Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Happy Birthday, Daddy! Yesterday you would have been 58!  Old Man!! :-)  I often wonder what you would look like now. . . I wonder what we would talk about. . . I wonder what you would have to say about certain things. . .

I've said so many times before that we miss you for different reasons with each passing day.  So, as yesterday kicked off around here, I thought of you.  I remembered yet again how I miss you in the little things.

Molly woke up and immediately needed her tutus.  "Two of them". . .  So, we put on her tutus, and as she peered out the window looking for "duck ducks", I wondered what you'd think about our precious little girl.  Man alive do I wish you could see her, hear her sweet voice, get one of her sweet hugs for yourself.

After breakfast, we got ready for MMO.  Ellie spent the night with Momma the night before because Jenn had to work early, so I had both girls to get ready! Watching these two girls play together never gets old.  My heart overflows every single time!  Whether it's their squeals and giggles filling our home, their little conversations about doing "gyn atics" or tending to their babies, it's so much fun!  And I wonder what you'd have to say about them, how you'd love to watch them play together.

While the girls were at MMO, I took care of a few things around the house and got a quick run in.  While running, I passed by the house Mom, Jenn and I moved into after you died.  Running around there is always good for me.  It reminds me of how far God's brought us.  I ran by 108 Senora Place and remembered the tears we shed on that back deck as a family of three, the times each of us got angry at you for leaving (likely on trash night!), the way God provided for us time and time and time again after you died.  I always wonder if we'd ever run together if you were still with us. Would you be proud of me for getting out there and pounding the pavement?

I picked the girls up and we had lunch, then we headed out for a wagon ride.  Ellie Grace loves a wagon ride more than any child I have ever known.  Molly?  Not so much. . .  She's pretty much on the fence about those wagon rides.  So, I typically end up holding her while pulling Ellie in the wagon!?!?  We headed down to the lake and the girls watched Belle wade into the water.  I watched them and wondered what you would have to say or what shenanigans you'd pull if you were with us on our wagon ride.

And that was before nap time!  See what fun you're missing, Daddy?  While the girls napped, I worked on painting our bathroom.  Again, when I do things like that, I wonder if you'd be proud of me. 

Once the girls woke from naps, we went outside to play.  Both Molly and Ellie love being outside, so we spend a lot of our time outdoors these days.  While watering our new dogwood tree Ellie and I planted a few weeks ago, we came up on this snake!?!?!  EEK!  Again, I wondered if you'd be racing us inside out of fear or if you'd be poking and prodding that snake trying to figure out what he was.  Would you egg on our fear by teasing us girls?

Lovie came home while we were outside watching Brian - ahem - get rid of Mr. Snake, so we all went downstairs for fun at Lovie's.  Ellie really likes playing Candyland these days (as long as you play by her rules!?!?!), so a game was shortly underway.  And as I watched Brian tease Ellie, I wondered if you'd be teasing her the same way, because I know you'd be right in the middle of that good fun!

Shortly after Ellie "won", the girls were entertained with "tic toc" by Brian.  Molly loves her Uncle Brian and Ellie is a Daddy's girl in her own sweet way, too.  Brian is always full of fun for the girls!  He's a lot like you.  We all laugh about that sometimes! 

And then, Lovie gave he girls snacks, and they soon had chocolate all over their faces and hands.  As I snapped this picture, I wondered how much joy they would be bringing to you if you were around, too.

So, while yesterday was a normal day for us, it was also your birthday.  We all thought of you so often as we always do.  And we missed you as much as we ever have.  Each time I wondered what it would be like for you to still be here, for you to enjoy these girls, I realized you are here with us in your own way.  We feel your spirit all the time, and for that I'm forever grateful.

So Happy Birthday, Daddy!  We love you and miss you dearly!