happily ever after.

three months to the day of my grandpa's passing, my dear sweet grandma closed her eyes and went to be with her love. we should have known it wouldn't be long...for they were hardly ever apart.
my grandma nancy holds such a special place in my heart and i have often secretly thought we were kindred spirits. my love for art, creativity, neatness and organization come from my grandma nancy. she always took the time to make things extra special for all of her grandkids. picnic scavenger hunts, painting rocks, baths in the lake, and hours of flipping through her detailed photo scrap books are all fond memories i have of time spent with my grandma.
the last few years grandma suffered from dementia, and when grandpa died i was able to spend some quiet time with her.  she was unaware of the sadness that was around her, but through her confusion still had a spark. i will treasure those moments.
although we all knew this time would come, it doesn't make it any easier. two people, who loved so great, and were loved by many will be sorely missed. a place in our hearts left empty.
i love you grandma and pray that this day you are whole again.

every girl needs a place.

reading. tv watching. lap topping. stitching. praying. resting.
this has become my new place. a cozy little corner of our humble abode. just for me.
i likey.

ringing in a new year....

 back to blogging after a busy and fun christmas season.....new years eve 2009 will be one for the books. getting older and having littles has its perks....one of them being our excuse to stay in and eat lots of sweets instead of drinking ourselves silly like back in the "olden days".  we told the kids they could stay up till midnight for a movie marathon consisting of  plenty of cheesy movies.  our menu of gummy bears, m &m's, cracker jacks kept us going and seltzer with a splash of juice was our bubbly! a mean game of SORRY went down at around 9:30, where I proceeded to school everyone in the art of board gaming. jack crashed around 11 and gracie made it until the ball dropped. daddy even slept in the living room with the kids...sleeping bags and all (i snuck up to our comfy bed!). simple joys and lots of love. i am blessed. praying that 2010 brings many more joys, sorrows that make us stronger and the motivation to make a difference!

jack!

my jack. so funny, cuter than words can describe and just plain fun. there have been lots of tears around here lately, and it was a nice change of pace to celebrate 4 years of life with our little guy today. he is just a bit obsessed with all things star wars. uncle chris sent him a real-life- every-man's boy's- dream- light saber. what an extra special surprise! i made him a homemade from scratch bantha- but it didn't get quite the attention that the light saber got! we love our jack and are so blessed we get to watch him grow!

saying goodbye

this weekend we said goodbye to a very special man. my grandpa bob. also affectionately known as "poppie" to some. some traveled, some were already there- but we all came together to celebrate the life of this wonderful, generous and dear man. although his death was unexpected and sooner than we would have liked, my grandpa led a full and blessed life. the weekend was spent remembering, crying, laughing,singing, eating!,celebrating and praying. as a tribute and a way to say goodbye we set off 87 balloons - one for each year of his life. we love him, we miss him and our lives won't be the same without him.

memories of my grandpa, a.k.a. poppie.

the lake.

sweet notes always with x's and o's.

homemade macaroni and cheese-with ketchup!
michigan football-
push that pigskin! 

cocktails at 5.

bebe guns and black squirrels.

picnics on the pontoon.

swims out to the raft.

lunch at dons.

murdicks fudge.

double mint gum.

ray bans.

big bear hugs.

i am sad today but you made me so happy. i will miss you grandpa and hope to see you again someday.

boo.

In the same way, let your light shine

before others, so that they may see

your good works and give glory to your

Father who is in heaven.

{the gospel of Matthew}