The last few weeks have been quite the 'adventure'. It's hard to even know where to start. I could try to do individual posts, but quite honestly - it's a bit overwhelming to even think about everything. I guess the easiest thing (for me) will be to write one BIG post and hope that I remember everything that needs to be included!
On the 17th (of February), Lennard and I took a much needed break and went away for a night by ourselves (Thanks to my mom and dad for babysitting!). We couldn't really afford to do much, and to be completely honest, it didn't matter where we went as long as we were alone! We ended up in Lethbridge... and had a blast! We were able to go out to dinner and enjoy every single bite. Then we sat in the hot tub at the hotel and just relaxed! It was so nice to just be able to visit and not have any interruptions. We were able to wander around the mall the next morning. I even got a few new outfits (shocker!). At about noon, we decided to go see the movie "War Horse". We both really enjoyed it. It was after the movie that the afternoon went downhill... quite literally. We happened to see a senior lady that we knew from church sitting behind us at the movies. We visited with her for a bit and found that she had misplaced her car keys. We looked around the theatre for her and then walked with her to the lobby. She isn't very steady on her feet, so we didn't want to leave her alone. She told us she was with someone else, so we left her sitting on a bench in the lobby. As we walked out into the parking lot, Lennard saw her car and decided to check to see if her keys were there... sure enough, they were hanging in the ignition. We headed back into the theatre to let her know and she got completely flustered wondering what to do. We found out that she has AMA, so we made the call for her to have them come unlock her car. As Lennard was on the phone with them, I was helping her down the stairs into the main lobby. Just as we'd reached the bottom step, I heard Lennard call my name. I turned around and he was sitting on the floor. He was still on the phone with AMA as I helped him stand up. He put on a good show of everything being okay and letting lady know where to wait, etc. We said goodbye and headed out to the truck. We were just outside the door, when Lennard let me know he was really hurting. He managed to get to the truck and we headed straight for Cardston. (He didn't want to sit at the ER in Lethbridge). Well... to make a long story a bit shorter... we waited in the ER for a fair chunk of time, finally got in, had Lennard's foot x-rayed, waited longer and then were finally told it was a bad sprain. Not the way we wanted to end our weekend out! Thankfully we didn't have to worry about the kids as well!
The next day, Lennard stayed home from church and I attempted church by myself with our two crazy kids! It went okay until Sacrament meeting. By then, they were both tired and did not want to sit still another minute. We made it through til the sacrament was passed and then I gave up. We headed home and they both were asleep in bed before church even let out!
Monday morning (Family Day), we got a phone call from Lennard's dad telling us that his mom wasn't doing well and not expected to live much longer. Within a few hours, Lennard had flights booked, bags packed and headed to Calgary (once again, my parents saved the day by driving him to the airport). Thankfully I was able to put a flag on his ticket for wheelchair assistance within the airport, so at least he didn't have to try to walk with his crutches the entire way! He made it to the airport in Vancouver without any problems and met up with his sister, Alicia, who had flown in from Omaha. They were both able to be there when in the early hours of Wednesday morning (the 22nd), their mother passed away. There were so many mixed emotions letting her go. She'd been sick for so many years and getting worse quickly, that it was a blessing she didn't have to suffer any longer, but at the same time, it was heartbreaking to lose their mom.
I got pretty much everything packed up on Wednesday and by Thursday morning we were headed out to Vancouver. Again - my parents stepped up and came with me! I don't know what I would have done without them. They truly save the day. Keeping the kids entertained and helping me drive was an amazing gift to me. We made it to Vancouver about 9:30pm that night and were very grateful to be out of the car. I have never been so scared driving as I was driving that night. The roads had been pretty good, but we hit a bad section and ran out of windshield washer fluid at pretty much the same time. Let's just say my knuckles were white!
The time in Vancouver was spent helping out where we could. A lot of items were sorted through and cleaned up. The kids thoroughly enjoyed getting to know their cousins (who met Ben for the first time!).
Bit of a crazy picture, but Emma enjoyed playing with some of her grandma's old costume jewellery!
We took a trip to the pilot store for a bit of a break Saturday afternoon.
There's definitely no brain-washing happening in this family...
We took the kids out later that day. They enjoyed walking with grandma & grandpa and playing with the umbrellas!
On Sunday, Ben became known as the "Amen Boy" - as he loudly declared AMEN at the end of the Relief Society meeting! Emma enjoyed herself in nursery.
We took some time to go see the temple Sunday afternoon.
Monday was the funeral for Lennard's mom. It was a beautiful tribute to a very spunky lady! She definitely spoke her mind and got things done. I never knew her before she was sick, but she could still out walk me on her good days! My parents watched the kids during the funeral for us, so we were able to sit and enjoy the service. It was a bit interesting when we got to the grave site, as Emma wanted to go down the 'slide' - the pile of dirt covered by artificial grass. She wasn't very happy that we didn't let her get down and play!
We spent the evening together as a family at our favorite Chinese food restaurant in Vancouver. It was a fitting tribute to my mother-in-law, who loved going there to eat just as much as we do! The whole time I sat there, I could see her putting food on Len's plate or drinking her green tea.
We headed out the next morning and, with a very full van, made it home at about 11:30 that night. Such a long day!
Lennard decided to take the rest of the week off and we enjoyed being able to relax and spend quality time together as a family. We managed to get a bunch of errands done that have been needing done (ie. passport applications are finally submitted!).
A huge thank you for all the thoughts, prayers, flowers, cards and acts of service we have received.
It has been a roller coaster ride this past few weeks. Lots of highs and lows, but thankfully, life goes on. We learn, we grow and we keep going. I am grateful that I have a forever family and that we will be together throughout the eternities. What a comfort and a blessing to know that we will see our loved ones again.
