We were a normal family who spent time together as a family, family gatherings and vacation and so on. Our family was very important to us, we lived for our children. We are very proud of our kids who they where and who they had become. We have two children Leanda that was 22 years old when she was killed and a son Billy whom is 21years old.

     Like I said we had a normal family Leanda was in dance when she was 5yrs old until she was 8yrs then she was in softball until she was 12yrs old she loved her animals she had rabbits, dogs, cats, hamsters, guinea pigs, pot belly pigs, birds, and she especially loved horses. Leanda would carry water to the barn in freezing weather, and never complained about it. Billy was also in baseball at the same time so they would practice together all the time. We would run from one ball field to another to watch both of them play it was very tiresome but well worth it.  Both the kids done very well in school Leanda always talk to much but she brought home A's and B's and Billy was an A-B student also They were both well mannered and polite what more could you ask for in your children. We had our family traditions like going out on Christmas Eve and looking for Santa and while we where out he would have came to the house. There was one year Billy was on the CB asking the truckers if they seen Santa. Easter egg hunts and coloring eggs, going out trick or treating, family dinners at our house school parties, one year we had a Halloween party and I said I would not do it again slumber parties, pool parties and so on.

    We had our fun times when they got older they were times I would play tricks on Leanda like one year I believe it was her freshman year at the first day at school I told her it was to be cold even a chance of snow, she should dress warmly so she wore a sweater to school and it was to be about 80 that day all her friend asked her why she had a sweater on and she told them her mom said it was going to snow this was in August they just laughed and she was hotter then you could imagine when she got home, I just laughed. You could tell her the sun was going to come up a 3am and she would believe you. When the kids done something and they got in trouble for it but we really didn't know which one did it, so their dad would send them to there room until they would tell us who done it. Well Leanda didn't care because she would go to her room and read a book she loved to read, but Billy he hated it he wanted to be with us watching TV or outside playing. So they would talk back and forth and he would ask her to tell the truth and she would tell him to tell their dad that he did it because he would not get into trouble because he was the baby so he did and he sometimes got in trouble.
 
    Leanda and her friend Tia had there favorite place to set and talk it was on a big rock where they could see our house and Tia’s house, they would make all there plans and talk boy stuff. If only I could have those days back. Those two where like two pea's in a pod, all the way through high school. They went to their Jr. and Sr. prom together with their dates. They shared their cloths and their book they both loved to read. After school they seemed to go there separate ways I really don't know why.

    When Leanda turned 15 and was able to get her drivers license she said she wanted a red Mustang so for Christmas I got her a toy Volkswagen Beetle she said that was not very funny but little did she know it was the keys to her car and put the keys to her car inside it and that year we got Billy a motorcycle so we went out to the garage so the could see what they got because every year we would hide something big that they got someplace else and we told them this year it was in the garage. Well when we walked in you could see Billy's bike as soon as you walked in and Leanda had a long look on her face she didn't see her car I don't know why because it was very red with the top down. When she realized it was there she just about wet her pants. Her and her dad took it for a ride with the top down and it was cold that year. When they came back she had a frozen smile from ear to ear. It seemed like after that time really went fast. Next it was proms and then graduation. Our little girl was growing up fast.

    When she got with Matthew we were not happy but had to stand by our daughter. We knew he was not the one for her but hoped it would pass. Leanda was the one that worked he had every excuse why he could not get a job. So Leanda kept him and we would talk to her about it and I told her that she needed a person that would take care of her and love her not her take care of him, but the more we talked the more she would take up for him. Then the abuse started she would come up with every excuse under the sun why the burses there. When she would go to work most of the time he keep her car and would come and pick her up and would get hateful with her if she was talking to her co-workers while waiting on him, and when he would show up he would tell her to get her f---ing ass in the car. We would hear the 911 called to her house but nothing was ever done even though the burses where there because she was too afraid to say anything. Then she got pregnant, I just cried because I knew he was not for her and he would not be a good dad. I stood by her anyways hoping once she had the baby she would see how he really was. I went to every Dr. Appointment with her after all I was going to be a grandmother and a proud one at that for I knew she was going to be a good mommy.

    When it was time for her to have the baby she wanted her dad and I both in there with her so we were, her dad felt a little strange but that was his baby girl so he stayed. Leanda was so brave for someone that was so wimpy and afraid of shots she done great. The time was getting closer and she looked at me and said mom I think I need that epidural that never even bothered her I was thinking what happened to my wimpy little girl that is afraid of pain? They had to push the baby out the cord was wrapped around her neck, and that was amazing to see the nurse on top of Leanda and pushing little Hailey out. Out she come red hair and beautiful.  Leanda's eye's sparkled she was no longer my little girl she was a young woman and a mom now too I looked at her differently she is all growing up, will she still need me? I knew I would still need her she was my best friend I would talk to her a lot we got a lot closer when she became pregnant with Hailey. We talked everyday about Hailey and work and her going back to school; she wanted the best for Hailey.

    Through the course of the last 13 months there were several 911 calls to Leanda's house for domestic violence 21 calls that we are aware of there were warrants on Matthew but they would never seem to take him in. Leanda was to afraid to tell them the truth of what was going on, but her neighbors said they would go to court and tell the truth as to what was happening and still they would not do anything. So what were we to do? I went to the prosecutor to see if they could help and that was in August of 2003 well nothing was done. What is a parent to do? You can't help your child when they need you the most and know there is a baby involved. I guess no one really knew how bad thing really were. Leanda had a real good friend from work her name was Jessica she stood by her they were pregnant together with there first child. And to this day Jessica still stands by us she is a wonderful person.

    We would just keep talking to Leanda in hopes something would trigger in her mind to do the right thing LEAVE him! The week of Mother's Day we talked a lot and she decided she had to leave so she enrolled in school and asked if we would help her out she was going to give Matthew the car and/or the house so he would leave, we told her we would stand behind her 100%.

    So she had told Matthew she was leaving him gave him back the ring. They fought all week long. Thursday he held her down with a gun to her head so his co-workers said and was going to shoot her then, but talked himself out of it but on Saturday I guess he thought it would be the day. She was holding their 13 month old daughter, how sick could he be? Was he going to shoot the baby to? We will never know!

           We really do know on May 22, 2004 our lives changed forever. It is so hard sitting back and going through our mind what had happened and what could have been for Leanda and Hailey. Leanda was such an amazing person. Hailey was the most important thing in her life, when she went to work she couldn't wait to get home to see her. I watched Hailey when she worked and she would call when she could just to see how she was.

    I can just sit and think of what Leanda would say and do when it came to Hailey now. I guess one of the good things that came out of this is Hailey, she is so much like her mommy it is all most like starting over with her. Hailey's giggle is like Leanda's her smile and her attitude and temper. Leanda loved spending time with her Grandma and so doesn't Hailey. Hailey calls her Grammy.

    Although Leanda will forever be missed she will always be here with us through the eyes and smile of Hailey.

To My Darling Leanda,

            We love you and miss you so very much you and your brother were our life although you are not here where we can hold you we feel your pain of not being here for Hailey. We will love and protect her as you would. Don't worry I do spoil her I just can't seem to tell her "NO".  We see you in the stars; I feel you in the sunlight and in the gentle breeze, so I know deep down in my heart you are with us. We often speak of you to Hailey she will never forget how much her mommy loved and wanted her. You will always be a big part of her life. Your dad is always in pain and his heartaches for you, you are where his little girl and always will be. He blames himself for what has happed but you were too much like him, you wanted to do every thing on your own you never wanted to ask for help. So with all that being said I love you my baby girl and you rest in peace and we will be together soon.

                                      Love,

                                         Dad, Mom,

                                     Billy, and Hailey