Saying goodbye this morning...

Here we are saying goodbye after a fun visit with G-pa & Aunt Helene...

G-pa & Aunt Helene come for a visit!

I was so happy when dad told me he and my Aunt Helene were coming for a quick visit. They arrived yesterday at 3:00 PM- we had pizza for dinner, had a treasure hunt, made a fire & relaxed, talked, took pictures and then said goodbye this morning at 9:30 AM. I am so glad they were able to make it out 1 more time this year. Thanks for everything!

G-pa & the treasure hunt...

I was talking to my Dad a few nights before he came to visit, and he said he was making treasure maps for the kids and was going to hide treasure in the back yard for them to find. My heart melted as I invisioned my Father drawing 3 treasure maps and placing treats in plastic bags, smiling as he did it. The kids had a great time trying to find their treats. Daisy found hers under the picnic table, Tristin's was hidden in a cinder block between the sheds and Grace found her's in the bottom of a tree. They each recieved a 5.00 bill & candy! It was pretty cute to watch their faces light up as the located their lost treasure.
I think a lot of my healing has come as I have watched my Dad interact with my children. I ached for my father growing up and we missed out on so many years, but it makes me heart smile every time we are together because we have a great relationship now. He comes to visit a few times a year and he rides his bike out often to give me a ride (although I don't think I'll be taking any more motorcycle rides at 7 months pregnant! That was a bumpy memory, but thanks Dad!)
I've learned that I cannot change what happened in the past, and that all those years I missed him, just made me a little more grateful for what we have today. It means the world to me when he drives hundreds of miles to see us and then has to leave the next day to return home, just to drive a few more hundred miles. It proves that I was worth the effort, I meant something, and that's all I've wanted my entire life. Just to know I was loved and valued...Thank you Papa for everything. I love you and I am so thankful to have you in my life.