tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38769732671976815802024-02-08T03:39:04.188-08:00So many opinions.... So little time....Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10500639617485359122noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876973267197681580.post-31937600537179095062016-06-27T10:50:00.001-07:002016-06-27T10:50:15.496-07:00PreparationI am in total love with the age my children are right now. They are growing in to 3 very different, unique humans and my heart just almost explodes daily. They are pretty much self-sufficient but they all still need their Momma. All 3 of them still ask mine and Loren's permission if they want to do something and accept that a lot of the times the answer is going to be "no". That doesn't mean they don't pout or get their feelings hurt.... heck I still pout (just ask Loren). I can carry on a conversation with them about pretty much anything. They don't have much in common with one another and that is totally okay. But one thing, and the MOST important thing they have in common is their love for JESUS. We never have to make our kids go to church. They are always ready. They have a passion for church that I did not have at their ages. I am completely satisfied with them not having a wall full of academic and athletic awards (however those are nice). But in reality, those are "wordly riches" and I am more focused on their "true riches". I saw all 3 of them stand last night in church to proclaim their knowledge of the age they were when they were saved. If that doesn't get you excited, I don't know what will. <br />
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One of my children asked Loren and I last week what would happen to all of the people who never accepted Jesus as their savior. Our answer was that they would go to hell. Plain and simple. The next question for us was "How do we fix that?"...... this led to a dialogue that I will tuck away in my heart forever.<br />
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My prayer is not that the world be prepared for my children..... but that my children be prepared for the world. <br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10500639617485359122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876973267197681580.post-37641558299234795682015-07-21T22:00:00.001-07:002015-07-21T22:34:35.287-07:00If tomorrow never comes......Sometimes I forget Johnny is dead. He is dead. I can't hardly breathe when I remember he is dead. Everyday when I wake up I have to tell my heart my brother is gone, my head knows it, but my heart forgets ..... Everyday.<br />
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For 6 years I watched my brother die, but I never thought he would be dead. I watched him go from a VERY strong-willed, independent man to a completely helpless shell of skin. During these 6 years Cancer took away his career, his energy, his drive, his spunk, his ability to eat, his ability to walk and lastly his ability to live.<br />
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Every time we got the results of a scan I thought .... No worries..... The cancer doctors do this everyday. They find the right combination of meds & they fix people that have cancer..... He has beat it before and he will do it again and we all carried on with our lives as normal...... LIE!! There is no normal after cancer enters your family. Your daily conversations consist of words like "chemo", "radiation " , "labs", "white blood count". Cancer controls your emotions. It has the power over your moods. It changes how you look at life. We are all victims of cancer even if we don't actually have it growing inside us.<br />
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Wednesday November 19, 2014.... The day of last conversation I had with Johnny. "Sis!!".... He called from his chair. I walked to where he was. "Are you ok with this?" "Ok with what", I asked. "With what is taking place?" He responded. How was I suppose to answer that question? What was taking place in my head and what was taking place in my heart was two different things. In my head, he was asking for me to be ok with him getting some extra help with the assistance of some home health nurses. In my heart, he was asking if I was ok with him dying. He knew he was leaving. He just didn't have anything left. My response to him was that I was not ok with any of it but whatever made it easier on him was what I wanted. Another lie!! I wasn't ok with any part of this! This is not how the story should end! I look back on that conversation and wonder if I should have said something different. I left Momma's house that day never thinking that was the last time I would ever talk to my brother. It was the last time I ever heard him call me sis. It was the last time I heard him ask where my boys were. It was the last time I would see him sitting in his chair at Momma's house. One of the few people who has known me all of my life was preparing me to live without him here. You never think there will not be a tomorrow with those you love. I don't have anymore tomorrow's with Johnny .. All I have with him are "yesterday's" . When I speak or think of him.... It will always be past tense. Wednesday November 19, 2014 was my final "yesterday" with my oldest brother. It was the day my heart said goodbye to Johnny.<br />
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If tomorrow never comes......<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10500639617485359122noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876973267197681580.post-20960022737076212542012-10-14T13:48:00.000-07:002012-10-14T14:56:22.929-07:00Just give me a spoon......Rules......rules are the rules. NO....rules were not made to be broken. Rules were made to be enforced and followed. I am a rule follower. I always have been. Now, I am not saying I don't occasionally break the speed limit or run a yellow light, but I still consider myself a rule follower. I spend most of my days enforcing rules and the occasional consequence on my children and other people's children and I am totally okay with doing that. The key word there is "children". <br />
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The past 2 weekends, Evan has had away football games. Saturday before last was at Centerpoint. When the family and I arrived to the field and approached the gate to pay, I handed the nice lady $6.00 to pay for me and Loren. She said it would be $8.00. I proceeded to tell her, no mam it will not because the pee wee football rules states that admission WILL be $3.00. She says, "well we were told to charge $4.00". I quickly pulled the rules out of my bag and shared them with her. To make a long story short, they (the people in the booth) decided to make things easier on themselves and charge the approved admission price of $3.00 per person. Well, I won't leave out the part that involved me standing by the gate and when I heard her say $4.00 each to someone , I would walk back over and say... "now remember, the rules say to charge $3.00". Same response every time....a roll of the eyes and she told them the right price. And yes.....those that paid $4.00 before I arrived went and got their money back. Loren said, We had been there all of 2 minutes and I was already ticking people off..... I guess it is just a talent I have. Come on people....just follow the rules!!!!<br />
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This past Saturday us Beavers traveled to Bismark. We were leaving the house around 8:30 and my phone began ringing and my Facebook was sounding. Somehow I knew it was regarding the game at Bismark. Once again, we encounter a school that has chosen not to follow the APPROVED pee wee football rules. They were also charging everyone $4.00 and they were refusing to honor AAA passes. Both of these statements are clearly printed in the rules. Many folks let the lady on the ticket booth know she was wrong about the price she was charging for gate admission. But once again they were told, "this is what we were told the charge.". The funny thing is, those individuals that are giving the instructions to over charge ARE NEVER PRESENT!!!! Well.....Bismark also decided it would be less trouble to go ahead and let people pay the approved gate admission, but would not budge on the AAA passes. I spent a great deal of my morning there confronting those that were breaking this rule. In a matter of 45 minutes, I was a witness to an adult female lying to my face about attending a game at GR and her AAA pass not being accepted, I was accused of typing up the pee football rules myself, and was also told that the rules were not "rules" they were just "suggestions". The last excuse is my favorite. That one did make me laugh out loud when she said that.<br />
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The past 2 weekends, I was witness to adults breaking, ignoring, and bending the rules so they could collect more money. What a sad day to be an adult. The rules were established to be enforced. The same rules should be in place at every place we play pee wee football. What kind of example does it set for our children if we choose to be "rule-breakers". And yes, those people from those two schools were breaking the rules..........pitiful.<br />
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And.....last thing...... I am used to people rolling their eyes at me. I am used to people getting upset when I question what they say and what they do. I am used to people just acting like we should ignore it when people are rude , mean, and are obviously breaking the rules. I have been called a "pot-stirrer" a few times......and I am prepared to wear that label with pride..... We all need a nickname. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10500639617485359122noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876973267197681580.post-60746118818360302012-04-05T12:18:00.000-07:002012-04-05T12:18:17.056-07:00He is not there.......2 years...... it has been 2 years...... over 700 days..... since I have talked to my Daddy...... since I have heard his voice..... since I have seen him kiss my Momma.... since I have told him "bye".<br />
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I was no help to Momma and my brothers when they were planning Daddy's funeral. I was useless. It took all I had to breathe. I did nothing. <br />
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We left the funeral home on April 8, 2010, went to the cemetery, dropped the casket that held my Daddy's body off, said a few words and we all left. I have not been back to that cemetery. I have not seen the tombstone that has my Daddy's name engraved on it. I have not seen the small piece of land that was selected to be the final resting place for my Daddy. I am not sure I ever will. <br />
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Daddy is not there. He will never be there.<br />
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He is with me. He is in Momma's memory. He is deep in the hearts of all of his grandkids. He is in Jimmy's patience and Johnny's impulsivity. He is in the face and everyday gestures of both Uncle Dub and Uncle Delbert. <br />
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He is not at that cemetery.<br />
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I see him often.<br />
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He is seen often sitting on the front porch in the white plastic chair he spent many hours sitting in waving at the neighbors as they passed by. He is seen often making the walk from the house to the dog pen always with a glass of coke. He is seen often under that huge oak tree that stood for so many years. He is often seen on his old blue tractor making turns around the yard. I can also see him sitting in his recliner with with his feet hanging off because he was so tall. We all see him often. <br />
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He is not in the ground. He is not in that wooden box. He is not at the cemetery. He never was and he never will be. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10500639617485359122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876973267197681580.post-4851615695501854152012-01-20T16:59:00.000-08:002012-01-20T16:59:41.994-08:00My spot.........I have a new favorite picture. It is the picture of me & my Daddy sitting on the front porch at Mom's house. Some of you may have seen it and "liked" it. Mom found it last weekend while going through a collection of her pics. The number one reason I love it so much is because it has my Daddy in it. The number two reason why I love it is because it has me sitting next to Daddy in it. Some people may think this is not a very big deal but it is a huge deal to me.<br />
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I spent the majority of my life sitting by my Daddy. Him in his recliner and me in my spot on the couch. Lots of Friday & Saturday nights were spent right there. And I wouldn't trade them for anything. I am quite a bit younger then my brothers. I did not have to fight with them over sitting space in the living room. They were either married and out of the house or they we just off doing their own thing. It is silly the things we view as sacred. That spot on the end of the couch is sacred to me. I don't sit there anymore. It's just not the same.<br />
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All of this leads to a point I promise. That picture has brought back a mound of emotion I have not been able to shake the past few days. Wednesday night was the Razorback basketball game. A game in which would have led to my Daddy turning it off at halftime. If Daddy was here with me we would have had several phone conversations about this game. Needless to say, I went to bed that night thinking about Daddy. This led me to dream of Daddy. This particular dream was quite different then most of my dreams about him. This dream seemed to last forever. <br />
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In my dream, everything was almost perfect. The Hog game was on the TV. I was in MY spot on the end of the couch but Daddy's recliner was empty. He was at the front door. I motioned for him to come in and he shook his head. I said, "Daddy, come sit by me." and he did not. I asked him over and over to come and sit by me so we could watch the game. He never would. It got to the point that I was pleading with him. Daddy finally spoke and said "I can't" and he left. I stayed in my spot .....on the end of the couch.<br />
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I know Daddy is better off then any of us. I know I will see him again. I know there is a spot on a couch next to his recliner that is MINE in his new home but for the moment I miss him and I am sad.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10500639617485359122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876973267197681580.post-13379751537725916402012-01-16T06:05:00.000-08:002012-01-16T06:06:40.423-08:00It's a list.........10 reasons I know Loren Crow loves me.......<br />
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10. He tells me all the time. :)<br />
9. He agreed to move to Traskwood 11 years ago & live completely surrounded by my family.<br />
8. He did not run away laughing & shaking his head when we first started dating & he brought me cheese dip & chips to my house & I would not let him in because my parents were not home.<br />
7. He logged many hours sitting at the foot of my bed or beside me on my parents couch while I was in college. He chose to watch me study rather then do anything else.<br />
6. He stuck around even after Daddy threatened to end his life if he snuck in the yard in the middle of the night to leave flowers on my car one more time.<br />
5. He sacrificed evenings & weekends for 2 years to make a home for me and his kids.<br />
4. I have had 3 brand new vehicles since we have been married and he has had none.<br />
3. He kisses me goodbye every morning before he leaves for work.<br />
2. He accepts everyone of my personalities.<br />
1. He ALWAYS gives me the chocolate at the bottom of the drumstick ice cream!!!!!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10500639617485359122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876973267197681580.post-67449873335091256732012-01-04T23:10:00.000-08:002012-01-04T23:13:12.307-08:00I have held it in as long as I can....I am just a little aggravated. A little aggravated with society. A little aggravated with some folks that I don't have contact with and I have absolutely no desire to have contact with. I will be the first person to tell you that my kids are spoiled. Who spoiled them you ask? Well.... that would mainly be me and their Daddy. There are others who have taken part in the spoiling process but the majority of the spoiling too place right here..... in our home.<br />
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My children do not have the "best". My oldest son did not get a phone until he turned 12. According to him, he was the very last 6th grader to get a phone. When we did decide to get him a phone, it was the "free phone" that you get when you start a new line. You know... the one that is made just for talking and texting. Picture the most plain phone ever..... and that is the one! He was so happy to get a phone. He had waited so long.... 12 whole years. One again.... my kid.... did not have the "best" phone. A lot of kids the same age as Hayes, have very fancy phones. They have all the bells and whistles. I know Hayes looks at them and thinks to himself "it sure would be nice to have one of those fancy phones".<br />
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Here is where my aggravation begins. My kids do not have the best of the best when it comes to material objects unless "Realtree" is a name brand clothing line, then we do have that part covered. But I don't think it is. I do think my kids have a lot more "bests" then they actually realize, besides they are just kids after all.<br />
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My children have a home that houses both Mom and Dad. My children have a Mom and a Dad that are trying their "best" ....everyday. Trying out best to make sure our children have "better" then the "best" some day. And 99% of the time, Mom and Dad really, really, really, like one another. My children have a Mom and Dad that want to be together. Our kids have never had to learn what the word "infidelity" means. They have parents that took their marriage vows seriously and understand that this gig is a lifetime commitment. Parents that choose to seek attention outside of their marriage destroy their children. It is a burden that the children will have to live with forever. They rewrite the playbook for parenting. Shame on them.<br />
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My children have had the same home for 11 years. It is not the "best" house, but it is the "best" home for my kids. They have not had to relocate on several occasions due to the rent being due, dodging bills, or even dodging the police. They have not had to relocate because of a marriage ending. They are able to sleep in the same bed every night. We don't promise them more then we can give them. We don't tell them we are building a huge house some place and then create lies over and over again as to why we have not moved in to it yet. People who feed their kids these empty promises just look dumb. We all know better. Their home is not the "best", but it is filled with God, Love, Honesty, Forgiveness, Faithfulness, and Family. <br />
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My children have parents who work in hopes of some day giving them the "best". I am blessed with a career that allows me a large amount of time off with my kids. I would not change that for anything. My kids have a Dad that works hard. He is at his job before most of us are awake and sometimes he ends his day when we are getting ready for bed. My children have parents that do not want to take advantage. My children have parents that know better then to try to create an illness in hopes of being able to get a disability check. My children have parents who are honest about their careers and don't claim to have more money then what we do when the truth is they are just looking for a reason to sue someone.<br />
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I am just a little aggravated at some parents that are lying to their kids. Here is the "best" lie yet. You don't have cancer, you never did. Stop picking this disease because it is the only one you can spell.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10500639617485359122noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876973267197681580.post-68486668731090524252011-12-31T08:38:00.000-08:002011-12-31T08:38:50.499-08:00I shake my "head" back & forth....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.<br />
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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. <br />
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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".<br />
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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.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10500639617485359122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876973267197681580.post-37946921506013872702011-12-29T22:24:00.000-08:002011-12-29T22:24:09.589-08:00Lauana LaneAsk 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. <br />
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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.<br />
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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. <br />
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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?<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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The days after Daddy passed many people tried to comfort me. Some did and some got on my nerves. :)<br />
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.<br />
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Someday..... Daddy will introduce me......Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10500639617485359122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876973267197681580.post-61541618684825821022011-12-23T18:34:00.000-08:002011-12-23T18:34:09.995-08:00Come home CrystalTonight'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.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10500639617485359122noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876973267197681580.post-84099690002294717362011-12-21T20:49:00.000-08:002011-12-21T20:49:00.432-08:00Unusual Blessings :)It has been a while since I have written. No particular reason.<br />
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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.<br />
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So...... this blog will contain some unusual blessings:<br />
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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.<br />
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.<br />
3. I am blessed with stale french fries under the seats of my suburban.<br />
4. I am blessed with empty toilet paper rolls still on the toilet paper holder.<br />
5. I am blessed with friends that make me smile even when they text me while I am sleeping.<br />
6. I am blessed with too many open cereal boxes.<br />
7. I am blessed with a refrigerator that has a broken shelf in the door that has been repaired with camo duct tape.<br />
8. I am blessed with need to know exactly what my children are wearing every time they are away from me.<br />
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.<br />
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.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10500639617485359122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876973267197681580.post-88901084328017206702011-11-03T19:20:00.000-07:002011-11-03T19:20:05.380-07:00This 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.<br />
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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 <span style="background-color: yellow;">insane.</span> 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?" <br />
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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!<br />
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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. <br />
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I am a "bulldog".Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10500639617485359122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876973267197681580.post-53332103889824315972011-09-17T12:55:00.000-07:002011-09-17T12:55:52.978-07:00A "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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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. <br />
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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. <br />
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My heart hurts so much for the Anderson family.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10500639617485359122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876973267197681580.post-68260233913208480072011-09-04T13:59:00.001-07:002011-09-04T13:59:50.518-07:00"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.<br />
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1. I am constantly doing laundry..... but that is ok....it reminds me of how lucky and blessed I am to have my family.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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9. I am constanly in awe of my Momma..... she is the strongest, kindest person that I know.<br />
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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. <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10500639617485359122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876973267197681580.post-27501423688635095162011-08-24T18:54:00.000-07:002011-08-24T18:54:22.827-07:00DOMINATION!!!!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!!!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10500639617485359122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876973267197681580.post-34293065966196984252011-08-23T19:32:00.000-07:002011-08-23T19:32:30.174-07:00RandomJust a few random thoughts......<br />
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1. Life is tiring..... but the alternative is so much worse.<br />
2. I tend to think things should always be done my way.<br />
3. I love when my student ask my why I am happy everyday.<br />
4. I get weird looks everyday.<br />
5. I am a lousy driver.<br />
6. I spoil my nieces too much.<br />
7. I appreciate co-workers who just nod and smile when I rant.<br />
8. I cannot tolerate drinking water from a glass... must be plastic.<br />
9. I have lost control over the sock basket.<br />
10. I dread my kids becoming teenagers.<br />
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Too tired to go on...... was really going to try to make it to 20. <br />
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:) Good nightAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10500639617485359122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876973267197681580.post-27376232706620718742011-08-22T16:43:00.000-07:002011-08-22T16:43:35.302-07:00Because 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?<br />
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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.<br />
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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. <br />
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So my goal is to give my kids 100% of me. They deserve it!<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10500639617485359122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876973267197681580.post-14709107858889764712011-08-05T05:25:00.000-07:002011-08-05T05:25:24.574-07:00Tuesday 8/2/11On 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. <br />
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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. <br />
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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.<br />
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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. <br />
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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. <br />
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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.<br />
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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". Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10500639617485359122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876973267197681580.post-36996549402043551732011-06-20T08:15:00.000-07:002011-06-20T08:15:47.266-07:00UBIQUITOUSI 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. <br />
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This word is an adjective. Here is the meaning.... "Being or seeming to be everywhere at the same time."<br />
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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.<br />
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One of these days their stuff will be gone and I will be wishing I had those "ubiquitous" days back.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10500639617485359122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876973267197681580.post-89879909977609504192011-06-18T17:33:00.000-07:002011-06-18T17:35:22.026-07:00Fried Apple PiesIt 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. <br />
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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. <br />
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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.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10500639617485359122noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876973267197681580.post-58753754012198802032011-06-15T22:09:00.000-07:002011-06-15T22:09:07.607-07:00Here 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.<br />
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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. <br />
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QUACK QUACK!!!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10500639617485359122noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876973267197681580.post-7365163891469052962011-06-14T19:42:00.000-07:002011-06-14T19:42:55.804-07:00Top 10 reasons I know it is summer......How do I know that it is summer vacation?????<br />
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1) The coffee in the coffee pot is cold when I wake up!!! <br />
2) We raid the change jar at least 3 times a week to go to Hobo Joe's.<br />
3) We have breakfast around 10:30am.<br />
4) Most of our laundry is beach towels.<br />
5) There are so many empty cans of vienna sausages and packages of ramen noodles in the trash.<br />
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.<br />
7) I can update facebook between the hours of 7:40 am and 3:30 pm!!!!<br />
8) I get told a bunch how lucky I am to have the summers off..... I already know this.<br />
9) My boys have to take at least 2 baths a day if not more.<br />
10) I wear 2 different flip flops out in public and I am not even embarassed about it!!!!!!<br />
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:)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10500639617485359122noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876973267197681580.post-22341786914851928142011-06-08T18:50:00.000-07:002011-06-08T18:50:18.743-07:0012 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. <br />
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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. <br />
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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. <br />
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Since I have been in education I have dealt with comments that have hit a nerve with me such as:<br />
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1) You are a teacher.... you must make a lot of money!<br />
2) You are a teacher? You work from 8-3...... why are you tired?<br />
3) Don't you get to sit at your desk all day?<br />
4) You are pretty much a highly paid babysitter.<br />
5) How hard is it to push play on a dvd player?<br />
6) You only work 9 months out of the year. (that is my personal fave)<br />
7) How hard is it to get a kid to do his homework?<br />
8) Do you get paid overtime when you take work home with you?<br />
9) What did you plan to do before you became a teacher?<br />
10) Your discount on your cell phone plan will be 18%..... If you worked for Frito Lay or Pepsi it would be 47%. (REALLY??????))))))<br />
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I am glad this year is over. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10500639617485359122noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876973267197681580.post-21449501084693039932011-06-04T18:55:00.000-07:002011-06-04T18:55:06.388-07:00I 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.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10500639617485359122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3876973267197681580.post-37764039105670945252011-05-22T09:52:00.000-07:002011-05-22T09:52:16.232-07:00Such 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.<br />
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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. :)<br />
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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". :)<br />
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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.... Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10500639617485359122noreply@blogger.com0