Funerals, Birthdays and Couganns...Oh My!!

As most of you know Chris' Grandfather finally passed away. It has been a long struggle since his stroke at Griffin's birthday party. He has never fully been the same and really a man that has lived that kind of life deserves better. He died very peacefully and with his daughters surrounding him. His last words before he went into the coma like state he was in was "I love you" to Chris' grandmother. To be together since 1929 to 2006, 77 years...some people aren't lucky enough to live that long let alone have a spouse for that long. Amazing. The funeral went very well. The night before the funeral George, the pastor at the church, came over to go over what we wanted told about Grandpa. Afterwards he said "let's all pray" so we all got up in a circle and held hands. Griffin looked around the room and right in the middle of George's prayer he says "ashes ashes all fall down"....how freaking cute is that!!! Everyone immediately started laughing and George said "that's a first for me". The funeral was great...not to preachy and definitely not depressing. Griffin was a 2 year old and no matter what we did he would not be quiet so around the end of the funeral he said "mimi & pop" so I let him go in the front row and sit with Mimi and Pop planning to get him before they opened the casket...well I was too late. They opened it and in the silence of the funeral home you here "There's my PaPa"...I think everyone cried after hearing that sweet little voice say something so innocent. Then he said "papa's sleeping". So precious. I think all is doing well. Chris' grandmother is getting more involved in the activities at Baptist Village since she doesn't go everyday to Ballard's anymore. I think she will do well. She said she was glad that they were separated (nursing home and assisted living center) because maybe it was God's way of preparing her for this. Who knows....but she is much stronger than we are.

Amongst all this funeral stuff, Chris turned 40. Really not much fan fare since the funeral was the day before. But I had something up my sleeve. Thanks to my mother-in-law making me throw Chris a surprise party. See I hadn't planned on having a party and then she came in and said Russ & Fionnuala are coming for the surprise party!! Bam guess what I through a party. And for the most part he was surprised. I hid it up until we were leaving to go to the club. He looked at me and said "We aren't going to the city are we?" and I knew he knew. The one thing he said was he didn't expect so many people to be there. He was pleased and we had a great time. Kim--you missed stupid human tricks--Lad walking on his hands, Tina & Kelly doing yoga moves and Kasey doing the splits...pretty impressive really. Russ did a great presentation that I think everyone enjoyed and really it wasn't to ugly to Chris...there was a great pic of Chris in the Brokeback Mountain movie picture. Funny. I also liked the enemy reference and bam there is Joe's picture with the crashed porsche. He is really talented with that kind of stuff.

Now for my biggest stress of the moment....Cougann tryouts!!! They are 3 weeks away. The shitty thing is her play is that week also...so she will be pretty slammed...performances all that week!! Luckily she really doesn't have a line in the play so that won't be bad...but alot of added stress on her. Oh yeah, and my dad will be here that weekend. So really if she doesn't make it she will be embarrassed not only in front of us, but her grandfather too! Tryout is Friday March 31st and I guess she finds out that night. I can just see if she doesn't make it and Chloe does...Chloe being a bitch to her. I gotta say if she is I will put my momma pants on and go off. I mean really what kind of a friend would do that!! Part of me knows that she will make it. She has really busted her ass this year with grades and has all As and Bs with maybe one C in Algebra...but come on what girl wouldn't have a C in Algebra. And really she has had 10 years of dance. But if she doesn't I am really worried that because Ada is so clique happy that she will maybe go down a different path. I guess alot of my childhood is coming to the surface. I tried out for cheerleading with all my friends and they all made it...I didn't. Because they were always so busy I hung around different people and went down the wrong path...drugs, alcohol, parties and Bam became preggers at 18. I know that just because it happened to me doesn't mean Meg's life will go that way...but I know she is so influenced by her friends....definately a follower...so if her friends become busy who knows what path she will take. She tells me if she doesn't make it she will just be a Ruff Rider...a pep squad kinda thing in the stands. I know she will handle the rejection better than me...or at least that is how she is acting. God I hope she makes it!!!

Well I guess that is enough rambling for now. I hope all is doing well in your parts.....