Grandma's funeral

On Thursday was Grandma's visitation and on Friday was the funeral. It felt so weird to be having all of this as I don't know if it has fully hit me yet. There were so many people at the visitation that they filled the whole parking lot and then some. Grandma was so loved and touched so many peoples lives over the years. The funeral was beautiful. Like Grandpa said "Grandma would have liked it". We miss her dearly but know she is in heaven and is waiting for us. There were many tributes read at the funeral and here is the one I wrote.

When I was young Grandma would take me shopping and let me pick out new clothes and take me to Cub foods to pick out my favorite foods. I spent several nights at Grandma’s when I was young and we would stay up late, talk, eat and play games. In high school Grandma and Grandpa came to many of my volleyball games. In college Grandma sent me care packages. As I grew older Grandma became someone I would frequently call for advice. We shared many tears and much laughter over the years. I remember the time when Grandma and Grandpa met my now husband and how much it meant so much to me to have their approval. Grandma was an amazing Grandmother to our 2 year old son Preston and he loved to sit on her lap and have her play with him, read to him or share a snack.
When we got the news that Grandma had cancer our world felt like it came crashing down. We prayed daily that the Lord would heal her. She never gave up trying to beat cancer and her faith in God was shown to be unwavering. It always amazed me how she never complained. I’ll never forget when she removed her wig and I saw where her hair once was. We cried together and she said to me “Really I am ok”, and I know the Lord will take me home someday and I will be ready.
When Grandma had her stroke we were able to spend time with her. She was still the same Grandma as she always was and she played with my hair, rubbed my arm, and when I cried she wiped away my tears. I will miss her sweet touches and long to hold her hand once more.
So much of me longed for her to see and hold our soon to be baby girl who will be named Audrey, but through Grandma I know that God’s way is perfect. I promised Grandma that we would do our best to raise Audrey to be just like her.
Although know one can ever replace Grandma we can live by her example and seek to love others and God the same way she did.
Grandma I miss you and I can’t wait to hug you once again.
Grandpa thank you for the love you showed to Grandma over the years and the example you set for all of us. Your relationship and faithfulness is one to be desired. We love you.

No more suffering

This morning at 5:15 my Grandma met Jesus. My mom was able to be by her side throughout the night last night and my Grandpa was by her side this morning when she took her last breaths and was able to say "I love you". We will miss her so much but are thankful she no longer has to suffer.

Big fish

Yesterday Craig took our nephew Jerett fishing and they caught a ton of nice sized fish. Here is one of Jerett's!!

My Grandparents

My Grandpa sent me this e-mail this morning and I thought I would share it with you and post a picture of my beautiful Grandmother and my amazing Grandpa out on their deck.

Today we were able to grant Audrey one of her wishes ; when she was in
the hospital she wanted to come home ; with the help of hospice care and
all of our family we were able to grant her that wish . Since she has
been home she has been confined to a bed ; she kept saying that she
wanted to sit by the window and look at the river and the flowers in the
back yard and have a cup of coffee ; yesterday when the hospice nurse
was here we mentioned this to her and she said lets get her a wheel
chair so we did .This morning one of our sons ,Kevin came and picked
Audrey up , put her in the wheel chair and we took her out on the deck ,
we all sat there with her and all had a cup of coffee with her ( hers
had to be thickened to the consistency of honey ) but she said that it
tasted and smelled like coffee . Audrey is getting weaker every day but
this helped bring some sunshine back into her life.

Please keep praying ; we don't know how long before the Lord will take her home
but we pray that she will not suffer and be in any pain .
Have a nice day ....we did this morning ....Manley /Dad /Grandpa

Connor and Preston

Yesterday I got together with a friend of mine for lunch and park fun with the kids. Connor who Preston calls "Con Con" were busy little boys. Connor got Preston to play in the flowers even though that would normally be off limits for him. They have changed so much since they were born and are becoming fun little toddlers.

Busy bodies

Last weekend I babysat 2 of my sister's kids. One of which is Preston's favorite cousin JD.

They were so good and Preston didn't want them to leave. They were so busy the whole time, they kept me on my toes.