Looking Back to October

October for the last 2 years have been eventful, in October 2008 I took a nice trip to the ER and had Emergency Surgery...This last October (2009) my Uncle Bill was giving weeks to live. My mom decided that she needed to drive up to be there with the family during this time and I would fly up after he passed...well God must have wanted me there because on her way she stopped and had dinner with me and I gave her my clothes for when I came up. As I was saying good-bye after dinner my aunt calls and tells my mom that my Uncle Bill is given hours to live, so we decide that I will go with her then. (although he lasted 5 more days!)  We drop my car off and we are off. We have drove to Ohio many a time but this time I feel like we got there a lot faster, we drove through the night and as the sun began to rise we saw this amazing sight of the fall trees of Kentucky....

We both had to go to the bathroom so we stopped at the rest are right inside of Ohio and we saw this amazing tree, none of the other trees looked this way around it, and we felt like we were being told something.

We made it to The Cleveland Clinic around 4 in the afternoon on Saturday....When we first walked in he was asleep, and I remember being scared to touch him at first...but after hours there I became very ok with it. He woke up soon after we got there and my mom went to talk to him, although he was difficult to hear as he had a hard time talking...Then he wanted to stand up and he did with the help of my mom and aunt. The nurse came in and took his pulse and it was very high...so they made him get back in bed...I came over at this time and he noticed me and wanted a hug, I told him that I love him and he gave me one of the best hugs I have ever had (and the last that he would give anyone). He then started to struggle to breathe and they sedated him as he stayed most of the time for the next 4 days.. I still had school work to do and one was dealing with children books, and my aunt began to read to my uncle because we were told that he could hear...

(When I got home after the funeral this picture was difficult for me to look at, but my mom explained to me that its a good memory, and I agree...)

We seemed to have spent what seemed like years at the hospital with him, he always had someone sitting next to him..at times I even did and I remember the time that he was completely sedated but as I was talking to him he squeezed my hand. Other times while I was there I spent time keeping my aunts company....

I spent a couple nights at the hospital, but my mom had convinced me to go home and sleep in a real bed for one night, because he was really hanging on. Around 7AM on Tuesday, Oct 27 he passed away with my two aunts by his side. I was sad that I was not there for them or with him, but I was there when they got home and made sure the house (my aunts) was clean for family and close friends to come over...The following days we had a lot of family time together carving pumpkins...

Then on Saturday we had the memorial service at my aunts party center...it was a very nice service...it was tough but our family was all together, and there for each other. Following his memorial service was a meal with Paps Blue Ribbon (his favorite beer). This was in place of a casket as he was cremated. 

and finally all of his siblings...

This was one of the harder things that I have gone through, and I can not imagine that my mom has many more siblings...But I had a special bond with Uncle Bill because he lived with us when I was younger and he took me on many great adventures that I will never forget, just like I will never forget him..I love you Uncle Bill....

Snowy Valentines Day

So last week there were record amounts of snow here in Texas. I ended up having a four day weekend vs. my normal three day weekend. I actually got out and played in the snow! The snow that we got was the BEST for making snowmen, snowballs, and snowcouches.

I kid you not, these two men built a couch out of snow, and were sitting on it smoking, I thought it was hilarious! Then there were the monstrous snowmen this one I do believe was 10-12 feet tall....

Then there is the occasional snow fights with those you love, and pictures of course....

For the rest of the weekend I went to a All Star Celebrity game, along with seeing Dear John and going to a lovely valentines day dinner with Bryan.

Today started Lent, I have decided that I will not give things up but I will be getting up a little earlier, or staying up a little later to read daily devotionals, and reflect on them. 

Day One....

So I want to start of by saying I am starting this blog as a part of a class assignment, where we have to have one all semester. I think this will be kinda cool and I may stick with it even after this class is over. I am currently a sophomore in college. I am currently an Education Major, but that may change as well. Over this semester I will go home for spring break and turn 20, I will fly to Ohio in April for a family wedding (which I am soo excited about I LOVE weddings), and I will be going to Florida in May to see my Dad and Terry, with my Best Friend. Thats a little about me!