Our Aweful Beautiful Life

It's never easy to blog about someone you love, and especially so after they are gone. When we visited with Grandma Pat on Halloween, we knew things with her health weren't right, but I don't know that any of us believed that'd be one of the last times we'd get to visit with her. A good visit it was, with tight hugs - a good memory to end on. While I'm not officially one of her grandchildren, and she's only been in my life for the last 15ish years, I know well enough to know that Grandma Pat was the leader of this family. A strong woman with a faith that would move mountains, she commanded us well. She gained our respect early and often, something I wish I'd learned to do with you kids far sooner. Through the month of November, we watched Grandma decline, and eventually, move from life on earth, to life in Heaven. We started December off celebrating her life. Bittersweet to say goodbye in the holiday season, but how we are blessed with memories and stori...

November is always an inbetweener month for us -- and not to mention busy. Sports. Finishing up farm work. Hunting season kicking off. School projects and trips rounding out the fall semester.  You kids don't realize how lucky you are that your Dad takes the time to take you hunting with him. He cherishes the memories made in those blinds as much as you enjoy going with him.   Basketball fun with Emmalyn! 6th grade boys ball!  4th grade field trip to the State House! Longest. Harvest. Ever. But those smiles and sunsets are worth everything... I wish I could remember what you all were doing here? Thankful for a night away with the Ruemler sisters -- girls night for Mom & I and it never felt soo good! One Dad and three kids wanting to hunt, means we have to call in reinforcements!  Keaton was so excited for his first doe! Thanks to Dad for the trigger assist!  Kindergarten Thanksgiving Feast!

October is always one of our favorite months of the year. In addition to sports, school, etc -- it's harvest time and there isn't a one of the five of us who doesn't love a good day at the farm. It's good for our souls!!    Harvest 19 was a trying one. Lots of accidents, break downs, weather.....it was a long time. But, we survived it. We found joy in it. And we celebrated when it was done!! It's not "our" farm, but it will always be our farm, because the ones we love most tend that ground.  This October was a little different than the past ones -- as I traveled for work to the 2019 Pest Conference in San Diego, California. Overall, I welcomed the time away, though, by day 3, I was ready to be home with my family. It's always nice to get away, for a bit.....but then it's time to reconnect. I will say though, San Diego was beautiful and the weather was second to none. I could get used to those temps in October! I was thankful for a good travel partn...