Help....

I recently updated our Christmas Card to my blog, now I've got this photo bucket scroll that won't go away!! It's starting to frustrate me, how can I fix this. I know you make mistakes in life to learn from them but I've only learned not to share anything from shutterfly to my blog and I want to learn how to get this fixed....UGH!!! Can anyone help me figure this out? Pleeeaaaasee!

Suprise....yes Baby O. # 3 on the way!!!

What a privilege.....Matt and I are having our 3rd child in July!! I can't believe after all the years of trying for Kaelyn, #3 came out of nowhere. We are so very excited to become parents again the smiles are hard to keep off of our faces. God has a bigger and better plan for me, yaaaa!!!

Meet: GUMMY BEAR

Due Date: July 1, 2011

Caleb is thrilled to be a Big Bro again and for Kaelyn, well she will be happy about having a playmate for life now. Caleb couldn't wait to tell the family, he is such a great BIG BROTHER!! He is very concerned about how I feel day to day and is eager to find out what we're having. He wants a girl so she and Kaelyn will play together and leave his things alone. I think he wants another little sister because he loves playing the "protector".

We are now 14 weeks and barely past the 1st trimester which is great, a lot less to worry about and I'm finally feeling human again. This was by far the hardest pregnancy so far when it came to not feeling well.

I look forward to updating you in the near future!!!

A Good Day

Today is the first day in a long time that I woke up feeling good about life. I usually have thoughts stirring around in my head of sorrow and pain for the loss of Tommy.

When I woke up this morning, nothing went wrong and everything just flowed together.....no bumps. The best part of my day by far was the moment my children woke up, they both had huge smiles for me that warmed my heart.

Whatever it is about today, I hope stays w/ me. The days were starting to get so long and tiring, I wasn't sure how much longer I could deal w/ them. There is still much I don't understand, but slowly I'm realizing; "It's not for me to understand." The comfort is coming from my family and especially my rock of a husband.

Dear Tommy,

I will forever think of you everyday. I still have all the woulda' coulda' shoulda's in the back of my mind. I wish I could hug you one more time, I wish I could hear your quiet humble "huhu" laugh again, I wish I could hear your advice on a problem or situation of mine again, I wish I could see your one of a kind smile again, I wish you could tell me "See ya" just one more time. I wish everyday for one more day w/ you. You were a perfect example of a good, honest, hardworking, family man. I'm so proud to have called you my brother. I know one day I will see you again knowing you'll greet me w/ your beautiful smile and your Dallas Cowboys cap :-) Until this day I ask that you watch over our family and guide us through this trying time. Please keep giving us signs that your w/ us, we need to know your here. I love you and miss you so much.

Your sister,

Wendy

A poem for Tommy:

I Have Rested As Your Guest

I have rested as your guest
under an old oak tree,

Been wakened from my dreams
by a buzzing bumblebee.

I’ve watched your brilliant sunsets
through the heat of mid-July,

And seemed a little closer
to your infinite blue sky.

I’ve seen the maples turning
glowing in the sun,

And walked upon a carpet of gold
laid down for everyone.

I’ve seen the blinking fireflies
under your stars shining bright,

And listened to the spring peepers
singing a lullaby at night.

As I smell your soil so sweet
I thank you, as your guest,

For giving substance to my dreams
While in your arms I rest.


By Sharon Lamar

Lent has officially begun

Today begins our Lenton Season. Ash Wednesday marks the first day, or the start of the season of Lent, which begins 40 days prior to Easter (Sundays are not included in the count).
Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline. During some Ash Wednesday services, the minister will lightly rub the sign of the cross with ashes onto the foreheads of worshipers.

This year I've decided to give up drinking soda. Yes, this is very difficult for me. Lately I've gotten on a Mountain Dew kick and I can't stop. Hopefully quiting cold turkey won't be as difficult as I'm thinking.

Blue Streaks.....

This afternoon we leave for Carlyle, IL to attend the last Tournament of the 2009-10 Teutopolis Blue Streaks basketball season. In fact, Sunday is the last game period. If the boys win today then they will play twice tomorrow but if they lose (and they won't) then they will play again later this evening instead of any tomorrow.

They weren't able to have any practices this week due to conflicting schedules. The biggest was the 7th grade boys went to State and WON!! Congrats boys! Austin, I heard you played a heck of a game.

Good Luck this weekend Blue Streaks, even though I know you won't need luck! We look forward to the games.

Caleb, we hope to see your offense explodes and your defense destructs there game plan. GRRRR.....get em

Card with a message

Throughout the past couple of weeks we've received a lot of sympathy cards from family and friends that were all very touching. With this, just yesterday we received another card that just spoke to me. I wanted to share it because I could see Tommy saying this to our family.

A Note from Heaven

If I could write from Heaven,

this is what I'd say,

Please don't miss me too much,

I'm with you throughout your day.

You may not see or hear me,

but if you're quiet and still,

You may just feel my presence;

because, in Heaven, there is free will.

Don't worry for the day,

it will come and go as planned,

Enjoy each moment you are given,

keep worry from your hand.

Keep sorrow to a minimum;

for if Heaven you could see,

You'd know I'm safe and happy,

I did not cease to be.

Moments in time are brief,

until we'll be together again,

as Eternity lasts forever,

our lives, they have no end.

Thank you Aunt Sammy. This was very inspirational. I know Tommy will ALWAYS be with us. He's always been our little protector and now he's our Guardian Angel who one day we shall see again.

New Day, New Thoughts

Today started off a lot better than yesterday did. I couldn't seem to get Tommy off my mind so in hopes of hurting a little less I thought I'd write. Today I feel the need to write again. I have so many people in my life I can count on unfortunately it's now less one.

My mom and dad made dinner for me last night and kept me in good company for a few hours after work. My dad bought some yummy rope sausage from the locker....mmmm. I've been so busy with the in-laws lately that I think I really needed some of my mom and dad time. It was nice to sit and talk, laugh, and cry with them. I missed them. I miss Tommy! Hopefully after getting out all my feelings last night my heart can start to heal. I know that's what Tommy would want, I'm going to give it my best from now on. I'm not guaranteeing no more tears but I am guaranteeing a happier more functioning me.

Here's To Happier Days Ahead.............Tommy will live on in my memories and always in my heart.

Thinking of Tommy

To my dearest family....Some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, I arrived ok.
I'm writing this from heaven, here I dwell with God above.
Here there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon, and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said " I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you
were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly, you are part of my plan.
There is so much we have to do to help our mortal man.

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years,
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too....
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's is in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night....."My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
Knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When your walking down the street and you've got me on your mind,
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go....from that body to be free,
remember your not going.....your coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
Copyright 1998-2010

Can't stop thinking about you Tommy. I found this poem on the Effingham Daily News Obituary guest book. Of course it made me cry. I can see you saying this to us to help comfort our hearts and minds.

I'm terrible at grieving and I don't think I'll ever understand why. You were so special to me. I watched you grow from that little "baby belly" boy to a very handsome man. You had such a heartfelt attitude about everything, your smile brightened my day, your laugh was one of a kind, and your love for family unstoppable. I know Caleb loved spending time with you whenever possible. Whether it was basketball on the driveway, darts in the basement, or just roughhousing at family get togethers you always were a terrific uncle. It is unfortunate that Kaelyn didn't get to spend much time with you. However, in her short 3 months of entering this world she was able to teach you that babies aren't breakable. I will cherish every picture I have of the kids and you. They will always know there Uncle Tommy will be in there hearts forever.

Tommy, there wasn't anything we couldn't count on you for. You were one of the most reliable and hardworking people I know. I think Matt had a ton of nicknames for you but the one that will stick with me forever was "It's Howdie Dutie Time". He told me how the name started and I must say 'Only your brother could come up with something like that'. "I'll Decide", something else your brother influenced you on. I always laughed with you two. Now, who is he going to decide with?!

I know the pain will end one day. All of our happy memories, will help with the closure of losing you. However, for now all I have is the knot in my throat, tears in my eyes, and a huge hole in my heart knowing that I never got to say goodbye or tell you how much you meant to me. I always just assumed I had many many years ahead to show you and to tell you how much I loved you. Now that your gone I can only pray that you knew you meant the world to me. I'm continuously asking God, Why!? Why you, Why so young, Why now!? I'll never understand why God always takes the VERY BEST!

Until we meet again Tommy, I will always and forever hold you close to my heart. I'll be thinking of you daily and praying that you'll visit me in my dreams with that onery grin and one of a kind laugh. Thank you for being in my life and showing me what life is all about. Taking most everything with a grain of salt and not sweating the "small stuff". I'm sure Heaven is even brighter now with your smile. You're a wonderful person Tommy, see you on the otherside.

I Love You Tommy!!!

House full of sickies

What a rough week in the Ordner household. Everyone but myself has come down w/ an illness of some kind. UGH!!!! Just call me Nurse Wendy.

Matt has been sick w/ something since our beautiful little girl was born. Yes, since the end of October. WTH!! He is usually sick in the winter but usually only 2-3 wks, not 2-3 months. Now he's come down w/ a sinus infection.

Caleb came home from school on Thursday afternoon w/ a sore throat and slight fever. Stayed home from school again yesterday w/ body aches, fever, sore throat, and terrible cough. This morning he had a bball game scheduled at 8:15 in which he wasn't up to playing since his fever was 102.1 and throat was very sore. Matt called and made an appt w/ the dr for both him and Caleb. I'm betting Caleb has Strep Throat. Poor kid!

Our little Kaelyn has had a nasty cold since last sunday. Nasty congestion and cough. Since she is so little its so hard to treat her. Dr. said lungs are clear and ears look good, she just has the case of "Daycare Respiratory Cold". She got this after only one wk at daycare. Doc said it should only last around a week. We did expect it, but we were happy it took 11wks before she caught a bug since she was born right in the middle of flu season.

Hopefully the Ordner sickies will be better soon. Most importantly, I hope they haven't felt the need to share these ickies w/ me. Wish me luck :-)