'Sharing'

Jesse has shared his cold with his daddy. I came into the room after putting laundry in the washer and this is what I found them doing, crashing on the floor together watching 'The Wiggles' (not Jonathon's choice, HA). Jesse and daddy hung out in this very spot for well over 30 min. Both of them just feel puny! Jonathon started with the cold last night. Jesse seems to be over the fever part, but still coughing alot.

Sick Day

Today Jesse woke with a 101.1 fever. Not terrible by any means, but miserable for our little man! He had been coughing on/off for about 3 days, randomly through the day with no other visable symptoms. Those who know us well, know that Jesse's rarely sick! So it's a big change for the little guy to suddenly feel the ick. Hopefully it will be short - whatever it is! We're alternating fever reducing meds, and trying to keep him happy!

Random 8

The Rules:

1. I have to post these rules before I give you the facts.
2. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged need to write their own blog (about their eight things) and post these rules.
4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose people to get tagged and list their names.
5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

The Very Uninteresting Facts:

1. I’m a Southern Baptist preachers daughter. Growing up, I often felt like I was under the microscope of every parent in our church(s), and often – part of their gossip! As a teen, I did rebel – but nothing like the rumors of the average preacher’s daughter.

2. Richard Petty is actually a relative – a very distant one, but relative none the less. We never hang out, HA.

3. I wear my contacts – ALL the time. Never taking them out unless for the moment of cleaning, or changing them. Why? I’m so nearsighted that if I held a newspaper literally touching my nose I might be able to read it. My glasses are literally as thick as a glass coke bottle. And when I wore them to work once, my boss actually asked me “can you burn ants with those if you hold them in the sunlight?”… so – I wear my contacts thanks.

4. I like liver-mush. There – I said it. Fried please.

5. I have a freckle in my right eye’s iris, just by my pupil.

6. My first car was a VW Beetle – it was green, and had a manual roll-back sunroof, it was a 4 speed with no a/c and a special license plate that said SARAH2-2 (ballet)! I NEVER got to drive it… why? It got wrecked, by my very own brother!!!

7. My parents almost named me Angel Lynn. I’m guessing being a preacher’s kid named Angel, would have had it’s fair amount of teasing… smart move mom/dad – thanks!

8. In the last 36 months …
· I almost lost my husband to a major heart attack and 3-bypass surgery – after a simple stress test proved effective (he had the heart attack during the stress test). He was neither obese, or in poor health. He went on a whim after feeling ‘a little winded’ when helping a friend move. He made it through and 5 months later… we found out we were pregnant! An unplanned and very welcomed miracle. Being a mom is so changing, and wonderful!!
· My step-mother lost her life to a short, unbelievable battle with cancer.
· My oldest brother, a deeply loved best friend, passed away very unexpectedly…. 3 days prior to his passing, I was able to share some of the best birthday news I have EVER had – (my birthday was 1 day prior to his passing) – I was/am free and clear of cervical cancer/displaysia as of that very moment in time.

There is my random 8. Annette L. and Amy V. you have a blog, you’re it!!

Take time to stop and pick the flowers... or bushes!

The beautiful weather and wonderful temperatures come along with walks in the neighborhood. Jesse will walk a whole block (about 1/8 of a mile) as long as we let him - he loves to wave at cars going by, and stops to pick a flower or leaf off of any one's plants/bushes at the driveway. It's just so nice to finally have 70-80 degree weather - let's hope it lasts!!

Too Cool!!

Ezra and Jesse had haircuts today at Snip-It's and I asked the stylist to add a little color to Ezra's hair for fun. He's 8, it's fun - and completely washed out with 1 shampoo. But it was definitely cool to look at!

Randomness

I was at Walmart picking up some things, and noticed a handicap man who was missing his legs from his waist down on a wheel chair - it was one w/o a back to it, he was just literally in the middle of the parking lot. No handicap van anywhere to be found. I went in, got my things, left. Was in and out within 15-20 min tops. He was in the same place, no one around him, literally in the center of the parking lot. It was easily 90 degrees out. I had Jesse on my hip, bags in my hand, and he was appx 10 parking spots away. I watched something I rarely see. A stranger, walked up to him - asked him if he was thirsty, and brought him back 2 bottled waters. I sat in my car to watch this random act of kindness. This man was grateful. I'm assuming he was homeless. I never saw him move from the spot he was in. Only watched as he stayed in the direct sunlight, watching people come and go - never once asking for a handout, or even attempting to speak to anyone. Isn't it nice to know - there are random acts of kindness that happen? It gives hope.

Brush Brush Brush!

Ezra is shocked that Jesse can hold a toothbrush like a 'big kid' ... well, I am too! Gosh kids grow fast!!

Birthday Party Hopping!

Party at Dad's house for Marianna and Trent, my neice and nephew. This is one big crowd! Can't wait to see how Christmas is at their new house. And to imagine, not all of the family was there. There are also a few pics from Alexis's party (1st birthday), Jesse had a blast - especially with the balloons. Or 'balls' as he calls them. Saturday was a day spent partying :)

It's just not the same.

I've been reading a book that a friend sent me 'The Red Sea Rules', in it there are 10 rules to live by that help us through trouble and sorrow. This book was sent to me shortly after my brother, Mike passed away. I'm only at chapter 4 right now, and I've found some peace in reading. I've found that others are giving me inspirational words, and sometimes they're absolutely what I need to hear - at other times though, they seem nothing more then a cliche. I realize they're heartfelt and well wishes of sincerity - and I appreciate every kind word. Life though, is just not the same. I went yesterday to two birthday parties. I enjoyed the morning, went and finished up getting cards for the gifts, got ready to head out for the day - and got in the car to travel to the parties and picked up my phone, only to pause. I couldn't call Mike! I wanted to call him, tell him about my weekend plans as usual. Then my heart felt empty and I suddenly went from being somewhat ok, to the rush of emotion and panic that he's really gone.

I arrived at the first party and had a blast watching a close friend of mine live up the wonder of her daughter's 1st birthday. There were gifts, children running around, laughter and love. These are the things that make every sad thing in the world seem to go away for a moment. Watching the faces of friends and family while Alexis opens her gifts was amazing to me. I've began to look at things differently in the past month - even the birds chirping, or the soft summer breeze on a terribly hot day seem like such a pleasure. Maybe part of my learning how to accept Mike's death comes along with learning to appreciate more of life, Mike always appreciated the little things and had the most patience of anyone I've ever had the pleasure of knowing.

Then, I arrived at the 2nd party - it was at my dad's house for my niece Marianna and nephew Trent. There was an abundance of family as I walked in the door. There was my cousin and his wife and daughter. My uncle, my 5 step sisters - Susan's daughters and Denise's 2 daughters and daughter-in-law, 3 step brothers, 5 nephews and 1 niece. Dad and Denise. I walk in and it's just a house of laughter, fun, conversation, and all kinds of birthday decorations and gifts and food. I was overwhelmed with the sense of family, and at the same very moment that I became overwhelmed and proud - I became deeply saddened. MY brother wasn't there, and his kids. This sort of thing he would have came and enjoyed with his kids. We didn't get together too often as a family in general - usually all major holidays, sometimes on birthdays or large family events, but the times we did were very enjoyable. I missed him right then - I missed him when I watched as my dad has HIS brother there, as Denise's daugthers had THEIR brother there, and as Amanda and Gina had each other. It was a bit selfish of me, but I will admit I will forever be jealous. One of my brothers is forever missing. My heart feels like it's missing a major piece, and the way the world looks to me is never going to be the same. There's a bitter sweet realism of death - life goes on for all who are left behind. But life goes on differently, and I know that I'll never be the same.

The parties were a blast, the kids had so much fun, and they enjoyed them without a worry in the world. One thing I keep reading in the book, is 'God will make a way when there is no way.' While that seems completely unbelievable to me - it's obviously happening, or I wouldn't be able to function. My husband was in a christian music band w/ his brother and 2 of Heather's (his brother's wife) brothers. One of their songs was 'God will make a way when there is no way'. I listen to that song over and over lately - trying to think positively and fully trust that God WILL bring me through this, because that is God's promise in the Bible. That if he brings us to it, he will bring us through it. I'm banking on that promise right now, and it really is the ONLY way I make it through each day lately.

Carpools

Please tell me what mom has time to go to the school 45 min before they dismiss, specifically to get in the FRONT of the carpool line? I'd love to meet her. On the first few days of school I thought to myself " these people aren't getting here early, this is just new school year chaos'. The 2nd week of school I say that these moms are serious about carpooling! These mothers literally arrive 30+ minutes early. I can not do that!! I work from home, manage a toddler, manage a household, and drive appx 40 min ONE WAY with traffic issues to take and pick up Ezra from school. So, I humored myself today and decided to take a few pictures for blogging ... it's lame of me, I know. I have tried to arrive about 5 min earlier each day, and on this day I arrived 15 min before dismissal and ended up about 20-25th in line. There were just as many behind me as there were before me in line. The photos are in order showing what the road looks like turning in toward the school. The pictures closer to the school are not very good examples of what the situation looks like once I arrive... you turn in and wait to be directed into one of 7 'slots' to park and wait for your car rider(s). Once you pick up you're then directed to move out - a process that takes about 1,2 minutes once you actually get to the 'slots'. There's a man, the coach from Phys. Ed., who in 9 days of school has already learned most all of the vehicles and can use his walkie talkie to summons each car rider out to the loading area. I'm quite impressed with his memory. Especially that he can remember the name Ezra!! Excuse the poor photography, I was sitting in the drivers seat and didn't want to look like a creep taking pictures of Elementary Schools... just what the world needs huh?