2013 - March and part of April. . .

 It was a very, very busy spring.  Still depressed over losing my little Tristin - I had to stay busy or go totally nuts.  So stay busy I did!  After our move across the 'street' to the park model trailer - I followed my neighbors suit and put in a 'drip' sprinkler system so that I could keep everything watered while we were gone for the summer.  I potted new plants and transplanted cactus that were actually splitting out their old pots.  The boys really loved having the deck and front windows that they could 'see' out of! :)

 About two weeks after our big 'move' April, Elizabeth, and Brennan got to come out for their promised visit!  April is getting a little bit of a 'baby belly' but not to much of one :)  So excited to be expecting a brand new grandson in August.  Elizabeth is real excited to have a new baby - of course!  Brennan is rather blase about it - like boys seem to be when it comes to "girl" stuff!

 While they were there we did the River Tour that was provided by the Riverside.  It was a great boat ride.  It toured up to the Dam and down beyond Harrahs giving details, history, and a lot of fun facts about Laughlin, Bullhead City, and the Colorado River.  Of course we had lots of great food, a soak in the hot tub, and a great gab fest!  Evie's family was also here to visit this same week - so we were all busy going and doing!  April and kids also visited Lake Havesu City and the London Bridge, and went over to Oatman to see the ghost town.  We didn't do this trip with them as Keith had an appointment as I had to get him ready to travel back East with April.

 Just before the kids and Keith were due to leave for the trip back to St. Louis we got some really bad news about Aunt Nita.  She had earlier been diagnosed with an inoperable 'growth' - and time was getting closer than anyone had realized.  Dad and I decided that we needed to make a quick trip up...  Here is how we traveled...

We got to Myrtle Point and spent Easter and Aunt Nita's birthday with her.  S'te and Brayana came down on a flying trip from Bremerton to see her.  We were all there the same day that Michelle and her girls were over from Eastern Oregon.  Aunt Nita was up and down most of the day - we just visited and waited until she felt up to being awake.  Just before we left - we all sang a bittersweet happy birthday to her.  She seemed to enjoy that :)  

Aunt Nita's 83 Birthday

Before leaving Myrtle Point, we stopped down at the Assisted Care Center and saw Aunt Peggy and Uncle Homer.  They were just finishing dinner and were happy to see us.  We visited for just a few minutes before Aunt Peggy said she was tired and ready to go back to their room.  Everyone there was very nice to us.

Keith was due to be fly into the Las Vegas Airport on April 2 - so Evie flew into Eugene on Friday.  Her and Dad will stay here in Coos Bay for as long as they need to.  I left on Monday, spent the night with Mom and Teri, and did a long day drive on Tuesday (of course, with the boys) to be at the airport by the time Keith landed.                         Aunt Nita went to be with Uncle Jim on April 3.   Susie and Debbie were with her.  Dad and Evie had spend the afternoon over there with her.  She was surrounded by love. my Aunt Nita Robertson

On April 4 we celebrated our 9th Wedding Anniversary.  It was a very quiet day - we just kind of unpacked and got resettled after our trips and recent loss of my very dear Aunt.

In memory of Aunt Nita and Uncle Jim . . .  Clear back in 1975 when I first got back to Myrtle Point (I was 20) after living back in the eastern part of the USA most of my life, Aunt Nita kind of took me under her wing.  She acted as tho' I had never been gone.  She was a bit rough on me (or so I thought at the time) at times but she helped me immensely.  I had no car or transportation - so she took me over to SWOCC to get my GED, took care of Jeremy while I took (and passed ) the tests.  She helped me get situated with a doctor, loaned me funds to get an apartment (right upstairs from Mom on Ash Street) for Jeremy and I, and always welcomed me at her house.  I spent many, many hours over there - never tiring of the conversation and learning about my father's side of the family.  Uncle Jim also took me right in - like the lost that I was...  All through the years, Aunt Nita and Uncle Jim championed me - during some very hard times - and through some even harder times.  I worked for them for several years at the Casino.  I sometimes felt that she expected more from me than anyone else and I pushed to try to produce.  Sometimes I failed.  Sometimes I didn't.  But I always felt close to her. There was a time of a massive misunderstanding and we went several years without contact - even though we lived in the same community - but Jeremy's disappearance in 1986 completely dissolved and overcame that.  Aunt Nita immediately flew into high gear and did everything she could think of to do - to help me find him.  Her efforts (as all of our efforts) came to naught - but I know - in my heart - that she tried her very, very best.  To this day - I love and thank her for all she and Uncle Jim did for me, S'te, and Jeremy.  I know that she will find a way to help Jeremy let us know where he is and what happened.  I just know she will.  Rest in Peace Aunt Nita and Uncle Jim.  I think of you often and always with good and loving memories.

So that was my March and early April...