Good Byes for now are hard!

Talk about a week that did not go as planned and our hearts are sad, heavy and grieving.   Sunday my Uncle Gary passed away.  I have so many memories of Aunt Bea dating Gary, being a flower girl in their wedding (although she reminded me at the service that I threatened to not be in their wedding because he was taking too much of her time away from us!  how funny was that), helping as their babies were born, weekends at the lake, etc.   The memorial was Friday afternoon which was also the weekend Gjysh and KK were going to spend in Tennessee to celebrate Christmas.  So in an effort to be as selfless as possible I agreed to bring the entire family to Cinci for the weekend (Uncle Gabe and I were just going to go to be supportive).    We wanted to be able to be there for my Aunt and cousins, but were not sure taking everyone was going to work, but we made it happen.   

Happy girl before we leave for Cinci. 

We boarded Bella, which the girls were okay with as long as they were going to get to swim in the hotel pool Friday afternoon.  Silly girls!   How I know you love to swim.  Your Daddy enjoyed the afternoon too with you and we all met up for a family dinner with extended family that evening after the service.    Good Byes are hard!    My cousins did such a neat job of sharing their family and honoring their dad!   They are all very strong and grieving their Daddy as they work through this process.   We were glad to be there to share hugs and tears!   

Ellie, KK and Maggie at the dinner after the memorial service.  It was a late night but we were glad the girls could all be there to give hugs and see family too.

Saturday we decided we would do the Whitmer Christmas to make it easy.  It was fun to see see Aunt Bek’s whole family and give them our gifts in person.    It was a low key morning and lunch before we packed up to come back to Tennessee.     

Gracie and Uncle Gabe

Gracie, Maggie and Sasha (Aunt Bek and Uncle Dan's dog).  

Aunt Katelyn with Gracie, Ellie, Ben and Noah

Its nice to be together!  

KK and Gracie.  Annual foot print! 

Gjysh, Maggie and KK for the annual foot print! 

I joked about how many adults it takes to make this happen each year! 

Gracie opening her "Grace" letters framed from Gjysh and KK's trip this year. 

Maggie opening her art supplies!   We love new art stuff! 

Annual chocolate box! 

The kids got the first choice! 

More please! 

Gabe and mom!

The girls with Mom and Dad opening their Christmas gifts from us!  We love you both! 

This cup has so much story behind it.  My grandparents have had these since I can remember (which apparently were a fundraise from when my mom was in High School).   My brother had asked for them when they were getting ready to downsize and move into a new community.  There were 3!  So Gabe agreed we each should get one!   Sometimes I need this reminder more than ever!   It will always make me think of being at my grandparents even miles of away! 

A big cousin mess!  These kids loved being together.   I always pray they get more opportunities to build memories! 

A family picture! 

My hubby and me!  I adore him.  

My sister Bekah and her family!  

My "little" brother Gabe and his family. 

Uncle Gabe is the best…trust falls!  of course you would do this with a 5 year old.  They loved it! 

Gracie's trust fall.  He did catch her as she giggled! 

Other happenings: 

-- We are in the process of construction (minor that is) as we are adding a screened in porch.   So when the concrete was poured I asked the builder if we could do the girls handprints.   The girls then insisted on an addition... a paw print too!  ha.  What a great memory.  So I guess now we can’t ever move! 

Left to Right:   Maggie (left handed), Gracie (right handed) and Bella's paw!

--We have been delaying as long as possible in replacing my car.  It’s now over 10 years old and has 245,000 miles.  I keep joking that I need one more year and 300,000 miles.    Well, on our way to Cinci when we stopped for lunch in Lexington my car started making this squeaking noise and sharking as we were in the parking lot.    A brief moment of panic and we realized it was the air conditioning so we rode the whole way without it on, no big deal given it was 45 degrees....except that it meant the defrost did not work which was an issue.  So we drove the rest of the way with the windows cracked and bundled up!  We are praying for a cheap repair and more time.  Our goal is to buy the car without a loan and are pushing to really save! 

This picture does not capture it well, however we are all bundled up driving the Cinci with the car issue!   We made it safe Praise God!