Death

I kept this info away from my blog because it was mostly for "happy" things. Also, I just don't think I was ready. This blog was a happy place and life recently, not so much. I see my last post was Aug. 6 and during that time my mother in law was still alive but very, very sick. She was diagnoised with StageIV liver & lung cancer at the end of July and passed a week after her birthday on August 26th. This was one hell of a hard summer. We have been calling it the curse of 2013. I wont go into all of the details but here is what happened with her. I wrote this shortly after her funeral so I would remember things. Everything was a blur. I didn't edit it because I wanted it to be what I was feeling and thinking at that moment and "raw". Mostly it is a timeline. If you have ever been through a close family member death you know about "God's numbness" and how powerful and true it is.
 I think this is the first time I have actually got to sit at the computer and write. We lost my mil last Monday morning. She was diagnosed in July with stage IV liver & lung cancer and died a short month later so I assume she had the cancer for awhile and was unaware (scary). The day of the death my husband woke me up crying around 6 am and said he lost mom, she died. The day before he called her and could tell something was seriously off, said he hoped she would make it through the night. I was shocked and kept saying no she didnt, no, no, then just held him and we both cried in bed holding eachother. We had the triplets so we pulled it together (sort of) for them by 7am to send them off to school and planned to tell them when they got home as we didn't want to send them to school with that news, had to go see my fil and knew they would be missing days for the services. We headed to fil house right after they went to school we all hugged and cried. He said she was doing really bad on Sunday. Unfortunatly, my husband had a sinus infection or broncitus so he didn't want to go visit her on Sunday because something like that could have killed her, we saw her on the prior Thursday in the Hospital and she actually looked good, all pumped up with fluids. She went in for four days because of how dehydrated she was. She really didn't eat much for 3 weeks before her death. I think that maybe a blessing for us, seeing her Sunday before she died may have been a worse memory. She had her first chemo treatment on Friday and I believe she was to weak to even get it but felt like she was doing it for us. 
 When we told the kids one instantly balled, one was sort of scared and hid under the blanket with light tears and one was comic relief (she hates, hates sad things and I read that trying to lighten the mood is a coping mech.) So in their true style as they are so different, they all coped different. The baby, the poor baby got the shaft. She will never remember this wonderful , inspiring, loving, selfless woman. I am so thankful for the visit she had with the baby 2 weeks before death and she and they baby actually took a snooze together, mil holding her, I have the treasured picture. Her memory through us most live on for her. It breaks my soul, no it broke my soul. Still mending. 
Silver lining is sucks for us good for her no suffering. The services were beautiful, we pulled it off. There were around 700 people that came to the visitation, husband, fil and I stood there and shook everyones hand, lines were out the door. She had an impact on a lot of people. Starting the local University from scratch, running for Senate, and being a teacher for so many years. We held a reception with food and drinks at a nice hall after the funeral and brought the baby. It was nice for friends of hers to meet they baby and see she was there. She really loved the baby, when fil asked me to go through her phone 90% of her text were doting on her. I am going to screen shot and save them for her later in life. She touched so many lives and will be sorely missed. Now its time for us to grieve. Our whole family feels broken. 

That is what I wrote a week after death. We are slowly moving forward and coping. My fil is in Florida right now where they stayed in the winter. Their condo was rennovated just this Summer, (al lher doing) and he really wanted her to get to see it. Sadly she did not. I know with time we will heal, but she was such a huge, huge part of our family. None was expecting this or ready. I really have to step up for my husband and fil, staying strong  for them. Thats all I know to do at this point. Life is very short and it scares me. 
The baby has turned one (WOW) and the triplets (9). I cannot believe it. I hope to post pictures of birthdays this week. 

6 err month photos

I finally got some of the digitals of my girls 6 month photos! I am sooo in LOVE. I knew she was beautiful but wow. One happy momma. Enjoy. Incase you are wondering about the "err" in the title she is going on ten months but hey the photographer finally sent just recently!

Our Summer..& exciting NEWS

It seems as though my little blog has been put on the back burner this Summer. Anyone here? I know I am a more active blogger in the fall and winter months, how about you? I also know I put on more weight in the summer, anyone else? All the cookouts, boating, pool instead of gym, ya know. We have spent fun times at the river, trips to Kings Island, the pool, and the husband and I are going to sneak off and go to Chicago THIS WEEKEND to the lalapoloza festival. Follow me on instgram for some fun Chicago shots. Its an awesome people watching festival we have scheduled out our weekend and which bands we have to see, so excited! Will be good and do a trip recap post. 
The girls seem like they are now pre teens instead of kids  & the baby transforming into a toddler right in front of our eyes! Life goes way too fast. Watching them change on a daily basis is just mind blowing. The baby can pull up on everything, my bet is that she will be walking by 10 months, 11 max. I have started to put away some of her infant things and she is outgrowing 6-9 month cloths, sad panda!

News....NEWS FLASH ....WE ARE MOVING. Yep. We are moving onto our parents property & rennovating their home, adding a new wing and foundation. Super excited! Everyone will have thier own room. More details to come...this will be our backyard :

I can imagine my husband and kids out there having picnics, fishing, and enjoying the beautiful view for years to come!

A very gross chore

Sooo one of the grossest things I've ever had to do happened to me this week and no it has nothing to do with kid poop. I would have preferred that. Several months ago our renters at our condo were down on their luck and fell into some hardship aka couldn't pay rent any longer. Being the nice folks we are we allowed them to pack up and get out without consequence. We made them do it rather quickly because we needed to start cleaning and finding new renters. They left a lot of stuff they couldn't take (nothing of value) and unfortunately their dog did a number on the carpets. So I was caught up in riding the items and getting the carpet replaced, the Mr. patching and painting, we both didn't check the fridge. Big mistake. BIG. When opened we were greeted with a HORRIBLE SMELL, mold , liquid food, ugh I can't go on without vomiting. Anyway, I was given the task to try to restore this gross sucker. Before and after shots:

Now how to rid the smell? Baking soda has been used, read about white vinegar, vanilla extract...even coffee beans. Any advice would be apprechiated. We may have to bite the bullet and by a new. Ever consider renting? Don't. 

Losing my marbles

Today something happened that confirmed I've lost my damn mind. I went to the store bought my things and packed the van up. Realized I put the wine in the passangers seat instead of in the back with the other things...hmm ok whatever. Two lights down the road I go and panic sets in after I look on that said seat. Where is my purse?? Pulled over and checked everywhere, no luck. My phone, Id, credit cards, house keys and fresh atm cash (I never have cash) were all stowed away in that little purse. So I drive 100 fast and try to remember where I parked, see the cart boys and gun it. One cart boy is holding my purse starting to open it as I shout "Thank gosh, that is mine!" He hands it to me no questions asked, when I opened there was no phone! Shit! I ask him if he has a phone so I can call it, hands it over as well. As I call I feel my bra/dress strap viberating. Even better ? Cart boy texted me "You forgot your receipt" (which I didn't). You're welcome, feel free to laugh. Also laugh that apparently wine is my priority. 

7 months

7 months

Katelyn you are 7 months! Full of personality, we're loving it! You are a VERY , VERY alert baby, constantly scanning the room  nothing gets past you. I have a feeling that is going to be a problem when you out smart us soon, ha ;). you still have those two bottom teeth, SO  close to crawling and the worlds fastest baby "roller". You LOVE the water which is good since we are boaters, you flap your arms up and down when you see water, too cute! You also have a case of "mommyitis" as daddy puts it, please stay small I will miss these days, love you! 

Sun Saftey Kit

This could be possibly the best sun saftey kit Sephora has ever had! Not only is it a $210 value for $30 but $20 of it goes to skin cancer foundation! I also love trying out all of the products and the reusuable cosmetic bag. I have already found some favorites compared to others so I will be shopping very soon. I think I am sunscreen obsessed especially on the face, protect the truth peeps! What is your favorite sun product? Mine is the peter thomas roth  BB cream (in the kit)  it has sunscreen and gives you a flawless finish, I have tried others and the texture is my favorite, and oh for the babe? Baby Ganics sunscreen & Bug spray, a safe organic spray with natural products, a must. I love all of their products for the baby actually!