Grateful for my Granny

Sunday morning, the text from my uncle came- "Granny is in Heaven, she is with your mom now", "Funeral Thursday".
Death is incredibly quick in some cases and always so final. Although my almost 90 year Granny was ready for Heaven & her earthly body was failing, knowing that her address will be vacant is such a heavy thought! She was the best pen pal ever, always remembered our entire family's birthdays?! How!? And always wrote in her signature scrawl. Her kind & gentle mannerisms were always so cherished and her hugs... those big never letting go hugs, will be missed.
Her death spurred a new life for the Eggena side of the family though, and we all enjoyed spending time together through the very simple visitation, funeral and memory share day at the Farm on Friday.

Thanks to my dad's photo skills & sick organization, I could flip to the summer of every year and find our Eggena pix!

This picture of her, at 14 or 15 was my absolute favorite!

 Seeing my mom with Dustin, reminds me of Lulu!

 We made it! Let the Eggena celebration begin!

 Robbie, one of my California cousins, and Caraline & Collin, my 2 Iowa cousins.

 The exciting Pizza Ranch hosted our starving clan! So.much.food. SO many good convos!

 Angelic Lulu just doing her thang.

We stayed in "the city" ( Waterloo), and the events were all about an hour away in Charles City & Rockford. Thankfully we had a little downtime, so the kids got some fun in too!

Only in a small town .. we arrive for our 9:15 movie, to see the Marcus worker walking around telling the 3 cars in the lot to go home, since her manager wasnt there and movies wouldn't play on time. In typical stubborn city folk way.... we waited... and were able to get a free showing of the new John Cena Playing with Fire movie, and free popcorn! Holllla! And the movie is adorable, and those red chairs gave this momma with our little snuggly pumpkin,  a beautiful nap! 

 That look tho, Hudsie.. that look 👌

 After the funeral, we had a lovely lunch together. That Hyvee cake was impressive!

After that... the night was still young, in everyone's mind but mine! But thank you Jill for the BEST reccommendation! Get Air was EVERYTHING! After Starbucks hooked me up ( and we scored BOGO Happy Hour there!), I was ready to play ( or watch, rock the litte love and take pix), and we had the place to ourselves! I got to know the sweet Ref who was "in charge" of safety, and she shared her life story, and was the sweetest ever! Ahh.. small town joys..

 Of course we packed too light- not even a T shirt! So now we have this cute one to add to our collection! 😄

 Cousin Robbie, basketball star, killin' it.

 And hubs, got his 1st Dunk! YES! 😂

 Hudson, playing dirty, and made his team "win". 😂

Hotel sink tubbies!

Farm time Friday! We had so many simple, sweet memories from the Eggena farm as kids & with Granny gone, I wanted to make sure our kiddos could capture a little of that joy too! What a perfect day. My high expectation self, was very thrilled at the end of the day... to literally have had the BEST day... memories galore ( and I love hearing sister stories about my mom!), treasures for the kids galore & outdoor muddy fun. Just beautiful. 

 Hudson & Hannah both took rides. Hudson announced when he came back after a LONG time "That guy made me bored" 😂

 Farm cats are the best!

 This new to me Golf cart was so fun! ( slow but fun!)

 Lulu loved meeting her new aunties, watching Granny's bird snowglobe & snuggling on Dad all afternoon. Thank you Lord for such a sweet sweet baby who travels like an angel.

 And then this gem. No wrinkles, no fat, no crooked teeth... to be 20 again...

 My granny was all about healthy stuff... when I opened a cupboard... this is what was taped...

 All. the. hearts.

 Missing Dustin & cousin Jonathan but here are boys! ( And Uncle Harm is in the field)

 Loved that Matt caught these candids...

 Auntie Marylou went to Mexico, years ago. She didn't want the sombrero... but guess who did!
Now his bull fighter dreams can come true & his Veggie Tales sing alongs can too! ( Check out the Dance of the Cucumber for inspiration!)

 A beautiful, yet smelly sunset

 Our last hoorah! Rockford's in Rockford. Originality at its finest!

Corinthians-1 15:52 

In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Corinthians 1 15:55

O death, where [is] thy sting? O grave, where [is] thy victory?

Call back the sinner
Wake up the saint
Let every nation
Shout of Your fame
Jesus is coming soon

There will be justice
All will be new
Your name forever
Faithful and true
Jesus is coming soon

So we wait
We wait for You
God we wait
You're coming soon