Throwback Thursday Stories: My Grandma, The Writer

I've spoken often on facebook and my personal blog about my grandma Klein.  She was a writer and is a big part of why words are as much a part of me as breathing.  She could really paint a picture with her words and she could captivate an audience with her stories.

I remember how much we loved sitting late at night in their living room watching my grandpa display old slides with their slide projector and screen while my grandma would weave stories of the past into the present.  I can still picture how we would hang on her every word, laughing, crying, and just enjoying her storytelling magic.

She left behind years and years of journals filled with her words, but some of her most precious words are the ones she would write to me every year in my birthday cards.  When my grandpa became proficient with a computer, he would make a big production of choosing graphics and typing out my grandma's words, but before then she would hand write her own beautiful words that made every birthday so much more special.

These two photos are from the front and back of a birthday card from my childhood that seems ordinary, but, to me, it's one of my most priceless treasures.  I know that she would have been one of the biggest supporters of my writing and would have cheered me on the loudest as I continue to pursue my writing dream.  One day, when I finally finish the memoir book I'm writing and hold in my own hands the pages of my own words published for the world to see, I will imagine her smiling as she holds her own copy and bragging to her friends about her granddaughter, the writer. 

Linking up with Jessica of The Mom Creative for Throwback Thursday Stories.

Project Life 2012: Weeks 51 & 52 {Christmas}

December 16 - 22

This week was crazier than expected when Valerie ended up having tonsil/adenoid surgery.  We were also busy finishing up last minute things on our Christmas to do list like mailing out Christmas cards & baby announcements and packing for a week in Michigan visiting Ted's family.  I blogged more about the surgery here.

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December 23 - 30

Saturday morning, we packed up the van and began the long drive to Michigan.  With three kids, including a newborn, we knew we'd be stopping at least for lunch and dinner, so we braced ourselves for an entire day of driving.  We brought along my laptop with DVDs and plenty of toys to keep the kids entertained.  We stopped for lunch at Sarah & Dan's new house and enjoyed a break from traveling to visit with Sarah and little Danny. The rest of the drive went well, but we arrived at Ted's parents house just before midnight, exhausted and tired from a long day of travel.

Ted's older sisters, Sarah and Lisa, and his brother, David, were not able to travel home for Christmas this year, so it was a much quieter Christmas.  We enjoyed visiting with Ted's parents and attending the Hanes family gathering after church on Sunday.  The kids had a blast playing with (uncle) Joey and (uncle) Robbie.  Almanzo and Robbie are so funny together, giggling over the silliest things and chasing each other all over the house.  Almanzo says, "My like Robbie.  He's fun." 

Laura & Eric and Justin came over the weekend to visit as well.  Along with Mackenzie and Vickie, we all enjoyed staying up at night to watch some Hallmark Christmas movies Ted's mom had recorded on the TV.  There's something about a quiet night in the country in a home heated by a wood stove that just says Christmas to me.  It was so relaxing and the smaller gathering this year allowed us to spend some more one on one time with family members we don't get to see often enough.  


Christmas morning, the kids woke us up bright and early at 6.  We opened the gifts from our stockings and gave the kids their gifts from us before gathering with the rest of the family for breakfast.  After breakfast, Ted's dad read the nativity story straight from the bible and we all exchanged gifts.  We then enjoyed a Christmas lunch along with birthday cake for Jesus and a quiet afternoon nap before going to visit Ted's grandparents.  Mackenzie joined our little family and Ted's grandparents were so happy to see us all.  Having lost my own grandparents so recently, I know how precious time is so I cherished that time spent with Ted's grandparents. 

On Thursday morning, we packed up the van again and drove back home.  The drive home always seems longer, especially when we ended up driving through Chicago during rush hour.  At one point, in the middle of Chicago traffic that was almost at a stand still, all three kids were crying and I wanted to cry right along with them.  Somehow I managed to calm Ollie back to sleep and then put a movie on for Valerie and Almanzo that was just long enough to last until we stopped for dinner.  After dinner, the kids all fell asleep and we carried them into bed when we finally arrived home late that night. 

Friday morning, we packed the van yet again and drove to my parents' house.  We enjoyed Christmas with my family that night and then a Christmas gathering with my mom's family on Saturday.  It's a tradition every year for the cousins to perform a nativity play.  It was bittersweet to celebrate Christmas in my grandparents' home without them, but traditions like this keep their memory alive.  This year, my mom asked me to direct the play and my cousins came up with the most hilarious addition to our yearly tradition - the narrators read their lines southern preacher style and the actors sang their lines.  We were all laughing so hard by the end and the memories we made will last a lifetime. 

Project Life: Weeks 37 & 38

September 9 - 15

You just can't NOT smile when this little man giggles.

Daddy took the kids on an adventure to return some Redbox movies...and couldn't resist this sweet face asking for ice cream.

 I signed the kids up for a fun learning class that my friend, Chris, is teaching at a fun learning store in town.  Each class has a theme with a book, activity, and project.  Today's book was about cloud shapes, so the kids got to make their own cloud pictures.

 

The kids were so serious about their painting projects.

The kids just love library days, because they love books just as much as their mommy.

 It also helps that the library has fun puppets and other toys to play with.  Almanzo was quite amused with the puppets today.

36 week baby bump

There was a fun kid's parade before Ted's race and the kids had a blast decorating their bikes, "racing" around the block, and eating some yummy snacks just for them.

 Almanzo is very serious about bike races...and he wasn't so sure about the clowns.

 Our favorite racer

Sunday, we were supposed to join Ted for another bike race, but Valerie was fighting a cold and my allergies were making me dizzy and nauseous all weekend.  So, the kids and I hunkered down at home while Ted went down to Lake Geneva for another WORS race.  We were bummed to miss out on cheering him on and a chance to visit with aunt Sarah and cousin Danny.

I'm starting to hit the uncomfortable stage of this pregnancy as baby is running out of space and my body is getting ready for labor day.  The kids seem to think that means they can cause even more trouble.  Their latest scheme was to get into the vapor rub...and I pour it all over Valerie's hair.  It took several washes and finally a bunch of coconut oil to get it all out, but her hair is still a bit greasy looking.  These two certainly keep me on my toes!

I found out at my 36 week appointment this week that I am already 2 cm dilated and my doctor seems to think labor could happen sooner than my due date.  Valerie has been telling me quite often, "mommy, your belly is getting too big, so you need to go to the doctor so you can have the baby".  She also insists that he come soon, because "I want to meet him NOW!"   We are anxiously awaiting his arrival, but praying that whenever he arrives his lungs are ready to breathe in this world and that his arrival is less dramatic than our last two experiences. 

Friday, we decided to go ahead and travel to Hayward, WI for the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival as planned, but, since I was having sporadic contractions and some spotting, decided to pack my hospital bag and the car seat just in case.  We also decided to drive part way back Saturday night so we could make it to a family gathering on Sunday and break up the long drive home.  It ended up being a beautiful weekend and we enjoyed cheering on our favorite mountain biker. 

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September 16 - 22

My favorite little girl

After a busy weekend, the kids were so tired they insisted on falling asleep in mommy's arms.  I am so blessed.

 "Mommy, I make a tower!  Take a picture!"

 Some days, we spend all morning in our pajamas and cuddle up watching a Netflix movie.

 Somebody was excited about an early birthday gift arriving in the mail this week.  "Heavy! Heavy!" he said as he heaved it up over his head and declared, "I got it, mommy!"

 Like mother, like daughter - wearing a skirt to play t-ball!

Almanzo loves his new t-ball set from uncle David & aunt Cherylyn.  Valerie got one for her birthday two years ago, so they spent the rest of the night playing t-ball in the basement.

Sunday, we joined my family at my parents' new home for a Klein family Thanksgiving.  My cousin, Sparrow, is visiting from Washington with her daughter, Matia, and my uncle Larry is visiting from Canada so it was the perfect opportunity to celebrate the family we are so thankful for.  It was also an opportunity for my parents to invite the family back to my grandparents' home as it becomes their home.  They were all excited to see the changes they've already made and to hear all the plans for future changes.  And, of course, it is such a blessing to continue celebrating the legacy of family my grandparents left behind in the house that love built.

Valerie's imagination continues to amaze me.  Lately, she has been talking non stop about her baby dolls.  She is such a little mommy, rocking her "babies" to sleep, making sure they are fed and clothed, and telling me all about their daily adventures.  One morning, she woke up and said, "Mommy, I really tired...cuz my baby waked me up out of bed! I need tell her not do that, so I can sleep."  

Our littlest peanut decided to tease us with contractions again for several hours Thursday night and then all morning Friday, including during my OB appointment.  I am still 2 cm dilated, but my cervix has thinned quite a bit and baby is definitely head down.  We thought for sure we'd have a baby over the weekend, but contractions slowed down again and we are more than happy to let this little one keep growing healthy and strong.

Two Years

Today, my mind is flooded with memories of this day two years ago and the phone call from my sister that made it all so final.

"He's gone." 

There will always, always be a missing piece in our family.  Gone...but never forgotten.

I'd love for you to check out this link today to see a glimpse of the man we so loved.  He absolutely adored our children and my daughter still remembers her "great poppy". 

Project Life: Week 4

Her hair is finally long enough (and she will sit still long enough) for me to braid

comfortable?  whatever works!

pretty in pink

playing the harmonica

give this kid a bouncy ball and he's happy for hours!

my uncle Andy surprised us with a visit at my parents' house

Almanzo wasn't too sure about (great) uncle Andy

excited for her first dentist appointment

ready for teeth counting and cleaning

 see my pretty teeth!

 "yeddo" was very curious about the whole process

mmm...Starbucks!

count my teeth too!

making her own peanut butter and jelly sandwich

Last week started out really laid back.  The kids helped me clean the bathroom and the kitchen floor and were so excited to "help mommy!".  On Tuesday afternoon, Ted found out he had to leave the next morning on a business trip to Florida - his first ever.  I had already planned on visiting my mom on Wednesday, so we extended our visit until Friday to help pass the time while he was gone.  We missed him like crazy, but enjoyed spending time with my parents.  On Wednesday, we helped my mom clean out the basement of their house.  Valerie was excited to find a basket full of doll clothes and spent the rest of our visit taking care of her "babies".  Almanzo kept us entertained with his singing.  He now knows the words to the Veggie Tales theme song, Jesus Loves Me, and Away in A Manger.  He sort of combined them all into a little medley that he sang as he danced around the kitchen for us.  On Thursday morning, we did some more cleaning at my grandma's house and helped my mom get a van load of stuff ready to take to Goodwill.  It's always bittersweet walking into their home filled with so many memories.  Valerie still asks about "great mommy" and is quick to point her out in any pictures we find.  Thursday afternoon, after nap time, the kids and I went to visit my friend, Christy, and her little ones.  My friend, Lizz, joined us for a while too and we enjoyed some coffee and snacks while the kids played.  It was a refreshing visit to spend time with some sweet friends.  Valerie said on the way out the door, "we see friends later?" and I assured her we would visit again soon.  When Ted finally came home Friday night, he was bombarded with hugs and "I miss you daddy"s.  We are thankful to have him safely home again.