Goodbye Grandpa

Romans 14:8

For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.

My grandfather left this earth today and is in Heaven with the good Lord.  I was able to say my goodbyes to him last week and made peace that he would be passing, sometime shortly after seeing him.

Two years ago, my mom's dad entered an Alzheimer's unit at an area nursing home.  He wasn't a fan of leaving his wife or the farm, but he wasn't able to take of himself (and my grandma couldn't do it either). He was in his late 80's and had worked hard for his family and other's all of his life.

It was hard to see his mind slowly depreciate over the years and his health  follow shortly after.  But the one thing that he always had was a smile on his face (though he may not have always known who you were). When he finally entered the Hospice unit at the hospital on Wednesday, the only thing the doctor kept saying was she couldn't give us an exact timeline because his heart was so strong. I believe that's because he wanted to give everyone a chance to see him one last time and to say goodbye.

Thursday will be hard,  when they lay him in the cold March soil,  but I know he will be watching over all of us. Smile and all.

I'll always love and remember you Grandpa! ♡

~Kellie Anne

"Small World" Jealousy

I received a phone call from my dad this morning and this is how it went:
 
 Dad -  "Hey, listen to this! Can you tell where we are?"
   
 Complete Silence

 Me - "I can't hear anything"

 Dad - "Here let me try again, listen close"
   
 Complete silence

  Me - "Dad, I can't hear anything, but my guess is that you're on It's a Small World."
 
  Dad - "Bingo! Got to go!"

  *Click..phone call ended!*
  
My parents are currently on vacation at Walt Disney World. They've been there before and this is actually their fourth time visiting the "Happiest Place on Earth"; but the first trip without any kids or even grandkids. It's also their first real vacation just the two of them since they've been married; so I'm calling it their 'belated honeymoon'. 

My mom was real skeptical about going just the two of them, cause she didn't know what two adults could do at a place dedicated to children. I explained to her that their are a lot of things Aaron and I did (as we were just there this past spring), that we couldn't have done if we did have little ones with us.  We could eat on our own schedule, didn't have to worry about nap times, stay out as late as we want, and the list goes on and on.  I think through her skepticism, she is looking forward to get away from the farm and most of all RELAXING!

And since my father just had to remind me that I'm stuck here in Iowa, during a snow storm no less, and not is warm, sunny Florida like them; I am going to relieve Aaron and I's ride on 'Happiest Cruise that Set Sail'.   Here are some of snaps from us on my favorite ride at WDW and Magic Kingdom:



A panoramic view of the ride

About to enter

I give a thumbs up for riding "It's a Small World"; Aaron not so much ;)

 ~Kellie Anne

"Thankful Challenge" - Nephews & Nieces

11/8/13 - Nephews & Nieces

For the 8th of November, I have decided to give my thanks for all 8 of my nephews and nieces.  They all have their own personalities and can make you laugh and learn in their own way.  I love to spend time with them individually but it is a real treat when they are all together. 

I became Aunt Kellie when I was 12 and I thought it was so cool at that age to be an aunt (though I didn't get all the awesomeness that it entails until now).  You get to spoil them like crazy with gifts & candy but don't have to deal with the aftermaths of their sugar high.  This little person in your life looks up to you to play with them and teach them new things.  I can't wait till the day when the get older and come to me for advice or to confide in me when they don't want to tell their parents.  I'll tell them it will all be okay, give them some words of wisdom, give them a piece of their candy and send them on their way.

But for now I'll take my 8 nieces and nephews just as they all are: crazy funny, full of energy and completely loveable!!

~Kellie Anne

 

"Thankful Challenge" - My Grandparents

11/4/13 - My Grandparents

I'm 24 years old and still have all four of my biological grandparents. Now to some people that may not be that big of a deal, but I can tell you it means a lot to me! You see, I have a lot of friends who only have maybe a grandma or both grandpas and would love to see their loved ones that aren't around anymore.  I feel blessed that I can just make the 3.5 hour drive and see both sets of grandparents (who only live minutes away from one another) and spend the day with them. 

My parents' parents have really had their worlds turned upside down in the last few years and I'm glad I'm at the age that I am, to really understand what is going on.  I can be there to help my parents on certain situations and they take my opinion into consideration sometimes.  Just within the last two years, we had to move my mom's father into a nursing home that specializes in Alzheimer's and watched as his memory slowly decreases.  He may not know who you are when you visit, but you can tell that he appreciates you being there.  My grandma (his wife) is in an apartment for independent elderly individuals.  She isn't happy to no longer be living on the farm, but it's for the best that she be in a place that's smaller and not so much to take care of.  Both of these things were hard for my mom to do and it's not something that anybody wants to do.  But I was there to help her get through it and was her listening ear when all she wanted to do was vent.

My dad's parents have always had health issues but you don't realize how bad they are when your a little kid.  My grandpa almost lost his foot due to diabetes and my grandmother's heart hasn't been in the best of shape for years.  Though with all those struggles that they face, you wouldn't be able to tell it when you sit and meet with them.  They always want to know what's going on with your life and don't pat an eye to tending their garden or teaching the lesson on church night.  They truly are strong through all the pain and I admire both of them for that.

With every visit, I have them tell me stories about their own life growing up or what my parents were like as kids.  Just the smile on their faces when they tell a story about "the good ol' days" seems to be enough to make my visit worth the drive.  I always tell them that I love them and give them an extra squeeze with my good-bye hug. 

Remember to tell the people that you love, just how much they mean to you because some day they might not be around to hear it. I know there will come a day that I won't have my grandparents in my life anymore and it's the memories that I make now with all four of them that I will take with me for the rest of my life!