Saying goodbye

It's been a hard road watching my Mother in law deal with cancer. I've known her since I was a little girl, about 5 years old. When I was young my parents worked together at a camp each summer and we went to the same small church. My sister and I grew up calling her Aunt Peggie. She did a little bit of everything at camp... cooking, counseling, office work, laundry, sword drills and so much more.

Now I'm married to her son and she is my Mother in law. It's amazing how much more you get to know a person once you're related! We have a good relationship and I'm glad. I wouldn't say we've always gotten along or seen eye to eye but I enjoy being around her. I look up to her because she is such a Faithful woman of God. She does her Bible study daily and can quote scripture off the top of her head. She truly has hidden God's Word in her heart. Plus, I love her because she raised my husband and helped shape him into the wonderful man he is today!

Just tonight I watched her as we visited. She has slowed down, content to sit in her chair. Her smile has faded as the pain has crept in. I learned how to give her medicine through the new feeding tube that was put in earlier this week. I was glad that I could help. It must be so hard for her not being able to eat on her own. I can't even imagine!

I can tell she still enjoys having the grandkids around and longs to be on the floor playing with them. I sat there thinking back to a time when she could easily carry one of them on her hip and push another on the swing outside. Now she's able to hold the baby for only about 2 minutes at a time with help. Her body is tired and she struggles just to hold a conversation.

It makes my heart so full of sadness when I think about my children growing up without really, truly getting to know Grandma Peggie. I know she wishes she could be here for the important things in their lives... graduation, weddings, births of their children. However God has a different plan and we have to trust that he knows what He's doing.

It's hard to watch her decline but I have a peace knowing that soon it will end and she will be with her Heavenly Father. Pray for all of us that our hearts will be prepared. That we will pull together as a family and really enjoy these last few days, weeks or months!

Finally... pictures

Well, these pictures are mostly for Aunt Tina because she's just dying to see the little guy and his room. It's hard being thousands of miles away! So the rest of you will just have to put up with me bragging on the little guy :o)

This is Jacob in his bouncy seat... he loves it!

This is Jacob on the day he first learned to roll over...
It was a big day in the house and we all celebrated!

This is Jacob chilling out in his boppy pillow.
He's very serious sometimes.

This is a shot of Jacob's bedroom.
The letters don't look straight in the picture but I think it's the angle I was at.

Here's another picture from his doorway.
We finally found a spot for the horse my Uncle made!

Here's one more shot of his room

This is something you won't see often but when you do... look out!

Hey... I'm still here!

Hey everyone ~ I'm still here! I just wanted to write a little note to let you know all is fine with our family. We're just trying to get back into the swing of things here. Life can sometimes be crazy with three kids, as many of you know. I'll post some new pictures and good stuff soon so stay tuned :o)