Time literally rolled back yesterday. Dylan ran in, and in his most serious voice, said (self-importantly, I might add), "ZiZi, I need some matches or a lighter. I'm gonna burn this big limb and the sticks in the back yard."
Now, those of you who are not familiar with us are saying, "My, what a helper he is! All young men should help out like that."
That's until you know he's five.
And the "big limb" is really half a tree that almost hit the car.
And the pasture is right beside the big limb.
And his daddy once burned that very pasture off when he was four by trying to burn that very tree down (because it was in his way).
And we had to call the fire department to help us and the neighbors keep the fire from burning forty plus acres.
And then his daddy convinced the fire department, wearing only underwear and sandals while walking with them to put out "hot spots," that I had set the fire by burning some garbage in the pasture.
Which I most certainly did NOT do.
But who do you think they believed? Yep, you got it. They brought me "Learn NOT to Burn" papers.
Oh, yeah. It was a flashback indeed!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Mother's Day
Sunday, May 8th, is Mother's Day, and I couldn't let it go by without writing about the most wonderful Mama in the world...MINE!!
If you've read my profile or ever been around me, you know that one of my life goals is to grow up to be just like Mama. Anybody who knows Mama would tell you that I would have a looooonnnnngggg way to go :)
Mama is most likely the strongest Christian I know--and I know a LOT of Christians. She has more Bibles than most churches own, and she reads from all of them AT THE SAME TIME! It is not uncommon to go in and find Mama on the couch, surrounded by study materials and Bibles, reading away on a lesson for that week or just studying over something she heard on television or Faith Radio. Often she will ask one of us to look something up on the computer, and she adds all that information to what she has found on her own. She has an insatiable desire to KNOW when it comes to the Bible and knowledge of God.
She is also an AH-MAZING prayer warrior. We go to her for everything in terms of prayer. Granny, her mama, left her the secret to knocking right on God's door -- of that I am totally sure. She prays for us every morning as we travel to work. She prays for our work places. She prays for us when we are sick. Once, when Lauren had a co-worker that she just could not tolerate, I mentioned the situation to Mama. The next information from Lauren -- the co-worker's husband was offered a contract in Japan. JAPAN! Mama prayed her not only out of Lauren's life--she prayed her slam out of the country! Amazing!
Mama is also our example in the areas of being a wife, a mother, a homemaker, and a grandmother. "Lucky enough to be able to stay home" with us (her words), she took her job at home very seriously. The house was always clean or being cleaned; clothes were always washed or waiting to go into the washer; summers were filled with shelling peas and beans and silking corn. We were not lovers of lunchroom food and did not like to take our lunches in high school. No problem for Mama--she had delicious food ready as soon as we got off the bus. In fact, it seems like she had food ready all the time. I can remember watching her pull cans of food from the cabinet and packages of meat from the freezer to prepare for supper--all this while we were eating breakfast!
She and daddy have taught us by example: don't argue in front of the kids; don't discuss the bad aspects of life, school, or church in front of the kids; work hard; keep a clean house; honor and respect each other; the strongest love is the one that quietly perseveres and supports each other through thick and thin.
I have learned a lot about being a mother from Mama, but she has also taught me about being a grandmother. I used to wonder why my kids were just wild to stay with Mama and Daddy, but why would they not be? At Nannie and Papa's, the world stopped while our children were there. It's been so easy to follow her example. Buying food the kids like, special snacks for them, having a play room when we don't have little ones here, having sippy cups filling our cabinets, having extra clothes in sizes newborn to 6 in our house--that's just what I learned from watching Mama.
My Mama--the most beautiful words in the world--about the most beautiful woman in the world. How blessed I am to have her. How thankful I am the God placed us together in our family. How honored I am to be her daughter. Love you, Mama!!!
If you've read my profile or ever been around me, you know that one of my life goals is to grow up to be just like Mama. Anybody who knows Mama would tell you that I would have a looooonnnnngggg way to go :)
Mama is most likely the strongest Christian I know--and I know a LOT of Christians. She has more Bibles than most churches own, and she reads from all of them AT THE SAME TIME! It is not uncommon to go in and find Mama on the couch, surrounded by study materials and Bibles, reading away on a lesson for that week or just studying over something she heard on television or Faith Radio. Often she will ask one of us to look something up on the computer, and she adds all that information to what she has found on her own. She has an insatiable desire to KNOW when it comes to the Bible and knowledge of God.
She is also an AH-MAZING prayer warrior. We go to her for everything in terms of prayer. Granny, her mama, left her the secret to knocking right on God's door -- of that I am totally sure. She prays for us every morning as we travel to work. She prays for our work places. She prays for us when we are sick. Once, when Lauren had a co-worker that she just could not tolerate, I mentioned the situation to Mama. The next information from Lauren -- the co-worker's husband was offered a contract in Japan. JAPAN! Mama prayed her not only out of Lauren's life--she prayed her slam out of the country! Amazing!
Mama is also our example in the areas of being a wife, a mother, a homemaker, and a grandmother. "Lucky enough to be able to stay home" with us (her words), she took her job at home very seriously. The house was always clean or being cleaned; clothes were always washed or waiting to go into the washer; summers were filled with shelling peas and beans and silking corn. We were not lovers of lunchroom food and did not like to take our lunches in high school. No problem for Mama--she had delicious food ready as soon as we got off the bus. In fact, it seems like she had food ready all the time. I can remember watching her pull cans of food from the cabinet and packages of meat from the freezer to prepare for supper--all this while we were eating breakfast!
She and daddy have taught us by example: don't argue in front of the kids; don't discuss the bad aspects of life, school, or church in front of the kids; work hard; keep a clean house; honor and respect each other; the strongest love is the one that quietly perseveres and supports each other through thick and thin.
I have learned a lot about being a mother from Mama, but she has also taught me about being a grandmother. I used to wonder why my kids were just wild to stay with Mama and Daddy, but why would they not be? At Nannie and Papa's, the world stopped while our children were there. It's been so easy to follow her example. Buying food the kids like, special snacks for them, having a play room when we don't have little ones here, having sippy cups filling our cabinets, having extra clothes in sizes newborn to 6 in our house--that's just what I learned from watching Mama.
My Mama--the most beautiful words in the world--about the most beautiful woman in the world. How blessed I am to have her. How thankful I am the God placed us together in our family. How honored I am to be her daughter. Love you, Mama!!!
Friday, May 6, 2011
And the Definiton Is...
Sometimes, you realize you really didn't know the meaning of a word until you fully experience it. And so it was for me yesterday. What a busy morning it was! Our photographer had scheduled cap and gown pictures and I had some the needed to be taken, so I blocked out about two hours to get senior pictures done. We had a blast! Or I did, anyway. The seniors were all good, ready to do whatever I needed. I get group pics, val/sal pics, individual pics, and ...best of all...PLAYGROUND pics!
When we were donw with those, the seniors needed to take some for yearbook. I offered in my traditional Martha vs. Mary syndrome to get all the senior "stuff" (I forbid that word in their writing, but honestly sometimes it's the only thing that works) out of the gym lobby. I stacked and restacked, juggled and balanced, and finally headed to the high school building. Sad thing no one bothered to tell me there was a large concrete planter right in the middle of the sidewalk. Sad thing I couldn't see for all the stuff I was carrying.
Let me tell you, I was walking with PURPOSE...on a mission. And then my feet left the ground and I learned first-hand the meaning of CATAPULT. Yep, that's what I did...or it felt like anyway. All those pictures, my camera, honor cords, twenty medallions, valedictorian and salutatorian stoles, hangers, plastic bags...well , you get the picture. Actually, I'm very glad nobody DID get a picture. I was quickly seen about and helped up. I knew that God had been kind in not letting Lauren be there...we would have had to have her sedated or admitted to the hospital. She just cannot handle seeing people fall!
I knew last night I was going to be sore--physically, I mean. I suffered all the jokes about "trying to stay on my feet" and "at least you can do this sitting down." This morning, however, I had flashbacks to the time I was told to get up by myself after my emergency surgery. OH. MY. GOODNESS. Soreness...stiffness...bruises...OH.MY.GOODNESS!! Tomorrow has to be a better day!
When we were donw with those, the seniors needed to take some for yearbook. I offered in my traditional Martha vs. Mary syndrome to get all the senior "stuff" (I forbid that word in their writing, but honestly sometimes it's the only thing that works) out of the gym lobby. I stacked and restacked, juggled and balanced, and finally headed to the high school building. Sad thing no one bothered to tell me there was a large concrete planter right in the middle of the sidewalk. Sad thing I couldn't see for all the stuff I was carrying.
Let me tell you, I was walking with PURPOSE...on a mission. And then my feet left the ground and I learned first-hand the meaning of CATAPULT. Yep, that's what I did...or it felt like anyway. All those pictures, my camera, honor cords, twenty medallions, valedictorian and salutatorian stoles, hangers, plastic bags...well , you get the picture. Actually, I'm very glad nobody DID get a picture. I was quickly seen about and helped up. I knew that God had been kind in not letting Lauren be there...we would have had to have her sedated or admitted to the hospital. She just cannot handle seeing people fall!
I knew last night I was going to be sore--physically, I mean. I suffered all the jokes about "trying to stay on my feet" and "at least you can do this sitting down." This morning, however, I had flashbacks to the time I was told to get up by myself after my emergency surgery. OH. MY. GOODNESS. Soreness...stiffness...bruises...OH.MY.GOODNESS!! Tomorrow has to be a better day!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Random Observations from Our Tampa Trip
I was going to put this in my post about our trip, but it seemed a little long. I just didn't want to forget some things I learned while on our memorable trip to Tampa, Florida for Ashley's regional gymnastics meet. We had some beach time, some shopping time, and a LOT of time in the car. These are some things I learned through observation:
- When riding with a baby who does not need to be awakened, pack a cooler of food.
- It is very weird to be far from home, stopped at a random Wendy's for a frosty and baby break, and meet a former gymnast from Greenville whose family had moved.
- All babies must like to sleep sideways or upside down.
- Pull-out beds in hotels are instruments or torture straight from prisoner of war camps.
- When riding with a person with a small bladder, limit fluid intake. Possibly use adult diapers (due to the othered diapered rider).
- Just because a person can fit in a bikini does not mean she should wear one.
- Men who lie on the beach should not be seen pulling up pants legs to avoid tan lines. Looks weird, guys.
- Old couples who hold hands are the sweetest in the world.
- Parasailing must be AWESOME!!
- It is very difficult to repack the same way you packed the first time.
- Ice cream can heal many injuries, soothe feelings, and calm restless babies.
- Just because a restaurant is to-die-for does not mean the food is good for picky South Alabama eaters.
- Eating outside is the way to go to keep babies happy.
- All people love babies; we could have set up a bucket and gotten donations from people watching Carsyn wave and dance.
- Even if your gps aggravates you, take it on trips. It can get you back home, find food, and remind you of the speed limit.
- Florida has better roads than Alabama.
- Kilwin's has REALLY good fudge. Just sayin' :)
- Love bugs...ugghhhhh!
- You cannot go to the beach without coming home with a truck full of sand.
- Even on vacation, emails and texts go on.
- The death of bin Laden causes excitement in the middle of the night, in the middle of vacation, in the middle of Florida, in the middle of anything!!
- People who dance to the music on their ipod while walking down the beach look pretty ridiculous, but provide good entertainment.
- Girls who wear their shorts undone over their bikini bottoms look like their clothes are too small.
- It is entirely possible to be too tan.
- Wal Marts and Targets are EVERYWHERE. That's a good thing when you need baby food and diapers.
- It is entirely possible to be too old to wear a two piece.
- Babies prefer to sit in the sand on the beach, whether in the shade or not.
- Police who stop very old ladies with sirens and lights should be ashamed of themselves. Poor lady :(
- It should be a federally mandated law that all people returning from trips/vacations have an exxtra day off for recuperation purposes before returning to work.
- In the midst of a weekend in paradise, I still miss pecan trees, long red-dirt roads, swingsets in the yard, and Robbie's snoring.
Devastation
On Wednesday, April 27th, the second deadliest tornado outbreak in US history swept across the southeast states. That sounds clinical, doesn't it? It hit much closer to home for me when I thought of all the students I have taught who attend the University of Alabama. Thankfully, all my kids are ok...damage to homes and vehicles, but ok. We have family who suffered property damage, but they are all ok. Still sounds far off, doesn't it? But when I look at these pictures posted by fb friends, it seems very close...very unreal. Most importantly, it makes me aware of of the power of these storms, and I remember that God is in complete control...even over the storms.
What complete devastation. What a cleanup. What faith.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Tampa Weekend
Oh, how I needed this weekend! Lauren and I took Ashley, our oldest and longest-enrolled gymnast, to our first-ever prep opt regional championship. We had to make reservations early, and not knowing what day Ashley's meet would be, we had to cover the entire weekend. Fine with me :)
We left Thursday afternoon thinking that Carsyn would do better to take the drive in shifts. The plan worked great...except for one thing. We didn't get to eat because we were scared to stop if Carsyn was asleep. Ashley finally just went to sleep (probably to avoid hearing her belly button gnaw on her backbone). We made it to the hotel in Gainesville and literally fell into bed. Or Lauren, Carsyn, and Ashley did. I slept on the pull-out bed. My choice...Lauren had the baby and Ashley had to compete. Look for more about the bed in my next post :)
Friday morning started a little better. WE GOT FOOD! WE GOT DIAPERS!! WE BOUGHT GAS! And then we were on our way. The drive to Tampa was a really easy one...and a REALLY long one!! Arriving at our reservation, we settled in and decided to wait until after the meet to eat. Ashley changed and off we went. It was at this point in the trip that Lauren decided to fall into a serious case of LIKE with the GPS I had bought for Robbie. It took us straight to the convention center and straight back. And that's a good thing, because we didn't have a CLUE where we were. On the way back, we found a Chick-Fil-A, and I felt like God had smiled on us big time. We got our food and took it to the condo. Like was feeling pretty good. We all had a real bed, tummies were full, and we were tired.
Saturday started with a trip down to the beach. What an AHHH MAZING beach! The beach looked like it was a mile wide ( I am NOT exaggerating) and it was made almost completely of shells close to the water! Don't believe me? Look!
We left Thursday afternoon thinking that Carsyn would do better to take the drive in shifts. The plan worked great...except for one thing. We didn't get to eat because we were scared to stop if Carsyn was asleep. Ashley finally just went to sleep (probably to avoid hearing her belly button gnaw on her backbone). We made it to the hotel in Gainesville and literally fell into bed. Or Lauren, Carsyn, and Ashley did. I slept on the pull-out bed. My choice...Lauren had the baby and Ashley had to compete. Look for more about the bed in my next post :)
Friday morning started a little better. WE GOT FOOD! WE GOT DIAPERS!! WE BOUGHT GAS! And then we were on our way. The drive to Tampa was a really easy one...and a REALLY long one!! Arriving at our reservation, we settled in and decided to wait until after the meet to eat. Ashley changed and off we went. It was at this point in the trip that Lauren decided to fall into a serious case of LIKE with the GPS I had bought for Robbie. It took us straight to the convention center and straight back. And that's a good thing, because we didn't have a CLUE where we were. On the way back, we found a Chick-Fil-A, and I felt like God had smiled on us big time. We got our food and took it to the condo. Like was feeling pretty good. We all had a real bed, tummies were full, and we were tired.
Saturday started with a trip down to the beach. What an AHHH MAZING beach! The beach looked like it was a mile wide ( I am NOT exaggerating) and it was made almost completely of shells close to the water! Don't believe me? Look!
The shells literally looked like concrete.It was just amazing. The view was also amazing. I think Ashley and Lauren probably got the best view:
Going up!
Can you see the beach from there?
And they're back...you'd think they were excited or something :)
Carsyn was soooooo good. She enjoyed the food, the beach, the pool, the ice cream, and...wait for it...the RIDE. Not what we expected!!
Such a good weekend...such a good time...such good company...so glad to be home...so ready to go back.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Easter with Our Family
Easter was such a fun weekend! The kids all came to our house, Robbie's mother and daddy came, and we had an awesome time hunting eggs and playing.
Josh, Vicki, and Grace
Dylan, Daniel, and Kaylee
Ready, set, hunt!!
Taylor is fearless in the egg hunt.
Our five sweeties :)
Lauren, David, and Carsyn
We all had a wonderful time. On the downside, Kenny did not get a good report from the doctors. He will go back May 5th for a consultation. I am praying so hard for him and Pam and their girls. May God grant them peace and wisdom, and may He guide the doctors as they establish a plan for him.
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