Whirlwind week of emotions

Cupcake tower and favors in the background.

It's been another crazy week in (and out of) the House of Chaos. We celebrated #2's 6th birthday this week. We had a small family celebration on the 18th and then a "mega" party at a gymnastics place on the weekend. The birthday boy was happy as could be with friends, running around and Super Mario Brothers cookies and cupcakes!

  

Favors await little hands!

Super Mario ready for action!

Sadly, Daddy-O's grandmother passed away on August 19th at 87 years old. She lived a full, entertaining life and will be missed by many. So we made the road trip to Stillwater, MN for the services. We stayed with Aunt K and her brood and honestly it was fantastic. Aunt K and Uncle J have 7 children. Yes, 7. Only two of them are home with them full time. Most of them are grown and in college somewhere or other. But every one of them showed up during our stay. It was amazing to see all of the family that we have. We are so very blessed to have so many caring people in our lives.

The services were beautiful and moving. The priest at the wake used a theme of "home" for his homily. I could really relate to it. He talked about parents how we provide love and security and the unsaid knowledge that our children can always come home, no matter what. We make a place, a home, for our children as God prepares a place for us in his home. John 14:3, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."

It is always hard to lose someone but it seems that the pain is lessened a bit when you celebrate the long life of a person. Grandma & Grandpa were married for 63 years! That in itself is an amazing, and wonderful thing. Something to truly celebrate and look to as an example of the lifelong commitment and partnership of a marriage.  

In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on. ~ Robert Frost

So we are back to school! The boys first full day was yesterday and it was wonderfully strange. Strange to have a 2nd grader and a 1st grander. Strange for them to be boarding the same bus. Strange to only have one person asking for things. Strange to only buckle one person in the car. No one hitting each other or screaming in pain because someone pinched and hit him. #3 and I will get some good time in just the two of us before he starts pre-school after labor day. Boys in school should mean more time for cookies which is good. I'm working on a new name for my company and new designs. Lots to come!