Mar 5th ~ Craig's Aunt Wanda had called a few days earlier inviting us(along with Craig's parents) to the Purdue/Iowa game in Indiana where she lives. 

So we decided to make the spur of the moment trip out to Illinois in order to meet up with Craig's parents and drive out to the game together.

 

Mar 6th ~ Craig's parents, Craig, Natalie, and I all woke up early to go to the Pancake Breakfast over at St. Mary's Church in Bloomington.  Then we took the van and headed out to Aunt Wanda's home in Lafayette, Indiana!  Of course, Craig just had to fly his Hawkeye flag on the way there...we stopped quite a few times to fix it since it was so windy!  Aunt Wanda took us out to her new barn before we went to the game.  Our dogs had a great time playing with her dog, Aussie.  We had so much fun at the game!  Iowa beat Purdue by 3 points...GO HAWKS!!  Natalie had a blast looking at all the activity and listening to the band play.  After we left Lafayette, Craig's parents took us to The Beef House Restaurant in Covington, Indiana.  It was my first time there, and the food was excellent!

 

Mar 7th ~ It was time to go on back to good 'ole Iowa!  On the way home, we stopped at St. Francis Hospital in Peoria to visit the White/McLaughlin family.  Heidi White is a friend from Calvary Baptist Church in Normal, Illinois...Craig has basically known her since kindergarten.  We had gotten word that she had delivered her baby boy the day prior, and that she and the baby were both having complications.  The baby had 2 surgeries and is doing well.  Heidi suffered a brain bleed and is not expected to make it.  We did get to see the baby through the NICU window, but were not able to see Heidi at the time.  It was so awesome to see how many family and friends were at the hospital to offer prayers and support!  So please, if you are one who believes in the power of prayer...pray for Heidi White, her husband Andy, and baby Drew.

 

Mar 10th ~ Craig and I received word today that Heidi White passed away late in the afternoon.  It is such a sad day...but now she is home with her Lord.

Thank you to everyone who prayed for Heidi.  Please continue your prayers for the remainder of her family and friends.

 

Mar 11th ~ After Craig got off work we headed out to Bloomington, Illinois once again for a busy weekend!

 

Mar 12th ~ We piled in the van with Craig's parents and drove over to Monticello, Illinois to see Grandpa Essington at the nursing home.  We all had a nice time visiting with Grandpa and keeping him company at lunch time.  Little Natalie smiled at and "talked" to all the residents there. It was so sweet!  Craig's cousin, Gay, also showed up and brought over a milkshake for Grandpa and baby gifts for Natalie! 

 

Later that night we went over to my Aunt Diana's house to visit with some more family.  Natalie got to see her Great-Grandma and Grandpa Fleming, Great-Aunt Diana and Uncle Mark, Great-Uncle Jerry, and second cousins Tara and Amber.  Tara's fiancee, Jason, was there as well.  Natalie was quite tired and cranky from the cold she had, but she did smile a few times!

 

Craig and I then went to the movie theatre for a late showing of "The Passion of the Christ".  We are so glad we got to see it on the big screen.  Even if you are not a believer in Christ, you will surely appreciate the movie for the great art that it is...the way the scenes are shot makes you feel as if you are truly there and the music is beautiful.  I think it really touched both of us, and we will always remember the images we saw and the emotions we felt.

 

 

Mar 13th ~ Today was the day of Heidi White's funeral.  We brought Natalie with us for the service, but Craig's parents had offered to take her home as we drove to the grave site.  It was a beautiful service with many songs, a video collage with memories of Heidi, and an audio tape of Heidi speaking.  There were so many people that attended...it was like nothing I have ever seen before.  After the funeral we had lunch at the church. 

 

Late afternoon we stopped by my dad's house for an hour or so.  Natalie got to spend some time with her Grandpa Bair and his girlfriend Deanna.  Unfortunately we didn't stay too long...Natalie was in need of a long nap by this point!

 

Later that night my good friend, Sara Emberton, came by to sneak a peek at Nattie.  Sara and I took a short trip over to the mall for iced-coffee and a little shopping.  I got to see Sara's nice, round pregnant belly (she is due with her 2nd child in May) and talk for awhile. 

 

 

Mar 14th ~ Craig, Nat, and I went to church over at Calvary Baptist.  We decided to stay there for lunch and to talk with some people we hadn't seen in awhile.  Then we went back to Craig's parent's house to finish packing up the van to return to Iowa.  On the way home, we stopped to attend the memorial service they had for Heidi at Morton Junior High School where she taught choir.  The junior high students performed music and read things aloud that they had written for Heidi and her family.  There was also video of Heidi leading her choirs.  It was a great tribute to a wonderful, young woman.

 

 

Mar 20th ~ Tonight Craig and I experienced a little of what it would be like to have TWO young children in the house!  We babysat Madelyn Schafbuch for a few hours while her parents attended a party.  Her mom and dad are Bob and Laura (from Lamaze playgroup).  Madelyn is only about 10 days younger than Natalie...so it was really interesting to see the similarities and differences between both girls.  Overall it was eye-opening, but also fun!

 

 

Mar 21st ~ Craig received news today that Curt Jackson passed away on March 19th following a motorcycle accident.  Curt (like Heidi) was also a highschool classmate of Craig's. 

 

Mar 22nd ~ Craig left for the evening to go to Curt Jackson's visitation in Tremont, Illinois.  Natalie and I opted to stay home since I wasn't feeling well. 

All these tragedies that have been happening...such a confusing time right now.

 

Mar 25th ~ Good news!  Natalie is sleeping through the night now!  I am just saying this to make it "official"...she has slept 10-12 hours straight for 4 days in a row now! 

 

Mar 31st ~ Tonight we met up with the other three Lamaze families to have a "Families Night Out".  All the moms, dads, and babies had pizza at Falbo's!...well, of course the babies didn't have pizza...haha!  Jason and Paula Caylor were more than gracious by treating us to dinner at their expense.  They own the restaurant and are part of our group of friends from Lamaze.