Moving on....

Thanks to all of you who expressed their condolences to my family & I over the loss of our brother (in-law), son, uncle, & father. They are appreciated more than you could ever imagine. Our beloved Jerry has been laid to rest, and now we all begin the daunting task of moving on with our lives. For some of us, his wife & children especially, this will be incredibly difficult. A task made even harder as the holidays fastly approach us. However, if there is only one thing that I know about my brother in law, Jerry, it's that he would not want us to just sit back, and wallow in sorrow & self pity. In fact, that would infuriate him more than ever!! He would want us to celebrate the season, and remember all the happy times we've shared, the crazy stories he told, and the most amazing meals & desserts ever made, that we all shared as a family. That's what this part of the family plan on doing, and though we know at moments, it will be difficult, we take comfort in two things: Jerry is resting peacefully in the arms of our Lord, and he simply would want us to carry on with life.

Speaking of life moving on: football & cheer is officially over. It ended with the end of season party last night at The Cardinal Center. The kids got to swim, and we had burgers, dogs, and lots & lots of other yummy foods & CAKE!! We can't forget the cake!! The cheerleaders & football players each received a certificate of achievement & a t-shirt!! It was a fun night.

The kids brought home their report cards last week as well. Sarah got all A's and Andy got all A's and one B (in language arts). we are just so proud of both of them!! They are both doing well with their respective instruments, too. Andy, it seems is a natural on the trombone, and Sarah has taken to the clarinet much faster than I ever did!! She's taught herself 3 new notes, simply by reading ahead in her music book, and she played Mary Had a Little Lamb last night, over the phone, for her Grandma. And then she & her brother played Hot Cross Buns in a round for her.

This week will be bring lots of cleaning, purging, laundry, shopping, cooking & baking, and hopefully some gift wrapping as well. We'll be preparing for Thanksgiving next week, and as always, we are planning on getting our tree on the 27th. Brian will be gearing up for deer gun season, and I'll be getting ready for baking, wrapping, and Christmas pictures, and then addressing those cards!! I love this time of year, I really do!! I just wish it didn't fly by so darn fast!!

Much love & hugs to you all!!