A Birthday and Skating Party

We girls (and Mom) recently went to a friend's Birthday party. Below are some photos. Enjoy!

Camille, Caroline, Alex, Ally, Andrew and Angie

Yours-truly, Amy, Ally, Caroline holding Angie, Abby Y., Abby, Camille and Andrew

Sweet friends: Amy, Abby, Abby Y., Allison, and Camille

Camille, Amy, Abby (behind me) and Allison

 

The Y. family's newest addition: 2-moth-old Ava  :) She's such a cutie!

Phoebe holding Ava and yours-truly

L-R: Amy, Andrew (behind Angie), Camille Abby Y.

Ava

Camille holds Ava as Abby Y. watches. Allison is in the background.

Sweet Nichelle A. playing 'Happy Birthday'

Katherine, Anna, Abby Y., Aaron, Lizzy, Camille, Caroline, Alex, Niasha (or "Na-na") and Ally

Abby reads my gift/card to her. It was 'Happy Birthday' in about 13 different languages.

Group photo. R-L (Backrow): One of the skating "rink" workers (Tiffany A.), Niasha, Abby Y., Amy, yours-truly, Phoebe, Ally, Camille. Front row: Ava, Nichelle, Angie, Caroline, Lizzy, Katherine, Anna, and Abby.

Playing "blob" on skates. That was very fun!

Phoebe

Another group photo. R-L (Backrow): Mrs. Y., Tiffany A., Niasha, Abby Y., Amy, yours-truly, Phoebe, Ally, Camille. Front row: Ava, Nichelle, Angie, Caroline, Lizzy, Katherine, Anna, Abby and Mom.

Abby, yours-truly, Camille and Amy.

FUN!

Happy Birthday, Abby Y.!

Something to Think About

Some good food for thought!

The Day I Said Goodbye

Jacob "Johny" Kautt

The mound was fresh with new turned dirt

The flowers not even wilted yet.

His family gathered round his body hid,

Eyes raised heavenward in prayer.

A tear begins to steal down my cheek

A single tear drips down.

And then we weep, silently at first.

It is too hard to bid adieu to the one we love,

To say “good-bye”, or walk on.

And so we sob aloud, unhindered,

The feelings flow from our torn hearts

Rent by this loss so fresh.

But now it is time to walk away,

To move on in life without you.

The day I said good-bye to you,

Was certainly not the last day

I cried for you.

Copyright 2010 – Abigail C. Kautt

What have the Kautts been up to? part 2

One of the many photos on the slideshow: Grandpa when he was younger.

So, here is part two of our busy life the past 3 or 4 weeks.

Taken from my journal:

• Thursday, October 14: Dad & Grandma still at the hospital.  Joel and Caleb to work at Herbmart.  Mom & the rest of us kids leave McKinney in mid-afternoon to go to hospital.  On the way stopped at Smith's house, no one was home.  From there went to the hospital.  The Knowles were there.  Visited Grandpa again.  When we were leaving the hospital around 9:15pm, Mrs. Smith dropped by to leave a gift for us. (Thank you, Mr. & Mrs. Smith!)  After visiting with her, Mom, Caleb & Jaden went back to McKinney.  Then Joel took we girls and Rachel & Rowena, over to Grandma's house.  We spent the night there at Grandma's.  Grandma, Dad and Aunt Becky spent Thursday night at the hospital.

Goofy relations: David & Julia, Jim & Naomi and cousin Kelly Kautt.

• Friday, October, 15: Dad, Grandma and Aunt Becky came back to Grandma's and gave us the sad news that Grandpa had passed away that morning around 5:15.  His heart just gradually slowed to a stop.  We girls made lunch, with Aunt Becky's help, and ate a delicious meal.  Joel spent Friday night at Grandma's.  The rest of us went back to McKinney.  

Cousins Kathrine and Kelly with Grandma.

• Saturday, October 16: We girls cleaned the church.  Joel and Caleb went to work at Herbmart.  Dad picked up us girls from the church, and we went directly to Grandma's house.  All the Knowles were already there.  Grandma, Aunt Becky and Dad went to the funeral home to make arrangements.  Abby & Phoebe worked on scanning a ton of photos for a memorial slideshow.  We left Grandma's house around 6:30pm and met Joel & Caleb at Jack-in-the-Box right by the High-5.  Caleb came with us back to McKinney, and Joel went down to Grandma's to spend the night.

Grandma with her two sons: Jim & David.

• Sunday, October 17: All the Kautts went to morning church (except Joel).  We had a good crowd, including some guests.  After church & lunch all of us kids went down to Dallas to Grandma's.  The Knowles were there again.  Abby & Phoebe worked on more scanning of photos.  We also did some videoing of the Grandkids for the special memorial videos.  Joel, Jaden & Johanna (the J's) went back to McKinney.  Caleb, Abby & Phoebe spent that night at Grandma's.

(L to R): Great-Aunt C., Great-Great-Aunt Dorothy, Great-Grandma McKnight, Grandma Kautt & Great-Uncle Paul.

• Monday, October 18: Caleb went to work at Herbmart.  Abby & Phoebe stayed at Grandma's to finish the slideshow.  Dad came down again to have a meeting with Grandma and Robin Smith.  We were at Grandma's till around 10pm, then we found out that Uncle Jim & Aunt Naomi were stuck in Memphis and wouldn't fly in until Tuesday.  So Dad, Abby & Phoebe came back to McKinney.

(L to R): Caleb, Johanna, cousin Kathrine, Phoebe, Jaden, Abby, cousin Rachel and Joel

• Tuesday, October 19: Dad went down to Dallas to pick up Jim and Naomi from the airport, as well as go to the funeral home to view Grandpa's body.  Caleb & Joel went to work at Herbmart.  Dad came back home around 2:30pm, then Mom, Abby & Phoebe went to run errands in the brown (1982) suburban.  We got to two of our destinations, then the car died and wouldn't restart in the middle lane at the light at the intersection of HWY 75 and HWY 380.  We sat in the middle of the highway a good 10 minutes before a guy pulled us out of the highway over to a nearby gas station.  By that time it was getting close to 4pm.  Dad walked over from the house to where we were.  The Good Samaritan who helped us, Jeff, took us back to our house.  But, now both cars at home were not running and we had to be down in Dallas at 5pm.  So, while Abby & Phoebe bicycled over to Target, Mom got the neighbor's car.  They were very kind in letting us borrow their car.  So, by the time Abby & Phoebe were back, and had taken showers, it was after 5pm.  We left McKinney around 5:15pm and got to Valley View Christian Church around 5:50pm.  The family was already eating the dinner prepared by the VVCC folks.  Abby & Phoebe didn't eat, but instead had to go set up the slideshow in the lobby.  Among those who came to the memorial service were: Mr. & Mrs. Putman, the Forts, Mr. & Mrs. Cronin, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, the Ghirontes, Mr. & Mrs. Tomlinson and many others.  There was an estimated 200 guests, at least.  After the long service/processional we said goodbye to Grandpa, the casket was taken, and we picked up the people mover that was to be used on our trip to Arkansas.  Rachel came home with the McKinney Kautts and Aunt C., Grandma, Jim & Naomi went to Grandma's house.

The Texas family: (L to R) Julia, Abby, Joel, Phoebe, Jim, Caleb, Grandma, Naomi, Jaden, Johanna, David & Rachel.

• Wednesday, October 20: We had the people mover here at our house.  The Dallas family got up here around 10am, and we were all loaded and ready to head out by 11am.  We had 2 or 3 stops on the way to Arkansas, but nothing exciting happened.  We got to Grandma McKnight's house in Wiener around 6pm and picked her up.  Then we drove on to Jonesboro and got to the Jonesboro Christian Church around 7pm.  All of the McKnight clan was there, as well as Uncle Lou, Aunt Jeannie and cousins Kelly and Kathrine.  We all had a fun time visiting while eating a delicious supper.  We were so happy to be able to see our relatives, some of whom we hadn't seen in over 7 years.  Then Great-Grandma, Grandma and Aunt C. took Uncle Paul's car back to Wiener to spend the night.  Uncle Jim & Aunt Naomi, and Joel & Caleb spent that night (and the next) at Uncle Paul's.  Mom, Dad, Jaden, we girls and Rachel all spent the night at cousin Terri & Peyton's.

There will be more coming soon... Stay tuned.

Random Photos

A decoration in us girls' room

Abby's vintage radio 

Joel, Phoebe, Abby, Mom and Caleb visiting with Uncle Jim

PIZZA! :) Yum!

Me-- reading THE MAKER

A beautiful autumn flower arrangement

Uncle Jim and Pastor Robin Smith talking

While Uncle Jim was over from Germany, we went out and had Bubba Tea. Yum! :)

We were joking that this said that it is a "sinh to shake hands" *laughs

*

Bubba tea: Cappuccino, Honeydew, Strawberry, Taro, or Thai Tea. I got Strawberry.

Some of us, enjoying our drinks

Lights, cameras, action!

Yours-truly

Fish grooming? What!

L-R: yours-truly, Phoebe, cousins Rachel and Rowena, and Abby

Abby and me

L-R: (back row): Joel, Caleb, Mom, Dad. Middle row: Grandma Kautt, Jaden and me. Front row: Phoebe and Uncle Jim. Abby was taking the photo.

Caleb plays cousin Audrey's guitar (this was on our Arkansas trip a few days ago)

Almost all of the cousins (we're missing Jason). L-R: (Back row): Caleb, Phoebe, Abby and cousin Rachel. Middle row: Cousin Rowena, yours-truly and Joel. Front row: Cousin D.J. (Dennis Jr.) and Jaden.

Here I am, reading The King's Blooming Rose magazine, which I very much enjoyed!

All the girl cousins (except Rowena, who didn't come with us to AR): Top row: Cousins Rachel and Gracie. Middle row: Abby and cousin Audrey. Front row: Phoebe, yours-truly and cousin Chloe.

What have the Kautts been up to? part 1

Everything!  At least that's what it seems like.  We have been extremely busy the last few weeks, mostly occupied with helping our Grandma while our Grandpa was in ICU, and after he passed away.  So I will give you a somewhat detailed account of what has happened in our life the past 3 or 4 weeks.

I'm going to do this is several parts, so each one will be shorter, instead of having one long post.  As you will tell as you read, some days have more detail than others.  That's because all of the days were running together, and it was just hard to remember what happened on what days.

Taken from my journal:

Uncle Jim talks with Robin Smith

We kids with Uncle Jim about to enjoy Bubble Tea.

We kids chat with Uncle Jim at the hospital waiting room.

Some of our family outside the hospital.

• Sunday, September 26: Our Grandma Kautt's 74th birthday.
• Monday, September 27: Went down to Carrolton, took cake for Grandma's birthday and visited Grandpa at rehab.
• Tuesday, September 28: Got a call that Grandpa was taken to the emergency room, and was admitted into ICU, because of multiple ailments.
• Wednesday, September 29: We kids go down to Grandma's house to stay with her.  Abby & Phoebe down there until Friday, October 1.  
• Friday, October 1: Abby & Phoebe come back to McKinney, Joel stays in Dallas at Grandma's.
• Saturday, October 2: Joel picks up Uncle Jim (David's brother) from airport, after Jim is delayed overnight at JFK airport because of storms. 
• Sunday, October 3: All the Kautts (except Joel) went to church, David preached.  After church we all went down to Carrollton, to the hospital to see Grandpa; his breathing wasn't doing so well.  Jim was there, the Knowles (David's sister's family) were there.  All of us kids stayed on Sunday night at Grandma's.
• Monday, October 4: Grandpa had surgery on his stomach to see if there's infection.  No infection was the result from the surgery.  Otherwise, the surgery didn't help anything.  Monday evening we had Bubble (Boba) Tea with Uncle Jim at a Thai restaurant.  We kids spend the night again Monday night.
• Tuesday, October 5: Went to hospital many times, answered the many phone calls of caring friends.  Grandpa gradually declining.
• Wednesday, October 6:  Aunt Cora Etta flew in from Bryan, on her way to Arkansas.  Abby & Phoebe down at Grandma's (the others were at work or at home).  We helped Grandma with house cleaning, laundry, cooking, and those kinds of things, and of course visited Grandpa many times.  Grandpa not getting stronger.  He was slightly responsive; grabbed Phoebe's hand while Abby and Phoebe were singing.  We went to Sammoon with Grandma and Aunt C. Wednesday evening.  Abby & Phoebe spent Wednesday night with Grandma. 
• Thursday, October 7: Caleb got his (paper) driver's license.  Thursday evening the Knowles came to hospital.  Rest of the (David) Kautt family came down.  Stayed after 10pm at the hospital.  Joel stayed at Grandma's, the rest of the family went home. 
• Friday, October 8: We girls cleaned the church building. Friday evening some of us went down to Dallas.  Uncle Jim, Dad and Grandma went to the Dallas Christian College 60th anniversary homecoming dinner.  The rest of us went over to the hospital to see Grandpa.  All of us kids spent Friday night at Grandma's house.
• Saturday, October 9: All of us kids were at Grandma's.  Joel went to work at Herbmart.  We kids and Grandma went to DCC's cookout and soccer game (got sunburned!).  Jason's 23rd birthday.  Aunt Becky, Rachel, Dennis Jr. and Rowena  came down with cake for Jason.  Caleb, Dad, Jaden, Joel and Phoebe left to go back to McKinney.  Abby & Johanna spent the night at Grandma's.
• Sunday, October 10: Our house is busy with Sunday morning preparations.  We get a call from our very upset Grandma saying that Grandpa's blood pressure was dropping, and that we should get down there as soon as possible if we wanted to see him.  So, Mr. Smith stepped in and led Sunday morning church, while we quickly got ready and drove over to the hospital.  The Knowles got there about the same time.  We found out that Grandpa's kidneys had failed, his body was filling with fluid, and he was getting very swollen.  We had pizza for lunch at the hospital (graciously provided by Uncle Dennis), and we had supper provided by the Berriers, which we ate at the hospital.  We three girls and cousin Rachel spent Sunday night at Grandma's. 
• Monday, October 11: Caleb went to his first day of work at Herbmart.  The rest of our family who went back to our house on Sunday night came down again to Grandma's house.  We fixed a veggie tray and bread items for supper to take to hospital.  Maribeth and Megan also brought food.  We went to the hospital and visited Grandpa.  Then Mom, we three girls, Rachel and Jaden went to Grandma's house to spent the night.  Joel and Caleb went home to spend the night.  Dad and Grandma spent the night at the hospital. 
• Tuesday, October 12: Aunt C. came back from Arkansas.  We stayed at Grandma's most of the day. Then went to the hospital that evening.  After seeing Grandpa, we all went back to McKinney (except Dad).  Dad, Grandma, Aunt C. and Rachel all spent the night at the hospital.
•  Wednesday, October 13 - All of us (except Dad) spent all day in McKinney.  Joel was at work.  We rested, cleaned the house, then went to Wednesday Night Bible Study.  Mr. Smith led the study that night.  Dad & Grandma again spent the night at the hospital.  Aunt C. had gone home to Bryan, and Rachel went back to her home in Denton.  

Stay tuned for the rest of our adventures.  By the way, thank you to all of you who have prayed for us during this difficult time, and for all of the calls and cards expressing your sympathy.