• Life

    6 weeks later…

    February 11, 2014 - By 

    Two weeks ago, when we were at our church’s retreat, I finally began to grieve. It slapped me right in the face as I sat there Saturday night, listening to Olu Brown recount the story of him dealing with the loss of his Dad. There were many similarities in our stories, but it wouldn’t have mattered. I just sat so stiff grasping on to my emotions as if I let a tear drop, I would go plunging from the highest of cliffs. I made it through Olu’s message without coming completely unwound, but then we sang 10,000 Reasons. Or rather…

  • Life

    New Year’s Eve 2013

    February 10, 2014 - By 

    I just realized I never really finished talking about our trip back from Texas. We had flown out there with plans to visit with Dad, help him out with whatever he needed help with, and prepare the truck he was giving us and drive it back home. Well, as you know plans changed while we were in flight to DFW. After the Memorial Service on Monday, Rob and Drew took over the task of getting the truck ready. We also decided to take the trailer that my Dad had as well. Meanwhile, I spent time helping Justin and Jason going…

  • Life

    At the Park with Cousins

    February 5, 2014 - By 

    I’m still playing catch up with all my pics and posts. These pics were taken while we were in Texas in December. We took a break from all the memorial service planning, cleaning out of Dad’s house, etc to let the boys play at the park with my Brother, Mel’s kids. It was a much needed break for everyone!

  • Life

    New Driver in the House

    February 3, 2014 - By 

    I snapped a few shots of my excited Drew after he was finally able to get his driver’s license today. He turned 16 a week and a half ago, but was waiting on the “Gold” card from the state. He took driver’s ed the 2nd 9 weeks and at the end of the class, which ended after Christmas break, he was able to take the Driver’s Test with his Driver’s ed teacher instead of at the DMV. The “Gold” card has to be sent from Montgomery and it didn’t make in time for his birthday. So this morning we got…

  • Life

    Here’s the story, I told at my Dad’s Memorial Service…

    January 6, 2014 - By 

    Late Saturday night, I sat at my Granny’s bar shuffling through songs on my laptop from Bob Dylan, ZZ Top, and Eric Clapton. I just couldn’t find a song for Dad’s slideshow that I’d made for his memorial service. Drew sat across from me. We laughed at some of the choices, like “Blowing in the Wind” and “Death is Not the End”. I told Drew I was going to look at the Beatles, because surely they have a song that would feel right. “There’s “Hey Jude” or “Yesterday”. Mmmmm…no, I’m gonna keep lookin’,” I told him. Then, I saw it.…

  • After Christmas (part 2)
    Life

    After Christmas (part 2)

    January 6, 2014 - By 

    If you missed my first post about the day after Christmas, you can read it here. So Thursday afternoon was filled with calling my brother to tell him that Dad was gone. Going to Dad’s house to clean up some and then talking with family about details with Dad. My brother got into town in the middle of the night, I tried to sleep for a couple hours before going to get him. Friday was very busy, but I’m thankful that my Uncle Brad and cousin Maddie were at Granny’s to hang out with the boys and play games with…

  • Life

    The Day after Christmas

    January 3, 2014 - By 

    The day after Christmas the family and I got up early and headed to the airport. I’ve been dreading this trip since a couple weeks ago when we planned it. When Rob and I were visiting my Dad last month, he had us test drive his 1991 Ford Ranger truck. When we got back from that visit, we decided to see if he would like us to get a one-way-ticket and fly back out and drive the truck back. After talking to him a couple times, he finally said it was ok. I don’t know what it was, but he…

  • Memories of the Month - Taking time to document the important memories from January.
    Life

    Memories of the Month {12.2013}

    December 31, 2013 - By 

    This month I was happy about: Christmas! This month I was sad about: my Dad passing away. Something I accomplished this month was: being able to speak at my Dad’s memorial service, but it was all God!

  • Life

    Year in Review 2013

    December 30, 2013 - By 

    My favorite moments of 2013: ================ [January] Over MLK weekend, we went to the mountains with the S family and stayed in their cabin. So. much. fun! ================ [February] Rob, Alex, and I attended our family Church Retreat for the 1st time. While we were there, Drew was also there with the youth. Drew played in his first season at Jr. Varsity Soccer.

  • Life

    Court of Honor

    December 16, 2013 - By 

    During the Boy Scout Court of Honor/Christmas Party, Drew and Vincent were recognized for their leadership as Senior Patrol Leader and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader.

  • Memories of the Month - Taking time to document the important memories from January.
    Life

    Memories of the Month {11.2013}

    November 30, 2013 - By 

    This month I was happy about: just life in general. Excited for the impending holidays. This month I was sad about: my Dad’s diagnosis. Something I accomplished this month was: flying out to see my Dad.

  • Life

    AHS State Semifinals

    November 29, 2013 - By 

    Today we got up, packed our bags, and headed from Spring Hill, FL to Mobile, AL to allow Drew to play with the band during his high school’s AHS State Football Semifinals game. It was a crazy, crazy game that came down to last 3 seconds when AHS stopped the other team from scoring the go ahead touchdown. Very exciting! We will be headed to T-Town next Friday for the State Championship game.

  • Emergency trip to Texas
    Life

    Emergency trip to Texas

    November 28, 2013 - By 

    Saturday morning Rob and I got up early, dropped Drew off for his hiking trip, and got to the Atlanta airport. Everything went really smoothly, parking the car, checking our luggage, going through security, so we had time to grab some breakfast. We decided crepes at Freshens. Really yummy! We flew Spirit Airlines out of Atlanta to DFW. So much was running through my mind when we got on the plane, so I just ended up closing my eyes and sleeping most of the flight. Dad called me once we got off the plane and were waiting for the rental…

  • Life

    The saddest post I’ve ever had to write

    November 22, 2013 - By 

    I am not ready to say goodbye! God, it’s too early. I’m too young! He’s too young! These are just some of the things running through my head the other night after getting the news that took my breath away. Hearing my Dad try and ease the blow, finally saying he’s got ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease. A disease I knew enough about to know it’s a horrible, horrendous disease that I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. What’s even worse is that he believes that he’s had it for several years. Today he had another test and it confirmed everything.…

  • Memories of the Month - Taking time to document the important memories from January.
    Life

    Memories of the Month {10.2013}

    October 31, 2013 - By 

    This month I was happy about: Rob starting his new job a few days ago. This month I was sad about: random stupid stuff. Something I accomplished this month was: starting to eat healthy again. Hoping I can keep up with it now and not let a slip up ruin my whole plan.

  • Life

    Family Daily Devotional {Week 1}

    October 23, 2013 - By 

    As a family we started doing a daily bible devotional every morning at 6:40am. We’ve wanted to do one, but with our crazy schedules we haven’t been able to come up with a time. We want to not only talk the talk, but walk the walk as a family and keep God at the center of all of our lives. Rob suggested we start doing it before the kids go off to school. It’s worked out really well. We are using the family devotionals by Josh McDowell. We can get done in about 15 minutes with a prayer to wrap…