Jumping Back into Life - Ears First

Who doesn't enjoy a lovely Easter celebration?

This year, Easter had special meaning as we remembered Grandma Carol. It was wonderful to go from mourning to celebration because that is really what Easter is all about. 

Since we had been out of town almost all week, our celebration was small and simple this year. Nevertheless, we still managed to fit it all in. 

We dyed eggs.

We layed out the obligatory Easter loot.

And the girls came down in the morning, delighted to find that it had rained candy in the night.

Notice how they went straight to the bunnies. There's a reason for that. Mama don't buy no Palmer bunnies. That is 7 oz. of Lindor chocolate right there. 

Even though it was just the two girls, we had a low key egg hunt. (Or as low key as Jane and Emily get.)

Both girls were pleased with their haul. I was pleased to be able to spend some time in the sunshine.

And then, finally, the girls got to put on their Easter dresses and go to church. Emily's dress represents hours of shopping and what seemed like thousands of dresses tried on in the fitting room. My mom says it's payback for my girlhood days. I say that she can take Emily next year.

We had the usual Easter dinner - ham, potatoes and key lime pie. (And this is where anyone who's not Chris stops reading because my blog just graduated to super boring.)

I must add how lovely it was to do something so normal. To remember that life goes on even after tragedy. No matter how bleak things may seem, renewal is always just around the corner. I love Easter.

A Rememberance

Last week Chris' mom finally ended her long struggle and returned home. We are grateful that she is no longer in pain, but we will miss her. This Easter, we are grateful to have the knowledge that Christ conquered death and that Grandma Carol will too.

Chris and I spent several days going through pictures of her and creating a memorial slide show (which I won't attach here, since it is close to 20 minutes in length, but please feel free to ask for a copy if you want one). It was both wonderful and sad to spend this time remembering her.

As we started to go through her pictures, it really stood out how beautiful Carol was throughout her life. It's easy to see where Chris gets his looks from, as well as where my children get their flowing blond locks.

No wonder Carol was always happiest when spending time with her grandchildren. She was so proud of them. Coworkers and friends who had never met Emily and Jane instantly recognized them at the funeral. Partly because her house and work space were covered with pictures of them and partly because the family resemblance is so strong.  (I, on the other hand sometimes am asked if I'm my children's aunt). 

Carol worked for many years as a reference librarian. She loved books. Every Christmas and every birthday, she would either deliver or send a bag of carefully selected books for the kids. She made it a point to research the highest rated children's books and to get recommendations from her librarian friends before giving the kids books. We will miss her wonderful selections and treasure all the stories she's shared.

I don't remember Carol ever being prouder than when Emily began reading to her. She has passed on a love of reading to our kids. Emily can often be found well past bedtime with her book light on, absorbed in a book. 

Carol was a great mom to Chris and his brother, Brian, teaching them all the important things: Love the Lord, honor your elders, get a good education, and always put family above all else. 

Carol was fortunate to have Walter by her side through it all. He has been her husband and companion for 44 years and in the last 6 months, he has spent nearly every waking minute with her, easing her pain, providing care, and being her tireless companion.

Carol will always be loved, remembered and missed. We look forward to the day when we will see her again.

Wintry Mix

Last week, we went to the annual ice festival. The city created giant sledding hills in the middle of downtown. The kids had fun sledding and roasting marshmallows until... well, they didn't have fun anymore, which is what typically happens when we do something fun.

(Here Emily and her signature day-glow pink earmuffs are standing in line to go down an ice slide. Was it worth the wait? She must have thought so.)

It was pretty cool while it lasted. 

On another note, Chris has started a new job. He is working for the state military department as a civilian engineer. His job has something to do with working with contractors on facility upgrades. If he told me more he'd have to kill me. Not really, but it sounds cool. It is less pay, he had to leave a job he loves, and we really miss being able to work in the same building. However, it has brought a lot of peace for him and for our family and we are very happy he has this opportunity. The DOT has filled his old job with one of the most capable engineers I know, which made the transition much easier on Chris' squad members and, thus, on Chris. 

The most awesome part of his new job is that we still get to see each other for breaks and lunch since he is right across the street (here "across" means about a third of a mile away). That means we can meet in the middle and go for a walk a couple times a day (which lately has taken place in a blizzard - come on spring! hurry up!).