My Daddy

Today, December 20th, is my Dad's birthday.

On January 2nd, it will be 13 years since he passed away, after fighting melanoma for 5 years.

I was 12 when he went home to Jesus.

The memories of his fight with cancer are terrible. I've blocked a lot of those years out. It was heart wrenching to see a young man so full of life and exuberance essentially melt away into a feeble old man.

But I do have so many good memories of him.

Like how much he loved my mother.

Do you see how he was BEAMING on their wedding day?

Wes and I were extremely lucky to have grown up in a home where a father loved a mother. Not only did he love her, but he adored her. We saw them kiss and rarely ever saw them fight. He brought her flowers and candy and trinkets. They snuggled on the couch, unless I jumped in between them. They had a beautiful love story - a love story that is something to be envied, and what I hoped to recreate when I got older.

And I did. :)

I also remember how much he loved his children.

Dad and Wes were best buds.

They were two peas in a pod. They loved to be silly and do stupid things to annoy Mom and me. Dad brainwashed Wes fairly early to be a Gator fan so that he could have someone else in the house to enjoy Florida football as much as he did. They played sports together, built Legos, played video games...Dad thoroughly enjoyed his time with Wes.

He was so proud of Wes' accomplishments. Wes is the smart one, so Dad loved when Wes would come home with A's, defended him to the death when a teacher accused him of cheating, and went all the way to Kentucky with him to compete in the National Science Fair.

He also almost got kicked out of a basketball game when he felt like the other team was cheating against Wes' team...

And then there was me.

Dad was my hero and I was his princess. He spent countless hours singing and dancing with me all over the house. He had a beautiful tenor voice that I can still hear singing Steven Curtis Chapman's "I Will Be Here." It was our song. He was a big teddy bear that I could snuggle up to. We would read together, color together, and put jigsaw puzzles together - that was his favorite.

This doll house was built by my Granddaddy and Uncle Bill, and Dad and I painted it together. I can't wait to give it to Brooke Allen one day.

And then there are memories of just how FUN he was.

He was a youth minister, so being silly was part of his job description. The youth kids loved hanging out with him as much as we did. The picture above is from a Wednesday night with Frank, the music minister. They were performing a song called "Green and Gaudy" to the tune of Tom Petty's "Free Falling." He was so creative at putting together skits and funny games for the youth to play - it was a trait that was hard for him to stifle when he moved into being a head pastor. He saw no better way to relate to young people than by being totally uninhibited. He never had a problem making a fool of himself if that meant he was going to reach one more kid for Christ.

He was fun at home too. I don't know how many times he would put underwear on his head and run through the house. He didn't think twice about using a fake accent in the drivethrough, and then changing back to his normal voice when he got to the window to confuse the workers. He encouraged imagination and creativity in our house. To say that I got the silly genes from him is an understatement.

He wasn't your typical pastor, as you can see. He listened to classic rock music like The Eagles and Chicago. He watched Dave Letterman every night, and Saturday Night Live on the weekends. His books in his office were covered up by toys and figurines that he had collected. He read Calvin and Hobbes every day in the newspaper, and would let Wes watch Beavis and Butthead with him while Mom was at choir practice - a secret they kept from Mom for a long time.

But he knew the Word of God backwards and forwards. He studied different theologies to get a better grip on his Christian faith. He was an amazing preacher who could teach you so much, but in a relatable, friendly way. God's grace and love shined brightly through my Dad in every step that he took, and he never shied away from an opportunity to share this grace and love with others.

Matching windsuits at Disney World...you have to love the 90s. Cool fanny pack, Mom.

Dad was loved by many, many people outside of our family. To this day, people will say to me, "Oh, you're Allen Thornton's daughter? Let me tell you what he did for me." Mom, Wes, and I are humbled by the compliments people share about Dad and the things he did - things we weren't even aware of. He left a lasting legacy on everyone he came in contact with.

This legacy is one that I will share with my children. Oh, how he would have loved his grandchildren. He would have spoiled them rotten.

He and Ben would have been such good friends. They have similar traits that are sometimes scary - like their penchant for trying on hats in department stores. I just know they would have teamed up against me to poke fun at me. But like he always said, "If you're not teased, you're not loved." Ben lives this out to me, too.

Dad would have given his full approval for me to marry Ben. Not that he wouldn't have given him a hard time, but he would have seen what I see in Ben. He would see his desire to protect me and take care of me. Ben is exactly the man Dad would tell me he was praying for me to find when I was older.

I would have given anything for Dad to have walked me down the aisle, danced with me at my reception, and hold my baby girl in March. But we didn't get that opportunity.

Sometimes I feel cheated that I didn't get to experience these things with my dad. He missed my first date, my first prom, my graduation, my engagement, and my wedding. My children will miss having a grandfather. He missed all the not so good stuff in between when I could have used some advice.

But then I am reminded of where he is. He lived his life with one purpose - to glorify God. Yes, he was a father, a husband, a pastor, and a friend to many people, but he did all those things in order to glorify God. Even his funeral had that purpose - we had an altar call.

So now he is whole again. He is praising before his Jesus. He is seeing what he longed to see while here on Earth. I'd like to think that he's having a birthday party today. One with great music, German chocolate cake (his favorite), and lots of silly dancing.

One day, I'm going to join him up there. And we will dance and sing like we always did. But not yet.

Hanging Out with the Parrishes

After Ben's graduation, Mom snapped a few pictures of us for our Christmas card. Charlotte actually cooperated...well at least long enough for us to get a decent shot. It was much harder last year and we ended up with a shot of her completely put out and panting. I think the jingle bell collar was mostly at fault for that...

And I'm sorry to anyone on our Christmas card list. You will be seeing two of these pictures again. Note - three stockings and a bone stocking! It just didn't feel right to not hang Brooke Allen's stocking up, even though she's not here yet! Charlotte is really looking forward to the goodies Santa will put in her stocking - she asked for bones, toys, and the ever important Snausages and Beggin Strips.

Charlotte decided she needed to sit in her favorite spot in the house - on my lap. She thinks she's a small dog, when in reality, she's a big dog. Plus, at this angle, she can have her favorite spots scratched - on her tummy, her sides, and behind her ears. And she's protecting Mommy. These are all serious things in Charlotte's world.
We didn't have ANY bump pictures, so I made Ben take a few with me. There are two more in my 26 Weeks post.

My pretty baby protecting our house. Ever since she's figured out there's something different about me (BABY), she's been super protective. She barks at every.little.sound. I would hate to see what she would do to somebody if they tried to come in our house and mess with me...She won't even let Ben near me if I'm upset. She literally gets in between us and barks to high heaven. Bless her. She's just doing her job.

And this is us in bear form. Actually, it's our Christmas ornament this year! Yay for a baby in the belly!

Graduation Day

On December 9th, Ben FINALLY graduated from Police Academy!

OH, how we have waited for this day!

Here are a few pictures from the graduation ceremony, held at the BJCC. And by a few, I mean 10.

This is his class marching in. There were 56 graduates.

Which so happens to be the same amount of people I graduated high school with. Blows Ben's mind, since he graduated with hundreds.

During the ceremony, they played a slideshow of the things they did in the Academy - learning tactics, searches, driving, directing traffic, etc. I include this picture of the slideshow because right smack in the middle is Ben on the worst day of his life - being MACED. He said it was so painful, he'd rather be shot than maced again.

The day he came home from being maced, he looked like he had been stung by a bee. His eyes were all swollen and his face was tomato red. They told him water would reactivate it, but it would also help get rid of it. So he decided to be brave and get in the shower in the guest room where there's more space. He said, "If you hear me screaming, leave me alone." Naturally, I hung around the bathroom door because I can't stand the thought of him being in pain. I heard him whimpering, heard him hit his knees in the shower, and then I heard some bad words. The water turned off and he screams, "KATIE! GET ME A FAN! I NEED A FAN!" So, I ran to the bedroom and got our tower fan that I use in the bathroom when it gets hot. I plug it in in the hall and put it in the bathroom floor, and he sat in front of it holding his eyes open to let the air cool them off. Poor baby. But it did get better after that!

After the slideshow, he and his classmates took the Oath of Office.

Then they each received their badge from the Chief of Police.

Also standing with Chief Roper is Attorney General Luther Strange and a representative from the Mayor's office. Mayor Bell couldn't attend because he was in China at a business summit.

Returning to his seat as Officer Parrish.

A picture of the patch on his sleeve.

Pictures together afterwards. Isn't he handsome in his uniform?

A picture with his family that came to support him. We are all so thrilled!

After graduation, we had everyone over to our house for lunch. We had a great visit with family and had lots of yummy food to eat!

Ben, I am SO PROUD of you and what you have accomplished. You are a strong, caring, and moral man - all of these characteristics will make you an excellent officer. Even when this journey seemed impossible, you stuck with it and achieved a dream you have had since you were a little boy. I love you to the moon and back and I will never stop being proud of the man that you are!

26 Weeks

I am an awful, awful blogger. Things have been messy lately (ie - work, my house, my desk...life in general) and I haven't had a few minutes to blog! Right now I'm working my two hours on the switchboard at work, so I get a few minutes to do this.

BROOKE ALLEN UPDATE!

How far along? 26 weeks! Holy cow! 98 days away from my due date. She will be here so soon! She's the size of an eggplant. Crazy!

Baby Bump? You betcha! Mom took this picture last weekend when she was here for Ben's graduation. Yay!

Maternity Clothes? Yep.

Weight Gain: You aren't going to believe this when I tell you - 20 POUNDS. I can't believe it either. However, my back and my shins believe it - terrible back pain and I'm pretty sure I have shin splints from holding up this extra weight.

And all the goodies we've been getting at work are NOT HELPING! I have to go for my sugar test the day after Christmas. I need to start being good. But there are cookies and cakes and chocolates...

Movement: All the friggin' time. At first it was cute, but sometimes, it's really annoying. She's big enough for me to feel her individual toes.

Cravings: French fries. Salty and warm french fries.

Symptoms: BACK PAIN. I couldn't do anything but lay flat in the bed last night. I need to make another massage appointment.

Sleep: Eh. I wake up at 4am for no reason. Whatever. It is what it is.

Gender: It's a girl! Brooke Allen is her name!

Belly Button: Still there.

What I miss: Laying on my belly. I want to so badly since my back hurts, but I can't. Grrrr...

Best moment this week: Last night, I was feeling so bad because of my back and Ben came in to rub my back, and then he rubbed my belly. It was too sweet and I love how he's really getting into this whole baby thing! He loves to talk to her. I can't wait til she starts to recognize his voice!

Thankful

Thanksgiving is over!

It's one of my favorite days of the year because I get to stuff my face and no one judges me for it. But THIS year was even better because I got to stuff my face and people thought it was cute because I'm "eating for two."

HA! BRING ON THE PIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But in all seriousness, I have a ton to be thankful for this year, just as with every year.

Things to be THANKFUL for in 2011:

1. I would be remiss if I didn't start the list with Jesus. He is before all things and in him all things hold together (Colossians 1:17). HE is the reason I am here today and HE is the reason for living. Praise God from Whom ALL blessings flow!

2. This sweet little baby in my belly who I have now decided is practicing ballet. Maybe she's preparing to be a ballerina and be the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker? Maybe she's practicing her floor routine for gymnastics in the Olympics? Or her cheerleading routine? Either way, she moves ALL DAY LONG. And I love every bit of it.

3. My AMAZING husband. I could not have made it through the year without him (I also wouldn't be pregnant without him...hubba hubba). He was wonderful before finding out about our sweet baby, but since we found out, he has turned into Super Husband! He cooks (albeit frozen pizzas, but still!), cleans, gives me backrubs, and TOTALLY understands when I don't want to do a dang thing! I love, love, LOVE him.

4. Our fun families who are so excited about their grandchild. She is so spoiled already! They have been super supportive of the whole thing. And they all fed me extremely well this weekend.

5. Alabama has an unbelievable chance at a National title shot again. I would have never guessed the football season would end up this way - and there's still today left! Anything can happen!

6. Pinterest - OMG. New obsession. I've gotten all my nursery ideas from there.

7. Tums.

8. Ben is almost done with Police Academy. He has learned so much and has changed as a person (for the better) since beginning Academy. He is a strong, determined man and he will make an amazing officer. However, I am not thankful for the stories he tells me about being pretend killed in situational scenario training.

9. HAVE I REALLY GONE THIS FAR WITHOUT MENTIONING CHARLOTTE?!?!?!?!? I love her so much! She is one of the best parts of my day, even though she drives me nuts sometimes. But she is the BEST cuddlebug in the morning. She wants nothing but to love on people. Bless my baby's heart.

SIDE NOTE: One thing I'm not so thankful for - Friday, I went to the vet to drop Charlotte to be boarded while we were off Thanksgiving-ing. There are a zillion dogs there because everyone was doing the same thing I was. Charlotte got WAY overstimulated and was bucking like a bronco while I held onto her collar. Somehow, she got in between my legs and pulled out of her collar and ran for the door. There was a little boy on the other side of the door, and I was afraid he was going to open it, so I picked up Charlotte and put her on my hip (I know, I shouldn't be picking her up, but it was a split second reaction and it was better than chasing her out the door!). While the tech was putting the slip leash on her that they use, Charlotte's foot got stuck in my maternity jeans and pulled them down, underwear and all, so I mooned the whole vet office! There was nothing I could do but stand there with my butt exposed until we could get her under control! Oh joy!

10. The mountain of clothes in my floor, the fridge that needs to be cleaned out, the office/nursery that's full of junk, and the floors that need to be vacuumed. It all means we are unbelievably fortunate and get to live a life that is comfortable and prosperous. We are lucky, lucky people.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and you never forget to thank God for these things every day!

I saw a quote on Pinterest that always hits me -

What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?

5 Minute Blog Post

1. I have unbelievable heartburn. I need to start carrying Tums with me everywhere I go.

2. We get to wear jeans and team shirts tomorrow! What What! One reason is the Iron Bowl. The other reason is there will probably be about 6 people in the office tomorrow.

3. I love the Dartmouth Aires on the Sing Off. I totally think they should win.

4. Thanksgiving is in TWO AND A HALF DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5. I have a monthly check up on Monday. Not quite the best planning since it will be after stuffing my face all weekend.

6. Ben graduates from the Academy in two weeks!

7. Brooke Allen has been marching on my bladder for a few weeks now. I love you, Baby Girl, but I am ready for you to move up a bit in my belly so my bladder can stop being bludgeoned to death.

8. Ben and I picked out our guns on Saturday that we will be purchasing around Christmas. :)

9. I'm going to kick the next person who asks me how I'm feeling in the shins. I'M NOT DYING.

10. I woke up at 2:15am this morning, and all I could think about was cleaning out my closet. I would have done it, too, if it wouldn't wake Charlotte up. Notice how I say Charlotte. Ben would have never known.

22 Weeks

Time for a Brooke Allen update!

How far along? 22 weeks. Over half way there! She's a papaya, although I don't exactly know how big that is.

Baby Bump? Yep! I'm starting to get uncomfortable when I'm laying down to sleep.

Maternity Clothes? Pretty much all I wear now is maternity clothes. I've GOT to clean my closet out to make some room.

Weight Gain: 15 pounds, as far as I know.

Movement? Yes. I feel her most when I'm sitting down at my desk chair or in the car. She LOVES to eat and go to church. That's when she kicks most. The other night, we actually saw my belly move for the first time! It was really, really cool, if you can watch it without thinking of the movie Alien.

Cravings: I had my first ice cream craving the other night. Ben went to the grocery store to buy me a pint. I got my taste, and now the rest of it is up in the freezer.

Symptoms: Hello, indegestion! I've opened a bottle of Tums. It was so bad one night that I woke Ben up at 1:30am to go to the gas station to get me a Sprite. I fought it for 45 minutes before I couldn't stand it anymore. He's a sweetheart. :)

Sleep: Pretty good, except I toss and turn all night trying to find a comfortable position.

Gender: It's a GIRL! Brooke Allen!
Belly Button in or out? In.
What I miss: As much as I love the comfort of maternity clothes, I do miss my regular clothes. I don't like wearing the same thing every couple of days. I like to mix it up a bit, but there's only so much I can do without my normal dresses and skirts.

Best moment this week: Watching my belly move. I just love when she kicks around in there. I know she's doing alright when I can feel her. She's a happy little booger.