Updates

So, I haven't been blogging lately. Mom's death has really hit me hard the last week. I'm dealing the best I can, but would rather not be dealing at all. I can't explain what it's like to lose my Mommy, my best friend, my mentor. She was everything to me. I can't begin to imagine how I am going to live the rest of my life without her here to guide me through it. I'm trying to get my life back on track and somehow back to "normal", whatever that is. But every day that comes proves to be more difficult than the last. Oh I miss her so very much. Mommy, I love you, I wouldn't wish you out of Heaven for anything, but I just wish I could be there with you. Just to see you, and touch you, and tell you I love you. Oh we never said those words. I know we both knew we felt them, we just never said them. I just want to tell you I LOVE YOU.

Thank you Craig, for the slideshow. Of course I bawled my eyes out both times I"ve watched it. How are we gonna get along without her, big brother? My heart is just breaking.

So, onto updates...

Nate's 1st birthday was Monday. Had a beautiful party setup outside, and right at party time, the skies opened up and the bottom fell out, so it moved inside. I tell myself it was Nana crying because she couldn't be here for it. But I know she's not crying. She's so happy now.

Anyway.. thanks to everyone who came. I really wasn't in the mood, but knew that I needed to do it, so we did. I'd love to say I had a great time, but I'd be lying. But, the kids did. And that's what is important. Nate got so many wonderful gifts. He went to the ped today for his 1 year visit. Got two shots in his leg, then had to go downstairs and get blood drawn from his arm. NOT a good start to the day. We were both bawling. I was NOT prepared for that. He weighed 23lb 6oz and was 29in long. Staying right along the same curve on the growth charts. So that's good. I don't know what his head circumference was, just know that it's staying on the 25th percentile curve. He's got a teenie lil head :) I'll post a slideshow of his birthday party at the end of this post.

JRay also went back to the orthopedic today. We thought he'd get his cast off today, but the doc wants him to wear it for another 2 weeks. Poor guy. It's driving him nutso.

I'm supposed to go back to the doc on the 4th for my bloodwork results, but it's looking like I might have to reschedule due to $$$. PJ's check was VERY short this week. We thought he still had vacation time left when he took a couple of extra days off after mom's funeral to stay with me and help me and just be there for me. We were wrong. So he only had 25 hours on his paycheck. So I know there's just no way I can afford the $30 co-pay right now.

Dad went to mom's appt with Dr Jackson on the 20th. I will just say that he has reaffirmed my doubts in him as a physician. His first words to Dad were along the lines of "If anyone is looking into getting a lawyer, it's a waste of time". Wow. Guilty much? All Dad wanted to know was what her echo said, mostly for our family medical history. What a great guy you are, Kirk Jackson, for being so horrible to the man who'd lost his wife at 53 years old not even a week earlier. Show those true colors.

Anyway, that's all for now I suppose. Don't know what else to say. Just please continue to keep us in your prayers. We're all dealing in our own ways. I'm an introvert, and grieve internally. So don't be offended or upset if I dont' call, or answer your calls. I just want to be alone with my little family right now.

We Love You, Mommy

My Mom was the most compassionate, loving, gentle, giving and LOVING person I"ve ever known. I can't begin to imagine how life will go on without her. Please continue to pray for me and my family, and especially my Daddy, who has lost his best friend. I know he's a very strong and CAPABLE man, but I am so worried about his heart, because I know it's crushed.

I Love You Momma. So many people loved you, and are going to miss you. So enjoy your time with Mamaw and Papaw, and hold that precious baby you never got to hold, and keep our places warm there in Heaven, we'll see you again someday. Until then, we are going to miss you terribly here on earth. Heaven gained another angel, but that means that earth lost a precious one who did so much good in a world of evil.

Shelia Diana Evans Stover

Update on JRay

Well, it is broken. It's actually his ankle. There's a small crack in his ankle bone, so they set it in a cast, and we go back in 10 days. He got a nice orange and blue cast (WAR EAGLE!) Because of the way they set it, he's having to really adjust to walking on it. He's gonna stay home from school one more day, since the doc at the ER wrote his excuse for Mon and Tuesday, and to give him more practice at getting around without help.

So Here you go, pics of the "Tiger Cast"





First Signatures :)

16 Days...

Until my baby is officially a toddler. WOW. Where has a whole year gone? Seems honestly like it was just last night I was running around Huntsville at Liz's graduation with NO IDEA that my lil man would decide to make his grand appearance the next day. It's such a bittersweet day. To celebrate the day that our precious babe was given to us by God, but then so sad to realize just how quickly they grow up. Just 18 days after that, my first baby... my very first baby, the one that made me a Mommy, will be 8. How bittersweet is that? He's such a precious little man. So perfect in every way :) I do love him soooo much, and every day finds me more proud of him than the day before for the young man he is becoming.

Not sure if I posted an update on Nate's eye appointment or not. He went in April, and Dr Hein said that everything is normal :) So Praise God for that! No eye surgeries with this one! He is turning into a lil chatterbox now. LOVES to carry on conversations with anyone (or anything) who will listen. He's VERY entertaining these days!

JRay isn't doing too well. He has apparently broken his foot. His dad just took him to the ER, and told him he has a hairline fracture, and possibly something about a torn tendon or ligament. He's been told to stay off it, is in a temp cast and crutches until Monday. So please say a prayer for him. We are all so ready for school to be out. It has not been a very pleasant year for any of us. We've not had the greatest of teachers this year, and it's really had an impact on his grades. 12 more days and we'll be done with 2nd grade! JRay has made a new friend, which THRILLS us. He's never been one to make friends. He'd have tons of acquaintances, but no real friends. He's stayed the night with his friend, and his friend has stayed with him. My little boy is becoming a little man. *sighs*

PJ has an interview on Tuesday with Cargill! PLEASE keep us in your prayers! He also has a couple of other irons in the fire we're waiting ot hear back on. We know that when God is ready, a new door will open, and we're greatly anticipating that moment ! We can't complain, though. Things are tough, but we always have enough :) And at times more than enough that we're able to give to others who need it. He always provides, and He always will :)

I am looking forward to spending Mother's Day with all 3 of my boys, and family and friends at church. I hope everyone else enjoys their day, and I'd like to wish all the Moms out there a VERY BLESSED Mother's Day :) We're already blessed to be a Mom :) No other gift can compare to that!

Anyway, here's a slideshow of our "trial run" with the smash cake :) (Ok, so it was just for the pictures, but it gave me practice making the cake, and Nate had lots of fun destroying it! We're in for quite a show on the 26th!) So enjoy!