We have ADDI*TUDE!

I'm not sure if you've heard this before, but I work with unbelievable friends.  Today we had our 5th grade Science STAAR test and my team called me into one of their classrooms.  My whole team (all five of us) were in there and Kathy pulled out these pink shirts.  They said "Got Addi*tude?" and underneath it says, "Always Remembered.  Forever cherished."  ...and of course they are PINK!  It brought tears to my eyes thinking about my precious little girl and her Addi*tude.

At Addi's funeral our pastor, Greg Poore, gave an amazing sermon about Addison and he challenged everyone to live with "Addi"tude.  Many people who were at the service have told me that the message he gave, especially the phrase "living with "Addi"tude" has really stuck with them.  She was such a sweet, little girl who was also such a strong fighter.  For half of her short life, she proved to everyone how tough she really was!  I hope that everyone tries to live their life with Addi*tude!

My 5th Grade Team with our Addi*tude shirts!

I found this picture of us from a couple of years ago on my computer at school....much better than ugly sweaters!

Back at Work

Today I went back to school to begin a second "new normal". It was good to be back and my kids were so excited to see me. Some ran down the hall to hug me and I heard LOTS of stories about things that happened while I was gone.It really warmed my heart!

I know I've said it before, but I really do teach at the most wonderful school! Everyone has been so supportive and loving. It made it really easy to get back into the swing of things. The group of ladies I teach with are more than just co-workers, they are like family. Kathy and Larissa have been with me from the beginning. They both mean so much to us!

Here's a picture of the three of us... It's our "ugly Christmas sweater day." I couldn't find another picture of us!! Haha...I'm sure they'll appreciate that!

One Year

One year ago today, our precious son went to Heaven.  It is crazy how time works....it seems like just yesterday that everything happened, but it seems like Cade has been gone forever.  I thank God every day for giving him to us and all of the memories that we cherish.  Children bring so much joy to our lives and I am so blessed that we are still able to smile about ALL of the joy that he brought to ours.

I miss so many things about my sweet boy.  I miss his little hands and how he would touch my face at night before I kissed him goodnight.  I miss hearing those sweet four words coming from his lips, "I love you Mom."  I miss hearing him and Darrell wrestling on our bed and his silly laugh saying, "I got you Dad."  I miss watching him with his sister and how he would just look at her with so much love in his eyes.  I miss him saying, "Mom, can we go look at the cars for just one minute?" EVERY time we went to Target.  I miss our jam sessions in the car and him talking trash about how his daddy can't jam.  I miss our story time at night and how he would say "the end" as we finished up our book.  I miss the noise in our house of monster trucks rolling across the floor, towers tumbling to the ground, and sword fights with his friends.  Most of all I simply miss HIM and just knowing that he is here.

There are also so many things that I love.  I love that if he can't be here, he is in the most amazing place with the person who loves him most in the world.  I love that he is absolutely perfect and never has to worry, fear, or hurt.  I love that he knew Jesus before he even got to Heaven and that he got to meet Moses (he sure did talk about him a lot when he was here).  I love that for his first anniversary being in Heaven, that he got the best gift a big brother could ask for...his little sister being with him!  I love that he knows how much he is loved by so many people and that his Mommy and Daddy love him right up to the moon and back!

Today is a bitter sweet day.  We miss Cade more than anything, but how happy we are knowing that he is with his Lord and Savior having more fun than we can possibly imagine! 

Our Sweet Corey

When we found out that Addi needed a heart transplant our world was turned upside down. I didn't know how we were going to get through all of this. We met Corey a couple months later. She WAS Addi's transplant coordinator, but she is NOW like family. Darrell and I loved her from the moment we met her. She made us feel as comfortable as possible considering what we were going through. She has been right by our side for everything. And the most wonderful thing about her is that she loved Addi. What more can parents ask for!?!?

Addi loved Corey, even though poor Corey had to work for it. She was not crazy about nurses, so Corey had a tough job. But, she figured it out. Each time we were in the hospital, she would come and check on us and play with Addi.

Because of her, being at Texas Children's was a little easier. She is such an amazing person and friend. We are truly blessed and so grateful that God put her in our lives.

We love you Corey!!

Happy Easter

Easter is a bitter sweet day for our family. Darrell and I never experienced an Easter with both of our children. This year is even more bitter sweet with the loss of our precious Addi. However, Cade and Addi are celebrating their first Easter together! I can't think of a more wonderful place than Heaven to celebrate.

We miss both of them SO much, and we know they are having the best Easter ever with their Heavenly Father!

Happy Easter Caderader and Addibelle!!

More than Words

The past couple of weeks have been such an emotional time for us. Darrell and I can't say thank you enough to ALL of the prayers, thoughts, emails, texts, cards, and everything. We are truly blessed to have such an amazing group of family and friends, and even people we haven't met. The funeral was amazing and proved that we are allowed to feel the way we feel. God loves us know matter what.

Like I said before, we are heartbroken with loss of our sweet Addi. We now have to find a new normal for the second time. It's been six years since we've been without children. This is going to be difficult since our precious children were our life. We started our day with them and ended it with them. The happiness that Cade and Addi brought to our family can't be described in words.

I know that God has special for the two of us. For now, we'll take it one day at a time knowing that He is with us to carry us through!