Houston . . . We have a Problem!

Monday, January 1, 2018

Losing my Dad ...

11:38 AM

On Christmas morning my dad had a massive stroke and passed away peacefully in his sleep surrounded by love on December 29th.

It feels like half of me is missing. There are no adequate words to describe the emptiness, the pain, the absolute heartbreak. I don’t even know how to live in a world without my dad. I thought for a moment I was out of tears, but they continue to fall and fall and fall. At times it’s hard to breathe, and my body aches to hug him one more time. I am broken. How do I go on without half of my heart?

Being ever stubborn, he did not want a funeral or any fuss over him. To respect his request, we will have a tree of life dedication and dinner for family only on January 13th.

Following our private family time we will have a Celebration of Life at Volcano Sports Bar and Grill at 5:00 pm where we will have a drink, toast his wonderful life, and of course, play a few rounds of shuffleboard in his honor.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to Camp Sweeney. Dad loved watching Nate and his shenanigans at diabetes camp last summer so much. We would be so honored to be able to send another boy or girl to camp this summer in my dad’s name.

Jeri Williams, David Williams, myself, and the entire Williams family thank you so much for the outpouring of love and support. Please continue to share pictures and stories amongst yourselves and with us. Please say his name out loud and remember him often, let his memory bring a smile to your heart.

Donations to Camp Sweeney:
https://www.campsweeney.org/sponsor-a-camper/

Volcano Sports Bar and Grill
129 E. Hardwood Rd.
Hurst, TX 76054

And now, the end is near
And so I face the final curtain
My friend, I'll say it clear
I'll state my case, of which I'm certain

I've lived a life that's full
I've traveled each and every highway
But more, much more than this
I did it my way

Regrets, I've had a few
But then again, too few to mention
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption

I planned each charted course
Each careful step along the byway
And more, much more than this
I did it my way

Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew
But through it all, when there was doubt
I ate it up and spit it out
I faced it all, and I stood tall
And did it my way

I've loved, I've laughed and cried
I've had my fill my share of losing
And now, as tears subside
I find it all so amusing

To think I did all that
And may I say - not in a shy way
Oh no, oh no, not me
I did it my way

For what is a man, what has he got
If not himself, then he has naught
To say the things he truly feels
And not the words of one who kneels

The record shows I took the blows
And did it my way

Yes, it was my way

-Frank Sinatra (and Bobby Don Williams

😉)

Labels:Dad,death,grief | 0 comments

Saturday, November 18, 2017

Camp Sweeney - Father/Son Camp Out

12:13 AM

Nate has a father/son camp out at Camp Sweeney this weekend and he wanted both of his dads to go with him. We co-parent well but a campout?? In a tent

⛺️!!!

When asked, they both responded the same way without hesitation - “Whatever the kids want to do. It’s all about them. I don’t mind at all.”

Families come in all different shapes and sizes - ours looks different than yours but these kids are so adored and so loved!

♥️

I’ve wanted to murder these 2 men on so many occasions (#Chili) but I’m so proud of them and so thankful that these children have both of them in their lives. Ian Ivory is the best bonus dad ever in the history of ever!

🏆

*Siblings were invited & Sophie was the only one that wanted to go with them.

#CampSweeney #T1DLooksLikeMe #BlendedFamily

Labels:Blended Family,Camp Sweeney,Family,Father,Son | 0 comments

Friday, July 21, 2017

Camp Sweeney - July 21, 2017 - Pick Up Day

2:31 PM

I don't even think y'all are ready for these pictures. I wasn't even close to being ready for the emotion of it all. Nate was a wreck when we got there. I couldn't even hold him up he was crying so hard. Oh. My. Word. All of the feels in the world!

It was so hard for him to say goodbye to Camp Sweeney and all of the beloved friends that he made there. There are no age or gender barriers --- it's truly like one huge family. Some of the best fiends he made were boys that were several years older.

His big brother, Austin is amazing!! Nate had such a hard time leaving him. I'm so, so, so thankful for Austin and all of the counselors and Med Staff in Brown cabin. What a wonderful group of people!

Nate said his goodbyes and was excited to stop for some Cane's chicken and love on Tink!!!

❤️

🐶

We picked him up around 10a and he still hasn't stopped talking about camp. He also hasn't asked for any of his electronic devices! What? Weird.

He's now happily playing with his bestie, Jacob who decided he is definitely going to camp with Nate next year as a nonnie (non-T1 person).

I'm so happy to have him home but I'm also a bit sad that he's so heartbroken. The bond they have is more than I can describe and although I've always known he would go to Sweeney at some point, I now know w all of my heart it's the best thing I've ever done for him. #CampSweeney #PFC

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Thursday, July 20, 2017

Camp Sweeney - July 20, 2017

11:51 PM

At this time tomorrow we will be on our way to pick up #SuperNate. I could hardly sleep last night, I don't know how I'll ever get to sleep tonight. I'm so excited to see my boy!

I spoke w one of the directors at camp yesterday and he had the most amazing and positive things to say about Nate. "Nate has completely embraced camp life, he's a pure joy to be around, he's been an amazing encourager to all of the boys in his cabin, a positive influence on everyone, and he loves to make everyone laugh!"

I'm so proud of him!! I did laugh when the director apologized for Nate's attire. He said they just let him do his thing and laugh because his shirt is always backward! I had to tell him that was totally Nate's jam! He's been wearing his clothes backward for years. He's such a nut!

The weeks have gone by pretty fast and I know they've flown by for Nate at camp! I am a bit worried that he's not going to want to come home tomorrow. I'm preparing myself for him wanting to stay! I may even take an extra bathing suit with me in case he doesn't want to come home. No one wants him running around in that shark suit anymore!!

The next 24 hours may be the longest yet!!

I went through his mentor's cabin pics last night and found a few pics of Nate I've missed over the weeks. Also, a few were added overnight of their final campfire from last night!

❤️

🔥

🏕

#CampSweeney #PFC Camp Sweeney

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Camp Sweeney - July 20, 2017

12:33 AM

Watching the final awards ceremony for Camp Sweeney Session 2 and browsing their SmugMug account for pics of Nate . . .

And #SuperNate got another award!! The BIG PLAY EVERY DAY in football!

🏆

🏈 - I bet he is SO STOKED! I know I am!

We got a post card today from Nate! #Winning So cute! I did learn that he got a snow cone in exchange for writing home so that sounds about right! He does love snow cones!

😂

I'm really emotional watching this live feed. I know --- shocking! Thank you all for commenting and supporting my journey of letting go and letting my my baby fly. It has been so difficult letting go but so rewarding watching him spread his baby wings! Diabetes is truly so hard - it is something the entire family lives with but only Nate feels the highs, lows and true burden. I am thrilled that there is a #CampSweeney for Nate and all of these kids to create such strong and amazing bonds!

I am thankful to Ian Ivory for really encouraging me to send Nate to camp! And I am of course, so proud of Nate for taking the leap and going! He really is the bravest little boy that I know!

1 more sleep and he is home!