Happy New Year!

Goodbye 2017! Here’s to a new year full of happiness, good health and love.  

Happy New Year!! 🎆🎈🎊 

The butterfly

I got on here tonight to write something.  I wasn’t sure what. I got into my Drafts folder by mistake and came across this.  I wrote it in October, on the anniversary of my Aunt Linda’s death, but never posted it for some reason.  Aunt Linda has been on my mind so much lately.  Christmas reminds me of her.  I wanted to post this because I wanted to remember her.  And to remind myself to not ignore the butterflies.

“There are no goodbyes…only good memories.”

That thought has been running through my head since last night.  I heard it on a TV show I was watching and it struck me how true the statement is.

Today it’s been a year since we lost my amazing Aunt Linda and our hearts are heavy and hurting because we all miss her so much.   But, more often than not, when I think of her, it’s not with tears, but with laughter and happiness.  I feel incredibly blessed that she was my aunt and a constant presence in my life from the day I was born.  I wish we had more time with her, but I am so grateful for all of the years that we did have.  Today I tried hard to think about all of the all the things that I gained with having Aunt Linda in my life instead of all the things we’ve lost since her death.  

 Today, I went for a walk on my lunch break.  It was an overcast, damp day.  Moisture literally hung in the air and I decided not to walk too far just in case it started to pour.  As I walked along the sidewalk in a neighborhood near my office, a monarch butterfly flew in front of me.  I didn’t think too much of it at first, but as I continued to walk, it again flew in my path.  Did you know that butterflies hide when it rains?  Little wonder since they are so small and their wings are so fragile.  I’ve read that even on cloudy days, butterflies are rarely seen because even the threat of rain keeps them hiding.  These facts ran through my mind as I watched the orange and black butterfly flutter into a nearby flower bed.  As I started to continue down the street, another thought came to me - a butterfly is a symbol of resurrection.  “It’s said when you see a butterfly, it’s someone you love in heaven reminding you of them and giving you a reason to remember all of the beautiful memories you shared with them”.  Suddenly, it didn’t seem so strange to see that butterfly.  I spent the rest of my walk thinking of memories I have of Aunt Linda.  I thought about holidays and birthdays spent at the Klare house.  I thought about walking to her house from the bus stop a few times when I was in high school and always feeling welcome whenever I stopped by their home.  I thought about a time I was home alone at night once a teenager and got so freaked out because I thought I heard a noise upstairs.  I called her in a panic and she didn’t make me feel silly or stupid for being afraid.  I thought about how she was the first person that I called after my parents when Pat and I got engaged and about the beautiful bridal shower she threw for me.  I thought about the things I loved most about Aunt Linda – her kind and loving heart and her generous spirit. 

I love you Aunt Linda.  I miss you.

 

My new niece!

I haven’t met this gorgeous baby girl in person yet, but I’m already smitten.  She’s perfect!  

Asa Linda- Aunt Malia cannot wait to smoosh your sweet cheeks with kisses!  😘😘😘

The Train Museum

Over the weekend, the kids and I, along with Pops, visited the Behringer-Crawford Museum.  According to the website, “The regional history of Northern Kentucky as part of the Ohio Valley must be preserved for the benefit of present & future generations. Therefore, the Behringer-Crawford Museum is a center for the collection, presentation, study and enjoyment of our natural, cultural, and visual and performing arts heritage.”.  That’s great and all, but we mostly went for the trains.  Each year the museum has an incredible display of Christmas train in addition to their everyday train displays.  My dad got tickets at an auction and we were all excited to go.  Especially our little train lover Mitch.

The museum was really cool and we really enjoyed it.  It was very interactive and kid-friendly.  They had tunnel underneath the trains where you could pop your head up in a bubble and be “inside” the display.  There were buttons you could press on the side of the Christmas display that worked different parts of it and a lever that made a red trolley go back and forth.  There were some really interesting exhibits outside of the trains showing some of the history of the airports and riverboats.  They also had a restored street car (circa 1892 I think) to view that was pretty neat.  There was a lot more to see than I expected, though we spend the majority of our times with the trains.  Thank you Pops for the tickets!  We made some wonderful holiday memories and we can’t wait to go back!

That time Kiki tried Blue Apron

My mom signed up for a few Blue Apron meals.  She asked Chef Evie to help her prepare one this weekend.  Evelyn helped peel carrots, pour oil and mix spices.  She did great and obviously gets her skill from her Daddy.  This mama sat and watched and helped get the pans that they needed.  I was also in charge of watching a pot of bowling water.  😂😂.  It’s not that I can’t cook.  It’s just not something I particularly enjoy doing.  Anyway, Kiki and Evie had fun and I think Evie learned a lot.  We enjoyed Turkey Ramen for dinner and it was delicious!  Well, at least my dad and I thought so.  Evie and Kiki didn’t care much for it until they added soy sauce.  

Thanks Blue Apron for the memories!