Gone to Soon

Shyla and Madisyn

On October 19th my nephew's and his girlfriend, who was 39 weeks pregnant got into a car accident.  My nephew Josh was driving and they were T-boned on her side of the car.  She and the baby died at the scene.  My nephew had only cuts and bruises, and the 16 year-old-boy that hit them walked away with no injuries at all.  They were planning to get married.  She had just finished school for her CNA and the week before.  They had so much to live for and it was all taken away in a moment.  It just doesn't seem fair.

His life has been full of so much tragedy and loss.  He's 24 now, but when he moved into our home he was 14.  He and his brothers and sisters were taken away from their mom by the county and we and other aunts and uncles assumed the responsibility of raising them.  When he lived with us he did well, but once he turned 18 he moved out and never finished high school.  He's got learning disabilities and social problems do to his childhood, but Shyla saw past all that.  She was able to see the caring, loving, great guy he is.  We always said how great she was for him.

Today, Shyla and Madisyn were buried with family members in a small cemetery in Central Minnesota.  I worry how Josh will ever heal from this devastating loss, but I know the pain will ebb eventually, and I am determined to do everything I can to help and I know my husband will to.

Gymnastics

Our little girl starts gymnastics lessons tonight.  She is extremely excited.  I told her on Monday as we were getting into the car after I picked her up at school.  She screamed so loud that everyone on the playground must have thought I was kidnapping her or something.  It's a good thing I had gotten out of the car and talked to her teacher before we left, so at least they would know I wasn't doing anything illegal.  In the car she couldn't hold still and was bouncing on the see.  Then she said something a bit disturbing.  "Hurry up and get home, I need to break something."  -huh?
So, it seems that she has a problem redirecting good energy/emotions as well as the bad emotions.  I helped her through it and offered her options to this excitement and need to break something.  She jumped around in the yard until she fell down and had to rest .
A little bit of disappointment, because she's coming down with a cold, but I am hoping she can still enjoy herself and is not feeling too bad  when I pick her up from school.

Sorry

I want to apologize to everyone that I have been gone so long.  I will make a more lengthy update later.  All is alright with us.  We have much news to report.  Gigi was able to spend some time with her sister Hope a few weeks back.  We have also been able to spend some time with our Duluth family and a bunch of our friends.  School is going well so far.  She's happy with her class and her teacher, but is having some problems with disrespectful behavior that bleeds into our home life as well.  She just started back with Girl Scouts and was thrilled to catch up with all her friends.  More to follow...

Osowski Family Picnic

This past weekend weekend was very busy.  On Saturday we had our second annual Osowski family picnic.  Gigi was so excited, and so were we.  We had a great time last year, but this year was even better.  We had a better  turn out and we were at a park that had a beach and a boat launch, so we were able to do water activities.  My mother-in-law even had games and prizes for the kids to do.  They had a wonderful time

We were all really tired after being outside for 12 hours in the sun, but we had Sunday to recuperate!

Update

Just a quick update to say that all is well at our house.  Gigi has been able to talk to her sister almost daily and we have plans to see her in August!  Seems she now lives in a different state, so it's not so easy to get the girls together.

She's enjoying her summer program and they have been keeping her very busy.  She's gotten to do a bunch of fun things, like water parks, and crafts, and things like that.  It makes me feel a bit better about her not having the summer off like other kids do.  I seem to remember being pretty bored during the summer when I was a kid, so maybe that's not such a bad thing.

Finally

I finally tracked down Gifti's sister's daddy.  I had a text conversation with him today and he promised that Hope would call Gifti tonight.  I tried to pin down a time where we could get the girls together, however that was not confirmed.  He did say that it would be fun, but didn't want to talk about it anymore.  I hope that we can get a meeting together soon.  It's been far to long since they have been together.

Jerry's Cousins

This past weekend we had a visit from Jerry's cousin Shannon and her husband Mike.  We have awaited this visit for a while now, but our schedules have not made it possible until now.  Shannon has a half sister, Kierra, that older then our Gigi, but had a bunch of stuff that she had saved and wanted her to have.  We have been fortunate that they like the same things.  Kierra gave Gigi about 50 books, some clothes, winter jackets, toys, and even a bike that is just like new.  We are so blessed to have family that are so generous.

Tonight my sister will be spending some time with our little girl.  She called last night to ask if she was busy.  I think they will play bingo at her apartment complex, and maybe go swimming.  I am glad that my family takes such an interest in my daughter.  It gives me such a warm fuzzy.