Rainy Saturday

It was the last Saturday in September three years ago today that I got the call that changed my life. It was rainy much like it is today. Even though the date was the 29th of September and she passed in the early morning hours of the 30th it was this weekend that was the last day I would ever get to hold my moms hand or touch her face. It was her last day here on earth. This year my grief seems almost unbearable even though it's been three years. I guess it's because almost 3 months ago I had to say goodbye again to my dad. The two people on this earth who loved me unconditionally. Even as a grown woman, I still need to hear my parents voices sometimes. Just knowing they are there provides comfort that you are never alone in this world, a comfort that can only come from those two people who taught you how to walk and who heard your first words as a baby, Who held your hand when you were scared or were there to celebrate some of those firsts like learning to drive for the first time. My heart hurts today and it's not anything anyone can understand. Lord, I pray for strength today and this week and the next few months as I celebrate new firsts and traditions without them as the holidays approach. I know they are with you and that someday I will see them again. Until that day, help me to make them proud and help me to continue to move forward. 

More fun....Celebrating our Parker

As the fun continued on our family cruise to Cozumel and the Grand Caymen Island, Parker turned the big 14! He is such a blessing to our family. He makes me laugh and his heart has to be made of gold. I pray he continues to grow stronger in his faith and trusts in Jesus always. Words can't describe how much we love you Parker...

Part 2 of vacation....

A tribute to my Father....

Full of life, opiniated and funny are just a few words that come to my mind when I think of daddy. I was a daddy's girl through and through... I instantly became 12 when I was around him and always wanted to please him. He was proud of me, Don and the kids. I can see him now sitting around the table at Parkers Restaurant in Dalton telling stories and laughing and picking at the waitresses. He knew everyone and never met a stranger. As people stood in line out the door to pay their respects to my daddy at his viewing, that spoke volumes to my heart. He may not have always done the right thing in some situations, but he was my hero. He played hard and he loved me more than anything and I always knew that. I have tried to learn from him through some of the mistakes he made, but I am proud he was my daddy. Rest in peace daddy. I'm sure everyone in heaven is laughing right now at your jokes.

I'm back....

The last few months have been a blur filled with so many emotions. Our lives have been consumed with some good memories created, some great memories and one of the worst times in my life. That's what makes life.... Ups and downs! We learn from the bad times and we rejoice through the good times. But... Most of all we must praise him in the storms. The good times and great times have been our family vacations, concerts, time at the lake, birthday celebrations, horseback riding, triathlons for Don, movie premiers and Grayson's 13th birthday trip. However the worst was the unimaginable that happened to our family  on July 6, 2015. It was one of the darkest moments for me as my sweet daddy passed away. I know he is in Heaven and  I am so unbelievably happy for him, but my human selfishness cannot help but be sad for us. I miss him more than words can describe. I can only hope my mother was there to greet him with open arms. I picture him catching her up on everything the kids and I have been doing since she went to be with Jesus nearly 3 years ago. I have really had to draw from my inner strength to get up each day and work and move forward. There's just something about being an only child and losing both your parents. I know that one day I will see them again and until then, it's my job to live my life in a way that is pleasing to our creator. I have a wonderful husband and amazing children and even though we miss mom and dad, our memories will sustain us. I have been blessed way more than I ever deserve. As I scroll through the pictures on my phone of the last few months, I can't help but smile and know in my heart they were so proud of us. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, my parents loved me. I hope my children will always feel that amount of love from Don and me. I have so many pictures I can't possibly put them all in one post. Here is part one of probably about part 50.....