~~~~GalaxyGirl~~~~

[TamiK]

Haven't "seen" you in a few days.

Hope everything is ok, and Jenna & Tori are just keeping you busy!

miss you!

[LostAngel212]

hope all is well!

[morynn]

I've missed you too! Hope all is well.

[GalaxyGirl]

Aww, I was missed!

I had to make a quick getaway last week. One of my mom's brothers passed away a week ago Sunday. He was 76 and had a heart attack while on a bike ride with his wife. What an awesome way to Go! Still, it was sudden and sad. They had to coordinate travel from Ireland, England, Colorado and California as well as the "closer" states, so the funeral was delayed until Friday. We debated having me go alone and I opted to have DH & the girls roadtrip with me. We drove out to Ohio on Wednesday and just got back today. Do you mind if I steal this space to share the trip??

The girls are AWESOME ROADTRIPPERS!!! We made 3 stops on the way out to let them stretch. At one stop, we chased them all over an empty farmer's market stall. It was so fun! Beats gorging on Cinnabons any day. They weren't totally thrilled with sleeping in their pack'n'plays. The first night, the whole family slept in the king size bed together. Rough night. On night#2 Mommy instituted CIO and stood firm. The girls LOVE their cousins. The cousins seemed pretty enamored with the babies too. It was so good to see. (And it felt pretty good to have kids in the mix instead of being the auntie-without.) We took the girls to the family viewing on Thursday morning, which brought smiles to many faces (good diversions in light of the sad occasion). We returned with them that evening and they were pretty good then too, but tired so we kept our visit short.

It was raining and miserable on Friday morning for the funeral mass. Made the sadness seem more oppressive. We entered the church of my mom's childhood. I've only been in this church for 3 funerals, 2 weddings and my parent's renewal of vows. My grandparents and my dad are buried there. It is a beautiful little church. Mom and her brother E are the last ones. Each of them have 5 kids. They asked my cousin and I, the youngest (at 40) of each surviving family to give the readings. We were honored. (And we rocked! No tears, no quivering.) When the mass ended, we exited the church to bright sunshine. It was so appropriate!! (And I have to add that the girls were so well behaved, even with my departure to give the reading. We received several comments from our cousins who were quite impressed.)

DH & I took the girls to see my Dad's marker and my grandparents (Jen's namesake). This was the first time in 8 years that I'd been back to visit the graveyard, and my first glimpse of the headstone. I touched it and the girls walked up and pressed their little hands on my Dad's name. Brings tears to my eyes when I think of it. I also felt like I had a chance to introduce my DDs to Jennie. I hope she approves.

We squeezed a lot of activity in the next day and a half. All of my sibs were home for the occasion, so there was a lot of visiting. We went to my cousin's for pizza on Friday night. On Saturday we got to the playground that my dad helped build, to the lake to dip the girls' toes in Lake Erie and to the public pool for a swim. It was so fun reliving my childhood with my own kids. (For those of you that live a stone's throw from your childhood home, I've always envied that.)

Man we pushed those girls and they were great! I'm so proud of them. They were really great on the return drive today too. We only stopped twice and they never fussed once. And who needs DVD?! We turned it on for an hour on the way out... and they glazed over. DH wanted them to see, but I think they would've been happier dozing off. We didn't play it at all today. They were really happy with their music instead.

Anyway, I know this was long, but it feels good to share with my 'other' family. Think good thoughts for Lloyd's soul. Give a little prayer for my Mom, who is pretty sad. Give a lot of prayers for my Uncle Elmer, who is ill and was just carted off to the hospital at midnight last night for breathing trouble. I really don't want to repeat this trip any time soon. Thanks!

[TamiK]

Janet....I"m so sorry to hear about your uncle.

Although not a good way to get together, it sounds like you enjoyed your time with your extended family. I love going back home, and to my then second home, my grandparents & extended family's hometown. So many childhood memories that I hope to share with my two some day!

Wow...what troopers your girls are! Sounds like they do an awesome job on trips - it makes it so much easier. The first day of sleeping away is a big adjustment, but it sounds like they came through for you. Way to go big girls!

Many prayers for your Mom, your Uncle Elmer, and your Uncle Lloyd - may his soul rest in peace.

for you. We missed you.

[Karen43]

I so sorry about your uncle

I'm glad the trip went well for you. It sounds like you were able to do a lot of catching up. I just wish you were able to do it for a happier occasion.

[Cassie R.]

for you and your family. It sounds like a really great trip though, and I do agree -- what a way to go (your uncle, that is )

[Sunshine81]

sorry to hear about your uncle. Sounds like you have 2 angels for little girls! I guess we tend to forget just how easy littles adapt to different things.

[JennF]

Janet, I was wondering where you disappeared to? I am so sorry to hear of your uncles passing but you're right, it is a wonderful way to go Your Mom and uncle are in my prayers.

[CindyBW]

So glad to have you back! Good to hear everything went well despite the sad occasion for your return home. Can't wait to see you all soon!