Butterflies & Bob Marley

Before going through all this with my dad, I'm not sure how much I actually believed in what was out there after someone passes. I questioned my Faith a lot. But watching my dad the last couple of days of his life, I am a firm believer that there is something out there & Heaven is totally for real [yes, I've read the book ;) ]

We all knew my dad would leave us signs that he was still around us. I remember the couple days after he passed, we had butterflies around their house like you wouldn't believe. One even flew inside the house where it stayed for quite some time. & I remember after his funeral, we were all hanging out outside and there were literally 5-6 butterflies circling the yard for hours.

My sister, Hannah, was having a conversation with her boyfriend were having a conversation shortly after my dad passed away about her possibly putting off going to school. As they were getting back into her car, they noticed a butterfly on her visor. & they stayed staring at it for 15 minutes as it slowly opened and closed it's wings. Clearly my dad didn't like the idea of her putting off her last couple weeks of school ;)

My other sister, Laura, was sitting on the deck talking to my mom and Hannah and suddenly a tiny frog jumped on her- we assume it's the same frog we told my dad about in his last days as it was climbing on the side of the house.

I was shopping last week to find some things for Henry's birthday bash and as I was looking at a Spiderman shirt for me, I looked to my left to find this perfectly perfect shirt. Of course I instantly started crying. Out of all of the lyrics in the world, what are the chances?!? We may or may not have bought them out of them ;)

My mom hasn't always been big into butterflies so she was talking to herself saying that if she ever saw a turtle, she would know it's my dad. Well that day as she was driving home from the store, she saw a bunch of traffic stopped. As she got closer, she saw a huge turtle crossing the road.

Some may say we are crazy for believing in all this being my dad but really nothing else can explain it. & dad, I'm still waiting for my pennies from Heaven :)

It's Birthday Season

Even with a broken heart, life must go on- especially for my kids.


& that means...August is nearing which means two big birthdays are coming and a third isn't too far behind. I actually love planning their birthdays, especially because they are all so close in age. It's their special day and I plan on going hog wild for as long as they will let me :)

Until this year I have picked the birthday themes but now Henry is a bit older & very opinionated so I left it up to him to pick the kind of birthday bash he wanted.

So like any 3 year old boy, he picked...Spiderman/Baseball.

You know I had to make his invites. Instead of cutting and gluing a bunch of shapes, I used good old PowerPoint [don't laugh computer whiz people] to whip up Henry's invites. He freaked when he saw them :)

I have been scouring the internet for what seems like forever trying to find the 'perfect' outfit for him to wear. I finally found this cute Etsy store that makes customizable t-shirts that look like baseball jerseys. So I ordered him one that will say "Spiderman' on the front with a #3 and 'Henry' and a big #3 on the back. I can't wait to get it! Oh and of course a Spiderman baseball cap :)  [I'm still working on what the rest of us will wear. We are totally that dorky family that wears matching birthday outfits :) ]

I'm still working decor and food but the menu will much resemble a ballpark snack menu with little hints of Spiderman.  & instead of cake or cupcakes we're doing an ice cream bar with these adorable mini Twins helmets [clearly not a real picture of my Twins helmets ;) ]

I can't wait to put it all together & of course I will take LOTS of pics! I'm sad my dad won't be there to celebrate with us but I'm sure we will see a butterfly or two ;) [I'll have to post more about the butterflies later!]

Heartbroken.

I was honestly hoping I wouldn't have to write this post for a long, long time.

On Friday, July 6th my dad grew tie-dyed angel wings. Crap. I can't believe it's already been 10 days.

My mom, sisters and I were holding him as he took his last breath. I can honestly say it was the most terrifying and beautiful moment of my entire life.

We had a wonderful service for him- everyone wore Hawaiian shirts and tie-dye [just as he requested] and we listened to Bob Marley. As hard as that day was, it was so nice to see everyone celebrating my dad.

Nothing can ever prepare you for losing a parent and even though we knew it was coming- it still hits you like a ton of rocks. I am firmly in denial but I miss him every day.