It’s the middle of summer and we are just getting out for our first ride on the single track trails. It was a beautiful morning. We went to the park with friends and got several miles in before the rain came through. Great way to start a Saturday!
This kid has always had to work hard at school. He received a letter in the mail from his principal today telling him that he made the honor roll and earned an academic letter!
We were invited to attend the 2002 Prenatal Partners for Life banquet this evening. Mary Kellett contacted us to see if we were available to use three of the tickets purchased by a group who was no longer able to attend and wanted to offer them to someone else. We were able to take Shecklet #3 with us. It was her first “fancy” dinner.
During the presentation part of the event, we heard the story of a family who lost their little girl due to a chromosome defect. They were blessed to have a few days with her prior to her passing. It turned out that the little girl is the sweet baby who is buried next to Astrid. I ran into her mom while exiting the restroom and introduced myself. She told me that it is her MIL who will leave flowers at Astrid’s grave when she visits her granddaughter. I have often wondered who is behind the heart-warming gesture – now I know.
Larissa and Shecklet #1 planned a Hawaiian-themed birthday celebration for the two of them at Grandma & Grandpa’s house. Jake even grilled pineapple – it was delicious!
Two years since we said goodbye. It feels like yesterday and forever ago all at the same time. A friend posted this quote from St. Oscar Romero on social media and felt it was a accurate description for what I often feel when I shed tears about not having Astrid physically present with us.
We visited the cemetery tonight after dinner and brought flowers and mini cupcakes to celebrate our sweet little saint. Happy Birth Day, Astrid! We love and miss you so much!
We realized that several Shecklets had significant growth spurts this past year. That, coupled with bikes that had seen many miles, prompted Jake to go on the hunt for some upgraded equipment. We’re looking forward to hitting the paved and single track trails!
There’s a local restaurant that Jake has taken Helena to in the past. This morning, he had a breakfast date with both of the girls 💗💗
We attended 8:30 mass this morning to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. The church was full – it was great to see! Shecklet #1 ran the cameras for the livestream and we sat in the pew directly in front of him (at the back of the church.)
After coming home, the kids got changed and hunted for their Easter baskets. Shecklet #4 found hers before mass. We then headed to Grandma Lois’ house to join a few other family members for Easter lunch/dinner. The kids had fun playing with one of their littlest cousins – hunting for eggs, going to the park, and just making her giggle.
The egg hunt this year was full of laughs. Some of the plastic eggs that were hidden in the backyard were found by squirrels who managed to gnaw their way through the plastic and eat the chocolate candy inside!
We even got to see one of Jake’s younger cousins (who was our flower girl almost 20 years ago.) Yes, 2022 is the year of our 20th anniversary! It doesn’t seem possible.)
A surprise package arrived for Shecklet #2 from one of Jake’s cousins. This kid was pretty excited to find out what was inside!
12:20am on Palm Sunday 2022, my godmother and aunt, Deb, took her final breath here on earth and joined her loved ones in heaven – including our sweet Astrid.
My SIL was one of a handful of people who knew that my aunt was in her last days and had been praying for her and our family. After telling Bri of Deb’s passing, she shared the verse from Philippians that clearly God keeps putting in my life.
It’s the same verse we put on Astrid’s marker and that I wrote on our sanctuary floor not once, but twice.
