Saturday Remembrance

Very late in the night on August 31st, we received sad news that my Uncle Kevin had passed away.  He had extremely invasive cancer, but thankfully suffered very little pain.  I'm so grateful we were able to spend a few days with him the weekend before.  Even though the circumstances were not joyful, I'm thankful Mom and I were able to travel with my cousins, Billy, Logan, and Logan's wife, Carrie, to visit with Uncle Kevin and share that time together as a family.  Those moments, even the silent ones, will be ones I will always hold dear to my heart.

 

We had planned to spend Labor Day weekend in Louisville for the Jewell reunion and to visit with Poppy.  When we found out that Uncle Kevin had passed, I wanted to spend the day in Lebanon with Mom.  Before we left, the boys were just plain cute and helped put a smile on my face when one did not want to be there.

 

They stood like twins...

 

Watched TV like big boys...

 

Watched TV on their toys...

 

And, even sat on the potty!

Though, as one can see, the cardboard is still on the potties and they are sitting in the kitchen...so, nothing too exciting yet! 

 

 

For the first time, we traveled with Otto.  Typically, he rides with Meme and Johann when he needs to visit.  He had a nice cushion between Isaac and Elliott and it worked perfectly!  All three slept nearly all the way to Lebanon!

 

When we got to Lebanon, we stopped at Ryder Cemetery.  Strong winds blew down my dad's monument over a year ago. It had been in the repair phase for over a year, but had finally been rebuilt.  In light of the day, there was a peace of being there, seeing the monument as it should be...and seeing adorable little boys playing around it. I know Daddy was smiling down watching them run and listening to them chat about every single thing they saw!

 

 

After visiting the cemetery, we went to Meme's house.  The boys surprised her with a half dozen roses from each of them.  I think they are the cutest delivery boys ever!

 

We enjoyed supper together at Missy's Out of the Way Cafe and the boys loved it!  They had been there before but really took everything in this time.  Surprisingly, Elliott even tried Bob's salad!  After supper, we went to the Dairy Freeze for some yummy "i cream".  The boys ask for "i cream" or "scream" all the time.  They enjoyed the special treat!

 

 

 

While eating ice cream, we noticed a rainbow outside.  It is hard to see, but I promise it is there.  God sure does know when to send a sign and it was a beautiful one!

 

Before returning to Lexington, we went for a walk.  Bob and Meme walked the dogs while I walked the Isaac and Elliott.  I think I may have had the more difficult time!  They discovered they can stand in Meme's stroller.  It felt like I was trying to control a dog sled!  Of course, I really don't know what that would feel like, but those boys were wild so I had to include several silly expressions!

 

 

To close, I want to include a photo that I love...It is a picture of Mom and Uncle Kevin at Billy's wedding in April of 2007.  They both look so happy...and so much alike!  I'm really going to miss that broad smile, all of his stories, and his comfortable presence!