Reflections

Every New Years I write a blog reflecting on the previous year and finding myself in disbelief that it went by so quickly.

I should probably write something different this year. Ya know, change it up a little.

Nah, I’ll pass! 😉

Wow. I truly cannot believe this year has come and gone. Time seems to pass faster and faster the older I get. There are so many wonderful things that happened in 2017. There were also difficulties and challenges.

Let’s do a month-by-month recap:

January; started a brand new job that I LOVE!

February; adopted our sweet puppy Creed!

March; had my first Spring Break in years & got to spend it with my momma; & met new friends!

April; turned 26 & started my journey as a Rodan + Fields Consultant!

May; watched my cousin marry the love of her life and said a final goodbye to my sweet grandpa.

June; celebrated my 3 year wedding anniversary!

July; took an awesome road trip with my hubby!

August; started teaching my first class & started my first Graduate class!

September; received free tickets to see Brad Paisley in concert at the Grand Opening of MAD!

October; broke my foot leading to this being a VERY difficult month emotionally.

November; celebrated our Creed turning ONE & spent Thanksgiving with family!

December; found out some of the most amazing news on one of the hardest days of my life, the 6 year anniversary of my Daddy going to Heaven. Celebrated my hubby’s birthday & spent so much time with the people I love during our almost two week Christmas break.

This year I’ve learned that life is truly full of hills and valleys. I spent a lot of unnecessary time and tears worrying about things I couldn’t control, all to finally realize that God is in control. I just needed to sit back and TRUST Him. TRUST that He is good. TRUST that He is full of love. TRUST that He has great plans for our future. I spent too much time and energy worrying when in reality I just needed to TRUST my Savior.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” -James 1:17

“He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”” -Psalm‬ ‭46:10‬

My “word” for 2018 is TRUST.

What is your word?

See ya next year!

Blessings,

Mrs. Hannah D. 🖤

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This is Us

Have you ever watched the NBC television show This is Us? If not, you are seriously missing out. It has easily become one of our most favorite TV shows!

There are so many wonderful things about this show. We’re midway in to season 2 and it has been nothing but good, wholesome, real life episodes. I have so much love for this show (clearly) that it has inspired me to write a blog about it.

Let’s start with Jack and Rebecca. The original parents. Mom and Dad to the big three. Crazy in love, but completely real in the way they work through hard, realistic issues. Jack is a good man. He is a hard worker, and he pushes Rebecca to take risks and work towards her dreams. He loves her unconditionally. He reminds me of my husband in those aspects. Rebecca says often that “he’s not perfect, but he’s as close as they come.” That’s Houston. He’s not perfect, but goodness he’s close.

Engagement picture from 2013; and I thought I loved him then. ❤️

He is crazy about their kids and he’s a good dad. That trait reminds me so much of my dad. He was crazy about my brother and me. He worked tirelessly until he absolutely couldn’t. Like Jack’s character, he wasn’t perfect. He had his vices. But even though the vices caused some hardships, they didn’t split our family apart. If anything, my brother and I learned from them, and my mom and dad stuck together despite it all.

My momma & daddy! ❤️

Kate. She’s one of the twins and one of the big three. Goodness I see so much of myself in her character. She has struggled all her life with her weight. She was always different in school from the other girls because she didn’t fit the cookie-cutter mold that most everyone else did. Her character had gotten to a point in life where she had pretty much stopped looking for a special someone. Then she met Toby. He loves her despite her flaws and issues. He sees her for who she truly is, not just what everyone else thinks. Every woman deserves to find a man who loves her for who she is and encourages her to be the best possible version of herself. I’m so glad I found mine.

But truly, what has hit me the hardest lately is the fact that Jack, their dad, has passed away. The show goes to flashbacks from when the characters were younger and the memories they have of their father. We as viewers don’t know yet how he died, but we do know that it happened while the big three were young. Most likely in their teenage years. You see the impacts the death has had on them even as adults in their late 30s. Revealing that the death of a parent is not something that you ever “get over.”

I so often think back to when I was younger and the memories I have with my Daddy. Whether it was him picking me up from school every Friday afternoon or him telling me “bye britches, I love you!” each morning when he left for work. I remember his favorite cologne and the little things he used to do that would drive me nuts. Things that I now find myself wishing for again. Though he’s only been gone 6 years (in December), it feels like it’s been a lifetime. I see so much in my own self and in my family’s life that has changed and I can’t help but wonder what life would be like if he were still here.

Always a Daddy’s girl; miss him tremendously. 💔

The final thing this show has revealed to me, that I actually already knew, is the impact parents have on the life of their children. You see the impact of Jack and Rebecca in the lives of Kate, Kevin, and Randall (the big three). And goodness has it made me realize the impact that my parents have always had on my life. I wouldn’t be who I am or where I am today if it wasn’t for the incredible, positive, Godly impact my parents have made in my life. I am eternally grateful. The show also touches on the negative impacts parents can have on their children. Specifically Jack’s character and the fact that his father was an alcoholic. Parents have such important roles of influence, even if they don’t realize it.

Anyway, I think I’ve rambled on enough. Go watch this show though. You will need a few tissues, but man its good.

Blessings,

Mrs. Hannah D. 🖤

A Life Well Lived

Our lives are like a crashing wave, here one moment and gone the next.

When going through the day-to-day of life it may seem as though time drags on. But when you look back, you realize how quickly this life goes by.

My family’s world was shaken recently by the passing of my sweet grandfather. He was 88 years old and boy did he live each one of those years. Losing a loved one is the hardest thing a person could go through. Death has removed that person from your day-to-day, week-to-week life and there is no getting them back physically.

On May 6th, my grandfather was dancing and singing to Frank Sinatra (his favorite) at my beautiful cousin’s wedding. We danced as an extended family; we laughed, sang, and made memories we soon realized would be our last happy ones with my grandpa. He was full of life. Always telling a story, always making people laugh, and always making each person feel important.

The following Monday evening, my grandpa fell and broke his hip. Naturally, we were worried, but never imagined the outcome would be so terrible. He was scheduled to have surgery that Wednesday. Surgery went fine, but that afternoon he was having a difficult time coming out of his anesthesia.

On that Thursday morning, there was no improvement. That afternoon, we found out the terrible news that he had suffered a massive stroke and had lost all use/feeling of his right side. We had almost lost all hope that he would get better. The doctors certainly didn’t give us any reassurance.

Minutes turned to hours and hours turned to days. He made no improvement and he never woke up from the deep “sleep” he was in. The decision was made to place him on Hospice.

My eyes are filled with tears as I type that word. Hospice. I’ve had such a bad experience with it before when losing my Daddy. Speaking of that, through all of this so many terrible memories have resurfaced as I watched my once full of life grandpa slowly slip away from us. The noises of the hospital, the smells, the tears; it all brings back such painful memories of the 50 days my Daddy was hospitalized.

And then, on May 14th, my grandpa went to be with Jesus. Our hearts are shattered. Just a week before he was dancing and laughing. I truly believe that the shock of it all has made the situation that much harder.

Through all of this, the words from Even If by MercyMe have been on my heart and in my mind:

“But God, when You choose to leave mountains unmovable, oh give me the strength to be able to sing “it is well with my soul“

I know You’re able and I know You can, save through the fire with Your mighty hand, but even if You don’t, my hope is You alone…”

I was honored with the privilege of writing the eulogy and creating the slideshow for my Grandpa’s funeral. As I began writing, learning, and reflecting on his life, I realized something I already knew; my Grandpa lived such a full life! While I still feel 88 years wasn’t long enough, I realized that he truly lived each one of those 88 years. He has traveled the world, owned and managed his own business, and so much more.

I can’t wait to give my Daddy and him the biggest hug when I get to Heaven someday.

Hug your loved ones a little tighter. 

Blessings,

Mrs. Hannah D. 💔

Friday

I know I say this a LOT but, I love the weekends. They’re my most favorite. This Friday, 11.6.15, was one of the best. So much so, I have been inspired to blog about it! 

I got to sleep in a little (yay!) today. Friday’s off work are big blessing when you’re so tired from the first part of the week. What is so different about sleeping in this Friday is that I had a dream about my Daddy. You see, I don’t remember my dreams very often, but this one, I remember quite vividly. It goes like this;  I remember receiving a text message from him that said:

“No star in the sky is as pretty as you.”

Then I remember going somewhere (I was late, of course) and sitting down beside momma in what seemed to be an audience, like we were going to watch a play or something. Daddy was there too, beside me on my right. He was upright on what seemed to be a bed or gurney. He was asleep, but he was there. Then I woke up…

When I woke up that morning my heart was filled with sadness. It will be four years next month since he went to Heaven to be with Jesus. My heart still aches, especially this time of the year. The “text message” he sent me wasn’t anything I’ve heard before. It was like a real message from him. That makes my heart happy. I miss him more than words can say. My eyes are filled with tears as I type this, but I have hope in knowing that I will see him again in Heaven someday. 

The best parents in the universe.

   

I love this picture so much.

Today was also a day of firsts! Adam & Chelsey took Adalyn to see her very first movie in theaters!! From what I hear she absolutely loved it! I’m so glad that she got to go on a “date” with her mommy and daddy! ☺️  

Such a little cutie & so grown up!!! ❤️

  
While they were at the movies momma kept sweet Emery Kate! And…she rolled over for the first time!!!! Can’t believe how fast she’s growing up!!  

Precious little angel!!! ❤️

And last, but certainly not least, my sweet hubby took me out for a “date day” today. We spent the entire afternoon and evening together talking, laughing, making memories, and having so much fun!!! I believe it is SO important to continue to date your spouse even after marriage! Beyond blessed and thankful to have such a wonderful husband to share this life with.  

Date day, plaid day. ❤️

See why I love the weekends so much? God is so good, everyday, in all ways! He is a good, good Father! 

Until next time…

Blessings,

Mrs. Hannah D. ☺️

  

A Father’s Love

This Sunday is Father’s Day. My heart always hurts a little more every June when this holiday comes around. This is a day set apart to just celebrate fathers. New fathers, old fathers, grandfathers, great-grandfathers, and so on. You see, I may be a little biased, but I had the best earthly father of all. 

My Daddy was known by many. He always worked hard and always made you laugh. He would get up really early each morning for work and before he left the house he told each of us goodbye. He would start with my mom, then me, then my brother. Nine times out of ten we were still sleeping when he left, but that never stopped him from his routine. He called me “britches,” I still to this day haven’t figured out where this silly nickname came from, but each morning before heading out the door he would say, “bye britches, I love you!” 

He would work all day and come home exhausted. However, in many occasions he would go out to his shop and work on cars. He was a great mechanic. Not only was he hard-working, he was hilarious.

He always acted goofy and always made people laugh! I remember so often he would drive me crazy acting silly, but he always made us laugh…and everyone else too!

He had a heart of gold. He was a good, good man. He would do absolutely anything for his family and his love for us was something we never questioned. 

He LOVED Coca-Cola and hamburgers! He used to tell me that when he was younger he would ride his bike to the store and get hamburger meat and chocolate milk. He would come home and make hamburgers for that night and his lunch the next day. Mustard and pickles only, nothing more, nothing less. 

There were countless occasions and hours he spent helping with events at our church. Even the many times that he didn’t feel good or was exhausted, that didn’t stop him from helping. He would drive to the city in a drop of a hat if we needed anything or everything for a Youth Ralley at church…even multiple times a day! 

He LOVED to cook…and was dang good at it! He would grill hamburgers for church or for our town’s festival, never charging a dime. Oh and his pinto beans and fried turkey should’ve been famous! 😊

I got to spend 20 wonderful years with my Daddy. 20 years of love, memories, and laughter. It was three and a half years ago that he went to Heaven to be with Jesus. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of him or miss him. He wasn’t perfect, but he was hands down, by far, the best Daddy ever. 

So as we get closer to Father’s Day and my heart begins to ache a little more so than usual, I can hold on to the fact that I will see my Daddy again in Heaven someday. When I get there I’m going to give him the biggest hug. 

“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.” –Psalm‬ ‭68‬:‭5‬ NIV 

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” –Psalm‬ ‭34‬:‭18‬ NIV

“For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” –Psalm‬ ‭100‬:‭5‬ NIV

My Daddy when he was a little boy! 💙

Momma, Daddy, & me after my high school graduation! 😊

School pictures from when my Daddy was a little boy! 💙

May 2011; our last family picture together before my college gradation. ❤️

Best parents in the universe! ❤️❤️❤️

Acting silly before my brother’s wedding in August 2009! 😄

In all the cards my Daddy would give me he would always sign them, “Love you forever, Daddy.” This is my daily reminder. ❤️

Oh this necklace is SO special! The diamond cross in the center was a Christmas present from my brother. He said he wanted to be the first man to ever give me diamonds. The gold band encircling it was my Daddy’s wedding band which he never, ever took off. Such a treasure! ❤️

 

And I wore this treasure on the most important day of my life; my wedding day. ❤️

  

So this Sunday, hug your Daddy a little tighter and never, ever take a moment for granted. 

Blessings, 

Mrs. Hannah D.