Throwback Thursday #2

I'm not really sure what constitutes a sufficient amount of time for a "Throwback", but it's my blog and I guess it's up to me. These particular memories are of 2003 and 2000.

The events of this week got us thinking about Clif's dad. And my favorite picture if him is posted below. That makes my Throwback Thursday topic "Fun Wedding Photos". I'd love to see some of your photos.

This week has been crazy for us. Four sick kids (one spending a night in the hospital) has thrown us for a loop. It was ironic that on the day Austin came home from the hospital (3/13), it was the 4th anniversary of Clif's father's passing.

Sitting and watching our little guy hooked up to IVs, I asked Clif if he remembered 3/13/03. Four years ago this week, we were sitting in hospice waiting for Leroy's suffering to end. He had a relatively short battle with pancreatic cancer. During his illness and chemotherapy, I went with my mother-in-law to a treatment. It happened to be the day before IVF #3 for us. Our conversation went something like this...

Me: "Hey, they're putting in 4 embryos tomorrow."
Leroy: "I hope they all take!" {big grin}
Me: "Don't wish that on me! They'll probably all be boys and be just like Clif."
Leroy: "Yep. I hope they all take!" {bigger grin}

Unfortunately, that IVF didn't work. We had hoped that it would because we knew that he didn't have much time left and it would have been nice for him to know before his passing that he was going to be a grandpa again. When IVF #4 worked just after he passed, we thought that it was pretty neat. A couple of weeks later we miscarried. God had other plans. Austin had to get to us and he would not have as that baby was due one month after we adopted him. Always know that there is something planned.

We're convinced that IVF #5 had a little "Angel Leroy" intervention or request, or whatever you wish to believe. He always wanted twin grand kids. Our first ultrasound showed twins at around 7 weeks. We called them Leroy's twins. That only lasted about 8 days, but who's counting?

After one week of getting used to the idea of parenting three, we got a little surprise. The third sack seen on the 7 week ultrasound that the ultrasound tech assured us didn't have a baby in it, had a baby in it. And that baby is our little Tyler, who reminds me of Leroy every day. He has similar features, and lots of similar mannerisms. He's a big flirt and very mischievous. We figure the request in heaven went something like this....

Leroy: "Hey God. I know I asked for twins for them. But, wouldn't it be nice to give them a bonus?"
God: "What kind of bonus did you have in mind?"
Leroy: "Well, the world could use another guy like me. You know, someone to really make them laugh and maybe stir the pot a little? How about another little boy? Can you sprinkle some extra of my DNA in there?"

And it was so....well that's how we imagine it. It might make a good bedtime story someday, huh?

Regardless, this is one of our favorite wedding photos. We had a great wedding and reception and are so glad that we put the time and effort into planning such a fun day. It holds great memories not only for us as a couple, but Leroy had a lot of fun!


I'd love to hear about your Throwback Memories. If you'd like to participate, steal the logo above, sign the Mr. Linky below and leave a comment.