A wet & rainy 4th!

Yesterday we got 2.5" of steady rain...enough to cancel the big Fourth of July parade in New Market and the fireworks that evening. Austin had planned to ride his horse in the parade along with Papa. I've not heard anything about a "rain date" for either event.
I spent the day indoors...played with Lukas while his mother slept, checked on Mom for a bit, and came home to watch a few reruns on TV. It was that kind of day. Looked like a rainforest out there...
I did talk to Lanny for an hour on Saturday. We compared notes about our dads and talked about ourselves. Staying in touch...
Doug has been spending a lot of time in Omaha visiting his brother Jay who is in ICU at University of Nebraska Medical Center. He has been there since Father's Day, and progress is slow. Please pray for Jay and the family.
I am trying to plan a visit to Brandon's family in Maryland. He won't be there this time, but I will still go to see Caitlynn, Sarah, Aaron, Nora, Keely, Clyde & Chief (who I've yet to meet!). I'm not sure who is going with me...maybe Mom, maybe Halle, maybe Kris.
I miss Dad still. Will this emptiness ever go away? How has Halle & Austin dealt with the loss of their daddy at such a young age? and I am so lonely for mine?

Sunday, June 20

Our first Father's Day without Dad. We prepared for the day by scheduling events together...had grilled steak at Doug's last night with sides provided by Kris & myself. And today we met at J's Pizza for a late noon meal...Keith, Kris, Paul, Cathy, Lukas, Halle, Mom & myself. (Austin spent the major part of the day with his "Papa", Hal. Doug was at this parents' for dinner, and came late.) We concluded our meal with a toast to Dad. Bittersweet.

Mom came to church this morning and sat in the same pew she & Dad sat in for years. After my part in the service was over, I came down & sat with her.

Boy...everything is weird without Dad.

Another week starts tomorrow (the two week mark), and it's also the beginning of summer...the longest day of the year. Storms have been rumbling across this part of the country...lots of rumbling...and rain...lots of rain. More coming this night, too. Ah, me!

We do not lose the ones we love,

They only go before.

Where there is everlasting life,

And darkness is no more.

There the soul will always live,

And peace is everywhere.

We do not lose the ones we love.

God takes them in His care.

~Unknown~

Friday, June 18

Yeah! Now my niece is a blogger, too! I told her this is therapeutic...hope she enjoys it. I'll be watching!
Friday...couldn't have gotten here too soon for me this week. I managed to make it through (with some lousy sleep at night) and am glad the weekend is here. We are planning on some get-togethers for Saturday night and maybe Sunday noon. Trying to get through this Father's Day holiday will be difficult.
Doug is planning on grilling steaks tomorrow night for Keith, Kris, Mom & myself. Then Sunday, I think we have dinner over at Keith's...Paul is serving at mass in the morning (in Omaha, I think) so the time is questionable. I'm hoping Cathy gets to spend some time with her Dad that day, too.
We continue to receive mail of sympathy cards & memorial gifts. We are truly blessed to have so many wonderful friends! And to know that Dad made such an impression on peoples' lives...it is awesome for us!
Thank you everyone!

Thursday, June 17

This is a picture of my kids with Mike & Lukas after Dad's Memorial Service. Cutie patooties, huh?

Anyway, after work tonight, I helped Mom finish...yes, finish...the thank you notes for all our friends! Yeah! And whew!

Then, I brought her over here to my house, where we had a cold meat sandwich for supper with some ice tea. I got on this web site and let her read the entire blog...she, having been Dad's caretaker, had not been able to read what I'd been writing.

We got together our lawn chairs, and then took off for Austin's city league game. (I know...it DOES seem like Austin has games every night, doesn't it?) We sat with Cathy, Mike & Lukas, and Marcelene. The wind was blowing strong, and we were in the shade, so we didn't feel the heat so bad.

It's nice that we have some things to go to, so she can get out of the house. Not sure what tomorrow will bring.

Love to all!

Wednesday, June 16

I got my car back today...the bank is helping me out a little bit here! And then went to Austin's baseball game with Cathy & her family. The sun was behind clouds, so the weather was nice & breezy.
After getting back home, I went over to Mom's and helped out with the thank you's. She had made a BIG dent in the list, and I was able to help whittle it down to maybe a dozen left for tomorrow. Thank you everyone for the memorial gifts, the yummy foods, and the beautiful flowers. With the memorial money we hope to be able to designate it for a large project in the church, or a needed repair, or upkeep in some way. Dad loved that building. We still see his fingerprints everywhere on it!

Tuesday, June 15

Here is Keith, Emily, Mom, and I after the Memorial Service last Saturday morning. Oh, my goodness...does that shirt make me look FAT!

Today, I found out that the fuel pump went out on my car...thank you, Keith, for all the legwork, phone work, and time you spent down at Champ's checking on the car for me! You are a God-send!

So, I may be in the cheese line before the end of the month...but at least the car will be working! And, of course...there's my scooter!

Monday, June 14