Celebrating 9 years of Jack

Jack and I both played hooky on Friday so we could celebrate his birthday.  It just so happened that the district cross country meet was also on Friday, so Jack was able to go with me to cheer on Tom's team.  His team did so awesome - they took first place for both varsity and JV.  I ordered a new shirt for the occasion.

Jack and I then went to a cute used bookstore nearby.  He didn't find a book that he wanted, but I found two (it's like it was my birthday). 

We followed that up with lunch at a tiny diner.  Jack loved his chocolate chip pancakes and chocolate milk.

We still needed to get some things for Jack's family party so we went to the store.  Jack wanted a cookie cake, mint chocolate chip ice cream, a wide variety of fruits, and soda.  He is easy to please.

His party went well. It was super low-key and casual.  Jack still said it was the best birthday ever.

Side note - Ellie wasn't able to attend Jack's family party because she had a theater party to attend.  She went as a mime.  Sabrina did her makeup and I thought she looked amazing.

Dear Jack on your 9th birthday

Dear Jack,

Today you are NINE years old.  You are such a sweet kid.  Seriously, I always get compliments about how polite and kind you are.  Your Uncle Mark teaches your Primary class at church and he is always telling me that you are the best kid in the class.  Now, I know he might be biased, but I totally believe it.  He also says you are really funny and insightful.  You are not only awesome at church, but you are crushing it at school.  Your dad and I met with your teacher on Monday for parent-teacher conference and she could not stop raving about how much she loves you and how she wishes all of her students were like you.  We are so proud of you, kiddo.

Jack on his 9th birthday - cheering on his Dad's XC team

I love how big your heart is and how aware you are of the feelings of others.  Sometimes you get frustrated or angry and then you get mad at yourself and feel like you aren't a good person.  Trust me, NO ONE is happy, patient, and kind all of the time.  It's impossible.  I love that you WANT to be good and that you genuinely care about others.  I love how sensitive you are.  I hope you never feel embarrassed by your feelings or emotions - they contribute to the awesomeness that is Jack.

You still love to read more than anything.  Your birthday list consisted mainly of books that you wanted.

I never see you without a book in hand.  Your reading has helped you to become a great writer - all of the 3rd grade teachers (and a couple of 4th grade teachers) were blown away by your writing skills.  You are so creative.  I can't wait to see what you do with all that creativity in the future.

We are going to spend today together - just you and me.  I am really looking forward to hanging out with you because you are so fun to be around.  I am so thankful to have you for a son, Jack.  Happy birthday, sweet boy.

Love,
Mom

Saying goodbye

This post is going to be wordy and somewhat boring, but I want to make sure I document my grandpa's funeral. 

Last weekend was a whirlwind.  My two brothers, my sister, and I left for Iowa at 8:30 Thursday night.  We were taking my van, so I picked up Daniel first and then headed over to Dianna's house.  There I found Mark and Dianna on the curb, sitting on their luggage, and holding a sign saying "Council Bluffs."  We got a good laugh out of it and it set the tone for our trip.

We drove straight through the night and made it to Council Bluffs by 9:30 Friday morning.  We ate breakfast at the hotel with my parents and then showered and changed and headed over to my grandpa and Aunt Janet's house.  We visited for a bit and had a spaghetti lunch.  Then my Grandpa's kids went in one room to prepare their remarks for the funeral and my siblings and I gathered in my grandpa's kitchen to decide what memories we wanted to share.  We designated Mark as the speaker.

Soon it was time for us to go to the funeral home for the viewing.  It was hard to see my grandpa in the casket.  He didn't look like himself.

All of my grandpa's children

 Every time I looked at my Aunt Janet, I would start crying.  She owns half of the house and has lived with my grandpa (my grandma passed away 10 years ago) her entire life.  My grandpa was truly her best friend. I worry about her being alone on their land with her 7 cats and 1 horse.

After the viewing, Mark brought Subway sandwiches for everyone for dinner.  We visited for a bit and then went back to the hotel.

Saturday, my 3 sisters all woke up early to go for a long run. Which means I woke up early, but I chose to use that time to shower and get ready.  I'm not crazy.  Soon, it was time for the funeral at my grandpa's church (The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints).

 All 6 of my grandpa's kids shared memories of him.  Then my brother spoke on behalf of the grandkids.  A common theme was that my grandpa was a hard-worker, a man of great faith and integrity, and a man who always put his family first.  Truly, my grandpa was one of the best men I've ever met.  After all of the remarks, we piled into the two limos and headed to the gravesite.  The cemetery where my grandma and grandpa are buried is so beautiful.  We even saw two large deer nearby. 

We returned to my grandpa's church where his small and elderly congregation fed us a sweet lunch of Subway-style sandwiches.  And then it was time for pictures.

We went back to my grandpa's house and played lots of games.  And we ate...wait for it...dinner of leftover Subway sandwiches.  That's three meals of sandwiches in two days.  Later, we all gathered in the living room and laughed and shared stories.  It was really nice to all be together.

Sunday morning, my parent and all of my siblings met in the hotel lobby for one last breakfast together before we made the long drive home.  We listened to General Conference much of the way back so that helped make the drive seem a little bit faster.  Those last few hours seemed to last forever, even though my siblings are good company. 

I think my grandpa would have liked his funeral.  I know he would have been happy to see all of his children together.  One of my uncles lives in Japan and rarely makes it back.  And my aunt lives in Romania.  Needless to say, they aren't all in the same place very often.  I will miss my grandpa, but I am so thankful for all of the wonderful memories I have of him.

My Grandpa

I awoke to the news this morning that my grandpa had passed away last night.  Although we knew this was coming, it was sooner than expected.  My grandpa has always been so sharp and active.  We even had a room booked for him on our Alaskan cruise this coming summer even though he would be 92!  But a little over a month ago, he started experiencing moments of extreme confusion.  Then, on September 7, he was taken to the ER for a possible heart attack.  It wasn't a heart attack, but they did find prostate cancer that had spread to his ribs, spine, and abdomen.  He was recently released from the hospital and sent home on hospice care.  A schedule was set up for various family members to come stay.  Yesterday morning, he suddenly had very extreme pain and could no longer walk or stand..  My aunt and uncle made arrangements for him to go to a long term facility today.  I am thankful that he did not have to experience that pain any longer and that he didn't have to go to a facility.  I always thought my grandpa would 'die with his boots on.'

He was no ordinary man, my grandfather, although he would probably describe himself as such. He was kind and soft spoken. His hugs were rib crushing and his faith unwavering. He sent me homemade raspberry jam and apple butter every Christmas. My heart breaks with the knowledge that I will no longer receive that package in the mail. I loved my summertime visits as a child. He took us kids to the waterpark and impressed us by going down headfirst and on his stomach. My grandpa was the coolest. At his 90th birthday celebration, someone asked him what the secret to a long life was. "A sense of humor," he responded without hesitation. I will miss him, that gentle man I called grandpa.

Bragging on my Kids

I have just been so proud of my kids lately and I need to document their accomplishments.  If I can't brag about them on my blog, then where can I?

Let's start with Ellie.  She has a full schedule this year.  She is juggling cross country, soccer, theater, and taking all Honors and GT classes.  Most mornings she has to be at school at 5:45 for cross country practice.  She stays after school most days for theater (right now she is rehearsing for a UIL 1 Act Play).  Two nights a week she has soccer practice and every Saturday she has a soccer game.  To me, this seems like a lot, but she is handling it so well.  She keeps up with her schoolwork and maintains all As.  She time-qualified for every cross country meet (even though all but one got rained out).

And this past weekend, she was at a theater tournament that lasted all day. The bus left at 6:30am and returned at 10:30pm.  She placed 5th in Poetry (out of 70 kids) and 2nd in Group Improv (out of 50 Groups).  We are just so proud of her.

Jack is also killing it this year.  His teacher was so impressed with his writing that she had him show it to the principal, to the other 3rd grade teachers, and to a 4th grade teacher.  One of the other 3rd grade teachers had him come and read his story to the class and answer questions about the writing process.  Then she had him come back again to talk to her switch class.  I have yet to see his paper, but I am so curious!  Jack has a beautiful way with words.  My grandpa was recently put on hospice and I asked my kids to write him a letter.  This was Jack's letter (without any assistance or prompting from me):

Jack is consistently getting high As on all of his work and he was chosen as his class's MVP of the month.

He also was awarded the game ball in soccer for putting in 110% effort at every game and always maintaining a positive attitude.  This kid is awesome.

And Sam.  Oh my Sam.  I had my worries about kindergarten, but he has taken to it so well.  He seems to really enjoy school and all the structure and routines it provides.  I ask him every day what the best part of his day was and he says "playing on the computer."  I am looking forward to meeting with his teacher next Monday for Parent-Teacher conferences so I can get a bigger picture of how things are truly going in the classroom, but he seems to be thriving.

  He started soccer this year and he loves it.  He isn't the most aggressive player or the most skilled, but he listens and understand the sport.  Also, he is really fun to watch play.

My kids are by no means perfect.  They tease and fight with each other.  They don't always listen. And they make some pretty big messes. Sometimes they drive me crazy.  But, overall, they are pretty darn good kids.  I think I'll keep them.