Grandpa Fred

My Grandpa Fred has passed away. I feel so incredibly blessed to have said my goodbyes in October. We were all expecting it would be soon, but when my dad called this afternoon I knew in his voice my grandpa was gone and felt immediate sadness. Even when you know it's for the best and that it could come at any time it doesn't completely prepare you for that call.

My grandpa was a shy man, tall and firm when he needed to be. He grew up in the fields of Nebraska. He never graduated high school as he preferred the quite fields over the boarding school he would have had to attend since there wasn't one close enough to the farm. Maybe that's where I get my contentment just being by myself with out talking. When my dad was young grandpa sold the farm, packed up his family and moved to California so that his children could have more opportunities. Something I will always be grateful for, admire, and love about him.

He loved wood working and was amazing at it. The cradle he made me means even more now than ever, and I can't wait to one day use it and have my baby be surrounded by his/her great grandpa's love. Although he didn't always say much his smile and eyes said it all. Especially this last time seeing him. You could tell he knew he was saying good bye, which made it that much harder to leave him. I loved listening to his stories when he felt chatty, driving to the farm house he grew up in and getting a malt at the old malt shop. He was a hard worker long after his body had told him no, stubborn, hopefully another trait that rubbed off on me. I could go on and on. But mostly he was a good man and treated everyone with decency and loved my grandma more than words can express. Even after all the decades of time they spent together they were so cute together.

I am so thankful that I know that I will see him again, and not just me, he will one day be reunited with his Jessie.

Bye Grandpa, Love you and can't wait to see you again.


My grandparents with their grandchildren and a few great grandchildren in 2001

My grandparents when I came home from the hospital. Wish I had more pictures, but they are either with my parents or in storage.

Ticket 4 One please

I love going to the movies by myself. For some reason I find sitting in the theater by myself, kid combo in hand of course, very therapeutic. I'm not sure why, but I do. Today I saw Blind Side. LOVED LOVED LOVED IT!! Can't even count how many times I got a little teary eyed. I give it 2 thumbs up. So, if you have never gone to a movie solo I recommend it.

Pumpkin Patch

My parents came to town this weekend and it was so nice to have them here, especially on such a beautiful weekend. The highlight of the weekend was the Pumpkin Patch at Linder Farms. We had such a fun time picking out pumpkins, enjoying the sun and the festivities. We had to end the night at Texas Roadhouse, one of our faves. We got some fun souvenirs from their trip to Hawaii too. I got the funniest socks ever, they say, "Boys are stupid throw rocks at them." So funny and so true ;) can't wait to sport those around town. Another short weekend with family this month and I enjoyed every minute of it. Even the door to door meet salesman. Can't wait for Christmas when we can all be together again.

Nebraska

At the beginning of the month my younger brother, sister and I went to Nebraska for a quick trip. My grandpa Fred broke his pelvis last month and he and my grandma celebrated their 73rd anniversary on the 6th so we decided we should probably go down and say hello. Can you imagine spending 73 years together with the one you love, and they are still very much in love. Grandma stays every night in the hospital so that my grandpa is not alone. He's kind of a shy guy and oh so cute. The last few years he's had a few health issues, but it never stops him. A pelvic break can be a life altering issue for people his age, but he was already walking around when we went to visit. He needs help but the fact that we can do it is amazing. Their love is very inspiring and I love listening to them tell stories of when they were younger.

Before they got married they had moved to Colorado to try and make money to save to actually get married. My grandpa made $25 a month working on a farm and my grandma made $3 per week tending kids. They decided they would never really be able to save a lot and just wanted to get married so they headed back to Nebraska to take out a loan and start farming. They have both been such hard workers all their lives and I love them both so much.

It was also fun just spending time with Dee and Mikie, we don't do stuff like this near enough. I got to see my sister's new house in Fort Collins and Mikie and I had 4 hours of quality time in the airport while Denise enjoyed the Denver Broncos game. There is nothing better than wonderful siblings and I've got three of the best.

Random

Just some random things going on in my life.

1. Had a sleep over with Lindsey Saturday night. We went to Ice Age and had treats (popcorn, juice and an airhead of course), watched cartoons, sang songs, then went to bed. In the middle of the night Lindsey fell off my bed in between the wall and the bed. I think it scared me more than her, I don't think she ever really woke up. It was so much fun, I love my Lindsey Bean and spending time with her. She is so funny, sweet, and clever.

2. Rode on a bullet bike for the first time in my life. Never thought I would do it, but it was a little scary, a little awkward the way you have to sit, and a little more than a little bit fun.

3. It's fall so of course watching football. Rather not discuss the Cougars performance on Saturday, hopefully the rest of the season is better. Went to a BSU game with Ben and actually cheered for the Bronco's for the first time in my life. Don't know that it will happen again, but it was fun to hang with my big bro and watch my new school's football team.

4. Have to find a new place to live, YUCK! So sick of moving.

5. Loving that fall is slowly creeping in. Can't wait for sweaters.

A Post

I would love to be reporting on all my summer adventures and places I've been, but this has been my most boring summer that I can remember. Minus my fun little trips at the beginning of the summer I have been confined to the four walls of my house or school studying all summer. It was a lot of work being at school 5 hours a day (for one class) for 10 weeks straight, but I actually enjoyed the pace. I have been very bored this first week of school, but I'm sure it will pick up.

I managed to go camping once with Ben & Becky and the girls and hit up the fair. But other than that nothing really remarkable comes to mind. I have been living in my friends house all summer, as he lives in New York and has the house on the market. I have actually enjoyed taking care of the house inside and out on my free time. It was also very nice living by myself with little distractions for studying. Luckily for him an offer might be made soon, but not so lucky for me.

That seems to wrap up the last few months of my life. Hopefully this semester is as successful as the last few and I am excited for fall to come. Football, fall leaves, and cooler temperatures sound perfect right now.

Santa Monica

I am taking a break from studying to finally write this post. If I don't do it now who knows when it will get done. Two weeks ago three of my girlfriends and I took a girl's trip to sunny California.

My three beautiful friends; Amy, Hailey and Chelsey needed breaks from being wonderful mothers and wives and I needed a break from studying and work, so off to Santa Monica we went. We hit up every cupcake store we could find, even getting sick at one place. I think we would all agree that Sprinkles in Beverly Hills was the best. We stayed right by the beach and could see the Santa Monica Pier and ocean from our hotel window, at least Amy & I could. It was a perfect weekend. The weather was great, food oh so delicious, poolside views of the ocean and muscle beach relaxing and entertaining, and the company to die for. I love these girls so much and had so much fun RELAXING with them. The little detour on Sunday was an extra bonus, thanks girls ;).