Another Milestone

This weekend will be another milestone without my dad. Our annual Labor Day celebration at my mom and dad's pond. Some aunts and cousins and their kids all come to my mom's house and we eat and grill out and fish and just have one last "summer celebration". My dad would always love this get together. He was so proud of his pond, and was so happy to share it with people and love people enjoying it. I know he'll be looking down on us, but it's still not the same.

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Hips are good!

Macey had her tests done today, and everything is good. They tried doing the ultrasound, but couldn't see enough. They said the older babies get, the harder it is to see on ultrasound. So they brought her in for x-rays instead. She did so amazing, acted like such a big girl. She didn't cry once! She would kick her legs once in awhile in irritation, but other than that she was perfect. I couldn't believe it. And we are so happy to know that everything is fine!!!

Hip Ultrasound

Tomorrow we are going in to get an ultrasound of Macey's hips. At her 9 month old well baby check last week, the doctor noticed one of her skin folds on her one leg is much bigger than the other. He said it can be an indication that her hip is not forming properly. She did have a click right after she was born in her hip, but went away by her first pediatrician appointment. I hope that everything is okay. I have been watching her leg and how she holds it since her appointment, and it seems okay to me. It doesn't seem out of place or anything. Let's hope everything is okay, and we get the results rather quickly.

So Blessed

I am so blessed with so many good friends and family. I always knew it, but yesterday on my birthday I was truly blown away by all of the texts and messages saying happy birthday. I also recieved so many special gifts! I always knew that the best gifts come from the heart, but was reminded of it yesterday. Like my husband bringing me home a six pack of Guiness beer, a birthday cake, and grilling me steak. Or McKenna saying "happy birthday mommy" as she wiped the sleep from her eyes in the morning. Or spending the day shopping with my mom. My friends from work bought me a gift certificate for the yoga classes I love. I am so thankful for all of the friends and family who make life worth living! My 30's are going to be great!

Another Milestone

Another milestone is here without my dad. My first birthday without him. My 30th birthday. I have to admit, I miss my dad calling me and singing happy birthday to me. I have tears in my eyes as I remember his voice singing every year.

I know my dad is smiling down on me today. Even though he is not here to personally wish me happy birthday, I have to believe he is in heaven looking down and is going to give me an awesome day.

Lasting Impressions

It was this time last year that my dad got the news that Wired Outdoors was going to come and hunt on his property with my dad. He was beyond excited. It was the best hunt of his life. He was so proud. My mom sat praying for geese, knowing it may be his last hunt.

My mom recieved an e-mail from Larry at Smart Sticks, who was part of the hunt. He sent a message to all of his hunting buddies, saying:

Hi All,

Getting Ready. It's once again that time of year filled with great
anticipation. The time just before Fall, and hunting, and reunions with
hunting partners. Exactly at this time last year 8 hunters were getting
ready to hunt with Ron Maass. This year as we get ready to hunt, our
friend Ron is in Heaven.
The attached Word encourages us to Be Ready as we will indeed see
Ron again.
Fall is my favorite season!

Looking Forward,

Larry

The words he had attached were these:

Be Ready Luke 12:32-40 (NRSV)

"Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

"Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.

"But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour."

It makes me happy to know that he made such an impression on these folks, that after only hunting with him one time, they constantly remember him. I wrote back to Larry and thanked him for remembering my dad, and letting him know how much the hunt meant to my dad. He responded back with some photos, and this story:

It was indeed an honor to have shared this earth for a few hours with your Dad. Kindred spirits.

Will keep you guys updated as the PA team will be here 9-12 Sept this year to capture a little more WI goose footage. Their goal is to produce a complete episode of goose hunting including a highlight of our hunt with Ron.
Time will tell.

During our hunt: Since the blind was full, Your Dad and Eric Olsen stood in the cattails at the N end of the pond. A small group of geese went past and the blind and not shooting real well, we got all but one goose that escaped to the North. Ron promptly dumped that goose and instantly there were audible cheers of "All Right" (both for his good shot and that he helped take the whole flock). Later, Ron told me privately, "You know Larry, that cheer out there, that was the best part of the whole hunt for me". That still makes me happy.





It makes me happy too. I know my dad's heaven consists of a big pond, endless fields, and an unlimited amount of geese.

Cheese

This morning I was slicing a few pieces of cheese for McKenna, and it made me think of my dad. It made me remember the time he came to my apartment to watch a Packer game. I had some cheese and sausage out. My dad was harrasing me about how thick my cheese was sliced, and what an awful job I did. That Christmas my dad bought me a cheese cutter as a gift. I still have it and use it.

This is another example of how the simplest things remind me of my dad. On a daily basis I think of him at least ten times. I know its because he shaped me to be the person I am today. But I also think its because I have so many fond memories of him for 29 years, that everything in life is going to remind me of my dad. And because all I have left are memories...I think it's a good thing. Even if it is something as simple as cheese.