Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Where have I been???

Hello my sweet blogging friends! You might have been wondering why I haven't posted in such a long time....On May 2nd we drove out to Arizona to spend my Daddy's final days with him. He passed away on May 11th surrounded by loving family and friends. I was blessed to have had the most wonderful Daddy any girl could have ever asked for. Sometimes I could almost feel his love for me radiating out of him! And I'm sure he felt the same from me. No daughter EVER loved her Daddy more than I loved mine. I think I am still in shock, and the tears come in waves out of the blue. I will miss him forever.

My Daddy took care of all of his "final" arrangements, including his obituary...which pretty much speaks to what an AWESOME guy he was...If you want to read it {and see my HANDSOME Daddy} click HERE to do so. Here are some of my favorite pages of him and baby me...






Here is my Daddy and I cuttin' a rug on my 16th birthday


" When a daughter first meets her Father, she makes room in her heart for the first significant man in her life....she becomes....Daddy's Little Girl "

I LOVE YOU DADDY
♥ Nikki ♥

B.T.W. if you just heard Barbara Ann start playing...it's cuz my Daddy's name was Bob Wren...and we always sang BOB BOB BOB...BOB WREN....hehehehehehehehe







56 comments:

  1. Nikki, I just love this. Your dad will always be with you. Sending lots of love xoxoxo

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  2. You really made me tear up! I can also pledge that you could feel his love radiant off of him for you....remember the time I dropped you off and sped off to get the other kid home and your dad was watching? hahah Grounded from driving with me for a week! LOL! I wasn't even going that fast! teehee! At least he still loved me! The names Trinski and Bobski will live on forever! I was blessed to have known him and to have had him be my bf's dad! :) Love you all dearly! Trina...aka Trinski!

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  3. Borderline?!?!!? I am sooo sorry for your loss Nikki......

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  4. Nikki I'm so sorry for your loss. This makes me so sad and my heart hurts for you.
    big hugs coming your way.
    hugs,jen

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  5. I am so sorry for your loss. You are lucky to have such a wonderful father to remember!!

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  6. Sorry for the loss of your Father. You are lucky to have had a close relationship with him and so many happy memories. Your pages and songs are so very wonderful.
    Hugs,
    Janet

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  7. Oh Nikki, I am so sorry. He sounds like a wonderful man and an incredible father. I read what he wrote and it brought me to tears at the end... hard to believe he wrote that for himself. I hope you are able to find peace in all the memories of your father. You have done a beautiful job on the LO's, a real treasure for you and your family. (Daddy's Little Girl was the song for the Father/Daughter dance at my wedding!)
    Big hugs to you.
    Lori

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  8. Thanks for posting these priceless pictures of you and your daddy. You are in my continued thoughts and prayers. Much love and hugs- Glora

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  9. I am so sorry for the loss of your father. He sounds like such an amazing father. I wish every little girl (and boy) could have such a loving and caring 'daddy'. Big hugs.

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  10. I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my dad in 2008 and still miss him so much! You have so many great memories of him....I hope they continue to be a comfort to you!

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  11. Oh Nikki...I am sooo sorry for your loss, but I am sooo glad you had that time with him...you will be able to treasure that forever.

    Sending you hugs and love....and wanting you to know that you were very missed, but I hope you take all the time you need for your healing

    Cassandra

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  12. Nikki, I love the scrapbook pages. I can see what a special relationship you had with your daddy. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

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  13. Oh Nikki, I'm so sorry for your loss! Your LO's are beautiful!

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  14. Nikki
    You are in my prayers. I was able to spend my mom's last days with her too. My Mom past away 5+ years ago and I miss her every day still but the tear waves come less often now then they did at first. May God Bless you and comfort you.

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  15. Oh Nikki,
    My heart is absolutely broken for you. I'm glad you know what an incredibly special man your daddy was and how amazing the relationship you two shared was. I would give anything to have had anything close to that, so absolutely bask in that love and those memories, you were blessed with a treasure! Thank you for sharing your daddy with us. I am so sorry, but I know there are no words. What a wonderful gift that you were all able to surround him with pure love in his final days. There are no rules or norms when it come to grief and loss, it'll chew you up, take you for a few rounds and just when you think you might be in the clear it comes and knocks the wind out of you when you're just trying to pick a good melon, but just remember, 1 minutes, 1 hour, 1 day... take it in whatever increments you need to to get through. Saying prayers that the peace and comfort of the Lord surround you and your family now and always. I just hate when God decides he needs to take one of the Good Guys, you have one heck of a guardian angel now. ((((HUGS))))) Andrea

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  16. Oh my thoughts are with you. It's so hard loosing your dad, I went though this at age 23 it was the hardest thing i had to go through. Take care...

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  17. Oh Nikki! I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers during these hard times.

    Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful layouts with your Daddy. They truly are special.

    Take Care
    Kate

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  18. Nikki...I have tears in my eyes right now and my heart aches for you. I am so sorry for your loss.
    Thank you so much for sharing your LO's of you and your daddy with us.

    Jewels

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  19. Nikki, I am so sorry for your loss. May the memories continue to keep you strong. Hugs and prayers to both you and your family.

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  20. There's nothing quite like the bond between a father and daughter. The look on your Dad's face in the pictures above, but especially in the 4th ("Grow")LO speaks volumes. I think a lot of us are shedding a few tears as we read this post tonight. We hurt for you and some of us with you. So sorry for your loss.

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  21. I am so sorry Nikki. I lost my Daddy three years ago come November 11. He was a veteran and the most patriotic man I know, so it was appropriate for him to pass on that day. I understand how you feel, I still have rough times, and I am sitting here now with tears in my eyes because I know what you're feeling. I have heard that time heals, and for the most part it has, but some times I wonder. Yours pictures/layouts are fabulous. You will always have your memories! Take care and know that your friends and family are here for you. Take care and you and yours will be in my prayers.

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  22. I've seen your updates on facebook Nikki, I'm so sorry for your loss! I'm glad that you are able to post this to celebrate the wonderful life of your daddy! Your layouts are beautiful and through your photos and scrapbooks, your daddy will live on! You're such a strong and amazing person! My prayers are with you and your family that you all gain strength to get through the difficult time! It does get better, it just takes time! HUGS!!!

    -Emily

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  23. I am so so sorry for your loss. I knew something had happened but I kept checking to see. You have so many friends thinking of you at this hard time. But what a beautiful gift of love your father gave you. Many blessings - Janette

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  24. Nikki, thank you for sharing such special memories with us. I am so sorry for your loss and I know that the time you spent together will be something you will remember always. I am so proud of you.
    Those pictures are priceless indeed.
    Sending you hugs and prayers too.

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  25. I am so sorry for your loss!!! Sending big hugs your way Nikki!

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  26. You had a special relationship with your father. My thoughts are with you. I am so sorry for your loss.

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  27. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your Family Nikki. I am so sorry for your loss, I can only imagine how heartbroken you must feel.

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  28. Prayers, hugs and condolences to you Nikki (and your family). It was very touching to hear how close you were to your Dad, you are truly blessed to have so many wonderful &loving memories. Thank you for sharing these precious memories with us, it truly touched my heart!

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  29. My prayers are with you and your family during this time. Thank you for sharing your memories of you and your father with us.

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  30. I am so sorry for your loss. Praying for God's grace to give you the peace you need. You will always have the wonderful memories with you.

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  31. Sorry for your loss, Nikki. What a wonderful tribute to your dad. He would be very proud.

    Hugs,
    Jude

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  32. Nikki, (and family). I am so sorry for your loss. This tribute to him is awesome. You can see the love you two shared. I hope those memories will heal your pain. I am glad you were able to spend the last few days of life with him. I am sure that meant the world to you and him.

    Thank you for sharing this personal information with all of us.

    May the memories comfort you during the sorrow and tears.

    Hugs to you and your family.

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  33. sorry for your loss. You were so close to were i live. did you live in IL when you were little? Take all the time you need. us crazy crafters will be waiting for your return. love ya

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  34. I am so sorry for your loss Nikki! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family! Awesome LOs!
    Miranda

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  35. Nikki, I am so very sorry to hear about your dad. I pray God sends you peace. My prayers are with you. I love all the wonderful things you said about your dad, and thanks for sharing your layouts, they are just precious. Have a blessed day. Dawn

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  36. Nikki, I'm so sorry for your loss, I know how you feel right know, mine passed away 9 years ago due to cancer and I still missing him a lot !
    I will pray for you and for your lovely daddy....
    BTW: your pages and pics are so cute !
    loves,
    ~Maria Elena~
    http://mariaelenaworld.blogspot.com/

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  37. Nikki, So, so sorry for your loss. What a wonderful daddy/daughter relationship you will always have! You & your family are in my prayers. Love that Bob, Bob Wren (Barbara Ann) song...aboslutely perfect!!!

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  38. Nikki, So sorry for your loss. Your father sounds like a wonderful dad. I know he will be greatly missed. Even though he is gone, I am sure you will be able to still feel of his love and forever presence in your life.

    Take care and know there are many who care about you and your family, especially during this difficult time.

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  39. my deepest sympathies, I went through the same thing 15 years ago - i was 36 when dad passed.....love the layouts and tribute to dad....you made my day.

    maureen
    mo_sala@pacbell.net

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  40. I did think about you yesterday and wondered where you were. I'm sooo sorry for your loss. I can feel the love between you and your dad just through your scrapbook pages.

    Nicole

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  41. Hi Nikki,

    I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. I lost my dad last June and we were close so I know how you are feeling. He will always be in your heart and how wonderful that you have so many great memories. Memories are what get me through the tough days. You and your family are in my prayers.

    Big hugs,
    Leslie

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  42. Sorry to hear about your loss...I lost my dad 6 yrs ago on May 1st...I know how you feel...your dad will always be with you!!!! You will always have your memories...what a tribute to your Dad in your scrapbook pages!!!!
    Massey1982@aol.com

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  43. Sorry for your loss. I don't know what it's like to be close to dad but I can only imagine that it's the same as being super close to mom. I couldn't help but tear up a little reading your post and the obituary. Sending prayers your way to help you get thru this difficult time.

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  44. Nikki, thanks for sharing some very precious memories with us. You were VERY lucky to have a dad that shone love from every pore. My dad was never ever demonstrative and I just wish he had, just once, danced with me. Hold your memories close sweety. Hugs Viv xxx

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  45. I just love your tribute to your Daddy. I've only recently been give the gift of a "Daddy" and let me tell you this...I am the BIGGEST Daddy's girl that ever lived. I've already told my sister when this man passes...she better just take my kids and commit me because it's gonna be bad. He's in great health so hopefully the Lord doesn't call him home anytime soon. So glad you got to spend his final days with him, I did that with my grandfather and though difficult I'm glad I had the chance to do it. Hoping you found peace and comfort during his passing.

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  46. Oh Nikki, I am so sad for your loss. Sending you a big HUG.

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  47. I am so sorry for your loss. Your pages are beautiful. Looks like you have many special memories to find comfort in. Hugs!

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  48. Oh Nikki, I'm soooo sorry to hear your sad news. I'm crying w/ you. He will always be w/ you, and you will always be Daddy's girl. My thoughts are w/ you. <3

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  49. Nikki, thanks so much for sharing something this personal and close to you with us. It speaks volumes about you as well. I know your Daddy will always be watching you and you can feel his presence any time you want. This type of thing takes time so feel what you want anytime you want. We are here for you. Love & Blessings, Smooches... Felicia at scrapperinthemaking.blogspot.com

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  50. Nikki, my heart goes out to you. I know one day I will have to say good bye to my daddy too, and it makes me tear up to think about it. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
    Tiffany

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  51. Nikki:
    So sorry for your loss. I lost my precious father when I was 28. He also passed away from cancer. I am 50 now and I miss him every day of my life. The pain lessens over time, but never goes away. My father was a great man. Reading your notes just made a flood of memories come flashing back to me. Peace and love to you and your family.
    Kgrin

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  52. Nikki,
    So sorry for your loss. I am praying for you and your family. I know how you feel. My Dad left in July 1996 from agent orange cancer. He was retired from the Marines. All of your tears will turn into cherished memories as time passes. They gone but not forgotten. Love your tribute. I visit your blog often.


    A friend in N.C.
    Vickie ( retired Navy wife)
    scorpionc73@hotmail.com

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  53. Beautiful story! So, sorry for your lose. Thanks for sharing your wonderful photos.

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  54. Nikki, I pray that you & your fam find comfort in God. Your dad sounds like a wonderful person by seeing your LOs, reading you talk about him, & reading the obituary that he personally wrote. I know how you must feel. My mother lost her battle with pancreatic cancer in March of this year. She too, passed away surround by all her loved ones at home. It's true God only takes the best ones. I thank Him for allowing me to have my mother in my life for 32 years. She is the best mother ever! She made me into the wonderful woman I am today.

    They say time heals a broken heart but I completely disagree. My mother being gone seems more real as the days pass. I miss her more & more each day. I'm able to get through each day by the grace of God.

    God Bless you & your fam!

    Jessica

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  55. Nikki, so sorry to hear about your loss. It has been two years this month since I lost my father. You and your family are in my heart and prayers during this difficult time.

    Nicole T.

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  56. Nikki thanks for sharing snippets of your life. It looks like your Daddy adored you! So very sorry for your loss.
    Love and hugs, Janice

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