NEVER FORGET

Today we honor those who have given their all for our freedom. We are only the home of the free because of the BRAVE!! We will NEVER FORGET and we will ALWAYS HONOR!! Many blessings on this Memorial Day!

A Richmond Honoring

It's the perfect start to a Memorial Day weekend honoring Paul. Yesterday we were in Richmond to help honor him and all those who have given their lives from the state of Virginia for our freedom. It was super hot as we sat in front of the capital building and they read the names of our American Heroes. They played Taps, they sang, we prayed and then they had a fly over. As I've said before, it doesn't get old honoring him. He truly deserves each and every thing we Americans do to honor and remember. Oh and did I mention that it was so hot while we stood out there? My brother, one of the twins, decided to make it a memorable Dumont production and passed out just as the Governor was about to give his speech. The medic came, they took him away, and gave him an IV. We know Paul was laughing about that. He would have been proud!

Army Old Guard

One of our friends, John Parks, is part of the Army Old Guard. He was playing in Colonial Williamsburg on Saturday and since we did the 8k that morning we decided to stay to watch and support him. His brother is also apart of the Old Guard with him and it's no easy feat by the way to get into this. It's such a neat thing to see. If you live anywhere near here you should really come out and watch them. A-Mazing!! Congrats John on your performance and on becoming part of the United States Army!!

"That" time.

We are coming upon "THAT" time. The time that leads from Memorial Weekend into his 2 year anniversary, followed by the 2 mark and then ends with his birthday. A time that is hard on all of us. After Memorial weekend we have a gap before the others all fall back to back. These two time frames are "his" days. I like to do nothing else but honor him, even though I try and do this every single day. He deserves it and it's my honor to do so.

Memorial Day Weekend is a little different now. Ok, I take that back. It's ALOT different. It used to be the kick off to summer. The schools let out and vacations started. We were once there, like so many families in America. NOW, not so much. It has a whole new meaning and I wish I would have been aware of this sooner but I wasn't. The point is that now I do and it's not the same anymore. No happy kick off to the summer going on here. Rather, it's looked upon as a time that numerous Gold Star Families and I are doing the same thing. We are honoring those who have been killed in war. Memorial Weekend is now Paul's weekend and I look forward to it. It means that the entire nation is remembering. I know that not everyone is actually thinking about those who have been killed, but there are so many who are. And even if its just for one day, it means that it's not just my family and I mourning his loss. Thousands upon thousands will be at Arlington on Memorial Day. It's a zoo I tell ya, but it's so worth it. To see all these people honoring and remembering makes me so happy. To know that we are all there for the same reason. To NEVER FORGET! These were all men and women with families and stories. They had lives, they had jobs, they had kids, wives and husbands. No one ever wants their loved one to be forgotten and it feels so good to know that for just a day the nation is recognizing all of them. I love that part of it.

I mourn Paul's loss each and every day. It will be two years on Aug. 19. Two whole years without my brother in my life. How can that be? How could I have made it without him and how am I making it still? He played such an important role in our family. He was the comedian and we thrived off of that. He was the glue that bonded the older children to the younger ones. His jokes had us rolling on the floor with laughter. He was never serious and always lit up the room with his smile. Everyone knew that when Paul came over it was ALL over... for real! Our family is different. Growing up, it was just our family. No cousins coming over, no grandparents stopping by and no aunts and uncles. It was always US. Our "little" family of 6 that went to 8 and then finally to 9. It was our norm. Each one of us played some kind of part in the Dumont household. We feel his void at every BBQ, family gathering, and with each and every holiday. We miss it and we miss him. Not a day goes by that I'm not thinking about him. And I'm not saying that a thought just goes through my head. I'm saying that I think of him for minutes on end, numerous times throughout the day. It's impacted my life and it's changed who I am and who I have become. I'm not the same person nor will I ever be. At times it really is the promise of the Lord that gets me through. That promise of knowing that I will be reunited with him. It's a day that I eventually look forward to and will welcome with open arms. I know that he is safe, happy and in the arms of our Savior. It doesn't take away my pain or the suffering I am feeling, but it does make it a tad bit easier knowing that when this life is over I'll spend an eternity with him.

So on this Memorial Day remember those who have given their lives for our freedom, the families they left behind and the blessings we have by living in this country. For we are the land of the FREE only because of those who were and are BRAVE!!

.simple.

My kids. Simple life.

the beach, the sun... feel the love

We love the beach. Every single one of us. And, I'm excited it's summer time. That's all that needs to be said.

into the air

I have a daughter who loves to swing. She could swing all day long if I pushed her. But, I don't feel like doing that nor do I have the time. However, I push her on the swings about every single day. I don't know what it is. Maybe the wind in her hair or the breeze on her toes. It could also be that nauseous feeling you get after about 5 min of swinging high. I'm done after that feeling. I guess it doesn't seem to bother her. She even loves the big swings at Busch Gardens. This girl is nuts but it's the simple things she loves that make me adore her. Little Miss Kenna Beans.

My kids

My kids aren't angels and as a matter of fact they are far from that. However, they are my kids and I love them. I have my days of utter frustration, when they cut each others hair, dump sugar all over the floor, call 911 ( on accident) and the list could go on. They have their good moments too. The ones that just make me die of laughter, the "I love you's", the hugs and kisses, and getting along. They can put a smile on my face just as fast as they can get me to yell at them. They are spontaneous, lovable, fun, silly, hyper, and crazy. Not sure where that comes from! I'm proud they are my children and I'm honored to be their mother. My life is complete with them. All I ever wanted was to have children and a family. Well, now I have a fantastic husband and three adorable kids who are the light of my life. I love em to pieces... even on the bad days.

The other day I took them out to Yorktown and took a few pics. Nothing fancy. Just a moment of our lives. My sister and her husband met us since it's in their neck of the woods. We had fun. We froze for a few minutes even though you can't tell too much.