August 14th - 25 Years

S'te worked hard all summer putting the commemoration for the 25th Anniversary of the last time we talked or was with Jeremy.  After their breakneck trip down and her family reunion was over she went into high gear on  all the last minute modifications and plans and details for Jeremy's Memorial.  Balloons were released all over the United States ~ and according to posts ~ in several other countries in the world.

Jeremy's Balloon Release
(click for a slideshow of the hundreds of balloons released in Memory)

I spent a very, very emotional day trying to cope with the whole idea of really truly coming to terms with the idea and the FACT that I was actually telling Jeremy good-bye and Rest in Peace.   He was such a joy to me, so very active and smart, so protective and so very proud of his little sister!  Even now it is so hard to grasp that in all likelihood I will never see or touch him again.

About 50 of our friends and relatives came to the Myrtle Crest baseball field to Memorialize his life. I was amazed by some of the people that came - and just as amazed by those who didn't.  I was so glad to see old friends - Jeremy's friends, those who played ball with him, some who went to school with him, and many, many relatives came to show their love during this wonderful send off.  We all had blue t-shirts with his picture on them - an awesome sea of blue - if you will!

S'te prepared an amazing, awesome, wonderful, and heartwarming send off for Jeremy.  The balloons that she and those wonderful helpers spend the morning inflating and tying were released in turn. . .

14 blue balloons - released by S'te and I - for the 14 years he was with us

25 red balloons - released by his nieces and nephews - for the 25 years that he has been missing

100 white balloons - released by family - for all the love he was not here to enjoy

800+ green balloons - to memorialize, not only Jeremy's missing status, but for the over 800,000 children on the missing childrens lists at any one time.

and

finally, the pink balloon that I'd been seeing around the house for a week.  It showed up at the ballfield with HOPE marked on it.  S'te released it with the HOPE that an answer would someday be found as to why my baby boy, her brother, had to be taken from us - and what evil was done.  

I honestly have to admit that most of the day was in a fog.  I cannot remember all the kind words that were said or all the wonderful people that did come - I just know there was an awesome amount of love in that field.

I know that Jeremy, my Mom, Uncle GL, and the other loved ones that have gone before us were all smiling down on us as we paid this final tribute.

Thank you S'te for such a lovely tribute. I love you.

Happy Days!

After flying across the US - we (Brayana and I) got everything ready for her parents and siblings to arrive.  I'll tell you what~ She was one happy camper knowing that her time alone with 'grumpy old people' was finally going to come to an end :)  It was quite an experience for her being an only child for so long!  After getting back - she successfully passed her Driver's Permit test and and the wonderful gentleman (mmmm) gave ME a book to read!  I was cleaning out the van the other day -and came across the book ~ I guess I forgot to pass that on! LOL

Rod, S'te, and family made the mad dash from Bremerton on Friday - from what I heard - it was after several 'false starts' and this time they made sure to gas up before leaving Lane County!  When there isn't a gas station open for a 100 mile stretch - it makes forward planning a necessity! Brayana jumped up at the sound of the van arriving - for a joyous round of hellos!  Even after the long drive and late arrival - they all were up and excitedly getting their custom tie-dyed (by S'te) shirts (and of course a dress for Tetee!) on for their excursion to the Dulley family reunion!  This is S'te's grandmother's family on her father's side! LOL 

Don't they look wonderful!  I am so proud of them all!

On the Road AGAIN!

On Sunday we attended met up with most of the family again to attend Church with Mom.  The Pastor had us all stand as he honored her many years as a wonderful mother, friend,  and a lifelong Christian woman.  I felt very proud to be able to stand with the rest of the family as he gave her this honor! 

What a pretty girl!

Melody, me, and Mom - after church and as Bray and I prepared to leave!

 Bray started out with the idea of taking a picture of a McDee's in each state that we crossed.  Here is the first of many she took - and then they just got away from her!  There were almost as many McDee's as there was corn! :[)

A really neat farnhouse surrounded by corn, corn, and more corn!

We spent our 1st night in Peoria, Illinois, our second night in Ogalalla, Nebraska, tried for our 3rd night in Salt Lake City... When we got there - a storm was brewing and it smelled so nasty that we decided to try to go a bit further - our bit further ended up being Elko, Nevada.  We saw lots and lots and lots of corn.  and HOT, it was 107 at 5:30 or so in Omaha,  100 or so in Salt Lake City!  It was just to hot to take our time and sightsee - so we just kept on going!  The Great Salt Flats had us both wondering what we were driving thru  - we saw lightening out on the lake when it was just hot and smelly in Salt Lake City - so we had to do some looking around!

And we made it back to Oregon!   All in one piece!

We went a lot of miles in a very short period of time!

90th Birthday Party!~

The "Birthday Girl" and her children!  Keith, Melody, Heather, Mom, Joy, and Dolores. So glad I managed to steal this photo - my camera died right after the party started!

Fabulous photos of Mom's life.  I tried to get photos of the pictures but just couldn't make it work.  Maybe, if I'm lucky, I can eventually get them scanned. 

 

A beautiful (and good tasting) cake!

Mom cuts her cake!

April brought this chair up and used it for a very original guest book.  It was full of names before the party was over!

Elizabeth and Bray - They enjoyed hanging out!

Rick and the girls

Me, Keith, and Bray

A few of the ladies that came to wish Mom a great day.

April and Brennan

Mom and Melody

 There was a lot of good food and great company for all to enjoy while being with Mom on her special day.  We are blessed to have been able to be with her.  And it was so great to work with the family for the little amount that I was able to contribute!  It was to bad that the roses that April sent didn't last long enough to grace Mom's table ~ they were so beautiful! 

After getting everything all cleaned up and back into the proper order - Dolores brought her grandkids over to the Motel and joined us at the pool - time to cool off and relax!  I plugged in my camera - but - no battery yet!

A mad dash!

After the 4th - we worked on trying to get the house finished in time for our mad dash across the US!  Brayana joined Keith and I in our summer trip to Florida to get the final load of our belongings out of storage there.  And to bring the pickup back out here to the West Coast.  We stayed at the Holiday Inn on the beach for a few days while we re-connected with Barb and Jim, and, Jessie and John from Lakewood Village.  The summer Florida heat is something that is definately for those strong at heart - not for a weakling like me!  About all I wanted to do was to sit in the relative cool of the ocean breezes!

At Mulligans Restaurant in Vero Beach

Walking back from dinner at the Waldo's in the Driftwood Inn

Headed out to see the SEA TURTLES and the wreck just off the beach with the kayak and snorkles!

On the way to DisneyWorld - the pick was Magic Kingdom! 

We did Magic Kingdom until the wee hours of the morning - we caught the last bus back to the hotel at 1:30 am!

  The heat was about to get the best of all of us!  I do believe that it was well over 100 degrees but even that didn't stop us from riding all the rides and walking the whole park.  I don't think there was anything that Brayana wanted to ride that we didn't make it too.  Right up until closing time!  I had a great time ~ I was sure tired when we got back to the hotel! :-)

And after the Magic Kingdom we took off for Kentucky.  That oppressive summer heat stayed with us the entire drive.  I had wanted to stop at the Lookout Mountain (that had been on my bucket list for years) but it was just to hot!  Maybe next time!

We made it to Ken and Dolores's home in Kentucky in record time - and got started in trying to make sure that all went well for Mom Beatty's 90th birthday on Saturday.  We went over and had lunch in Charlestown, checked out the Church, had a great visit and got pretty well caught up since the last visit.  Brayana kept saying "I think I was here, I think I've been here before" and it turned out - she had already actually visited both Dolores's and Mom's homes when they visited Elizabeth and Brennan a few years ago.  So she got to revisit and remember!

Bray got her hair done and looks soooo pretty!

Keith and Mom at lunch

Dolores making sure that all is coordinated for the Party!

And here is my disclaimer for the time stamps!  I forgot to change the time and then it got changed to 12 hours later than it was - So if it looks like it's close to midnight - it was probably closer to noon!! 

Sorry!!

Independence Day Weekend!

To continue our weekend - on Sunday, we actually made it to Church on time!  Had a great message sitting out in the Ampetheater at River View Fellowship.  Sitting out in the sunshine, looking at the trees, and feeling the breeze while listing to Pastor Matt - puts a whole new meaning to God's works.   It is just so amazing!  After Church we met with a few of the leaders for trying to organize Jeremy's Memorial Event next month.  I wasn't able to participate much in that meeting - but I did watch the little ones...

Then Amanda and family brought all the leftovers from thier camping, Diane brought her kids over, and we had a wonderful afternoon of friendship and food. We wrapped up the little one's evenings with s'mores... boy how funny!

and a friendly little Elmore wrestle! (btw Chato rescued Raffy, his toy)

Then all but the 2 youngest went down to watch the Mill fireworks while I stuck the 2 boys in the tub and they watched tv.  We liked that better than the "booms"! LOL

And on Monday, we actually went down to Bandon ourselves - to Jay and Amanda's.  Keith hadn't been down that far on Hwy 101 - so he saw a little bit of 'new' (hahaa) scenery!

Where we ate SOME MORE!!

We meandered home again just before dark - and in time to see the Eastside Fireworks go off over the Bay.  They were the best!  We just watched them out the front door - at least I did!  The kids went out to the front yard and watched them from there!

And bright and early Tuesday morning it was time for the Elmores to pack up and leave, sniff sniff,  I'm always sad to see them leave - I pray often that we can be closer in distance - but - time will tell if that one is God's will.  I love having them here and watching them grow!  I love the life and vitality that having children in the house brings - even when they've become part of the mindless (hehee) and I am teasing!

So, now we are back to our normal hahaa!  Brayana is still with us - working most days and waiting for our intended take off date to go back east!

But first! the house!!! ;-)