But thankfully, my sister, Tiffany reminded me, I have furry children who love me. And during this really hard week, this was my favorite thing to do. Who am I kidding? This is always on my list of favorite things to do. :)
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Puppy Momma Day
Mother's Day has been hard around here for the past few years. With Brad's mom being gone and our struggle having a family...it's not a depressing day necessarily, it just doesn't have the same flair that it does for others.
But thankfully, my sister, Tiffany reminded me, I have furry children who love me. And during this really hard week, this was my favorite thing to do. Who am I kidding? This is always on my list of favorite things to do. :)
But thankfully, my sister, Tiffany reminded me, I have furry children who love me. And during this really hard week, this was my favorite thing to do. Who am I kidding? This is always on my list of favorite things to do. :)
Friday, May 6, 2011
Grace
On Wednesday, April 21st, we got a call that Brad's Grandpa Taylor (Barb's dad) went to the hospital that day, and they found he had pancreatic cancer that had spread to his liver & lung. Assuming the worst, we planned a trip to Clear Lake for that Saturday.
On Saturday Brad's dad, Brad, and I headed North. We visited Grandpa in the hospital along with a few other relatives. When we arrived, he was more tired than I've seen him, but definitely joking as usual. He was cheery and telling us how he had pain and went to the doctor, who sent him to the hospital. He shared how the doctor came in crying, and told them the bad news: he had cancer and an infection and with no medication he would only have a few weeks - With medication, a few months, maybe a year.
It was then, that I learned what true grace is. He shared that he was okay with what was in front of him, that's he had a great nearly 90 years of life and a wonderful nearly 65 years of marriage. He shared they were going to look forward and that hospice ladies & volunteers would be coming to the house and "how wonderful" that would be. Of course, as we all bawled our faces off, he started telling jokes again and sharing details of what the last few days had been like. He never once shed a tear or looked sad. He simply said "all things come to an end" and said that his wife, Elaine would go ahead and continue to have a great life.
Brad, his dad, and I were able to spend 30 minutes or so alone with him, tell him we loved him and gave big hugs. He told us as we left "how wonderful" it had been that the past few days brought the family together and that everyone had been gathering at the dinner table after visiting him. We left him, as he wanted to rest and headed back to visit the rest of the family. I knew in my gut he may only have a few weeks left on this earth.
On Wednesday the 27th, the call came that he wasn't doing well and wasn't going to be able to go home. They had moved him to hospice. I was watching Toni's kids so was not able to go, but Brad, Ron and Marilyn's family head to CL to visit him in hospice. While the visit was very sad, Brad felt closure that he got to tell him goodbye.
And then on Friday the 29th, 8 days after he found out he had cancer, Grandpa Taylor passed away. His funeral was this week on Tuesday and it was a horribly sad event with a lot of laughter through tears.
He was the most happy, hard working, positive, cheerful, joking, welcoming, regret-less, and inclusive person I have ever met. I felt like his death was hitting me harder than I expected, given he was Brad's Grandpa. Then I realized, I have known him and visited with him for more than 1/2 of my life. He was one of the first people to welcome me to Brad's family before we were even married. He was actually one of the first people I met from Brad's family - I remember visiting their house so many times - Even his family holding a wedding shower for me at Gma & Gpa Taylor's home. I often think about what this time would have been like for Barb. She was incredibly close to her dad and this would have been so devastating to her, especially how quickly it happened.
Over the past 2 weeks, Howard Taylor taught me what true grace and bravery are. And he made me remember why I live my life with no regrets.
On Saturday Brad's dad, Brad, and I headed North. We visited Grandpa in the hospital along with a few other relatives. When we arrived, he was more tired than I've seen him, but definitely joking as usual. He was cheery and telling us how he had pain and went to the doctor, who sent him to the hospital. He shared how the doctor came in crying, and told them the bad news: he had cancer and an infection and with no medication he would only have a few weeks - With medication, a few months, maybe a year.
It was then, that I learned what true grace is. He shared that he was okay with what was in front of him, that's he had a great nearly 90 years of life and a wonderful nearly 65 years of marriage. He shared they were going to look forward and that hospice ladies & volunteers would be coming to the house and "how wonderful" that would be. Of course, as we all bawled our faces off, he started telling jokes again and sharing details of what the last few days had been like. He never once shed a tear or looked sad. He simply said "all things come to an end" and said that his wife, Elaine would go ahead and continue to have a great life.
Brad, his dad, and I were able to spend 30 minutes or so alone with him, tell him we loved him and gave big hugs. He told us as we left "how wonderful" it had been that the past few days brought the family together and that everyone had been gathering at the dinner table after visiting him. We left him, as he wanted to rest and headed back to visit the rest of the family. I knew in my gut he may only have a few weeks left on this earth.
On Wednesday the 27th, the call came that he wasn't doing well and wasn't going to be able to go home. They had moved him to hospice. I was watching Toni's kids so was not able to go, but Brad, Ron and Marilyn's family head to CL to visit him in hospice. While the visit was very sad, Brad felt closure that he got to tell him goodbye.
And then on Friday the 29th, 8 days after he found out he had cancer, Grandpa Taylor passed away. His funeral was this week on Tuesday and it was a horribly sad event with a lot of laughter through tears.
He was the most happy, hard working, positive, cheerful, joking, welcoming, regret-less, and inclusive person I have ever met. I felt like his death was hitting me harder than I expected, given he was Brad's Grandpa. Then I realized, I have known him and visited with him for more than 1/2 of my life. He was one of the first people to welcome me to Brad's family before we were even married. He was actually one of the first people I met from Brad's family - I remember visiting their house so many times - Even his family holding a wedding shower for me at Gma & Gpa Taylor's home. I often think about what this time would have been like for Barb. She was incredibly close to her dad and this would have been so devastating to her, especially how quickly it happened.
Over the past 2 weeks, Howard Taylor taught me what true grace and bravery are. And he made me remember why I live my life with no regrets.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Great News!
I was laying on the acupuncture table on Tuesday morning and thought, the lady from Iowa Kidsnet hasn't called. The lady at the meeting said to call in 2 weeks and it's been nearly 3, so I'll on Friday.
On my way to lunch with Kelly, I got a call and voice mail.
We are approved to take the 10 week classes (PS-MAPP) starting May 24th!! And they are in Cedar Falls, right near our work. (Convenient for Bradley on Tuesdays!)
We still have a home study and reference checks coming, but we'll take those as they come.
What great news! I'm grinning from ear to ear!
Oh, and I got my blood tested on Friday for my thyroid. Should know something this week or next. (Crossing fingers!)
On my way to lunch with Kelly, I got a call and voice mail.
We are approved to take the 10 week classes (PS-MAPP) starting May 24th!! And they are in Cedar Falls, right near our work. (Convenient for Bradley on Tuesdays!)
We still have a home study and reference checks coming, but we'll take those as they come.
What great news! I'm grinning from ear to ear!
Oh, and I got my blood tested on Friday for my thyroid. Should know something this week or next. (Crossing fingers!)
Dre-cation Day 1
To reward myself all that I have been working the last 5 months, I took a 12 day hiatus from work. Because I work on the weekends, taking only 4 days off over the course of two weeks, actually gets me 12 days away from work.
I am calling it a "Dre-cation" (and not a staycation or vacation) because it's about doing things for myself. All of the projects I was working on are near roll-out and are on pause until I get back, my trainee is off an running and it's time for much needed break. So I'm off to do fun things, relax, hang out with cool people and to do things around the house I have been wishing I had the time to do.
Tuesday was Day 1:
Acupuncture & an adjustment at Kelly's.
Barnes & Noble - bought several cool things
Lunch w/Kelly's at Applebee's - Where I downed one of these Perfect Margaritas. (I am rather snobby when it comes to taste testing margaritas. This is one of the best at a chain restaurant)
I did have to shore up a presentation for Wednesday afternoon (I canceled all my meetings for 12 days, except one.)
And that was the end of Day 1. Ahhhh
I am calling it a "Dre-cation" (and not a staycation or vacation) because it's about doing things for myself. All of the projects I was working on are near roll-out and are on pause until I get back, my trainee is off an running and it's time for much needed break. So I'm off to do fun things, relax, hang out with cool people and to do things around the house I have been wishing I had the time to do.
Tuesday was Day 1:
Acupuncture & an adjustment at Kelly's.
Barnes & Noble - bought several cool things
Lunch w/Kelly's at Applebee's - Where I downed one of these Perfect Margaritas. (I am rather snobby when it comes to taste testing margaritas. This is one of the best at a chain restaurant)
I did have to shore up a presentation for Wednesday afternoon (I canceled all my meetings for 12 days, except one.)
And that was the end of Day 1. Ahhhh
Friday, April 15, 2011
It's The Little Things
Have I mentioned lately how wonderful my husband is? We got a new camera at work and I love it. My camera is ok; he actually bought it for me several years ago. Compared to newer cameras, the pictures just don't come out as clear and for some reason, unless it's just exactly the right amount of light now, it will take the picture without engaging the flash..which I don't really understand.
The camera on my phone is terrible. It's actually the most disappointing thing about my phone. It will "take" pictures, but not actually save them anyway, and unfortunately I found that out the hard way. I really just want a camera that will take great pictures for me to keep great memories. I'm trying to curtail some spending and since it's not really necessary, I haven't been able to justify it to myself.
I've been working my butt off the past 3 months and you all know a challenging time it's been for us. The other night he said, let's order the camera.
I felt like I'd won the mini lottery. I picked a red version of the camera and he bought me an SD card.
Since the wind has been trying to blow us away, I haven't been outside with the camera since it arrived yesterday, but I have had some fun, just snapping picture around the house to see how it works. These pictures with my other camera would have been blurry and dark.
My recent ebay purchases.
My little buddy. Mommy, can we go to bed now?
How Sammy and I hang out when I'm working from home. He's the best buddy ever. Sophie went to bed with Daddy. Sammy always start with Daddy and always comes back out if Mommy is still working. Sweet.
The Easter Lily I bought yesterday. If you know me, you know I love flowers in my house.
The Christmas Cactus that was sprouted from Barb's. (I think I need to water it!)
The tree in our backyard is sprouting.
A picture of my camera. Since it can't take a picture of itself.Yay, camera!
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