Blended, Blessed & Always A Mess

16/07/2024

Today is the day.....
to subscribe to my blog so you can get my thoughts delivered right to your inbox!

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https://blendedblessedalwaysamess.com/?p=1210

12/07/2024

We have lived this. If this criteria fits a relationship you are in.. RUN FOR YOUR LIFE. Literally.

09/07/2024

July is bereaved parents month 💔

If you know the gut wrenching pain of losing a child, thank your mind, body, and soul for the strength to fight forward. You have made it another day when you thought you couldn’t survive.

If you know someone that has lost a child, say a prayer for them, reach out to them letting them know you are thinking about them and say their child’s name.

And then there is this….

Today is a pretrial hearing in the state’s criminal case against the person that took Hallie’s life. This is another level of pain and hurt when someone else is responsible for your child’s death. She should be here 💔 and nothing can fix that.

My heart hurts for all of us going through this kind of suffering. It’s painful but there is beauty in the connections and friendships I’ve made with other moms that are living without a piece of their heart, too. The community of grieving moms is like no other…from India to Nebraska 🥺🌎



Photo Cred: Unknown

05/07/2024

How cute is this crochet ‘Hallie Bird’ from Feathers Matter? Would you all want to see these available to purchase?

04/07/2024

Happy 4th of July from Blended, Blessed & Always A Mess!

🇺🇸Take the pictures.
🇺🇸Take the videos.
🇺🇸Take the time.

You will never regret it.

03/07/2024

Some days the clouds feel like the weight of the world.
Some days the sunshine on my face feels like medicine.
Some days I can smile and laugh through the brokenness.
Some days feel like I'm drowning in sadness.

But..

One day it won't feel like this every day.
One day I will find myself again.
One day I will feel joy and it will stay a little longer.
One day I will cry a little less often.

Because...

One day I will see my daughter again. 💚



Photo Cred: unknown

02/07/2024

Now is the time to book your fall getaway! "Hallie's House" in Santa Rosa Beach, FL along 30A is available again to rent after August 15th -- but only if you are looking for a peaceful community and a quiet, recharging time away. Message me for details if interested. 💚

29/06/2024

I created these shirts with Hallie's signature on them for my family. I've had several people reach out wanting to order one so I've opened a storefront for the next 30 days if anybody is interested. Once the store closes, then the orders will be shipped.

https://stores.inksoft.com/hallie_matters

25/06/2024

What if we are just supposed to be faithful and not focus so much on being fruitful?
What if we are only stewards, and not owners?
What if we are truly not in control and just meant to observe and learn?
What if we are just suppose to love and that is it?
What if everything that happens to us is somehow a gift?
What if it's not supposed to be this way?

23/06/2024

❤️

21/06/2024

I feel the most excruciating heartbreak.
I feel the most devastating sadness.
I feel internal rage.
I feel constant ache.
But
I get up
Every
damn
day.

She mattered. I will always fight for her.

17/06/2024

The place I go to feel my child
Is a quiet horse barn, isn’t that so wild
Hallie use to say she loved the smell
I never understood that very well

That is, until now

Phoenix is Hallie’s dream foal
Horses were a deep part of her soul
I never thought I would need to understand
That connection her heart would demand

That is, until now

Bumps and bruises Hallie always had
Injuries were mostly minor, some could have been bad
I’ve seen their spicy side so clear
That’s why horses bring me so much fear

That is, until now.

When all you are left with is pictures of her
Then a constant connection search occurs
Knowing my heart will never heal
Heartbreaking emptiness without even a piece of her, is my new real

That is, until now.

16/06/2024

My two favorite Dads… they have very similar qualities …

❤️ Big Hearts
🍰 Love Desserts
🌎 Passionate about Politics
❤️ Love Their Family above everything else
💪 Hard workin’
🙏🏻 Follower of Jesus

Grateful every day God put them both in my life and the kids …especially in the hardest season of our lives when we all need the most love and stability.

Happy Father’s Day Dad and Aric!

11/06/2024

Our kids face so many challenges as they grow and experience life. As parents, sometimes knowing how to respond and guide our kids is extremely hard.

What’s the best advice parenting you have received? Share it here ⬇️ so other parents can grab some goodness!

06/06/2024

I wrote Feathers Matter a few weeks after I lost my beautiful, 20 year old daughter Hal on Nov 29, 2022. It's a story about her, because of her, and in honor of her. It's for all the beautiful humans that are forced to go through trials and hardships because of other people's words and actions. To understand your worth and your value DOES NOT belong in the hands of another person. True strength comes from going into the storms to face the headwinds.

YOU MATTER!!!!! YOUR FEATHERS MATTER!!!

P.S. My Illustrator, Kynsie, is one of the most talented humans I know! A beautiful soul inside and out.

Purchase Here:
https://a.co/d/iiOSz4U

05/06/2024

Here's a funny story for you..

Last Saturday, we released a podcast episode talking about the struggle to remain connected and intimate as spouses when our hearts are completely shredded. 💔

On the same day, we attended Sommer's soccer state championship game at 4pm. Before the game started, Aric was going to grab something from the concession stand and for whatever reason decided to give me a little peck. (PDA is NOT MY THING.. makes me uncomfortable; this was probably the first time we kissed that day.. because I'm dead on the inside)

Then...after the game, we had several people share this photo with us that apparently was posted on X and other news outlets with highlights of the game.

God, you are hysterical.

03/06/2024

Steadfast. It's a word I'm learning more about. Recently, one of my besties gave me a devotional bible study on the book of James called Steadfast.

🌧Nobody is 'steadfast' by accident. It takes commitment and intentional pursuit; an unwavering regardless of the circumstances.

🌧Trials are certain, the only variable is how we respond.

🌧Find the joy in the tribulations, the gift is strength.

🙌 Pray for wisdom. (Lord knows I need it)

31/05/2024

Every day is hard. Every week is hard. Every month is hard. Every year is harder.

It’s been 18 months this week. I didn’t post on the actual day because honestly … it was too hard. Some days it’s hard to even look at her pictures bc it hurts too much. Most days I can look at them and smile bc the memory happened. I’m grateful for that AND for all the moments I captured. The deep knowing. 💔

This world is incredibly hard to understand much less try to navigate. And frankly, I still can’t believe this has happened. It’s completely unimaginable that Hallie isn’t here. How? How could every damn gun safety tip be missed? Decisions were made… MANY DECISIONS.. only 5 feet away.

The reality …This is our life sentence. There’s no bond or buddy that can bail us out. There’s no fresh start button for us. We don’t get to start a new life. UNFIXABLE.

Our only choice is to cling to our Faith and hold on as tight as we can. We will see Hal again.

29/05/2024

Forever my heart string connector back to Hal.

HP’s Legacy “Phoenix” - the rising from the ashes .. a very slow and very painful process.. But one day, I will be new again and so help me God, I will ride fast and free with you.. just like Hal would have done.

25/05/2024

Podcast Clip from "The Empty Chair" .. Find us on all

24/05/2024

I shared this on my story 4 years ago.. God is always preparing you....💔

23/05/2024

Simple Math. Perfect Reminder. You have Nothing without Him.

14/05/2024

Me: What if I don’t have enough strength to get through the day?

God: You don’t have to because I do. Are you with me?

10/05/2024

Forever changed. Never to be the same again. 💔

Gearing up for Mother’s Day Year 2 missing one of my kids..but won’t feel much different than the past 528 days.. and a lifetime to go. The fight forward continues…

08/05/2024

Take time to just BE. Rest your mind in the storm. 🌩️

06/05/2024

Haley & Bailey -

I hope you both know that when we tell Hallie’s story, our family’s story, our experience in the ICU, the honor walk… the hardest battle of our life.. you both will forever be a part of it..

The love, the comfort, the care, the little touches, the tears….you both made such an incredible difference for all of us.

Forever soul connected! Thank you!

PS —> It’s Nurses Day! Thank them! It’s an incredibly difficult job.

04/05/2024

Sharing what's on my heart.. the good, bad and ugly.

30/04/2024

"I've had worse days" mantra...

29/04/2024

17 months in heaven... she's "better than everyone" left here to carry on broken hearted.

💔

28/04/2024

In this episode, we talk about our 3rd wedding anniversary and reflect on healing and joy! I struggle the most with being vulnerable and openly sharing my heartache. It's just easier to keep it in! But in a relationship, that stifles true connection and the ability to support each other.

We have a few beautiful signs from Hal, too!

Key Takeaways
*Grief is constant, while joy comes in waves.
*Sharing pain and vulnerability in a marriage strengthens the relationship.
*Choosing to face challenges and rise above fear leads to growth and healing.
*Moments of joy and signs from loved ones bring comfort and remind us of their presence.
*Everyone is going through something, so it's important to be empathetic and kind to others.

Thanks for listening! Angie & Aric

Link to Listen:

‎Show Blended, Blessed & Always A Mess, Ep The Power of Vulnerability in a Marriage - Apr 28, 2024