Father's Day Made Simple

We aren't spending any extra money these days and that means no presents on holidays like Mother's Day or Father's Day.

I still wanted to do something a little extra special for Brent besides our normal homemade cards.

I got online and googled "fill in the blank father's day cards" and got some cute ideas.

Some of them already had the year on there and it was previous years. I decided to get a list of questions and ask the boys and then just type it up for them.

I also did it for the grandfather's--- funny stuff there as well! I just used the same questions and let the boys take turns on the answers (for the most part--- Webb's answers started looking all the same and were "Chick-fil-A for every one. Dane took over at that point.)

So, if you are like me and you are on a spending freeze, but you still want to do something a little unique for the Father's in your life you should totally do this.

I laughed until I cried on some of these answers.

By the way, just sharing Brent's letters.

My Dad is 91 years old.

His hair is dark and bald with little things sticking up and his eyes are brown.

My dad likes to wear underwear.

He loves to eat cereal with a fork.

My dad works hard at Bartow County EMS.

Daddy always tells me “You little fart sniffer.”

It makes my dad happy when he farts.

If he could go on a trip, he would go to Texas and he would take guns.

I really love it when my dad spanks Webb.

If I could give my daddy anything it would be a new gun that is real.

My favorite thing about my dad is he sometimes brings us chocolate milk from his work.

I love you,

Dane

My daddy’s name is Da-Da

He is 2 years old. Big and tall and weighs 2 pounds.

His favorite food is eggs and bacon.

My daddy is really good at going to work.

He loves to workout.

My favorite thing to do with my dad is get ice-cream with him.

I’m just like my dad because I poop on the potty for 2 hours.

What I love the most about my daddy is him taking me to Chick-fil-A.

It makes Dad happy when I go to Den Den’s house. (Den Den is granddaddy)

I love you,

Webb

  

Happy Father’s Day 2013

There you go.

Cheap.

Easy.

Hilarious!

A Letter to my Oldest

Dear Dane,

I can't believe you turned 5 yesterday. It was such a bittersweet day. I only broke my promise to not cry one time and it was first thing in the morning. I was making breakfast and you came around the corner with a balloon in your hand, crazy hair, rubbing your eyes. I swear you looked like you grew overnight. You said, "Mom, there are balloons all in my bedroom." I got all choked up and said, "That's because today you are finally FIVE!!! (we had been counting down) Happy Birthday, my big boy!"

The night before, I was busy blowing up balloons, getting your present ready that you would open first thing in the morning (big boy boxers and new socks. You are into angry bird and angry birds StarWars so both the boxers and socks were that.), and hanging up streamers. It was late and I should have been in bed. I heard you get up. You came in the hall and said, "MOM!! I can't sleep!" I had so much to do and wanted to tell you to go on and lay back down, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. I hid all my supplies and took you back to bed.

I snuggled up next to you and started playing with your hair. It was then at that moment that I realized I would never ever snuggle with you as a 4 year old again. I also realized there would be a day that you wouldn't need me to snuggle up with you like that or most likely, wouldn't even let me. That is when I broke down. I sobbed laying there next to you. I whispered how much I loved you and how thankful I was to be your mommy. Then, I tried my hardest to go back to the day you were born. I tried to remember my labor and pushing you out. I tried to picture what you looked like as a newborn and how you felt like in my arms. I went to each age in my mind and tried to remember certain things you had done, or said, little mannerisms you possessed. You know what, it was so hard to do. My mind hasn't kept up with all of that. That made me cry harder. I laid there with you the night before your birthday, overwhelmed with love for you and still, after 5 years, amazed that you really are mine.

On your actual birthday, the day was devoted to you. Daddy took off of work just to make you feel extra special and loved. We had breakfast and took Webb to stay with Gammie. We went shopping so you could pick out your presents, had lunch at Chick-fil-A, went to Nana's work so you could scare her, bought Webb some presents, went to the Etowah Indian Mounds and walked around for hours, and then went to the park to let you play with your new toy. We ended the day eating out for your birthday with both sets of your grandparents.

First thing in the morning

Blowing out 5 candles on your birthday pancakes

Very excited about your complimentary milkshake after lunch.

Etowah Indian Mounds

I loved this little patch of trees. You really enjoyed being here with just mommy and daddy and we loved having special time with you.

Peeking out at me from an Indian house

Long walk up to the Chief's mound.

Look at those muscles on a FIVE year old!

The Birthday boy with Gammie and Granddaddy!

Waterproof Camo BOGS you have been begging for.

The blue and silver (very specific) scooter you just had to have!

The Birthday boy with Nana and Papa

We had such a great day with you!

Dane, mommy and daddy love you so much. You have grown up and changed so very much during this last year. We look at you with such amazement and love. Just a few days before your birthday, daddy and I were talking about you and we both agreed, we didn't deserve a son as wonderful as you.

You are so big, obedient, kind, smart, determined, brave, independent, and polite. You strive to obey the rules and you love to please us. Sometimes, you crave discipline. You need boundaries. You work best with them. You love having rules and knowing what is expected of you. There will be days when you are acting horribly. You are disrespectful, disobedient, and straight up bad. Neither daddy nor I enjoy disciplining you (we both still cry when we do), but man! If we just do it, you are a brand new kid. You seem to love us more and have a happier demeanor. You thrive when we show you love by showing you we care about you and love you enough to not let you do certain things.

You just started a new chore program and you are super proud of yourself for all you accomplish and are capable of accomplishing. I have to admit, I am proud too. I am also appreciative. You help me out more than you know and you are a wonderful example to your brother.

If there is anything I want you to know in life it is this:

You were not a planned baby. You caught mommy and daddy both by surprise. BUT, you, my sweet angel, were not an accident. God created you. He made you. God sent you to us. He knew we needed you. He knit you in my womb and made you unlike anyone else. You are exactly the way you are supposed to be. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You look exactly the way you should look. You are the most perfect Dane Brenton Wilkey in the whole entire world and there is no one, NO ONE, like you.

I still remember when I saw you that first time. I was un-wed mother and living a sinful life. I took one look at you and asked God, "Why did you make me his mommy? He doesn't deserve me. He is perfect and innocent and deserves the absolute best. Poor, poor baby that he got me." That is when I made the resolution (the day you were born) to be what you deserved. I knew I had to change. It wasn't an option. I vowed to God to raise you right. To teach you the truths of God's Word and to turn from my sinful ways in order to give you the best life I could. You deserved to be protected and sheltered from this world and the way I was living wasn't going to do that. You deserved to be taught about how much Jesus loved you and how He died on the cross to make it possible for you to go to heaven. I just knew I had to see my sweet baby in heaven one day and it was up to me to teach you and raise you right. I did start changing and Dane, I've told you a million times and I'll tell you again, God USED YOU to change me. Your life is so important and God has so many wonderful plans for you. From your first breath here, God has been using you. You drew me back to the Lord. You really are my angel baby and I love you so fiercely and so deeply that it hurts.

I am honored to be your mom. You make me proud everyday and although you turning 5 does make me want to sit down and cry, I choose to rejoice. I rejoice because you are healthy, thriving, growing, learning, and you continue to help me become the woman and the mommy God has always intended me to be.

I love you, my sweet baby! I look forward to watching you grow up this year even more. I am your biggest fan.

Love always,

Mommy

And So It Begins

We've anticipated this day for almost a year now.

The day my husband would return to school and enter the paramedic program.

It's a blessing in disguise really.

It was super easy to get into and he has a short year before the rewards--- financial rewards- the intense year is definitely worth the pay increase, self-esteem rewards- my husband sets his mind to something and then he achieves it. I love seeing how he thrives off his accomplishments. It's great when he proves to himself and everyone else that he can do it. Position rewards- he will be the boss on scene. No more standing in the background taking orders, he will be giving them. Opportunity rewards- he plans to get his associates in Paramedicine after this and possibly his bachelors (in something else, I can't remember) and he has many possibilities of climbing up positions in his work. I don't expect him to stop aiming for more until he has reached the top of it all. Bartow County, give it 20 years or so and see ;-)

To say it will be a super stressful year is an understatement.

He will still work every 3rd day. During the week when he isn't at work, he will be at school. So, for instance. He worked Saturday (he ran calls all night with no sleep at all). He was off Sunday and today. He wasn't able to sleep yesterday bc the power was off and neither one of us can sleep without a fan on. Then, when we came home, the boys were loud, and it was yucky outside. I felt so sorry for him when we got up at 6:30am today. He was so exhausted. He went to school today from 8:30am-4:30pm. He works tomorrow 7am-7am. He is supposed to be at school Wednesday and Thursday from 8:30am-4:30pm (except his professor is giving them this Wednesday off). Then, he works Friday 7am-7am. Has Saturday and Sunday off and goes back to work on Monday.

We will be experiencing a new busy. In October (I think) he will begin clinicals on top of school and work so he will be busy 7 days a week.

It will be difficult for all of us. When he is home, he is going to be exhausted or needing to study. Forget obligations around the house or him staying home with the kids so I can go to the dentist, run errands alone, or get a haircut. The boys really have a hard time when they don't see much of daddy. They crave time with him. It will take some adjusting to, but it is only for a year :-) We must keep remembering that.

We would all appreciate prayers during this time. I was "single-momma"ing it while he worked part-time at the end of last year and averaging 100hrs + a week, but I only did that for a few months (and the money made that almost worth it. LOL!!!). I know I can do it and this will be a test of all of our endurance. I am praying the Lord will help us through it and show me how to help my husband the best way and ease his load.

I'm so proud of my husband! He excelled through EMT school and I expect nothing but that for Paramedic school. He is such a hard worker! I'm excited for this year to be over with it ;-) and it just started today!

Wild and Crazy Kids

Yesterday, Brent was off work and we had a busy day planned.

We ended up on the West end of town because Brent had to have a skin test done for school. I was wanting to shop in one of the little stores, but it had closed early, so the boys and I walked around and I was able to check out some things and places I've been wanting to call. We found a music lesson place and I really want Dane to start something. The only thing they start at 5 is violin lessons. I think that sounds great. He wants to do electric guitar or drums though ;-)

We walked around to this Karate studio. Dane has always wanted to take lessons. I thought that seemed like the perfect gift for his 5th birthday. It is 3 days a week though for an hour each class. That's a lot! I still think that would be so great for Dane for many reasons. They let us stay and they worked with Dane a bit to see how he would do. They don't start kids until they are 5 and he isn't 5 until the fifth of June. They said he needed a little more time. He was nervous and didn't exactly know what they were asking him to do (kicks, stances, repeat what is said, etc.) and there was another little boy in there kicking a dummy and he was fascinated with that. When we left, he wanted to know when we would go back. I told him he has to learn to obey what is asked immediately, he can't wait even a second to follow the instruction. I'm hoping we can find a YouTube video to start practicing some things because everything was so foreign to him. The whole way home he talked about the kicks he did and the way he stood. It was so cute!

Last night was the first night I have ever not laid with the boys. I don't feel quite so guilty knowing they are together and not alone. They can comfort each other or even lay in there and talk. They actually did awesome. They only whined/cried for about 5 minutes, if that, and then they passed out. Some nights, I would lay in there for 2+ hours. I love them and I cherish those times, but mommy needs some time to herself or to get things done when daddy is working or I need some time with daddy. My boys are my world, but they are not my partner. They are not my husband and I didn't promise my life to them, I promised it to their father. One day, they will grow up and Brent and I need to have nurtured and maintained our relationship so when that day comes, we are stronger than ever. The best thing we can do for them, is to love each other and to work on our marriage and carve out time for one another. That gives them security more than anything and they deserve that more than they deserve mommy laying with them for hours on end at night.

Each night when the boys are sleeping, I go in to look at them. It never fails, I tear up every night. I can't believe they are mine and I am always overwhelmed with love when they are laying there curled up together, breathing deeply, and looking so peaceful.

It's hard for me to remember that they aren't always so perfect when they are awake ;-)

They are full of never-ending energy. They bicker. They wrestle. They are rough. The trouble they seem to find each day is amazing.

They require a source of energy I never realized I had inside me.

Some days, I feel like all I say is, "Be nice. " "Don't do that." "You know better than to swing from that!" "You can cut your arm off with that, give me that!" "I don't care what your brother tells you to do, if you can get killed doing it, don't do it." "OH NO! Where are all the other permanent markers and what else have you drawn on?" "Where did you find that?" "How did you climb up there?" "What is all that liquid and why does it smell like car oil?" "What am I stepping in?"

In the midst of all of that though, they make me laugh and bring me so much joy! They both make me want a houseful of children because these 2 add so much fulfillment and love to my life! I can't imagine what 1, 2, or even 3 more would add.

So grateful for my wild and crazy kids and some days, I'm even more grateful for bedtime than others ;-)

Money Saving Tips for the Kitchen

If you are anything like me, you are a frugal grocery shopper.

I am not a coupon-er because I cannot purchase healthy, wholesome, nutritious food with coupons (If only there were coupons for that!).

That means I must shop around and buy in bulk.

I'm going to share with you some of my most helpful tips for saving money in the kitchen. It really just gets down to thinking about how I could save money on something I would normally waste or possibly buy the easier version of.

1) One of the most cost saving things I can think to do is PLAN AHEAD. If you are making dinner on a whim, chances are, you won't buy what is most cost effective, things will go bad before you use them, and you will buy with convenience as your motivator. I used to just plan out my meals for about 5-7 days at a time and didn't assign food to a day. I would just write down the options and then each night pick something to cook. Now, I try to plan for the month or at least per pay period when I will be grocery shopping and assign days for what I am cooking.

I keep it taped inside my cabinet so  all I have to do is open it up to see or rearrange it.

That way, if I buy salad, my menu has it being used before it goes bad instead of every night just picking something off my list to cook and my salad not getting used. It also means I get up and see what is for dinner and pull that meat out to thaw/prepare anything that needs to be prepared ahead of time. So for today, that meant pulling out the frozen spinach to start thawing for my quiche and the frozen banana bread I made in bulk because I knew we would be having it this week and I made some for Mother's Day as well.

This has saved us so much money in the kitchen! I simply rearrange the food and we always have left overs now. We rarely waste anything. I highly recommend doing this. I just sit down with either Pinterest or my recipe folder and write down things so that we vary chicken and turkey meat and tastes. So Mexican or Italian wouldn't be two nights in a row.

2) Don't be brand picky or store picky. I shop around. The most frequent places I shop are Costco, Vitacost (follow this link to save $10 on your first purchase of $30 or more), Walmart, Aldi, Zaycon, and Publix. I shop online for 2 of those- Zaycon and Vitacost and save lots from doing this. I pretty much know what costs what where. I know what I'm going to buy at Costco, Aldi, Walmart, and Publix. I know when I need them and I shop accordingly. Aldi is where we get Almond milk, turkey meat, toothbrushes, can foods, organic apples, other produce, shredded cheese, etc. Costco is where we buy wipes, pull-ups, sugar, almonds, tortilla chips, salsa, coconut oil, liquid honey, pb, chocolate chips, salad, salad dressing, etc. Walmart is where I buy the things I can't get at the other places and Publix is where there are good sales and pizza dough on unhealthy pizza night. Vitacost is my herbs, protein powder, organic shower gel, un-translucent honey, oils, etc. Zaycon is where I buy my chicken now!

3) Buy your meat from Zaycon. Yes, you MUST buy in bulk, but you save a lot of money in the long run for high quality meats. We purchased 120lbs of chicken recently and it is all hormone free and antibiotic free and costs only $1.79lb. That is $0.20 cheaper a pound than Walmart's nasty chicken stuffed with antibiotics and shot up with hormones. Zaycon will do a food event in your area roughly twice a year (with a certain meat). So, you need to buy to last your family around 6 mnts. I honestly don't know if 120lbs of chicken was enough for us for that long. I cook, on average, 4 chicken breast per meal or 2 for things like soups, stews, etc. We shall see. The meat is plump, white, and gorgeous. Seriously. I could kiss it is so scrumptious looking. It also tastes amazing. This is coming from 2 folks who were skeptical about purchasing from a company like this. We had never done something like this and we were doubtful. When the meat comes, it is all bulked together in 40lbs boxes. So you must be ready with LOTS of freezer bags and scissors (and space!). I didn't trim my meat the night of because it was getting late and I just wanted to get the boxes emptied. But, you could do that to save yourself some major time in the long run. Then, you plop your 6 months worth of chicken in the freezer. I separated it into 4 breasts per bag because that is how I could it most of the time. Some of the breasts were DD (or so it appeared) and so with those, I would put 2 in a bag and place in another freezer. Those are the ones I use for soups and stews or if we have company over and just need an extra 2 breasts or whatnot.

*Don't judge me on my messy utility room! It is literally our storage room ;-)

Our main fridge freezer (Side note-- both of our fridge/freezers are missing the handles. We lost this one during the move and the white ones broke. It always makes me laugh when company is over and is like, "Ummmm. How do I open this?" It is also childproofed! We need to order some more.

Our spare fridge freezer in our utility room. We hang lots of our homeschool art on here and I use this for the packages of breasts that only have 2 in them. I also rotate food here. I put newer food in here when I grocery shop and take what is in here and put it in the black one. That way, the older stuff gets used up first.

This is our chest freezer. It houses the packages of 4 breasts. 

We've already used a good bit too!

We have an order of Keilbasa sausage coming on Friday and we are wanting to order some bacon and then ground beef when they offer that again.

We also shop at Costco and buy things like coconut oil, spices, organic sugar, dried cranberries, almonds, soaps, toiletries, etc. there. It costs more up front, but saves in the long run.

4) Preserve your produce that you aren't going to use immediately. For me, that means freezing most of the time or using immediately. I buy lots of frozen fruits from Costco to use in our smoothies so they don't go bad before they get used. That saves us a lot of money! This morning, I preserved some fresh spinach and I'll preserve kale this afternoon. You just need a blender and water. Fill up the blender 2/3 of the way full with spinach or kale and then then add 1/2 cup of water per cup of veggies. Blend until smooth and then pour into muffin pans to fill up 3/4 of the way full. Then you freeze for 3 hours, take out the spinach cup and freeze in baggies. Then, when you are making smoothie or protein shake, you have fresh spinach or kale that isn't bad and it will save you lots of money (if you are anything like us!).

5) Find ways to not waste or spend so much on a product. One of the ways I have done this is with canned beans and tomato paste. Both very affordable, but if I can save money there, why not? Tomato paste is the 8oz can that goes in recipes generally asking for 1 Tbsp. So you get that 1 Tbsp and chunk the rest of the can, right? Well, I decided, how wasteful is that! After getting what I need for my recipe, I now measure out 1 Tbsp and place that in a small piece of seran wrap. Then, once the can is empty, I put each little wrapped up 1 Tbsp of tomato paste in the door of my freezer and wa-la! There is my 1 Tbsp needed for my recipes and I don't need to buy it/waste it for quite a while.

Dried beans are so much cheaper than canned beans also. I decided to start cooking my dried beans (that need much longer to cook than canned beans) and then freezing them and having them ready to go (except for needing to be thawed) when I need them. I write on the bag what they are and possibly what they can be used for.

6) If you are wanting to save money in order to start shopping more healthy, cut out the junk you shouldn't be eating or drinking anyways. That stuff adds up quickly and if it is in the house, most likely you will eat it. Cut back on that stuff so you have more money to spend on produce and wholesome, nutritious food for yourself and your family!

What ways do you save money in the kitchen? I would love to know! Please leave a comment and share.

Mother's Day

Yesterday was Mother's Day and I celebrated up North with my parents.

Brent had to work, so we celebrated with his mom the day before that on Saturday. 

It was definitely a jammed packed weekend.

I was in Ringgold on Friday meeting with the midwife I'm going to be working with and cleaning a house. As I was finishing up that house, a mom I had due next week called to tell me she was going to the hospital to be induced.

I went straight there and got back home to Cartersville around 2am. My MIL had the boys so Brent and I slept late and ran errands to get everything we needed to cook for his parents. 

After lunch here, we went to my nieces 2nd birthday party and squeezed in a date night after that.

On Sunday, the boys and I went to the early service so we could get to my mom's by lunch. They now own a concession stand they work on Friday and Sunday nights, so we worked with them last night and I didn't get into bed until 11:30pm last night. 

This morning I told Brent I felt like my house was a disaster zone and I hadn't been here in forever! I don't know how you working momma's do it! Whew! It was totally worth it though for such a fun-filled weekend!!!

As Mother's Day approached, I gave some thought to the characteristics I have had to develop in myself and/or work on growing since finding out I was going to be a mom  -  now.

Unconditional love (I never was overwhelmed so deeply, so quickly)

Patience

Compassion

Gentleness

Self-Control

Selflessness

Understanding

Will-power

Decision making

Honesty

Work ethic

Trust

Courage

Humility

Gratefulness

These are things I must work on every single day.

Motherhood isn't an on again off again job or even a job where you can pick and choose what to do or when to work or when to not or what not to do.

It is 100% every day. Whether anything is given back to you or not. Whether acknowledgement is given or not. Whether you get to sit down at the table and eat a meal or not. Whether you pee holding a child and eat holding a child and shower holding a child or not. Whether you get help or not. Whether daddy is home or not. Whether you are sick or not. Whether it's nice outside or not. Whether you slept the night before or not.

It is never-ending.

It is exhausting and requires strength and dignity maybe you didn't even realize you had and possibly still amazes you.

There are some days that just plain SUCK! 

There are days you want to lay on the floor with your children and kick your feet, wail and scream, and let the snot and tears fly.

There are days when you don't feel fit to the task.

There are days you fail.

There are days you are mean.

There are days you are not intentional enough and the TV helps you through.

But the good days outweigh the bad days by a million.

There are days where the pitter patter of feet wake you up and a kiss is the first thing you receive.

There are days where little arms wrap around your neck as tightly as they can go and stinky breath whispers, "I love you to Heaven and back 17-64 times, mommy."

There are days where belly laughter fills your home.

There are days where snuggling can't last long enough for anyone.

There are days where you hear, "I'm sorry, mommy." "I love you, mommy." "I'm your boy, mommy."

There are days where lessons you teach are exercised.

There are days where you lay on the grass with the sun hitting you and your children playing all around you and you think to yourself, "All my dreams came true!"

There are days where you literally watch your baby grow up before your eyes.

There are days where you celebrate accomplishments. 

There are days where you eat ice-cream for lunch and then play at the park for hours after that and no one cries or whines that entire time.

There are days when you are laying with your babies at night, they are both snuggled up close to you, and sound asleep that you think, "I don't want to get up. I don't want this moment to pass. I wish I could stay right here forever."

You see, all the bad is worth on only one of those good in return.

Being a mom is the most full-filling and rewarding job that is out there. It does require growth, change, and adapting though.

New moms always want to know what one thing they will need the most of once a new baby is in their family.

My personal opinion is:

COURAGE

You need courage to love, courage to fail, courage to try again, courage to be yourself, courage to research and make your own decisions, courage to be the boss (parent) and not a friend, courage to give up selfish desires, courage to do what you know is right deep inside of you, courage to change your lifestyle if it is not appropriate for raising an innocent life, courage to discipline, courage to say I'm sorry, courage to tell your child "no" occasionally, courage to raise your child differently than the world does it, courage to trust your baby with someone else, courage to trust your instincts with your baby, courage to breathe in and out and not loose it, courage to be gentle and tender, courage to live a life you are comfortable with them growing up and  living themselves, courage to give, courage to change your path, courage to watch them grow up right before your eyes, courage to trust that they are the Lord's and only your's for a very brief time, courage to not cry (happy tears) when they accomplish something big, courage not to cry when they fail, courage to trust them, courage to love yourself despite where you screw up.

You need courage. 

It's hard to be a mom.

But, it is so worth it all!

Happy Mother's Day to all you beautiful and courageous moms out there who bravely and fiercely raise your children up!

Me and Dane 

Me and Dane

Me and Webb

Me and Webb

I can't believe how much they've grown!!

Love them both so much it hurts!

Letters! Send Me Letters!

If you are my FB friend chances are, you saw my begging and pleading kind requests for "letters" and possibly, you were a bit confused.... If you know my dad personally, chances are, you received an email begging and pleading from me to send letters for my dad's 59th birthday and you thought, "Oh, no! Not again!!!"

What was I up to?

Creating "59 Years of Memories" for my dad for his 59th Birthday.

Don't worry, I'm not genius enough to come up with anything quite as unique as this on my own. I stole it from Pinterest.

Shocker, I know.

I wanted to think of something to do for dad's birthday back at the end of February I believe.

If you know him, you can back me up in saying he is an incredible man. He really is. There is no one like him. I love him dearly and as I've grown up and understood him and his parenting style better, I love him even more.

He doesn't care much for material possessions though.

A pack of socks.

Some bubble gum.

Even a homemade dessert will satisfy his gift cravings for holidays.

I, on the other hand, LOVE gifts. I put lots of care and time and attention into finding that perfect something.

I wanted to do something this year that he truly appreciated.

That meant a lot to him.

I was stumped.

I began to think about his love language (dad always tried to love each of us kids in our own unique love language. He studied us to find out which one we had and then he practiced loving us in that way.) which I believe is words of affirmation.

Yes, I could write a mushy card (I generally do every year) declaring what an awesome dad he is/was.

He would treasure that, I know.

But, I wanted more!

Then, I remembered something on Pinterest.

I found it, asked my mom and grandmother what they thought, and got busy stalking his Facebook friends list and emailing almost every.single.friend.

I was busy.

He has over 330.

This is what I sent to them and I think I might have copied the majority word for word:

Hello everyone!

If you're receiving this email, you probably know that our dad, Van Chambers, is turning 59 in April (much as he would hate us to be reminding everyone, I'm sure.) To celebrate his birthday, we'd like to put together a little surprise to let him know that his nearest and dearest are thinking of him. We're going to try and create "59 Years of Memories" by filling 59 envelopes with a memory his friends and family have of him.

And this is where you come in!

If you have a spare moment in the next few days and weeks, we would be so grateful if you'd jot down a favorite memory you have of our dad and put it in the post. It doesn't have to be anything fancy -- you can just write it down on a piece of paper and sign your name or even respond to this email and we will transfer it to paper with your name. You can mention anything you like -- although the more nostalgic the better! Please absolutely feel free to send more than one memory (in fact, we welcome it -- we've got 59 envelopes to fill!), but make sure you write them on different pieces of paper (and sign your name to each) so we can split them up.

Thank you so, so, so much for participating -- we know everyone is busy with their own lives, and we do appreciate you taking a few minutes to do this; it will be so worth it when he reads all the memories people have of him! (Please don't forget to keep it a surprise until then, though!)

Thank you so much again.

--Jonathan, Abby, and Amanda

Please mail all letters to:

Abby Wilkey

42 East Boxwood Drive

 Cartersville, GA 30121

Each letter or email that came in would bring tears to my eyes.

It proved what I already believed to be true--- that my dad was loving, kind, generous, self-less, godly, patient, kind, amazing, and humble.

Through the years, one thing is for sure, my dad has shown kindness to everyone he has come in contact with, he has gone out of his way to be a father-figure in children's lives who have no dad, he is super silly and loves to make people laugh, he has met needs, he has been a prayer partner and a Christian example, he has been sincere and genuine in his concern and love, and so much more!

I will cherish these letters I have telling me more about my dad and reminding me that yes, he is the greatest man to ever live.

I had many folks email me saying they wanted to send something and would later on in the week, closer to the day, etc. 

When I realized people probably forgot, I sent out a reminder email.

Closer to the day, when we were still short, I used email and vagueness to beg again ;-)

Acting like a dog worked (begging!) because we got our needed number!

Then, I had to get the present ready.

I didn't know how to package the letters. 

I searched for cool envelopes to no avail and decided to use plain ole security envelopes.

That just seemed so normal though. 

Boo for me who doesn't like normal!

The day before his party, the boys and I went to Hobby Lobby to search for something unique.

I found a photo box-- they had many styles, but a plain brown one stood out to me because I know my dad doesn't mind plain and it is more manly. That seemed perfect. I knew he would want to keep each letter and this would make the perfect box to do so.

I found some brown ribbon to use on top so it wasn't quite so blah.

I kept with the brown theme and wrote on the top of the box with a brown sharpie: Happy 59th Birthday, Dad! Love, Jonathan, Abby, and Amanda.

I numbered each envelope so if he got them mixed up, he would remember which number he was on. Also, so I could keep easier count of what I had.

 When dad opened the box, I wanted to have something for him to read explaining his gift.

Dad,

We wanted to give you something unique this year. We decided to try and create “59 Years of Memories”. In each envelope, you will find a letter from family or someone from your lifetime. We hope each one is a brief ticket to another time, a leap backwards over years and decades into the past. We always knew you were amazing, one-of-a-kind, generous, selfless, and loving…. Now we have all the proof. You made a lot of memories these past 59 years. We hope you enjoy reliving some of them!

We love you dearly and we are honored to call you, “Dad”.

-Jonathan, Abby, and Amanda

He opened it up, read this, and immediately got teary eyed.

He read each one, many with both laughs and tears involved. It was fun to pass the letters around the room and let everyone else read them.

Many things he had forgotten so he would bust out laughing and then give us his version. 

Sometimes, everyone was laughing so hard there were tears involved! LOL.

All in all, I think it turned out better than I expected. I didn't even know if I would get 59 letters (I ended up with 61!) because everyone is so busy and consumed with daily life. Taking the time to do that can seem ridiculous or time consuming.

I am beyond GRATEFUL for each person who did take the time to send me something. 

It made his birthday unforgettable and I know he will cherish these letters forever.

I will as well :-)