A First Birthday Party

As we were preparing to celebrate Juliet's 14th Birthday, she shyly and happily tells me that this will be her first birthday party.

My precious girl, may you have many more beautiful firsts.

She wasn't quite sure what to expect

as she waited on the cake...

as very enthusiatic singers belted out a birthday song!

Blowing out the candles was a new experience.

She kept saying, "Thank you. Thank you so much."

Every gift was a treasure for her...

and her appreciation was apparent.

 My favorite... a group birthday hug!

She was quite overwhelmed...

and we were quite happy to celebrate her special day.

Happy Birthday, Juliet!

You are a precious daughter

 and I am so thankful to have you home!

I love you!

Thankful...

My cup truly overflows with God's goodness...

Happy Thanksgiving!

A Letter to Daddy

Dear Daddy,

I know you are in a better place because I know you love Jesus... but I miss you terribly. I will forever miss your voice in the background as I talk to Mom on the phone yelling, "Hi Hon... I love you". I will forever miss your bear hugs. I will forever miss the way your smile would light up a room and the way you would make the smallest of gifts seem like the grandest thing you had ever received. I will forever miss your stubborn ways and the way you would ask me to, "Come over here and let me show you something".

Thank you for making Momma so happy and for taking such good care of her. Thank you for loving me as your own. Thank you for loving my children, for spoiling them, and for teaching them so many things. I know you were so proud of them and that meant the world to me.

It blesses my heart to witness so many people who were touched by you in one way or another. You brought much happiness into many lives. So many people miss you... especially Momma. You were a wonderful man, Daddy, and I am so proud to be your daughter.

I love you and I'll be seeing you...
C

Remembering Daddy

My step-father, as most children might refer to a mother's second husband, recently passed away.  But he was so much more than a step-father.... he was my Dad.

He loved me as his own daughter.  He never thought of me or treated me as a "step" child... only his child.  He called me his "beautiful, wonderful, amazing, daughter".  He was proud of me and he told me often.  He celebrated me, encouraged me, adored me.  He loved me unconditionally... beautifully.

My favorite thing about Daddy was how happy he made my Mom.  He loved and adored her.  I loved watching them google over each other when I was younger and as I got older it was very entertaining to watch them pester each other... always with love.  They had a lot of fun together... it kept them young.

He was also a wonderful "Papaw" to all his grandchildren.  He loved his grandchildren like nobody's business. He adored them. He spoiled them like nobody's business too!  He couldn't help himself.  He loved teaching them new things and sharing new experiences with them... and giving them treats right before dinner.

Daddy loved collecting Coke-a-Cola memorabilia and Elvis was his favorite.  He loved a good western movie and playing games with his grandkids. He loved bringing people together, which is the reason he started "The 82nd Combat Engineer" website, as well as a website for his hometown's highschool.  He loved having coffee and chatting with friends.  If you ever stopped by his house to drop something off, you had better plan on staying awhile because he always had a story to share.

Daddy had a passion for people. He could talk to anyone... and he made everyone feel like someone special. It was his gift.  He will be greatly missed.

Saying goodbye is too hard... so I'll just say... "I'll be seeing you, Daddy."

Celebrating Katherine

Our precious girl is FULL of the joy of Jesus...

She radiates His love and lives to bring Him glory!

We delight in celebrating her!

She is such a blessing to our family...

and to everyone who knows her!

My dear friend, Tina, made this beautiful cake for our celebration.

Lizard and Kat have been bestFRIENDS since forever

and love celebrating life together.

 Nathaniel gave his traditional birthday HUG

to his big sister whom he adores!

Juliet and Abigail...

and Kenneth, Steph and Victoria...

all had a GREAT time celebrating their sister! 

 Our girl has been "Daddy's Girl" since the day she was born.

I'm only okay with that... because she's Mommy's girl too! 

Happy 18th Birthday Beautiful!

Daddy and I are so incredibly proud of YOU!

I love you, Katherine... forever and always...

"as long as I'm living, my baby you'll be".

Just a Reminder...

to not take life too seriously!

Compelled

This past Sunday, our Pastor spoke about how the love of Christ compels us.  His love compels us to DO something, to act, to serve, to LOVE.  He was explaining how when the love of Christ compels you to do something, you just have to "get it out"!

I must say... I TOTALLY get that!

My mind is consumed with The Suubi Project!  I am so excited about what God is doing and I am SO BLESSED that He would use me in this project!

I am compelled by the love of Christ!

Will you visit Suubi's blog and consider joining our prayer team?  The prayers of the saints are powerful and effective.  For real.