Tick Tock...

The sound of time flying by!

Life has been a bit hectic lately and as always, the last item on my to-do list is the blog (well, not really, the last item must be clean out my closet....because it is a big mess, yet, here I am blogging!).   My grandfather passed away 3 weeks ago yesterday - it has made for an interesting three weeks of sadness, memories, reflection, and beginning to return to our normal routine.  We learned of my Grandfather's death on Palm Sunday - Chad's family was in town with us when we received the news.  There are times when I wish I lived much closer to Catawba County - that day was another example.  It is hard to get such touch news and be so far away when trying to cope.  On Monday morning, we traveled to NC to be with my family and we ended up staying through Easter.  It was nice to be there and process all that had occurred.  I am at peace with my grandfather's death but it doesn't make the hurt any easier.  It is so very hard to say goodbye to someone who has been such a huge part of your life.  It was VERY bittersweet because our original plans had been to head home for Easter and visit with my grandfather.  We came back to Mt. P very early on Easter Monday - Chad had the day off but I had to get back to work.  We decided to leave the boys in NC - originally in East Bend and winding back up with my parents in Sherrills Ford on Thursday.  Chad and I worked all week and enjoyed a few dinners at restaurants in Mt. P where we would rather not take Payton and Owen.  We enjoyed the Mustard Seed, Capriccio, and Bambu....not a good week for shedding any extra baby weight!  On Friday morning, we headed back north to Sherrills Ford again.  My friend Jessica Campbell was getting married and I was lucky to be a bridesmaid.  It was a busy weekend with wedding festivities!  On Sunday, we hit the road, heading back south and getting home just in time for Chad to make it to his Deacon "test."  I think he passed!  Monday rolled back around quickly and we did our best to jump back into our "normal" routine.  As usual, it was a busy week with Bible Study, a committee meeting at church for me, and 3 softball games for Chad.  Thursday night my parents arrived in Mt. Pleasant.  They were here for 3 reasons - to help with our yard makeover, to help with the kids while we completed the yard makeover, and to celebrate Mother's Day.  It was a busy weekend for sure - and I wasn't able to walk Sunday or Monday morning - but it was great to have them down for the weekend.  We did enjoy having them here.  Payton and Owen loved having Grandma and Grandpa here and we were excited to celebrate Mother's Day with my Mom.  They headed home yesterday and here we are again....Monday!

Hopefully I can catch up quickly with pictures!  We've had some great ones over the past few weeks!  The innocence of children protects them from the harsh reality of death and the events surrounding death.  Payton does understand that Papaw Joe is gone; he understands that he does not live at his house any more but he is protected from the great sadness that accompanies such news.  Payton and Owen have loved the last 3 weeks - lots of family time, lots of changing and lots of excitement.  I am grateful to have them as a distraction over the past few weeks - and as a reminder of what my grandpa would want me to focus on - actually, he would want me to quit working "so hard" and spend more time focusing on those two little boys and Bailey of course!!!

I'll try to recap in pictures as much as possible!