Laughter through the tears

My heart is so full tonight, in thanks for the blessing of having my daughter and her family back in Northern Ky after more than 10 years. After all this time, as of tonight, she lives just 8 miles from me -- 8 short miles!!! So why is my heart breaking when she walked out the door ealier this evening with that sweet little toddler of hers to spend their first night in their new home? Because for the past 4 months she and her husband and sweet Sylvia have lived with me and Jay, and I have loved every minute of it. What I thought was going to be something we'd "tolerate" turned out to be a joy. Waking up every morning to those little footsteps running down the hall calling "Me-me" (Grammy), and coming to my room to put on necklaces and blush on her cheeks was such a gift. A gift I would not have gotten if their house had sold sooner, or they found a new home sooner. These hassles for them turned out to be a true blessing; 4 months of day-to-day life with my sweet Sylvia. And "paw-paw" was just as smitten with her as I was.

So, while we are happy Rachael, Sylvain and Sylvia are sleeping in their own home tonight, and after 4 months are settling back into a normal life as a family 3 (and one on the way), I can't help but miss them already. I'm incredibly happy and sad at the same time, and I thank God for having this family that brings me so much joy, and laughter through the tears!

Here's my baby on our last day together sharing a home; while we baked cookies, her mom and dad and many family and friends moved everything to their new home. I'll miss her so much, but I'm so very thrilled to have her so close by.

Later in the day, Good Time Charlie came over. Sylvia ADORES her cousin Charlie, and he is so, so good with her. They sqealed and played and didn't even fight over Woody. I'm so glad he's spending the night with us tonight, so it won't seem so quiet here in the morning with the Fasciottos gone. Here's a picture of our cutie pies.

And while we're at it, I'm posting a family picture. Now, I have no idea how other families get those great shots, with kids and babies and everything. Poor little Claire can't even be seen! This is the best we could do with our motley crew at Thanksgiving -- God bless us everyone!

Spring Training

A couple weeks ago we went to Reds spring training in Phoenix with friends Karen and Mike Chalfant, and what a ball (pardon the pun). One of the highlights was visiting the practice facility/complex/offices. It afforded us up close and "too" personal glimpes of not only the brain trust (Castellini and his group having a big meeting) but got to see their offices, weight rooms, etc. A bonus was walking by Dusty Baker's office, and seeing him taking a pee; his bathroom is off of his office and I guess they don't get many "outsiders" as he didn't bother closing the bathroom door. So, as we went by and the girl pointed out his office, we glanced in and beyond the office, there he stood in what appeared to be a bathroom in the "urinal" position. I wasn't sure I really saw what I thought, and then I heard the flush. Yep, he was taking a leak! Beyond that little gem, we got many autographs (Joey Votto is very hot, but I LOVE Brandon Phillips -- what a friendly guy).

In addition to seeing 3 games, we took a day and drove to Sedona and spent a night in Flagstaff. Sedona is just beyond words, natural beauty beyond belief. We had a wonderful time in 80-90 degree weather, and now we are back, opening day is tomorrow, and the forecast is 46 degree high. It sure was nice to have a little taste of summer.

A Nice Getaway

French Lick, Indiana. I'd never been there, but thought it was some golf place, at least I know my friend's husband used to go with his buddies there to golf. When Jay and I were trying to come up with a not-too-far getaway spot, we decided to check out French Lick. (Bonus, you go through Louisville to get there, so an excuse to stop and see the most beautiful grandbaby in the world!)

So, Friday night we took off for Louisville and stopped at the Fasciottos to have dinner with Rach/Sylvain/Jordan (I made vegetable lasagne and took it along, and it was pretty pretty darn good, thank you.) We got to spend time with the Nugget and got to do the "bedtime thing" with her since mommy and daddy took off to see a movie. We spent the night at the Hampton Inn near by, then headed to French Lick Saturday morning, about an hour away. The town of French Lick is the pits, but the resort, which sits right along the main road (not up on a hill away from the ugly city) was simply beautiful. It's made up of 2 hotels, French Lick Hotel and West Baden Hotel. Since F-L hotel has a casino, we opted to stay at West Baden thinking it would be more quiet. Good idea! West Baden was simply gorgeous! By far the prettiest hotel and room I'd ever stayed in.

Since we got there early, we started out by walking around F-L hotel and cruised through the shops (where I bought an awesome coat - 60% off!). This hotel was built in 1845, and all the great old time stars visited there over the years. Back then, they came by train and horse and buggy, coming for the mineral spring water. Ten years later they built the West Baden, connected by a trolley. There are wonderful pictures in the lobby of the shambles WB had become by the 1990s. It was bought by a wealthy family and $500 million renovation took place and restored it to it's glory around 1997. It really is something to see.

Then we went to the casino (added about 5 years ago) and low and behold, they had video roulette!! It was so much fun! Only $2 minimum, and no one shoving you or smoking in your face. We had a ball and even won a little money. There's also a spa, bowling ally, indoor and outdoor pools, hiking trails, horseback riding, and in the summer all kinds of kidsfest things. And there's golf, but $350 to play, according to the shuttle driver.

Then we headed to the other hotel to check in and it was spectacular. The rotunda in the main lobby was so impressive. We had dinner at their restaurant, Sinclairs', and I had the best salmon of my life. We went back and gambled a bit more, as shuttles take you back and forth all night. Won a little more money, then called it a night.

Sunday morning we checked out and went to Mass at a tiny little Catholic church right down the road. The priest was the best! The parish was obviously very poor, but what a dynamic priest at the helm. It was a great ending to such a great weekend. If it weren't so expensive, it would be a wonderful place to take the whole family.

A Dear Friend, Gone too Soon

On Sunday, my friend Renotta King, passed away after almost 2 years of fighting cancer.  She was only 49, and a recent grandmother of 2 babies.  She was one of the most God-fearing women I've ever known, and I will miss her so much.

Even though she had to quit work more than a year ago, I looked forward to our visits, emails and calls.  She was one of the first people to befriend me when I started at Children's Hospital, and it was obvious from the start that her faith was huge.  She and her family (she had 4 children) spent 3 years in Peru doing missionary work, and only came back when she had a heart condition that needed to be kept in check.  Her husband, a minister, was committed to serving the Lord, and they lived a modest life.  They had nothing, and wanted nothing.  Even though they owned next to nothing, she told me once that it was so freeing to have no real possessions, and to owe nothing to anyone.  They lived above a funeral home, helping out when there were services there to offset the rent. 

When I worry about worldy possessions, how will we affort this or that, how will we ever retire, I stop and think of Renotta and try to put it all in perspective.  She had total trust in God, and I want more of that.  When she was diagnosed with cancer, she would often come in after doctor visits, and with a big smile on her face say "well, we didn't get good news"; she never, ever complained, ever.  She was in so much pain and suffering, but never let it change her attitude about life.  We are here as a gift from God, and we leave when God sees fit.  Her huge church congregation, friends and family all are a testiment to the lives she touched.  There are tons of postings on facebook about how remarkable she was, and she truly was.  Memorials are being requested to build a church in Peru in her honor, which is so fitting. 

I will always, always strive to be even a little bit like Renotta.  She was truly an angel walking among us, and will be so, so missed.  I'll never forget her.