Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Mama Shrack

It is with a heavy heart that I have to write this post. We learned late last evening that a dear friend had passed away due to a terrible car accident.  Phil and I have been close to the entire family since we both lived in Muncie.  Phil spent his first Easter at college at their home because he couldn't make it home for the holiday and some of the beginnings of our relationship also happened around a bonfire at the farm. She sent us our first congratulation cards on our engagement and later with the announcement of our pregnancy with Pete.

She has some of the best children in the world and raised them into great adults, missionaries, spouses, and parents. We never actually called her by her name, just Mama Shrack because she was the surrogate mother for all of the Ball State YSA (young single adults) kids while we were there.  If she was driving by on campus she'd give us a lift to where we were going and just be there when our mothers couldn't always be there.   Last fall I spent the day at the zoo with her and her granddaughter, Annalyse, while Ryan and Betty Jo were still caring for the twins in the NICU. 

She always made everyone feel like family; it was one of her very special gifts to the world: to make everyone feel loved and accepted. She will be deeply missed by her family and all of those that she made feel like part of her family.  I am so glad to know that because of a loving Heavenly Father, her family will see her again, that it isn't truly an ending - just a short parting in the grand scheme, that she will always be a mother and Ma to her children and grandchildren, that those relationships last through this life and into the eternities.  I am just glad to have had an opportunity to see her as another example, in addition to my mother, of what it truly means to be a mom, not just to your children but all of Heavenly Father's children.

Annalyse took a picture of us after the zoo trip
At the twins' blessing in December with the Shrack Family

Friday, April 25, 2014

SkyPopo's Airplane

Phil's parents and Sarah came up for a visit last weekend to take care of some college stuff for Sarah.  The weather was nice so they decided to fly up instead of driving. Saturday we took them to get there luggage in the plane before we headed out.  Pete got to pretend to "drive the plane" he had a hoot hanging out in the plane with skypopo and daddy in the plane. 



Thursday, April 24, 2014

Pete Sleeps

We went Grandma Horn's house for dinner the other night. Pete fell asleep on the way there and didn't quite wake up when we sat him in his chair. 

Pete falling back asleep during prayer

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Spring Break at the Zoo

Spring Break was spent replacing the roof on the house.  We wanted to do something fun for Pete though as well.  The South Bend zoo was already open so we decided to take a day trip just for the boy! We ended up running out of time during the week so we had to go on Saturday.  We played at a park for a bit before heading into the zoo, then hung out there for a couple hours, rode the train and then went to play at another park next to the zoo.  Pete had a blast playing and seeing all of the animals.  We also got to eat at Five Guys and Jamba Juice! 
Phil and Pete hanging out at the zoo

Family on the Train

Phil and Pete checking out the tortoise

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Kim's Art Projects

Apparently I was having an artsy month! The first is a painting I did for Nora's room above the dresser/changing table. The second was a special trip with my mom and her friends to do Ukrainian Easter eggs.  This picture of it is when we were melting the wax off of the egg and revealing the final product. A great trip!
Nora's painting

Easter Egg

Monday, April 21, 2014

Pete Licks the Beaters

We were baking at my mom's house and Pete really wanted to lick the beaters.  I went ahead and took off his shirt so it didn't get gross and let him lick away.  I thought it was so funny, so enjoy the pictures for yourself.

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Easter

Today we had a great Easter Sunday.  Pete started out the morning slowly and methodically going through his basket, we don't really do the bunny he just gets stuff from us and other family members that donate to the cause.  He did a little egg hunt while getting his shoes on for church as well, which I believe he enjoyed, but I was still getting ready so I didn't get to see it.



Pete checking out his basket of goodies
My mom made us a new batch of Easter ties and a hair bow for me, next year we'll have to add in another hair bow!  We had a big cookout at their house this evening, celebrating both Easter and the fact they are home from their vacation. 


"Good" Family Easter Picture with the matching ties
Goofy picture because Pete was not happy about the picture taking...if you couldn't tell...
I thought it would be fun to show Pete through his Easters.  It is so crazy to see how much he has changed over time. 


Easter 2011






Easter 2012


Easter 2013




Easter 2014
 

Picnic

We had a picnic awhile ago with the family.  Pete has been so exicited about picnics lately, he was really happy to get to pack one in real basket and everything!  He wanted me to take his picture with "his" packing job.

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Special Day at the Zoo

The zoo had a special event for spring break.  I took Pete, he enjoyed it and in general had a great time!  Pete is dying for the zoo to open for real but it was fun to have a sneak peek.  The day was devoted to learning about bugs.  We got to touch a giant African millipede, it was huge and pretty interesting.  Pete's favorite part was while he was holding it and it pooped on his hand. Can we say boy?!
Pete with the huge snake!

Mom and Pete hanging out at the zoo

Pete with the komodo dragon