Home Sweet Home

Now that the dust has settled and our bags are unpacked, I've finally found a chance to write about our week last week. We didn't take the camera, but came home with much more than pictures could ever have captured.

On Monday, January 18th, Rob's grandmother Elanor, a.k.a Grambo, passed into God's arms at the glorious age of (almost) 95. While it wasn't completely unexpected, it was still sort of a shock to most of her family and friends. She was Grambo! She didn't give up! Her 80th birthday present to herself was to go heli-hiking in the Alps. She wasn't one to take life lying down, she was a wonderful person to all who knew her, and I heard her described more than once as a "firecracker!" Even though I only met her one time, her memory will be lasting, and we won't miss a chance to tell our children about her.

Tuesday morning we headed to the airport (early) and after three flights we landed in Cleveland, OH, around midnight. During one of our layovers Rob got a call from a company he applied with and was able to do a phone interview before our next plane left. Perfect timing! :) Hopefully he'll get to do a second interview in person at the beginning of next month, but more on that later.

The rest of the week was full of family time, good food, fond memories of Elanor, and exploring the city. Even though there was some sadness, it was a great way to spend the week and we know we won't soon forget our time there. It was nice to get a chance to meet (and catch up with) more of the Shankland family!

Friday morning we got up at 5:00 am, which is really 2:00 am for us west-coasters, and headed again to the airport. Flying at 6 months pregnant is uncomfortable enough, but being that tired didn't help things! We made it though, thanks to Rob. He's a wonderful daddy already!

Papa moose flew with us to Chicago, and from there he went home to Denver, and we flew to San Francisco. After 2 delays and a gate-change, it was getting late and we almost decided to just rent a car and drive home! It's only about 15 hours, we can do that, right? Yeah... Um, I'm pretty sure someone would have ended up walking home if we'd tried that... I was *a bit* cranky by this time. I'd like to take this opportunity to again thank my wonderful husband for not leaving me at the airport and continuing home without me. It wasn't the most friendly day I've ever had. Sorry, honey. :)

At long last we made it home, and I think I lasted about 20 minutes before falling dead-asleep on the couch. But what a week it was! We are so blessed to be a part of a family that loves each other so much. It was more than obvious that Elanor was a driving force in the family, someone that helped to mold and shape many of the kids that came through her home (Rob being one of them!) and she will be greatly missed. I think Rob said it best: We're sad for ourselves but happy that she's home now with God.

Thank you, Elanor, for all that you were to all of us. You'll be in our hearts forever.