Alabama, part one. And reminiscing about my childhood

Colorado to Birmingham, Alabama is a long drive. We had just begun our trip and had only been on the road maybe an hour when Clayton's mom called to tell us John (Clayton's dad) had a stroke and they were at the hospital. Really God? Are you freakin' kidding me!! We are on our way to Alabama for my mom's funeral and this happens? I did not want the kids to loose two grandparents in one week. Thank goodness he survived but he was in the hospital for about a month. 

Arkansas. Tennessee. In the South. The true South. We never considered Texas the true South, not after living in Georgia and Alabama.  

Tennessee 

Who is Dolly Parton, Mom? Haha. Jack was less than thrilled to have his picture taken in this welcome center.

The kids did have fun seeing a real owl. 

After THREE LONG DAYS of driving and staying in hotels along the way we finally arrived in Birmingham, at my parent's house. It was hard walking into their house, knowing my mom wouldn't be there, even though a part of me thought she would. It brought me some comfort being in her house but I tried avoiding the spot in the kitchen where my dad found my mom - ugh, that was impossible. Thank goodness my brother and nephews were there to add some life to the house.

I love my nephews, Storey and Charlie. They are the kids only cousins.

Storey and Jack hanging out. It was good for the kids to see their cousins. I would have chosen better circumstances if I could have.

A couple of days later it was time. One of the hardest days of my life. My mom's funeral. My dad chose to have an open coffin so I didn't attend that part of the funeral. I didn't want to remember my mom that way, lying in a coffin. It was too much for me. I chose the same thing when Grayson died and I've never regretted it. I just can't see my loved ones that way. My mom knew this and would have been the first one to understand. 

She is buried in Alexander City, Alabama, near her mom and other relatives. On the way to the grave site we had time to stop and show the kids my Grandmother's old house, my Grandfather built by hand. They also got to see my cousin Tracy's old house where she grew up and where my Aunt Rebecca still lives. 

This photo makes me sad. I grew up sitting on that porch with my grandparents and cousin, Tracy, listening to my Grandfather, Charlie tell jokes. Now the people who live there have junked it up and have a big boat sitting on that porch. Tracy and I also sat on that porch shelling peas for my Grandmother. Yes, shelling peas from her garden, which was where that overgrown grass is now in the photo. It made me sad to see her house that way. Memories of what I remember, gone.

Alabama, folks. 

That dog!

My cousin's house that she grew up in, my Aunt Rebecca's home still. I have always loved that house. I grew up running from Grandmother's house to Tracy's house. 

After the funeral a lot of my relatives got together to eat.

My mom always told me she was sad she didn't have any pictures of her grand kids together. She would have treasured this. 

This is for you, Nana....

Sad day but happy to be together.

Uncle Scott, Aunt Kristi and my cousin, Tracy.

Family.

Being back in Alexander City, Al. was comforting but also sad. I missed my mom and my Grandmother, Jewel. Alex City will never be the same for me, but I do treasure the memories I will keep deep in my heart. Forever. Thank goodness for photos, hu!

Since I've lost my mom I've been doing a lot of reminiscing.

This is how I remember Grandmother's house......



This is the porch. I grew up spending tons of time on that porch. Many Thanksgivings, Christmases, Easters, Mother's Day, and visits to Grandmother's were spent hanging out with family, laughing, gathering, telling jokes and building memories, which I am grateful for now.



Grandmother Jewel.



Granddad Charlie.



Memories of times spent in Alexander, City, Alabama.

(L-R) Aunt Nancy, Grandmother, my mom, Uncle Bruce and my dad.



Grandmother Jewel, me, Uncle Buster.



Christmas.

Oh my stars!!! Seriously? We wore matching shirts? Yes, we were that family. "Awkward family photos". haha. At least my Grandmother was cool enough to not partake! ha

Aunt Rebecca, Tracy, mom, Grandmother and Becky in the front, my much younger cousin.



Grandmother and my nephew, Storey.



Opening gifts on Christmas. Notice Tracy and I were comparing dolls we had just received. I'm sure mine was better!!! haha



Tracy and me dressing up in Grandmother's clothes.



Me and my baby doll. Oh how I loved dolls!!! Never left the house without one. Never.



Tracy and me, and my doll, of course. From the 70's...wow.



Me and Scott and cousins. Me with a doll.



Easter.

I am the one with the big white collar, Tracy to the left of me, my cousin Kevin in front of me and I have NO idea who that other kid is?? Some random kid.



I'm sitting in my Granddaddy's lap. I loved him so much. He died when I was 17 and it really hurt me. I took it pretty hard.



This is probably my all time favorite picture, my goofy mom climbing up the house to hide Easter eggs. How did she think we were going to see it that high? We were kids. haha



That was a taste of my childhood.
My favorite memories are spending time in Alexander City with family. I miss my mom, my Grandparents and my mom's three brothers who have since passed away too.
Thank you, God, for precious memories.

Before and After

So....I'm trying to get caught up with Bloggy. I'll start around the time I lost mom and work my way up to now.

These photos were taken at the park near our house, two days before my mom went to Heaven. We had no idea tragedy was about to hit our life. Again. 

Spring time is so beautiful, especially here in Colorado. It's a shame Spring time kills Emily's allergies. She is miserable this time of year. 

We love walking to this park. Look how beautiful it is. It's also beautiful with snow, though. We are blessed to have such beauty close by. 

Emily loves to climb trees!

I couldn't be paid to climb a tree, I'm terrified of heights, terrified!

Jack climbed this tree too but I didn't get any pictures.

Emily picking flowers for Jack.

The night before I lost mom, and the last time I ever talked to her, Friday, April 29th. Jason spent the night with Jack. Life was so different. I had no idea when I took these pictures of two happy boys having fun, that the next day my mom would be gone. 

The next day, late in the day, is when I got "the call". Life changed forever. My mom is gone. The next day, May 1st, Virginia was supposed to perform in a concert for Young Voices. It didn't seem right, but we talked about it and decided that she should go ahead and perform. Nana would have wanted her to and Virginia had been preparing for this concert for 9 months. Even though Virginia was amazing in the concert it was torture for me to sit through the whole show. I had to excuse myself throughout the concert and go to the bathroom and cry. I had just lost my mom hours before. I couldn't believe I was sitting there with happy people all around me. How in the world could they be happy! My brain had to keep reminding me that these people didn't even know us, or what had just happened, but my heart was mad at them for being happy.

Amazing how from one picture to the next my life changed dramatically. 

Before and After.

Virginia is on the very back row, second from the right.

She is towards the left in this photo, kind of near the guy and behind the three girls with their arms around each other.

Same spot, two over to the right of the guy, behind the three girls.

The concert was perfect, all of the kids did great. Normally I would have been 100% into this, I've always enjoyed seeing my kids perform, but under the circumstances, this concert, unfortunately, was hard to sit through. I was still so very proud of Virginia, but I was also hurting, devastated and in shock that I had just lost my mom.

I made it through the concert. After that we went home to get ready to drive to Alabama.