Not a happy post....

I have been trying to post this to our blog, but each time I start to write I can not find the words that I want to use. I have finally decided that I just need to write what I am feeling and get it out there. This is not a happy, family blog kind of post that one should make. However, this blog is about our family albeit mostly the "Four Red Thread Sisters".

My Dad, the girls' Pop-Pop passed away on July 21st. He had recently been diagnosed with cancer. We found out later on that he actually had a growth for sometime, but did not tell anyone. As it worsened he finally had to see a doctor.

He was born on October 18, 1925 in rural Graham County Kansas. He served in the Army during WWII, was captured by the Germans and spent approximately 2 months in a prisoner of war camp until he was released. He returned to Kansas and farmed the rest of his life. He loved to travel and meet people. His grandchildren were his pride and joy and they will miss their Pop-Pop very much. He is leaving behind a huge hole in our hearts that will be very slow to heal. He was buried with full military honors including a 21 gun salute. Although he had always said that most of his friends had already passed before him, there was a large crowd present for his service. During the quiet of the service when the color guard was refolding the U.S.A flag, it was ironic to hear a tractor hard at work across the road from the cemetary.

We are putting one foot in front of the other and plodding along with our daily lives at this point. We know that God has healed him now and Dad is no longer in pain. There is so much more I could say/post about this wonderful man, but this is not the place. He has left this earth, but will always be with us in our hearts and thoughts.

Happy 4th of July!!

I was kind of a slacker yesterday and today. We had some family over for food and fun on the fourth. Mark grilled some great chicken, I made potato salad, RaeLynn made a fruit salad, yummy yummy and Daryl stole the show with homemade chocolate ice cream! Then we watch the girls videos. By the time that was over, it was getting dark out and time for the fireworks!! The girls did sparklers and were somewhat excited and scary at the same time. The wind was blowing and the sparks were getting pretty close to them if they stood facing into the wind. Silly girls, they kept their mom a nervous wreck trying to get them to turn around and put their backs against the wind!

We already have plans for next year. Now if Pugston will get over his initial shock of the fireworks. Poor dog was a little frightened of all the noise.

Pics at the Park

Jordis Li's orphanage Yahoo group is going to put together a 2010 Dianjiang calendar of all the kiddos who have been adopted from there. The proceeds will be donate to help out at the orphanage. Our photos had to be in by July 1st. We took the girls to Gage Park to try to capture THE right photo to submit. *note to self, next time feed the girls BEFORE the photo session. They grumbled about starving the whole time!



We captured some pretty cute photos even with their stomachs growling. Good thing we went to Spangles afterward to fill them up again!