Impromptu Visits

Last week, we had a last minute visit from my mom, who flew in from Florida on Monday for a short time to work out some details with my grandma's estate. The kids and I picked her up from the airport just before noon, and were able to watch her plane fly in and land!  She stayed at our house Monday and Tuesday nights and Wednesday morning we were back on the road to bring her back to the airport so she could return to Florida.

We spent a couple more days helping with things at my grandma's house as well as doing school and things around here. We even had a nice enough day last Monday to set up the trampoline!  Of course, them Michigan weather set back in and it got cold, but that didn't stop the kids from going out to play.

We were invited to go watch and help make Maple Syrup at Uncle Don's Sugar Shack last Friday, a process the kids enjoy each year.  

Uncle Don even had ice cream ready for us to enjoy with some fresh, hot syrup!

Ezri got involved in helping, wheeling back a pile of wood for the fire

and filling the fire every 7 minutes to keep the boiling process going.

Saturday, I spent the day helping a friend with a major cleaning project, and then got in some time with my MOPS friends that evening, painting together.  It was a nice end to a week of ups and downs emotionally.

Reasons to Celebrate

Last week was a busy one for us.  Many of the days were spent helping my aunts go through things and begin the process of sorting my grandma's house.  The kids were huge helpers in the process, and also found themselves playing with cousins, hanging out with Uncle Ryan and doing some yard work as well. 

That Saturday, we were off for an exciting afternoon of fun at the Holland Aquatic Center for Alora and Elam's birthday party (finally)!!!  Joined by our friends Jamesen, Aunt Kerri, Aubrey, Wesley, Kathy, Travis, Emmett, Jay, Becci, Henry, Bryna, Aurelia, Daphne, Elena, Amanda, Judah, Lucas, and Asher, we enjoyed nearly 4 hours of swimming and party fun at the newly remodeled splash zone.

Highlights were the lazy river...

Water slide...

Zip line... 

and pool.

For an hour in between swimming fun, we gathered in a special room to have some pizza, cupcakes and ice cream bars in celebration.

Sunday was another big day for our family.  Ezri and Alora were baptized with 7 other individuals, between two church services, at New Life.    Ezri asked to share her story and talked about the influence of my grandmother in her life, her struggles with loosing Barb, Snickers, and my grandmother in such a short time, and how through it all she relied on Jesus.  The pastor reinforced her belief in my grandma celebrating with her and all of Heaven for the choice she was making and the steps she was taking.  What a proud morning for us!

After the service, the girls got to write their names on the tank!

Lives Forever Changed

Our family was forced to say a very unexpected and sad goodbye to my Grandma (Great Grandma) last Wednesday evening.  After going in to the hospital the previous Friday night with weakness, it was determined on Saturday that she had pneumonia.  I was able to visit with her on Tuesday after my Aunt Nancy got permission for grandkids to come, and after I removed my mask so she could see who I was, Grandma got a huge smile and said hello.  I was able to visit for a few hours, chatting with cousins, aunts and uncles, while we watched and prayed for improvement, also knowing her biggest wish was to be with Jesus.  

Wednesday afternoon, I made a return visit and again was able to be there for a few hours.  I even got a few moments alone with her before leaving about 5:30.  Just a short time later, I received a call from my cousin to tell me she was gone.  The illness took her down fast and in such a short time we were faced with the reality that our lives will be forever changed.

Thursday, the kids and I made a trip to her house, where we spent a little time just being in her space, joined by a couple of cousins.  Friday evening, we again gathered at Grandma's, this time with as many cousins as were able, to have pizza, look at photos, reminisce and put together photo boards. 

With arrangements set for Sunday and Monday, Ezri felt she needed the right dress, so Saturday morning, she, Alora and I headed to the mall, where after the third store we found the perfect dress, and also new cowboy boots for the older two girls. 

Sunday afternoon, we gathered at the funeral home in Hopkins for a visitation.  Surrounded by cousins, aunts, uncles, and my parents who had driven through the night Tuesday into Wednesday, the kids handled it all very well for their first dive into this experience.  

We returned Monday morning for a funeral.  The girls have been very chummy with my cousin's daughter Peyton, so the three of them sat together, holding hands and eachother through the service.  After the service completed, though there wasn't a graveside service, we took the kids to the cemetary, joined by a few cousins and their families, to observe the final process of putting the coffin into the vault and then the vault into the wet ground.  The kids had been interested in being a part of it all, and the director was gracious in allowing us to participate to the end.

We joined our large family for a lunch and some time together before returning home to the emptiness that seems to follow things like this.  As our week looms ahead, there is trepidation of the Wednesday to come, as this was always our Great Grandma day, and will be a very difficult one to be sure.  It is hard to imagine this new life without her in it, and it will be a long time in learning to live this way for all of us.

Tapping Trees and Skating

March is upon us!

Last week, we were invited to join Uncle Don and Rod in tapping trees to begin gathering sap to make syrup.  The kids and I met up with my uncle and then followed him all over Allegan County, helping to tap 19 trees over the stretch of a few hours.  Each of the kids got to help drill, drive in the spyles, carry the supplies and set up.  While it was cold, it was a fun afternoon. 

We have been in a cycle of snow, melt, rain, repeat lately.  Spring is making it's attempt to return and we are all eager for it to arrive.

Wiley has adjusted quite well to our family, and has graduated from small caged in space to larger room to roam, to most recently, full access to the living and dining room.  He now lets us pet him, has learned feeding routines and knows how to sucker people into treats.  He's quite a fun little bunny.

Last Friday was a day of celebrating with MOPS/MOMSnext friends and I find myself again feelings so blessed for this group and the friendship and support it has been for me.

Friday night, Elam got to match in their pajamas, and that was a fun thing!

Saturday afternoon, we joined our friends for a few hours of roller skating in celebration of Emmett's birthday.  We all had a great time!