today - sweet memories.

my late father-in-law, tommy's dad, would be 65 years old today.

but 5 1/2 years ago, God chose that it was time for him to come home.

i know that i've done a post about billy before, but i think it's good for me (and tommy) to reminisce, so here it is.

tommy and i started dating on may 13, 2000.

billy was diagnosed with cancer june 20, 2000.

God took him home on january 7, 2003

so now as i sit here with billy's only grandchild, i'm thinking again. i'm thinking this time of all of the things that he would love about this little girl of mine!

he would LOVE the stage that she is in right now! she is so full of life and so fun to be around - at least most of the time. we are going through the "trying threes". some days they almost get the most of us!

he would love that she can spot eli manning in a picture - regardless of how he's dressed (as a chef on a billboard or a football player!)

he would love that she loves all things ole miss. and some nights cries to go to "her" ole miss!

he would love that she enjoys sports. and can't wait to play soccer!

he would love that as a baby she had features that looked so much like him.

he would love the way she has her daddy wrapped around her finger - of course he'd be wrapped around the next finger!

he would love that she knows that Jesus died on the cross, died for "me and daddy and mommy and ........", and "wants to live in my heart".

he would love that she is so excited that she is going to be a JA raider in about a month.

he would love that she loves to be outside.

he would love that she loves jewelry (billy had SUCH good taste in jewelry and linda benefitted from that!).

most of all, he would love the fact that he finally had his girl. he would be spoiling her even more than what she is now.

i am so thankful that God brought tommy and myself together before billy became really sick. i'm glad that i got to know him and to spend time with him. we were able to have 2 good Christmas' together (the 3rd Christmas was just a few weeks before he passed away and he had been moved to hospice by this time).

we used to go to shapley's every year (sometimes the day after or before) for billy's birthday. those of you who know tommy and me know that that is our favorite place, so we looked forward to his birthday every year - even after he was gone....linda, tommy, and myself would go.

billy, we miss you still, so so much. i thank God daily that i was able to know you so that tommy and i can both share stories with mary peyton about you. thank you for everything that you were and for the sacrifices that you made for us. our lives are better because you were in it.

mary peyton will know about you....please know that. and she will know how much her pap-paw would love her and would be here for her no matter what.

much love always. until we see you again.

~~*revelation 21:4-5*~~

(these pictures are from our wedding and are pictures of pictures)

and a fitting tribute for our ole miss fan. we were so proud of the way these flowers came out. i hope you all don't think this is morbid - it was an important picture to me and tommy. we didn't want to forget anything.