The Birth of Rediger Cousins - 7.16.12

As we mourned the loss of Grandpa Vernon last week, we welcomed two new babies to the family 2 days later. Life just has a funny way of keeping us on our toes and reminding us how precious our time really is and the cycle of life continues to serve as an ever-present reminder to enjoy the days that we are given.

Baby Matthes' cousins made their arrival on Monday, July 16th, and we couldn't be more excited! Clara Isabelle weighed 6 lbs. 4 oz and Levi Jacob weighed 7 lbs. 5 oz. It is going to be pretty crazy to have 3 new babies in the family all within 5 months' time!

We are so very excited to watch these two miracles grow, and can't wait to share many memories together with the Rediger family. Since I grew up in a town without any family other than my parents and sisters, I am so excited that our kid will have grandparents and lots of cousins that live really close. Dan thinks of all of his cousins as siblings, and I am so excited to get to pass that on to our kids.

Here are some pictures from birth-day:

Uncle Daniel holding Levi Jacob.

Love that little face!

Mama and her baby girl.

Sweet little Clara Isabelle.

  

Proud Uncle Daniel and his sister and her twins.

It is crazy to think that that will be us in 5 months! Can't even wait, but looking forward to enjoying and spoiling these babies!

Grandpa Vernon

These past few weeks have been tough for our family. On Wednesday, July 11th Dan's Grandpa Piening passed away at the age of 93. He was laid to rest on Saturday, July 14 at the Pleasant Dale Cemetary. Up until about 3 weeks before his passing he had been living at home. He was blessed with 3 great kids whose families took turns and took him dinner every evening, helped him bathe, shave, etc. We were honored to have the opportunity to set time aside to go take him dinner and spend time with him when it was our turn.

He was one of the most amazing, respectable men that I have ever met. He was so very grateful for everything the Good Lord had blessed him with, and his view on life was always so inspiring. We loved to go sit and listen to him tell stories of his days of military service, or the great times he had with his friends and family. Since I first met him over 5 years ago, I had heard him say countless times that he had had a good life, and he was ready to go when it was his time. His wife, Alvina, passed away right before Dan and I started dating about 5 years ago, and though he never seemed to complain, he must have been lonely without his lifelong companion. I am just so sure he is so happy being in heaven with her, and what a blessing it is to have peace in knowing that.

There is no doubt that he left a very special legacy on his family and all those who had the privilege of knowing Vernon. As we were at the cemetary for the burial Saturday, I watched his grandchildren who had the honor of standing by his side one last time. What a proud Grandpa he must have been in heaven watching those young men stand there as paul bearers in honor of him one last time. It brings tears to my eyes to think of that moment; it is something I will never forget.

I am so very proud to have married into the Piening family. Truly, the aunts, uncles, cousins and family are some of the very most special people one could ever meet. All of the men are gentle, sensitive, respectable, fun people who treat their family with the same love that Vernon showed them. They had one of the most honorable role models in Vernon, and I am so thankful for that.

Dan's cousins, Tyler and Trevor, at our wedding. July 2010

Bob and Lois Upton, at our wedding. July 2010.

His legacy continues with the beautiful, loving family that he built. We are thankful to have had so many great memories with him. We sure will miss you, Grandpa Vernon.