Thank you!

It is with a heavy heart that I write this entry. As most of you know, Parish's dad, Gooner passed away last week on Wednesday, January 23. It was an unexpected death, a life that was took too soon. We had a chance to talk to him on the Tuesday before he passed and we had a chance to express our love to him, so we are grateful for that opportunity. It's been a little over a week and it's still hard to imagine that the world continues to move on, but amazingly our family has made it through this horrible grief and started laughing again. That's exactly what Gooner would have wanted.

We will miss him a ton - he was an amazing husband, brother, brother in-law, son, son in-law, father in-law, father, friend, co-worker and grandpa or "bumpa" as Haylee would say. We find comfort in the memories and all of the kind words we have received.

With that said...we are so grateful for all you have done for us. The cards, letters, phone and email messages, prayers, and visits meant a great deal to us as we struggled with our heartbreaking loss. Along with the emotional support you gave us, the meals, chores, and other gifts of your time and energy helped sustain us day to day.

This week is much better, and though we know that grief takes its own time outside of our control, we are feeling grateful for the years we all had with Gooner and for the time we have with friends like all of you right now.

He was so looking forward to come and "dogsit" for us this weekend, but God has bigger plans for him now. Keep us in your prayers.

On another note - we just found out that we are going to have a nephew arrive in June. Parish's sister Nicki and Chad are expecting a boy! You know what they say, when one life ends - another begins!

Thank you all again. We appreciate all of you!