My life just completely changed.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010 was a beautiful day here in South Carolina. Beautiful. The kids and I were outside playing after naps just enjoying the sunshine and waiting on Kent to get home from work. At 4:19pm my momma called to chit chat about this and that. We talked about how we both were looking forward to Kent, myself and the kids going to Alabama for the weekend. She told me how Zoey told her she was looking forward to sleeping with her Gramsie. I asked if her and my daddy wanted to keep the kids one night while we were there. We decided on Friday. She asked me to pick up two cards for her that she had forgotten to get while she was up here. I told her I would. She also told me about a fainting spell she had had earlier. We both really thought nothing of it because she said she didn't feel well, could have been low blood sugar since she was diabetic and said it came and went very quickly. She sounded happy, peaceful even. I remember thinking that while I was talking to her. She then said she needed to get back to work and we said our good-byes (no I love yous, which I am regretting like something horrible now). Not 5 minutes later a 911 call was being made for her. Not 5 minutes later... That still blows my mind. At first we thought it was a while later, but after putting all the pieces together we figured it all out. My daddy called her, which he normally didn't do, on his way home from work. They chit chatted about stuff as well and he commented that he also remembered how happy she sounded. They said good-bye and I love you and then she turned around and called me. I truly believe it was the hand of God allowing us our good-byes. How else would all that have happened the way it did and how close it did to her passing away?

My momma's death was sudden and unexpected. No one would have even imagined that 5 days ago would be my momma's last day. But it was. And she was ready for it. She knew who her Lord and Savior was. On an April fools day 20 some odd years ago she gave her heart to Jesus. So while I mourn the loss of my momma, I know exactly where she is. I know that she is at the feet of Jesus. That she is with the two babies that I miscarried. And while it hurts me to know she won't get to see all the milestones my kids meet, that she is enjoying her grandbabies that even I haven't seen. That comforts my heart. My aching heart.

I knew my momma was social and giving. But I didn't fulling realized how much until her viewing. At my momma's viewing was breath taking. Many people waited for over 2 hours in line to see her and talk to the family. People were lined all throughout the funeral home and outside in the cold to pay their respects. People parked down the street from the funeral home and walked because the parking lot was filled. Person after person came by and told me how my momma had touched their life one way or the other. Through a card, a note, a phone call, a special small gift at the right time. This went on for over 3 hours. Person after person after person. It opened my eyes to so many things that I didn't see or appreciate before. But I do now. I am seeing life differently now. I wish it didn't have to come after the loss of my momma, but it did and I know that she would be so proud and honored.

The town put a sign on their marque saying, "In Memory of Candy Sue Ponder. April 28, 1954-February 23, 2010" on an antique theater in the middle of the town square. There was an article in the paper about her and how she support the local college. My momma was an amazing woman, who loved people and loved her family.

My momma's funeral couldn't have gone better. Well.. as well as a funeral can go. She was remembered, honored, the Word of God was preached and we got to say our final good-bye. But one day, one day.. we will meet again. I long for that day, but I am also in no hurry for it to come. I know she wouldn't be either. So until that day does come I am going to have an ache in my heart and a new appreciation of life. That it comes and goes so suddenly that we need to say I love you now, to tell those who are dear to us that they are appreciated and amazing and to live each and everyday like it could be our last and to tell other's about Jesus and how He came to save us from our sins.

I will forever miss my momma. I will forever long to tell her something, to ask her about something, to just talk to her. I will forever and ever love her.

Complete randomness

Oh my goodness.. who knew having three kids would be so different than having two? Or maybe it's just the personality of my third child that makes it seem so different. I am telling you, Nathan is 10 kids rolled into one. If I don't have my eyes glued to him at all times he gets into anything and everything. He is always up to something and always, ALWAYS annoying his siblings.

Our government sucks. Period. I wish they all would quit and maybe we could start from scratch and see if that helps any. Bipartisan.. please. Never. Not as long as they are trying to get their own way just for the sake of getting their own way. That is so kindergarten.. haven't they grown up? My kids (well minus Nathan.. as previously stated) know how to give and take and share why can't a bunch of grown ups do the same?

We are going to Alabama Thursday after Kent gets off of work. I am looking forward to it. It's a weekend away and Kent and I will get to have a night out Friday when we go to his former co-worker's retirement party. It's also supposed to be nice weather so we will be able to get out and about while we are there.

Speaking of nice weather, we have really enjoyed some here lately. Well, minus yesterday's rain but other than that.. Nice. Makes me hopeful that this winter isn't going to stay around forever. It has really been a cold one.

Kent is going to sign Jon Kent and Zoey up for tee ball this evening. I am telling you, we go from playing basketball to baseball all in a matter of weeks. Never ending, but it will be fun. The kids are looking forward to it and so am I. I am just looking forward to spring and summer period.

We have a lot of plans coming together for summer. We are going to the beach in June. My best friend from Alabama is planning on coming up for a visit sometime in late May or early June. Whenever the kids go to Alabama for a visit, Kent and I are planning on going somewhere for a few days. Get away, just us. We are also going to Alabama for the spring race. Well, Kent is and his boss and wife sre planning on attending it, I am just going to spend time with family. I really don't care for it.. living there for 26 years was enough for me (the race.. not my family). I am so, maybe, planning on going to Alabama during my dad's spring break. Maybe. It falls the same week of Nathan's birthday and also the week after Easter. So, again, that is still a maybe. But there are just so many plans coming together than I am really excited and looking forward to it. The summer will fly by and I hate that because Jon Kent will be starting kindergarten. And Zoey might be starting preschool. So unbelievable to me.

I have been watching the Olympics.. anyone else? I have enjoyed it and it helps that USA is totally rocking the medal count. Go team USA!!

Well, that about does it for now. Completely random, I know. That's how my mind usually works. At least it's a post and I haven't left y'all hanging!

Where you are doing to die

I will be the first to tell you (with Kent a very close second) that I am a morbid person. I talk about death, a lot. Well, maybe not a lot, but when it comes up I freely talk about it. So anyway, I was running an errand to the bank. I had all the kids loaded up in the back and we head off. Jon Kent randomly asks where people die. I told him that people can die anywhere. In a car, house, hospital, etc. The hospital part kind of freaked him out. He said he thought that place was only for sick people. I told him sometimes sick people get really, really sick and there is nothing the doctors can do for them and they die. So anyway, again, Zoey just randomly starts naming off places people can die. On those stairs (as we pass by a building with stairs), on the street, in the jungle, in a nest.. So as she is doing this she realizes that she is getting a reaction from Jon Kent. So she then turns it into where Jon Kent could die. She names off places and and Jon Kent says he's not dying there and she moves on to the next place. All while giving evil laughs after each place. Then she says that Jon Kent will die in his bed! Jon Kent says, "WHAT!?!?!" And follows that up with, "Well, Zoey you won't be sleeping with me in my bed anytime soon!"

Snow 2.12.10 (Just pictures)

Whew. I am glad that is over with.

We have been through it. I mean THROUGH. IT. We went almost a full month with someone, everyone being sick. Fever, throwing up, coughing, body aches, sore throats, head aches, etc. It was horrible. Everyone except Kent got sick in one form or another. I had my first sinus infection in the mix. It was horrible. It got to the point where I had started running a fever and my whole entire body hurt. Like if one of the kids touched me, it hurt. It was horrible. I even called Kent and told him to come home from work and then he took the next day off as well. But finally, finally we all mended up (thus far) and just in time for the snow. We had a snow storm come through on the 12th and it left us with about 7 inches of the white stuff. The kids had a good time in it. Nathan didn't care all that much for it, but he dealt with it as long as he could. My parents had planned a trip to visit at the same time as the snow storm and they braved it and drove all the way in the snow. And they said it was scary. At times they didn't even know if they were on the road or not. It took them about 6 hours when it usually takes them about 4.5 hours.


In other news... wait.. there is no other news.. How sad. But that is winter. Not a lot goes on during these last couple of months in winter. I will be so glad once spring is here and then summer. Already have a lot of plans coming together for summer. Can't wait!

I heart him

On this Valentine's Day I want to talk about my valentine...

Kent, duh.

We have known each other most of our lives. We grew up in church together and while he broke my heart in elementary school he has more than made up for it since. I love that man. Just the other day I watched him walk down the stairs holding Nathan's hand and it just melted my heart for him. While I was sick, he took care of me. That sort of thing doesn't come naturally (for him or me) but he did it. And because of him I was able to recover and get some rest.

There are so many things that go unnoticed on any given day that he does that makes me fall in love with him more and more. I wish I was more observant and more acknowledging of those things. He deserves that much.

Kent is a wonderful daddy to our 3 little O'villers and a wonderful husband to me. And really, what better Valentine could there be?

Happy Valentine's Day, Kent. To the one who holds my heart. I love you!

Yeah...

Yeah.. my posting has been lacking. We are still fighting off this crud. Seems like once one of us is well someone else gets it. So yeah.. still may not be around much. We will get rid of this stuff sooner or later. And hopefully I can get back around to posting more. Until then... follow me on facebook and get the day to day blahness that has become my life.

Dear Jon Kent

It's been awhile since I've "written to you" in here. After all this blog and my previous journal were meant for you and then your sister and then your brother. To let you see what I saw as you were growing up. I truly hope someday you get to read this from start to finish.

You are an amazing little, ahem, big boy. I can't believe you are 5. I can still remember rubbing my lips across you peach fuzz, newborn hair. It was blond and so soft. I remember being so dumbfounded at the thought of you being my son. It seemed so surreal. And here we are, over 5 years later. You a big brother to two. Wow. And what an incredible big brother you are. So patient. So loving and encouraging. God knew exactly what He was doing when He gave you to us first. You are as close to perfect, in my humble motherly opinion, as you can get to being the best big brother ever. Thank you. Thank you for being that big brother. For worrying over your sister and brother's safety. Just today, Nathan has something small in his hand and you were so worried every time he teased you by bringing it up to his mouth. You rushed him to me to show me what he was up to. You didn't want him to be "deaded". I hope, as you grow, that you remain that protector over your siblings. Granted, I know they will/do get on your nerves from time to time, but always be there for them. I couldn't pick anyone better for that job. I love you, Jon Kent. From the day the pregnancy test came back positive, to the day your blond peach fuzz was born, to the day I die.. I have always.. I will always love you.

Love,

Momma