Ramblings on a remarkable day

They say that each day is a gift to be savored and treasured. I would suggest that some days are more to be endured and hopefully forgotten over time. But today although perhaps unlikely is a day I won't soon forget! I spent today on the road for 4 hours in order to visit a dear friend whose body is rapidly failing her. I say a "dear friend" even though in the 8 years we have known each other we have probably only been together in person less than 30 times! Some people might wonder how a truly close friendship can develop with such a limited number of "get-togethers". I believe that we were friends long before we ever were born on this planet, Earth. There are actually 4 of us who have become QFFs (quilting friends forever) and the diversity of our religions make us sound like the beginning of a really cliche type joke. And yet, the commonality of our faiths have seen us through joys and heartaches over these 8 years. But, I digress. My/our amigo, McP, has fought and vanquished and fought again and again only to be ravaged by a dread opponent that will win the temporary mortal victory over her soon. And so today, I traveled to see my buddy, now residing for the last of her journey in a hospital. I knew from her family that she was "unresponsive" and wasn't able to "acknowledge" anyone's presence. But I went. Determined to make this day count. I came bearing photos of our last two get-togethers- one in August when she and one of the other amigos stayed on a "quilting retreat" at my house for a few days; the other in November when all 4 amigos were together at McP's house because she was too weak to travel. I tried to prepare myself before I found her room but was surprised at the physical changes just in the 2 months since i had seen her. Her facial features were much sharper due to her weight loss, her eyes were a bit sunken and her face was ever so gaunt. Her strong capable hands looked frail as did the rest of her frame. On the two plus hour trip alone in my car to come, I had gone over and over what to say. How would I react if she couldn't respond? I determined that I would have a "regular, normal" visit with her! Her sister was there so I introduced myself and our two other QFFs who were not able to be there. Reminesced about some of our crazy antics! And her eyes twinkled! I knew she was hearing me even though trapped in a body that wouldn't let her respond. Her sister left after an hour, grateful for some respite, and we continued our visit. When I recalled a story that one of the other amigos related the last time we were all together involving Craigslist and the camera feature on a phone that was too smart for her or probably anyone of our generation, not only did her eyes twinkle but there came a full-fledged toothy grin!!! I knew she was able to hear and understand what I was saying! Her sister said that she hasn't been eating and just drinking a little water, so she asked me to help her drink some from a sippie cup. I did and she drank from it as I pressed it to her lips. What a tender moment to experience with her! I asked the nurse about something for her to eat and so she brought red jello and vanilla pudding. My jello failures are notorious and so I teased that the jello probably wouldn't be as good as what I would have made for her. Again, a toothy grin!! We settled on pudding and she had 3 spoonfuls. We/I talked about trying to get our children to eat from a spoon- the airplane manuevers, the fruit first followed by veggies until the kiddos recognized the trick and refused to open their mouths! But she ate 3 spoonfuls- the first and only food all day and this was 1 pm! We talked about our families- our hopes and dreams, our worries. I reminded her that her son loves her and that he has found an occupation in life that he has a talent for and that she could be proud of him. We talked about our friendship and that it will endure past this life and into the next. We talked about her family who have passed on before her who will be as joyous to see her again as we will be dealing with heartache. I told her that in heaven, bobbins will never run out, needles will never break and our stash will be never-ending (or is that part already happening in this life? ) I told her that my heart was breaking at the idea of her leaving us because I/we love her so much. Maybe that's one sign of a true friendship- that you can say the hard things without reserve. Through my tears, I saw tears coming from my dear friend's eyes and as my mouth and chin quivered, hers seemed to be choreographed to mimic mine at precisely the same moment. I told her that I knew without doubt that this life is not the end and that we would see each other again in the next. Was it just me or did I detect a peaceful gaze? I hope so. I had been holding her hand nonstop for just over 3 hours. She was getting tired and I had two hours of driving in front of me, so I kissed her and told her I loved her and that I would return next Monday. Instead of "Tuesdays with Morrie", this may be my "Mondays with McP". Or maybe it will be one Monday in a row. Whatever comes, I am so grateful to have had today to add to the "this day was a treasured gift" ledger!

Welcome Porter

Just can't bring myself to type things twice, especially when there's a baby waiting, so here's a link to my blog. (Just click on the word blog.)
More photos here

Our finished south bathroom remodel

Finally, it is ready to be enjoyed!! We called in Jake Rehl Construction to finish up the installation! Many (all) of you who are local put in many hours to help gut the bathroom and help Dad with the prep work but we decided that with Jared coming home soon, we need to have that bathroom operational! So, take a look at my photos (and remember that I am not the photographer in the family!)

Parker's 4 month photos

We just took some more pics for Parker's four-monthiversary. We took some for two month and three month too, but these turned out better. Here's some of our favs.
 

Oh yeah, we also fed him rice cereal for the first time this last weekend.

HAPPY GROUNDHOG'S DAY

So, I know I haven't been very good about posting updates in here, mainly because we don't really do much outside of the normal work, school, eat routine. We decided to head up to Punxsutawney again this year and managed to see a bit more than we did last time.

It was cold and snowing, but the kids were great and really enjoyed it.

This one was taken right after Jeremiah told Eli not to touch the sculptures...

Updates from Texas

Per Pat's request, I'm trying to remember to put things on the Lewis blog that I have posted on my blog or facebook. Here are some photos and a few links on family happenings from my blog:

Scouts
Update
Bus stop

Lately I have been teaching Bean to knit


And Magoo begged me to cut bangs for her

Please join us for Eli’s Baptism

Saturday May 29th @ Noon
Reynoldsburg Ward building
2135 Baldwin Road
Reynoldsburg, OH 43068

View Larger Map

Lunch and Birthday cake (for both Eli & Reagan) will be served afterwards

Please R.S.V.P. by 5/27@ 412-262-2613

P.S. We would really appreciate if a few people could come early and help set up

Rachael's baptism.

I posted pictures on my blog this morning from this weekend and Pat asked me to post them here, but they are taking too long to load so here is the link to my blog post. Enjoy.

http://moodlingmoments.blogspot.com/2010/05/two-parents-and-happy-weekend.html

Your German relatives are getting impatient!

The other night, some friends stopped over and as we talked, I suddenly remembered that your Grandma's (my Mom's) arch-nemesis cousin, Russell, had passed away within a week or two of Grandma and that I had forgotten to submit his work to the temple! As soon as they left, I started my work!

I then thought of his older sister, June, who had still been alive in 2006 when Gram passed away and wondered if she still was around (hope that doesn't sound too morbid!). I checked a few of my on-line sources including the on-line obit. notices for the Saginaw News and there she was- in 2007! So I submitted her work.

With those two found, I decided to play around a little on ancestry.com and just search the name Jungerheld (since there is only one family of them in the whole US!!) I then saw an Edna Jungerheld (I had her in my PAF) and her husband, Joseph Murphy (didn't have him!) Why was this important to me?? Because Grandma always remembered that her youngest sister, Eleanor Louise (who was only 1 when her mom died and dad took off) was "adopted by someone in their family named Joseph Murphy! Until Monday, I didn't know who he was or how he was related! Looked on the 1930 census (she was born in 1926) and there she was- listed as their daughter. In those days, during the depression, adoptions within families were not always done through the courts, so someday I may see her birth certificate with my grandparents listed as her parents!

I also found a death record for "Raymond Jungerheld (one of the many variations used for my grandfather's name) who died in Cuyahoga County (Cleveland) exactly 83 years before my researching Monday night- April 26th. The original record was available at the Ohio Historical Society which is at the 17th Avenue exit of I-71 (about 4 minutes from our house). They are only open on Thursdays, so Erica and I made the trip over yesterday! Between Monday and Thursday, all kinds of questions to be answered and hopes for closure were coming. If this was my grandfather, he died one month after his wife. How? Was he buried in Ohio? Who gave the info on the death certificate?

Sadly, this was not my grandpa, but a nephew of his who was only 1 year old when he died of pneumonia. However, I didn't know previously about this nephew and wouldn't have found him on a census record or any other record! His parents have already had their work done as had his only sibling- a brother who died at age 18. The work has now been submitted for him to be sealed to his parents, so I don't feel like this trip was in vain!

It does remind me that my ancestors/relatives ARE waiting and I need your help!! Each of you can do something to help further this along- going to the temple with these names, helping with the research,scanning and distributing old family photos. entering info on the computer, etc. So, I'll hopefully be hearing from YOU!!!

Time Out

Happy Snow Day!

Moving, moving!!!!

Just an update for everyone- Chris has already left for Northern California as of last Sunday (Jan. 31st) and has started his new job with Apple Corporation at their headquarters. Alisa will be leaving (flying out) to join him next Sat. (Feb. 13th)and is in the process of packing/shipping things. It's happening fast so if you want to talk or visit with Alisa before she goes, your time is running short. Call her on her cell phone- 614-218-5926 or facebook her!

Harm and Mike are moving the weekend of Feb. 20th, They will still be in the Columbus area and are moving in with Brandon and Rhonda.

And the verdict is:

It's a boy.

2/8: Here's some pics we had taken this morning. He really liked his hands by his face.

Happy New Year!

Who's ready for some wrastling?

Eli's first official match was supposed to be yesterday, but was cancelled due to the snow.

These pictures are from their "practice" match earlier in the week. He won the first round 10-0, and lost the second 0-10, but you'd never know the difference by the huge grin on his face the whole time.

Texas, here we come...

Jon just got his duty station... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Bliss
Wish us luck.

Happy Birthdays!!

Here's a special shout out to Andi and Chris- Happy Birthday to you both!! Hope you both have fun and enjoy your special day!!

Alisa

To Grace From Ivy

We have a due date now: June 30th.

Staring contest!!

Pittsburgh, Fall 2009.

Are you ready to play...

WHO


BLINKS


FIRST?!?!?!

There goes another one...

Hope you all have heard the latest update, but just in case........

Sorry I haven't called each one of you each day with an update on Dad! Let's review the week:

Sunday morning- Dad's heart was "fluttery" & out of rhythm (A-fib). We left Church right after the Sacrament.

Monday morning- heart still wonky. Dad gets blessing. Call's cardio Dr's office- sent to ER at Mt Carmel West
Monday- 12:30- admitted to hospital
Monday night- no food for Dad- test taking on Tuesday

Tuesday- echo-cardiogram (no blocked arteries! YAY!!)
chemical stress test- inject you with chemical that tells your body you've been on a treadmill a long time so you get out of breath and sweaty, then they measure the results to your heart!

Tuesday PM- cardio Dr. tells Dad his heart finally has rhythm and he'll go home Wed. AM

Wed AM- cardio Dr. tells Dad his heart is in rhythm- but REALLY SLOW. Got to stay longer and get a pacemaker. Maybe that same day- no food for Dad. :(

Wed. afternoon- surgery scheduled for Thursday AM. More waiting. :(

Thursday AM- surgery- 20 minutes prep, 10 minutes actual surgery- feeling great. Going home Friday (probably by lunch time!!) YAY!!

Reagan lost her first tooth today! But we think she swallowed it during snack at school cause she didn't even realize it came out...oh well, I'm sure she's not the first kid to swallow a tooth.

Happy Birthday Brandon!

Good times, good times

Eli and Reagan made some new best friends this weekend...

This was at Greta Rice's parents house in Hartford OH (close to Youngstown), we were visting for the annual Apple Festival there. Reagan even got to ride on a float and throw candy.

Oddly enough, we didn't eat anything with apples...guess we'll have to go back next year!

Brandon's 30th Birthday Party

We're having a birthday party for me on Saturday September 26th at 3p.m. @ our house.
Our address is 4747 Glendon Rd Columbus , OH

If anyone wants to celebrate the big "NUMBER 5" with Ian and Josh, we will be having ice cream and cup cakes at Tisha's house this Saturday at 3:00. Hope to see you there.

First Days

Harrison and Gillian on their first day of 5th and 6th grade. We were running just a little late, so I had to take their picture in the parking lot of the school.

Rachael on her first day of 2nd grade. She was being a goof ball, as usual, and was claiming that her backpack was crushing her. (The two biggest items were tissues and her lunch box.)

School started this week (yay for mommy). Rachael started Monday then Harrison and Gillian started on Tuesday. They were all excited in the different ways and things are going good so far, they all like the teachers and recognize some kids they knew before we moved.

James's first Word

On Monday James said his first word. He said dada. He also his first tooth yesterday.

Planning Ahead...WAY ahead...

Christmas is just around the bend, it seems, in all its craziness. With the economy taking an unfortunate turn, I have a proposition to make for our Large family. Would a Christmas PARTY be better than gift exchanging?? I know what a black hole our financial world seems like most days, and hope that everyone else is doing okay.

This party would be held at a place yet to be determined. The main activities would be children with icing of sugar cookies and reading of christmas stories, while the adults sit back and enjoy a hot chocolate and hot cider buffet and perhaps (yes I KNOW it seems cheesy, but what do you expect from me?) singing of christmas carols.

Each family would have certain parts to prepare, ie. one family might bring the hot chocolate mix, another sugar cookies and icing, etc.

Please give me some feedback. I know our Christmas is going to be scaled down quite a bit this year in our home, and thought this might be a no-pressure-enjoy-being-with-family time.

Happy Birthday!!!

Happy birthday to Aaron (tomorrow) and Erica (last friday)!!!