Thankful

Something so special has come over me this week. An extra appreciation for the little things in life. I've learned to love the bad days just as much as the good days. I feel so terrible after complaining about a bad day due to teething, or a short nap. What is that in comparison to a parent who just lost their only child to cancer, or a woman who is told that she'll never have a child of her own. I look at Eli and feel overwhelmed with joy, an indescribable amount of love, and enough thankfulness to last a lifetime. This time is going by way too fast, and I want to cherish every single second. The good days, the bad days, and the 'did that really happen' days. I'm thankful for this loving, healthy, precious blessing that we've been given, and I wouldn't trade him for the world.

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." Ps 118:1

We started our Journey Groups this week and I just know that the results will be life changing. I'm so excited to see what the Lord has in store for us this year, and I'm so glad to have such a special group of girls to share this experience with.

New Car & New Words

The boys were very excited to watch their first football games of the season

I scored a great find at a kid's consignment sale yesterday. We've been looking for some 'new' outside riding toys for Eli, and I found just what I was looking for for $5.00. Definitely the best $5 I've spent in quite some time ;) To say that he loves his new car would be the understatement of the year. If he's not eating or sleeping, then you can find him in his car. We lost track of counting how many times he's gotten out of the car, just to get right back in. Too cute!


If he becomes an agressive driver like his father, then this will become an outside only toy ;) It's just too hot to stay outside for hours right now.

We've had so much fun the past few weeks as Eli's vocabulary is starting to grow. He's really starting to repeat more words, but he's also using more of his new words without being prompted to. His favorite words right now are cracker, car and cheeeese. Cheese is by far the funniest pronounced word. He also says: more, duck, grape, banana, dog, nana, and cat. He still says dada WAY more than mama...and now thinks it's funny. We're excited to see his little personality come out even more as he begins to communicate better.

He finally let me put his sunglasses on him this week. He always liked to play with them but hated the feeling of having them on his face. Maybe it's because they aren't the most attractive of sunglasses. They were free..what can you expect?!

I'm growing SO impatient while waiting for the fall weather to arrive. I just couldn't be more ready. We also just found out that we'll be spending Thanksgiving in Texas with my mom and Tom! We'll be purchasing tickets this week, and a new countdown will begin! Not sure that I'm all too excited about flying with Eli for the first time, but I'm hoping that he'll surprise us. So much to look forward to, and even more to be Thankful for.

Three Years

It’s that time of year again. The time of year that marks the start of a new year without my dad by our sides. Three years ago today my daddy took his last breath on this earth. I know that the air he is breathing right now in heaven is SO much better. It’s hard to believe that it’s already been three years. So much has happened, our lives have changed so drastically, and my heart still aches the same. As our family grows, and we are blessed continually beyond belief, I can’t help but know that he is a special part in each and every blessing received. I still have my moments, my days. Just last week a good friend of mine from high school lost her dad. I wish that I couldn’t relate to her, I wish that I could tell her that in time the hurt will heal, I just wouldn’t wish that feeling on anyone. It’s all in HIS timing, it’s all in HIS name, and that’s what gets you through each day.

If I could describe my dad in one word it would be strong. He was a strong father figure, a strong leader, a strong competitor, and even up until his last day on earth, he was a strong fighter. He was stubborn and quick tempered, yet so loving and sensitive. He was full of faith, and always learned from his mistakes. He loved to push our buttons, and always got a kick out of aggravating those he loved the most. He was so fun loving. He absolutely loved a good practical joke…and never seemed to care if it would get him in trouble. He loved unconditionally, and never let a day go by in our house without saying I love you to me and my mom. We will forever do the same in our house. He was passionate about life, and always had appreciation for the little things. He gave strong and solid advice. He was just about as impulsive as they come, and I’ve never questioned where I got that from. I miss each and every part of him, the good and the bad. I just love talking about him.

I still struggle daily with why. Why did the Lord choose to take him so soon? I still have vivid flashbacks to that day. I can still remember the faces of random strangers in the waiting room, crying with our family as we received such devastating news. I want to talk about him all the time, but it still seems so unreal to me. It’s still such a delicate subject.

I’ll never forget the days leading up to his passing. It’s amazing to me how God allowed our family special moments together, even though we could never have imagined what was to soon come. Ironically, the day before he became sick, he shot his best round of golf EVER. I’m so thankful for this.

I’m thankful for the childhood that he gave me, the memories that are forever with me, and for the way he blessed the lives of so many. I know that he’s looking down on us with a big smile.

I do know one thing...he would eat this little boy up. He loves him from Heaven, and I can't wait to share that with Eli someday.

"No eye has seen no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him." 1 Corinthians 2:9b