Rajczak Family Christmas 2011

The annual Rajczak Family Christmas party is actually Christmas - Part 2 in my mind. This year it was hosted by Mike and Kelly Mayback. Their house looked like a Christmas wonderland! The delicious dinner (everyone brought something) was followed by the dessert buffet (courtesy of Kelly and Kathy). Then it was time for the gifts. The children, naturally, receive their gifts first. After that it was time for the Yankee Swap. This year's theme was "Classic" however you chose to interpret it. It was interesting to see what people gave and got. "The Hat" made it's appearance again this time with a rhinestone studded "R" on the front.

When I heard "Classic" I interpreted it as Classic Christmas and thought back to my childhood, what I considered classic. I thought of Bing Crosby, Mom's cookies (which we all still make) and the classic Christmas specials. I put together a Charlie Brown Christmas themed gift bag which I thought was indeed classic and fun! Other people interpreted classic differently. What immediately comes to mind was Atari themed gifts and He-Man DVDs. Jennifer was the recipient of the He-Man DVDs and she had no idea what He-Man was. Those DVDs no doubt will return disquised at next year's party. There were lots of different Christmas items - the snowman from Rudolph, a Grinch ornament in a stocking with "Home Alone" DVDs, Classic Christmas shows with a CD of favorite Christmas songs. There was also Mr. Potato Head (a classic toy) which actually had a gift card stuffed inside unbeknownst to the recipient. I really wanted the Christmas tablecloth and napkins but my nephew Matthew stole it from me! I went home with 3 LED Christmas trees for outdoor decorating. Funny thing- that was the gift John brought.

All in all, we had a wonderful time, laughed ALOT and made lots of memories together. It was a great way to end 2011.

Tuesdays with Livvie

I have been so blessed this summer to have Olivia with me on Tuesdays. She gets dropped off in the morning (sometimes at 7:00AM!) and is ready for anything. While waiting for me to shower and get dressed for whatever-we're-doing that day, she usually asks for paper, pencils, markers, scissors and starts "creating." This was a "floor" for the karaoke dance party she said they were having for her brother Cory's 1st birthday.

With a visit from the Proudfits the first couple weeks of summer, we spent Tuesdays with them. Crafts at the playground, lunch at Wegmans and another day a trip to Beaver Island were on the agenda!

Another Tuesday we packed a picnic lunch and went hiking the trails at Steiglmier Park.

It was so nice out we went to Beaver Island AGAIN...this time with the Maybacks.

Aunt Megan was home one week but it was cold and rainy. Another lunch at Wegmans (Joe joined us too) and then home to have hot chocolate and watch "Elf" under blankets.

Grandma Terry invited us to lunch one week. Then we went to Burchfield Nature Preserve and for ice cream. Livvie's eyes were bigger than her stomach.

Our last Tuesday together was a "stay at home" day. We spent the day doing crafts and watching Meerkat Manor.

They're here! (Part 3)

Tuesday was a Livvie day and we decided to spend the day at Beaver Island. We packed up our cooler, grabbed chairs and a blanket and we were off!
It was cloudy and very breezy there but we didn't mind. My nephew Danny met us there.
Megan, Danny and Taylor took the kids in the water while Becky and I read on the beach.
Olivia was a fish and was in the longest. The kids (and Taylor) played in the sand. We had a picnic lunch, lots of snacks and a great time!
That night while all the kids were at a different playground doing crafts, John remembered the girls' request and dug out the home movies from when they were kids. We all crowded into the living room, kids laying on the floor, as we watched (silent) movies from years ago. Time passes too quickly.........

Before we knew it, it was time to take Meg to the bus station to catch the overnight bus back to New Jersey.

The next day, Taylor spent much of the time packing while Becky and I hung out with the kids. Lucy saw the baby bunny in our yard. Jameson played with Grandpa's train one last time. Weston told me that he told his mom and dad that he wanted to stay in Buffalo forever. I asked what he liked best about Buffalo and he answered "You guys." I was choking back tears.......This was a great visit (with great weather too) and good byes were so hard. The kids will change so much before they make another trip to Buffalo. I'll have to arrange a trip to Arizona soon....I miss them so much.

Right at the time their plane was taking off, a HUGE thunderstorm blew in. We had a torrential downpour on and off for two hours washing away a whole week of chalk drawings. John and I had a glass of wine and quiet dinner on the porch. After the rain came a beautiful rainbow!

I miss my girls....

They're here! (Part 2)

The Proudfits came back from Canada on Saturday afternoon. We heard all about the Great Wolf Lodge and Marineland.

John was working on putting a stone floor under the gazebo, trying to get it done. Lucy decided to help him. She spent most of the afternoon outside with Grandpa. He gave her her own little shovel to help dig and put gravel in.
I spent the afternoon getting food ready to take to Colden the next day.

I got up at 3:00AM to pick Meg up from the airport. Knowing it would probably be the only "alone" time we would get (and knowing I would not be able to fall back asleep) we headed for Tim Hortons for a bite to eat. Only drive thru was open so we ended up sitting in the car with our food and chatting for two hours.

Sunday we went to Colden and celebrated Weston and Jameson's birthdays.

Actually ALL the kids ended up getting gifts! There was so much to do there and the kids had a blast!

We hiked in the gully - Sammi and David caught a bunch of salamanders! The guys played Kan Jam. The kids went on the swings, went out in the boat with Grandpa, fed the fish, played and ate a TON of snacks. We stayed and had our first bonfire of the season.
It was the perfect night for it. The sky was clear and the fireflies were out! Sammi caught fireflies, we made smores (with Reeses Peanut Butter Cups - yum!)


Monday was the 4th of July!!! Another beautiful day! Taylor, Becky, the kids and I went to a parade in Lancaster. Brandon was in the marching band! I LOVE parades and it's been years since I've been to one. The kids LOVED it! They enjoyed the music, floats and all the firetrucks. But what they enjoyed the most was the people in the parade throwing candy! They jumped up and down waving to people and went home with a ton of candy.

Monday night we went to Joe and Dar's for the annual 4th of July party. Darlene made goody bags for all the kids and they had a blast with their bubble guns! Most of the family was there and we had a wonderful time. My brothers outdid themselves this year with the fireworks putting on an awesome display! Afterwards, we ALL (adults included) played with sparklers! What a great day!

They're here! (Part 1)

9 days ago at 1:30AM, I was sitting out on my front steps when the rented car pulled up.

"Grandma Buffalo!!" screamed Weston.
"Grandma Buffalo, you're not asleep" commented Jameson.
Little Lucy shyly came up to me, eyes downward. "Hi Lucy" I said. "I'm Grandma Buffalo. Oh my goodness, you have pink toes!!"

"And pink shoes and pink pants and a pink bow and they match!" answered Lucy. I was in! She loved me!

The boys immediately looked for Grandpa, wondering if they could go in the basement and listen to records with him. They remembered from last year! Grandpa had to go to bed but promised that tomorrow they'd do it.

This started off a wonderful visit with Becky and Taylor and the kids. The week went by so quickly and was jam packed with activities, family and loads of fun!

After a good night's sleep, Jameson, Lucy and I made chocolate chip muffins for breakfast
Olivia was dropped off and we all went to the playground to do crafts (something we did with our kids growing up).
Becky got a boondoggle to do. The kids alternated between the swings, jungle gym, painting molds, slides, making necklaces and tether ball.


After that it was time for lunch and Taylor treated us all to lunch at Wegmans (a mandatory stop for every visit to Buffalo).
And then we all headed to Andersons for dessert! It was a hot day so I put out the sprinkler for the kids to run through. At Becky's request we made Sahlens hot dogs for dinner. That first night, Kara brought Connor over to meet his Arizona family, Jeff and Tara and the kids came over so the kids could get reaquainted and play.

Becky and Kara snuck out for a quick trip to Parkside Candy for orange chocolate and sponge candy.

Everyone was exhausted (and happy) by the time they fell into bed that night.

The next day the Proudfits headed to Canada for three days.

Quick catch up!

It's been awhile since I've blogged. Our computer is down for the count. No way for me to upload pictures.......how sad....so I'm blogging from the Kenmore Library.

Things are hopping at the Rozak house! With the nice weather (finally), John has been busy creating the newest garden in our backyard as well as keeping up with the rest of the yard. Flowers and vegetables are all doing well. John is working on putting a stone floor under our gazebo. We LOVE to entertain in our yard during the summer!

Kara is back to work so I am watching baby Connor on Thursdays now. And I'm watching Olivia on Tuesdays over the summer.

Samantha graduated from middle school! The time certainly goes by quickly........we are so proud of her!

We've only been to Colden once this year so far. With all the rain this Spring, it's been too muddy to even get in the driveway and much too muddy to cut the grass or play. We're hoping to be able to go out THIS Sunday and stay for our first bonfire of the summer!

My BFF from high school, Dawn, who lives in Greensboro, NC now, visited this week! We've been in touch via Facebook for a couple years. It was so wonderful to FINALLY see her again! It's been 34 years and she looks the same! She is still a beautiful lady, inside and out!

Becky, Taylor and the kids are vacationing in Buffalo/Niagara Falls this week! Weston told his mommy and daddy that he wanted to come to Buffalo for vacation (yay, Weston!!) and they listened! (Hoping Becky blogs about the airplane ride, lol.) They are spending a few days in Niagara Falls and the rest of the time with us. The boys have gotten taller and Jamers is talking so much better this year. Lucy, of course, changed the most. She's not a baby anymore. No more binks, bottles or diapers. She is adorable and so funny! The kids are getting a chance to play with their Buffalo cousins and Becky and Taylor are getting a chance to catch up with Becky's brothers and sisters-in-law. Megan is coming in to spend a couple days too. We'll be in Colden Sunday and at Joe and Dar's for the annual 4th of July party on Monday.

What a great start to summer of 2011!

Journey of Faith - Part 2

If you've read my blog entry of Sept. 16, 2010 you know the beginning of this story. Here's what happened next.

In November, I spotted again. I went to my GYN immediately even though it was only a couple spots of blood. She said it was "No big deal" and that she'd do another endometrial biopsy at my appointment in February. I replied that I hadn't had any blood AT ALL in ten years so even a tiny bit was a red flag. SOMETHING WAS WRONG!! We "discussed" it back and forth and finally she sent me to get another ultrasound.

I waited to talk to the doctor to get the results of my test. He said (without knowing my history) that I had a thickening of tissue in my uterus and a growth (he actually pointed it out on the picture.) I then told him that I'd had a D & C in mid August for thickening of tissue and was surprised the condition was back less than three months later. I told him my GYN had said a hysterectomy was my last resort. He said that since I had mentioned it, that is what he would recommend.

I decided to get a second opinion and called Dr. Steven Piver at Sister's Hospital who had been recommended back in the summer by two close friends-of-faith. Dr. Piver saw me on Wed., Dec. 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Again I knew the Blessed Mother was with me! Dr. Piver told me I had uterine cancer and he would do a complete hysterectomy on me on Mon. Dec. 13. (Another #13 - Our Lady of Fatima and my dad's number.) He said I'd be up and around for Christmas.

John and I were shocked! So quickly? I went from the doctor's office right to pre-op testing and then home to call my family. I prayed "Your will be done" but also that I wouldn't be afraid. Again my friends and family prayed for me. I received the Sacrament of the Sick on Sunday and really felt very much at peace inside.

Monday came quickly. As I went into surgery, I carried a blessed blue plastic rosary (this was suggested to me by a friend) with me which they taped to my hand. I felt that the Blessed Mother was with me, holding my hand through my surgery. I woke up afterwards in Room 426 (coincidentally our house #) surrounded by my wonderful family.

I don't ever remember being in alot of pain. I was so very tired, too tired to pray. Inside me I heard "You don't have to pray. We're doing the praying for you now." I felt surrounded and physically uplifted by something I can't even describe. I knew God and His Blessed Mother were with me and that "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." I slept peacefully still holding onto that rosary.

Dr. Piver did a complete hysterectomy, also removing my ovaries and 22 lymph nodes. Now I had to wait to see if the cancer had spread. One morning I woke up with a song in my head; "All is Well." Not long after, the doctor came in to tell me my ovaries and all 22 lymph nodes were "clean". The cancer had not spread from my uterus! I had to have 3 doses of preventative radiation because in 4% of cases the cancer reoccurs in the vagina. With the radiation, my doctor has NEVER had a recurrence.

Looking back, I can see the hand of God at every turn. Everything happened the way it had to happen to save my life. Dr. Piver told John in the hospital that if I had waited until February to have that biopsy (like my GYN wanted to do), the survival rate would have been 23%. I have truly been blessed! God is SO good!

Early morning call...........

March 18, 6:30AM the phone rings {RING RING!!} I am in the kitchen having tea and catch it quickly before it wakes John. This cannot be good...........who would be calling us so early????

"Hi Mom! Whatcha doin'?"

"Joe - why are you calling me early in the morning??? Is Kara okay?"

"Connor's here!" Joe answers!



Connor Hanley Rozak (we didn't know his name ahead of time) was born at 5:47AM on March 18, 2011, THREE WEEKS EARLY! He was due April 7 and we thought for sure he'd follow tradition and be born in April like so many members of our family. He was 6 lbs., 6 0z and 20" long. He has dark hair and dark blue eyes.

"Connors" is my mother's maiden name and "Hanley" is a family name on Kara's side of the family.


Welcome to the world little guy!

Twenty Wishes

I recently read the book "Twenty Wishes" by Debbie Macomber. In it, a group of widows of various ages gets together and decides that each will make a list of 20 wishes. The wishes can be anything. They don't have to be in the realm of possibility. They don't even have to really make sense to anyone but yourself. It got me thinking. You are never supposed to stop dreaming. So, I am going to attempt to make a list of 20 wishes too.

Right now I can only come up with eight but I'll add others as they occur if they are truly "list worthy."

1. Go on a family vacation with my husband, our children and their families! I'm thinking camping (but would be open to other ideas) where each family would have their individual cabins all next to each other. We could eat together, have campfires, go on hikes, swimming.

2. Learn to tap dance.

3. Learn to dance with my husband (which will require his cooperation).

4. Go see Mount Rushmore

5. Go back to Washington DC and see EVERYTHING at my leisure!

6. See every show Megan is in!

7. Go to Ireland

8. I'd really like to go on a vacation at a beach on the ocean.....

Interesting that when I think of things I'd really like to do, they involve either travel or music............