Friday!!

I'm so glad it's Friday!! Not sure what tonite holds for us, but we usually do something fun with the family. (even if it's staying home and playing Wii)

After the kids go to bed, I'll be getting some layouts planned and some scrapbook stuff packed up. My mother in law is going to a crop with me at my Church Saturday. Can't wait!!

Have a great Friday and weekend whatever you do!! God Bless!

A New Day

Today, is a new day. We're hoping for a better year, since it's been a rough one already in 2009.

It started just four days after Christmas when we spent several days in the hospital with our six month little girl, Hannah. My grandmother made a turn for the worst while we were there, recovering from Pneumonia and passed away several days later. Friday, Mike's grandfather, passed away suddenly, after some other health conditions had him in the Nursing Home. Both of our grandparents were in their 90's and they lived a long, happy life. We don't mean to seem selfish when we say we miss them so much. I'd easily say it's the hardest thing I've had to deal with. We're so happy they're free from pain and they're in Heaven now but it's hard. It's very, very hard. I know that God will give us peace, help us to get past the pain and be able to treasure our memories for a lifetime. Someday, we will see them again.

SO, I'm drinking my morning coffee this morning and thinking positive. I'm thinking about all I have to be thankful for. My family, my kids, my friends, my house that love made a home and my Church.

I'm thinking I'm glad that it's Thursday and this week is almost over. I'm also thankful for my job, which I love, but I'm human. I still LOVE my weekends more so I can spend time with my family. This Saturday, I'm going to a crop at my Church and I'll be able to have a little me time. (mostly, during the kid's nap time) I'm sure, when I get home, Hunter will want me to play Wii Bowling, Boxing or Mario Kart with him. He LOVES it, and so do we.

So, here's wishing you a happy day, positive thoughts and good wishes. God Bless!

Saying Goodbye

Tonight was the Visitation for Our Pa Pa and it was very difficult. It's hard to believe he's gone. I miss him already. I miss his beautiful smile. I miss his laugh. I miss so much about him. It's amazing that your heart really physically hurts when you lose someone you love so much. Wednesday is the funeral and I know it will be another hard day. Our Aunt and Granny have been through so much. They are truly heartbroken. We all are. So, we will have to pray for God to give us all strength and patience as we heal. It will take time but we will heal. We will remember the wonderful times we shared and smile. God bless you, Our Precious Pa Pa. We will never forget you, and we will always love you.

In Memory Of Our Pa Pa

We lost our Pa Pa on Friday. We lost a wonderful father, a grandfather, a great grandfather and a friend to many. Heaven gained an angel. I know he is in Heaven today, rejoicing to be with our Lord. What a reunion he must be having with his loved ones that have passed before him. We will miss him, so much of him.

We look forward to every Sunday because that's the day we visit our grandparents. If we don't mention it to Hunter, then he does to us. He says "Today we go see my Granny, Pa Pa and Ellen." (His wife and their daughter, who they live with so she can care for them)

I don't think I'll ever be able to forget the way Hunter called Pa Pa, as he walked up the steps to the front door. He loved his hat. He usually had it sitting beside him and Hunter always put it on him, as soon as we got there. Hunter loved to see Pa Pa in that hat too. It made him smile, and I'm sure that's the way he will remember him.

I loved Pa Pa's smile, which could light up the darkest room. I loved the way his face lit up when we brought the children over. He loved it when Hunter would come give him a hug and a kiss. When he saw our Hannah, there was a special look on his face. It seems hard to believe we just saw him, looking great, last Sunday when we came to see him. He laughed in pure joy when he saw Hannah in her Dedication Dress and as Hunter nudged his way beside him on the bed to kiss him, telling him he loved him so much. He told us he loved us too and I'm so glad that's the last words we spoke. I wish he could have known Hannah longer but I'm so glad he was able to meet her. He looked forward to seeing his great grandchildren. He always thanked us for coming to see them because he said we made their day. But they really made ours.

He was a quiet, gentle man. He loved everyone and he loved to tell stories, telling you how life used to be. We will never forget our Pa Pa. Our hearts are breaking but we're happy he's free from pain and sickness. He's in his new home, in Heaven and we have to rejoice with him. Please remember our family during these difficult times..

Thank God It's Friday!!

I'm so glad it's Friday. It's been a LONG week and that's with Monday off. Not much planned for the weekend. I'm staying HOME on Saturday. We'll be cleaning out our den, making me some more scrap room, and organizing. I'm hoping to be working on some layouts by the afternoon in my newly cleaned room. Ya!! I also have a couple cards to make and some altered plaques for the kid's rooms. I just can't wait to spend the weekend with my family!
(Well, I may get a, much needed, relaxing pedicure while the kids are asleep. I have a gift certificate from my wonderful hubby!)

We're also going to be setting our budget for the year so we have some money saved up for Christmas and our Disney Cruise in December. Between the Excursions we have planned, our Passports and Air/Driving plans, it all adds up. (we're undecided on which way just yet)

Hope everyone has a great weekend and enjoy it! Be Safe and God Bless!!

It's Official!

We're cruising in December! We made the final decision on The Disney Cruise Line and dropped off the deposit Wednesday afternoon. We're celebrating Ten Years of Marriage and we can't wait to spend the time together. Of course, Hunter and Hannah are going with us. They're our WORLD and we couldn't imagine going anywhere without them. (at least not until they're grown and don't want to hang out with us anymore...OH NO!) Anyway, hope you all have a wonderful Thursday. I'm so glad the week is almost over! Take care and God bless!

Game Day

Sunday, we had Game day at Mike's sister's house. We ate some lunch out first before heading home to play some board games and then Wii. We had a lot of fun, especially the kids!

DNK and Hunter's turn

Hunter and Mike watch everyone play, while taking a little rest.

While the adults played for a little while, the kids played in DNK's room. I helped clean up and sat Hannah on her bed so I could watch her. She was MORE than happy to sit by some new friends, pretty close to her own size.

She almost fell over a couple times but we caught her. She thought it was funny:)

She really liked the dog!

She took a little break to suck her thumb...of course!

DNK with her cousin!

Maw Maw enjoyed holding her but she was a MOMMY'S GIRL! If I was in sight, she wanted me to hold her. It was sweet but a little hard sometimes..LOL:)

A slight temper tantrum...she could see me and I wasn't holding her yet

OK, I'm off to get ready for work. I was up a little later, watching the Inauguration I had DVR'ed and then the Celebrations. I pray that God will bless our new President and keep him safe as he works to watch over and protect our country. Have a great day and God Bless!

More Dedication and Family Pictures

Hannah, with Mom and Dad on Dedication Day Our Family

Our Family with Mike's Parents

My Parents

My Grandparents

Uncle Jeff

She's never far from her thumb

Sweet Face

good grip

Happy Baby

My Precious Love Bug

Happy Child

Happy Girl

Covered in Fluff
Her Pretty Dress

The Cars Afghan Maw Maw made for Hunter..Beautiful!

A Beautiful Day

These are some pictures of Hannah, before her Dedication. It was a beautiful service and she did wonderful. We met Mike's family for Dinner and then headed to his sister's house for Game Night. We had a great time but I'm exhausted. More pictures to come but I'm headed to bed. Monday, we're off for the Holiday and we're looking forward to fun at home. It's Family Day! Goodnight and God Bless!

Dedication Day

Just a Sneak Peak...Her bib for her drool...

Today is Hannah's Dedication at Church and we can hardly wait! It's a very special and symbolic time for us, as Hunter was dedicated when he was a baby too. We ask God to bless our family as we try to live each day as he would see fit. We are just so thankful for today, for our Church and for a place to go each week to worship.
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Saturday was a wonderful day with the family. We were gone a little longer than we thought but we had a lot of things to do. Hunter used his Christmas money and got Mario Kart for the Wii. We played it when we got home and he was squealing with delight. I love to see him smile. Hannah had some money also and we got a cover that goes over restaurant high chairs or shopping carts. It also serves as a mat for tummy time. It's a picnic theme, with shapes for her to chew on and a big watermelon pillow. It even folds up so you can carry it easily. I love it and so does she! We had an early dinner at Ruby Tuesday with one of our gift cards and it was so yummy!
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We also stopped by the Travel Agent and were pleasantly surprised by the prices of the Disney Cruise. We're 99.9% sure we're going to be booking in the next week or so. We just need to look at our budget and finances. It was such a good price for the time we would be going (December 09) and are really getting excited already! Now, we just have to lose some weight and save save save!! I'm so grateful for our careers, and the ability to even go on a trip like this. It's hard sometimes but it's so worth what we do to make those goals happen. Our kids are our life and we love spending every minute with them.

Well, I've got to run and pack up for today. We're having pictures taken after Church, Visiting the grandparents and then, playing games with family. Take care and God Bless!

Super Cold Saturday

Just a quick post to say hello and say I'M SO GLAD IT'S SATURDAY!

We haven't had breakfast yet..I'm headed down now to make waffles for everyone now. Not sure what we're doing but we're headed out for a little while. We're thinking about taking Hunter Ice Skating but not sure yet. We may go to Ruby Tuesday for lunch and then home for some Homemade Chili and fun together. I'm actually excited about possibly getting some work done in my scrap area. YA! I'm sure we'll be watching a Disney movie or playing some Wii too. Hope everyone has a great Saturday, no matter what you do! I'm headed downstairs so we can go out and get home early!! See ya later!!

Happy Birthday, Granny!

Yesterday was our Granny's birthday and I forgot to mention it here. We went and saw her last night and had a nice visit. I didn't bring my camera, which is rare, so these are some taken a while ago. She looks just as good. I try to take the camera every time because I know what a joy my pictures have been since my grandmother passed away. Pictures mean The World to me!

Granny with my "Love Bug"Mike bought me these flowers and surprised me when I got home. He's so sweet, he said he knows it's been a tough time since Nanny passed away. They brightened my day!

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I am so glad today is Friday, and we have Monday off!! I'd like to make some Chili and stay home for the most part Saturday. Any running around I have to do will hopefully, be in the morning. Hannah needs a toy box for her room. I want to finish up my cleaning around the house and have some fun. We usually clean on Thursday nights unless we've done it another night. This week, we were so tired. So, we just have a little picking up and then, some organizing. I want to tidy up my craft area and get some work done in my scrapbooks. I also have a couple cards to make and I'd like to play with my Cricut. I'm sure Hunter will want to "knock me out" in Wii Boxing. He's so cute, he tells me he would only knock someone out in a game and NOT in real life. How funny! Hannah has her Dedication at Church on Sunday and a friend of ours is taking some family pictures of us afterwards. I'm looking forward to it and I'll have pictures on Monday.

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Hope you have a wonderful weekend whatever you do. God Bless!

Saying Goodbye is Never Easy

These are my grandmother's wedding rings and they were given to me after she passed away. The stone is gone but the metal/gold and diamond aren't what's important to me. It means so much to me to have something that belonged to her. Something that she wore for many years of her life. I'm not sure exactly what I'm going to do with them but I think I'm definitely going to replace the stone. This December, Mike and I will be married for ten years so maybe I'll get a new stone and it serve as a special wedding set for me. I know it's hard to tell here but it's so dainty. It's very delicate on the sides and it means so much to me.

This last week has been very hard. I know my Nanny Puckette isn't hurting anymore. I'm sure she's rejoicing and wouldn't want to HEAR of us being sad. She'd want me to remember all the wonderful times that we shared, which we've all been doing since she got sick. We just miss her so much. She was such a special person and I know that we will think of her for years. It just seems so strange to not be able to go see her. Hunter has asked about her several times. I know he seems fine. He asked last weekend if we could call her on the phone. I let him know he could pray and God would relay the message to Nanny. How sweet. That child ADORES all his family. I think I'm going to make a special album in memory of her.

On a lighter note, it looks like we may get some Winter Weather but not sure if we'll actually get some snow. I'm just glad it's Thursday and we're close to the week's end. This weekend, I'm hoping to make a big pot of Chili Saturday and have some Wii fun at home. We've had a blast lately playing Wii Sports with Hunter. We might run out for just a little bit for a little shopping. We're thinking about taking a Disney Cruise at the end of the year for our ten year anniversary so we may try to stop by a Travel Agency. No definite plans yet. Sunday, Hannah is being dedicated at Church. We're looking forward to it since we're going to try to get some Family Pictures afterwards.

Have a good Thursday and PRAY we get some snow. COLD COLD temps coming. God Bless!

I just wanted to share the poem my mother wrote in memory of my grandmother and she read at the Funeral. It really describes my Nanny Puckette perfectly.

We're here today with a heavy heart,
To say goodbye to a wonderful part..
Of all of our lives for many years,
But we must explain why we shed these tears.
She was MOTHER to Andy, Larry, and Doug..
Never her responsibility did she shrug.
Always greeting you with a hug and a smile..
Laying her sewing down for a while...
To head for the kitchen to cook JUST FOR YOU..
How she could make a FEAST in an hour or two!
Loving grandmother and GREAT-grandma too...
Wanting to help...what can I do?
I remember years ago when our Jennifer was sick..
I'd call Mrs. Puckette and oh so quick..
She'd offer to keep her while to work I would go..
Never would I worry, for I would know..
That she would soon fix her that famous oatmeal..
And play UNO for ours 'til better she'd feel!
My parents always knew that at Christmas, just ask..
"Mrs. Katie" to cook the collards...it was never a task.
What a hard worker with not much reward.
Never considering herself really poor.
But making you think everything was "just fine"..
And never complaining about the "bad" times.
Mrs. Puckette, you were the kind of Mother-In-Law,
Who made me feel that in me you saw..
Someone who would be a good wife to your son..
Something that I've always hoped that I've done.
So now as you go to your HEAVENLY home..
You'll finally be RICH by that heavenly throne.
Thank you for the pleasure of knowing you on Earth..
I don't think you every knew just what you were worth!
I love you, Dianne.

Written by Dianne Puckette

Come Home Come Home, It's Suppertime

This was the song played at my grandmother's funeral. It reminds me so much of her. She was such a wonderful person. She was always so thoughtful of others, never thinking of herself. The Visitation and Funeral were very nice. We had so many family and friends come and we are so appreciative. I know she's not hurting anymore. How lucky were we to have her in our lives until age 91? I think the hardest days will be the Sundays that we used to go see her. We loved her so much. She gave us so much joy, just being there for us to visit her.

Remembering Nanny Puckette

Well, It's Thursday. Tonite is the Visitation for my Grandmother, and I'm afraid. I'm going to have to accept the fact that she's not coming back. She's free from pain but she's gone. She is a huge part of my life, every Sunday we visit her on the way home from Church. We're going to have to say goodbye and I'm not sure I'm ready. The memories and the wonderful thoughts of her really help me through the day. But it still hurts. We could still use your prayers, as we prepare for tonite and the funeral tomorrow. Remembering Nanny Puckette...

Prayer Request

I know I've posted this picture before but this is one of the best pictures I have of my Nanny Puckette. She is very ill and in the hospital right now. She has Pneumonia, Congestive Heart Failure and she's just not able to breathe on her own now. I know the end is near and although I do not want her to suffer/hurt, my heart is still very sad. We've always been very close. She's one of the most thoughtful people I know. Even recently, she didn't want to ask the nurse for more water because she was worried she'd get too tired out. She has a beautiful spirit and words can't express how much I love her. We go see her, faithfully, in the Nursing Home every Sunday afternoon. Hunter requests it. Even last week, Hunter and I went on the way home from Church. He said it's Sunday and we go see our Nanny Puckette. She was weak and it took a lot for her to talk but she spoke to Hunter and was delighted to see him. She loves to hear him sing so he sang "The Seven Days of the Week" for her. Afterwards, he told her that next time, when she's feeling better, she could sing it with him. For years, we had Family Dinner at her house every Sunday afternoon. It was a delicious home cooked meal with lots of love and time. We'd have a yummy dessert afterwards and the kids would eat too much ice cream. We'd play "UNO" and we laughed when they accused my grandmother and I of cheating. She used to make us homemade flannel pajamas every year for Christmas and I always looked forward to them. I'll treasure the Fridays I rode the City Bus downtown with her to get her hair fixed. We'd eat lunch at Woolworth's and shop afterwards. We'd laughed and had fun, just being together. I'll never forget the times we've shared together and I pray that my son will still remember her for years to come. I'm thankful she got to meet my little girl. I'm glad the last words we shared were I love you. Thanks for your prayers. We could all use them right now.

Back to the ER

Tuesday, we had to go back to the ER but this time, we had to stay. Hannah was no better, but worse. Since Riverside doesn't have a Pediatrics floor anymore, she had to be transported by Ambulance to CHKD. This is her, after FINALLY getting to a room at CHKD. (about 6 hours in the ER, waiting)This is her on the way, and NOT feeling good at all.

The Paramedics are getting her ready to go. They buckled her seat down to the stretcher.

Thursday morning, and feeling much better!

Our Hannah was so sick. She was hooked up to Oxygen Sensors, an Oxygen tube in her nose and IV's for Medicine and Fluids. I think we can all say it was one of the scariest moments in our lives. It's hard to see your little girl struggle to breath and to cry and moan most of the night. She's still not well to say the least. She's still breathing a little harder and congested. She's coughing but that's a good thing so she can get all the junk out of her chest. She's much more playful now but gets worn out really quick. She'll play, kick and laugh and then, be asleep the next minute. I'm glad to be home and appreciate of all the thoughts and prayers. God Bless!