Well, again it’s been a while.

Brother Dave is traveling in New Zealand and Australia. From the emails, it sounds like he is having a great time. All of us, Dave, Nicole, Debbie and myself are in the thick of the grieving process. We seem to be getting “bombed” with memories and a deep sense of loss. Mom was such an anchor in our family. She brought a positive outlook and perspective to everything. She was our “go to girl!” I find myself daily needing to talk to Mom, or just hear her voice. When Dad died, the grief was so immediate and ovewhelming. With Mom is has been getting gradually harder and deeper. At first we were all just so grateful she wasn’t in pain anymore, but now the loss of Her takes my breath away. Everyday I am confronted with her paperwork, details, and possessions. The other day I took the boys for a ride in Mom’s car just because it was Hers. We rode, told stories and grieved. Eventually we will get around to selling it, but that will break our hearts too. I have always told others that “the way out is through” and we are definitely going “through” it now.

Nicole has been having a very tough time with her health lately. Since “Spring Break”, she has had more pain, fatigue, and overall tiredness. She is having a “flare” in her symptoms, and we are in close contact with her primary Dr. I am just so glad I can be around more.

Josh and John are both full swing with their schooling and sports. Josh is Student Body President, on the A honor roll for the 2 trimester in a row, and playing both indoor soccer, and 3 on 3 basketball. John is having a lot of fun in school and just started another season of Baseball.

James is James. He is loving school, playing outside (he brings the sand box in with him), and is excited to have his Jeep (battery operated) finally charged and ready to ride.

I am enjoying my job, and really looking forward to it actually starting to make money I am off on Monday to Denver for the our companies All staff meetings. It will be nice to finally meet all of the other Consultants in person. I just completed a successful fundraising campaign in Memphis TN for an organization that works with Orphanages all over the world. We had a great event and they are very pleased with the results. I am still needing to expand my client base and improve our revenue stream. Thanks to George W. Bush for the “extra” money we will get in May….it will really help

Thanks to all of you who keep us in your prayers and have been TRUE friends. You have no idea how much your sincere love and support have meant to us! We love you All!

First I must apologize for the delays in writing. It has been a crazy past 2 months and we are just getting our feet back under us again. Thanks to the many family and friends who “pointed out” the lack of updates as it serves not only to remind us, but makes us feel valued that you even noticed

The boys schedules are at full tilt!

Josh is just finishing up another great season of Basketball, while simultaneously continuing with indoor soccer. He just had his big #12 birthday and enjoyed having a bunch of friends over for Guitar Hero Wars. I was fortunately out of town on business while these 6 boys “entertained” Nicole We also had a big day when Josh had the gigantic MOP on his head cut. He really liked the long hair ( a bit too much) but is glad for the easier to maintain ’short cut’. He continues to fill his days and nights with friends, family and a deepening love for the Lord. We are so proud of him in so many ways!

John is getting excited about the beginning of another baseball season! He is enjoying his classmates and learning and drawing and swimming and quiet time and webkins and his palm pilot and his puppy sneakers. John has been the son who is having the most difficulty with my moms death. He and Mom were so very close, and She has been a constant presence in his life since the day he came home from the hospital. The waves of grief come without notice and hit him very hard. The other night he just crawled into my lap and started sobbing. Pretty soon Nicole and I joined in and it wasn’t long before the three of us were recounting stories of Grandma and how much we miss her. I am so thankful to my mom for having truly left a positive and lasting legacy for all of my boys. But perhaps no one more than my Johny, who spent countless hours snuggling and talking with my mom. It was very much the childhood that I remembered sharing with mom too!

James is James! Loud, happy, full of energy and did I mention LOUD! He brings so much joy and fun into our lives. Everyday with James is a new and wonderful adventure. He absolutely loves going to school 2 days a week and Wednesday night clubs at church and Sunday school. The church has been renamed “my school were I go to learn about Jesus!”. He’s there at least 4 days a week and enjoys every minute. He is also enjoying the puppy in a bit different way….he has been terrorizing the poor thing and chases him around. On several occasions Sneakers has let him know how he feels with a little nip or a scratch of his little claws, and the universe rights it’s self if only for a brief moment.

Nicole is hard at work on her degree at Bethel. She is loving her classes, papers, many many books and the professors. Of coarse she is upset that she only has a 3.9 GPA, (and continues to remind us all that it would be a 4.0 if it hadn’t been for missing one class to go have some CANCER REMOVED!!!!) Such the over-achiever! The visit with the Dr’s at Mayo last month went as well as could be expected. There is some concern over some new masses that showed up in the CT, but we won’t really know anything until the next CT in 8 weeks. The kind of cancer she has is so aggressive that they are cautious about giving us the “all clear” anytime soon. Nicole is such a blessing to us all. Watching her fight so hard, going through the hormonal changes that come with menopause and still being here to love and care for her family. I am so proud of her. She has stood with we (no small feat) through difficult and challenging times and remains the constant friend and cheerleader in all of the craziness. It is such a blessing to be married to my best friend!

As for me, I just keep plugging along. I am finding a new sense of joy and completeness in my family and wonderful friendships. I feel truly blessed. Like John, the waves of grief over mom’s death come unexpectedly and strong. I find myself wanting to call her and just talk like we always did. The other day when Brett Favre announced his retirement (a favorite of my moms) I found myself dialing her phone # to talk about it. I got the voice mail with mom’s voice still on it and suddenly realized she wasn’t there! It was one of those full circle things, as I was thinking about her when old #4 said in his press conference that “if all I am remembered for is my stats and records, I will have to conclude that I did something wrong(paraphrase),” and it hit me…mom will definitely be known for much more that the countless lives she touched. Her legacy as a Mother and Friend are so great. The loss I feel is so great. But, like my Mom always told me “try and find the best in every circumstance and focus on that…..make some lemonade!”

Since just around Christmas we have had a full house! There were 2 people in every bedroom for a total of 8. It was fun, chaotic, noisy and wonderful! Anna and Sam have now moved out and that leave us with our three boys, our nephew Jayden and the little Maltise Sneakers. I still find myself looking for Stache all the time. I miss that Dog!

We made it through the funeral without any hitches. It was a wonderful celebration of Mom’s life, and a real tribute to her Love for Vern! We loved having the relatives from mom’s side over for a long overdue catch up! I find myself missing mom at the strangest times. Oh how I wish I just had one more day!!!

Nicole is back in school and running full steam. She is the typical overachiever and teachers pet. Always getting her home done on time/early! She is maintaining her 4.0, and loving every minute of it! Cancer is in check, and everything is looking good so far! We go back to Mayo the first of the month for the 3 month check up!

If you are offerring up prayers, would you please add my Aunt Pauly(My Dad’s Sister) to the list? She just found out that she has Carcinosarcoma. A type of Uterine Cancel. She and Uncle Don are living year round on Lake Vermilion (A dream come true), -34 today, and will be coming back down to the cities for tests surgery. They have been such an encouragement and support to Nicole and I over the years, especially since my dad died.

Well, that’s all for today!

Former Beauty Queen, Loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother and Friend to Many age 71 passed away peacefully January 3rd at Tidewell Hospice in Sarasota FL, after a prolonged illness. Now in the presence of the Lord she loved so much and spent a lifetime serving. Barbara is preceded in death by her parents, grandson Joseph Daniel Peil, brother Paul Stockwell and former husband Richard L. Peil. She is survived by husband of 18 months Dr. Vernon L. Amundson and his wonderful children, Brooke, Blake, Brett and Brock. Barbara’s Children Daughter Debbie Peil, Son & Daughter-Inlaw Rich & Nicole Peil, Son David Peil and 3 grandsons Joshua, Jonathon and James. As well as Brothers, Dale (Joyce), Doug (Shelley), Brian (Carol), Ralph (Theresa) Stockwell, and Sisters Carol (Dan) Betts, and Loretta (Tom) Rose. Uncle Wayne (Arlene) Hartnup. And many wonderful and dear friends, nieces, nephews.

Barbara lived a full and wonderful life of adventure. In 1957 she was crowned Miss Sarasota, FL and finalist in the Miss Florida Pageant. She went on to New York where she acted on and off Broadway in several productions, had a few “bit parts” in Television and finally acted in the movie “Winds Over the Everglades” starring Beryl Ives and Christopher Plummer and Gypsy Rose Lee. While in New York she met and fell in love with Richard L. Peil of Tower MN. They married and settled in MN raising their three children on Lake Minnetonka and Wayzata. In Her 40’s she went back to school to get her BA, and in her 50’s completed her Masters in Psychology. Mom held many interesting positions, but none as fulfilling as the many years she spent at Stevens Square Nursing Home as the Director of Social Services. She loved “her ladies” and was constantly on the move to listen to someone or give them a hug. Six years ago, mom was diagnosed with Scleroderma following a serious heart attack. At that time the Dr’s didn’t think she had long to live. 4 years ago she was reunited with the best man at her wedding to Richard, who had recently lost his wife Nancy. Over the next two years a beautiful courtship resulted in a Wedding Ceremony on the shores of Lake Vermilion surrounded by family and friends. With all of Mom’s adventures and accomplishments, the last few years proved to be among her best and most joy filled. While she continued to confound the Dr’s, we all knew it was love that was keeping her going right up to the end, infact she and Vern just returned from a cruise six weeks ago(See Picture Above). It was such a joy to watch these newlyweds together. They had both found love again, and we are all so grateful that God brought Vern back into Moms life! Above all, she was deeply in love with God, having a personal relationship with Him and the firm belief that He put her here for a purpose. She found her purpose and spread His love wherever she went. You Finished Strong Mom…we miss you, but we know we will see you again!

Funeral Services are planned for Saturday January 12th at 11:30am at Wayzata Evangelical Free Church 705 Hwy 101 N, Plymouth MN 55447 763-473-9463 A lunch reception will follow at the church.

2 Timothy 4:6-8 (New International Version)

“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

At around 6:00 AM Mom went to sleep for the final time. She was pain free and resting and finally got what she was hoping for. One Minute she was here with us and the next, she was sitting at the feet of the King of Kings in worship to the The One who made Her and Called Her by Name.

Vern and I were able to say our goodbyes and then the funeral home came and took Mom. She was so beautiful, laying there with a look of serenity and comfort. I remember just 7 days ago when she looked at me and said “I am ready to go. I want to see Jesus face to face.”

Well Mom, you finished well, you finished strong. So many have been touched by your love and care. If I have learned anything during these last few days, it is how deeply loved, admired and respected You were by so many!

In a few moments, I will be packing my bags and heading for the Tampa Airport. Arrangements have been made to fullfill Mom’s wish to be cremated and then Vern will bring Mom back to Minnesota. We are tentatively looking at a funeral service on Saturday January 12th at Wayzata Evangelical Free Church. Please check back for details as they come together.

My deepest thanks to all of you for your prayers and words of love and support. Vern is holding up, but we are all obviously filed with the pain of our loss while rejoicing in Mom’s Homecoming!

More to follow!

Love

Rich