1/28 - Greg had decided he wanted to go see his grandfather one more time (he had stage 4 melanoma), and so he flew out early Friday morning. We knew grandpa wasn't doing well, but we didn't expect him to pass away this day. Greg and his mom were there with him along with his caregiver Karen when he passed away that afternoon. The kids and I were at Grammy and Gramps house hanging out and having dinner.
Grandpa was a wonderful man and grandfather and we are going to miss him very much!
1/29 - Greg came home today from Odessa so we could drive out as a family for Grandpa's funeral.
1/30 - We drove 6 hours to Odessa with the four of us and Aunt Cindy. The kids were pretty good. Kasey watched Kung Fu Panda about 3 times but it kept her content. Landon watched Cars - he's actually started to venture into the special features because he's seen the movies so many times.
If you don't like gross dont read this - we stopped at Wataburger for a bite to eat. Landon was feeling terrible, and threw up on the tray - all we had. Then a little later - Kasey also threw up her entire dinner. We think she just choked on something. Needless to say it wasn't a great experience, but luckily it wasn't crowded.
1/31 - In Odessa it was beautiful (in the 70s) so the kids played football & soccer outside and we took them to the park for a little while to run around. Some of the other family that was able to make it to Odessa came over - Audrey, Steven, Kathleen & Basil. I was glad they got to see the kids some. That evening we went to the viewing. We kept the kids in the back room playing for a few hours, and then when the viewing was over we had them close the casket and took the kids in to see the video of pictures and say goodbye. I think that Landon understands, but Kasey does not. He understand that Grandpa has died and gone to heaven.
2/1 - Of course it got REALLY cold over night (in the teens) and snowed which it doesn't really do in Odessa, TX. We got bundled up and made our way to the funeral home. I ended up outside for most of it because Kasey wouldn't sit still, and Landon had to go to the bathroom, etc. They are 2 and 4 so I didn't expect much different. Greg's dad Tony got up and talked at his dad's funeral. I really wished I could have heard his talk as everyone said it was great. He thanked Greg's mom and Grandpa's special friend Nadene for all of the help they had given to take care of Grandpa. He also told some fond memories for different times in their lives. He got choked up a couple times, but commented that he was waiting for the train outside to pass (there were trains for some of the instances).
It was really cold so after the service just immediate family went to the graveside and we had a quick prayer and said goodbye.
Grandpa's church made a great lunch at Grandpa's house for the family. This ended up feeding us for days.
2/2 - 2/5 - At this point the weather got bad both in Odessa and back in Dallas. It was snowing, really cold etc. So we decided to stay a few more days in Odessa. Back in Allen school was cancelled Tuesday - Friday, Landon's soccer and swim were cancelled, and Kasey's Gymboree was cancelled. Basically everything shut down with the weather. Greg's dad, mom and sister drove back to Dallas on Wednesday - it took them 16 hours to get back (usually a 6 hour drive). We considered having me and the kids fly home Friday, then it snowed another 6 inches in Dallas so that was out.
A lucky thing was that it was cold in Odessa, but the roads weren't to bad (better than Dallas). We were able to get out. We went to YMCA to take pictures of lifeguard stands that had Grandpa's name on them (he donated money to the pool at the YMCA each month and used it all the time up until about a year before he passed on). We went to lunch at a great place that my co worker's mom owns Yana615 - We had a great lunch there and stayed warm. We went by Nadene's house to visit and let the kids play - they like her toys. We took Kasey to her first big screen movie - Tangled on 2/2/11. She actually sat through most of it. We were the only ones in the Theater so it was fine. We took the kids to Gatti Land to eat and play.
Thursday night Kasey got sick while eating dinner. We thought that she just choked again. She went to sleep a little early, and then woke up at 11:30 and had gotten sick again in bed. She also had 102.3 fever. I ended up sleeping with her in a chair because that was where she was most comfortable. She got sick a couple more times. Kind of like Landon she was sick for about 12 hours then got better. We all got up around 8 and Kasey and I went to the front bedroom and slept again until 11. I haven't done that in a while.
We decided to drive home as a family on Saturday. The day was beautiful, temperatures were above freezing, and if we hadn't seen pictures on facebook we might not believe that there was a lot of snow and ice all over Texas. The roads were pretty clear. We did see a couple trucks on the side of the road.
On our trip Landon did a lot of coloring in some coloring books that I get the kids for Christmas. He was doing really well coloring in the lines most of the time and using different colors for different things. Grammy had gotten him a books of things to do for Boys and he did a lot of this as well, using stickers, colors and counting to several activities with various themes. Kasey did some coloring as well, but not in the lines (which is good at her age).
I think we'll be glad to get back to a normal schedule next week....
CLICK HERE to see some pictures
Douglas Harvey Myers Obituary
April 6, 1921 - January 28, 2011
Douglas Harvey Myers, 89, of Odessa, Texas, passed away Friday, January 28, 2011, at home. He was born April 6, 1921, in Osage County, Oklahoma, to O.H. and Julia Myers. He graduated in 1940 from Burbank High School in Oklahoma. Later he moved to Odessa where he worked in the oil fields of the Permian Basin and Alaska. After retiring, he spent his time delivering for Meals on Wheels and popping popcorn at MCH. When not volunteering, he could be found at the YMCA swimming, working out or visiting with friends. He was also active in Sunday school and Church at Second Baptist Church of Odessa.
Doug was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Bessie; son, Paul; parents, O.H. and Julia Myers; brothers, Tracy, Troy and Harry Myers and sister, Gilda Myers Pebble.
He is survived by his son; Tony Myers and wife, Janice, of Richardson, TX; grandchildren, Greg Myers and wife, Dana, of Allen, TX; Cindy Myers of Euless, TX; Julie Myers Heniford and husband, Jack, of York, SC and Heidy Myers of Denver, CO; great-grandchildren, Landon and Kasey Myers of Allen, TX; brothers, Travis Myers and wife Helen of Schulenburg friend and companion, Nadene Meachum of Odessa, TX and many nieces and nephe, TX; Harvey Myers and wife, Pat, of Ralston, OK and Basil Myers of Muskogee, OK; his sister, Audrey Myers Pickert and husband, Everett, of Kansas City, KS; a very special ws.
The family would like to thank the staff of Home Hospice for their kindness and support. We would especially like to thank his caregivers, Karen and Mary for enabling Doug to remain in his home where he was comfortable. We would also like to thank his many friends who visited him and kept his spirits high. He will be greatly missed by all.
Family visitation will be Monday, January 31, 2011 from 5-7 pm at Sunset Funeral Home. Funeral service will be Tuesday, February 1, 2011 at 10:00 am at Sunset Funeral Home Chapel with Randy Duckett officiating and burial to follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Doug’s memory be given to: Meals on Wheels of Odessa or the YMCA of Odessa.
We finally got the letters up in Kasey's room - 2/6/11
We moved Kasey to her big girl bed - She was very excited. We have positioned her sideways because she moves around so much at night. 2/6/11
I got to see Jaime Anderson's twin boys in Austin - Drew and Alex (~3 1/2 months old). 2/12/11
I even got my picture with both of them :) - 2/11/11
On the way home form Austin saw mom and dad in the airport - they were on their way to Florida for a cruise. 2/12/11
This is from Asher Cook's Birthday - it was cool science experiments - 2/12/11
Landon and his friend Liam - 2/12/11
Justin, Liam and Landon showing off their jewels that they had panned for - 2/12/11
Kasey panning for jewels - 2/12/11
Kasey getting ready to open Valentines gifts from us, the Grandparents & Fredel - 2/14/11
Landon wishing I would put the camera away so he could open his Valentines presents - 2/14/11
Landon's indoor soccer team - Raptors - 2/15/11
This was at Landon's friend Evan's birthday party. Kasey had fun as well - 2/19/11
Landon jumping on trampoline - 2/19/11
Landon and Kasey in the sponge pit - 2/19/11
Landon playing in the big ball that you could roll around in - 2/19/11
Hanging from the bars - 2/19/11
Kasey and Landon helped me make muffins then they enjoyed licking the spoon and bowl - 2/20/11
Tried on new swimsuits - 2/20/11
Landon at skating wearing hockey skates for the first time - No toe pick - 2/21/11
Celebrating Grammy's birthday - 2/27/11
Eating uncle Julio's for Grammy's Birthday - 2/27/11
Silly Landon (not his beer :)) - 2/27/11
The kids with Grammy and Greg's really good banana pudding - 2/27/11
Resting after a good meal - 2/27/11