July - Pre-Birthday Fun

July really seems like a lifetime ago and it's not even under my belt yet.  It was a month of emotions - happy, sad, confused - but even in the midst of the craziness that finalizing the divorce brought on me, we had fun!  I personally have just been trying to keep one foot in front of the other and am thankful that I have tripped several times but not fallen completely flat on my face.

It's hard to believe but we didn't even make it to the neighborhood pool but one time in June and it was for a Swim Team party to support our friends on the neighborhood swim team.  So, the beginning of July, we hit the diving board.  Last summer, Ian went off the diving board over and over and over again ... so I was a little surprised with this result when he got up there the first time this summer.

But I was thoroughly impressed with Bonner's approach since I really don't think she went off the diving board a single time in 2011.

July 4th involved a pool party at a friend's house but I cannot believe I did not take one picture :-(  On our way home from that, though, we called our trusty neighbors, the McBrides, to see what mischief they were getting into and they were still up for visitors.  And, of course, Jane had sparklers and hot pop things so Ian and Bonner were in awe.  They loved the sparklers and the popper things that you throw at the ground!  We are truly blessed to have the greatest neighbors in the world - I call on all of them time and again and each and family continues to embrace us!

The children also went to SummerQuest "camp" at their school for 3 days in July.  I hate for them to forget all about school so I like them to be able to go there during the summer just to keep the surroundings fresh in their minds.  The last day of camp, they were having a bike parade ... I had planned on getting Bonner a bike for her birthday (the McBrides mentioned above have already given Ian 2 bikes so he's good) and she loved the one I picked out - Strawberry Shortcake!  It even smells like strawberries.

 Ian had no desire to ride a bike so I took his little car that you just steer and it goes.  That didn't last long either but at least he got it decorated!

Bonner is very much into not only taking pictures but having her picture taken ... she gets goofy looks and says, "Mommy, will you please take my picture?"

 Here she is wearing a pair of my sunglasses!

 She put alot of hairbows in her hair and then insisted on a picture!

 Here she is watching Disney on my iPad ... my oh my ...

"Look at me, mom!  I can touch my nose!"

We went to a birthday party for a sweet friend in June and Bonner got a Fancy Nancy book in her goodie bag ... well, she finally wanted to read it and this is what she learned from the book :-)

Speaking of "having fun", these 2 are so silly.

Next up, birthday fun!!

A Letter from Mommy

Dearest Bonner and Ian,

I write this letter to you tonight with the heaviest of hearts!  Tomorrow is a big day for your mom ... and, admittedly, for you two as well.  It's a sad day as I feel overwhelming grief that I have failed you!  I have failed to give you a home with 2 parents living under the same roof; I have failed to give you a "normal" childhood; I have failed to keep your security in tact!  I know you know that what you are currently going through is not the way families are supposed to be ... and it hurts me to no end when you ask me, "Mommy, why doesn't daddy live here anymore?"  It pains me when you ask me, "Mommy, when are you and daddy going to go together again?"  It kills me as I have cried myself to sleep many a nights over the past 14 months not because of my pain, but the pain I feel for you both in having your innocent little world upended.

I remember thinking back when I was trying to come to terms with God about Ian's heart condition ... I kept asking, "Why?"  Not really "Why my child?"; but simply "Why?" in the context of "What are You using this situation to prepare me for, God?"  I always thought it was so that I could be a supportive mother to other mother's faced with the same circumstances!  However, now I wonder if looking death in the eye with my child wasn't preparing me for the past 14 months of an emotional rollercoaster.  But, I want you to know that God has been with me since the beginning of the end of my marriage to your father.  He has given me a counselor to help me talk through my pain; He has given me a support group that has not waivered; and, He has given you to me - and believe it or not, in the midst of the unknown, you two have provided me great comfort with your continuous love, hugs, and kisses!

Bonner, when you say to me, "Mommy, I have something to tell you - I love you!" my heart simply melts.  If there were tears in my future, your love replaces them with smiles.  Ian, when you say, "Mommy, hugs!" and come running over to me for a tight squeeze, I am reminded that you only know unconditional love and I am so thankful for that!  I know that God, through the Holy Spirit, our family, and our dear friends will continue to shower us with love!  I know that our circumstances are not any that I would have wished upon us; but, I am thankful for the opportunity to remind you each and everyday that no matter what tomorrow holds, God is among us! He loves you, Ian; He loves you, Bonner!  Please do not ever forget that!

I love you more than life itself; I would do anything I could for you and that's what makes divorce so sad ... because I just couldn't do enough to keep it from happening!  I am sorry that you are now a statistic; I am sorry that the chance of you having happy marriages "until death does you part" just dropped considerably; I am sorry that I have caused you to have to be resilient ... for all of these things, I am deeply sorry!  If I could change it, I would; but, I know that God has a plan for the 3 of us!  We have been blessed beyond what we deserve; He has not forsaken us this past year; in fact, He has continued to draw closer to us!

I will always be here for you and hope that when you are the right age that we can talk about this time in our lives with open and honest communication!  I pray for you each and every day - that God will continue to watch over you, keep you healthy, keep you happy, and keep you close to one another!  I am so thankful that you can walk this journey together as "two peas in a pod"; you are never alone and for that, I am so thankful!

Love Always,

"Your Favorite Mommy"

June IV - Great Trip to the Zoo

We picked a fantastically beautiful day in June to go to the zoo with some friends.  All the animals were out and about and moving around like crazy.  We took some pictures and some videos ... enjoy!

Pretty sure this giraffe has a baby in her tummy :-)

I must admit that I have never seen a giraffe get the leaves right at her feet ... pretty interesting!

Even the grumpy OLD turtles were moving around!

And, of course, the smelly pig is always ready for a handout!

The kids were trying their darndest to get the giraffe to come over closer to them!

And, I must admit that I have never heard monkeys sound like this nor have I ever been this close to monkeys moving around so much!  They were having so much fun "showing off"!

June Fun III - Beach Trip

The end of June, we were back to the beach!  It was a beautiful week with super hot temperatures that could only be calmed with a nice ocean breeze!

Bathing Suit? Check

New Goggles? Check

A towel that makes you look like a real fairy? Check

 This was the first time I rented chairs for the week ... other than 1 day of rain that we missed out on using them, I will ALWAYS do this in the future!  It was GREAT and the kids loved them... it's tough growing up in style!

Sand angel?

Beautiful sunset at Shem Creek

Of course, we made it back to our favorite booth at Poe's Tavern one night for a yummy hamburger.  Service was a little slow so picture-taking it was ...

"Say cheese, mommy! And get real close!"

Evidently Abby misbehaved because I looked up and she was in the corner!

Ian actually took this picture of all "the girls"!  It was a great trip as my parents; my brother, his wife, and their 5-month old little girl were able to join us!

I must say that I had no idea a pair of goggles would make such a big difference.  Here are the children literally learning to swim with their heads under water.  They are pretty much little fish now but I had to post for my memories!

"Go Ian, Go!"

I must say that him being able to hold his breath and going from point A to point B with his head underwater brought tears to my eyes.  I had no idea how his lungs would react and they seem to have been ready for swimming which is a true blessing!  I really thought that this was a different video but you get the idea!  I'll have to get another posted since he's come along way in a month!

But, of course, the little mermaid was not to be outdone.  She can hold her breath forever!

June Fun II - Acting Camp

Most children spend their lazy days of summer in various camps which is fantastic.  However, most of them are only available for those 4 years old and up so we didn't have too many options this summer.  But, we did find one and it was great.  It was just an hour a day for a whole week so I am not sure I would call it so much of a "camp" as I would a "class" - either way, it was fun!  It was held at the SC Children's Theatre which we have been to in the past for different things but this was the first chance for Ian and Bonner to be on the acting side of the stage!

Presenting the Little Engine that Could

Starring young friends including 

Ian Bloodworth in his debut performance as Rusty, the old Engine, AND...

Bonner Bloodworth, as "Abby", the fairy (of course)!

Looks like to me that their first "camp" was a success!

They even made the newspaper (look on the right-hand side)!

And, of course, no post would be complete without the actual performance!

(Ian appears halfway through if you want to fast forward)

June Fun I - Miscellaneous

In June, I went with a group of high school graduates to the Dominican Republic.  It was a quick getaway to a beautiful resort and as we all know, I am much happier with my toes in the sand.  The resort was beautiful and we had a good time.

I also took my first stab at cosmetology in June when I trimmed Bonner's bangs.  She is desperate to have her hair grow "as long as Rapunzel's", but her bangs were getting a little too long for my liking.

Before ...

After ... Not too bad for a first attempt with borrowed shears!

It was a good thing that I didn't cut the back because she LOVED it when my neighbor french-braided her hair!

 In June, Bonner also took her first stab at cosmetology by painting Gigi's nails ... blue!  Only a grandmother will let a 3-year old go at her nails with a bright blue polish!  I must say that she did a really good job for her first attempt; I cannot believe I didn't take a picture of the final look but this will give you a good idea of her prowess!

I guess you could call this little guy...

"Spider-ger" or

"Tig-man"

Like, I say now that he is in to dressing up, he doesn't discriminate against costumes!

End of May

Well, I'm definitely playing catch-up - I am not at all sure where the month of June went but I'm hoping as I look back over some pictures, that I will remember!  I wanted to catch up the blog and capture what the children and I were busy doing since I last posted.  So, here goes ...

 Since Ian and Bonner have a summer birthday, their teacher was sweet enough to do them a pre-summer birthday party in their class.  They shared the day with 2 other children blessed with summer birthdays; here they are sporting their "crowns"!

 And here is Bonner with her teachers, Mrs. Neely & Mrs. Greer, on the last day of school.  Ian was pretty sad to have to tell them good-bye so he wasn't cooperating with a picture :-(

Now that I am single :-(, I am having to find ways to keep myself entertained on the long weekends that I don't have the children.  So, I made a list of the 50 states to figure out which ones I have never visited; hopefully, I can get to all the ones that remain in due time.  So, for the Memorial Day weekend, I chose the state of Rhode Island ... flew into Providence and then drove the 45 minutes south to the little ocean town of Newport.  It was fantastic!  A girlfriend of mine joined me and we were pleasantly surprised!  There are mansions built by the richest of the rich at one point all along the "Cliff Walk" (which we completed)!

 This is us looking back at the part of the Cliff Walk we had just taken!

 It was treacherous at points; but beautiful all around!

 We visited the beach one day and then finished off the afternoon on the lawn on the Castle Hill Inn - spectacular views... the sailboat in the water is the biggest sailboat I have ever seen!

 Dinner that night at the Candy Store restaurant was a stuffed lobster - it was superbly delicious!

 Bonner fell one day and busted her lip pretty good ... here she is showing it off!

And Ian has finally joined in the dressing up activities Bonner has enjoyed for so long!  Not sure if this is Buzz Mouse or Mickey Lightyear :-)

Bonner "singing" ...

This is actually Bonner operating the Flip camera while Ian tells his story... I just had to post it!