A Long Year

Today is the one year anniversary of Duane's passing. My sister and the kids have made it through all of the firsts. Not to say it would get any easier but at least all of the firsts are over with.

Duane was a good, kind, hard worker etc. whom was loved and respected by so many people. Becky and Duane had one of those rare marriages that they were always looking like that they were falling in love, they were newlyweds or still on their honeymoon.

Last week, while Ben was in the hospital, I took over the after-school/dinner duty with Becky's kids. I went up to Becky's room to help make the bed and tidy things a bit and she has displayed a LARGE picture of Becky, Duane and Molly as a baby; I showed Zack the picture. Zacky let out this loud squeal, which I thought was for his Aunt Becky, but the fact was he completely ignored Becky and the baby and went straight for his Uncle Duane. He smothered Duane's image with kisses; it was so sweet. I know that he recognized his Uncle Duane and he wanted to give him a kiss. Duane loved babies and I am sure the two of them would've had a great relationship. In fact, I know they have this great love between the two of them.

We were so blessed to be a part of Duane's earthly journey, he really loved everyone, especially his family and he made all of our lives better just knowing him. As for me, I am glad all the firsts are over as well. There are so many memories that I will treasure all of my mortal life about Duane. (Like giving me his jacket the day of my wedding, when I was so very cold.) I really miss my big brother today.

1st Halloween!!!

I love Halloween and to make it even more special it was Zack's first Halloween. I decided to have Zack be a monkey! (seriously, what else would I choose, a murloc? LOL) Not surprising, he was absolutely adorable in his costume!
Ben was the crocodile hunter who ventured to Africa to pick up a monkey. I was Storm from X-MEN. As Ben said it: he was the crocodile hunter who went to Africa to pick up a monkey and called up Storm to have clear weather for the entire trip.
We had our traditional Halloween dinner pizza and cheese bread from Nico's pizza and rootbeer to drink. The weather was on the warm side so we didn't build a fire in the fireplace but we did have some hot apple cider -- YUM YUM!!! My precious husband, Ben was so sweet and surprised me with a Halloween present. He got us two Halloween plates and mugs from Pfazltcraft and got our Zacky two Halloween cups.

Ben took Zack to a little bit of trick-or-treating -- he took him around our little cul-de-sac. When they got back home Zack did have a little bit of candy and he had a blast getting into his trick-or-treat bag. He inherited my old trick-or-treat bag that Duane made for me when I was only 9 years old.

Didn't Put the Pieces Together . . .

If my little monkey is pulling up on the furniture that he would do the same in his crib!

Time to lower that mattress!