Ben had the kids all to himself as I made a spontaneous trip down to Florida for the weekend. (More on that later...)
The mice will play while the mama is away...
Movie night at our church! The kids brought their bags and met up with the Birkett family to watch Monsters University.
Ben and Luke got a good start on Luke and Gibby's science project. Their topic was dissolving M&M's and their were experimenting to see which liquid would dissolve an M&M the fastest.
Elle used her baking kit from Gma and Papa U. to bake these sugar cookies all by herself!
I was so fortunate to have the time to go and be with my Mom, Dad, and sister to say goodbye to my Grandpa Johnson. I am just going to jot the events in order so I can remember the timeline in the years to come...
I flew out on a Friday night and we were all up in Gpa's condo talking with him when things took a quick turn. That night, we all headed down to Mom and Dad's condo to go to sleep. Mom headed back up to stay with Gpa for the night as she had for many nights prior to make sure he was alright. Mom called Dad just a few minutes later and asked him to come up for some help. Dad quickly went up to help and after a call to the Hospice nurse, she was there within minutes and the decision was made to transfer him to the Hospice House. The same House my Grandma J. was in as well. My mom knew in that moment that he wouldn't be returning. As we stepped outside, she explained to me that this is what happened to Grandma as well, and she never came home.
The next morning, Dad, Janae and I grabbed a bite to eat and picked up some food to bring to Mom. Dad and her were up all night helping with the transition. Mom hadn't left his side.
Saturday, we spent the day at the House next to him.
Sunday, Aunt Debbie flew in to say her goodbye and all of us went out to lunch for a quick bite.
Also, Mom and Dad had their 46th Anniversary!
Monday, was my final goodbye. My Grandpa was 94 years old and he was my last living grandparent. I will miss him greatly but know he is with my Grandma and the Lord and this hope gives me complete peace. As I spoke my last words to him, he managed to get out, "I love you, too" and that was music to my ears. I decided to leave then to go and pack for my flight. That was my perfect goodbye and end to the trip and I was ready to go home.
The next morning, I had an early staff meeting. I was driving to school and called my mom to get the latest update. I called at 7:20 am and they were just getting ready to go to the Hospice House. We talked for a quick minute. Mom called me back at 7:26 am and she had just gotten the call. Grandpa had passed. Isn't it funny how I sensed to call at that time? We all told him everyday that he could pass while we were there or when we were gone and the choice was up to him. Mom told him she was going to be just fine. That she was happy and that Dad was going to take care of her. And with that, my Grandpa Johnson made the choice to pass before they arrived by himself. And I know that was what he wanted.
Three highlights that I am blessed to take with me...
1. There was a moment when Gpa had been sleeping or lying with his eyes closed, I'm not really for sure which. All of a sudden, he sat up forward in bed. He had not done this very often and so right away we took notice. He pressed his lips together with his slanted smile, held out his arms. He laid back down without a word. I know that he saw someone in that moment. He HUGGED them right in front of us. God is so good and faithful.
2. The incredible love of my AMAZING mom! We have all watched and supported my mom these last 5 years as she has laid her life down to serve and love her Dad. Literally. They sold their house. Packed all of their possessions away in storage. Moved to Florida in the winter. Moved from rental to rental during the summer in Traverse City. Gave up their old Clarkston identity to be known as Guy's daughter. Of course, my AMAZING Dad as well. As he gave up his belongings, house, identity to be Guy's son-in-law and to continue to love and uplift my Mom each day as awesome or stressful as each moment may bring. I pray everyone has that kind of love in their lives to inspire them each day!
3. The importance of laughter and mot taking yourself to seriously even in the hard times! Aunt Debbie was leaving and Dad was trying to give her directions to get her on her way to Tampa. She got in her car and we got in ours. As she sped away she turned right out of the parking lot when she was supposed to turn left. The first turn and she got lost! A woman after my own heart. Not only was it the wrong turn but it was a turn into a private, gated community so a patrol man came out of the little neighborhood entrance hut to talk with her. At this point, we were just pulling up to the same turn but had seen all of it happen. We were all laughing SO hard even in the saddest of times. As we pulled up to the second turn, Dad pulled the car up next to her and Mom said, " Can we ask you for directions?" Aunt Debbie started cracking up as she didn't know we had seen the whole thing. We all laughed and that release felt so good. Never take yourself to seriously!!
That afternoon after school, we talked to our children about G.G. going to heaven. Ellie wanted to coordinate her own service for G.G. She invited us into her bedroom where we shared a few memories, she read a little bit of her Bible (Drew is holding it) and said a prayer (in the pic). My heart was bursting. These kids.
Off to Traverse City, to be with family and celebrate Gpa's life...
I only have the 2 pics below as taking pictures wasn't really on our minds for most of it. Our family stayed at The Bayshore Hotel and mom, dad, and nae stayed at Grandpa and Grandma's. We arrived on a Monday evening around 10:30 pm and decided to stop by! Of course, after a 4 1/2 hour drive, a van full of 5 people why not?? It was fun though! We got out old boxes of pics that they had of our family growing up. Nobody was a fan of my old hairdo!
The next day, we swam, went out to eat at Bubba's (pics below) and dessert at Morsel's, and then headed to the viewing.
The next day was the funeral. Ben and I had decided that all of our children would attend. We thought it was important for them to be there, for their joyful spirits to be present, and to hopefully have this memory to take with them on their own journey. Dad gave the eulogy, Janae read scripture, and I read one of Gpa's last letters he had written to his friend Heidi. Mom, of course, was a rock star, and full of grace towards everyone. A thoughtful surprise was to see my Aunt Jan (Dad's side) attend. When I turned to see her, I just started to cry. It is always so good to see people you love at these things. We all headed over to the cemetery and for me, this was the most special. A big snowstorm had hit and there was like a 6 inch deep layer of beautiful snow with big, lazy snowflakes that continued to cover the Earth. It made the cemetery look beautiful and Gpa's casket looked like it was being blanketed by a fresh newness. He received the Final Salute Military Honor and Mom was presented with the flag.
Afterwards, we all had a yummy luncheon at La Seniorita with family and friends.
I love you forever, Grandpa.
Back at home...We FINALLY were able to make that Gingerbread house that the kids had gotten me for Christmas!
Luke and Elle had a half-day so Ben picked them up and took them ice-skating for the afternoon! This was Elle's first time and Luke's second.
Family sledding day at Bloomer Park!
Another snow day for everyone! Off to the Library we go...
And then to Somerset Mall...
We literally can spend an afternoon throwing pennies in the different fountains, riding the glass elevators, going up and down the escalators, and crossing here on the bridge! We needed to get out of the house!
And OF COURSE lunch at Chick-Fil-A!
Lots of reading on these long, snowy days! This girl right here. We are just so proud of her! She is rocking her reading and she explains to us that she is an AVID reader!
Ben took Drew to his 4 year old check up! I need to make sure to come back soon with his stats but I do know that his weight is in the 50% and his height is in the 25-50%. My sweet, little baby.
He couldn't have been placed in a better room! All day long this kiddo pretends to be Jack-Jack. All day long and I gotta tell ya, he's nailed the impression.
Luke and Gibby finishing their research and putting it all together for the Science fair...
Callie, next up on the play-date list. I LOVE girl play-dates. I mean, I don't hear one thing the entire time!
I caught them playing school and of course, my heart skipped a beat. Here was the schedule I found on the board...
And Callie's turn to be the teacher...
Our Saturdays...Two basketball games and baseball training mixed with grocery shopping and chores. This is the minimum of what our day looks like!
Superbowl time!!
Friday nights you ask...We are at Swim! All three kiddos have their swim lesson at 5:30. We like to bring pizza and drinks for dinner so we can eat there afterwards and then all of us jump in for Friday night open swim for the families.
Drew and Luke passed their class after the first session and Ellie has passed 2 classes putting her in one class behind Luke! Also, Luke is now in the last class, Pro 2, so after he passes he is either just done with the program or he can join their competitive swim team. A BIG thank you to Papa and Gma Cooley who have gifted this experience and skill to our kiddos!
I love when I peak around the corner and this is what I see.
Drew wanting to be a baseball player just like his big bro. They call each other bro ALL of the time.😍
Someone confiscated my phone!!!!!
I don't even know how to use a filter!
These three. They for sure keep us on our toes but we love them and we are so grateful!
