This is my handsome dad and my beautiful mom on their wedding day.
Here’s my dad holding me for the first time.
He was 30 years old when I was born. I turn 30 tomorrow.
Today marks 11 years without him. He was 49 years old when he passed.
I miss him so much. I wish my husband could meet him. I wish my children could be held by him. I wish my mom still had him as her companion. I wish he were still around to father my brothers. I wish I could still get tax advice from him.
I often think of my dad and what he would say to me when I make good or bad choices. One of his most used expressions when he was upset was, “Good night!” You’d have to hear him say it. It was his form of swearing. My dad drove the speed limits, always. My dad loved watching sports, all sports, whenever he could. My dad was honest, so honest it got him in trouble. My dad regularly had flowers delivered to my mom. He’d send her 8 yellow flowers and one pink one to represent their 8 sons and one daughter. My dad was a business owner, a church leader, a community volunteer, a wannabe golfer, a sunflower seed lover, a popcorn chef, a scripture reader, and a family man.
I think about how I’d spend my life if I were only allowed to remain on this earth until I was 49. That’s only 19 years away. I want my dad to be proud of me. When I finally see him again in the eternities, I want a big hug and him to tell me he was always watching because I’m certain he must be.
I love you Dad.
You know how looks can be deceiving?
Do they look sick?
Well, they were finally feeling better Sunday, so we skipped church (in case they were still contagious) and went to the park instead.
At the suggestion from a friend, I’ve been playing around with Photoshop Actions again. Usually I post my photos straight out of the camera. I love the untouched look. I love to remember the kids’ blemishes and hate altering the color of their skin. It’s probably because I’m not an artist and don’t have an eye for it. I’m not really even fond of black and white photos. To me, too much is taken away when you subtract the pigment. Also, playing in Photoshop can get me in trouble. I don’t get my work finished. Like today… I didn’t do anything but play with photos while the kids napped. Oh well. Most of the actions I used can be found at The Pioneer Woman.
I never leave home without my “sippie.” Usually I’m happy to share a sip with the kids. We’re always thirsty.
I’ve felt like the sippie cup Nazi this week in desperate hopes of stopping the spread of the stomach flu. No one shares drinks while sick, but all the kids insist on having a drink with them while they’re sick. It’s hard to control who gets their mitts on what.
Alas, it spread anyway from Masie to Lars to Lyla to Luke to Miles to me. Blah. Glad it’s over now.
These are our wheels. 2 double strollers need 2 parents to steer 4 adorable passengers.
“Hey! Who’s touching my afro?”
LOVE these girls!!
I pray that my girls will be the best of friends. They are only 10.5 months apart. They’ll be a year apart in school, so I’m sure they’ll have many of the same friends. Will they have the same interests? Excel in the same subjects?
Share each others’ clothes?
Their personalities could not be more different. Masie is headstrong and bounces off everything. Lyla aims to please and is happy sitting and playing with toys. They both have awesome dance moves and awesome hair. I’ve dreamed of having hair like theirs. Mine is thick but fine, heavy, and won’t hold a curl. I love combing through their messy tresses. Mine won’t rat even if I try. Masie wakes with a nest circling her pretty face, and Lyla’s hair mats in the back and poufs on top. I hope they love their curls.
I’ve been collecting dolls for the girls’ new dollhouse.
This is the closest I’ve come to creating our family, sad.
I’m still searching for the “right” mom, big sister, and little sister.
I wonder which figure my girls will compare themselves to.
They are neither full Caucasian or full African American.
Will they choose their friends by the color of their skin?
Back to the hair…
It’s time to give this little one her first haircut. I’ve done all I can with her pouf.
Why is it so hard to cut a child’s hair for the first time?
It’s time to let go.
We have guests!
Unfortunately they’re leaving today, but we’ve had a great week with them.
Luke’s parents stopped by our house on their way home from one of their many cruises. We love their visits.
I had to share my Nook with David. I think I’ve sold him on getting his own.
I invited my family over for dinner Saturday night so they could all say hello to our Aussie relatives.
Food
Fall decor
Family
Natalie in the arms of Dallan
Lyla, Miles, Ashlynn, Jillian, Masie, and Ellyce
Natalie and gorgeous Jena
Luke’s mum Monica
Richard, Nathan, Dallan and Hansan
Lars having a laugh with Cindy
Luke
Lyla begging for a bite
Fun
Girls love the new dollhouse
Masie and Jillian playing dress-up
Jena and Cindy
Monica and David leave today. Hopefully we’ll see them again at Christmas.
