A Tribute to my Dad

Yesterday our family experienced one of life's most wonderful moments: the birth of my newest grandchild, Shiloh Hesed Hache. But yesterday evening was bittersweet as my father, Robert LeRoy McNally passed from this life. He was one of a kind, the most wonderful father, grandfather & great-grandfather. He will be sorely missed.

Here's a picture of Mom & Dad around 1970.

Click here for a Father's Day tribute to Daddy.

New Life

There's a new life today. My newest grandbaby, Shiloh Hesed (God's Lovingkindness) Hache was born in Shakopee, MN. She was 10 lbs. 7 oz. and 21 1/2" long. Big baby!

It is an amazing thing to watch you own child birth a baby. I am still in awe. Beka was induced and had a very hard labor. The fact that it was only about 2 3/4 hours is not relevant...it was tough, hard labor to birth this child. And Beka did well. No drugs even though it hurt like heck. No tearing despite the fact that our beautiful girl was so big.

Jason and Beka are a team in labor. Kind of like dancing....certainly a dance of love. Don't they look fabulous just a few minutes after birth?

A few hours later Mercedes and Jakob came to the hospital to meet their new baby sister. Jakob had been stalwart in his expectations. He KNEW this baby was a girl. And he was right.

Welcome new life, welcome Shiloh.

Grandma was so glad to be there to help usher you into this life.

Grandma's gone to Minnesota!

On Wednesday I said goodbye to Mr. Scottie Dog quite early at the Eureka/Arcata Airport and walked through security. I was questioned by the TSA concerning a bottle in my carry-on. "Oh," I said, "that's full of seeds and seasonings." "Like.....drugs?" he said. "Nooo, like....Los Bagels' Slug Slime." This is full of toasted sesame seeds, garlic, onions, coarse salt and so much more. It is the topping Los Bagels puts on it's Slugs...they're sort of straight bagels....no holes...just, well, just like slugs! Sooo good. If you have never had a Los Bagels bagel you haven't had the best! I was taking a bottle of seasoning to Beka. One of the many things you can't get in Minnesota.

My flight was pretty much uneventful. We even got in to Minneapolis 20 minutes early! On Friday Jakob and I had to make cookies....that's all he's talked about for weeks...making cookies with Grandma. I made him a special apron per his instructions. Dinosaurs on one side, trains on the other.

Grandma decided we'd make Snickerdoodles....fun to roll into balls and then roll in cinnamon sugar. We had a good time and made some cookies too!
Beka is ready to have her Baby. NOW! We went to the midwife yesterday morning and she was told that it would probably be this weekend. An induction has been scheduled for next Thursday but we're hoping for NOW! After the appointment Beka decided to try to help the baby along. 30 minutes of step exercise on the Wii. We bowled, juggled and played "chicken" on the Wii. Then Beka ran up and down their 3 level's worth of stairs for 15 minutes. She vacuumed the stairs, basement and living room. Then she mopped the kitchen. During this time the kids played outside on their deck.
Aren't my grandbabies the cutest? Jakob will turn 4 the end of March and Mercedes had her 2nd birthday last week. Jakob had hand trowels and cars out there to play in the snow. Mercedes just wanted to eat snow. Even with chattering teeth, they protested coming in.

Beka spent the evening sitting and bouncing on the big exercise ball. But no baby.

Today Beka & Jason went to the Mall of America for some power-walking. Sadies and Jakob are sleeping and Grandma is reading and smiling....after all, she's helping out with the grandbabies, hugging, kissing & spoiling them....that's what Grandama's are for!

Miss you, Mr. Scottie Dog! Miss you Sydney-girl! We got a camera today so be sure to SKYPE us!>