Birthday Flowers

These flowers were left by some friends from church a week or so ago.
Just a shot of some of the flowers.

The sunflowers are from my sister RAW.

When I saw this balloon, I knew I had to get it for Mom. She would have liked it.

These are from Mom's Mom (off of her rose bushes).

These are the beautiful yellow roses Dad left yesterday.

Happy Birthday

Happy 59th Birthday Mom!

Today we celebrate your birthday without you. We love you and wish you were here.

After posting these pictures, I found out that the little outfit my Mom is wearing was made by my G-mom P.

Tonight we went out to eat to celebrate Mom's birthday. We went to Outback and then had cupcakes (we shared on with our waiter). All afternoon I kept thinking out her birthday last year, she looked beautiful and smiled her awesome smile. I will have see if I can find some of the pictures from last year.

Dad and I went to the cemetery this morning and it was so hard. My heart just breaks because he is hurting so badly. I wish I knew how to help him. Please continue to pray for us and give him a hug when you see him.

Just a few of Mom's "babies".

Tuesday

I found this picture of Mom, her Mom and her sister on the hubbies computer. I have no idea when it was taken or what the occassion was. I may have been my Grandmother's 80th birthday party but I am not sure. Anyway, just thought I would share. Missing you everyday Mom. I love you.

Funny Face

This is one of my favorite pictures of my parents. My Dad's father took this picture of Mom and Dad. I love the look on her face. We have seen that look many times over the years. Sure wish I could see it again.

This evening after church Dad, D and I went to Whataburger as we often do for our evening "drink". Dad pulled out before us to go by the house to put the cats up. I looked in the car as he turned the corner and truly expected to see Mom sitting there beside her. It hit so hard that it is almost a physical pain. It was an absolutely horrible feeling. I can not believe it just hits you out of the blue and hits so hard.

Thursday was a hard day but the rest of the week was ok. I even went shopping at some of our favorite stores; this was the first time that I felt like being in town and shopping. It was far from being fun but it was bearable. At least I got some good deals.

Dad has been working super hard down at the house trying to get the yard cleaned up. It looks good. I know that it has to be so hard for him working without his right-hand woman. It is still strange to go down there and her not be there. I guess strange really isn't the right word. I have to say that some days I do what I can to not go down there because it is so stinking hard. I don't know how he does it.

Well, that is all for now. I hope that you are enjoying the pictures. They are ones we scanned for the powerpoint that was played at the viewing and the funeral.

Please continue to pray for us all. We are each struggling in our own ways and can't seem to figure out how to help each other. I hope you all have a great week.

Wordless Wednesday

Monday Memories

Mom and her girls.

We had an incredible Mom who loved us very much and did so much to help us. She taught us so very much and we were lucky to have such a wonderful example. We love you and miss you so very much.

Thankful Thursday

Because I feel that I have had an awful attitude lately, I decided that I would list a few things that I am thankful for.

* I am thankful that I grew up in such a loving family. I had a wonderful childhood and realize how lucky I was to have that.

* I am thankful that I was able to help take care of my Mom because she has done so much for me.

* I am thankful that I had a good relationship with my Mom. We loved to spend time together.

* I am thankful for all of the important (and not so important) that my Mom shared with me.

* I am thankful that my Dad and I are closer than we have ever been (I love you Dad).

* I am thankful that Mom is no longer in pain but I miss her so much.

Little Things

Isn’t it interesting what things trigger memories? Today was one of those days that several little things made me think about Mom. Some made me cry and some made me smile. The first was when I was mowing the lawn. Mom told me after we bought our new lawn mower that she would give up dessert if she had to so that she could have a self-propelled (she had a wicked sweet tooth and our lawn mower is not self-propelled). I thought about that as I was mowing and wishing that I had one and knowing what she would have said when she picked me for lunch with Dad. Well, she didn’t pick me up but I did meet Dad and had a coke while he ate lunch. The second was when I took Mom’s camera to Walgreens to have a cd of the pictures made. Mom and I did that so many times. She always had so many pictures on her camera and today was no exception. There were 706 pictures on there and it took two cds. I cried as I looked through pictures that had been taken over the last year and thought about the fun Mom and I had while picking out pictures to print or waiting for them to download. This afternoon after Rae’s game, I went down to Mom and Dad’s house and when I drove up I was so sad knowing that the yard and house will never have Mom’s touch again. As I was watering Mom’s plants, I cried because she loved plants so much and I am having such a hard time keeping them alive. Well, I guess that is all for today.

Mom and I

Nothing much to talk about today so I thought I would just share a picture of Mom and I.

Easter Weekend

Our first holiday without Mom and it was strange but ok. Dad went to FW on Friday to see the short people participate in LTC and of course to see B and her honey. Dad got lots of hugs and kisses and enjoyed watching them perform. He came home Saturday evening. This morning we went to church and then to LEH's house for lunch. We enjoyed a wonderful meal with LEH, her Dad and two brothers, my Dad, myself, my honey, Rae and both of my grandmothers. It was super yummy. Although we didn't say anything specifically, I know that all of us really missed Mom. LEH, Rae and I were looking at pics on Mom & Dad's camera and looked at pics from Easter last year. WOW, so much has changed since this time last year.

Happy Easter Mom. We miss you so much and wish you could have been here to celebrate with us today.

Twenty nine - Thirty one

One month ago we lost our precious wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend. It hasn't gotten any easier and it still feels like a bad dream. My heart hurts for my Dad, my sisters, nephew, niece and other family members. I sometimes forget that it isn't just us who are grieving. A friend will say that they have had a hard time and I realize again what a special person she was to everyone. We love you Mom and we miss you so much.

Family Chain

We little knew that morning,

God was going to call your name,

In life we loved you dearly,

In death we do the same.

It broke our hearts to lose you,

You did not go alone.

For part of us went with you

The day God called you home.

You left us beautiful memories,

Your love is still our guide,

And though we cannot see you,

You are always at our side.

Our family chain is broken,

and nothing seems the same,

But as God calls us one by one,

The chain will link again.

Author Unknown

Forever in our Hearts

A million times we needed you,

A million times we cried,

If love alone would have saved you,

You would of never died.

In life we loved you dearly,

In death we love you still,

In our hearts you hold a place,

No one can ever fill.

A light from our household is gone,

A voice from our love is stilled,

A place in our vacant home,

Which never can be filled.

Some may think you are forgotten,

Though on earth you are no more,

But in our memory you are with us,

As you always were before.

It broke our hearts to lose you,

But you did not go alone,

A part of us went with you,

The day God called you home.

Your precious memories are for keepsakes,

with which we never part,

God has you safely in his keeping,

But we have you forever in our hearts

Author Unknown