Father's Day...remembering the men that I love most

I’ve had a crazy busy past week, but that’s the story of my life lol! It’s nice to sit in my office upstairs and just write….all.by.myself. It’s nice to reminisce. A lot of times I find myself so focused on my family, that I tend to forget about me. I forget about my feelings and I don't have time to always think.Well, I did just that last night. I gathered up my big scrapbook filled with stuff from my dad and all of the pictures I have of him. I sat down in my office all by myself and cried, laughed, smiled and just thought about way back when.With Father’s Day coming up on Sunday, it always takes me back. It’s such a bittersweet holiday for me. It makes me yearn for my dad. It makes me miss my Papa. But it also brings a smile to my face just to think about the amazing father figures I have in my life. Not to mention my husband who is an amazing father to our child.

I was just thinking last night while smoochin on my lil love bug how much I love him. Seriously, my heart could burst with the amount of love I have for him. Now that I’m a parent I realize how much my daddy loved me. I was his little princess and he was my prince daddy :). He spoiled me, doted on me and left me sweet little notes in my lunch box every morning before he left for work. He would ground me and then let me go to my friend’s house the very next day. He made me do chores and taught me to be responsible. He loved having ice cream dates at Dairy Queen when I finished cheerleading practice before we would head home. He let me enjoy my childhood, but was also strict. He taught me about work ethic and how to never give up. He was a fighter and a strong man. He battled cancer for many, many years but never gave up. I’m thankful for those memories. I’m thankful that I had my daddy here with me for 15 years of my life. But goodness gracious, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss him with every ounce of my being. It’s hard to graduate high school and college and not have your dad there. It’s even harder walking down the isle to marry your best friend without him by your side or having your first baby and him missing it. I know it's so selfish to feel that way, but I'm only human. God needed him more than I did and that gives me peace. It’s reassuring knowing that he is here and did see me accomplish all of those things, as he’s here with me every step of the way in spirit.

young handsome daddy of mine :)

I have stacks of these notes. I'm so glad I kept them...what an awesome reminder of how much he loved me. 

so sweet :)

I still love to carve pumpkins...I guess because he reminds me of him.

It's hard not to wonder 'what if'. What if he was still here...what would he think of my husband? I'm sure he wouldn't approve of a lot of the boyfriends I had, but I'm almost positive he would love Trevor. I wonder what kind of grandpa he would be? I bet a darn good one. My brother and I teach our kids about Papa Ben and my sweet Tanner Benjamin carries part of his name. I wonder what he would look like? He was always so handsome to me. I wonder where he would be working at and would he still live in the same house? I wonder so much about him and what it would have been like if he was still here. While I can wonder all day, I know for sure I'll see him again and really, that's all I need to keep me going.

stylin and profilin in the bright shirt :)

Daddy and my brother :))

The other sweet man in my life that has always been my rock was my sweet Papa. After my daddy passed, he filled that void of the father figure I needed so very much. He was the one who always made sure I was in church. He was the one who always took me to Burger King for chicken nuggets. He was the one who always carried me to the lake to camp every summer. He was the one who gave me advice about everything. He was the one who was always so very proud of my accomplishments. It’s equally hard not having him here, but I know he’s having a much better time in Heaven. That makes me smile.

I remember this day like it was yesterday. Hearing him say he was so proud of me was worth years of hard work. 

This was the last picture Tanner took with his Papa. He passed a few weeks after. So thankful I have such sweet pictures to remember him by. 

Although Father’s Day floods me with many memories of my daddy and Papa, it also makes me so appreciative of my step-dad, father-in-law and husband. My step-dad has been there for me since my teenage days. Bless his heart; he had to put up with a whole lotta crazy from me! He can fix anything and is such a handy man. I’m thankful for him and all of the advice he’s given me, all of the projects he helps me on and for loving Tanner unconditionally. My father-in-law is another blessing in my life. He is the man who has all of the answers. He’s business savvy and for that I am grateful :)) He is willing to help at the drop of a hat and the love he has for his children and grandchild is something special. I’m thankful for these two men and for how much they love me. They are both awesome father figures in my eyes. God knows what He’s doing and He put these two men in my life for a reason. I’m blessed.

He LOVES playing chase with Poppi :)) 

Spoiled rotten by his Pop!

My sweet brother was the one who walked me down the isle on my wedding day. I never would have thought almost 8 years later we would be as close as we are today. He reminds me so much of my daddy. He is an extremely hard worker and provides for his family. He is a fighter, never gives up and always stands for what he believes in. He cares for his girls like my daddy did for us. He treats them as if they’re princesses every day. That’s how it should be. The love he has for his girls is unconditional. He is one of the best daddy’s I know and I know without a doubt my dad would be so super proud of the man he has become. 

My sweet brother. I'm so glad he was by my side and gave me away on that special day.

And last but not least, my husband. I have doted on him many times in my posts, but I’ll say it over and over again…he’s one amazing daddy. He makes me wanna have lots more babies, just so I can see how great he is with each one. Lol totally kidding. Maybe one more and that’s about it. He certainly fits the bill for a father. He loves his child, he’s protective of him, he a disciplinarian, he’s caring and most of all he’s a great role model for Tanner. I’m proud to call him my husband and even more proud to call him the father of my child. Tanner is uber lucky to have him for a daddy!

Trevor's first Father's Day :))

So Happy Father’s Day to all of you special men in my life! Enjoy your day and don’t do a thing =) I love ya’ll to the moon and back!

Make sure you hug your daddy tight and give him lots of love if you’ve still got him here. And if not, just reminisce…remember the past. Hold those memories close. That’s what I plan to do.

Enjoy your weekend!! I plan to spend mine with those awesome dad’s listed above! Until next time…

Magan

long overdue...

So obviously I left my blog under the big to-do pile on my desk. Thankfully I don't HAVE to post, it's just something that I enjoy doing! So that leaves me with about 2 weeks worth of events that I can't leave out, for my sake at least =) A few things that have kept me absolutely busy these past few weeks:

1. A 2 year old with a cast
2. A 2 year old that had his cast removed and then had a horrible cough along with a severe ear infection
3. Embroidering like crazy, creating invoices, getting items ready to ship and did I say embroidering? :)
4. House work...lots and lots of it
5. Yard work
6. Throwing a birthday party at our house, making sweets for a shower and fun holidays
7. Last but not least, family time

Lets get back #1 on the list...Tanner is CAST FREE!! Hallelujah!! That was the longest 4 weeks for all of us. Bath times were torturous and carrying that big child and his cast up the stairs got old quick. Tanner man is back to normal and crazier than ever! To celebrate after his appointment we had a yummy lunch and he got to pick out a huge cookie, which he demolished in a minute...no lie. He had the longest bubble bath ever that night and the next day he spent it with his cousins that were here from GA. It was a time to remember, but one that I'd never like to revisit again.

The cast is the biggest news that has happened in our lives here lately. But we've also had some other fun times the last few weeks....

Tanner went to his cousins cow birthday party! As you can tell, it was FUN!!

We started prepping for the pool, so once the cast came off we could  go swimming!! Sadly, right after he got the ear infection. Boooo :((

Liz threw the.most.amazing baby shower EVER for her sister. I plan to do a whole post just on her decorating skills. 

We had lunch with Mimi! We always have fun with her!

We had Trevor's grandparents over for dinner. His grandma taught me how to make homemade chicken and dumplings and biscuits a while back so I made it for them at our house...they were both impressed by the turn out :) We cherish time with our sweet grandparents...and Tanner just loves them!

My brother and nieces came here Memorial Day weekend from GA. We threw my oldest niece and brother a birthday party...they were born on the same day =) Tanner was over the moon excited to see his sweet cousins!! He had a blast and is still talking about them!

These three just had a blast together!!

My sweet niece trying to get that candy out :)

Tanner and his cousin...they are a mess together :))

The birthday duo :))

We got her a princess scooter! Girl was happy, happy, happy :))

My brother and his girls!  

The birthday party was amazing! My niece seemed to really enjoy it and my brother was so thankful for all that we did. Speaking of my brother...there used to be a time where he drove me crazy and we never got along. Within the last year, we have become closer than ever. He is a strong man who has been through a lot in his 32 years. I thank God daily for him and the relationship that we have now. I've learned through him that family is what's most important. During hard times, stressful times or good times, that's who I lean on. And I'm glad to know that he now knows I'm only just a phone call away and one of his biggest supporters. My brother doesn't even know I have a blog, but I'm pretty sure I'll share this link with him so he can enjoy my shout out to him =) We are heading to the beach in a few weeks with my him and my nieces and I am beyonddddd happy! 

Random night a few weeks ago...Tanner modeling a floppy hat I had just monogrammed. Just darlin :))

Memorial day at his best buds house!

These are our amazing friends and old neighbors. Since we used to live 2 doors down  from each other, we would spend every summer holiday together. We went to their house this Memorial Day for some delish food, amazing (way past due) girl chatting, and fun time at the park! 

Playing at the park! These two are crazy, wild, fun lil boys who are best buds!

One of the best friends a girl could ask for! I just love her to pieces!

Daddy duty at its finest :))

We enjoyed some backyard fun and sunshine last week! 

He loves his water table! He loves it so much that he climbed up on it, sat in the water and went #2 in his swim diaper. Talk about fun times and lots of sanitizing. I know that's super nasty, but it's reality. Reality of the life of a mom =) 

So that's why I've been missing from my blog lately. After looking back through these pics, I'm blessed by all of the fun times we've had just over the last two weeks! Where would we be without family, friends and good food? And sunshine too :) I am sooo in love with summer! Tanner is out of school for a few weeks before he goes for a summer camp/mothers day out program. Once this infection clears up we're seriously going to the pool! And we're heading to the lake this weekend. I'm sooo excited to take him and just watch how much fun he's gonna have! Have I mentioned that being a mom is the best?! I just love to see him try new things and develop into a little man!

That was a whole lot of stuff thrown into one post. My apologies lol! I've seriously missed writing and hope to never go that long again. But then again, with summer being here I want to just be a lazy, water, tanning, eating fool. Hope ya'll are enjoying your summer so far! Hopefully I'll post again soon, so until next time...

Magan