I can not believe that I have not posted since Father's Day. Much has happened since then so I will try to give all the updates and then put in pictures at the end.
Our saddest news is that Chris' grandmother, Memaw, passed away on July 2. She was diagnosed with liver cancer about 2 weeks prior to her passing. I already had plans to go to Texas on June 23rd so I arranged to drive from Abilene to Columbus so we could spend some time with her. I was very glad that we went and Memaw was able to see Hannah one last time. Memaw was our youngest grandmother and the most active. She was going to church and water aerobics faithfully until she became bedbound.
I have not asked permission but I want to share the letter that Chris wrote since he was unable to attend the funeral. We were both very fortunate to have such great memories of times spent with both sets of grandparents while we were growing up.
"Now that I'm a parent I understand the saying of wanting things to be better for your kids than you had it. While this is true in some respects, I don't think it applies to having a better grandmother than Memaw. I want Hannah and her sister to think of Mimi and Gram the same way, and have like memories that I do of Memaw and the many visits to Spivey Road. When sharing about her with some friends, I realized that at her house I experienced great adventures that not everyone is privileged enough to enjoy. These are things I remember of Memaw and the many weekends at her house:
Traveling early Saturday mornings before the sun was up, I was angry to be awake but happy when we got there that her kitchen light was on. For I knew when we walked through the door breakfast would be cooking and she was waiting for us with a big hug. There was hot homemade buttered biscuits with syrup waiting to be poured on tap waiting.
Long afternoons sitting under the oak tree swinging with my feet sliding along the acorns.
Walking through the garden picking tomatoes, peas, greens, and cantaloupe…sitting on the porch shelling peas…listening to the pressure cooker all afternoon while taking a nap under the living room ceiling fan.
Cold sliced cantaloupe in the fridge, ice cream in the freezer, peanut butter crackers and mints in the drawer, and cold coca-colas in the refrigerator door.
My favorite chocolate pie for my birthday.
Riding with her to take a cake, food, or something needed to someone who was sick.
Always telling mom not to be too hard on us.
Calling us rascals and laughing afterwards.
Her reading her Bible at night.
I remember her at Rob's and my baptism, all school events, and church events.
I remember loving to go to Ripley with her to visit Pa Flautt and the rest of her family. I thought it was the greatest privilege to ride with her in the car for a couple hours and spend the weekend.
She loved all her grandkids dearly and I in turn love her very much. She will be greatly missed."
I am very glad that we were able to spend a week in Texas at the end of June. It was so much fun to see everyone and pretend for a minute that we were back home. Thank you so much to Wes and Holly for hosting us for a week. It was a much needed trip!
Day at the Lake
Davis and I must always take a picture together:
Holly Skiing for me, she has a much better spray than what I can do. Can't wait to work on mine next year:
Our Sweet Kids:
Austin
Stone
London
Davis
Next, was our yearly trip to the Lake. I probably mention every year that it is my favorite place in the world but now that Lindsay and I have girls I think it makes it so much more special. I always look forward to spending time with my family for a week without the interruptions of the world. Lake Martin is probably the only place you can go with no phone, internet, or cell phone service. Now, Hannah, Isabella and Lucy Katherine can look forward to one week of hanging out with each other.
Hannah had a great time playing in the baby pool with Uncle Hal, fishing with granddaddy, and playing with "Bella Bella". It was a great week.
I arrived back in Rapid City last night. We have about one more week until Chris gets home and we can not wait. It will be so nice to be a complete family again. We are looking forward to Chris getting some down time for about 2 weeks and then he will be back to work. But the best part is that he will be home every night for quite some time. We hope to take a quick trip to Denver if my doctor will allow me to travel so much to look forward to in the coming weeks.
