I Love You Daddy

So my favorite day is followed by my least favorite day every year.

5 Years Ago today I lost the greatest man I have ever known.  He was so much more than just a father, he was a daddy.  On his chest was the most comfortable place that I have ever shed tears.  He had the perfect ear for listening, and knew when and what to say about anything.  He spoke the best advice about things that I would ask him about and about life in general.  He was a friend when I needed one.  He was a parent first and always.  He was a protector, as a Marine he protected our great country, and as a dad he always protected me.  He was a provider, I never needed or wanted for anything.  He was a teacher, he taught me about life and math.  He set the bar high for the man that I would marry, and Brandon does an amazing job of filling those shoes.  He was a granddaddy, and an amazing one.  He stopped everything for his grandchildren.  He was my daddy, and he was the best.
I miss him today and everyday, but I promised him that I would live life and I have tried.  I hope that he is proud of me.  More than that I hope that he proud of his grandchildren and the amazing little boys that they are.
This morning we saw a little snow and I truly believe it was him saying hello.

Daddy I love you and I miss you everyday!

Third Place! Go Cougars!!!

So today is always a bittersweet day.  It is Father's Day.  Father's Day is always special because Brandon is an amazing dad.  It is a day that makes me miss my daddy so much.  He was amazing and truly my hero.  I know that he would be so proud of these boys and that he would love nothing more than spending his day with all of us, especially at the ballpark.  My dad was a huge part of me and I miss him so much.  There is a hole in my heart that was left when he left for Heaven, and while I know that he is happy and healthy there is still a very selfish part of me that wishes he was here.  A little chat and a hug would be amazing.  To my daddy and to my amazing husband Happy Father's Day! 
We spent our Father's Day at Huffman ballpark.  It was great. Our frst game was against CenterPoint.  We won 17-12. I  was so proud of the boys.  They played great and they are now 3rd.  Immediatly after game 1 we played Pinson again.  This is the same Pinson team we played Thursday night.  They won 20-12.  So we finished this tournament in 3rd, which is awesome.  I am so proud of all of these boys.  They played hard.  We do have one coach who seems to want Danny to hold the ball.  I understand he has not played with Danny before, but defensively Danny can make the plays.  Many catchers cannot and if he is paired with the right infield.  Sorry, I needed to vent.  I am over it sort of, my baby loves baseball and he truly believes that one of his coaches hates him and that is not the case.  Anyway.  I think overall our coaches are amazing.  When you see teams like the Pinson team, whose coach yells and cusses and argues with everything I again am so thankful that we are at Clay where overall the coaches want the boys to do well, but more than that they excel. 

We headed home and I have edited a little more and am about to head to bed.  I am exhausted, and I need to rest as this week is going to be non stop!  I am so ready though.  Regionals here we come! 

My Daddy's Birthday

So today was a super hard day I am just glad that I was super busy.
Today was my daddy's birthday. I just want to have a day to spend with him. There is a country song about being able to visit heaven and I really wish it was possible. A day trip to see my dad and get one more hug or talk about absolutely nothing. He was such an amazing person and it break my heart that he is no longer here. God definitely showed me that He only takes the best when He decided to call my dad home. It seems so unfair that my children have to grow up without their Granddaddy who made them his life, I know that he would be so proud of them. I just wish that he could tell them that himself. There is not a day that goes by that I do not miss my dad, but I also know that the best way I can honor him is to be the best person I can be and to raise my children the best that I know how and that is what I am definitely trying to do.
I had back to back photo shoots today starting at 9:00. Stay tuned to the blog on my website for the newest sessions. www.MonicaAnnePhotography.com.
While I was working the boys' worked at the house around the yard. It looks great and I appreciate all of the work that they did so much! It was nice to come home to cut grass!

Hot Dog Social

So today we started out early again, about 6:45 I woke the boys up and had them get going. I need them on a better routine and this seems to be working so we are going to stick to it!

I had to meet with Crystal from Crystal's Creations to pick up a wreath that she made for me for my cousin's baby shower. I also figure that it can be hung on the hospital door and on he wall close to the baby's crib. I hope that Amanda likes it as much as I do. If I had a girl, I would have a hard time giving this one away! I am definitely going to use her for a lot of things that I am working on, she is truly amazing! If you have not seen her work, please go check her out on FaceBook!

I also got the last few things that we needed for the shower. I love what I found too. I hope that Amanda does. It is lime green and hot pink and those are the colors she was aiming for! Girl, wait till Sunday, it is going to be great.

The hot dog social, which is sort of like the kick off to the school year was tonight. I cannot believe it, which seemed to be the consensus of everyone there. Seriously? School? Already? It was a lot of fun, the boosterthon DJ's were there and the boys, especially John Michael were having a ball. Danny is not much of a dancer, he got those shoes from Brandon but John Michael is like me, if there is music you dance! They also got to see their friends and teachers and other people from the school. It was really a lot of fun and it is something that I am glad the Home and School board does each year.

Danny went home with Chandler. This is his first spend the night away night and momma is a little nervous. I think he will do fine though. He is a good boy and was so excited. I am excited for him too. Chandler is his best friend and he has been wanting to spend the night for a while, so I am glad it all finally worked out. I promised him we would have Chandler over soon, but we have something every weekend this month! We will do it soon though, no doubt!

I also signed John Michael up for soccer. Danny wants to do fall ball, so needless to say we will be running all fall, but it is good and I am excited.

Brandon and I watched our wedding video tonight. It is the first time we have watched it in years. I laughed a lot, there were some funny things and to only be 10 years old it is dated, it is amazing how much has changed in 10 years. I also cried a lot because I got to see my daddy and hear his voice.

Well, I am off too bed. Tomorrow is going to be a long one, wedding tomorrow night, pray it all goes well! I am excited, but I always get a little nervous before weddings! You are all in my thoughts and prayers tonight as I go to bed!

Happy Father's Day

Brandon had it made, Father's Day at the beach! Definitely a great day. The boys were up at 7:30 this morning. We did not even get in bed until 3. They were ready to hit the sand...so was their momma so it was all good. I cooked breakfast and after they ate I got us ready and we ventured to the sand!

It was rough today in the water, but it was a lot of fun. The boys had a blast on their boogy boards, snorkeling, and just watching the water. We had a school of dolphins swimming about 30 feet from us while we were in the water. Of course it was after the waterproof camera had died and I was in the water and it I knew I could never get to the house, get the big camera and them still be there. So we enjoyed them. The boys thought it was great to be so close to them. I really hope that they come back tomorrow.

We were doing dinner tonight. For those who do not know we are down here with family, and there are several families so we all take a night and do dinner for everyone. It works out great and saves a lot of money. Anyway. Mom needed some things from the store and also the chicken from KFC. Since it was Father's Day and Brandon has really been wanting some new sunglasses, and conveniently forgot his for this trip we offered to go.

We went to shades in Orange Beach and Brandon and I both got a pair of Costa's. I LOVE mine! I was not going to get a pair but when I saw them and tried them on I was hooked. Brandon has wanted a pair for several years and since we both had a few jobs right before vacation we splurged a little on ourselves. Something that we never do.

We bought all of the chicken that KFC had cooked, so if you went to the Foley KFC and had to wait while they cooked some more chicken. Well I am sorry. I never knew that it was possible, or that it would be me who did it, but we did! We had some left over, which works we will have some lunch options for the week.

Father's Day is such a special day for all of the great Father's out there. I missed my dad a lot today, I would have loved to have him here with us, or even just have a number to call to talk to him. Sometimes I truly feel him with me and when I am on the beach looking out at the magnificence that can only be a creation of God I know that he is close to me. He loved the beach, which is probably part of the reason I always have. I know that he is with our Heavenly Father and I am sure there is quite the Father's Day celebration there, but sometimes the selfish part of me wants to wish him back. I love you and miss you everyday daddy!

Brandon is an amazing husband and father, he is more than a father he is a Daddy! His boys look up to him and want to be like him. In so many ways they already are, which makes me one proud momma!

Well, I am off to bed. Four hours of sleep has caught up with me. I plan to be on the beach early in the morning so bed it is for me. Know that you are all in my prayers tonight. To all of the dads out there, you are the cornerstone of families. God is the foundation. Know that you are special everyday not just today, and know that all of us mom's appreciate and love you all for what you do.