Fall visit

A few weeks ago, David's parents came for their annual fall trip. As usual, we tried to cram in way too many things for a short 6-day visit.

The week started off with David and his dad going to what most likely will be their only OU football game together. Temperatures had been in the 90s, which isn't abnormal for early October, so they had picked seats in the shade as it was supposed to be an afternoon game. As these things happen, the game time got switched to an early evening game, and a major cold front came in and temperatures dropped to the 50s. :)

David's parents also like to help us out and get some work done around our house and yard, so we had a few ideas for them by the time they got here. Naturally, we tried to do everything. Our bedroom and bathroom were painted, new hardware installed in the bathroom, and a few backyard project materials were found in order for David to get set up to work on them throughout the fall.

In addition to getting some work done, David's mom graciously offered a couple of essential oil classes while she was here. We had a great time and everyone who came learned a lot. She had just come from the annual convention and had quite a bit of knowledge to share with the rest of us anxious to learn more.

Besides "work", we had plenty of time with the kids and took visits to the park, played in our backyard, and went to the Natural History Museum for the free day.

And finally, because they will obviously miss Adele's birthday, we had her annual "pretend birthday", complete with a birthday cake, balloons, and presents from her family in the northwest.

A good week indeed!

Nanny helping Adele paint

                     David and his mom getting to work putting in raised garden beds. Adele wasn't sure she wanted to help work outside...     

...until Henry jumped in to work. Then Adele decided she wanted to be a part of it too.

A day at the Natural History Museum!

And Adele's pretend birthday

 Playing with some of her new princesses

Henry has named all princesses "Aurora". I'm mostly impressed he can say Aurora!

 The last night with Popa and Nanny. 

David caught a picture of what Henry does with "Aurora"
when he thinks no one is looking...don't tell Adele!

Lesson learned: laundry

Against my better judgment, I decided to fold my growing pile of laundry while the kids were still awake a few days ago.

I realize this was foolish. But like many things in life, I had myself convinced: this time will be different. The kids are entertained, playing well together.

So I brought out my basket of unfolded, clean clothes, and dumped them on the floor ready to get started.

Obviously we know what the outcome WASN'T (an easy time of folding all my clothes, while the kids played nicely together).

I get it. Lesson learned. (Again.)

Henry's chosen outfit - a clean pair of pants with a swim diaper on top. 

He was insistent that this was what he wanted to wear. :)

Next Adele got involved, using the mound of clothes 

as a starting point for somersault practice

And then all craziness broke out as Henry joined in on the fun. 

Cuteness Overload

Adele has started taking gymnastics this year.

She has class every Friday for 45 minutes. There are many kids ages 3-6 who gather together on the mats and start off with the Chicken Dance and stretching before breaking off into their smaller groups of 6.

Let me tell you, there is waaaaay too much cuteness in one gym. Sometimes I think my heart will explode from watching Adele attempt each activity with the other little girls. She gets to practice on the balance beam, the uneven bars, the vault, and somersaults on the mat.

Of course, we've had a little fallback from gymnastics classes. It seems that every Friday afternoon, Adele is trying new tricks at home. Like scaling the fridge. Or climbing all over the couch and jumping onto chairs. And doing somersaults all around the living room.

And Henry's picked up on it too. Except without the grace. He typically likes to do a few somersaults in his crib before naps and bed, and he hangs from the kitchen table, and tries to somersault off the couch (gotta watch that kid...).

And of course, they love it when I find a Chicken Dance youtube at home.

That's when the cuteness turns into hilarity.

Getting ready to go...complete with her rainboots
and her little shadow (Henry)

Taking a turn at the balance beam

Clearly, she loves gymnastics. 

Behind her in line is her good friend Reece, who is also in class with her.

Making her way through all activities in the gym!

Grandpa

A week ago today, my grandpa passed away. Now, he had been saying for years that he didn't know why God still had him on this earth, as he was ready to join my grandma in heaven. And his death shouldn't be a shock to anyone - the man was 96 1/2 years old.

But even the expected brings unexpected emotions.

Friday morning, David and I loaded up the kids and headed up to Iowa, where we joined my family in Pella that evening for the visitation.

On the way to Pella, we discussed with Adele what had happened to Grandpa Great. She wasn't exactly close to him, but obviously knew him and understood that he was "Grandpa's daddy". My sweet perceptive little daughter wanted to give Grandpa a hug and tell him "I'm sorry your daddy died", but she couldn't do it and had me tell him instead. (Cue tears.)

The visitation was a really special time, as almost my entire extended family was there. We were split up into families and given an area of a large room, so that anyone who came could visit with who they wanted. We haven't all been together like that in a very long time, and it was really neat to be flooded with memories and emotions of growing up and getting together with all of those family members for holidays.

After the visitation, we all headed to my Aunt Gloria's house, where we had a good Dutch meal that included summer sausage, jello, and almond bars. I really enjoyed being all together again.

The next morning we headed back to Pella for the funeral, and I quickly learned that emotional-times + little-sleep = even-more-emotions. My sisters and I had been asked to give the eulogy, so after the visitation we stayed up late writing it together. And seeing as how we couldn't even practice it without shedding tears, we knew we were in trouble for the actual service.

We had a nice family gathering before the main service began, and a few people shared some thoughts and memories about my grandpa. It was beautiful.

The actual funeral service was very meaningful as well. The pastor did an excellent job, and it was a great way to show respect and remembrance to my grandpa. Of course, many, many tears were shed. We barely got through the eulogy, and showed a lot of raw emotion as we reminisced my grandpa's life.

After the service we had a nice luncheon and then headed to the grave for the final gravesite service. It was very well done, and very...final. My grandpa was a very upstanding man. He was both proud and humble. Faithful. Honorable. Upright. Worthy of respect. From the visitation to the final gravesite service, everything seemed to represent my grandpa well, giving him the honor he so very much deserved.

I wasn't around my dad after my grandpa's death up until the visitation, even though I had talked to him and knew that he was grieving. But seeing him at the funeral was too much for my heart to bear. Because my dad experienced the unexpected emotions, even with the expected death.

You see, my dad had made the commitment to visit his dad in Pella every Sunday (except when he was out of town obviously) ever since my grandma died over 10 years ago. He was eventually joined by his brother Mark, and the two of them would take my grandpa out to lunch and sit around watching sports every Sunday afternoon together. That's a lot of together time. And of course, that's not even mentioning the 50 years before my grandma died that my dad had his parents in his life. As David said, your parents are the one consistent thing in your life since your birth. And once they are gone, there is a void that can't be replaced.

So now there is this void that I am quite certain my dad is feeling - both in regards to his Sunday afternoons, and also simply in his life.

And for me, I feel some very sad emotions that a certain chapter of my life has been closed. Family get togethers has centered around my grandparents. With both of them gone, life has changed. I too, feel that void.

And while I am thrilled that he finally got to have his joyous reunion in heaven with my grandma, and I couldn't even selfishly wish to have one more day with him on earth...I will miss him.

At my high school graduation, with both Grandma and Grandpa

Thanksgiving Day at my parents' house, a few years back.

Grandpa meeting Adele at 6 weeks old

Visiting Grandpa with my dad on some of his Sundays

 Grandpa with both Henry and Adele

Four men with good names - William Gosselink (Grandpa), Gregory William Gosselink (my dad),
Henry William Hille (my son), and Asher William Ford (Emily's son).

Thanksgiving Day last year - Grandpa with his grandkids.

 Grandpa's four kids, just over a week ago. Mark, Gloria, Jerry, and Greg.

My last time with Grandpa, 6 weeks ago.