Monday, July 19, 2010

Another Angel...

Yesterday, July 18th, 2010, my grandmother MaryLou Tackes passed from this world...

For the last few months she had been in and out of the hospital battling lung cancer, emphysema, and diabetes... She had been in pain and for the last month was confined to a hospital bed. Her heart longed to be with her husband, my grandfather Kern, who we lost a few years ago...

Now, I know she is pain free. I know she is up walking around. And most of all, I know she is with my Grandfather once again. I find comfort in the fact that I will see both of them someday. I can smile and cry tears of joy over the memories I have of the two of them. I can look at family pictures, show them to my children, and tell them about their wonderful great-grandparents.

One day, I will see them again... Just as they are in these photos... and that thought means the world to me...

Grandpa: I still miss you, after all this time. I can see you out in the chicken house, working in your workshop... I see salt water taffy, and think of you...I can hear you joke around singing songs and trying to teach us your special German words like 'fartfenugen'... I can hear you jingle bells out on the porch of the farmhouse, pretending to be Santa for us as kids... I remember picking raspberries from your garden... I remember the last time I saw you, in Yuma when I moved to Georgia and we stopped to visit you... You were a wonderful man. The one real example I had growing up. I love you and I look forward to hugging you again someday...

Grandma: I know how much the last few months have hurt you. I know how much you longed to be with the man you loved for over fifty years... I can remember sitting in your living room, watching you do crosswords... I am reminded of you every time I see smoked salmon... I can remember playing dominoes with the family around your kitchen table... I remember you taking Ayla into your bedroom at 5am that morning in Yuma, just so Bryan and I could sleep a little more... I love you, I miss you...
My grandfather, Clarence "Kern" Tackes

My Grandmother, MaryLou Tackes

Friday, July 9, 2010

My Little Man is Turning 3

Zach's birthday is coming up in a few weeks (sniffle...sniffle... my baby is growing up too fast).

He decided months ago that he wanted to have an Army Man birthday party this year. I bought some decorations and came up with TONS of ideas. But of course, before the party starts, you have to invite people to celebrate with you.

I love coming up with unique invitation ideas (as you saw with Ayla's party). For Zach's party, I decided to draft the guests...

I used our computer's word program. I found a U.S. Army star logo online and put in in the center of the page at the top. Then the invitation read :

*Official Recruitment Notice*
You are hereby ordered for induction into the United States Army Special Forces Unit. MISSION: Rendezvous with an elite force of young people to celebrate Zachary's 3rd Birthday. Should you choose to accept this mission... REPORT TO TRAINING CAMP: (the date of the party) LOCATION: Fort Eagle Training Academy (the address of the party) ARRIVAL TIME: (time the party starts) COMPLETION TIME: (the time the kids should be picked up) Rations will be served. UNIFORM: Camouflage or green/tan/brown clothing optional. Recruits will run basic training drills. They will be crawling on grass and using water grenades during their missions. Please make sure they dress appropriately. Please bring a towel or change of clothes. CONFIRM: Drill Sergeant (Last name) (phone number) (and date of RSVP)
Then I printed the invitations on regular printer paper and folded the sheets into thirds so that the top only showed the logo and the words *Official Recruitment Notice*.
Then in the top right corner I hand wrote the invitees last name. You could easily add your own touch. The name of the training academy could be the child's name or the family last name. You could also use the Army seal instead of the star logo. They would be really cute with an army camo border too! If you wanted to, you could take the invite, place it in a manila envelope, and write this on the outside:
TOP SECRET: Special United States Army Documents ATTN: (Invitees name)
Enjoy!!! :)

Monday, July 5, 2010

Happy Fourth!!!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and a fabulous Fourth of July...
We did...
Just look for yourself... :)

I know I haven't posted since Ayla's party last month, but I'll tell you all about what I've been up to soon. I am decorating for a 'coming home party' (Details coming soon...). I am also working on Zach's 3rd birthday. He picked an Army Man theme. It is coming along great! I'll be posting on it soon also...
A few reasons I have been slacking about posting...
I have been busy making party decorations. I have also been having some health issues (Will tell you about this later also...). Of course, I still have online classes, two kids, a hubby, and a house to take care of... I have also been prayerful for my mother and her family.
My Mom's Mom (Grandma MaryLou, to me), has been very sick for the past few months. In June, we found out she has advanced (terminal) lung cancer in addition to several other health problems. After a lot of procedures and worry, Grandma has settled into hospice. It won't be much longer before she gets to see my Grandpa again... I know I will see them both someday, but it is very difficult for my Mom. I would appreciate your prayers for her and the rest of the family.
Also, for those of you who know Sister Doris Garrison... She is a wonderful woman who is like a Grandma to my hubby (And to me now!). She teaches the Sunday school class for young children at our church. It is the same class that I teach, I sub for her when she is out. She was out for the past two months due to surgery. She came back to class on Father's Day. Then last week, while she was at work on Monday, she was hospitalized again. She had a heart attack. They did a stent and got it taken care of. She will be out for a few more weeks. Please keep her in your prayers as well! We love her so much and we will be glad when she is able to come back and stay with us again.
Anyhow... I guess that is enough for now... I know I have a lot more to share, but it will have to wait. Thank you for your prayers! We appreciate it! :)