Found a penny!

Dear sweet Joe,

Tonight Uncle Mike and I were taking a walk. You see, while you're spending time with Dad I want to get good and healthy so I can play with you more. Pretty soon you're going to be able to swing a bat just as well as our Sam can so I need to step up my game too! At any rate, we were walking in Buena Vista (your home town) and I looked down and there was a lucky penny just sitting on the ground! It made me think of the penny you picked up while we were walking around the National Mall in Washington D.C. just a few days ago. You held on to that penny good and tight. You might have dropped it a few times...but sneaky Momma "found" you some new ones in my purse so you wouldn't be sad. Oh Joseph... I love you with all of my heart, darling. This time away from you sure makes me sad. I love you. I promise to do my best for you and your brother while you're away.

Always and Forever,
Momma

Dear Sweet Joey,

I sure had fun in your classroom today with the Sulphur Creek animals! You were very sweet. One day I hope you know that I'm tough on you right now because I love you. Whenever I have to leave you and you cry, it breaks my heart. The RIGHT thing to do is give you a quick hug and kiss and then leave...but you need to know that once I DO leave, I cry too. It's not fair what your father has done to our lives and I worry that you are upset because he's not with us anymore. You were always such a good boy going to school and then Dad came with Kim for the weekend and now you will not let me out of your sight. You cry when I drop you off. You cry when it's time for bed. Do you know what that means? It means that Momma cries when I drop you off. And momma cries at bedtime. I love you, darling. We'll get through this together. I promise.

Love,
Momma