Grandma Loraine

This past week, on April 26th I lost my beloved grandmother Adeline Loraine Myerscough. But to everyone that knew her, she was Lori or Loraine. I'm struggling to find the words to write. It has been a long struggle for her on her journey to heaven. So while it is a blessing that she is finally resting in peace, my heart is still sad knowing that she is gone. Three years ago she suffered a stroke and we lost her. She spent her last three years in a nursing home unable to talk or walk. And I don't want to remember her that way. I want to remember the strong, active, determined woman that she was. That is how she lived her life. She was a perfect example of how to live a healthy life. She walked, she went to curves, her and Grandpa were a force to be reckoned with on the dance floor. She ate right and she enjoyed sports. She excelled at bowling and golf. Many times beating my grandpa on the course. I can't count the number of days she spent on the golf course with my sister Laura and my brother Matt. She loved golfing with them and they are so fortunate to have those memories.

Her family was her everything. She wasn't a woman of many words, and sometimes showing affection was difficult for her but her actions showed just how much we all meant to her. She raised 5 boys of her own but also took in others. When my great Aunt Carol was left without parents at a young age she took her in, no questions asked and was a mother to her. When Carol went through a divorce she helped with her two daughters Vicki and Jackie. There are several other stories of her opening up her heart and home to those in need.  Raising five boys though, that in itself makes her a saint. They moved often and she always went with a smile on her face. She made sure they had breakfast, lunch and dinner on the table. She was the most organized person I've ever met and had a system for keeping track of their laundry. I don't know how she did it.

And style, well she had a style all her own. She was always dressed to the nines, her nails always polished, hair always done and makeup perfectly in place. And her jewelry was always BIG. She loved turquoise and that is what I will remember about her. Always adorned with big bracelets and rings. Once when my parents were in Florida for one of Laura's golf tournaments I stayed home for softball practice. I stayed with them and had a friend over. Grandma and Grandpa came home from a night on the town and she was wearing black leather pants. My friends kind of gave me a look...but it didn't phase me at all, that was Grandma.

 

She loved her grandkids, never missed an opportunity to come to a sporting event or music event. I can remember when Grandpa was retirement age and they were living in Robinson, IL. She told him he better retire or she was moving to Charleston without him. So retire he did. She was ready to be in Charleston with her family. Her favorite time to be with her family was on Christmas Eve. We spent EVERY Christmas Eve with my Myerscough Family until about 4 years ago. My dad was with his brothers for 57 Christmas Eve's in a row. That number is impressive to me and a testament to how much family meant to her.

While she is gone, I know we will meet again. I know that she is in heaven catching up with Aunt Karen and I have one more angel looking over me and my family. I know that she is at peace, waiting to dance with Grandpa again. I love you, Grandma.



 

10 month old Hattie

That sweet baby girl of mine just won't stop growing. Yesterday she was 10 months old. Party planning for the first birthday has officially begun, and while I'm sad that she won't be my little baby anymore, I am so excited to watch her grow. This month has been a big one. On April 12th she pulled herself up into a standing position. And within a few days time she began taking a step or two. So of course now a week later she pulls herself up on everything and is even making attempts to stand up in the middle of the room. On April 19th she got her second tooth. So now she has two on the bottom. I miss her little gummy grin but those two little teeth are also pretty adorable.

No matter how old she gets I hope she always has time to snuggle on my lap. She is definitely showing signs of separation anxiety and I'm not gonna lie...I kind of like that she always wants her momma. She is holding her bottle on her own, and baby girl LOVES her food. Haven't found one that she doesn't like yet, and her new favorite is sweet peppers. She sleeps through the night like a champ, sometimes I just wish she slept a little longer...at least on the weekends, LOL. Just love this sweet girl and who she is becoming.

Daddy Daughter Date Night

Here goes dad's one blog post of the year.

The girls had been getting more and more excited for weeks leading up to the Fairy Tale Ball at the Children's Museum.  When I arrived home from work the night of the Ball the girls were over top excited.  Mom had spent at least an hour getting their nails and hair done to prepare for the big night.  After blowing off some of the excitement with Charlee and Van at our house Leah, Kiersten and I headed off for our night out.  This was Kiersten's first ball so she didn't quite know what to expect.  After arriving at the castle, the girls eyes lit up when they saw all the princesses there to greet them.  We took a few pictures then the girls spent some time climbing the tower and playing bubbles with their friends Charlee, Tatum, and Ashtyn.  We then headed to the craft room where the girls made magic wands.  We then went and played pin the lips on the frog and got to see some magical animals including the prince bullfrog and mourning dove.

After the crafts and animals the real fun began as we headed upstairs to the dance floor.  Both Leah and Kiersten had a great time dancing with the other princesses. After 20 minutes of dancing it was time to grab a quick snack and some punch before heading straight back to the dance floor.  To end the night, the girls headed downstairs with their friends to play in the castle a bit longer.  We took some final pictures with all of the girls together and said our goodbyes.  It was a great night that I hope the girls will always remember. 

All Dolled Up

This weekend the girls were super excited to attend the Fairy Tale Ball at the Children's Museum. Leah went last year with Mitch, but this year he was taking both girls. We had been planning it for months. Lots of our friends were planning on attending too. Joel came and took Charlee. Jason Habrock brought Ashtyn and Eric Gray came with Tatum. The girls were excited to be attending but even more excited that they were going with ALL their friends. And I think the Dad's liked the idea of being there together too.

We started getting ready plenty early. I put the girls in the bath right after lunch. I put a little mousse in their hair and blew it dry with the blowdryer...they think that's a special treat. While Bug went down for a nap, I painted Leah's nails. Around 3 PM I got to work on her hair. I never imagined with would take as long as it did, but I spent an hour putting spiral curls in her hair. I think it turned out so beautiful, and she was such a trooper. For a while she sat and played on her tablet, and of course I put a movie on for her. I was finishing her up when Bug came downstairs from her nap. I knew there was no chance that Kiersten would sit as nicely. So I started with her finger nails. She loves to have "pretty fingers" and once they were done drying I got to work on her hair. I just used my instyler to put some big barrel curls in her hair and then brushed it out a little to give it a lot of body. She loved it, and it was fun to see both of their faces as they looked in the mirror.

The Hunts got here a little early, and we had ordered pizza for dinner. After the girls ate, I got them dressed and ready to go. We took a few pictures before they left and the close up of the girls with Mitch is my new personal favorite. Their smiles say it all...Daddy loves his girls and they love him too. From what I heard it was a wonderful night. Hopefully I can get Daddy to do another guest post on the night at the ball. 

                                   

On Her Feet

My baby is so close to not really being a baby anymore! Today she started standing. Full on standing...pulling herself on the furniture and taking steps. I wanted to cry. Not really, but why does the baby stage have to go by so fast? Why can't they stay little, so I can hold them in my arms just a little bit longer? Leah started trying to walk at 10 months and was walking at 11 months. Kiersten started trying to walk at 9 months and had it down at 10 months. So it seems that she is just going to follow suit.

I can't belive that in a week or so she will be ten months old. Lots of changes taking place with my sweet Hattie, but I will wait to write about them in her ten month post. I started planning her first birthday party this week. Booked the location and the date, now to start filling in the details.

Easter, Part 2

Easter Sunday we got up and got the girls ready for church. Gigi had come up a few weeks earlier and took them shopping for special Easter dresses. So they were very eager to get them on. We had breakfast went to Easter Services and then came home and got ready to go to Gigi's house.When we got there is was definitely time for some naps so we got Kiersten to sleep in my old room and Colby fell asleep watching Golf with Papa. While the kids were resting. Matt and I went out the hospital. My Grandma Myerscough was out there, and we wanted to make sure we went out and saw her for Easter. When we got back it was time for the egg hunt.

Mitch had hid all the eggs while we were gone. We got the kids ready to go and they were excited. Mitch had hid about 60 eggs so we said 15 per kid. It took them no time at all to find them. Leah was so nice and even shared some candy with Papa. After the Egg hunt we had a traditional Easter dinner...Ham, mashed potatoes, vegetables and Mitch made bacon cheddar deviled eggs...they are always a hit. This was the first time we spent Easter with my family. Leah has spent every other Easter of her life with Grandpa Dave and Grandma Tootie, but we couldnt' make it work this year. No matter, we felt blessed all the same. And the kids love to play at Gigi's house. And now that the weather is getting warmer we are looking forward to lots more Sunday dinners.

Easter, Part 1

Who knew that Easter could be so busy!!! On Saturday the 30th we got up and took the kids to St. Paul's for an Easter Egg Hunt. Mrs. Koch did a great job. There were different rooms set up with crafts and carnival games. There was a puppet show and then last but not least the egg hunt. Leah found 5 and Kiersten found 4. The eggs were empty but you turned them in and got a treat bag before it was all over.

When we got home the girls were anxious to dye Easter eggs. They did surprisingly well. And the mess was minimal. Leah thought it was pretty special to write on the eggs with the while crayon. I had fun making an egg for each one of my girls.

Sunday morning they were super excited to see what the Easter Bunny put in their baskets. Leah and Kiersten both got a movie, a princess doll, coloring books, and some candy. Hattie got a new bib, a sippy cup and some gerber cookies. She was thrilled. After the fun of Easter baskets we had breakfast and got cleaned up for church. That post will be next!