In Memory of Grandmother Nelda Shumway

Nelda Shumway passed at 4am Tuesday April 18th. Here funeral was held April 23rd. Rick was able to fly back (thanks to generous family providing means to do so) for the services, but the kids and I could not make that trip on such short notice. I was truly sad to miss her service and pay my respects. I have thought so much about Nelda and all that she has been to Rick and me. For Rick she was a pillar of strength. He respected and revered Grandfather and Grandmother and found Nelda to be so loving and such a wonderful example. For me she was a Grandmother when I had none. My grandma Bratton died about 10 years ago. I loved her very much but did not get to spend a lot of time with her (She lived in CA). My grandma Hutchins was around until about 2005 but we did not have a positive relationship. Grandmother Shumway was my first Grandmother that I got to live near and enjoy up close. I loved going to see her during the week and tell her all about our lives and successes. She was so truly excited about all that we were up to and so encouraging when Rick and I needed advice. Watching her with Grandfather was so inspiring to me. There is nothing like seeing a woman that has her husbands full respect and adoration. She was all that I hope to be when I reach her age. Never have I ever heard a word about Nelda that was anything less than glowing. What a wonderful example and friend she was for me. I miss her so much. I miss her face, her phrases, her hugs and her friendship. I know she is thrilled to be back with Grandfather and loving her work on the other side, but she will be so missed by Rick and I and everyone that has ever known her. We love you Grandmother Shumway. XOXOXO

Snapshots

I often look around at our little family doing....well, whatever they are doing at that moment and think that I want to remember that moment forever. Rick and I were watching the kids play on Saturday morning for a few minute before getting ready for the day and this is what we saw:

Two sweet brothers that love each other. Wish they were all moments like this one!

This one reminded me of Linus & his piano from Charlie Brown.

Just Some favorite Moments.

Sometimes things aren't quite exciting enough for their own blog entry, but together they can make a fun reminder of some of the fun things that we do on a daily basis. Here are some of the highlights that make up our lives (from about February until now.)

Such a silly boy!

This one is Jacobs crazy hair that we did for "crazy hair day" at Jakie's school. He wanted blue & White hair (school colors) & I put his initials on each side. He loved it & wanted to wear it all day.

Ricky decided to dress himself today. He loves his "bootsies".

Just a silly little guy! Ricky loves shoes, boots, hats, suspenders, large pants, jackets. You name it and hell put it all on....sometimes all at once.

Anyone else a fan of "DDD"? (Diners Drive inn's & Dives). We watch every now & then & love when cities we have lived in or near are featured. A while ago The Dor-Stop Restaurant in Dormont, PA (20 minutes from us) was featured. We watched as they showed delicious food after delicious food go out to Guy & the crew & decided to go check it out. It was our 4th time trying a place recommended. We all agreed that it was in fact a winner. The food was great and my personal favorite was the potato pancakes with sour cream & Raspberry stuffed french toast. MMMM! Its fun to try something new.

Jake has become technological. He wants to play the Wii, the computer, the games on my phone, his friends DS's, etc but we limit him pretty often. Here is a rare moment mommy let him play her bricker game on the blackberry. He had such a good time until he accidentally called the police when he was trying to change screens. No more bricker!

Ireland On Business

I am writing this blog totally jealous of Rick right now. He got an e mail on Thursday morning from the CEO of a hospital in Ireland (Beacon) where Rick has been communicating (for months) about a COO job. After months of hearing nothing about the opportunity Rick and I had just moved on and considered it on the back burner. We didn't think that we would hear anything before April, if ever. We were wrong!

Rick was invited out to visit the hospital Monday -Friday of this week. He was booked a passage on the UPMC PRIVATE LEER JET along with the entire UPMC corporate financial team for the International Services Division. Needless to say he was a bit intimidated, but I think he was equally excited. Rick had to get his passport issued in 24 hours and be ready to depart only days after he was notified. Luckily, he was able to get everything done and headed out for a red-eye flight. He left at 6pm EST and got in to Ireland at 4:20am.

Ricke was picked up and taken to the Hotel they booked for his first night. He was put into the 5 star Royal Marine Hotel located on the oceanfront boardwalk town of Dun Longhaire (Dun Leery") overlooking the channel between Ireland & England. Rick said that the Hotel & accommodations were beautiful. After about 3-4 hours of sleep, Rick was up and getting ready to go.

A taxi pick him up and take him into Dublin and then to the Hospital. He met with a full array of administration that he would work with, if offered the job, and then off to meet with the CEO Joel. Rick really liked Joel and was impressed with him as a person and leader. He had lunch with a former co worker (Mags) that is now in Ireland at Beacon and then back to more meetings & discussions. He ended his evening with dinner at a little Italian place with Joel & His partner in their little town Dalkey. After a full day & evening, Rick got back to the hotel exhausted when I called him at about 10:30pm. We talked for a few minutes about all that he had experienced, all that was pressing and I let him go to bed. I was excited to hear that he thought the city was beautiful, that he thought the people were kind & inviting & that it was something he would consider. I am of course chomping at the bit to go & be Irish for a few years. It has all been fun & interesting anyway. Only time will tell how things work out, but I really hope it is an option that works out. I think Rick does too, though he would never admit it until he is signing his contract.

Ricks second,third & fourth nights will be at the Merrion Hotel at City Center in Dublin. The hotels pictures online wont upload on my blog but it is beautiful. here is the link: http://www.merrionhotel.com/

All I can say is that I am super jealous! I cant wait to hear from him tonight to see how his day went after another round of meetings. If all goes well, I could be living in the greenest place on the coast (not green as in greenie weenie, more like lush green). Let's hope we all get a chance to see these amazing views in person.

Here are a few places he visited in Dublin City, in the Dublin townships of Dalkey & Dun Lungheire ("Leery").

Harkers Come To Visit! 36 Hours Of Fun!

Our boring March just got fun! Nick, Kuulei & Alette came to visit this weekend! After a bit of a late start they were able to drive down and hang out with us for a few nights. It was fun to see how big Alette has gotten. She was as tall as Ricky! She will be a knock out just like her parents:)
It was so fun to get to talk with Kuulei (love the girl!) & laugh about life. Nick & Rick hung out & it was like no time ever passed. We are sad that they are leaving the East Coast, but we understand! We will have to find a way to get together often anyway.

We woke up on Saturday morning to Rick making his excellent Swedish pancakes & eggs. We got ready and headed out to just go see the city. It does not compare with NYC but it is unique in its own ways. We started our morning at the Pennsylvania Macaroni Co. on the strip and got cheeses and breads to nosh on. After that, we just walked around window shopping for a bit before heading over the the Bettis Grill over near the stadium. It is owned by the famous ex Stealer Jerome Bettis. We had a leisurely lunch together & headed over to see the city scape up on Mt. Washington. The rain & cloudy day made it easy to call an end to the day out so we head home. Kuulei is brilliant and decided we should go get pedicures while the guys watch the kids so off we went! It was the first time I had one done this year so it was a real treat We had so much fun talking and laughing about the similarities in our lives and husbands. I really had fun. I wish they were our neighbors so I could bug her everyday.

We headed home just in time for a delicious pasta al forno dinner that Rick made. We ate our cheeses & breads from the market and & enjoyed the great food. We spent the rest of the evening talking & I got hooked on a game that Nick had on his cell phone. It is a game where you cut through as many pieces of fruit as you can (fruit ninja?). I loved it but sucked at it.

We were sad to say goodbye to them when they left the next morning and we wished that we could spend more time together. I think we will have to head up to Jersey next!


We miss you guys! Thanks for coming to see us. It is always so great to see such good friends & family.

Oh Summer, Where Are You?!

Anyone else going stir crazy this winter? This winter has been brutal! I just want it to be sunny with a warm breeze. Okay, I want it to be sunny and breezy on a beach, but I will take just warm and sunny.

I started reading a book today about coastal towns around the US and it made me want to lie on a beach and sip a diet coke. So, in honor of the summer to come hopefully soon made up a play list of some of the classics and a few favorites that inspire me to think of sun and warmth, not the 8 inches we got by surprise Monday night. Here's to Summer!

I realize that I have skipped an entire season here (sorry spring) but desperate times call for desperate measures!

What The????

Jacob was sitting eating breakfast while we watched the morning news before school, a few weeks ago. As we watched they featured a clip of a clip of a cute cudly little calf born just days before. Jakie perked right up to watch and smiled as they showed the cute little guy.... until he saw that it had two heads! They were shoing it from the side first so you only saw one head and then they panned around to the front of the cows face and you saw the freaky neck split into two heads. We laughed for days after that because here was the reaction from Jacob from start to finish:

Jakie: Awe, look! What a super cute little........What the??? followed by a look at us that let us know he was having trouble processing/believing what he saw. He was half laughing, half grosed out.

Me: Honey, it is a two headed cow.

Jakie: "That is just too crazy." "It freaks me out."

Me: "Yeah, he freaks me out too."

Jakie: "Oh, man! That is just too freaky."

Me: "Yep, he is freaky alright."

Jakie: "I mean, he has two, not one but two heads!"

Me: "Yeah, that is freaky honey." "Finish your cereal."

Jakie: "I, I just cant believe it." "I am totally freaking out."

Me: "We have to leave in 10 minutes so freak out quick and lets go."

Ricky: Just looking up to see the TV & news cast. "Woooooooaaaaaahhhhhh! Feaky, Feaky!!!"

Jakie is so funny. His face was priceless. I wish I could have a photo of that very moment he realized something was not quite right!

In retrospect, I should have taken a moment to freak out with him a bit more. It really was worthy of a little more reaction that I gave. I should remember what it was like to learn about this stuff for the first time. When did I get so blase about cool stuff??? Well, I guess Jake will keep me young ........ and Ricky will keep me crazy! Ha. Love these guys!

How about you? Does it freak you out? Anyone else see this photo/clip?