So many new things!

We've been in Corpus again... its becoming our home away from home away from daddy. We (that is, Linc and I) have been helping Nani get settled back in and feeling better after her week long stay at the hospital.

Jay came down for my FIRST mothers day weekend, it was lovely! We took Nani to lunch, had a fabulous fish fry with Mom, Granddad, and Gramma Iene, and Dad let me sleep in while he played with Linc. Super sweet!

On Mothers Day Linc decided to feed himself! Up till now he had a great time playing with food but was not the least bit interested in inserting it into his own mouth. It was so exciting!

Then yesterday, Monday, he crawled! Now I can't take my eyes off him or he's trying to eat electrical cords!

I found it

After Baba passed, we started looking at pictures. One of the many directives he gave me in his last days, and in the last 10 years, regarding his funeral was that he liked those picture shows that they did these days and he wanted one at his funeral.

I think I went into autopilot once he was gone and wanted to just stay busy. This was a great task for me. We went through lots and lots of pics at home. Old ones from when he and Nani were dating, ones of their wedding, of daddy when he was little, then me. Maybe the best ones were from his Marine days, looking all handsome and sure of himself at the ripe old age of 19.

I couldn't find my favorite picture. I had it at home, in Dallas, but I couldn't find Nani's copy and although the core group sent many other awesome, great favorites, this one alluded us. We put all the pictures together, 50 in all, for the show. It turned out well.

I was so happy to get home and see this picture. It just sums him up perfectly. The denim pearl snap shirt and jeans. The cap that someone gave him with mesh in the back so his head didn't get too hot. The little grin he always had when he was happy or someone forced him to smile. The glasses and cell phone in his front pockets and the expandable band watch. I have no doubt he was wearing his favorite black tennis shoes from Walmart.

Mostly, his hands are the focal in this picture. Those big ol' meat hooks were Baba. They represented who he was. A big man, a hard worker. He passed them on to Dad and they were my favorite part of him too, apart from the mustache.

I think I am just starting to realize that he is gone for good... at least from this world. I know I'll see him again, but I really, really miss him now.

(almost) 10 Months

Lincoln,

We've missed a few months, but I will try to catch up. Life has been crazy. God is good, He answers prayers and sometimes all at once. We sold our house, moved, went to Corpus to see Nani and Baba came back, went to Houston, then back to Corpus, then back to Houston, then back home. I'm thankful you wont remember this time because we lost Baba, but I'm sad that you wont remember how wonderful he was.

You haven't lost many meals. You still breastfeed but also eat 3 meals a day of baby food. Veggies, Fruits, Yogurt, Puffs, and Meat combos are all in your repertoire. You like it all! You don't feed yourself yet, you like to play with puffs or bananas or apples or whatever I put in front of you but you so far are completely content to let me shovel in the goods while you play. We're working on that. Look at those butt cheeks! You have no chance with my butt and your fathers... we are a family of bubble butts. I love it that your size 4 diapers cant fence you in!

We had your first Easter in Corpus. Baba was in the hospital but we went to church anyway and had you dressed up so cute! I had really cute shoes for you but you did not like wearing them and preferred instead to chew on them. We took you to the hospital and snuck you in to see Baba even though he was in ICU.

Later we went by Charlotte's house and you two opened your Easter baskets and chewed on your eggs. The bunny outfit above was given to you by Nani for Easter... so cute!

You are such a happy baby. You smile and play all the time, and as long as you have some toys are pretty happy. You hate it when I put clothes on or off of you but you LOVE bath time and kick and kick and drench your mama. You love being outdoors and anytime you are fussy I can just walk outside and you are instantly happy. When we were at the ranch with Baba we would put you in a chair on the porch with your friend Trey and you were happy for hours.

You don't crawl yet, but you spend a lot of time lunging and sitting, scooting and rolling. You still manage to get across the room fairly easily. You hold onto mama and pull up onto your knees now and each time you do you smile and laugh, very much pleased with yourself. I think you might skip crawling and go right to walking, then I'll be really busy!

We went to your friend Charlotte's first birthday and you love balloons. My goodness, you watched them and played with them for hours! You are "all boy" - always grunting, grabbing and kicking. You love it when I say "What does a lion say?" then ROOOOAAAR! It makes Charlotte cry and you laugh.

Your uncle watched you while mama and dad went and looked for houses and you were good for a long time, but then you got tired and fussed at him. It was pretty funny, and I don't think uncle will be volunteering to watch you anytime soon.

We are buying a new house, one we will be at for a long time I hope... I think you will love it. We love you so much little buddy...

Love,

Mama

This turtle never had a chance

We (might) have a new house!

So we found a great house and put an offer in on Tuesday. And they accepted it - just like that! No counter offer, no haggling, this is the way to buy a house! I hate the negotiations. I know many people, including Mr. Foy, love this part of the buying/selling process but I do not. It makes me sweaty and nervous and I'm not very good at playing the game.

Anyhow, Its a really nice house, and I'm very excited to show it to all of you as soon as I can... The option period has begun. Wish us luck!

Home Sweet Home

Well, not really but maybe soon. I'm in Houston now at my Brother-in-laws house and am trying to find a home. I think we found one, and are planning on putting an offer in today. Its not in the First Colony like we wanted, but we like the neighborhood a lot and the house is really great.

I was in Corpus until Sunday helping Nani get things taken care of. The funeral was really nice, a lot of people came and Andy, Wes and I spoke. I'll probably post what I said here soon. I dont think that it has sunk in for me that Baba is with Jesus. I still think of him riding around at the ranch, taking care of his deer and cooking tacos for Oscar.

I am really really ready to have a home again. This gypsy life isnt for sissies. Poor Linc must think we're homeless. Next week we're planning on coming to Dallas, to pack and hang out for a bit. Does anyone want a cat? Or need a rent house? If so leave a comment here!

Thanks for all the calls, texts, and flowers. It means a lot.

Baba

Johnny Gene Kalenda, age 76, passed away 9 April 2010 on a beautiful spring afternoon at his beloved Ranch in Duval County. He was God's great steward of the land to the end. He was born to Rudolph Kalenda and Albina Mikus on August 30, 1933 in Granger, Texas. Johnny was a proud Marine who served in the Korean War.

He is preceded in death by his son, Terry Kalenda and Johnny's siblings.

Johnny is survived by his wife of 54 ' years, Shirley; his beloved grandchildren: Julie and husband, Jay Foy, Austin Kalenda, Jay and Kathryn Wieder; brother-in-law, Ed Cooper; sisters-in-law: Nelda Mucha and Elsie Mucha; great-grandson, Lincoln Johnny Foy (his namesake); nieces: Lanna Warren, Judy Bowman and Nancy Bohnenberger; as well as several other relatives, friends and ranch family who were the greatest joy and blessing in his life.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at Seaside Funeral Home.

Funeral Service will be at 10:00 a.m., on Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at Seaside Funeral Home Chapel.

Interment to follow at Seaside Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to, Covenant Baptist Church and Marines Toys for Tots.

To view tribute, please visit www.seasidefuneral.com.