As Of Late...

Sunshine & Playing

...until that sunshine goes down

A little bit of water fun

and a trip to the Tulip Festival.

Picture #3: The little man told me to drive the cart around the long way and he would meet us at the bottom. I said I'll come with you. He told me no, that he would see me at the bottom. The independence is already beginning. Or so he wishes, he didn't get to go alone but I did give him a head start!

My Grandpa Taylor. Love Him.

This morning my family gathered around my Grandpa Taylor to say goodbye. Last night he peacefully passed away in his sleep with my Grandma by his side, just as she always is.

I visited with him on Sunday and he was having a really good day. He actually ate something, and was talking quite well compared to how he has been in the months prior. I like to think he had these few good days in preparation for leaving. I find it neat that my Grandma was awakened from his snoring just before him passing. She got to be there with him during his peaceful passing.

He was a great example to me of being kind. He was a gentleman. He always treated my Grandma so well, and I’m thankful for his example. He would always open the car door for her. He had love in his eyes. He was so friendly and would stop and talk to anyone, always in Spanish. I have SO many memories of waiting for my Grandpa while he spoke to people he stopped. It makes me smile now thinking about it! He had a glass eye, and I remember when I was young I was afraid to drive with him.

He loved his Grandkids. He would call us just to chat and would end with asking: "guess what?" and we would respond: “Grandpa loves me!” It wasn’t unusual for him to call a few times a week. He and my Grandma had us over for sleepovers often. I know he loves me and is proud of me! I think all of my siblings feel this way. He was very tender hearted. I’ve seen him cry a few times, and it was usually while expressing his love for family. I always felt a deep love and appreciation for him during these moments. I love and respect him so much.

He had dementia in the last years of his life. He would repeat things, and you would usually have the same conversation with him. Right now I treasure those repetitive conversations. He lived a good full life. He is reunited with his Dad who died when he was younger, as well as many other family members, including my Dad. My Dad always appreciated my Grandpa for all of his great qualities, or so I'm told! I'm sure it was a special moment. Death is welcomed to him, and as my Grandma stated “he’s graduated.”

He did well, and I love him and will miss him! Until we meet again Grandpa!

GIVE-AWAY

Hey friends... today is the day I mentioned!

Head on over to:

Give Away Today

and enter for a free photography session! You can enter up to three times to better your chances!!

Feel free to tell your friends as well!

Thanks everyone for your support!

1. Just as the snow started to fall.

2. Yesterday, about an hour into the storm.

3. This morning just before leaving to work. {Not happy about that broken branch!}

Tate was looking out the window and said "I love you snow!" I told him I'm pretty sure you're the only one right now, and then said I love you bud. He said "thanks Mom, I love you, but not nearly as much as I love the snow!" Within minutes we were outside in it.

All feelings aside, I do have to admit this morning was beautiful. As I drove to work the sun still hadn't come up and the parks were all covered in snow, with fog hovering just above the ground. Now if it can just hurry and melt! =)

Website

My Photography Website is now complete!

I am SO excited about this big step for my little growing business and would love for you to check it out!

See it here:

jessieonealphotography.com

My blog now has a new domain address:

www.jessieonealphotography.blogspot.com

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AND I am going to be featured on Give Away Today on Friday, April 17th. Be sure to check it out and enter in a drawing for a session I will be giving away!

The other night we played Win Loose or Draw as Cole calls it.

What do you think the big monster looking thing is? Apparently Cole was just drawing shapes and created it, not really knowing what it was. I think he ended up calling Tate a winner after he said it was a dragon monster.

The video is small, but his pictures were just a simple circle or squiggle, and he'd wait until he heard something and would call someone a winner. Then he would scribble a point for either Mom or Dad. Good times.