A recent loss I'm finding harder than expecte.

Last Friday my husband and I made the 8 1/2 hour drive back to my home town. We have made this journey often, but this time was different. I got the call on Wednesday night that my great-grandmother had taken her last breath at the age of 85. So early Friday morning we packed the car and drove down to be with family and say our goodbye.

This is my granny when she was young.

The service itself went well. My dad preached the service. It was a wonderful and beutiful time we came together as a family and put our differences to the side and mourned together. We remembered granny the way she would have wanted us to. As a family unit we gathered together and laughed and cried (mostly cried...) and remembered the beautiful woman granny used to be. After the service we went back to my parents house and ate as a family. There were somewhere around 30 of us (including children) who came for dinner. We sat and caught up with those we haven't seen in a long time, joked with each other, and told stories that touched each of us in a different way.

What we did not prepare for as a family is this time following the service. My granny was sick for quite some time. She was in the hospital for a while, but we had all thought in some way that she was getting better. Though I was mentally prepared that this might happen, I did not prepare myself for the empty spot she left behind. I loved granny so much. Every time I was back home I would go visit her at least once and I would try to see her on my way out of town. She was very fun to talk to and spend time with. Granny was as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside before time and age took over. She passed one week ago last night, and I miss her. A part of me wishes I could have spent more time with her and I wish I would have called her more often. However, I cherish every bit of what I was given with her. I appreciate every birthday party and Christmas gathering we had that she was able to come with us. I remember her last birthday we all gathered at my cousins house and celebrated another year we had with her. These were the times we all gathered together to show her our love. I will miss these times we had to celebrate her life.

Crazy week...

I plan on writing more tomorrow, but a quick update before bed. We have had a fun week with family. I have missed them so much since Christmas.  We have kept busy filling our days with all of the things We want to get accomplished this week! We spent yesterday in the city and today was closer to home just spending much enjoyed time together!!!  Pictures to come soon!

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.6

::Sigh::

Everything has been a little crazy! Where to start... Well lets start with an hour ago and work backwards..... I found out my Uncle is in ICU with (what I have come to believe is) liver failure.... My Aunt is falling apart (understandably in my opinion) since they have been married since she was 14 (in any other situation that would be quite a romantic statement...). I was going to post earlier today, however we got about 2 cm of rain and our drought ridden City didn't know what to do with itself so our power went out for like an hour...
I was able to spend the 4th with my husband which was a nice treat getting a day in the middle of the week to just relax and spend some time with him. I have started attempting coupon-ing again. Being a substitute is good during the school-year, but nothing during the summer (benefit: I have the summer off! Woot woot! Downfall: no money!).
Last week we had VBS at church. Which was such a great week! We had 32 kindergartners (yes, 32 five-year-old's in one room!) We had so much fun and I got to know more adults in the process. I also brought home 2 more pets! We now have 2 beta fish! Which brings our pet population to up to 3 cats, 2 dogs, and 2 fish! Yes, that is 7 pets! What can I say, we love animals! Our first year anniversary of living in Tennessee has come and gone. I am so happy we moved here. I have my moments where I miss the people (I'm sure everyone has those) but we have met so many amazing people here!
We went back home and spent Father's day with my daddy! It was a quick trip (we got there at 2 am on Saturday morning and left at 2 pm Sunday- For those counting that is 32 hours... Yes, we drove 8 1/2 hours to see my family for 32 hours and drove back another 8 1/2 hours.... We must be crazy).
I found out at the beginning of the summer that my sister is going to have a baby! And we found out last week that it's going to be a girl! I have had my struggles with this since we want a  baby... But in the end I am quite excited for them and I can't wait to help my family spoil her! (that's what aunts are for right? I do understand my sister is going to do the same with our baby, but I'm ok with that!)
I think that sums everything up pretty well... My tomatoes are starting to ripen... I was able to eat my first one of the season today! We are working on clearing things to start a proper garden (since my plants are currently in pots next to my back door). I am planning on planting a fall garden and I can't wait! It's crazy. When I was in high school I HATED working the garden and here I am (don't say anything but my parents were right when they said "one day you will appreciate this knowledge!") SUPER excited about starting a garden here (although in my defense ours will be tiny compared to the 2 acre garden my family had growing up!)
I think that really is about it.... We are off to bed to watch an episode of Star Trek.. Te he he! I am working on keeping up with this better! (No really I'm serious this time... I'm going to eventually get better!)


Here are some VBS picks! So much fun and I wanted to share!