Busy, Busy, Busy

Things have been extremely busy lately and I haven't had the time to do any blogging. Summer time is here and when we have any free time, we enjoy the pool. Matthew is getting too big and it makes me sad that I don't have any babies anymore. (although, they will always be my babies) I have to tell you that in my life lately everything seems confusing. I know everyone knows what happened to my brother and what my family has been dealing with lately. I can't tell you the pain that is surrounding my family. I guess I needed to vent a little and figured you guys wouldn't mind. Duirng this time, people say that, in time, it will get better. I have to disagree with that these days because it has only gotten worse. We are broken right now and wonder when then pain will lessen. I miss Hank so much and it hurts me so bad that his girls won't jave him to grow old with. Life, I have learned, is just not fair. I wonder why things happen the way they do and I know we are not supposed to question "WHY" but that question lingers in mind all the time these days. Hank's oldest daughter asked me Sunday, "Why do we have to go to the cemetary for Father's Day and visit daddy?" I had to pause and really dig deep to come up with something to tell this innocent child looking at me with such hurt. I told her that we only go out to the cemetary to take flowers to daddy. We can talk to daddy all the time in our heart, any time and any place. We have to have a place that is designated for him and for others to go take flowers and talk to him. I told her to always remember that he never leaves her heart and whenever she needs to talk to him, he is right there. She also told me that she had planned his birthday party and all the details for it. His birthday is on August 17th and she wants to have a pool party for him with chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting on them. She had all the details planned for the party. I just find it so unfair that we have to continue on without him but for the sake of his girls, we have to make sure that he lives on. I know that I have taken up enough time venting and I appreciate it!!!! Thanks.......

My new toy!!!

I am so excited!! I finally got one of those nice cameras that I can capture every little thing that my boys do. I think they are loving it just as much as me. Things have been really busy and that is why I haven't been writing a lot. Two weeks ago, my dad got put into the hospital with clogged arteries in his left leg. On March 11, 2009, he had emergency surgery to unclog the arteries in his leg because it was turning black. (no blood flow) After the surgery, the arteries clogged immediately. Friday, March 13, 2009 he had another surgery to put a graph (new artery) in his leg. The graph was made out of gortex and it extended down his entire leg. We thought the problem was fixed at this point. All day Friday, Saturday and Sunday, he was doing wonderful. I left the hospital Sunday around 6:00 pm and came home. Approximately 9:00 PM, the doctor called and told me to come back to the hospital because his arteries were clogged again and there was nothing else they could do for his leg. It was decided the on Monday morning, March 16, 2009 he would have his leg amputated. That surgery went well and his recovery went well that day. On Thursday, March 19th, he was moved to Waccamaw Hospital to go to Rehab to learn how to do daily things on his own with one leg. (about 2 weeks)After about 3-4 months when his leg is healed, he will get fitted for a prosthetic leg. He will then go back to Rehab to learn to maneuver around on his new leg. Throughout the entire thing, he has been so positive and it amazes me to watch him with his faith. Life has been busy because I have been at the hospital everyday since it happened and I am getting tired. I miss my boys but they have been so understanding. Thanks for letting me vent a little (No kidding, a lot!!). Here are some updated pictures from my new camera.

Can you believe it?

I know it has been forever since I last blogged. Believe it or not, I have been extremely busy!! My twin brother got married, the girls trip, the Jingle Market at Reeves' school. There has been a lot going on. I am goig to try and stay on top of it from now on. (NO promises) Here are just a jumble of pictures that I think are great! My boys are entirely too big. It blows my mind how fast time is going. Matthew is walking and into everything. He is so very smart and of course, beautiful. He says momma, dada, bye bye, helwo (for hello). I love it!! I love watching my boys play together and discover new things. Gotta run!

How lucky are we?

When I look at all these beautiful babies, I am humbled. I forget sometimes how truly blessed we are. The little things are what make me smile. I enjoy every minute with these gorgeous babies. (Even if it is at 2:00 AM) Friday, Matthew had his one year check-up with shots. He didn't like that very much. He screamed bloody murder!! I feel like I should be a pro at this but when he started screaming, my heart melted and I wanted to punch the nurse. (even though she is only doing her job) He has had a fever for a couple of days and has been irritable, nothing unexpected. Both of my babies are doing very well and I am so lucky to have them. Here are a couple more pictures of my two and my sweet nieces. We spend a lot of time together. It is like a mad house when we get all four of them together. So much for a clean room!!! Hannah (6), Reeves (3), Haylee (18 months), Matthew (1) - WHAT FUN!!

One Year Later

September 10th was Matthew's FIRST Birthday and I am completely amazed that it has already been a year. I look back over the past year and wonder where the time went. Although when you were born, our first week at the hospital was a shakey one. I look back on those moments and wonder how we kept going. God truly blessed us with your brother and you. I can't believe I am the mother of two wonderful boys! I adore you both so much and my heart is filled with love for you two. I am so very proud of both you and your brother. It is so hard for me to imagine that it has already been a year. What an amazing time we have together. I enjoy every minute we have (even at 2:00 am when you just want to play). One year ago, I was anticipating your arrival into this world. You decided to make your arrival 4 weeks early and I was a little scared. You didn't want to waste any time! Always remember that I am very thankful and truly blessed to have you and your brother. I thank God for you daily. Here are a couple of pictures of Matthew's First Birthday.

First Day of Preschool

This was Reeves when I had to wake him up early for his first day of school. He has always loved his sleep so I knew this was going to be difficult. I wake him up around 6:45 Am every morning for school because I still have to get Matthew dressed and fed and all of us out the door. That is my excuse as to why I look so bad every day.

Look at my big boy!! I can't believe it is time for you to go to school. It amazes me how much they learn at this age. School has been a little difficult for us. This is Reeves' second week and I hope now that he is used to the routine. I have been spending a lot of time at the school. He did not want to be there AT ALL! The teacher has been wonferful. One day, I stayed until 8:45 trying to get out of there. His teacher tried everything and I tried to make a break for it a couple of times. Reeves was not having that at all. After a few adjustments, he is now well on his way. We have npt accomplished daycare yet for after school. He has been coming to work with me since he started school and let me tell you, I get nothing done with him there. He says he has had enough changes and he could just come to work with me to make pennies. I am so proud of him and how much he is learning. He came home one day last week saying his months of the year and days of the week. I was very impressed on how much he is learning. We will see how this week goes to see if he will finally make it to the after school program. WHo knew how hard this could be!!

What a Crazy Day!

Let me just say that I am so thankful that yesterday is over with. My day seemed strange from the beginning but by the end of the day, I KNOW that it was strange. Let me paint a picture of the setting: It was pouring buckets of rain and the sky was black. About 4:30 PM a guy with long hair came into the shop. I was all the way in the back working on my books so I didn't hear him come in. He yelled for me and I came up front. I always carry my phone with me (Just in case) and asked if I could help him. He asked if I knew who the lady was that was laying face down on the ground in front of my shop. I of course thought, "WHAT?" and replied no and went walking to the front of my shop. As I was walking outside, I started dialing 911. When I got out there, he was right. There was a lady laying face down on the grass in front of my shop in the pouring down rain. We went over to make sure that she was still breathing. She was breathing but she was unconscious. I was a little scared because I have never had this kind of thing happen to me. EMS was supposed to be on the way, however, it took them around 25-30 minutes to get there. I called them twice! By this time, all of Andrews was there in front of my shop in the pouring rain. What a day this turned out to be. I got her ID out of her handbag and she had a Kentucky ID. She didn't have a cell phone but she had a notebook in there with numbers. Another lady and myself started calling the numbers to find out how to get a hold of someone in her family. To make a long, long story shorter the family gave EMS information that she was on drugs. I have worried about her all night wondering if she was alright because she never became conscious. She did groan a little bit but that was it. Because it was raining buckets, I got an umbrella out of my car and held it over her. Another bystander had a towel in their car and she put it over her. (Although it was white) I can only imagine what the gossip will be today at work with everything that went on. After that confusion, I had to take Reeves to bible school. I was drenched from head to toe and did not feel like going but if you saw the excitement on Reeves' face, there was no way I wasn't going. I planned on going for a little while and then leaving (to get dry of course). That was not happening in his book since he is attached to me at the hip. He told everyone that we were partners and I was his best friend. I enjoyed every moment that we were at bible school. He had so much fun and I can't wait to go back tonight. I hope there is no more excitement at work today. Just thought I would share this with everyone!!