Playing Catch Up

I don't even know where to begin. So much has happened since I last wrote.

My Grandpa passed away the same evening that I wrote my tribute post to him. He was sleeping (induced by the meds) when I talked to my mom in the early evening. She asked me if I'd like her to hold the phone up to his ear so I could say one final goodbye. I knew it would be hard, but I wanted to do it. I couldn't say much, because I was crying, but I did get to tell him that I loved him and that I would see him again someday. He passed a couple hours later.

The funeral wasn't until over a week later, but it worked out so that everyone who could get back to Iowa did get back.

The day before we left for Iowa, Jacob and I celebrated our 3rd anniversary! We had tickets for a Cardinals game and sat in the Champion's Club. I still haven't uploaded my pictures from the game, but we had a great time. We had some amazingly delicious food from an endless buffet. I'm pretty sure they lace their brownies with crack. Mmm. Plus the Cardinals pulled out a win for us! Daniel stayed with Grandma and Grandpa Elam and was awake when we got home at 11:30! He had been sleeping, but woke up and couldn't get settled back down. Thankfully he slept well once I did get him to sleep. (He wanted to play first!).

The next day we left for Iowa around 1:00. We needed time to sleep in and recover from the night before. I had agreed to drive the whole way since Jacob drove us to St. Louis and back. Ugh. I felt like that drive took an eternity.

Since writing every single thing that went on while we were there would take an eternity, I'll just recap a little bit.

*Daniel met his Auntie Erica



*He also had fun showing off his cuteness for everyone else too.



*He and cousin Zach were reunited. I think they were better buddies this time.



*Erica and I went on a hike at Morgan Creek in honor of Grandpa who used to take us there all the time.



We went wading where Grandpa would always let us wade. It wasn't the same without his hankie to dry our muddy feet. Instead we used mom's socks that she let us borrow. Ha ha!



*Got to hang out with my sisters (and Daniel chilled with us too because they just can't resist him)





*Grandpa's funeral was Saturday. The visitation was before the service. I thought I was doing okay when I went up to see his body. I cried, but I felt okay about it all. Then Grandma came up again and she lost it. That made me cry more. I just stood there and held her while she cried. The service was great. Different than any other funeral I've been to. There was a military salute (I can't think of what it's actually called, so that'll have to do.) It was the first time I've seen one of those. I cried through most of it because it was so neat. I lost it when they started playing Taps. Aunt Jeanne did a reading of Grandpa's life. Mom read some of my memories of Grandpa and a poem that Erica wrote. A couple of Grandpa's favorite songs were played. One was Beyond the Sunset and I can't think of the other one. It was really cool though. Uncle Mike was the one who did the funeral and did an excellent job. My Uncle Bill even accepted Christ. (An AMAZING feat!) There were tears and there was laughter. As they took the casket out they played the song Grandpa wanted...Happy Trails. It was perfect.

The ladies of Valley View did a fantastic job with the dinner. I had done my crying and the dinner was a time for laughter. Daniel was such a good boy. He was in the nursery during most of the viewing and all of the funeral service. He got to see his Great Grandma Thatcher who drove up for the service.



And later he went outside with Grandpa to watch the cars go by.



A very special day.

*That evening the boys aka Jeff and Jacob went to Buffalo Wild Wings with Tim and some guys from Valley View while the girl cousins all went to Texas Roadhouse. Good times!







*Kisses goodbye with Zachary!



*Love from Great Aunt Jeanne!



*Sunday we went over to visit Great Grandma. She seemed to be doing much better that day. Daniel made her smile!



*He also got a boo-boo that day. He face planted into the laptop. He cried pretty hard, but as you can see he doesn't seem too bothered by it about 10 minutes later!



*Saying bye bye to Great Aunt Donna!



It still feels weird to say it was a good trip, but it was. Sad, yes. But happy too. New memories were made and Grandpa would've been okay with that!

I have much more to catch up on and hopefully I will this week! My baby boy turned 7 months old today! How is that even possible!?!? Time just keeps flying by.