steve's headstone

last week we went out to pinnaroo as a family and put stephen's headstone in place. we had it made up by a local woodworking company owned by a friend of ours, who has recently started to etch on acrylic as well as wood, and surprise - now marble too! we had ordered acrylic and when doug arrived to collect it, there it was in marble. we are so, so happy with it and think it is the most wonderful tribute to him.

we had it done up in time for his birthday and gave it to oli then - she was so touched. traditionally in her samoan culture, they wait for the one year anniversary of the passing to unveil the headstone, but we felt like now was a good time. we chose her favourite photo of stephen (which had also been on the cover of the funeral booklet) and a photo of the new zealand temple where they were sealed... then when the proof was sent to us, our friend had added an outline of new zealand in the middle to complete it. we couldn't have asked for anything better, it was just perfect.

so now he is here, rest peacefully with a beautiful marker, for those who come to see him. the sun was setting right as doug finally got it in place and it was a really special moment for all of us.

alex was trying to help (trying being the correct word) and kept flinging dirt straight back onto the headstone as doug would clean it off again and it was so funny. the kids chat away to stephen whenever we visit as though he is still there and i love that they got to have him around them for so long, to have such a special bond with him. all of this happened because dougs parents were brave enough to make the move here to perth and we have been grateful every day since. 

we miss him terribly, but he's still here with us in our hearts.

happy heavenly birthday

steve would have been 66 today. instead he gets to be seniors card age forever, while he rests peacefully on. what we wouldn't give for one more birthday with you, but we all know you're in the best place possible waiting patiently until we are all reunited. 

we had birthday dinner in his honour, complete with chocolate cake (which my mother in law, who doesn't often offer praise, absolutely loved) and even sang happy birthday to him as madeline insisted on holding his photo in his honour. it is hard to believe it has been 4 months without him already, but i really feel like he has remained here and watched over us. all of the extra money that's appeared with his finalised insurances and accounts, and times when we think of him at random moments... he's definitely around us.

well old man. we love you and we are always thinking of you... 

-when alex fitted his new all blacks onesie that was already too small for joseph when you bought it

-when joseph threw a fit last week when something wasn't just right

-when oli called to ask how to put oil in her car

and when i saw a great covid-19 meme about ducks.

stay safe up there, cause your memories are safe with us.

sundays are for family

sundays are for family... so sometimes that means driving to pinnaroo valley after church to see poppy steve. i love that the kids still talk about him so much and hope that doesn't go away as i want alex to know him like the others do. they rake the leaves off of his grave, chat to him and always look for flowers that don't have a grave to put with him.

we miss him so much even though we know he is safe, so being near him is good for all of us.

a family is forever - and we are making sure ours will be. 

new years eve in the hospital

doug's dad has been sick for a really time. he's had a form of cancer called mutiple myeloma, which affects his bone marrow. he was initially diagnosed back in 2012 and after treatments was cleared for a few years until he relapsed in august of 2016. the doctors have been trying their hardest to help, including trying multiple drugs that could have made a difference, but just last week they gave him the news that there was nothing else they could do to help him. he's always been such a private person, that i felt it wasn't appropriate to be sharing his sickness here and have just carried it with me, but seeing as this could well be the end, i want it to be here in my journal, for my children and our family to read one day.

we had been asked to a party at a friends house for new years eve, but when we got the news that stephen would be transferred to the palliative room at the hospital on new years eve, i had a really strong impression that that was where we needed to be. we rounded the kids up, packed snacks and picked up pizza on the way to have with our sparkling grape juice. we even packed some games and some party poppers to make sure the party would be rocking. haha.

steve was so happy to see us. he smiled, laughed and joked with the kids... and even insisted that i take this shot of him with his "alcohol" at the best party he'd ever been to. he was a crack up. after some photos with the kids and all of us he was pretty tired and drifted off, so we snuck out a little before midnight.

so blessed to be able to make beautiful memories with this great man. ❤

poppy’s birthday

we are so lucky to have doug's parents living close to us. it's a 8 minute drive between our houses and the kids love it, as we can just drop around whenever we like. it also means they've able to grow up seeing their grandma and poppy a few times a week. 

as much as the kids love to tease steve and call him grumpy old poppy, we know they love him like crazy and love to be around him. he has a great sense of humour and is a lot of fun.

last night we celebrated the old man getting a little bit older, with family dinner, followed by cuddles from the kids and cake. what's better than that?! ♥