Grandma Haak a.k.a. Chips & Dip Grandma

I never fought such eternal jealously than I did the morning Grandma Haak passed away. 

9.8.2018

Tears of anger and jealousy that Grandma was in the presence of Jesus and with my sister; myself still waiting my turn. A tangible reminder of how much I miss my sister. Tears watching the family grieve and knowing I had to tell the kids yet another grandparent had passed away. 

Tears hearing Mom say she was an orphan now that her parents had all passed away. 

{ Sunday Staple Grandma Recipes }

Nothing about loosing a grandparent is easy. 

Grandma Haak has lived around the corner since shortly after we moved to our current home. The kids and I would often walk, ride or run by Grandma's and send a wave to the second floor balcony patio which was watched faithfully to see all the traffic and business that Grandma followed daily. She knew the routine of particular cars, names of those walking by and if not, would try to figure them out by playing Dutch Bingo. She understood the patterns of neighbors and always had things to say about her dirty windows or the cotton that was stuck in the screens. And never did you ask about the creek because she always had something to say about the flow of water, critters that stopped by or logs that were jammed up by the bridge. A wealth of information she was. 

So much knowledge that years ago when I went running by, pony tail in place and hair out of my way, Grandma thought she knew how one should wear their hair when out running.

"Today, there was a gal that went running by with her hair in a pony tail swooshing side to side and such a mess. She should have taken better care of her hair than like that. It was so unkept."

Ummm... what color shorts was she wearing?

"Black ones with a colored top."

Yeah, Grandma. Be nice. That was me. 

Many of my girlfriends still give me a hard time about that unkept pony tail and remind me to keep it in place so Grandma doesn't have more to say of the messy running hair!

When Grandma was first diagnosed with Ovarian cancer, all the greats and grands put our effort together to create a quilt to keep Grandma warm during treatments and at home. With Grandpa gone she had no one at home to snuggle up to or rub her back when not feeling well. This quilt was a gem. 

Hand prints, verses and so much love in one comforting quilt. 

It wasn't much earlier that I had just shaved Gigi's hair due to hair loss from her cancer treatments. Grandma Haak was next and one I was most nervous about. I was surprised by Grandma's strength and fighting spirit during her four year battle with cancer. It really wasn't until this past year that her health became much more obvious and the struggle to be independent a daily battle. 

Grandma always had a stash of Juice Boxes chilled ready for visitors which Charlie used as a reason to say hi. Often other neighbor kids would stop in to say hi as well which always brought Grandma such joy. These visits will be missed greatly. 

The Grandma's that were incredibly involved in the lives of our children both physically and through prayer now gone ... the void is quite large. 

Golden

14 on the 14th.

A golden birthday. 

I can still remember the feeling of seeing Addison for the first time ... numb from the arms down due to an emergency c-section. The nurse and Tim had to help hold my arms in place to hold her for the first time. Not how I imagined it would be but it was indeed perfection resting in my arms. 

Addison has been our sweet joy from day one. We are often taken back by her maturity, wisdom, responsibility and also her goofiness that randomly makes an appearance. Organized, structured and routine in her studying habits and dailies. Never do I need to tell her to make her bed; she just does it. 

God has given our oldest the gift of a creative eye and skill that we pray someday will be used to bless others. It already has many times over. 

Her heart is for others overflowing with compassion and understanding when she sees an emotional need. 

It was my job to bring some golden cheer to her classroom on Friday and to celebrate with Addi ... 

regardless if she wanted it or not! So, with gold bedazzled cupcakes, 14 gold balloons, a jar of golden wrapped candy and a golden colored drink, Nana and I, along with the little helper, brought the celebration to school. 

First Day of School

 { 8th grade at Ebenezer Christian School }

The changes that have occurred from first grade to eighth grade can't be numbered. There are simply too many. Addison was enrolled at home for school with the support through Mp3 for seven years. They were good years. School years where she expanded her knowledge, but also found herself bored because her mind needed more challenge, more knowledge and socialization I was not capable of giving. This year marks Addison's second year at ECS ... I still view her with the adorable short bob, missing teeth and quiet spirit that held many in suspense to when she'd find her voice. She's found it. Addison continues to be organized, motivated, extremely artistic and thoroughly enjoying the friendships she's established. It also helps that she has little brother to pick on now that he's in the same middle school building.

 { 5th grade at Ebenezer Christian School }

Chuckles. You will always have your Mama's heart melting with every smile. God has given this Man Cub an incredibly compassionate, sensitive and tender heart for those he sees in need. There is never a night where he doesn't say "I love you" and still requests his parental's to tuck him in at night. I love that and pray it never changes. This year marks Charlie's third year at ECS with established friendships and schedules he has learned to love. Charlie is all boy watching wrestling, getting dirty, playing sports and the latest, following his Daddy's footsteps, has really taking a liking to barbershop. Kid can sing and play the guitar from his father's natural gifting's. Charlie tries to be as organized as his big sister but he's boy. Some things don't pass down in the line of siblings. As for pushing buttons, he does that best with Myriam.

{ 1st grade at Fisher Elementary School }

This girl. It's been a hard summer. I won't sugar coat the struggles we've been dealing with that have resulted in many days in tears. BUT, we have had an amazingly surprising, prayer-filled start to her first grade that has already earned rewards to Edaline Dairy for treats. Myriam works tirelessly to keep herself regulated, choosing good choices and remembering all that she needs to do in the classroom setting. She had no nerves going into this year. When she went to meet her teacher, her aide from last year was spotted making Myriam run into the ELRC with mega hugs for her favorite person, Mrs. Karb. The transition to school this year has gone without fuss (well, just once so far but compared to years past it's a wash) and we are beyond proud of Myriam for working this hard. Her favorite part of school so far have been the compliment circles at the end of the day: “I just wanted to compliment everyone for everything: everyone worked hard, played nicely at recess, lined up quietly, and I just think this is the best class at the best school.  
I’m happy to be here.”
Bug, if you can keep that attitude up throughout the year, you are going to leap miles ahead. Mommy and Daddy will prayerfully guide you through this year so you can have others say to you, 
"We are so happy YOU we're here in our classroom."

As for Baylee ... well, she'll be entering Mommy's School of Potty Training soon making this 
house a diaper free zone. 

Here's to a great year of education, packed lunches, homework and number two pencil zones.