Two Months Already

Dad has been gone from this earthly life for two months today. We all miss him so much. At times it seems like it has been just yesterday, and other days it seems like I haven't heard his voice in years. We are headed up north to spend some time with my Grandpa (dad's dad) and also to spend the night with my mom. It will be good to go home. I have been pouring over old emails from Dad, he loved to write. I have been watching videos that I took of him, the last one was on Christmas and he lovingly gave a "farewell" speech that has now become a priceless gift. Yes life does go on, time just marches on no matter what, but he is constantly in my thoughts, actually the other day I was driving home from my Grandma's and usually when I left her place I would call Dad because I would be thinking about him, this time I went to reach for the phone and had to remind myself that he would not answer. It is just not burned into my memory yet that he is gone permanently. I held the phone to my ear and talked to him anyways, I am sure he was listening. We have received so many wonderful messages regarding Dad's passing. He sure meant alot to so many people, nationwide. The local news outdoor sports reporter spoke at Dad's funeral and later that weekend talked about my Dad and his funeral for about 10 minutes on his radio show, it was very nice, he sent us a copy. A fishing magazine is going to have a blurb about Dad's passing too. They are going to have a benefit motorcycle ride in Dad's honor this summer, the local sports writer also wrote about my Dad's passing and what an impact he made in the out of doors. A man who was the bass singer in the doo-wop group The Diamonds who sang the oldies favorite "Little Darlin" sang a song "The Anchor Holds" and recorded it for mom and said some very special words about his friendship with my Dad. His local motorcycle group has made a custom patch for their vests in Dad's honor. I know I am leaving something else out, but his legacy will live on through all of us. He would be so proud. A few people have commented on how Dad's life could be made into a movie, he was a Forest Gump type person (not the mentally slow part) but how he ran in many different circles and was a person who got things done, he was comfortable with famous people and those who society has forgotten. He knew Ted Nugent, Ross Perot, John Hagee, Geraldine Ferraro's brother, Governor Engler, Kathy Roberts ( gospel music artist of the year), she actually called and spoke beautiful words into his ear the day he passed away, Homer Circle, Forest Woods (owner of Ranger boats). The list goes on and on. I have never heard another person tell so many stories about their life, and they were all true! He was a fantastic storyteller, he could remember every detail of an experience he had 50 years ago. I miss hearing those the most, he could always make my stomach hurt from laughing. I need to laugh like that again.

I found this email that he sent out the day before he turned 60, almost 2 years ago, I thought I would share this excerpt from it:

On a personal note, tomorrow I'll become 60 years of age. Just that alone makes me believe in miracles as I never dreamt I'd live to see 30. In 1966, I graduated high school, married my child bride that September 24th, received my draft notice two weeks later and left November 15th.......OPENING DAY OF FIREARM DEER SEASON! Spent 3 years as a Military Policeman in Germany, came home and God provided Linda and I our first child, Leslie Lynne, itself a miracle as we were told by military doctors we'd probably never have children. Yep, we had plans to come home, buy a Corvette and a new house (we both had good jobs awaiting us) and live life to the fullest. God had another plan. Ended up with an old house, a used Olds Cutlass 4 door, but then we soon traded that for a brand new Barracuda! Well, yes, we were cool and loved the car, but when Leslie came along a few months later, guess what? No trunk, no backseat, NO ROOM FOR BABY, so we traded for a Dodge Charger. Couple of years later I came home drunker than a skunk to learn Linda was pregnant again for Melanie. I recall telling Linda, "Let me go lay down and sleep this off and tell me again when I'm sobered up!" Our family was complete.

He goes on to say.......

If I died today, my life would be complete! After all, He's also given me all of you Prayer Warriors and I no longer WORRY over anything. Concerned? Yes, but never worry. Pray about it and leave it at The Cross. And it's so wonderful to see prayers being answered, regardless of degree of challenge. So, in honor of God allowing me 60 years of life, I offer praise and blessings upon each of my family, friends, and all the Prayer Warriors, for making my life worth living.......and I look forward to seeing our 3 grandchildren with The Lord right now. THEN, LIFE WILL BE COMPLETE.......FOR ALL OF US!!!!!!! WITHOUT HIM WE'RE NOTHING, BUT WITH HIM THERE'S NOTHING WE CANNOT DO!!!!!!!

That was Dad, you know when he wrote in all caps he really meant was he was saying! He is also where I get me obsession with exclamations points from. He wasn't always perfect but he was my Dad, the one and only forever and ever. Miss you Dad!

Thank you Mr. Meijer!

To Mr. Meijer,
Thank you so much for bringing back Sandy the Horse. You see the last few weeks I have been so sad when we go grocery shopping because you took out all of the old Sandy horses just like the ones that mommy rode when she was little and was grocery shopping with her mommy. Mommy is nostalgic that way and was sad too, besides it only costs 1 penny to keep me happy for a whole minute. I was so excited the other day when mommy and I were checking out and I noticed a bright shiny new Sandy, I even stood in line like a good girl waiting for my turn because you only brought back ONE Sandy Horse to replace the 3 that used to be there. But that is ok, I would rather have one very shiny new and improved Sandy than none. It was my lucky day too because the cashier even gave me an extra penny so that I could ride twice! Mommy was so happy that she pulled her camera out of her purse and took this picture of me. See, I am very happy! And it really helps keep my mind off of all of the candy at the checkouts, you know how tempting that can be to a sweet toothed girl like me. Thank you very much for remembering us little people, because of Sandy, I promise to be a good shopper for mommy again. Love, Myah
P.S. Please tell that lady at the checkout to keep the free pennies coming!

Come on Spring!

Myah can't wait to wear these!

A Special Outfit

A few months ago a girl named Rose and her mother went to China to re-visit the orpahanage that she and Myah are from in Tuanfeng, Hubei. I had sent my video camera over with them you may recall as a gift to the orphanage. I also sent some money along so that Susan and Rose could purchase a special gift for Myah. This gorgeous silk winter outfit was their gift of choice. I love it and will treasure it forever. Not just because it is beautiful but because it actually came from a little grocery store in Tuanfeng. She said that there was not much to choose from but she knew how badly I wanted something from her actual city/village and she spotted this one little outfit and it happened to be just Myah's size. It is very special to me also because I never got to go back and tour the orphange or visit her city, the daddy's in our group went while the mommies stayed back with the girls. So knowing that this came from there means so much. Susan and Rose also so graciously brought me back a small baggie of soil taken from the banks of the Yantze River that flows through Tuanfeng, another something that I was not able to get while I was there. I cannot thank them enough for taking time out of their special visit to honor my wishes.

Dayton's Last Basketball Game

This is not the best quality picture but it is the first one of our family without Dad taken after D's game. Still doesn't seem real.

On Saturday my family came down for Dayton's last basketball game. He was so excited to have family come and watch him. The season started the weekend that my Dad passed away so we have missed a few games and practices but it was good for him and us to have something to keep us social during these long winter months. We love seeing all of our friends each week. My mom, sister and her family came down so I made dinner for all of them afterwards. It was the first time that my family has been down to my house minus my Dad. It was sad I will admit, he would have loved to watch Dayton play. There have been alot of firsts and I know this is only the beginning.

Next on the calendar is baseball, we have our first outdoor practice next week, can you say brrrrrr! And Miss Myah is now signed up for an instructional soccer team. She is very excited!

When It Is Too Quiet

She emptied them all into one big bucket, her own special blend.

I know that when Myah is quiet she is up to something. She talks all day long non-stop, so when I hear a lull in conversation I know to go looking for her. Last night we had the Playd*ough out, what else do you do on a Saturday night when it is pouring outside and Daddy is working. I had left it sitting out on the kitchen table and I guess it was just too darn tempting, I found her making her own shall we say "special blend". It guess it is safe to say that I will not be trying to sort these out into their own little cans. So next time she plays it will just be with Myah's original color blend. I should have known better than to leave it out I guess! I can't complain too much, it did give me a few minutes of peace and quiet and sometimes that is worth its weight in gold!

Welcome Home!

The went white water rafting one day on the Nile River, I love their African sarongs.

Lora and Rachel are expected to arrive back home today around 2:30, please pray for safe travels. I can hardly wait to see pictures and hear about their experiences. I am sure it was a life changing trip for both of them. I am sure Scott will be glad to have them home too, we called him last night and he was ironing, he said he had about 15 more pieces to go!