Kevin

Last week I wrote about my new car. Today I'm writing about my son. Friday night Kevin was driving Josh to his friends and on the way home he flipped my new car into a bunch of palmetto bushes. You might think I would be writing about my poor car that I only had for 2 weeks but that's not what I'm going to write about. I'm going to write about the many blessings I have in my life and one of those is Kevin.
When Kevin was little he was the middle child and I tried so hard to make sure he didn't grow up with the middle child syndrome. I told him that the other day and he said I failed.
Kevin is one of those children that some mothers can only dream of having. He knows what is right and tries so hard to follow his Heavenly Father. He wants to help those that can't help themselves but believes those that can help themselves need to. Lately he has been struggling to find the profession he will love to do for the rest of his life but that will also support his family. A profession that will help others and that he can feel good about what he's doing.
I only get to spend about three months a year with him but I cherish all of that time with him. I know at times he can be a little too concerned with life and what's happening with the world around him and I still worry about him but in the long run I know he will be fine.
This is the second time Kevin has been in a car accident that could have taken his life but I know there is a reason the Lord has spared him again. He is a choice spirit and the Lord has more in store for him, he isn't finished with what he needs to do here on earth.
I no longer have a car and I will need to get another one but no car, house or material thing would ever mean more to me than any of my sons.

I did forget to add pictures of my new car but I do have pictures now...

Hello

I've got a new car, I was going to take a picture and post it but keep forgetting. It's a small Hyundai Accent that's charcoal. The gas mileage is better than the convertible and has more trunk space. Josh has referred to it as my "clown car" but he will be able to drive in April, let's see if he wants to drive my clown car or no car at all.
I really don't have a lot to talk about. I've been really busy with work and really busy with school.
If anyone has any hints for writing a good brief...let me know. It's more difficult than I thought it would be because I look at a case and think the obvious but then my Professor tears it apart and I think...I would never have thought that...I guess that's why I'm not a lawyer...YIKES!!!
Love you all,
Mom

Valentine's Day

I know this is suppose to be a positive blog about what I'm up to but tomorrow is Valentine's Day and it hurts. It makes me remember so many things and especially my married life.
There was so much about my relationship that I didn't know about and now that I do I wonder why I didn't see it all before. Why dates and events were so hard to remember now I know it was because they weren't as important as they were to me. Why some in laws treated me the way that they did was because they were told things about me that were negative when I didn't even realize there was something wrong. Why when I begged for my family not to be torn apart that it didn't matter and that it was ripped by the seams because it didn't mean anything to one and everything to me. Well, 26 years ago I met someone that changed my life forever and when I said "I do" 25 years ago that it would never be the same again but that I would be given four sons that mean the world to me and I wonder if that was all I was suppose to get from that relationship.
It still hurts and the tears still flow when I think about it all but it is getting easier to get up in the morning and get ready and go to work. To come home and make dinner and spend time with Josh and do homework or go to class and then go to bed and sometimes on really good days I may not even remember him. I can now go several days without shedding tears and I think that I'm getting stronger.
In the last year and a half since the divorce I have advanced in my career, graduated from college with my Bachelor's Degree and have been accepted and I am in graduate school working on my Master's Degree. I'm not saying things are perfect but I feel like I'm walking with my head a little higher and think more of myself than I have in many years. I'm beginning to feel I'm really worth something.
Sorry if this blog has been a downer and no boys I'm not changing it this time because I don't think anyone ever reads them and this is for me.

Sarasota

I have never been to Sarasota Florida until this weekend. I needed a vacation to get away and thought Sarasota sounded like a place to go. Wow, I was surprised by the history that is found on the gulf coast.
The first place I went to visit was the John and Mable Ringling mansion. It was spectacular. I went inside and it's just one of those places you need to visit for yourself.
This is a picture of the outside of the mansion:

I also went across the causeway to see the part of town that John Ringling developed. He planned the entire subdivision. It had a center and then was divided into housing and commercial. It was a nice plan but because of the war and depression there was no money left to develop the area. In later years Ringling's plans were finally developed and it is now a booming part of Longboat Bay.
One of the most amazing sites I saw was a statute called, "Unconditional Surrender". It was taken from a portrait that was taken in New York's Time Square at the end of WWII. It was about 30 feet tall and was breathtaking and made me feel thankful again for all those that gave up so much for our freedom.
It started raining on Saturday so I didn't get to see a lot of the beach but I did get a couple of pictures of people still running and walking along the beach.
As I was driving around I noticed a long line into a little cafe called "Blue Dolphin Cafe" so of course I drove around the block and came back to see what was going on. I was able to get in and sit at the counter and ordered a seafood omlette. Yummy! it had crab, shrimp, Monterrey jack cheese, spinach and onions. It was delicious and it also came with an English muffin, fruit and home fries. I couldn't eat it all but I do recommend this place for breakfast or lunch.
Well, as you can see I tried to relax but I didn't get a lot of homework done.

STRIKE

I love it when I see that flash up on the screen at the bowling alley. Josh and I went bowling this weekend and had a great time. shhh, I won...hehe I can't say it too loud because I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings.
We went bowling and then afterwards we went to Chipolte for dinner. We both love that place and then we went shopping. I went to Penny's and dropped Josh off at Books a Million. It was nice to be able to shop and him look around at the book store so all and all it was a good night.
Today I went to Josh's ward with Kevin so I could hear Josh give his talk. He did a great job on his talk, I was very impressed. We then went to that's ward Sunday school class and then home.
Now, I'm procrastinating because I don't want to do homework. I guess I need to close this blog and get to homework because I can't tell Josh to do his homework and I don't do mine.

Hello Sunday

Hello,
I couldn't think of anything clever to title this page so I welcomed Sunday. This is the day that I write on this blog because Kevin encouraged me to write every Sunday. The only problem is that I can't of think of things to write every Sunday.
I thought a lot about Matt today. I'm so proud of him for going on a mission and when I read his letters it makes my heart swell with pride. I'm proud of all of my sons they all have their own personalities and have all accomplished so much in their lives that they all make me proud to be their mother.
I'm busy doing homework tonight. It gets more difficult but I keep thinking one day this will all end and I won't know what to do with all the extra time.
That's about all I can think of writing tonight. I still have a lot of homework left so I will go ahead and end this and get back to work.
Goodnight!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

A Year ago, January 18, 2010 I was in Gallopolis Ohio. We sat in the waiting room as my beautiful daughter-in-law gave birth to my first grandchild, Carson Andrew Orton. My son Caleb was having a son. It's strange about what goes through your mind sitting there waiting. I remember the day Caleb was born, the morning my water broke at 4:00 am and making my way to the hospital and then forward 23 years my son and daughter-in-law are here starting their own family. We finally go into the room and there he is...Carson. Mom and dad look so tired but what a beautiful sight they are.

The Orton Family Caleb, Alicia and Carson January 18, 2010

Wow, a year later that little baby boy has grown up and now he's "1". Time has flown by and there's no way to slow it down. So we need to cherish every moment because just as his daddy grew up to be a man so will this little guy.


Happy Birthday Carson!



Love,
Grandma

School Starts Again

I wasn't sure what to write about this week. It seemed like just a normal week of work nothing really exciting. It was the first full week of working with Kevin and that was nice. I know he's my son but he is so smart.
This week school begins again. I will be taking Land Use and Planning Law and Economic Development. I'm nervous about the law class because I get a little confused when reading state statutes. I know it's part of the job so hopefully this class will help without confusing me any more.
Something very sad happened to Josh this weekend...the tv started smoking. Kevin unplugged it and had to open the doors to let the smoke out it was so bad. Josh seems a bit sad about it all and keeps asking when we will buy a new one. I think I'm enjoying the quiet and it may take a little while to save up enough money to buy a new one. Depending on how much gets done from him it may take several months.
Well, that's about it for this week. Talk to you all next week.
GO SEAHAWKS!!!

Happy New Year

Here we are in 2011. What will the new year hold for all of us? I found out some news that has taken a weight off my shoulders that has been there for the last five years. I wanted someone to believe me for so long yet he was blinded by what the world told him and left. I now feel vindicated that I can finally hold my head up high and know that I was right.
This year will begin fresh and new. My goals will focus on me and my family. I want to leave behind the old me and find the new me with more smiles and laughter in my life. I want to be remembered as someone that always smiles and laughs. Someone that focuses on the good and positive. That is one of my goals for the new year. How will I be remembered when I leave this world? I'm not saying I'm going now but if I were to have an accident or something were to happen and left what would people say about me? Will I be remembered as being bitter and sad? I don't want to be remembered like that, so one of my goals will be smiles and laughter.
Have I rambled again? Sorry but today I'm filled with hope.