Almost a month past...grandkids, Rhonda's memorial and paint!

It has been over 3 weeks since my last confession. IF I were catholic I would be in trouble, right?  It has been a while since I have written.  I guess it just takes so long to write and I have been so into doing jigsaw puzzles online.  It is so fun.

Anyway... stuff has been going on.  The biggest is Rhonda's memorial.  That was a week ago today.  It was very nice.  Hilary (her daughter) did an amazing job.  The pastor was really nice. He spoke and sang Amazing Grace. Hilary and Savanah (her 16 year old  daughter) gave the eulogy. It made me laugh and cry.  We talked with a lot of people (cousins Rick, Randy, Jane, Sandy, etc) Got to see niece Kristen and met her dad.  Also got to see nephew Corey. It was good to see them.  Deannie seemed to do ok at the service and reception.  I felt really bad for Rhonda's husband Bruce. He is kind of shy anyway but he looked totally lost without Rhonda.  Made me so sad. Papa and I drove up together and really enjoy rides.  We put on CD's and sing and sing.  We talk about everything. And sometimes I am on the phone with grandkids.  I really don't care for the ride because I don't like leaving my house much and I do worry about traffic.  Brad, Tara, Don, Heather, Joshua, Jared and Riley rode up together. I was glad they went....and Lanny was really glad they drove up for the service. It really was nice and those church ladies sure can cook.  Quite a send off to Rhonda.  We are missing her so much!  I talked to Deannie today. She is still having a rough time.  Bless her. Please pray for her.

When we got home from the memorial Patrick, Parker, Dylan and Jordy were down at our beach. They came up and visited for awhile.                                                                

Today is the DeLay family reunion. (My cousins)  I haven't been there since we took mom to it a few weeks before she died.  I haven't been to one since then.  It is really hard to go. It is hard for me to do a lot of things without my mom.  We used to do a lot of things together like shopping, doctor appointments, watching tv, snacking and eating out...all the fun stuff mom's and daughters do. I miss her.  It would be nice to see my cousins. Love them so much.  Maybe sometime. My sister Lois and brother Rick go and love it.  They know the cousins better than us younger siblings because they grew up with them and are closer in age.

Good news is my brother is coming from Virginia and will be here in two weeks!  I can't wait to see Douglas!  I had planned a family reunion but no one was committing to coming.  So I cancelled it. Made me sad.  I will see if someone else wants to do it or I will just do something with the kids so they can see their Uncle Doug.  I know Doug is bringing golf clubs and wants to play. So I will see if someone wants to set it up.

I really have been a homebody.  The kids have had softball games and I haven't been going to those either.  It seems like every time I go out I get a sunburn. I am wiped out the next day.  But I know I need to make myself go places.  I don't even go to the store anymore because papa does it all. I did go to the park a week ago and had a picnic for Tara's birthday.  We brought pizza, Lauren and Madi and met up with Tara, Don and Heather, Riley, Josh and Jared.  The kids played at the beach. We sat in the sun and I got burned.  Pizza was good.  Heather brought cupcakes.  Then we took Lauren to Silverdale to meet up with Andrew.  She went to the airport to fly to San Diego to see her dad for a few weeks. He moved down there for work for the rest of the year (or longer....who knows). Plus his girlfriend is from there and her family.  Anyway, she had to fly by herself which was scary for her. We prayed the whole time and Amanda cried and Lauren cried.  It was tough.  She didn't like it but she made it ok.  I've called her a few times since she's been down there.  I love and miss her very much.   She will be really happy to see Andrew when he gets there.  They have gotten so close these past 8 months.

I was in such a good mood when I started this post.  Not feeling it so much now.  Andrew is going to Tacoma to meet up with someone he doesn't know (the most dangerous city in our state) and gets mad at me for worrying and freaking out.  Ryan is mad at me for saying on facebook that Andrew is always there for Lauren (which he is). And I talked with Deannie which is hard and made me sad for her.  So I am going to post pictures people have taken this past month...hopefully I will smile!

Riley being crazy for softball camp.

Andrew with his boys at youth group

Lauren with her dad in San Diego

Papa painting

Scruffy ignoring me (he hates the flash)

My beautiful walls!!!!! 

Heather and Don at Chimicum Cafe

Papa and I at dinner too

Cat loves the sun

Riley and Madi in the morning after sleepover

Lauren in the morning

Scruffy before haircut

Scruffy after haircut

Tara and Brad at memorial. It was their 23rd anniversary too.

Lauren in the middle at camp with her friends

The Rogers relaxing at the ocean on their oceanfront deck

Karla and Madi heading to the Taylor Swift concert

Jared and their dog Sofie

Jared at camp in his uniform

Handsome Pat with new retainer and growing some facial hair!

Jared winking at his mom and Joshua yawning at Rhonda's memorial

Jared and his daddy at camp

Joshua and Jared

Don and Heather at memorial

Jared fishing at camp

Patrick the lifeguard

Parker and his new braces! He looks so handsome!

Have a great day, week, month or whatever!  Hope you enjoyed the pictures! God bless, keep looking up and count on Him!  xoxo

Mostly Rhonda....

It is Friday afternoon and Lanny is making dinner.  Breaded pork chops.  It was my favorite meal my mama used to make and I love it when he cooks them for me. He uses crackers. It is the first day it has cooled off enough to cook.   It has been pretty warm out lately.  Papa took the cat to the groomers to get his nails clipped and mowed the lawn today.

Rhonda Allen

Yesterday we took a drive up to Forks.  Lanny's sister, Rhonda, was diagnosed with cancer 6 months ago.  Well, she was diagnosed in the fall with stomach cancer and had it removed. Then she had knee pain and it got so bad it hurt to walk. They found cancer in her knee. Then they found some in her lungs and brain.  They've tried chemo and radiation and who knows what else. Now they have decided there is nothing else they can do for her. Breaks our heart.  It is really tough for Lanny since he's gotten so close to her and has only known her 10 years.  And his other sister in the group, Paula, just died recently.

Rhonda, Lanny and Paula

 Deannie, the girls mom, hasn't even gotten her heart wrapped around the fact her one daughter died and now Rhonda is so sick.

Deannie

  She stays in the living room at Deannies. Bruce (Rhonda's husband) is with her most the time helping Deannie take care of Rhonda. Rhonda can't walk, whispers when she talks, is very weak, can't eat much.  Today they were taking her to a Naturopathic doctor to see what else they can try.  Bruce had back surgery last fall (he is a logger) and he has been off work because of that...now he is still off taking care of his wife.  He's such a great guy.

Bruce

We started a fund (up at the top of the page) to help her.  If you would like to send her a card, you can send it to Rhonda Allen at 1365 Calawah Way, Forks, WA 98331. And please pray for her and the family. She has one daughter, Hilary, who has taken on so much to help her parents and is raising 2 teens and works as a teacher full time who could use prayer.

Hilary and Sean

Rhonda's two grandkids (Hilary and Sean's kids)

Thank you, dear friends, for letting me share this....

Our week in pictures. June...so far so good!

Another week has passed. At least I am getting to post weekly.  Not as often as I want to do but it is better than nothing.  I wrote so much last time! My week wasn't as busy this time.  I am just so happy I have had the energy to do lately!  Today I kind of pooped out though. I guess it happens.

So let's start the updates.  Last week was just full of birthdays!
Monday started with My nephew-in-law, Kevin.  Yes, we have another Kevin in this family.  Really nice guy.  He is married to Kara.

TUESDAY: Picked up my glasses.  I really like them.  They don't look that great but I sure can see!!!!!

Before I got my glasses Papa and I went to Madi's final concert of the year.  We sat with Karla, Joel and his parents. Madi did amazing and we were so proud.  She did a speaking part so well!  I love her. The rest of the production wasn't as smooth.  Changing the kids off and on the stage took forever! It wasn't very organized. 

It was also our niece, Hilary, had a birthday on Tuesday.  She is Rhonda's daughter

Speaking of Rhonda.... 

I started a Go Fund page for her.  Bills are so high and her husband Bruce had back surgery and has been out of work.   Rhonda has had surgery, chemo and radiation for 3 kinds of cancer since December (knee, lung and brain).  Here is the page in case anyone feels led to help her.

http://www.gofundme.com/w8p8fs

WEDNESDAY:  It was Makoa's older brothers birthday, Kai.  He is such a handsome and nice boy. 

 Also, our Riley is on her 2nd part of her treatment with her braces.  She is really pretty and wears braces well.  

My niece, Brittni, is another beautiful family member....and so his her baby girl Riley!  She posted this photo this week and I loved it and wanted to share it....

THURSDAY:   It was grandson Patrick's birthday!  He turned 16 years old and went and got his license. 

The same day Jared got his new glasses!!!!  Him and I can both see clearly now!  Yay!!!

Meanwhile, Parker finally got it.  The bug Jared had a few weeks ago and Don also had.  Poor baby isn't feeling well.   Sophie, their dog, doesn't care how he feels. lol

FRIDAY:  Lauren came over and spent the night!  First she went to the movies with her mom and Aaron (her boyfriend) and saw Pitch Perfect 2.  She said it was really good.  Scruffy was super excited when she came into the house.  

SATURDAY:  Lauren and I went to Jessica's game.  It was a close game. We sat up on the sidewalk for a while but it got SO HOT!!!!  So Alyssa, David and I went down in the shade of a tree.  Lauren's "friend" Brandon (from church) rode his bike over and they sat in the shade.  I would post a picture but they wouldn't let me take one.  lol!  After the game we stopped and got Buritos and came home. Then Leah picked up Lauren to buy a gift and go to a one year old's birthday party. She came back later that night after going for pizza and playing in the park.  She said she had the best time!!!! I love to see her happy.  I am glad she is such a great friend to Lauren. 

TODAY:  We didn't do too much today.  I am pretty exhausted.  So is Scruffy.  I don't know if it is the heat, if he is tired, or missing Lauren but he's been sleeping on the couch all day.  We're all a bit lazy. 

This week we are doing pretty good. One more concert and then a graduation next weekend.  It will be a great week.