Uncle Doug heads HOME

Bittersweet. It's the only word that makes sense when asked "so...how was your time in MN? I mean, despite the circumstances?" It's a hard question to ask because it could unleash a floodgate of raw emotion but not asking comes across as if it never happened. The "it" I'm referring to would be the passing of my dear uncle Doug Carlson. (my dad's brother...one of 6 kids...and an uncle to 17 nieces and nephews!)

The population of small-town Sandstone just about doubled in size as Carlson after Carlson descended upon it's perimeters for what would be a glorious reunion of sorts, mixed with the reality of having to say goodbye to one of our own. When I got "the call", flying home for the funeral wasn't really a serious consideration--more of a passing meandering thought, if you will. But our ways are not His ways and He was about to have His way. God's steady and faithful hand was in every speck of detail from the flight arrangements, to the clicking of my camera in moments that I didn't necessarily mean to capture (some too personal to share on here), to family conversations that would last well into the wee morning hours, to a funeral service that was "real" to the very core, and to the stories and one-liners (...auntie Marlys....) that would bring uproars of laughter. To say I'm thankful barely skims the surface of how truly grateful I am to have been a part of such a wonderful, bittersweet, weekend. You just can't put a price tag on being with family. Period.

and the water works began...hugging my dear Auntie Karen

family time!! Catching up with cousins

sharing a little laugh with my daddy

some of the family enjoying Sunday morning brunch

My favs!!!!! (mama and her daugthers)

So. Many. Flowers!!

And LOTS of tears.....

such a beautiful piano player....

...and organist. (Joanne and Marlys)

Honor Guard filing into the church...

...and saluting Doug. Tears.

The Carlson cousins together again...what a great looking crew!

the 6 gals :)

love my cous Johnna! :)

 the 3 brothers...figuring out who has the Carlson Shake down better ;)

Carlson brothers...Johnny, Rich, and Morris

they are now the Carlson quartet....

Military Honors following the funeral service

one of the sweetest moments of the day--Karen receiving the American flag

paparazzi Johnna!

where there's Carlson's, there's sure to be homemade ice cream! it's a staple.

hayride time!

see ya later!

over the river and through the woods.......

Other highlights from my quick jaunt to MN in picture form:

Saturday morning coffee time!

Love these girls!!

mama and papa Kraemer!! :)

dad with his daughters

and Mama Peg with her daughters :)

a MN sight that never gets old

Minneapolis skyline from the plane

LOVE my crazy Carlson family!!! :)

So yeah...bittersweet would be the perfect word to surmise a weekend such as this in the comforts of "home." Thankfully, a reunion awaits us in Heaven someday. And as we longingly anticipate that day, we keep moving forward with the path He has set before us, choosing obedience to His will. 

Spring Break 2013!

A mere 8 weeks...that's all that remains of this school year. And honestly, I'm counting them down!! It's bittersweet as it means my 3 boys are growing up all too quickly but in the same breath I'm ready for summer and have some family fun once again! This past week was spring break and it was a break that we all needed. We didn't go anywhere spectacular, but that's a relative term in the eyes of our boys...spectacular for them was being on the 26th floor of a hotel in Reno and seeing the planes fly in for their landing so up close and personal that you could almost make out the images of the people sitting in the window seats. The thrill of swimming in a pool, finding new attractions at our favorite stores (read: monster truck photo op at Scheel's), laughing at one another's antics, jam sessions in the van, an ice cream cone....simplicity that screams relishing in the moments together. In thinking of last year's spring break overnight trek to Reno, this year's paled in comparison. (you can read about last year's here)

checking out the view

Dinner time!

Ready to do some swimming in the pool!!!

The days in-between consisted of things we love to do, whether altogether or on our own. Andy kicked off our break by working on a mural at the middle school---he's pretty amazing if you ask me!!!

the blank wall before...

...after!!! (and the artist himself!)

the 'day after' Easter

always time for playing with cars!

Even with an incredibly sore back (and that's putting it lightly), my hubby makes sure the boys get their necessary wrestle time in (even if it's a bit modified)!

Carson flying off....

....and Austin laughing (?) while being wrapped up like a burrito...

One of the things I love about breaks during the school year is the efficiency of our dining room table...it actually gets used for 3 meals rather than just one. Breakfast is savored rather than inhaled. Lunches are simple but fun. Conversations are enriched (yes, even with 3, 6, & 7 year old boys!), laughter usually erupts at some point...there is definite truth to the togetherness that sitting around a table brings to a family. (especially when there's donuts)

YUMMMMMM!!!!!

scoping out the goods

model-making time!

Nice work boys!!

lego building/creating!

movie night! :) It was a treat to have supper at the coffee table!

being crazy with my crazies...

Today, routine sets in once again and it's back to me and my mini-man and already a few times I've succumbed to the random quietness wondering what my little gents might be up to. Spring break--it was a good week. Life continues on with all it's ease and it's unforeseen challenges and the craziness of our spring calendar. But all the while our faith continues to be stretched and our knees found bent more often as we desire to seek Him first and foremost, striving to remain obedient to His will for the five of us.