What we've been up to... in pictures.

Pop

I still can't believe the words that I'm about to write.  It just doesn't seem real...

Two weeks ago I lost my father-in-law, Ryan lost his Dad, Blythe lost her Pop, and the world lost one of the most Christ-centered, kindest and gentlest men that God ever created.

Pop was diagnosed in Houston with Cardiac Amyloidosis, a very rare cardiac disease.  After being told that his path of treatment would be a heart transplant followed by a bone marrow transplant, we were all devastated and couldn't believe what a mountain there would be to climb.  The doctors told him that without any treatment he would probably only live 6 to 9 months, but he passed away 4 days later.  It was just so, so fast.  We were just starting to begin the fight, when the Lord took him mercifully- no pain, no transplants, no more doctors.

We miss him like crazy, and I can't believe...  like really can't believe that Blythe will only know Pop through pictures and stories.  She is missing out on so much, but we can't wait to tell her all about him.

 our wedding in 2007

 meeting Blythe on August 28, 2010

spending the 4th of July at our family beach house in 2011

This picture was taken in the hospital in Houston on December 23, 2011 after Pop's appointment with the transplant team at Methodist Hospital.  Lolli pushed Pop's wheelchair up and down the halls and Blythe had the time of her life.  Every time they stopped she did the sign for "more".  She did not want to leave his lap.  I'm so happy that Ryan snapped a picture with his phone because this is the last time we saw him.  I still can't believe it.

We love and miss you, Pop.

Christmas with the Assuntos

 Let me preface this post by saying that there are a LOT of pictures here.  I'm sorry.  I'm feeling indecisive.

Ryan and I spent Thursday through Sunday (over a week ago) in Beaumont and Lake Charles visiting his immediate and then extended family.  As always, we had a blast.  Blythe and Levi had so much fun playing together and with the big kids at their great grandfather's house.

 

During our time in Beaumont the kids had tons of fun at Lolli and Pop's house opening gifts and playing the piano.

Thanksgiving

Despite the ugly ending to the UT ATM football game this year, we had a really fun Thanksgiving trip to Houston. We got to relax, spend lots of time outdoors, and Ryan got to play golf. On Thanksgiving day my extended family gathered at my parents' house. My cousins have 4 kids in total, 3 of whom are precious little girls, and they were super anxious to take care of Blythe. It was amazing. They entertained her almost the entire day while Ryan and I sat and talked. Jenna, Maddie, Alexandra, if y'all want to move to Austin, we'd be okay with that!