In Loving Memory

My grandfather, Poppop, passed away two years ago today. I still can't believe it's been two years since he went Home to be with the Lord. There are some days that the pain is still so fresh from the loss and other days that I have grown more accepting of his passing. One thing is for sure: I miss him.

I miss being able to call him, to hear his voice on the other line. I miss his jolly laugh when he'd get tickled about something. I miss telling him about the boys. Oh, how proud he would be of Cody playing the violin! I regret the fact that he never got to meet Caden, and that Caden will not know him. I miss talking with him about Husker football, music, and life. I miss his wisdom about all the things he knew about. I miss hearing him reminisce about the past. I miss the days of going to visit him in Nebraska, sitting around his kitchen table, or looking across at him sitting in his favorite chair in the living room.

And yet, as much as I miss his physical presence, his legacy will live on. It will live on in our memories and in our hearts. It will live on in pictures, in his personal belongings that we are so privileged to have, and in the video footage we took while he was still with us here on earth. He will live on in each of us. He will live on in the legacy he leaves behind....the legacy of his love and our family.

Last year I planted a pin oak tree in his honor. Today, I took the above picture, which I plan on doing every year at this time. I want to watch it grow through the years and remember how small it was when we first planted it. The winter was hard on this little tree. The weight of the snow and ice caused the tree to nearly snap in half during those brutal days, but the tree, with a little help, is learning to stand tall again. It reaches for the sky and remembers how to look up.

I think that's exactly what Poppop would want us to do today.

I love you Poppop. I can't wait until we meet again.

Happy Mother's Day!

Hi everyone. Just checking in to say Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there (a bit late).

Our internet stuff has been a total and complete nightmare. More to come on that later, but rest assured we are ditching our new carrier and going back to our old one!

Sorry the blog's been a bit boring lately...I promise I'll catch you all up real soon!

Again...a happy mom's day to all you mommies out there. Hope it was a great day! Mine has been a very sweet one. In fact, Hubby is just walked in and is standing here offering me a back massage. Uh...not gonna turn that one down. Gotta go! : )

It's Like Moving, Only Worse

We've changed internet carriers.  

I sent out an email to friends and family letting them know that we were changing, just in case something unforseen happen and we appeared to fall off the face of the information superhighway.  

One friend responded the following way:  "I hope all goes well.  It's like moving.  Only WORSE."  

It's so true!  I agonized over the decision: Should we change?  What if it's not fast?  Will we lose all our emails?  Will we lose all our contacts?  How do we switch our address book?  How does this ALL WORK?  And me, being the tech-savvy chick that I am (NOT), was feeling a bit befuddled by all the interwebby changing thingees.  (See, I am OH so savvy.)

You don't realize, until you're in the midst of a change like this, how dependent you are on your friendly neighborhood internet carrier.  I'm not so sure that's a good thing!

The good news is that we have moved successfully over to our new carrier.  And I am breathing easier.  We have thirty days to make the switch, and I am very happy thus far with the ease at how it has all worked.

Just thought I'd share.  It is like moving.  Without all the furniture, of course. 

We've Got Some Catching Up to Do!

It's time for me to catch you all up on what's been going on around here lately. Cody has had some big moments this past week, and I've finally been able to sit down and document them!

First, he played in his third recital last weekend, where he debuted "Twinkle: Variation A" (for those Suzuki violinists out there!). He did a great job, but it's a little hard to hear him over the piano. Seriously, I was more nervous about accompanying him than I was about him playing! He's worked so hard this year, and his teacher was very proud of him. He will be taking private lessons again this summer, as well as adding a violin class with other kids his age. He's looking forward to it!

On Monday, he participated in Awana awards, where he wrapped up his third year in Awana and his first year being a "Spark." He did super this year (his teacher often wrote "WOWZER!" when she signed off on his memorization), and I'm so thankful for his sweet leaders and their service and dedication to our kids. Most of all, I'm grateful for the truths of God's Word being hidden in his heart. What a blessing to hear scripture coming from his lips!

Then, yesterday, as if the week wasn't big enough for him already, the training wheels came off his bike, and HE. RODE. PERFECTLY!! I was absolutely astonished at the fact that he didn't even need to practice. He just did it. He was so proud of himself and now he wants to ride all the time. Jerry and I both remember being his age and riding all around our neighborhoods all day long during the summer. It was one of our favorite past times! I think he's definitely going to follow suit!

Tomorrow marks the week that Cody gets to be "Super Star" at his school. Every week during the school year, one child from the class is chosen to be the "star." I have had such fun looking through old pictures from the last six years and putting together his "All About Me" poster. I am amazed at how quickly the time has gone and how much he has done in that short time! What a joy it has been watching him grow! What a privilege it is to be his mom. Caden and I will visit his classroom on Tuesday where he will get to "show" us to his class. Each student is also encouraged to share their interests with the class, so he's also planning on playing his violin for his peers.

Well, you're all caught up now. Hope you had a great weekend, and I wish you all a fantastic week ahead!

First, a big thank you to each of you who responded to my post about schooling. Your responses were so thoughtful and helpful. Yesterday was the final day to register at Cody's school. I did take my paperwork in to be processed, however I did not pay the (large) registration fee. I simply told them I was "undecided." That's honest. They told me that was fine and that I had until the end of the school year to pay the fee. In the meantime, I'll keep praying.

I don't have much to post about today, but I wanted to check in and say hello and let you know I'm still here. I've been trying to stay off the computer and enjoy this weather with my little one. The kid can't get enough of the outdoors. Coming inside is torture for him. Too bad they're predicting rain today! : (

One thing I'm excited to share: I've made a connection over the past several months with a fellow mommy blogger who I actually get to meet in person next week. We're both looking forward to meeting face to face. Because let's be honest...it's not about the kids getting to have a playdate. It's all about the moms!!! And as wonderful as the blogging world is, it can't replace good old-fashioned one-on-one interaction and fellowship.

I hope you all had a great week and that your weekend is even better!