Missy's Moments

*I read a blog post that so eloquently put words to so much of what I feel- this is an excerpt- I'll post the link at the bottom. I talk about her, not because I’m constantly living in pain. I’m not anymore, but in my world, this is my normal, and I’d rather live honestly and out loud. Joy, love, happiness, and gratefulness are my everyday, but so are death, loss, heartache, and grief. Even more so… ... I talk about her because I’m proud. I talk about her, because she deserves to be remembered. I talk about her, because even though she’s not physically with me, she’s never far from my mind. I talk about her, because she’s part of me, a part that I could never ignore or disown. I talk about her because I love her still, and I always will. Forever. Nothing will ever change that. This is my normal. I know it’s hard to understand, and maybe that’s okay. When it comes to loving her , I will not be silent or hide away, and the bottom line is that is okay, too. HERE ...

Edna Eagen age 87, passed away peacefully on December 19, 2016 at the Lake Ridge Care Center in Buffalo, MN. She was born December 4, 1929, in Audubon County, IA, west of Brayton. Edna was baptized and confirmed at the Oak Hill Lutheran Church. She graduated from Exira High School and married in 1948. She and her husband owned and operated a tavern in Hamlin, IA for several years prior to relocating to the Minneapolis, MN area in 1954. As an accomplished seamstress, she utilized her advanced skills at home for her family along with working at various alterations, clothing, and fabric stores. They continued to raise five children through that period and then moved to Buffalo, MN in 1969. Edna resided there for the remainder of her years, close to her good friends and family as she worked in various employment roles of retail and industrial businesses. After retiring in 1996, she focused a majority of her time visiting family, traveling, and crafting intricate crochet projects for fri...

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...