As the Year Ends...

Well, it's three hours until 2010 is no more and 2011 begins. I can remember when I thought that the "nineteens" would last until the end of the world, and yet here we are beginning the second decade of the "twenties." I know that the tradition is to make resolutions for the new year, but I have learned that before I can make resolutions I first have to review the past. Let 's see,:

• We were blessed with a new granddaughter :)
• Vicki and Josh finished their house and moved :) and :(
• Robbie got a new truck (new to him) :)
• Greenville Gymnastics had a great year :)
• We got a new, bigger embroidery machine :)
• Auburn is undefeated and playing for the BCS / National Championship :))))
• We spent many relaxed and fun hours at the river :)
• Daddy and Mama were sick several times :(
• Karissa and Zack graduated from high school -- and they're the babies!!
• Julie got married :)
• Karissa got engaged :)
• Ashley and Kyle had Jonathan
• We got a new boat (again, new to us) :)
• I started a diet and have lost a few pounds
• Students I have been really worried about are doing well :))))
• Children's Church is filling up again :)
• I have not forgotten to breathe

I think of that song "Count your many blessings, count them one by one..." I really don't think I would ever get through if I started right now and counted through next year. God has been so incredibly good to us this year--so good that I cannot ask Him to do more in 2011. I can only expect more of myself. So in 2011:

• I am going to be a kinder, gentler person
• I will be more patient with those around me
• Deeper Bible study will be a top priority
• I will remember to breathe, even when I see picture of Robert or one of his children looks like him
• All the kids in Children's Church will know how much I love them
• I will learn more and be a better coach at the gym
• I will SEW SEW SEW
• I will remember that every child I teach -- anywhere -- is the greatest gift of God to his parents
• I will cheer for Auburn without being obnoxious
• My kids will be, as always, my top priority
• We will play more
• I will stick with my diet and get better at it
• I will get my boating license
• I will take care of Mama and Daddy
• I will wake up every day glad for the "never been lived in" day that God gives me, and I will make the most of it.
• I will shop early for Christmas
• I will be finished sewing before Christmas Eve
• I will continue my practice of ThanksLiving -- taking the time to be thankful for all things

Of course this list is not complete--there are probably a million things I can't remember from the past year and more that I will add to my "to do" list. But you know what? Writing it down makes me accountable. I've said what I'm going to do, and there will be people out there watching me, remembering my resolutions. Well, I'm going to try hard not to disappoint them!

Remember, if we want something different, we have to do something different. I tell my students, "If you always do what you've always done then you'll always get what you've always gotten." Think about it. And then make your changes. Here's hoping everyone has a wonderful New Year's Day and a very happy 2011!

Extraordinary Men in My Life: Part 1

Last night I was thinking of all the men who have been not only incredible blessings, but just downright extraordinary men. A very wise person told me once that if you have something to say that could be construed as negative, talk to the person face-to-face; but if it’s a positive, write. I would consider it a positive to be thought extraordinary. So writing it is.

Daddy

I could possibly be sent to blogger jail if I write all there is to say about this extraordinary man. He has set the example for all of us in work ethic, attitude, management, devotion to family, and so much more. He is truly the backbone of our family. Nothing is more important to him than his children (I know this personally :) ) and his grandchildren.

When I was little Daddy worked away from home. The weeks without him were long, but the weekends were fantastic! I can remember waiting up late on Friday night watching for his truck to turn into the driveway. He must have felt like a movie star—or at least we treated him like one! We would run out to the truck to meet him, hugging and laughing and talking all at one time. On Sunday afternoons he left again, and I usually cried until bedtime. I can remember people saying, “My husband wouldn’t go off and leave us like that!” But Daddy didn’t leave to get away; he left so we could have more. He wanted to be able to provide a college education for all of his children. He didn’t want Mama to have to work away from home. He wanted us to have the things we needed and some of what we wanted. He taught me that sometimes we do hard things for our family. Oftentimes we sacrifice for our children. What I have been blessed to see is that the time he missed with us, he has been able to spend with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. How fun it is to hear his conversations with the babies – he is so sweet to them!

I know that I am not the only one to see the strength of my daddy. Even when my children are thinking about a new venture or job opportunity or purchase, they want to talk to Papa. When Robbie and I want advice – of ANY kind—we talk to Papa. When his brothers and sisters need help – you guessed it – Daddy is the one. Has he ever done wrong? Sure. Has he ever been hurt? Absolutely. But he holds no grudges, and he doesn’t get lost in mistakes. He is our rock, our supporter, our advisor, our provider. Daddy is an extraordinary man.

Robbie

Several years ago, a former student of my school killed a man. As the story unfolded, I learned that her home life had not been the best. When I went to lunch one day, I sat beside the history teacher. He asked, “Why in the world do women do that? Why do they marry men like their fathers?” “Well, I did,” I replied. “I always wanted to find somebody as much like my daddy as I could, and I did.”

I know that’s not what he meant; I’ve read all the research that says that women from abusive homes or ones with weak role models will often mimic that home life. But isn’t the opposite true as well? After Daddy’s example, I would never have settled for anything less. Robbie was a dream come true. I was not allowed to date until after I turned sixteen, and from the ninth grade through the first year of college, I “dated” the same boy. That means he got to come to my house and go to church with us. He was safe. Daddy knew his daddy and is birth weight and his address and his social security number. He didn’t worry about me. But when we decided to go our separate ways and I went to the movies with Robbie – that’s a Romeo and Juliet story I’ll have to blog about sometime – I was amazed by the man he was. We married and the children came along, and I saw more of Daddy in my husband. Robbie has always thought of himself last – driving the oldest cars, willing to have less, finding ways to make things work – so that the children and I could have what he wanted us to have. He puts his family first, and made every effort to be at all the ballgames, all the parties, all the milestones. He’s never even questioned the gifts we buy for Christmas or the money we give for birthdays.

In Children’s Church, now that his work schedule allows it, he helps me and is such important influence on those children. PopPop, as all the babies and all the kids in Children’s Church call him, is God’s gift to me, and I’m so glad he found me. Over thirty years after people said our marriage would never last a year, I am happy to be proving them wrong while reaping the rewards of a union blessed by God. Robbie is my best friend, my soulmate, my one true love. He is an extraordinary man.

Josh

Josh is my oldest son, my firstborn. He is so much like his daddy it's scary. In fact, Vicki and I have both said that we have to be careful and make sure we're talking to the right one, especially if they are facing away from us! Josh is one of the most mature young men I have ever met. He follows in Robbie's footsteps as far as putting his family first and himself last.

What a blessing to watch him with Grace. He is such a good daddy. I remember a few years ago when a mother came in and cancelled her ad in the yearbook for her son. She had just learned he would not graduate an honor student, and in her opinion, that was the least he could have done for her. She asked if I agreed with her, and I had to tell this story:  Josh missed being an honor student by one tenth of a point and the college prep diploma by one class. However, his character and integrity far surpasses that of any of the boys who walked in ahead of him. He graduated without an honor cord; he lives a life of honor. That's far more important. I count myself very blessed to have a son like Josh. My extraordinary son certainly makes a mama proud.

David

David is my son-in-love, the husband of my only daughter, Lauren. There is one description that fits him so well: he has been raised well. David's parents have raised him to be a man of his word, one who cherishes his wife and baby girl. He is kind and gentle and honors his mother and daddy. I believe that he could supply Carsyn and Lauren with all the needed even if there was no job to be had. He is that much in tune with the world around him. He would grow crops to feed them and supplement the vegetables with fish and deer. He is a country boy through and through, but a man that I am so proud to have in our family. In a world in which young men are often abusive and self-centered, David is an extraordinary example of what should be the norm.

Chicken David

That's what Grace calls my brother. She has two Uncle Davids and wanted to keep them separated. Since he owns chicken houses, my brother became "Chicken David." David has a big, big heart. He is always ready to help others and does not want recognition for it. He is a big man who is easily hurt, but he rarely shows it. He is a gentle giant, towering over the rest of us but so sweet and kind to everyone. David has a special touch with little ones. He can pretend with the best of them. It is nothing for him to be a member of a tea party or pretend to have a baby brother (which he always wanted and never got). The babies love to play with him because of this ability rarely seen in men. He is quick to see about helping others who are sick, selling chances for a benefit, buying Christmas for those who don't have enough. I am truly blessed to have Chicken David as my extraordinary brother.

Kenny

 I don't know a better description for Kenny than to say he is an extraordinary hero. He has been battling cancer for more than three years now. Chemotherapy and radiation have taken his hair and his physical strength. He has lost weight and energy he once had. He has been through major surgeries and recovered with determination and willpower.

Kenny's walk during this time has not been easy on him or his family. He misses being able to work and does not like being sick. But he never talks about his problems and he can always find someone else who needs his help. He has organized benefits for sick people and often lets us know of others who need prayer. His greatest distraction right now is his first grandchild, Tyler. Having to stay home has given him much more time and appreciation for the moments he has with Tyler and the rest of his family. Does he get tired and discouraged? Sure! Does he ask WHY? Never. And that, people, is what makes him an extraordinary man.

James "Bull" Owens
Bull is the affectionate nickname for our long-serving pastor. He can never know the depth of knowledge I and many others gained from him and his wonderful wife, Ms. Betty. He taught me how to pray, tithe, study, and teach. He is not perfect and would not profess to be so. He is, however, wise; and he is willing to share that wisdom. My spiritual life truly grew under his extraordinary leadership.

Allen

 And then there is my current pastor, Allen Joyner. I went to school with Allen and he married my first cousin. That, of course, makes him a first cousin. He came to the knowledge that he was being called to preach under Bull's tenure, and is now the beloved pastor of Sweet Home Baptist Church. There are so many reasons he is extraordinary: He was chosen by each of my three children to be the preacher who served at their weddings. He preached the funerals of nearly all my grandparents. He preached Robert's funeral. He has baptized several of the children in my extended family. He has been at the hospital for births, deaths, and surgeries. Allen has grown almost visibly in his spiritual strength, and I admire him so much for the extraordianry man and pastor he has become.

Disclaimer: Some people may read this and think, "Well, of course she would talk about her daddy and sons." I count myself lucky to be able to regard these men as extraordinary. These are the still-living men who have had a huge impact on my life. Of course, there are many uncles and acquaintances that have made my life wonderful. More will come later about the extraordinary men who are no longer here.

Sick Babies (Big and Little)

I really thought we had made it. Before school was out my students were dropping like flies with flu and a flu-like virus. But none of us got sick. Then it hit. I thought Carsyn acted a little funny Sunday afternoon. She is normally a VERY energetic baby...bicycling legs and waving arms, sitting up while her diaper is being changed, squealing and cooing. But not Sunday. She was so quiet and lethargic. Monday she started throwing up--only twice, but I knew we had not escaped the plague.

Tuesday night Robbie and I went to see her after dropping the babies off and getting groceries. She was better, playing with Lauren and David and doing all kinds of tricks. Good...maybe it was just a light case.

Then Wednesday morning came. Lauren sent a text saying they were all three home and sick. Casey helped me with Grace some so I could go get medicine, Pedialite, and gatorade. Poor Lauren...she looked pitiful. And David slept like a log. Carsyn was quiet and drowsy. So pitiful. Just so pitiful.

But today they are better! Carsyn stayed with me some today and was more herself. Lauren and David, though tired and weak, both went to work. Kecia, Stephen, and Tyler all got sick though :(  Maybe theirs will pass quickly as well.

Here's hoping that the evil sickness has been contained. Happy New Year to everyone!! Be safe and well.

Thought for the day: There is nothing worse for a mother than to be unable to make her children better, no matter how old the children are.

Christmas Fun -- Warning: May Exceed Legal Blog Word Limit!!

Wow...it's been FOREVER since I've had a chance to post!! Not that I haven't had plenty to say; I just haven't had time to say it. There have been nights I've gone to bed...make that FALLEN into bed...and then said to myself, "Awww, I didn't post. I'll do it tomorrow." Well, better late than never, right?

When I left school on December 16th, my break from school officially began. And then another job started. I'm amazed at how much sewing and crafting I got done. Completely missed my self-set deadline of Tuesday, but I got it done. Four suitcases, three tote bags, five scarfs, forty rolls of toilet tissue, baby pants, two market baskets, eight towels, three throws, four sweatshirts, five platters, a glass dish, two snack takers, a dozen handerchiefs, about one hundred pot holder/ dish towel/ apron sets, a Christmas onesie, a set of seat covers -- you get the idea. I was TIRED by Christmas Eve...and we still had wrapping to do!

Casey helped wrap some, but I think we intimidated her!! Who else wraps every tiny little thing? Probably no one, but it's so much fun to watch the kids open their gifts. So Robbie and I wrapped and wrapped and wrapped. Then he went to town for last minute items while I wrapped. Then we wrapped some more. Finally about 3:00 Christmas Eve afternoon, we called it quits. Robbie's parents were coming to Lauren's for our family Christmas, and I wanted some time to make candy and get ready.

The candy I made was the easiest ever, and so good (you have no idea how that surprises my family--I made it, and it was good-- almost unheard of). I melted an entire brick of white almond bark and stirred in a box of Golden Grahams cereal (thanks Lisa Turner for sharing). It was FABULOUS!! So was supper. Lauren went all out with dressing, dumplings, ham... oh, my gosh, it was wonderful!! Everyone enjoyed spending time together and opening gifts. Then it was back to wrapping (I didn't say we were finished...I said we called it quits).

We came home and hauled the wrapped gifts to our house. Then we packed up the unwrapped gifts and paper and brought them to the house to finish wrapping. I lost count of the times I counted, and counted, and counted. Each person has to have the exact same number of gifts, and the stacks have to look very close to the same size. And then...we had one too many for everyone!! And they wouldn't wrap easily!! What to do? So Robbie had a brilliant idea: Put numbers on the extra gifts, give the matching number to the recipient, and have them go match it up. BRILLIANT!! Except I forgot to make the numbers. And we slept late. And the kids were already here when I remembered. But I got it done and it was a wonderful way to end the gifting. Nice job, Robbie :)

I LOVE the way our kids receive gifts. They are always so excited and show it in their own little ways. Vicki and Lauren were so excited over their printers, and Vicki was super surprised about her mixer. Josh will be hunting and fishing on the wii, and David was over- the- top excited about his waders and ladder stand. Grace has her own suitcase and a weaving set, and a real digital camera,  while Carsyn is outfitted for a WHILE with diapers, wipes, and learning toys. Opening gifts is a LONG process at our house. Lauren insists that we open one at a time, with her being the last-- that way it lasts longer. Each person is expected to open and display his gift before moving on. Grace, bless her heart, just could NOT wait. She wanted to be first, but as soon as her turn was over, she went ahead and got her next present "started." Too funny!!

And then we were off to Mama and Daddy's. I love Christmas there, but I was a little worried this year because Mama and Daddy had both been sick. No worries, though -- they both pulled it off without a hitch! We don't do presents for everyone because of the number of people in the family and the fact that we are all blessed to have everything we need. So instead, Mama and Daddy fix about forty bags filled with all kinds of goodies -- useful, funny, unusual, sentimental. We all choose a bag and then the trading begins. It is hilarious to watch! Travis wins the prize for being the trade boss...he was amazing! And David traded people out of six bags of pecans--some in return for a pecan pie. I got one of Big Mama's potholders. Everyone had a roll of embroidered toilet tissue in the bag, and you cannot imagine how quickly that got some people trading. Imagine an Alabama fan pulling out a roll of War Eagle tissue! It was just too funny!!


Then last night, Robbie and I went to get Dylan, Daniel, and Kaylee. Casey (again the angel helper) had helped me get their gifts wrapped and out to the house. We came in to the twinkling trees and three big stacks of presents. Perhaps I should mention here that each child gets his own wrapping paper every year. I thought this was perfect--Dylan got his favorite Ironman paper, Daniel's was wrapped in Spider Man paper, and Kaylee got Tinkerbell. Perfect, right? One would think. So Dylan comes in and says, "Look, ZiZi, I want the Ironman pile! Can I have it?" Then Daniel: "ThiThi, I want the Tinkerbell paper ok? Thay Yeth or No." Well, if I had let him open the Tinkerbell paper, he would have had Barbie dolls and high heels, and doll strollers! So I showed him the Spider Man paper, and he decided that would be ok. All of them were so excited with their Leapsters and games. Kaylee got a kitchen and it almost killed us! The pieces were numbered THREE tiimes through the alphabet! A-Z, AA-ZZ, and AB, AC, etc. I wondered if we would ever make it to get it together, but this morning the cooking started on a fully-put-together kitchen.

We are still not done. This weekend we will have the children again to visit their great-grandparents and exchange with Grace. I think I can safely say that those visits will conclude Christmas 2010. It's been a little stretched out, but that just goes to show that Christmas is a season, not a day.

This Christmas has been filled with work, fun, humor, joy, and gifts. It has also had its sadness. Christmas will never go by that we do not miss Robert more than words can say. Knowing that he would love the way his children enjoyed Christmas is a comfort. Amazingly, it has snowed several times already this year -- once in February and at least twice in December. If you know the weather story on the day of Robert's funeral, you will understand why the snow is especially meaningful for us. I could not help but hold out my hand Sunday to catch the snow as I looked up and said, "Well, hello, BoBo, and Merry Christmas."

Quotes of the day:  The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree is the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.

Burton Hillis

To live in hearts we leave behind
Is not to die.
~Thomas Campbell, Hallowed Ground

A Very, Very, Productive Day

Monday...just the word itself is usually enough to set my teeth on edge. There's just something about Monday. It's like the weekend needs to be just one day longer...except when it is, it still needs to be one more day.

But today was different. I was super-tired last week...so much stuff to do for so many different events. Saturday was shopping day for Robbie and me, but I got up really early to get two little shirts done. After that, though, NO SEWING all weekend. Just what I needed to get rejuvenated and ready to get some projects done. So last night I went to bed with a plan: I would get up when Robbie did, get some thngs started in the house, and then start sewing. Everything worked like a dream! I didn't have breakfast or lunch, but I didn't care. I stayed in the sewing house ALL DAY!! My 9000 projects began dwindling down. One after another, things were done: dresses and bags, towels and potholders, shirts and onesies...all done! I feel sooooo productive!

So, my day went so well that I was able to find some humor throughout the day. I remembered several Christmases ago when Gabby, my cousin, wanted to go into Mama's Sunday School class. The class was for older children, but that's what Gabby thought she was at the time. Mama almost cracked up telling about Gabby reading the Christmas story from the Bible: "And an angel of the Lord came to Mary and told her she would have a baby and she would name Him Jesus. But how can that be, asked Mary, since I am Virginia." I got so tickled thinking about it I had to stop the sewing machine!!

Then Christmas Vacation with Chevy Chase came on. The part where he goes flying down the hill on his sled almost did me in. And then I remembered the first time I noticed that "Eddie" had a dickie on underneath his white sweater! Off again with hysterical laughter!

And finally, my favorite Christmas memory: Pam and David and I always shared a room on Christmas Eve. It was a complete necessity. We wanted to be sure that we saw our prizes TOGETHER. Not one of us should get a sneak peek. Unless, of course, someone had to go in to make sure Santa had been. That would be me. The reasoning was that since I was the oldest, I had had more Christmases. Since everyone knows that seeing Santa in action means he doesn't come back, I would be the one to sacrifice.  On this particular Christmas Eve, Pam woke me up to tell me that she was sure she had heard jingle bells, but she wasn't sure if Santa was coming or going. I should go check. So, being the sweet, loving sister I am, I went. I crept down the hall to the closed door (I should note that the doors were NEVER closed except on Christmas Eve) and stood for what seemed like forever trying to hear. Despite my willingness to go, I was not completely willing to give up Christmas for the rest of my life. Finally, taking my future into my own hands, I opened the door. No Santa! He had been, though. David's trucks and tractors and trains were all over the floor, and I looked around to find mine and Pam's stash...what a shock!!

Imagine my surprise when I looked across to see one blonde girl and one brunette girl standing over mine and Pam's toys. They even had suitcases! I ran full out back down the hall and slammed the door open. "Y'all get up! Get up! Pam, come help me! Tina and Debbie are in here getting our stuff!" Needless to say, it was NOT Pam and Debbie...it was two lifesized dolls and suitcases for us. That Christmas has NEVER stopped being funny!!

This Christmas already has one funny: Bentley was in the puppet show Sunday and didn't realize that her puppet's ponytail had flipped over the face. There was the puppet, face completely covered, and a big bald spot shining on top of her head. Add to that the "nursing home" look (head back and mouth wide open) that all the puppets had, and I almost fell off the pew! 

Here's hoping everyone has something to smile about this Christmas. Laughter does a body good, so fight off the bad stuff with a little joy!!

Against the assault of laughter nothing can stand.


Mark Twain

Now That I Think About It...

You know how sometimes in the heat of a moment you don't really register everything that is going on? And then later, when the adrenaline is a mere trickle, you are able to see things in a whole new light? Well, I'm having one of those times.

Thursday night we had our party for the gymanstics team members. The party was supposed to be from 4:30-5:30, but of course we ran a little over...it's hard to keep that many girls on a strict scedule.Before the party Karissa and I made a mad dash to the Dollar Store to see if we could find any decorations "for cheap" (Karissa's words). I hit it lucky and found a 50% off sale...and Christmas is not even here! Up to the check out, back in the truck, zoom out to the gym, unlock the door, run in and start setting up the tree...wow, no time to think about anything! The girls came in...no one at the same time, of course, and got started playing games. Flip flop Santa (GG's version of Dirty Santa) began and was hilarious. Then it was time to wind up --- or down. I don't know. Anyway, the party was about to be over. Probably because I would be the one opening up the first week in January, I wanted to get the garbage out. Who wants to smell rotten brownies and dip on the first day back? Not me!! So I gathered up the 55 gallon garbage bag and my gifts, my keys, my purse, and I was ready to go. Lauren and Karissa started towards Lauren's car while I went to the streetside garbage can. And then it happened.

Just as I turned away from the garbage can and headed to the front of my truck, a voice came from out of nowhere!!  The man who owns the small tire store next door was letting me know that he was going to be working on the fence. Now, why anyone would be outside in the freezing cold nailing up a fence in the middle of the night is beyond me. But that's not all. The more he talked, the closer he moved. I kept taking a step away. He kept coming. I don't believe he intended to come across that way. He kept assuring me that he knew people who were interested in gymnastics. I kept telling him that they could come in the first week in January to fill out the paperwork.

Weird, huh? Scary, even? I thought so. But in hindsight, that is not the story at all. Here's the revelation that didn't even become clear until, like I said, the adrenaline slowed down. I WAS NOT ALONE. Lauren and Karissa were still there---locked up in the car!! I was fending off a strange man's admiration of the gym and trying to convince him we were closed for the holidays, and Lauren and Karissa were sitting in the car, doors locked, engine running. I have NO doubt they had 911 already keyed and and a finger poised over SEND. I feel sooooo much better just knowing that...I think. So, anyway, I think I know that I'm on my own if the three of us are ever accosted anywhere. At least I know it ahead of time!

The party was great...shopping was wonderful...a lazy weekend is just what the doctor ordered!! Back to work tomorrow...Merry Christmas!!! Just five (5)...count'em...1,2,3,4,5 more days!!!

UPDATE: Lauren let me know that they had hands on the door handle and the window down to hear the conversation. Thanks girls!! I know you would have come to my rescue!!

No More Pencils, No More Books...

At least for a little while that is, because...IT'S HERE!!! Christmas break is here!!! All my tests have been given and papers turned in. IT'S HERE!!

Can you tell I'm excited? Maybe just a little :). I've got some sewing to do, presents to wrap, babies to keep, and tomorrow Robbie and I will go Christmas shopping for the FIRST time. Can you believe that? I can remember when we used to run to town several nights a week as Christmas neared. I shop better when I don't have to buy every single thing in one trip. But now with my getting home so much later and his going to work so much earlier, that's just hard to do. Heck, we can't even remember the last time we went to the grocery store!

The celebrations have already begun. Last night we had our annual team Christmas party at the gym. The girls were so fun and so excited, and the parents were WONDERFUL!!! Thanks to them for all their help! The snacks hit just the right spot, and each girl seemed really excited about her gift. Oh, yeah, now I can tell you about that...

We got each girl a mirror and decorated it with vinyl designs including the name, the level, and a gymanstics clip art and turned it into a wall hanging. I had huge plans to make pictures and post them. I did not get the mirrors until Monday night, and Tuesday I had gym and some sewing that had to get done. So, despite my best intentions, it was Wednesday night and the Cricut was humming along on the dining room table. Bless Robbie's heart, he was such good help. By the time he got home I had been working for hours (we closed the gym due to concerns over the roads icing) and was nearly blind. I have decided that weeding vinyl designs would possibly be a punishment in Dante's Inferno if he had known about such a thing! Robbie fixed supper, cleaned up the kitchen, and sat down to help me. And he was such GOOD help! He helped me line everything up, transfer the designs, everything. He is so good to me.

Thursday I had exams at school. Thank goodness Karissa had offered to grade Wednesday's exams! In desperation, I called a student who did not have to be at school, and she agreed to come and help me...again with the gym gifts! You should have seen us...we were like an assembly line. She glued the hangers on, I wrapped the mirrors in tissue paper. She made the name tags while I cut the cellophane. I held the package while she tied the ribbon, put the name tag on, and voila!! Done. In record time. THANK.YOU.KELSEY!!!

But I digress...back to last night... After the party, I drove back to school to watch the children's Christmas program. One word: PRECIOUS!!! I have heard bits and pieces of it for weeks, but only last night did I see it all put together. Ms. Daun did an AMAZING job with the kids. The only disappointment came at the end of the show. The theme was based on a cruise ship, and Grace had heard the script for weeks. Imagine her surprise when she discovered that the line "Stay with us for fireworks and other fun activities" was just that...a line. She said, "ZiZi, they were just tricking about the fireworks." So we have a plan...we are going to shoot fireworks sometime over the break, with "our whole, whole, entire family, which is about 1000 people" (Grace).

The best part of last night was yet to come. We got home (I had met Robbie and the family at the school) and I looked at the Cricut. Then I thought about all the sewing. And then...I WENT TO BED. Just went to bed and went to sleep. Left it all for today. And you know what? The sun will still come up today and the projects are still here. Sometimes, you just have to have some down time. I sure feel better for it.

Merry Christmas!!! Have a wonderful Christmas season!

Fantasy in Lights--With Pictures!!

What a great weekend! Our family went to Callaway Gardens to Christmas Village and Fantasy in Lights. Ahhhh-mazing....just so amazing! Words cannot describe what those people can do with Christmas lights! We rode in the FREEZING cold...that cold front came through right before we boarded the train...and saw marching soldiers, changing seasons, the North Pole with Santa's busy elves, the animal kingdom, the nativity, "'Twas the Night Before Christmas,"snowmen, and so many other fantabulous sights! The kids (big and little) were fascinated...well, Dylan didn't quite make it through the ride, but he tried, bless his heart.

It was our first tiime driving that far with all the kids. Carsyn has made friends with her carseat and they are getting along exceptionally well now. Daniel and Kaylee rode with us and slept from Montgomery to Pine Mountain. Dylan and Grace rode with Josh and Vicki and talked the entire way there and slept the entire way back. And get this...Grace took a picture with SANTA!! Maybe I should explain. She is terrified of Santa in person. He's a great person to talk about, and she wants him to come see her...she just doesn't want to see him. This year when he made a surprise visit to her house, she hid in the kitchen! But this Santa was the REAL one...not just any old helper. The boys never had a question that they wanted to sit with him. Kaylee took a little convincing but having the crowd around her seemed to make it ok. And Carsyn...well, she was just completely mesmerized by that beard and his sweet voice. We got some great pictures! 

Then today we kept Carsyn so that her mama and daddy could check out Santa's progress. She was so sweet...in such a good mood all day. Daniel just could NOT stop loving on her.

Finally, right before Robbie took Robert's kids home, Dylan (a die-hard Alabama fan) gave the quote of the week: "ZiZi, will you change these sheets before we come back?" " Sure, Dylan, but why?" " 'Cause these sheets are red and Cam Newton is orange and blue. "

Praise the Lord!! I may have a convert!!

Pictures from Callaway Gardens:

 Everybody wanted a picture with Rudolph!

 Face painting!!

 Carsyn just couldn't handle any more excitement.

 Rudolph is not the only one with a shiny nose.

 Carsyn in really fascinated with the REAL Santa (Grace's description)

 Kaylee and her snowgirl

 Carsyn and the Gingerbread Man

Riding the train through Callaway Gardens

Winding Up...and Winding Down...

Isn't it strange that just when we are "winding up" for Christmas we realize that the year is "winding down"? School has been soooooo busy. My kids are just awesome...a little piece of heaven I get to see every day. I know, I know...teachers aren't supposed to say that. We're supposed to wear shirts that say "Three reasons I teach: June, July, and August" and live for the holidays away from our students. But I don't feel that way. So that's why I've been so busy in class preparing them for semester exams...and they have worked SO hard! I'm so proud of them!!

And then of course, the sewing.  I am always amazed by the fact that we have 365 days from one Christmas to the next, but wait until the last two weeks to decide we need gifts. Don't get me wrong...I'm thrilled that people need my skills. I plan on sewing being my "retirement" job. And teaching the girls has been so much fun! I've thought about having classes for people who want to learn. But sometimes it gets a little tricky fitting everything in.

Gosh, it sounds like I'm complaining...and I don't want to sound that way! Life is awesome, and I'm so thankful for the opportunities I have...for the lives I'm given to touch at school...for the skills God has given me. And for Robbie. Last night we went to Josh and Vicki's house. There was to be a surprise visit from Santa. Carsyn loved it...his beard was just too much to pass up. Grace hid in the kitchen! It was hilarious!! She finally agreed to stand beside him if Lauren was with her and get a picture, but it was not her dream come true. When she opened her present and found new Christmas pajamas, she was excited, but she was more excited that Santa was gone and she wouldn't have to actually look at the REAL Santa on Christmas Eve. When we left, I thought we would go home and I would sew again. But Robbie had different plans, and I'm so glad he did.

We went to Andalusia and ate...I can't remember the last time we had time to do that. While we were there, he started asking about someone that I have prayed about...I was amazed at how God has worked to bring that around. That conversation sprang into the most fun I've had in ... well, longer that I can remember. We did the thing we agreed on last year when Robert was not with us any longer, but for someone we know and someone who is special. We had a blast!! I'm too excited for words. I so wish I could tell all the details, but that's another one of our conditions...we didn't do it for recognition, so we don't talk about it. But I'm SO EXCITED!!! I hope it is taken in the spirit in which it is given. I'm so excited!!!

And now I'm at the end of a week that seemed it would never end and yet went by so fast I couldn't keep up with the days. Tomorrow our whole family (what Robbie and I did) are going to Callaway Gardens to see the lights. It's the first time we've done that, and the first time we've taken Robert's children on a trip this long. We are going to have so much fun!!! And then we are planning to keep Carsyn Sunday afternoon while David and Lauren go to check on Santa's progress. Fun, fun, fun...Check back later...I'll tell you all about it.

I'm Sorry, Ma'am, We're Out of _______

You can just fill in that blank. This weekend has been one frustration after another when it came to eating. Let's recap:


Our state gymnastics meet was this weekend. Now, the state meet splits up even the gymnasts from the same gym in the same level. So, Lauren and I had NINE sessions in three days...and SIX of those were Saturday. Whew!!! We barely had time to go to the bathroom.

Friday night we had only one session, and when that was over we dropped Lauren and Carsyn off at the hotel and Vicki and I went to Zaxby's to get some food. Simple really...just chicken sandwiches and drinks. All we asked for out of the ordinary was salt. Just salt. The waitress had the sweetest smile when she said, for the first of the many times this weekend, "I'm sorry, ma'am, we're out of salt." Out of salt??? With grocery stores and Sam's not two miles away. What the heck???? Must have just been a freak thing, right? Wrong!!!

We weren't really worried about what we would eat Saturday. The neat thing about the meets is that the hosting gym has a coaches' hospitality room because we really don't have time to leave to eat. Well...let's just say that all the gyms this season have really fallen down on the job. Several times we have had 8:00 meets and the breakfast food would not be there until 10:00. What are they thinking???

This weekend had to be the worst, though. Now don't get me wrong-- we love the Bama Bounders and their meets, and Mr. Mike is wonderful to work with. Most of the problem lies with us--we are PICKY. However, I will have to admit that I do not believe I have ever seen sweet potato casserole and rice and chicken nuggets served together. There was absolutely nothing we would eat...all day long.

Carsyn did sooooo good for such a looooong day, so when Haley's meet started I gave Lauren a little break and then Vicki and I took Carsyn and got her out. We had not been gone long when Lauren sent a text saying that the meet was going by really fast and we could come get her. Of course, the plans were for an immediate stop at some fantabulous place to eat. Vicki, Lauren, and I were starving!! We were thinking Applebee's but saw Panera Bread first. Although sandwiches weren't exactly what we had in mind, we all knew the macaroni and cheese would make everything ok. So we got out, unloaded the car seat, tried to keep Carsyn asleep, and went in to give our order. The sweetest young man took note of the plain turkey sandwiches on country bread with American Cheese, and all was going well until...Lauren: "I want macaroni and cheese with mine." Waiter: "I'm sorry, ma'am, we are out of mac and cheese." What???!!! Out of their own signature dish?? Unheard of!! I'm sorry to say that Lauren did not handle this well. With a look of pure disgust, she said, "Well, I just don't want anything from here" and turned and walked out. I could tell that Vicki had never seen Lauren really, really hungry.

We finally found Applebee's and the food was great, Carsyn was good, and the waiter was gracious. We decided that it was time for Carsyn to get in, so I would stay with her in  the room while Lauren and Vicki picked up a couple of things and get some dessert. Diapers- check. Shoes - check. Then for the dessert. At Sonic the girls were told that a hot fudge sundae would be impossible because the hot fudge machine had just been cleaned and it would take a long, long, long time for it to heat up because it had to get very, very, very hot. Another way of saying, "We don't really want to do this order. Please go somewhere else." So they did. Lauren drove to McDonald's and, with great hesitation, asked for a hot fudge sundae. No problem! Reese's McFlurry? No problem! Chocolate milkshake? No problem. Until she drove to the window. Vicki's hot fudge sundae came first. Then my chocolate milkshake. But where was the Reese's McFlurry? You guessed it: "I'm sorry, ma'am, we're out of Reese's." Are you kidding me??? Lauren settled for an M&M McFlurry, but not before giving the entire story to the poor window worker.

Sunday was the last day...had to be better, right? In some ways it was. I did the 8:00 meet so Lauren and Vicki could rest and get packed up. Kathryn did a great job! Then Lauren came to stay with Becca (who had an awesome meet!!)  and Vicki, Carsyn, and I went to Target and Shoe Station, and the Dollar Tree. We were to pick Lauren up right after the meet and we would go get some lunch. After seven (7) U turns, we finally decided to go back to Zaxby's. Easy order again-- chicken strips, chicken sandwich, club sandwich. All was looking good. There was a slight problem with our drinks: Zaxby's wanted us to have bottled water, but we wanted ice in a cup. I finally convinced them that despite the fact that we would be charged the same, we really preferred the cup. Driving up to the window, I was proud of the fact that at least our last meal in Tuscaloosa would be without a hitch. And then it happened. At Vicki's request, I asked for just a few packets of ketchup. "I'm sorry, ma'am, we're out of ketchup." Ha!! Can you believe it? Out of salt AND ketchup? Wow!! Double Wow!!

Oh, well, the chicken was good and all of it made for a good laugh...if Lauren is ever actually in the mood to laugh about it!

We are so proud of all our girls...outstanding effort from each and every one!And so proud of Carsyn--such a long weekend and she was a trooper! I'm sure there are many more of those meets in store for her!

Just Another Manic Monday...and Tuesday...and Wednesday...

I've not blogged this week because it's been...well, MANIC. We had the kids all weekend and Thanksgiving so many times. Our state gymnastics meet is this weekend, and we are counting down the days at school until semester exams. I'm constantly thinking about Christmas and the decorating to do and the presents to buy. I have term papers to grade and clothes to wash and tests to make out and sewing to do and clothes to pack...and in the middle of my "drama" I find out that one of our students has actually thought about suicide.

How sad. How incredibly sad. To be so young and feel so hopeless. I can't imagine feeling so alone. Even in the darkest moments of my life---and some have been pretty black---never did that thought occur to me.

When I was student teaching, one of my students shot himself and bled to death on Valentine's Day. All these years I have wondered if things might have turned out differently if he had been able to talk to us--it was Friday,though, and everyone was ready to leave and I had a doctor's appointment. It taught me a lesson though. I've never turned a child away if he said he needed to see me --- and I won't.

At a time when life seemed just a little overwhelming, I am reminded of my goal of ThanksLiving. I'm thankful that we have clothes to wear, that I have a job, that my skills are needed and/or desired, that my children and grandchildren are healthy, that we have traditions to follow and are making new ones,  that I have money to buy gifts with, that our girls are doing well in gymnastics, that I have a vehicle that needs its windshield de-iced and needs gas, that I have a house to decorate and invite my family into, that all of us know that peace of having a support system through our family, friends, and church, and that we all serve an awesome God.

Thank you, God, for the many blessings in my life!!

I really want to put a picture of my Christmas trees (no typo --- we have 4) and put on here, but my modern-day technology is not cooperating. Maybe later...

Ok...it's LATER! How cool is this? We have our own Christmas forest :)

There's Just Something About Our Bed...

There's just always been something about our bed...I don't know what it is.

Of course it's special to me and Robbie. No bed has ever slept as good as ours does! The pillows are perfect (all ten of them), the sheets are soft, the cover is just right...it's just heavenly to lie down in after a long day at work or at play.

But we are not the only ones who love that bed. When our children were little, our bed was the one to come to if they were sick or scared -- or if they just woke up and wanted to. Each one was a little different.

Josh, the quiet one, would wake up in the middle of the night and ease into our room. Never one to be loud or disturb anyone, he would ease the cover from under the end of the matress and sneak up into the middle of the bed. We didn't even know he was there until we woke up the next morning! Whenever Josh got sick -- which wasn't often because he always called Nannie and Papa to come get him at the first sign of sickness from any of us-- he wanted our bed. It just made him feel better, he said.

Lauren loved our bed when the storms came -- and she was not quiet about it. Lightning would light up the sky, thunder would roll, and here she came. It didn't matter to her if everyone else was asleep...she had important places to go. We were very aware of her presence; elbows and knees and long hair were everywhere at one time. She didn't stop needing us after she grew up either. When David was working away from home or on the night shift, she was fine as long as it didn't storm. Several times Robbie would try to get her to go ahead and spend the night if a storm was in the forecast, but noooooooo. She would wait and call at 2:00 in the morning --- in the middle of the storm --- and Robbie would put his shoes on, drive down to her house, and bring her back, sometimes to just pile up in our bed and sleep with us.

Robert was never one to sleep well with any of us. He required a LOT of room. I didn't know why Josh was having trouble sleeping (they shared a bed) until I went in one night and noticed the strange shape of the cover. It was then I discovered that Robert was sleeping with a Tonka dump truck and a Ford tractor -- with the plow attached. Poor Josh! He was hanging on for dear life to the very edge of the bed. But when those migraines came on, Robert wanted our bed. He would get right in the middle, cover his head with pillows, ask for the windows to be "darked," and go to sleep. Hours and hours later, he would wake up with no headache. When he had the flu, he thought our bed made him feel better...and I think so, too.

Now we are in a different season of our lives. We don't have small children living here who are scared of storms or noises or sickness. Instead, we have small children visit and spend the night---and they love our bed, too! It's so weird...Carsyn (who rarely takes more than a thirty-minute nap) piles up on our bed and sleeps TWO hours! You should see her...arms thrown up beside her, that little bottom stuck up in the air, fists balled up, and the pacie stuck securely in her mouth. Soooooo sweet!

Grace truly believes she owns an interest in our bed. She has always slept with us, but now that she's bigger and is used to sleeping by herself at home, she takes up more room (her hair requires a pillow of its own). She finds nothing unusual about PopPop sleeping in Lauren's old room so she can have her "Big Bed" time. She goes to sleep better in our bed, sleeps longer in our bed, and is so happy that we don't even consider mentioning that she could sleep on her own bed in Aunt Lala's room.

Dylan, Daniel, and Kaylee spend the night with us about every other weekend. We usually get them on Saturday night and take them home on Sunday afternoon. Kaylee still sleeps in the baby bed, and Dylan and Daniel sleep on the queen sized bed in Lauren's room -- at first. We never know when it's going to happen, but it always does. About 4:30 or so, little feet come through the living room. Dylan is always first, and he always comes to my side of the bed. I help him up, cover him up, and he falls immediately back to sleep. And then Daniel comes. He comes to my side and I lift him up and over Dylan. Daniel usually gets tucked in between me and Robbie...and that's when I become a ZiZi sandwich. They are so sweet...Dylan will reach over in his sleep and rub my face; Daniel will say sleepily, "Scwatch my back, ZiZi." And they sleep so hard that they don't even know I get up to go sleep with Kaylee, who goes right back to sleep when the snuggling begins.

I have heard much advice on the subject of kids on the bed, but not one time that any of our children or grandchildren have come to my bed have I regretted having them there. There is a sweetness in their sleep that makes the more difficult times of the day bearable. There is love in their cuddles that they don't have time to give during their playtime. My advice to anyone with children is this: they won't be this way long, so let them sleep in the middle if they want -- the benefits will be yours.

The chorus of the country song by Billy Dean says it all:

Please, let them be little,
'Cause they're only that way for a while.
Give them hope, give them praise,
Give them love every day.
Let 'em cry, let 'em giggle,
Let 'em sleep in the middle,
Oh, but let them be little.

My Thoughts on Black Friday

This time of year we all read and hear so many comments about Black Friday -- the sales, the crowds, the greediness, the deals. Over the years, I've developed my own ideas.

When the kids were little, there were some Christmases when getting something at a really good deal was the only way they could have some things they wanted. Somehow we always worked out a way for me to go -- usually Robbie could be home with the children since he didn't go in until later and worked into the night. One year, televisions and vcr's were the main item. I got to Wal Mart early and found the display, all wrapped in plastic and guarded by four determined Wal Mart workers. I saw no need to worry--it was just vcr's after all. And then the signal sounded...the "guards" slit the plastic...I got ready to go up in an orderly line and get my vcr...and the world turned upside down. One woman several customers behind me pushed past all of us to get to the front. She had come with a partner, and she picked up vcr's and THREW them into the crowd. I saw my life flash before my eyes! That day, I decided that I would not be going again until someone could go with me...just in case I needed someone to call 911 or something.

Fast forward ten years. Josh and Vicki got engaged Christmas Day 2002 and married in June. That year, our new tradition concerning Black Friday began. Vicki LOVES to go on that day, so Lauren, Vicki, and I made it a point to be in town at the opening time---under conditions: We would not stoop to shoving, being rude, becoming impatient, or stampeding a store. We would go with the idea that if we were supposed to have an item, God would make sure it was there when we got there. And we had a blast!!

Now, to be honest, Lauren has never gotten a great deal done on this day. She is a really good sport, but procrastination has been one of her very few flaws. She might have picked up a gift here and there, some cute wrapping paper, some clothes for herself (to use BEFORE Christmas), but not many gifts. The year she graduated from AUM, she called me the day after graduation and said, "Why didn't somebody TELL me I have only ten days until Christmas???!!!" This AFTER our Black Friday shopping trip. Last year, she had just found out she was pregnant and was studying for her CPA exam (which she passed on the first attempt). She climbed into the truck carrying her pillow and makeup case. She did not wake up until we got almost to Prattville. She did some shopping but not an awful lot. When she said that she did better last minute, I commented that I believed our outlook might change after June. Carsyn would definitely change things.

Fast forward to this year, and the Most Improved Black Friday Shopper Award goes to....LAUREN WILLIAMS SMITH!!!! This year, Lauren called when Carsyn got up for her midnight feeding. I woke Vicki up from a dream about flying and having plane trouble, but she recovered quickly and we got dressed. We picked Lauren up -- no pillow-- and headed out BEFORE 12:30 A.M. First came a stop at Greenville Wal Mart, and the crowds were so much better since no electronics were being sold at that time. Then it was on to Prattville (we have discovered a much nicer shopping experience there). Kohl's opened at 3:00, and we had to wait in the car for the store to open! Despite having to stand in a checkout line that wrapped AROUND the store, we had fun and remained upbeat. Guess what? Most of the items we bought there were -- you guessed it -- LAUREN'S!! Target was next, and we found some awesome deals. By that time, we were starving, so we went after our traditional Chick Fil A Biscuit. Bass Pro, here we come!!

In Bass Pro we always have good luck, probably because our husbands are all fisherman and hunters. I think we could all probably get everything the men in our family ever wanted in there. Robbie showed me a really nice boat that I could get for him if it was on a Black Friday sale. Isn't that so cute?? That's what I told him.

Montgomery still reigns on Old Navy and JoAnn's, so we went there next. Panera Bread was the choice of the day for lunch because they have the most AWESOME macaroni and cheese! And then, with the truck so full we couldn't see out the window and Lauren squished into one little seat like a sardine, we started home -- HOME, I tell you, at 12:30 P.M.!!! That's right, twelve hours of non-stop shopping!! We truly did have a blast, and Vicki and I were so proud of Lauren's new shopping methods. In fact, we decided we may have to take two vehicles next year. We had invited Casey this year, but she didn't get to go :(  Next year she'll know there will be plenty of room. The more the merrier!!!

Fun things I want to remember about shopping with my girls:

• Watching Vicki chase down buggies and baskets so we wouldn't be left without one
• Carrying FOUR pillow pets in two hands at Kohl's
• Rearranging the purchases in the truck after EVERY stop -- just so we could get more in
• Lauren walking into Target in flip flops and a t shirt and coming out needing rain boots and a coat -- that Arctic blast struck fast
• Having the girls help me pick out things for them and their husbands and children
• Getting to look at the little baby toys this year :)
• Having them help me find good things for Robert's babies
• Finding the special ornaments -- we give one to each child every year
• Unloading at Lauren's and realizing that she had the MOST bags!!

Blessing of the day--Time with my daughters
Memory of the day--Vicki running across Target parking lot after a buggy
Perfect Moment of the day -- Sitting with my girls in Panera Bread making plans for Christmas Day

Only 363 days until we do it again...I can't wait!!

Growing Up Stories

I have no idea why "growing up" stories about my children and nieces and nephews are running through my  mind., but I think I'll jot them down so I won't forget.

Casey used to count to ten like this: One, two, three, baba, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.

When Robert was three he was walking around the pool with Nannie (my mama) who cannot swim. While he was leaning over to get something he fell in -- the DEEP end!! He kicked and paddled his way to the side and said, "Nannie, I fell in!" "Yes, Robert, you did." "Nannie, I swimmed out!" "Yes, Robert, you did." "Nannie, are you all right?" "No, Robert, I'm not." He never did have to have swimming lessons.

Kelly used to run in terror from the dogs, and then when she got inside the door would huff and spit and snort like she was letting them have it!

Leigh used to take control outside by saying, "Don't worry, Nannie. I'm charge of the dogs."

Once I was working on my brother's computer. His son Zack asked if people could get into his computer now since they had internet. I explained that yes, people could get in, but they would have to be very smart and know exactly what they were doing...like a genius. Zack said, "So, you could do it?" He's owned my heart ever since :)

Ashley used to want the aircon dink dink on when it was very hot.

Robert did not like the windshipers--they got on his nervous.

Josh (if you can believe it) was running around like a wild man one morning. I asked if he had lost his mind. "No, ma'am. I left it in the closet!"

Kathy, Pam, and I took our girls to a summer class in dance and gymanstics. We stood outside the door to see how it was going. The door flew open and Kelly shot out like a lightning bolt! A few days later when one of the girls asked her about it, Kelly said, "That was a long time ago. I'm over that now."

Karissa, the baby of my sister's children, used to get out of doing chores by telling her older sisters, "Leave me alone; me happy." We still say that!

Kecia's favorite elementary school game was Drop the Hanktifice.

Lauren once ran the three wheeler into a tree because she was "showing someone what it felt like to be stared at." She has the scars to prove it!

Once when Karissa was four, she sweetly asked if I would ride the golf cart with her and let her drive. After asking all the people that mattered (her parents, my parents) and getting the same answer ("If she'll ride with you, go ahead"), we hopped on. With an angelic expression, Karissa warned me to hold on ... and took me on the golf cart ride from Hades!!! She only knew two speeds -- wide open or stop...and she didn't like the stop option. I saw my life flash before my eyes!!

No matter how sick anybody else was, Leigh always had "a worse case than anybody!!!"

When Josh and Lauren were tiny, they had slept with me while Robbie worked. I got up before they woke up and was getting dressed. When they started to wake up and stretch, Josh looked over at Lauren, put his arm around her, and said so sweetly, "Good morning, weetheart." That still brings tears to my eyes.

Whether because he did not want us looking at him, or because he wanted our complete and undivided attention, Robert's unique request was ,"Turn your eyes around!"

We knew Kecia's school years were looking better when she came home from kindergarten one day and announced that it had been a "one tissue day" -- as opposed to having an entire box of tissues at her desk!

Lauren had two dreams in her early years -- to have braces and to wear a knee brace with a hole on the kneecap.

Whenever she saw a policeman, Casey would say, "Pweesem!! Hit the floor!!"


Oh my gosh, there are so many more!! I'm so thankful for those precious, hilarious memories -- and for the vocabulary we have adopted from all our babies. Those words and phrases bind us together as a family. We'll celebrate Thanksgiving at Mama's on Sunday, and I'll bet that at some point during the day, one of those "Campbell Kid" phrases will be used...and we will remember all over again.

Good Sugar and ThanksLiving...

Well, it hasn't been hard this week to live thankfully!

• We have an entire week out of school--thank You, Lord, for the much needed vacation.
• Grace cried for ME-- how sweet is that!
• Carsyn has only a cold and no ear infection -- thank You again!
• There was NO charge for having the super-duper machine reset-- that means more Christmas shopping on Friday.
• I had a wonderfully fun time sewing with Lauren and Casey last night -- I may be creating my own little monsters!
• I have a whole day of Carsyn sugar today (hence the title). We've had a bath, multiple toe chewings, and three naps so far.
• All the kids are coming tonight to decorate for Christmas--thank You, Lord, for sending this idea my way. Soup and hamburgers for supper!! (I know -- weird combination -- but remember the non soup eaters...)
• Thanksgiving lunch at Robbie's parents' house tomorrow -- ham and turkey, ummmmm.
• Black Friday shopping with my favorite girls -- this will be a stretch -- I just found out Kohl's opens the THREE!!
• Robert's babies are coming to spend the night Saturday-- I see another "no gwabity" moon walk coming.
• Thanksgiving lunch at Mama and Daddy's Sunday (all 35 of us)-- thank You, Lord, for disposable plates and cups :)
• I have an absolutely awesome hubby who comes to check out weird noises and  is the light of my life (I really don't talk about him enough. Note to self: fix that.)

This ThanksLiving idea is awesome!! Each and every day I am focused on being thankful for every detail of my life. The hard/weird/sad things are so much easier to live with when my focus is in the right place.

May all of my friends and family have an absolutely wonderful Thanksgiving!

Something Old...And the Memories

Well, here it comes...that time of year when the house has to be rearranged, trees put up, and lights and ornamants dangle everywhere. For me, it's a time of cleaning and "doing away with" the old stuff that no one needs anymore. Today I've thrown away broken toys, parts of Mr. Potato Head that no longer had a head to attach to, single shoes, and one grass hula skirt...I don't know WHERE it came from, but it doesn't live here anymore!

Vicki and Grace spent the night with us Friday night. Vicki was going shopping with family early Saturday and Grace would spend the day with us. So this morning, smack dab in the middle of an all out cleaning, rearranging, pulling stuff out of the closet fit, I stopped to make up the bed they slept on...Pigo and Granny's bed, dressed in Mammaw and Pawpaw's sheets. What a very old bed it is, solid wooden posts with steel rails. And those sheets!! Soft as a fine linen handkerchief...

I could not help but stop and think about my grandparents. On both sides, I had such good examples and such fun grandparents. Pigo loved Christmas better than anyone I know. He absolutely could NOT wait...every year he slipped up and showed us a little something we would be seeing again at Christmas. Then Granny would catch him. "Now, William," she would say, "you don't want to spoil the surprise!" Bless his heart, he just couldn't help himself.

Christmas at Mammaw's was always on Christmas Day at lunch. I wish my children could remember more about Pawpaw, but he died when they were so little. Robert was not quite one year old. Josh and Lauren can remember "the man who fed us apples," but not much more. Mammaw always had a huge meal at her house. Her dumplings were absolutely manna from heaven. Oh, my gosh...they would melt in my mouth! She always did the shopping, and Pawpaw gave us his own gift. I remember like it was yesterday how all the grandkids would line up, single file, for him to give us a very impressive-looking Christmas money envelope. In a family were allowances were not the norm, the money we got for Christmas made us feel like millionaires. I always had such big dreams of what I was going to do with my Christmas money.

I truly cherish the memories of Christmases past; hopefully, my own children have already stored up memories of Christmases with their grandparents and us. I'm making it a special goal this year to celebrate thankfully and make memories with my kids and babies. Who knows...maybe one day in the middle of a cleaning spree, one of them will notice something old, and it will bring back wonderful memories.

Disappearing People and Their Prey

Hunting season starts tomorrow. Gone are the days when normal men wear attractive clothes in beautiful colors. We are now entering the time period in which most men will wrap themselves in shades of variegated greens and imitate the nearest tree or shrub. Suddenly, during this time of year, the only fashionable clothes many men wear are branded Mossy Oak or something comparable. Clothes shopping is done at Bass Pro, the hunting section at Wal Mart, Cabela's, or sporting goods stores. Women aren't even allowed to use Gain or Tide -- they have to buy special laundry detergent that covers up the human scent. Even worse, the cologne of the next few months will be premium doe pee. No self-respecting buck could possibly let all this preparation go unheeded, could he? Surely he will be willing to sacrifice himself and his harem for the chance to live for eternity on someone's wall. I surely hope so...if all our men are going to make themselves smelly and invisible, the least they deserve is a trophy for the wall.

Best of luck Josh and David (my two very favorite hunters)!

Best of luck to all you hunters!

Best of luck to any of you looking for your men...you may not be able to pick him out of the shrubbery!

Deer Hunting Time Is Here Again

Deer hunting time is here again

And many hunters take to the woods

After months of planning with family and friends

They gather in common brotherhood

It's a freedom that fills the soul of a man

With the peace of God's nature all around

Lessons that have been taught since time began

And lifelong memories and friendships are found

Hunting is taught by tradition still yet

Knowledge passed on from man to man

And you'll learn things that you'll never forget

And respect nature more, our wildlife, and our land

So all you hunters enjoy this time

May you be skilled and have lots of luck

May God bless you as you hunt today

And may you bag that ten point buck! !
                          
                                            Kat West

ThanksLiving

That's a phrase I heard the other day that got me thinking: ThanksLiving. It means to live thankfully. It's so easy to be negative about the different parts of life. Work is too hard, too far away, too demanding; the weather is too hot, too cold, too wet, too dry; people are too nosy, too distant, too needy; food is too done, too rare, too salty, too sweet. So, I'm making every effort to be thankful in my attitude, and there is so much to be thankful for.

Thankful does not begin to cover how much I appreciate the special people in my life. My entire family ROCKS. Seriously. We are here for each other, listen to each other, love each other. We give each other space without being jealous of time spent with other people. We pray for each other, support each other, and are always driven about what would be best for the others in the family. I do not see my family changing...it was the way Pam and David and I were brought up, and we are bringing up our children that way. Already I see those same traits in my grandchildren.

I am also thankful for my school, the gym, and my co-workers. The coaches at the gym and the teachers at CCA and the teachers I'm associated with through the online classes I teach are loving, helpful, and supportive. We LOVE each other and try to help one another with class problems and life problems. In each area, we work together to provide the very best. My teacher friends are AWESOME.

Next, I am so thankful for the students God has placed in my classrooms...and I know he has been responsible for the ones assigned to me. No matter how much I might wonder what sin have I commmited to deserve a time of bad behavior,  the children always win me heart and soul, and I learn so much from them and their parents.  I mentioned in a previous post about a student who always had to work so hard for every little point, and how much I admired him for trying so hard. That same student was the state trooper who was called to Robert's wreck and stayed at the hospital waiting for me. Oh,yes, I'm thankful for my students.

Friendship is another thing I am so thankful for. Daily I receive emails, text messages, comments on my blog, and phone calls that remind me of the many friends I have. They are so special to me and come from so many areas of life. Some I grew up with; others have moved from student or student parent to friend. Others I have developed relationships with throughout my life. I read once that if a person dies with two very good friends, he is lucky. I don't count myself lucky to have all my friends; I count myself blessed.

Most important, I'm thankful to know that I serve a living God, one who truly loves me and wants the best for me. People who do not know my God must be devastated, hopeless, and pitiful when a tragedy occurs and they do not have a higher power to turn to. How sorry I am for them during those times. How thankful I am for my God and my church.

As the holidays approach, I hope you will make a point to practice ThanksLiving. It's truly and attitude adjustment for the better!

What I'm Thankful For

• The mess to clean up after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends.
• The taxes I pay because it means that I'm employed.
• The clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have enough to eat.
• My shadow who watches me work because it means I am out in the sunshine.
• The spot I find at the far end of the parking lot because it means I am capable of walking.
• All the complaining I hear about our government because it means we have freedom of speech.
• That lady behind me in church who sings off key because it means that I can hear.
• The piles of laundry and ironing because it means my loved ones are nearby.
• The lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing because it means I have a home.
• My huge heating bill because it means that I am warm.
• Weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means that I have been productive.
• The alarm that goes off in the early morning hours because it means that I am alive.
• The interruptions in my life because that means I am needed.

To The Moon And Back

What an awesome weekend! Saturday, we had a work day at the gym. Some places in the floor needed repairing, and there was some general -- and not so general -- cleaning that needed to be done. Lauren sent out an email, and we were both amazed at the response! Our parents are wonderful!! When the girls come in Monday, they'll see a new shelf full of trophies, banners hung, a wonderfully straight and springy floor, super-clean mats and carpets, and clean windows and doors. We so appreciate the moms and dads (and kids) who turned out to help.

As soon as I could get cleaned up, I went to get Dylan, Daniel, and Kaylee. We saw the tail end of an airshow, which was super exciting for the boys. Kaylee covered her ears. :)  Several puzzles, ballgames, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and bubble baths later, all were sound asleep. That's a good thing, because ZiZi and PopPop could hardly move we were so sore from all the work we had done in the gym!

Sunday morning we were up and about early. Congratulating myself for preparedness, I helped Robbie put roast in the oven, cook two bags of peas, and cut up potatoes. All the kids would be at our house for lunch -- NOT. We got to church and realized we were eating at church for Pastor Appreciation!

So we ate at church and then came home to play. Kaylee went to sleep, and Dylan and Daniel and I had an adventure. They said they wanted to go to the moon, so we pretended the swing was our rocket. We had a big blast-off, went through some turbulence, and finally landed on the moon where, as Daniel explained, we could float because there is "no gwabity" on the moon. Hilarious!! It was so much fun.

At the end of the day, the kids graciously agreed to help us with the food...they came over for supper instead of lunch! It was so good to have them all here. Grace is counting by 10's and 5's and 100's. She told us about her youth hunt yesterday. She declares she will NEVER go again because you just have to be too quiet and too still, and she cannot be still that long because it hurts her legs!

I know all about hurting legs...and arms...and back. I'm off to a warm bath and Aleve. CCA is out tomorrow for Veteran's Day, so Grace and I can have a great play day until gym. Who knows...she may want to go to the moon and back, too.

Angels Among Us

I cannot remember a time when I did not believe in angels. My Sunday school teachers told wonderful stories about angels visiting humans -- I particularly loved the story of the angel choir announcing the birth of Jesus. I not only loved the story, but the fact we were studying that section of the Bible meant Christmas was not very far away!

There is a huge difference, though, in believing IN something and KNOWING it for a fact. I learned first-hand the power of angels when I was six. I had lost my hearing but didn't really know that. My hearing loss happened gradually, and even my parents didn't know--they just thought I wasn't paying attention or was using "selective hearing" when I claiimed not to have heard them.

I was in the first grade and rode the bus to and from school. Pam and David were still at home, so Mama walked across the yard to the railroad crossing with me every morning and met me there every afternoon. But one day she was running late -- I don't know why. I felt so grown up getting off the bus without Mama there. I started across the ditch, across the tracks, and then I saw Mama running across the yard waving her arms. Really, had she lost her mind? Didn't she know people might see her? When I felt the ground vibrating, I looked to my left -- and there was the train. There I stood, in the middle of the tracks, a train looming down on me -- I didn't know what to do. And in the blink of an eye, I was back off the tracks, the train zooming by and gradually slowing down. There was no bright light or heavenly sight -- I was just OFF the tracks. When the train finally stopped -- I couldn't imagine why--the conductor got on top of the train and ran towards the back. It wasn't until he saw me standing there that he went down on his knees and I saw him crying. It was a long time later that I realized he thought he had hit me. He got up and waved at Mama, who was, to my horror, lying on the ground trying to see under the train. I can't describe anything; I only know that a power greater than I moved me off the tracks.

Years and years later, Granny got sick. She finally agreed to move in with Mama and Daddy because she needed round-the-clock care and it was too much for Pigo. She was in great pain with pancreatic cancer and was sometimes unsure of the time -- of the day, the year, or her life. One morning Daddy called and said I might want to come. Granny had been up since 4:00 begging to go home. Making every effort to grant her wishes, Mama and her sisters had loaded her into the Tahoe and taken her to her house. But that's not what she wanted. We waited on her all day. Suddenly, she wanted to sit up. It took several of us to help her because she was so weak. She started smiling and clapping -- we didn't know what was going on.  She kept saying, "He's coming, he's coming!" And then her face fell. And in a soft voice full of despair, she said, "He skipped me." I'll never forget how sad she was, and I'll always believe that her angels were taking care of her during that time.

A year and a half after Granny died, Pigo had a stroke. I'll always say he died of a broken heart -- he missed Granny so much! The morning of his stroke, I went to his house to check on him -- I had had a dream that wouldn't go away. I found him sleepy and not able to talk much and called family in to help. A few hours later, in his hospital room, he said what I believe were his last words: "I need some water" and "Don't worry--they're all around me." What else would he have been talking about? It had to be angels.

Recently, Vicki gave me the book Angel Song to read. It's written by Sheila Walsh and Kathryn Cushman -- Women of Faith speakers and authors. If you like to read, get it. If anyone you are close to has ever died, read it. To be honest, I couldn't read it at first. It involved a car wreck and someone dying, and Robert's death is still very fresh for me. But I kept going back to it, and when I could read it I got such comfort from that book. A thought that has not left me since Robert's accident is that he was all alone, but I should have known better. It took this book to remind me of that. He wasn't alone at all -- angels were singing all around him.

What Do I Make? The Million Dollar Question

Some days I wonder why I teach---high school, gymnastics, Children's Church. But I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that teaching is what God has called me to do. I remember the sheer horror on Daddy's face when I told him I wanted to teach English -- he couldn't understand why anyone in the world would want to do that. He had always operated under the presumption that I would do something in the medical field. What he really had in mind was that I would be an anesthesiologist. No worries, Daddy -- I still put people to sleep!!

I knew I wanted to be a teacher in elementary school; my sixth grade teacher scared me to death, though, and almost ended my chances of being a teacher by ending my career as a student. When I finally got brave enough (six weeks later) to go back to school, I determined that I would be a teacher, a better one--one who didn't scare students or give a lot of busy work.

Then when I was a junior in high school circumstances evolved that made it necessary for me to change schools. Transferring schools in the middle of one's junior year is a feat that can make the heart grow weak, but I did it -- and I found my role model. My new English teacher was AHHHMAZING! I had never seen a teacher handle a classroom like she did. She was unusually short, but even the tallest and biggest of the football players would have stripped naked and spun around upside down on their pinky fingers if she had said to. Oh, how I wanted to be like her. So...I broke the news to Daddy. And that's all I'm saying about that.

As I told you in previous posts, school was an adventure -- babies coming all along, jobs lost, houses burned-- but finally I had my degree and began teaching. It took awhile, but I found my place in God's world at Crenshaw Christian Academy. I had been teaching at Sylvan Learning Center, but Lauren's heart problems required me to be closer to lessen the stress on her. Until then, I didn't know that English teachers went to work and planned to die at the same school. I applied EVERYWHERE!!! No one had a position. I was "welcome to send in a resume," but the outlook was not good.

And then one day, Robbie called from work and needed me to look up a number. When I flipped through the phone book, one number literally jumped from the page: Crenshaw Christian Academy. I had no idea there was such a place! And I was positive that they did not need an English teacher. But I could NOT get that number from my mind.

Finally, I threw my hands up. "All right, God! I'll call. But you KNOW they don't need an English teacher -- if they're even a REAL school!" I put conditions on the call, though. Call me Gideon, but I agreed to call as long as I could put my "fleece" out there. The answer to my call had to be absolute -- no questions.

So I dialed. And hung up. And dialed again. With heavy heart and very negative attitude, I told the secretary who I was and wondered if, by chance, CCA needed an English teacher. Here's the response: Oh my gosh! Don't hang up. I have to get Mrs. Johnson! Hold on, now. You're not going to hang up are you! I'll be right back!

As I held on, I thought, "Well, okay God. That was pretty clear. Good job." And so I began teaching at CCA almost twenty-one years ago. During those years, I have often been reminded that I could make more money somewhere else -- and that's right. And sometimes I get really aggravated at the students who don't seem to care -- the ones who don't appreciate the wonderful opportunity they've been given -- the ones who, despite my best efforts, seem to know absolutely nothing about anything I've done in class. And then a breakthrough comes and my spirit is renewed.

So, today, I'm reminded of a something I heard once. For anyone who wonders what I make, here goes:

I make characters and stories come alive. I make words make sense. I make children who thought they couldn't believe they can. I make a way for children to get to college. I make students think. I make big jobs seem "do-able." I make students be accountable. I make myself available to my students and their parents. I make my room a safe, warm, and inviting place. I make people like Huck Finn and Tom Walker seem real. I make unloved children feel loved. I make it okay to ask questions. I make doctors and lawyers and firemen and teachers and engineers and dentists and policemen.

What do I make? I make a difference.

For a long time I have known that my students would not really appreciate me during high school. In fact, they probably won't like me at all. But one day, probably in college, they will appreciate my efforts. And I can wait. A very hard-working but struggling student and his parents wrote a note and gave it to me the night he graduated. The line I will always remember is "We will love you far longer than you remember us." That's my goal -- to be the one "loved far longer." I make a difference, and that's much more important than the amount on my paycheck.

20+ Years in Children's Church

Our church blessed Robbie and me with a sweet service this morning that honored the development of Children's Church. It's hard to believe that it's been over twenty years since I started teaching the children during worship service. The children have taught me as much as I ever taught them -- and in a much funnier manner! I just thought I would share some of the highlights over the years (in no particular order):

1. When I asked Zack and Jordan to explain why we should have Thanksgiving, they hurriedly put all their wordly and biblical fourth-grade knowledge together and said: Because the Pilgrims were hungry, and Squanto brought them two fish and five loaves of bread!

2. While reciting Psalm 23, Leigh got to the part "He restores my soul," but instead said, "He will steal my sword."

3. While we were acting out the story of Moses and the Red Sea, Zack was playing the part of Moses and Karissa was an Israelite woman. As Zack held his hand out over the blue "water," Karissa crossed the "sea" and then looked back. With horror on her face, she said, "Huwwy, Gack! The Gyptians are coming!" Zack: "Don't wowwy, Kwissa! I'm coming!"

4. When I asked Will what he had learned in school that week, he told me he now knew just what to do in case his house caught on fire. "All I have to do is just shake, rattle, and roll."

5. Julie always talked about wanting a brother or a sister. After the story of Samuel's mother praying without ceasing for a baby, Julie said, "Well, just call me Hannah."

6. After our dog had puppies, Robert couldn't stand the thought of leaving them at home while we went to church...so we took them (and their mom). Robert beamed as all his classmates watched the puppies, and with all the confidence in the world, said, "Don't pick them up yet. They're too little. They still have to eat from their mama's kidneys."

7. Karissa raised her hand in church one Sunday when we had gone out for the song service. When the preacher asked her what she wanted to pray for, she batted those long eyelashes, shook back her waist-length hair, and sweetly said, "Please pray for my mama that she will not be sooooo mean." Pam almost died!

8. Josh asked if Jesus lived on a farm, or how else would he know what all to put here for a farm?

9. Lauren asked if she could have chicken strips in heaven, because how else could she never be hungry again?

10. Gabby cried one Sunday when her daddy picked her up early to go to a family reunion. He decided to let her stay when she wailed, "You're taking me out, and we haven't even learned about God!!"

11. Once in the middle of snack (quite possibly the most important part of Children's Church), this conversation happened:
Bailey: Y'all, I've got to quit eating. I weigh thirty-seven!
Blake: Thirty-seven? That ain't nothing!
Morgan: Yeah, my mama weighs more than that.
Bailey: Well, my mama's older than your mama.
Morgan: Uh uh. My mama's the oldest of all.
Gabby: No, Morgan, my mama is older because she is your mama's sister and she's older.
Blake: Well, this is the truth: My daddy is the oldest and if you don't know it, look at his head. He has GRAY hair!

12. Over a couple of years, we had some Mexican children who were just learning to speak English. Robert was helping me one Sunday and Emir was learning our names. Every time, he got everyone right until he got to Robert -- Emir called him cinca. At first it was funny, but soon Robert couldn't figure out why Emir wouldn't say Robert but called him cinca instead. And then we found out. Emir stood up, poked Robert right on the chest -- where his jersey had a big number 5 on it -- and said in a way that meant business, "CINCA!!"

There are so many blessings I've gotten from Children's Church. I've had the special privilege of teaching all three of my children and all seven nieces and nephews, as well as numerous cousins and church family children. For years, I was known by all the children as Aunt Lisa. Now, it is not uncommon to hear the children call me ZiZi. Robbie has been such a huge influence once his work schedule all owed him to partner with me. He is PopPop to all the children.

As I told the church today, the Bible passage that is my guide for this ministry is in Acts chapter 8. It's the story of Phillip approaching the Ethiopian eunuch reading Isaiah. When Phillp asks if he understands, the Ethiopian replies, "How can I understand, unless I have someone to teach me?" That is my mission -- to help the children understand not only the stories of the Bible, but the plan of salvation as well. I look forward to many more blessings as I teach the second generation of Chilren's Church.


As the service closed today, Allen presented me with a framed document that we had given Bro. James Owens, the pastor under whom Children's Church was established. The event was his twentieth anniversary in the ministry. Bro. James (also known as Bull) had preached at homecoming and had brought it back saying that it seemed that he thought it belonged at Sweet Home. The document had been presented by Children's Church, and had been "signed" with the fingerprints of all our little ones. How sweet to see all their tiny fingerprints. How touching that Robert's was one of them. How kind of Bro. Bull to offer it to us. How thoughtful of our church to have this service today and present it to Robbie and me. How blessed we are to be a part of such a loving and warm church family. My cup runneth over. I hope my saucer can catch it all!