I think I remember how this works???

WOW!!! lots of catching up to do, but not today.

it was one year ago today that my daddy went home to be with Jesus in heaven. I can't believe it has already been an entire year! it doesn't seem that long ago. today I reflect on how grateful I am for my dad.

I am grateful for the courage both my mom and dad had to bring my sister and I into this world at such a young age.

I am grateful that my dad was there for some of the most important things in my life, graduation (8th grade, high school, and college), my wedding, and the birth of my two of my boys. and even better, he was there just living life with us.

I am grateful for my relationship with my dad since moving to Ohio 5 years ago. We had so many opportunities to hang out, begin an adult relationship, learn a little bit more about my dad, his growing up, my growing up, and his likes and passions. My dad taught me how the make the best grilled potatoes, how to cook a egg sunny side up, and how to love, enjoy, and appreciate my kids a little more. He always loved Peter like he was his own, maybe even more, and reminded me of how blessed I am to have such a faithful, generous, and loving husband.

Of all the things that come to mind when I think of my dad, the thing that sticks out miles above the rest is the papa he was to my boys. He made me and them feel like they were his life, his heaven here on earth. He would do anything for them, he wanted to know them, be around them, love on them, and spoil them. He wanted to teach them all about the barn, cows, rabbits, trains, fishing, napping, and even how to eat the best cookies at "papa's cookie store". He made us feel like he lived for the opportunities to come back to Cincinnati to see us, or for us to come to visit him. He always talked about the days they would be ready to come to Papa and Grandma Tina's house without mom and dad. My dad loved my boys so much and I am so very grateful for the memories we have of special times together. I am sad that he never had the opportunity to meet our precious little girl and yet so grateful that I know they will meet one day.

This past year has been so different to not have him around. We speak of memories all the time. I find myself often picturing how he would respond to life around us. Especially when my kids do something new or amazing or funny. I can hear his response and his laughter, his pride and joy in watching Caleb learn to ride a two wheeler, Elijah learn to go on the potty, and Micaiah, learn to say papa. Just ove r Memorial weekend our entire family was here to visit. My kids seemed like they were trying to connect with Milo, it made me smile and I thought of how much my dad would have loved to see his grandkids loving on his puppy. (and how proud he would be to have Milo on my blog!)





As the tears continue to fall while I write this, I miss him so terribly much and yet I am so grateful to know that my dad is in eternity with Jesus. Most of all I am grateful that I had the relationship with my dad that allowed me to ask him at the fair a few years ago if he believed that Jesus died on a cross for Him and that he had made a decision to follow Him. He said yes. The Bible says this acceptance and commitment to Jesus how we can know we will spend eternity in heaven. I can't wait to see him there someday.