I love Thanksgiving! Its so nice to spend time with family and friends and reflect on all the things we have to be thankful for. There is just so much to be thankful for that I could never write it all.
Of course I'm thankful for the normal things like food, clothing, shelter, family, friends, etc. But since I've started working for Child Protective Services, I have really started to reflect on my life and what a great childhood I had. Of course I suffered a major loss with my mom passing, but overall I had it pretty good. We had a nice house, drug-free parents, and although we weren't rich, we never went without.
Wednesday, I worked at the pharmacy (2nd job) for a few hours. I'm a nationally certified pharmacy technician and i have been working in pharmacies since I was 16. I enjoy it, so I work every other Sunday and sometimes when I have days off at my regular job. Anyway, I worked Wednesday and then packed the car and headed home to Peachtree City! That night, I went to a little get together with my parents and got to see a lot of my friends's parents and catch up.
Thursday, we had Thanksgiving lunch at home. At home, my dad, stepmom, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, baby brother, and Grammy (stepgrandmother) were there. My brother, Philip, couldn't make the trip from Kansas City, so we Skyped with him and his girlfriend. I miss him and hope he can make it home for Christmas! We had a great meal with yummy ham, turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, green bean casserole, squash, and dressing. That night, we all watched a movie and went to bed.
Friday, my dad worked on my car putting on new brakes and doing a "tune up." So nice that he can do that kind of stuff and I don't have to pay expensive labor charges at a mechanic. He spent a lot of time on it and I'm so thankful he did that. My brakes were pretty bad and squeaking alot, so I feel much safer now! After he finished, I headed back to Augusta.
It was a nice visit at home. Everyone pretty much got along, even the 3 dogs! I wish I had taken pictures so this wasn't such a boring post. I think my dad got some, so I will have to borrow his camera next time I am there to upload photos.
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and that everyone took some time out of their day to say "thanks!"
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Grandma's Memorial Services Continued
So I left off with Saturday's church services...
Sunday, we did more visiting with family, my stepmom flew home, and my dad, sister, brother, and I drove to Gilman, Iowa. It is a small, sweet little farming town that Grandma grew up in. My Grandpa George is buried there and Grandma wanted to be buried next to him.
The Iowa part of the family joined us at a cute little hotel that night and we did more visiting and more showing of the slideshow. We usually only see the Iowa family in July during our family reunions, so this year was a bonus to see everyone twice, even if it was a sad occassion.
Monday morning, we had the graveside service and buried Grandma's ashes next to Grandpa and said out final goodbyes. It was beautiful weather. The cemetary was so nice and incredibly old. We saw many graves from the 1500s and earlier! After the service, we went to a local church and had lunch. The ladies from the church were so sweet and cute and they kept saying how much they enjoyed making our family lunch. So cute!
These are some of Grandma's grandchildren: Andy, his wife Colleen, Mary, Ella, Hannah, Sean, and me at the church.
Some of the Iowa cousins and us: Daniel, his son Harris, Andy, Colleen, Mary, Ella, Sean, Hannah, me, Katie, and Christian. It was so nice seeing everyone twice in one year!
After lunch, we headed back to Kansas City to do more visiting :) Tuesday we flew back to Atlanta and I headed back to Augusta and worked Wednesday.
It was such a nice trip seeing friends and family, especially my brother Philip. We miss him here in Georgia and can't wait to see him and our new niece in February!
Sunday, we did more visiting with family, my stepmom flew home, and my dad, sister, brother, and I drove to Gilman, Iowa. It is a small, sweet little farming town that Grandma grew up in. My Grandpa George is buried there and Grandma wanted to be buried next to him.
The Iowa part of the family joined us at a cute little hotel that night and we did more visiting and more showing of the slideshow. We usually only see the Iowa family in July during our family reunions, so this year was a bonus to see everyone twice, even if it was a sad occassion.
Monday morning, we had the graveside service and buried Grandma's ashes next to Grandpa and said out final goodbyes. It was beautiful weather. The cemetary was so nice and incredibly old. We saw many graves from the 1500s and earlier! After the service, we went to a local church and had lunch. The ladies from the church were so sweet and cute and they kept saying how much they enjoyed making our family lunch. So cute!
These are some of Grandma's grandchildren: Andy, his wife Colleen, Mary, Ella, Hannah, Sean, and me at the church.
Some of the Iowa cousins and us: Daniel, his son Harris, Andy, Colleen, Mary, Ella, Sean, Hannah, me, Katie, and Christian. It was so nice seeing everyone twice in one year!
After lunch, we headed back to Kansas City to do more visiting :) Tuesday we flew back to Atlanta and I headed back to Augusta and worked Wednesday.
It was such a nice trip seeing friends and family, especially my brother Philip. We miss him here in Georgia and can't wait to see him and our new niece in February!
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Grandma's Memorial Services
Way back on Columbus Day weekend (October 5-11), I went to Kansas City again...this time for Grandma's memorial services. My dad, sister Hannah, brother Sean, and I flew into Kansas City on Wednesday night. It was really late when we got there, so we went to my grandparents house and went to bed!
Thursday, my stepmom Debbie flew into town and we all did a little shopping. That night, we had the best pizza in the world (Pizza Shoppe) at my brother's girlfriend's family's house. My brother has moved in with Sydney, her parents, and sisters because they are having a baby. That's right, my first niece is on the way :) Hannah and I had met Sydney and her family in July, but the parents have never met each other. The dinner was very nice and we felt welcome and comfortable for what could have been a very awkward situation!
Friday, we did a little more shopping, visiting with friends and family, and just hanging out at my grandparents house. I don't really remember anything special about that day, so I guess it was uneventful. Makes me wish I would have blogged about this trip sooner!
Saturday morning, we had the church funeral for Grandma. Yes, this is the same Grandma who passed away in July. She was cremated and we scheduled the funeral for a holiday weekend so that everyone could travel to Kansas City. Grandma's daughters live in Texas and her sons live in Oregon. We live in Georgia and the rest of the family lives in Misourri and Iowa. The service was beautiful. My stepmom made a slideshow of photos from Grandma's 87 years on Earth. I think she is going to put it on a website...if she does, I will be sure to come back and put the link in. After the service, everyone went to my favorite Mexican restaurant ever, Mannys!
We all had a great time visiting, laughing, and remembering Grandma. We had the slideshow playing there as well and people really enjoyed looking at the pictures.
Here is Sydney, Philip, and Hannah (the twins) at lunch. I know you can't see Sydney's belly, but she looks great for being almost 6 months pregnant here!
Here is me and Aunt Emilie at lunch. Aunt Emilie is such a great person! She has lived with Grandma for about 10 years taking care of her and her house. Aunt Emilie and Grandma even moved to Georgia after my mom died to help my dad take care of us. It was so nice having family, especially my mom's mom and sister because it was like having a little part of Mom still with us. They moved to Texas in 2006 after I went to college, the twins were in high school, and my dad was remarried.
Here is my dad, brother Sean, brother Philip, Grandpa Tom (dad's dad), and Uncle Kent (dad's brother). My dad met my Grandma back when he was 16 years old, and his parents were friends with Grandma since then as well. It was so nice that so many family members from my dad's side came to remember Grandma, very sweet.
Saturday was a great day, good weather, and a wonderful service to remember Grandma. Next up...the rest of our visit to Kansas City!
Thursday, my stepmom Debbie flew into town and we all did a little shopping. That night, we had the best pizza in the world (Pizza Shoppe) at my brother's girlfriend's family's house. My brother has moved in with Sydney, her parents, and sisters because they are having a baby. That's right, my first niece is on the way :) Hannah and I had met Sydney and her family in July, but the parents have never met each other. The dinner was very nice and we felt welcome and comfortable for what could have been a very awkward situation!
Friday, we did a little more shopping, visiting with friends and family, and just hanging out at my grandparents house. I don't really remember anything special about that day, so I guess it was uneventful. Makes me wish I would have blogged about this trip sooner!
Saturday morning, we had the church funeral for Grandma. Yes, this is the same Grandma who passed away in July. She was cremated and we scheduled the funeral for a holiday weekend so that everyone could travel to Kansas City. Grandma's daughters live in Texas and her sons live in Oregon. We live in Georgia and the rest of the family lives in Misourri and Iowa. The service was beautiful. My stepmom made a slideshow of photos from Grandma's 87 years on Earth. I think she is going to put it on a website...if she does, I will be sure to come back and put the link in. After the service, everyone went to my favorite Mexican restaurant ever, Mannys!
We all had a great time visiting, laughing, and remembering Grandma. We had the slideshow playing there as well and people really enjoyed looking at the pictures.
Here is Sydney, Philip, and Hannah (the twins) at lunch. I know you can't see Sydney's belly, but she looks great for being almost 6 months pregnant here!
Here is me and Aunt Emilie at lunch. Aunt Emilie is such a great person! She has lived with Grandma for about 10 years taking care of her and her house. Aunt Emilie and Grandma even moved to Georgia after my mom died to help my dad take care of us. It was so nice having family, especially my mom's mom and sister because it was like having a little part of Mom still with us. They moved to Texas in 2006 after I went to college, the twins were in high school, and my dad was remarried.
Here is my dad, brother Sean, brother Philip, Grandpa Tom (dad's dad), and Uncle Kent (dad's brother). My dad met my Grandma back when he was 16 years old, and his parents were friends with Grandma since then as well. It was so nice that so many family members from my dad's side came to remember Grandma, very sweet.
Saturday was a great day, good weather, and a wonderful service to remember Grandma. Next up...the rest of our visit to Kansas City!
Friday, November 18, 2011
It Has Been Tooooo Long!
Wow, since the last time I posted, I moved, changed positions at my job, went on a trip, and lived every day life! I guess today I will start with my move!
I recently moved into a house with my BFF, Kenny! We have lived together before and decided to do it again. It just makes sense to have a roommate to share bills and responsibilities. Kenny loves my dog Cooper and he doesn't mind helping me with him when I work late or work out of town. This is us at the beach with my little brother, Sean:
So, we are now renting a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home in a great neighborhood. We have a great fenced yard and an awesome sun room to relax in! We love it! I wish I had a picture of the house...guess I need to add that to my to-do list.
I still have a few boxes to unpack, but it will get done! We are having a housewarming party in a few weeks, so I need to get moving! Anyone have any ideas for yummy appetizers to serve??
I recently moved into a house with my BFF, Kenny! We have lived together before and decided to do it again. It just makes sense to have a roommate to share bills and responsibilities. Kenny loves my dog Cooper and he doesn't mind helping me with him when I work late or work out of town. This is us at the beach with my little brother, Sean:
So, we are now renting a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home in a great neighborhood. We have a great fenced yard and an awesome sun room to relax in! We love it! I wish I had a picture of the house...guess I need to add that to my to-do list.
I still have a few boxes to unpack, but it will get done! We are having a housewarming party in a few weeks, so I need to get moving! Anyone have any ideas for yummy appetizers to serve??
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