My attempt... This is my very first attempt "blogging". I have put it off for a long time because I didn't know what to write about, and I didn't think anyone would take the time to read about the Craddock's. However, after many comments and much encouragement about my hilarious "lipstick jungle", I have GIVEN IN TO BLOGGING!!! When I think about keeping up with this, journaling, I am immediately reminded of my dad and what he once did for me. Does anyone else, have a hard time trying to figure out what to get the only male in your life at Christmas?!?! We never knew what to get my dad...every year, we put it off till last minute. So, when I was a Junior in HS, I went to Better Books Christian BookStore and found a leather journal on SALE for $8.00. Perfect! Less than $10-get in engraved- wrap it up- check him off the list! Done! He was very grateful at Christmas, and I was overjoyed with how EASY it was to please him. Now that I am a parent, I recognize the face that he gave me when he opened it up. How many paintings of NOTHING-NESS have I thrown away but acted OVERJOYED when it was given to me?!?!

Fastforward to the next Christmas 1996... My dad handed me a box from him to open. Inside was the same journal that I had given him the year before, with HIS NAME on it! Immediately, I started laughing because surely he KNEW that I hadn't spent any time on his present and he was RE-gifting it to me as a JOKE! I looked at him, and he had tears in his eyes. Confused, I opened the journal, and read this... My Dearest Melissa, In this journal, is a diary into my heart and soul, and my love for you. Everyday, I pray for you, and everyday, I love you more and more. You are my heart, my Braveheart, I love you...Daddy Ken.

My dad wrote in a journal to ME everyday for a year. It is my most prized posession. He not only shared his prayers for me, my future husband and children, but a deep insight into his soul. His prayers, favorite smells, memories, first crush, his love for my mother,and biggest fears are all included. Soooooo many things I never knew about him...and I am a daddy's girl! So, hopefully "Our Lipstick Jungle" blog will be around for a longtime so that all of 3 beautiful, and precious little girls will be able to read about our amazing and crazy life, and I can give them the same incredible gift that was given to me!!! This is for babies... Mical-Anne Elizabeth, Mia Blaire, and Monroe Elyse.