One
of the blessings of this time of year is the chance it gives me to
connect with you, my friends and family. Although a lot of us follow
each other on facebook and know most things that go on in The Blady
household, I feel a Christmas letter is still necessary and personal.
This
year has proven to be a very challenging year for me and for my
family. I start every single year saying “This is going to be an
amazing year.” I am sure the things that have happened have,
happened for a reason, I am still working on the reason :) The first
thing that happened this year was the passing of my grandfather. He
had been in a nursing home for about 2 years and we had grown very
close. We were never that close growing up but he became a very
important person in my life. He was not happy in the home and I know
that he is in a better place. Also in January we went on a trip to
Hot Springs Arkansas with our best friends. It is always nice going
on trips with them. Our kids are all best friends as well and we have
a blast anywhere we go. February was not so positive. My dad was
diagnosed with glioblastoma stage 4 brain cancer, which is terminal.
I flew to North Dakota immediately and met with my sisters so we
could be with our dad. It was the hardest thing to hear and to see
him was even harder. He was in such a great mood and he acted as if
nothing was wrong. He is a strong man and the last thing he wants of
his girls is for us to feel bad for him. He was given 4-6 months to
live, so I decided that it would be best for me to stay there with
him, so he began radiation soon after. It was 2x a day, and it was
the most aggressive radiation that they could give him. During that
time we also began chemotherapy in the pill form. After the 6 weeks I
decided that I wanted him to come home with me so he could spend time
in Louisiana, he had planned for years to come down here, and I
wanted my kids to be able to spend some time with him. It went by so
fast.
He
went back , and about 3 weeks later, when the kids got out of school,
I drove up there with all the kiddos. One the way we stopped and saw
my mom and we also went to Ouachita National Park in Oklahoma , Then
it was off to North Dakota. We spend the whole summer up there. The
kids LOVED being on the farm. I can not think of one single thing
they did not like about it. The love all animals, tractors, the
family, EVERYTHING! They could definatley handle being farm kids one
day. The Gefroh family was so extremely hospitable for keeping us so
long. Gavin was even able to fly up there for almost 2 weeks to spend
time with us and dad. He was there for my dad's birthday and for
Fathers Day which was very very nice. During the course of the summer
it was time to admit my dad into a nursing home. The doctors said
that there would come a point where we would have too and that point
came. It was so hard, I cried for what seemed like forever but I knew
it was the best decision. At that point he could not walk anymore and
was always so confused. At one point before he went in he drove his
vehicle over an hour because he had to go to his shoe factory, which
is nonexistent.. He was becoming a danger to himself as well as
others with this behavior, he just did not know what he was doing. I
could tell you so many stories of crazy things he said or did, he
always made me laugh. I was able to take him out of the nursing home
whenever I wanted to though, I just had to help him into the car and
pack up his wheelchair. I was happy that I was able to take him to
the farm and on little outings.
Summer
was ending and it was time to get the kids back home so they could go
back to school. My mother in law was so gracious to fly to North
Dakota to drive back home with me so I would not have to do it all by
myself. We took the kids to the Badlands and to The Rocky Mountains.
It was amazing, so peaceful and beautiful. It was cool to see snow on
the tops of the mountain in late July. The kids had a really nice
time seeing so much this year. They saw Hot Springs National Park,,
Ouachita National Park,, The Badlands, and The Rocky Mountains. They
are some lucky kids!
After
school started I was on my way back to North Dakota with Lucas in
tow. Boy that was a looooong drive just me and him, but we
made
it. We spend every single day with my dad, he actually won a trip
from the Dream Foundation for adults with a terminal illness. They
gave us a trip to Yellowstone, it was such an honer to receive that.
Unfortunately we were unable to go, my dad got sick and had to be
admitted
into the hospital the day before we were scheduled to leave.He had a
lot of lung issues and they believe that the chemotherapy has burned
his lungs. So I had to make the decision of taking him off of chemo,
I believe it was Gods way of keeping us in Bismarck so I would be
there for what was about to happen.
In
the beginning of September we received a call that my stepmother had
passed away at the early age of 35. My dad had 4 children with her
and they needed someone to be there for them since their dad was sick
and their mom was no longer here. For the next 2 ½ months I lived in
a hotel room in Bismarck with them so they could stay at their
current school. My mom was able to come and help me, which was a
blessing, and she was also given the opportunity to spend time with
my dad. At one point during the summer my mom, dad, me, and both of
my sisters were able to be together. Soon we began legal proceedings
so we could have the children placed. Gavin and I knew that we were
not able to take care of all 4 of them since we have 3 of our own, so
God put the Merks into our lives. Our families go way back and they
are great people to help take care of my siblings. Gavin and I took
guardianship of my twin 7 year old brothers, Wade and Weston, and The
Merks took my 3 year old brother Wyatt and my 9 year old sister
Madison. They are adapting very well and are very loved.
This
school year so far Abbey has been dong very well in school, she is
now in the 5th
grade. I can not believe she is already in 5th
grade, time goes by way too fast. She has joined band this year and
she really enjoys playing the clarinet. She has grown up so much in
the last year, I see so much of myself in her and its amazing to
watch her grow into such a beautiful young lady. She is ready for
spring to come this year because she wants to play softball this
year. I can't wait to see her out on the field.
Nathan
has been busy with football. His team made it all the way to the
Superbowl this year, just so you guys know, football is a really big
deal here! The Superbowl game was the only game I got to see him play
this year and although they lost, it was amazing to see him play. He
really has a lot of love for the game. Now that the season is over ,
he still plays football in the front yard every day and takes his
football to school so he can play at recess :) In school he does
great, he makes straight A's and is a very smart kid. He is also
excited for the spring so he can play baseball again, he is
definitely a sports lover!
Lucas,
well he has been with me all year so he has a lot of fun at the farm.
He has went out seeding, combining, bailing, you name it and he has
been out doing it on the farm. We have done a little homeschooling
here and there with him and man he picks things up fast. He is
growing too fast as well. My little guy is going to kindergarten next
year so I am taking advantage of all this time that I have with him.
Mid
November I was able to finally go home. I was able to spend some
incredible time this year with my dad and God has given him way more
time than anyone expected, and I am truly grateful. He was able to
spend quality time with all of his children and we all were so lucky
to spend this time together. When else in life would we be able to
come together from so many states to be together like we used to when
we were little. I am now home, and we are all adjusting to being a
family of 7 now. Oh goodness 7!! The twins are adjusting very well
though and so are my kids. Nathan is acting very grown up lately, He
now is a big brother to 3 instead of 1 , Abbey is such an amazing
help, and Lucas, well he is cute.
Well
I am sorry that this letter has gone on so long, but I just didn't
know how to some this all up in less than I did. Believe me, I could
have made it longer! Thank you for taking the time to read this
letter, I wish you all the Merriest Christmas Ever and the Best New
Year! Remember to cherish your family this year because you never
ever know what is in your near future.
Love
The Blady's
Gavin,
Amber, Abigail, Nathan, Lucas, Wade, and Weston
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