Can't Wait for Christmas

Seems like forever since we have all been together. Can't wait to see everyone on Saturday, Dec 27. This is going to be a difficult Christmas season for me. It will be like a roller coaster - there will be happy - there will be sad. For me, this being the first Christmas without Mama will be extremely weird. That is why I can't wait to be with everyone else who is missing her too. I find myself missing her more lately. Needing to talk to her and not having her to call. Feeling the weight of the things I can't remember for Mr EH because I just don't know them. I hope we can plan something easy and fun to eat and things to do. I hope it is warm so we can fish and walk and play basketball.
We have been blessed that GOD has watched over Caroline this year, and that she is doing so well. She is amazing to me. It is funny. She wishes she was organized like me. Organized - how exciting? Yet, she still walks through a church like she did when she was little - everyone loves her. She is so creative. See CREATIVE and LOVABLE - those are exciting!!!!
Can't believe Courtney has her license - BE CAREFUL. That Kelli will have hers soon.
Time is flying by. Muffin turned one in November. Mandy is having a "hard" time with all the younger cousins growing up.
I pray that everyone will have safe traveling for Thanksgiving.
Love to everyone!

The Gurkin's Christmas Travels... (1,120 mi – about 19 hours 59 mins)

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No more braces!

Just wanted to add a picture of Sam after having his braces removed on Tuesday. He looks so much older to me...

Sam did have his first (and hopefully only) run in with the law this week. Our VBS was this week, and the theme was "Cosmic City." We decorated the inside of the sanctuary like a spaceship. Anyway, Sam's job each night was to wear his dad's flightsuit and helmet while the kids were coming in while playing "space" sounding music on the keyboard.

On Sunday night, he decided to wear the "costume" up to the grocery store. Well...someone saw him, got scared, and called the Sheriff's office. So...Sam had to explain to the kind officer that he was 13 years old and was dressed up for VBS. I'm glad the officer was very understanding.

Mike, Brooke, Landon, Ella, and Eli attended VBS at our church last week. There is a really cute video of Eli waving on Brooke's blog. If you get a chance, go check it out: http://www.joycekids.blogspot.com/. The video's at the bottom of the July 14th post. She also posted some great picture of Mama Amy on her May 9th post if you haven't seen those before.

I hope everyone is doing well. Love, Caroline

Gurkin Update

As some of you may know, I've been looking for a teaching position closer to home. (The 35 minute/26 mile commute had gotten old and expensive.) Anyway, I've been interested in one school in Raleigh. A lady from our church is the music teacher there and she was helping me get my foot in the door. I met with the assistant principal a couple of weeks ago, and this past Monday I met with a couple of fifth grade teachers. On Tuesday I received a call from the assistant principal telling me that he had recommended me for the position. Wake County ultimately has the final say, but typically after being recommended it's just a rubber stamp. I sent my resignation letter to Harnett County on Friday, even though I haven't "officially" been hired by Wake Co. My new school is Green Elementary; it is on a year-round calendar. I will be teaching on Track 3. My first day is Monday, and students return to school on Monday the 7th. To see the calendar check out the following link: http://www.wcpss.net/Calendars/2008-09/08-09-year-round.pdf

Josh is still working hard in the lab. I don't really understand anything that he does, but I do visit the lab from time to time to keep him company. Abby is doing well. She has enjoyed having me home for the last 3 weeks. I think she may be a little sad when I go back to school.

This past week our church held VBS. Josh and I taught second graders. We had between 6-8 boys every night...no girls. Let's just say that we left each night exhausted. Overall, we had a great time, tired or not. We still find ourselves singing the VBS songs in the car. Haha!

We miss you all!

Looking forward to a get-together soon!

Sharon and Josh

Feeling better (from Caroline)

Hello everyone! I am happy to say that I am feeling better and better each day! I think I have my full range of motion back, and I can once again sleep on my side with no pain.

We will be leaving in a little while to head to Raleigh to pick up Kelli and Sam. I have missed them a lot, and I hope they had a great week. I will spend tomorrow washing clothes so they can repack for their mission trip to West Virginia. They leave on Monday.

I called my surgeon's office today to ask if I can start lifting weights again, and they gave me the okay. I have read that weight lifting helps ward of osteoporosis, so I need to get back to the weight lifting before I start taking my Femara.

I had a great time with Papa. We were able to visit Aunt Peggy, Aunt Eula, Uncle Johnny, Aunt Christine, and Aunt Betty over the few days I was home. We did get a lot accomplished, and I think Papa is doing better each day. Like all of us, the grief still hits hard when it hits, but he is grieving in a healthy way, and I am very proud of him.

Chuck had a good birthday...He took a nap when he got home from his trip, and we went to Red Robin for dinner. It was yummy!

I guess I don't have much other news. I look forward to our next family get-together. We'll have to try to put something on the calendar soon! Love, Caroline

No Bloggers out there...

Good morning - I am feeling purple (which is alittle past blue). I don't know why exactly. Steve got home a day earlier than usual this week. We are going to Wilmington on Sunday to move Mandy to her house. She signed a year's lease and has a wonderful roommate. Sharon has 2 interviews today and will have a birthday tomorrow. (Happy Birthday, Sharon) Muffin is great. She cleaned Caroline's feet and Mr EH's shoes this week. (I think Mr EH REALLY likes her.) The child support "issue" has kinda sunk in. So...see...I don't know exactly what it is.
I will meet with Mr EH and the monument people tomorrow. I am feeling alot better about him. First, Caroline helped him clean out the cabinets and refrig - science experiments are now gone. I think he is ready to take care of some things. Caroline was very pleased with him - He talked about Mama several times and didn't cry. THAT is an improvement. He will have pizza with the Cancer Center staff on Monday. That is something he has been wanting to do. Caroline worked with Pizza Inn, told them the "story", and they are giving him a great deal. That will mark that off his mental list. Saturday when we finalize the monument - that will also take a big item off his mental list. I think things like that will help. He is getting invitations to eat out alot which is good. AND the greatest thing of all - the GM Card came this week and he is now using it. I thought I was going to have to go to the corporate headquarters to pick it up. We are up to date on the thank you notes from the funeral. And all the accounts have been taken care of. Caroline contacted AFLAC and hopefully that will be moving along soon.
So I was thinking...how about a golfcart for Mr EH for Christmas, etc? I need to know who is in on it so Steve can start looking. Caroline rode him around on mine. I think it would be much safer for him than the 4 wheeler. He could use it to get the mail or ride to the graveyard, etc.
I am going to set up a list for "checking out" Mama's books. As Caroline, pointed out - if neighbors or church members ask to borrow books, it will make them feel better about signing them out if they see we are signing them out too. Eventually, I hope everyone agrees that we donate them to Maple Grove...but that is sometime off. We are going to start pulling some stuff together to donate to Piney Grove's yard sale. Mother kept EVERYTHING. Maybe we can do it together - but if not, whoever helps - we will make a list and let everyone approve before donation - but it will be Mr EH's final decision. But it is something Mr EH really wants to do.
I miss everybody. Say a prayer that my purple goes away. Say a prayer for Sharon's interviews. Oh, Happy Birthday to you too Chuck.
So does anyone else have time to Blog???
Love - Beth

Sibling withdrawal

Today it has been a week since Mama went to Heaven. I go back and forth. Smiling because I know how happy and whole she is...sad because I can't pick up the phone and call her. I fear I will let her down with the responsibilities she left for me. She has been preparing me for this time, but she still thought she had time to tell me more. I remember in the hospital the second time she was adamant that I listen to all kinds of things I didn't want to hear. Please continue to pray for me - that I "will do her proud." I know that I really won't let it sink in for days - maybe weeks.

And I think she would have been very happy at all the time we were able to spend together. I say it again - it is a sad thing that we are all so busy that it takes BIG things to get us together. WE have to do better because I am going through sibling withdrawal. Crecia and Jamie that includes you too...you have always been like sister to us. I will be glad to come to the "piedmont" to visit. :)

Ronnie - A huge thank you for the love and care in making the DVD. It was awesome and will be something we treasure forever.

One of my friends from work was at the funeral. She said at the grave, "Wow, your mother was a special person." I think the service was a wonderful celebration.

Billy - I will never know how you did it. Mama would have been very proud. You were always her baby boy. :) Your words were a wonderful tribute.

Love to everyone -

My Blog

I'm trying to get back into the habit of posting on my blog too. I've put a feed of my blog, which is here on the right hand column of the family blog. If you have your own blog and are interested in having it linked here, let me know. No new real news from the Gurkin household though, other than Sharon went to the Wake Co. Sch. Job Fair on Saturday and had a few good interviews.

Introducing Muffin

Hi - Some of you have had the pleasure of meeting Muffin, but I wanted to formally introduce her to everyone.

She is precious.

Love - Beth

Another birthday...

Thank you to everyone for the birthday cards and calls. Billy and I have decided to have the fun part of birthdays...cards, gifts, hugs...but not do the addition so we are remaining the same age indefinitely. :)

I had a wondeful birthday. Steve was supposed to be out of town, but his appointment was canceled. When I got home from work, he was there with flowers, a card, and a cake. He also took me out to dinner. BUT his being home was the best present of all.

Muffin continues to be a special gift from God. It is amazing how smart she is and how special she makes me feel. Mandy was home this weekend for Heather's wedding so Muffin and Fendi played alot. Muffin was very tired after her sister/niece left. Yes, we have a loop in our family tree. See if Muffin and Fendi have the same dog mommy, but Mandy is Fendi's person mommy and I am Muffin's person mommy and I am Mandy's mommy...what does that make Fendi and Muffin...see the confusion?

Our new sanctuary is almost finished. We are getting so excited and would love to have everyone visit our new church soon.

So now it is someone else's turn to post...

Love - Beth

Great Easter

We moved Mandy into her new house in Wilmington. We really like her roommate. Thanks to Josh for coming and helping. I just don't like to carry heavy things. Muffin had her first hotel stay. The Choice Hotels is a pet-friendly hotel. She was great and enjoyed seeing Fendi.

Mama goes tomorrow - March 26 for her report on the bone marrow biopsy. She should start her chemo very soon...maybe even this week.

Easter was great. It is one of my favorite holidays. And Steve was home for 4 straight days!

Love - Beth

UVA, Here We Come!

So my advisor has decided to move to UVA. Our group will be moving sometime early to mid 2009. I have a lot of questions to be answered between now and then. I'll post again when I have more info.

An update from the Joyces

Mrs. Joyce had her one month checkup today following her shunt placement and is now able to drive again. She continues to see improvements, and the doctor considers her surgery a success!

Speaking of surgery, please pray for Sam tomorrow. He will have outpatient surgery on his nose to try to stop his recurrent nosebleeds. He arrives at the surgery center at 9:15 AM. Hopefully this will be a more permanent fix. He also will be getting a referral to Duke or Chapel Hill to see a hematologist in the near future. He will have a blood study done to see if he has the clotting factor disorder that Billy and I have.

Chuck and Kelli went to Grace Community to help feed the homeless tonight. Our church sponsors the meal every third Wednesday. Tonight they feed approximately 160 people in Greensboro. It's a very humbling experience to see so many homeless people in our city and to realize how appreciative they are for a hot meal.

I hope we can all get together soon. Any chance we can meet in Wake Co. sometime?

I'm adding a picture I love...

Love, Caroline

A place for our story...

One of the things I think will be neat with our Blog is it will be a place for the story of our family. Sapping - probably - but that is what happens when another April is almost ready to roll around another year. Steve is gone again :( But will have off Good Friday. We will be moving Mandy to a different place this weekend. She is really excited. It is a house with a fenced in backyard and a wonderful mature roommate. We still need to figure out what we want to do for Mama's 70th birthday.

Love - Beth

Changes

I made a few changes to the blog layout...blue in honor of Mama's favorite color. Let me know if you liked the other one better. Kelli was able to get the picture to show up. I'll try to add more pictures when I have more time.
I sign Kelli up for driver's ed today...hard for me to believe!
Caroline

Hello, from the Padgette's

I am challenged so don't expect lots from this end. I am trying. We are fine. Staying busy. I am in Atlanta this week for a conference. Ronnie is doing therapy on his hand and staying busy with photography and basketball games. Bryan is working hard and staying busy. Ashley is working hard at school and staying busy as a bee. Boy do I remember those days, Youthink they will never end.
Thanks Beth for going tomorrow. Please call Ronnie or I when you have some news. I don't know if I will be able to get on line tomorrow.
Love you guys and thanks for doing this Caroline.

Thank you to Caroline

I wanted to thank Caroline for taking time to set this up. I think this will be a really great way for everyone to keep in touch.
I plan on going with Mama tomorrow for her visit with Dr. Crews.

News from the Gurkin Household

So, if you haven't already heard, Sharon and I may be moving. I hope we don't have to, but it is a possibility. My research advisor told us last Thursday that he has two offers from other universities to move his research. One option is UVA; the other is Iowa State. I'll find out if he's accepted either offer or NCSU's counter-offer in the middle of next week. We'll then have to make a decision on where to move (either move ourselves or me move to a new research group). Due to the unique nature of the research, it would be difficult to switch groups and not lose (or at least partially lose) the ~2 years of research I have done. My advisor is very kind and gracious. He understands the difficulty that this is to all the group members, especially to Sharon and me. I told him that Sharon needed one more year of ILT teaching to have her full NC teaching license and he thought that maybe he could leave us behind for a year and then move!! His willingness to work with people is one of the qualities I especially admire about him. Please be in prayer for us as we go through this process during the next few weeks. I'll let you know when something is official.

That's all for now...

We have a blog!

I have created a blog for our family. I will send you instructions for getting on to add a post if you'd like to add anything. Caroline