Did you know?

My grandpa owned his own funeral home in Oelwein. He was born in Dunkerton. (Holla! Shout out to Jackie) He grew up in the Brant funeral home (Oelwein), now Jamison Schmitz Funeral Home, with many brothers and sisters. He married a girl from Hazelton, Iowa. I'm proud of his life. There's a rich Brant history in that small area of the state. Read a little about him: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GScid=96715&GRid=30026468&

The weekend was really nice. Good to be home, good to see family from far away, and really great to relax and have some fun. Marshalltown had its annual Oktemberfest parade. Sorry, no pictures. Basically the whole family went to the parade. I got a magnet and Luke got a turkey leg. Mine was free. Nice.

The crowning moment of the weekend: Matt and Molly had a baby! Calvin Douglas Brant. I have a new nephew, and he is adorable. Molly posted pictures, so now I feel like it's ok for me to post pictures.

Goodbye, Grandpa

We love you.

You were the only one to call me Debbie.

You were the one that taught me the sign language for "I love you".

You were a reminder of my father long after he was gone.

You were always good for a joke and a laugh.

We will miss you.

Tell Daddy we are fine, and give my daughter a hug.

I wonder if you remember us, and are mindful of what we would want you to do in Heaven?

Grandpa Brant is the one all the way to the right in this picture.

Interesting...the only surviving person from this picture is my mom. Sometimes I just think the only thing that keeps me going, and even satisfied is just the simple statement I have to repeat in my head: "Ok, Lord, I trust You." Quickly after the temptation to wallow in misunderstanding over life's twists and turns is the thought/reminder deep inside that I am not the only one that hurts. There's lots of hurt in the world. Jesus did not promise us a life void of pain, He just said there would be a helper and comforter to sustain us. I'm so thankful for that.

Morning frustration

What is the deal with kids being gone from school for one day here and one day there? I have 15 this year and there has not been one day that every student has been here besides the first day of school. It is so frustrating! It takes more time and stress to catch a student up, than it would to just have them there. As a teacher, this is not appreciated. Especially when they come back to school boasting stories of eating out, shopping, and playing. Yesterday I told them there would be a reward if no one was absent for a whole week. Of course, they were quick to say, "What if I'm throwing up?" I said, "There are some really good reasons to stay home, and there are other reasons that are not good."

What was it like for you when you were growing up? Would your parents let you have days off from school every once in a while? My mom would not. So, this is very foreign to me and a frustrating way to start the day when you see that three are gone. Ugh.

In rememberance

This is a video of when they read Grace's name at the service today. Grace's name is read at the very end of the video and time ran out right as I was letting the balloon go. I got some pictures too, so I think the message gets across.

I'm thankful for today. I'm thankful for the people who came to be with us.

Here are some pictures of the afternoon. Luke and I got a chance to remember, to pray, to read scripture, and appreciate the support of family. There were a lot of people there. Even the people I say that were there for me, I'm sure they were there for themselves too. They were probably also thankful for that chance to remember and share.

My dad was born on September 14th; today. I remembered him as I let the balloon go. I remembered Collin as the balloon flew away. I remembered my grandpa who will probably be joining our babies in Heaven soon. Always I remember the grace and the strength freely given.

One for the books

This will be a full and fun weekend.

Friday begins with a trip to see my amazing friend from college, Stacy. I'll get to spend time with her husband George too, which has not happened in a while. I'll also get to see her cute-as-a-button baby boy, Drew.

Then, on Saturday, amidst the predicted rain, I will enjoy the Clay County Fair with camp friends. Can't wait for a funnel cake--I've been waiting all summer for a funnel cake. Also, I love the commercial building. I do not enjoy when people try to sell me things though. I'll just buzz by anyone who looks like they want me to stop at their booth. Also, I will not sign any sheets of paper.

Then, on Sunday, there will be a rememberance walk in Sioux City. The memorial event is for anyone in Sioux City who has lost a child for any reason, no matter how recent. I'm really looking forward to this. I wasn't sure whether or not I would go, with Luke of course, because I'm not one to take part in community events...not really sure why. (As proof, I will let you know that I only went to three football games while attending UNI. Two of those games were when they played Iowa, and I cheered for Iowa. The other time was a mistake, I'm sure. No, it wasn't. I just remembered I went to see Allison play in the band.) Well, I thought about it, and I decided I would be sad if I didn't go and honor the memory of Grace. So, I called Luke's aunt who lost twins a couple of years ago, and said we'd meet her there. Tonight Luke's mom called about it, and I think she is going to come and walk in memory of Grace. There's also a memorial service at the end where they will read her name and we release a balloon for her. I will take some pictures to show you all. I'm really glad we will take this time out to think of her, and where we are now with the help of God. I wish my parents/brothers/sisters were closer so they could come walk with us too. I'm glad there's things like this for Luke and me because it helps reassure us that there was a loss of life--she was alive for two hours. It was a death--there is a grave with her name on it. We met her, we held her, we watched her move with life flowing through her veins. We are parents. I'm going to be honest, it does not feel like it. Many times I remember what has happened and it seems so sad all over again, and I just can't believe that it actually happened. I look at what my life is like now, and there's nothing to even look at that would tell someone of its occurence, besides a room decorated in hope. Well, anyway, it happened, and we are a changed family, but we still hope in God. We hope for a future of rejoicing, but know that no matter what happens we will rejoice one day in heaven with our family gone too soon.

I wonder if the loss would have been "easier" had I another child to come home to and care for? Probably not. However, it might have provided some encouragement to know that I can have a successful pregnancy. As for now, I'm not so sure. Just another reason to hope in God.

Pictures from the blue room...don't think I've showed the recent additions.