One year later

 SAY WHAT!!!!!! A blog post two days in a row!!!!!!! :-) I just wanted to share something with you guys! First I want to start with what type of parent I am. I am paranoid about everything bad happening to my kids. It took everything in me to let Michael go to ANY friends house. We started out with a few hours at his friends house, then this Summer he got to spend the night at his house for the first time (2 years later) He has only been to play at two friends houses, Cameron, and then Emily. Emily is the one he was headed to her house when his accident happened. I just always think something horrible is going to happen. I don't let just anyone babysit my kids, it has to be family...that I trust or a close close friend. So last year (before he had EVER spent the night at anyones house other than family) He got picked to go to boys camp. Boys camp is put on by the Rotary club of Lake wales. The camp is for 4th and 5th grade boys, they have to be hand picked by their teacher and only 2 kids per class can be picked. This is a weekend things, Friday through Sunday. Michael was so excited and wanted to go so very bad. I was terrified. I don't know any of these people who will be watching my son. They are doing things that he could get hurt doing, horseback riding, the blob....I think that is what it was called, its that huge inflatable thing that you fall on from way up high and then it throws who ever is on it into the water. They do archery, capture the flag, canoeing....just a whole bunch of boy things. I was so afraid to let him go, but I didn't want to rob him of this amazing opportunity to make lasting childhood memories! I let him go! He really couldn't believe it and was so happy. Here are some pictures of him when I dropped him off at the buses. You can see the pure joy in his face! <3

I looked at these pictures today and instantly started crying. I miss him so much! I am grateful for him being here and getting better day by day. But my GOD I miss him so much. I miss his hugs, he always seemed to trip over himself right before he got to me for a hug. I miss him swinging his head to get his hair out of his face because he was too lazy to use his hands. I miss his glasses sitting to far down on his face. I miss him asking to go on youtube. I miss him asking to help cook. I miss him taking 3 hours on his homework that should have only taken 15 minutes. I miss hearing his radio on in the morning when I wake him up. I miss having to get 4 kids plates ready for dinner. I miss having to help him find his shoes. I miss picking him up from school because he had ignite or drumming. I miss going to his concerts. I miss everything. I was cleaning today and found a lot of things that he made me, instant tears. 

Anyways I am not blogging to tell you about how emotional I have been today. But I wanted to tell you how awesome the community of Lake Wales is. As you know, Just 1 More bar held a dart tournament in Michaels name and we got a great donation from that from them and the people who supplied the dart boards. Then Ghost girls of Lake wales donated the money that got from the ghost tours to us, not to count all the meals that were brought out to our house, and the rides for Titus to and from school, and the money donations that people brought to Janie Howard for us. We have felt so much love! I got a call today that the Rotary club that puts on the boys camp wants to help us give the boys a good Christmas this year! At first I thought that we dont need it. The kids understand why things are tough this year. They are just as grateful as I am for what we have. But then I changed my mind, because they deserve a good Christmas. They deserve to be remembered and loved. I don't want to be a charity by any means, But last year was awful because we buried my Mom a Month before Christmas, birthdays were forgotten and Christmas was not fun. This year we have all of this going on so its a repeat of last year! But you guys are making sure that the kids still have a magical Christmas. I appreciate this more than you could even know! The other boys have dealt with so much the past few months I am beyond excited that they will not be disappointed this Christmas...the best part is, all three of their attitudes are on point and would be grateful for the Christmas we were able to give them and that makes me that much happier to be able to give them what they aren't expecting!

Thank you so much Rotary Club! Just 1 More! Ghost girls! JHW family! Lake wales community! My amazing friends and family! Strangers! You guys have no idea how much you have and are helping our family cope and adjust! We love you so much!!!!!!