Well tomorrow is the first day of 2012 and we still don't have humans living on the moon or have flying cars. I don't make resolutions because I know I won't keep them but I am happy for those of you that do make them and proud of your commitment.
I have lots of prayers for the upcoming year. I pray for a year without loss. The number of loved ones being lost each year is growing. Is that part of life? Is that part of getting older? Maybe so....... If it is part of life and getting older then why is a majority of the people we are losing younger? There is nothing right about burying someone who has not had the chance to live. But in the end, I remember I am not the Giver of life....therefore I am not the Taker of life either.
I also hope I shake my head a little less this year. I shake my head when people amaze me. Amaze me in a negative manner. Those who make me say "what in the world were they thinkin? Were they thinking at all?". I hope some of the adults I know begin to realize that every move they make and every decision they make affects their family.....their spouses...their kids....their parents..... All of their family!!!! And sadly, their actions rip families apart. Scars are not erased..... They may be masked...concealed....but not erased. Stop relying on "second chances". You only have one shot at raising your kids. The decisions you make as a parent in this very moment stays with the child for the rest of their life. Do you honestly want your child to remember they way you lived life as "what not to do"? Just imagine if you lived your life without needing to look down at the ground and avoid making eye contact with people you walk by. Be real......or you will eventually be "alone".
I know that I do not "walk on water". I make mistakes....daily. But... I am proud to say that my legacy is my family. They are my heart....my reason to breathe....my whole entire world. Nothing or nobody is worth risking their love and respect for me.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Lauana Lane
Ask most anyone around here why we have a road named Lauana Lane and they will be able to tell you. Lauana Lane is named after my grandmother, my Daddy's mother. Her name was Sarah Lauana Cooper.
I never had the honor/ pleasure of meeting/ knowing her. She passed away shortly after Kevin was born. Momma will tell you that she waited to pass until Kevin was born. Hung on long enough to welcome one more Cooper grand kid to the world. You know she had to be so excited when Tami finally made her appearance. She had 6 grandsons. Finally a girl!!!! Cooper girls from my generation are very few..... only 2. That makes us a little special.
So, I never physically met MawMaw but from all of the stories I have been told from many different sources, I fell as though I am somewhat acquainted with her. My Grannie talked of MawMaw often. Grannie thought of MawMaw as her sister. She referred to MawMaw as being the best person she had ever know. Grannie lived to be 92, so she had known quite a few people in her day. What a reunion they must have had when Grannie took her last earthly breath.
My Momma refers to MawMaw as the greatest Mother-in-law ever possible. I am pretty sure Aunt Linda and Aunt Shirley share this opinion with Momma. Momma and Daddy made their home next door to MawMaw and PaPa. When Mother and Daddy moved there, MawMaw made them agree to leave this one cedar tree standing in the yard. To this day, that tree is still there. It has been lit up for Christmas, it has had many balls stuck up in it, and it has served as base for many games of tag. I have never heard any "Marie Barone" horror stories from Momma. However, I have heard stories of MawMaw laughing at Momma and Daddy out in the yard having a food fight back in their younger days. Momma also once told me that MawMaw told her that she had to learn to cook something besides fried pork chops and gravy for Daddy. I know Daddy never complained about that meal at all!! Mother has never mentioned anything negative about her.....makes me wonder if there was anything?
Johnny and Jimmy have often shared stories of their love for MawMaw......their childhood days spent in and out of her house. To be honest, it makes me a little jealous. I never got the chance to run next door to MawMaw's house. Never had a chance to make those memories, so I must rely on the ones that they share. Johnny talks about the time he tried to run away from home and he was moving down to MawMaw and Papa's house and she wouldn't let him stay. She also used to get a kick out of her guineas pecking at him. I have also been told that if you fought too much around her, she would make you sit and look at each other. That must have been torture to have to look at someone you wanted to rub in the dirt. Many memories were made on her front door steps by the Cooper Cousins lucky enough to have known her.
I know my Daddy loved her. His face lit up every time he talked of his Momma. He called her "Mother" or sometimes "Momma" but mostly "Mother" when he spoke to me of her. He talked of her cooking, the way she ironed, her chickens...etc. I wish I could recall every story he had EVER shared with me about her but I can't. But I can picture his face as he told me. Daddy's face was a perfect reflection of a son's love for his Momma. She was taken from him way too early in his life, but I know she watched as he and Momma built and cared for their family.
The days after Daddy passed many people tried to comfort me. Some did and some got on my nerves. :)
I will always remember a conversation I had with Uncle Delbert on the front porch of Mother and Daddy's house. Uncle Delbert told me that Daddy was happy. When he first said that to me, those were not comforting words but as he continued to talk through his tears, his point became more clear. He told me Daddy is happy right where he is at. He is with Momma and knowing that.... was the only way he could accept this. Daddy finally got to see his Momma again. A day he had been waiting on for a very long time.
Someday..... Daddy will introduce me......
I never had the honor/ pleasure of meeting/ knowing her. She passed away shortly after Kevin was born. Momma will tell you that she waited to pass until Kevin was born. Hung on long enough to welcome one more Cooper grand kid to the world. You know she had to be so excited when Tami finally made her appearance. She had 6 grandsons. Finally a girl!!!! Cooper girls from my generation are very few..... only 2. That makes us a little special.
So, I never physically met MawMaw but from all of the stories I have been told from many different sources, I fell as though I am somewhat acquainted with her. My Grannie talked of MawMaw often. Grannie thought of MawMaw as her sister. She referred to MawMaw as being the best person she had ever know. Grannie lived to be 92, so she had known quite a few people in her day. What a reunion they must have had when Grannie took her last earthly breath.
My Momma refers to MawMaw as the greatest Mother-in-law ever possible. I am pretty sure Aunt Linda and Aunt Shirley share this opinion with Momma. Momma and Daddy made their home next door to MawMaw and PaPa. When Mother and Daddy moved there, MawMaw made them agree to leave this one cedar tree standing in the yard. To this day, that tree is still there. It has been lit up for Christmas, it has had many balls stuck up in it, and it has served as base for many games of tag. I have never heard any "Marie Barone" horror stories from Momma. However, I have heard stories of MawMaw laughing at Momma and Daddy out in the yard having a food fight back in their younger days. Momma also once told me that MawMaw told her that she had to learn to cook something besides fried pork chops and gravy for Daddy. I know Daddy never complained about that meal at all!! Mother has never mentioned anything negative about her.....makes me wonder if there was anything?
Johnny and Jimmy have often shared stories of their love for MawMaw......their childhood days spent in and out of her house. To be honest, it makes me a little jealous. I never got the chance to run next door to MawMaw's house. Never had a chance to make those memories, so I must rely on the ones that they share. Johnny talks about the time he tried to run away from home and he was moving down to MawMaw and Papa's house and she wouldn't let him stay. She also used to get a kick out of her guineas pecking at him. I have also been told that if you fought too much around her, she would make you sit and look at each other. That must have been torture to have to look at someone you wanted to rub in the dirt. Many memories were made on her front door steps by the Cooper Cousins lucky enough to have known her.
I know my Daddy loved her. His face lit up every time he talked of his Momma. He called her "Mother" or sometimes "Momma" but mostly "Mother" when he spoke to me of her. He talked of her cooking, the way she ironed, her chickens...etc. I wish I could recall every story he had EVER shared with me about her but I can't. But I can picture his face as he told me. Daddy's face was a perfect reflection of a son's love for his Momma. She was taken from him way too early in his life, but I know she watched as he and Momma built and cared for their family.
The days after Daddy passed many people tried to comfort me. Some did and some got on my nerves. :)
I will always remember a conversation I had with Uncle Delbert on the front porch of Mother and Daddy's house. Uncle Delbert told me that Daddy was happy. When he first said that to me, those were not comforting words but as he continued to talk through his tears, his point became more clear. He told me Daddy is happy right where he is at. He is with Momma and knowing that.... was the only way he could accept this. Daddy finally got to see his Momma again. A day he had been waiting on for a very long time.
Someday..... Daddy will introduce me......
Friday, December 23, 2011
Come home Crystal
Tonight's writing will be straight to the point. I need everyone who reads this to whisper this statement to God tonight when you say your prayers. "Lord, bring Crystal home safely.". Crystal is a very special young lady from Avilla church that I love very much. She has ran away from home. Nobody has seen or heard from her since Wednesday. I have not mentioned this since I found out because I was praying it would resolve quickly. Her parents, as well has her friends, who are more like sisters are sick with worry. We all are. I just told her the Wednesday of the funeral that she was one of the best parts of me......Crystal....you still are. Lord please put your protective hand on Crystal and bring her home.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Unusual Blessings :)
It has been a while since I have written. No particular reason.
2011 has been a tough year around here. 2010 was a tough one also. It seems the older I get the tougher each year gets. 2011 has been grim to say the least. So many young lives gone too early. That is just my opinion. But I know The Maker. He giveth life and He taketh it away. My dear friend Darci lost a very special student of her's this year. Glen Rose lost it's Ladybug. And my family lost a diamond in the rough, Tanner. I know the Momma's of these new angels would give anything to have just one more day with them.
So...... this blog will contain some unusual blessings:
1. I am blessed to have a little girl asleep in floor with Hannah Montana Daisy's huge head rested upon Laci's leg and 2 knot-headed boys asleep some where in this house.
2. I am blessed with a clothes basket full of socks..... albeit....a very frustrating beast in itself to conquer.... the owners of all of those socks are my reasons to live.
3. I am blessed with stale french fries under the seats of my suburban.
4. I am blessed with empty toilet paper rolls still on the toilet paper holder.
5. I am blessed with friends that make me smile even when they text me while I am sleeping.
6. I am blessed with too many open cereal boxes.
7. I am blessed with a refrigerator that has a broken shelf in the door that has been repaired with camo duct tape.
8. I am blessed with need to know exactly what my children are wearing every time they are away from me.
9. I am blessed with a stack of folded towels that has been passed by everyone in the house and nobody made an effort to put them away.
10. Lastly, I am blessed knowing that we are not guaranteed tomorrow, so my priorities don't lie in having a clean house, clean vehicle, or perfect kids but in making sure when my family closes their eyes every night, they know that they are my world.
2011 has been a tough year around here. 2010 was a tough one also. It seems the older I get the tougher each year gets. 2011 has been grim to say the least. So many young lives gone too early. That is just my opinion. But I know The Maker. He giveth life and He taketh it away. My dear friend Darci lost a very special student of her's this year. Glen Rose lost it's Ladybug. And my family lost a diamond in the rough, Tanner. I know the Momma's of these new angels would give anything to have just one more day with them.
So...... this blog will contain some unusual blessings:
1. I am blessed to have a little girl asleep in floor with Hannah Montana Daisy's huge head rested upon Laci's leg and 2 knot-headed boys asleep some where in this house.
2. I am blessed with a clothes basket full of socks..... albeit....a very frustrating beast in itself to conquer.... the owners of all of those socks are my reasons to live.
3. I am blessed with stale french fries under the seats of my suburban.
4. I am blessed with empty toilet paper rolls still on the toilet paper holder.
5. I am blessed with friends that make me smile even when they text me while I am sleeping.
6. I am blessed with too many open cereal boxes.
7. I am blessed with a refrigerator that has a broken shelf in the door that has been repaired with camo duct tape.
8. I am blessed with need to know exactly what my children are wearing every time they are away from me.
9. I am blessed with a stack of folded towels that has been passed by everyone in the house and nobody made an effort to put them away.
10. Lastly, I am blessed knowing that we are not guaranteed tomorrow, so my priorities don't lie in having a clean house, clean vehicle, or perfect kids but in making sure when my family closes their eyes every night, they know that they are my world.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
This past summer, one of my blogs consisted of comparing myself to a Momma duck because my children seemed to follow behind me just like baby ducks follow their mom.
I now have a new animal in which to compare myself too recently. I have become a bulldog. Why do I chose a bulldog? I guess because I see bulldogs as having little to no tolerance for those people who are just rude or they are completely oblivious that some of the decisions they make are just insane. Some people talk when they need to remain silent. I think as a whole society is becoming a little numb to just ignoring people and their rude or uncalled for comments. The older I get the more trouble I have ignoring them. If someone is bad-mouthing a friend of mine and I hear it, I have a hard time shrugging it off. The "bulldog" in me starts to growl and me and that individual end up having some "type" of conversation. I have to admit, it makes Loren a little nervous when I give some people this certain look, followed by one of my famous... "Excuse me?"
Just this past week, Hayes, Laci, and myself were standing at the redbox at the Malvern Wal-Mart. Three young adults/ teenagers walked right by all three of us, using the most horrible language I have ever heard. I turned and glared at them..... preparing my speech. Then I hear my son in my ear, saying "Please don't Momma, Please don't". So, I decided to let them by with a "look". I am thinking Hayes was really relieved!
I can also compare myself to a bulldog when it comes to making sure my kids get the education that they deserve. If at any point I think that any of my children are being slighted even the least little bit, it is time to take action. I am a teacher of students who have individual needs. I also have a child that requires special instruction. Since my child was identified, it has been a battle to get him the appropriate services he needs and it has been a battle to retain those services when some thought he did not need them. It has been a battle to make sure those services are consistently being provided. I will not go into all of the details of these battles that I have fought and will continue to fight. But I will say, they were and are unnecessary. I will always be my child's advocate when he is being denied what he is entitled to. I'm always ready.
I am a "bulldog".
I now have a new animal in which to compare myself too recently. I have become a bulldog. Why do I chose a bulldog? I guess because I see bulldogs as having little to no tolerance for those people who are just rude or they are completely oblivious that some of the decisions they make are just insane. Some people talk when they need to remain silent. I think as a whole society is becoming a little numb to just ignoring people and their rude or uncalled for comments. The older I get the more trouble I have ignoring them. If someone is bad-mouthing a friend of mine and I hear it, I have a hard time shrugging it off. The "bulldog" in me starts to growl and me and that individual end up having some "type" of conversation. I have to admit, it makes Loren a little nervous when I give some people this certain look, followed by one of my famous... "Excuse me?"
Just this past week, Hayes, Laci, and myself were standing at the redbox at the Malvern Wal-Mart. Three young adults/ teenagers walked right by all three of us, using the most horrible language I have ever heard. I turned and glared at them..... preparing my speech. Then I hear my son in my ear, saying "Please don't Momma, Please don't". So, I decided to let them by with a "look". I am thinking Hayes was really relieved!
I can also compare myself to a bulldog when it comes to making sure my kids get the education that they deserve. If at any point I think that any of my children are being slighted even the least little bit, it is time to take action. I am a teacher of students who have individual needs. I also have a child that requires special instruction. Since my child was identified, it has been a battle to get him the appropriate services he needs and it has been a battle to retain those services when some thought he did not need them. It has been a battle to make sure those services are consistently being provided. I will not go into all of the details of these battles that I have fought and will continue to fight. But I will say, they were and are unnecessary. I will always be my child's advocate when he is being denied what he is entitled to. I'm always ready.
I am a "bulldog".
Saturday, September 17, 2011
A "first" that I hope is a "last"
Loren and I had a "first" this morning. For the first time, we had to tell Hayes and Evan of a death of a child. We had to tell them Morgan left this earth. We had to tell them that God was done seeing Morgan hurt. God was done seeing her suffer. God had enough. God did not see fit to give Morgan and earthly healing. He gave her so much more. He gave her a Heavenly healing. Morgan deserved so much better then this old world had to offer.
These babies cannot understand why Morgan had to leave and frankly most of us adults don't understand either. We will never fully understand until we are able to look upon Jesus' face just as Morgan was able to do today. The prayers that were once said for Morgan are now being said for her family.
The first time I met Morgan was at Lake Degray. Her family was camping at the same time our family was. She really liked Evan. I remember watching her and Evan play chicken fight in the water. She bossed Evan every step of the way..... and like a gentleman.... Evan listened. One of Evan's responses this morning when we had to tell him she was gone was "now she is cancer-free". Yes Evan, she is cancer free.
I have lived in Glen Rose all of my life. There have been many events that have taken place over the years in my hometown. Nothing has EVER impacted this community like the life that little Morgan Anderson led. Her life was short, eight years is not long enough. But Morgan accomplished more in 8 short years then I will accomplish in my lifetime. Not one single person from GR will be able to look at a ladybug and not think of "our" ladybug. Morgan did her job and now it is time for her to rest. We are all better from having known her.
My heart hurts so much for the Anderson family.
These babies cannot understand why Morgan had to leave and frankly most of us adults don't understand either. We will never fully understand until we are able to look upon Jesus' face just as Morgan was able to do today. The prayers that were once said for Morgan are now being said for her family.
The first time I met Morgan was at Lake Degray. Her family was camping at the same time our family was. She really liked Evan. I remember watching her and Evan play chicken fight in the water. She bossed Evan every step of the way..... and like a gentleman.... Evan listened. One of Evan's responses this morning when we had to tell him she was gone was "now she is cancer-free". Yes Evan, she is cancer free.
I have lived in Glen Rose all of my life. There have been many events that have taken place over the years in my hometown. Nothing has EVER impacted this community like the life that little Morgan Anderson led. Her life was short, eight years is not long enough. But Morgan accomplished more in 8 short years then I will accomplish in my lifetime. Not one single person from GR will be able to look at a ladybug and not think of "our" ladybug. Morgan did her job and now it is time for her to rest. We are all better from having known her.
My heart hurts so much for the Anderson family.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
"Constants......"
I know that we all have "constants" in our life. Things that are ALWAYS there. Some of these "constants" are good, some of these "constants" we could live with or live without and some of these "constants" we wish would go away and never be seen or heard from again. I also have some "constants" in my life that get on my nerves one minute and then I stop and realize that these certain "constants" are really little reminders of how lucky of a person I am.
1. I am constantly doing laundry..... but that is ok....it reminds me of how lucky and blessed I am to have my family.
2. I am constantly buying milk...... but that is ok ..... because it reminds me that my family is not stuck on drinking sodas all the time.
3. I am constantly putting gas in my suburban..... but that is ok.... because it reminds me that I am lucky enough to be able to go back and forth to many practices and spend my weekends at their ball games.
4. I am constantly tired...... but that is ok ..... because it reminds me that I am blessed to be healthy and have the ability to get out of bed everyday and go to a job that I dearly love.
5. I am constantly picking up Loren's socks and taking them to the laundry room..... but that is ok..... because it reminds me that he is here with me and I know there is no place he would rather be.
6. I am constantly creeping on my niece's, nephew's and nephew-in-law's facebook pages because they are not around anymore as much as I want them to be.... but that is ok..... it reminds me of all of the memories I have of them that I will never let go of.
7. I am constantly hugging and kissing my babies.... but that is ok.... it reminds me of how quickly they will be gone and I cannot hardly stand the thought of that.
8. I am constantly missing my Daddy..... but that is ok..... or at least for the moment it is..... because it reminds me that I was so deeply blessed to be the daughter of Muriel Cooper and I am anxiously awaiting the day to get to talk to him again.
9. I am constanly in awe of my Momma..... she is the strongest, kindest person that I know.
10. I am constantly reminded that life is too short to spend criticizing others. You should be happy with who they are.... not who you want them to be because you just might end up without them.
1. I am constantly doing laundry..... but that is ok....it reminds me of how lucky and blessed I am to have my family.
2. I am constantly buying milk...... but that is ok ..... because it reminds me that my family is not stuck on drinking sodas all the time.
3. I am constantly putting gas in my suburban..... but that is ok.... because it reminds me that I am lucky enough to be able to go back and forth to many practices and spend my weekends at their ball games.
4. I am constantly tired...... but that is ok ..... because it reminds me that I am blessed to be healthy and have the ability to get out of bed everyday and go to a job that I dearly love.
5. I am constantly picking up Loren's socks and taking them to the laundry room..... but that is ok..... because it reminds me that he is here with me and I know there is no place he would rather be.
6. I am constantly creeping on my niece's, nephew's and nephew-in-law's facebook pages because they are not around anymore as much as I want them to be.... but that is ok..... it reminds me of all of the memories I have of them that I will never let go of.
7. I am constantly hugging and kissing my babies.... but that is ok.... it reminds me of how quickly they will be gone and I cannot hardly stand the thought of that.
8. I am constantly missing my Daddy..... but that is ok..... or at least for the moment it is..... because it reminds me that I was so deeply blessed to be the daughter of Muriel Cooper and I am anxiously awaiting the day to get to talk to him again.
9. I am constanly in awe of my Momma..... she is the strongest, kindest person that I know.
10. I am constantly reminded that life is too short to spend criticizing others. You should be happy with who they are.... not who you want them to be because you just might end up without them.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
DOMINATION!!!!
Man..... today was a day of TOTAL DOMINATION!!!! By that I mean.... everything seemed to fall right in to place..... It was GREAT!!!! It was just a great day to be a teacher!!! I had the door held open for me very first thing this morning, I did not have to wait in line at the copy machine, I got all of my papers graded, I had the coldest coke ever today for lunch, I had outside lunch duty in between the down pours, I didn't have a negative checking accout balance, I got in a good line at Kroger, the eggs made it in the house unbroken, I am caught up on the laundry, and I kissed all my babies good night. How could it possibly get any better. I love days like today. Now that I have said this.... tomorrow will probably be a complete disaster...... but until I close me eyes I will consider today a day of TOTAL DOMINATION!!!
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Random
Just a few random thoughts......
1. Life is tiring..... but the alternative is so much worse.
2. I tend to think things should always be done my way.
3. I love when my student ask my why I am happy everyday.
4. I get weird looks everyday.
5. I am a lousy driver.
6. I spoil my nieces too much.
7. I appreciate co-workers who just nod and smile when I rant.
8. I cannot tolerate drinking water from a glass... must be plastic.
9. I have lost control over the sock basket.
10. I dread my kids becoming teenagers.
Too tired to go on...... was really going to try to make it to 20.
:) Good night
1. Life is tiring..... but the alternative is so much worse.
2. I tend to think things should always be done my way.
3. I love when my student ask my why I am happy everyday.
4. I get weird looks everyday.
5. I am a lousy driver.
6. I spoil my nieces too much.
7. I appreciate co-workers who just nod and smile when I rant.
8. I cannot tolerate drinking water from a glass... must be plastic.
9. I have lost control over the sock basket.
10. I dread my kids becoming teenagers.
Too tired to go on...... was really going to try to make it to 20.
:) Good night
Monday, August 22, 2011
Because my niece told me to......
I have not blogged in a while. Things are a little busy in the Crow household. School has started.... which means we have to get up Monday- Friday... bathe... and look presentable. We do the exact opposite during the summer. We spent quite a bit of our time during the summer lounging around in our swimsuits all day. We would, in fact, shower and put on a clean bathing suit though. We are almost settled in to our regular school routine. Evan is playing football this year..... tackle football. He has been practicing 3 days a week and on Saturday morning. So a lot of time has been spent watching him practice. Loren has started a new job. Today was his second Monday at his job. It is a big change for him. He was at his last job for 10 years. He is making a move to make things better for his family. Have I mentioned that I love him?
Events that have taken place in the last few weeks have made me determined to give 100% to my kids. I really want to be the best mom possible to them. If for some reason, I am not here for them tomorrow, I want them to know how much I love them. Being a mom is not my part-time job. Teaching is my part-time job. My full-time job is being a mother to Hayes, Evan, and Lou Lou. I want them to know how much I love them everytime I drop them off at my mother's to catch the school bus. I do tend to squeeze them a little tight when I hug them. I do tend to snuggle with them when I should be washing the dishes. I do tend to make too many trips during the summer to take them to get a Hobo Joe's. And none of this do I intend on changing anytime soon. Loving a my job as a mother is easy. I learned from the best. I model my job as a mother after my own. I don't think I will ever be able to come close to being as good as a mom as she is. She is the best....hands down. We are blessed to be her kids and grandkids.
I am very lucky to get to witness my niece being a mother. She loves her son so much. It is written all over her face when she smiles. He is lucky to have her as his mom. She was put on this earth to be a mother to Easton. I look forward to seeing her grow and mature in motherhood and bless this family with more little ones. One day.... I will have many more great-nieces or great-nephews from my nieces and nephew. I can't wait to sit back and enjoy watching them learning the joys you get from being a parent.
So my goal is to give my kids 100% of me. They deserve it!
Events that have taken place in the last few weeks have made me determined to give 100% to my kids. I really want to be the best mom possible to them. If for some reason, I am not here for them tomorrow, I want them to know how much I love them. Being a mom is not my part-time job. Teaching is my part-time job. My full-time job is being a mother to Hayes, Evan, and Lou Lou. I want them to know how much I love them everytime I drop them off at my mother's to catch the school bus. I do tend to squeeze them a little tight when I hug them. I do tend to snuggle with them when I should be washing the dishes. I do tend to make too many trips during the summer to take them to get a Hobo Joe's. And none of this do I intend on changing anytime soon. Loving a my job as a mother is easy. I learned from the best. I model my job as a mother after my own. I don't think I will ever be able to come close to being as good as a mom as she is. She is the best....hands down. We are blessed to be her kids and grandkids.
I am very lucky to get to witness my niece being a mother. She loves her son so much. It is written all over her face when she smiles. He is lucky to have her as his mom. She was put on this earth to be a mother to Easton. I look forward to seeing her grow and mature in motherhood and bless this family with more little ones. One day.... I will have many more great-nieces or great-nephews from my nieces and nephew. I can't wait to sit back and enjoy watching them learning the joys you get from being a parent.
So my goal is to give my kids 100% of me. They deserve it!
Friday, August 5, 2011
Tuesday 8/2/11
On Tuesday 8/2/11, I witnessed a tragedy. A tragedy that took a life. A tragedy that has impacted me deeply. An individual left their house to make a quick trip to the store not knowing they would never return home. It made me realize so many weaknesses about myself. It also made me realize how I need to stop and appreciate the small things in life.
In a matter of minutes on that day I went from sitting in my cousin's chair at her beauty shop to trying to remain composed in an emergency situation.
After the events of this tragedy began to wind down and more information was passed along to those that were at the scene, I began to evaluate the circumstances and ask myself questions.
1) Did this person know Jesus as his Savior? One of the individuals at the scene with me immediately began to pray for this victim. I am so ashamed that this was not my first response. My response was to get someone trained there as quickly as possible to help this person. I should have looked to the Great Physician for help. Thank you to the other person that was there who did just that.
2) Did this person kiss his loved ones goodbye before he left his house? Loren kisses me everyday before he leaves. He kisses me even when I am sound asleep in the summer. I will NEVER be aggravated because he disturbs my sleep again. He kisses me and tells me he loves me before he leaves because you just never know if that will be the last time or not.
3) What could I have done different to help this person? Could I have helped this person? I honestly don't know. And I don't know if I will ever stop wondering.
My heart is grieving for this family. After this day, I will never be the same. I will never forget how a quick trip to the store can change a family's life forever. We all should not let a day go by that we don't tell the ones we love that we love them. Kiss them.... hug them.... sit and hold them. You never know if it will be your last chance. Cherish those "bear hugs" and "pucker power".
In a matter of minutes on that day I went from sitting in my cousin's chair at her beauty shop to trying to remain composed in an emergency situation.
After the events of this tragedy began to wind down and more information was passed along to those that were at the scene, I began to evaluate the circumstances and ask myself questions.
1) Did this person know Jesus as his Savior? One of the individuals at the scene with me immediately began to pray for this victim. I am so ashamed that this was not my first response. My response was to get someone trained there as quickly as possible to help this person. I should have looked to the Great Physician for help. Thank you to the other person that was there who did just that.
2) Did this person kiss his loved ones goodbye before he left his house? Loren kisses me everyday before he leaves. He kisses me even when I am sound asleep in the summer. I will NEVER be aggravated because he disturbs my sleep again. He kisses me and tells me he loves me before he leaves because you just never know if that will be the last time or not.
3) What could I have done different to help this person? Could I have helped this person? I honestly don't know. And I don't know if I will ever stop wondering.
My heart is grieving for this family. After this day, I will never be the same. I will never forget how a quick trip to the store can change a family's life forever. We all should not let a day go by that we don't tell the ones we love that we love them. Kiss them.... hug them.... sit and hold them. You never know if it will be your last chance. Cherish those "bear hugs" and "pucker power".
Monday, June 20, 2011
UBIQUITOUS
I found a new word. I really like when words fall into my lap. My new word is "UBIQUITOUS". Ever heard of it? I heard it on a movie...... a movie that I have seen 4 or 5 times. Can you believe it took me this many times to finally "hear" this word. It is another word that makes me feel taller when I say it. It is a pretty word.
This word is an adjective. Here is the meaning.... "Being or seeming to be everywhere at the same time."
Why do I like this word? I like this word because it reminds my of my kids. They are everywhere.... their stuff is everywhere..... in every room. When I look around my living room right now I see so many items that need to be put away..... put in their rooms. Looking at my front door I see 3 pairs of flip flops, 2 pair of muck boots, and 2 pairs of crocs. I am not finished.... there is also a BB gun and a plastic bowl with live worms in it.... don't worry... there are holes in the top so they can breathe. There are clothes that the kids need to put away.... but we can do that later. I can look in every room and see evidence of my kids..... evidence that I have happy, healthy, active kids.... and for that I am thankful. Do you hear me yelling to put them away? No. Maybe I should but I am not. I actually enjoy that my children are "ubiquitous". It reminds me of who I am.... who I was meant to me. I am their mother. I want to have a "home" not a "house". A home they want to return to when they are older.
One of these days their stuff will be gone and I will be wishing I had those "ubiquitous" days back.
This word is an adjective. Here is the meaning.... "Being or seeming to be everywhere at the same time."
Why do I like this word? I like this word because it reminds my of my kids. They are everywhere.... their stuff is everywhere..... in every room. When I look around my living room right now I see so many items that need to be put away..... put in their rooms. Looking at my front door I see 3 pairs of flip flops, 2 pair of muck boots, and 2 pairs of crocs. I am not finished.... there is also a BB gun and a plastic bowl with live worms in it.... don't worry... there are holes in the top so they can breathe. There are clothes that the kids need to put away.... but we can do that later. I can look in every room and see evidence of my kids..... evidence that I have happy, healthy, active kids.... and for that I am thankful. Do you hear me yelling to put them away? No. Maybe I should but I am not. I actually enjoy that my children are "ubiquitous". It reminds me of who I am.... who I was meant to me. I am their mother. I want to have a "home" not a "house". A home they want to return to when they are older.
One of these days their stuff will be gone and I will be wishing I had those "ubiquitous" days back.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Fried Apple Pies
It is the night before Father's Day and I should be making fried apple pies for my Daddy. But I am not. That was his usual Father's Day gift from me. Most of our gifts that we always gave Daddy were appreciated but not needed and seldom used. He was a very simple man with very simple taste. But he did love fried apple pies.
I never gave Daddy his gift on Father's Day..... it was always the night before. I would wrap each pie in aluminum foil and put in a container. When they were all done, I would be on my way to deliver them to him. I would hit the door and he would be up out of his recliner because he knew what I had. Of course we did the usual "Happy Father's Day" and "Thank You" routine but I knew he was ready to unwrap his "present". He never ate a fried pie that was not topped with vanilla ice cream. I always stayed to see him enjoy his first "present". Seeing him enjoy something that I had cooked just for him made me happier then buying him the most expensive present I could find. The days following Father's Day he would enjoy warming up the other fried pies and eating them but I am sure they were not as yummy as the first one. I think on occasion he was nice enough to share his pies with Momma. One of my favorite memories I have of him before he got sick, was him and Laci in the kitchen sharing a fried apple pie with ice cream. A bite for Pops..... a bite for Laci...... a priceless moment for me as the daughter and the mother.
There was not a single store around here that had the perfect present for my Daddy. Nothing was good enough for him.... nothing I bought could ever equal to the love he had for me and the love I had for him..... except my homemade fried apple pies. I hope one day I can make them again.
I never gave Daddy his gift on Father's Day..... it was always the night before. I would wrap each pie in aluminum foil and put in a container. When they were all done, I would be on my way to deliver them to him. I would hit the door and he would be up out of his recliner because he knew what I had. Of course we did the usual "Happy Father's Day" and "Thank You" routine but I knew he was ready to unwrap his "present". He never ate a fried pie that was not topped with vanilla ice cream. I always stayed to see him enjoy his first "present". Seeing him enjoy something that I had cooked just for him made me happier then buying him the most expensive present I could find. The days following Father's Day he would enjoy warming up the other fried pies and eating them but I am sure they were not as yummy as the first one. I think on occasion he was nice enough to share his pies with Momma. One of my favorite memories I have of him before he got sick, was him and Laci in the kitchen sharing a fried apple pie with ice cream. A bite for Pops..... a bite for Laci...... a priceless moment for me as the daughter and the mother.
There was not a single store around here that had the perfect present for my Daddy. Nothing was good enough for him.... nothing I bought could ever equal to the love he had for me and the love I had for him..... except my homemade fried apple pies. I hope one day I can make them again.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Here recently I have realized that I have so much in common with a certain animal. You want to know what that animal is? Well, I will tell you. It is a duck..... even more specific.... a Momma duck..... a momma duck with 3 little ducklings. Do you think that is strange? I revealed this great revelation to Loren and he did not think it was strange at all. He responded like this.... "Well by gaw, that is the way it should be." Typical "Loren Crow" answer.
I explained to him why I feel like a mother duck. My kids and I spend a lot of time during the summer at home. But we also do occasionaly get out of the house and make a grand appearance in pulic. When we are out and about, I tend to look back over my shoulder quite a bit. I am looking for my "ducklings". There they are.... following right behind me. Every once in a while one will stray but never out of site. My "ducklings" are pretty good to take care of each other too. I often hear "Come on Laci".... "Hayes you better put that down" or "Stop staring Evan and come one". I smile.... because that lets me know they are still with me. I have a need to know where my children are at all times. I know that gets on some folks nerves but I don't really care. God gave me the job of protecting my "ducklings" and I plan to carry out his command. That is why I have recently began comparing myself to a mother duck.
QUACK QUACK!!!!
I explained to him why I feel like a mother duck. My kids and I spend a lot of time during the summer at home. But we also do occasionaly get out of the house and make a grand appearance in pulic. When we are out and about, I tend to look back over my shoulder quite a bit. I am looking for my "ducklings". There they are.... following right behind me. Every once in a while one will stray but never out of site. My "ducklings" are pretty good to take care of each other too. I often hear "Come on Laci".... "Hayes you better put that down" or "Stop staring Evan and come one". I smile.... because that lets me know they are still with me. I have a need to know where my children are at all times. I know that gets on some folks nerves but I don't really care. God gave me the job of protecting my "ducklings" and I plan to carry out his command. That is why I have recently began comparing myself to a mother duck.
QUACK QUACK!!!!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Top 10 reasons I know it is summer......
How do I know that it is summer vacation?????
1) The coffee in the coffee pot is cold when I wake up!!!
2) We raid the change jar at least 3 times a week to go to Hobo Joe's.
3) We have breakfast around 10:30am.
4) Most of our laundry is beach towels.
5) There are so many empty cans of vienna sausages and packages of ramen noodles in the trash.
6) My throat is a little sore from all of the singing we do at the top of our lungs when we are going anywhere.
7) I can update facebook between the hours of 7:40 am and 3:30 pm!!!!
8) I get told a bunch how lucky I am to have the summers off..... I already know this.
9) My boys have to take at least 2 baths a day if not more.
10) I wear 2 different flip flops out in public and I am not even embarassed about it!!!!!!
:)
1) The coffee in the coffee pot is cold when I wake up!!!
2) We raid the change jar at least 3 times a week to go to Hobo Joe's.
3) We have breakfast around 10:30am.
4) Most of our laundry is beach towels.
5) There are so many empty cans of vienna sausages and packages of ramen noodles in the trash.
6) My throat is a little sore from all of the singing we do at the top of our lungs when we are going anywhere.
7) I can update facebook between the hours of 7:40 am and 3:30 pm!!!!
8) I get told a bunch how lucky I am to have the summers off..... I already know this.
9) My boys have to take at least 2 baths a day if not more.
10) I wear 2 different flip flops out in public and I am not even embarassed about it!!!!!!
:)
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
12 years.......
Today I completed my 12th year of teaching. Each year I look forward to summer just a little more. Is it because my babies are so much fun to hang with all summer long? YES! or...... Is it because teaching gets a little harder each year? YES! I totally LOVE what I do.
Can I ever imagine doing anything else? NO! I really cannot not. I teach at a GREAT school!! I was very blessed to become part of the faculty at BHS. I work with OUTSTANDING people who NEVER hesitate to offer their assistance.
Change in education is a never ending process. I really hope that the "officals" figure out the best plan one of these days. When I was exiting college and entering in to the world of education, I never imagined all of the changes that would occur in my 12 years. I can imagine the stories that our "Master" teachers can tell us. Somehow though teachers do manage to get the job done year after year.
Since I have been in education I have dealt with comments that have hit a nerve with me such as:
1) You are a teacher.... you must make a lot of money!
2) You are a teacher? You work from 8-3...... why are you tired?
3) Don't you get to sit at your desk all day?
4) You are pretty much a highly paid babysitter.
5) How hard is it to push play on a dvd player?
6) You only work 9 months out of the year. (that is my personal fave)
7) How hard is it to get a kid to do his homework?
8) Do you get paid overtime when you take work home with you?
9) What did you plan to do before you became a teacher?
10) Your discount on your cell phone plan will be 18%..... If you worked for Frito Lay or Pepsi it would be 47%. (REALLY??????))))))
I am glad this year is over.
Can I ever imagine doing anything else? NO! I really cannot not. I teach at a GREAT school!! I was very blessed to become part of the faculty at BHS. I work with OUTSTANDING people who NEVER hesitate to offer their assistance.
Change in education is a never ending process. I really hope that the "officals" figure out the best plan one of these days. When I was exiting college and entering in to the world of education, I never imagined all of the changes that would occur in my 12 years. I can imagine the stories that our "Master" teachers can tell us. Somehow though teachers do manage to get the job done year after year.
Since I have been in education I have dealt with comments that have hit a nerve with me such as:
1) You are a teacher.... you must make a lot of money!
2) You are a teacher? You work from 8-3...... why are you tired?
3) Don't you get to sit at your desk all day?
4) You are pretty much a highly paid babysitter.
5) How hard is it to push play on a dvd player?
6) You only work 9 months out of the year. (that is my personal fave)
7) How hard is it to get a kid to do his homework?
8) Do you get paid overtime when you take work home with you?
9) What did you plan to do before you became a teacher?
10) Your discount on your cell phone plan will be 18%..... If you worked for Frito Lay or Pepsi it would be 47%. (REALLY??????))))))
I am glad this year is over.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
I wonder......
I wonder what they are doing in Heaven today? I wonder what my Grannie is doing in Heaven today? I wonder if she fried something? If she did, I am sure she drew a crowd and I am sure she made a pan of cornbread to go with it. I wonder if she played the paino today? She loved to play and sing. She loved for me to play when her eyes got to where she could not see the songbook anymore. She would sing..... her favorite was How Great Thou Art. I wonder if she worked in her garden today? Some of my most precious memories were of her and me spending our summer mornings working in her garden. When we got hot we went inside and drank cold water from the jug she kept in the icebox. I wonder if Grannie saw Telisa today? I hope so. I wonder if they spent time together, rocking in their rocking chairs talking about us. I wonder how much they laugh together? I am sure it is a lot. Maybe they had lunch together today. Telisa was famous for knocking on Grannie's door and saying..... "Come on Grannie.... lets go get a burger" and Grannie's reply would be "ok sister.... let me comb my hair". Grannie was always on "go". I do not have to wonder if they are happy. I know they are. I do not have to wonder if they hurt. I know they are pain-free. Pain left their bodies a while back. I do not have to wonder if they miss me because I know they see me. I do not have to wonder "if" I will see them again. I know I will. I know they are taking care of my Daddy. Until then.... Grannie and Priss will save a place at the table for me. See you at the house.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Such a special day....
Man how time flies...... It does not seem like my little Evan should be 10 years old. Now I have two kids who have double digit ages. That can make me feel old real quick.
Evan was mine and Loren's 3rd anniversary present. He was born on his actual due date. That rarely happens. He did not get in a hurry to make his arrival in this world and to this day things have not changed that much. My pregnancy with Evan was in NO WAY similar to Hayes'. Evan rolled, flipped, tossed and turned all the time. In the evenings, I would just lay flat and he would go at it. I did whatever it took to give my ribs, back, and internal organs a break. They funny part is he is still the same way. Sharing a bed with Evan is putting your life in harms way. At deer camp Pops would always be the one who would 'get' to sleep with Evan. At one point Pops put Evan in a sleeping bag and zipped it all the way up thinking that would fix the problem, but he was wrong. :)
Thursday May 17, 2001.... I was at school and in a great deal of pain. I tried to work through it and not show it but one of my students was not too easy to fool. About 2 minutes after the bell to dismiss from first block had rang.... my assistant principal came in with a look of concern and told me to get my stuff because I was going home. So I did..... well ..... not actually home.... I went to my Momma's. :) Eventually we loaded up and went to the hospital.... only to be sent home. This happened again on a Saturday.... thought it was time..... went to the hospital.... sent home. I was getting a little disgusted with this routine. May 22, 2001, Evan was ready to grace this world with his presence..... FINALLY!!! I did not go to the hospital until I knew for sure I was not going to be sent home again. Honestly, I almost waited too late. Loren was headed to work and he told Momma to call him if they kept me and headed out the door...... with Momma following him. She told him he was not going to work today..... because I was having this baby today..... and of course he responded with "yes mam". :)
May 22 is such a special day..... Loren and I got the best anniversary present ever.... we got something we can enjoy all year long....... Evan Michael Crow....
Evan was mine and Loren's 3rd anniversary present. He was born on his actual due date. That rarely happens. He did not get in a hurry to make his arrival in this world and to this day things have not changed that much. My pregnancy with Evan was in NO WAY similar to Hayes'. Evan rolled, flipped, tossed and turned all the time. In the evenings, I would just lay flat and he would go at it. I did whatever it took to give my ribs, back, and internal organs a break. They funny part is he is still the same way. Sharing a bed with Evan is putting your life in harms way. At deer camp Pops would always be the one who would 'get' to sleep with Evan. At one point Pops put Evan in a sleeping bag and zipped it all the way up thinking that would fix the problem, but he was wrong. :)
Thursday May 17, 2001.... I was at school and in a great deal of pain. I tried to work through it and not show it but one of my students was not too easy to fool. About 2 minutes after the bell to dismiss from first block had rang.... my assistant principal came in with a look of concern and told me to get my stuff because I was going home. So I did..... well ..... not actually home.... I went to my Momma's. :) Eventually we loaded up and went to the hospital.... only to be sent home. This happened again on a Saturday.... thought it was time..... went to the hospital.... sent home. I was getting a little disgusted with this routine. May 22, 2001, Evan was ready to grace this world with his presence..... FINALLY!!! I did not go to the hospital until I knew for sure I was not going to be sent home again. Honestly, I almost waited too late. Loren was headed to work and he told Momma to call him if they kept me and headed out the door...... with Momma following him. She told him he was not going to work today..... because I was having this baby today..... and of course he responded with "yes mam". :)
May 22 is such a special day..... Loren and I got the best anniversary present ever.... we got something we can enjoy all year long....... Evan Michael Crow....
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Really??? Today marks 12 years and 364 days that I have been married to my guy. It also marks the last night that I spent at the home I knew for 22 years. This was the only home I had ever known. This was home to many of my friends. I am sure to this day there are a few of our house keys floating around out there some place. This was the house the we would gather at before home basketball games and Mother would make mini-corn dogs for all of us and then we would load up and head to The Rose to play ball. This was the house that ONLY HAD ONE BATHROOM!!! and it still only has one bathroom. My niece, Sarah would always tell Pops and Grandma that they needed 2 bathrooms. Christian even made that comment last night to mother. This was the house that my friends (girls ONLY) crashed at. Mother never knew who was going to be there for breakfast on Saturday morning. People always felt comfortable there. Unless you were Jeff or Lil Jay and you were there at 2:00 when my Mother got up to go to the bathroom. :).... needless to say that only happened once. This is the only house I had ever called home. I had lived there everyday for my entire life. The only move I ever made was bedrooms. Both brothers were gone and I was finally back in a bedroom WITH A CLOSET!!! Yep... you read that right.... the only daughter in the house and I did not have a closet. My Daddy stole my closet to put in a shower in the bathroom. I understand that better now but then all I could focus on was.... how could I live without a closet.... somehow I managed to survive.
So in preparation of my wedding, we did the traditional rehearsal wedding and rehearsal dinner. The show was being organized and ran by Aunt Theda so it was done right! She had the ability to get and maintain everyone attention and if you dared to talk while she was talking...... you would be assaulted with a yellow legal pad. After the rehearsal was over, now the decision was to made.... "What do I do to celebrate my last night as a single woman?" The decision was easy for me. I went home and spent my last night in my home with my Momma and Daddy before I started a new chapter in my life.
I was so excited about getting married. From the moment I had that engagement ring on my finger, I never doubted for one moment that this was the man I wanted to marry. Along with the excitement came fear. Fear of leaving Momma and Daddy and that house. That house was my safe place.
The night before my wedding I sat in the living room and watched TV with Momma and Daddy as I had for so many nights throughout my life. I can't remember if we even spoke. That did not matter. It was the moment I remember not the conversation. Then I went to bed. I went to sleep in my bedroom for the last time. I looked around my bedroom at all of the memories on the wall (and the floor thanks to Shanna and Janna). I went to sleep knowing that this was it..... my final night living life as I have for 22 years. To this day, I am thankful for that decision.... the choice to spend my last night at home doing the same stuff I had done all those years and thankful to the parents that made all of this possible.
So in preparation of my wedding, we did the traditional rehearsal wedding and rehearsal dinner. The show was being organized and ran by Aunt Theda so it was done right! She had the ability to get and maintain everyone attention and if you dared to talk while she was talking...... you would be assaulted with a yellow legal pad. After the rehearsal was over, now the decision was to made.... "What do I do to celebrate my last night as a single woman?" The decision was easy for me. I went home and spent my last night in my home with my Momma and Daddy before I started a new chapter in my life.
I was so excited about getting married. From the moment I had that engagement ring on my finger, I never doubted for one moment that this was the man I wanted to marry. Along with the excitement came fear. Fear of leaving Momma and Daddy and that house. That house was my safe place.
The night before my wedding I sat in the living room and watched TV with Momma and Daddy as I had for so many nights throughout my life. I can't remember if we even spoke. That did not matter. It was the moment I remember not the conversation. Then I went to bed. I went to sleep in my bedroom for the last time. I looked around my bedroom at all of the memories on the wall (and the floor thanks to Shanna and Janna). I went to sleep knowing that this was it..... my final night living life as I have for 22 years. To this day, I am thankful for that decision.... the choice to spend my last night at home doing the same stuff I had done all those years and thankful to the parents that made all of this possible.
Friday, May 20, 2011
This week......
This week I have:
1. Worked all 5 days!! It has been a while!!
2. Paid my bills.
3. Done my best to ignore negativity from others.
4. Ate supper at my Momma's house.
5. Seen all of the loves of my life except for my married niece.
6. Bought 4 gallons of milk.... yes 4.
7. Been proud of my profession.
8. watched all of the High School Musical Movies with Laci.
9. Sat on the couch at my Momma's house with both of my brothers.
10. Wished I could take back something I said.
11. Seen all my bffls.
12. Read the entire blog of an amazing mother who lost her daughter to the evil disease called cancer.
13. Banned the boys from chasing each other on the fourwheelers while trying to shoot each other with air soft guns.
14. Made more then one mistake.
15. Drank more water then tea or coke.
16. Voiced my opinion when it comes to the education of my child.
17. Raised my voice.
18. Seen hurt that I wish I could fix.
19. Spoken my opinion when I probably should have bit my tongue.
20. Refused to get up and find the ketchup in the fridge because it was right where I said it was.
21. Picked up someones white socks and put them in the laundry room because apparently he does not know they way. :)
22. Put gas in my truck 2 times.
23. Made a grocery list and lost it.
24. Counted how many days of school we have left.
25. Focused on what matters the most.
1. Worked all 5 days!! It has been a while!!
2. Paid my bills.
3. Done my best to ignore negativity from others.
4. Ate supper at my Momma's house.
5. Seen all of the loves of my life except for my married niece.
6. Bought 4 gallons of milk.... yes 4.
7. Been proud of my profession.
8. watched all of the High School Musical Movies with Laci.
9. Sat on the couch at my Momma's house with both of my brothers.
10. Wished I could take back something I said.
11. Seen all my bffls.
12. Read the entire blog of an amazing mother who lost her daughter to the evil disease called cancer.
13. Banned the boys from chasing each other on the fourwheelers while trying to shoot each other with air soft guns.
14. Made more then one mistake.
15. Drank more water then tea or coke.
16. Voiced my opinion when it comes to the education of my child.
17. Raised my voice.
18. Seen hurt that I wish I could fix.
19. Spoken my opinion when I probably should have bit my tongue.
20. Refused to get up and find the ketchup in the fridge because it was right where I said it was.
21. Picked up someones white socks and put them in the laundry room because apparently he does not know they way. :)
22. Put gas in my truck 2 times.
23. Made a grocery list and lost it.
24. Counted how many days of school we have left.
25. Focused on what matters the most.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Your gonna miss this....
"Your gonna miss....your gonna want this back....your gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast". Man..... I love that song. It is so true. I never realized how the years fly by until I became a mother. It seems like just yesterday I was changing Hayes's diapers and now he is only 4 years away from getting his drivers license. I can honestly say I live with the "I can do that later" mindset. Just last night I didn't fold the laundry because Laci wanted me to watch High School Musical with her. The laundry is still there today.... the moment to snuggle with my baby girl is gone.....well at least until tomorrow night since we are dvr'ing High School Musical 3 tonight. I do not spend my summer vacation scrubbing bathtubs, organizing closets, or mopping floors. I do spend my sacred time with my babies picking blackberries, playing at the lake, and making random but much needed runs to Hobo Joe's. I don't want to be 70 years old and wish I had spent more time with my family..... I plan to do it now. Maybe one of these dyas all my laundry will be folded neatly and put away and maybe one of these days there will not be any dirty dishes in the sink.... but for now the laundry is left undone and last night's supper dishes are in the sink...... because I have T-BALL game to watch.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Benevolence
BENEVOLENCE-- The desire to do good to others; goodwill; charitableness; an act of kindness
I really like this word. I like this word because it sounds good. I like this word because it has more then 5 letters. I like this word because it makes me feel taller when I say it. (I know... that is strange but it does). I like this word but I LOVE the meaning of it. I love the meaning because it is what we should all do. I love the meaning because we want others to be benevolent towards us. I really love the meaning of this word because it was what the Bible tells us we should do.
The act of BENEVOLENCE is practically non-existent in today's society. I will admit, I am very guilty of this. We are caught up in the mindset that if we do something that takes any extra effort we should automatically get something in return. Should we always expect to be recognized for our acts of kindness.... NO.... we should not.
At this very moment, I can think of a woman who I have known for several years whom I consider to have the sweetest spirit that any human can have. She is a BENEVOLENT human being. I know my name has been mentioned in many of her prayers over the years. I know what she gives from the heart not expecting anything in return. She will go without so others will not.
BENOVELENCE..............
I really like this word. I like this word because it sounds good. I like this word because it has more then 5 letters. I like this word because it makes me feel taller when I say it. (I know... that is strange but it does). I like this word but I LOVE the meaning of it. I love the meaning because it is what we should all do. I love the meaning because we want others to be benevolent towards us. I really love the meaning of this word because it was what the Bible tells us we should do.
The act of BENEVOLENCE is practically non-existent in today's society. I will admit, I am very guilty of this. We are caught up in the mindset that if we do something that takes any extra effort we should automatically get something in return. Should we always expect to be recognized for our acts of kindness.... NO.... we should not.
At this very moment, I can think of a woman who I have known for several years whom I consider to have the sweetest spirit that any human can have. She is a BENEVOLENT human being. I know my name has been mentioned in many of her prayers over the years. I know what she gives from the heart not expecting anything in return. She will go without so others will not.
BENOVELENCE..............
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Mercies in disguise
I heard a song today that I have never heard before. I honestly don't know the official title or who sings the song. What I do know is I heard this song for a reason today and I firmly believe this song was played just for me. I will not get into all of the lyrics of the song. The part that is stuck in my head and my heart goes like this.... "what if all of these trials were actually mercies in disguise?". WOW.._.. I felt like I had just been slapped across the face. Isn't it amusing what God does to get our attention. I know all of you know what "trial" I have had in my life. I have friends that are so dear to me who have had their loved ones taken from them way before they wanted to let them go...and they are left with a void that will never ne filled.just as I have to. A Dad taken away right when he was needed the most to guide a son throughout his life..... a brother who was taken away right in the middle of the best years of his life... a sister taken from her children when she should have been left here to take care of them .... a mother who was taken from her daughter right after the biggest moment of her life at that point and babies that never had the chance. None of these events are fair.... none of them seem right in our eyes. It is hard to look at these and not show anger towards God. I have and I still do. A former teacher of mine told me it was ok to be angry at God...shout at God...he was big enough to take it. I am not promising I will always look at the loss of my Daddy as a "mercy in disguise ". But I can think about these lyrics and try.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Right and Wrong
This will be a short blog I promise. I am pretty sure most individuals know the difference between right and wrong. As adults we teach children the difference between the two. Too often today adults are modeling wrong behavior while preaching right behavior. I have never claimed to be a perfect individual. But I know there are those who love to thrive on the faults of others in an attempt to make themselves appear to be better. I hope that I am teaching my children to be a good person. I want them to love people, be there for people, be fair, be patient, be kind, be respectful, etc. I know along the way that Loren and I will make mistakes with our kids and we will own those mistakes and hopefully learn from them. The biggest value that I want my kids to take from me and Loren is that family needs to be a "safety-net". I want them to understand that this family that we are raising them up around will be the ones that will stand behind them, beside them, and in front of them if the need be. Family should never be a "thorn" that pricks another family member just because they are not happy. Family should never feel the need to use harmful words towards another family member. Those words are permanent and nothing takes the sting away. Apologizing for the same behavior becomes meaningless. Family does not take sides, form alliances, or openly criticize others. Family is all that is left once the rest of the world walks away. I am proud that I have a family that takes pride in each other and will not allow anyone within or outside the family succeed in tearing it apart.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Today is my baby girls 6th birthday. This makes me sad that these 6 years have flown by and at the same time it makes me ecstatic because I love having her in my life. Laci's middle name is Evelyn. She is named after my Grannie. I loved my Grannie so dearly there are not any words to truly describe the impact she had on my life. When Loren and I found out we were having a girl we knew that we wanted her middle name to be Evelyn, after Grannie, now we just had to find a first name to go with it. We tossed several names around but nothing seemed right. Then one day Loren was driving down an Arkansas highway and he saw a sign displaying the name of a city called "Laci". He immediately called me to see what I thought about it. I loved it. It was meant to be. Laci Evelyn Crow. The sound of those names together make me smile.
One of my favorite memories was when Loren and I told Grannie that Laci's middle name was going to Evelyn. When we told her she simply said "well that is just fine". I knew at that moment that we had made the correct decision. Laci was born on April 29th, 2005. My Grannie had a stroke on May 13th, 2005 that would prevent her from ever returning to her home. Her not being at her home was a life-changing event for me. I spent just as much time at her house as my own house when I was a kid. Even as an adult I spent time at her house just visiting, talking, and on occasion taking a nap while she watched the kids. She was keeping my kids while I was at work when she was 89 years old. Her home was my home. She would not be here with us much longer after May 13th. She was 92 years old when she left this earth. She had a long good life. I am convinced that she hung on so she could meet and hold her namesake. She lived in a nursing home for a while after her stroke. I spent a great deal of time visiting with her there. One of the nurses made a comment to my mother that she had never seen a family like ours..... someone from the family was in and out all of the time.... they never knew when to expect us. She always loved to hold Laci. Many of the staff would advise me to not let Grannie hold Laci but I knew, regardless of her stroke, that she knew who that baby was and she would not do anything to hurt her. She would tell everyone she encountered that Laci was her namesake. Grannie did not get to spend as much time with Laci as I would have liked but I am so thankful for the time she did. We have pictures to remember those moments and to tell Laci about her Grannie. Laci will talk about Grannie today as if she really knew her. That is exactly how I want it to be.
One of my favorite memories was when Loren and I told Grannie that Laci's middle name was going to Evelyn. When we told her she simply said "well that is just fine". I knew at that moment that we had made the correct decision. Laci was born on April 29th, 2005. My Grannie had a stroke on May 13th, 2005 that would prevent her from ever returning to her home. Her not being at her home was a life-changing event for me. I spent just as much time at her house as my own house when I was a kid. Even as an adult I spent time at her house just visiting, talking, and on occasion taking a nap while she watched the kids. She was keeping my kids while I was at work when she was 89 years old. Her home was my home. She would not be here with us much longer after May 13th. She was 92 years old when she left this earth. She had a long good life. I am convinced that she hung on so she could meet and hold her namesake. She lived in a nursing home for a while after her stroke. I spent a great deal of time visiting with her there. One of the nurses made a comment to my mother that she had never seen a family like ours..... someone from the family was in and out all of the time.... they never knew when to expect us. She always loved to hold Laci. Many of the staff would advise me to not let Grannie hold Laci but I knew, regardless of her stroke, that she knew who that baby was and she would not do anything to hurt her. She would tell everyone she encountered that Laci was her namesake. Grannie did not get to spend as much time with Laci as I would have liked but I am so thankful for the time she did. We have pictures to remember those moments and to tell Laci about her Grannie. Laci will talk about Grannie today as if she really knew her. That is exactly how I want it to be.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Can anyone guess what I am going to blog about today???? Yep you got it!! The wedding...... my baby niece's sweet wedding. I am going to admit it.... I dreaded this wedding. I dreaded it because it meant we had to let part of her go. She was ready to create her own life with the man that she loves. I want their love to last a lifetime. I want them to give me as many sweet little great nieces and nephews as they want. I was just fine leading up to the ceremony until she began that walk down the isle with my brother. This was it...... it was really happening. Part of me wanted to jump out in the isle and say.... "WAIT!!! STOP!!! Are you sure??? Have you thought this through??" but I resisted and just let her pass by. I could not look right at her face because then she would see my huge alligator tears that were pouring down my face. This was it.... Jimmy was about to go and give Emilee to Devin. Devin now assumes responsibility for one of my most prized possessions. All we can do is trust that he loves her and will put her life before his. The ceremony was beautiful. My sweet Laci was the best little flower girl ever. My other nieces looked gorgeous. They had on their cowboy boots with their pretty bridesmaid dresses. Family and friends watched as a couple began their journey as one. Everything went so smooth...... no bumps...... no drama. Thank you Pops for the beautiful weather Saturday. We know you were there.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
The Protector
My Daddy has always been my protector and the protector of the family. He was a very silent type. He did not need to speak much nor loud. When he did speak, you heard him. You remembered what he said. I have witnessed him protecting his family on many occasions. I have seen him make his point to folks who thought he was not serious when he spoke. I have seen several grown men step in between him and others trying to contain him when someone said the "wrong thing" towards one of his kids. He once told someone who had crossed the line by using me to get to someone else that there are 2 women on this Earth that you do not mess with..... one is my wife and the other is my daughter. This person got the point with those few words that it was time to rethink how they handled the situation. There were no lengths he would not go to to keep his family safe. Even as he was dying, he was putting us first.
One year ago today reality set in for my family. We were in the cafeteria of Baptist Hospital just about to eat lunch. It had already been a bad day for us little did we know bad was about to get worse. "Code BLUE room 927, Code BLUE room 927". We all froze. The 9th floor is designated as the cardiac wing. We did not know why they assigned Daddy to that floor. Daddy had cancer not a bad heart. I looked at Jimmy and said "It's Daddy" and he replied it has to be the other guy, he had just had heart surgery. Something hit all of us and we left out of there on immediately.
Prior to that I had been with Daddy since he arrived at the ER. Everyone else showed up later. I was there waiting for him when the ambulance arrived. He told the ambulance driver when they asked him who I was, "That is MY daughter". Those are sweet words that still linger in my head. We all were in the ER for a long time. We waited and waited for some answers. We waited and waited for Daddy to be put in a room. When we finally got Daddy situated in a room, it was midday. Daddy wanted us to take Momma and get her something to eat. He wanted us to leave. Since he was diagnosed with cancer he wanted Momma with him. He wanted her at his side all of the time but this time he wanted her to go. The last words he said to me was "Take your Momma to get something to eat". Of course I did. We all always did what Daddy told us to do. Momma then kissed Daddy good-bye. It did not make sense to us until days later. He knew what was happening. He knew he was about to leave. He knew we did not want him to go. He knew we needed him here. He knew he could not stay.
He sent us away to protect us. He sent us away to prevent us from having to see him die. He sent us away because he loved us. He left this Earth doing what he had always done..... protecting us.
One year ago today reality set in for my family. We were in the cafeteria of Baptist Hospital just about to eat lunch. It had already been a bad day for us little did we know bad was about to get worse. "Code BLUE room 927, Code BLUE room 927". We all froze. The 9th floor is designated as the cardiac wing. We did not know why they assigned Daddy to that floor. Daddy had cancer not a bad heart. I looked at Jimmy and said "It's Daddy" and he replied it has to be the other guy, he had just had heart surgery. Something hit all of us and we left out of there on immediately.
Prior to that I had been with Daddy since he arrived at the ER. Everyone else showed up later. I was there waiting for him when the ambulance arrived. He told the ambulance driver when they asked him who I was, "That is MY daughter". Those are sweet words that still linger in my head. We all were in the ER for a long time. We waited and waited for some answers. We waited and waited for Daddy to be put in a room. When we finally got Daddy situated in a room, it was midday. Daddy wanted us to take Momma and get her something to eat. He wanted us to leave. Since he was diagnosed with cancer he wanted Momma with him. He wanted her at his side all of the time but this time he wanted her to go. The last words he said to me was "Take your Momma to get something to eat". Of course I did. We all always did what Daddy told us to do. Momma then kissed Daddy good-bye. It did not make sense to us until days later. He knew what was happening. He knew he was about to leave. He knew we did not want him to go. He knew we needed him here. He knew he could not stay.
He sent us away to protect us. He sent us away to prevent us from having to see him die. He sent us away because he loved us. He left this Earth doing what he had always done..... protecting us.
Monday, April 4, 2011
April 4, 2010
Through death we experience many feelings. Death takes away people we love. Death takes away people we need. Death takes away people we want to have around for a very long time. We are left here to carry on. We are the ones who have to suffer. So many people have told me about their pain when they had to experience the "fist Christmas", "first Birthday", or the "first whatever" after they have loved someone they loved. I have been extremely sad on those days but I can't help but focusing on the "last". April 4th, 2010 was the last time I saw my Daddy at his house, in his chair where he is suppose to be. Where I thought he would be for many more years because God knew how much I loved him and he would never take him away from me. April 4th, 2010 was the last day that I was able to walk by my Daddy's chair with him in it and grab his hand as I walked by because he had his hand reached out to touch mine. April 4th 2010, was the last time my babies were able to walk in their Pop's and Grandma's house and say "Hey Pops". April 4th 2010, was the last time I listened to Daddy and my brothers talk in the living room about nothing that interested me as I had so many times for so many years. April 4th, 2010 was the last time I walked out of my parents house assuming that I would be able to walk in the next day and see him in there again. April 4th, 2010 was the last time my family was complete.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Famous Quotes
I have a few quotes from some of my favorite people that I think should go in a book of "Famous Quotes". You know we all have those family members who say things over and over again when you are young and then when you reach a certain age you FINALLY figure out what they were meaning when they said those words that were irrelevant to you at the time...... I surely hope I am not the only one. I am constantly using my own sayings in my everyday life whether it be at school, home, or wherever. One of my own sayings that I say frequently is "Good Night in the Morning". I have been told that I do not make any sense when I say this. I have even had one young man go as far as googling this saying of mine and reporting back to me that I made absolutely no sense at all when I said it. That has to be one of my favorite moments ever. Another of my favorite that I stole from church camp is "Winner Winner Chicken Dinner". This is a favorite of mine and I use it daily in my classroom. But enough about my quotes; lets talk about some that actually should be in the book. I have an aunt who is known by many people. And to let you in a little secret.... she is one of my heroes. One of my most favorite quotes of hers (and yes.... she has MANY) is..... "I am going to kill you dead". Really? Does that make sense??? You bet it does.... It means you better sit up straight and pay attention to what she is saying...... or she just might "kill you dead". She has been known to attack those that she loves with a yellow notepad. Just aske my husband. Another saying by someone very dear to me is "We will see you in the funny papers". You know..... as a kid when I heard my Grannie say this.... I would think to myself... "Am I going to be in the comics this coming Sunday?" :) I never was :(....... But as I got older and she continued to say it I knew she meant "I will see you soon". I would give anything to hear her say that just one more time. My last famous quote comes from my Daddy. I heard him say this on several occasions. His was "Baby, you are having the time of your life..... you just don't know it yet". He would always say this when I was the most frustrated..... when the kids were on my last nerve.... when I had 10 minutes to load up the kids to get to a ball practice.... He always knew the right time to say it. It took me a while to figure out what he meant when he used this mixture of words. I acutally thought he was saying "better you then me" when he would quote those words. He would say this when I was about to pull my hair out or he thought I was actually going to "kill one of his grandkids dead". These words are forever inscribed on my heart. I think of them when I am at my wits end. And yes..... I would give anything to hear him say it again....just one more time..... as I was screaming at the kids to get their stuff and get in the truck and he was sitting on his front porch waving bye at all of us. I think of these quotes and realize how lucky I have it. I have 3 healthy active kids who run me ragged. But I can rest when they are grown. These 3 small little quotes from these 3 special people are a part of me and they all have influenced the type of person I am today.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Word
I love that I have words that make me smile when I hear them or say them because they remind me or make me think of someone who makes me smile. They only make sense to me and those who understand their meaning. Just a random blog about nothing. Here are a few of those words in no certain order:
1) Peachy!!
2) Taco
3) Pineapple
4) A-OKAY
5) WORD!
6) Wierdo
7) Heifer
8) Fifty-Five
9) Aladdin
10) Jinx
1) Peachy!!
2) Taco
3) Pineapple
4) A-OKAY
5) WORD!
6) Wierdo
7) Heifer
8) Fifty-Five
9) Aladdin
10) Jinx
Saturday, March 26, 2011
First born.....
12 years ago today I welcomed my first born. Hayes Cooper Crow. He will forever be known as the "thing" that saved my marriage. I will be the first to admit I was a horrible person when I was preggers with Hayes. It took my mother and Loren convincing me of that...... they had some pretty good evidence..... video tape. I was ill, snappy, and not easy to please. I was working weekends, student teaching, and taking a class at night. Loren was working 3 jobs. We never saw each other. :(
On March 25th 1999, around 2:30 in the morning, I was so thirsty. I sweet-talked Loren in to getting up and getting me some water. He did..... That was the best tasting water I had ever had. About an hour later...... just was we were falling back to sleep...... MY WATER BROKE!!!!!! I pushed on Loren and told him that he had to wake up and take me to the hospital. I am guessing all he heard was "wake up". His reply was "shut up Jill"...... I just laughed..... He then realized what was going on. It was pretty funny. He decides to make a phone call. I am assuming he is calling his parents...... he hangs up and I ask him to give me the phone so I can call my mom and dad and he says "I was just talking to your mom"....... WHAT?!?!?!? I wanted to call my mom!!! UGH!!!!! oh well...... about 45 minutes later we were on our way...... :)
The very funny part of this story was I was in labor on the 4th floor of SMH and my older brother was on the first floor getting his tonsils taken out. Yes..... we checked into the family discount and we were denied. It was very entertaining for me. My mother spent her time running back and forth checking on me and then checking on the brother. My sis in law, Heather would have to come up to where I was because Jimmy wanted to know what was going on with me. Finally my Uncle Neil showed up and told mom to stay with me that he could handle Jimmy. :)....... now I could finally concentrate on having this baby!!!
21 hours later at 12:14am he finally decided to make his grand appearance...... all of mine and Loren's troubles went away. Now we knew we had a much bigger job then we ever had. We had to take this baby home and try not to screw up. We began to focus on something besides ourselves. Hayes was the "thing" that saved our marriage.
Just a little side note...... One of Jeff Foxworthy's redneck jokes goes like this..... "You might be redneck if an episode of Walker Texas Ranger has ever changed your life"........ WELL...... Hayes' middle name is my maiden name (Cooper)...... his full name is Hayes Cooper Crow........ there is a character from Walker Texas Ranger named.... "Hayes Cooper"........ well..... I guess I have said enough...... :)
On March 25th 1999, around 2:30 in the morning, I was so thirsty. I sweet-talked Loren in to getting up and getting me some water. He did..... That was the best tasting water I had ever had. About an hour later...... just was we were falling back to sleep...... MY WATER BROKE!!!!!! I pushed on Loren and told him that he had to wake up and take me to the hospital. I am guessing all he heard was "wake up". His reply was "shut up Jill"...... I just laughed..... He then realized what was going on. It was pretty funny. He decides to make a phone call. I am assuming he is calling his parents...... he hangs up and I ask him to give me the phone so I can call my mom and dad and he says "I was just talking to your mom"....... WHAT?!?!?!? I wanted to call my mom!!! UGH!!!!! oh well...... about 45 minutes later we were on our way...... :)
The very funny part of this story was I was in labor on the 4th floor of SMH and my older brother was on the first floor getting his tonsils taken out. Yes..... we checked into the family discount and we were denied. It was very entertaining for me. My mother spent her time running back and forth checking on me and then checking on the brother. My sis in law, Heather would have to come up to where I was because Jimmy wanted to know what was going on with me. Finally my Uncle Neil showed up and told mom to stay with me that he could handle Jimmy. :)....... now I could finally concentrate on having this baby!!!
21 hours later at 12:14am he finally decided to make his grand appearance...... all of mine and Loren's troubles went away. Now we knew we had a much bigger job then we ever had. We had to take this baby home and try not to screw up. We began to focus on something besides ourselves. Hayes was the "thing" that saved our marriage.
Just a little side note...... One of Jeff Foxworthy's redneck jokes goes like this..... "You might be redneck if an episode of Walker Texas Ranger has ever changed your life"........ WELL...... Hayes' middle name is my maiden name (Cooper)...... his full name is Hayes Cooper Crow........ there is a character from Walker Texas Ranger named.... "Hayes Cooper"........ well..... I guess I have said enough...... :)
Friday, March 25, 2011
DUKE lost :(
I will be honest...... I love the DUKE Blue Devils. I admit it. I love the HOGS too! The HOGS are my #1 team!!!! BUT...... I am an avid DUKE fan. When I was younger.... much younger.... I followed DUKE like a stalker..... I loved Bobby Hurley, Grant Hill, Christian Laettner and mostly Coach K. I loved watching them play. I was so torn when the Hogs had to play them in 1994. I was such a minority in my family as well as at GR. I was "that girl" who liked DUKE. My friends were very accepting. They bought me many DUKE gifts, posters, shirts, a DUKE trashcan, but my fav gift was from my mom and dad (I know dad had nothing to do with it really). It was a DUKE Blue Devils watch that played "We are the Champions". It was GREAT!!!! When DUKE and the HOGS met to play for the championship in 1994, I was not at home. I was watching the game at my friend Beth's house. When Scotty Thurman (whom I have been asked to keep my distance from by a Bud Walton security guard but that is another blog) hit that shot to win the NCAA championship, I immediately thought... "Oh no..... I will never hear the end of this" and I was right..... Beth's phone began to ring (this was before we all had cell phones)....... I was just so pleased that "someone" informed everyone of where I was ...... I began to take one call after another...... I took it like a champ too!!!!! I was secretly glad that the HOGS brought home the trophy but I had an image to uphold. :)
SO.......to carry on the tradition of letting me know when DUKE loses my brother sent me a text at 8:57 this morning saying "Duke got sent home last night". They all just love to say that!!!!!
SO.......to carry on the tradition of letting me know when DUKE loses my brother sent me a text at 8:57 this morning saying "Duke got sent home last night". They all just love to say that!!!!!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Fried Chicken
I love fried chicken. I am pretty sure I was really young when I started eating it. I made it tonight for supper. My Grannie taught me how to fry chicken. Her chicken was the best fried chicken ever. So mouth-watering. I was married with a couple of kids when she showed me how she did it. She put salt all over the pieces and put it right back in to the fridge. A few hours later she pulled the chicken out.... put it in a brown paper sack with some flour and went to shaking. She heated that grease and she began to fry. She fried it so slow. She always said that was the key so that is the way I do it too. Being at her house when she was cooking it was pure torture!! The smell was amazing! We had fried chicken every holiday.... Mother's day.... Christmas..... you name it.... we ate her chicken. When I was a kid and we would take road trips to certain places you never had to wonder where we were going to eat for lunch because Grannie was up before we left frying up a whole chicken and she brought it along. Yep.... we had to smell it while we were riding along. UGH!! That was just not right. But man it was yummy and it was well worth the wait. When she got to the point that she could not cook the chicken for our family holidays that became my task. When I would make it for the family I was always so worried that it would not taste like Grannie's. The family ate it anyway. I would ask Loren if the chicken tasted good and of course like any smart husband he would reply with a "yes". Then my next question I would ask was if it tasted like Grannie's and he would reply "almost". I was satisfied with an "almost". If it was almost as good as my Grannie's fried chicken then that is good enough for me.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
I REALLY don't like any of my babies growing up!!
Yep..... I admit it....I am "that Aunt". I am "the Aunt" that sometimes crosses the line of "aunt-hood" and "parent-hood". I am nosey..... and I do ask A LOT of questions to my brother's and sister-in-law's kids. I often put my 2 cents in when I probably should not. I just cannot help it. I love ALL my nieces and nephews just like they are my own children. I have all my nieces and my nephew so close to me. I see them all the time. I talk to them all the time. I text them all the time. Sometimes I wonder if they roll their eyes when I send them a "bossy" text or a "questioning" text. I am sure they do. Today we had our family wedding shower for my niece Emilee. I have to admit I am very happy for Em that she is in love and she is creating a new life BUT I am sad for me!!! I am sad that she is old enough to get married. I am sad that she is moving away. YEP...... it is all about me. I woke up around 2:45 this morning because I was dreaming that Loren was letting terrorist take over our yard (that is a WHOLE other blog). So what else do you do at 2:45 am but watch dvrd episodes of The View and get on Facebook. Anyways..... I got to Emilee's status update and she mentioned that she was "listening to songs that her and her favorite aunt (that is ME!!) used to listen to when she was little. I COMPLETELY FELL APART!!! yep..... here came the tears.... not small tears but HUGE alligator tears!! I was like "really????" Pull it together!!! I also lost it when we went wedding dress shopping and the "evil" worker at the bridal store pulled the veil down over Emilee's face!! UGH!!! You may have seen those pics! Yep.... I was a mess right there in the middle of the store. How am I going to make it through the wedding???? When she was little she loved to sit in the front seat of my awesome Monte Carlo care and roll the window down and stick her head out of the window and sing "Take another little piece of my heart" at the top of her lungs!!! I mean she would belt out those lyrics..... It is seriously one of my favorite memories. Now she is grown, in college and planning her wedding. She is not a little girl anymore. I wish her nothing but complete happiness but once again....... It is all about me and my inability to let go!!!! I know I will have to prepare myself to go through this process with Sarah, Bubba, Adelia, and Christain and I am not looking forward to any of it!..... not to mention my own children!!!! UGH!!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Boys
I love my boys. I REALLY love my boys. I love their rowdiness. I love the fact that they hug me when they are hot and sweaty. I love that they "expect" me to cook supper every single night. I love the way they look after their little sister. I love the fact that I cannot keep them inside. I love the fact that they think their Daddy is the coolest person ever. I love that they talk about their Pops everyday. I also love the dirt they track in. I could stay upset about it but then I start to think.... "what if they were not here to track in dirt on the carpet". In a sense, I cherish that dirt. I have had a tube of crickets set loose in my house. I have to buy a gallon of milk a day. I buy Lysol by the 3 pack. Camo is the most popular color in my house. My DVR is full of recorded episodes of WWE, Bill Dance, and Jimmy Houston. My point is that BOYS WILL BE BOYS. Why can't some people see that? Why would we expect them to be anything else. My mother raised 2 boys and she survived. She loves to say that EVERYONE should have to raise at least 2 boys. My Daddy always said "You are having the best time of your life.... you just don't know it yet."
Friday, February 11, 2011
The Pistol
Most everyone that knows me knows that I love basketball. I have always loved basketball. I am pretty sure basketball was my motivation to go to school and make descent grades...... that and the two people that brought me into the world. When I was in high school, I went to Arey's to rent a movie. I ended up coming home with "The Pistol". Had I ever heard of The Pistol? Nope. But guess what...... it was a basketball movie so it caught my eye. I took it home and showed it to my parents and of course they had both heard of The Pistol. Before I even pushed play on the VCR, I knew quite a bit about The Pistol through the eyes of my Daddy. The thing I remember Daddy saying most about The Pistol is that he was "way ahead of his time" and like usual Daddy was correct. The Pistol wore a pair of slouchy looking socks in every game. He passed and shot the ball from his hip like a gunslinger hince the nickname "The Pistol" Do any of you reading know who the Pistol is? I watched this movie with my parents as we only had 1 VCR in the house at the time...... I know ..... the Stone Ages. I can remember so many converstations me and Daddy had about this movie...... about this person. I only rented it that one time. But as luck would have it one of the stations would play the movie around the time of the NCAA tournament and my Daddy and I would always watch it then. We were also fond of "The Hank Gathers Story" but not as much as we loved The Pistol. The Pistol was a classy basketball player who elevated the type of basketball played back then to an all time high.. But to me, The Pistol was more then a person.... more then a movie..... he/it was many memories I have of me in my spot on the couch and Daddy in his chair watching TV and talking that will be mine forever.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
My family ROCKS!
I have an unusually close family. We pretty much know where each of us are and who we are with at any given time and if one of us happens to be misplaced, we will call, text, and yell until we are located. We are very nosey. We ask alot of questions..... but we do it with love. I don't know of many secrets my family has. Someone once told me I need to distance myself from my family and our closeness was not healthy. Well....... you probably don't need to read what I said back to that person. Snow days with my family are the best, they are tiring but they really are the BEST. As soon as the first snowflake falls, the grandkids began asking... "When are we going to Grandma and Pop's house?". We all gather there to cook, eat, watch tv, eat, play, cook, eat, nap, eat, and so on and so on. Today I made many different memories. I cooked with my favorite Mother, I flipped through my Grannie's recipes, and I grossed my nieces (Emilee and Adelai) and mother out when I showed them how I seperate egg yolks and egg whites. I made homemade chicken and dumplins at the request of some of my favorite nieces. I had to use tortillas for the dumplins instead of the small white biscuits and I have to admit, I was a wee-bit nervous about that. But apparently they tasted the same. After my belly was full, I went to take a rest on my mom's bed. Eventually I was joined by Sarah, Easton, Adelia, Laci and Christian. Not all at once but pretty close. We laid and watched a movie and little Easton slept in between me and Sarah. At one point, I thought how lucky I was to have my nieces and my great-nephew snuggled up next to me. How many Aunts/ Great-Aunts get the chance to enjoy these moments. It was very peaceful. I never said it was quiet. It is very seldom quiet when we are all together. This ALL happened because of what my Mother and Daddy started over 4 decades ago.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Opinions
Hmmmm....... so this is blogging........ I can't think of much to blog about except for my opinions on certain matters. I have many opinions. Some I say and some I just keep to myself. Some that I say... I am sure I should have kept to myself as I am sure my family and friends would agree. I do get the occasional "eyeroll" from some of the younger peeps that I bless with my knowledge. I do, however think this world would be a much better place if everyone shared in my opinion. Some blog for the fun of it, some blog to share their story, some blog because they say it is like therapy...... I think I will blog to share my opinion on things. I actually think I will stop here just to see if I am doing this correctly. :)
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