I love this dog...

This dog belongs to friends of our's. She is the sweetest thing and even shares the name of one of my daughter's. Can you guess which one? Anyway, I would love to have a dog like this. She is such a sweet sweet animal.

What I would want my dad to know...

Well, today marks the 9 year anniversary of my dad's tragic death and last year I did a tribute in honor of him. This year I thought I would share all the things my dad has missed out on since he's been gone. I know he is in a better place and completely happy so that makes me happy but I still really miss him and sometimes I find myself talking to him and telling him about my life and how it's changed since he's been gone. If I could write a letter to my dad, one that he could read, it would go something like this...



Dear Daddy,



I wish you were still here, we all do. I know you are not suffering anymore and are enjoying your eternal resting place in paradise so for that we are happy for you. You are no longer hurting, but we still are. I know we will never fully understand why you had to die but God knew you were suffering and he allowed you to come home.



So much has taken place in our lives since you've been gone. Not a day goes by that we don't think of you, miss you and wish you were hear enjoying life with your family, especially your 9 grandchildren. Before you left you were able to hold Kaylyn (Tanya's oldest) and Sarah (my oldest). Tanya now has four children, Kaylyn who's almost 10 years old, Jenna who's 7, Lauren who just turned 2 and now a son Charlie born earlier this month. You would be so proud of Mike and Tanya and their beautiful children. Charlie even has your middle name "Allen" in honor of you. Dan and I have five children now, Sarah is 9 years old, Adam is 7, Jack is 5, Grace is 2 1/2 and Ben is 8 months. Our Adam was also named in honor of you as his middle name is "Steven". There are so many expressions the kids make that remind us of you and we find ourselves laughing when we think of you and how your humor could light up a dark room. Our hearts ache because we can no longer hear your laugh.



Dan co-owns a pretty successfully concrete company, one you would be proud of, and Mike works there as well. Dan has mentioned on several occasions that he wishes he could show you the work that he does because he knows you'd be so proud. There are so many times I wish you were hear so I could ask your advice or have you look at something for me. I see beautiful wrought iron candle holders and think of you and how you use to make things like that, you were so good at making things. I think that is where our children get their talents from. You would have so much fun being surrounded by your grandchildren. They are missing out on so much having not been able to know you.



Tanya is going back to school soon to earn a degree in the field of nursing and I have been studying photography and having a blast taking pictures. Mom lives near by and is working full time at a doctor's office. She does have a new life, but one that could never be as it was with you. She is hurting the most out of everyone because she lost her soul mate when you died. I know her heart is heavy with pain over loosing you. She tells me all the time how she wishes you were still here. I hurt for mom because she just isn't the same without you. A part of her died when you died and she will never be the same. She tries to be okay(but I can tell she's not) we all try to be okay, but we can never be whole again. A very important part of our lives is missing and that part is YOU. Our lives were shattered the day that you died and as we've tried to pick up the pieces over these past 9 years we've realized that some of the pieces have broken so small they can never be fully repaired. If you were still here we'd all be happy, really and truly happy.



I pray that if one good thing could have come out of your death it would be that the people who knew you either as a friend, a brother, a cousin, an uncle or a son would turn their hearts to God and take comfort in him so that one day they too will see you again in heaven. I know in your heart you wanted everyone around you to know God and trust in Him like you did.



We miss you and love you so much daddy. Wish you were still here so we could laugh together. See you one day in Heaven where we'll laugh together again, forever!



Love,

Melissa

Meet Charlie...

Check out my PHOTO blog for pictures of my new nephew.

Collage time again

Just wanted to let everyone know I am still alive. I've just been really busy playing around with my camera taking pictures and then playing around with my editor to enhance the images. It has been really fun. I will update later when I can, but for now...another collage of my growing babies!!

The Road...

I am a member of a forum and they do fun challenges called Shutterbug Shootouts and their recent Shutterbug Shootout was entitled "THE ROAD", the challenge was to take a picture of a road any way we see to interpret it. So I took this shot straight from my Bible. You can't get any clearer about the interpretation here.

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13-14

**for those of you who frequent my photo blog, this is a double post**

Puddle jumpin,berry pickin, and rose smellin....

That's what I've been up to. What about you?

Garden harvest

A small portion of our first harvest of the year.

Mixed greens, tomatoes, carrots (I know there kinda small) and a jalapeno (not pictured). A perfect first salad!

The beach

Two of my five children and the ones that happen to get badly sun burnt on this beach day. I think that must qualify me for the worst mother of the year award!

I've heard that coconut oil is a great sunblocker, has anyone else? I'm thinking about getting some for the kiddos.

Happy Birthday Sarah!

Sarah Amber at 3 years old. She has loved to pose for the camera since she was born. This picture was taken courtesy of her Grandpa C. on our property in 2002.
Sarah Amber aka Sister Marie 9 years old today! I can't believe my first baby is not a baby anymore. She keeps reminding me how close she is to driving. She is now more then half way there. UGH, why can't they stay young and innocent for a little while longer.

Happy 9th Birthday Sarah, we love you!!

Check out...

my photo blog to see my sister's awesome maternity pictures.

Another collage-scrapbook style

Collage of Grace

at 7:30 this morning...

• Dan had been at work for 3 hours already
• Sarah and Adam were at the bus stop waiting for the bus
• Grace was in the bathtub and her sheets were in the washer (she threw up in the middle of the night and I just discovered it this morning)
• Ben was walking in circles around his "toy" in his freshly changed diaper which he was about to explode in
• Jack was finishing up his breakfast
• And I was outside on the patio taking this picture of the morning dew :D

What were you doing at 7:30 this morning?

6 months

Last Friday Ben turned 6 months! Can you believe he is six months already? I can't. Time flew by. His stats...weight: 17 lbs 5 oz, height: 28 3/4 inches. He's a tall boy with a small head! LOL He loves to eat as you can see and has one tooth on the bottom. His favorite foods next to breast milk are carrots and pears. He drinks juice and water from a sippy cup too. We have a toy that he sits in and he walks around in circles around the toy table because his legs are so long they touch the ground. He sits up on his own now and plays with his toys. He'll roll around and pivot on the ground to get to where he wants to go. He says, "ma ma ma" and "da da da." My boy, Ben aka Mr. Nizzer or Chubs is growing up! *sniff*

My girls

My boys

Have a great day Amie!

A budding photographer

Sarah took this picture. I think she did a rather nice job~

Happy Birthday to Adam!

I can't believe it's been 7 years since Adam was born. Now he's a very smart and extremely funny, not to mention good looking little 1st grader. C'mon Steven... slow down, you're growing up too fast!
I made some cupcakes for Adam classmates today so they could celebrate his birthday. Tonight we will have some family over and have a little cake and icecream to celebrate. Happy Birthday Mr. Steven, we love you!

Fun with frames