Well, at some point life settles into a routine - what we like to call "normal." Sometimes things happen that shake our understanding of what normal means. Though normal without Dad is not nearly as fun as normal with Dad, it goes to show that "normal" is a moving target. The Apostle Paul talks about learning to have joy in all circumstances, and that is our goal. The joy is not because of the circumstances, it is often despite the circumstances. It's easy to be joyful in the happiest of circumstances. The joy or peace that "passes all understanding" is a joy that I believe to be God-given. And we honestly are appreciative beneficiaries of that joy, despite the tough times of the past month.
Before I start in on a "normal" blog entry, I want to just say a couple of things about the memorial service. We were so touched by the astonishing number of people who showed up to support us and remember Dad. There were at least 600 people there, and it was standing-room-only. I wish I could have talked with each person there at length (there's the extrovert in me coming out). Simply put, I think the service played out exactly how Dad would have wanted it. If you came, thank you. If you couldn't, no worries! But you missed out on a good time. :)
On September 3, three days before the service, we buried Dad at the plot he had already purchased at the Davis Cemetery. It was a very private affair - only immediate family, Uncle Richard, and Aunt Robin. We read some Bible verses as the little ones ran wild around the assorted gravestones. The casket (pictured below) is well crafted and all-wood. And, it was relatively inexpensive, in accordance with Dad's specific request! Dad didn't worry too much about what happened to his body; he was far more concerned with his soul.
At some point after the cemetery workers lowered it into the ground, Luke asked me what was in "the box." I told him Poppy's body was in there, and he asked me why. He looked concerned, as if he thought we were hurting Poppy by putting him in a box in the ground. I told him that Poppy left his body behind so that he could go to be with Jesus. Luke ran toward the open grave and looked in, over the temporary railing. I wish I could have read his mind at that point. It must have been spinning. He did a little bit of processing at the side of the hole and then went to talk with Bethany for a little bit. Then it was back to playing! He knew Poppy was better than ever, and his "normal" had re-calibrated.
Here's a picture of the gang before the casket was lowered down:
Uncle Richard and I wandered around a little bit, looking at the graves of people we knew. It was touching, especially seeing the grave of Uncle Richard and Aunt Robin's first child, Jason, who died at birth. We talked a lot about death, but it wasn't morbid.
Sam took her "29 Week" picture at the cemetery... kind of an odd place for a pregnancy shot, but she looks great nonetheless. We spent 4 hours in the hospital last week after Sam had contractions all evening. She was only 30 weeks along, so we definitely want Sofia to stay in place for at least 5-6 more weeks. Siena was born at 35 weeks and needed a week in the NICU before going home. At the hospital, the doctor gave Sam terbutaline, which helped stop the contractions. Incidentally, it is also a drug that is banned for Olympic athletes, so Sam may be experiencing some super powers as I type. She is currently at 31 weeks, so prayers would be appreciated - time in the womb is a good thing for Sofia right now.
On September 4, we had a good time hanging with friends at the Smiths' house in Woodland. I gave five haircuts, some of us played Rock Band, and all of us enjoyed Gambo's singing:
Even Siena got in on the act, as a guest guitarist:
Jeremy McChesney was the first victim/client:
September 6 was Labor Day, and the day of Dad's memorial. Uncle Chuck was speaking that night, so I gave him a trim. He didn't opt for the fauxhawk depicted in this picture, but he left looking mighty fine:
Sometimes, it's refreshing to just spend the day naked in the sand box... or so I hear. Siena chose Labor Day to make this a reality, and Grandma was a great Sienasitter, while Sam and I tended to memorial service details:
Given that it was Labor Day, Justin kindly came over to help me finish taking off our countertops. He is much handier than I. The guys from Home Depot were coming later in the week to install Corian, so we wanted to get it done before the work week started again on Tuesday:
Some of the afternoon was spent setting up FBC's sanctuary for the memorial service. Dad wanted everyone to get a Gideon's New Testament (which includes the books of Psalms and Proverbs), so we placed one on every seat with the program for the service. Bethany, Grace, Sam, and Mom combined to make that all happen, with some help from friends and FBCers:
The "rehearsal" was very casual. Here is Sarah with me, practicing the verses she would be reading:
We were thrilled to have so many friends and family in attendance. Siena got to see one of her best friends, Sydney Forester. Sydney and her parents drove up from Fresno with her infant brother, Logan, in tow. Siena wanted desperately to hold Logan, and it worked out okay until she wanted to squeeze his face:
The day after the memorial service, I went to work. Sam got to hang out with more Sorbellos at Caffe Italia, a Sorbello favorite. Here is Siena with Aunt Pauline (one of her favorite people), Jessica, baby Jenna, and Shanon.
Grace, Pop-Pop (Dad's Dad), and Marguerite were also in attendance:
On September 12, we had Siena's 2nd birthday party - a BBQ at Mom's house. (I am definitely not used to calling it "Mom's house" yet, but I'm working on it.) There was a cow theme, if you couldn't tell from the following picture:
Sam Klasing, Kindall Keefer, and Baby Colton were ready to party:
Melissa Keefer, Katie Reece, and Katelyn ("Kiki") Warne were also there. Note Katie's bandana, which got her brownie points because of the party's theme:
Katie Nicholson is a baby-magnet. She loves holding the little ones (here is Logan Forester), and they seem to love her right back!
Bethany and Chrissie Brown are both recent mothers of three, so I'm sure they were talking about how easy it is to have a baby after two practice babies:
Aunt Robin, Mom, and Cathie Moroski got caught in a pose by Sam's photo-sniping skills:
The bandana-wearing Ben Reece definitely would have won for best costume, if we had given out a prize. He came looking like a cattle-rustler and claimed not to be warm:
Lots of Sam's family was able to come. Here is Grandpa Dennis with the Quam ladies, Laura, T, and Andy in the cherry trees:
How many men does it take to cook burgers and hot dogs? In this case, at least four. Chuck Warne and Kevin and Cody Keefer were my capable runners/supervisors:
Joel and Emily modeled a popular Senior Prom pose:
Andy was inspecting the newly refurbished (with some refurbishment yet to do) play house in the back yard:
Zeke, sporting his new, hard-fought haircut and the baby that makes him a middle child: Colson.
Siena enjoyed her cake from Sandra at Palo Alto's Prolific Oven:
We took the opportunity for a Nicholson family portrait:
Joe and Patty Bandel (and Caleb) made the trek to join us! Caleb got a head start on his birthday week, and we were able to join them for his second birthday party the following weekend:
Sarah must have already drunk a few Diet Cokes, because she's getting into whatever story she's telling Andy. And Laura and Mom were chatting it up:
Minglage. If that's not a word, it should be?
September 14 is Siena's actual birthday. She celebrated in her "princess skirt" and an all-pink outfit:
Ruby got some lovin':
On September 17, we were back at the Prolific Oven:
Grandma has an iPad, and Siena loves to play her "mean birds" and "fishies" games:
Sam just annihilates crossword puzzles with the help of her dad:
On September 18, we left Atherton for San Mateo and Caleb Bandel's 2nd birthday party! First, some play time to get ready for the car seat:
And a "bonk" from Grandpa:
Caleb is a big boy now... and apparently Patty has more influence over his football attire!
Siena's always down for a good party:
It was fun catching up with the Shabaglians (Arris and Jadon here) and the Aseffas (Alisa on the right):
Here I am with, David Shabaglian. He is a kindred spirit and great friend:
If you haven't noticed by now, this blog has returned to its original purpose... to keep friends and family up-to-date with our going ons and (really) to help Sam organize her future scrapbooking.
I actually benefited from blogging as I processed everything about the sudden turn of events with Dad, and I am grateful that this forum allowed people to follow along with the daily ups and downs. But real life keeps us way too busy for everyday blogging. Once every couple of weeks is extraordinary, and once-a-month is more reasonably expected. Feel free to check back for updates whenever you'd like, but I hope you don't expect daily musings... if you do, you'll be disappointed. :) I recommend Google Reader if you have several blogs that you like to follow. It notifies you every time one of your favorite blogs gets updated with a new post.
Until next time...
