Saying Goodbye

(Grandma Sally and Nico, Memorial Day 2014)

On February 18, 2001 (14 years ago today, actually), my Grandpa Schwartz, my Dad's Dad, died.  After over 50 years of marriage, living without my Grandpa for the last 14 years was probably the hardest thing my Grandma Sally had ever done. How perfect it is then that on the anniversary of his passing she should be with him again. 14 years was long enough to have to be apart.

Most of my life was spent growing up less than a mile from my Grandparents, and I was often told how lucky I was, and I never took it for granted. Lots of laughs, games, and baking. Easter always meant she made too many hard boiled eggs than an army could eat just so we could have more to dye. She made or (later, when baking became more difficult) bought our birthday cakes each year. At Christmas, the question wasn't whether she would make a pie, but (1) how many and (2) what kinds? So many stories and sweet memories.

I haven't been able to get these song lyrics out of my head. Yes, they may be from a movie with Muppets, but the sentiment is spot-on. 

Saying goodbye, going away
Seems like goodbye's such a hard thing to say
Touching a hand, wondering why
It's time for saying goodbye
Saying goodbye, why is it sad?
Make's us remember the good times we've had
Much more to say, foolish to try
It's time for saying goodbye
Don't want to leave, but we both know
Sometime's it's better to go
But somehow I know, we'll meet again
Not sure quite where, and I don't know just when
Your in my heart, So until then
It's time for saying goodbye
Somehow I know, we'll meet again
Not sure quite where, and I don't know just when
Your in my heart, So until then
Wanna smile, wanna cry
Saying goodbye...

Love you, Grandma. You will be missed.

2014 Comes To An End

(Monico "Nico" Ernesto De Leon, 23 months old)

Another year has nearly ended, and we are excited to see what the new year brings! As for 2014, it included:
*Change in work: Monico moved from Selah's intermediate school to the high school (still SpEd), which meant he could no longer continue as Assistant Athletic Director (boo!), so he has instead started tutoring (yay!) after-school 3-days-a-week.
*Developmental progress: Nico learned to crawl (January), walk (August), talk (October), sing (December), dance (October)... every day brings a new skill!
*Change in future plans: Melissa let go of plan to become SLP (and move back to Seattle to go to UW) and made new grad-degree plans (to be shared once grad school accepts her!)
*Road trip: visited Utah friends and family for first time in 11 years (since moving away)
*Medical scares: Nico's week-long hospitalization for respiratory infection (in April)
*New friends (through work and school) and family (niece Leilani born in July).

2013 was a tough year in this house, with so many high-highs (starting with the very-early arrival of Nico), and then an incredible low with the tragic loss of someone special. 2014 was part of our continued recovery, and with each success we found hope and happiness again (with majority of credit given to our little "elf" above).

Looking forward to all the amazing things that 2015 has in store, including new challenges and success!!

The De Leon's -- 2014

I'm tired of seeing my nearly-two-year-old post at the top of my blog, so I'm adding a posting so I can see something new. Hello 2014! (Sorry to skip you, 2013, but I was busy.)

This photo was taken by my sister in law, Brandy, Easter Sunday (4/20/14) at the Yakima Arboretum. Nico wasn't very happy posing for photos, so we gave him his precious Blunky (his blanket-bunny snuggly) to hold... and chew... and then he was much happier. As a result, most photos have him with his buddy's ear in his mouth. Oh well, it's a memory-maker for sure!

Nico is 16 months old tomorrow (he'd be just over 14 months if born on his due date) and is still working on a lot of his developmental milestones for a one-year old, including walking and talking. We are still waiting for that first word. (Fingers-crossed for "mommy.")

I am finishing up my 2nd year at Central Washington University (CWU). Because of missing a term last year (academic maternity leave-of-absence) and because I haven't taken full classloads this year, I am roughly 7 classes (30 odd credits) away from graduating, so my status as a "Senior" will continue on through next school year. BUT, I've got summer off, so YAY!

Monico is finishing up his 2nd year teaching at Selah Intermediate School as a resource room special education teacher teaching math and English/literacy. He also worked as assistant athletic director to the school district during the 2013-2014 school year. Starting in this fall, he will be moving to Selah High School to continue working as a resource room special education teacher for English/Literacy and life skills -- he's VERY excited about moving back to work with older students!

It's been a crazy couple of years, with lots of changes -- moving to Yakima, buying a house, having a baby, working, going to school (among other things) -- and we are excited to spend another summer together... no school, no work... just us.

Until next time...