Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Reality.

The reality of it is, I don't function well without the internet. The hoops we had to go through to get technology running through this house is ridiculous. All is well now, so no more complaints.


It's been a rough week here in the Chatterton household. We've been missing Olivia a whole lot. We know we could never have changed God's plan, so there is nothing we would have done differently, but we just flat-out miss her. It's actually been getting much more difficult as the days go by. The distraction of moving, Vegas, interior decorating, etc... are all good things, but the reality of it is just that. It's becoming more real every day.


To add to the emotions around the house, Ozzie, Jack's fish, died today. Jack was devastated, but decided it would be nice for Olivia to have Ozzie for a pet.


So, how are we getting through it these days?

Just a few things...
We checked messages at the Macomb house before we shut off the phone and there was a message from a woman named Marilyn. She said she had met us at the hospital and wanted to talk to us. I finally got around to calling her tonight and she went on and on about how she was just taken by Olivia when she met her. We met this woman last year in the admitting department at the hospital. Zac and I both remember her, because she was so taken with Livs. She asked all about her and asked if she could put her on the prayer list at her church. We talked about how she was in education for 31 years. It was literally about a 5-10 minute conversation, but she never forgot Olivia. When she saw the obituary in the paper, she cut it out and tracked us down. Just to offer her condolences. How could this one little girl touch someone in such a short amount of time. This truly touched our hearts...that Olivia was such a powerful, amazing little girl.

Also, things like this.

And, watching the kids help their dad build the deck...

Yes, Brooklyn is wearing furry boots with her sundress...


What else can I say. We are truly blessed. I'm going to the cemetery tomorrow to see Olivia. I'm definitely going to be telling her all about these things that have been going on (not that she doesn't already know ;) I'm also going to be sure to thank her for all these blessings she has brought into our lives.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

The pictures are priceless. I'm sorry about Ozzie. I thought he would live forever since he survived for months with his water not being cleaned. Sorry, Jack. I know Olivia will take good care of him. I miss all of you! Grandma C.

Nic said...

Sending my love and prayers! Miss you and Olivia so much!

Jill said...

Still think of you all often and are praying you through those rough days!

Anonymous said...

Liv was truly an amazing little girl. I miss her everyday. I will never forget her huge smile and those feet of hers sticking up in the air for all to see. I think she would love watching Ozzie up in Heaven.
As for the deck, make sure it doesn't turn into another fort:). you know it's never too late to hire someone, jk zach :)
Bethany, PICU

Anonymous said...

Thinking and praying for you all... I bet she is holding onto the Thomas balloon and watching the fish swim all at the same time!! I have never met any of you, but your blog is so inspiring and keeps my faith growing..
Thank you again for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Just dropping a note to let you know I'm thinking about you guys! Missing Livs like crazy and loving that she now has Ozzie to play with!

Anonymous said...

P.s. The last post was from Joy. Sorry!

Anonymous said...

Love the pictures of Jack and Brooklyn helping Zac with the deck. The boots with the sundress is priceless, reminds me of a little girl with a mind of her own that lives at my house.

Spring McD-Churchill

Anonymous said...

Just popping in to say hello. Stay busy and remember you have people in Macomb who will never forget you. Keep up the blog. Ardell

Judy said...

I love that last picture of Brooklyn! Too cute! My goodness you guys don't waste much time do you! You had everything unpacked in a week and Zac is already building a deck! Sheesh!

Sorry to hear about Ozzie! That stinks and probably wasn't what Jack needed right now :(

We pray for you guys every single day!!

Anonymous said...

Hey Julie,

I know it is rough right now but please know that there are so many, many people who were touched by Olivia and who will always remember her.

I was at my brother-in-law's wedding on 6/20 and the DJ played "Brown Eyed Girl" and when I heard it I smiled and I cried a bit because it made me think of how you called Olivia your "brown-eyed girl" in one of your blog posts and how now, in heaven, there is a sweet, brown-eyed girl with pig-tails who is singing and dancing.

I'm so very sorry that she is gone. I know that someday you will all be together again.

Hang in there. Thank you for sharing through the blog. We are praying for you.

Judy, Kevin, Jeannie & Kevin

Anonymous said...

Have a great 4th of July! Unfortunatley the rain will keep Zac from working on that deck - well that might be a good thing - just kidding ;)

Lisa F.

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear your trip to Vegas was good...I'm sorry to hear that you are having such a difficult week though. Olivia did touch so many lives, even those of us who never had the chance to meet her....know that we continue to keep all of you in our prayers.
Take care- Kara

P.S. The pictures are great!!

kate axline said...

I am sorry for the difficult week. The rain hasn't helped I am sure. But next week may be a little better. And she is watching over you , as I heard once in a movie, you don't want to make it a boring show!! Not the greatest cheer up line ever...but it is all I got tonight.. :0) Just know there are so many people that are still praying for you and sweet Olivia...There are so many people that love your family that have never even met any of you...trust me...more prayers than you can imagine...hugs and love to you all!