Hello Handsome!

Silly silly boy....

Kacie!!!!

Love this girl! My beautiful niece Kacie...not only is she cute,

but she is super smart and Aidan loves her sooooo much!

Apple Fest in Lincoln Square

On Saturday we met Jean and Lia at AppleFest in Lincoln Square. Scooby Doo was there and made Aidan's day! He also loved having the Batman sign painted on his face!

CUTEST.PUPPY.EVER.

The Dog Hates Me...

This picture warrants a post all by itself...

Some day he will not be happy with me for putting this picture out there I'm sure! The firetrucks on the leg warmers make it cool....right?

Happy 3 month b-day little man!

Brotherly Love....

Aidan's first performance...

Sleepy heads....

Now tell me, does it get any cuter than that?

Going to work with dad....

Going through old pictures this past week I came across the one above. This picture may not seem like a great one or a big deal, but to me it brings back some of the best memories of my childhood.

My dad was a truck driver. Not a job that a lot of people would love - lots of driving on Chicago streets, carrying heavy bags of flour, sugar and baking supplies, getting up crazy early and working super long hours. My dad loved the comaraderie of his fellow drivers, not being stuck in an office all day, and being able to provide for his family. After getting up at 4:00 a.m. everyday he would still show up at my volleyball games to support me. Anyway...the real reason I love this photo...

He used to take me to work with him occasionally in the summer. I loved getting up early and meeting all the other truck drivers at the local diner for breakfast. I loved riding up high in his big truck. It seemed HUGE to me when I was so young. Dad delivered to lots of bakeries in the city along with a lot of the Dunkin Donuts. At each stop the bakers would all get excited to see me and spoil me with donuts and pastries and chocolate milk.

Dad was on a first name basis with all the bakers. He would chat with them about their families and I could tell he was so proud to show me off to them. I would try my hardest to lift the heaviest bags (some were 100 lbs) and he would always let me carry the 5 lb. bags in.

I still remember the smell of the back rooms of these bakeries. I get nostalgic whenever I go through the drive-thru of Dunkin Donuts. They open that little window to collect my money and I get a wiff of that smell...it takes me back and makes me smile.

DAD

Home...in Heaven

"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal,

love leaves a memory no one can steal."

Edwin Dale DeJong

December 13, 1945 - September 11, 2010

I remember the day they told me that Dad had cancer. It hit me hard. For about a minute. Then I thought – no big deal, my dad is the strongest man I know, he’ll beat this. I know Mom is upset and scared, but me and Dad know the truth – this wasn’t a big deal, he’d beat it no problem. And he did.

I remember the day we found out it came back. Then I got scared. What would life be like without my Dad? Who would I call for directions when I get lost? I didn’t have kids yet – would he get to know my kids? Dad told me he was going to fight again, and I believed him. He wasn’t giving up, so neither was I. Strongest man I know.

We had so many good times where Dad felt great since his diagnosis. He never felt sorry for himself. Our best times were at the cottage in Pana. He would joke “Pana my neck” but I know he loved it there. He loved it most when we were all there together. He was a family man – he loved his family more than anything and always did whatever he could so we felt loved, secure, safe and protected. I know he was so happy in the last few months to have the entire family together.

When I was in the hospital after having Lucas Dad called me every day. He told me how scared he was that I wasn’t going to make it. He told me he loved me. He told me how strong I was and that he was proud of me. He encouraged and inspired me to get better and use my second chance at life to be the best wife, mom, daughter, sister and friend that I could be. I told him we were both going to get better together. He just smiled.

I guess I really didn’t believe he was dying until a couple of weeks ago. Even then, as I talked to him in his bed he was trying to sit up and talk back to me, proving to me again how strong he was.

I know he was at peace with his fate. Dad was a Christian – there was no doubt where he was going. He accepted that this was God’s will for him. I am happy for him that he is at peace and is Home…in Heaven. I loved him. I am sad for me. I am sad for my family. We sure will miss him. I hope I make him proud.

Love you pops! XOXO

I love this little man...

Our conversation this morning:

"Why are you sad Mommy? Is it because Hoppa is going to go live with Jesus?"
"Yes."
"I'm going to miss him."
"Me too."
"Don't be sad Mommy, I'm here and I'm going to live with you FOREVER and make you happy."

What a view...

Loving this weather!

On Friday we enjoyed a beautiful day outside - we met up with my friend Sandy and her two girls, Samantha and Isabella for a day at the zoo. The weather was amazing and we had a great time! I decided after my recent hospitalization that I need to get out from behind the camera and get in some of my pictures so that when my boys look back at their childhood they know I was there! So below are some fun shots from the day....

Lil' Sis...

I love this picture of my sister Katie and Lucas!

It's been a long time...

It's been a long, long time since all five of my siblings were together sitting at my mom's kitchen table! I am so grateful that my family is all together now and we are able to lean on each other during this time. My dad is not doing well. Please keep him and my mom in your prayers...and us.