Happy 11th Birthday Brayden

Brayden just got done playing a baseball game. We came out to watch him play and give him his presents.

I'm so proud of him and so blessed to have him in my life. I remind him often of how important it is for him to be a good example to his smaller cousins. We sure love going and watching his sports. He's so into baseball now and is such a good ball player. He plays 1st base and pitches. 

It's hard to believe our oldest grandson is 11 years old. June 7th. He's trying on the clothes we bought him that ended up being too small.

This picture was taken at his basketball game. Grandpa was giving him some advice. Look what a fine young man he's growing up to be.

4th of July

It's 5:10am. Happy 4th of July. I'm sure I've written a post about this before but this holiday always has a downside for me.
On this day 31 years ago mom took a turn for the worse. She slipped into a coma and never came out. Slowly her body started to shut down. The hospice nurse told us everything that was going to happen to her such as her kidneys shutting down, she started having the labored breathing etc. I remember so vividly all of her siblings coming over to say goodbye. Each one leaving her room in tears, knowing that was the last time they would see her alive.
On July 6th, 1981 we lost our beautiful mother. I remember wondering what I was going to do without her. How could my life go on without her to call, go shopping with, go to lunch with etc. ?
I know I was robbed of her at such a young age and so were my children.
So on this 4th I'm working a 12 hour shift with no other holiday plans. I will miss having our kids over or going to the Stadium of Fire and feel bad that Rog is by his self. But it is what it is.
I'm so thankful for our freedoms in this beautiful country. I'm thankful for our men and women who serve us by protecting us.
Happy 4th of July.