Thanksgiving 09

Yes, I'm still looking back and reminiscing. It seems to be the only way I can get one more glimpse of my mom. I have the most amazing memories of her, but when it comes to wanting to see her face or hear her voice, there's just not much that can be done. I just came across this picture yesterday. I hadn't seen it before because it was on her computer. This is the last picture that was taken of just me and her. If I would have known at the time, I would have maybe set my beer down, but oh well. It was taken last Thanksgiving. This last Thanksgiving was full of thanks. We were all thankful for my mom's recovery to date, and hopeful for many more future Thanksgivings together. My dad said the most amazing prayer before we sat down to dinner. What I still can't believe is how quickly that all changed. She was actually feeling pretty good when this picture was taken, because she had just finished chemo and hadn't started radiation yet.

As I reflect even more, I can see now how much the cancer growing inside of her took a toll on her body. I went with her to either her last radiation appointment, or a follow-up appointment, and the doc said she'd be feeling 90% better within a couple of days. That never happened, and we just couldn't understand why. Now it is obvious that the cancer was growing when we thought it wasn't. She endured so much in the last year, and I don't understand why. She was the most amazing mom and grammy. So selfless, so willing to help you with whatever. Even during the last few days before she got really sick again, she was working on Jovie's 1-year scrapbook because she couldn't stand that Jovie had already turned 1, and it hadn't been finished. Our kids had the most amazing gift of a grammy who wanted to do whatever she could to make them happy. Her talk was always about "when I start feeling better..." and she'd say how she wanted to take them to the zoo, or to Chucky Cheese, or to see the tulips. Her ultimate desires were to take us all to Maui again and to go to Disneyland with us.

I can't put into words how sad thinking of all of this makes me. However, I am vowing to end every blog post, every conversation, every thought with the reassuring fact that I KNOW that I will see this amazing woman again. Before Jesus was crucified, he assured his disciples of this "Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy" John 16:22. I am clinging onto this word, because I know and feel it to be true.

A Fond Memory

This picture was taken on Easter 2006. The first annual "redneck" Easter consisting of a weenie roast and pinata smashing. My mom wanted to start a new Easter tradition. One that involved a little less time in the kitchen, and a little more time with the family. Boy did she get it right. I love this picture. What happy smiles they both have. True happiness. She was so amazing. I can't believe we don't get to have any more Easter celebrations with her, but rest assured every Easter will be like this in honor of her. 

I feel an emptiness inside of me that actually takes my breath away. I literally have to remind myself to breathe. During the last few weeks, my aunt Laurie kept reminding me to breathe, and I didn't really know what she meant until now. I know that we will all get through this...even though our lives will never be the same. Thankfully she taught us how to trust and be faithful. Thankfully I have an amazing support system. Thankfully there will come a day when I see her again.

Thanks

To everyone who helped celebrate my mom's wonderful life. The service was amazing. I can't believe all the people, all the flowers, all the support! I know I didn't even get a chance to talk to everyone. If you were there, thank you so much. It meant so much to our family.

Life

It's been over a month since my last blog post, and I desperately wish that wasn't the case...for a multitude of reasons. First, for those who do not know, my mom has been battling and dealing with complications from cancer since last May when she was diagnosed. More recently her condition has taken a major turn for the worst and she has reached the end of her fight. Whatever happens now is 100% in God's hands. For the past three weeks she has been hospitalized at UW Medical Center in Seattle, but yesterday she was able to be taken home. With Hospice and Option Care services, the main goal is to keep her comfortable and happy until the Lord calls her home. We are SO happy that she's home and that we can be with her so much more now that we don't have the long trek to and from Seattle every day. She seems happy to be surrounded by all her family, and I just pray that her remaining days are full of comfort and peace. Only God knows what is in store for her and our family, and even though I can't understand why He is making my mom suffer, I can only trust and be faithful. We do feel confident that He has prepared us girls, my dad, our husbands, and our children for what's to come. A huge thank you from my family and I for all of the wonderful things and services you have offered us over the past few weeks and in the future. I haven't had to cook dinner (unwillingly at least) for a good three weeks, and there are no signs of that stopping either. I haven't had to worry about work, my kids, or my house either. A lot of that is due to my amazing husband, but also a large portion is because people are so giving and self-less. I so much love you all.

Even though it's hard for me to focus on anything more than my mom and her care, I have found joy and reprieve from the occasional day at home with the kids, or evening with Rob. These pictures are very random happenings from the last month, but they make me smile at a time when my smiles are few and far between. Life after all, continues to go on...even when we wish we could just press the pause button and hold things still for a few moments.

Lastly, I have been wanting to share something that Jack reminded me of the other day. Whenever I feel sad that I will lose my mom and not know how to go on without her, I need to remind myself of this. In reaction to some tears and an honest conversation about death with Jack, he reminded me that "Mom, it will only be a little while that you won't get to see Grammy, and then Jesus will say, 'Joelle, it's time to come to Heaven' and then guess what? You'll get to see your mom again!" I am so blessed to have a faith that no one or nothing can touch, but also so blessed that my child has that faith as well. That "makes my heart so happy"...another Jack-ism:)

Landscaping

Rob and I (mostly Rob) have gotten an early jump on spring in the form of landscaping our yard. Our goal for this spring was to finally spend the time and money to make our yard a place that we can enjoy all summer long. We went from having a dirt yard in the summer of 08, to having grass and a fenced yard for summer 2009, and finally grass, fence, and landscaping for 2010. It's been a major work in progress, but here are a few pictures of our progress so far. ***Note...Rob dug out every single bed by hand, and these pictures only depict the work that's been put into the back yard, not what he's done all the way around the house. I did help him when I could by digging and planting our new plants/trees. It's been so much fun working outside together. We have a play set on the way for the kids, so more pictures to come!

And of course, a picture of the kids having a grand ol' time together.

 

Kids

Our kids always compete for Rob's attention...I'm chopped liver when it comes to some real "daddy time". Today my neighbor, Julie Price called me to share an observation of hers. We share an alley between our houses, so our yards back up to one another's. She says that every time she looks out of her window over to our patio, she can see Rob carrying his baby girl around. Yes it's true, he rarely puts her down. I told Julie that it's no wonder she's not walking yet. Anyway, here are Rob and the kids in true form...they're both trying to get in on what he's doing.

A few weekends ago I had friends over for coffee. We managed to capture a handful of the kiddos chompin' on doughnuts all lined up underneath my bar. We have Jack, Eli, Emmy, Abbey, and Ella. We're missing Jovie, Ariana, Crew(He was behind me), Brody, Kyler, and Gracie....crazy to think that when we all get together for Saturday morning coffee that there are 11 kids running around!!! It gets pretty crazy, but is so much fun! Thanks girls!

The shortest long weekend ever!

If there's one thing that's certain about a long weekend, it's that it will fly by way too fast! Rob and I just stared at each other in disbelief when our friends left on Monday, and we started getting ready for the "week". We had the best time this weekend with our dearest friends from college Jason and Sydney. It all started with a four-day weekend for me because of a scheduled snow make-up day on Friday, and President's Day on Monday. Initially when we saw this weekend on the calendar a few months ago, Rob decided he'd take the days off too so that we could all be together as a family. Then when we told this to Jason and Sydney, they decided to take the days off too and come up and visit. Our weekends with The Jordan's are always treasured and packed with fun-filled memories, but I seriously think this weekend was one for the books. We hardly left the house for three nights/four days, which in my opinion is why the weekend was so great. We watched the Olympics whenever they were on, played games, played with the kids and dogs, and just enjoyed each other's company. Tons of laughs were had by all, and the best part of the weekend for me was when Jason offered to put Jack to bed, and Jack gave him a questioning look and said, "Are you sure you know how to do this?" Very funny.

Jason and Jack

My roses from Rob

Sydney's flowers from Jason

Our hand-painted Valentine's picture frames, from left: Joelle's, Jack's, Sydney's

So looking forward to our next weekend together! See you guys in April:)

Same old, same old

There haven't been many new happenings in the Day household as of late, but I figured I should update for the sake of updating. We are in the midst of work, school, and trying to stay healthy. It seems as though the drain of the "daily grind" starts to take its toll around mid-February, so I guess it's a good thing spring is right around the corner. Plus, with the weather we've been having it seems like we've been able to do some spring-time activities lately. Yesterday the kids and I went to the park, went for a walk, and cleaned the patio. The warmth of the sun was refreshing and energizing. I need those types of days to keep going. It seems to be getting harder and harder for me to leave the kids and go to work every day, and I know Rob shares the same lament.

Bowling, Piano, Friends

What a week it's been. On Monday I didn't have to work because of the MLK holiday, so we took Jack and Jovie bowling, per Jack's request. We had such a great time, but unfortunately didn't remember to bring the camera. Here is a reenactment of the event. Jack bowled a 60, which I thought was pretty solid for his first time. Jovie just sat in her stroller and watched us, while eating snacks of course:)

One of Jovie's new interests this week is going anywhere she's not supposed to go. The stairs, the dog's water dish, etc. She is enjoying exploring via crawling, and is scaling walls and furniture on foot. A new favorite toy is the piano. We got this piano from my parents house a while back. It's the piano that my sisters and I grew up playing. Hopefully she'll learn how to play too some day.

Finally, here's a picture of my best childhood/high school friends and myself. Yesterday we attended a funeral/memorial service for Natasha's son Case. What an incredible service it was. After the service we were able to have some really nice fellowship with friends, and end the night visiting with Natasha and Reese's families. What a fun night of laughing and talking! Natasha, your family is hilarious, and hopefully we really do make a trip over to Moses Lake to visit Michele:)

Love and Prayers

Just got back from church where our congregation prayed for many families dealing with the loss of a loved one. I emphasize many because it seems as though many people in our community are facing this sort of grief lately. One such family is dear friends of ours, the Heeringa's...Natasha, Reese, and Lane. They lost 5 month old Case this past week, who died from SIDs. They are experiencing a pain that is so deep, there are no words to describe it. Because of this I wanted to post something I took from our sermon today, something I don't normally do because I have grown up to be what I call a "quiet believer" in Jesus Christ. Today we were reminded that in the Christian race to victory, death is not the finish line, but the beginning of everlasting life. To those who are grieving for the Heeringa's because of the loss of Case, I pray that through this hard time you will share with others what God's intentions are, and that our life here on Earth isn't the home that God prepared for us, it is in Heaven.

I also wanted to share some pictures of sweet baby Case, and the friends that loved him during his short 5 months here. These pictures were taken over Christmas by my friend Tory. We had all gotten together to spend time with Tory, who was visiting from Montana, and Natasha, who was visiting from California. When Case was here on Earth, he was sure loved by LOTS of people!

Cardinals and Name Pancakes

What a day! The Arizona Cardinals have officially advanced through the first week of the playoffs with an overtime victory against the Packers. We are relieved and celebrating at the Day household tonight. What a game it was...anyone who was watching knows. Here are the Cardinal's fans above.

Jack and Jovie received a "Kids in the Kitchen" cookbook from their Grandma Day, and we just tried out one of the recipes. Jack and I make pancakes on a regular basis, but this recipe was for name pancakes. To top it off, the name that is featured in the picture beside the recipe is "Jack" so Jack wanted to make it EXACTLY like the one in the book. He even went as far as saying that the syrup had to be placed exactly where it was in the picture! I wonder where he gets these obsessive compulsions from? :)
Anyway, we had a wonderful day!

Birthday Girl

Jovie is 1! The VanDiest Clan gathered this evening to celebrate Jovie's first birthday. We had a low-key party with dinner, presents, and cupcakes. We had "snow on the mountain" for dinner (hard to explain, so if you're curious then you can email me) and cherry cupcakes topped with white chocolate snowflakes. 

Below-the present opening crew.

Jovie inspects, and then dives in :)

Cookin up some trouble with cousin Finnley!

Earlier that day...Chef and Sous Chef

It is so hard for me to believe that the baby is 1! I know people say this all the time, but where does the time go?

New Do

Finally! Jack let me cut that mop of a head of hair that he's been sporting since early fall. I just love that I can see his face again. No more mop or mullet!