Monday, September 14, 2009
Can You Spell??
Remember when we were homeschooling? Mom was always such a stickler about our spelling. She couldn't stand it when we spelled something wrong. Now, I'm the same way on my medical documents. It absolutely drives me crazy when people don't know how to spell. I guess it's the English phonics system have a tendency to be a little confusing!! 
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Sunday Ponderings
I decided to add a post today because I'm at home instead of at church. Addison has been sick with tonsillitis the last day and a half, so here we are. At home. At midnight last night, her temp spiked up to 103.6. We got her up, gave her Tylenol and Motrin, waited for her to cool down and then put her back to bed. It's one of those things that makes me a little uneasy.
I used to not really be that "paranoid" about fever until almost precisely one year ago today. I was sitting in a little one room apartment where we were living in the transition phase of our move between houses. I was sitting in my rocking chair holding her because she was not feeling well. She had been sick the day before, whining and just acting like she didn't feel good and then began running fevers in the night. Then they continued throughout the day. All I had at home was Tylenol - I was out of Motrin. For myself, Tylenol is not my favorite medicine to drop a fever. So, I had already called Jeremy and told him to make sure he brought some home. As I sat in the chair holding her I could almost feel her heat up like an oven. It was very quick and I thought to myself, "this is not going to be good." It was less than 5 minutes later I stood in the apartment alone holding a seizing baby with no ability to do anything to stop it or control it. I called the ambulance to come get us to take us to the hospital while I stood there holding her. The seizure itself lasted about 5 minutes. I was like a duck....calm on top and swimming like crazy underneath. Man, my insides were about to pound out of me. It seemed to go on forever!! Right before the ambulance showed up, she had quit, so they allowed me to strap her into her carseat and drive her myself. I drove in horrible traffic to the hospital with a "post-ictal" child. That's the phase after a seizure where there is no communication. Just blank stares and drooling. I remember the last light before the emergency room, she turned her head slightly and looked up at me in the rear-view mirror. You have no idea how that was such a relief to my weary mind.
Turns out it was just viral and would have to run its course and the seizure was caused by the rapid rate in which her temperature increased. It was really uncontrollable. Since that time, I have really been over cautious with fevers.
I wrote all that to lead me to what is the subject of my pondering today. Over the past few months, I've been really mulling over a particular scripture...I even shared it with my Sunday school class well over a month ago. You know, I've been thinking about the case of nerves that I had the day I've just written about and then the scripture that I've been mulling over and I cannot imagine the plight of the character of which the scripture refers.
The scripture reference itself is in Mark 9. It's the story of a father who brings his son to Jesus to heal him. His first complaint is that he has a spirit that won't allow him to talk. He's mute. The second complaint in today's terminology would have been the same symptoms similar to that of a seizure - except they were caused by a spirit. His father says the spirit that causes the convulsions causes him to be thrown into the fire and into the water...all with the intent to destroy him. I cannot imagine the father's emotions upon this encounter. It is documented that he has tears and that he begs Christ for compassion on them. I do not know what's it's like to have to deal with this day after day...but the feeling of helplessness that comes with such a problem was absolutely overwhelming.
I feel like I've come to Christ on more than one occasion in that position. Absolutely helpless. Broken. The feeling that the hopelessness in the situation might never end. See, when this man asked Christ for compassion on his son, he had already been witness to other miracles. He knew Christ was capable, just not sure he was willing. At least that's my interpretation of the scripture. See, Christ told him if he could believe in it, it was possible.....in other words, "If you believe your son can be healed, it's possible." This is where the problem was with the father and where the problem comes with us as humans. I've seen my share of miracles, just as this father had. Yet, when Christ told him if he believed, it could happen....yet the father's response was a contrite spirit saying, "down deep I believe, but my human tendency is to doubt. Please remove that. Please help me with this downfall."
I think more than one of us have been here multiple times in our lives. We believe it's possible, but doubt has a tendency to creep in and cloud our faith. I have situations I've prayed about and it seemed like I had the faith of a child....yet, somewhere in the mix, doubts began. I've had to pray more than once for God to help my unbelief.
My prayer today is, whatever the situation...."I believe, Help thou mine unbelief - Remove the option of unbelief from my thoughts and may I know that I'm completely safe in the hands of a very capable Christ."
I have a feeling on the way home that day that he became a father who was thankful he had been MAN enough to approach his only chance for healing and had been willing to admit he needed help. A broken and contrite spirit, God will not despise.
Just a few thoughts for today.
I used to not really be that "paranoid" about fever until almost precisely one year ago today. I was sitting in a little one room apartment where we were living in the transition phase of our move between houses. I was sitting in my rocking chair holding her because she was not feeling well. She had been sick the day before, whining and just acting like she didn't feel good and then began running fevers in the night. Then they continued throughout the day. All I had at home was Tylenol - I was out of Motrin. For myself, Tylenol is not my favorite medicine to drop a fever. So, I had already called Jeremy and told him to make sure he brought some home. As I sat in the chair holding her I could almost feel her heat up like an oven. It was very quick and I thought to myself, "this is not going to be good." It was less than 5 minutes later I stood in the apartment alone holding a seizing baby with no ability to do anything to stop it or control it. I called the ambulance to come get us to take us to the hospital while I stood there holding her. The seizure itself lasted about 5 minutes. I was like a duck....calm on top and swimming like crazy underneath. Man, my insides were about to pound out of me. It seemed to go on forever!! Right before the ambulance showed up, she had quit, so they allowed me to strap her into her carseat and drive her myself. I drove in horrible traffic to the hospital with a "post-ictal" child. That's the phase after a seizure where there is no communication. Just blank stares and drooling. I remember the last light before the emergency room, she turned her head slightly and looked up at me in the rear-view mirror. You have no idea how that was such a relief to my weary mind.
Turns out it was just viral and would have to run its course and the seizure was caused by the rapid rate in which her temperature increased. It was really uncontrollable. Since that time, I have really been over cautious with fevers.
I wrote all that to lead me to what is the subject of my pondering today. Over the past few months, I've been really mulling over a particular scripture...I even shared it with my Sunday school class well over a month ago. You know, I've been thinking about the case of nerves that I had the day I've just written about and then the scripture that I've been mulling over and I cannot imagine the plight of the character of which the scripture refers.
The scripture reference itself is in Mark 9. It's the story of a father who brings his son to Jesus to heal him. His first complaint is that he has a spirit that won't allow him to talk. He's mute. The second complaint in today's terminology would have been the same symptoms similar to that of a seizure - except they were caused by a spirit. His father says the spirit that causes the convulsions causes him to be thrown into the fire and into the water...all with the intent to destroy him. I cannot imagine the father's emotions upon this encounter. It is documented that he has tears and that he begs Christ for compassion on them. I do not know what's it's like to have to deal with this day after day...but the feeling of helplessness that comes with such a problem was absolutely overwhelming.
I feel like I've come to Christ on more than one occasion in that position. Absolutely helpless. Broken. The feeling that the hopelessness in the situation might never end. See, when this man asked Christ for compassion on his son, he had already been witness to other miracles. He knew Christ was capable, just not sure he was willing. At least that's my interpretation of the scripture. See, Christ told him if he could believe in it, it was possible.....in other words, "If you believe your son can be healed, it's possible." This is where the problem was with the father and where the problem comes with us as humans. I've seen my share of miracles, just as this father had. Yet, when Christ told him if he believed, it could happen....yet the father's response was a contrite spirit saying, "down deep I believe, but my human tendency is to doubt. Please remove that. Please help me with this downfall."
I think more than one of us have been here multiple times in our lives. We believe it's possible, but doubt has a tendency to creep in and cloud our faith. I have situations I've prayed about and it seemed like I had the faith of a child....yet, somewhere in the mix, doubts began. I've had to pray more than once for God to help my unbelief.
My prayer today is, whatever the situation...."I believe, Help thou mine unbelief - Remove the option of unbelief from my thoughts and may I know that I'm completely safe in the hands of a very capable Christ."
I have a feeling on the way home that day that he became a father who was thankful he had been MAN enough to approach his only chance for healing and had been willing to admit he needed help. A broken and contrite spirit, God will not despise.
Just a few thoughts for today.
Happy Belated Birthday, Anita
Well, for those of you who know me well, it will come as no suprise that I am a day late to write something about the birthday girl...
First off, Anita, I am so happy that 30 years & 1 day ago, God saw fit to place you in this world. You are my hero. For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be just like you - the only area I didn't was probably the clothes. I would have NEVER put on that grey striped suit thing...Sorry. Other than that, yeah, I pretty much wanted to be JUST like you. I have always admired the way you stood so firmly for who and what you believed in. It didn't matter who you were with, you were always the same Anita. You always followed Mom's commandment of "Don't forget who you are", and if we were together, you made sure that I followed it too! You probably kept me out of a lot of trouble, you know. You have always been such a wonderful big sister. I like to think that God foresaw that I would have "issues" and not have a lot of close friends outside of family, and He knew that I would need someone that I could trust and never hold anything back from...I think He probably knew that I would need someone in my life who would be strong, level headed, smart, protective, honest, direct, and a million more things, so He gave me you - my sister, my best friend. I think He did a fabulous job!
I love you and hope you had a wonderful birthday!
Laura
"I know some sisters who only see each other on Mother's Day and some who will never speak again. But most are like my sister and me... linked by volatile love, best friends who make other best friends ever so slightly less best." ~Patricia Volk
P.S. Don sends his love and says that he is enjoying the blog. My man of many words... LOL.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
The Whistle Stop Cafe
On the post below this one, I connected a link to the Whistle Stop Cafe (click). I am linking it again here. It's not to their website exactly, but it's a blog by the cook at the Cafe. She has a blog just like mine and you can sign in and follow her blog so you always have access to it. At about the middle of the blog on the right hand side, she has a list of all the items she has recipes for. All you have to do is click what you may be interested in and the recipe pops up. This is Savannah Country Cooking. There's even the recipe for fried green tomatoes on there. They look SO good!
For those who like good country cooking of the likes of Paula Deen, this blog is just what you've always wanted.
For those who like good country cooking of the likes of Paula Deen, this blog is just what you've always wanted.
What a Day!
Just wanted to give a little summary of how wonderful my birthday was yesterday! It was a great day. Jeremy was off for the day, which was great, so we got to have a family day. Talked with Mom and Laura first thing yesterday morning, then Jeremy, Addison, and I got ready and went to lunch. We had lunch at the "Whistle Stop Cafe." It's really cool because you get to eat inside a renovated train car. That was great. I've been before and loved it, so we thought Addison would like that.
After we left the train, we went to the Wildlife Center (the "zoo" to Addison) to see the animals. She got to see the alligators, a fox (like Franklin's friend), a pack of wolves, some bison, eagles, owls, hawks, snakes. Then, they had a little "Georgia farm" sectioned off with wood fencing where she got to see a donkey, a HUGE red cow, a nasty pig, some sheep and goats, rabbits, chickens, turkeys, and ducks. It was a great little place to go. We all enjoyed that.
We left there and went to the Tybee Island beach. Addison had never been to the beach before and so I wanted her to see it. On the way to the beach, I saw 3 dolphins jumping in the adjoining rivers. Once we got to the beach, she and I walked up next to the water. She hated the sand, so I had to carry her. I stood her down beside me and waited for the water to come wrap around our feet. She was TOTALLY unprepared for that. She was utterly speechless. The grip on my hand from her got extremely tight. After the water had gone away, she looked up and me and said, "Hold me." So, we stood for a few more minutes to watch the white foam on the waves. I don't really know if she knew what to think about it. I told Mom and Jeremy..."if I took her to the beach in a pair of boots, she'd like it just fine." I don't know where she gets the lack of desire to have sand between her toes!! LOL! or salt and pepper as some people around this family call it! lol!
During the day, Jeremy made arrangements without my knowing to have my mother in law keep Addison so he could take me "out" for my birthday. I later found out that he had already made reservations for us to eat in downtown Savannah. I was rather impressed. So, we left and headed out for the evening. You'll never guess where we had reservations for!! Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. It was wonderful! Very elegant. The steak was fabulous- the best I've ever had, actually. It was really a great experience!! My dear hubby did a great job planning.
My dad called on the way home from Ruth's Chris to tell me happy birthday. He wanted to know if he should plan to take Mom there for a special occasion. I think he just wants to go!! lol!
And that's a recap of my wonderful day.....full of memories!
After we left the train, we went to the Wildlife Center (the "zoo" to Addison) to see the animals. She got to see the alligators, a fox (like Franklin's friend), a pack of wolves, some bison, eagles, owls, hawks, snakes. Then, they had a little "Georgia farm" sectioned off with wood fencing where she got to see a donkey, a HUGE red cow, a nasty pig, some sheep and goats, rabbits, chickens, turkeys, and ducks. It was a great little place to go. We all enjoyed that.
We left there and went to the Tybee Island beach. Addison had never been to the beach before and so I wanted her to see it. On the way to the beach, I saw 3 dolphins jumping in the adjoining rivers. Once we got to the beach, she and I walked up next to the water. She hated the sand, so I had to carry her. I stood her down beside me and waited for the water to come wrap around our feet. She was TOTALLY unprepared for that. She was utterly speechless. The grip on my hand from her got extremely tight. After the water had gone away, she looked up and me and said, "Hold me." So, we stood for a few more minutes to watch the white foam on the waves. I don't really know if she knew what to think about it. I told Mom and Jeremy..."if I took her to the beach in a pair of boots, she'd like it just fine." I don't know where she gets the lack of desire to have sand between her toes!! LOL! or salt and pepper as some people around this family call it! lol!
During the day, Jeremy made arrangements without my knowing to have my mother in law keep Addison so he could take me "out" for my birthday. I later found out that he had already made reservations for us to eat in downtown Savannah. I was rather impressed. So, we left and headed out for the evening. You'll never guess where we had reservations for!! Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. It was wonderful! Very elegant. The steak was fabulous- the best I've ever had, actually. It was really a great experience!! My dear hubby did a great job planning.
My dad called on the way home from Ruth's Chris to tell me happy birthday. He wanted to know if he should plan to take Mom there for a special occasion. I think he just wants to go!! lol!
And that's a recap of my wonderful day.....full of memories!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Workshop Update
Well, the theme for the retreat is "Staying Steady in a Changing World" - but Tuesday night was when I was informed that they had me scheduled for a workshop . . . of my choice. The other 2 that will be taking place at the same time of mine are dealing with 1)Sunday School and 2)Younger female adults. I was told that I would be having whoever did not fit in the first 2 - mainly the older (probably 40's and up)ones. So my thoughts of Parenting or Pastor's Wives went down the drain. Ones who need "parenting advice" will be in the "younger women" and all that attend my workshop will not be pastor's wives.
Laura and I attended a seminar in Montgomery, AL today. Got up a little after 3 am - left from Laura's @ 4:30. Jotted a few ideas down for the workshop while waiting. Possibilities of areas to cover are:
1. Changes in the elderly (physical and mental)
2. Preparation (areas of safety, advance directives, finances, nutrition, available resources...)
3. Options (assist. living, live-in help, NH...)
4. Nurturing (loved one and caregiver)
So, I'm collecting info. Thanks for the websites you guys have already sent. Great stuff. Pray that the Lord will help me get all my thoughts in line on this. Also, with the main message!
Laura and I attended a seminar in Montgomery, AL today. Got up a little after 3 am - left from Laura's @ 4:30. Jotted a few ideas down for the workshop while waiting. Possibilities of areas to cover are:
1. Changes in the elderly (physical and mental)
2. Preparation (areas of safety, advance directives, finances, nutrition, available resources...)
3. Options (assist. living, live-in help, NH...)
4. Nurturing (loved one and caregiver)
So, I'm collecting info. Thanks for the websites you guys have already sent. Great stuff. Pray that the Lord will help me get all my thoughts in line on this. Also, with the main message!
From Dad and Mom
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANITA DAWN! Hope you're having a wonderful 30th. This time 30 years ago you were just over 1 hour old - and I was deliriously happy! Do you realize how HUGE I got carrying you? I looked ridicuous and couldn't even wear the size 9 shoes I had bought. But . . . I forgave you for all that the moment I saw you.
Little did I know that you were destined to be a nurse. It should have been a dead giveaway when I walked in the living room and there you sat with bandaids all over your ears. Said your ears were hurting. You've been making "hurts" feel better ever since.
Thank you for making it easy on me being a mom. You were always so compliant and gentle of spirit. Always wiser than your years - to which I contribute to your choice of mentors . . . even as a child you were so comfortable with adults and found their company interesting.
You've grown into a very wonderful young lady. Your talent for writing is the latest on the list of your talents - of which are many. Thank you taking the "mothering" role so serious. You're a great mother and Addison is blessed to have you. You and Jeremy were destined to be together. You make a wonderful couple. I'm so proud that both of you have such a heart for the things of God. You both are so willing to work for him without any praise or desire for the glory. You don't find many like that.
Again, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, sweetheart. May God bless you with a wonderful year. We, as a family, are proud to call you ours.
Love,
Dad and Mom
Little did I know that you were destined to be a nurse. It should have been a dead giveaway when I walked in the living room and there you sat with bandaids all over your ears. Said your ears were hurting. You've been making "hurts" feel better ever since.
Thank you for making it easy on me being a mom. You were always so compliant and gentle of spirit. Always wiser than your years - to which I contribute to your choice of mentors . . . even as a child you were so comfortable with adults and found their company interesting.
You've grown into a very wonderful young lady. Your talent for writing is the latest on the list of your talents - of which are many. Thank you taking the "mothering" role so serious. You're a great mother and Addison is blessed to have you. You and Jeremy were destined to be together. You make a wonderful couple. I'm so proud that both of you have such a heart for the things of God. You both are so willing to work for him without any praise or desire for the glory. You don't find many like that.
Again, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, sweetheart. May God bless you with a wonderful year. We, as a family, are proud to call you ours.
Love,
Dad and Mom
Happy 30th Birthday, Anita!
Here’s a great audio clip to make you smile. Hope it’ll post!
Aunt Linda
Note: click on "great audio clip" and listen to the box on the right of the screen. It's the only way I could make it work.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Got Any Ideas??
Ok. This is the deal. I am working on a project for Mom, (she's also working on it) but I'm attempting to recruit the help of the nurses (besides us) and intelligent thinkers in this family. Mind you, the subject of this matter may come as a suprise to you, being that we have been so successful thus far in accomplishing great things where this is concerned in our family. But it is a subject that we may be able to seriously get something accomplished if we put our heads together on the matter.
This is the situation....In October, ours truly, Rosie, aka, Barb, will be the guest speaker at a ladies' conference in Indiana. She is responsible for a workshop as well as another forum. The workshop she will be doing is on a topic of her choice. She has come to a decision on the topic and we are currently in the "gathering information" stage. I am asking that you offer as much information as you can possibly offer. Whether it be websites, pages of books, stories.....etc...... Then at the end of this stage, we will filter through it and combine the pieces of information into a presentation format. I will even post the final outline for the speech.
Ready for the topic??? It's......"Adult Children Caring for Elderly Parents." I'm also interested in outline points...like points that begin with the same letters, outline questions....in similar fashion to any lecture you might be having to listen to.
We have approximately 1 1/2 weeks to gather info so that Mom can begin putting the speech together, then begin the polishing. I'm extremely anxious to see the finished product. It will include handouts, also.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I'm here to tell you, it's not going to be long before we are going to have to take some of these steps to help the situation in our own family. Maybe this will help the development of different ideas of what steps might need to be taken.
This is the situation....In October, ours truly, Rosie, aka, Barb, will be the guest speaker at a ladies' conference in Indiana. She is responsible for a workshop as well as another forum. The workshop she will be doing is on a topic of her choice. She has come to a decision on the topic and we are currently in the "gathering information" stage. I am asking that you offer as much information as you can possibly offer. Whether it be websites, pages of books, stories.....etc...... Then at the end of this stage, we will filter through it and combine the pieces of information into a presentation format. I will even post the final outline for the speech.
Ready for the topic??? It's......"Adult Children Caring for Elderly Parents." I'm also interested in outline points...like points that begin with the same letters, outline questions....in similar fashion to any lecture you might be having to listen to.
We have approximately 1 1/2 weeks to gather info so that Mom can begin putting the speech together, then begin the polishing. I'm extremely anxious to see the finished product. It will include handouts, also.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I'm here to tell you, it's not going to be long before we are going to have to take some of these steps to help the situation in our own family. Maybe this will help the development of different ideas of what steps might need to be taken.
Sometimes Medicine Just Isn't Enough!!!
Guess Squirrel doesn't know that with all that medicine that the twitching should stop within "2 point 5 to 3 minutes."
I'm hoping that someone was in need of a bit of humor today!!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Yummy!
If you're looking for a good supper idea for some time this week, I have 2 yummy recipes for casseroles that usually yield enough leftovers for at least once, maybe twice. These are 2 of my favorites and thought I might post them......
I actually plan to cook them tonight.
The first is:
Ritzy Chicken Casserole
- 2 sleeves of Ritz crackers (crushed)
- 1 can of Cream of Chicken soup
- 1 cup of sour cream
- 1/2 cup of chicken broth
- 4-6 boneless chicken breast (cooked and cut up)
- 4 oz melted butter
Mix butter and both sleeves of Ritz crackers together and set aside. Then, mix cream of chicken, sour cream, chicken, and chicken broth together.
Place 1/2 of crackers on bottom of 9x13 casserole dish. Place chicken mixture on top of crackers. Put other half of crackers on top of casserole.
Cook on 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
YUM!!
------------------------------------------------
The second is:ca
Hashbrown Casserole:
- 1 pkg of frozen hashbrowns
- 12 oz of cheddar cheese (grated)
- 1 stick of melted butter
- 1 cup mayo
- 1 large can of cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 small onion
topping:
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers
- 1/2 stick melted butter
Mix the top ingredients together in large bowl. Pour into 9x13 casserole dish. Top with Ritz cracker topping.
Cook on 350 degrees for 45 minutes.
YUMMY!!
I actually plan to cook them tonight.
The first is:
Ritzy Chicken Casserole
- 2 sleeves of Ritz crackers (crushed)
- 1 can of Cream of Chicken soup
- 1 cup of sour cream
- 1/2 cup of chicken broth
- 4-6 boneless chicken breast (cooked and cut up)
- 4 oz melted butter
Mix butter and both sleeves of Ritz crackers together and set aside. Then, mix cream of chicken, sour cream, chicken, and chicken broth together.
Place 1/2 of crackers on bottom of 9x13 casserole dish. Place chicken mixture on top of crackers. Put other half of crackers on top of casserole.
Cook on 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
YUM!!
------------------------------------------------
The second is:ca
Hashbrown Casserole:
- 1 pkg of frozen hashbrowns
- 12 oz of cheddar cheese (grated)
- 1 stick of melted butter
- 1 cup mayo
- 1 large can of cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 small onion
topping:
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers
- 1/2 stick melted butter
Mix the top ingredients together in large bowl. Pour into 9x13 casserole dish. Top with Ritz cracker topping.
Cook on 350 degrees for 45 minutes.
YUMMY!!
Monday, September 7, 2009
True Story!
Have you ever wondered what this story (click) and this song (click) have in common?
This weekend my brother in law, Gregg, and sister in law, Jeana, attended the Family Fest in Gatlinburg, where gospel artist gather to have a weekend of concerts and entertainment. On Saturday night, Gregg text Jeremy to tell him that he had heard an awesome story by one of the artist, so I thought I'd take the time to share it with you.
If you will remember, a few posts ago there was a video with a song it entitled "Real Faith." The name of my post was called "Real People." For a quick memory refreshment, you can click on the link to the left and you can see the video again. The guy seated on the farthest left is the manager of that group - Brian Free. Hence the name, Brian Free and Assurance. Years ago, Brian Free sang with a group called Gold City. All of these groups fall in the musical genre of Southern Gospel, so if you're familiar, the name Gold City rings a bell.
Anyway, 22 years ago, Brian Free recorded a song with Gold City called "Only God Knows" which is the song that the link is to in the first paragraph. I can remember it from when I was a kid. I remember that's where the first stirrings of my opposition to abortion began.
This weekend at the Family Fest, Brian Free told the audience that recently he received a call from a lady who wanted to let him know that 22 years ago she heard that song. She said she was contemplating an abortion of her unborn child when she heard this song. She decided not to go through with it......I have no idea what the circumstance for her were.
He said that she called to let him know that the son she almost aborted was one of the 3 Navy Seals who killed the Somali pirates to save Captain Phillips after his capture......she just thought he should know!
Now you wonder why stories like this don't make the news. I guess they are too politically incorrect, right????
I needed a good story like that this weekend.....
This weekend my brother in law, Gregg, and sister in law, Jeana, attended the Family Fest in Gatlinburg, where gospel artist gather to have a weekend of concerts and entertainment. On Saturday night, Gregg text Jeremy to tell him that he had heard an awesome story by one of the artist, so I thought I'd take the time to share it with you.
If you will remember, a few posts ago there was a video with a song it entitled "Real Faith." The name of my post was called "Real People." For a quick memory refreshment, you can click on the link to the left and you can see the video again. The guy seated on the farthest left is the manager of that group - Brian Free. Hence the name, Brian Free and Assurance. Years ago, Brian Free sang with a group called Gold City. All of these groups fall in the musical genre of Southern Gospel, so if you're familiar, the name Gold City rings a bell.
Anyway, 22 years ago, Brian Free recorded a song with Gold City called "Only God Knows" which is the song that the link is to in the first paragraph. I can remember it from when I was a kid. I remember that's where the first stirrings of my opposition to abortion began.
This weekend at the Family Fest, Brian Free told the audience that recently he received a call from a lady who wanted to let him know that 22 years ago she heard that song. She said she was contemplating an abortion of her unborn child when she heard this song. She decided not to go through with it......I have no idea what the circumstance for her were.
He said that she called to let him know that the son she almost aborted was one of the 3 Navy Seals who killed the Somali pirates to save Captain Phillips after his capture......she just thought he should know!
Now you wonder why stories like this don't make the news. I guess they are too politically incorrect, right????
I needed a good story like that this weekend.....
Follow-up
Not long ago, I wrote a post called "Seasons." The thoughts that I wrote on that day were thoughts that I carried the entire time of the saga of the "Curious Ways of Ray Sue." Within days of writing that, Jeremy and I saw a video that expressed some interesting thoughts on the matter. I will be honest, at the time I saw it, I needed the Kleenex box. But it was so good, I thought I'd wait until everyone's emotions kinda settled back a little before I showed it. It's excellent!
These guys are known as the "Skit Guys." I am attaching two videos by them for your viewing and for your personal growth. Both of them have the potential and ability to make a difference in your life.
Here they are. I hope you have the time watch them both. The first is called "the Mourning Booth" and the second is called "God's Chisel." Enjoy.......
These guys are known as the "Skit Guys." I am attaching two videos by them for your viewing and for your personal growth. Both of them have the potential and ability to make a difference in your life.
Here they are. I hope you have the time watch them both. The first is called "the Mourning Booth" and the second is called "God's Chisel." Enjoy.......
Pure Mean-ness!
One of my favorite past-times as a child was to kick back any chance I got on Sunday afternoons and read the Sunday comics. There was something about those colorful pages that just drew me in. I loved it. Well, as you well know, I occasionally check them out online since I don't "draw" the paper, as the old folks say. In other words, I do not get the Sunday paper anymore. Yesterday I found one that took me back to moment in time to a memory that mom and I have. It was a bright idea we had to play a trick on my dad. Just for meanness.
See, Mom and Dad live in the "sticks" in rural Alabama, so some of the things that we are accustomed to in the "city" are things that they don't know about. One of those things happen to be the little vibrating blocks that restaurants hand you to let you know when your table or your food is ready. In this instance, it was Zaxby's letting us know that our food was ready. Mom and I decided to hand it off to Dad since he was totally oblivious to what was bound to happen and the extent to which they vibrate. So, we were sitting at the table and Dad was kinda "lost in thought" not paying much attention, so it didn't take much convincing for Mom to place it in his back pocket of his pants. He sat down to converse with us...and we waited.....trying not to howl with laughter as to what was coming.
To make this long story short, we knew the exact minute the buzzer vibrated. He probably still has chronic bruises on his knees where he jumped. He turned around and looked at the seat for a second like it had something to do with what was going on in his pocket.
Then he realized what trick we had played.......
That's why this comic strip was so hilarious to me.! Just thought I'd share to start this wonderful labor day off to a smiling start!!!
Later gators!
See, Mom and Dad live in the "sticks" in rural Alabama, so some of the things that we are accustomed to in the "city" are things that they don't know about. One of those things happen to be the little vibrating blocks that restaurants hand you to let you know when your table or your food is ready. In this instance, it was Zaxby's letting us know that our food was ready. Mom and I decided to hand it off to Dad since he was totally oblivious to what was bound to happen and the extent to which they vibrate. So, we were sitting at the table and Dad was kinda "lost in thought" not paying much attention, so it didn't take much convincing for Mom to place it in his back pocket of his pants. He sat down to converse with us...and we waited.....trying not to howl with laughter as to what was coming.
To make this long story short, we knew the exact minute the buzzer vibrated. He probably still has chronic bruises on his knees where he jumped. He turned around and looked at the seat for a second like it had something to do with what was going on in his pocket.
Then he realized what trick we had played.......
That's why this comic strip was so hilarious to me.! Just thought I'd share to start this wonderful labor day off to a smiling start!!!
Later gators!
Friday, September 4, 2009
This Lady Cracks Me UP!!
I have become extremely fond of this comic strip. Not exactly sure why, but she is just hilarious. Thought you might need the laugh, also.....
Happy Birthday Uncle Roy!
Happy Birthday Uncle Roy! I hope you have had a great day. I'm sorry I'm so late posting this. I didn't realize it was your birthday until I got on my computer later in the evening... (hat tip, Aunt Linda). I have a written list in my email of birthdays and I forgot to look at it. I knew there was one coming up, just didn't realize it was today. I apologize.
Hope all is well in Michigan. Give everyone hugs from us. Wish we could see you!
Much love from your family!!
Blonde Logic
We just LOVE blonde jokes!!
January - Took new scarf back to store because it was too tight.
February - Fired from pharmacy job for failing to print labels....."duh".....bottles won't fit in typewriter!!!
March - Got excited.....finished jigsaw puzzle in 6 months.....box said "2-4 years!"
April - Trapped on escalator for hours.....power went out!!!
May - Tried to make Kool-Aid.....8 cups of water won't fit into those little packets!!!
June - Tried to go water skiing.....couldn't find a lake with a slope.
July - Lost breast stroke swimming competition.....learned later, other swimmers cheated, they used their arms!!!
August - Got locked out of car in rain storm.....car swamped, because top was down.
September - The capital of California is "C".....isn't it???
October - Hate M & M's.....they are so hard to peel.
November - Baked turkey for 4 1/2 days.....instructions said 1 hour per pound and I weigh 108!!!
December - Couldn't call 911....."duh".....there's no "eleven" button on the phone!!!
What a year!!
January - Took new scarf back to store because it was too tight.
February - Fired from pharmacy job for failing to print labels....."duh".....bottles won't fit in typewriter!!!
March - Got excited.....finished jigsaw puzzle in 6 months.....box said "2-4 years!"
April - Trapped on escalator for hours.....power went out!!!
May - Tried to make Kool-Aid.....8 cups of water won't fit into those little packets!!!
June - Tried to go water skiing.....couldn't find a lake with a slope.
July - Lost breast stroke swimming competition.....learned later, other swimmers cheated, they used their arms!!!
August - Got locked out of car in rain storm.....car swamped, because top was down.
September - The capital of California is "C".....isn't it???
October - Hate M & M's.....they are so hard to peel.
November - Baked turkey for 4 1/2 days.....instructions said 1 hour per pound and I weigh 108!!!
December - Couldn't call 911....."duh".....there's no "eleven" button on the phone!!!
What a year!!
Do you have a Friend like this??
I ran across this old Arabian proverb regarding a friend yesterday. I've thought of what a beautiful picture it paints of a true friend, and figured since I thought so much of it, I'd share it. It's just beautiful!!
"A Friend is one to whom one may pour out the contents of one's heart, chaff and grain together, knowing that the gentlest of hands will take and sift it, keep what is worth keeping and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away. "
"A Friend is one to whom one may pour out the contents of one's heart, chaff and grain together, knowing that the gentlest of hands will take and sift it, keep what is worth keeping and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away. "
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Who They Are!
Remember the "Real People" post, well this is who they are....well a few of them, anyway....
If you didn't read the "Real People" post, you need to read it before reading up this one to understand it.
Let's see, we'll start with Ms. Louise and Clarence. She was a divorced woman who lived with her handicapped brother and sister. Her sister did little to inspire me except for the laughs, but Ms. Louise and Clarence were very inspirational to me. I don't even have the first memory, because I was too young, of walking down the beaten path to her house on a daily basis to play with the children that she kept. She made her living keeping children because her husband left her for another woman, leaving her with 6 young boys to raise on her own, all of which turned out to be fine men, I must say, and were grown with children our ages by the time we met her. The only thing I ever recall Ms. Louise questioning God over was why she had to put up with her paranoid sister. LOL!! Neither of them could drive, and depended on the mercy of friends on Saturdays to take them to the store to purchase everything they would need for the week. They were present at church every time the doors opened. In the 12 years that Dad pastored their church, I could probably count on one hand the services they missed.
They hit the floor running at 5:00 sharp every morning, and were the 2 hardest working individuals I've ever met in my life. Their sister, on the other hand, had to be the laziest individual I ever laid eyes on. I remember a few summer mornings I would get up and meet them at their house between 5-6 to pick peas or butterbeans. They raised the most beautiful gardens anyone ever saw. Looking back at just how pretty their gardens were and how much food they raised on their own, and how much of a job I act like it is to keep my 4 tomato plants alive every year is, I have to say they were 2 of the most talented individuals with the ground that I've ever seen.
Clarence had a major speech impediment and it took a sharp ear to half understand anything he said, but Laura was his "Darling" and he called me "Pretty Girl." Neither of which sounded like what I've just written. We just somehow knew that's what he was saying. He used to get frustrated with us when all of us kids would chase his chickens around the chicken yard and get them all upset. He would get so mad and beat his fist together then act like he was headed down the beaten path to go tell Dad on both of us. He'd get a few yards down and then back out.
But like the song said.......Real people with definitely real struggles.........I see the real struggles now even more than I did then. It's a pretty amazing thing. But their situation never made them consider leaving the love of Christ. It's kinda like it was embroidered into their lives.
--------------------------------------------
Then there's Marjorie Wynn. Now, there's someone who knew real life bruises. She was a young widow raising two young daughters when we met her. She also raised a garden....hunted her own meat, chopped her own firewood. She was the toughest lady I knew. I think back then, I was convinced she was braver than my dad.....truth is, she probably was. (Sorry Dad) I can remember running to her more than one time when I was scared of a particular guy who was "big and Bad" and frequented our church. She forewarned my dad that she was gonna take care of him - and I got to witness it. He walked into church and sat down trying to get me and my sister to come over to him. She walked right up to him.....much braver than me.....and got nose to nose with him and said, "Tommy, if you ever get near or touch one of these girls, I'll kill you." He started stuttering and said, "M-M-Ms. Margie, I - I - I won't h-h-hurt those girls." She said, "I know you won't. I'll see to it!" From that day on, she was my MAJOR HERO! Tommy knew that she was serious.
When I was about 12 or 13 years old, Margie remarried. I remember feeling such a warm and fuzzy feeling about that because she finally had someone to help her share her workload. It was such a relief to my young mind. She married a man named Buster. A couple of years after she married Buster, they bought an old "hole in the wall" gas station in a little town called Silas, Alabama. It was a Texaco that had been owned previously by her brother. They bought it, and worked their ends off at it for not much of a profit at all, but both of them were the most giving people I've ever known. One of the most wonderful things that Margie did for me in my life was something that I'm forever indebted for and will never forget, as long as I live. When I was in college, every Monday morning, she'd fill my car up with gas to get me through the week. She will never know how much I appreciated that. Even with all the struggles she had, still has, and the bruises she obtained, she was real! Oh, how I appreciated that.
------------------------------------------
Then there's Sis. Doris Holyfield. She and her family were always so good to us. We ate dinner with them quite often and the menu was usually pretty much the same. Either fried chicken or roast. Butterbeans, mac-n-cheese, a few more vegetables, and burnt rolls. Always burnt rolls! lol! We didn't seem to mind, though. We were all trying to keep from laughing the whole time while utter chaos was always present. There was always laughter. Their house was always full of love and laughter. Even though there were struggles. Their entire family revolved around Michael, who was born with cerebral palsy and severe heart disease. He was always the center of attention and loved every minute of it. Their doting ways toward him always impressed me and just his very life impacted me in ways that I'll never forget.
Michael died in April of 2006. He was around 25 years old. I was standing at Westgate Resorts in Gatlinburg, TN, having just discovered I was expecting Addison, when Mom called me to tell me he had died. I cried like a baby right there in the parking lot of that resort. I knew that there was not one thing they could look back on and regret during his life about how they should have slowed down and took advantage of their time with him. They did that well! I think that's what made a difference for me. They knew that one day they would not have him and wanted to make every moment count.
They were all real, with real struggles. My innocent eyes were watching and because of this list of people and many more, it was an easy thing for me to embrace the Love of Christ. I definitely knew "real people," although they had "real struggles", they had "real joy" and "real hope." And through it all I found "real faith!"
If you didn't read the "Real People" post, you need to read it before reading up this one to understand it.
Let's see, we'll start with Ms. Louise and Clarence. She was a divorced woman who lived with her handicapped brother and sister. Her sister did little to inspire me except for the laughs, but Ms. Louise and Clarence were very inspirational to me. I don't even have the first memory, because I was too young, of walking down the beaten path to her house on a daily basis to play with the children that she kept. She made her living keeping children because her husband left her for another woman, leaving her with 6 young boys to raise on her own, all of which turned out to be fine men, I must say, and were grown with children our ages by the time we met her. The only thing I ever recall Ms. Louise questioning God over was why she had to put up with her paranoid sister. LOL!! Neither of them could drive, and depended on the mercy of friends on Saturdays to take them to the store to purchase everything they would need for the week. They were present at church every time the doors opened. In the 12 years that Dad pastored their church, I could probably count on one hand the services they missed.
They hit the floor running at 5:00 sharp every morning, and were the 2 hardest working individuals I've ever met in my life. Their sister, on the other hand, had to be the laziest individual I ever laid eyes on. I remember a few summer mornings I would get up and meet them at their house between 5-6 to pick peas or butterbeans. They raised the most beautiful gardens anyone ever saw. Looking back at just how pretty their gardens were and how much food they raised on their own, and how much of a job I act like it is to keep my 4 tomato plants alive every year is, I have to say they were 2 of the most talented individuals with the ground that I've ever seen.
Clarence had a major speech impediment and it took a sharp ear to half understand anything he said, but Laura was his "Darling" and he called me "Pretty Girl." Neither of which sounded like what I've just written. We just somehow knew that's what he was saying. He used to get frustrated with us when all of us kids would chase his chickens around the chicken yard and get them all upset. He would get so mad and beat his fist together then act like he was headed down the beaten path to go tell Dad on both of us. He'd get a few yards down and then back out.
But like the song said.......Real people with definitely real struggles.........I see the real struggles now even more than I did then. It's a pretty amazing thing. But their situation never made them consider leaving the love of Christ. It's kinda like it was embroidered into their lives.
--------------------------------------------
Then there's Marjorie Wynn. Now, there's someone who knew real life bruises. She was a young widow raising two young daughters when we met her. She also raised a garden....hunted her own meat, chopped her own firewood. She was the toughest lady I knew. I think back then, I was convinced she was braver than my dad.....truth is, she probably was. (Sorry Dad) I can remember running to her more than one time when I was scared of a particular guy who was "big and Bad" and frequented our church. She forewarned my dad that she was gonna take care of him - and I got to witness it. He walked into church and sat down trying to get me and my sister to come over to him. She walked right up to him.....much braver than me.....and got nose to nose with him and said, "Tommy, if you ever get near or touch one of these girls, I'll kill you." He started stuttering and said, "M-M-Ms. Margie, I - I - I won't h-h-hurt those girls." She said, "I know you won't. I'll see to it!" From that day on, she was my MAJOR HERO! Tommy knew that she was serious.
When I was about 12 or 13 years old, Margie remarried. I remember feeling such a warm and fuzzy feeling about that because she finally had someone to help her share her workload. It was such a relief to my young mind. She married a man named Buster. A couple of years after she married Buster, they bought an old "hole in the wall" gas station in a little town called Silas, Alabama. It was a Texaco that had been owned previously by her brother. They bought it, and worked their ends off at it for not much of a profit at all, but both of them were the most giving people I've ever known. One of the most wonderful things that Margie did for me in my life was something that I'm forever indebted for and will never forget, as long as I live. When I was in college, every Monday morning, she'd fill my car up with gas to get me through the week. She will never know how much I appreciated that. Even with all the struggles she had, still has, and the bruises she obtained, she was real! Oh, how I appreciated that.
------------------------------------------
Then there's Sis. Doris Holyfield. She and her family were always so good to us. We ate dinner with them quite often and the menu was usually pretty much the same. Either fried chicken or roast. Butterbeans, mac-n-cheese, a few more vegetables, and burnt rolls. Always burnt rolls! lol! We didn't seem to mind, though. We were all trying to keep from laughing the whole time while utter chaos was always present. There was always laughter. Their house was always full of love and laughter. Even though there were struggles. Their entire family revolved around Michael, who was born with cerebral palsy and severe heart disease. He was always the center of attention and loved every minute of it. Their doting ways toward him always impressed me and just his very life impacted me in ways that I'll never forget.
Michael died in April of 2006. He was around 25 years old. I was standing at Westgate Resorts in Gatlinburg, TN, having just discovered I was expecting Addison, when Mom called me to tell me he had died. I cried like a baby right there in the parking lot of that resort. I knew that there was not one thing they could look back on and regret during his life about how they should have slowed down and took advantage of their time with him. They did that well! I think that's what made a difference for me. They knew that one day they would not have him and wanted to make every moment count.
They were all real, with real struggles. My innocent eyes were watching and because of this list of people and many more, it was an easy thing for me to embrace the Love of Christ. I definitely knew "real people," although they had "real struggles", they had "real joy" and "real hope." And through it all I found "real faith!"
Real People
I have inherited the ability to become so totally lost in thought that I have no idea what is going on or being said around me. Sometimes Addison or Jeremy can say something to me and I'll not have a clue what they said or worse, not even realize they said a thing. It's getting worse with age. But I definitely inherited it.....from my dad. I always had the hardest time figuring out how in the WORLD he could just walk around or sit around with blustering conversation going on around him. Or Laura or myself practically jumping up and down talking to him or waving our hands in front of his nose to break his concentration from whatever he was thinking on. It was frustrating sometimes, but I now find myself doing the same thing. It's actually kinda scary, but I know exactly where I got the trait from.
Sometimes Addison will be talking and calling my name multiple times before I ever realize she said it once. There have been times, Jeremy's called my name and said, "Anita, she's talking to you." It's the craziest thing. I get so lost in thought sometimes, until it's just weird.
There's one thing that really sends me into a world of concentration that I really have to pull myself out of with effort. It's when I hear a particular song called "Real People." As soon as the song begins, I immediately began a mental list of all of the "real people" I knew in my life.
Let me tell you a bit about the song, then I'll tell you about the people.
The first verse of the song starts of like this.....
"Not some tragic struggle, Not some endless search
Just the story of some kids growing up in church
We took in every moment with open eyes and ears
And one day took to heart what we saw in those years
And we saw....
Real people with real struggles - Real lives bruised in real ways
And there was real joy - And real hope
And through it all we found real faith
We count it as a blessing to know such strength and peace
Oh not that they were perfect but they lived with honesty
And the evidence we witnessed daily in each life
Helped pave the way for us to embrace the love of Christ
And we knew...
Real people with real struggles ..........
Remind us oh Father that around us every day
The innocent eyes are watching may they see our lives and say
I see....
Real People.........."
This song is my life's story summed up.
As you know, Laura and I grew up in small rural churches in the southern states. Those were the churches that Dad pastored. They all consisted of simple, hard-working people who loved God and their families. Earthly possessions weren't high on their lists for a couple of reasons. Cost was mostly the reason, but lack of access because of location, was probably another reason.
When I begin to reminisce about the "real people" who impacted me, I have a collage of memories that will never be able to be documented because of the magnitude of the situation. It's just too much to write....
That's why there's a second post. So, stay tuned. I'm interested in hearing about the real people in your life. Write about them, and I'll post it. I would love to hear the stories of the "real people" who influenced you. Until I hear from you, I'll tell you about the "real people" that influenced me....
Sometimes Addison will be talking and calling my name multiple times before I ever realize she said it once. There have been times, Jeremy's called my name and said, "Anita, she's talking to you." It's the craziest thing. I get so lost in thought sometimes, until it's just weird.
There's one thing that really sends me into a world of concentration that I really have to pull myself out of with effort. It's when I hear a particular song called "Real People." As soon as the song begins, I immediately began a mental list of all of the "real people" I knew in my life.
Let me tell you a bit about the song, then I'll tell you about the people.
The first verse of the song starts of like this.....
"Not some tragic struggle, Not some endless search
Just the story of some kids growing up in church
We took in every moment with open eyes and ears
And one day took to heart what we saw in those years
And we saw....
Real people with real struggles - Real lives bruised in real ways
And there was real joy - And real hope
And through it all we found real faith
We count it as a blessing to know such strength and peace
Oh not that they were perfect but they lived with honesty
And the evidence we witnessed daily in each life
Helped pave the way for us to embrace the love of Christ
And we knew...
Real people with real struggles ..........
Remind us oh Father that around us every day
The innocent eyes are watching may they see our lives and say
I see....
Real People.........."
This song is my life's story summed up.
As you know, Laura and I grew up in small rural churches in the southern states. Those were the churches that Dad pastored. They all consisted of simple, hard-working people who loved God and their families. Earthly possessions weren't high on their lists for a couple of reasons. Cost was mostly the reason, but lack of access because of location, was probably another reason.
When I begin to reminisce about the "real people" who impacted me, I have a collage of memories that will never be able to be documented because of the magnitude of the situation. It's just too much to write....
That's why there's a second post. So, stay tuned. I'm interested in hearing about the real people in your life. Write about them, and I'll post it. I would love to hear the stories of the "real people" who influenced you. Until I hear from you, I'll tell you about the "real people" that influenced me....
Really??
Aunt Linda sent me this interesting observation regarding the economy.....and the recovery of it. If this is the way some people spend their time (analyzing such things as this), they need a life!?!
Anyway, then you can give us the interesting reasons that YOU think the economy is getting better!!
Website #1
Anyway, then you can give us the interesting reasons that YOU think the economy is getting better!!
Website #1
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
I'm Learning the Hard Way
On Saturday of this past weekend, I accompanied Addison to my niece's birthday party. It took place at an interesting place called the "Leaping Lizard." It was basically a huge gymnasium full of the big blow up moonwalks and slides. Indoors and air conditioning! In August, in Savannah, that's really all that matters about any place you go!
While we were at the "Leaping Lizard," I learned a few things. For the fir
st little while there, Addison was extremely clingy and nervous about all the monstrous playgrounds that she had to choose from. You know for a 2 year old, a 20 foot blow up slide is quite an overwhelming thing. A piece of them wants to do it so bad they can taste it. Another piece of them about has a heart attack the second they step on the air filled giant and it gives underneath their feet. It's a bit unsettling. Then the bigger feat is climbing the 20 foot air filled ladder to get to the 20 foot air filled slide. Fortunately for her, adults can climb on those, too. Unfortunately for me, the first few trips, I had to CARRY her up that ladder! I wore out way quicker than she did. Five minutes into play time I was sweating my head off, my hair was a mess, and my body was near fainting!
She finally got the hang of it and decided to venture out into the "world of giant blow-ups," thankfully. She was a little hesitant at first, but within just a few minutes, she was ready to go conquer the world - well maybe that's a little far-fetched, but it was much better than having to carry her up those exhausting things!
After a while, she decided she wanted to go into a netted slide / obstacle course for short people! The entrance to get in was a little elastic opening that, to tell the truth, I simply could NOT squeeze into. It wasn't made for people my size, so once she entered, she was on her own, totally. No mommy there to be at the bottom of the slide to help her balance herself on the moving air after an exhilarating ride to the bottom from 20 feet in the air - on air.
She had a blast trying to walk through the air filled obstacles that would pop her in the face as soon as someone else got through them. Once the obstacle course ended, it led to a tall, narrow "ladder" to climb that led to a narrow slide that you had to slide down to exit the course. The only other option of getting out was to go back through the obstacle course against the flow of "traffic", and there was plenty of that. So, she completed the obstacles and started up the little narrow ladder. It was her first time up it, so it was a challenge for her, to say the least. If you've ever climbed on one, you know that the little things you push yourself up on are a sorry excuse for a ladder. You have to know to dig your foot into the air to get some traction.
So, here she started up the ladder, EVER SO SLOWLY. She got about three steps up and an explosion of kids finished the obstacle course and headed up the ladder. They were stepping over her to get to the top and she just rolled back to the bottom. She got up and started again and got about halfway up and the same flock of kids that trampled her the first time had already been through the obstacle course again and were headed back up. This happened about 4 times and one time she was ALMOST at the top and rolled all the way back down. At one point she got a little frustrated and started considering her options on another way out. I, on the other hand, was standing within feet from her the entire time, but was separated by a mesh wall that would not allow me to reach her to help her or to stop the stampede of the other children.
During all this, I was heavily weighing my options. The "mommy" in me wanted to lash out at the other kids who were so inconsiderate of her as they were a little older and bigger than her. I was starting to become a extremely frustrated that no one was willing to help her get to the top. Had I been able to squeeze my "hippocampus" into the net, I'd have just helped her up myself. So, as I stood there quietly, almost tearfully, considering my options, there was a little boy who came up behind her (about her size) who was unwilling to let anyone pass him, therefore allowing her to complete her climb to the top. Once she reached the top, she looked around the net to find me and when she finally spotted me right at the bottom of the slide, she threw her arms up in the air and smiled this huge grin and yelled down to me, "I did it, Mommy." Her feeling of elation at her accomplishment was extremely evident. She really was totally oblivious to the fact that through the whole process it was because of a little boy's insistence on not being passed that she was able to do what she did. Nonetheless, she did it. And she was proud of her hard work.
I've dwelt on this particular scenario in my head for the past few days and I have learned several things from this. I thought about the fact that if I could have reached her to offer my help, her appreciation for the climb would not have meant a thing to her. She wouldn't have really thought to thank me for the help to the top. It wouldn't have mattered to me either way if she would have, anyway. The "mommy" in me wants her to succeed, regardless. At the same time, as frustrating as it was, being able to watch her fail more than one time at her task, then to succeed with such triumph, was a great learning experience for me. I would have much rather had her succeed the first time, but the failure at first made the triumph sweeter for her and for me.
The other thing I knew and had to take another lesson from the great teacher, Experience, on, was that life's not fair. I know life's not fair and that's a fact that, regardless of how we feel about it, we have to accept it. It wasn't fair that she had to be trampled time and time again, only to start climbing and almost get to her destination to be knocked right back down to square one.
Life consists of people wanting to achieve and rank higher that they are willing to climb over whomever they may, to get what they want.....destroying lives, dividing relationships, breaking hearts......all to pursue what makes them "happy"....although, that happiness usually is short-lived. This is present in our personal lives as well as the professional world. The hurts caused by the need to achieve a certain status in life can cause lifelong scars for those who are affected by another's greed, whatever nature that greed may be.
The lessons that I learned on Saturday have been kinda like "cud." I chew on it for a while.....let it go.....then chew on it some more.....let it go......you get the point.
As far as the life's not fair part goes....at least Addison had an air-filled cushion to fall back onto. I wish that life would always be that gentle....
While we were at the "Leaping Lizard," I learned a few things. For the fir
st little while there, Addison was extremely clingy and nervous about all the monstrous playgrounds that she had to choose from. You know for a 2 year old, a 20 foot blow up slide is quite an overwhelming thing. A piece of them wants to do it so bad they can taste it. Another piece of them about has a heart attack the second they step on the air filled giant and it gives underneath their feet. It's a bit unsettling. Then the bigger feat is climbing the 20 foot air filled ladder to get to the 20 foot air filled slide. Fortunately for her, adults can climb on those, too. Unfortunately for me, the first few trips, I had to CARRY her up that ladder! I wore out way quicker than she did. Five minutes into play time I was sweating my head off, my hair was a mess, and my body was near fainting! She finally got the hang of it and decided to venture out into the "world of giant blow-ups," thankfully. She was a little hesitant at first, but within just a few minutes, she was ready to go conquer the world - well maybe that's a little far-fetched, but it was much better than having to carry her up those exhausting things!
After a while, she decided she wanted to go into a netted slide / obstacle course for short people! The entrance to get in was a little elastic opening that, to tell the truth, I simply could NOT squeeze into. It wasn't made for people my size, so once she entered, she was on her own, totally. No mommy there to be at the bottom of the slide to help her balance herself on the moving air after an exhilarating ride to the bottom from 20 feet in the air - on air.
She had a blast trying to walk through the air filled obstacles that would pop her in the face as soon as someone else got through them. Once the obstacle course ended, it led to a tall, narrow "ladder" to climb that led to a narrow slide that you had to slide down to exit the course. The only other option of getting out was to go back through the obstacle course against the flow of "traffic", and there was plenty of that. So, she completed the obstacles and started up the little narrow ladder. It was her first time up it, so it was a challenge for her, to say the least. If you've ever climbed on one, you know that the little things you push yourself up on are a sorry excuse for a ladder. You have to know to dig your foot into the air to get some traction.
So, here she started up the ladder, EVER SO SLOWLY. She got about three steps up and an explosion of kids finished the obstacle course and headed up the ladder. They were stepping over her to get to the top and she just rolled back to the bottom. She got up and started again and got about halfway up and the same flock of kids that trampled her the first time had already been through the obstacle course again and were headed back up. This happened about 4 times and one time she was ALMOST at the top and rolled all the way back down. At one point she got a little frustrated and started considering her options on another way out. I, on the other hand, was standing within feet from her the entire time, but was separated by a mesh wall that would not allow me to reach her to help her or to stop the stampede of the other children.
During all this, I was heavily weighing my options. The "mommy" in me wanted to lash out at the other kids who were so inconsiderate of her as they were a little older and bigger than her. I was starting to become a extremely frustrated that no one was willing to help her get to the top. Had I been able to squeeze my "hippocampus" into the net, I'd have just helped her up myself. So, as I stood there quietly, almost tearfully, considering my options, there was a little boy who came up behind her (about her size) who was unwilling to let anyone pass him, therefore allowing her to complete her climb to the top. Once she reached the top, she looked around the net to find me and when she finally spotted me right at the bottom of the slide, she threw her arms up in the air and smiled this huge grin and yelled down to me, "I did it, Mommy." Her feeling of elation at her accomplishment was extremely evident. She really was totally oblivious to the fact that through the whole process it was because of a little boy's insistence on not being passed that she was able to do what she did. Nonetheless, she did it. And she was proud of her hard work.
I've dwelt on this particular scenario in my head for the past few days and I have learned several things from this. I thought about the fact that if I could have reached her to offer my help, her appreciation for the climb would not have meant a thing to her. She wouldn't have really thought to thank me for the help to the top. It wouldn't have mattered to me either way if she would have, anyway. The "mommy" in me wants her to succeed, regardless. At the same time, as frustrating as it was, being able to watch her fail more than one time at her task, then to succeed with such triumph, was a great learning experience for me. I would have much rather had her succeed the first time, but the failure at first made the triumph sweeter for her and for me.
The other thing I knew and had to take another lesson from the great teacher, Experience, on, was that life's not fair. I know life's not fair and that's a fact that, regardless of how we feel about it, we have to accept it. It wasn't fair that she had to be trampled time and time again, only to start climbing and almost get to her destination to be knocked right back down to square one.
Life consists of people wanting to achieve and rank higher that they are willing to climb over whomever they may, to get what they want.....destroying lives, dividing relationships, breaking hearts......all to pursue what makes them "happy"....although, that happiness usually is short-lived. This is present in our personal lives as well as the professional world. The hurts caused by the need to achieve a certain status in life can cause lifelong scars for those who are affected by another's greed, whatever nature that greed may be.
The lessons that I learned on Saturday have been kinda like "cud." I chew on it for a while.....let it go.....then chew on it some more.....let it go......you get the point.
As far as the life's not fair part goes....at least Addison had an air-filled cushion to fall back onto. I wish that life would always be that gentle....
Are You Happy??
The essential difference between the unhappy, neurotic-type person and the happy, normal person is the difference between get and give.
Happy people roll with the punches. They know from experience that everything changes. Today's good fortune may vanish tomorrow, today's crises may turn out to be tomorrow's good fortune.
Make one person happy each day and in forty years you will have made 14,600 human beings happy for a little time at least.
- Charles Wiley
The best way for a person to have happy thoughts is to count his blessings not his cash.
Happy people roll with the punches. They know from experience that everything changes. Today's good fortune may vanish tomorrow, today's crises may turn out to be tomorrow's good fortune.
Make one person happy each day and in forty years you will have made 14,600 human beings happy for a little time at least.
- Charles Wiley
The best way for a person to have happy thoughts is to count his blessings not his cash.
"Decompression Therapy"
Since the videos I posted on Aileen's birthday have been such a hit, I decided to post my all time favorites. The ones I posted had a variety of scenes that were good for a great laugh, also, but the ones I'm about to post are better video quality and are ones that I go back to time and time again. I just love a good laugh. Just ask Aunt Linda. I nearly killed her once laughing.....literally!! She's never forgiven me for it!! LOL!!
So, here's a few more laughs for the day. We've all had enough stress lately I'll call this our decompression therapy!! Sounds technical enough, huh?? ;-)
So, here's a few more laughs for the day. We've all had enough stress lately I'll call this our decompression therapy!! Sounds technical enough, huh?? ;-)
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