Dad's Day!

This is all about Dad's.  Let's face it....they really don't get enough credit.  It seems good Dads and Husbands are few and far between these days. I hit the jackpot.  Let me tell you.  My husband and Halle & Elliott's Daddy is a rare find.  When Halle was small I went back to work after six weeks.  Right before that Halle started sleeping through the night.  Phew.  But, before that Aaron graciously got up for his shift.  He plays with Halle and explains lots and lots of questions she has.  Let me tell you, this is no small feat.  More importantly, he shows our daughter the love of Jesus and what it means to know Him.  These two share an incredible bond that I believe could not be any deeper even if Halle was our biological daughter.  From the moment Aaron looked in her eyes on November 10, 2008 she had him...hook, line & sinker.  She is so her Daddy's girl. Where ever he is....she wants to be.  Hence, her love for all things music and those garage related.  The other day she was using the wire cutters right along with her Daddy.  And recently she asked while listening to a classic rock station "Dad, do you hear those guitars?"  That's our girl.  She is very quick to climb up into his lap and give him the biggest hug you have ever seen....and on the days she is home with me she runs to greet him on his arrival home from work.  What a blessing it is to me to see Halle and Aaron together.  I love to see them snuggled up on the couch, playing Legos or playing guitar together.  Thank you Aaron for being an incredible Daddy to our little girl and our little boy up in Heaven.  You stood by my bedside while we welcomed our sweet boy and comforted me while I sobbed.  You are truly God's Best.

And my Dad, who is no longer here with us to celebrate this Father's Day.  I miss you.  You are and will always be my hero.  You fought such a long and hard battle with cancer and never, ever did you give up.  What a champion you are....through and through.  Let me tell you a little bit about this Godly man I call Dad.  He bbq'd the BEST chicken you would ever taste.  Incredible, I tell you.  He liked sampling it too....as you can see above.  Many times, my Grandpa tried to replicate it.  It never, ever tasted as good.  He was a strict parent.  Now I am thankful for that.  He knew the value of hard work and earning your pay and responsibility as a teen-ager.  When I turned sixteen and bought my first car he co-signed on my loan and I was made responsible to pay the payment each month.  He loved to sing and had the very best laugh.  His favorite breakfast was french toast and I swear my Mom made it for him every.single. Saturday morning.  He favored sweat pants and flannel shirts and loved his recliner and watching every sport known to man.  He would have been an incredible Grampie.  I so know it.  And he and Halle would have gotten along swimmingly.  You would never, ever beat him in a game because let's face it, we all know, he cheated.  Big time.  He stacked the deck in card games he played with me and hid his money during the "Game of Life".  He loved Altoids and never, ever drank a cup of coffee.  Coke was a dirty word and Pepsi ruled in his book....sometimes Mountain Dew.  Gold Medal Ribbon ice cream was his favorite and his pizza MUST have extra, extra mushrooms. He loved his Jesus and was not afraid to share that with everyone he knew...including those who cared for him during his illness.  He was the best.

Bold and Courageous

Last weekend....I read this book by an extraordinary women named Angie Smith.  Wow. This book knocked my socks off.  It was exactly what I needed at this time.  I have been following Angie's blog since 2008 when they began to tell their story of sweet Audrey Caroline....she too is heaven with our Elliott Aamodt.  Before Elliott graduated to Heaven,  Aaron and I had suffered three early (8 weeks or before) miscarriages...so, when "I will Carry You" came out I chose not to read it.  I didn't think I needed it...at the time our situations were different.  The week after I delivered our boy I knew I needed this book.  As I sat in the bath tub while Halle slept and my husband "tinkered"in the garage (he loves to do this!) I laughed cried & prayed all because of this book and how Jesus was working through Angie and her writing.  I found myself identifying with her in an uncanny way.  She had carried Audrey longer than I carried Elliott, but....we both left the hospital empty-handed without our sweet babies who had went on to be with Jesus.  This book is so faith filled and stuffed with scripture, but...in a way that I can follow and understand.

In the book Angie talks about how Audrey made her strong and able to do things she would have never done before.  I really don't want to give everything away in case you too decide to read this book.  And...my friend you should.  If you have ever experienced a loss of a child or if you know someone who has please do yourself and your friend a favor...pick this up.  I knew exactly what she was talking about.  Delivering Elliott has made me stronger, more bold and certainly courageous.  I know it was not a coincidence that the Saturday before Elliott arrived Aaron and I went to see the movie "Courageous". Though nothing could prepare us to say good-bye to our son before we got to say hello this movie gave us the added faith boost we needed.  Angie writes about having such a peace upon entering the hospital for her scheduled c-section with Audrey.  I too felt that.  I did not like hospitals and the whole time I was pregnant I was so nervous to give birth.  My Dad was 53 when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer that had already spread to his bones and his prognosis was not good.  He spent A LOT of time in that hospital and that is what I had remembered.  It scared me. Make no mistake that Jesus gave me that sense of calm I needed on October 13 to deliver our son.  HE carried me.  I'm not asking you to understand this I'm only asking you to consider it. How else could I do what I did??

I have never been one to be bold and courageous when speaking of my faith and love of Jesus.  I'm very, very sad to admit this.  My Parents taught me at a very early age what it means to love Jesus and when I was just seven I asked Him to live in my heart.  I grew up in a Christian home attending church on Sunday's and taking part in all church activities.  This is what we did.  This is what I knew.  When my Dad was diagnosed with his cancer he took a very bold approach to witnessing.  Not a fanatical, get in your face approach, but...I believe he knew his time on earth was limited.  He took his faith and his Jesus VERY seriously.  It was not uncommon for him to pray for others when they came to visit him either at home or in the hospital.  He sang worship songs while waiting to be seen by a Dr in the ER, he laid hands on and prayed for a Nun while waiting for a CT Scan, and he believed Jesus would heal him.  I have never been more proud to call him my Dad.  He is and will always be my Hero.  I'd like to think he was there with me that day, but...I know it was Jesus.  I could not help but remember how my Dad's body was broken and still he pressed on.  HE carried my Dad.  So today, if you tell me I am "so strong", "amazing"...."courageous"...I will not hesitate to tell you, whoever you may be, why I am this way.  Because of my Jesus.  I find myself speaking more freely about my faith these days.  I'm more thankful.  And can I just tell you? Jesus is working in our lives.  All of us.  Even my sweet little three year old Halle girl.

Thankful

Today I am thankful, yet pondering....what would it be like if my Dad was still here???  I'm sure he would be EXCITED beyond belief that there was a chance of snow on Thanksgiving.  He would caution my Mom about the gravy....making sure there were no lumps and it was THICK enough for his liking.  He would eat with gusto and gooble up everything on his plate making sure he left room from Mom's apple pie.  He would want to make sure we had enough leftovers for the week.  He would settle in HIS chair after the meal and watch some football.  This I'm sure of.  I'm also sure that Halle would be the light of his life.  He would so love this little girl that DOES NOT stop moving.  That makes me sad.  But, do you know why I'm thankful?  Tomorrow marks the 4 year anniversary of my Dad's "graduation".  He went to be with his Jesus, the Saturday after Thanksgiving of 2006. Let me share something with you.  My Dad could always know when it was going to snow...and he LOVED the snow so much.  The evening my Dad passed away my family and I gathered for a meal out.....I kept saying...."it looks like it's going to snow"....they all passed it off...when we stepped outside to leave the restaurant...guess what??  It was snowing...and it snowed for almost a week!  So, I'm thankful for snow mostly because it reminds me of my Dad.  AND...yes, I love it too...just like him!  I am also thankful that I have the knowledge of my saving Jesus and a relationship with Him. That means that one day I will see my day again in heaven.  What a super, glorious day that will be....My Dad, my three babies I never got to meet and all the others that have gone on before me.  Does that make you thankful, excited.....giddy?  It does me!  This weekend, take some time....slow down....be thankful.  Delight in HIS grace.  Sit at HIS feet....prepare your hearts for the CHRISTmas season.
Happy Thanksgiving to All!!

Happy Birthday!!!

Today is my Dad's birthday...on this day he would be 62!  Instead...on this day I miss him...very, very much...I miss everything about him.  His laugh...his silly sense of humor and that silly way that he dressed.  Trust me, he DID NOT have any fashion sense what so ever.  BUT, we loved him for that and it gave us all the more reason to dress him...ummm...er...buy him clothes.  My Dad will always be my hero.  He fought his cancer for 4 1/2 years...his body went through much more than I can handle in a single minute.  I look up to him like no other and I respect him and always will.  He blessed me......and I'm sad he isn't here to see his granddaughter...he would LOVE her.  And, I'm quite certain she would love her Grampie!  Dad, I miss you and wish you could be here with us, but...I'm so very glad your body is whole and healed...that your spending this your 62nd birthday with your Heavenly Father the one who created you.  Until I see you again, I will eat crab whenever I get the chance because...that's what you would do...and I am your daughter.  I will remember you with funny stories and silly things that you would say.  I will watch the movies you loved and cry because they remind me of you!  Not a sad cry...but a "I'm so glad he shared this movie with us"cry.  I will stand firm in what I believe and let other's know that.  I choose life and what it holds, even if the road is bumpy and not always fun.  I will instill in our daughter, along with Aaron, the love of Jesus and all He has done for us just as you and Mom did for me.  I promise to never, ever forget you or your silly little smile, your love of camping, card playing or sports.  I hope you can see this little Halle...she is going to be taller than YOU!  AND...she'll probably love playing all the sports you did.  I will take care of Mom because that is what you would be doing....I will love you and love you!!     

Forever and Always, 

Your very strong-willed (after all, I got it from you) brown-eyed girl

xoxoxoxo

ps...would you catch a big one up in Heaven for me??  and...while you're at it...give those I love a big hug & kiss....

Pictures:  Above Mom & Dad on Christmas 2004...Dad & Connor Birch Bay 2005 (I think??)

Relay for LIFE!

Wow! Relay has come and gone....and I'm already looking forward to next year! What a super fun time I had. This year, I even stayed ALL night. It was fun, but...I think it took me a few days to recover....1 1/2 hours of sleep isn't *quite* enough for this Mommy! I made Hal a super fun shirt this year and Kiana, along with her friend Kayla stayed up with me. Denise & Caedmon slept in the tent while Rachel and Austin walked and chatted the night away. I'm blessed...blessed to witness all the love and support everyone in our little town gives to all of us who participate each year in Relay for Life. I just love the whole atmosphere of this event....yes, it is emotional, but...in a such a good way. I relay for my Dad, who passed away in 2006 after a 4 1/2 battle with prostate cancer....why do I relay???? My answer short, yet sweet is this, it's so NOT fair that my little girl will NEVER get to meet her Grampie on this side of heaven. If the money we raised saves EVEN ONE life...I want to be a part of it! If you haven't participated in this event in your town...give it a try....make a difference!! Trust me...it's well worth it!

Daddy & Hal chillin' actually, I think she seriously wanted down!

Pretty cherries on her face...no, she's not sucking her thumb...just getting her molars!

Because I can't get this silly formatting to work....here's my description of the pictures.

• Mr. Relay....Joel VAN...he was one kick away from winning!
• My other partners in crime...ok, Team Captains...Amy VAN & Denise...did I mention it was FREEZING?? It's quite apparent in this picture!
• My Dad's Luminaria bags
• Such a Silly Girl that Kiana....rest assured she didn't eat ALL of these...
• Pretend you're asleep Austin....ah...he was not so good at that!!
• Best friends...Kiana & Kayla....thanks girls, you made my night!!

Father's Day

My Dad...one of my favorite pictures.

Halle with her Mac-n-Cheese

I'm sure Daddy loves this picture!

Sticky Finger is next to a Subway...this is in the bathroom!

Daddy & Hal...June 2009

WOW!!! I can not believe we celebrated Father's Day last weekend. Halle is so very blessed to call this man her Daddy. Seriously, he gives the best hugs and kisses EVER....he makes the best pancakes and his BBQ'ing skills beat them all. He loves Halle like no other and if you spend even a little bit of time with the both of them you'll see this immediately. As long as I live I will never forget this moment pictured above. This was the very first time Aaron held little Halle...she looks a little worried here. NOT now...she loves her Daddy...sometimes I think she'd jump out of my arms just to see him. You can't see Aaron's eyes in this picture, but...if you could you would see this sweet, kind-hearted Daddy had been crying. The minute Halle's birth mom walked through the office doors with her the tears began to flow....SHEESHH....now I'm crying. We celebrated Father's Day with a day out together. But, not before we watched CMT "Crossroads" featuring Taylor Swift & Def Leppard. We went to Daddy's favorite BBQ joint, "Sticky Finger's". Halle LOVED their mac-n-cheese. We ran some quick errands, headed to "Hugo Helmer" to look at guitars and all stuff musical. Halle napped on the way home and we stopped for ice cream at "Baskin Robins". It was such a good day....here's some pictures from our day. Of course, I was thinking of my Dad that day....I missed him. BUT...I knew he was no longer in pain...he was happy and whole and spending the day with his Heavenly Father. That's some Father's Day, don't you think??

Relay for LIFE!

Lynden held the American Cancer Society Relay for Life on June 20 & 21 at the Lynden High School Track.  This year we all participated...Aaron even came and walked with me during my hour, thanks honey!!  Mom was able to come with us this time too!!  We're proud of you Mom! We had a really good time and thank goodness the rain stayed away.  Huge praise for Amber...she raised over $1000.00 on her own.  And....all together the Relay for Life raised $271,000.00 for the American Cancer Society!  This is such an AMAZING cause...again, I encourage you to take part if you never have.  Especially if cancer has touched your life in some way.  We'll be back next year!!!

Here's all of us: Mom, Nick my brother-in-law, Amber my sister & Me.  Amber made us those cool necklaces of my Dad.  Great idea!!  And...Nick & Amber & I each put a message on our shirts....Nick: Walking for Big "D", Amber & I: Walking for my Dad.  My message was on top.  

Our little friend Rylee, got to walk the survivor lap with his Dad & Mom!!  He's a survivor of Neuroblastoma that he was diagnosed with in April.  

My Mom's friend Joyce (far left) lost her husband Andy to cancer in May.  She was here visiting from Arizona so she and her sister, son & daughter-in-law came to walk for an hour with my Mom.  How cool is that?  Mom is the one with Dad's picture around her neck! 

When it starts to get dark we get to light the luminaria bags.  What an honor to light my Dad's!!