Fireworks and All

 Last night we enjoyed an evening away.  That is special for us as we don't get to do it often.  Michael for years goes to a special spot in Columbus, Ohio to watch the Red, White & Boom.  This place is secluded to a point, not a crowd, easy access, and not horrible traffic when leaving.  Friends and family all joined in and made a fun and nice evening.

Sharing some photos.

Michael the first to eat, of course it is all about him!  Love him to pieces.

A fun group behind us.  Great people.

Had to take this pic of The Ohio State Buckeyes chairs!  Go Bucks!

Tim chasing after Cheyenne that will be two.  A real cutie!

We have to take pics of Mike without him knowing as you will see why in later pics.  He is so ornery.

As you can see why we have to surprise him with taking photos.  I was begging him not to do this.  No stopping him.

Trying to get him to stop!  Me and Mike.

Me and my Mom, curly hair night because it was supposed to rain.  Oh well had fun anyway.

I always take horrible pics.  This is Cierra with me and Mom.  Cierra stuck by Mom's side the whole evening.  It was so cute.  She even called Mom this morning.  Priceless!

Mom and one of best friends for 50 years, Blanche and her grandson, Kyle.

New Love Birds.  I told her to put her leg up like that and it embarrassed him to death!  Fun!

Priceless!

Cheyenne cheese!  Too Cute.

Family pic had to hold Mike's hand down.

Me, Mom and Blanche......

Friends me and Jeri

It is really difficult to take photos of fireworks.  Never tried before.  They were done before I could get a shot off.  Here is what I did manage to get.

   My favorite fireworks.  ohhhhhh-awwwww

Did pretty good on this one!

I am Thankful, What are you thankful for?

Being thankful at times is something that we don't do enough of.  (from Ohio we end sentences with prepositions!  lol)  Some days I am just so thankful for everything I come in contact with.  Other days I don't realize I am not being thankful.

So today I am listing my partial Thankful List.

• My family
• My Mom
• Michael the love of my life
• Friends couldn't make it without them
• God
• Special K
• Butter Pecan Ice Cream
• Snickers
• Recipes
• Learning
• Knowledge
• knowing how to swim
• for knowing I hate to fly
• my health
• Sons of Anarchy
• Longmire
• American Idol
• I Love Lucy
• ok....TV
• computer
• blog friends
• social media
• vintage treasures
• candles that smell so good
• rain for my flowers
• for teaching a summer in Honduras
• living in a small town
• being raised on a farm
• my education
• knowing how to type
• my dog Molly
• being an animal lover
• knowledge to design graphics
• my favorite pillow
• my favorite nitghty
• fried chicken
• baked beans
• mashed potatoes (I know....but I love this stuff anyway)
• being able to read

OK enough for now.  It's your turn to tell me what you are thankful for.

Celebrating a 1st Birthday for Bentley

Well.....Sunday turned out to be a wonderful day full of innocence blooming and family uniting.  Truly a surprise that I needed in so many ways.

The stage was set with Disney characters everywhere, blown up swimming pool for food and brightly colored hats blown up for juicies and festive eye candy all the way around.  Not to mention family that we don't see often enough.  

The arrival of the cake.  The best is yet to come.

Innocence of celebrating a 1st birthday with Bentley.  Too Cute.  Take a look at him diving into his cake with all he had.

 I know Mommy is around here somewhere with wipes!

Sharing the day with his Great Grandma.

Grandma making me laugh before the clean up.

We all have memories of our children's 1st birthday with all the excitement, decorations, cake and family around.  So glad I got to get some of Bentley's happy day.  One day Mom will pull out these photos to show his girlfriend.  You know it's a Mom thing.

Enjoy your day!

Life as a Caregiver

Raining here and I am so excited it is the first time since we put our metal roof that it has rained.  It isn't like the good ol tin roofs but I can still here it.  So relaxing and I want to go to bed and just listen to the sounds.  Not today....maybe another day.

Dustin's Website 

The day my only child, my son, Dustin died my whole world came to a halt.  I was in a black hole that was sucking the life out of me.  From that day forward I didn't have a normal life, I lived an "abnormal normal" life.

One winter I met the man of my dreams.  Completely.  I wondered why it had taken so long to meet the true man for me.  We did everything together.  He taught me how to live again.  Life was so good.  I still grieved for Dustin but was learning to live through the pain.

February 11, 2011 Michael had got us our second cup of coffee.  We were in the computer room, he was on  his and me on mine.  All of a sudden he sneezed, belched so loud and made a horrible sound.  I asked him, "Are you going make it over there?"  He never answered.  I turn his chair around and then and there I knew he was having a stroke.  It was horrible.  I called 911 and of we went.  I hadn't combed my hair, had a shower, nothing just left.  They med-flighted him to Ohio State Medical Center.  

Since February 11, 2011 my life changed again.  I knew nothing about strokes.  I knew nothing about rehabs.  I learned so much and try to absorb all I could.

He was rehabs until June 23, 2011.  He got to come home and I was so excited.  I, of course, thought I was Super Woman and handle it all by myself.  We now have aides 10 hours a day.  Michael needs help 24/7 and cannot be left alone.

I am on my computer when the aides are here.  I love him and I will keep this up until I can't.  I recently had back surgery and next is shoulder.  At those times we have help around the clock.

July 11, 2011 my Daddy died.  Another change in directions for my life.  My Mom came to live with use because she didn't want to live in the country by herself    She is 83 years old and has more energy than me!  lol  Her and Michael are both perfectionist, I am so much the opposite.  They keep me hopping!  lol

I thank God that I am able to be here for both of them.  I miss going out with friends, going out of state to visit a wonderful and staying with her, and so much more.  God gives me the strength to keep going.

I love life, God and my family!