In Jesus' Arms

Yesterday early morning my great grandma passed into Jesus' loving arms.
Death is always hard, even though she had lived a long, wonderful life, it is still hard to say good-bye.
Everything becomes so final--until we meet again in Heaven.

I wonder what that moment was liked as she went from this life to the next; seeing her husband and her son again, and then of course seeing Jesus face to face. I can't imagine.

Right after I got the news, I tried to keep my composure, because I hate telling my kids why I am crying. I turned on WAY FM and the first song I hear is "I Can Only Imagine."
It's moments like that, that I know our Lord and Savior is real and HE cares. He speaks to us through the ways we hear best. For me that is music. So I broke down.

I feel bad we didn't see her enough. I knew I would regret it and I do.

I have so many fond memories of her-
Trips to Braums
Playing Skipbo
The way she said "Hi Sug" or "Honest?!"
Making me sit and listen to boring sermons
Spending the night and making popcorn.
Her laugh and smile.
How she let Melissa and I keep the bunny we won at the State Fair.
Her jewelry.
Her manicures.
How she loved the Lord. She use to say she wasn't going home until Jesus came back and here lately I was starting to believe her. I am glad she is home now, in no more pain, no more suffering, and no more tears.

Until we meet again.
I love you Grandma 'Denia!"

I made this page just a week or two ago. I stumbled upon these pictures and just knew they deserved a special page. I am so glad I did this because it would be harder now. I guess something in me knew...

My Great Grandma

Before Christmas I made it a point to go visit my Great Grandmother. It had been so long since we had last seen her. I want my kids to know her and meet her. I know they are young and they may not fully remember her and they will never know her like I do or my mother does, but maybe when they see these pictures memories will flash...

My kids are lucky because the have 4 generations of living mothers {they are the 5th generation}. Not too many people can say they met their great GREAT grandmother. Mine can.

Visiting is hard though.
She lives in an assisted living nearly an hour away from us.
Her mind is fading and communicating in the present is hard. She never remembers my kids' names or that they are mine for longer than a moment. So weird how the mind works, but if you talk of the past she can recall everything.
And it's hard seeing her looking so frail.
Time passes so quickly and we all know that time is no longer on her side.
So I really try a few times a year to go visit and introduce my babies to her, again.
They bring her such incredible joy, she just perked up at the sight of their faces. She loves babies.

I can't help but remember when my littlest sister Meg was born. I was but 8 years old and she came and stayed with us and she was NOT leaving until my mom had Meg. Maybe that was the "birth plan" my mom had or maybe that was just Grandma Adenia--determined to be here to hold that baby!

She taught me Skipbo and we played it for hours, or so it seemed.

I loved how whenever you told her something she would always respond with "honest?" as if I were telling a tall tale. I find myself saying that now.

She was at church every time the doors were open. I remember vividly not being allowed to color in Big people church. I had to sit and listen! It was boring, but she loves Jesus and that legacy is continuing to be passed down from generation to generation.

She always loved to dress up and wear lots of large jewelry and her nails were always painted, still does.

This must be where Lo gets it from and definitely where my mom gets it from! HA! Here she is admiring Lo's glittery shoes!

 

She was always fun and full of life.

MW had a hard time warming up, he has only met her a few times and he was just a babe. But she eventually coaxed him out of his shell. With a kazoo.

 

So it's hard seeing that go. I know I am going to regret not knowing her better, we always think we have tomorrow, but the tomorrows have a way of passing by quickly.

So in this moment I just have to embrace what is and the smiles on everyone's faces as we visit.

My mother with her Grandma and Grandkids.

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Ps. 100:5

95

I have a great grandmother, who turn 95 today.
95.
That is five generations of family and love. Five generations being brought up to love, honor and follow God.

9" Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His loving kindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments;...13 He will love you and bless you and multiply you; He will also bless the fruit of your womb...

Det. 7:9,13

We celebrated her birthday {along with my niece, Landrey's who will be 2 in April} this past weekend.

One of the coolest things we do is take pictures of our 5 generations every time we come together as a family. This woman has 7 Great GREAT grandchildren {5 boys, 2 girls, although Hollis is still cookin' :)} and if I added right 15 great grandchildren and 6 grandchildren.


However, this is the FIRST time all 6 (remember Hollis is still cookin') great great grandchildren have been present to be in said 5 generation picture! That once is a feat all in itself and I am thankful we all could be together for this moment.

Seriously, what a legacy, thus far...because some of us {NOT ME} are not done bringing blessings into this world. :)

Either way I am just so grateful she is still around to meet and hold my babies. It is really something to see.

Just look how happy Micah makes her, it melts my heart. I think each time you move up on the GP {grandparent} ladder babies make you that much happier.

When I saw her rocking MW I had to snap that picture because it reminded of when she rocked Lo for the first time. Precious.

Happy Birthday Grandma Adenia. Thank you for your legacy that you are leaving behind. We all love you!

5 Generations of Love

This past Sunday we loaded up the cars (3 in total) and journeyed to the small town of Buhler to visit my Great Grandmother, Adenia at the Sunshine home. This was going to be her first time to meet her GREAT GREAT Granddaughters, Leighton and Landrey. Making 5 generations! I think it is so amazing because very few families can even claim 4 generations, let alone 5! My Grandma Adenia was so excited to meet and see them! She kept getting them confused and which one belonged to which mommy, but hey when your 94 you are allowed!

This is Grandma meeting her two beautiful Great Great Granddaughters!

(click on the pics to see them closer...I am trying something new with my pictures)

Lo was a bit on the fussy side during our visit, I think we are starting to teethe! Yea (hear the excitement in my voice :) ) And Landrey was sleepy so she just doozed off! Wish Lo would do that...but that is another story! Overall it was a great day and so beautiful have so much family surrounding both little girls with so much love...5 generations of love!

The 5 generation lineage is on my mother's side: Lo's and Lan's Great Great Grandmother Adenia, Great Grandfather Bob, Grandma Jeanne, and Mommies Chele and Misa, and of course the girls.