Well as 2008 winds down, and 2009 is creeping around the corner, this is a good time to reflect on all that has gone on this year and all that we don't know thta's coming.
I welcomed in 2008 the same way I will probably welcome 2009..asleep..it seems to work for me. There is a saying that the way you spend New Year's Eve will be the way you spend your year. If that holds true then I will be babysitting alot with a cold....oh well....

I thought about all that transpired this year...Billy was newly engaged in January and was plannng their wedding for May. So much to do so little time. Showers, decorations, dresses, etc. Alana turned 4 in January and Jonathan would have been 23 in February. By March time flew and after everything was in order and the bridal shower was coming up, Mom fell and landed in the hospital for over a month. She got out the day before the wedding....I was grateful she was there and we celebrated the event and all went well....we then moved into the summer and Mom's recuperation, and a new baby on the way. Bill and Laura were expecting in November. Again, showers, presents, planning and waiting for the newest gift from God. July came and Ava turned 3, Brooke turned 2 and we spent alot of time on the deck enjoying Mom's yard and just long summer days.....summer turned to fall and soon November was here and so was Andrew..They were all excited and Bill and Laura have taken to three kids, two dogs and the holidays in the great strides.... We had Andrew's baptism, our family Christmas at Greg's and our own private Christmas at home....time keeps on rollin.....
It is easy to sit in retrospect and think about all the things that have happened this year and be truely grateful for the good fortune in a time when that word is almost extinct. Good health as we are on the verge of a new adventure to loose all the padding we have put on, for the acts of goodness we have witnessed in a time when the news is so occupied with all the evil around us...for a moment when a stranger changed our day with just a smile or a kind word, when we were there and made a difference in someones life, for all the miracles we witnessed and the ones that happened and we were just to busy to notice...This has been a busy and full year.

My hope for 2009 is good health and happiness for Mom as she still continues with her recovery, for Katie to be safe and out of harms way as she works in a dangerous environment and as she carries a new blessing into the fall, for Amy and all the excitement that surrounds her and to bless her hands as she touches and heals, for Billy to find the time to slow down and really watch Andrew and the girls grow...time is to short not to notice..For Blake to stop worrying about age....and just enjoy the place you are....you have so much to teach and share and age is only a number and most of us don't know what it is anyway.....Eric, be safe as he goes into school to become a Fireman, he will be the one who is there when you are so afraid and you call out in the dark...for Laura to be patient and enjoy the gifts God's blessed you with and for the time when you have a babysitter....For Brooke, Andrew, Alana and Ava...please slow down and don't grow so fast...be little just awhile longer as we sit and watch you....you have the rest of your life to grow, but for right now at this time, let us enjoy who you are and wonder about what you will become....let us love you unconditionally and let us be loved in return...

So as 2008 is almost over, it wasn't a bad year...and I hope that next year will be just as rewarding and I have been blessed, for myself I would ask to never forget to say thank you...to always have a spare moment for someone when needed, to be there for my children always and to enjoy and love my Grand children.......Love to my family you are always in my prayers...my sister and all my brothers and their families....you are a huge part of who I am and in my heart you are always with me......Happy New Year.....

Well it is now Christmas eve and all through the house was a buzz of excitement.....everyone gathered at (my house) Amy's house soon to be Katie's house...that's a complicated story. The presents were piled high around the Christmas tree and gift opening sure brings out the child in all of us. I believe I heard Blake questioning Eric about how long he has been in the family and the number of gifts he got....The day started with Katie, Blake and Brooke arriving first....Here is the ornament they gave me when they arrived....if you look closely though it is blurry you will see the first gift I received today.....???hummm????

I'll tell you what it says later......

Here is Billy and

Andrew...he is such a good baby and racked in quite the load (of presents I mean).

The kids made stockings with Amy and Katie. They decorated them with stick ons and glitter..good job...Amy then filled them with candy....

The kids waited patiently, even ate their dinner with the promise of gift opening if they ate all their food, which they did. There were dolls, strollers, baby toys, clothes, clothes and more clothes....I got a purse, my own "bags" set, a car kit, jumpers for my car, pictures of the kids, jewlery, you name it, I got it. I also received a book from Katie and Blake on family history which I need to fill out and return to them someday. I told them to just read the blog and that would suffice but I guess not. Well as soon as I start the "Arends Biggest Loser" contest I will have lots of time to write as eating will be a thing of the past.....anyway Amy did a great job hosting as she always does and I wish all my kids and grandkids a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year...

In case you missed the message, see if you can figure it out, here is a list of my kids.....there is Bill and Laura, Alana, Ava and Andrew.....Amy and Eric......Katie, Blake, Brooke and in August around the 12th, they will welcome my newest blessing and this years Christmas gift.....Thank you God for the gifts you share and God Bless everyone....

T'was 3 days before Christmas...

Yes it is now just three days before Christmas and again all through the house was choas...

The little elves were hard at work baking cookies with YaYa and making a mess.....

(Be kind this is before makeup, coffee and enough cigarettes....)

We made sugar cookies and they all put their own original stamp on each one. All decked out in aprons and hats they all settled in and I didn't get my nap....

Alana, Brooke and Ava...take making cookies very seriously at this time of the year....One of my Elves got a little stressed with the work load and Auntie Amy put her in time out....like a good little elf she stood there quietly and after a moment to herself returned to the group....What a fun day of cookies and kids no better combination could be found. Thanks for the day and the memories...and Sophie thanks you all for the crumbs. Santa will be proud and I am sure he'll pack on a pound or two before the "Arends Biggest Loser" game begins in January...Love you all my little elves.........

T'was 5 days before Christmas...

T'was 5 days before Christmas at Greg and Deidra's house,

no extra room for a creature or even a spouse...

all the decorations were hung just about everywhere with

the hope they'd be standing when the guests would appear...

The guests arrived in their finest, the kids oh so cute...

and at the front door..was boot after boot...

When out on the front porch I heard such a clatter

and soon the house was filled with much

chatter......

The girls all dressed in their Christmas finest while Andrew in his suit couldn't wait to retire...

There were h'orderves aplenty in the dining room, while the desserts filled the counter top with fudge, cookies and treats. And we ate and
we ate until we couldn't see our feet.....


The kids all sang songs and waited for Santa, when all of a sudden a thud could be heard and


Santa bellowed..Ho..Ho..Ho..





Each child was greeted and gifts were received...when Brooke yelled out "Hey what about me?"

With the kids all satisfied and suckers aplenty...Santa relaxed and returned to the party...










More desserts were consumed and a birthday cake appeared, Happy Birthday to Deidra and welcomed a new year.....


Slowly the families gathered their goods, loaded their sleighs and backed out of the drive....

All through the neighborhood...it was heard more than once, Merry Christmas to all and thank you so much.....



Thank you to Greg and Deidra for hosting this Christmas and to my family, Rick and Jan who drove in from Wisconsin and drove home through freezing, snow, sleet and blizzard conditions. Thank you to Kathy and Jack who drove through the dreaded state of Indiana to spend a few days with Mom and I. My whole family is the greatest gift I receive each year...and remember always, from the oldest to the youngest....they complete us all and when we are together for the few hours each year....our family is safe and the laughter is loud, I wouldn't trade a moment of it....Love all of you and welcome Sophia May the newest member of our family born December 18th to Craig and Amy and makes Mom's 19th Great Grandchild.....what a tremendous testimony that God believes in our families and blesses us always.....




Merry Christmas...to all and to all love each night........

One candle of many.....

Today all across the states, parents, grandparents, friends and relatives lit candles in rememberance of a child lost. We too lit our candles for Jonathan. Thank you Kathy for the beautiful arrangement with a candle in it that you sent for him.

This is a picture of the candle that was lit at Jonathan's funeral and used throughout the whole year. At the end of the Liturgical season Father gave it to me.

Along time ago, someone asked me which of your children was your favorite. At that time as it still is today, I have always felt that my kids were the greatest gift I ever received. I could not name which one over the other would be my favorite. Each child holds a special place and comes with a special purpose.

Katie was my first and with her everything I did was for the very first time.. first time I had a child, first time I listened to the strained music from her instrument, first time I was a mother of the bride..

Amy has always been the strength, she is a strong personality and has an independent way in her life. She is everything I am not but wished I was. She is an adventuresome soul, where I would always travel the safer route.

Billy is my rock. He is strong, steady, stable and always there to be the man of the house even when he was only a child. He is honesty and his love will always be the greatest gift I received after my divorce. (That's a whole other story!)

Jonathan was my last and with that came the last time I would hear a concert at school, last time I would be a room mother, the last time I would sit in an auditorium for a graduation from school. Little did I know how painful letting go of the need to be a Mom would be, when in a split second your life changes.

I received a ceramic heart when Jonathan died. I put it on my fireplace mantle and Jonathan's cat jumped up and knocked it off , it broke in several pieces. I glued it back together and there in the center was a hole. I felt it was fitting and I knew for the first time, Jonathan sent me a sign. He knew we were once whole and now we were broken. My heart will always have a hole in the center that will not heal.

I do not know all the other people who have lit candles today, but I know the pain their hearts feel. I always felt and still do that the children I have were gifts from God and they did not belong to me. God trusted in me to raise them and that someday should he ask, I would need to let them go and give back the gift I have always treasured. I was extremely thankful to be given that opportunity to be a Mom even if it was only for 18 years .

I believe if I was asked or told what my life would be like here on earth and what I would experience I would not have hesitated to accept the job. To have missed any of my children's lives or Jonathan's life, his personality, his humor, his love would have left a larger hole that could not be filled.

I made a promise to Jonathan on his one year anniversary that I would let him go, and that my tears would not weigh down the wings he worked so hard to get. I will always carry the pain of his loss, I will always wonder what life would have been for him and I will always mourn the loss of unfinished work as I visit his grave. But I will always remember him, and smile when he sends me messages, feathers or coins.

Oddly enough I sometimes see him in a crowd, or someone who looks like him, smells like his cologne, or hear his voice even though he is not here. I can feel him always and I celebrate the life he lived, the people he touched and the gift that he was to me and his siblings. He walks with us always, laughs with us often and loves us still and forever. I will see him again someday, after all we are only one breath away..

Jonathan Michael Thon 2/16/85 - 1/24/2004

A face missing in the crowd...

This weekend has been busy and it started with our company party on Friday. It was nice to sit quietly and notice my three brothers (who work with me) laughing, talking and enjoying each other's company. My children Bill and Amy also were there. Billy works with us as well and Amy was my significant other for the evening. There is such a pride in who they all are and all that they bring to the company, but especially my life. I didn't notice until later that Billy also noticed their presence but had a different take on the event. He told me how lucky they were to have each other and to be there together to laugh and joke and work together. I told him I understood.. I am very lucky. It wasn't until he continued when he said that he doesn't have that. He will never be able to laugh again with his brother, go fishing with him and Andrew or have him stand next to him at some of the most important events of his life. I knew what he meant. He said I know I have sisters and they are close and we all are but it isn't the same. I tried to explain that I am lucky to have had a sister who you can confide in, cry with, laugh a lot, share memories and is always there for you. I know he misses Jonathan and my heart bleeds, I can not give you what you are looking for. I did once, it was not suppose to turn out this way...but I can't change what has happened. I wish I could..He now has Andrew and he is his pride and joy. He can't wait for him to grow up so they can share so many adventures together. I tried to assure him, that Jonathan always stands beside you in the good times, major events, ridiculas moments or the saddest of times. I also believe he knew Andrew before we did and his memory will fade as Andrew grows older. You are not alone, you have many people in your life and yes I know they are not your brother but they are extremely close to you. He confirmed what I had said and though I know it wasn't at all what he wanted......it will fill the void. Someday Andrew will grow up and there is much for you to teach him, but know you don't teach him alone.

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Sunday was Andrew's Baptism. It hardly seems possible to stand in the crowd and watch as he was baptized. I stood in that same exact place many years ago, but I was the one holding the baby and giving the LOOK to the others to make sure they behave. Today you are a spectator and are proud of the children before you who are really adults. I wished for them the happiness in this little one, that my own have brought to my life. I tried to express to slow down, hold them longer, don't worry about chores, just love them for who they are, be there always.....

The picture on the left is a blessing for the Father of the child, not a V-8 moment...

Here is our 4 generations.... and I am lucky we were all together to enjoy the day.. I guess it wouldn't be 4 generations if we weren't all together....hummmm.

The baptismal candle came from the Greek store in Chicago...yes they do it up really big there, but a baptism in the Greek Orthodox church is a major event in a child's life. Not that it isn't in ours, but they do it on a grand scale.
Father Damien, Andrew, Bill and Laura.. and he didn't even cry. Andrew I mean not Father...










All in all it was a perfect day...and I am grateful for them all......

Happy Thanksgiving....

Here are some Thanksgiving pictures from a week or so ago...I am not the best blogger...I need to be inspired and then I just type...so for those waiting patiently ....sorry about that..(that's you Kathy..) We do things a little different. With the kids having in-laws and other places to visit on the holidays we always have brunch. Amy did a great job with her casseroles, danish, eggs, bacon and stuffed french toast.

Amy and Eric.

They both worked the night before and then came home, made brunch for everyone and never got to sleep until much later.... good job..

Here is a picture of the treasures in my life that I am always most thankful for.....Katie is holding Andrew, Mom is in the chair, Ava then Brooke in Mom's lap, Alana on the arm, back row is Bill, Laura, Blake, Eric and Amy...Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on all that is precious and my family both in this picture and the ones not in the picture will always be my greatest treasure....I know you all had a great Thanksgiving and I knew it was time to post this because we finally just threw away the left overs...Yee Ha...now it is time to think about Christmas.

Here is a picture of Mom and Andrew....

Welcome Andrew Jonathan Thon!!!

The wait is finally over, congratulations to Bill and Laura, Alana and Ava on their new little son and brother, Andrew.

Here are just a few pictures...some I am sure he will grow up and hate because we exposed all his jewels for the camera.....so I will just show you the non private parts.

Andrew was born November 3rd, 2008 at 10:20am. He weighed in at a healthy weight of 9lbs. 4oz. That sounds a lot bigger than he actually looks. The camera does add a few pounds. He is 20" long......He has black hair and questionable eyes. Haven't seen them open very much so I will have to get back to you on that one....

YaYa and Andrew

Andrew - Himself

Laura, Bill and Andrew

Great YaYa
Great Grandchild #18

All in all he is a well behaved, good baby....if you ever doubted the existance of God all you need do is look at the wonder of a new baby.....amazing the work he does....welcome to the family.....looking forward to spending many days together to get to know this little one.....

Well it has been some time since I entered anything in my blog. I know my millions of fans have been waiting patiently...(actually I think it's just about 1 - Kathy). I have alot of catching up to do. First I have to admit that Rick won the bake off competition here with his cinnamon rolls. 2 weeks later and about 10 pounds later, he was declared the winner. I will include some footage of him at work and the final product, the only thing I forgot to get was the recipe....I'll get it eventually and put it on here. The rolls are huge, a lot like my own, but they are incredible....

forget the footage....it takes to long and buggers up the computer...so you'll have to use your imagination.

1.This is Rick rolling out this massive dough, it pretty much took up the kitchen table. Then he rubbed it with butter....yesireeee no calories in this little baby.....

2.Here he is sprinkling it with cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar, calories and more calories. Did I say sprinkle, I meant smothered.

3.Then he rolls it into a giant jelly roll and slices it into buns with a string....just like the bakery does....

4.He places them in the baking dish and lets them rise again...then bakes them for about 30 minutes. Once they come out he frosts them with an orange cream cheese frosting.....yowser....

Here is the finished product....I would show you what they look like on me as I am now wearing them everyday...but then you would probably be scarred for life or want to poke your eyes out with a fork....so I'll just let you be the judge when I put the recipe in here someday and you make them for yourself.......we'll I need to waddle around the block for a month....so I'll be back. Too bad we don't have scratch and sniff.

Okay, this is my last post for the day....Jim and Rick both came in this week for work. It was decided amongst themselves before they arrived that while they were here they would have a "Cook Off" and as you can see they have started today...on the menu for Rick are "Lumberjack cinnamon rolls", Jim on the other hand is making Gardinere (sp?), not exactly a baking thing...but well be the impartial judges of that. Here they are in action....this is going to be an interesting week....and full tooo!!!!

The good thing is that Rick's are going to be done tonight, so I need to go to test them, I'll be back tomorrow to continue this drama. They really are alot like girls......

Sunday, the food continued, Mom and I stopped by Amy and Eric's to watch the last few minutes of the Bears game.....she had made a terrific chili and cheese dip with Pumpkin pie....both were delicious....

not to be eaten at the same time, but I am proud of her, she is so domestic.....
Oh by the way...the food was good so was the game until they lost by 3 points in overtime....













By the way this is Eric, he has a shirt for every
team....I'm sure I'll need to borrow this when I
go to see them lose...opps I mean win.....

After visiting with Amy, I moved on to Bill and Laura's. They had gone to the pumpkin patch and got some pumpkins, brought them home and carved them and cooked the seeds...mmmmmmm they were very good. The girls did a great job.... The goose, no relation...he just stopped by to check it out.

First we have had the best weather after having tons of rain, the warm dry weather was extremely welcomed......
I spent Wednesday afternoon with Brooke, she is really growing up....a simple case of tickling her surprised me when she told me "No YaYa don't touch my body"....Once I stopped laughing I couldn't figuire out where that came from....I had to video tape her because I love her little voice..you probably won't understand her, but the gist is that she had a booboo and Amy took care of it. If you listen closely it sounds like Amy caused it... she really didn't..

Thursday I went to Bill and Laura's for homemade tacos and all the fixins......I didn't know Bill knew how to make salsa, but he did a great job. Laura is getting closer, just 6 more weeks....They are all excited. Amy and Eric joined us and the big thrill for the evening were Amy's Pink heels.....
Alana Ava
It's all in the pose!!!