Entry 402: Update

Many of you are probably wondering how we have been doing since Lance's mom passed on. It still is difficult, but each day it seems to get a little bit easier. We seem to be getting a routine going again which really seems to help. Julie is keep herself busy at work and Lance is going to start teaching summer school in a few days. We both have a good cry every once in a while, but not nearly as much as we used to. We again want to thank everyone for keeping us in their prayers and checking up on us. We also wanted to add the link below to let everyone take a look at Kay's obituary that appeared in the paper.

Click Her For The Obituary

Entry 401: In Remembrance

The department that Lance works with gave him a lovely gift card to a nursery that is in town to use in order to buy something in remembrance of his mom. This was perfect because mom loved flowers and would buy them all the time. She made dad promise her to buy flowers to put on the porch steps when she passed on, so this gift held some real meaning to us. We searched for a long time at the nursery and settled on the pot that you see below. We choose this because we wanted something that we could always take with us and would bring back some memories of her. Our plan is to buy a different plant every Mother's Day and plant it in the pot (this holds some significance because she passed away two days before Mother's Day).

Entry 400: Flowers

We finally have all of the flowers planted in our yard. Yes we realize we were a little late doing it this year, but we have been pretty busy. Once again Julie added a lot of color to the yard and it really stands out when you drive down the block.

Entry 399: Another Chapter Closes

Friday was a bittersweet day for Lance because it was his last day of teaching at his current building. He had taught at that building since it opened in 2003 and loved every minute of it, but he decided it was time for a change. Those last few days were difficult because a flood of memories kept coming to him and he kept wondering if he made the right choice. In the end he realizes it is for the best and is ready to begin a new chapter in his teaching career.

Entry 298: That's How Iowa Rolls

Whenever we go to Iowa, we always see something that amazes Julie and makes her laugh. This time around Julie was amazed by how IDOT works. Below you will see a picture of a man wearing cut off jean capris and also a pilot car.

Entry 397: Julie Strikes Again

Lance's parents have a beautiful house, but it always seems like the wind there is ridiculous. The wind is so bad that Lance's dad had to screw the furniture to the deck and even tie their trash can to a telephone pole so it doesn't blow across the highway on trash day.

Julie decided that she wanted to go and sit on the porch and that ended up being a big mistake. As soon as she opened the screen door the wind took it and it was all over. We all heard Julie yell, "Shit" and when we all came out we saw that the door had been nearly blown off its hinges and the only thing that stopped that from happening was the screwed down furniture. We fixed the door, but decided for Julie's safety and ours that we would take out the windows to stop the wind from taking it. The best part was that Julie sat on the porch afterwards and we all joked that dad was making her sit out there to think about what she did.


Lance's sister demonstrating the new open door policy because of Julie.

Entry 396: Trying To Get Back To Normal

These past two weeks have been very difficult on us to say the least. Lance's mom passed away on Friday, May 6th and since then it seems like we have been just treading water and trying to regain some normalcy in our lives. Lance's brother summed it up best when he said that we feel selfish for wanting her back, but in the end we all know she is in a better place.

The one thing that we have found out through this experience is that we have an outstanding support system around us. We are so moved by all of the condolences and generosity we have received and it frequently chokes us up. Thanks to everyone and keep checking back because we plan on posting more frequently we promise.

Entry 395: a Great Woman

On Friday night Lance's mother passed on. She was a great woman who will always be remembered and loved. We wanted to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers during this time.

Entry 394: Tough Times

Yes we realize that it has been quite some time since we last blogged, but we have been struggling with a pretty major issue. Lance's mom, Kay, was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor a little bit before Thanksgiving this past year and even with surgery they were not able to remove it all. Lance prefers to not go into details, but the end is very near for Kay and we ask for everyone to keep her in your thoughts and prayers.