Bitter Sweet

On Wednesday, June 10th, my great grandma (mamaw) went to be with Jesus. The week before her passing was very hard for me. I would cry on a regular basis. While holding me one night and comforting me, Justin said something so very true. He said that this whole thing was "bitter sweet". It was bitter because we would be losing mamaw, but sweet because she would be going to be with Jesus. Well, on Thursday the 11th of June dad, Justin, Parker and I hoped on a plane and headed to Ohio. Mom was already there and Nikki, Barry and the boys would be arriving on Friday. Due to all the family coming in, we all would be staying out at my grandpa's house out in the country. Friday morning I woke up deathly (bad use of words I know) ill (we are actually thinking I had food poisoning), so Justin had Parker duty all day and he did a great job! Justin and Parker went with my grandpa to feed the horses, they went fishing and he tried to take him on the four wheeler, but Parker did not like the loud noise. They had great fun.

On Saturday I woke up feeling like a new person which was a good thing because mamaw's funeral was that morning. Once we were all ready we jumped in the truck and headed to the funeral home. Since I was unable to attend the viewing I wanted to get there a little early so that I could say my good byes. Well, all was going really good until they were about to carry mamaw out and Parker yells, "bye, bye mamaw." I lost it. I had to leave and go to the car. You know, imagine what life would be like if we all lived it through the eyes of an innocent child.

On Monday, June the 15th we headed back to Florida and you will never believe what happened....yes, that's right, everyone has ended up sick but Justin and I (and we are keeping our fingers crossed). Oh well, what can you do.

Tomorrow is Father's Day and I am very blessed to have the most wonderful dad in the world, as well as a husband who is a very wonderful daddy. Thank you both for all you do and all of your hard work. Please know that it never goes unnoticed. I love you both very much!!

Totally Embarrassed

Image yourself in the middle of Wal-Mart with your child and out of no where they begin to throw a fit. Well, that was me just the other day. Wednesday, after picking Parker up from Kim's (my best friend who watches Parker while I work), he and I had to make a quick trip to Wal-Mart. Please keep in mind that you can say the word Wal-Mart and Parker almost begins to cry. Once I had picked up the needed items I headed to the deli to pick up some chicken tenders for dinner. After my order was complete, I put the chicken in the buggy and started to make my way to the front of the store. This is when it happened. Parker got mad and screamed at the top of his lungs. As if that isn't bad enough, it gets worse. I put my hand over his mouth and said, "Parker James, we do not act like that, now sit down and do not move." For once, I was very stern and even raised my voice. Well, just as I was telling him to sit on his bottom I hear, "Oh how cute. Is that your baby?" I turn my head and wouldn't you know that it was someone that I work with at the hospital. I was so embarrassed. I got even more embarrassed when I asked her if she wanted him and she said, "With that scream. Are you crazy." I am pretty sure that kids plan these things. It is like embarrassing their parents is their main focus. What is scary, is the Parker is only one and half. If he embarrasses me like this now what is it going to be like when he is 5.......10.....15?????? Scary!!!!!

Graduation in Chiefland

OK.....so you know that you are getting old when
your oldest nephew graduates from high school.

This weekend, we headed to Chiefland for our oldest nephew, Josh's graduation. It was great fun and it meant a lot to us to be able to be there and support Josh.

On Friday, May 29th, Parker got to go swimming for just the second time in a large pool. Now, he is a very cautious youngin so he would inch his way to the water by sitting on his bottom, by lunch time he was jumping off the side of the pool to either Justin or myself. It was so cute! That evening, we headed off to graduation. Please keep in mind that graduation was held outside at seven in the evening so the sun was still shining bright. Well, because this is Chiefland, the whole town goes to graduation, so we had to be there almost an hour early. By the time we left graduation to head to the party, we were so sweaty that even Parker's clothes were stuck to him. I couldn't even suck in the fat rolls to hide them in pics because everything was just stuck to me. Well, we get to the party (which was beautiful) and what do they have......balloons everywhere. So, Parker started whining for a balloon. Well, when I told him no, that he would have to wait until we left he started walking up to people - who he didn't even know - and asked them for a balloon. At one point, we thought that he was with our niece when all the sudden we see some lady who we have no idea who she is walking around carrying Parker. We about died. Just before we left, Josh tied a balloon to Parker's shirt. I have you to know, that Parker feel asleep in the truck holding that balloon.

Saturday, Parker hit the pool with his cousin Bridget. I must say, I had forgotten just how much energy kids have when they are in the pool. Those two wore me out. At one point, Parker asked Bridget to pick him up. Well, she did. The catch is that it was in the deep end of the pool. I went and got Parker and carried him back to the shallow end of the pool while Bridget rode on my back. I thought that I was going to drown. After that we came in for lunch and a nap. After our naps, we headed back out for another few hours of swimming. By the end of yesterday I was near death.

We headed back home today and Hunter was glad to see us when we arrived. We enjoyed so much getting to spend time with family. Although Justin's family is three hours away, it is important to me that Parker spend time with his family and know who they are. This weekend who loved playing with Bridget and spending time with Josh and all the other big kids.....They are all growing up to fast!!!!!!!!!!

Parker and his Friend the Cow

Saturday, while picking up a number of things at Target I picked Parker up a pack back that is shaped as a cow. You know, this way he can carry some toys, snacks and drinks in it while we travel in the car. Well, he loved it. He decided to wear it around the house along with daddy's boots. It was way to cute. Justin told me to enjoy it now because in a few years when he heads off to school I won't think that it is very cute.

Parker is also becoming daddy's little side kick. He still has to know right where mommy is, but he now wants to help daddy do everything. On Saturday, we were having a cookout at our house. While working in the kitchen getting last minute things done, I saw Parker sitting in Justin's lap just talking away. It was like he was telling him some big story. I stood looking out the kitchen window is awe at the two most important men in my life. It brought the biggest smile to my face.

Yesterday, I had to take Parker to the doctor. Since last Friday, he has been having trouble with nose bleeds. Well, when leaving the office the receptionist handed him a lollipop. After taking it from her he looked at her and said,"Thank you." It made me feel so very proud, but at the same time so very sad ------ my little baby is growing up. Although I easily get frazzled, I keep telling myself to sit back and take in every moment because I will never get to enjoy these things again. Thank you God for blessing me with such a wonderful miracle.

Growing into a Little Boy

I can't believe Parker will be two in August. He has truly grown into a little boy. The other night we had company for dinner and Parker ran around with the older kids screaming, playing and chasing one another. It brought tears to my eyes. He has really become his own person. Last week I took him to the beach. Every time we go he walks up the boardwalk with no problem, but as soon as he sees the sand and water and turns to run back to the car. It is so funny. I pick him up and carry him to our spot on the beach. After a minute he is in beach heaven. We picked sea shells and played in the water. It was so fun. The best part was when he decided to do flip-flops down the beach. I couldn't stop laughing, especially when he said, "Mommy do flop." Please. It would be a site for sore eyes to see me do a flip-flop fully dressed, but in a bathing suite.....you have got to be crazy.