Telling Hubby's Parents

We had sooo much fun telling our parents the exciting news!  We saw the hubby's parents last Monday (March 5th).  We bought them the cutest mugs (okay I'm a little biased, but I do think they are adorable!!) from www.tumbleweedpottery.com.  Since they are my hubby's parents, he got to pick out the type of mugs and he chose:

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So they hubby is in med school (in case you completely missed the name of my blog or haven't ever read it before) and he listens to a lot of lectures on CD.  One of the guys he listens to is named Goulian and in his lectures he has told the students that his grandkids call him Poppy.  Memaw comes from the popular sitcom "The Big Bang Theory".  Sheldon calls his grandma Memaw.  I think it's also a Southern Culture type name, but I'm from the North so I really can't say for sure ;)  Anyway, we went to their house for dinner and I had wrapped up the gifts in black paper with green and blue bows. My father in law had to work late so we visited with his mom until he came home.  I don't ever feel like our conversations are forced or awkward, but I wanted so very badly to share our news and instead we were talking about diets.  My MIL is an associate director for a weight loss center in Rochester and she is very excited about their products (as she should be, she's lost a ton of weight!) Anyway, we visited about diets for like 2 hours and the whole time I'm thinking "there's no way I'm going to be able to diet for at least another 7 months....hurry up dad!" When he finally arrived, I barely let him get in the door before I said "Okay, I want you to open these present, right now!"  So they did, and my MIL looked at her coffeemug that said "Memaw" and said something to the effect of "oh that's so cute, sweet, now I have a new mug for my tea...etc".  I don't think she saw the "Grandparent" part ans since we don't commonly call our Grandparents Memaw I don't think it was second nature to her.  So I pointed out the name across the top of the box and she exclaimed "Really?!  Really?!.." and then there were tears and other wonderful words of excitement!  It was so fun!!

It's Official - We're Expecting!!!!!!!

I'm so very excited to announce (now that all family knows ;) ) that we are expecting a baby in October 2012!!  Our official due date is the 12th - we can't wait :)  Hubby is very excited too, which makes it even more fun for me :)  We found out on February 1st and had a heck of a time keeping it a secret for this long.  We're only 9 weeks along, so still pretty early to tell but we couldn't hold it in anymore!  More stories to come for sure.  Now I have a subject to write about for 7 more months! lol.

Best of 2011

So we are well into 2012 and I finally decided to update my blog.  I was having a hard time coming back because I realized the last two posts were about two very important and special people in my life and I just didn't want to move on without them. I know that probably sounds a little silly (and it kind of is) because I know they are always in my heart and in my memories. I have finally come to terms with this and know I need to move forward and embrace all that is possible in 2012.  But first, I want to reflect on The Best of 2011!!

January - My Birthday Month where the hubby and I took a day trip up the North Shore to Grand Marais, stopping for some cross country skiing and ending the evening eating some amazing pizza at Sven and Ole's

February - I skied my first Prince Haakon in Hayward, WI!  It's part of the American Birkebeiner (more info here ) It's a cross country ski race.  I had so much fun and can't wait to do it again, unfortunately it won't be this year, but hopefully again next year!!

March - The hubby's b-day month!  We spent many hours driving to and from the cities from Duluth to find the perfect place to call home for the next couple years!

April - I started working in the cities a couple days every other week and we threw a surprise anniversary party for my parents in Lancaster! We finished April with the Med School Farewell Banquet-fun night!!!

May - I moved to the cities full time while the hubby was in Duluth - lots of travel back and forth again

June - Trip to Lancaster to celebrate Heritage Days!

July - 4th of July Wknd spent at the cabin!  Official 4th of July we had a BBQ with friends and walked on Summit Ave in St Paul to see the fireworks :)  Looking back, I saw lots of friends in July!! Celebrated weddings and babies!  Twins Game with the Uncle too, lucky girl! I also started my new (and current) job!

August - 12th Street Campout!  A time where my hubby's roomies and all our closest friends from undergrad get together and reminisce! My softball team also won the championship for summer league!

September - Got to see my godson over Labor Day :) Did a TON of canning with a close friend (yay for Xmas Presents completed!) My beautiful sister Sierra was crowned homecoming queen! We celebrated another wonderful couple's nuptials!

October - We celebrated my cousin Lea's wedding :)  Sierra turned 18! We had a great Halloween Party in Bemidji!!

November - My favorite time of the year - Deer Season!  (I'm sticking to highlights, so we won't discuss the sad stuff that happened as well)

December - Christmas, of course! Cookie bakings, presents, family, fun :)

Sayonara 2011 - Bring it on 2012!!

Rest in Peace Grandpa Jack

So with a weary heart I write this ironic post.  My beloved Grandpa passed away unexpectedly this evening from a heart attack.  I can't believe it.  Just last Monday I was writing about the one year anniversary of my Grandma's death.  I guess she didn't want to be alone on Thanksgiving this year and now Grandpa can join her. He was an amazing Grandpa.  He always had a story for me - and told lots of stories about hunting and his days on the road and in Alaska.  I remember our trips gopher trapping and how I picked out a stick one day that I carried with me every time we trapped.  He still has it.  I'm anxious to find it and see what it looks like today.  He was always laughing.  He always wore snap button up flannel shirts too - because real buttons take too long ;). He was a cornerstone of one of the best hunting camps a person could every dream of. My Grandma was the love of his life and my mom was the light of his eye and my siblings and I were the warmth in his heart. It comforts me to know he is finally reunited with my Grandma even though my heart will always ache for him. Rest in Peace my Dear Grandpa, you will be forever missed and forever in my heart.

Grandpa Jack Coffield

June 15, 1937-November 22, 2011

 

Grandma

Grandparents Hold Our Hands for a Little While

but Our Hearts Forever!

Today marks one year that my Grandma peacefully passed away surrounded by family and friends.  I remember the day like it was yesterday.  She had cancer for 34 years.  There were many times in her life where we weren't sure how long she was going to make it, especially the last few weeks.  I knew it was coming.  On Sunday afternoon, November 14, 2010, my mom called and told me Grandma was getting worse.  She told me I should think about coming home.  I really should have listened.  I made it home in time to say goodbye but I didn't leave until Monday morning.  So many times during those last few months there were "iffy" times and we weren't sure what the next day would bring.  This had happened before and she came out of it.  Monday morning I called and found out she was still hanging in there but that Home Health said it was a matter of hours.  I went to work and told them I had to leave immediately for Lancaster.  I got in my car and drove the entire 6 1/2 hour drive with one brief stop for more gas.  I made it to Lancaster around 1pm and sat next to my Grandma and crocheted ~ a gift that she taught me many moons ago.  It was very peaceful.  My sisters and brother crowded around as well.  We sat there for four hours talking, reminiscing, and telling Grandma stories.  Various friends and family would peek in occasionally.  Around 5pm Grandma's breath changed and we knew it was time to say our final goodbyes. With my mom on one side and my Grandpa on the other, holding her hand, my Grandma fell asleep.  It was beautiful.  I miss her so much.  She taught me so many things.  Her laughter was infectious and her knowledge endless. I am calmed by the fact that she is no longer suffering and that I will one day see her again.  She was a fighter and I hope that's something that she instilled in me, and something that will be passed down to my children. She was a lover and a giver.  She was so many things.  I'll love her forever and be forever grateful she was in my life for so many years.

Time Flies

Wow. I looked at the last date of my blog entry and could hardly believe that I let that many days go by - yet again.  I say I love to write and yet I neglect the very place where I can write whenever and whatever I want.  I will vow (yet again) to try be better tomorrow and leave you with this inspirational message:

Crazy Busy Beautiful Life

So these last few weeks have flown by and I have neglected my blog once again.  I'll hurry and catch you up so I can start fresh again tomorrow ;)

Halloween came and went - my hubby and I dressed up as Fred and Wilma Flintstone.  I don't have any fabulous pictures of us - plus he doesn't like his photo on my blog, but I'm sure we looked JUST like them ;)

Then we helped clean out the cabin and shut it down for the winter - that's always a sad, sad time of the year. But, I got some beautiful pictures (on my camera that I can't find) - it's even pretty when it's brown. 

The next few days I spent getting my newsletter ready for deer season.  Deer Season is a Holiday for my family (and many extended friends!) We have around 60 people that come up and stay at different cabins whether it be land they bought or on my Grandpa's land.  Then, we all get together for different meals throughout the week.  It's truly my favorite time of the year.  I write a newsletter that is going on 15 years....crazy to think I started it when I was 9!  So, I got that ready and packed and headed home for a 5 day weekend.  It was wonderful - but it was really nice to come home again too.  My hubby hunted at his family's house so I missed him while I was gone, it's always more fun when they can join you :) 

Now, I've been back since Monday and today's Wednesday and I'm working on getting back into my routine.  I didn't do so hot this morning because I slept in and it's already 10:30 and I should be doing something very productive.....I bought groceries yesterday and cut up all the produce right away so they are in handy little baggies to just grab and munch <3  Today I am going to throw some more chopped up veggies in the crockpot for a new stew for tonight's dinner.  Well, now you've caught up on my life.....more interesting things tomorrow - maybe.