. That's the main reason people come to the site anyway.

The rest of Novemeber....

TG 08

December...

Dec 2008

January, so far...

Jan 2009

Carrick is here...

Ah, finally we can announce the arrival of Carrick Giovanni Luca De Min. Born on November 13, 2008 at 4:12 am. Weighing 8 lbs, 5 oz and measuring 21" long.

Carrick

click on the picture to see the entire album...

His strawberry blond hair threw us all for a loop, but makes him very Irish, which comes from my side of the family. Ray, he has your chin. He's a wonderful baby and Giulia is taking great care of him. Mic is home and taking great care of all of us. This time as a family is so precious and we promise to call more and write more once we settle in, but for now we're laying low.

Thank you for all the prayers and well wishes. We truly feel blessed by this latest gift and are simply amazed at what God does in our lives.

God Bless,
Summer

Still no baby, but we have Halloween photos....

Hello all of our beloved family and friends. For those who are not on the daily "know" list, we have not had baby #2 yet. Due date was yesterday but nothing is happening. There is a full moon on the 12th, so maybe Heather will have to share her bday with this little rug rat. I could be one of those crazy ladies delivering and howling at the moon, what do you think?

Mic is getting anxious as his traveling has been put on hold and he feels like he's not really working unless he's able to travel too. Poor guy. I'm feeling better than I was a few weeks ago, so I'm willing to wait it out. My Dr. would be more than happy to induce, but I want to avoid that. I'd really like to finish this one all natural too. Giulia and I gave it a worthy try, not getting the epidural until hour 27, but I want to feel the pushing this time. I guess we can already start to compare the personalities of these two kids since things have been so different. We'll see...

So, you can enjoy pics of our October in the mean time.



We had a lot of fun with lots of good family time. Take care and may your fall be wonderful!

Summer

I really should wait for Halloween.....

October is almost over and I haven't even posted pics of my birthday in Sept. How sad, and the baby isn't even here yet, so I can't blame it on that.

September 7th was Grandparents day. Giulia painted some beautiful pics for each of her grandparents, but we had a special surprise for Mic's parents. I made a baby book of Giulia's first year and I coaxed Cricket into making one for Riley too. They were done and ready to be delivered. In a year or two I guess we'll have to make books for the babies we're both carrying now. :D More work, but it can wait!



Ah,my birthday. I am now 31 years old and still loving life. I had a nice family bday with dinner at my mom's house where Giulia helped make a delicious cake for me and the next night was our family night. Just me, Mic and Giulia making dinner together and Mic made the apple crisp. That is all I really need anymore is simple family time. It's so precious.

The circus came to town in Sept and we took G. She was most interested in the animals. The acrobats and clowns bored her. The spot lights changing seemed to thrill her more than the other acts. the best part was riding the Elephant. Yup, that's me 8 mos preg on an elephant. :D I'm living life now!

We are getting things ready for the baby and now awaiting Halloween which is the day Giulia thinks the baby will come. We'll see, I'm certainly not opposed to it. Mic is sticking close to home from here on out, so bring on baby #2!

Hope all of you are doing well and I hope to post Halloween pics soon. Have a safe holiday!
Summer

August ended with a great road trip!

What a long and wonderful month it was. It was probably the longest month of my pregnancy, because at the end of it I realized I was further along than I thought. I think I was feeling stuck somewhere between the 5th and 6th month. Well, now we only have two months to go until this baby is here and that isn't going to take that long. :D

We took a wonderful roadtrip to Colorado at the end of the month. We went out for my friend Amanda's wedding but we took our time and made a nice vacation out of it. We drove down through Arizona staying with friends and doing some Bionicon business. Prescott, Az is a very beautiful spot. Those are the pictures of the sunflowers and G using her little potty on the side of the road. We stayed with our friends the Hoskins over night and then headed out the next day for Durango. It was so nice to be back in Co on our favorite Hwy. If you've ever driven Hwy 285, you know it's the prettiest streatch of road there is.



Giulia, fortunatly, is a great road triper, so we got to enjoy the scenery. I actually really enjoyed making frequent stops at parks and such to play and let her run out some energy. It's nice to stop and smell the flowers sometimes. Before children, our roadtrips were usually just 'get there as fast as we can,' now we have to stop or go crazy. Those stops were some of our best memories. Of course, we couldn't have made it without Donald Duck. I brought DVD's for G and the only one she watched, over and over again, was a DD one that had her cracking up!

We hadn't been to Durango since our honeymoon, but Mic had to meet a man from a bike magazine to give him a demo bike. Good reason to go see a lovely town. We had a very nice picnic at a park before heading back on the road for more beautiful mountains. Giulia did look out her window often enough to notice the "big Mountains" and ask her Daddy to help her climb them.

We spent the first real night of our vacation in Salida, Co, one of our favorite vacation spots. We stayed at the same lodge we always do and had some fun in the river. Friday we arrived in Denver with enough time to drop G off at Christy's, take a shower and then head back up the road to Morrison for the wedding. Very beautiful and the rain waited to fall until the ceremony was over. We got to see some more friends and just relax with some good food and chat. Best of luck to you, Amanda and Nick.



We spent the weekend seeing friends, having dinnner, walking the Louisville bike paths, and just enjoying being in Co. Giulia was game for anything and really made us proud of our little girl.

Monday Mic took his little girl to the Denver Zoo by himself because I was exhausted. They spent over four hours there and had a wonderful time. Giulia got to spend her money from Granny on an Elephant with blue eyes that she calls Daddy elephant. Very fitting since he took her. See the pictures and comments for my favorite quote from G....it's on the gorilla picture. :D

By the end of the week, it was really starting to feel like a vacation. It was hard to come back, but we headed out Saturday and once again took our time. We stopped in Fruita, Co at the dino museum and then again in Utah and bought a kite for some windy fun.

Back home, G was glad to get back in the swing of things with dance class and more Rc parks. We'll be back someday Colorado, but for now we're home in California.

God bless to you all, Summer and family