So glad I took these pictures...

No more tears?

Today Grandad passed away. I have had all the gammet of emotions going through my foggy head as I've talked to my siblings and to Matt. We were heading home from vacation in Georgia. The place that reminds me so much of my grandparents and family.

I consider myself (quite proudly) a non-crier if you ask any of my friends. Well, today I broke the rules and let the tears fall for just a little while. Noah looked at me with a sly smile and a chuckle and said, "Mommy, why are you crying? You'll see him soon in heaven!" The way he said it was like it was the silliest thing in the world for me to be sad when I was going to see him so soon.

I got to think alot about everything on the drive home from Georgia. Grandad dying today was a small detail in the heavenly scheme of things. Far more important is the fact that he is the man we all knew and love today. He is up in heaven strong, maybe even with more hair :). He has just received all the many rewards and crowns God has been saving up for him, can you imagine that pile!! God probably had to back up an 18 wheeler to unload them all... He probably had the grandbabies and great grandbabies that never made it to earth swinging off the huge bicep he has now. He's already signed up for the heavenly choir practice and is praising his Savior as you read this right now.

Take Noah's advice, don't cry now, you'll see him soon - silly!

Erica's baby shower

Baby Blake will be here in about 2 weeks!

Ella's first nap in her new room

Popsicles, Poptarts, and Pasta

Noah has always been our little comedian, but these day's Ella is cracking us up just as much as she learns to talk. Recently when she wakes up she asks clear as a bell for a "poptart." Here's a video of her talking about it during our popsicles on the porch time.

Popsicles on the porch!

Tonight it was extreemly hot so we decided to eat popsicles on the porch! Ella has to be practically naked because she manages to get sticky from head to toe. Noah manages to eat it with out covering the rocking chair. Ella was so excited I didn't have to even ask for a smile while I was taking the pictures. Noah had to ham it up for the camera. And of course, they both have to go straight to the bath after it was over!

WE HAVE CARPET!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kid Senses with The Bradleys

Today we met up with Beth and Campbell at Kid Senses museum in Rutherfordton. It was a great day to play indoors because it was HOT outside! Ella especially loved the grocery store, she kept bringing items to one of the "clerks" to ring up for her.

They say that heaven's pretty...

Everytime I eat a sausage biscuit from McDonalds I think of him. So often when we'd go out to breakfast that's what he'd order for us. He wouldn't ask what we wanted. We knew he was coming back with a pile of sausage biscuits and OJ's for us and a big coffee for him and grandma.

He has a laugh that is unmistakable. Unduplicated. It was soft and never boisterous (like Matt's!).

I remember seeing Daniel swing from his huge bicep in Macon and being amazed at how a man so "old" (it's amazing what you think is old when you are little) could be so strong!

I remember many drives from the mountain trailer to the Piggly Wiggly. Why did just me always go with them?

I remember his singing voice. It was very pure and like it was from another decade, probably because it was.

I remember more than once waking up early in Macon and going to the livingroom to see him not just praying, but on his knees at the couch. Knowing that he was praying for each person in each picture on the wall he was kneeling in front of. In fact, when I was alone in Hendersonville I remember the peace I felt knowing not only that my parents had prayed for me that day, but knowing that my grandaddy woke up that morning and prayed for me too.

I remember getting in trouble for jumping too high on the trampoline while he was working back by the sheds.

I remember never feeling like I could just go up and snuggle next to him (like I could do with Grandad Cagle), but knowing that he loved me in a different but yet unconditional way.

So many chorus concerts, church performances, solos... he and grandma were sitting in the audience. That meant so, so much to me.

He told me I was beautiful on my wedding day.

Tab. That's all I have to say about that subject. Tab. Oh, and Nature's valley granola bars. What a gross combination!

He shakes like dad does when he really gets to laughing.

He knew I loved music and once at the trailer made me sit in the back room with him and listen to that wierd pipe music that that guy blew into. Oh, and a lot of Gaither tracks. I acted into it because he was so excited. What was that guy's name?

By far, the people I have eaten the most cafeteria food with, is Grandma and Grandad. Sunday's after church... oh the choices on that line.

I remember once a long time ago watching those old, old movies from when dad was little. He tried to do a commentary while they were on (I don't think there was sound), but grandma won out and took over as best she could. He also loved some stinking slides.

I could go on and on about this man who God placed in my life to be my grandfather. How blessed I am. He was there for me more than most grandparents are. He didn't use words as much as he used actions. I am thankful. I don't want to say goodbye to him. But he's not really here anymore. In heaven I'll finally get to thank him for all he did and tell him exactly what he meant to me.

And one day I'll be sleeping, When death knocks on my door And I'll awake and find that I'm not homesick anymore I'll be home, going home, where I belong

You gotta watch this...

Ella never get's in the water when I take her to the splash pad, she always skirts around trying not to get wet. Today, however, she went at it full force and was attempting to drink from the 15 foot sprays. Enjoy!

Splash pad with Jack and Nick

Happy Birthday America!

Matching Ponytails

Found this pic from Nana's last visit and had to put it up!

A red-headed guy, mickey mouse, and laundry baskets...

A few weeks ago Bek and Will came up and visited. She took these pictures and I stole them off her facebook page today. Sometimes all you need for entertainments is a red-headed guy, mickey mouse, and laundry baskets.

Puny kids...no time for pics

I haven't posted anything this week because we have been so incredibly busy! The remodel is almost coming to an end (praise the Lord), and we've had a stomach bug going between the kids. I'll post pics of the new bathroom soon. It'll be a few weeks before Ella's room is put together.