My Sweet Grandpa Don

After over 17 years of battling different cancers, my sweet Grandpa Don passed away on February 16, 2014.  It's hard, and I've been putting off writing this post.  My heart breaks for my Grandma Mae, even though she is doing well.  Losing your other half of almost 60 years would be one of the hardest things.  And also my mom and aunt, I know how terrible it is to lose a dad.

He was such a sweet, quiet, hard working, caring, short tempered, strong, stubborn, giving, man of God.  And don't get him started on Democrats :)  When my grandma would get upset with him, she would say, "Donald W. Peppel."  We couldn't go to a restaurant where there was any wait to be seated, he wasn't very patient.  I loved him very much, but don't actually know a lot about him.  But he was a good grandpa and great grandpa, letting us kids climb all over him, sitting in his lap, reading to us, and loving us.  He loved Westerns and John Wayne.  I like to think he's starring in his own Western now up in heaven with John by his side.  He was a talented wood carver, carving me a Santa, an elephant, and a Jesus on a cross.

My Grandma and Grandpa spent their winters down in Mesa, Arizona, my grandma decided to stay their normal time and have the funeral this weekend in West Fargo.  

Back in January, my Grandpa wasn't doing great, and my mom thought it would be good for my sister's and I to go and visit.  It worked out for my sister, Sammy, and I to go down the weekend of February 14, along with my mom and aunt and other family members of my grandma and grandpa's.  

It was hard to see him unable to communicate and so weak.  He did know we were there, and I think that brought him some peace and comfort.  

On Saturday, three of my grandma's sisters, a brother-in-law, my grandpa's brother, and three of my mom's cousins, came over.  It was bittersweet, not having seen them in so long, but for such a somber occasion.  But it was a time of togetherness with family and so good for our hearts.

We stayed with my great uncle Dale, who lives on a golf course, and on Sunday morning, before anyone else was awake, I went for a walk.  With tears streaming down my face, I prayed and prayed that God would please take my grandpa that day, he was in so much pain.  I just wanted him to be with Jesus and at peace.  My prayer was answered and he passed away that evening, surrounded by family that loved him dearly.  Thank you Jesus.

These pictures are of me and my grandpa.

Great Grandpa with Hakan.

Great Grandpa with Adeline.

 

My grandparents with their grand kids and great grand kids.  

My sister and I leaving for Mesa.

My mom, sister, aunt and cousins.

My grandma's brother-in-laws, and nephews.

My beautiful grandma (standing) and three out of her six amazing sisters.

The golf course.

Leaving Arizona with a heavy heart.

We will miss you so much grandpa, ride some horses and round up some bad guys for us.

Donald W. Peppel

October 13, 1929

84 years old

Easter Weekend

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

Easter time is one of my favorite times.  I am reminded of my Father's love for me.  The perfect love that had Him send his one and only son to be brutally beaten, harassed and murdered for me, me, who let's be honest, is so so far from being perfect, it's funny.  When I think about that, and the lack of love I had from my earthly father, it helps me to know that that kind of love actually exists, that I really do deserve that kind of love, even though I sometimes struggle with not being good enough or deserving.  Why me?  Because I am one of His children, whom He loves more than anything, with a love that I can understand from having my own kids, that runs so deep, you would do anything to protect them and keep them safe.  He saved me from sin, even though I make mistakes every single day.  

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

His mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23

I feel Him near me all the time, in my kid's belly laughs, in the loving look and touch Derek gives me, in the bright shining sun, in the nice gesture or comment from a friend or stranger that He puts into my life, He's always with me.

I love making Adeline's dress for Easter, this year I waited until the week before, cutting it a little close, but I love how cute it turned out.  Hakan's bow tie is from his birthday last summer, with baby chicks on it.

We celebrated Easter dinner on Saturday night, to alleviate some stress on Sunday, which was super delicious.  We spent Easter going to our church, Southland City, with my mom, step-dad, and sister, and Derek's mom, dad, sister and brother.  It could not have been a more perfect day weather wise, so beautiful outside!  During service the kids got to play games and climb inflatables.  After service there was an egg "hunt."

On the way to church, Adeline started singing, "Wet it go,  wet it go, build a noman, build a noman!" Which is from Frozen and in her little voice, was just the cutest thing ever!

This is just the cutest picture, I love their relationship!

"I'm done!" As the eggs are falling out of her basket one by one.

Seriously though, only a few pieces of this will get eaten, we're not big candy people, baked goods are more our thing :).  Anyone need some extra Easter candy?!

So sweet!

Our little family of four, soon to be five.  I'm 22 weeks pregnant.

They even had some baby chicks to hold...Adeline took a minute to warm up to them.

Grandma Sue, Aunt Sammy, and Grandpa Darold

Grandma Wendy, Grandpa Ken, Aunt Erica, and Uncle Tyler

Bubbles!

The Easter bunny was good to them.

Of course we dyed some eggs for fun!

We ended the most gorgeous Easter day with our first family bike ride of the season, 7 miles, not too bad for the first one.  We also played at a park for a while.  So awesome to be outside and not be cold!

I hope everyone had a super fantastic Easter!