Thanksgiving

I am thankful for...

1. The desire on my heart to place God first in my life and develop a stronger relationship with Him.

2. The desire that God has put in our life to home school our children. Although it is not the "popular" choice I believe that it is what God desires for our family. Trusting in that has strengthened my faith in Him.

3. The desire to strengthen our marriage and center it around God. I am thankful for the life of Joseph and the 10 years that we have had together thus far.  

4. The desire to raise our children to be godly people.

5. I am thankful for the strength and wisdom to write and present two eulogies for both of my grandfathers this year to honor them an the encouragement they have brought to write again.

6. I am thankful for the life of Emilee Elizabeth and that I have been intrusted with her. She is a mommy at heart and loves to take care of everyone.

7. I am thankful for the life Olivia Dahman and that I have been intrusted with her. She is our little fashion diva full of tude and giggles.

8. I am thankful for being a mother of twins <3<3 What a unique blessing.

9. I am thankful for the life of  Owen Michael and that I have been intrusted with him. He is a B.O.Y.! Rough and tough and calls me his cuddle bug all rolled into one.

10. I am thankful for the life of Evan Joseph and that I have been intrusted with him. The tryer of my patience. God is definitely teaching me many lessons with this beautiful soul.

11. I am thankful for the life of Frank Abruzzino, my grandfather that passed this year, and the role that he played in my life.

12. I am thankful for the life of Neal Wheatcraft, my grandfather that passed this year, and the role that he played in my life.

13. I am thankful for the roof over our head. Though it may seem that it is bursting at the seems with our family, we have a soft place to fall at the end of the day.

14. I am thankful for a nice vehicle that holds our family of six comfortably and gets us where we need to go.

15. I am thankful for my supportive and loving family that would do anything for us.

16. I am thankful for my hardworking husband, that would do anything to take care of our family, and enable me to be at home to raise our family as we desire.

17. I am thankful for the friends that are a part of my life and love me.

18. I am thankful for the giggles and laughter coming from my children's bedroom as they pay with nothing more than their imaginations.

There are so many things that I am thankful for that I couldn't list them all. I need to look back on this on the days that seem unending and like there is little to be thankful for.
I am truly blessed in this life that I have been given. I hope that I can do it justice.

Saying Goodbye to a Wonderful Man...The Eulogy

Grandpa Wheatcraft

Good Afternoon.


People have often asked me how I am able to stand up here and do this. The answer is that my Grandfather taught me how to speak in public through Rainbow and Eastern Star and all of the practicing that they entailed. It was a gift that he passed onto me and I am glad that I can use it to honor him today. Grandpa was always my editor in everything that I wrote. This is a note that the editor would want me to pass on to all of you:


“Death is nothing at all. I have only slipped away into the next room. I am I and you are you. Whatever we were to each other, that we still are. Call me by my old familiar name, speak to me in the easy way in which you always used. Put no difference in your tone, wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word that it always was, let it be spoken without effect, without the trace of a shadow on it. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same that it ever was; there is unbroken continuity. Why should I be out of sight? I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner. All is well.”


(Henry Scott Holland 1847-1918, Canon of St. Paul’s Cathedral)


My grandfather imprinted himself on so many things that I know that he will be with us always. For me, I will always be reminded of him with a cup of coffee, a piece of pie, Tuesday mornings, and jigsaw puzzles.






My grandfather loved to work jigsaw puzzles. It was one of his favorite past times and you could usually find one started on a card table somewhere in the house.


The definition of the word puzzle is: a toy, problem, or other contrivance designed to amuse by presenting difficulties to be solved by ingenuity or patient effort.


In reading this definition I can’t help but recognize the similarities between my grandfather and his favorite past time. So often he would present us with difficulties to be solved by ingenuity or patient effort. He would always answer a question with a question only to let us, in the end, answer it on our own. This is what made him such a great teacher, not only in class but in life as well.


My grandfather’s life was like a puzzle, put together piece by piece. His puzzle was made up of so many pieces that made the whole of who he was. Each and every one of us are a piece of that puzzle.


His family, Masonic family, church family, school family, and friends….we all made up the border of this puzzles grand design. Holding it all together and giving it structure and support.


What filled the inside of his puzzle were all of his wonderful memories and past times. Memories of his childhood in New Lexington, Boy Scouts, All of the Masonic organizations that he dedicated himself to, His years of world travel while in the military, He was a teacher at Chagrin Falls High School for 35 years, in the Science Department, where teaching was his labor of love, and those are only a few of the many of the pleasures that filled it.


Everything that my grandfather did he did, he did 110%. There was nothing that he did not do until completion, give his utmost effort and attention, and go the extra mile to ensure that it was finished and finished well, as was his life.






Erma Bombeck once said:






“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, “I used everything you gave me.”






Grandpa always gave 110% and used up everything God gave him in his life. He touched every life more than the average person. Everywhere he went he left an imprint that will be carried with us always. And in the end the love that he took was equal to the love he made.






Our family eventually came to the point of being ready to let him go so that he would not suffer at the end of his momentous life. However, God had other plans. He was not able to go until he completed his life’s puzzle. Not until he touched every life that was part of his masterpiece.






The day that he died I spent my last moments with my grandfather by crawling into his bed like the little girl that used to climb in his lap just to simply be with him. I spent these moments holding his hand, rubbing his head, and snuggling my head deep into his neck. I reminded him of how much he was loved, I thanked him for being my grandpa, I cried on his shoulder and kissed his cheek. I wanted to return all of the love that he had shown to me over the last twenty nine years of my life…….ok, ok, ok thirty-one years of my life. All thought I was trying to love and comfort him all I could feel was his love reverberating back to me. Before I left that day I blew him a kiss and waved goodbye, to which he responded with a wink. I feel so blessed to have shared this time with him and I will keep it with me always.






A wise old bear once said:


“If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together, keep me in your heart, I’ll stay there forever.”






Now the pieces of the puzzle that remain are in each one of us. He left each of us a piece of him. Looking down on all of us here today, he is seeing his puzzles completion. Each and every one of us are joined and linked here today because he touched our lives. We are his Magnum Opus…his great work.


The one thing that I told my mother that I would like to have of my grandfather’s was a small wooden box. On the side of the box are the words “One Liners” written in black permanent marker. “One Liners” were kind of Grandpa’s signature ending. So to end today, in honor of my grandfather, I leave you with one of his very own “One Liners.”






“The purpose of life is a life of purpose.”






…And a life of purpose he certainly lived.

Taking the chance on sounding like a "Little Suzie Homemaker" Natural Homemade Cleaner Recepies

Ok, I know that I am totally taking the chance on sounding like a "Little Suzie Homemaker" here but these Natural Homemade Cleaner Recipes sound fab (and money saving too)! I have always wanted to make my own laundry detergent but have never found a natural recipe until now. Hoping to whip these cleaners up over the weekend. I figured that it would be a fun science project for the kids too! I will let you know how it goes.

Natural Homemade Cleaners

Homemade Laundry Detergent


1 bar Dr. Bonner's soap (your choice of flavor!) I made a double recipe and used 1 lavender bar and one citrus orange (use cheese grader to shred)

1 cup washing soda

1cup Borax

1/4 cup Eco-store pure oxygen whitener or oxyclean

Note: you only need 1 Tablespoon for a regular load and 2 Tablespoons for a heavy load



All Natural Fabric Softener

4 x 3 tightly woven fabric pouches (sew on both sides and tie tightly to close)

Fold a rectangle of fabric in half and sew up the sides. Add a couple of spoonfuls of this mixture:

1/2 cup baking soda

1 T arrowroot powder

1 T rice flour or cornstarch

1-3 drops essential oils of your choice



Homemade Soft Scrub

Mix together

1/4 cup borax

1 cup baking soda

1 T biodegradable liquid soap (I use citrus castille)

Add enough water to make a pasty consistency

add 10 drops essential oils ( I like the smell of lemon and orange for cleaning)

If the scrub gets dry add a few more drops of water.


Anti-Bacterial Spray


To 1 cup white vinegar add

3 cups water

10 drops grapefruit seed extract

10 drops tea tree oil

1 teaspoon castille soap

10 to 20 drops lemon, lavender and/or orange essential oils

When Does Motherhood Begin...

this is my entry into the "When Does Motherhood Begin?" Essay Contest




There are so many moments in a mother's journey that motherhood begins.

The first of my many moments was watching in anticipation as those two blue lines appeared on the pregnancy test that I held in my hand. It is amazing how something so simple can change the course of your life forever.

The second motherhood moment of my life came at the sight of, not one, but two little yolk sacks appearing on the ultrasound monitor. (This ultrasound was performed earlier than usual because I was spotting.) What a revelation, not only to see that all was well with the pregnancy, but that there would be two little ones joining our family.

The third, but heart breaking moment, was the brief passing of a little one that left me as swiftly as it had arrived. Who lived and died within me. From two blue lines to an ultrasound that would show a hollow shell of what was to be. This moment will be a part of me forever.

Then there was the moment, the moment of conception that was planned. A moment where I knew with all my being that there was a life beginning in me from the moment that he began. What a gift we have been entrusted with to create life.

Another moment that I have been blessed with was the birth of my last son. I have never been so trusting in the power of my own self, of my body, and my baby. I knew that I had the power to entrust my son's life to my body and my mind, and I did. When the heart rate could barely be found, when things did not look good, when a cesarean looked inevitable, I looked deep within myself. I focused on nothing but his life and my strength. The power of a mother and of her body is more incredible than words could do justice. His life was saved and my natural birth was preserved because I believed in myself.

Motherhood moments renew me every day. In the milestones that my children accomplish, in my baby's "firsts," because he is my last, in every smile and every hug. But most of all, in the connection of love that my husband and I now share since we started our journey into parenthood together. We look at them and they are a part of both of us, made in love. What a blessing.



There are so many moments in a mother's journey that motherhood begins.

Pregnancy....Birth....Motherhood. They are the most empowering experiences that we are given in this life. It humbles me to be blessed to be a part of them.



Kristin Dahman, 30 year old, wife of five and a half years, and stay at home mom of:

Fraternal twin girls Emilee Elizabeth and Olivia Grace (they will be five this summer), my angel baby who will never be forgotten, my first son Owen Michael (he will be three this summer), and my baby boy, the completion of our family, Evan Joseph (he is six months old)



PS The Leaky Boob sent me from Facebook

Saying goodbye (the eulogy)

Most people aren't able to do a eulogy. This is my way of coping and part of the morning process for me. This was my tribute, my reflection, for my grandfather:


“Don’t throw the rocks in the pond!” was a common thing I heard around my grandfather’s house when I was a little girl. He HATED when I threw rocks in the pond and made sure that I knew that he was NOT happy about it! But as a young child I couldn't help but be amazed at how one rock could affect a whole pool of water with every ripple it made. (The big ones were the best!)


Growing up, I was, and still to this day, terrified of heights. Yet every summer I would anticipate running and jumping into that big pond of his that he built for all of us to enjoy. I am not sure if I was really excited to swim in the pond with the “slime” at the bottom and all of his fish swimming around it or if it was just the great joy that it brought him to see someone enjoying his pond. He was very proud of that pond. So I would put my bathing suit on and run out back with a knot in my stomach. Grandpa would already be out there, since his back yard was his favorite place to sit. He would sit and enjoy watching me enjoying what he created for that very purpose. The knot in my stomach would remain until I heard those dreaded words.”Hey Kristy! Why don’t you go down the slide?!” and every time he asked I would remind him of how I was afraid of heights. “Awww common!” he would say as he threw up his hands. All that I wanted to do was to please him and to make him proud, so I did. I would climb up that ladder as slowly as possible, to only delay the inevitable. By the time I reached the top I was clinging on for dear life and in tears because I knew that I would disappoint him if I came back down and if I kept climbing it meant facing my fear. Either way I was very afraid! Well, he always won, as he seemed to have a way of doing, and got his way. I would climb up those steps through the tears and go down that slide. By the time my head was popping up out of the water I could already hear the cheers and the clapping. He was so proud of me! He would say, “See it wasn't that bad,” (even though it had probably taken me twenty minutes to climb up that ladder.) He would then say “See you did it!”… “Now do it again!” to which I promptly stated, “No” as I grabbed my towel to dry off. His response was to throw his hands up and shake his head at me. But he got me to do it.

But then there were times that I did nothing but be his date to breakfast and he was so proud of me. He was prouder than any man than I have ever known, for he displayed it proudly across his chest. His shirt read “Kristy’s Grandpa” and he would wear it when we would go up to have breakfast at Longo’s where my grandma was working. I was indeed his first little girl as I was not only the first granddaughter, but I was the first girl to come along after raising three boys.

He shared with me his love for his dog Tina. In all essence she really was my first dog, as well as my first loss. He made sure to bring her over to visit with me before I got on the school bus the day he took her to have her put down because he knew that she would not be there when I got home from school that day and that I would be as sad as he was to see her go. To this day grandpa has always made sure that when the Christmas decorations come out of storage that the little doghouse ornament with Tina’s name on it is set aside for me to hang on the tree when I come to his house. He was always so excited to tell me that he had it sitting there waiting for me before I could even get into the door. It brought him joy to watch me find the perfect place to hang it, as we shared that love for her still.

Another love of our lives was my grandmother. They always say that you marry your father, well, I married my grandfather. And through that my grandmother and I share a common bond. We have laughed at the similarities between the two and how much they have in common. I look forward to remembering him now every time my husband asks me for a glass of water or calls to me saying, “Hey Babe” like he would say, “Hey Gin” to my grandmother.

I had the honor and privilege to be the last person to visit him. We talked about all of his grandchildren, and his brothers and sisters who all live out of state and how they were thinking about him and said to tell him that they loved him. He told me that he was thinking about them too and how he loved them. He told me to tell my husband to deal out the cards that he was ready to play a hand. He told me how he couldn't wait to see his great grand babies and to be at home sitting in his chair with grandma by his side.

I told my grandfather, only hours before he passed, that we will have to throw rocks in the pond with the kids this summer. To that comment he smiled and nodded in agreement. Because you see, he HATED me throwing those rocks in the pond and, as I said, would reprimand me for doing so. But every year on my birthday he would give me a bucket of rocks. And even if there was still a pile of gifts to be opened I would take off to the pond with my bucket of rocks. Because no matter what was in those packages, that bucket of rocks was my favorite gift of them all. For on my birthday, and my birthday alone, I was allowed to throw not one but that whole bucket of rocks into HIS pond.

As a young child I couldn't help but be amazed at how one rock could affect a whole pool of water with every ripple it made. Grandpa was one of those rocks in my life. That one rock made SO many ripples and that is one of the greatest gifts. Every time I throw a rock in the pond, Grandpa, I will think of you and all of the ways that you changed the waters of my life. And this summer, for my birthday, the kids and I will decorate your pond with ripples and rocks.

“Never take someone for granted,

Hold every person close to your heart,

Because you might wake up one day and realize that you've lost a diamond

while you were too busy collecting rocks.”

God speed

Love,

Grandpa’s Kristy