My Beloved Aunt Amy

I think I mentioned on a blog post a while back that my Aunt Amy had bone cancer.  My Aunt Amy is my dad's sister-in-law (married to Daddy's only sibling...Uncle Greg). 

Well, bone cancer is supposedly "incurable", so when my aunt was diagnosed with it last Fall, we knew she was in for a fight. At the longest, she'd be here for 20 years.  The shortest time frame being a few months.  Aunt Amy went through chemo and radiation and it halted the cancer...for a time.  She struggled a lot with nausea, throwing up, and severe back pain due to the cancer and also the medicine she was taking.

She never seemed to get better.  She'd have a good day and then the next day she'd be back in the hospital because she couldn't keep any food down. 

A week or so before we left for our annual beach vacation, we were up North visiting with Grandma.  Our conversation turned to Aunt Amy and their family and Grandma said she would be shocked if Aunt Amy was here at Christmas.  She wasn't getting better and she (as well as Grandma) thought it must be her liver failing.  Fast forward to the next week.  I was reading my Bible in a comfy chair at the beach and Hannah came and asked me if I heard about Uncle Greg's call.  I said no and she said that Aunt Amy had gone to the hospital again.  Tests were being run but the doctor said he didn't think she'd be here for more than 1-3 months.  Uncle Greg said he'd call back the next day (Friday) to tell us the test results.  My cousin, Erika, was sitting on the couch opposite me and she asked me what was wrong (she could tell something was up by our faces and voice tone).  We told her about Aunt Amy and she started crying.  She said she just couldn't imagine not having her mom alive anymore.  That made all of us cry.  Erika knows my cousins, Amanda and Diana a little bit, so the fact that she knew them, and knew that they wouldn't have a mom much longer overwhelmed her.

Friday dawned and we heard from Uncle Greg.  Aunt Amy's liver was practically failing and the cancer had gone into her stomach (as well as being in her bones).  Uncle Greg asked the doctor to be realistic in giving him an idea of how long he thought she would live.  "Less than a week" was his reply.

If it was possible to completely drain your tear ducts, Uncle Greg said he did that Friday.

Saturday morning as we prepared to leave the beach for home, we told Aunt Mae-Mae about Aunt Amy and we all started crying again.

We were planning on going up North to be with Uncle Greg, Aunt Amy, and family but we didn't end up leaving til Sunday afternoon.  Daddy, Hannah, Lexi, and I headed up late that afternoon.  We stopped at Grandma and Grandpa's first then went to the hospital.  Aunt Amy was on the oncology floor, Room 250.  We walked in the room and I immediately noticed the pink paper chains strung all over the room.  (Amanda, Diana, and one of their cousins hung them up.)  We gave Uncle Greg a hug and went over and told Aunt Amy we were there and that we loved her.  Aunt Amy didn't say or move much due to the pain and the drugs.  She murmured a little bit.  Her hair was mostly gone (due to the chemo and radiation) and she was a bit yellow in color (either due to lack of sun exposure or from the toxins her liver couldn't filter out anymore) We then talked with Amanda, our cousin, and her friend, Kara for a little while.  We went and peeped through the windows of the postnatal care unit and saw a beautiful newborn.  It gave a person a little hope to see a new life after seeing a life that was nearing its end.

Monday afternoon Mommy came up with the rest of the troops (my sibs :) and we met at the hospital.  We all said hi to Aunt Amy again and then spent some time with the cousins.

Tuesday we went up to the hospital twice because we were leaving that night.  We knew next time we came up Aunt Amy most likely wouldn't be there....and we wanted to spend as much time with her as we could.

Grandma went up to the hospital around lunchtime with Hannah and Lexi.  I followed later with Mama.  When we got there, Hannah and Lexi went out of the room to go see Amanda and Grandma went to work.  Mom and I stayed in the room with Aunt Amy and her brother and niece.  Aunt Amy's niece, Marissa, left after a little while to go "help" Amanda with her homework - :) -  and so it was three of us in the room.  The room was so still and quiet and Aunt Amy was resting so peacefully.  After some time of silence Mama started talking with Aunt Amy's brother.  Aunt Amy stirred and her brother asked if she needed anything.  She asked for some water and I went and got some ice water from the nurse.  Aunt Amy took two sips and then just wanted to rest some more.  Somehow---sometime--someone mentioned Amanda and Aunt Amy, in her weak, quiet voice asked "Is she okay?"  I tried to hold back the tears...here was Aunt Amy, in pain and dying, and she only wondered if her daughter was doing okay.  It makes me cry just thinking about it!

After dinner that night, we all came back up to the hospital.  Daddy had left a little before us (we drove separately), so it was just all the Wass kids and Mama who crept in the hospital at 8:35 P.M.  We had to get badges and show our I.D.'s (if we were over 15) to be able to get into the hospital.  After that, we went to Aunt Amy's room (she had been moved to hospice earlier in the afternoon).  The door was closed, so Mama went in and talked to Aunt Amy's sister who was staying the night.  She agreed to let us all come in and say goodbye to Aunt Amy, even though all the lights were off and she was sleeping.  Mama took the youngest ones in first.  Lexi and I were about to go in when Lydia said she wanted to give Aunt Amy a hug.  Mama said she couldn't really give her a hug but that she could go back in and give her hand a hug.   When Aunt Amy felt her hand being picked up, she turned and looked at Lydia and said "Hi sweetie".  Mama came out of the room crying.

Lexi and I went in next.  Lexi talked to Aunt Amy first.  She told her she was there and that she loved her.  Aunt Amy then tried to say something but Lexi couldn't really understand her.  She guessed that she said "I love you" back.  Lexi then said something along the lines of "Jesus loves and cares for you."  Then she said "Thank you for all you've done" and Aunt Amy whispered out "I'm sorry."  I was trying to hold myself together so I would be able to say something to Aunt Amy but those words made me lose it and I couldn't stop crying.  (Good thing the lights were off so no one could see.)   I finally stopped the crying and made my way over to her bedside.  I picked up her soft, smooth hand and leaned over.

"I love you, Aunt Amy" I said.

I couldn't really hear it but the faint sound and her lip movements said "I love you" back.  

And I totally lost it.

I sucked in a deep sob and had to rush out of the room so I wouldn't cry out loud and disturb her.  Deep racking sobs filled me and I had to rush to the bathroom to find toilet paper to wipe the tears away.

I would never hear those words from Aunt Amy again.

We left the hospital (Mama, Lexi, and I were all crying on the way out) and I cried again in the car.  I knew I wouldn't see Aunt Amy on this earth again and the crying helped me to let go of her.  I prayed so much on that ride home...prayed for Uncle Greg, Amanda, Diana, and Stephen, and thanked God for my beautiful Aunt Amy.

The days went by and we waited to hear news of Aunt Amy.  Yesterday we got a call from Uncle Greg and he said she was unresponsive and that her heart and breathing had started to do irregular things.

My Aunt Amy passed from this life, into the more glorious one, at midnight.

Hannah and I had just finished our morning jog and stretch, and we went to check email.  Two emails awaited us with the sad news.  I went up to get Seth to come to the barn with me and I told him about Aunt Amy...and I started crying.  As I waited for him to come out to the car so we could go to work, I sat and thanked God for her life, through my numerous tears.

My Aunt Amy had a beautiful life.  I loved, and still do, love her so much.  She was a great Aunt, Mother, and Wife and I can't wait to see her in heaven one day.

Goodbye, Aunt Amy.  We all love and miss you already!

Please keep my three cousins (and Uncle) in your prayers as they adjust to the loss of their Mama and wife.

 Aunt Amy, Uncle Greg, Mama, and Daddy.

Resurrection Sunday 2012

 ^'"But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”
She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”  Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus.  Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?”
She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!”..."

The weather this past Sunday was absolutely beautiful...perfect for a day celebrating the resurrection of Jesus!!

We did our tradition of opening the Resurrection eggs for devotions that morning and then ate breakfast.  Right before we left for church, we quickly took a family picture:

I'm slightly depressed this picture isn't totally focused...but I love this group of people!!!

We arrived at church and met up with our friends, the Jacksons, who decided to come to our church that day because of a chicken pox epidemic at their church!

The service was good, I sat out in the 242 Cafe with Judah-man, Daddy, and Gabrielle and Boaz Jackson because I wasn't feeling 100% well.

After some fellowship after church, we headed up to Grandma and Grandpa's!

We arrived around 2ish and soon we ate the delicious meal Grandma fixed!

Twice baked potatoes = one of the best ways to eat a potato. :)

Ham!

Yummy beef brisket!

After we all had eaten our full, Grandma brought out a "light" dessert...

It was a delicious blend of strawberries, Cool Whip, angel food cake, and chocolate!

After sitting around and talking for a while, it was decided to start the annual Easter egg hunt.

Talking before the hunt began.

Meet Lucy, Grandma's new dog.  :)

After lining up for our usual Easter picture, the kids were released!

On the hunt!

Lydia's got an egg!!

Aww, look at the lovebirds. :)

This was Judah's first time getting to participate in Grandpa's egg hunt, so he was a little confused at first.

He soon got the hang of it, though, and was looking all over Grandma's mulch bed for the hidden eggs!

Caleb on the run!

Everyone was running everywhere to gather as many eggs as was humanly possible! :)

Judah braved the mulch bed alone after all the eggs were gone.  :)

Lucy taking a little break. :)

Once most of the eggs were gathered, everyone gathered on the front lawn to dump their goodies into their Ziplocs:

Daddy and Grandma.

Some of Judah's eggs. :)

This year Grandpa filled the eggs with coins, M&M's, and Sour Patch Kids.  Needless to say, all of the goodies were greatly appreciated (by our banks and tummies)!

Judah was loving Grandma and Grandpa lush green grass (how'd you know Daddy took care of their lawn? :).

I love how his shirt is just a little too small and you can see his tummy poking out! :)

After opening and reaping all the abundant goodies, we headed to the back deck and enjoyed the great weather and fellowship.

My cousins, Amanda and Diana...I wonder what they're thinking!

Daddy and his bro talking. :)

After about an hour on the deck, we went inside and got our Easter baskets!  Of course, we had to get the usual picture on the steps first:  (picture coming eventually :)

We dug into all of our goodies, watched one figure skater on T.V., and then played a game called Quelf.  Diana had brought the game and said it was really fun so we all tried it out!  I think Grandma ended up making us all laugh the most...she got this card that said before she could say more than 3 words she would have to ask her foot for permission to speak and then say "Permission granted!" in this high, squeaky voice.  It was absolutely hilarious.  I died laughing every time!  On a second thought I think that card might have Grandma.  Whoever knows Grandma, knows that, as Grandpa says, "Women have great verbal skills."  Grandma is no exception to this rule but having to ask her foot for permission to speak and then to reply with "Permission granted!" in this squeaky voice made Grandma say very little at all the whole game.  She was very relieved when that card was canceled near the end of the game. :)

Usually I got the cards that made me do something embarassing (like sing my favorite childhood song through clenched teeth while giving myself a scalp massage) and I failed almost all of them.  I'd bust out laughing before I could go a few words and laughing was a penalty, so I stayed near last place with Daddy. :)

Anyways, Hannah eventually won the game (to Grandma's relief) and we all headed to the kitchen for a light dinner of sandwhiches, chips, and leftovers.

We closed out the night with a little bit of Courageous.  Sadly, we had to leave part-way through to get home in time for Halle's milking.  :-(  But, we had a great Resurrection Sunday anyways!

Kimber :)

Christmas with the Wassenbergs

 "And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger."
Luke 2:16

Okay, remember from my last post how I said some of us went up to my Grandparents on Christmas Day?  Well, those of us at Grandma's slept in and woke up whenever we felt like it (another advantage of holidays! :).  When Grandma woke up she bustled around the kitchen making us some yummy Egg McMuffins, along with petrified credit cards (a.k.a. Spam).

After breakfast, Grandma and I went to the store (everyone else stayed at home) to look for some wrapping paper on clearance to use for next year. :)  Once we found what we needed at Kohl's' we stopped by McDonalds and got a drink.  Grandma got an iced cappuccino (or something) and I got a Pineapple Mango Smoothie that was absolutely amazing!!

Every year we build a Christmas puzzle with Grandpa and Grandma. We normally try and finish the puzzle before we go back home, but we didn't make it this year.  (The main reason being that we normally stay with Grandpa and Grandma for a few days and we only stayed one day this time.)

Around 12ish, Mama, and everyone who had stayed at home, arrived!

About 30-45 minutes later, Uncle Greg and his family showed up.  Soon, drinks were being poured and the food was starting to get organized.

 The dining room table.

The prayer was soon said and then we all dug into Grandma's wonderful meal! 

 Getting ready to eat!

Seeing as everything is better when paired with a picture, I'll give you a sampling of everything yummy!

Grandpa cooked up some yummy steak!

 The twice-baked potatoes get two pictures because they're that good! :)

 

Broccoli casserole!

And last, but not least, crescent rolls!

We also had garlic bread, corn, and I don't remember what else.  All I know was that it was yummy!

I couldn't go without a picture of our appetizers:  jellybeans!  I love these things!  The problem with them, though, is that they're so small that you convince yourself that eating a lot of them doesn't have any consequences.  :)

 Grandma and Grandpa's Christmas tree!

Gifts!

You see that amazingly handsome fellow in the round ornament?  That would be my Daddy! :)

We didn't open presents until 4 P.M., so, after lunch, we snacked on some of the yummy desserts.

My cousin, Amanda, made these wonderful snickerdoodles.  There were a lot more cookies in this tin but we ate most of them before I took this picture! :)

 My cousin, Diana, made these!

Every year we have a tradition (thanks to my Aunt Amy!) of icing and decorating sugar cookies.  This year my Aunt wasn't able to make her yummy icing so we found a recipe online and whipped up 3 batches.  We colored one icing green, one red, and one white.  We then sat at the table and applied the icing and sprinkles. :)

Eden (left) and Lexi (right) decorating!

Mmmm...

Amanda (left) and Josiah (right).

Grandma even decorated with us! :)

Working hard...

Some of the finished products!

 This cookie was Lexi's masterpiece.

Those who didn't decorate cookies (or took a break) sat in the den and watched some T.V.

4 P.M. rolled around and we all gathered in the den to open presents.  With Grandpa and Grandma, we normally have one person open their gift and then the person next to them goes.  We do this until all the gifts are gone!

Here are some pictures of the general havoc that comes with present-opening!

 

I now realize that I have not uploaded any pictures of Caleb opening gifts...sorry!

Our cousin, Amanda.

 Diana (a cousin, too!).

 Grandma.

 Grandpa did a great job catching all the wrapping paper balls thrown at him.  :)  He was the designated "trash picker-upper" and he managed to catch our trash and open his own presents at the same time. :)

 After presents, we all ran to the stairs to find our stockings.

All the grand-kids on the steps!

After the stockings were opened, we all took a break, ate some more desserts, played with/admired our new presents and relished in the family time.  :)

We watched Kung Fu Panda 2 later that night.  As it neared the end, Mama, Judah, and I left for home (remember we drove separately...) so we could milk Halle.  Everyone else followed in the van sometime later.

So, ended our Christmas with Grandpa, Granmda, and our Uncle and his family!

I'm sorry these posts are taking so long to complete!  I think I have one or two more posts about Christmas before I'm done. :)

Kimber :)

P.S. - Remember how I said that my Aunt couldn't make icing this year?  Well, that was because she has bone cancer and is in a lot of pain oftentimes.  She (and her family) have been through so much...please keep them in your prayers, if you can!