06 October 2016

Charles Addison Wauhop


One year ago I had the privilege of writing a short biography about the life of my dear Father-in-love. I thought I'd share that here, today, in celebration of his one year with the Lord. We sure do miss you, Poppy, and are looking forward to worshipping our God with you forever!

 

Today we gather together to celebrate Charles Addison Wauhop, Jr. Not because he was a faithful husband of 34 years, or because of his godly example to his two sons, nor because he was an extraordinary Poppy to five beautiful grandchildren. We are gathered to celebrate Casey because of one relationship, without which Casey would have had no hope - he was a child of God, a true believer in the person and work of Jesus Christ. And today he is rejoicing in Glory with the Lord.

Casey was born May 23, 1954 in Yokosuka, Japan to his parents Charles and Joan Wauhop. As a young child he also lived in Germany. Casey primarily grew up in Falls Church, Virginia, where he attended Falls Church High School and graduat- ed in 1972. To his final day Casey maintained great friendships with many of his childhood friends.

Casey met Nora Monick on a blind date arranged by mutual friends. They were married on January 3, 1981. Together they enjoyed life in Alexandria, Springfield, and finally settled in Burke, Virginia. After three years of marriage they welcomed their first son Tim. In November of 1987 their son Robert joined their family.

The Wauhop family began to expand quickly when Tim and Joni were married in October of 2008. In July of 2009 Robert and Ashley were married, as well. Casey was promoted to Poppy as grandchildren began to fill hearts and homes. Jacob and Maggie were born in September and November of 2011. Charlie came around in June of 2013 and Adelynn was born in October, 2014. The latest addition, Lucy Lane, came this September 30th in God's perfect timing and was able to meet her Poppy shortly before he met the sovereign Creator.

Casey was an avid golfer and a five-time "Myrtle Beach Invitational Tournament" champion. He was a passionate Nationals and Redskins fan, for better or worse. He coached both sons baseball teams. Casey enjoyed playing the guitar with his buddies, "The Fretwalkers." He worked hard at both UPS and FedEx for many years. He both attended and served with the youth at McLean Bible Church for eighteen years. Casey and Nora began attending Immanuel Bible Church almost four years ago.

In December of last year, Casey was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Immedi- ately he was a great example of peace and confidence in Christ to his family and friends as he lived out Philippians 1:21, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." By God's grace, Casey remained faithful until his final breath. From now and for eternity he is without pain, sin, or tears as he worships his Savior. 

23 August 2016

Update of Charlie ❤️

Almost three weeks ago I took Charlie to get an allergy test. He has had severe eczema since he was a baby, maybe 6 months. It ebbs and flows, but never ever goes away. Lately it had gotten worse and his pediatrician recommend an allergy test. We did it. 

The very next day she called with the results. She said that he tested off the charts as far as allergies towards every type of grass (yay Georgia summer 😁) and dog dander, as well as cat dander, (but shouldn't everyone be allergic to cats?! 😜). Anyway, she proceeded to spout off a list that included wheat, cows milk, peanuts, soy, shrimp, walnuts and mold. Wowza! Not what I was expecting. She advised us to schedule an appointment with an allergist ASAP and to immediately eliminate wheat, cows milk, and peanuts from his diet. Bummer. 

So, fast forward to today. It has been over 2 weeks with no wheat, milk, and peanuts - quite a feat for us! And his skin was looking worse than ever. No positive change to be noticed. Also, he was consistently complaining of belly pains. So sad 👎. Finally our appointment with the allergist was today. 

We learned lots of things. It was half "hooray!" And half "o no!". But, the long and short of it is that his food "allergies" have pretty much nothing to do with his eczema. The only food the dr said for him to never eat is walnuts, and for now to continue avoiding peanuts and soy. Yay! Donuts for everyone 🎉😉 !!! 

His eczema, however, doesn't seem to be the kind he's going to grow out of. It seems more that it's something he will be battling for most of his life, unless the Lord changes his skin. With that, the doctor gave me a detailed and LONG list of things to begin doing daily for my boy. It will take time and effort. It will definitely affect our daily routines for at least the few weeks until we get into a good rhythm with some of the treatments. But, I'm very hopeful and thankful for something that might help him! 

Once we can manage it a little better, he won't have these terrible flare-ups, Lord willing, and his life will be much less itchy! And then hopefully if these more hard core things help, we can just go to regular management and moisture! 

Pray for him, please! It's hard to be itchy all the time. His legs are bright red and bleed almost every day! That stinks. 

Pray for me. Please pray that I would find it a joy to serve Charlie in this way. Pray that I don't see this as an inconvenience, but as an opportunity to be an example of Christ to him! ❤️

01 March 2016

My Dear Sweet Lucy,

It took both time and perspective to write about the very special season in which you entered our family. Deep joys mixed with hurt surrounded your birth. And while the stories of each of my babies births are intimate and unique, I have found yours to be supremely so.  

I found out that a new baby was coming shortly after the new year. That baby was YOU. We were surprised and excited (and a little nervous about baby #3!). We began planning for and anticipating another Wauhop little. If you would have told me that nine both short and long months later I would find myself in another state, not my home, not my doctor, not my hospital...not my plan... Let me back up a little.

One of the sweetest and most godly men that I have ever had the pleasure of knowing, my father-in-law, Daddy's dad, and your Poppy was very sick. He was dying of pancreatic cancer. Grammy told us it was nearing the end and that we needed to come now. I was 38 weeks pregnant with you. All (almost five!) of us were packed up and in the air, bound for Northern Virginia within about 4 hours of Grammy's news. 

Poppy was in the hospital the first day and a half we were there. Then he came home on hospice care. Days passed. They were long days full of friends and family coming and going, saying goodbye to your sweet Poppy - he was so loved! It was a really special time, but it was hard, too, because I was large and uncomfortable and taking care of Maggie and Charlie away from home and in a delicate environment. Things didn't change much that first week. However, it became increasingly obvious that a new little life would soon be among us! Everyone would comment on how they couldn't believe I was going to deliver my baby away from home. People's comments ranged from, "I can't see your angel wings." to "Isn't that going to be hard?" 

I can honestly tell you, my dear, that it was. It was really hard. I had yet to fully come to grasp the fact that I was not going home to give birth to my newest baby. Everyone had such high hopes for the joy that would come with you. Everyone felt they could bear the weight of this trial, because of the great excitement that comes with a new baby. And they were so right. But inside i was struggling. Here, arguably two of the weightiest events, literally life and death were staring us in the face and your daddy and I had to decide what to do. 

Who plans these things? Only God. Only a God who orchestrates everything according to his perfect will, each event, each life, each death...! 

At the time, and even still in my flesh, it is easy to see how much was taken away from me. I didn't get to have those last few weeks and nights alone with my husband. I didn't get to finish my "nesting." I didn't get to bring you to our home. I didn't get to spend time recovering. We didn't get the family time I had planned on... On top of all of this, my husband, my best friend, was losing his dad! A he was a really great dad, your Poppy. Every choice seemed wrong. No choice could be made without a profound sense of loss. But looking back, thinking rightly, I can see so much that was gained! 

The Lord so richly blessed us with you - a perfectly beautiful and healthy 7lb 2oz baby girl with deep blue eyes and my nose. Wow. I am as sure of God's sovereignty and his goodness as I am of the fact that you are my daughter. It is only by his grace that I was not crushed under the heartache and trial of those weeks. He is so kind. 

And you, my dear, have been such an indescribable joy to this family. These last five months you have grown into the most beautiful, round little treasure. I am always saying how I think that one day your perfect cheeks might explode with pink hearts and rainbows because you just smile so big. Goodness. I could eat you up, my littlest love. 

We miss your Poppy. But we trust in God's perfect grace and timing in all things. And although you will never know him in this life, I sometimes think about how you might be like him - I pray that the joy of Lord is always on your lips, as it was for him. And maybe you will love music and my chocolate  chip cookies (a trait which I couldn't say comes solely from Poppy, but still 😉). We will see!

I could write for days about you and your birth and the weightiness of it all. But this I know is true: God is good. He reigns. And He is for us - what better thing could ever be said of us! To God be the glory, great things He has done!