Monday, December 28, 2009
Merry Christmas!
I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas :) We actually had an amazing Christmas, though we were thinking of my grandpa the entire time. I'll post pictures soon!
Sunday, December 20, 2009
I'm back
I haven't felt like writing lately...actually, I haven't felt like doing much of anything lately. It's so strange - it feels like we've been without my grandpa for months and yet we only just buried him last week.
I haven't wanted to hang out with my friends, I haven't wanted to go shopping, I haven't wanted to be on FaceBook or blog. It's still an awful thought to me that life is going on without him. I have felt like if I just stay away from everything, life will stand still. He won't have missed anything.
I know it's still so new and I know that it will get better, but it's just hard to see people so happy during the holidays when one of the most important people is missing from our lives. But I know that grandpa wouldn't want this for me. He wouldn't want me to go on like this - this half hearted life I've been living.
He would want me to make Christmas cookies with my girls, take them to see Santa, kiss my husband under the mistletoe, wrap presents while listening to Christmas music, visit friends, play outside in the snow. He would want me to have a joyful holiday. He would want me to go on living, as painful as it may be without him. To remember the memories we had together while creating new ones with my family.
Yes...this is what he would want from me. And so I'm going to give myself one more night to cry and when I wake up tomorrow I'm going to take my girls outside to play in the snow. I'm going to bring them to see Santa and bake sugar cookies to bring to friends...I'm going to do this, all the while knowing that my grandpa is smiling down at me...
I haven't wanted to hang out with my friends, I haven't wanted to go shopping, I haven't wanted to be on FaceBook or blog. It's still an awful thought to me that life is going on without him. I have felt like if I just stay away from everything, life will stand still. He won't have missed anything.
I know it's still so new and I know that it will get better, but it's just hard to see people so happy during the holidays when one of the most important people is missing from our lives. But I know that grandpa wouldn't want this for me. He wouldn't want me to go on like this - this half hearted life I've been living.
He would want me to make Christmas cookies with my girls, take them to see Santa, kiss my husband under the mistletoe, wrap presents while listening to Christmas music, visit friends, play outside in the snow. He would want me to have a joyful holiday. He would want me to go on living, as painful as it may be without him. To remember the memories we had together while creating new ones with my family.
Yes...this is what he would want from me. And so I'm going to give myself one more night to cry and when I wake up tomorrow I'm going to take my girls outside to play in the snow. I'm going to bring them to see Santa and bake sugar cookies to bring to friends...I'm going to do this, all the while knowing that my grandpa is smiling down at me...
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Marc V. Gutchell July 5, 1921 - December 7, 2009
My Grandpa passed away peacefully, yesterday afternoon in his home. He was surrounded by his wife, daughter and granddaughter. My sister called everyone to let them know he was passing and members of our family were on their way to his house when he passed. He was an amazing person and there are no words that seem adequate enough for the way his family felt about him. For his 80th birthday 8 years ago, I wrote and framed for him the "top 80 reasons I love you" list. I updated it this week to include 8 more reasons I loved him and was lucky enough to be able to read it to him before he passed.
Thank you everyone for your thoughts, calls, prayers and e-mails. You have no idea what they have meant for us. They truly have gotten us through this difficult time and for that we will always be grateful.
Pepaw ~ we miss you already...don't you worry about Dee...we'll take as good care of her as you did...here are the top 88 reasons I love you...I love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck...Love, Your Jennafear
1. Because you are so smart
2. Because you are so handsome
3. Because you are so loving
4. For all the times you took me to the dump
5. For all the times you took me fishing at Lake George
6. I love you a bushel and a peck
7. Because you are so thoughtful
8. Because you are a good father
9. For all the times you made me dinner “from your garden”
10. Because you give me rides in the luggage carrier at camp
11. Because you are a good grandfather
12. Because you take me speeding fast in the boat
13. Because you taught me how to tell time
14. Because you are a good husband
15. Because I love your striped red shirt
16. Because you love me more than Maggie (right??)
17. For all the times I jumped into your arms into Lake George
18. For letting me drive the boat when I was younger
19. Because you give the best bear hugs
20. Because you and I used to eat sardines together (what was I thinking?!)
21. Because you are the one who got me to love Paul Simon
22. Because you are a good great grandpa
23. For all the times you took me swimming at Lake George
24. For every time we have stopped for drinks on our boat rides
25. For every time you scared me by blowing the boat horn in my ear
26. Because for a while, I really believed that sometimes, the water really didn’t go all they way down to the bottom
27. For all the times you took me to the rock in the middle of the lake
28. And for the times you took me to the “duck rock”
29. For all the times you helped me with my book reports
30. Because you are so forgiving
31. Because you always comfort me when something is wrong
32. Because you taught me to fold my paper plate when I am taking it to the garbage
33. Because you are a good brother
34. For all the times you let me try to take your wedding band off
35. Because you are a good friend
36. For all the times you grabbed my wrists and told me you would give me five dollars if I could get out of your grips
37. Because of every card or present you have given me
38. Because you always fix things around my mom’s house
39. Because you are so good at cooking on the grill
40. Because you kiss Grandma every time you leave the house
41. Because you look exactly like you did ten years ago
42. Because you were with me at my Confirmation
43. Because you call Grandma “Dee”
44. Because it seems you like “Big Matt” as much as I do
45. Because my heart melted when I saw you at my surprise house warming party
46. Because my mom has the best dad in the whole world
47. Because I love going to your house for Christmas
48. Because I love hearing stories about when you were younger
49. Because you never lie
50. Because you love your family more than anything
51. For all the times we used to feed the ducks down by the docks
52. Because I love the way you laugh
53. Because I love joking around with you about who is better; the Yankees or the Red Sox (I think we both know the answer to that one!)
54. Because of the toaster you gave to Matt and I (it looks brand new!)
55. Because I loved the way you jumped into the lake because of the big splash you made
56. Because I feel so safe when you’re around
57. Because you are so brave
58. Because I love having you and Grandma over for dinner
59. Because when you turned 66, you ran around the house shouting “I’m six six! I’m six six!” (I still laugh when I think about that)
60. Because every time we talk, one of the first questions you ask is “How is big Matt?”
61. Because I love the way you growl when you are mad
62. Because you would always let me sit on your lap when I was younger
63. Because you are so proud of me when I do well in school
64. Because you have such a good memory
65. Because your garage is always so organized
66. Because you keep up with the times on different issues
67. Because you voted for Gore
68. Because I love seeing you and Matt talk
69. Because you always told me that you love people, not things (even though Grandma and I still think you can love things)
70. Because you are so thoughtful
71. Because you always tell me how smart and beautiful Grandma is and how lucky you are to be married to her
72. Because you always dress so nicely
73. Because you and Grandma are the best looking couple in all of Vermont
74. Because I love it when you call me Jennafear or the Great Jenna
75. Because I love it when you dance….
76. Especially when it is me you are dancing with
77. Because your family means so much to you
78. Because you fought for your country
79. Because I have always thought, and still do, that you are the strongest, smartest man I know 80. Because I am so lucky to have such a close relationship with you – I love you more than anything in the world!
81. Because of the times at camp when playing cards and attacked by little bugs, you saved the day by clapping your hands down over and over onto the table
82. Because Emma and Acadia have the best great grandpa ever – I love seeing you with them
83. Because you walked me down the aisle at my wedding
84. Because before my wedding, you told me to imagine the aisle as the dock at camp only instead of jumping into your arms, I was jumping into Matt’s
85. Because you have told me repeatedly that Acadia is the cutest baby you’ve ever seen
86. Because you call Dr. Fitzgerald “Fitzie”
87. Because you have taught me more than you’ll ever know just by your example…about being a good person, being loyal, strong, the importance of family and laughter, kindness, education. And because you have given me the greatest gift in the world – a family. Because of you and grandma, I have the best grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins I could possibly ask for. We owe everything to you and grandma – all the years at camp, Christmases, Thanksgivings, Easters at The Dog Team Tavern, boat rides, walks, trips to the beach, playing cards, going to our games, concerts, plays. You were our biggest fan and for that, I will always be grateful
88. Because even though I call you Grandpa, in my heart you will always be my pepaw…
1. Because you are so smart
2. Because you are so handsome
3. Because you are so loving
4. For all the times you took me to the dump
5. For all the times you took me fishing at Lake George
6. I love you a bushel and a peck
7. Because you are so thoughtful
8. Because you are a good father
9. For all the times you made me dinner “from your garden”
10. Because you give me rides in the luggage carrier at camp
11. Because you are a good grandfather
12. Because you take me speeding fast in the boat
13. Because you taught me how to tell time
14. Because you are a good husband
15. Because I love your striped red shirt
16. Because you love me more than Maggie (right??)
17. For all the times I jumped into your arms into Lake George
18. For letting me drive the boat when I was younger
19. Because you give the best bear hugs
20. Because you and I used to eat sardines together (what was I thinking?!)
21. Because you are the one who got me to love Paul Simon
22. Because you are a good great grandpa
23. For all the times you took me swimming at Lake George
24. For every time we have stopped for drinks on our boat rides
25. For every time you scared me by blowing the boat horn in my ear
26. Because for a while, I really believed that sometimes, the water really didn’t go all they way down to the bottom
27. For all the times you took me to the rock in the middle of the lake
28. And for the times you took me to the “duck rock”
29. For all the times you helped me with my book reports
30. Because you are so forgiving
31. Because you always comfort me when something is wrong
32. Because you taught me to fold my paper plate when I am taking it to the garbage
33. Because you are a good brother
34. For all the times you let me try to take your wedding band off
35. Because you are a good friend
36. For all the times you grabbed my wrists and told me you would give me five dollars if I could get out of your grips
37. Because of every card or present you have given me
38. Because you always fix things around my mom’s house
39. Because you are so good at cooking on the grill
40. Because you kiss Grandma every time you leave the house
41. Because you look exactly like you did ten years ago
42. Because you were with me at my Confirmation
43. Because you call Grandma “Dee”
44. Because it seems you like “Big Matt” as much as I do
45. Because my heart melted when I saw you at my surprise house warming party
46. Because my mom has the best dad in the whole world
47. Because I love going to your house for Christmas
48. Because I love hearing stories about when you were younger
49. Because you never lie
50. Because you love your family more than anything
51. For all the times we used to feed the ducks down by the docks
52. Because I love the way you laugh
53. Because I love joking around with you about who is better; the Yankees or the Red Sox (I think we both know the answer to that one!)
54. Because of the toaster you gave to Matt and I (it looks brand new!)
55. Because I loved the way you jumped into the lake because of the big splash you made
56. Because I feel so safe when you’re around
57. Because you are so brave
58. Because I love having you and Grandma over for dinner
59. Because when you turned 66, you ran around the house shouting “I’m six six! I’m six six!” (I still laugh when I think about that)
60. Because every time we talk, one of the first questions you ask is “How is big Matt?”
61. Because I love the way you growl when you are mad
62. Because you would always let me sit on your lap when I was younger
63. Because you are so proud of me when I do well in school
64. Because you have such a good memory
65. Because your garage is always so organized
66. Because you keep up with the times on different issues
67. Because you voted for Gore
68. Because I love seeing you and Matt talk
69. Because you always told me that you love people, not things (even though Grandma and I still think you can love things)
70. Because you are so thoughtful
71. Because you always tell me how smart and beautiful Grandma is and how lucky you are to be married to her
72. Because you always dress so nicely
73. Because you and Grandma are the best looking couple in all of Vermont
74. Because I love it when you call me Jennafear or the Great Jenna
75. Because I love it when you dance….
76. Especially when it is me you are dancing with
77. Because your family means so much to you
78. Because you fought for your country
79. Because I have always thought, and still do, that you are the strongest, smartest man I know 80. Because I am so lucky to have such a close relationship with you – I love you more than anything in the world!
81. Because of the times at camp when playing cards and attacked by little bugs, you saved the day by clapping your hands down over and over onto the table
82. Because Emma and Acadia have the best great grandpa ever – I love seeing you with them
83. Because you walked me down the aisle at my wedding
84. Because before my wedding, you told me to imagine the aisle as the dock at camp only instead of jumping into your arms, I was jumping into Matt’s
85. Because you have told me repeatedly that Acadia is the cutest baby you’ve ever seen
86. Because you call Dr. Fitzgerald “Fitzie”
87. Because you have taught me more than you’ll ever know just by your example…about being a good person, being loyal, strong, the importance of family and laughter, kindness, education. And because you have given me the greatest gift in the world – a family. Because of you and grandma, I have the best grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins I could possibly ask for. We owe everything to you and grandma – all the years at camp, Christmases, Thanksgivings, Easters at The Dog Team Tavern, boat rides, walks, trips to the beach, playing cards, going to our games, concerts, plays. You were our biggest fan and for that, I will always be grateful
88. Because even though I call you Grandpa, in my heart you will always be my pepaw…
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Friday, December 4, 2009
Family
“Our family is a circle of love and strength. With every birth and every union, the circle grows. Every joy shared adds more love. Every obstacle faced together makes the circle stronger."
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Day 3: Watch a Christmas movie
Acadia loves Dora so I rented Dora's Christmas Carol Adventures and she LOVED it! Funny enough, my friend Melissa texted me the same day and asked if we had that movie. Her daughter is too old for it now and she wanted to give it to someone would would enjoy it :)
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Long day
"Know the true value of time; snatch, seize, and enjoy every moment of it. No idleness, no delay, no procrastination; never put off till tomorrow what you can do today."
~Earl of Chesterfield
~Earl of Chesterfield
Honestly, child
Sometimes when we're having a super fun playdate my daughter takes off...
And after about 10 minutes of searching, one of us finally decides to check the bathroom....
And after about 10 minutes of searching, one of us finally decides to check the bathroom....
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Dear God,
Thank you for the crumbs on my floor...it means my daughter has had enough to eat
Thank you for the tantrum my 2 year old throws...it means she is able to speak
Thank you for the toys I step on daily...it means our children are healthy enough to play with them
Thank you for my toddler who runs about, crashing into everything in site...it means she doesn't have asthma
Thank you for the clothes strewn about my home...it means my child has all her limbs and is able to take off her own clothing
Thank you for all the dirty dishes in my sink...it means I am able to afford a home
Thank you for my husband who snores...it means that he's alive and sleeping peacefully
Thank you for the mess I have to clean up after bath time...it means we have running water
Thank you for my infant who wakes me up at night with her crying...it means I have my hearing
And please help to remind me on the days I forget....that all the daily things I may sometimes see as a nuisance are really blessings in disguise...Amen.
Thank you for the tantrum my 2 year old throws...it means she is able to speak
Thank you for the toys I step on daily...it means our children are healthy enough to play with them
Thank you for my toddler who runs about, crashing into everything in site...it means she doesn't have asthma
Thank you for the clothes strewn about my home...it means my child has all her limbs and is able to take off her own clothing
Thank you for all the dirty dishes in my sink...it means I am able to afford a home
Thank you for my husband who snores...it means that he's alive and sleeping peacefully
Thank you for the mess I have to clean up after bath time...it means we have running water
Thank you for my infant who wakes me up at night with her crying...it means I have my hearing
And please help to remind me on the days I forget....that all the daily things I may sometimes see as a nuisance are really blessings in disguise...Amen.
Spa Night
A couple weeks ago my girlfriends and I went to a charity event at Burton Snowboards. With the purchase of your ticket, you get free wine and beer, massages, facials, a makeover, your nails "did" - so much fun! We were allowed to pick two treatments and we all picked a makeover and massage. If you've never had a massage AND wine at the same time - I highly recommend it!
Matt picked me up from spa night with the girls and Acadia thought she was pretty cute in the make-up artist's chair :)
Matt picked me up from spa night with the girls and Acadia thought she was pretty cute in the make-up artist's chair :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
