Hi My Babies,

(Your dad gets mad when I say "MY" because you aren't just mine, but that's what I like to say.)  

Today I just want to tell you all that I love you.  If I should leave this earth too soon I want to be sure you know that.  Even when I'm upset with you, when I am disappointed in your actions, I still love you to life.  I am not perfect so I don't expect you to be.  What I do expect is that you try your best every single day.  You are all so amazing, talented and beautiful.  Don't ever forget that.  In life people will try to discredit you, they will make attempts at hurting you and they will try to beat you in whatever way they can.  You have to know that everything that God has for you is for you!  So don't spend too much time sweating the small stuff because in the end it doesn't really matter.  

Wake up everyday and realize it is yet another gift.  Enjoy life.  Live out loud, smile, be happy, make others happy and lead with love.  Love is the key to everything in this world.  If there were more love then there'd be less hate.  Don't allow people to treat you like you don't matter but know the difference between someone who is trying to help you and those who are trying to hurt you.  Everyone is not bad and it won't always be easy deciphering between those who truly care and those who are on;y there for their own agenda.  But when you lead with love, keep God at the front of your life, respect yourself and others no matter what happens in an instant; you will always win, even when you lose.  

Don't ever give up.  I could have given up so many times.  So many of us could have.  Life is not easy for anyone.  For some of us life is harder than it is for others, but keep pushing, keep praying, keep fighting, always.  Hopefully, these letters won't be needed for many years to come but since we never know when life ends I'm writing as often as I can so that you know my love for you even after I'm gone.  This is not to say that I do not know my mothers love, even in her absence, but I wish I had more of her to hold on to.  I wish I had asked so many questions that I cannot ask her today.  Some o them I was too afraid to ask her when she was still alive.  I know there is a fine line between wanting to know and not wanting to know all too well.  So my letters are to give you my love and let them remain apart of you on these pages.

Listen to your hearts.  Follow your dreams.  Don't walk in fear, when God is with you you should not fear.  Don't waste your time worrying about things you can not control or change.  Happiness can be found anywhere and everywhere.  Read whenever you can.  Reading really does expand your mind.  There are books that I've read that I wish I had read sooner.  I would have been smarter, wiser and better off.  I'm reading The Alchemist right now.  It is a good book that tells the reader to follow their hearts and dreams.  I read a book after my mom died, can't even remember the title now and I had no idea when I picked it up that it was about a woman's struggle with HIV.  I earned so much from reading that book that I wished I had known prior to her death.  Many books are eye openers so read and find what peeks your interest and minds.  Grow.  

Everyday you should be working to grow and be better than the day before.  Life is about growth and progress.  When you let God be your guide there is nothing you cannot do, nothing will be too hard for you and all things will work out just as they are supposed to.  I try to keep you all in church so that you learn earlier than I did the importance of having a good solid relationship with God.  I went to church growing up but I wasn't listening or learning much.  I was just being a good person.  There is more to life than just being good, we re supposed to help others.  So as often as you can help those that you can.  Help them by showing them love.  

Your dad had a beautiful heart when I met him, I fell in love with that part of him.  He was always willing to help anyone he could, even if he couldn't and he is still that way today.  Be wise in all things and know that all that we do we do for you all.

God willing (my mom used to say that to me all the time, Ma still says it) I will be back tomorrow or very soon with another letter for you guys.  

I LVOE YOU ALL Brandi, Eddy, Reign, Reigan, Noah, Reiganna and Reidan.