Nina decided that she wanted to try karate so I found a class that was given in 6 week increments. it lasted two sessions before she got bored with it. It was cute while it lasted. Here are a few pics. The first few were from the first day, before she received her uniform. The last one was when she earned her yellow belt, white stripe.
I swore she had enough clothes and I wouldn’t buy anything more for picture day… and then I went shopping. What had happened was, the new clothes I had purchased at the consignment sale were too warm, so I HAD to go shopping… right? right?
The topic of this post literally changed our lives forever. The title explains how we felt… there were no words to explain how we felt. I am not trying to be overly dramatic, just honest. Most of my posts are very upbeat and fun – this one is not.
In January 2014, Jerry noticed that his hands had become extremely weak – especially his left hand. He couldn’t even clip his nails. Considering his knee replacement surgery was coming up that next week, he put this issue on the backburner until after he recovered from that. Fast forward to March, which is when he started making appointments to figure out what was going on with his hands. There were some other things going on, but he thought they had to do with his disc issues in his neck. I had noticed some things, but I attributed them to the surgery he had for his tremors. We were both wrong.
After five months of appointments and painful tests, he received a diagnosis of ALS. We told a few family members. We were given a LOT of information and didn’t know where to start. I have never had so many emotions all at once. Sadness, fear, confusion, determination….
What was so surreal was that this happened right in the middle of the Ice Bucket Challenge. This thing that had taken the internet, social media and the news by storm was now part of our story. Jerry, Mary and Justin did the Ice Bucket Challenge that weekend.
We didn’t, of course, tell Nina anything. And we won’t until we have to. We want her childhood to be innocent and carefree for as long as possible.
If you are not familiar with what ALS is, please take a moment to search it on the internet. Please pray for our family and pray that a cure or viable treatment to render it no longer terminal comes very soon. Would it be a miracle? Yes – but I believe in miracles…
First Day of Kindergarten – We couldn’t believe this day came so quickly. What happened to our little baby?!?!?!? On orientation day we had to decide if she would ride the school bus. At first I was hesitant but, after talking to a few people, I felt better about it. Jerry, surprisingly, did not want his baby on that school bus. Usually I am the more protective one, so this I did not expect. Anywho, after talking to a few parents and school staff, he felt better and said okay. So, school bus in the morning and daycare bus in the afternoon. Nina was super excited about riding the bus to big school.
Waiting for the school bus. Perfect time for silly selfies!
Off she goes….
She was all smiles! And I didn’t cry! I was actually excited for her and couldn’t wait to hear about her first day.
The same weekend of my class reunion, my cousin (Bronzjuan Worthy) had her debut as stage manager at the Hattiloo Theater. This was also the theater’s first performance at their new venue on Overton Square. Loved the play AND the venue!
We made it a girl’s outing
~The stars of the show~
and the rest of the cast…
Introducing Miss Stage Manager! (and her mom – hee hee)
Where does the time go? It’s been 25 years since I graduated high school. Am I really that old?!?!? Hush! No comments from the peanut gallery… Funny - It feels like a lifetime ago and “just like yesterday” all at the same time.
This was t the Friday night mixer. Besides catching up with old classmates, I had to show Jerry my skills on the pool table (pic not available). 
Saturday Picnic (Nina and I had to leave early…before any food was served.)
We had barbecued ribs with all the fixin’s and hung out at the house. Franklin was very happy with his treat.
Then we went to see fireworks at Lilburn Park – It was great!!!! This was Nina’s first fireworks show and she loved it. Although she looks a little afraid in the pic below, by the end, she was relaxing in her chair and sipping on a slushy. We’re thinking this might be an annual event.
Fun pictures from playing in the backyard…
Franklin’s favorite game in the world – fetch the ball.
Sprinkler time!!
