Fall Break trip to New Mexico.

Jovi was on fall break this past week and the two of us took a trip to New Mexico to see my sister and the boys. Nobody else wanted to go with us so, on Thursday she and I packed up the car and headed out. The drive is only 6 hours but it has got to be the worst 6 hour drive, EVER! For about 3 of the hours you are on a boring two lane highway with nothing but dairy farms and dirt to look at! But we made it and it was well worth the drive.

I had not allowed Dawna to tell the boys we were coming and when we got to town we went to pick Colton up from the youth center where he goes after school. He was playing basketball and when he saw us he came running at me, full speed, jumped into my arms and began to cry! As he was running, he was yelling...."BBBBBBB.....!" His reaction made the whole trip worthwhile! God, I miss him so much! Something about the bond I established with him when my sister and he came to live with me when he was born...it can't ever be replaced! It's like he is my own. Jayden wouldn't even give me a hug, he was more interested in showing Jovi and I his toys; of course, Jovi got a hug!

We basically just hung out the whole weekend which is exactly what I wanted. We sat around my sisters new fire pit, drank coffee and caught up. It's funny how you hate someone so much growing up but then as the years pass and you grow older, the person you thought you hated more than anything in the world as a child, becomes your best friend! I cherish and love the bond Dawna and I have now. I would give anything for her to be right here and able to come over every morning and drink coffee with me! Besides my husband, she is my OTHER rock! All the qualities I never had and wanted, she has (the same ones I hated in her as a child but long for now)!

On Sunday, we had to pack it up and leave. Leaving is always the hard part! But...I left even more proud of my sister and her beautiful family than before. They are doing great and not because it has come easy for them but they, like so few, have stuck it out and fought the battle and NOW they are reaping the rewards!

-B

Fall Break.

My handsome nephews and Jovi hanging out at the Peanut Festival! Me, my sister and brother-n-law, Jason.
My prides' and joy!

My sister, Dawna and her beautiful family!

Jovi and I on Fall Break.

Jovi cuts her hair!

Well, Jovi had been begging for a week to cut her hair off and I finally broke down and let her...I figure, she gets up each morning now and fixes it on her own so who am I to tell her she has to keep it long!

Brookelynn's 13th Bday.

September 28, Brookelynn turned 13! It hardly seems real that I have been a part of her life for 8 years now! This year she went to live with her mom and I never realized just how much I would miss her presence each day. Our morning routine is just not the same without her here! For her bday we went to eat at Crab Town. That is where she chose for her bday dinner. I think that is ALL of our fav place to eat!