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I don't know how much I can tell you about my Grandpa. I never lived near him. I never spent a ton of time with him over the years. I didn't talk to him every day. Today, those facts pain me.
I can tell you, though, that I knew my grandfather well. Maybe not little facts and maybe not big chunks of history.
But, I knew my grandfather. When I was younger, I knew a visit to St. Louis meant a visit to the candy store, chaperoned by Grandpa. I knew there was always a lap to snuggle into and arms to fall into. I always knew, bright and early, before Nana was up, I would get some of the best cinnamon toast I'd ever eat.
Sitting in the hospital with him over the past few days, I realized how well I knew him. I knew his facial expressions. I knew his voice and his sounds. I knew his hands. I knew he loved my chocolate, and I knew that every time I called, he would be so excited to hear from me.
I know he could be a crumudgin, and I know he could be particular. But, I know he was also forgiving and accepting.
Most importantly, I knew his love. His love for me, for my family, and for my Nana."
I wrote this about two and a half months ago, the day after he died. For some reason, I just wasn't able to finish it or to publish it. It has been sitting in my box since then. Things have changed, though, and now it is about my Nana.
I can tell you more about my Nana, as she was a bigger talker. Lots of little facts about her life. The important ones, though, are the ones that I have stored away in my heart. She always smelled of Sweet Honesty. She loved angels and had many, many figurines of angels (her maiden name was Angell!). I can still hear her calling me "Manda" -- she and my grandpa were the some of the very few people in the world who called me that.
She always held my face in her two hands when she kissed me. We talked many times about how I married a man very much like my grandfather, and she always had experienced advice on how to handle him. She used to underline almost every word in our birthday cards, because she actually meant every last one of them. I will never forget the way she looked at my grandfather as she sat devotedly by his side, lovingly caressing his hand as he was dying. She taught me many, many lessons about love and devotion.
Yesterday, my sweet Nana joined my Grandpa in Heaven. I think we all knew it was coming, but none of us expected it when it happened. She simply took a nap and did not wake up.
My heart hurts. For me, for my mom and aunt, my cousin, and my brother. This all has been a huge loss for us in the past few months. It was all so fast, and I am so wishing I had taken more time to be with them. I am wishing for more time.
However, I am also completely overwhelmed with the realization of God's goodness. With how well He knows us. With how much He loves us. How
Awe-some He is. He is so Awesome that He knew two and a half months were long enough for my Nana to be without her husband of 61 years. He is so Awesome that He knew she had no desire to be back in the hospital again. He is so Awesome that He knew how tired her earthly body was. And He is so Awesome that yesterday, after she fell asleep, He woke her up at the gates of Heaven. Arms extended, welcoming and loving her, Grandpa by His side.
So, yes, my heart hurts. Really hurts. But, it also rejoices for the rewards that my grandparents have received. For the hope of a future with Him. And in the knowledge that I will be with my sweet, sweet grandparents again someday.
While we didn't have any Michael Phelps in the family, they both improved so much and loved the excitement of the meets.
Harris even won the "Coach's Choice" Award for his age group... while we missed the awards ceremony, I am told that the coach talked about Harris' awesome attitude and hard work in the pool. 
So proud of my Piranhas!
Anyway, Jackson was in a cabin with his good buddies, Spencer and DuBose, for a week, while Harris and I spent four days in a cabin with several of our buddies. The following pictures are out of any sort of order... I am happy just to finally be getting them posted, order or not!
Paper Plate Awards on the last day... Harris got the "Best Friend" award.
The Mom's got a little time away for some rock climbing.
BB guns
Blue tags for passing the swim test.
Smores!
Showerbath Falls.
The best of friends!
The big ones passed, too!
The long-awaited trip down the "blue slide"!
Taking the swim test... and passing!
The Mom's got some free time to do the zipline, too.
Big one's lead songs at the flagpole before meals.
More blue tag celebrations.
Chapel at Pretty Place.
I can't believe my time is up, that these boys are so big. I'm excited, though, that they are big enough to go and do and see everything that camp has to offer. I'm excited that it has become a place that they love (almost!) as much as I do. And I'm excited to hear their stories when their sessions are over. I know those stories will have as much value to them as mine have for me.
The siding has been completely finished since these pictures. The next couple of steps are painting the exterior (it is not going to be yellow!) and plumbing the inside.
I am so looking forward to seeing it completed!!
"I don't know how much I can tell you about my Grandpa. I never lived near him. I never spent a ton of time with him over the years. I didn't talk to him every day. Today, those facts pain me.
I went away for a Girls' Weekend with my grad school friends, and I came home to a new pet.
Meet Tiger.
Graduation day was a day that Harris so excited for, but also dreaded. When his class started practicing graduation songs, the music teacher came into the office to tell me that Harris got teary when she was teaching the songs. She said he tried to hide it, but she still caught the tear running down his cheek. 
While he was excited for the big day, he was super sad about moving on and leaving some of his best friends. He came to me several nights before the big day to tell me that he couldn't sleep because the graduation songs were running through his head making him sad. Such a sentimental little boy!
Little School graduation focuses on "light" and how each of them can show their lights to the world and can show the light of Christ's love to the world. Each child read a Bible verse pertaining to light. Harris' verse was Ephesians 5:13-14: "Everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible."
His class then danced the Troika Dance, a dance they danced many times for Peter Rabbit.
So proud when his name was called.
Receiving his cross from Father Paul.
And a big hug from sweet Ms. Sarah
Harris' graduation was a big day for us, not only because he was finishing kindergarten, but because our family was finishing seven years at Little School. Jackson started when he was 20 months old, and now we finish with a 6 year old Harris. Where did those seven years go??? It definitely makes me teary-eyed to think of all of the teachers (and children) who have helped my children to grow into who the are today, who have taught them so much about school, life, and friendship, and who have loved them through it all. 
Ms. Sarah definitely had her hands full with Harris and his friends, but she handled them with such love and respect... they all adored her.
Ms. Kathy, the kindergarten assistant, taught Harris many, many things that he will carry with him over the years!