It couldn't have been more perfect!

Today as I was getting ready to leave the house I heard a knock on the door. I was pleasantly surprised to find flowers being delivered to me by Dale's employer. The arrangement couldn't have been more perfect! If I were to associate any flowers with my father it would be sunflowers and coxcombs, and that's exactly what I received!
I can still picture these beautiful flowers in this exact reddish color in my father's garden. During South Mountain Fair time my father would enter flowers and produce from his garden under my name and the names of my brothers. We won the ribbons but he did all the work. Coxcombs were one thing Dad entered in the fair.

Most of the sunflowers my father planted were the kind with the actual seeds in the center. I can still remember roasting those seeds in my Easy Bake Oven!

Today I spent several hours going through Dad's closets and drawers getting together his clothes for donation to the rescue mission. With all the work that needs done, I've barely made a dent! Tomorrow I'll go back because there's much more to do.

In Fond Memory

After the passing of a resident at The Lutheran Home they put out a carnation and sign in memory of the deceased. The same thing was done for Mom. Today after meeting with the funeral director and Dad's pastor, I stopped by the home to see Dad's sign. The funeral will be held at the Gettysburg Church of the Brethren on Saturday, July 31st with a viewing from 9:30 am until 11:00 am. The service will begin at 11 am with a luncheon afterward. The burial will be on Monday, August 2nd (Mom and Dad's wedding anniversary) at the Mohrsville Church of the Brethren at 11:15 am.

Dale will be playing prelude music on his fiddle/violin for the service and will also be playing "Let There Be Peace on Earth" during the service. Dad was an advocate for peace so we thought this song was very fitting. I know he'll enjoy it!

The wait is over

My father, Rufus James Wagner, passed away today at approximately 12:35 pm. One year and one week after my mother's death. They both passed away at The Lutheran Home. They both entered the Spirit World at the same place, so I'm thinking Mom was right there to greet him! They are together again! Christmas 2008
This picture was taken Christmas 2009, one month after he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. Can't believe both my parents are gone. My heart aches, even though I know they are together in a better place and that I will be with them again one day.

While I'm waiting

My father could pass away at any time now. I feel like I'm just waiting for him to die. Perhaps if I do a little blogging -- try to catch up some, it will keep my mind occupied on something other than his impending death.

In the beginning of June we had our 3rd annual Eyler/Baughman camping trip to Knoebles Amusement Park.

We brought scissors along in hopes that Ally would agree to give the girls a trim, and she did!

Dale and Kenzie on the water slide at Knoebels water park.

Kaden and Ashton in the kiddie pool.

Yes Avery, we know you're cool!

This year we spent one of our days doing a little sight seeing. We took a trip down into a coal mine. Here we are getting ready to start. It was 80 plus degrees outside, but only 50 degrees down in the mine.

Ashton and Kaden snuggle close in the cold dark mine.

We also took a train ride that same day to learn more about the mining town.

We found a park in which to eat our picnic lunch. We had the place to ourselves.

At the campground a couple of kids asked if Ashton, Avery, Bryson and Kenzie would join them in a game of kickball. Here's Avery in action.

Nothing like a nap in the great outdoors!Brady, Avery and Bryson are working on their cycling merit badge for Scouts. On this day they did fifty miles. Bryson took a break in the middle and only completed 25.

There they go!

And here they come... Brady was first. Just as he crossed the finish line the chain came off his bike!

Over the 4th of July weekend we camped at Caledonia State Park.

Brady and Avery in the pool.

Each morning Dale and I went on a hike. The second morning Kenzie joined us.

I was blessed earlier this month to help chaperon a church youth trip to Palmyra, New York!

This was my first time visiting any of the church history sites. Here is the print shop where the first Book Of Mormon was printed.

Kassie had invited her friend Kayla from school to come along. Here they are waiting in the rain for the Hill Cumorah Pageant to begin.

Kenzie helped me pick Pappy's blueberries a couple of times. I was picking them every other day while they were at their peak.Ashton's friend Marissa invited Ashton to go with her family to the beach! Her first time there.

Last week we had to say goodbye to our dear friends from church, the Burton's. Friends threw a surprise farewell party. We gave Jocelyn one of her favorite snacks... peanut butter filled pretzels. We'll really miss them! Jocelyn's father was our Bishop for nearly six years.

I hope to have time later to post more pictures from our 2010 summer. For now I'll call my brother to see how Dad is doing.