Monday, July 28, 2008

Family pics

Although Grandma's funeral wasn't a fun event to be home for, we did enjoy getting to spend time with family. While home, the family decided to take a quick family photo, considering this was the first time we were all in one place for quite some time.

So this is the entire Nisly clan. My dad and his two sisters, Dorothy and Marilyn, are sitting in the front row.
This is our immediate familyChad became Andrew's hero when he showed him how to do Spirograph.

Chad also got to meet the newest addition to our family, Jonathan, born in February.
Andrew's 3rd birthday was July 1st, so Chad and I got him finger paint.
And Diary of a Fly which is enjoyable reading regardless of your age! :)

A Wedding in Chicago

Ok, so I'm a little behind on posting this, but July 4th weekend, we were in Chicago for our friends Peter and Linzi's wedding. Chad was a groomsman. They had a beautiful outdoor wedding with perfect weather. It was a fun wedding and we are so happy for you guys!

Chad is the 3rd groomsman from the right.
Yes, I realize this picture is sideways. Unfortunately, I am not tech savvy enough to figure out how to fix it, so please turn your heads to enjoy this picture of Chad and Pete. :)
On our drive back from Chicago, we met my brother and sister-in-law (Matt and Sarah on the far left) for lunch in Indiana, and also got to say a quick hello to my aunt and uncle (Tom and Mollie) and cousin Tina and her husband Dan.

Thursday, July 10, 2008

We'll miss you, Grandma

Well, it's been a whirlwind. Last Thursday we learned that Grandma had pancreatic cancer. Prior to this, she had been relatively healthy, was able to live independently, drive, etc. At first we were told 3-6 months to live, then more like a month, and then more like a matter of weeks. She passed away last night at 6:00. For her sake, I am glad it went quickly so she didn't have to suffer or have pain. She did not fear death and was ready to go to heaven to be with Jesus.

Grandma has been through a lot in her life. From losing one son to cancer back in the 70's, to having another son with Down syndrome and then losing him in the 90's to heart complications, to more recent years of watching her husband of 67 years drift away from her with Alzheimer's disease, to now facing her own cancer. But through everything she showed enormous strength and her faith never wavered.

I loved my grandma dearly and have so many wonderful memories with her. For instance, when I was a kid, I used to go to her house on Saturdays when Mom and Dad were working at auctions. She would teach me to play Panic and Rook when I was barely old enough to hold up cards. We would play cards until Grandpa came home and then he would take off his hat and boots and play with us. She never tired of playing cards to this day.

As I got older, I began to realize what a cheerleader my grandmother was for me (and for all of us for that matter). I could have said, “Grandma, I think I’m going to try to grow another toe." And she would have said ‘Oh, that’s wonderful!’. She put her full support behind whatever we decided to do, and was a prayer warrior for all of us. Especially since I have lived far away from family, she has been a pillar of support for me. We called each other often and she enjoyed keeping me up on all the news from home! She would say, "So glad we have family like you to visit with and encourage one another". I talked to her the morning she passed away, and even then she told me she was praying for me. On her death bed she was still lifting up her family in prayer! What an amazing woman.

Elizabeth Suzie Nisly
April 19, 1921 - July 9, 2008
At our wedding, instead of tossing the bouquet, I gave a bouquet of tulips to the couple at our wedding who had been married the longest, which of course was my grandparents. I admire their marriage so much. This October would have been 68 years! They truly loved each other.
Christmas 2007 - Grandma sitting with my very pregant at the time sister
at Grandma and Grandpa's auction last July
No matter what, she always stood by her man.
We love you, Grandma, and we'll miss you more than words can express.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Niagara Falls

Last weekend, Chad's parents and sister Cherise came to visit us. For something different and adventurous, we took a day trip to Niagara Falls, which is about 4 hours from us. We had a beautiful day to explore the Horseshoe Falls (on the Canadian side) and the American Falls. We got up close and personal with the American Falls, as we walked through the "Cave of the Winds" right beside the falls. It was an amazing experience to feel the water splash on you and hear how incredibly loud it is. Thank you for visiting us - we loved having you here!