Grandma

Dear William and Claudia

As you know, Grandma is dying. She has pancreatic cancer. We found out in May after a lot of confusion as to where the cancer originated from. After finally hearing the results, stage 4 pancreatic cancer, Grandma decided she did not want chemotherapy. We told her we respected her decision. Her doctor would not tell us how much time she had left. I realize that it is often a guessing game, and that doctors don't want to give an estimate. Personally, I feel she has given up. She wants to be with your Grandpa. She has wanted to be with him since he left us.

We are out of school for the summer which makes it so much easier to visit her. Lately, she is spending most of her time in bed. She got up for a little bit today when she saw you two! She had a few sips of water and a piece of watermelon. Then she asked to go back to bed. She also asked for pain medication. The nurse said the meds would make her sleep for awhile so we left.

I am sorry kids. You never got to know your Grandpa, and now your Grandma is leaving you. Keep
her in your prayers. She loves you.

Love,
Mommy

Silly Willy Part 2

William-Dad, guess who sold me a hot dog at Costco?

Brian- no answer 

William- It was JESUS! Jesus sold me a holy hot dog! Can you believe it? I also drank a Sprite from heaven. 

Brian- still no response 

William- I should have asked Jesus how the family was doing...

Silly Willy

I really think stores should offer childcare for shoppers. We went to Costco today where William disappeared numerous times. Once I found him in a shed singing the theme song from Curious George. He was definitely riding the crazy train today. The monkey songs continued during the whole shopping trip! Our cashier's name was Jesus. According to William, Jeee-sus was alive and in the building. He shared this with me and Claudia very loudly. When we got into the van to head home, Peter Gabriel's "Shock the Monkey" was on the radio. William was horrified that a song was written called "Chop the Monkey" but continued to sing along with it adding George and the man with the yellow hat to the lyrics. It was an exhausting trip. I can't even begin to explain all the "events" that took place between our house and the Costco store. I need a drink!

Back to School 2015

Fourth and Fifth grades here we come!

Fourth and Fifth Grades

I had to force you to hold hands for a few seconds!

Poor little Snoopy did not want them to leave :(

First Communion

Claudia's Love Letter

My Love Letter

Thank you to my sweet Claudia. You left me a love letter on my pillow this morning. You are so kind and thoughtful. This made me smile and filled my heart with love! Love you!!!

Poems From Claudia

Night Time

 

Sky is dark

Stars appearing

Owl Flying

Mouse beware!

 

 

Bacon

 

Bacon is red

Bacon is rough

But one strip is never enough!

Spring Break 2014

Exploring Ogden Gardens

Road trip to Pokagon with the Bentons

Refilling the bird feeders at Pokagon

Hiking with Matthew

Turtle time!

Claudia and her buddy



Hiking at Rogers Lakewood Park

Playing Legos in our jammies :)

Mornings

Both of my kids have inherited Brian's "I have no sense of time" gene and it's making me crazy! Trying to get them fed, dressed and to school on time, is hell. William talks a mile a minute and "forgets" to eat then cries because he's "starving" Today he serenaded us with, "butt, butt, butt, butt, butt, butt" sung to the tune of jingle bells. He continued to sing while spinning in circles completely unaware of the importance of putting clothes on for school, couldn't find his shoes and probably never brushed his teeth. I threatened to take him to school in his pjs...he thought that was cool. Claudia instigates and makes things even worse. I finally had it and yelled that I would be waiting in the car. Five minutes pass. No kids. I walk back to the house to find them searching for me. They forgot to look in the car! How I managed 40 fifth graders during my teaching days, but can't manage 2 of my own is a complete mystery to me. Plus this morning's chaos was witnessed by Collin, the bathroom renovation man. Love having an audience when I'm close to a breakdown.

Claudia's Song

Claudia wrote a song the other day while we were running errands.  I found her lyrics stuffed in the back seat pocket of the van.  Her song goes like this....

I love you

You love me

So, let's go and play today

While the heavens are bright

And by the star's twinkling light

So, what do you say

Why don't we go and play today

While the heavens are bright

And by the star's twinkling light

I say we should play

Because I love you

And you love me

So, let's go and play today