The Grandma Hobbs story

Bizzare post, but I wanted a place to put this so that it would never be lost!
This took place in the winter of 2013. I sent this email to mom on February 19, 2013, right after Brody had turned 4. You can see the post below where she asks me to send her the story of Grandma Hobbs.
This occurrence, even 5.5 years later, has brought so much peace to my grandfather's soul. He knows without a shadow of a doubt, that Grandma is in Heaven, waiting for him, and working to make us happy. The comfort he gained from Brody has been remarkable to say the least. 
I do not doubt this experience one bit. I remember when Brody told me, I was stunned...almost speechless at the way he described what was happening. He was little, so little, and had we had only ever told him that Grandma was in heaven. The details were all his.
Grandpa speaks of this frequently to Brody, calling him his "special boy". It has made a bond that cannot be broken. Brody, now 9, has a hard time understanding the magnitude of this experience, because he is still so young. He feels bad now because he can't remember it happening, which is completely normal. Grandpa however, knows every detail and clings to them. He knows that Brody was chosen to bring comfort to him, amidst his pain, and that this experience was one of the many tender mercies that Heavenly Father has granted him since my grandmothers passing.


Email:
So we were on our way to mom and dads house and Brody starts telling us about when he saw grandma. We of course thought it was grandma Kappes when he corrects us and says no, grandma Hobbs. I ask "where did you see her?l" he replies "in heaven. She lives in heaven." He then said, "she was with a man, an old man, but not grandpa Hobbs." I asked him if he knew  the man and he said "yes!" I said "do you know his name?" He said, "yes." I asked what it was and he said, "actually I only know it when I'm in heaven, I don't know it here."

So that was the first day, sometime mid to late January. 

A week ago I spoke with grandpa Hobbs again and he told me to tell Brody that if he saw her again to tell grandma that he loved her and missed her.

The next night I was in the shower and he was in the bathtub, in the same room. I thought it was a good time to see if he could tell me anything else. I asked him if he had seen grandma again. He said "yes, in heaven." I asked who she was with and he didn't reply. I asked what she was doing there and he answered immediately, "working to make us happy" I asked what she was wearing, he said, "clothes". I asked what color and he didn't reply. I then told him that if he saw her again to tell her that grandpa Hobbs loves and misses her. He replied, "okay" and that was the end of that.

Typed this on my phone! Sorry if it isn't written with proper punctuation, etc...

Kris said it best when he said that he believes that it was verification from the Holy Ghost that what we believe about life after our mortal life is true. The things Brody said go in line with our beliefs perfectly, and yet these are not concepts we have taught him yet. Pretty amazing stuff! 

Love you! 

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 19, 2013, at 6:33 PM, "Janet Kappes" <janetkappes@gmail.com> wrote:

> 
> Grandpa, Cindy and Tracee wrote to me today asking if I can give them the details of Brody's visits with grandma Hobbs.  I told them you would have to be the one.  Of course, they don't want you to keep at 
> him and have him add new elaborate details.  Could you just write in email form what he has said and what you have asked so daddy and the girls can read it.  Maybe copy me and send it to daddy, Cindy and Tracee.
> 
> It isn't urgent but they are interested.   I just sent them a copy of mama's prayer that week before she died.  I found it the other night with the scrapbook things.
> 
> Hope things are going okay with you and all the boys this evening.
> 
> Love  Mom

Braxton turns ONE!

Most days, after the kids are in bed and I have had a chance to regain my breath, I wish I could rewind and have the day to do all over. Often I wish I could rewind months, even years, and relive everything again. Braxton turning one has been incredibly difficult for me. Thinking that realistically, this is my last baby to turn one, my last year of firsts to experience, the last time I will haul around the Carseat, or snuggle a baby as he eats, is so very depressing to me. Being a mom to my three wild men keeps me constantly frazzled, and forever grateful. I already miss the stages they go through and get so upset that I cannot remember all the cute things they have said and done. I feel like life is going by so quickly, I don't get to actually take it all in. Braxton turning one made me realize this even more.
I love my babies with every fiber of my being. I love being their mom. I fear for what lies ahead for them, but am so thrilled that regardless, I will always be their mother. I hope and pray that when all is said and done, our Father in Heaven will give me the opportunity to clearly remember all those precious memories that might have "slipped" of my children as babies, toddlers, etc... I hope I get to remember exactly what their sweet little fingers felt like in my hand, or the way they said momma.
I now see why some people want more and more children. Leaving behind these years and knowing they are never to be seen again must be incredibly hard to do. For now I will try to enjoy each moment, steal all the snuggles and hugs and kisses and hand holds I can get, and thank our loving God every single night that he picked me to be a mom, their mom.
Happy birthday Braxton. I knew you would bring such joy to our home, but I never imagined it would be so much. You are silly and ornery, opiniated and wild, snuggly and wiggly, active and alert, and absolutely adorable! Brody loves you more each day and Bentley thinks you are so fun! I swear eah morning brody sees you he says, "There's my baby! hey Braxton" and then priceeds to hug you, and play with you like you are the very best toy/person in the world!
You love to ride the four-wheeler, play with cars, chase your brothers, eat watermelon, clap your hands, wave at everyone, throw back-arching fits, chew on my phone, snuggle in the morning, bear
crawl through gravel, dance to music, sleep only on your tummy, blow kisses to daddy, make the
worst mess when you eat, and climb anything within your reach!
I love you and although I am sad you will never be "less than one" again, I know you will continue to bring me inexplicable happiness and joy in the coming weeks, months and years. You are my little Braxton boy, now and forever! Happy birthday sweet boy!

Halloween 2012

Halloween was wonderful this year! We had a full day, starting with pumpkin pancakes, peaches and orange juice! Bentley reacted to the dye in the pancakes and had a very red face for about an hour! After bathing and getting ready for the day, we went to see a house that Kris is remodeling and then go $.50 corn dogs at Sonic! After that we hit up the new indoor bounce center and the boys LOVED it! Brody helped me make some witches brooms and green pudding for the church activity, the kids napped and then it was time to get suited up! We attended the church trunk or treat in Owingsville and with a turnout of about 150 people, had a grand time! Food, games, friends, and loads of candy helped make the evening perfect! Brody told me all day, "today is Halloween! It's finally Halloween!" The weather was awful beforehand, due to hurricane Sandy, but right as it was time to go trunk or treating, the rain let up and the kids were able to do their thing! 

 Brody was excited for two whole weeks before the big night and about a week before, was able to assist his Grandma Kappes in making his Polar Bear costume! He wanted to be a skunk, but told us "Grandma didn't have the right ingredients to make it", so he settled for his bear costume! She had plenty of white fur and although mom complained she had no clue how to make a polar bear head, I think she did an amazing job! He told people he was a scary polar bear and would then growl at them! He has grown up so much in the past two months, which is hard for me to witness, but so fun at the same time! When it came time to trunk or treat, I figured he would hold my hand and stay with me like last year. Boy was I wrong! He took off all on his own, and was about 6 cars ahead of me the entire time! Hard to let go of my baby sometimes...

Bentley really wanted to be a bear, and would say "I'm a bear!!"  but I knew he would grow far too fast and the darling lion costume wouldn't fit him next year. He was content with it and really liked when we put the whiskers on his face! He was a champ the whole evening and never once complained about his huge head piece! He stuck right by my side pretty much the whole night and after about ten cars, warmed up to saying "trunk or treat" quite nicely! He loved holding his pumpkin bucket and you could tell he was shocked that people were just freely giving him candy! I do believe he was the most loved costume of the evening!

Braxton, my sweet little guy was the world's cutest cow in Blake's old costume! I was kinda bummed he was too small to wear the penguin, since both Brody and Bentley wore it their first Halloween, but seeing as how he was born in a completely different season and is much smaller than the other two, we had to find a different option. Kristin offered up the cow and I couldn't say no! He snuggled with people in the ward and watched, wide-eyed, at the commotion. As always, he won the hearts of all with his sweet personality. 

After we left we stopped at Mom and Dad's to show Papaw the boys in their costumes. Dad was busy helping with the community trick or treating event and wasn't able to go to the church function. He loved seeing the three wild animals in person! 

We really had a great time! I always get sentimental when I reflect on days like yesterday. Seems like life passes by so quickly and I have no way of slowing it down. Most times I wouldn't mind a pause button for life. The boys will only be small for such a short time and it just seems unfair that time literally has to fly by! Nights like last night help me slow down a bit and enjoy the moments that will someday mean so much.  I am so blessed! 

Ready for it to be DONE!

We have wanted to sell our house multiple times over the past few years and start the process of building a new one, but I knew no one would live here with the yard in its current condition. So I gave Kris a list of things he could do to improve the situation and he has been hard at work on them...when he has any free time! (Which is RARE!)

Now a few week in, I am ready to officially be done! The boys have ruined countless outfits with the dirt, the place looks quite horrific and I need to check something off my list before I am chasing another little boy through all the muck!

Tomorrow is Saturday, which means another work day for Kris, and another day of occupying Brody and Bentley so he can actually get something done! Praying tomorrow is a bit more productive than some days in the past! And really hoping for good weather and no more dirt piles in the very near future!!

So lucky!

Sorry to all, if any who follow my blog, for my somewhat drawn out hiatus! Life has been busy and I haven't thought twice about blogging! Things are going well and Brody is getting bigger each day! We are so lucky!!! Kris is busy working and I'm busier working! haha! Watching Brody and doing the laundry of a 6ft 6 inch man takes a LOT of time! Brody's first birthday was a success and Kris will be 28 in just a few weeks!! Times flies!

Loving his broom and dustpan! What a good little helper!

ahhhhhhhhhhh! Love this kid!

Wrecking Havoc as always!

Asking for something else to play with...guess the dustpan can get a little old!

Brody getting involved in the Easter Egg action with the rest of the kids at church!

Brody and his favorite person in the world, Taylor!

Dad and Brody hunting some eggs!

He loved throwing the eggs into the basket!

A few of the egg hunters at church! They had so much fun!

Love my little purple shirted man!

This kid loves noodles and sauce! So much so that he covers his whole body in it!Brody loves to sort through my basket of random things! He takes the stuff out and puts it back in again!

December Happenings...

I am a horrible blogger. I have come to terms with it! I aspire to be like my dear friend Jen, although I know that is not even possible! Instead...if you would like to have the most up-to-date info on me, you can check my facebook. I find one line status updates and mass picture uploads so much easier to handle...especially since Brody can tear my house apart in the time it takes to type 2 sentences! I hope all is well with everyone and that you all have a wonderful and blessed Christmas season! Love to you all!Brody's first letter to Santa...hand delivered by the stud himself!Brody's first snow of the winter season and Appalachian Arts and Crafts Festival! He doesn't know it yet, but he got two beautifully handmade trucks!

Brody's first encounter with Mr.Claus himself...at Morehead's Hometown Holiday.
Making cookies at Kourtney's! He had so much fun with the kids!Brody showing off his teeth and two-sided personality!Brody getting ready to look at the lights at the Southern Lights display held yearly at the Kentucky Horse Park.
Attempting to take some holiday card photos at Kourtney's and failing miserably. Kris and I were in them too and I deleted ALL OF THEM! lol! We'll try again later!
Eating some grub at the ward Christmas party! Tons of food, friends, and fun!
Brody very upset over meeting Santa the second time around! (Santa being played by a dear old family friend!)

Love!

I love this child! He is getting way too big, way too fast! Life is busy right now! Will update later!

Family Pics

Kourtney was a fabulous sister and took some pictures of us the other day. They are a late gift to my mother-in-law! I don't know what was harder...corralling the older Barnett boys or getting Brody to smile! Regardless, I think they turned out great! Here are a few...

Future Dentist

hi!

i am a big boy! i love my stroller! and i love you!

7 month check up

Well our little guy went to the doc yesterday, a new pediatrician that we absolutely LOVE! Her name is Brandy Fouch and she is in Mt.Sterling! So excited to have a real pediatrician for him and to get sane answers to our questions.

Brody is growing like a weed and all is well! He weighed in at 25lbs 3 oz and is 30 inches long! He is in the 99th percentile for both height and weight, which is great with me!

He got three shots, cried for about a minute and then was my sweet, happy boy the rest of the day! I am so lucky! He really is the best kid!