8 great years!

Stephen got Angel for me for Mother's Day 8 years ago. I originally wanted and orange tabby and he hunted everywhere for one, but was unsuccessful. He found Angel in a box with other kittens, which were covered in fleas, and she was the closest thing to orange that he could find. She had some peach markings on her, but for the most part she was grey. I was so excited when he brought this bundle of fur to me that I immediately gave her a bath to get rid of the fleas and then cuddled her like a baby. Smokie was already 5 years old so she was set in her ways and would not allow me to do that with her. She did not like Angel coming in to her territory, nonetheless, she learned to love her over the years.


Smokie started losing weight and had gotten a little sick, but I was able to nurse her back to health. Then, a few weeks ago Angel started getting sick and losing weight. I have tried and tried to nurse her back to health, but all of my efforts were useless. Yesterday I called Brookwood Animal Hospital in Jackson and they told me to bring her in. I have to tell you that this hospital exceeded all of my expectations plus some! Dr.Bell worked her in, working through her lunch hour and drew some lab work, cleaned her ear's, and told me that it would be tomorrow before I would hear anything because the lab work would not be back until the morning.


My day started off great. I receieved some good news about my school books so the day was going to be excellent. Wrong! After I got home from school my Mom took the phone call and it was Dr. Bell. She was calling to inform me of the lab work and told me that Angel's diagnosis was diabetes. At first I thought "ok well we can certainly work through diabetes because there are humans who live everyday with this disease". Yes, I was wrong again. Diabetes affects animals differently and the cost of treatment is very high so she said basically that our best option is to euthanize her because her kidney's had already started to shut down. I lost it!



I have never had to make a decision to kill one of my pets and I believe that is harder than having a pet pass away. Stephen had the hardest job because he was the one who took Angel for me. She was such a sweet cat...she was my cat. I was the only one she would let love on her until the last year she would let Stephen love on her. Stephen and I would always joke around that Angel is my cat and Smokie is Stephen's cat.



I do not ever want any more animals because I get to attached. Yes, I'm one of the crazy ones that people talk about that treat my animals like my kids. Hunter had a hard time as well. How do you explain to a 4 year old that your kitty went to live with Jesus. He told me that "he wants his kitty back, he does not want Jesus to live with his kitty". Wow what do you say? I just assured him that his kitty cat was not sick anymore and he needs to be happy for her. I thought sarcastically what a great birthday present, actually it would be the worst one yet. I'm very thankful for the 8 wonderful years of love that Angel gave me and I will always remember her sweetness! She will be missed greatly.

It's kickoff time...

We are in full football mode considering last night was the scrimmage game between Lamar County and Rutland. We play Rutland every year for a scrimmage and we always seem to forget that it is only a scrimmage and not a real game. Last night was different though. Fort Benning's official parachute demonstration team the Silver Wings jumped into the new stadium and delivered the game ball. It was really cool. Watching those guys jump out of that airplane brought back really good memories of when Stephen and I went skydiving, man that was excitement! There were four guys that jumped out and the last guy was carrying the American flag. That was real beauty to see our American Flag swaying about in the wind as it slowly made it's way onto the football field, it gave me chill bumps. The assistant principal at the high school Dr. Shipp is a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. army and he arranged for the silver wings to come and perform.





The game was pure excitement for a couple of reasons. First, it was played in our new stadium which is really nice and secondly because our son was on the field playing. Brian had reservations about playing football this year and after many discussions with him by various people he felt that it was in his best interest to play. Stephen and I could not be prouder of him. He is still a teenager and drives us crazy, but, he has turned out to be such a good kid and well respected. The team played well although we lost 8 - 13. The game was close right up until the end and kept us on our feet the entire time.





Now we have a two week break and will continue with our first official game of the season on August 28Th when we play Spalding. I will keep you informed of this football season so stay tuned.

1st day of school

Today was the first day back to school for our kids and Hunter's first day at school all day. He was so excited about school and carrying his new cool lunch box that Maw bought him. Usually Hunter goes to bed whenever Stephen and I go to bed which is late sometimes. All weekend we kept telling Hunter that he had to go to bed early because he has school. I was a little nervous because I just knew that I was going to have a hard time getting him to go to sleep on his own. After his bath I told him that he had to give everyone night kisses (the in-laws were over for dinner) and then he was going to bed...he did exactly that. At 8 o'clock sharp he was in bed. Stephen and I were afraid to go into our room because we were scared that we were going to wake him up. Yes, his room is still in our sitting room off of the master. But he told me that if I make Sissy's room John Deere he will sleep in there, both of them want it John Deere...we will have to see about that.

He slept all night until 6:20a.m. when he woke up on his own and came into the living room with some sweet morning love. I was sitting on the couch still in tears, but quickly wiped my eyes so that he would not see that I had been crying. I started at 5:30 a.m. crying my eyes out and I had to call Stephen because he always makes me feel better, or at least he tries. I think that he thought that I was joking with him at first until he heard me really getting upset. I told him that I thought that I could hold it together but I just could not get it together. He tried to comfort me and told me that I had to dry it up so that I would not get Hunter upset. I knew what I had to do, but I still sat on the couch with my kitty cat hysterically crying for the next hour. Crazy, huh?

Hunter did so well he walked in that classroom like he owned the place, I kept my composure UNTIL....the teacher told him to tell me bye. Have I ever mentioned that I do not like good-bye? I hugged that little man so hard, kissed him, and got out I love you, have a good day before I lost it AGAIN!!! I took some pictures and then went up the hall to the lunchroom to watch how he did with breakfast where I took more pictures of him and his little preschool buddy Kale. He had a doughnut on his tray and asked me " Mama what is that?" I told him that was a doughnut and to eat it because he likes doughnuts so he asked me "how do I eat it?" He is not used to eating big doughnuts because I always buy him the small ones. I had stayed long enough so it was time for me to go and I actually left without crying, can you believe it?

I could not get back to his school quick enough to pick him up and see how his day went. When he came around the corner I wanted to run up to him and hug him, but I did not want to embarrass him so I waited for him to come to me. I have to say I thought that he would have been a little more excited to see me. He just smiled at me and I scooped him up and gave him the biggest hug. I asked him how his day went and he told me " we just sleep all day" and I asked him if that was all he did is sleep all day and he said "we played and we sleep and we eat lunch". So then I asked him if he met any new friends and he said " just one mean boy and then he was nice". I think that he had a good day because he is looking forward to going back tomorrow.

This is Hunter on his way to the lunchroom for breakfast and sitting beside his preschool pal Kale. They were so excited that they both were in the same class.

He was a little aprehensive about school when the little boy beside him was crying, but he did great!

The tears have started to pour...

Today was open house for the boy's. It started with Brian's school, he has a really good schedule with a couple of his teacher's from past years. I really think that this year will be a good year for him, not just because it is his senior year, but he has great teachers. I was able to talk to his coaches today and thanked them for talking some sense into Brian for giving in and playing football. Yes, Brian was not going to play football and that decision devastated Stephen and I. We really looked forward to Friday night football and this year was going to be special because our son was going to be a senior. After my phone call to the head coach he wanted to meet with Brian and talk with him. They met yesterday afternoon and Brian agreed to play. I do not know what was said, I'm just thankful that his coaches care enough about him to talk him into playing.
After spending almost two hours in the hot high school fighting for parking spots and top lockers it was on to Hunter's school. As soon as I walked in his class and he went on his own way the tears started to pour. I really tried hard to hold them back, but there was no hope. I'm sure that Monday will be worse and I told his teachers that I would be sure to bring my own box of kleenex. Mrs. Bell assured me that I could come and sit in his class at any time because obviously he would not be distracted by my company. I told her that the only way that I would sit in on her class was if she needed my help. It's not that Hunter will not do well, it is just that my baby will be going to school all day long. For four years now it has been Hunter and I together every day...all day. I will be fine, I'm just a big cry baby right? No, I have a very soft heart especially when it comes to my children. Sometimes I wish that I could stop the clock and they would not grow so fast. Before we know it Brian will be gone off to college and then Britt, Austin, and we will have a few years before Hunter will follow. It is hard to believe how fast our children have grown, but it has been a pure joy to watch them develop into their own personalities.
So, please pray for me and I will keep you updated on how Hunter's first day of class goes and how I will do. For all of you who know me, well you already know.

Bass Master

This morning Stephen and Brian left out very early for a morning of fishing. I called him when I rolled out of bed at 7:30 and he told me to bring Hunter fishing. Of course I had to wake him up, and all I had to do was softly whisper "Do you want to go fishing?". So, after a quick breakfast we headed to the fishing hole. The boys fished while I sat there looking over my notes for my final tomorrow (thank God!).

Hunter loves to go fishing, hunting, and anything that involves the outdoors. He is going to be just like his brothers. Does that surprise you? He has fished before catching brim and what ever Stephen could catch on the pole to let Hunter reel in. Today though, he was on his own. Stephen did not know that there was a fish on the line he just told Hunter to reel in the line because he was getting antsy. He gets his patience from his Daddy...none at all. When he was reeling in that fish I could not help to laugh because the fish was fighting him all the way, but Hunter was determined that this fish was not going anywhere. The only thing he could say was "oh my gosh" repeatedly, it was hilarious.

He is so proud of his fish and finally held a fish for his first time. I had to hold the fish by his mouth so that Hunter could see that it was not going to hurt him. Actually, that was my fist time holding a fish as well, I'm not a fisherman or should I say woman. Anyway, that is not my idea of fun I rather watch.

A tale to tell...

Hunter has always loved going to my parents house to play in the yard and to play with their two dogs which are boxer/lab mix. The dogs have always loved on Hunter and played with him every time that he has gone over there. This weekend my parents were on vacation so Hunter and I were taking care of the animals for them. Yesterday, Hunter was playing with the dogs in the house while I went into the garage to feed them. I heard a loud scream, hurt cry and I knew something was wrong. So, I ran in the house and Hunter meets me with blood all over his face. I freaked out!

I knew that when I saw his eye we were going to the emergency room because the gash was to big to heal without stitches. I was holding Hunter with a cold rag on his eye and mouth while I was trying to lock up the house. Things were a little crazy by this point. As I drove like a mad demon to the hospital with my baby in the back seat hysterically crying I was trying everything that I could to calm him down. I asked him what did he do and he told me that he was playing with the dog "and I bend his tail and him bit me". He was traumatized! Stephen was at work so I called Aunt Ash and Uncle Lyde and asked them to meet me at the hospital. Hunter wanted his Uncle Lyde to hold him once they got there (they have a really special bond). Ashley and Lyde stayed with us until Stephen was able to get there. Thank you guys!

Hunter did really well while he was being treated. The doctors and the nurses were really impressed with him. I am going to school to become an R.N. and I should be able to handle this type of trauma, and I could not. I told Stephen that he was going to have to stay at Hunter's head while they stitched him. Why would I ask my husband (who has a very weak stomach) to do something like this? When I saw Stephen start sweating I knew that we needed to trade places quickly. Hunter has two places at his eye where the dog bit him, but only had to have one of the places stitched up and they were able to use dermabond on the smaller cut.

This kid is amazing how well he acts when he goes to the doctor or hospital. He cooperates so well with the medical staff. I think that God is truly testing me this week with both of the traumas that I have been experienced. Yes...I still want to be a nurse, but I hope that I do not have to work on any of my family members and I will be okay. So after we left the hospital Hunter said to me "Mama go over there and beat that mean dogs butt". I used this as a lesson for him to learn not to mess with a dog's tail or his ear's. I think that he completely understood the lesson very well.

Envy!!!

I have had a really eventful weekend. Saturday I experienced a horrible wreck and it will live with me for the rest of my life. Two women were involved and their car had flipped after over correcting themselves and hitting two trees. You can only imagine the scene,both ladies had to be life flighted to an Atlanta hospital. I was the second person on the scene and thank God that my friend Tracy and her daughter were with Hunter and I, she was able to take my car with the kids in it and pull away from the scene. I do not want to go into details about this and I'm still searching for the reason why God put me there when he did. One thing that I learned is that I do not want to be a paramedic, just an R.N.
Today I called the hospital and was looking for these two women giving the hospital the name that the State Patrol officer gave me at the site. After calling several hospitals I could not find them so I called the state patrol post and talked to the other officer who was on the scene and he gave me the right name and their address. So, I called the hospital back and finally got the room to one of the women who had a compound fracture. I ask her how she was doing and how her mom was and she informed me that her mom went home! I was amazed at the touching of God's healing hand. Both of the ladies are on their way to recovery and I will still continue to pray for them.

Sunday Brian left for a week long missionary trip to N.C. I'm so proud of him for getting involved. I went to church for the blessing of the youth group and I was so glad that I went for the message. The sermon was on envy and the deadly sin of it. We all envy someone and throw the word around to often. There are often times that we make remarks such as "The only reason they have so much money is because it was handed to them" or "She might be able to sing, but she can not dress". These are the examples that the pastor used. But it is true, everyone is guilty of it when we all should be happy for the success of others. I took that sermon to heart and was so glad that I was there to hear it.
After church the youth group packed up their belongings and were saying good bye to their family. Yes, as all of you know I cried. I really will enjoy the break from Brian for a few days, but a whole week I'm not sure how I will feel. I think that Hunter will have a harder time than I will. So work on yourself and when you wish that you could go on that nice vacation, have a bigger house, or want what others have, make a list of what you do have and be thankful for what God has blessed you with.
Have a great week!