The World Lost A Hero

The world loast a hero but Heaven gained an amazing angel. 

Tyler and I went to grade school and high school together. He was a year younger than me but our grade school was so small that all of the grades all hung out together. We played on the same volleyball team, hung out outside of school together sometimes, knew each other for years. In high school, we hung out in the same big crowd of friends (we both had a few different groups of friends) and at times when we would hang out, I would be the only girl present (which I loved.) I remember many nights where a bunch of boys including Tyler would come down to my parent's house and watch movies while I cooked for them. I would be the only girl and they would order me into the kitchen. Tyler was FAMOUS for telling women to go "knit me a sweater." He told me this DAILY.

Tyler and I had the same sense of humor. We laughed at everything, made fun of anything, and had inappropriate comments and gestures. He had a giggle that was infectious. He could make an entire room burst out laughing just by giggling. There are so many stories of HILARIOUS things he would do to people. He LOVED to prank people and play jokes on him. The most famous prank he did in my mind always happened in the summer. We have a carnival that comes to town every June. Tyler's parents' house is one block from the square and the carnies would LITERALLY park their campers in his parents' backyard. Tyler would thrown golf balls onto the roof of their campers at night while they were sleeping. It would sound like hail :) Just a bit louder.

I could go on and on about the stories. Seriously... I have SO MANY pictures of fun/funny stuff that we did but they are all on my "film" pictures that I need to scan into the computer. I will put them in a blog someday. Tyler joined the Marines after high school. It was all he had wanted to do. I remember how when he got back from boot camp a bunch of us girls were like, "Man, Ty looks hot!"

I crashed some party at the Metamora Legion one night. Ty invited me. I think it was either a "Going to Iraq" party or a "Welcome Home" party. Naturally I would be dancing inappropriately.

In December of 2005, a few days before Christmas, a truck that Tyler was riding on in Iraq on his second tour overseas with the USMC was exploded by a suicide bomber. I remember my mom telling me. It's one of those moments where you remember little things... I remember where I was, how I was sitting, the time of day, etc. Horrible. Just horrible. The following July, 7 months later, Tyler came back to Metamora for his first visit back. It just so happened that I had made the decision to move to SC a few weeks prior. I obviously hadn't seen or talked to him in months and his appearance had changed completely. But he came up behind me at a get together at his mom and dad's house and he said, "Hey loser. Why in the hell do you think you have to move to SC?" His voice had not changed at all. He even giggled that giggle. I knew the old Tyler was still in there no matter what he had been through. He was the same friend. It was all I could do not to cry. Instead I fired back with some name calling and smart alec comments.

I loved that even though I lived in SC (and he did not approve of that) we still talked and texted and kept in touch. We saw each other almost every time I came back into town. I could go and on with the stories about him that make me smile but this blog is already turning into quite a doozie. At the end of the day, Tyler was the type of person that would do anything to make you smile. He never wanted anyone to feel sorry for him. He made funny jokes about his appearance. One time I was talking to him in a crowded room and he said, "I can't hear you. I don't have ears." And another time we were talking about sunglasses and he said, "I can't wear them. I don't have ears." And then giggled. He may have lost part of his arm on one side and fingers on the other but he was still able to "goose me" better than anyone. 

One of my favorite pictures of Tyler and I at the Marine Corps Ball in November 2007.

On December 30, the day of his visitation, I went to Metamora with Mom and Dad. We went to the funeral home about an hour before the visitation was supposed to end. Seeing all of the pictures, videos, all of his guitars, his motorcyle, his Marine Corps gear, was all a great tribute to him. I love his family. His mom and dad are amazing. Some of my favorite random days were days that we would sit in Tyler's mom's kitchen and just talk. We would love to just hang out and talk. Or the times where we would all drink in his parent's garage. I loved the talks with his parents. Now that I have kids, I can not imagine living another day on this earth without my child by my side. It literally makes my soul ache. As I hugged his mom, that is all I could think. Someday soon I hope to go see his parents and just catch up. I think of them everyday. The worst part of the day was actually seeing him in the casket. It's one of those times in life where I just felt frozen. I wanted to leave... I wanted to run... far away. But instead, I just kept standing there staring at him...not wanting to believe the reality. And , then, as I looked to the right of the casket, his best friend, his partner in crime, his male version of a soul mate, Buddy, was standing there in his Marine Corps dress blues guarding the casket. It literally broke my heart.

The funeral was the next day on New Year's Eve. This is what we saw as we drove into town...

Thousands of flags lined the streets and town square in Metamora. A man that does not even know Tyler brought all of the flags into town and 100 volunteers helped place them into the frozen solid ground. 

The funeral was lovely. It was laid back and very Tyler. The people that spoke about him touched on all of the fabulous and amazing things about him. Someone like Tyler can not be summed up in a short speech. Three guys talked about him...all of them from different aspects of Ty's life. It really was wonderful. For me, the hardest two parts were when they closed the casket and the folding of the flag and presenting it to the mother. 

Anytime I leave a funeral, I have a sense of peace that overcomes me. The feeling of dread that I had been carrying around for days was gone. I was at peace, at least for the time being. As we walked out of the funeral home, it had started snowing. It was beautiful. I decided shoot a few pictures to remember the moment by...

The last flag I saw as I drove out of town...

Tyler, You are missed more than you will ever know. Thank you for being hilarious. Thank you for being you. Thank you for being an inspiration. Thank you for letting me be a part of your life. Thank you for the random texts, pictures texts, and drunken phone calls. Thank you for fighting so hard to come back to all of us after your injuries. We will see you again someday.

You are loved....

Christmas With The Schumanns Take Two

Since our plans changed and we ended up coming BACK to Illinois on the 29th, the kids and I were actually able to make it to the OFFICIAL Schumann family Christmas. Uncle Rusty and his three boys arrives in IL from NC a few days after Christmas. Since they were going to be back, Grandma and Grandpa organized the official Schumann Christmas around them being back in two (they hadn't been back around the holidays since 2010.) 

We got ready at Grandma Ann's house and headed over to Kampsville to Grandma and Grandpa's house. Grandpa was hard at work when we got there. He has become quite the Betty Crocker since Grandma got diagnosed with cancer in 2010. He has really started enjoying his time in the kitchen. He is a MAD man at the age of 82. 

Grandma and Grandpa have quite a Winter Wonderland that they rock in their front yard during Christmas. (They decorate for all seasons and holidays. You would be amazed at the fabulousness that they offer during the 4th of July.) Well, Charlotte is  HUGE fan of  "yights" and she was a maniac in the yard!!!

She had no idea what to think or do.... and she didn't have a coat on either... Please don't judge me.

She was giving "Hoho" a hug.

The girl does love her some Mickey Mouse. She couldn't believe he had showed up for the Schumann family Christmas.

You know, those three Schumann boys sometimes try to act all tough and what not. However, they love kids. They all three held Sawyer and played with Charlotte.

Sawyer's first guitar lesson from Reed and Ross.

Charlotte must have been hungry. She was the first one to sit down and eat.

Gigi and Papa with their pride and joy.

I. Love. This.

So Charlotte likes certain guys... not all guys. Just certain guys. Like my cousin Jake, she loves him and clings to him when he is around. She follows him everywhere and wants him to do everything with her. (This isn't every single time she sees him, just sometimes.) Well, for whatever reason, she clung to Rowe. I think she thought Rowe was just a 6'2" young boy. She knew his name and followed him everywhere. And if she wanted something, she wanted "WOWE" to get it for her.

They played make-up and jewelry.

So serious with her make-up.

I am judging him just a bit...however, he WAS keeping my toddler entertained so I can't say too much.

She was teach Rowe how to blow-dry hair.

Following him around again!

Sawyer had a LOVELY time.

Great Grandpa Redeye and his newest Great Grandson.

Charlotte got her hands on a candy cane. She dominated it.

Boys talking. I am pretty sure I was bored with this conversation...and so was Charlotte.

Great Grandma Millie and Great Grandpa Redeye loves their Greatgrandchildren

We had a great time at Grandma and Grandpa's house. We had delicious food ( a deep fried turkey breast, potatoes, noodles, bread, vegetables) and a fabulous time with our cousins. Aunt Bev was stuck at her house bc her grandson Xander was sick with a stomach virus. She kept him away from the rest of us.

After we finished at Grandma and Grandpa's house we ended up going to see mom's cousin Robin where all of her cousins from the Retzer side of the family were hanging out. I hadn't seen many of them in a long time and none of them had met Sawyer. Uncle Rusty, Reed, Ross, and Rowe also came down to Robin's house. It was so good to just hang out and catch up. It had been years. Although the reason I had to come back to Illinois was a terribly sad reason, I am thankful I was able to see everyone.

Sawyer's First Sink Bath

While we were at Grandma Ann's house for our quick trip on December 29, 2012, we gave Sawyer his first little sink bath. I love to document firsts for my kids so here is another first for him!!

This was also the day that he used his first teething ring...and he loved it!

 We love our Katie Jean. She asked me not to put this picture on my blog. As you can see, I didn't listen very well.

So we got the sink already. He wasn't too sure about it at first.

But he ended up LOVING it. Great Grandma held onto him the entire time.

He was trying to reach out for the faucet and play with it.

He was so cute in here!

A successful bath!! He didn't fall in, he ended up clean, and Great Grandma Ann got to be there for another "first" for him. SUCCESS!!!

Our Visit from Gigi and Papa

Mom and Dad stayed in Georgia with us for a few days. There plan was to arrive down here on Tuesday December 25 and head back early in the morning on Saturday December 29. 

The morning after Christmas we got a phone call that a friend of mine from grade school and high school had passed away. He and I were very close at a few different points in our lives. He was amazing. After talking to Mom, Dad, and Alex, we decided that the kids and I should drive back to Illinois with Mom and Dad so that I could go to the funeral. That is one thing that I have learned from my Mom and Dad. Family and friendship are extremely important. A drive is just a drive. Miles are just miles. Events like funerals are things that you just do not miss.

Once our plans were figured out, we spent time playing with the kids' new toys from "Hoho", organizing the house, catching up on laundry, and ran a few errands in Columbus.

Look at that face :) I love this picture of her...and her outfit.

Sawyer was loving his new toy.

Papa can't do a thing on his I-pad or ours without Charlotte sitting right there.

She is pretty quick with those fingers.

Love this little guy. Working on our tummy time. He is taking a break here.

We took down our Christmas tree and put away all of our Christmas decorations. Mom is a maniac with a vacuum.

Charlotte even helped put the Christmas stuff away. I think she looks so much like me when I was little (and even now) in this picture. 

On Friday December 29, we left for Illinois around 5:30 pm. We piled the kids into the car and headed right back to where we had come from just 4 days prior. Our poor children...they will probably end up with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from all of this. We stopped in Chattanooga and I took over driving so that Dad could sleep. The weather had been less than desirable. It rained quite a bit in the Atlanta suburbs and at one point a big SUV drifted into our lane and almost caused us to flip our car. Scary. But I took over in Chattanooga, TN and drove until we got into Illinois. 

Once we got into Illinois (like we had literally crossed the Ohio River into Illinois) it started snowing like CRAZY. I had been waiting for it start. We had been checking Weather.com and waiting for it start. Dad had finally JUST fallen asleep when I had to wake him up drive. I talked to Mr. Paul and Kate (they are my two dates while I am on the road) for hours. I talked the entire time I drove...which was like 4 hours. I don't know what I would do without Mr. Paul and Kate on my long drives. I love having Mr. Paul who stays up late and Kate who lives in California.  So, Dad took over and drove for about an hour. The snow was pretty bad but Dad was just flying passed people. He meant business!

I took back over driving in Mt. Vernon, IL and drove the rest of the way to Grandma Ann's house. We got to her house around 4 am and took the kids right to bed. Charlotte slept with me and Sawyer slept with mom. I am so thankful for Aunt Kathy and Ryan who came out to Grandma's that morning to watch the kids while we slept. Aunt Kathy showed up the exact minute that Charlotte woke up. I AM SO GRATEFUL!!!

We made amazing time....even with snow. I was happy I was able to drive a lot of the drive and let Mom and Dad relax. So thankful to have parents like mine... that did not even question me wanting to come back to Illinois for this funeral and visitation.