Update from Florida

We pretty much speak briefly via text in the morning as I am just waking up and he is headed to work (2 hour time difference). I text him during the day and he replies when he has a moment (which is rare). He works about 12 hours a day and really loves what he is doing. We usually talk while I am on my way home from work and he is on his way home from work. Its nice. Makes my drive in traffic quick. Friday he gets to attend a Suturing course. He is getting all prepped and ready to help the Orthopedic Doc in surgeries. He is pretty stoked about that. I ask him to send me pictures of him looking so fly in his "business man attire" but he doesn't want to send me the "emo" kine picture where the phone actually shows in the mirror. He has sent me these pictures though.

Of course he would send me the USA Women's signed goalie jersey.

 Loving the scrubs!

First cast. Looks pretty good.

I miss him like crazy, but I am so glad that he is enjoying his job and gaining so much knowledge and experience in such a short time. So thankful to Heavenly Father for this opportunity!

New favorite

I love how this song puts so much into perspective. Its so uplifting.

Funeral #2

The Rosary Vigil was Sunday evening for my Grandpa Repucci. It was a different experience for me, not being Catholic and not quite understanding the meaning behind some of the Catholic traditions. It was a good opportunity to learn. It was hard for me to not actually see my Grandpa's body in the casket {per his request no viewing}. Even though I know his spirit was no longer in his body, its just one of those things that helps you come to closure I guess. The Funeral mass was Monday morning. Again, not something I quite understood, but I respect his beliefs and tried to understand. I did understand that my Grandpa was being remembered and the traditions of preparing his body and spirit to return to God. I have some great memories of my Grandpa Repucci. One memory, I learned about at the funeral, was when we used to visit Grandpa down at his vacuum shop in Carlsbad, and we would go get ice cream at the parlor, Grandpa would call every store on the way asking if they saw us kids pass by and then he called the ice cream shop to make sure we got there. So sweet and so funny, I never knew that about him. It was a nice service in his memory. The music was beautiful and the words of the Priest were nice. It was nice to be a part of Grandpa's service.

Rest in peace Grandpa.

Funeral #1

It took me a little bit to warm up to being in the room with grandpa {in a casket} and him not greeting me or making some kind of joke. I sat down at the furthest chair from his casket. My eyes would wander in his direction but then my eyes would start to tear up and I knew my nose was starting to turn red {Ballantyne red nose crying syndrome}. I just sat and took it all in and tried to think of my many memories and Grandpa's joy. When Rubi got there, she immediately wanted to know what was up with the guy in the casket. So I went with her. She was so inquisitive. I love how little kids respond at funerals. They dont cry, they dont mourn because they dont fully understand, yet I think they do understand. They are much closer to the Spirit & to heaven, which is why they just look and move on. They know that everything is okay. The services were nice. Grandpa Ballantyne's long and prosperous life was honored in many ways. 

Flowers from all Grandpa's 6 kids.

Flowers from all Grandpa's 26 grandchildren.

Flowers from all Grandpa's 46 great grandchildren {with 2 on the way}

His grandsons in attendance were his Pallbearers.

Many were there to celebrate his life.

Coordinating Cousins.

When we attend a wedding we are joyful, however when we attend a funeral we feel sorrow. This funeral I felt both. I was sad that Grandpa Ballantyne's presence no longer was on the earth, but I was joyful that he and Grandma B could together again, never to be separated again. I wonder what their first words to each other were? I wonder how their first hug felt? I am grateful for this knowledge of life after death. It makes death bittersweet.

 Grandpa's Burial took place Monday September 17th, 2012 at Riverside National Cemetery.

Corey, Mom & I rushed from Grandpa Repucci's funeral to make it just on time to Grandpa Ballantyne's burial.

Bria turns 4

And is Little Miss Glamour!

 She got lots of lip gloss, chapsticks, purses, fairy costumes, dresses, barbies, dolls, stick on earrings, princess crowns...etc ANYTHING & EVERYTHING having to do with dressing up and being girly.

{photos courtesy of: Jenfallanphotography.com}

We got her two purses filled with costume jewelry.

We got together for cake, ice cream, presents and swimming. Love enjoying moments with my family!

Happy Birthday Bria!!

The day after her party, Bria wanted to try out her lipstick, earrings and Dora outfit.

11 years has come upon us

Another year has come upon us. Another year to remember the day we were attacked. Let us always remember the courageous and those that lost their lives this day. We are grateful for the soldiers that continue to fight for our freedoms.

The man of 81 years

April 3,1931-September 11, 2012

Dear Grandpa Bob,

 I have so many memories of winters at the cabin. Coming into the mud room, I remember being so excited to grab our small stocking from the hook and find $5 inside. We would get all suited up in our snow suits, boots, gloves, and hats. Then being excited to play in the snow! We would drag our circle or rectangle sled up the small hill and fly down the hill only to do it a million more times. I remember the special expensive cheese with crackers you and grandma always had on the table for a snack. Many of my summer memories with you are at your house. We swam in the sometimes over chlorinated pool, having to remember to always walk and not run to the "non-bouncy" diving board and making a huge leap or cannon ball into the deep end. I remember you cooking hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill that sat up in its own spot away from the house. As you got older and less mobile, someone else grilled because your electric wheel chair couldn't get up there. So many good times.

When I told you I was getting married, you told me I was crazy and pretty much sounded just like my Dad did. You told me to wait and blah blah blah, just like my Dad. Good thing I didn't listen to you or my Dad or I would've missed out on a real good catch. You and Dad are sooo much alike.

You always told me I was so beautiful and I could always expect to being called more beautiful the next time I saw you.

One of the last times Evan (or Evans as you always called him) and I were there, like many times before, you tried to tempt us into having a swig of your Whisky or some other kind of alcohol. Instead I opted for a Shirley Temple and I think the cherry stuff had been sitting there a little too long and so had the maraschino cherries because it just didn't taste right. Thanks for your effort though. Our chit chatting was worth it all.

As I have gotten older, we have always received a cheese/meat tray for Christmas. Last year you sent it to Hawaii, even though we had been living in California for two years. But eventually it got to us. 

Thanks for always loving us! May you rest from your cares and enjoy being reunited in Heaven with both of your wives and many of your loved ones. It will be a joyful day in heaven. I love you Grandpa Bob Repucci!
Until we meet again.

The man of 89 years

July 13, 1923-September 9, 2012

Dear Grandpa "B",

Your body wasn't quite as strong as your spirit. But til the end you laughed, joked, yelled, and dreamed. 

I am so thankful for the chance I had to work with you the last year to keep your body strong and healthy. 

You were my best client!

ALOHA OE' my dear Grandpa Ballantyne. You will be missed. Thank you for your impeccable example of service. I am blessed to have seen your example in my life. I had so much fun doing the bread run many years with you and Mom. I always remember to never have a ponytail or braid when around you because you always pulled it. Your smile was contagious. I am glad you can now go to Grandma for reals now instead of just dreaming about her all the time and then waking up. The last year without her has been hard and you have fought a good fight. Go get her Grandpa! I love you and will remember you always! I hope heaven is good to you and you continue to serve as you did on earth! Thank you for your legacy!

Until we meet again.

Voting

Politics has never been something I completely understood. Give me a soccer ball and a pickup game and I am a happy camper. Since I was legally able to vote, I have never taken an interest in all the confusing issues that I dont understand nor do I really have an idea of how to run a country. I just live in my mediocre middle class world, as an individual who has been given many freedoms and abides by laws so I dont get thrown in jail. What I know is family, work, adventures, and lazy days with the hubby. Obviously, I know that everything functions {or attempts to function} because of the government and the policies and the taxes and the laws and etc...I watched both the Republican Convention and the Democratic Convention, giving each party an opportunity to showcase their policies and issues so that I could make a decision for myself who I believe would help create a better America. I took this random quiz about where I stood with each candidate and these were my results. 

My Beauties

They didn't start a new school year or start a new season of soccer, but they have become cat chasing hooligans {courtesy of my Mom having about 7 neighborhood cats camped out on her porch} I swear I teach them to love others unconditionally!!

Evan enjoying Labor Day!

He and Dad Stubbs went out exploring to beauty of the beaches!!

I asked Evan if people were swimming in the water and SUP. He said people are swimming, kayaking, and SUP. I am Oh so JEALOUS!!

Evan's Travels: Day 4

The final leg!! 

Today they traveled from Baton Rouge,LA through Mississippi through Alabama and FINALLY into Florida!! 

They had a lot of things to get done before Labor Day weekend and only a little time to do it. Evan & Dad and some help from our new neighbors, were able to get the U-haul unloaded and the Saturn jumped. See since the Saturn was being hauled on a car hauler, the battery actually died because the car was moving/swaying back and forth just enough to make the door sensors turn the dome lights on...pretty funny. So glad they got there and that they were able to get all unloaded!!