5 yrs ago today

Today is the 5 year anniversary of mom's death. It blows me away that it's been that long. Colton was just 4 mths old and I can't help to think what she would think of him now. She so wanted a grandkid and I will be forever grateful that she was there when I had him. I struggle daily to go on without her. My mom for so many years was my life and I still struggle with finding my new purspose. I am such a "caregiver" and for so many years I feel like I put life on hold to take care of mom. Now I am a mom and stive everyday to be the mom that I think I should be. I struggle and have lots to improve on, but only hope that someday Colton will love and respect and look up to me like I did my mom. She truly loved everybody. She saw the good in all and that's something I need to work on. What a great person she was and will continue to be in my life.

The money maker

Colton went over to Ray Ray's after school and I got a phone call that I need to come down there right now. I got down there and he was selling water. Not ice water, but just water in a pitcher. I asked how much is it? He said for a small it is 1.02 and for a large it is 3.02. First of all, what's funny about this is he has no idea what amounts are at this point and it changes everytime you ask. He just comes up with numbers. I told him, bud, why don't you try selling them .25 for the smalls and .50 for the large. Then I told him I needed a small and here was 1.00. He could keep the change. Instead of being thrilled, he just said thanks mom. Have I raised a spoiled kid or what? He totally expected it! I said you know I gave you extra and he said, "I know, thanks. "

Colton's soccer team wants to see their faces on the computer so I said I would post pictures every week from their game so they can see themselves on the computer. : ) I deleted half of them because I forgot I put them on two cards so next week I'll do better. Sorry.

Soccer has begun....and Brad's the coach

Ray Ray made it to cheer Colt on and we just put her under a tree out of the sun, but he still found her.

Soccer has started for the year for Colton. We had a little delay because of Ike, but he played his first game on Sat. It's amazing what a difference there is from last year. This year he is running all over the place compared to last year standing and looking at the ball. : ) Brad has decided to take on the coaching experience for this year. I think he has as much fun as the kids. I'm glad he's so outgoing and good at this kind of stuff. I honestly could not ask for a better role model for Colton. Brad is everything anyone could want in a daddy and more. I feel very blessed!

Evacuation

And in all honesty...evacuation wasn't bad. We really did have it pretty nice. I would have been completely content for couple of days if my hubby had been with me. Colt went fishing with Bruno (Pa) and he had Kelsie and Haley to flirt with. We all just got a little cabin fever, but it really was a pretty place.

Reality on Monday

Well, I am suppose to have everything together by now and I don't. I feel like I am a mess. I am usually so organized and I can't get things together. I am trying to give it time and hopefully it will all be back to normal in the next couple of days. I had said I would post pics and I really wish I had taken one from the road because they don't do justice, but I am thankful and shocked at the same time that we had no damage. Thank you God! This is what I saw when I came home. Brad informed me later that he made a pathway to our door so I wouldn't freak out. I could tell when he called Saturday or Sunday (I can't even remember now) that he was shocked by the sound of his voice at how much we had in our yard.

Finally we have power!

Well, Ike came and left a mess, but we are all safe and sound. We lost 3 trees and a ton of limbs and part of trees. I'll post pictures later. We just got power back Friday night 9/26/08 and have been trying to get back to reality in our own house again. Dad and Sally let us stay their for 15 days and I am very grateful. It was hot and humid and the mosquitoes were horrible so windows open would not have been fun. We stayed here during the day and at their house at night. Needless to say, I never realized how nice it is to sleep in your own bed and have the finer things in life like a/c, running water (we have a well so we had no water or sewage), a refrigerator to keep your things cold and the simple pleasure of washing and drying your clothes. Brad stayed here when we evacuated so Colt and I were with Brad's parents from Wed before Ike landed until we came home on Monday. Phone lines were hard to come by and I was stressed to say the least. Both times we have evacuated for a storm, Brad has been on hurricane duty so I told him no more. Next time, he's going too! : ) I could go on, but for the most part we have everything picked up and back to normal. Thanks for your prayers and thank you Lord for keeping my family safe and sound and for giving us a place to come home to.