The Simplest Goodbyes Still Suck

So today was Monday and today Monday lived up to it's reputation.  At least for me. 

I miss my daddy so much every day.  Some days are easier than others and some days I wish I could just curl up and cry.  Today was definitely one of those tearful days.

We had to get rid of my daddy's boat.  It was not much but there were so many memories there and I found so much comfort driving by it in storage everytime we went to the lake.  Both of my boys had their very first ever boat ride on this boat.  I had so many memories.  Laughing moments from falling in at the pier when dad took Brandy and I out for a ride at Guntersville.  Horrifying moments of being caught in the worst storm while fishing with dad and Brandon at Guntersville.  Brandon's first ever bass was caught on this boat....granted it was the world's smallest large mouth bass, but it was his first and a great memory.  I remember working on the trailer with dad to get it ready.  So many small and large memories, but they are there.  I will always have the memories, and the pictures because you know I took a few over the years. For those I am thankful.  The years of just sitting had taken a toll on the boat though and it needed to go somewhere so that it could be used by others, even if only for parts.  Seriously I never knew that these small goodbyes could hurt, seems so trivial but it is what it is.  Thank you Brandon for the pictures, you know me so well!  I love you!

John Michael had a ball game tonight at Center Point.  They won and I was so proud of them for that.  I am a little shocked by the way that so many people acted at the game tonight though.  Seems like they should know these are kids....period.  I also did not know that John Michael had to do push ups but he did.  He says it was because he was last in the dugout if that is the case words will be shared sooner than later.  I just want to know what the deal is.  Then there was a time out called with the whole team except John Michael, which pissed me off.  He was hurt and that is not right.  Again, they are kids.  They shoud all feel as they are part of a team, and that was not the feeling that he had when he got in my van and cried all of the way home.  Needless to say I am not a happy momma and it was not the day to mess with me.  We have practice tomorrow so expect an update.  Not to mention that the ants found my toes again while we were there and I have over 40 ant bites from my ankles down.  Yes, down!  My feet are swollen and hurt and itch. 

I did cook a ham in the crock pot and it was pretty yummy.  I was proud of that as I am always looking for new ways to cook in the crock pot.  I love easy meals that pretty much take care of themselves.

Brandon went by the new house on his way home and the lumber was delivered.  They started working on laying out 2 sidewalls and had all of the interior walls drawn out on the concrete!  YAY!  I love progress and needed it today at least somewhere. 

So the boat was the first goodbye this week.   Not to mention tomorrow is May.  So goodbye to April as well. There is more to come so I am sure my emotions will be out of check all week.   please know that before you decide that messing with me or my children is a good idea.  Thanks!  Love you all!

Bittersweet Endings

Today was a great day and a little sad too. Definitely a bittersweet one.

It started this morning when I gathered the things that I needed to take John Michael to his last day of pre-school and his last day at Hilldale. I am so proud of how much he has grown and how amazing he truly is. I cannot believe that he is headed to Kindergarten though, it seems like only a few days ago I was dropping Danny off for his first day. Now Danny is in 2nd grade and my baby a kindergartner. WOW! Seeing Mrs. Hays this morning I knew that it would be a hard day, but I was determined to stay strong. We enjoyed a fun morning of field day type activities followed by popcorn and the snow cone truck. Then inside for hot dogs and chips and well then the goodbyes. I gave Mrs. Hays her gift from the class. This memory book is so much fun for me to do and it means a lot to me and to the teachers. Mrs. Hays also gives all of her students memory books, these are so heartfelt and meaningful. I am not sure that I can find enough words to describe how much they have meant to me through the years, but this one was even more special as it is my last. When John Michael and I came home I really looked at it and took the time to appreciate the work and care that she puts into them all.

We had to get Danny and then get homework completed before the second round began.

Danny got ready for his last baseball game of the season and John Michael got ready to go sing at the 5K Graduation at Hilldale. This helped to maintain my tears, I knew that we were going back at least once. Brandon took Danny and John Micheal and I headed to Hilldale for the last time as a parent and student. When we go back it will just be as visitors. I loved the fact that they all matched, even the teachers! It was such a special Graduation ceremony for the 5K and First Grade they are ready for you. The K4 classes sang great and this is definitely one proud momma! Then the goodbyes came. I had to say goodbye to people that have been such a huge part of my family. I consider these people more than teachers, they are friends, they are a part of who my children will become and for that I am and always will be bonded to them. I told them that I want to get together and I mean it! This was not just talk it was from my heart. I also told them I would come up and photograph for them anytime that they need it! Just give me the dates and I will add it to my calender. There are parents who I have known and grown close to and I will miss. We will have to get our kids together so that they can play and stay in touch and so that we can stay close. This I also mean from the bottom of my heart!

We left the school, and once I regained composure I dropped John Michael off at my mom's because he really wanted to spend the night and I headed to Danny's game.

Danny's team won their game and they played great, at least the 2 and a half innings I saw. I cannot believe that baseball is over. I truly enjoy spending time at the park and getting to know other people. We will work with our catching, hitting and running and maybe next year we will make all stars and the season will continue even longer.

Well, Brandon is home and we are going to get Danny in the bed and then head to bed ourselves. I am exhausted. Today was definitely one with so many reasons to celebrate and many tears fell. Before I go to bed I will remember each of you in my prayers. Please do not ever take that moment that you have for granted or the people who are in that moment. While there are many to be had these are the memories and the people that we keep in our hearts forever!

Relay For Life

Today started off very hectic, the boys woke up wild. They tore the shelf down above our bed, well John Michael did jumping to get a hat off of it, after I had told both of them to get off my bed. Needless to say it just escalated from there. I have no idea what the deal was but I think it is Easter candy overload and the lack of school! John Michael will be out again on Monday, but Danny returns so there will be some kind of normalcy happening.

Tonight was the Relay for Life. This is something that means so much to me. We walk in memory of my daddy. I wish that I could write that we were walking because he was a survivor, but there are many out there who are. We walk so that hopefully one day there is a cure and so that more birthdays are celebrated each year. We walk with the hopes that nobody else has to tell there Daddy or their Granddaddy goodbye so early in life. I could go on but for this I will let the pictures talk for me.

Before I go to bed I will say a prayer for all of my family and friends. Those whose lives are turned upside down by natural disasters, such as the tornadoes that we just experienced, or by something like cancer are on my heart heavily. I pray for you all and I hope that everyone is able to find away to celebrate life and the fact that we are alive and can make a difference.