What are your Hopes and Dreams for 2025? Can We Deliver?

Benjamin, Simeon's Godfather, brought moustaches and other silliness to visit in summer of 2023.

More recent photo after Luke's Confirmation at
St. Columba Cathedral in Youngstown 3/29/2025

We moustache you a question... Maybe we moustached you last year...but if so, you caught a postcard with a QR code in a flash of optimism that kinda, maybe, sorta materialized into a published blog post. One published prematurely to test out the tech side but greeted with an onslaught of overwhelm and writer's block.  Can't say that I am completely cured as we near the return to regular schedule of school after this Sunday's Epiphany Brunch which I should be working on.  Nothing like a healthy dose of procrastination motivation to accomplish longstanding projects from years gone by ;-), but it will be nice to be free from the shackles of should AND connect with family, friends, and folks.  I've left the earlier publication peppered throughout and tacked onto the bottom of the post minus moving up some school pictures for a fun point of comparison. My publications have dwindled as have photo files amidst the dedication to live life in the present while being present and not spending time latched to my phone or staring at the computer screen.  However, there is something to be said about balance and the opportunity to catalogue and communicate some fun events and not so fun events in a paperless and somewhat chronological fashion.

Here's the question: 

What are your hopes and dreams for 2025?

Here are a few of mine:

Hope #1 Hold a living, breathing child in my arms sometime (soon) in the next 3 weeks  1.5 weeks, whilst sending out the "Christmas" postcards from 2023 and giving folks the opportunity to participate and entertain us with their guesses.

Google Spreadsheet for your input

Yes, we have been praying for D.D. Inc. (abbreviation for Deus dat Incrementum translated God gives the increase/growth)- the newest Schafer addition for over a year.   Calculations suggest he or she is due to arrive on May 3rd. After spending too much time trying to format a table and insert it in the blog a couple weeks ago I resorted to an ol' fashion paper and pencil method to share some tidbits that may aid in your guesses.  

    Induction is scheduled for May 5th if D.D. Inc doesn't arrive before then.  This pregnancy has been different in some ways but as the table purports there has been more time between fullterm births, and, well, in terms of pregnancy I am considered geriatric.  This means biweekly appointments with ultrasounds since 36 weeks.  

    Baby has measured "big" from the onset 5-6 days ahead from earliest ultrasound but not worth moving the due date.  I was measuring two weeks ahead by fundus height at 33 weeks but things have tapered off a bit. Monday will include another growth measurement... D.D. Inc. was in the 95th percentile at one point then went to 79% overall at the next measurement calculation.  Monday, April 28th will be the next size guesstimate. Different docs have different concerns based on baby's size, but again, as the chart shows, larger babies arriving after 40 weeks is not out of the ordinary for our family. Interpret the data as you'd like and make your guesses. Submit through the blog comments, spreadsheet linked HERE, or send us a message otherwise. Figuring out the names has become more challenging this time for sure. I jokingly asked Pete to submit his guesses as every time I have tried to solidify our selections he seems to be unsure. 

    Nausea, sensitivity to smells and headaches were more prevalent throughout the entirety of pregnancy this time. Nausea and headaches mostly in the evening hours and cooking onions and weird tastes in my mouth were bothersome leading to increased mint consumption. Carrots and sweet potatoes were especially delicious, and dairy was more desired as well. 

    Heart rate of baby seems pretty variable from one appointment to the next 130 bpm sometimes or 156 the next but all within the "normal" range.  I was prescribed a bioidentical form of progesterone for the first 16 weeks of pregnancy after consultation with the OB and the previous pregnancy losses. And a low dose aspirin added to the prenatal vitamin daily since I am 40+ this time around.

31 weeks 4 days Ash Wednesday 2025

20 weeks or thereabouts

Gosh I look (and feel) tired. 39 weeks tomorrow

36 + 6

    Truth be told we technically have 2 girl names.  Ninety percent set on one because it follows ALL our rules.  But it was hard to eliminate the other option since it is much loved and somewhat situational and may be inspired by the Divine should circumstances align.  What are the" rules" you may ask. Well, using letters/initials that haven't been used yet.  Peter Vincent also brought up that we needed either a three or ten letter name since we have 4-9 covered with our current 1st names. Still, I wonder that strong suggestions may be a better term than "rules" or at least a starting point.

Have a go if you'd like.  Here's what you might include:

1. Boy or Girl

2. First and Middle Name

3. Birthdate

4. Size- weight and length

5. Any other tidbits, anecdotes, or prayers.

6. Potentially your name, depending on if/how blogger recognizes you.

Here are the guesses the boys formulated:

Brothers' guesses for D.D. Inc.
 Note: Ignatius thoroughly enjoyed the live production of Mary Poppins done by Green Middle School that he went to with GMA NG and Grandpa Steve a few weeks ago- Likely inspiration for "Cherry Koppins" 🍒

"Essentials" for these final weeks of pregnancy. I'll try most anything.

    Thank you all for your continued prayers and support throughout this pregnancy and the others on top of the daily dealings of ordinary time as spouses, parents, and children of God. Several folks have asked if there is anything that we need/want for baby's arrival.  Consequently, I put together a little "wish list".

      There is so much "stuff" out there and it is no wonder I get the remark, "I hope it's a girl!".  Which I feel would be a welcomed adventure and challenge but also a little scary; especially raising the 11-17 year old age girl in today's world.  I also find the possibility of being inundated by headbands, tutus, tights, and bows overwhelming. I have a small stack of girl clothes should such a situation arise at the hospital but please temper the excitement with practicality and know that we are most accepting of used and functional items and appreciate the bright and bold colors over pastel, baby prints that show every little stain, of which there will be many.

Hope #2 Publish at least two other blog posts in 2025

To be fair, I'll count this as a single one, somewhat long and disjointed perhaps but it's been a long break and many months in the making.

Luke Francis is halfway through his 8th grade year.  Please pray for Luke.  He is currently discerning where to attend high school. He has narrowed it down to St. Thomas Aquinas and Hoban.  He scored very well on the high school placement test, earning a substantial scholarship eliminating financial barriers but feels the weight of making a decision in other regards.  He is also in the midst of deciding who to ask to be his sponsor for Confirmation (applications may be submitted to him personally :-) and which saint/saint name to take and research. He spent much of the day constructing a snow fort and consuming hot chocolate and likely to take us on in a competitive game of Scythe.  Other hobbies include reading, reserving materials via the library website, walking or riding a borrowed bike to the library since the bike he used to use got stolen from the library, reading, learning about US History in a College Credit Plus course with professor chipmunk while listening to web based lectures at 1.5 times the speed, soccer (sometimes), accumulating and sorting Magic cards, playing Magic and other games, and reading in "his" library, on the throne, and in the car/van on his way to school, church, going to play Magic, visiting family, or soccer games.  Bottom line, if you happen to encounter Luke without a book we should check his vitals.  Then again, I have no doubt that his copious amounts of reading contribute to his success on standardized tests which has translated into $$$ for school.  

Otherwise, Luke's other notable qualities include how tall he is, surpassing both his parents and measuring in unofficially at 5'11'' and being a master popcorn popper.

I am supremely proud of Augustine as he tackled some major challenges.  Notice the closed lip smile above.  I can hardly recall the commencement of the orthodontic journey but I must also include that until recently Augustine refused to allow the dentist's office to complete (or sometimes even start) the bi-annual cleaning and check-up regimen.  That being said this first week of February (yes, there was a substantial break since the beginning paragraphs of this post) Augustine conquered the task of dentist and orthodontist in the same day having lost two teeth within days.  The hygienist and dentist both aptly noted the top tooth loose at the 2:30pm appt. that the orthodontist pulled 2 hours later :-/  I praised our second son for persevering through difficult tasks, making progress and reaching goals as he opened his report card to reveal straight A's less than 24 hours after the buccal battles. Notably bringing up his math grade in particular.  The second half of 7th grade brought a switch to the special classes.  Augustine was thriving in his 2 art classes.  Although he is quite coordinated and athletic, venturing outdoors practically every day for one activity or another he is not very excited about his recent switch to gym.  Augustine has shown initiative over the last year in pitching the concept of a Dungeons and Dragons club after school to the administration.  He and Luke walked to the library daily to print flyers and permission slips and sign up sheets. They secured a teacher/club supervisor and have been meeting twice a week for several months. More recently, Augustine has drafted and submitted letters to ask for having an honors art class as well as soliciting the school president to see if he could have the old turf from the school that is being replaced to put in our backyard...I am equally impressed and embarrassed. Augustine exhibits other strengths in noticing that the dishwasher is done running and unloading it without being asked.  He also notices when I am at my wits end with Ignatius and steps in to keep Ignatius occupied or distracted so I may complete dinner.

Passionate and indecisive are the words that most describe Clement these days.  His hopes and dreams as of 9:30pm last night include becoming a pro soccer player.  He did follow-up quickly admitting that he should have some sort of real, back-up job as well, but he is on the pitch quite often. He gave up the Nintendo Switch for lent and instead spent his screen time planning Minecraft strategies and watching videos to fulfill his hopes and dreams and plan for his return to the Switch in creative mode.  Consequently, quarter inch square graph paper has been in high demand on 19th street as the boys plan and construct structures and landscapes.  As blogposts continue you may learn that soccer is a big part of our schedule.  It is a great sport, and five of the six boys are involved on an organized team at the present moment since spring outdoor session officially began today.  Pete is heavily involved in coaching.  We did however scale back from a "premier" league that involved more practice times and travel to Medina and elsewhere to give the boys a "true" indoor soccer experience playing with walls and staying more local with the competitive league at the more local level.  Clement is the most competitive and probably most skilled player so is the one with the most complaints.  Still, the game and league lends itself to many lessons and character development and is a much more diverse and accessible environment and price tag.  Clement is especially helpful and kind in school where I've witnessed his compassion firsthand and other teachers and staff have made it a point to comment to as well.  He had a major role in the Christmas Concert and did marvelously in memorizing Bible verses about faith.  Other obsessions include listening to and singing KLOVE music and keeping up with Cleveland Guardians baseball.

Oh, Peter Vincent! His birthday is coming up in May and he rivals Clement in size. He had a role of one of the three kings in the school Christmas Concert.  It was a singing part and he participates in the school choir as well.  He is also most eager to serve at Mass and recently chose and presented as "Jesus" for the 3rd grade wax museum.  This brings a certain amount of angst and consternation as Peter is also the most gifted at aggravating his brother's and capitalizing on impulses that result in poor choices.  Pete seems to have a little less patience when working with Peter so I often find myself as mediator.  Perhaps I have a soft spot for his freckles, or maybe the fact that I've made a considerable effort to remind myself that despite Peter's physical size, strength, dexterity, and ability he is still developing and learning emotionally and psychologically as an almost 9 year old ought.  He can team up with a brother one on one and do amazing, thoughtful things like constructing and repairing a fort or playhouse with Simeon, sorting piles upon piles of magic cards with Luke, or devising elaborate bases out of magna-tiles and engaging in imaginative play with Ignatius. Although he may lie, steal, or cheat throughout the week, he is also the one that will initiate prayer at bedtime blessing myself or Pete with the sign of the cross on our foreheads and sit down to reflect and write out his sins after an examination of conscience and step up bravely with anticipation to enter the confessional!  He has become a bit picky about what he will eat as of late and will be pretty dramatic about smells or textures of certain foods.

He participates in a tennis program and did a drama club through different community partnerships with Our Lady of Peace School, but I think is quite excited to get back to the regularity and intensity of outdoor soccer.  He seems to gravitate toward working with numbers, patterns and mathematics and has a knack for being inquisitive and asking questions.

Simeon is currently in the 1st grade.  He had a major crush on his kindergarten teacher and generated over 50 notes/cards over the summertime to give to her daily once he moved onto 1st grade.  He still keeps up the communication and was sure to give Miss Catherine his Saturday morning soccer schedule so she could come watch.  His other hobbies include making birthday cards, coloring/crafting, and writing original stories.  He works hard on his papers and often "rescues" paper, cardboard and more papers from the recycle bins. He likes to collect bags and wallets and has a tendency to "organize" things which sometimes causes upset when I've designated a set place that he REorganizes and then wonders where things are at.  It's a double whammy because I discover that my system is no longer valid and we might not necessarily be able to find what he reorganized when he's in need of it.  

    In my opinion, Simeon can be a little "extra", over-the-top, dramatic.  He pushes my buttons and over reacts to simple commands.  So where I may be the buffer between Pete and Peter, I appreciate the interventions offered by Pete with Simeon.  A lot of the upset comes from being tired or overstimulated I think (for both me AND Simeon).  I keep working at finding time to breath and relax before my blood pressure spikes and then settling in for some one on one time to rest and connect.  Simeon plays hard and concentrates intensely on projects but needs encouragement to be still for fear that he might miss out on something I guess. Fresh air and gross motor movement are essential to his "ousia" and he is a stellar slack shredder-I am not over exaggerating in saying I have affixed no less than 24 patches to this kid's pants in the last 6 months.

    Dentist visits have revealed that Simeon has two extra baby teeth on the top.  One of those extras is currently sticking out forward at an odd angle as the baby tooth next to it fell out and the larger permanent tooth is taking up more space in the already crowded arena. X-rays reveal that there is only one extra permanent tooth but I think it'd be a fair prediction to say Simeon would be the next highest priority with possible orthodontia.

Simeon's feast day- February 2nd -The Presentation

Other antics that accompanied Benjamin
 and Hannah's visit in March

 

Good gracious, then there is Ignatius.  I could probably go on and on about this not so little fellow.  And rightfully so since his lifespan has been much of the time I've been away from the blogosphere. In an effort to complete this post, I will keep it brief but suspect he will provide plenty of material for future posts.  Ignatius loves garbage trucks and is particularly interested in writing letters.  This proved beneficial as I wrote out the 100 or so postcards with the QR code to this blog. He focused on writing while I did mine.

Letters and a picture of the baby by Ignatius

His face lights up in recognizing letters he sees in his name. "See it has a line with a dot like mine!" Like in Elise or on the basil plant I bought today.

   I feel like I am a whole different parent with Ignatius and am curious to see how he reacts and interacts with the baby considering this is the most space between children.  A recent conversation in the car revealed some concern that he would have to share Grandma Angie with the baby.

He comes with me to the doctor appointments and is well known by receptionists, doctors, nurses, ultrasound techs and other patients as he explores, inquires, and clearly explains his point of view in this matter or that. 

Hope #3 Spend more time creating, be it food, artwork, t-shirt quilts, home improvements, or memories.

Daddy and big boys retreating at St. Vincent in Latrobe so I whined and dined with these young gentlemen. Fettuccine alfredo on spinach noodles, supreme salads with lots of croutons, sparkling fruit juice by candlelight.

hockey on the pond while visiting Canyon street

Date night during Advent cooking homemade tikka
chicken masala,naan, and asparagus with
 "anemic eggplant" colored roses

The chefs and the served in a quiet home.

 

CHEESE!

Can we deliver?...

YES!

And NO :-(

Hope #4: Share the Good News and allow the Holy Spirit to guide and empower.

(From Advent 2023): The photos above are heavily charged with emotion and layered with more than one story to tell.  I have come to grips with the fact that I will not be able to fully articulate the narrative of my heart and mind and humbly invite Jesus to permeate the nooks and crannies of my being.  For that is where the question began.

"Can we deliver?" was the challenging question that Deacon Tom outlined during his Advent homily.  Leading into that week, I had been feeling pretty good.  I had completed the stressful task of purchasing gifts, choreographed the dance of multiple family get togethers and menu contributions, and had a fun and clever plan for sending out Christmas postcards. BUUUUUUUUUTTTTTTTT.......

What about Jesus?!?!?!

Schafer Family Advent and Peter Vincent's 1st Reconciliation (December 5th, 2023)

Whelp!  Because of God's unconditional love and outpouring of mercy.  Jesus is right here.

and there

and here again!

Peter Vincent's 1st Holy Communion celebrated on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 7th, 2024

Despite the obvious presence of Jesus in the Nativity (season of Christmas), and the sacraments we are blessed to witness and encounter,  Deacon Tom's question stirred up an opportunity to be challenged and reflect.

Until next time...