The Glad Game

Since my last post was a little serious, I have decided to try a little lighthearted experiment based on the "Glad Game" from a movie I used to love when I was little.  (Does anyone know the movie I'm referring to?  I mean beside Amy & David?)   Basically, if things aren't going well, or even if they are, you think of something you're glad about.  Today I'm glad the sun finally came out & it actually resembles Spring.  And I'm glad about too many other things to mention at this time.  But, I want to hear what you're glad about, too.  Post it here so everyone else can share in it, too. 

Today

Today we have missed another deadline with the Metropolitan Planning Commission which holds the power to approve our property development & allow our plans to go into motion.  I'd like to rant and rave about circumstances out of my control & the frustration I feel toward people who disregard desires of others, even when they're getting paid to do the opposite.  But, it wouldn't change anything except my blood pressure level because I am fully aware that it's really God telling me to wait.  And so that is what I will do.  And I will thank the Lord for a lifetime of reminders in every other maddening circumstance that was out of my control when other people (usually my parents) taught me that God is never caught off guard & is fully aware of and allowing what's happening to happen.  And so I'm sitting here in the "waiting room" writing this to remind myself  & maybe someone else reading this who may be waiting for something that's important to them.  God knows I'm here.

Psalm 52:9 "I will praise thee for ever and ever, because thou hast done it:  and I will wait on thy name;  for it is good before thy saints."

An Easter Egg Hunt & Tiger Woods

Yes, I thought that would get your attention. No, this wasn't a crazy dream I had. It's just another page in our very adventurous & exciting life. And it went like this:

The girls & I just spent a few days visiting my sister, Amy, & her two girls in Greenville, SC. While we were there, we decided to do an Easter egg hunt in a little children's garden in downtown Greenville. It was the perfect little place for it, and there was no one there at the time either. That was probably because it was cloudy & only 50 degrees, but anyway, it was adorable. All the girls had fun searching & finding until they were finally too cold to stay any longer, so we left & went to lunch.

Enter Tiger Woods. Amy & I were sitting at a table in Salsarita's, trying to remain as inconspicuous as possible, which was difficult since we had 5 little girls & Amy is expecting another one in one more month. We were getting lots of smiles & comments as the lunch crowd poured in. And then I noticed at the table diagonally across from us a guy that looked exactly like Tiger Woods. I pointed him out to Amy who totally agreed & suddenly we were obsessed with finding out if it was really him. I must say that I probably would have totally dismissed the thought right away had Amy not told me that Tiger Woods actually owns a home in a golf community near there, so from then on, we were on a mission. We knew our brother would kill us if we saw Tiger Woods & didn't get a picture or an autograph, so Amy & I began immediately to plan our course of action. Amy first went to the restroom & came back to see if she could get a better view of him from the front. This only confirmed her suspicion that it was him. By now, I was starting to wonder if he & the 2 men that he was with were noticing that we were staring at them, but it didn't deter us. I began to look around & wonder if we were the only ones that had recognized him, and it seemed we were. We noted that he was wearing a blue baseball cap, so we tried hard to see if it was a Nike. If it were, we would know it was him.

We began to get worried that our time was running out, so I sent Abby to our truck parked right outside to get my camera. I knew this might raise suspicions, but I had to do it. Finally, Amy took the little ones out & I made my approach. With Abby & Lola in tow, I walked straight up to him & asked as graciously as I could if anyone had ever told him that he looked just like Tiger Woods. He was a little surprised to see me at first, then without saying anything, he just smiled. His friends laughed as well & then I explained that Amy & I were debating on whether it was him, & how we only wanted a picture for our brother, and yadda yadda. Since he had never answered my question, I asked again if it was really "him" & he finally said no, but that people tell him that a lot, and all the while he was still smiling, which made me wonder if he was telling the truth. After that, he agreed to a picture with me so that I could at least try to make David think it was really him.

So, Abby snapped the picture & then we left as soon as we could. When we got in the truck to leave, Amy told me she overheard someone coming out of the restaurant say to another person, "I told you that was really him".

By the way, David wouldn't buy it when we sent the picture. He says he knows Tiger Woods like he is his brother. Yeah, well, Amy & I still say it could've been him, and maybe he just wanted to protect his privacy. We may never know...:)

And The Winner Is...

ABBY!

  We ended our "Win A Date With Mom" contest on Sunday, and although the decision was very difficult, the winner turned out to be Abby.  Here is a little picture of us on our way out the door to Ruby Tuesday.  We had a great "Girls' Night Out" together, laughing & talking.  Stay tuned in the future for a possible rerun of this contest!

There's Only One Lily

Lily turned five almost a week ago & I am just now finding time to post about it.  She had a little party with her friends on Monday, then on Wednesday, sandwiched in between days of someone being sick at our house, she had her birthday. 

The past five years with Lily have been nothing but fun.  She is an extremely creative, helpful, funny, smart, & sweet little girl.  For her birthday this year, she asked for her own cleaning supplies.  Did I mention she is a gem?  If ever Lily disappears for a few minutes, I know she is either at the craft table creating something, or she is somewhere cleaning something.  From this description, you may think she's a little Domestic Diva in training, but let me assure you, she has announced for some time now that she plans to become a doctor when she grows up.  She reminds me of this every time we drive by our pediatrician's office as she announces "There's where I'm going to work when I grow up!"  She has informed me that she does not want to get married OR have children when she grows up.  I don't take offense to this.   I remember saying the same thing.  As a matter of fact, the last time I said it, Dave told me to snap out of it & get busy making dinner.  (Just kidding :) ).

I consider it a personal favor from the Lord that He chose me to be Lily's mother. In fact, I feel the same about all my children.  But, there really is only one Lily.  And now she's five. 

Ignorance is Bliss.  :)

This is a phrase that is sure to get a little laugh from Amy & David and my parents, as it is one we came to use often on each other when we were growing up at home & wanted to take a "jab" at someone in the family for being a little clueless.  But for the past couple of days, it's had a little different meaning to me, but one that still makes me want to smile when I think of it.  And so I thought I'd share it with you.

On Sunday, a man gave his testimony in our Sunday School class.  He and his wife have been coming to our church for several months now, but not many of us in the class have taken the time to get to know them well up until now.  His story was very interesting, as he told how his family was religious when he was growing up, but not sincerely Christian.  Then, when he was older, he made the choice to reject religion & try to become an atheist.  During that time, he humorously described how he sought peace in philosophies and art and music.  He further explained how he had developed an utter disdain for Christians & truly considered Christian people to be ignorant.  He said that he, like so many others in the world, viewed Christians as simple-minded & weak, always in need of something to hold onto.  He went on to tell of how he embraced drugs & alcohol, living for himself and living for the moment.  Then, finally, through unique circumstances, met Christ, who had all long, been waiting for him.

As I listened, God brought to my mind those familiar three little words.  Ignorance is bliss.  And I thought to myself how ignorant I really am!  If I had met this guy on the street a few years ago, before he met Christ, he would've thought I was ignorant!  It's a hilarious thought that just makes me want to praise God.  Once again, I think of how spoiled rotten I am (for those of you who wonder if I am aware--yes I am).  Then I thank God for yet another reminder of His mercy toward me.  I've had such a wonderful life.  The path of my life has been like a beautifully paved walk lined with fragrant flowers.  I can't bring myself to even mention the minor bumps in the road I've encountered.  I've been so ignorant!  I'm ignorant of what it's like to be enslaved to so many terrible traps that Satan tries to use.  Thank God I don't know what it means to be addicted to any kind of drug or know what it's like to be tempted by alcohol.  I have no idea why God has blessed me so much & prevented me from falling into pits along the way.  I know that much of it is due to my parents praying for me throughout my entire life.  It's so much more than I deserve.  I can only thank the Lord. And I thank my parents, too.

Update:

Sorry to keep you wondering about the winner of the contest!  I have actually extended the deadline with the kids due to a few "snags".  Plus, as of right now, I am having a hard time choosing because they have all done pretty well.  I will post the results soon...

Thank you, Mr. School Superintendent!

Last night, before church, we found out that we were getting an unexpected winter break for the rest of the week, due to so many people being sick in our county.  And I have to admit I wasn't nearly as excited as the kids were, at first.  I had to break my lunch date with my husband & forget about the other things I was planning to accomplish today.  We just had a break on Monday for President's Day, and my "rainy day" resources are almost all used up!

So, I was asking the Lord for help this morning with ideas for motivating them to live peaceably together & have fun at the same time.  

So, that's why they're now all competing to "Win a Date with Mom".  All of their faces lit up a little when I told them the rules:  the person who is the most helpful, best behaved, and most kind by the end of the day tomorrow will get to go out with me (all by themselves).  

It's going pretty well so far.  There were a couple of moments when things started to get tense with one person (I won't mention his name:) ), but so far, so good.  I'll try to remember to announce the winner on here &  maybe a picture of the two of us on our date after it's all over.  It's anyone's game at this point.  We still have a day & a half left!  Just don't be too surprised if the winner turns out to be Dave!

Love is in the Air...

(mingled with cigarette smoke)

We are two days away from my second favorite holiday of the year.  I love Valentine's Day.  All my heart decor & Valentine garb has been out for a couple of weeks now.  And the kids & I spent the night designing & constructing the annual Valentine boxes for school.  My lip still quivers when I think back to Grant's 2nd grade Valentine box that was made into a rocket, complete with a little astronaut and a conversation heart glued on that read "You Send Me".  It was unforgettable.  

But anyway--in preparation for this year, I've been thinking of all the ways we're going to celebrate.  I have some special little Valentine gifts for all the kids in my Bible Club at the TN School for the Deaf, and even though I was very busy today, I made time in my schedule to stop at a drugstore & pick up some Valentine candy for them as well.  I went in the store, Lily & Lola in tow, taking care to pick a type of candy that I thought the kids would enjoy.  It really wasn't convenient, but I didn't mind because I know it's for my ministry.

So, after a few minutes, Lola decided she didn't want to be there anymore & Lily got tired of helping me hold some things, so we went to the register where I saw Her.  This woman was standing there, blocking the counter where I was supposed to be.  I heard a cashier telling her to step back & wait as they tried to resolve the problem she had, but the woman never moved.   Meanwhile, as I stepped closer to her, my nose almost burned with the smell of cigarette smoke, and then she coughed in our direction.  I waited for her to step aside, but when she didn't, I was forced to squeeze up beside her to reach the cash register.  I began to think about how we were going to smell & what germs we were probably being exposed to that very second, and my frustration began to escalate.  Lola began crying, and I was just dying to get out of there & away from this woman who was so getting on my nerves.  And then she looked at me, smiled, & with a raspy voice, commented on how I had my hands full, but was doing a great job handling it all.  It was then that I finally saw her.  She was a person. She was a soul for whom Christ died.  I was struck with the awareness of my hypocrisy.  I was so busy doing "good", sacrificing for my ministry, that I was ready to trample whatever got in the way. 

Why do I so often say I care about groups of people, yet forget that individuals make up those groups?  I even notice other Christians I know doing this same thing, even risking losing their testimony over ridiculous things, yet sometimes I do the same things.  

So, as of today, I've added something else to the list of ways to celebrate Valentine's Day:  Love. 

Disney World 2008

We just spent 5 days at the "happiest place on earth" & had a great time, as usual.  Most of you know I am such a fan of Disney World and have made some great memories there throughout my life!  I was Lola's age the first time I went & I'm glad my parents were able to take me & Amy & David several times as we were growing up. Out of 773 pictures, I picked out a few for this slideshow.  I'd love to post some pics of our past trips someday, but that would take time that I don't have right now.   I think every family needs to go at least once together & maybe these pictures will inspire you!

The Next Martha Stewart

Many of you know I am a fan of Martha Stewart.  When I have time, I try to watch her show or visit her website & marvel at her never-ending perfection.  Because I, too, have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, I understand how gratifying it would be to live in a house where every project undertaken has ample workspace, every drawer is beautifully labeled, and every tool has a matching handle.  But, alas, I don't live with Martha.  I live here in the real world, where not only are my tools un-coordinative, but usually found left under the kids' craft table, or some other non-labeled location.  

But Martha & I are alike in so many other ways.  Take her assistants, for example.  Everyone knows that she would be nowhere without them.  Well, I have assistants, too.  Mine just happen to be around 3 1/2 ft. & 2 ft. tall.  

It was so unfortunate that there was no video camera on this morning to tape me packing up a box to ship.  I had my shortest assistant helping me, and while Martha could do a great segment on what it would be like to pack a box at her house, I could have done one for the rest of the world.  I'll try to describe how it went.  

First, I went to the computer to print out the label.  My helpful assistant was at my knee the entire time. When it was printed, I cut out the label neatly with the recently-found scissors & placed the label on the desk while I finished packing the box.  Once the box was packed, I turned to retrieve the label, but my assistant had beat me to it, label in hand, now nicely crumpled and slobbered-upon.  No matter--in the real world, little obstacles will come.  So, I flattened it back out & dried it off the best I could.  Next, I went to get the packing tape & returned to find my little assistant sitting in the box. So, I carefully removed her & began closing the flaps neatly just as she snagged the tape & took off running with it.  This is where I demonstrated remaining calm in moments of mounting frustration.  There would have been some great footage here of me chasing her thru the house & finally getting the tape only to find she had caused the roll to come off the dispenser & the tape closed onto itself.  Here is where I would have had to cut to commercial break while I spent several minutes trying to find the start of the tape again.  

So, after that, I knelt down, using my knees to hold the box together while I taped it closed, all the while with my assistant trying to climb on my back.  Finally, I finished the box, which showed no evidence of the fiasco that had just transpired.  It really would have been a great segment.  So sorry you missed it.  

As I said, I am big fan of Martha.  But I could teach her a thing or two.

My two shortest assistants hard at work.

"I know my imported spices are in here somewhere!"

GRANT'S BIRTHDAY!

Grant turned 11 on Friday (Ahhh!) and it was perfect timing for the Harlem Globetrotters to be in town.  So, we took Grant & a few of his close friends to the game for an unforgettable night.  We were invited to go early to a pre-game session with a few of the players to hear about the history of the team & take pictures, etc.  Grammy & Papa came as well to be with Grant.  The game was a lot of fun!  When it was over, all the boys were able to go down to the court to get their basketballs signed by all the players.  Grant demonstrated his unique ability to squeeze through a huge crowd & make his way to each player in record time.  Papa & Grammy & Denise & I watched in amazement from the stands where we could see his red striped shirt darting through the masses.  When it was all over, we had a little "tailgate birthday party" back at the truck.  Grant is still talking about it all, so I guess we succeeded in making it a memorable occasion.  

I'm posting some of the best pictures.  Dave & I are still learning this camera, so some are not as focused as others!  

I've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'

No, this post is not about Dave & me :) .  It's about my house & me.  I was just noticing about myself that this is the first January in forever that I don't have the urge to revamp, redecorate, reorganize, or just redo something in the house.  I haven't bought new accessories for the house in months.  The baseboards seem to be begging me for a new coat of paint, and the master bathroom walls are wondering why I haven't made good on my promise to paint them as well.  So, why do I procrastinate?

I'm dreaming of a new love.  It sits here on my desk, promising to deliver abundant opportunities to decorate, organize, & accessorize to my heart's content.  It's my new & improved house, begging me to start building it.  But, lo, I am forced to wait. Wait for permits & engineers & surveys & such.  The agony!  

And yet, I do feel guilty for my discontentment.  My house has been so good to me here.  I recall how it supported me as I changed the paint color in the family room 4 times --in one weekend.  (And yes, Dave supported me, too, though I think he wanted to shoot me.)  It has stood strong, giving us very little to repair thru the years.  It has kept its dignity, never giving in to the pressure of having crazy skeletons & ghosts outside at Halloween or inflatables in the front yard at Christmastime.  For this I will be eternally grateful.  So, I think, for the debt I owe to my love at 8560, I will vow to find an owner worthy of its charm.  And when I find that person, whomever she may be, I will gladly suggest a paint color for the bathroom that will work beautifully. :) 

Just a few updated pics of the kids & their cousins during the holidays...

We went bowling on Christmas Eve with David, Amy, Paul, Maggie, & Callie:

Then a few days after Christmas, we met Kelleigh & Bradley & the boys in Chattanooga as they traveled thru on their way home:

The Sigh

Ahh.  So, to me, the day after Christmas is a sigh.   Not, the depressing, sad variety.  And not the sigh of relief.  It's a sigh of anticipation.  Sort of like the one just before the roller coaster starts to move and you realize the seat belt has been locked and there's no turning back.  You know what's coming is going to be great, but you're still just a little nervous.  

This means that today I am cleaning up Christmas & still smiling at all the things we enjoyed throughout the season, and pondering a theme to best summarize our Christmas this year.  

Being able to spend time with my family in these recent days has been a lot of fun.  And this year, we somehow silently agreed we wouldn't focus on how Grandaddy wasn't here for the first time for fear of starting the emotional chain reaction we're all so susceptible to.  But, rather, we celebrated & reminisced about all the Christmases we've had as a whole family, without someone missing.  

So this year I am most thankful for memories preserved.  Grandmother has always been very good at taking a lot of pictures thru the years & now we're all reaping the benefit.  And yesterday, 

we sat down together & watched Grandaddy's vidoetaped documentation of Christmases past, now converted to DVD.  Watching the memories that play in my mind & being able to let the kids see them is priceless.  We all got a lot of laughs out of the clip of me & Amy singing Ray Stevens at the pleading of Grandaddy.  His laugh in the background was worth the humiliation:).  The video was taken a month before I met Dave.  OHHH how I've changed. ( And thank the Lord!)  

So the picture here is actually from LAST Christmas.  On the last day I saw Grandaddy before he left.  He's here with Lola.  I'm wondering how long she'll have to wait to meet him.  

With all this in mind, it was a great Christmas for almost everyone to receive a digital camera.  Santa came through for Abby & Lily & they've hardly put their cameras down since yesterday.  And Dave surprised me as well with a complex SLR, which

I know I'll have to take a course to be able to use. (Thanks, Babe:)  But I love it.  And I hope to use it to preserve the memories we're going to have a great time making.

I'm so Glad it's Not About Santa!

So, yes, I am sentimental enough about having a Santa picture with all 4 kids that I was willing to pay the ridiculous prices the mall was charging, just to have this little memoir.  Sadly, Grant & Abby no longer feel the need to deliver their long Christmas lists to him like before, but Lily was very concerned this year about seeing him in time to tell him she wants a digital camera (yes, she's four).  And as for Lola, she had seen Santa from a distance a few days before and had not only been unimpressed, but actually perturbed when he got close to her.  So, as we waited in the very long line at the mall last Saturday, I suspected I might walk away disappointed with the entire scenario.  

And I was right.  As we arrived at the front of the line, we were almost shoved toward Santa, who not only did not have twinkling eyes & dimples so merry, he wasn't even trying to fake it at this point.  Lola grabbed me & started screaming as soon as she realized we were getting closer to him, so I decided not to set her down on his lap, but rather just hold her as near as I could for the photo.  However, Santa had a different idea as he demanded I "Just set her down, Mama!".  Well!  So I let her sit for the 2 seconds it took & then rescued her from Jolly Old St. Nick.  Meanwhile, he tried to appear patient as Lily rattled off her list, then we were rid of him as we left to go pay for our wonderful experience.  As we left the scene, Lily burst into tears, due to the fact that her gingerbread cookie that Santa gave her did not have enough icing.  So, no, it was not the ideal little visit that mothers & children dream it will be.  

Looking at this picture, I laugh.  And I think of how happy I am that Christmas is not about Santa. Although I've been as guilty as the next Mom at talking up Santa each Christmas,  I know we have so much in the Lord that we'll never find in anyone or anything else.  In my mind, I can hear my mom saying, "God is good-ALL the time."  And he really is.  Yesterday morning at the Dedication Service at Faith, we read together Psalm 103.  It reminded me of just how merciful God is.  He is faithful when we're good, and even when we're not.  "He hath not dealt with us after our sins;  nor rewarded us according to our iniquities," (v.10)..."For he knoweth our frame;  he remembereth that we are dust." (v. 14)... "The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy."(v. 8).  I'm so sad for the people who think Christmas is about Santa.  He really has nothing to offer.  Except stale little cookies without enough icing.

New York, New York!

What a busy past couple of weeks we've had, and now it's time to get ready for Christmas, so it only gets busier from here!  So, I thought I'd post a picture of Dave & I from our trip to NYC a week & a half ago.  It was so fun to get away from everything for a few days & be together.  If you were watching the Today Show on Friday, the 16th, you would have seen us front & center in the crowd, waving to the camera! :)  This picture was at Tavern on the Green in Central Park on Friday night.  It was a perfect table, right by the Christmas tree.  After that, we saw Mary Poppins on Broadway--very good!  We just had a great time shopping & walking & shopping & seeing the city & shopping (so you get the picture).  I may post a slideshow if I can find the time later.  

And we hope your Thanksgiving was as nice as ours.  Dave's parents and Travis were all here this year. We were only missing Kelleigh & Bradley & the boys.  

So--until  next time!!

For Lola

A year ago, I didn't know my life could get more grand.

You were born, & finally I got to hold you in my hands!

Before you came, we didn't know if you'd wear pink or blue, 

But, the Lord knew better than anyone that we weren't complete without you.

This year has flown, as they always do,

And you've filled the year with fun.

Grant and Abby and Lily

Think you're number one.

And yes, you're Daddy's little girl,

And you give him kisses & hugs.

But Mommy's life is oh so grand

Since I have a little Lola to love.

6 Cousins

This past weekend, Kelleigh and the boys came to visit from Ohio.  Noah has just turned one year, and Jude is 9 months old.  They are both so sweet & have distinct personalities already showing through!  On Saturday, we all went to the park, and the kids had a great time.  Enjoy the slideshow!

nine

Yesterday, Abby turned 9, and we were thinking about how it seems like only yesterday that she was born.  And we laughed, remembering how shocked we were to see that a little 5 lb., 6 oz., red-haired little girl had entered our lives.  And now, she's filling our days with laughter at the things she says and ways she expresses herself.  And it makes me think of how just yesterday, I was 9, and begging Dad to let me get my ears pierced.  And it was that year that he finally agreed.  I thought I was so old to be just getting my ears pierced, but he thought of how it had only been yesterday  that I had entered his life...