Japan And Letting Go

Japan Bound!

Ezekiel, Sydney and their little dog Cinnamon have landed in Japan! I'm so excited for them and this new adventure/chapter of their lives, but must admit my Momma heart is aching just a bit. Japan seems so far away! And three years seems such a long time. But these two are ready to tackle the world and all it holds for them.

As parents it's so hard to let go. But letting go is part of the deal. We get them for such a short time, and it's so easy when you're in thick of it, to want them to be older. Be more independent. Not need you every minute of every day. But then it happens and you wish to go back in time, do it all over again. But this time around, you'll cherish all the moments and pray time to slow the heck down! I wish this with all my boys.

For Samuel, who we only had for 19 years. I often wonder what he would be like now at 28. Manuel 27, with a family of his own in Texas. How I wish they were closer. Ezekiel 19, married and half way around the world now. To Elijah, the baby at 16, still at home. We have 2 more years with him home, then who knows where life will take him. Soon, so very soon all of them will be living their lives away from us and all we'll have are the memories of the precious few years they were ours.

For those of you with little ones still at home. CHERISH this time. All too soon, it will be gone and you will be wishing for it back.
I sure do.

July 13, 2015 - Moment of Bliss

I asked Ezekiel(16yr old) to take a picture of me with my sunflowers and this is what transpired!

Being encouraged by him acting as a photographer, I posed, laughed, danced and just let go! Let go of EVERYTHING, and just enjoyed the moment. Of course, I can't dance around in the backyard without Titus wanting to join in!

And Ezekiel just continued to snap away.

I hope when I am no longer on this earth, he looks back at these pictures fondly and remembers the July afternoon when he captured his Momma in this moment, playing, laughing, enjoying life. A precious moment of sweet bliss.

Adventures and Creepy Scary Movie Stuff

I have a thing for railroad tracks. I think I've mentioned that before. Maybe it's because I grew up living across the street from train tracks. Who knows. But they scream adventure to me. And who doesn't like an adventure.

In our subdivision we have walking trails and old tracks run along the trail. I would much rather walk the tracks, then on a paved trail. My boys have been wanting to take the tracks to see if it would lead to a little convenient store in our town. Before I would let them do that alone, I decided to walk the tracks with my older son to check it out. And of course Titus too! He loves an adventure!

The day we decided to take this adventure, the pollen was high, the air thick with a yellow haze. But the trees were just started to sprout new leaves and everything felt alive.

Along the tracks we came across old abandoned shacks, a deserted school bus and cows. If I had my big girl camera, I would have gotten some pictures of the bus. Looked so out of place abandoned in the woods. I told my son we would need to go back when I have my Nikon to capture it. We walked what seemed like forever, and still no store. I decided it was too far, and too deep in the woods for them to walk this alone. Maybe I watch too many scary movies, but all I could see was Jeeper Creepers or someone coming after them.

On our way back home, we came across the abandoned shack again. I told Ezekiel, let's go explore and see what's in it. His response...

"Mom, this is some creepy scary movie stuff! I am not going into that shack!"  

Of course, I went in the shack, and he followed. Well, he didn't follow all the way into the shack, but he did get near it. I went inside the shack, with Titus, just in case zombies were in there. (we watch Walking Dead also) Turns out, there was nothing in the shack. Just some graffiti, a dirt floor.and sunlight streaming through the roof.  No creepy movie stuff. Thank goodness! Because I'm not sure what I would have done!

It's fun going exploring. I really need to do it more often with the boys. Especially since they are growing so fast! Won't have many more opportunities.

Father and Son

Capturing little moments like these are my favorite.

Fonzy was heading upstairs to cut his and Ezekiel's hair, but stopped to look at his phone. While standing there in the kitchen, Ezekiel started to comb his hair. He joked saying "Daddy, your hair is thinning on top. You're going to start looking like Lebron" and so on. Around and around he went, combing Fonzy's hair. I look at these pictures and can't believe how tall Ezekiel has gotten. They both argue who's taller, I think Ezekiel may have finally got him. They have such a close relationship. Ezekiel often says his Dad is his best friend. I pray it will always be that way.

This little slice of life - this moment - touched my heart so. A Father/Son moment they probably have forgotten about - probably didn't think much of when it was happening, but a moment I'm sure they will cherish one day.

I already cherish it today.

Few Seconds

In the kitchen last night, getting a drink at the same time, I glanced UP at Ezekiel, him down at me, and for a few seconds we just stared at each other, then smiled. It was a mere few seconds, but in those seconds, I prayed for time to slow down. Prayed for the world to be kind to this man child, for him to always keep his sense of humor, to have more happiness in his life than sorrow, and if possible to always be close to home.

A mere few seconds....

Moments and Doggy Heaven

The other night as we were all getting ready to go to bed, Ezekiel came into my room and sat on the floor next to Titus. Rubbing his ears, we talked quietly about Titus and how much we loved him. Then he asked...

"When Titus dies, do you think he will go to Heaven?"

I thought about it for a second, and said - Yes, I believed he would go to Heaven. I looked down at the both of them and had to capture this moment. Ezekiel will be 15 this month. All too soon he will be off to college, and these little moments will be no more. His world will be filled with classes, probably girls, a whole lifetime in front of him, and Titus and I will fade into the background - just as it should be.

But this moment right here, I will have forever -  a teenage boy on the cusp of manhood wondering if his dog will go to Heaven when he dies.

Boy/Dog Life

Right now....

Monday homework blues.

First year in high school, taking all honor classes. Smarter than he realizes.

And wishes I would stop bothering him for pictures!

Snow Again!!

We are getting snow tonight! I dragged Ezekiel out to the store with me. He wasn't amused and or as excited as I was of the snow. He was just being a good son and riding with me.

Love/Hate

Ezekiel and I recently watched Spike Lee's movie, "Do The Right Thing". A classic! He's been quoting parts of the movie everyday. While he was doing his homework tonight I noticed something on his fingers. I asked what it was, and he said it was love and hate - like Radio Raheem. He had the love/hate on the wrong hands, but that's ok. The message stuck with him.

Love always beats hate.

 Here's Radio Raheem's Love/Hate speech.

"Let me tell you the story of Right Hand, Left Hand. It's a tale of good and evil. Hate: it was with this hand that Cane iced his brother. Love: these five fingers, they go straight to the soul of man. The right hand: the hand of love. The story of life is this: static. One hand is always fighting the other hand, and the left hand is kicking much ass. I mean, it looks like the right hand, Love, is finished. But hold on, stop the presses, the right hand is coming back. Yeah, he got the left hand on the ropes, now, that's right. Ooh, it's a devastating right and Hate is hurt, he's down. Left-Hand Hate KOed by Love."

Summer Series - Day 4

I look at him and can't believe he is starting high school in the fall. In my eyes, still a little boy, even though he is about an inch taller than me now. In 4 short years, he will be off to college, finding his way in this great big ole' world.

I want his high school years to be filled with happy memories, close friends, and hopefully no heartbreaks. So many wonderful experiences are right around the corner. But for now, I'm wishing this summer takes it's sweet time, and he stays just like this for a little bit longer.

Half little boy/half teen...still able to play and enjoy a carefree summer.

Weekend Getaway - Charlotte/Carolina Panthers

This past weekend we took our last trip of the summer. We spent the weekend in Charlotte - went to Carowinds amusement park and to attend the Carolina Panthers Fan Fest. Fall and football is right around the corner!




I think the most excited about seeing the Carolina Panthers was Ezekiel. He is a die hard Panther fan and the biggest fan of Cam Newton! We were hoping and praying to get Cam's autograph!


Ezekiel doing his Cam Superman

Ezekiel has been to a Panther game before. Fonzy took him when he was about 3yrs old. That was 10yrs ago! The only thing he said he remembered was the big panthers! I see why he would remember that! They were huge!

Elijah doing Cam's Superman - Zay doing his Heisman pose.

Ezekiel, Elijah and Zay were really close to the field and Cam. They were sitting in the 2nd row behind the goal posts. Fonzy and I chose to sit up higher in the shade. I was already burnt up from Carowinds the day before.

After the practice, the players gave out autographs. I was hoping and praying Ezekiel would get Cam's. I'm sure he was too!

Cam ran around to each part of the stadium to sign autographs, but couldn't sign everyone. Unfortunately, Ezekiel didn't get his signature.


Disappointed he didn't get Cam's signature, but he did get Steve Smith's.

We spent all day Friday at Carowinds. I didn't get a lot of pictures since we were on waterslides and rollercoasters. I love the rollercoasters, hate the waterslides. I told the boys they had to get on the rollercoasters, so I had to get on the waterslides! Ezekiel got on all the rollercoasters, even the biggest one! Zay got on all, but the biggest one, Elijah got on none!

13!

13!

We celebrated Ezekiel's 13th birthday this weekend at the beach.

13!

Where has the time gone! I swear it doesn't seem that long ago that he was a baby. In one more year he will be in high school! Soon he will be dating and making his way in this world.

Right now, he's still a happy kid, with hints of the teen he will be. I need time to slow down just a little bit....

Work it Girl!

Out this evening watering my sunflowers I decided to have Ezekiel take some pics of me, you know for the blog :)  I'm hoping he's getting some decent shots when he starts acting like a real photographer, snapping away.

Ezekiel - "That's it! Work it Girl! Uh huh, just like that! Yep...work it! That's the shot! Uh huh! Nice! Work it Girl! Work it!"

Of course with him doing all that I had to play it up too, posing while I watered the sunflowers. He is such a nut and keeps us laughing!

One Season Down

Well, Ezekiel's baseball season is officially over.

All in all I think it was a good season. He hit better this year than any other year and even pitched. That was a first and VERY nerve racking - for me and him! Well, probably more for me. I just wanted every pitch to be perfect for him.

He's grown so much and sometimes I find it hard to believe he will be 13 in a couple of weeks. A teen-ager! I asked him if he wanted a party or BBQ to invite his friends over for this momentous even and he said no. I'm still thinking about having a BBQ and inviting his friends, but we will see. It may just be a low-key family day. We I haven't decided yet.

Spring - Sprung

Spring is in the air!

This past weekend we had gorgeous weather. So gorgeous in fact, I spent most of the day outside working in the yard. Which according to my boys and hubby is a RARE event! I spent the afternoon cleaning out flower beds. It felt so good being out in the sun and dirt.

This weekend was also the passing over of the grass cutting. Ezekiel will be 13 in June and Fonzy said he is old enough to cut the grass. Lucky for him, huh? He actually did a pretty good job.


All smiles now - I'm sure when it's 90 degrees outside he won't be smiling :)


Some of the trees in the area are already full of leaves. Ours are just starting to show their leaves. I'm sure by next weekend, it will be full.

All things are sparkly and new!


Fonzy planted some random fruit seeds in a pot last year and they are growing! We are not sure what it is, but it's pretty, so we decided to let it grow.


The gladiolus Fonzy planted last year are coming up! I'm so excited! They are my favorite flower and I can't wait to see them bloom.



Ezekiel's handy work.

He was so proud of how the grass looked. I'm hoping to get a few big pots of flowers in the front, some sort of hanging plant in the entrance way and a porch swing! Yes, I said porch swing! I don't have a porch, but have an area in the front there for a swing. I'm hoping to get one soon, so I can sit on my swing in the mornig sipping my coffee or enjoying the evening out there. Especially on beautiful days like we had this past weekend.