Gone. . .But not forgotten. . .

Yesterday, January 3rd, I experienced one of the worst days of my life. My beloved grandpa passed away. He had an aortic aneurysm. I got the call from my mom on New Year's Day that he was in the hospital and only time would tell. So I ended up having the worst birthday I've ever had. All I could think of was my grandpa and praying over and over again that he would make it through. Unfortunately his kidneys were failing and the doctors didn't see him making it. Then at 6am I got the call from my cousin that he was gone. . .

I've never had anyone in my family die before this and I must say. . . I've never experienced a pain quite like this. He leaves behind my grandma, the love he'd been married to for 52 years. He was also two months shy of his 80th birthday. He was my only grandpa. . . There is a certain rocking chair in my grandparent's house that ONLY my grandpa sat in. Now all I can do is try to picture my grandpa never sitting in that chair again. He was the funniest man I'd ever met. If you were having a bad day, my grandpa would be the best person to brighten it for you. My favorite joke that he used to always say was, "I only lie when I'm alone or with somebody". I'm going to miss playing cards with him. I'll miss being at their house and "grandpa taking a snooze on the davenport". My grandfather. . . Stanley Darwood . . .will forever be in my heart. RIP Grandpa - May you be in Heaven walking with the angels.



My grandpa and my mom on my wedding day



My amazing grandparents with us on our wedding day

Christmas 2010

This Christmas was unlike any other. We had our own little bundle of joy to celebrate it with us. God has sure brought us to a beautiful place in our lives. Even though she wasn't old enough to open presents or anything like that, it was so fun having Chloe's first Christmas.Unfortunately for her first Christmas, Chloe ended up having a bit of a cold, but that didn't stop us from making the most out of the special day.
We spent Christmas Eve at my mother in law's house where we carried on our tradition of having a birthday cake for Jesus (This year we had a yummy birthday pie instead) and singing "Happy Birthday" to our Lord and Saviour. We each got to open a present which of course were our new snuggy PJ's.
Then we spent the early morning of Christmas still at my mother in law's opening presents and having our traditional delicious breakfast. We then headed over to my brother Brett's house to celebrate with his family along with my mom and step dad. My brother cooked a very yummy turkey! We then had fun playing a new card game that my brother taught us called Dalmoody. I highly suggest playing this hilarious game!
So many presents! :o)

My mom and I spent alot of time in the kitchen baking cookies!

Chloe with all her presents from Grandma Connie's house. What a spoiled girl!

Chloe with auntie Steffy

Chloe with Nona and Papa