Grandma Ida (or Edith, as she brazenly called herself)

This past week, on 3/22, my grandmother passed away after a long battle with Alzheimer's. I used to take my Poppy to visit her before he passed away almost three years ago. We would watch the old time variety shows with her, as she loved her music so very much.

Both Poppy and Grandma Edith taught me to be proud of my Italian heritage. She made the very best Italian cookies, and I leaned how to make the Christmas soup from him. I will always remember the times I had with them.

Yesterday, my cousin Courtney gave the most amazing, beautiful eulogy of Grandma Edith's life. It was a very special way to honor her memory.

This was her obituary:
http://www.chaseparkwaymemorial.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=1430213&fh_id=12319


On the way home from the funeral I heard this song and it made me feel a little better...

Praise You In This Storm lyrics, by Casting Crowns
Songwriters: Hall, Mark; Herms, Bernie;

I was sure by now
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say, Amen and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain, "I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls I raise my hands
And praise the God who gives and takes away

And I'll praise You in this storm and I will lift my hands
For You are who You are no matter where I am
And every tear I've cried You hold in Your hand
You never left my side and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry, You raised me up again
But my strength is almost gone
How can I carry on if I can't find You

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain, "I'm with you"
And as You mercy falls I raise my hands
And praise the God who gives and takes away

And I'll praise You in this storm and I will lift my hands
For You are who You are no matter where I am
And every tear I've cried You hold in Your hand
You never left my side and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

And I'll praise You in this storm and I will lift my hands
For You are who You are no matter where I am
And every tear I've cried You hold in Your hand
You never left my side and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

Books!

I've always been a book worm...and I'll pretty much read anything. Tim has gotten frustrated with me more than once for ignoring him to read a cereal box. That being said, I haven't read any new books lately and have been interested in reading a few. I need some recommendations from you all! Here are a few books that have caught my eye lately...

1) The Hunger Games triology - I have heard they are awesome and would love to read them all!

2) Bloom by Kelly Hampton - it is a book about this woman's life after she has a daughter born with Downs Syndrome. I read her blog, and you should too, she is amazing! It is called Enjoying the Small Things.

3) Wednesdays were Pretty Normal: A Boy, Cancer, and God by Michael Kelley - looks like a good book about faith.

What do you all think?

After this weekend I should have a few fun catch up posts - we are celebrating Miss Emma and her upcoming wedding! Can't wait to see all the ladies and celebrate on St. Patty's Day!

Just a thought...

So, according to the Gallup survey,Boulder is the least obese metro area in the country (and as you know we lived there for a year and a half), and Bridgeport/Stamford/Norwalk metro area is the second least obese (which is where we now live). I thought that was pretty darn cool and remarked to Tim that we apparently like to live in the healthiest places in the US. He pointed out to me that in Boulder, people are not obese because they are really active and eat healthy...and here, people are not obese because they are crazy stressed from working too much and not eating enough.

I'm just going to pretend it is because this area is also really healthy and active. And then maybe I will continue to be really healthy and active haha :)

Here is the article if you have an interest in reading!
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/03/07/skinniest-and-fattest-us-cities-revealed/