Our life beneath the Magnolia and Oaks

Changes on the way

CHANGE..... I HATE IT!! In the last few years I have been no stranger to change. Unfortunately most of it was completely out of my control. I have come to realize that sometimes change is good....whether you want it or not. So in the wake of all things out of my control I've decided to take back the wheel and start driving my own life again.

All of this to explain that I am condensing and changing my blogs. I rarely ever blog as you all know! I keep promising improvement, but promises schmomises. (ok so I made that word up, but it's my blog my prerogative) ....... anyway I've decided that the only way to keep up with everything life throws at me is to take back the controls. One area needing help are my blogs. So I've decided that  I will make my family blog my main blog. I will still have my photography blog available to view if pictures need posting. Unfortunately I am not available to do much photography right now. I will still shoot for those friends that are really family to me. To whom I've done photos for years. I'm just not going to pursue photography as a business at this time. I am going to quit putting pressure on myself to only post the best photos and reside to post my life.

Anyone who knows me knows I live in  a whirlwind most of the time. I'm hoping this will allow me to slow down and enjoy life as I know it. Also, I will eventually shut down the recipe blog, but will add my recipes to this blog instead. There is very little on that blog and I think I will add more if I condense things down a bit. I have dreamed of doing a family cookbook for years. This blog is where I will share my progress on that as well. 

It's funny when I was younger I had people coming up to me daily asking how I juggled everything like I did and work too. I wish I knew the answer to that. It seems the older I get the more overwhelmed I feel. My friends tell me I'm not alone in that feeling so maybe it's age who knows. All I know is 40 .. umm something ....is killing me!  You know the song I'm too young to feel this damn old! 

Heavy Hearts

Our hearts are quite heavy today. It was one year ago today that we lost 2 amazing men from the Sheriff's Office. That day still is so vivid in my mind and sometimes I wake at night having relived that day in a nightmare. It still seems so unreal to me that here in our sleepy little town could have two deputies shot and killed. A rude awakening that our area has changed. That day had started as a good one for us. My sister, mom and myself had decided to go to Destin for some shopping which was something that we never seem to find time to do any longer. As we headed back home Sis decided that she wanted to run by her house and get a couple of things before taking mama home. She went the back way and went down 231 to stop by her house in Deerland. She couldn't have been in her house more than 5 minutes and we were back onto Hwy 90 heading into Crestview. As we approached the Shoal River gun club we noticed several patrol cars running 10-18 and traffic stopping right in front of the range. We were the 2nd car stopped in line as what seemed like a line of never ending patrol cars fled past us. I told my sister that they had to be after someone and I was curious as to what would bring so many agency's to this scene. As we rolled up I could see one of our deputies laying on the ground. I seen several investigators coming onto the scene and I knew this couldn't be good. I got my cell phone and called Randy to tell him what I was seeing. The further up we rolled I could see blood flowing from what I would find out later was Deputy Lopez's head. I couldn't control my tears as I told my husband, also a deputy, that he looked so still. I cried as I said Honey I think he's dead. I couldn't turn away from that sight. Had I looked away I would have seen that there laying across the parking area was another deputy shot and killed as well.

I'm always so proud to see Randy in his uniform, but that day all I could see lying there was that uniform. The sense of grief that overwhelmed me that day, that very moment was that it could have been my husband. That sense of emptiness still haunts me today. That day I told a friend of mine that I couldn't count how many times that I had been on the phone with my husband that he said he had to go and would call me back after he finished this call. What if that call never comes? What if that call is his final call? How do you overcome the grief, the loss? How!

The turn out at the funerals of Burt and Skip was unreal to say the least. There were hundreds, literally hundreds of patrol cars in a funeral procession that went on for miles. Gorgeous, breathtaking and crushingly painful. I know that every wife, girlfriend, mother, father and child fear when the deputy they love walks out that door. We hold our breath until they come back in that night and the next duty day we start all over again.

Two weeks after attending the funerals of our fallen brothers a phone call came that changed our lives forever too. My husband had been involved in a serious accident.  Little did I know that morning what the next year was going to bring us. The changes that were going to take place in our lives. You just never know!

Hold on to your loved ones. Pray that God watch over them. Live every moment to the fullest. And most importantly remember that today may be your last with the ones you love. Cherish EVERY moment, love endlessly and please appreciate what God has given you. You never know when it will be taken and your life will never be the same again. Life is so very short!

So very Proud

We are so very proud of our baby girl. She always seems to bring the sunshine where ever she goes. Jordan was born with lots of health problems. Things that I have never really shared on here, but may one day. You never know maybe there are others out there that can benefit from our experience. Recently Jordan underwent surgery to correct severe scoliosis. It was one tough surgery! She is one tough girl! We now are one year out and she is doing amazingly well. Last year she was very disappointed to find out that she was going to be missing Special Olympics. This year she was ready to roll. We first went through the local Olympics day. She participated in the Softball Throw and the Bike Race. She got 3rd on Softball and 1st on the Bike race. She was so proud of herself. She rode that bike like a maniac!!  Here are some shots from that day.

 
Here she is with her bubba and her Daddy. I'm not sure which one was more proud, them of her or her of them!

Tomorrow I'll share some shots from District Special Olympics. 

Baby girl we are so proud of you! She seems to touch everyone she passes and she has a smile that is contagious. Truly an inspiration to all!   

Eva

 

What a Year!

What a year it has been indeed. I lovingly refer to it as our year from hell, but hey I'm special like that. Besides everyone who knows me knows that I suffer from the worst potty mouth EVER! So this is tame believe me. Anyway, this year has been one event after another it seems and so far, knock on wood, 2010 has been better. There is a lot to share so I will break the stories into different posts. Since things have started to improve our lives have gotten more along the normal path that we find so enjoyable. Bout time is all I have to say!! My sweet husband started back to work two days ago in uniform!! He has been out of uniform for almost a year following that fateful day that on his way home from work was involved in a terrible accident. For a couple of months we spent walking on eggshells praying that we would not loose him. As he progressed through the stages of recovery we went through trials that unless you face that yourself you cannot imagine the emotional strain that can be endured. It can be hard on a man who prides himself on being a law enforcement officer, strong and very active to having to rely on everyone else to help him with every aspect of life. Things that we all take for granted, grooming, dressing, etc. It can really take a toll on a person believe me! As I've said before it's been a long road, but he's back. He's a very strong man that there is no doubt about. He taught me that I'm stronger than I thought, but that I'm definitely NOT ready to loose him. Life can change so fast and when you are talking to your husband literally minutes before he is struck by an oncoming vehicle and within 5 minutes of that phone call you are being told that he has been in an accident and that they aren't sure if he is going to make it. That can really make you come to realize how much of life we take for granted.  We are and have been very blessed to still have each other. This past weekend I snapped this picture of him with his baby sister. She and her husband have been my rock through all of this as well. I don't think I would have faired as well through it all if it hadn't been for them. I love them dearly!

Next post I will share some pics taken at Special Olympics.

Until next time.....

Eva

Happy Birthday Holly Baby

Today is the 21st Birthday of my middle daughter Holly. Otherwise known as Holly Baby, a name given to her by my Father, her Papa. I can't believe that 21 years have passed they have flown by so very fast. Holly is every Mom's dream of a little girl. She was the most enjoyable child to raise.  Here is a picture of me at 21 years old holding my now 21 year old daughter.

 

Here is a picture of my beautiful baby girl at 21.

I'm sitting here typing with tears in my eyes. I can't believe those years are just memories now, but I've definately got a beautiful grown daughter to show for it. I will always miss her as a child. Last night we had a little family party for her to celebrate. At the party was her best friend Autumn. They have been friends since they were about 5 years old. I sat and listened to them laughing and talking and I couldn't help but wish I could go back again. I love you both very much and am so thankful for every moment that I get to spend with you both.  

The girls then.

and now.

Hope you girls have a great day together. Love you guys and please.....be careful!

Happy Birthday Holly, I love you sooooooooooooooooooooo much!!!!!!!!!!!
 
 
 
 

Pumpkin Patch

For years I've wanted to go to the pumpkin patch to do pictures. Every year it seems that we just never get around to it. This year we managed to go twice. I usually don't try to do any posy type of pictures with Jordan. Having autism she doesn't do well with posing. She usually flashes this awkward glare into space look when the camera turns on her. So I let her do her thing and take pictures of her just making her rounds and giving her plenty of space. This year however was different. This year she was posing to beat the band. Totally unplanned, totally not dressed for pictures. With Jordan why should I expect anything different? As we drove by the pumpkin patch this year she started to shout "Pumpkin Patch I want the Pumpkin Patch!" So guess who turned around and went. She went straight over to this grouping of pumpkins and sat down, flashed her smile. Boy was I glad that I had my camera with me. When you have a child with special needs, even though they don't cope with change, as a parent you learn to go with the flow of life. Breath in every moment good and bad and praise God that you've got them for another day. And on the rare occassion just when you least expect it you get something like this........ Believe me, I'm one happy Mom!

 

Eva

 

I'm Back!

Well my friends I'm back! I know it's been a long time since my last post and unfortunately I had to block my blog for quite a while. I won't go into a lot of why I blocked the blog, just water under the bridge now.  Some things are just better left alone. Also, my sweet husband was in a serious auto accident the first part of the year. It has been a long recovery period for him and will be many, many more months to boot. I'm just glad to be coming back into the blogging world and have many things I'd like to share with everyone. So stay tuned for what I hope will be regular posts from here on out. Meanwhile I'd like to share with you my sweet little girl. She had to be a storybook character for school and we choose to be PJ FunnyBunny. She was the cutest! So without further adieu here's PJ Funny Bunny!!!!

25 Random Things You Might Not Know About Me!

A friend of mine sent this challenge to me via email. After I filled it out I thought it might be nice to add it to my blog. It was really fun to do, but it did take some thought.

25 Random Things You Might Not Know About Me!!!

1. My Mom was a yankee and my Dad was a die hard southerner. Civil War discussions were always interesting! 
2. Genealogy is my passion. 
3. I am sensitive to a fault. 
4. I carry a tough exterior, because I’m very easily hurt! 
5. I’ve never felt as though I’ve fit in anywhere. 
6. I love doing photography, quilting, scrapbooking, stamping, cross stitch, writing and so much more.  
7. I’ve been published on 6 occasions.  
8. I am currently writing a family cookbook. 
9. I have a terrible temper. 
10. My mouth usually overloads my a**. 
11. I have a rank sense of humor and love to make people laugh.  
12. I absolutely hate a liar. 
13. Having children is the most important thing I will ever do in my lifetime. 
14. I will never get over my fathers death. 
15. The two most beautiful sounds are a baby’s laugh and the sound of waves crashing along the shore.  
16. I’m terrified of heights. 
17. I’ve never flown. Flying doesn’t bother me it’s the crashing part that is just too much!! 
18. I believe that when it’s your time, it’s your time. BUT, what if it’s the Pilots time and I’ve a victim of circumstance?? ……..see above.  
19. My greatest fear is the loss of a loved one, especially a child! 
20. I struggle with self esteem issues.  
21. I’ve always dreamed of living in a Norman Rockwell like village in

    Vermont

    .  
22. I believe age is a state of mind and lately I’m really feeling old. 
23. No one has earned my respect quite like my 10 year old, special needs, little girl.  
24. I have no patience for people who whine about being sick. Especially after watching my child over come massive health issues and daily pain. Always with a smile! 
25. Lastly, I wish I could go back in time knowing then what I know now. Then again…..Don’t we all!!

 

 

Sharing again.

I'm sharing the other few gifts that I made this Christmas.

Here is the teachers gift that I took to school. I did the same basic thing for the bus drivers, but they had the cocoa cones in them.

 

Here are the components of this gift.

 

 

 

The monogrammed stationery turned out really nice.

The blizzard bites, you can find that recipe here.

 

 

I really enjoyed making these gifts. It was nice to be able to get inspired again and have the feeling of accomplishing something different. I hope that I've inspired you!

Jordan and Randall's Birthday

Jordan and Randall share the same birthday. For Randall's 19th birthday he was given the biggest gift I'll ever give him anyway,  a baby sister! Now he's destined to celebrate with his baby sister every year.........uh, her way! This year she wanted the party at the Niceville Children's Park. The weather was beautiful and everyone seemed to have a blast!

Here are a few pictures from that day.

 

 

 

 

 

As I took this picture I realized I had blackmail material......If anyone recongnizes this woman, PLEASE call Crime Stoppers! LOL!!!

 

Take a good look at these pictures. You can see just how abused poor Landon is......... NOT!

 

 

 

   

You can see more from our day in the photo album in the sidebar. Thanks for looking!