...cleaning grandmas...

As many of you know my grandpa passed away in January of 2008 and just this past November my grandma was killed in a car accident. Our family cleaned out her refrigerator the day of her funeral to avoid rotting food... locked all of the doors... and left. People have gone in and out to check on things and to do quick cleaning but no one has lived in the home since her death 4 months ago.

My uncle had a friend who needed a home in a quick hurry so the decision was made to clean out her home in time for the new renters. My parents left early monday morning and started digging everything out with my aunts, uncle, and a couple of cousins. They worked hard and got a lot of the furniture and most of the belongings out. They all decided its just too soon to really go through and either d.i., garage sale, divide or garbage any of their things SO... they rented a nearby storage unit where their things will be until this summer when we can, as a family, go through everything.

I kept in contact with my mom all day monday and tuesday morning. They were starting to feel a little overwhelmed and tired not only because of the physical labor but the mental and emotional ache they felt cleaning out the house. SO... Caden and I decided Tuesday after we both got off work we would go help out! We did the 3 hour drive in 2 1/2 and got their at 6:30 to start helping with what we could. We cleaned until 11 and started back home again.

I was so sad to think that this no longer was "grandmas house" and their things would never again be where they used to. I have so many memories of that house. However, it hasnt been the same since their deaths. There was never a time when you would enter that house without a loud shout of "Well... HELLO!!" or a huge hug! The emptiness was definitely felt once they were gone. It was also a huge relief to think that they are together and that we werent preparing their house for renters while we moved them into a rest home.

What a great knowledge the gospel is! To know that we can families are forever and it doesnt end here is such a blessing during such sad times. I will miss this house BUT it was fun to get to see things and to recall passed events and memories that took place there. I miss my grandparents but I will always remember the warm and welcoming feeling in their home and I will always try hard to make sure Caden and I have a home as welcoming as theirs.

Caden cleaning... he cleaned so much he cleaned his hand off!

(ok.... NOOOT really... i did a little photoshop because of his obscene gesture.. guess thats what he gets for always doing that ... a chopped off hand!) BUT thank you Caden for all of your hard work! :)

dani and jason in the "backroom"... this was our FAVORITE room growing up... the best place to play teenage ninja turtles, ghost busters, and have sleepovers with all of the cousins

Grandmas bedroom

and of course this post based on grandmas house wouldnt be complete without a picture of her favorite part of her.. her much used oven and stove...