One year anniversary of Kleinshire!

One year ago we pulled up to a cute little green house with a front porch that runs the length of it. We unloaded a loaded borrowed truck of necessary things for us to be able to sleep in the new house.

Kleinshire!

It was a long hope for an anticipated move. Since our marriage of May 17th, 2008, we knew it would be awhile before we could buy a house of our own. Right at the beginning of our start together, we lived in a cute two bedroom farm house in the country. It was conveniently located five or so minute from my work and 15 minutes from my family's farm. Franz had to drive a half hour for work, but it was a pretty and usually easy drive. (Except for the time he drove my station wagon to work and the tire flew off flying through several yards. We did not get the tire back till two days later when it was discovered a block over. Flying tires can really travel!)

The night Father Francis blessed our first home together in Wisconsin.

The sunset from our two bedroom farm house we rented in Wisconsin.

Loaded and ready to head to Texas

The fall of 2009 saw us loaded into our taurus, (who was affectionately named Tony later on by Cyprian), pulling a borrowed trailer from my brother. We were headed to Texas for Franz to start his doctorate program in Literature at the University of Dallas. There was barely room for me to slip into the back seat next to Cyprian's carseat. We also had our kitten Augustine stuffed in a carrier.

We had a special blessing for us to safely make it to Texas.

Our apartment complex in Texas.

Our one bedroom apartment at the Colony.

First place we stayed was a one bedroom apartment in the Colony. It was nice as it has a community of University of Dallas students within its complex. That first year we were okay with the small space. But soon my country girl heart yearned for more space, especially outside. We were in the apartment one year when Franz noticed an advertisement on a bulletin board at school for a cute two bedroom cottage on 2.2 acres in the city. Yes, that is right 2.2 acres in the city limits. The house and grounds were beautiful! Best of all it was completely enclosed with fencing and a big barn gate that closed over the driveway entrance.

Dr. Woods house.

We spent almost three crazy great years in Doctor Woods house. I have so many memories. Cletus was born in that house. If we had stayed in Texas we talked about how we would like to have offered to buy the house from Dr. Wood. But God had other plans for us.

So pretty!

Our NEIGHbors on one side:')

We even had a theater where we had dramatic readings

The back yard. We hosted some awesome Ultimate Frisbee games among many other activities.

I love having cloths lines!

So, once Franz was finishing up the course work he looked for a job as a teacher. He interviewed for one in San Antonio, but it was in North Carolina that he felt called to answer. Saint Thomas More Academy was to be where Franz would teach. I headed to Wisconsin two weeks before our move to North Carolina. I drove our van with the three boys and my sister and her daughter who had flown in to visit us from Wisconsin. The boys and I stayed in Wisconsin while Franz finished packing our stuff and loaded it into a rented penski truck.

Franz all by himself drove cross country to North Carolina to a house right in Wake Forest that we were to rent. He quickly unloaded with the help of future coworkers and students. Then he flew to the boys and me in Wisconsin where after spending a few days with family, we headed to North Carolina altogether.

Our rented home in Wake Forest.

The house was a big three bedroom two storied house. The neighborhood is an association so there are rules as we quickly discovered. Like you can not have cloths lines even if they are in the back yard. I also got cited for having kid toys in the front yard. Needless to say I was chomping at the bit to find a house of our own. Especially as Franz teaching at STMA felt more and more confident he is where he should be.

I started looking online at properties. I was a bit obsessive constantly checking different sites and places. In the beginning of 2014 we started after mass on Sunday, picking a property to go drive by. We did this for three weekends before we drove by the Cheves property. It was the first place upon seeing it that we both exclaimed, "this looks nice!" The previous places we had looked at were run down and in not so nice of an area. We decided to apply for a loan. Once we were accepted we contacted a realtor. We really wanted to look inside the Cheves property. We had already explored the outside of the property as the house was not lived in.

It only took us going through the house once for us to make our decision. We made an offer and it was accepted. We had hiccups in the process, but thankfully it worked out in the end. I had purchased four goats a week before our closing date. Dear friends let us keep the goats at their place. It was quite the experience as I had to drive out twice a day to milk the two goats that were in milk.

Finally, I am to the point of this post. We have had one heck of a year here on Kleinshire. I am so happy and grateful for our Kleinshire. Within our first year we have created so many memorable memories. From the menagerie of animals, giving birth to Chrysogonus and starting a garden making and entertaining friends, etc. We are home where we feel God has called us to be.

Happy one year at Kleinshire!

Home sweet home!

Barn and pasture.

From the corner of Kleinshire.

 Now I should have probably posted a picture from today. But we were to busy doing all kinds of stuff to bother with the camera. This post is already too long so I will not bore anyone with the awesome day we had. It was a beautiful day! Goodnight now y'all!

He is risen, alleluia!

We have lots of exciting farm-related things going on at the moment (garden planting, new goat, etc.), but for now, since it's been more than two weeks since the last post, I thought a general post on our Kleinshire Easter would be in order.

Rosemary's older sister Renee flew from Wisconsin to visit for Easter this year, together with her daughter Alynnsia. Another of Rosemary's sisters, Janet, also flew in from Chicago just for the weekend. So, it was a full house for awhile.

We managed to participate in all the Triduum liturgies as a family this year--the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Thursday, the Good Friday service, and, finally, the Easter Vigil. Even with St. Catherine's being packed, we managed to sit near the front for all the liturgies. I think it's important for the boys to see as much as they can, and it bolsters my own faith to answer their innocent questions. I have some work to do with Cletus, however. When I brought him forward on Good Friday for the veneration, I asked him if he would like to kiss the cross. He shook his head and said emphatically (and loudly), "No!"

There were no major meltdowns, though a few children did drift off to sleep by the end of the Vigil Mass. Christ may have risen, but as for the children? Not so much. Though they did rise early enough for their Easter candy the next morning!

Cyprian is technically awake at this point, as is Cletus, whom I am holding. Clement and Alynnsia? Not so much!

Holy Saturday, of course, was a day of preparation, involving egg coloring:

Egg coloring.

Quality time for Chrysogonus and Aunt Janet.

Rosemary got to make a lamb cake after a friend generously purchased a mold for us.

Easter Sunday marked our very first Kleinshire Easter Party. We used to host a big Easter party for friends every year in Dallas, and we've been looking forward to doing the same here in North Carolina. After a great deal of house and yard cleaning, we were finally ready for the forty-plus guests. There were a few mishaps--principally a crock pot lid shattering and ruining the pork roast--but I think a great time was had by all. Thankfully one friend came bearing an Easter ham!

The good food, beer, and conversation may have been the highlights for the adults, but for the kids it was the Easter egg hunt:

Though my egg hiding places were creative, the retrieval methods were even more so.

Rosemary gives an assist, not that the kids really need it.

Yep, this characterizes Cletus's approach to candy. He was pretty irrational by the end of the day.

Ever the contemplative (aka, the airhead), Cyprian here cries out at the injustice of it all as, with a nearly empty bag in hand, he surveys an egg-less back yard.

After Easter Sunday, Rosemary and Renee left for the beach together with the children, leaving me to read and to take care of the animals. Renee had found a beach house deal in the Outer Banks, so Alynnsia got to see the ocean for the very first time. On Tuesday I milked the goats very, very early--4 a.m.!--and made the three-hour drive to join everybody else at the beach for the day.

We visited the Wright Brothers' National Memorial--the site of the very first powered flight--and spent some time at the beach.

The Wright Brothers National Memorial, Kill Devil Hills, N.C.

Cousins!

A beautiful mother with her baby.

Checking out one of the Wright brothers. Orville, I believe?

Renee and Alynnsia

A model of the Wright brothers' plane.

I'm pretty sure this one is Wilbur.

Triple the trouble, and, from Clement's backward glance, I'm pretty sure he knows it.

At the beach in the Outer Banks, N.C.

Yesterday morning, I woke up early and drove Renee and Alynnsia to the airport. Snowy is now puppy-less, as they brought with them the very last of the puppies, the little Snowy look-alike, whom they've named Daisy. I think a good time was had by all.

A blessed Easter to everybody. He has risen, indeed!

Easter Puppies, looking for their new homes!

Female, the runt of the litter. White with black spots. Spunky little girl. Third born.

Male, second born. White with orange/brown. A little shy, but warms up quickly

Female, seventh born. Black and white. Cyprian loves this little girl. She is held a lot.

Male, eighth born. White with black/brown spots. This one is big and a bit longer haired. Sweet temperament.

Male, fourth born. Brown with white. He is a cutie.

Male, first born. Brown with white. My favorite as he is a little charmer.

Male, fifth born. This guy is adorable with his white head and patch eye. He is simply cute both looks and personality.

Female, seventh born.

Male, first born.

Male, eighth born.

Male, first born

Male, first born. I can't help taking this guys picture. 

Male, fifth born.

Male, fourth born.

Part two of Chrysogonus accident

I left off with we were waiting for the ambulance to take us to Duke in Durham.

When the EMT arrived they had mixed up on the weight of Chrysogonus and thought he was only half the size he really is. So they had prepared something like a box for transport, I forget what it is called. They said we had to reweigh to be sure he was big enough for the car seat strap they can attach to the stretcher. Seriously, this was annoying since they had already weighed him. Finally they got the correct weight and proceeded to strap Chrysogonus securely to the stretcher. Then we finally headed out. It was a sometime after 1 am at this point. Chrysogonus was thankfully sleeping so the EMT suggested I close my eyes.

So I closed my eyes and continued the rosary that I had been praying throughout the whole ordeal. We arrived in the ambulance garage of Duke. We had to go through rechecking in. The hospital was full so we were put in an examine room. They found a crib for Chrysogonus and I laid down on an examine bed. Not exactly comfortable but we did have the privacy of our own room.

Right away a nurse hooked Chrysogonus up to a monitor. Then it was the wait and rest if you can. So after texting Franz to let him know we were settled I tried to sleep. I dozed every now and then, but woke at the slightest sound from Chrysogonus. I nursed him every time he got fussy. Every two hours someone would check on us. I was relieved to see Chrysogonus smile and coo at me when he awoke around 6 am he and was alert for over an hour. Early morning I was debating whether to call Franz or wait. He called me. We talked about when he and the boys should head our way. A doctor came and examined Chrysogonus. I asked him if he had an idea of when we would be able to go home. He said there was a good chance by afternoon since Chrysogonus had been stable so far. So I called Franz told him and he and the boys got ready after breakfast and headed to Wake Forest to pick up the van and come our way.

Now I knew we were at Duke but I had not really paid attention to which Duke location. It had been late and I didn't think to ask. Franz said he was headed to Duke in Raleigh, I went to the desk and felt a bit silly but asked where we were. Thankfully I did, since we were at Duke in Durham. So I redirected Franz to us.
I told Franz to please bring me some food. I had not had food for 15 hours. I do not do well when I do not eat. I finally asked a nurse if there was food somewhere. She kindly brought me some graham crackers and peanut butter. Part of the problem was we were still in the basement due to the hospital being full and I did not want to leave Chrysogonus to find the cafeteria.

Franz and the boys arrived around 11 with a sub from subway. I ate the whole footlong, only giving Cletus a few bites. Chrysogonus was so good smiling at me when he was awake. It was heartening and kept me from completely falling apart. After hanging out awhile Franz and the boys decided to go get a late lunch and find a park to play at while we waited.

It was around two or so when a nurse popped in and said that we were going to be sent up to a room. I asked why, because I thought we were going to be discharged soon and it seemed silly to be put in a room for such a short time. She wasn't sure. Well around 3 we were brought up to a room. The nurse that settled us said she would talk to the doctor and ask when we could go. She too mentioned that normally you wouldn't be put in a room for just a couple of hours. So once again I waited.

A doctor and a doctor in training came in to see us. She stated we needed to see and talk to a social worker due to the fact that it was an incident with an infant and being a head injury. I said fine, I was okay talking to a social worker. Soon the doctor came back and stated that a social worker could not see us till 9 the next morning, so we had to stay overnight. Too they wanted to do a full skeletal x-ray to make sure there were no other injuries or problems. I asked if that was really necessary. She stated that if I didn't want to have a hassle with child protective services and an abuse counselor, yes. I was starting to feel very demeaned. To top it off she came back again and said that I could stay but that I would have to have a baby sitter in the room overnight. I said I do not want to make trouble but that I would really like us to go home to rest and heal. I also said I want you to talk to my husband when he gets back. She said okay. I called Franz and he and the boys headed back. As soon as Franz heard what was going on he started making calls. He wanted to talk to his father who is lawyer and find out what his rights were and just what they could do if we refused to stay. Unfortunately he was not able to get a hold of him. He was however able to get a hold of a friend here in NC who's husband is a lawyer. I swear they must have had our room bugged because as soon as Franz got off the phone a social worker visited us. I told her exactly what I had said a dozen times, what happened. I could see in her eyes she was wondering why in the world they were keeping us there. After talking about our farm and honey bees she said she was going to go talk to the medical team. I said thank you. Meanwhile our priest called and Franz was talking to him when the doctor came in. She said that they were discharging us after talking to the head doctor in charge of child protective services and talking to all who had worked with us. They had determined my story checked out and that I was not a threat to the safety of my child. I was so relieved and very sincerely said thank you! So it was 5:30 when headed home to rest and heal.

Franz teases me that I am giving a tell all. I said it is therapy. Too, there many little details I have left out that I remember. This is an account to share so that others who were speculating have the bare facts of the accident and what happened. I hope that each of you who read this will pray for all involved. I do not want the dad who dropped Chrysogonus to feel guilty. Guilt is a terrible thing to live with. I know from past experiences. I have forgiven the dad and did so pretty much right away. But I still struggle with anger and guilt at my self for letting him hold Chrysogonus and him being careless. It was an accident and though it is hard right now I do believe good can come of it. I know I will have some more frustration to deal with once we see the medical bills. But ultimately I am thankful that Chrysogonus is doing well and we are home as a family.

 Thank you all who have sent us prayers and kind thoughts. It very helpful in our healing process.  

The fracture on Chrysogonus skull

Whether this will help me deal with what happened or not, here is the first part of what happened in Chrysogonus accident

I have started going back to Tae Kwon Do. I went the first Tuesday of this month bringing Chrysogonus with me. I wanted to see how it would go having my little guy with me. It went fine, he slept most of the time in one of the students mom's arms while she sat watching the class. So I decided I could bring him with me the next week which was last week. On Tuesday he was held and watched by a grandma to one of the students. Thursday I brought him with me once again. Again during the class he was held by the grandma who held him before.

Near the end of class Chrysogonus got fussy. So I stepped out of class and went to the room off the main one where I could nurse. The grandma was with me. I had just finished nursing when a dad who happen to be the husband to the woman who held Chrysogonus the week before, and is also a dad to four boys, two of whom are students, popped in and asked to hold him. I handed him Chrysogonus only intending to let him hold him a few minutes. I also stated he is a strong boy.  Then I said something to the grandma and was turning back toward the dad, when I saw Chrysogonus roll off his arm. It happened so fast but in a sense is seemed an eternity. I tried to reach for him but it was too late. The dad apparently thought he could hold Chrysogonus out on one arm to look at him. I am assuming Chrysogonus startled and he is a big strong boy so he literally rolled off the mans arm. Worse we were all standing.

When I saw Chrysogonus hit the floor and I heard the impact, I was incredulous. He landed on his forehead in the fetal position. I quickly scooped him up and at first he was not making a sound. His face was screwed up but he had not let out a scream, then when he caught his breath he did scream. I was trying to frantically get him to open his eyes to check his pupils. As I was doing this I said get some ice. The dad was just standing there, I am sure in shock, so I repeated very firm, "get some ice." The dad did go get some and I was finally able to see Chrysogonus eyes. Thankfully they were clear and the same dilation. Then I ran my hand over his head and I felt the lump and could start to see it. We put the ice on but he started getting really upset so I gave him a rest from icing. The dad said, "I am sure he will be alright." I looked at him and bluntly said, " no, he is not alright."

After that the dad must have slipped away because I did not see him again. A very kind and amazing friend who also does Tae Kwon Do helped me make a call to our boys family doctor.  I called Franz who didn't pick up, so I left him a message telling him he needed to call me right back. Which he pretty quickly did. I told him briefly what had happened and that were waiting to hear back from the doctor. When the doctor did call I was advised to bring him in to emergency to be checked over. So my friend very willingly offered to drive Chrysogonus and I to North Wake Med Emergency.

Well on the way Chrysogonus was crying in pain, but finally fell asleep just before we got to the ER. I was happy he was sleeping because I have been told rest is important for healing with a head injury. I knew they use to say that when someone hit there head to not let them fall asleep. But especially since I had seen his eyes were clear I figured sleep was good. At the ER I go up to the reception desk and the receptionist when she realized what I came in for rudely and loudly told me that I was suppose wake up Chrysogonus because you never let someone who hit there head sleep. I snapped back and told her that the doctor I talked to did not tell me to keep him awake and to not talk to me in that tone especially after I just saw someone drop my child on his head. Well the commotion woke up my poor sweet boy so my friend who came back in took over answering the questions so I could nurse Chrysogonus and try to calm him down. The receptionist apparently on the side was telling my friend that she told me not to let Chrysogonus sleep. She said her grandma said you never let someone who hit there head go to sleep. Obviously this is personal not professional advice.

Immediately after they got our information we were called back. Head injuries especially in infants make you a top priority. In triage the nurse when he took his weight asked me if was right for a one month old. Chrysogonus weighed just over 12lbs. Meaning he gained three pounds in one month. My boy is a big strong boy. Once all the initial checks were taken care of they had us go in a room. The doctor after looking him over said he needed a CAT scan. My amazing friend kept calling Franz with updates throughout our visit.  

Oh man, the CAT scan about did me in. I was the one who had to hold his head. Of course Chrysogonus started sreaming in pain and fright when the machine turned on. I held him though because I did not want him exposed to more radiation then necessary. I was praying fast and furious and if I was a crier I would have melted in a puddle. My friend helped hold his arms when they ex-rayed his neck.

My friend kept me company in the room while we waited to hear the prognosis. The doctor came and told me that Chrysogonus did indeed fracture his skull. He proceeded to show me the picture and the clear break. Amazingly there was no swelling on the brain. There was a hematomia that is the bleeding from bruising on the outside of the break. They wanted to transport us to Duke in Durham where there are pediatric neurosurgeons who could look at and monitor Chrysogonus.

My friend took my van back to her truck and Chrysogonus and I stayed to wait for an ambulance to come and pick us up. I could hear the nurses outside our room arguing and realized they were talking about us. Apparently the EMT who was coming to get us was saying that they had to put an IV tap in. The nurse who had been taking care of us was saying she thought it was unnecessary. I had a nurse pop in with the IV stuff, she looked frustrated and stated that they needed to put the tap in. I said is it really necessary and she quickly said, "you can refuse, but I do have to tell you in the case of an emergency that if they need to do an IV they will drill one into the leg." I said, "I will that take that chance because I do not want put my little guy through any more unnecessary trauma."

Now since this post is getting so long. I will share the rest in another one. The next is also a doozy of a story.