Life...Living...Loving

I know, it's been awhile since I've blogged. It's been a busy time for our household the last few weeks.
First, Bud was laid-off from his job along with about 35 other men in his department. Downsizing finally hit the hospital. Fortunately, he has been there long enough (10-years) that he was offered severance. This of course helps for the next couple months. Trusting God for our future.
Second, we left for Wisconsin Wednesday morning of the 15th. Stopped in Southern Illinois to pick up our middle son, Jason and got into New Berlin, WI around 12 midnight or so. It was a long trip and we ended up going through Chicago anyway as we somehow missed our direction in Decatur, IL. But since we were going through there around 10:45 pm... it was breeze! I grew up driving around Las Angeles... so traffic, etc. doesn't bother me... I'm just kind of lazy about driving now and didn't want to go through Chicago. Oh well, it made me appreciate my "little city" of Chattanooga. If I want the BIG city, I'm less than 2-hours from Atlanta,GA.
We were heading to Wisconsin for our oldest grandson's wedding. Tim(Brian as we call him) and Christina(Tina) became husband and wife on Friday the 17th. He was handsome and she was a beautiful bride. Our granddaughter, Kailee was a bridesmaid, and she was gorgeous. Chloe, our great-granddaughter, and Brian and Tina's daughter was the flower girl. She was adorable. I enjoyed my time with her.

They had a beautiful warm sunny day for their wedding.
They took photos at a park not too far from the church, Apostolic Life Tabernacle in Waukesha, WI. Papa Bud performed the ceremony. It's neat, because he performed the marriage ceremony for all three of his sons and now his first-born grandson! Time sure whizzes by!

Mother and daughter before the wedding. Tina's youngest brother is standing to the left admiring his sister. She was beautiful!

Right: Brian surprised Tina with "something blue" after the rehearsal.

Chloe getting ready to practice her "flower girl"... although, she called it being a "princess".



.



Awwwww....how sweet!

Our beautiful granddaughter, Kailee







Chloe loved her Uncle Jay. He played with her. She asked him "where you come from?" She didn't remember  seeing him before. She climbed up and patted his cheeks with both hands and then rubbed noses.


One tired little girl. She finally gave up.

                          She definitely is her granny's girl... she loves her coffee!!!!!

Chloe enjoying herself at the reception!

I've more photos and have the cd that my daughter, Terri gave me. I'll get those posted soon.

Bud had the 7-day flu and was sick the whole time of our visit. We "doctored" him up for the rehearsal and the wedding ceremony and then he made a brief appearance at the reception and Tim took him back to the apartment so he could go back to bed. He was in bed the whole time we were there and on the drive up and back home. He ran a 102.3 fever and was almost delirious. At one point, I thought I might have to take him to the hospital. He was miserable and I didn't get much sleep either. I drove up and back. I drove home in one day... thank God for books on tape! Kept me awake. We got home around 1:30-2:00 am Monday morning. I was exhausted. His fever and illness finally broke early Wednesday morning. He said he felt like he'd been in a thick fog. I asked him if he even remembered the ceremony :) and he said he did!!!

Well, enough for now... will try to post again soon.

Technorati Tags: wedding,marriage,grandkids,family

Only ONE LIFE to live...

We received a call early FRIDAY morning on the 19th of December.  Judy (sister-in-law) had called an ambulance to take Fred (my husband's younger brother) to the hospital Thursday evening.  His Oxygen level was down drastically and he was very weak.  Fred received a diagnoses, I believe this past April,  of renal cancer that had metastasized.   He fought a hard fight and had 8-months to be with family.  Everything was organized and in place for his family.  He took great care of his family.  He passed from this life on Friday evening around 6:30pm EST.

Just an example of Fred's "thinking ahead".  While there I noticed a beautiful vase of roses and a card leaning against the vase.   He had ordered these flowers the day before going into the hospital for Judy's birthday on the 26th.  That's Fred, always thinking ahead, always thoughtful.  Here is what Fred wrote on the card:

He desired an informal funeral/memorial service and that's what we did.  His older brother, my husband, spoke and then Robin his daughter gave her memories and thoughts (more than a eulogy) but spoke from her heart of what her DAD meant to her.

Teresa and Bob (his sister and brother) spoke of fond "family" memories.  Marc talked about his Uncle Fred.  And there were others who spoke fondly of Fred.

 

We cried, we laughed, and we cried some more.  But we did laugh and that I know is what Fred wanted us to do.  He loved family get-togethers.

Round the table.. Micah, Marc, Eva, Kaylee, Sarah, Brynn, Shenyle, and Gavin.

On the left is Judy, Teresa, Eva, and Craig.

  

Uncle Bob and I, keeping the kids occupied.

Papa Bud with Micah and Gavin(our handsome youngest grandsons).

Judy, Fred's wife, looking at the memories of their life together, 41-years!  Best Friends for longer than that!

 

Scott, Fred's son, in quiet thoughtfulness.  A moment of contemplation.

 

Fred's military (Navy) medals and a signed photo with President Reagan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

21 Gun Salute.

 Taps... such a solemn, sad sound.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fred's HAT... 

 

 

 

 

Judy and me.  Judy is stronger than she realizes and while I know there will be "bad" days and moments of grief and sadness, the memories of a loving husband and father will carry her through.  She has family that loves her very much and will keep her daily in their prayers. 

Maggie will miss him too

!

 

 

 

The end of one day in our lives and one life, but never will Fred be forgotten.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If Fred were watching us today, he would have been pleased.  He would have laughed with us and cried with us and enjoyed the grandchildren at play.  He would have added his own special memories of times past.  His spirit was there with us!  He left us with a "smile" on his face. We can only give him a "smile" in return. 

Technorati Tags: Grief,sorrow,laughter,family,loss of loved one,father,friend,husband,uncle,grandpa,God,life,memories

Random thoughts and photos...

It has been a busy 2-months for me. Moving my parent's in with us has been an adjustment for all of us. But we are doing just that... adjusting. My mom has settled in quickly... my dad... it's hard for him. We are out of his "known" territory and "stomping grounds" and since his eyesight is almost totally gone... he can no longer drive or read. For a man who was constantly reading and studying... this is extremely difficult for him to accept. Listening to CD's or tapes is just NOT the same as READING the WORD. I suppose this could be a lesson for ALL of us... READ while we can! I simply cannot imagine not being able to read. Books are my lifeline! It seems I've always read!

My mother will "shoot me dead" if she sees this photo... but we were at DQ getting ready to eat/drink a blizzard and some startling news came on their BIG screen TV (this is something new in our DQ)...

I probably won't show her this picture :D

Here's a photo of them at the surprise "Welcome" party our church gave them after their first service with us.

This is my Dad with "Tina" their almost 16-year old Chihuahua before we left Missouri for Tennessee. She is their baby!

Back in April we had our first strawberries of the year and leaf lettuce from the produce store just down the hill from our house. They were delicious and I dried the lettuce in the salad dryer and kept it in an airtight bag for almost a week! I'm not big on "head lettuce" or Boston lettuce. It just doesn't have the flavor of REAL lettuce or a good Spring Mix.

My first Rhododendron bloom of the year! I've buds all over the plant this year.

This is my back yard... which slopes down hill and we have left "natural". It is exceptionally filled with "green" growth this year. I guess the combination of rain, sun, and temperature was just right this spring... because I don't ever remember it being this "lush" this soon in the year! Hubby keeps the area around our patio and dog run clear... but the rest is left for all the "creatures" including the deer. The kudzu has just now turned green. Fortunately, we do NOT have kudzu in our yard. The beautiful mystical shapes are delightful to look at as long as they are on someone else's property and not mine!!!!

I've many more photos of our plants around the house and will try to be more diligent in posting regularly.

One last photo... my GREAT Granddaughter, Chloe. My dear daughter-in-law sent me these recent photos they had taken of her. I have more... but will not weary you with them ALL right now.

This is her "I'm so EXCITED" expression.