catch up

Well, we have been so busy the past week with everything going on that I feel like I haven't had time to breathe! Friday after I posted I worked a bit and then went to be with my family. We all went and had lunch out together and then went to the funeral home to pick everything out and get the service all in order. My friend L asked me in an email if that brought back memories of doing it for Andon. I hadn't really thought of how I would feel before I got there on Friday, but it did bring back the memories... although they weren't bad memories. I think I just felt relief that I wasn't back in that position anymore. I will never forgot that day at the funeral home, I felt so young and inadequate to be making those decisions that you never think you will be faced with until you're much much older. Even though the people at the funeral home were wonderful, very sincere and knew how hard it was, no matter how easy they tried to make it, it was still one of the hardest things to do. I felt like a pro by the time we were doing it for Papaw. We picked out a nice casket that had a deer background (my Papaw was an avid hunter and fisherman). My Grandma isn't a fan of normal organ music that they play at funerals so Ryan had burnt a cd for them with some of their favorite gospel songs. They were songs they used to sing with each other! I thought that was so sweet! We did flowers from the great-grandkids (Brycen and Andon) just a little boquet that they laid in the back of the casket and we put a picture of Andon and a picture of B on each side of the flowers. It was so sweet... I'm especially glad now that we went ahead with Andon Joseph Richard as his name instead of just Andon Joseph! Anyway, I'm rambling again... go figure! Friday night we had supper again at my parents with the whole family. My Uncle Dan's daughter flew in from Cali. and it was nice to visit with her, hadn't seen her since 2004 when I was pregnant with B! Saturday morning I came into work for a bit because of leaving on Friday and missing so much this week. I got a bunch done and then went home and enjoyed the beautiful weather Ryan and Brycen. I also got my house cleaned since someone was coming to look at it on Sunday! Saturday evening we went back over to my parents to be with my family. My Uncle Dan's other daughter Kathy and her husband Jeff flew in, it was nice to visit with them because I hadn't seen them since 1998, when I was in 6th grade! Every night has been a late night for us the past week! I'm exhausted! Sunday morning we got up and went to church & then came home and the guy came to look at our house... that went AWESOME. We are still on hold for a few months. He works at Alcoa and they told them if they get through the summer then their jobs will be safe, SO if that happens and he doesn't get layed off over the summer, he wants it FOR SURE! That timing actually works out better for us anyway since we have no plans whatsoever in place right now. I guess we will see what God has in store for us over the next few months and into early fall! As soon as he left we had to get ready to go to the funeral home for the viewing. We were there for about 5 1/2 or 6 hours. The line never quit. There was such a turn out of people showing their love and support to my family. I am so honored by the awesome tribute that showed to what a great guy my Papaw was! Monday I was pretty for sure it was supposed to rain, but I know the sun was shining on us all day because Andon and my Papaw were smiling down on us! The service went very well. Brycen did great, sitting on my Grandma's lap the whole time... that was good for both of them. The funeral was also packed, I don't think there was an open chair! I KNEW my Papaw was an amazing person- I'm just glad to know everyone else thought so too! At the graveside service the weather was just beautiful, in the sun it was even warm! My Papaw was layed to rest beside his own son, Stephen, that was stillborn on April 1, 1957. We had lunch at the church afterward. Ryan, B, and I then went home to try and rest for awhile, I was exhausted and the other two were as well! B and I got up and went with my family that was here visiting and my parents to watch my brother at his track meet. He won both his long distance events! He's pretty awesome :). After the meet we went back to my parents and all had pizza. My uncle Dan got Brycen a new bugle... yes, a real bugle... thank you uncle dan! ha! That's the loudest thing I've ever heard! Saying Good-Bye Monday night to Jeff and Kathy and Uncle Dan and Uncle Bill, Aunt Barb, and Aunt Karen was kind of hard. Having all the company has made things a little easier I believe... Yesterday I worked, and then left at 1 to go to my dr's appt. in Evansville. My appt. went fine! My BP is doing great and I guess I'm declared "healthy" again :)! I don't go back until July... unless I need to before that... :). I'm kind of hoping I need to before that! We'll see what what the next couple of months holds though I guess. Yesterday was Kayla's cerclage as well. It went really well and they said she had it just in time. PRAISE GOD! Last night we went out to eat again as a family. It was cousin Penny's last night here. After we went out to eat she came to see our house and visit for awhile. My mom and grandma are on their way to the airport with her now. I am getting ready to go pick Brycen up at school and then we are going to enjoy the pretty sunshine outside today!

He is such a goofball--pretending to sleep under a tree outside on Saturday!

Enjoying the pretty weather-haha

He has Uncle Dan wrapped around his finger!

Brycen with his "real bugle"! He can make some VERY LOUD noises with this thing!

We are looking forward to getting some stuff done around the house and RELAXING this weekend! We have been gone every night for over a week so we need to catch up and relax!!