My Grandpa Died Today

Well, today my Grandpa passed away.  My Grandpa Magnusson (my mom's dad).  I have so many memories of him.  He was always fixing things-- even  when we went on vacation to Utah he was always fixing things.  Even in Hawaii he was looking for things to fix.  He had 7 children-- 6 living and 1 dead (Carl).  I can't help but think how happy he must be at seeing Carl.  That is enough to put a smile on my face through my tears.  My mom called this morning about 7:50am and when I saw her name on my caller ID I knew exactly what she was calling about and I was in tears.  I got Chase off to school- which I kind of felt guilty all day about because I did not get a chance to talk to him about how it made him feel.  He told me he got sad a couple of times at school about it and told some of his friends.  I take comfort in knowing that he is no longer in pain and no longer confined to a body that did not do what he wanted it to do.  I really love my Grandpa and he will be missed.  I am so grateful that I had the chance to be with him last Sunday (Easter).  My Grandma and Grandpa came to my parents house for dinner.  My family was the only one there.  So, my kids even sat at the dinner table and ate-- (this never happens when everyone is there because they are off playing with their cousins).  It was great for them to have this experience with their grandparents and great grandparents.  I wish I had known then that in one weeks time he would be gone.  I think I would have hugged him just a little longer and a little tighter. 

When Lauren was 3 weeks old (Nov. 20th)  we went to visit Grandpa and Grandma Mag.  When I walked in Grandma Mag started to tell me that Grandpa had not gotten up yet.  Well, my mom happened to be there that day also.  When we went and looked in on my Grandpa he looked terrible.  It was so sad to see.  He couldn't open his eyes-- they were so puffy, his face was so puffy.  He was really out of it.  Come to find out the sleeping pills had wiped him out.  But, at the time we had no idea what was wrong.  I thought he was dying.  He has been sick for quite a while and I thought he was just headed towards death door.  I was still in my "I just had a baby and everything makes me cry mode" so, of course I was a basketcase and could not stop crying.  I went and layed my new baby Lauren next to my Grandpa.  It was the sweetest thing I have ever seen.  He opened his eyes and kept rubbing her arm and leg and she was so content next to him.  He even spoke clearly her name.  This was huge... he was so lethargic and out of it but, there were some moments of clarity and recognition.  I felt the spirit so strongly that day.  I was so upset that I did not have my camera to capture that moment.  But, I do know that I will never forget it.  I don't think the others in the room will either (my mom, Grandma and Aunt Pennie).  I know that my Grandpa is in a better place and enjoying the wonderful reunions that are taking place but, it is sad to know that it will be quite awhile before I see him again.  He was a great man and had a great life.  There are many that will miss him and there are many that will be looking forward to seeing him again someday.

I love you Grandpa-- I am so glad to be your Granddaughter.

I love you

Stacey

My Grandpa-

black licorace

gumdrops

salt water

swimming

camping

Cabin

The drive to 7 Sacred Pools (my life flashed before my eyes)-- Sheri knows what I am talking about

Cracking nuts

figs

tree house

swings

spinning ladder

rocking chair

newspaper hats

fishing

Blake's Birthday

Well, today is March 31st!  My baby boy Blake is 3 today.  I can't believe he is getting so big.  He has been such a joy since the day he was born.  He was the sweetest, best baby in the whole world.  Now, he is the sweetest 3 year old ever.  Since I had Blake I have never had a hard day with him.  He minds so well, stays by me and listens to what I tell him the first time (most times).  I don't ever mind taking him with me because he is so good.  He is also hilarious.  He says the funniest things and just has a way of saying them that is so cute and funny!  I love Blake so much.  He is kind to his brother and sisters and always wants them to be around him.  We are so lucky to have him and I would have 10 more kids if I knew they would all  come like him.  I hope you always know how much I love you Blake.  You have made my days easier and I love just knowing that you are my son.  I am so proud of you and want you to know how much you mean to me.  Thanks for being my buddy and always making things just a bit more fun and exciting.  I look forward to all the things you have to say each day.  You are the best 3 year old boy I know!!!!

I love you with all my heart and to Infinity and Beyond-

Mom 

Here are some of Blake's favorite things--

Milk in a sippy cup

Wow Wow Wubzy

Spiderman

Diego

Baths

Park

Chuck E. Cheese

Dollars and Monies

Getting the mail

Watering the plants

Nursery and Sis. Kiver (Sis. MacIver)

Grandma and Grandpas House

Close eyes

Pancakes

Dippin Dots

Fruit Snacks

Chowder (cartoon)

Bubbles

Popsicles

Cars

Anything Disney (not the Princesses)

So, on Sunday we had Spiderman cupcakes and rootbeer floats at my parents house with all the family.  Blake had a great time and was so excited for everyone to sing to him!  Tonight we went to Chuck E. Cheese.  We had so much fun!  Blake loved it and so did the other kids.  They played games, won lots of tickets and each got a toy!!!!  Chase picked a Batman video game, Hayden got a gumball machine and Blake picked a sticky foot (as he called it but, it was really a sticky hand).  After that we went to Pier 1.  The kids were so good and we had such a great time-- I LOVE my family.  I have the best kids in the world and there are no other people that I would rather hang out with than my kids and hubby.  I am so grateful for them!

That Darn Plankton

So, we took the kids to Burger King tonight.  They have Spongebob toys right now.  So, all my kids got a version of Spongebob.  Well, Blake was upset because he wanted Squidward.  How do you explain to a 2 year old that just because the toys are displayed in a box- that does not mean that Burger King has all of them!  So, Hayden makes a little friend there and trades her Spongebob for a Plankton.  This upsets Chase so much!  (Normally he would not have cared but, for some reason - come to find out he really wanted the Plankton.)  Whatever- You get what you get and you don't throw a fit.  So, the whole time he is pouting about Hayden always getting what she wants, and how lucky she always is and how he never gets anything.........  Anyway, then we head over to Home Depot and he is still trying to negotiate a trade of some kind with her.  I'll push you in the cart if you give me the Plankton, I will trade you ten of my favorite toys for the Plankton.....it went on and on.  I would keep looking over at him and he was whispering in her ear.    Finally, it was time to go (after being there forever) and Hayden can't find the Plankton-- it is lost.  We look for it and can't find it.  WELL... hallelujah!-- The darn thing is LOST!  After that the kids were great!  NO more fighting over that dumb Plankton!  He caused just as much trouble for me tonight as he does for Spongebob!  That Darn Plankton!!!!!!

Lauren Is 5 Months!

I can't believe how big my baby is getting!!!!  She is already 5 months old.  She is sitting (almost by herself), she smiles, cooes, rolls from front to back and back to front, grabs at everything she sees, is still a HUGE mommy's girl and is just soooo sweet!   Hayden still wants to get her everytime she hears her cry or just talking in her bed.  (I thought that would have died off by now.)  AND... Blake finally asked to hold Lauren yesterday!!!!  This is huge for him because he would never even touch her.  He always says he loves baby Lauren and kisses her but, his hands actually touching her... NEVER!  So, I hope he asks again.  

Elizabeth's Birthday Lunch

Today we went to Cheesecake Factory for Elizabeth's birthday lunch.  Mom, Me, Sheri, Elizabeth, Blake, Lauren and Beau all went.  It was so fun and lunch was so yummy.  I got the Sweet Corn Tamale Cakes ( I think that's what their called).  I love them!  Then, of course we had to have cheesecake.  Snickers cheesecake all the way...... 

Happy Easter!

We had such a fun Easter weekend!  On Saturday, we went to our  friend Mike's mom's house.  They were having a birthday party for him.  We stayed for about an hour and then went to my parent's house.  We had an Easter egg hunt and dying Easter eggs with all the cousins.  It was so much fun!  Thanks Mom and Dad for a fun day!  Sunday morning was a lot of fun.  The kids got up around 6 am-- ok, let's be honest-- Brian and I were up at 6am and got the kids up at 6:30am.  The Easter bunny left them a treasure hunt to find their Easter baskets.  They had a great time hunting for their baskets.  Chase got a frog Webkinz, Hayden got a Littlest PetShop set, Blake got some race cars and Lauren got a pink bunny  along with a bunch of candy!  The kids all wore their Easter clothes to church and looked soooo adorable.  On Sunday night, we went back to my parents for dinner.  It was just Mom, Dad, Us, Sam, Grandpa and Grandma Magnusson and Maureen.  We had a nice dinner and my Dad did close eyes with the kids.  They had gone to Hawaii the week before and brought all the grandkids shirts and necklaces!!!  Thanks Mom and Dad for a great weekend!