Good-Bye Grandpa...we love you and will miss you!

This past week was very tough for our family, because we lost Grandpa Dressler. Grandpa was an amazing man who lived a wonderful life. I have SO many memories of time out on the farm with Grandma and Grandpa and will cherish every memory! I will remember all of the countryside drives, watching the Lawrence Welk show with him, eating lunch with him on hot summer days when he came in from the fields.

Grandpa lived to the age of 88, and if that isn't amazing enough, he and grandma would have celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary yesterday. He and grandma were so supportive and proud of their family. They came to almost every sporting event, every graduation, Jas and I's wedding, whenever we needed their support they were there.

We love you very much Grandpa and will miss you greatly, but we are at peace knowing you are watching over us and smiling down on us. Good-bye Grandpa.

(This was an amazing poem that one of my dad's friends made for him. Jason put this amazing background on it so dad can hang it on his wall.)

Happy Valentine's Day!

This week was another hectic one in the Heiple house. Shortly after everyone recovered from the flu bug, we all caught a nasty upper respiratory bug. Livi started it two weeks ago, but it never seemed like more than a common cold, but it lasted two weeks. I ended up getting it last Thursday, and then by Friday, all three of us were in Express Care. They gave Livi an antibiotic because she was on week two, but they refused to treat Joey and I...made me furious! So by the next week we had Joey in to see our family doctor who treated him with a double ear infection, and then Joey blew an eardrum again! This is the SECOND time I have brought my son to Express Care, they refused to give him an antibiotic, and then a couple days later he is very sick and blows an eardrum. Grrr!

Anyway, we all got healthy for Valentine's Day, except Jas got a touch of what we had, but not too bad. On Valentine morning, Livi and Joey woke up to find a surprise Valentine in the living room for them. They were very excited and opened them immediately. Then they had yummy "LOVE" poptarts for breakfast. This was Joey's favorite part, he loved saying the letters as he ate them!

Unfortunately, Valentine's Day fell on a work day, but it was also a school day for Livi. She had a pajama day/Valentine Party. They are studying the letter P this week, so the teachers made Valentine's Day even more special for them. Livi had a blast and got lots of valentines!

After school, Grandma Heiple came down for a few hours and brought Livi, Joey, and Jas out to lunch and also brought down a valentine for everyone. Then later in the evening, I brought Livi and Joey to see Grandma and Jim. They received another valentine from them...they are VERY loved!

Thank you to everyone for all of the valentines you mailed and gave to us; we had an amazing Valentine's Day. We are very blessed to have such a loving family!

Sisterly Love

Two peas in a pod!

Fashion Statement

The other day I came home and noticed that Olivia was making quite the fashion statement. Right now she is very interested in being a big girl and dressing herself. Grandpa Dressler bought her this dress last weekend, and she felt like wearing it with her mismatch pants, slippers, and headband. She often wears mismatch patterns, colors, and at times socks. She is a stitch!

Marching for Joey

It is that time of year again, when we start getting ready for the March of Dimes ~ March for Babies. We have participated in the march for the past two years, ever since Joey came home from the hospital. The March of Dimes is an amazing organization that supports hospitals and families with the funds needed to help premature babies. The March of Dimes is a big supporter of St. John's Hospital, who in return helped us pay several bills inquired from Joey's 4 months in the NICU. If anyone is in the Springfield area on April 15th and would like to walk with us, please let me know and I will put you on our team! God bless all of the people who work for and support the March of Dimes, they help make miracles happen!

Snowmaggedon!

On Monday night, the news channel began to call the snow storm headed our way, snowmaggedon, which I guess was the perfect word for it. It started on Monday with huge snowflakes that looked like snowballs falling from the sky. Then started the sleet. It carried on through Monday night all the way to Wednesday morning. Praise God we did not lose our power with all of the ice and blowing wind, but shoveling was no treat. Nonetheless, it gave me three days home with my family, and lots of snow to play in.

Although Olivia is the biggest fan of snow in the Heiple house, Ollie, Bella, and Zoie LOVE the snow! They run out the door and head first into a large snow drift. Ollie and Zoie love to walk around and stick their heads in the snow until they are completely emerged...they are crazy.

Snowed in!

The past few days we have had a lot of family time! All four of us have been snowed in together. I haven't had school since Monday, Livi and Joey have had all of their school, therapy, and gymnastics canceled; and even Jason got called off of work on Tuesday and Wednesday. All of this time together has been both wonderful and chaotic. We played board games, music on the piano, drums, and guitar, watched movies, played outside, played other games around the house, colored, etc. I love snow days and wouldn't trade any of these moments we have shared!

Heiple Pizzeria

While we were snowed in on Tuesday, Olivia and Jas decided to make homemade pizza from scratch. They made their own sauce, crust, and toppings. The pizza was delicious, they did a great job!

We were also snowed in on Wednesday, and we all worked together to make another "fancy" meal (according to Olivia). We made swiss steak, homemade mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, texas toast, and applesauce. Everyone sat down to a candlelit meal, with soothing piano music in the background.

After dinner we snuggled on the couch, watched a movie, and ate monkey munch for dessert. I love being snowed in with my family!

Goodbye Dear Friend

Sadly, a couple of days ago, my mom had to put Spencer to rest. Over the last couple of months, he began to age quickly. He was diagnosed with Diabetes, and then on Sunday, January 30, he began to have flu like symptoms. When mom brought him to the vet the next day, Spencer's body was beginning to shut down and she made the brave decision for him. Spencer was an amazing dog, loved by anyone who came in contact with him. He will be greatly missed, but is in a much better place! As Olivia put it, Spencer is up in Heaven chasing bunnies and eating treats; and we will see him again someday. Goodbye dear friend!

Five and Three Year Old Pictures

Over Christmas break, I brought Olivia and Joey in for their Five and Three -year-old pictures. I only take them in once a year for professional pictures, and then Jas and I take their pictures the rest of the year. I always bring them into Target Portrait Studio, and they always impress me with the pictures they can get. Here are some of my favorites from the session...