Happy Birthday to my Daddy!

February 9, 1953... my Daddy was born into this world. Today is his birthday and I want to celebrate him. He would have been 56 years old today. That seems so young to me and so young to be gone and for me to be without him. Since I am queen of "Lists".... here's a new one to read if you want... "56 things about my Daddy"

This is the last picture of "Just Me and Him." I was pregnant with Noah and he had come to Texas for a visit. I remember it like yesterday. I will never be able to let him go..."these small hours, these little wonders, these twists and turns of faith, time falls away, but these small hours, these small hours ...still remain."

Happy Birthday Daddy! 1. My Daddy called me "Chickie"

2. My Daddy was a hardworking man

3. My Daddy loved my mother till the very end

4. My Daddy believed in God and was baptized

5. My Daddy hunted everything out there

6. My Daddy worked at the railroad on trains

7. My Daddy was a taxidermist... a very good one

8. My Daddy wore Levi's and I always loved how he looked in them. I remember them starting out in the very darkest color and then ending up very faded and worn b/c he wore them out!

9. My Daddy loved his motorcycle

10. My Daddy loved to help people

11. My Daddy had a beautiful garden before he died

12. My Daddy always had dirt under his nails, even when laid to rest

13. My Daddy drove a Dodge Ram that was blue and I can still see him in it

14. My Daddy served in our church and was a deacon when I was younger

15. My Daddy had black hair and blue eyes and was a handsome man

16. My Daddy was a wonderful father to me and my sister

17. My Daddy supported me in sports and paved me a huge basketball court and built me an gigantic basketball goal that was homemade but the BEST! We spent a lot of time out there together.... Many nights with the floodlights on.

18. My Daddy always gave me his change from his pockets, sometimes he would put it on the mantle and tell me to go get it.

19. My Daddy played Jaws a lot with us in the swimming pool. He was sooo fun!

20. My Daddy was proud of me and I knew it because he always told me so.

21. My Daddy was glad we moved to Texas and so happy we are happy

22. My Daddy told me on my wedding day that they couldn't find my ring... He laughed and couldn't keep it a secret... I was upset..... they found it! :)

23. My Daddy put Nathan through it to be my boyfriend and he stuck it out!

24. My Daddy was a bodybuilder.... he looked unbelievable

25. My Daddy always got us a real Christmas tree

26. My Daddy bought me my first car and me and him went to get it together and I drove it home.

27. My Daddy would drive many miles to see me play basketball, even at a camps.

28. My Daddy liked Copenhagen and always had a ring in his pocket that was worn on his jeans

29. My Daddy was a strong and healthy man

30. My Daddy liked breakfast, lunch and dinner. Big Meals!

31. My Daddy wore flannel shirts all the time

32. My Daddy was the best PeePaw and everything I ever dreamed of as a grandpa

33. My Daddy called me a lot and sent me cards in the mail

34. My Daddy let us have kittens and puppies in the house

35. My Daddy never let us do without

36. My Daddy and I had many talks out in his taxidermy shop

37. My Daddy wanted to keep me from making mistakes

38. My Daddy caught me in many, disciplined me, gave me more chances

39. My Daddy was affectionate with me

40. My Daddy always had me sit on his knee, even when I was grown

41. My Daddy loved waking us up in the mornings, he would come in shouting "rise and shine"

42. My Daddy always told me when he liked what I was wearing and was complimentary

43. My Daddy loved talking about Noah

44. My Daddy is where I got my eyes, calves, hands, lips, drive, perfectionist about things and many inner qualities that help me in life...all these things are just like his were and I love that I have have a part of him in me

45. My Daddy always told me to save my money

46. My Daddy always told me when I was wearing too much eye makeup

47. My Daddy is a part of Noah and it is evident in many ways that make me smile

48. My Daddy was so happy when we surprised them about having Emmie Lou. That was the best Christmas for me.

49. My Daddy loved an iced cold Pepsi

50. My Daddy read his bible

51. My Daddy called me three times the day before he died. He was worried I was going into labor and was checking on me. We had a great talk.

52. My Daddy lived a short life but did a lot and was amazing at everything he did

53. My Daddy was loved and respected by many

54. My Daddy is still sooo missed and thought of everyday

55. My Daddy loved me and I loved him and we told each other every time..."I sure do love you" .... "I sure do love you too"

56. My Daddy "still remains" in me and is waiting for me in Heaven.....