Farewell Daddy

In Memory of Richard H. Stallings, III

My dad died today. We were all there and got to say goodbye one last time.  It didn't help though, the sorrow is a physical pain the likes of which I have never before experienced. I love him so much. He was truly a wonderful, God-loving, father, grandpop, husband, man. The world's loss, but I know that he is in heaven today and I will see him again one day soon.

Richard Holliday Stallings, III, of Mechanicsburg, passed away at the age of 64 on Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at Holy Spirit Hospital. Born June 5, 1948 in Camden, NJ, he was a son of the late Richard H. Stallings, Jr. and Marie Nanette (Mathews) Stallings.

Rich was in the U.S. Army Artillery as a commissioned officer, discharged honorably having just been approved for promotion to the rank of Major. He served in Germany during the Vietnam War, was a battery commander at Ft. Sill, OK where his first two daughters were born, served with NATO in Greece for a year, then served as an ROTC instructor at the University of Akron where he earned his MBA and his third daughter was born.

Following his years of military service, he became a manager with Roadway Trucking Company where he worked for 18 years. For the past eight years he has been a Plan Representative for Great-West Retirement Services explaining retirement benefits to state workers in the greater Harrisburg area.

Rich was a self-taught gourmet chef; studying under Julia Child, Mario Batali, Jacques Pepin, and other great chefs through books, magazines, and cooking shows. He loved to prepare creative meals for family and friends. His daughters called Dad with all their cooking questions.

Rich was a faithful servant at West Shore Evangelical Free Church in Mechanicsburg, helping to lead a fellowship group on Sunday morning, a small-group Bible study on Sunday evening, and a men's small group that met in homes a couple times a month. He was a student of Scripture.

His greatest delight in life was his family. Surviving is his loving wife of 40 years, Susan Faye (Mitchell) Stallings and his daughters, Laurel Susan Eriksen and husband Lars of Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Sharon Marie Vigoroso and husband Mark of Marietta, GA, and Kathryn Gail Marquiss and husband Jason of Mt. Holly Springs; his brother, Robert Stallings and wife Janis of Collingswood, NJ and his step-mother, Julia Stallings of Cocoa Beach, FL. He adored and loved spending time with his seven grandchildren, Luke and Leah Eriksen, Carmella, Leo, and Siena Vigoroso, and Daniel and Abigail Marquiss.

Interment with military honors will take place at 10:00 AM Friday, December 21, 2012 at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.

A memorial service will be held at 4:00 PM Friday, December 21, 2012 at West Shore Evangelical Free Church, 1345 Williams Grove Road, Mechanicsburg.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made for global relief by sending donations to West Shore Evangelical Free Church (WSEFC), 1345 Williams Grove Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055.

Christmas South Middleton Style

Kat's dad had a heart event Thursday and is in the cardiac ICU in an induced coma and in a cooled state to encourage healing.  His heart stopped at the breakfast table and although he had CPR within a couple minutes, he hasn't regained consciousness.  We hope he'll wake up today or tomorrow and then the doctors can determine what damage might have been done
. 
In the mean time, I had signed up the kids for the township Christmas party and thought that would be a good excuse to get out and try to have some fun. The party was at the fire station so most of the time was spent climbing in and out of the trucks and trying on the fireman's gear.  Even Abby got in on it this time. We even managed to get the kids a bit closer to Santa Claus for a photo op!

 

Now that Abby is getting so big, she and Daniel are playing together more and more. 

Here are some cute pictures from this week. 

Christmas Tree Farm

We decided to go with a small artificial tree this year but I needed something to do with the kids today so we went to the Christmas Tree farm.  Abby played with the goats and Daniel rode in the barrel train driven by Santa (whom he refused to look at and tried to his distance from).  I thought about going for a walk through the trees but figured that would be pointless and tiresome with hungry, fussy kids.

 

Notice D is about as far away from Santa as he can get!

Bass Pro Christmas

We had our first snow fall of the year this week so we have been feeling a lot like Christmas.

I have started decorating the house (tree is up -- fake this year) and we took our first Christmas outing to Bass Pro Shops to make a craft, see the fish, and see what activities they had for the

Chirstmas season. 

Daniel "driving" a really cool four-wheeler.

Abby on the deer, moose, and bear carousel.

This was about as we expected.  Daniel has never liked Santa and Abby doesn't let anyone but Mommy hold her so we didn't think it would go over too well.  We thought we'd give it a try anyhow and it is a great memory!

Black Friday

 

Avoiding stores and crazy Black Friday shoppers, we took a stroll around the Children's Lake.  We had saved bread pieces for a month so that we would have a lot to feed the ducks and they appreciated it!  Daniel "rode" his bike a bit but is too afraid of falling (which he has never done) so Jason has to pull him along, to help keep up the pace, and hold onto the bike if there are any turns or bumps.  He was very upset that we didn't bring his helmet and mentioned its absence several times.  Abby made friends with a giant Bernese Mountain Dog, and made sure we knew that we were feeding "ducks".  (She points to them over and over again and says "duck" which is one of her few words.)

 

While Abby and I were playing with the dog, Daniel collected sticks to throw in the pond and then climbed trees. I love getting them out of the house and letting Daniel be a boy. He handles himself much better after a good bout of fresh air and exercise. 

 

 

Thanksgiving Day

Oh how many things we have to be thankful for.  The Lord has blessed us in so many ways with an amazing family, beautiful, healthy children, a house full of potential, and a loving marriage.  Every morning this week at the breakfast table, I asked Daniel to tell me something he is thankful for.  He mentioned Roxy, food, pictures, our house, Mom, Dad, Abigail, and family - in that order!  I am so thankful for my amazing little man.

 

Helping Jason put some primer on the repaired walls. He loves to "work".

Playing at Grandpops' and Grandmas' house on Thanksgiving Day.

Jason and I discussed wanting to be with my cousins for Thanksgiving so my parents decided to invite an extended-family-less young family with three young boys for dinner.  Dinner was wonderful and the boys were boys!  They tore up the playroom leaving nothing unturned and literaly bounced off the walls.  When allowed, Abby tried to get in on the fun too. My dad sat and watched them with a twinkle in his eye and didn't even complain about the mess (which Jason and Westin cleaned up). 

Watching a Christmas movie after Thanksgiving Dinner.  The only way we could calm them down! They had a blast.

Beautiful Late Autumn Afternoon

Today was perhaps one of the last remaining autumn days warm enough to play outside.  Both kids played on the swings and slide and dug in the dirt!  Daniel would hold Abby on his lap and they would slide down the slide together with peels of laughter! 

 

Daniel has developed a love for tree climbing and the little red maple in our front yard

 is perfect for him to climb.