Our sweet Poppy

Poppy and Maysie
Originally uploaded by Hendu Family

My grandfather, Randall Garland, passed away today. Poppy, as he was known to his great grandchildren, was always such a gentle soul. Up until his last day, he was most concerned for those around him. This picture was from last weekend, and our final visit with him. We named Maysie after him, so it was so special that we captured this moment. It was so sweet to see him with Maysie, knowing that she was just beginning her journey and he was so close to the end of his. My mom had sent me this story recently about how when people die, their headstones usually reads the year they were born, a dash, and then the year they died. The author of the story wanted to make sure that while it's just a dash between the years, it's SO MUCH MORE! The dash between his years is bursting with love! Poppy lived such a wonderful life, always caring so much about the people around him. Over 30 years ago, he and my grandmother bought a beat up cottage on Martha's Vineyard, and 32 years later, the memories are in the thousands, This was the first summer that they were unable to make it to the Vineyard, and it truly was not the same. We will honor his life and his memory in a service once all the family comes together. Oh, Poppy, thanks for being such a sweet and dear man.
Donations is his honor can be made to:
MVCMA Tabernacle Restoration Fund, P.O. Box 367, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557
http://www.mvcma.org/tab.htm

Happy Birthday Emma!

Emma nose best
Originally uploaded by Hendu Family

Emma turns 6 years old today. Emma joined our family in 2002, when we were living in a condo in Brighton. We were told that we needed to carry her up and down the stairs for a couple months when she was a pup, to help keep her hips healthy. I used to race home at lunch to take her outside and would carry her up and down the stairs. We would walk her on Comm Ave and she would get so nervous from all the cars and the T. When we were planning our honeymoon, we decided that we wanted to do something where we could take Emma with us. We rented a camper and traveled around for a couple weeks, with our lady Emma. What an adventure we had! Happy Birthday Emma Blue Henderson!

And then there was LUKE!

maysie, Katie, Abigail, and little Fitzwater
Originally uploaded by Hendu Family

We are so happy to welcome Luke Fitzwater! Maysie is psyched to not be the baby anymore........
I am so proud of my big sis. We can't wait to meet you Luke.

enjoying her sister

enjoying her sister
Originally uploaded by Hendu Family

Piper loves her little sister, as every day when I pick her up from daycare, she asks "Where's Maysie"? If she ever notices that she isn't in the rrom with us at home, she asks the same thing. She likes to watch her sleep, and if Maysie starts to cry, Piper get's to her first to bring her toys. She sings her songs and likes to get the teething rings out of the fridge for her. What a caring little soul Miss Piper is. What a lucky mom I am.

So sad to go

Such wonderful teachers
Originally uploaded by Hendu Family

Friday was the last day at Beechwood on the Bay, as the girls daycare closed for good. It was very sad, as the teachers were so wonderful to the girls. We start the girls in a new daycare on Monday and even Piper's BFF will be going there too! We sure will miss the wonderful ladies from Beechwood though.