My Daddy

For those of you who do not know, my father passed away this morning;

 Monday, November 19, 2012.

A memorial service will take place on Saturday, November 24. 

Please email me, or find me on facebook, for location and time.

Time and time, again, we watched God work miracles in my dad's life. But today, God chose to make him whole - to heal him completely. And bring him Home. Eternal life is the ultimate miracle. I know God is rejoicing today, and my daddy is in no more pain. He has new legs and maybe even did a little dance for Jesus when he met Him... ok, that might be pushing it a bit ;)  But I do have complete confidence that Dad knew Jesus as his personal Savior. He put his trust in Christ alone. And, although I ache from grief of my selfish loss, I praise God for saving my dad. And I know one day, I'll see and hug him again. 

"because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9

For our believing friends, would you please keep my mom in your prayers? I cannot fathom the heart ache she has. I wish I could stay here forever with her. But I know God will protect her, comfort her, and work in her life - so that He will get the glory and praise. As much as my dad adored and cared for my mom, only the Lord could care for my mom better than my dad - and my dad knew that. Your encouragement and prayers will bless her deeply.

In no particular order, here are some favorite memories I have of my dad...

Smoke Showers

Last night, I found blackberries at the grocery store for an irresistible price. $.97 (usually $4). Knowing they'd bring a big smile to Jacob's face, I snatched some up. And made plans to made blackberry cobbler on Sunday night.

So while we were sitting at dinner, the cobbler was in the oven. And it started smoking... a lot. Jacob asked if I'd put a pan under the cobbler. Umm... no. Why would I?? I've made fresh apple or peach cobbler people with no spillover. And I've even done cherry cobbler, with no fear of it bubbling over, either. How was I to know fresh berries make a really really big mess. I mean... a really big mess. LOL

I opened the oven door and Nathan shouts across the room to Daddy, 

"too much smoke, I can't see Mommy!" ha ha ha

There was so much smoke, it filled our play room. And the ceiling fan had the smoke waterfalling down from the ceiling. It was actually pretty neat looking... I would have admired it more had I not been afraid the oven would catch on fire. LOL

Nathan, ever the supportive child, again unknowingly helps make fun of his Mommy. He shouts, with excitement, "Look, Daddy! I take smoke shower!" ha ha ha

(this is a video, if you get this in email, go here to see the video on the blog)

We opened all the windows and doors to get the smoke out.

I worried that the mosquitoes would get in.

Then I remembered the smoke... billowing out our open doors. 

No one, man or insect, would enter a place full of that much smoke. ha ha!

But here's proof. The cobbler did, eventually, turn out well.

The oven floor, on the other hand.... well... 

lets just say it's a really good thing that our new oven has hidden bake element.

And here's more proof that the cobbler was as much as hit as the smoking... I mean baking process.

Yes... the kids are eating in the living room. Maybe cause no one could breath in the kitchen or play room.... ha ha

I keep trying to convince Jacob that I need to be banned from the kitchen. But he keeps claiming I just need more practice. One day, maybe he'll learn that I don't learn. ha ha

iPied

The kids love Daddy's iPad.

ALL the kids love the iPad.

And, as Jacob says, none of them have any sense of personal space. They have no problem climbing over each other in order to get closer to the magical screen (Ruth is particularly good at this).

Apple really should change it's name to the iPied Piper.

From Aunt Mary

Auntie M sent Faith a birthday present that came in 2 shipment. She opened one at her party (a My Little Pony & a mirror/jewelry set). We "facetimed" with Aunt Mary today while Faith opened the 2nd part of her gift.

Pretty jewelry, featuring princess Rapunzel (from the movie, "Tangled").

Faith adores her new necklace, bracelet & hair accessories!

Oh, and yes. Faith dressed herself today.

I know. It's November. And we weren't going swimming.

But it just so happened to match her new yellow & purple jewelery perfectly. haha

And you know it's got you smiling, too.

Silly girl.

Spaghetti Face

Tonight, we ventured into new territory with Ruth.

Spaghetti.

At first, she just wanted to throw it.

Then Daddy gave her a taste.

And she was hooked!

I wonder if she could fit her whole fist in that mouth :)

I think Ruth has a new favorite food.

Now, on to the bath... :)

Teethers

Ruth got her first tooth when she was 8 months old. And the 2nd one followed soon after. She's had just those two bottom front teeth for some time now. Until this week.

Tuesday, her 3rd tooth appeared. It is the far left upper incisor. 

Then Thursday, the left front incisor came through. 

And, just under the surface, you can see both upper right incisors.

Four teeth in one week?!?! Our poor baby!

Have no fear, though. Our super happy baby girl is a trooper! She has wanted to be held more, and is taking shorter than normal naps. And her nose doesn't stop running. But otherwise, she's shown no signs of pain. 

Watch out, big sibs. Soon your baby sis is going not only going to try to steal (like she does already), but she'll actually be able to EAT your snacks now, too :)

Chocolate

I stepped out of the room for a moment, to answer the phone.

I came back to the living room to find this:

Ruth got into my purse and found a little stash of M&Ms.

And she was one VERY happy baby!! 

For some reason she turned down the pureed prunes I offered her for lunch an hour later... 

I can't really blame her. Who wants pureed prunes after tasting chocolate?!?

So much for that whole rule about babies not eating chocolate until they're at least one year old. I think she'll survive... and it's evident she's not allergic to it. Next time, I'll keep secret stashes of chocolate out of little kids' reach ;)