"Boat"

My parents brought down my Grandma's bookcase today. Carter immediately adopted it as his personal playground and called it his "boat". He played on it all night. Ryan joined in the fun later on... I cleaned out Carter's closet and put it inside. I thought it would be nice to have his Great Grandma's bookcase for his own as he grows up. Too bad he can't use it as a boat now that it is in his closet...

Happy Birthday!

Today is Evan's birthday. We celebrated with pizza and ice cream cake, sang Happy Birthday (off-key and all!), and everyone took their turn blowing out the candles. When you are 4 and it isn't your birthday, it can cause a meltdown. We have since started allowing everyone to blow out the candles once. It has helped to reduce the sadness - just takes a little longer! Happy Birthday!!!! :)

Buddy Bear

Buddy Bear is the Bear that visits every preschooler's home at Ryan's Preschool. This week is our turn with Buddy Bear. We journal our time with Buddy and draw pictures of him in our home. Ryan was grinning ear to ear to have Buddy at home tonight. Buddy did everything he did, including Birthday Cake for Dad's birthday. He is in bed sleeping with Buddy right now. Wonder how it will go when it is time to return him to Preschool?

Smile

Why do all kids go through the "fake-smile" phase when they are growing up? I remember Kyle going through that as well... Here's Ryan's turn at the fake smile...Carter is still too little - just wait!!!! :)

Goodbye

All her life, Grandma loved flowers. In fact, her middle name was Gladiola, each of her sisters had their second middle name after a flower. Attending Grandma's visitation and funeral was a very tough thing to do, to say those "final" goodbyes. I was very proud of the way we were able to say goodbye - it was one of the most beautiful caskets, flower arrangements, services, and goodbyes I have ever witnessed - I think Grandma would be proud as well. The hardest part is over, now we just miss her and enjoy all the wonderful memories we made with her. We love you, Grandma!

We received these flowers from Bethany, my job share partner, Pat, my boss, and my friends at Target. They are gorgeous and I am enjoying them on my kitchen counter, much as Grandma would have had she been here. She passed on her love of flowers to me! I want to thank everyone for the support we have received the past week - we can't tell you how much we appreciate the cards, emails, calls, visits, food, flowers, etc. Thank you!

Grandma

Today I have experienced almost every emotion in the book. I went up north to say goodbye to my Grandma. My Mom called last night to update me on the situation and I looked at Evan after my conversation and said that I needed to go today (originally I thought I would go at the end of the week). I made the trip today and spent the day with Grandma in her hospital room. She slept much of the day, but I was able to get in a good conversation with her. She said to me when she saw me: "Well, Stephanie, it is Monday today, you usually work on Mondays, what are you doing here?" She remembered - I was so thankful I had that time with her. My Mom called me this evening to tell me "her journey is complete, she is gone." I had such mixed emotions - I am so sad for all of us left behind, but happy she is at peace and not in pain anymore. She was such an amazing Grandma to me and Great Grandma to my children. The best way to describe her, would be to say her "glass was always half full". She had a positive outlook on life and was always in a good mood. She loved her visits from the Great Grandchildren and cherished her time with them. My favorite heirloom from her is her original wedding ring my Grandpa bought her. She gave it to me a few years ago. I took it to my jeweler and he re-made it for me. She had worn the back through, it was so thin and weak. I had 2 bands put on either side of the wedding ring and her band reinforced, but I kept her wedding ring complete. I wear it all the time. I also made her a bracelet last Christmas - it said "Great Grandma" and had 2 of each of her Great Grandchildren's birthstones on it. She wore that bracelet every single day. It is hard to say goodbye to Grandma, but I have nothing but wonderful memories of her and that is what I will think of when I think of my Grandma. I love you, Grandma!

Boys

The boys have reached an age where they are finally starting to play together, get along (most of the time!) and enjoy each other's company. It took a while, but we are getting there! Carter has been pretty miserable lately getting his molars in, but you would never know it by his personality - he is a happy camper during the day!!