Just thinking

It's almost hunting season!  No!  I do NOT hunt, but Chad loved it.  This was probably his favorite time of year.  It makes me miss him even more just thinking I won't hear him ask me to wash his hunting clothes in this special soap that takes all scents away and reminding me at least 10 times not to forget to not use the Downy.  LOL!  I just have laugh when I remember those conversations.  I will sure miss that.  While there is a obviously the fact that I wouldn't have been the one washing them this time since he is married, I still have to laugh because I'm certain he and Katie would have been having the same conversation.  I still have that "special soap" in my laundry room and it's in the cabinet I keep my soap in and I always (even now) have to smile a little smile when I see it and remember those conversations.  Also, this weekend is Bikes, Blues, and BBQ weekend in Fayetteville, AR and he always enjoyed that.  Since he got his bike it was a right of passage to attend.  Obviously with the Marine Corps he wasn't able to attend, but once with his bike except one leave visit he happen to be here that weekend and he went down a couple of days.  I've thought about that a lot this week too.  Then knowing we will be in Memphis this weekend to talk about the foundation we started in his memory (while exciting) breaks my heart.  I would much rather be doing this in honor of Chad rather than in memory of.  :(  I know he would be so proud and probably be like, mom, you don't have to use my name.  He never wanted the attention.  Well, he isn't here now to fuss at me so guess what?  I use his name all the time!  LOL!  Sometimes I will reflect on what is going on and how much we are talking about him to so many people and I swear I can see him roll his eyes at me and shake that little head.  Ha!  I miss that baby boy. 
Yesterday I went to the cemetery and was really hoping they were completely done with all the headstone stabilization, but they were still working on his section.  One of the workers there was talking to me and turns out that the run off from the other side runs under the street and keeps Chad's side very wet and it's been quite the challenge.  At least now I know why 2 weeks has turned into 3 months.  He won't be the shortest anymore :( but it will be nice to have everything uniformed like it should be.  Those guys work their tails off over there.  I'm never there that they aren't working unless it's a weekend.  They are certainly the hardest working cemetery I've ever seen.  You just know they are proud of what they are doing and they are so respectful that it truly makes it easier to visit. 
Please keep Tebo and I in your thoughts and prayers as we do this interview tomorrow morning.  I'm terrified, but having Tebo there and my sister, Dawn, is going to meet us there for support will certainly help.  I'm sure things will go great, I just worry about the filter missing between my head and my mouth.  Ha! 
Here is the progress they are making.  The first picture is from what would have been his 2nd wedding anniversary and it looks like lots of people were thinking about him a little extra besides momma.  The second picture was from yesterday.  I wanted to make sure even with the work going on that there was a little something to celebrate the almost start of hunting season and Fall for him.  :)  The third picture is our "Chad" tree starting to change colors for Fall.  I can't wait to see how it looks when it completely changes. 

2nd Anniversary 9-18-11

Fall 2011 (Almost hunting season)

Our "Chad" tree changing colors Fall 2011