January 24, 2010 ... Bittersweet to say the least

Many of you have heard this story before, but for those who have not today marks the 2nd anniversary of a bittersweet day in our lives.  Here is my story ...

My Grandma & Me at my Wedding 2005

Sunday, January 24, 2010 started out like any normal Sunday.  Kevin and I went to church in the morning, ate lunch and looked forward to a nice Sunday afternoon rest.  Before I laid down, I checked my email and found this one from my Mom to all of the kids in our family:

Subject:  Grandma has taken a turn for the much worse.....‏

....Grandpa called and let me know Grandma could die within the day.  Her aortic aneurism is leaking....they are giving her meds to keep her comfortable.  Dad and I are leaving for Deland now.  We will keep you posted.

Love you....keeping praying,

Mom

WOW!  I didn't even know what to think.  Growing up, I had always feared the day when my grandparents would pass away.  Sometimes I would cry just thinking about it or imagining life without them.  Other than people from church and friends from school, I had never experienced someone close to me pass away.  So, this was it... the first of my grandparents was about to meet Jesus.  

So, I prayed for peace for Grandma & Grandpa and the rest of the Larson family (she was my Mom's mom), safety in travel for my parents and cried myself to sleep. 

Later that afternoon, we got up to go to a membership class at the church we were attending since we were not yet members.  After finishing the class, we headed over to the sanctuary for church.  My cell phone rang just outside.  It was Mom.  Grandma had passed away about an hour before.  As she began telling me the scenario of what happened, I listened but tears filled my eyes and I felt like I couldn't breathe.  (Just thinking about it gets me choked up)  I remember her telling me that my sister, Cindy, was there with her youngest daughter, Leah, whom Grandma had not yet met until that day.  Cindy was holding Leah up, who was just shy of 10 months at the time, to meet her Great-Grandma and shortly after that she closed her eyes and passed away.  It is a sweet thought to remember that the last thing that Grandma saw was her Great-Granddaughter.

When the nurses had confirmed that Grandma had passed, my Grandpa suggested that they sing some hymns.  Listening to my Mom tell me this was like being there and was comforting.  We were standing outside the church, I started sobbing before I could tell Kevin what happened so we went to the van and drove home.  

Before I go on, I have to share a little something about why my Grandma was so special and important to me....

The first time Grandma & I met while they were home from the mission field.

I was born on January 5th ... just 2 days after my Grandma's birthday.  So, very appropriately, my parent's gave me her middle name, O'Neil, which I took very much pride in being named after my Grandma. 

Grandpa Larson among the Dani people

My Grandparents and their 4 children in Irian Jaya

 My grandparents spent almost 40 years of their lives as missionaries to the people of Irian Jaya, now Papua.  They came into a tribe who had never seen a white person before.  They did not have a written language or an alphabet.  My grandparents lived with this tribe and raised 4 children.  They came up with an alphabet, then a written language.  They taught them how to read. They taught them about God and about His Son, Jesus.  How Jesus came to the world, lived a sinless life, then died on the cross for the sins of all men and finally rose again!  The Gospel was taught to a tribe who had never in their lives heard it.   They believed.  They repented.  They learned more and told others.  Then this tribe was able to send out their own Missionaries to other tribes on the island and the Gospel spread.  In the early 1990s, my grandparents retired from the Mission field. Each year or so, they would go back (sometimes both and sometimes just Grandpa) to work with a team to translate the Bible into their language.  In 2003, they had completed the entire New & Old Testament... the Bible!  

I will say that, during this very hard time of loosing my Grandma, there was a comfort and joy knowing that not only was she in the presence of God in Heaven, but that (I can only imagine) she was welcomed into Heaven by the Dani people that she came to serve in Irian Jaya.  What a wonderful homecoming that must have been!

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."  Romans 8:28

I believe 100% in God's perfect timing and that he works everything for His perfect plan.  There have been so many evidences in my own life, my relationship with Kevin and so many aspects of our daily lives.  This day is just a testimony of that very fact.  I can say that i know wholeheartedly that what happened the rest of the evening was Philippians 4:7 being lived out in our lives right before our eyes.

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:7

So, the story continues ....

On the way home from church as I was an emotional wreck, I asked Kevin if we could stop and pick up a pregnancy test. He could have said, 'Really?  Right now?  Again?' See, we had been trying to have a baby for over 2 years at this point.  I was a few days late and I think that Kevin felt bad with the circumstances, so he said, 'Sure, Babe, we can do that.'  So I picked up the WalMart 3-pack (ya know, cause we will probably need one in the next month or two again) and we went home.  

I know the instructions say to wait until the morning to take the test, and.... I WAS going to do that, but it had been a really rough day and I was impatient.  So, I took the test and then took a picture on my phone of the result.  I came out to show Kevin and he said, 'So, what does that mean?'  

That means...... WE'RE PREGNANT!!!!

So, as you can imagine, I was pretty excited at that point to say the least.  I remember telling Kevin, 'You know if we end up having a girl, she HAS to have the middle name O'Neil.'  He agreed.

"... the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised."  Job 1:21

So, yes, about 4 hours or so after my Grandma, Peggy O'Neil Larson, had passed away, we found out that we were pregnant with our sweet Caroline O'Neil.  My heart was filled with sorrow and gladness all at the same time.  A mixture that created 'the peace that passes all understanding.'  Sad, that I wouldn't be able to see, talk to or give my Grandma a hug in this life again.  Glad that she was not in any more pain and glad that she was in God's presence!  I do believe that God perfectly orchestrated that day so that we could make it through.  I remember telling Kevin that night as we were sitting out in the Living room that even if we find out that the test was a false positive and that I am not pregnant, I truly believe with all of my heart that He allowed me to have that test to 'emotionally' help get me through that day.  

Looking back on Sunday, January 24, it is more sweet than bitter, and each year is sweeter knowing that  we are one year closer to meeting Grandma again as she welcomes us into the presence of the Lord.

Grandpa Larson meeting his Great Granddaughter Caroline for the 1st time Thanksgiving 2010

When I look at Caroline, I not only see that she is a gift from the Lord as our child, I see that she was an instrument from the Lord as she made what (at that point in my life) seemed to be the hardest thing to endure a much lighter burden.  My prayer for Caroline is that she comes to know the Lord as her personal Savior at a young age and that she is able to continue the legacy that Grandma began.

Grandpa Larson and Caroline 12.29.11

Today, if you could take a second, please say a prayer for my Grandpa, Gordon Larson, as he remembers and reflects on the 63 years that he spent with his sweetheart, my Grandma.  

Grandma, we are thankful that you are in eternity with your Savior, but we sure do miss you!  Thank you for the legacy that you have left and we look forward to seeing you again soon!

A Henderson Christmas: Part 2 Christmas Eve

So, our Christmas continues a little further north than the first. After a long drive through the night, we made it to Michigan to celebrate  Christmas with the Henderson side of the family.  On Christmas Eve, we went over to Kevin's brother Ryan's house.  First thing we did was meet one of the newest members of the family, Grant Scott Henderson!  One of the cutest little 4 month-olds!

Having children around for Christmas really brings out the fun!  Their excitement is contagious!!!  Here is Ryan & Mary and their 3 kids: Aiden, Katie & Grant unwrapping a gift.

Caroline had so much fun getting to know her cousins and helping them unwrap their gifts too. They were a big help when it came time to open her gifts!

There is never a dull moment when Uncle Kevin is around!  Here he is helping Katie with a knot on the top of her gift.  Like they say, "Firefighters to the rescue"  :)

Caroline had so much fun exploring everyone's gifts!   Aiden's racetrack was a big hit for everyone!

Our neice, Jessie, and nephew, Tristan, enjoyed Christmas with all of us as well!

Here is Katie telling Mr. Frank "Thank You" for a special gift! 

 No matter if it was playing with Daddy, toys, boxes or even wrapping paper.... Caroline definitely enjoyed herself!

Caroline also had fun getting reaquainted with her Grandma Cathy too!  

Peek-a-boo is her favorite!!

Sweet friends share deep thoughts on the 'big girl' chair!  Talking about the memories of Christmas' past :)

A Henderson Christmas ... Part 1

This year we are going to get to celebrate Christmas in many parts!  Last night we celebrated Part 1... our family and 'Webber Christmas.'  Since we are going to be up in Michigan with Kevin's side of the family, we decided to go ahead and open the gifts from the 'Webber' side of the family.  Caroline is at that fun age, where she can enjoy the opening of the gifts.  So, here are a few pictures from her opening her gifts.  Hope you enjoy!

 From Uncle Mike & Aunt Serah ... what could it be? ..... Fingerpaints!!
Thank you, and Tyler & Audrey too!

Santa's little helper!

Puzzles and Books from Grandma & Grandpa Webber!  Oh what fun!

My own Minnie Blanket from the Thorntons! Thank you Uncle Bob, Aunt Cindy, Libby, Bobby & Leah!

Unwrapping the gifts are just as much fun as playing with them!

My own pink car!

Love at 1st sight!

True Friends are truly FOREVER!

A great way to measure a good friend from a great friend is to sit down with them for an afternoon when you two have not seen each other for almost 15 years, and to see how much laughter fills the room!  That is what we enjoyed today at the Henderson household.  My friend, Amanda Urban, is someone I have known since we were both 5 years old.  We met back in Kindergarten at Valapaiso Elementary School in Mrs. Cates class.  Here we are in line coming back from P.E. in January 1990 (I am the little blonde in the blue jacket and Amanda is next to me in the pink dress)

From Kindergarten to 5th grade, we were good friends and were fortunate to sometimes be in the same class, but always at the same school.  Today was so much fun remembering where we grew up, the friends that we knew, finding out what everyone is doing now and most importantly... what has happened over the last 15 years!

Amanda moved away in 1995 when we were in 5th grade.  I remember it being a sad time, having such a good friend that I felt like I knew FOREVER (6 years is a long time when you are only 11 years old!) have to move.  But, that is one of those thing about the Air Force/Military Life, most of us don't get to stay in the same spot for too long.  The good thing about is, you get to make friends from all over and they never become strangers!

In June 1997, Amanda was able to make a trip back down to Niceville to visit.  My mom snapped this picture of our friend Aleecia, Amanda and Me when they visited our house during her visit.

That was the last time I saw my good friend! Over the years I always wondered how Amanda was doing.  Well, today I was able to find out!  Last spring, I was able to locate Amanda via Facebook and we had kept up through message after message.  A little over a week ago, I got a message saying that her fiancé had moved onto our base and lives down the street .... and she was here for a visit!  I thought, 'What are the chances?'  So, today we had a great afternoon and I must say, I am super thankful for Facebook being able to connect up with an old friend who I thought I would never EVER see again!

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

This morning was filled with sweet kisses from Caroline to laundry to organizing drawers & closets to even defrosting and cooking a turkey.  (Thank you Gunter Housing for the voucher for a FREE turkey .. thank you Kevin for filling out the survey so we could get the voucher!)  While Caroline was taking her morning nap, I realized that it was a BEAUTIFUL day outside.  Although I had a laundry list of things I would like to accomplish (the laundry done ... check!), I decided the best thing to do was to walk to the park.  We know that each day is a gift from God, but let's face it ... 70 degree weather in December is an EXTRA SPECIAL GIFT from God for us to enjoy :)

Here we are on our way!

As you can tell Caroline thoroughly enjoyed herself :)

We got back home and it was nap time for Caroline and more organizing for Mommy.  Although not as fun as the park, for this Mommy, it is a close 2nd :)  

Next, Daddy came home and it was time for dinner.  A picture of the turkey must be included in the mix, since 'I think' this was the first full bird I every made :)

Don't forget about the blessing!

After a day filled with lots of little things to keep us busy, busy, busy around the house, along with a couple trips to the park and the grocery store, I must say my absolute FAVORITE time of the day is after the dishes are done and the three of us get to spend some fun time together!

Hope you enjoyed a little view of the beautiful day in our neighborhood :)

The 6th of December

Over the last few days, I remembered that about this time last year I had taken some videos of Caroline and thought 'wouldn't it be neat to compare and see how she has grown?!'  So, me being me, I had to see the exact date of the videos last year and make sure I got them on the same date this year.  Figuring out last night that Dec. 6th was the day last year, I geared up and had the camera ready to get a good video.  So, the day started with me trying to position Caroline in the same rocker.  Come to find out, this now 16 month old DID NOT want to sit there, so onto ... let's fix her hair cute!  My idea obviously wasn't her idea, so although I got her hair just right, by the time she was in her high chair it was pulling to fussing to Mommy not very happy.... so gone with the cute hair-do!  I believe this was one of those precious moments when parent's learn that although we get to be in charge, it doesn't mean that we always get to have our way.  Little did I know what I was going to actually get :)  Hope you enjoy!

Here is our little sunshine at 4 months old last year on December 6, 2010

At lunch, Kevin brought Caroline down from her room since she was not wanting to take a nap.  Since we needed to go to the Commissary, I set her in her high chair and gave her a little snack to hold her over until we got home.  Kevin was sitting at the other end of the table, so we got this video today of our little-bit-bigger sunshine at 16-months old .... December 6, 2011

When we came back from the Commissary, Caroline had another snack while I put the groceries away.  She was talking and playing and having a good time, then all of the sudden I noticed it got real quiet.  So, I grabbed the camera once again and got a few last little moments!

Now, she is sleeping soundly up in her crib, and I must make up for all of the things that I didn't get done this morning!  Caroline, once again, was able to bring sunshine to this cloudy, rainy Alabama day :)  Hope you enjoyed a little peak of the 6th of December at the Henderson House!

We have a 16-month old!

Our little sunshine officially turned 16-months old!  Since November is one of those great months that only has 30 days, we always wait until the 1st to celebrate.

It is absolutely amazing to me how much children at this age learn!  It seems as if each day, Caroline is doing something new.  Whether it is a new type of laugh, game, way to entertain herself or just a new 'word' it is so much fun for this Mommy (& Daddy too) to watch her grow!

Today, we spent lots of time in the Kitchen.  Caroline has her own special drawer that she can put her 'Kitchen' toys in and it is right at her level so she can open it whenever she wants :)  ALL of the rest of the drawers and cabinets have the appropriate 'childproof' (which is most of the time adult-proof too) locks on them.  So, she loves having her own to play with.  

Also, today was another milestone marker for any little girls life... 1st Pig-tails!  After a few attempts, we were able to successfully get two little piggies with her cute light brown hair.  She kept them in while we went to the bowling alley and the Commissary.  Hopefully, this will be a hairstyle that she approves of, because you know, it has to be her idea ;)

Always looking for the next adventure, we are excited to see what she will learn next!

Happy 16-months Caroline!

Love,  Mommy & Daddy 

Here We Go!

So, I guess I finally did it!  I don't know if I ever said I wouldn't or not, but I know I definitely didn't think I would ever have any time for one.  So, here it is ...

I started a BLOG!

There you have it :)

I figured this would be a great place to put updates on our family, share a little news, a few pictures here and there, good deals I find via my couponing and any specials I am running for my 'Hobby Shops.'

Now that I finally set this thing up, it is time for bed.
Until next time ....