THE WORLD LOST A GOOD ONE

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My dad was a Korean War veteran, and he was able to be on the Honor Flight in the Fall of 2023.  

Two people very in love even after many years together and a massive stroke

My dad passed away on Tuesday.  The past 1-2 years he had been  experiencing a decline in his health.  In June he entered into hospice care but still was able to to remain in his home until his last 24 hours.  

My grief of losing a parent isn’t as intense because it isn’t a tragic loss because of being unexpected and/or too young.  My dad lived to be 93 years old and 90 of those years he was very healthy, strong and active. 

My grief is more about it being the end of an era.  I can't believe it's over.  I've had him in my life for 55 years, and now that part of my life s done. But I keep telling myself the sadness is actually a blessing bc it means the memories were so great❤️.  And he’s with Jesus (and my mom) and whole in heaven again- what a miracle!

Here are 2 things about my dad:

1. He was a great dad: he taught me how to live out my faith in Jesus in my day to day life.  He taught me how to be hardworking and to treat people with kindness and respect.  

He expected much from me, but he also gave me much love and support as I tried to do my best.

2.  He was a great husband: My parents were always a team that worked and had fun together.  My whole life I was able to observe how they loved and respected one another.  However, when my mom suffered her stroke in 2019, my dad stepped forward as the most amazing caregiver.  He worked hard to help my mom through her therapy so that she would be able to return to their house.  This was after a year of being in a nursing home trying to regain strength and relearn basic skills.  When she came home, she needed 24/7 care and that is what my dad provided, with some help from caregivers and us kids.  But he was the primary one to care for her.  And he did that hard work with love, patience, and kindness.  He was an amazing example to me and to our kids.  

He will be dearly missed, but we are so happy that he is in Heaven rejoicing with His Savior.  He is healthy and healed and will never have to experience pain or suffering again.  Thank you Jesus!

The world lost a good one this week!

WHAT A GOOD UNCLE!

These past weeks we have watched Ben really step up and show sweet and appropriate behavior towards Baby J.  He’s showing a very sweet, gentle and nurturing side of himself.  How exciting to observe!  

Jonah is still learning how to be gentle and give Baby J some breathing room.  It’s getting better, but definitely Ben is showing more baby smarts than Jonah at this point.  

Baby J seems to enjoy both his uncles although is more relaxed with Ben.  But both guys get big smiles from the little guy!

SUMMER SUMMARY

As the summer enters into its last few weeks, here is a summary of what Summer 2025 has looked like: not very close to what we had planned.

We had lots of camping planned, but because of my dad entered in-home hospice care in early June, those plans changed.  

June camping became boys-only camping so I could be with my dad.  We did get our week of camping in for July as planned!  And August camping was cancelled.  

Just the season in life we are in right now.  My dad did a lot for us kids over all the years and then was an incredible caregiver to our mom for her last years of life.  So he deserves all the care we can give him at this time in his life and that is what we are trying to do.

However, we still got Miracle League baseball in and lots of swimming!  And the boys must be having fun because Jonah keeps telling me, "Fun summer, mom."  

We also have been enjoying our new grandson "Baby J".  The boys are loving being uncles and are showing some good skills playing with the baby!

ANOTHER "ORPHAN TO OURS" ANNIVERSARY

7-15-2010: Ben arrived at the orphanage in Vilnius

7-15-2016: Judge rules that Ben is officially our son and no longer an orphan.  

From orphan to ours on the same date, July 15th, six years part. 

Last week we celebrated our 9th anniversary with Ben as our son!  We love you Ben and are so happy to watch you grow up and become your own little person.  You have so many talents and abilities.  Your future looks exciting!

Ben's orphanage ID photo at 3 weeks old, 7-15-10

Picking up Ben after our court hearing, 7-15-16

Ben rocking it at school this year during 8th grade.  High school in the fall!

FINALLY SOME FAMILY CAMPING!

 For the month of June, our camping plans changed, and Andrew ended up camping with the boys, and I stayed home to help with my dad.  

But for July, we finally got to camp with all four of us.  Although honestly, I think the boys were a bit disappointed to not have it be "boys only" ...

Governor Thompson State Park near Crivitz, WI- we love this park.  Very deep in the northern woods and very clean and well kept.

We enjoyed one bear cub sighting, many deer sightings, hiking, swimming, mini golf, campfires, and ice cream treats!

Isn't Ben a handsome young man?  He's growing up!

Jonah saluting for the American Flag boxes

IT WAS A BEATLE-FUL AFTERNOON

 One of Jonah’s dreams is to own a Beatles museum.  So our best answer was this:  our public library was doing a kids show and tell hour this summer so we signed him up for a table. The event was yesterday, and Jonah did great!  He greeted people, answered their questions, and said thank you as they left.  We were so proud of him!  

BEN BIRTHDAY WITH BAPTISM AND BATMAN

 

Ben wanted a Batman belt for his birthday.  He looks more like the villain than the good guy...

Ben’s 15th birthday fell on the weekend we went to Minneapolis for our grandson’s baptism.  So we celebrated with going out to eat for pizza and then DQ ice cream.  That evening he got to swim in the hotel pool and then enjoy the baptism celebration the next day. 

We also had his two friends from school and their parents over for a birthday meal a week after his birthday because of our camping schedule.

This means Ben had a birthday that actually lasted over a couple of weeks.  

So much to celebrate with our Ben!  He’s a smart, hard-working, and resilient fellow.  At times, he presents as tough, but underneath there is a very sweet side to him.  We are especially seeing this sweetness as he interacts with his nephew.  Ben loves being an uncle!  

We love you Ben!!!!