Thinking a lot lately

I have been missing my grandfather and thinking about him a lot lately. I wanted to share with you posts from a couple years ago. Enjoy!

My grandpa Wilt passed away last night. I am super super sad, confused, troubled, mad and brokenhearted.
Thinking about all the fun we had together as a family. Thanksgiving and Christmas at your house, all us kids playing with our new toys in the basement with all your horse show trophies. I was so proud of you and still are. Playing BINGO and building puzzles during the holidays will be greatly missed.
Vacationing every other Christmas to West Palm Beach with the family and going to our favorite restaurant for our grand feast. Watching the manatees with you on the porch and talking about baseball and how spring training was going.
Being so excited for October to come so we could go to the American Quarter Horse Congress. Being able to brag to my friends how you were the President and in the Hall of Fame!
Missing the barn, horses and playing around with the kittens in the attic amongst the hay. I love horses because of you. I keep telling Patrick I want ONE. Maybe someday.
Loving how you turned your Suburbans into Cadillacs by switching out the Chevy decals for Cadillac. Remember telling everyone I knew you created the Escalade and telling them the story. It makes me laugh to this day. Then you pretending you were a race car driver showing us how fast your cady could go down the highway. We thought that was so cool.
Thank you for buying me a car that got me to Arizona, thank you for helping my savings account, thank you for just being there when I needed you.
I will remember so many great times with you but, I know you are in a safer place and with the woman of your dreams. She has been watching over me since I was born. You have been waiting for each other and it brings me peace to know you are back together!
I am so honored to be a part of you so thanks for bringing mom into the world who brought me into it too!
I love you and always will, your granddaughter.
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“ My Grandpa ”
There came the day you went away
But only from sight and sound
I felt my heart break as your soul departed
From that cold, empty ground
You meant more to me than words could say
You filled me with so much love
Each and every time I look to the stars,
I know that you’re above
I can feel you watching over me
I hear your soothing voice
God left us here for some unknown plan
Its not for us to ask why
I know you want me to remember you,
And recall every time you smiled
Your smile lighted so many rooms
And even many more hearts
I thank God each and every day
That you were an important part
You gave me something that no-one-else would
The love of you “My Grandpa” because no-one-else could.
Author~Shirley Ann Parkerson
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PAUL W. WILT 80, of 138 Independence Ct. Sidney and former Botkins resident, passed away Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at his residence.
He was born on September 13, 1927 in Dinsmore Twp. the son of the late Clarence and Clara (Fogt) Wilt.
In 1950 he married Carol Ann (Henkener) Wilt who preceded him in death on August 10,1979. He is survived by 1 Son, William Wilt and his wife Diana of Botkins, OH. 2 Daughters, Karen Vikre of Powell, OH. and Debra and husband Robert Kozyak of Caseyville, IL. 7 Grandchildren, Kendra Wilt, Gina (Rigo) Monzalvo, Liza (David) Sharp, Noelle (Patrick) Espy, Robyn Vikre, Eric Vikre and Justin Kozyak. 3 Great Grandchildren, Natalia Cruz, Christian Monzalvo and Elle Espy.
2 Sisters, Mrs.Robert (Doris) Rotterman of Kettering, OH. and Esther Mannix of Dayton, OH. and his wife Nancy (Hewitt) Wilt.
Mr.Wilt was preceded in death by 2 Brothers, Roger and Kenneth Wilt and 1 Sister, Evelyn Mosier.
Paul owned and operated Harry’s Paint Shop and Wilt Homes in Botkins for 32 years, before retiring in 1982. He moved to Sidney and established Wilt Quarter Horses and spent many years raising and showing registered American Quarter Horses.
He was an avid player of league baseball as a young man before he enlisted in the US Army in March of 1946.Paul served in the Counter Intelligence Corp. in Japan, reporting directly to General MacArthur.
Paul was a member of the St.Paul Lutheran Church in Botkins, the Sidney American Legion Post #217 and the Sidney VFW Post. He was a life member and an approved judge for the American Quarter Horse Assoc., Palomino Horse Breeders Assoc. and the National Reining Horse Assoc. He was also a member of the National Snaffle Bit Assoc.and the Ohio Quarter Horse Assoc.He was past president of OQHA and a tri-chairman for 17 years of the largest single breed horse show in the world, the All American Quarter Horse Congress, held in Columbus annually. He was also a National Director and Honorary Vice President for the American Quarter Horse Assoc. and had been inducted into the Ohio Quarter Horse Hall of Fame.

Funeral Services will be held Monday at 10:30 A.M. at the St.Paul Lutheran Church, Botkins,OH. with the Rev. Robert Carter and Dr. Keith Wagner officiating.
Burial will be at Loramie Valley Cemetery in Botkins. Friends may call on Sunday from 1 to 5 P.M. at the Cromes Funeral Home 302 S.Main Ave. Sidney,OH.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggest that Memorials be made to the St.Paul Lutheran Church building fund in memory of Paul W. Wilt. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Condolences may be expressed to the Wilt family at our website, http://www.cromesfh.com
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After waking up yesterday, I took pictures of baby Robin birds on my moms back porch laying in the nest of a flower pot. We get to Botkins and my uncles one Mare had a baby the night before. The colt was left at the vet, since he is not able to watch her closely. However, my sister, cousin and I stopped at the barn and checked out the other Mare and her baby. I took some great pictures of them as well!

Returned to my moms house, my sister, Elle and I went for a walk. As we got onto the golf course, we spotted five deer. Of course I took pictures, they are so beautiful. We all walked down to a creek and Elle and I hopped onto a rock in the middle and sat. Elle loved it, the sound of the water is so peaceful, we all needed it.

Walking back to the house, I joked with my sister about how today I took a bunch of pictures of wildlife. LIFE, the animals just reminded me that reproduction is what we live for. So going through my grandfathers situation, LIFE and everything about it, is what is pulling me through.
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Driving to Sidney yesterday, I was so sick. Having no sleep and thinking about what really happened in grandpas case, drove me to insomnia. Feelings of sadness and confusion are things I had never felt before. Being with the rest of my family made things harder, but overall much better.

Knowing my mother wanted so badly to see grandpas face made me want to as well. I was shocked to see the casket closed at the viewing. You should have seen all the people that came to support us and send their condolences. I believe we had over two-hundred people who knew grandpa from their love of horses; or people he had built homes for many years ago. There were so many people that grandpa touched throughout his life, it made me so proud to be his granddaughter.

Meeting new people that I had heard stories about and finally getting to put a name with a face. People also many stories they shared with us, that we had never heard. Seeing relatives I had not seen in years, brought me back to those fun days. It made me really realize that family will and does always come first.

So, we came back home last night after dinner with our family. Again no sleep for me. I was either again trying to figure out this case or mentally talking with my grandparents. Then Elle awoke at 4am and slept with Patrick and I. It felt so good:)

We arrived at the church where my grandparents, my mom and her siblings went and it was a familiar scene. Watching the pallbearers carry grandpa up to the hall, then standing waiting to have my time with him. I could not handle myself, I kept telling myself “its okay,” but in reality it wasn’t. My mom and Grandma Nancy had come up and told me to always remember the good times. I constantly do and have for years. Its like I have a recorded VHS tape in my head.

I had not seen my grandpa for years and it tears me apart. It pained me when I would be on the plane headed back to Phoenix. Another trip and no visit with grandpa. I can’t blame myself, but its hard. He never met Patrick or Elle in real life, only through pictures I would send.

The funeral was so beautiful, I had never been to one quite like it. I just can’t even put it into words. At the cemetary we said our last goodbyes to grandpa. This was also a hard time for me, because I had never been to my grandmas grave. Her and grandpa now rest side by side! I pulled off a white rose from the bouquet on grandpas casket and laid it down on grandma side. Then pulled another one and brought that home with me.

I feel so much better after seeing where they are. The land they have is pretty, overlooking their town, family and all the things they love together. You could not ask for anything better for two people you love dearly.

Grandpa’s caregiver told me that grandpa had Elles pictures on top of the TV and Patrick and I’s on his dresser. She also told us(grandkids) how super proud he was of us. He never ever missed a birthday or Christmas, we would always get a card with a surprise. I know he loved us so very much.

What made my day brighter was going with Grandma Nancy to the vets stables to see the newest baby in the family. One of my uncle Bills and Grandma Nancy’s mares had a baby Thursday night. They named him Big Brown or we call him “Pablo” for grandpa. He was so worried about this baby for quite sometime. Grandma said he would call her all worried and have to run over to the barn to check on it(well the mother). The mother was not showing good signs of a healthy pregnancy and it scared him. Everything turned out great, he is so sweet.

We walked around the barn, I touched every horse there and feed a few. There was another horse I was fond of, she is a Thorobred and just massive. I fed her a couple treats, after the first treat she smiled at me(picture Mr. Ed:)). Loved it, gave her my last treat and she smiled again. I wanted to bring her home with me. HAHA! Patrick said “not now.” We need more pets, right?!

Well, my heart will ache for a while. It needs time to heal and it will!
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Kids Halloween party

Another post that I found in my drafts, from October, enjoy!

I love to throw parties, and wanted the kids to have a great Halloween. Since we plan to be in Denver for Halloween, we would not get to see our friends. Today we had a great time, made pumpkin bats, bounced, ate lots, played and danced. The kids looked great in their costumes, funny enough no kid had identical costumes! Here are the kiddos, enjoy!

 

Mother Natures Farm

Found this post in my drafts, thought I would share!

Jodi called me Wednesday and asked if the kids and I would go with her and Jordan to the pumpkin patch. SURE! We have never been to Mother Natures Farm and have heard awesome things about it. We were ecstatic! It was super cheap and the kids decorated a pumpkin with stickers, we took a hay ride and saw tons of farm animals. The best were the new piglets, born just 4 days before. They were super cute!

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Santa

The kids got to see Santa and it’s not even December yet! Elle has not been a good listener lately. I have been bribing and threatening her. My latest threat is that Santa’s elves are watching and they report back to Santa on a nightly basis. She doesn’t believe me, I don’t think. She asks so many questions, she is trying to catch me in a lie! haha Thanksgiving night, I bought an Elf. Today, she has been carrying it around with her everywhere. Last night it slept in the office on a chair with a towel as a blanket. She really takes good care of it, hahaha!

So after dinner, my friend Jodi and I took our kids to see Santa and Mrs. Claus. This couple has been doing this for 5 years now, they have sponsors and everything! They collect donations of toys and those are given to charity, its really awesome.

Elle was super nervous, she did not know what to do. She probably thought Santa knew how she had behaved during the day. She was really quiet, when asked what toys she wanted, she did not answer. After a while, she did warm up to him, at least she said ‘goodbye’ and waved! Ivan was not so thrilled with Santa or Mrs. Claus either. He was a little freaked out and so I took my photo with him and Santa. He still was not happy. Once Ivan explored the yard filled with lights he was more comfortable. We got a family photo(not a good one) and then a group photo! We hung out there for a good 30 minutes, talking and looking at the lights. We will definitely go back a couple more times before Christmas!

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Thanksgiving

The morning started with a workout, not what my brother and I had anticipated, but a good one! Eric and I had signed up to run in the ‘Turkey Trot‘ in Mesa. However, I for some reason was thinking it started at 10am, don’t ask. Well, we figured I would have to wake up at 5am, get Eric around 5:45am and then drive an hour to the race. Wasn’t happening, especially since I had plans to shop with Jodi at 10:30pm. When was I gonna get enough rest? So we bailed on the race and drove down to my house, let the dogs out and went to Crossfit Battlefit. Eric had never done this workout before. I really enjoy it!

This year we had a small gathering; Dad, Lee, Grandpa, Grandma, Judy, Gill, Eric, me and the kids. It was nice, although I missed lots of my family. I can’t wait to go home for Christmas! I could not even tell you the last time I have been home for Christmas, maybe 2003? A long time. My brother is going to fly home too, it will be so fun!

Anyways, wanted to share a couple photos with you from Thanksgiving.

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Sullivans

I have been following this families blog for quite sometime. Well, I fell a little behind, wanted to share this video with you! Great cry for the morning.

 

hmmm

My brother has Bruce Springsteen~ State Trooper on his blog, and so I thought I would share it with you. Enjoy!
Click here

 

Bunco

This month was Guia’s birthday, so she wanted to host. The theme was ‘VEGAS,’ who does not LOVE VEGAS?!! We dressed to impress and had fun like usual. She went all out on dinner and we drank quite a bit. After wards we went up to Sandbar and danced our alcohol out! I felt like the peoples mom, very strange feeling. A bunch of college kids, who did not know how to DANCE! haha, seriously! Anyways, we had a great time and can’t wait till Decembers!

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Olivia

OMG, I love this little pig. I know this would have been one of my favorite cartoons growing up. However, I am not little anymore, but love when Elle wants to watch this cartoon. It’s so cute, Olivia uses her imagination like no other pig! We got to meet her at Brilliant Sky Toys. Elle kept telling me “I can’t wait to meet Olivia!” This was the outfit she picked out to wear, because Olivia would like it. TOO CUTE!

Even Ivan had fun, he loves to SHOP!

 

Megamind

I love going to the drive-in movie theater off of McKellips! Its SUPER CHEAP, plus you can take all your own goodies. The kids and I plus our friends love going there. So, we planned on meeting two families there to watch Megamind. Well, Patrick and I switched back cars and I left my phone in his. I was so worried I would not find my friends, its not like they can wait out front of the theater for us. Thank god, I had told them where I like to park! They were there and also worried, they called me like 30 times! haha, the movie was funny and the kids of course enjoyed themselves!

 

Neighborhood Festival

So every year our neighborhood hosts a Fall Festival. Its a great way to meet new neighbors and get together with the ones you know. There is free food, prizes, games, bouncy for the kids, etc! It was a great time. Last year I missed it, I was doing yard work. I know, I am a yard work-aholic. HMM, yard work or fun?! Anyways, the kids and I met up with some friends and had a great time. It was also A LOT hotter than I thought it was going to be. We also ran into lots of people we knew which was very nice! Here are the photos from the two hour time span. Enjoy!

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Wendell

Ok, I know you all think we are nuts for having SO MANY pets. Well I found another dog, this time laying in our street. I SWEAR! haha. The kids and I were coming home late one night and stopped at the stop sign, there he was. Laying in the street. My neighbors were out on their front porch, the animal lover instincts in me kicked in. I jumped out of my car and tried to lure him into the truck. He ran. Elle wanted me to get him, so we pulled into the garage, I went and grabbed some cheese. Got the kids out of the car, walked down the sidewalk whistling, hooting and hollering! He only came so close, plus, not knowing this dog I did not want the kids too close. Elle tried running after him, I yelled at her. Who knows, this dog could have been deadly! He could have seriously bitten her or Ivan. So I was throwing cheese far, then closer and closer trying to get in arms length to catch him. Well no luck, we were out there for a while trying.

The kids and I went inside, Patrick came home and said there was a black and white dog in our garage. I told him the kids and I had tried catching him and we had no luck. Well, then Patrick tried, he was out there a while. Soon enough, a couple cars pull into the driveway and a strange couple are with Patrick. The dog was in the guys truck up against the passenger side window, scared to wits end! We got a leash over his neck to get him out of the car. We bribed him with ham. We asked him to ‘sit’ and he did! I went to grab Art’s cage and pulled it into the garage so this dog had a place to sleep. I did not want the dog inside my house. The last dogs I found had TICKS! Crazy ass people!

So I posted ‘found’ signs on local websites, waited for someone to call. NO CALLS! NOTHING, no ‘LOST’ postings either. What the heck people, don’t get animals if you can’t AFFORD THEM!! Lose your house, find them a home or take them to the shelter, would you ABANDON YOUR KIDS?? NO!

So, I took ‘Wendell’ to the vet to see if he was micro chipped. He was not, he looked to me like an older dog. He still had his man parts! Strange! So I waited again for a couple more days, no calls or emails. Ok, so now I decided to keep him! He reminded me so much of a dog I had in college ‘Brit’! I loved that dog to death, even brought him down here when I moved! He was my babe. So with putting Jerome down, I felt Brit had either been reincarnated or had sent ‘Wendell’ to me! I know strange, but I believe in the weird stuff.

Wendell is ours, I got him neutered, updated on shots and he is a HEALTHY boy! Meet Wendell Espy!

 

Swap.com – trade books, CDs, movies, and video games

Do you have books, movies, CD’s and videos you want to get rid of?  Have you tried trading them?  Check out

Swap.com – trade books, CDs, movies, and video games.

 

Halloween in Denver

We love going to Denver for Halloween. Patrick has family there, whom we stay with and my best friend Tricia lives there. Its a win win for both Patrick and I. We went two years ago when Elle was 18 mths. Now Ivan is 18 mths and Elle is 3 1/2, Ivan can experience the awesome fall weather. We flew in Saturday afternoon, hung out with his grandparents and had a lovely dinner. Elle and I met up with Tricia at Cold Stone Creamery for a treat.
Sunday we hung out, ate breakfast. Elle, Lois and I went to a Holiday Boutique at the Shrine Temple in Arvada. I got some cool things there. After lunch, I took the kids to get there photos taken by a friend of Tricia’s, Crystal Allen. Crystal is a fantastic photographer who has been published in many publications. You can check her out here! We met at the City Park downtown Denver. OMG, it was beautiful, the trees, the scenery, the people exercising! So much movement in Denver, I LOVE IT! The kids had a great time, ran around, wrestled and played in the leaves. Photos to come, so stay tuned! Sunday night was TRICK or TREAT! We ate dinner, got the kids dressed, Elle got her nails painted by Tricia and we were out on the street! It did not take Ivan long at all to get the hang of this holiday. Although he LOVES candy, he loved peoples interior design choices better. I believe he entered 4-5 peoples homes to check out their decor. Not only entering these homes, he checked out/touched all the front porch decorations! He was a riot to watch. Elle has done this before, so she was a pro.
Monday we went to the Denver Childrens Museum, which was a TON of fun. They had a puppet theater, huge magnet board, dance floor, bubbles, grocery store, Firetruck inside and an ant hill. Also an area to build recycled toys. So cool!
We got back to Jake and Lois’s house for dinner, packed up our things and headed back to the airport to return home. Now I am depressed, I have to clean, do laundry and stick to a routine. Vacations are too much fun!

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