I had a busy family week last week. The kids were all home in and out. It’s our LONG week of the year. It’s the week we spent our last days with Kramer, my husband, who passed away last year at this time. I think everyone wants to be home to check on me and to work out their own grief with like minded people who are grieving as they are.
Every single day from Memorial Day until June 2nd has some type of “this was the last time we..” or “this was the day we..” . It’s been hard but we’re doing it…and we’re doing it together.
When one of the kids here at home, then more join. It’s so fun…but chaotic and hectic and loud but lots of fun. I think it’s only going to be more so from here on as the kids get older, so I might as well get used to it.
I tried to stimulate the economy and spent a little money. I bought a big griddle that goes over the top of my stove. One of the main reasons is for days like this when there are lots of us and we need lots of food.
Also…I hate being the one slaving over all the food and not having enough pans or burners for it all. Here are Karl and Kalissa in action…. (Sorry Karl. I cut off your head.)
Karl and Kalissa love the griddle. I’ll do a big review about it coming up after we’ve used it for a bit. I want to make sure it’s a good honest review.
While Karl and Kalissa were working on the meat and filling for fajitas, I was making homemade tortillas. It was awesome as we could all be in the kitchen working and prepping food together. Rice was cooking in the Instant Pot while all this happening. It was fun being in the kitchen together and if the griddle does nothing more than that, I’m okay with it…but so far, I’m liking the food from it too!
The night before Kayla had been here with Jasper. Again it was a griddle supper. I make “breakfast for supper”. I had sausages, eggs and pancakes on the griddle. It was great as there was enough space to make it all.
We attempted to get a picture me and the grandkids. Let’s just say it didn’t go the best. Check out Rosie licking Carver’s leg. Gannon was not liking this at all!!
So I opted to get a picture with just Jasper. I don’t have many pictures with him. Isn’t he adorable? I think he looks so much like Spencer. He’s pretty solem in this picture but normally very happy.
I don’t know what we were thinking because then we tried to get a picture with the girl with their babies….It kind of went like this.
The whole time I was clucking and dancing and trying to get the kids to look. No luck.
In the end, this is the best we could do. For those wondering, it’s Kelli with Georgia on the left. Kalissa with Carver and Gannon in the middle. Kayla and Jasper on the right.
It was such a fun couple of days. I can isolate for a really long time as long as it includes these guys. (Bucks family, of course too!)
Being a grandma with no grand babies is too much for me.
I have to say, this not working thing, it’s really growing on me. I hope I can find a way to make it work…because now that I’ve got a taste for hanging out with everyone more often, I had to say, I really, really like it!
With the house full of activity and love, I still miss Kramer. I wish he could see the kids growing up and be a part of their lives. His not being here touches us all, but as you can see, we find a way to be happy and carry on. He wouldn’t want it any other way!
Oh that big griddle looks like it’s just the ticket for big family breakfasts. And Mexican dinners. Major great choice. The babies are so cute. I know missing the one person who started your family with you is missed and will be missed. He left such a great legacy of happiness even in troubled times. God bless and keep you all in the center of His love.
Jo,
Been thinking about you all week knowing it would be the lasts of the firsts. You made it through year 1 which is the hardest. Grief still will rear its ugly head from time to time but you will manage to get through. You gracefully have spoken your feelings in the blog and we have journeyed with you. You enlightened us by explaining how some well intentioned sayings are hurtful to a grieving family. It has changed me. The kids are lucky to have you and the grandbabies bring a wonderful reminder that life must go on. Thinking of Roger always brings a smile to my face! Big in stature and humor! A regular guy with a big heart. Hard work, loyalty and love for God and his family defined him. Lucky we all were to know him!
Your pictures made me smile, kids are just gonna be kids!! So glad you can be with your family and have fun. We will be having our 1st get together since this mess started on Friday to celebrate my youngest DGD’s 18th birthday and her un-graduation because she still hasn’t had one, this stuff sure did mess up this years grads, so sad but maybe we can have some fun and she’ll feel better!!!
First off I’m JEALOUS of all those cute little toes! darn my kids anyway…. 2nd I bought the riley seam guide that you showed on your blog. But the instructions are not that good. Am I supposed to cut out the center where the dashed line is? that would be where the feed dogs are so I am thinking yes.
It’s so good that you were able to have some family time over the weekend, Jo. Those pictures are TOO much! There’s always someone looking the wrong way when you get a bunch of kids together.
In the days right after my husband passed away, I thought I would go crazy with all the family in the house. Then I reminded myself, I had the rest of my life to to myself and to appreciate the width and breadth of family all under the same roof. To be honest, the emotions of those first few days were a little out of order. I’m so happy you have your children and all those grands, you invested wisely.
Hi Jo, I know you are having lots of personal thoughts and rememberances. I thank you so much for sharing your life with us.
I have been trying to use your Amazon link to order on, but have been unable to open it most of the time. It may be at my end, but please check. I would like to continue to use your link. Thanks for all you do for all of us. Love and prayers
What a bunch of cuties! Oh so fun to be a grandma. I was thinking as I read it, how much Kramer would have loved being with you all, and I am sure he was in spirit. I don’t know how many times my sisters and I would say when we were with our grand nieces and nephews, “wouldn’t Mother just love to see these little ones -her great grands.” We just enjoyed them for her. It is so much fun to have so much family around you and the cousins will be great together. Keep enjoying every minute!
It is so nice to see all your grand babies, that is what keeps us young. I can’t imagine how your life has changed but I am sure that having your family around has helped a lot. Take care and enjoy those little ones.
Love the pictures Jo!!!! Those are real life pictures not staged!
There’s nothing like a big family get together. And the grand kids make it so much better! No matter how they look in the pictures, there will be so many good memories.
I know this is such a hard time of year for you but having family all around makes it a bit easier.
Love and prayers
I believe Kramer sees all the love and beautiful grandbabies with you. Beautiful.
I just enjoy these photos of all the adorable grandchildren. Glad you had a good time with your family. Sorry for the loss of your husband. I hope to see our 3 grandchildren soon with their dad and mom. Maybe July 4th. Take care!