Summer Vacation Part 1

As it's not finished and so much has happened this is the first part of our summer vacation. It certainly has been eventful. The day after Jim's birthday we drove to NC to see my Uncle Larry. We usually go in the Spring but the last time we did it was still snowing and my mom didn't like that.

The weather was gorgeous, as always, but soon after we arrived James busted his chin open on the stone steps. I felt awful but, as always, my mom was there to take us to the hospital, hold my hand, and be the level headed one, whereas I'm trying not to cry because my baby is hurt and bleeding... I hate that helpless feeling! But alas after an hour and two stitches later they send us home. (Didn't I say that it's a miracle that James made it to 2 with no stitches?!) He has no fear! Even after the stitches he still climbed the ladder on the bunk beds to play with Kalib and Kevin. We had to lock the door and only allow him in there at bedtime! He was much more cautious around the steps though, thank goodness.

It amazes me how different Kevin and James are! Even at this age! For the Fourth of July we hung out with my Aunt Ramona and Uncle Duane. We had sparklers and watched Uncle Larry's neighbors shoot some fireworks off of their driveway. James chased after the kids with the sparklers and he ran toward the neighbor's house to get a better look at their fireworks! Kevin hated fireworks until he was four! Then Oliver convinced him that they were cool and now he does enjoy them... But he definitely didn't run towards them to get a better look!

After the Fourth of July we drove to Pennsylvania to see our cousins Bekah, Heath, and their baby Adam. Angela and her kids were already there because Oliver and Kennedy were both accepted into Dance Camps. Kevin, James, and I stayed with my best friend from the fifth grade, Jenn and her family. Of course, we also got to visit with Emma who is pregnant with her first child!

We all had a lot of fun! It was a bummer that Jim couldn't be with us though. He stayed behind building shelves, hanging out with Julius, and going to work. However, we called and skyped with each other at least once a day. When we got back home James was so happy to see his daddy that he hugged him and would not let go for at least five minutes. Of course, Kevin really missed him too and towards the end of our trip talked of nothing else but wrapping Jim in a giant hug before he did anything else.

Here are some things we did on our trip...

Kids hanging out in the bedroom once we got to Larry's...

After he got stitches in his chin

My mom and I took the boys to a place where they got to do bumper boats...

Go carts...

And miniature golf.

My dad enjoys history so one day we went to the Kings Mountain National Military Park.

We packed a picnic and went on a hike.

The Fourth of July -

We went to Shelby Park where they had an indoor DJ, bouncy houses, and games. The kids also got to ride the train and the carousel.

All the fun wore him out

 After the park and Aunt Ramona's we went back to Uncle Larry's for dinner, smores, sparklers, and fireworks.

Pennsylvania

Our first outing was to Olive Garden. Jim doesn't really care for it but Kevin and I both love it ❤

Jenn thinned out Kevin's hair

We got to meet Adam...

And here is James happy to be home with daddy ❤

So as you can see it was a ton of fun but we're glad to be back home with our Jimbob ❤

Happy Birthday, Hubby ❤

Today was my Dear Hubby's 32nd birthday. Hard to believe that I've known him for half of my life now. We met in Daytona at a Drill meet for ROTC. Jim and my brother were both members. I went with my parents to support my brother completely unaware of how important this day would be ❤ He has completely changed my life around and I'm forever grateful ❤

Jim is the sweetest most understanding and supportive man I have ever known, besides my father. He loved Kevin the second they met and his meeting James was no different. He held my hand as we looked at the ultrasound screen and I looked at Jim in time to see his face filled with love and admiration. He held my hand once more when James was born and I saw silent proud tears fall from his eyes; and we both cried tears of fear when James was taken to the NICU as we didn't know what to expect.

In times of crisis Jim is my rock and I like to believe that I am his when he needs me. He is everything that I have ever wanted and more. He knows my thoughts before I say them and whether we are talking on the phone or in person he knows my emotions too. He is my best friend, my soul mate, and I'm so glad he's mine.

Happy Birthday, my Love ❤ I hope you enjoyed your birthday and your presents. May we have many more birthdays to celebrate together ❤ I love you so much! ❤

The kids came to celebrate Jim's birthday

We only had a 1 candle 😜

 Once again he was asleep ☺

My Mom

I know I praise my dad a lot and I'm a little late but I want to dedicate this blog to my mom. Without her I would not be here. She comes from a messed up childhood too but she raised us well and picked a great guy to be our father.

My mom married my dad knowing that he was going into the Air Force. She gave my dad four healthy babies even though at times he worked crazy hours and was raising them by herself. My siblings and I were a challenge for her but whenever we needed her she was always in our corner, ready to fight for us or support us.

It's rare to have one good parent but my siblings and I are lucky because we have two. I love you, mom! Happy belated Mother's Day ❤

I'm thankful for you and the sacrifices you made for us. You helped show me what kind of mother I want to be for my children and you are an amazing grandmother to them as well! ❤ We love you ❤

My parents dating in 1972

My parents are getting ready to celebrate 40 years
Of marriage, they have 4 kids and 6 grandkids

Ten and a Half Years Later...

It's almost eleven years since the Xbox murders and I still cry when I think about that horrific day... It was 2004 I was 19 almost 20, still living with my parents, working at Target as a cashier, and dating Nathan... We had heard about the murders but the victims were beaten with baseball bats and their bodies so badly mutilated that doctors had to use dental records to identify them... So it happened in Deltona, I thought, it's not going to be someone I know, right? Oh, how wrong and naive I was! Not only did I know someone, I knew two of the victims!!!

The first one I read about was Jonathan Gleason, he was 17. He went to the same church as me, we had mutual friends, but it wasn't until I tried fixing him up with my cousin, Emma, that I really got to know him. He was the guy who befriended everyone, regardless of your social status. His goal was to make people laugh and cheer up the sad, which is how I initially knew him. He cheered me up at a young adult meeting at the church and we were acquaintances after that. We said hello or waved at each other in hallways. Then he and his family helped my grandparents pack up their house on Karlo Court and I got to know him better. We liked the same music, I learned that he was in a band; he played the guitar and was their lead vocals and they performed at a small place in downtown Deland. Sadly I never got to see him play but I did attend some of his plays. He was always brilliant! The last play I saw him in was The Tales of Huckleberry Finn where he played Injun Joe, but I still have memories of him sneaking into my drama class as well when we had a substitute teacher. He was well liked and an awesome individual! One I'm proud to call a friend. His death was tragic and when I hear about it I still feel breathless and waiting to hear that this was a cruel joke...

The other victim I knew was Michelle Nathan. I didn't know her as long or as well as Jonathan. We became friends because we hung out with the same crowds and we both loved Blink 182. We ate lunch together and hung out at school, but sadly after I graduated we lost touch. Still my heart ached when I read about what happened to her and I cried for her as well as the other victims. I attended hers and Jonathan's funeral... They were both beautiful people who loved making others laugh! They were both energetic, outgoing, and weren't afraid to say what was on their minds!

Ten and a half years later... They're gone but their memory and the life they left behind lives on...

Anyway, I went off on a tangent, today one of the murderers finally got the death penalty! I just don't understand our justice system! Four men invaded a house with baseball bats and knives and killed six people!! Why are they just now getting their "justice"??! What about the families, the friends, the victims??? Ugh. So disgusted by our justice system. All four men should receive the death penalty, not just two.... Six loved ones were taken, their futures ended, their loved ones left without answers or any real comfort. Instead every day we carry memories, we feel hollow, and miss those who were taken...

Happy Birthday, James ❤

Birthday weekend was a success! We celebrated our baby Jamesers turning 2. I can't believe how big he has gotten! He is 35 pounds and 38 inches tall! He's as big as a 3 year old! No doubt he'll be tall just like his big brother!!!

He still loves water! My mom found the perfect toy for him. You pour water into it and James splashes it, like a water-table. He loves Curious George, books, songs, Mater, baths, the beach, and pools. Also, his brother recently started playing Soccer and James loves to watch his games.

We can't believe how fast our little man is growing! Seems like only yesterday we were bringing him home from the hospital and now we're celebrating his second birthday!! Just crazy how fast time flies!

Here's some pictures from our weekend:

We love you, James ❤ You have given our lives so much joy!!! ❤❤❤

Happy Birthday, Kevin and Granny

My son has reached double digits this year! So hard to believe that he is 10! And to think that in another ten years he'll be 20! I asked him, "Who said our kids could keep growing up?"

To which Kevin replied, "Who said our parents could insist that they are fat?!" Touché, Kevin.

He continues to grow into a funny, intelligent, and kind young man. Yesterday we celebrated his birthday with Jim's family. They brought him two video games; one of which was disguised in a Whales cracker box.

Every year I ask Kevin what he wants for his birthday dinner and this year he chose to have rice casserole, a recipe I have learned from my mom. He loves it so much he ate three whole plates of it! And for dessert we had cake and ice cream. I had bought a penguin cake pan and, of course, Kevin loved it! He insisted for everything to be iced but its head.

Not only was it Kevin's birthday yesterday, but it was also my Granny's. She turned 83 years young. I love my Granny and love hearing her stories of my mom, my aunts, and uncles when they were children; as well as other stories about her childhood.

For her birthday my parents, Uncle Ricky, and Aunt Reneee took her to see my Big Daddy's grave in Bushnell; and then they hung out with my Aunt Janet and Uncle Miles at The Villages.

Two of the sweetest people I know share a birthday ❤ Even down to the minute ❤ I am so blessed to have them in my life. Kevin said his wish is to always be with us, his family ❤ Love my boy and really hope these next ten years don't fly by as quickly as these last ten years...

Happy Birthday, Granny and Kevin ❤ I love you both very much and my life would be empty without either one of you ❤

My Granny celebrating her
83rd Birthday with Big Daddy

Happy 10th Birthday, Kevo ❤

Purple Day

I feel as though I should write today. For those who don't know today is Purple Day for raising Epilepsy Awareness. I came across a picture that said "why should I raise epilepsy awareness when it doesn't affect me"? Well, once upon a time epilepsy didn't affect me either.

I've now been living with epilepsy for half of my life. Many people wouldn't know that I live with epilepsy. It's not a disease that you can see and fortunately we've found a medication that has kept me seizure free for the last six years, but there are thousands of others whose are not controlled by medications. Whose lives are so much worse because of this  neurological disorder. It's hard to explain what living with epilepsy is like... You're constantly afraid of when the next seizure will happen, if your meds will stop working, and how it will affect those around you.

I was fifteen when I was diagnosed and had many seizures aftwerward. Sometimes I'd have allergic reactions to the medication, the medicine would stop working, or I'd lose my health insurance. I've had seizures (grandmal and petitemal seizures) at school, at a restaurant, my home, the hospital, my work... And every time I would wake up in a cloud of incoherent thoughts, a migraine, and people standing around who could not speak English. And half the time I didn't recognize my surroundings because I was in a hospital bed or I was on the floor... Evey time I had temporary amnesia. I didn't understand the words people were spitting at me, I couldn't recall my name, my address, my parents names, or anyone's phone numbers.  Can you imagine waking up and not understanding why you're on the floor with strangers shouting at you in a language you don't understand? Or when your language and understanding comes back but you don't remember your name or your parents name? It's enough to make you cry and want to hide.

Or a petitemal seizure in which your arms have tremors or your legs give out beneath you. I can remember singing in Chorus class and throwing my sheet of music on the floor... Or drinking a Slim Fast before school in my mom's car and I kept dropping it over my lap... Finally my mom would have to turn around and drive me home to change because my pants were convered in the chocolate drink. One time I ran to my aunt's van and my legs gave out. I landed face down on the pavement and because it was a tremor I couldn't even put my arms out to break my fall...

It's hard to believe that I've lived with this disorder for half of my life. That it's had such an impact on my life. Still my story fails in comparison with others. I know of those who were not as fortunate and have died from having a seizure... And I've had family who were forced to leave the army because of seizure episodes as well...

Just seems crazy to me that people are not informed about epilepsy. Instead they turn a blind eye. It's life threatening and it affects 1 in 26 people! Be informed! You never know what it could mean to someone if you're the one who chose to help somebody that started seizing. I know I'm grateful for all who have helped me. It's because of you I'm here and not afraid to say "I have epilepsy". Thank you.

Today I wear purple and am doing my part to raise epilepsy awareness.