Love this little guy!

My 10 year old

 Happy 10th Birthday to my Gabe!

 We celebrated Gabe entering double digits with a spy-themed birthday party.  He had asked me to make him a secret agent silhouette cake, and I was more than happy to give it a go.  I love making my boys' birthday cakes!

 Every Secret Agent received a "Top Secret" mission folder, a name badge, and secret agent disguises.

 I love it!

 We had agility training with the agents trying to avoid the laser beams.

 Critical thinking training.

 I love that smile!

 He received a 3Ds from my mom.  What a lucky guy!

 I love that he has some great friends in his life.

 Gabe and Graedon with Papaw.  Mamaw was definitely missed.

 Agent Gabe's profile photo.

 Agent Gabe at Sharpshooter training.

Great photo of Gabe with my dad.

Wordless Wednesday-I Miss Her

Some of my favorite photos from Florida 2013.

 Gabe and Chad at our fave restaurant at Port Canaveral-Rusty's.

 Graedon sitting out on the deck at Rusty's.

 Animal show Burmese Python.

 Animal show baby hedgehog.

 A good reminder for everyone, but these boys were definitely in need of it.  

Love the deck at Rusty's.

 This boy had no fear of the ocean this year.  He wouldn't to be out in the deeper water with Chad and Gabe, and loved riding the waves.  He was a pro!

 Rip currents were rough this year, and we even had a scary moment with this one.  Happy to say that everyone made it back to shore safe and sound. 

 The sky and sunlight after Tropical Storm Andrea was beautiful.  I had to capture a few photos of the boys in it.

I am ready to return any day now!  I love that we have an annual vacation to Florida.  It makes a great start to our summer.  I just wished it would last a little longer.

Wordless Wednesday

Love them!

Going to Battle

You are, in fact, a shelter from the storm.

You are a Cape of Good Hope.

You are a warrior who will do battle for your children’s hearts, souls, attention, innocence, education and memories.

Go to battle, my friends. This is your time.

- Lisa-Jo Baker

I needed this reminder.  Thank you, Lisa-Jo!

Making me smile today

This is so stinking cute.

You must watch!

A new month

March and April were big months of loss for us, with April bringing the biggest loss to have reached my family.  I actually visited Nita's graveside today, and I shed a few more tears.  I feel that I have to keep my loss to myself because it is not as big or worthy a loss as Chad's.  I know we all feel loss differently, and we will express it at different times, but it was nice to have a moment all my own.  It is still so fresh and so very sad.  The world does not seem right without her here.  I do not know how often I will visit, or if that will even help me, but I have every intention of taking the boys there soon.  We need to bring her flowers, and they need to see where she is.  I am almost dreading Mother's Day because of her absent.  It will not be the same, and I just pray for strength to help Chad through these "firsts" without his mom. 

Rest, Sweet Nita

My family just experienced the biggest loss.

My mother-in-law, Anita-Nita to me, was called home on Monday, April 15th after a 10 month battle with colon cancer.

We are in shock and mourning for such a wonderful woman.

Our hearts ache to have her in this world with us.

It is so hard for our minds to understand this, and only He has full understanding.

He has shown us glimpses that this was His plan for her, and that things were lining up to make His plan reality. 

Our earthly hearts and minds just cannot comprehend such a plan at this time.

Rest, sweet Nita.

We love you, and will forever hold you in our hearts!

Wordless Wednesday-Heartbroken

 

Missing my Tazzie.

August 2000-March 15, 2013