Oh Puppy



Our puppy Wendy has been home with us about six weeks now.

 

 

How can something so tiny and naughty have us so completely wrapped around her little paw?

 

 

 

We are hooked.  She is just stinkin cute.  We are in love!

 

 

The last few months have been so very painful.  I have wanted to begin posts about it, but I would start and couldn't finish.

 

 

 

We just buried my mom yesterday.  It has ended a long and agonizing time period for her and for us. 

She was diagnosed with dementia at the beginning of this year, and while taking the medicine for that issue, she developed severe stomach pains.  After two long months of many, many doctor appointments, tests, and even ER visits, she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. 

 

 

Shortly after that, her oncologist admitted her to the hospital so he could help bring her pain under control.  Two days later she was taken to hospice where she passed away thirteen days later. 

 

 

I don't really know what to write.

 

 

Our hearts are broken.

 

 

We miss her so very much.

 

 

Her passing has also reopened the wound that was beginning to heal from Dad's passing.

 

 

 

It feels really strange and oh so sad to be parentless on this earth.

 

 

But,

 

 

Throughout all of the pain and suffering of the past few months, one thing is for sure.

 

 

We aren't alone.  We are not orphans.  We are loved.  Loved beyond measure.

 

 

 

We have a father in Heaven who cares even when we can not see. 

 

 

Walking by faith these last few months. 

 

 

Not by sight. 

 

 

That is what it was. 

 

 

 

When Mom and all of us came to the end of ourselves during this time, we still held onto our Lord's strength.

 

 

 

And He got us through.  He took Mom home and healed her completely.   He loves her even more than we love her.  He loves us just as much. 

 

 

 

Thank you Heavenly Father.  We love you so.

A picture is worth a thousand words

I love this picture of my mom and dad.  They were married 56 years.  Kevin and I feel extremely blessed to have grown up with moms and dads who truly loved each other and their children.  We had the most happy of childhoods!

                                 This is such a tender photo.    Young love - lovely sweetness!

Introducing our newest family member

Sophia and I have spent the better part of last week combing through Petfinder.com in search of our newest family member . . .

 

 

 

We drove to Robinson, Illinois yesterday to a tiny little county animal shelter run by sweet, sweet people.

 

 

 

This is who we came home with last night!

 

 

 

She is a love.

 

 

Our new furever family

 

 

Look at that face!

 

 

 

 

 



Dancing the night away

I actually had my camera handy when the kids were

being so stinkin cute dancing at Aunt Nancy and Uncle Fred's as we were celebrating a wedding shower for our niece and her fiancé earlier this evening. 

 

 

 

 

Hope you enjoy the "dancing" stars!  :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



This Mother's Day

This Mother's Day has been such a sweet, sweet day.

 

Kevin and I traveled to Miami University with our four lovely children to attend our niece's graduation.  Spending time with my husband, children, and Kevin's family was so enjoyable. 

 

The weather was perfect.  The occasion grand, and the company was exceptional.

 

Lovely people, lovely day.

 

A beaming graduate!

 

 

 

A trio of family

 

 

 

Handsome cousins

 

 

 

Gram and her grandchildren -

Missing a few of her chicks . . . Two in Denver,

One at Purdue, and one in China . . .

 

 

 

Kevin's sister, mother of the graduate, saying

"The Irish Blessing" in honor of Mary's day

(Kevin is part Irish and very proud of it!)

 

 

 

Some silly goings on during the ceremony!  Can we say that a couple of

little boys were not paying attention??  :)

 

 

 

Brothers

 

 

 

A new family picture

 

 

Today was a beautiful day.

 

 

Only one thing missing . . .

 

 

This little girl who needs her mommy and daddy . . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Grace needs to be home surrounded by her forever family, enjoying days like this. 

 

 



Adorable!

A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E

 

 

 

Is it ok to brag? 

 

 

 

 

I love all of our children to the moon and back.

 

 

 

 

We think they are wonderful, beautiful (handsome), and amazing!

 

 

 

 

Stunning Sophia

 

 

 

Engaging Elijah

 

 

 

Photogenic Philip

 

 

 

Terrific Ted

 

 

 

Gracious Grace