What a Week!

My last week of maternity leave has been a ROLLERCOASTER of emotions. Mark and I got to spend two nights without our children at the casino- Belterra. We gambled a little, had a FANTASTIC dinner, and just relaxed. It was so refreshing and much needed couple time! We then packed up the car and headed up to my parents to spend the rest of the week. We planned to paint a mural in the playroom, which we did and it turned out AWESOME. I didn't take a picture, I actually didn't get my camera out one time the entire trip home. What was supposed to be a long holiday weekend with the family turned into chaos. Our family suffered a great loss on November 25th. My grandpa, Hank Elling, passed away and grandma, Lucy ended up in the ICU for two days with a broken arm, multiple stitches in her head, and rising heart enzymes. We were blessed in that she came to baseline and was discharged on Friday. Looking back at my memories with Grandpa I am flooded with emotions. He was the bossy old man that LOVED his grandkids (21) and great grandkids (33) soooo much. He always wanted to show you his garden and make sure you had plenty of food. So many sayings come to mind when I think of grandpa- "if you do anything bad name em after me, or excuse the hogs the pigs is coming." Priceless sayings that I won't get the joy of hearing any more. I will miss being referred to as "sunshine" and of course, getting a view of grandpa's naked hoola lady on his arm from those days in the service. We are blessed though that I get to hear grandma say, "don't forget we still love you." We are blessed that our entire family (70 some) was able to be there for the viewing. In memory of grandpa a shot of black velvet was taken following a toast which had some powerful words. "We are who we are, because of who he was." Much love grandpa, I am blessed that you got to meet both of my angels and I will share my memories with them as they grow up.