Hangin' in there

I was hoping to be able to do a decent post, but right now, I'm just hanging in there. These last few weeks have been so exhausting, that I'm still trying to catch up with everyday life right now. And it's not going to get any better soon, because this weekend is the family reunion that I have been planning. Hopefully, after that, things will slow down, and I can get in a post about my garden, my family who came in for the funeral and update my baking blog with some things I have been doing.

Life and Death

I went home this weekend not just for Mother's Day, but to visit with family, mainly my Grandpa Jim. As of Saturday, he was starting to go downhill. He's been slowly getting worse since October, so we have been expecting this, but it's still so hard to go through, especially to watch.

I've now seen firsthand both of my grandfather's gradual decline to the end, and it is one of the hardest things I have ever done. It's such a strange feeling to watch this. On one hand, I am fortunate and thankful that I was in my late 20s until my grandparents started to pass away because I was able to get to know them; however, sometimes I think it would have been easier if I was younger because the pain of seeing them suffer is sometimes unbearable to think about.

I saw this when my Grandpa Bennie passed in October, but it has been this experience with Grandpa Jim where it has all come full circle for me - it is amazing how the end of life is so much like the beginning of life, but while the beginning is full of joy and excitement, the end is full of sadness and heartbreak. Just like a newborn, there is a diaper, someone watching over you at all times, checking how much liquid you drank, and basically making sure you are comfortable because you really can't speak for yourself. It is incredibly ironic.

While this has been incredibly difficult, it has definitely helped me to appreciate life and prepared me to someday help my parents, which is not something I really want to think about, but that's life!

Grandpa Jim during World War II

Baking Blog

Click on the pic above to check out my baking projects. Most have been on here already, but they are so delicious! Even to look at!

I'm going to be posting them all throughout the next few weeks, so keep checking back!

I am so tired!

Literally. Tired.

Everyday, I come home with intentions to blog, but by the time I take care of the dogs, check in on facebook and google reader, I pretty much have no energy left for much. Poor Josh hasn't gotten a home-cooked meal in about two weeks. But that is actually working out well for him. He's on a diet and working out everyday, and has lost 17 pounds in the last 2 months!!

It's been an exhausting three weeks since I started work. Mentally and physically. But it has been really awesome! I have been busy the entire time, and learning so much. I am so incredibly thankful to have this job!

Last weekend we went to Ft. Stockton to visit with the in-laws, which that trip is exhausting by itself. It was a pretty good visit, and I picked up some cute things from the local stores.

These next 4 weekends are already booked and going to be very busy. I hope that I can get through it all in one piece!!