Missy's Moments

Lilah aka "Lils" is ONE today! The first year flew by WAY to fast! Your spunky, little (and I only mean physically little) go getting self brings us so much joy. Your little "dance", your love for all things food, the way you light up when you see your favorite people and that serious thoughtful look when your evaluating your not so favorite people. I can't wait to watch you continue to learn and discover this next year. Grandma loves you sweet girl. Happy Birthday! 🎂

Marriage is so many things, so many emotions, so much weird, so much wonderful, some days roll along, some days can't get over soon enough and some days you just want  never to end. It seems as if every year our marriage has had some kind of challenge, some obstacle, changes, additions and as of late losses. I'm forever grateful that at the end of the day WE choose to sail whatever waters life brings us together.

At least they were all kind of looking <3

This year has been by far one of the most difficult. The loss of now three beautiful humans from this side of heaven. My Aunt just 53 has been gone since July. Her children left with a void. The sting of her passing still fresh, time eases the pain but I am reminded again and again for her children life is forever different. Our sweet Brielle gone for 3 months tomorrow. She would have been 11 months old  today. I have reminders of her every where, literally everywhere , but those reminders keep close the love she brought to us. I know there will be a day where I will need to start to let that go but my prayer is that I will take all she gave me during her short time here and use it to benefit others. She deserves that and so much more. Yesterday Rick's mom passed after a 11 day illness. So different from Deborah and Brielle, She was ready, she longed for heaven, she got to see her family, friends and spend time with her loved ones, her 7 days in hospice was a formality while she...

I could name so much to be thankful for but mainly I'm just thankful. I am thankful for my family. I am thankful for friends both new and old. I am thankful for memories and time spent with my grand babies. I am thinking a lot about my sweet cousins today spending their first thanksgiving without my Aunt Deborah, I wish we could be together and share our Minnesota cold, our fun and a good hot dish with you. I'm thinking about the families with littles in the hospital and am praying that today n ot be a roller coaster of emotion but filled with memories of the time that is spent together. I'm thinking there are many entering this season with loss and I pray just like I have been ,that you be reminded daily of all that is, and be thankful that you had and all that was. I am thankful Brielle was with us and so wish we could snuggle with her. I am thankful for the grace that extends to me daily in a love so unmistakable from a Savior that really is the reason for it all. Hap...

Copied from Jordan: If roses grow in heaven, Lord please pick a bunch for me. Place them in my daughters arms and tell her they're from me.  Tell her I love and miss her, and when she turns to smile, place a kiss upon her cheek and hold her for awhile. Because remembering her is easy, I do it every day. But there's an ache within my heart, that will never go away. Brielle you've been gone for two months today, makes for a rough Monday. Watch over us, let us know you're here! We miss you sunshine! Love Daddy

Yesterday you would have been 9 months old, today marks a month you've been away from us. It's only been a month but yet it feels so long ago. I sat at your resting place yesterday and closed my eyes to imagine the touch of your soft head, the feel of your cheeks on my lips, your rolls and that mighty grip you gave. The amazingly funny looks you could give and that bigger than any obstacle sass you could send out. Many people don't realize your trach was supposed to keep us from hearing your voice but you managed to let that voice escape the last few weeks. Seems small but to us it was the most beautiful sound. As I sat I remembered all the wires. Countless needles and lines and sticks, the tie changes and dressing changes, and of course that stupid wound vac- all things necessary and all things you are freed from. Never again baby girl will you experience pain and you will forever breath deep. There is confront knowing you are safe and with Jesus and most of all knowing so...