McReynolds Family Blog: LONG hiatus from blogging

I have taken a long hiatus from blogging. When I first took a break in the summer of 2012, it was because there were some events that I just did not want to write about or document. Now I have realized that I have missed capturing some wonderful memories over the past year.

I will attempt to do some catch-up posts.

Starting with the largest event that led me to stop blogging over a year ago. My Dad had to be hospitalized on May 21, 2012 after suffering what everyone thought was a hemorrhagic stroke. After several promising recovery weeks, Dad took a turn for the worse. This prompted the doctors to take a closer look with a MRI. After the scan, it was confirmed that my Dad had glioblastoma multiform (Stage 4 brain cancer). The tumor was so large and spread throughout his brain that treatment (surgery, chemo, radiation) was not an option. Two days after the diagnosis, Dad was moved to FirstHealth hospice where he was treated and cared for during his final days. In his final moments on earth, he was told (by my Mom) how much he was loved and respected by all. My Dad passed away on Thursday July 5, 2012 peacefully with my Mom at his side. We had a beautiful funeral service for him on Tuesday July 10, 2012, followed by a luncheon at Pinehurst Course 7 (my parents home golf course).

Other than saying my final goodbyes to my Dad, the hardest thing to do was help write his obituary. Together with my mom and brother (on the phone), we put together this:

We love you, Dad/Pappy!!!!

The rest of July and beginning of August was spent quietly at our home in Virginia.

Avery playing with her friend Ford

Avery and Ford (the "twins")

Avery and Ford in the inflatable pool

Avery eating some corn

Owen and Avery hugging on each other

Owen helping Daddy put together a picnic table

Avery went through a phase where she would fall asleep at lunch!!!

About six weeks after my Dad passed, we lost Clint's grandpa - Papaw - on August 19, 2012. He suffered a stroke and also passed peacefully. His life was celebrated on August 21, 2012. The following day we announced to friends, family and Clint's employer (at the time - Otis Elevator) that we were moving back to Texas. Clint had accepted a job with Thyssen Krupp Elevator as a Director of Sales Training in Frisco Texas. We did a quick house hunting trip and put an offer on a newly built spec house. American Legend built the house in a neighborhood called "The Arbors at Willow Bay"

The move happened VERY quickly. On Sunday September 3, 2012, I put Clint, his Mom (Nonnie), Owen and Avery on a plane to Texas at 7am. With Nash and some essentials for living in temp housing for two months in the back of our Chevy Traverse, I continued on to Raleigh NC to pick up my Mom. She and I made the 14.5 hour drive to Texas! On Tuesday September 5, 2012, we moved into our temporary apartment with the hopes of selling our Virginia house and waiting for American Legend to finish our new house.

Here are some pics from our time in temp housing: