lots of family time...

This last week was a full one. Since the day my grandpa died, more and more family members showed up. My mom and my sister with her little girl Hailey-Jo all flew in. My poor brother wanted to be here so bad for the funeral but since his wife is due any day with their new little girl, he couldn't risk missing it by flying out here. But he wrote a beautiful, touching song and it was played at the memorial service...it was perfect! So the week was full of lots of family time. Everyone gathered at my grandma's house all week. We would sit and visit, eat lots of food, get things ready for the funeral, help her around the house, etc. The time together was very nice, even though the circumstances for us all to get together was so sad. After these last days being together, I have a new appreciation for my family. They are all so awesome! It was great seeing everyone pull together during this time and see our relationships blossom into something more...true friendships. Special times in deed.

Mom and Sister arrive with little Hailey-JoMeeting my new little niece Hailey-Jo for the first timethe family all gathered together to reminisce and share stories about grandpaUncle Dave and Grandma indulging...
but seriously, pepsi in a coke glass?? hahaha :)Vince's is a Vasquez tradition...I learned a lot about my family history this last week...like my Great Great Grandfather was an artist and started the Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach, Frazee Paints was started by one of our family members, my Great Grandma Helen Frazee-Bower is an author/poet and has a few books like this one:
The funeral was very special. Saturday morning there was a graveside service at Forest Lawn for family. It was such a wonderful service honoring Grandpa. Later that afternoon there was a memorial service that was open to everyone. This day was very memorable and very special. I was honored to take photos for Grandma that day and have posted some of them on my photoblog:

Jody Vasquez Photography

(Some people who read this blog might think that taking pictures at a funeral is weird...but if you knew my family, you'd know that its not weird at all. There is always a camera going off when any of us get together, for any event or occassion!)
Anyway, the day was full of tears and joy...we are sad for us that we don't have Grandpa with us anymore, but joyful that he is healed and in Heaven with Jesus, his sons, his parents...and all his family.

The next night, on Sunday, the girls got together and we had a girly night at my cousin's house. We watched Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, ate goodies, chatted, took some fun pictures, and just enjoyed each others company. It was a great way to end the week, and we were all so glad that Grandma fell asleep through the movie and had some time to finally get some rest. She hadn't been able to sleep all week. Oh, and my sister fell asleep too...they were two peas in a pod...the party animals! :) hahaha!

i will miss you grandpa

My Grandpa Vasquez passed away last night around midnight. I got a call around 12:30 from my mom telling me the news. After many tears, I called my Auntie Lin and asked if I could go to their house and spend time with the family. I (we) had a very nice time sharing stories about Grandpa, and my dad...sharing some tears and laughs...and sharing our hearts with each other. I appreciate so much that I was able to be with family last night, as my immediate family is out of state. Thank you Evermans, for welcoming me last night into your intimate family time and allowing me to be a part of something so special.

We will miss Grandpa so much, but are at peace knowing that he is home with Jesus. His boys, Danny and Donny, were there to greet him at the pearly gates! My daddy must be so happy right now to see his daddy again! We are so happy that Grandpa didn't suffer long and as far as we know had little to no pain in his final days. What a blessing in deed. I am so glad that I was able to visit him a few days ago before he left us, and have been looking at pictures all morning remembering all the good times (a few are below). Danny wrote a beautiful song for him and I've had it on repeat while reminiscing. Thank you Danny for such a special gift for the whole family! It's perfect!!

here are a few photos that I have on my computer right now...I wish I had all those from when I was little scanned...and pictures of my dad and grandpa together (one day I'll get that done):

sewing 101

Well today was my first day of my new sewing class. My friend Carissa told me about this class that she was going to take and asked if I wanted to take it with her...she knew I had been wanting to learn to sew. So, after a bit of effort, by the end of class the teacher finally made up her mind to let me add it (I didn't register or anything before hand...just showed up). I guess I proved that was serious about this class and she broke the rules and let me stay. Yea me! :) Anyway, so it was a very exciting day for me...I finally learned how to use a sewing machine! YIPPEE!!! :) It was kinda funny though because we had to practice on paper. The first two sheets we had to do it without thread...and then we got to use thread on the third sheet of practice paper. But next class we will be making tote bags, so that will be fun! I'll get to actually use some material! haha :) Well, be on the lookout in the future for some of Jody's unique creations! :) There's no stopping me now!!!

Game Night

Tonight was fun...Bethany Baptist Church held a young adults/singles Game Night! We ate yummy food - chili, chips, brownies, cookies...lots of goodies! Then it was game time! We first played this game that I had never heard of and still am not sure of the name. I think it was called Wiff? They give a subject like "ice cream flavors" and there's one person who goes around the group and each person gets to guess and the person who guesses the right answer gets water splashed in their face. I wasn't too pleased with this game...I got the right answer THREE TIMES!!! Yea, I tied with one other person for the most times getting water in the face. BOO!But, I did get to splash Josh in the face, so that was nice payback! heehee :)Then we played four on a couch. Way too much thinking with that game...it wasn't my favorite. And then it was time for Battle of the Sexes. I don't understand why the guys get such easy questions and the girls get such hard ones! Not fair! Oh well, we still did pretty good. Anyway, it was a fun night :) Look at how cute Pastor Josh is with his little boy Tad...such a cute little PK :)

Visiting Grandpa

So as I have blogged before, my Grandpa Vasquez is not doing well. His health is failing and the doctors have given him a couple weeks to live. He has been diagnosed with acute leukemia and with all the infections in his body right now, there isn't much they can do for him. He isn't in pain and therefore not on any pain medications...right now they just have him on antibiotics for the infections.

Please keep praying for a miracle!!!!

Yesterday I drove out to my Grandma's house to visit with her and see if she wanted to go to lunch. A friend of hers was over helping her clean and get some things done around the house and so the three of us, along with her friend's son and my Auntie Lin, all went out to lunch at Chili's. We had a great time visiting, catching up, reminiscing about my dad, and talking about Grandpa. After a couple hours, we thought it was time we should get going and we went over to my aunt's house. After a few minutes there, my Grandma and my Uncle Allin and I drove out to USC hospital to see my Grandpa. I had seen a few pictures of him and so it helped to prepare me for my visit. When we got there he was awake and talking, but it was hard to understand him. I said "hi Grandpa, its me Jody! I love you!" He said my name and I think he said he loved me too (it was kinda hard to understand him) but I know he heard me and understood me :) That was special! I was able to hold his hand and listen as he tried to talk. I'm so glad that I was able to see him and spend some time with him!My Grandma is so strong right now and just wants to see her honey get better and come home! We are all praying for that...we do believe God can make that happen!
At one point my Grandpa said "I can see someone in front of me"...well Grandma was standing at the end of the bed and was so excited and said "Johnny, its me Ruthie! I love you!!". He said he loved her too. So sweet! He hasn't been able to see for weeks!! I'm so glad that he saw her! :) His eyes are starting to heal and the swelling and infection is getting better, praise God! Here's a picture right when he saw her and she is waving at him...such a special moment!! I'm so glad that my Uncle was ready with the camera and captured that for us!I also had the priveledge of reading a note from my brother and his family and delivered some flowers for them to Grandpa. They wouldn't allow the flowers to stay in the room but for a few minutes, so we took a picture and then took them out. But when I read the note, Grandpa heard and understood because he said "Danny"...he knew who the note was from :) Here's a picture with the flowers...My Uncle Allin was great with Grandpa that night...he can understand him very well, more than me for sure, and was helping him with all he needed. What a great son-in-law for Grandpa! :)Then another blessing, Grandpa fell asleep and slept for hours! He hasn't slept in days and has been so restless. So for him to have such a peaceful sleep was an answered prayer!After our visit, we headed back home to my Aunt and Uncle's house. My Auntie Lin had dinner ready for us when we arrived and we all sat together and had a nice meal while watching American Idol. After chatting for awhile, and looking through some photobooks, my Aunt asked me to dye her hair...so I had fun playing hairdresser for a bit! :) And i did a good job too (I think) :) Anyway, I did her hair around midnight (kinda late) and Grandma and Uncle Allin fell asleep so there's a picture of them too :)I love that Grandma and Uncle Allin are sleeping exactly the same, with their left hand to their chin and their right arm at their side...priceless! :)It was a long day, but a GREAT day! I had such a wonderful day spending time with family, seeing and talking with Grandpa, remembering some good old days, and just being with loved ones! God has blessed me with such a great family!!!

Grandpa, I love you so much! Thank you for the many things you have taught me in life...especially how to burp! heehee :) I did win lots of contests in the youth group for that! :) Seriously though, you ARE an amazing man and I pray that God will heal you! I'm so glad that I got to visit with you, hold your hand and tell you I love you! Keep being the fighter you are and kick this illness in the butt! :) If anyone can do it, you can! I love you!!!

Please keep praying for my Grandpa!!! I heard today that the plan is for him to go home on Monday with Hospice. Let's just keep praying for healing!!!

More Photos @

Jody Vasquez Photography

Man vs. Food

The other night I was at my cousin's house and we were all just hanging out watching TV. We had the Travel Channel on and were watching "Man vs. Food". Boy is this a great show! This episode was taking place in LA and he was hitting a few hot-spots. Watching the host eat made us hungry and we started to crave the food he had and took notes of where he was so hopefully one day we could try it out. So today, my cousin Cathy had to do some work out in LA and she let me tag along. We took care of her business and then hit the two hot-spots that were on the show. Oh my gosh, it was so fun! I love new little adventures like this!

1st stop:
El Tepeyac
(Beware, not in the best neighborhood!)
The home of the "Manuel Special" burrito that feeds 2 to 4 people. No, we didn't try it...it is WAY too much food! But the burritos we did get were pretty huge too and we couldn't even finish those!Our yummy burritos
(we split them so we could each try both)needless to say, we have LOTS of leftovers!!


2nd stop:
Philippe
(right by Olvera St)
The Original French Dipped Sandwich
celebrating their 100 year anniversary!since we just had lunch at El Tepeyac, we were definitely not hungry yet. So we took this food to go and had it for dinner back at Cathy's house later this evening. We devoured the yummy dips. Ya'll will need to try them soon!