The Final First

It has been a year of "firsts" for our family.  First holiday without Les, first birthdays - Les' and all the rest of us!, first Christmas, first New Years, first Valentine's, first wedding anniversary......you get the picture.  Some of these days were really difficult and some were fine.  I have learned that I never know what to expect!!

Dallas' recent first birthday was a pretty big "first".  She was born just two weeks before Les died, so those few weeks after her birth are full of memories......... Dallas is a dear, sweet little girl and she brings us great JOY.  Kris and Hannah hosted a fun birthday party; I realized on my way home from the party that these events are getting easier for me to do by myself.  I'm thankful for that progress!

Of course the final "first" will be the anniversary of Les' death, which is coming up this week on September 9.  There are 11 of us going on our big adventure this next weekend and I have been focusing on the hike more than that first anniversary.    I am so glad I have this hike to look forward to - and not dwelling on Les' anniversary.  I am SO excited (and a little nervous!!)  for this weekend and this hike.  Again, please keep us in your prayers on Sunday, the 11th!  Safety and no injuries!

Training hike to Church Mountain with Rick & Pam

Also coming up on September 17 is the local annual ALS walk.  We participated in this walk two years ago.  Les walked half of it (a little over a mile) and rode his scooter the second half.  We did not participate last year-- it was the same day as Les' memorial service.  If you are available, PLEASE join us!  You can either donate and be part of the "team" or you can just show up and walk. Click here to donate or join our team.

Because of the ice bucket challenges and these walks, the ALS association has raised SO much money and has made great progress in the research of ALS. There have been some exciting breakthroughs in this research.  I can only hope and pray that someday there will be a cure for this nasty disease.

Summer

It's been a busy summer.  And that is good!  I like to keep busy.  But just because I am busy doesn't mean that I don't still get lonely.  When you lose your other half, life is lonely.

I recently attended my 40th class reunion.  When we would say 40 years to each other, we would be like, how is this possible????  I haven't lived back in that town for about 35 years, so I don't always remember people, etc. too well.  I was surprised at how those memories came back at our reunion....it truly doesn't feel like this was 40 years ago!  The weekend was alot of fun and I am very glad I went.  I am looking forward to reconnecting with some of these Tiger friends.

I spent a few days in San Diego with my sister Becky and family.  Her daughter Jenae was in the Surf Cup soccer tournament.  Wow.  Who knew this was such a big deal???  A very fun weekend and I loved watching J play soccer.   The beaches weren't bad either..........

You guys, I have a new job.  I wasn't looking for any new work but knew I would want something additional in the near future - I will be losing one of my contractor jobs when he retires.  Our church was looking for a bookkeeper but I figured it would be too many hours.  My friend Kara (she is the HR for our church) asked me if I was applying.......she told me the hours would be about 6-8 a week.........I applied, interviewed and got the job.  I go in to the church office on Tuesdays and so far, I LOVE it.  A great place to be and great people to work with.  This was a total "God thing" and I was once again amazed at how He is in control of my life.

I have a prayer request for you.  On September 11 some friends, my girls and I are going on an adventure.  We are hiking 20 miles in to Stehekin on Lake Chelan.   Les and I were just starting to plan this hike when he got sick.  Last year after he died I thought, I want to do this hike on the anniversary of Les' passing away.   I mentioned it to some friends and I was very surprised at how many want to join me!  I am so thrilled that Leslie, Hannah and Emily are joining us.   My friend Bethany talked with us awhile back about "training" and how to prepare.  My friend Kara recently hiked this trail (she's done it several times - her and her husband Dan were the inspiration for Les and I to plan this hike) so she talked to us about what to expect -- she was our cheerleader for a night!!  I am so blessed to have all of these women in my life.

After a long training walk....

We like to visit Overflow Taps after our Homestead Striders walks

Training - a tough hike to Oyster Dome!!

BUT we would ask for prayers on this journey.  Please pray that we have no injuries, that we can all finish the hike, that the weather is good, and that we can honor our memories of Les.
Thank you!  I have so felt your prayers the past several years and I am so grateful for them.

the team (missing Hannah, Gina and Lonnie in the pic)

 No Kaden is not going and neither is the dog Zoe............

Pursuit of Joy

My family and I had a very busy weekend - full of birthdays!!!  My mom's 80th is coming up in August;  my siblings could not visit in August, so they visited this past weekend and we celebrated a tad early.  I think mom kinda liked that cuz she could keep saying "I'm not 80!!!!"  My mom is a trooper and you would never know she is 80!  She looks great, feels great, and is overall very healthy!  Love you mom!!

Gma Ada with a few of her 21 great grands

My niece from the east side came for mom's party, and while here her baby girl turned one.  Another birthday party!  Happy birthday Miss Melanie!!

cousins!!

 

Mean momma took the cake away.......

And then it was my birthday on Sunday.  On Saturday this was delivered:

When the florist came I assumed the flowers were from Howard and Vicky - they send flowers often.  My sister Becky and my brother-in-law Denny were in the kitchen prepping food; when I read that card I just could not believe it.  Tears were shed -  it was a weird feeling to read that message.  Seriously, that man was amazing.

This birthday was my first one without Les in 36 years.  (Not that I'm old or anything!!!!)  The day went well - better than I had anticipated.  Lots of family was still here from Mom's party and that sure helped.  Our sermon that morning was on the pursuit of joy.  Our new pastor did not know Les and he did not know that joy has been my "word" of choice the past few years.  What a blessing this sermon was.  Thanks Pastor Kyle for blessing me on my birthday - keep the great sermons coming.
The plan was to hike that afternoon, BUT my YOUNGER sisters couldn't make it.  Sharon was sick and Becky had a bum knee.  This OLDEST sister was the healthiest that day!!!!  ha~

Miss Jayna was amazing with the kiddos!

 

On Monday everyone was gone except us girls (and Denny!) after a busy weekend.  Thanks mom and dad for a great dinner.  We had such a good time that evening!!  We had a great time the entire week of visitors.  I am blessed to have you all in my life.  I continue to choose JOY.

So This Happened

Friends Daniel and Tracy dropped off a bottle of wine on Father's Day.  The name of the wine is "So This Happened"  How cute is that?  And how sweet are they?

We survived Father's day.  Our sweet baby Preston was baptized on this day.  I asked Leslie, are you sure about this?  And she said "YES.  I want something happy on this day"  Preston was baptized with his two friends Mason and Weston.  These babies all have an older sibling who is two and they were also all baptized together.  What a blessing these friendships are.  (FYI the only 2 year old who talked on stage while their brother was getting baptized was Kaden......)

Kris and Leslie both posted a beautiful tribute to their dad that evening.  Les would have been so proud of the parents they are, along with Hannah and Brett.  Les would have been such a great grandpa.

FROM LESLIE:
Today was a bittersweet day. Preston was baptized along with our closest friends and their babes. But someone was missing today while we celebrated and it hurt more than I imagined it would. Dad, thanks for the memories and being the most loving, thoughtful, and selfless dad. I wish more than anything you could be here to wrestle with my boys and that they could experience your love and hugs and your laughter! You'd be the best grandpa! Miss you. Love you. Happy Father's Day.
*these pics are from meeting Kaden in the hospital and the moment he learned they share a middle name ❤️ I'm cherishing these pictures of my dad more than I ever thought I would need to. Thanking God for the time we had

FROM KRIS:
 It was a bitter sweet day. The first year being a dad, but yet the first year without my dad. I can only hope I'm half the father he was to me. Love you pops!!! ‪#‎wemisspa‬ ‪#‎kooistrastrong‬ ‪#‎fathersday‬ ‪#‎dallasjoy‬

 Love these kiddos of mine, and the babies they have given me.  They give me great JOY.

Even if we can't get a picture of all of us................

Memories

This picture popped up on my Facebook timeline this week.  Oh what a fun day!

We went white water rafting six years ago this month - before grandbabies and before ALS.  I am SO THANKFUL for the fun things we did - for the adventures we went on.  If you are thinking about doing something with your family - DO IT!!!!!

I recently spent a week in Leavenworth.  Being in Leavenworth is kinda like camping in the mountains - but you still have a bed and a kitchen.  I had a very relaxing week;  I spent some time with my high school friend Terri, my niece Dani and family, my brother Donald and family, friends Lonnie, Lori and Alicia (and her sweet kiddos Ocean and River!)  Thank you Steve and Cheryl.  Your generosity is a blessing.. 

102 degrees this day!

Happy birthday to my little brother

 A daughter of our dear friends Rick & Pam recently got married.  We were out setting up the day before the wedding, and I just got so sad.  Les should have been there!  We helped with their other two daughters' weddings - Les sang at both of them! - and it just felt weird to not have him there.  The actual wedding was also difficult for me - the father/daughter dance!! - so  many memories.    I'm glad I was with dear friends and I'm glad that another "first" is also over!  I wasn't expecting that sadness!!

My girls!!!

These girls keep life fun!

Life goes on.  The grief still comes and goes - not as often, but it still hits me when I least expect it (like the wedding!!).  When I start looking at old pictures - oh my, I just get lost in memories!  So many good ones!  I am so thankful for that.  I've been able to travel quite a bit lately and have some fun -- I am making NEW memories.  I am thankful for that.  There is still joy to be had in this life!

A Headstone....and miscellaneous

The headstone for Les' grave was finally installed last week.  When Cindy from the funeral home called to tell me, I was so excited.  After I hung up the phone, I started crying.  Not sure why it was so emotional for me, but it was!  That evening I went out to see it, and I cried again.  Maybe because it is so FINAL - it's all written in granite.  Les picked out the shape of the headstone (just like his parents') - the kids and I added the scenery. It turned out great.

My cousin's husband died a couple weeks ago.  His name was Dennis and he had been sick for several years.  We met up a couple of times at the UW when Les and Dennis were both there, and those two hit it off -  I think they bonded through their illnesses!  We visited my cousins a couple of years ago down on the Columbia River, where they live.  After that visit, Dennis would text Les almost every day.  He was a huge encouragement to Les.   I drove down for the weekend for the funeral.   It was a great trip - I got to see lots of cousins and my Aunt Rose, whom I don't get to see very often.  We did have lots of fun, also!

May, 2014 - Jody, Dennis and Les

Our dads are brothers

Mother's Day was a good day.  I am blessed to have my children and grandchildren close to me.  I am also thankful for my mom!  Her and dad were out of town that weekend.

 We have had a beautiful, warm spring and it is so good for my soul!  I've had more energy lately and I'm so thankful.  I've got a couple of trips coming up soon - it's good for my head to know that I have plans to look forward to.   It was recently our wedding anniversary (woulda been 34 years!!), and that hit me harder than I thought it would.  I just never know........... There are still times when I miss Les so much - I just think, "Now where is Les????" I do have many days where I say, "It's been a good day"  and I am so grateful for that! 

Paradise

Les is in Paradise with God, I am sure.  I decided to take a trip to Hawaii, which is a pretty great paradise here on earth!  Last year when Les sold his Explorer, we saved the cash hoping for a trip like this after he was gone.  Late last fall my kids and I booked a trip to Maui.  As I was booking it, my California sister invited me to a week in Maui with her at her timeshare..........everything worked out great with the timing for me to go for two weeks!  

My kids and I spent 8 days at a condo we rented, north of Black Rock.  It was pretty tough - all we had to worry about was beach or pool?  what to eat?  The grandbabies did really well, all things considered.  We traveled to a couple different beaches for a change of scenery, but otherwise stayed put and relaxed.  It was our first family vacation without Les - moments of sadness, but we had a great time.  Les would have loved it.

MY baby boy turned 30 while we were there.  How is this possible?  Kris decided to go to the aquarium since it was a bit drizzly that morning.  K-man came along - he loved the "big fish".

Attempt at a photo in shirts from cousin Judy/Lilypad

The day my kids and grandbabies flew back home,  my sisters flew in--Becky from California and Sharon from Iowa.  We moved to Becky's timeshare condo at the Marriott.  I'm not sure where those days went!  We had lots of fun, relaxed, read books, ordered fancy drinks poolside, ate yummy food.   After our Palm Sunday beach side church service, we hiked up past Kapalua golf course.  A steep hike, but good exercise and great views!!

**A big SHOUT OUT to these sisters of mine.  They have traveled to visit us/me more times than I can keep track of the past 2.5 years.   I know that if I need them and I ask, they will come.  We are so different in many ways and yet so similar in many others.  I am thankful for them and I love them.**

I was not ready to go home!  It was a great time away.  I came home to dreary, cold, wet weather.  I had a couple tough days getting back to reality - as my friend Sheri said - it's my reality without Les!  So true.  But then it was Good Friday, and Easter - I went to church with my parents and shared communion with some dear friends, and I thought, Yes, I am back home.  I'm so thankful I have this church family!!  I'm thankful for my children and grandbabies, my parents, and for good friends.  This past week, the sun has been shining - the grass is green, the tulips are blooming - spring is here with new life as we continue to learn how to live in our new lives without Les.