First post of the year. I've been putting it off for several reasons, part of which is I have been very busy and some of the things I have to write are hard.
We spent our New Years' Eve at home and put the kids to be after having our own party of confetti and sparkling grape juice. In the middle of the night/early morning I woke up in great pain. My whole body had fallen asleep. It was strange and after a while I feel back asleep. When I awoke I got a call that Pop had fallen asleep for the last time early that morning. My body went numb again, and I cried both for sadness of my missing him and the joy that he was finally with his Heavenly Father. Teh next few days are a bit of a blur. Francis and I drove up with the kids to Brownfield the next day. The lights were still up from Christmas and the memories of 27 or so Christmases there flooded back. I think Pop wanted us to be able to come back around Christmastime. It's hard to be as sad when so many happy reminders of time with him hang from every light-post. We got to see my parents, Grandmother, Aunt, sisters, Kevin, Issac and Alexandra, Japapa and so many other extended relatives. We cried a lot, laughed a lot and hugged a lot. The viewing was the Tuesday. Beforehand we took the kids to feed the ducks and collected pecan's in Mom Noble's front yard. It was just like when I was a kid for a moment, except doimg it with my kids. It was s small tribute to Pop, but I hope it did him justice.At the viewing, William wanted to go into the viewing room with me so after prepping him we went in. He was very respectful and I answered any questions he had afterward. When we are in Christ, we have no reason to fear death, and I wanted to help him understand that. The funeral was the next day. the church was full to nearly bursting (Francis went to the back with Hannah so he could see everyone). The service was beautiful and I learned a lot I didn't know about Pop and his life. The kids were pretty good, and after we went back to Mom Noble's house, each kid, grand kid and great grand-kid got to pick out a knife from the many many Pop had made. In that way we got to take Pop home with us. It was a sweet time. Pop would have been pleased.
On the trip home, Christian and the Twins, Danielle, Francis, the kids and I stopped in Abilene to see Jamama. Although Japapa had been at the service, Jamama was unable to come for health reasons. She got to meet the twins and see my kids again. Though her speech is usally slurred or incomprehensible, she said "Here come the cuties" clear as day. When Christian introduced her to the twins, she said (also crystal clear) "They are just cute. They are so adorable." It was like having the old Jamama back for a moment. It was so wonderful.
We made it home for dinner Thursday and spent the next few days resetting for Francis to go to a conference in Dallas. We took down the Christmas decorations and ran a bunch of errands. Last week, Francis was gone and I was a single mom. It was hard, but I survived. I managed to get the kids to AWANAS, the grocery store, school on Tuesday (first one of the semester), the new Jump World, and two play dates. I also did laundry, cleaned the house and took a meal to a family. I think by making myself so busy I didn't think so much about the not sleeping and that Francis wasn't there. But when he got home Friday, a happier girl you wouldn't have met. Thank you God for husbands, and especially mine.
We are going to try to get back into a real routine this week. Hopefully life will be quiet for a while. William is more than 100 days into kindergarten. He decided he wanted to go to Best Buy and go on a Poke walk on A&M campus on Satruday. Cheap thrills. Robert is growing and has hit 38 inches! His 3T clothing are beginning to get short. Hannah is also growing. She will be 18 months soon. She is talking and understanding so much. I feel like all 3 of my kids are constantly changing and growing before my eyes. It's exciting and I will love on them extra as they are just so precious to me.
Till next time.
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