Family

I still can't believe she's gone. 

I have good days and bad days. 

Yesterday was a bad day. 

She is so pretty. 

I want to use this post just to remember things. 

Everything was a blur. 

I am so fortunate to work for Owens Corning. 

They were amazing during the few weeks that my Grandma was sick and they allowed me to work from hospice. This was a huge benefit for our family. This allowed someone to always be with her and let others work their jobs. I was relieved in the evenings so I could go home to be with my girls. 

It was a true blessing. 

When you both visit Grandma on College Game Day!

Nate and I grabbed a pickle pizza for dinner one night. I dropped it walking to the car!!!

Hahaha!! Nate kept saying "You had one job!" 

Ha!!!

I have to give a shoutout to Shelby! 

At the last minute, she stepped in and spent the evening with the girls. 

This allowed John to go to work and I was able to be with my Grandma during her final breaths. 

I'm forever grateful. 

In true Grandma fashion, she timed everything perfectly. 

The first soccer game after her passing was Ava vs. Jordyn. 

This was a great time for the family to come and watch these 2 battle it on the field. 

Genoa took the W and we had a great cheering section!

We went to the grocery to get food for dinner during poster making. 

Take her to the store. She does the heavy lifting. 

Plus I got to spend some time with this munchkin. 

Liv made Grandma's cookies for the funeral luncheon. 

It was so bittersweet. 

All of the Grands and Greats in one place???

Photos are a must!! 

Thank you to our friends. 

Our hearts are fuller, our house smells sweeter with the flowers and we are eternally grateful. 

 

Peculiar Pets by Addy Houghtaling

 

My Grandma

Little did we know that Colorado trip had more meaning that we thought. 

Early the next morning, I received the call that my Grandma was on her way to the hospital by way of EMS. She was found on her bathroom floor. 

She had had a massive stroke and was in bad shape.

The next few days were very touch and go. But in true Doris fashion, she rallied. As she always does. We spent the next week working on our new normal. What she could eat, what she couldn't. What she wanted and didn't. She was completely paralyzed on her left side but that mind? Still very much in tact. 

She was still Grandma. 

She was then transferred to a nursing home, that she absolutely HATED. She refused to eat or drink anything that came from the home. I'm not going to lie, I don't blame her. Ha! We took turns round the clock to ensure she was getting enough food and drink. We visited. We loved. We enjoyed as much as we could.

What happened next is too hard to re-type. So I will just share Facebook posts. 

September 14th

September 16th 

September 17th

Here is the link to her obituary. I was asked and incredibly honored to write it. 

Doris Dunn

Rest in Heaven, you beautiful soul. 

 

The Mountains Are Calling! We Must Go!

And we did!! 

These fine ladies and myself boarded a plane bound for Colorado Springs for my Grandma to spend time with my Aunt Carol, her sister. 

Grandma did really well on the flight! 

It was a long night of traveling but everyone arrived safely. We dropped my Grandma off to Aunt Carol at their hotel for the next few days. 

My mom, Tracy and I stayed at an AirBNB right around the corner. 

We woke up the next morning and just took time to soak in these views. They will never get old. EVER. 

I love my tropical vacations so much but the mountains will always have my soul. 

Plus the cooler temperatures? Yes, please. 

Pikes Peak! 

First up was Garden of the Gods. 

We jumped out for a few photos but mostly just wanted Grandma to enjoy the scenery. 

This is my cousin, Robin. Her and I bonded on my first vacation to Colorado when I was 7 years old. 

There are times we don't talk for some time but we ALWAYS pick up where we left off. Lots of giggles, jokes, and LOVE. 

It never, ever gets any easier to leave her. Thank goodness for smart phones and I set her up with a Facebook page! 

After our trek and lunch, these girlies needed to relax. 

30 seconds later. Haha!!

After a little down time, we headed over to my cousin Brad's house to enjoy their new chickens! 

I fed them and it was crazy! 

The pecking! Ha!

The next morning I was up early and out the door because I had to go to Denver. 

But for good reason! 

I picked him up from the airport!!! 

He was jealous of our jaunt and wanted to join in a couple of days of fun. 

We headed back to the Springs and picked up the rest of the posse. 

We settled Grandma and Aunt Carol and we headed to Cripple Creek. 

It's an old mining town. It used to be all shops and restaurants when I was a kid but about 20 years ago, they converted it to a gambling town. 

This one is a favorite! 

While Nate gambled, we shopped. Everyone WON! 

As we were heading out of town, we saw the infamous donkeys! 

Cripple Creek is know for the wild donkeys. They roam the town. They are so adorable. 

Until Robin was bit in the hip. All is well, but that little guy was sure she had food! 

We took the scenic route back to The Springs through Victor. 

I was so happy because I remember this so much as a child. 

In the background is the Continental Divide. 

This is an active mine. So cool to see. 

Once back to the Springs, we picked up the cotton tops and headed to our favorite pizza place for dinner. We did take a big family photo but my cousin Jodi must still have it. 

All of the cousins were able to join us for dinner. 

It was so fun! 

Afterward we were so exhausted so we took the girls back and got them ready for bed. 

We headed back to the AirBNB to chill ourselves.

The next morning we  went to breakfast and spent some time in Old Colorado City and Manitou Springs to shop.

After we got the girls settled back for their afternoon naps, we headed to the Cog Railway to head to the top of Pikes Peak. 

This was very difficult for me. 

I have never in my life had a hard time up top which I have been at least a dozen times. 

But...I struggled bad. It took me about 30 minutes to get ok enough to even walk a little distance. 

We needed to take photos to prove we were there. 

These were all within about 10 feet because I couldn't go far. 

My cousin Robin suggested it may be because I had had COVID. 

I'm not sure but it sure was scary. 

Oh, and yes...that is snow!

It had rained the night before in The Springs, therefore snow on top of the peak. 

The original Summit House. 

The next morning, we had to say our final goodbyes. 

It was a sad moment. Especially knowing what was to come. 

We got split up on our flights home.

So we were exchanging selfies on the place!

Poor Peeper was stuck by himself. 

The trip was great. It was alot of work.

But...my Grandma got to see her sister one more time. 

She got to see the mountains one more time. 

That is what it's all about.