Having a Ball

Intensity

2012-01-30T04:42:00.000-08:00

Life has been ultra intense for the last many months. But it sure feels right when at the end of the game, you have more points on your scoreboard. I haven't forgotten about my blog. I miss my blog. But there is a season for all things, and this is one for intense focus on other things.

What Saturdays in October Mean

2011-10-15T09:19:00.000-07:00

GO JENKS MAROON!!!

Is a Mama Allowed to Brag?

2011-09-26T21:21:00.000-07:00

No, you say? No braggin allowed? It's not God's way? Ok, well, then I won't tell you that in Kami's 3rd XC meet, (DON'T READ THIS>) she finished 5th of 162 girls!!! Nope, I'm keeping that one all to myself. I warned you!I also won't tell you Kami is fitting right in her new school, new surroundings, like a runner's foot in a cross country shoe. Naaaaa, you don't need to know that.And most certainly, I cannot say that Kami's XC Middle School Girls' Team WON THEIR ENTIRE DIVISION! (Watch out Trojan fans, may not want to read any further>) Beating Jenks, Union and Broken Arrow! Way to go Patriots! Should I say that I am becoming more and more at peace with how God has led Kami to her new school, her new friends, her new teammates? Should I say that this is definitely the right decision for her? Maybe I'm not quite ready for that but growing closer by the day. And finally, should i give God the glory for each and every one of my little braggin' moments, (every good and perfect gift is from above) worship Him for my moments of peace and thankfulness and just fall on my knees in dependence on Him for each and every moment? Yep, I think I'll do that.
To God be the glory great things He has done. Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord! Let the earth hear his voice, praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice!

Shameless Rivalry

2011-09-24T20:51:00.000-07:00

Jenks vs. Union is one of the most fierce rivalries around these parts. And that includes third grade football. Today, Jenks Maroon went head to head with Union Black.

Luke is playing up (he is in 2nd grade) and landed on an awesome team!
JENKS MAROON ROCKS!

Luke carrying the ball! Go Luke James!

VICTORY!!! Shut out!!! I won't lie, it feels fantastic to beat Union!

Magnificent Manhattan

2011-09-23T02:53:00.000-07:00

Riding on the Top of a Double Decker Tour Bus...

2011-09-14T21:31:00.000-07:00

in Manhattan.....

one sees all sorts of things...

the Flatiron building.... always an eyecatcher....

Stop lights (or go lights) whiz inches away from the head....

and buildings that fade into clouds....

the random Sponge Bob on the square....

a ride of interesting sights everywhere....

Brownstone

2011-09-13T20:37:00.000-07:00

I have hundreds of new pictures just begging to be published, but I decided, just like my life (one hour at a time), I'm going to post, one slice of an event at a time.

Last weekend, Kami and I and mom and dad traveled to New York for Kami's 13th birthday. Yes, New York City!!! Specifically, we stayed in Brooklyn, NY at my cousin Kristina's very authentic and lovely brownstone apartment (built in late 1800's; worth 1.5 million - rent, no telling how high). I've been to NY twice before, but both times I stayed in very cushy, comfy, lap-of-luxury hotels.

So I was kind of wondering (dreading) about how it was going to be with 7 large people in one small apartment. It couldn't have been better. Not only are those brownstones amazingly quaint, but Kristina has a knack of making things in her apartment feel "happy" as she puts it. I just wanted to share this sweet spot... Kristina and Gael (the dashing Frenchman), we loved every minute... thanks for hosting. :)

More NY to come....

Running

2011-09-11T20:22:00.001-07:00

Life has been fast and furious for our family lately.
We've been putting in some serious miles and navigating some new terrain.

What am I referring to specifically?
Thanks for asking!
Well, let me tell ya....

In May, I decided to pursue a particular full time job. Just one little thing, I needed to take 12 hours in one summer to be properly certified. So, with my family's support, I buried myself in a pile of books, tests and papers and completed the necessary requirments (all A's I must add - to God be the glory. With all sincerity, I say it was God and God alone who orchestrated this opportunity and made it possible for me to complete it). In late July, the job was mine and I had a few short days to ready my classroom and prepare my mind to teach 5th grade Language Arts.
Besides the fact that Ellie and Luke both moved schools within our district, in June, we also made the decision to transfer Kami Rae to a private school. Putting your child in a private school is like a mini-marathon in itself.... exciting yet demanding.... all new friends, procedures, uniforms, expectations, and I could go on and on. Hard stuff, but good stuff. Kinda like a good, long, run down Riverside. Along with taking on a new school, Kami decided to take on a new sport, cross country. She started in July, running in 100+ degree weather at noon. It was brutal. Just driving over there in the heat (some days were over 110!) was horrendously hot, but running in it? Half-way crazy.

But that's how it's been around here since May. A little crazy. A little heavy. A little tough. And a lot blessed. I really love my job... demanding as though it is. Ellie and Luke are adjusting well. Metro Christian Academy is a good fit for Kami, and the running.... well, the running has been amazing.... here is Kami in her second cross country meet.

But first let me tell you about her first meet a couple weekends ago. None of us had even been to a XC meet before, much less run in one. So our expectations were low but hearts were pounding as we watched our baby run around the corner towards the finish line in third place! And then in the meet above, she triumphed in a close second place, despite a week of sickness and not regular practice. Wowzers! Go Kami Rae!

Even though the feeling of running is raw, exhausting - every cell of your body seems to be in use - it is always an exhilirating feeling afterward. And that is what I keep coming back to... as our family runs together, I pray Hebrews 12: 1-2....."Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

100

2011-08-21T15:09:00.000-07:00

On my Granny Ida's 100th birthday, 100 ways I can be more like her.
(I sure do miss you Gran!)

1. Everytime someone walks in my door, give them something to eat or drink.
2. Laugh at myself.
3. Remember every one of my loved ones' birthdays. Every year.
4. Make everyone I know feel like they are the most special person in the world, because they are.
5. Play dominos with friends and family at my kitchen table.
6. Put my hope in the Lord.
7. Age gracefully.
8. Feed the birds.
9. Practice what the said was her mission in life: "I was put on this earth to take care of others."
10. Love my neighbor as myself.
11. Pray in the day, pray in the night.
12. Pray Psalm 91 for those I love.
13. Take pictures of everyone, lots of pictures.
14. Eat small portions.
15. Never say a negative word about anyone.
16. Focus more on making my home welcoming than making it perfect.
17. Allow kids to make mudpies in my backyard.
18. Keep my promises.
19. Love unconditionally; love the unlovable.
20. Crack jokes just to lighten the mood.
21. Even through the toughest of times, believe that God is near.
22. Make my bed everyday.
23. Plant a garden.
24. Learn to make a sumptious pot of brown beans.
25. Live by old fashioned values.
26. Hold on to stories from my past and share them with others.
27. Each and every day of my life, look at is as a day that the Lord may return.
28. Fill my house with pictures of loved ones.
29. Fill my heart with the word of God.
30. God first, with family a close second.
31. Be the magnet that pulls my family together.
32. Plant flowers from seed.
33. Delight in God's creation.
34. Flash my smile.
35. Laugh with those who laugh.
36. Weep with those who weep.
37. Let there never be a number of people that is too great to come into my house.
38. Be humble.
39. Trust in the Lord with all my heart.
40. Make my house a really fun place for kids to be.
41. Say "I love you" often and with tenderness.
42. Bless the name of Jesus.
43. Hem people's clothes for them and make quilts to keep people warm.
44. Never, ever complain.
45. Have an open door.
46. Don't get upset when things get broken.
47. Never be too busy for friends and family.
48. Take care of an abandoned animal that needs some TLC.
49. Go to church on Sundays.
50. Tithe.
51. Never get tired of serving.
52. Be thankful for what I have, don't covet what others have and be content with my lot in life.
53. Drink milk.
54. Perpetuate tradition.
55. Put things on my head just to make others laugh.
56. Work with my hands and love with my heart.
57. Let bitterness have absolutely NO place in my life.
58. Be joyful in all things.
59. Recognize the great things that God has done for me and be grateful.
60. Never think I'm too good for anyone.
61. Give to those in need, even when I don't have much.
62. Give my loved ones memorable nicknames.
63. Radiate peace.
64. Think about heaven far more than I do about earth.
65. If you are my friend, you may as well be family.
66. Find the humor in life and don't let go of it.
67. Never say an unkind word to my spouse.
68. Live with the belief that to live is to die and to die is gain.
69. Love and sing old hymns, loudly. Even when my hearing goes. Let it rip!
70. Call loved ones on their birthdays and leave them long messages.
71. Sing until I can sing no more.
72. Teach my kids and grandkids to sew and cook.
73. Treat every possession with great care.
74. Wash dishes by hand.
75. Don't forget to water my indoor plants.
76. Be a cheerful housekeeper.
77. Be obedient to God's call and never, ever, feel sorry for myself.
78. When in doubt, bake a cake.
79. When people think they are coming to encourage me, encourage them more.
80. Don't get caught up in the cares of this world.
81. See Jesus in others.
82. Love, love, love the little children.
83. Support my pastor.
84. Live by the words of "How Great Thou Art."
85. Work tirelessly.
86. Even in loss, bless the name of God.
87. Say "hey Lord! I can't make it through this day without ya!"
88. Shine your faith to everyone you know.
89. Epitomize inner beauty.
90. Have mercy on others.
91. Have NO FEAR. Of anything, for God is watching over me.
92. Accept the jobs that God has given me.
93. Humor is the best medicine.
94. Feed the masses.
95. Give thanks, 24/7.
96. Worship the Lord with my life.
97. When hurting, just say... "joy and peace."
98. Embrace each and every day on earth, but look forward to heaven.
99. Make the years count.
100. Live to be a healthy and vibrant 99 years.

Another FAB Fourth

2011-07-05T04:42:00.000-07:00

Traditions are hard to beat, and being with family for the Fourth of July at Southern Hills is definitely a FAB tradition. We have gone out there with my sister since the kids were babies and haven't missed a year. The Hankins children have become deluded that WE are the members at Southern Hills. LOL, that is not the case. However, we are grateful for generous family members and FABULOUS nights like this one. Celebrating Independence!

Celebrating Early!

2011-07-04T12:25:00.000-07:00

Kami turns THIRTEEN on Wednesday! We have already started celebrating! Here is our family get together last night. I got a few of Kami and the camera-magnet, Maggie.

Lake Time

2011-06-20T14:54:00.000-07:00

Thanks Kittleman family for having us for the weekend! Pictures tell the story....

Big Cedar 2011***

2011-06-18T20:37:00.000-07:00

Brace Face!

2011-05-28T22:22:00.000-07:00

Shelter

2011-05-25T10:52:00.000-07:00

I have been an Okie all my life and spent a good amount of spring afternoons and evenings with one on the weather coverage and one on my fraidy hole of choice. I think I've actually taken cover a total of 4-5 times in my years. However, with the recent horrific images of Alabama and Missouri and our local meterologists acting like Harold Camping, I have to admit, I got a little nervous during this last round. As we saw the tornados roaring down I-44, we packed up the kids and the dog plus my camera (shows you what's important to me!) and drove to our other home, ORU. It seems like it would be sturdier than our little closet underneath the stairwell.

In the picture below, the storm's arolling in....

Rain has started; kids are enjoying the view.

And the big concrete walkway that goes in a circle? A little boy's dream.

Here comes it's full fury. Look closely and you will see a poor soul waiting the storm out at the bus stop.

Rain's coming down in fierce blasts, but thank God, no tornado.

Gosh, we should come here for entertainment every night!

The clearing has begun. Prayers of thankfulness said, and prayers for those who are hurting in Alabama and Missouri.

Unashamed

2011-05-24T05:44:00.000-07:00

There is a boy in Luke's class who is his reading buddy.
LJ gets to spend time each day reading to and with him and
yesterday, Luke shared the entire gospel of Christ with his friend.

Those of you who have read this blog over the years may understand the enormity of this moment for me. He is a kid with tremendous gusto. And so we have prayed desperately that his gusto would be used in his life for good, for God. Because at times we wonder where his DRIVE, his FOCUS, his STUBBORNESS would take him.

Yesterday, those characteristics led him to this conversation:

They were reading a book about the milky way and started talking about heaven....

Luke: Hey, J, do you know who God is?

J: No....

Luke: Well, a long, long time ago, there lived a man named Jesus. But he was also God. And people were mad at him because they said he thought he was the King of the Jews. And they were terribly mean to him and tied him to a whipping post and whipped him until his back was bloody. And then they hung him on a cross. He died on that cross. And then his body was put into a tomb and they rolled a big rock across the front of it and it was a very sad day.

Luke: (talking quietly, looking into J's eyes) ... and then guess what happened?

J: I don't know!

Luke: (with amazement) He came back to live after 3 days!

J: Wow!

Luke: And when he died on the cross, he died for our sins. Mine and yours. And all you have to do is believe in Him. And He will be in your heart.

And Luke summed up the conversation by telling me, "And now he believes in God." Please pray that may be so, and that the seed planted in J will be an eternal one!

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes!!!!

(Thank you Victory Christian for your production of Risen, which brought history to life for my little impressionable guy)

Not for the Faint of Heart

2011-05-22T20:37:00.000-07:00

I grew up a farm girl, thus have a love/intrigue for all things nature.

So this weekend, out at Nana and Papa's farm, when a Diamondback snake swam up to me with an enormous Catfish in its jaws, I did what any country girl with a Canon Rebel around her neck would do... snapped a buncha pictures.... and did not shriek one time. Even when I realized that my seven year old son was in a low rider paddle boat just feet from this sight.... I held it all together.

The Pioneer Woman ain't got nothing on me!

My Little ....... Reader?

2011-05-13T20:38:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of words I could use to describe Luke, but I never dreamed that it would be "reader." But the last couple of weeks, he has been getting in the car and, (amazing) getting out his book to (yes) read. Ok, for many of you, this is just a normal routine for your kids. But for mine (his kindergarten teacher told me he'd be a person who would probably have to read on the treadmill), it is nothing short of a reading miracle. What's got him hooked? The Diary of a Wimpy Kid. He's on book 2 and loves the potty humor and boyish antics of Greg Heffley. What to do when the five book series is over? I'm thinking Captain Underpants!

You're Doing Fine Oklahoma!

2011-05-10T09:29:00.000-07:00

I am holding on with claws to the last days of my baby girl's elementary years. In our district, elementary ends at 4th grade! She'll do some growing up in the Intermediate school next year where they have lockers and four different teachers and some pretty un-elementary expectations.

Last week, we had Oklahoma Heritage Day, a beautiful day made to sit back and bask in the history of our state. Formerly the Land Run Day, it was changed to incorporate more people groups, specifically Native Americans!

There was sheep sheering, line dancing, animal petting, and a slew of other fun stuff to enjoy. Plus my litle Indian girl who I love so much!

Perfect Pairings - Romans 12:2

2011-05-08T04:53:00.000-07:00

As Kami was inducted into NJHS, I was certainly proud of her. But my real desire and hope for her is below....

Romans 12:2 (The Message)

So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

Egg-Stra Easter Pics

2011-05-06T06:52:00.000-07:00

Looking Up!

2011-04-30T20:03:00.000-07:00

Easter day at Mom and Dad's house.

I Haven't Felt Like Blogging

2011-04-20T04:54:00.000-07:00

just haven't.

All the Way my Savior Leads Me...

2011-04-08T10:17:00.000-07:00

Last week, I got the amazing chance to go with three sweet friends to see the CHRIS TOMLIN concert....
It was NOT great entertainment.
It was AMAZING worship.

I soaked up every millisecond of it. I seriously would love to do that every week! None of wanted it to be over, and my friend Susan told me why: We were MADE to worship! Ha, just made so much sense.

Some of my favorite songs he sang were:
"Indescribable"
"How Great is Our God"
"Sing Sing Sing"
and of course when I heard "Amazing Grace" and
"I Will Rise," all I could think of was granny. There were ferocious tears, but good ones.

My friend said that Chris Tomlin music is all that's been getting her through lately, so I downloaded a few of his lesser known songs. Here is my new favorite song, though it is quite an oldie, written in 1875 by Fanny Crosby.

Just let these words fall on you....

All the way my Savior leads me
Who have I to ask beside
How could I doubt His tender mercy
Who through life has been my guide

All the way my Savior leads me
Cheers each winding path I tread
Gives me grace for every trial
Feeds me with the living bread

You lead me and keep me from falling
You carry me close to Your heart
And surely Your goodness
And mercy will follow me

All the way my Savior leads me
Oh, the fullness of His love
Oh, the sureness of His promise
In the triumph of His blood

And when my spirit clothed immortal
Wings its flight to realms of day
This my song through endless ages
Jesus led me all the way
Jesus led me all the way

You lead me and keep me from falling
You carry me close to Your heart
And surely Your goodness
And mercy will follow me
You lead me and keep me from falling
You carry me close to Your heart
And surely Your goodness
And mercy will follow me, will follow me

All the way my Savior leads me
All the way my Savior leads me

Joy and Peace

2011-04-05T19:52:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks before Granny went to heaven, I went to see her in the nursing home. To put it bluntly, she was miserable. She hadn't seen the comforts of home since the night she broke her hip on October 30th. No longer was she serving others, the sole purpose of her life. Instead she was gently managed by perfect strangers. She couldn't get out of her bed without help. Catheters and diapers were part of her new life away from home. Her new reality included a bed sore on her tailbone that went down to the bone.

I walked up to her bed and said hello. Out of her eyes flowed a steady stream of tears. No sounds, just transparent drops of pain. I asked her what was wrong. What can I do, granny? Are you ok?

Her response? Three words. Two of them important. JOY and PEACE. That is literally all she said.

I know that I know my granny didn't feel joy and peace that day. Probably a quiet desperation. Pain beyond imagination. Pain in body and heart.

But, by faith, my granny believed in Joy and Peace. And she was certainly soon to experience the Greatest Joy and Peace.

She has been my inspiration lately, as my heart feels one of the deepest shades of blue. I just keep saying, in faith, Joy and Peace. I know He will bring it.

What We Did on Spring Break 2011

2011-03-26T10:15:00.000-07:00

Spring Break in Dallas. The Galleria....

Ice Skating! Luke and one of our TX cousins, Matt... Eating with the staff at Campisis.... SOOO yummy! Coaches kids ORU Golden Eagles Vs. SMU. Loss in overtime, but a great trip to the Big D

Walking on Water

2011-03-23T02:50:00.000-07:00

How do you suppose Peter felt as he climbed over the edge of the fishing boat and sunk his toes into the Sea of Galilee? With his eyes on Jesus, one foot sloshing in front of the other, the water providing a strange and cold pressure he had never before experienced, Peter made his way across the sea. Slowly and steadily, he balanced above the churning waters.

I close my eyes and see through Peter's eyes. I imagine my own feet taking those steps, halting yet sure, keeping my mind focused on the one ahead. Not looking to the left or right, but only ahead at Jesus. Fleetingly, my mind considers the water and wind, but I immediately refocus and think only this: "Jesus."

Through the tough moments that life has brought lately, I literally picture myself in Peter's shoes. Mustering all the faith I have, I walk. My knees are wobbly, but I set my eyes like flint on the One ahead. And guess, what? It helps! I'm reliving Peter's footsteps over and over.

Unanswered prayer? a tiny Splish.
Circumstances that threaten to drown me? a bitty Splash.
My toes are cold, but my feet are firm.

And then, yesterday came. Like Peter, I noticed the wind! One foot slipped down into the sea, the next one to his calf. In desperation, he cried out to Jesus: "Save me!" And I cry out too.

We all know the end of the story. Jesus reached out to save Peter and he is reaching out to save me. I, like Peter, will end up in the boat, WORSHIPPING Him and saying "Truly you are the son of God." (Luke 14:33)

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

Cuddlebug

2011-03-18T08:08:00.000-07:00

From {Idea} to {Reality}

2011-03-13T05:17:00.000-07:00

It only took me 8 months, but by gosh, I got er done!

Happy about that. Cause it seems I have a lot of ideas that just kind of take root in my head but never really bloom... so anyway....

{the idea}

Last summer, we went to the OKC Science Museum. There were thousands of square feet of interesting exhibits and interactive amazement. But Luke was obsessed with 5 square feet of the place - with The Peg Board with dowel rods and ramps that allowed him to build a series of mazes and jumps for a little marble to roll through. We literally could not peel him away from it! The idea hit me later that afternoon... why not put a wall of peg board up in his room for endless building?

{the reality}

Finally, a couple weeks ago, I paid a dandy handyman to mount the peg board an inch away from the wall. I tried dowel rods, but they were too big and not fitting very well in the holes. And carving ramps from wood was not going to happen. Problem. But then when waking up one morning, it came to me to use the hardware that you can buy specifically for peg boards....and let Home Depot be my source for "toys" for his pegboard. Pipe insulation, plumbing pipe and a few funnels later, I had it figured out! And thankfully the end of this story doesn't go that Luke had outgrown the peg board. Not at all.

He has already spent a good chunk of his day making his {ideas reality.}

S'up?

2011-03-09T06:57:00.000-08:00

S'up is that I'm totally absorbed with this:and this:

and this: (just the one on the left) and that's a good thing. I'm just thankful for each minute....

even if I am spending hours (upon hours) after school in the car, being this:

but I wouldn't trade it for anything. No sir.

I read this on my trip to New York. You've gotta pick it up. Unique, refreshing, encouraging and a true story.

A little earthly window into that very real place called heaven.
Get it today. They have it at Sam's for ten bucks.

And of course what's up this time a year is always, always basketball.
And MORE basketball.
After a gut-wrenching start to the season
(I think we were 5-12 at one point - this is cause for misery),
we recovered at the end and won, I think 10 in a row!
We lost a tough one last night on ESPN2,
but God is good when we win and He's good when we lose.
I found myself praising Him despite the loss.

Ah! I had one of these!

And I mention that because I got this from a dear friend! Looking forward to taking it in.

Experiencing more of God's love and presence.

Not just going through the motions. A paradigm shift.

I love what I saw on Twitter (yes, I joined twitter! @anniehank)...

C.S. Lewis: God is basic Fact. He must not be thought of as a featureless generality. He is the most concrete thing there is.

And THAT's What's UP.

Flat LJ in New York City!!!

2011-03-01T20:52:00.000-08:00

Ugh! I have been so negligent on the blog!

Guess why? Well one reason is that I took a trip to New York!

I traveled with five wonderful ladies from work to a reading and writing conference at Columbia University. Along the way, we fit it some eating, entertainment and shopping!
Coincidentally, as I prepared to go to New York, LJ's class (he is known as LJ at school because of an abundance of Lukes) was preparing to mail their Flat Stanleys around the world to see what they could see. It didn't occur to me to pack Flat LJ into my suitcase, but that is exactly what LJ requested. So I slipped him in between a book and Tom's ipad and off we jetted to the Big Apple!

Flat LJ got many, many bumpy rides on the subway tunnels underneath NYC.

It snowed the second day we were there. But it was a pretty snow and for some strange reason I liked the thought of being in New York on a snowy day.

Besides that, when it snows in NY the snowplows come out of the woodwork, the sidewalks are cleared and nothing really seems affected.

(Unlike good old OK-lahoma where it takes us weeks to dig out). Another subway shot or two on the way to Columbia University. That's right, Ivy League baby!
Flat LJ took in the art and architecture of the university. I took a picture of him with a statue that I later realized was mostly naked. I decided not to email that one on to the teacher, though I'm sure LJ (the real one) would have gotten a kick out of that.

Flat LJ is listening to the speaker and ~~taking notes~~ playing on the ipad.
He loved walking all around the city and it's a good thing, cause we did lots of that. Almost walked off all those New York style meals. Not really though.
Flat LJ got folded in the middle. gettin a little road worn.
Look at that super duper long bus. What kind of traning do you think that driver had to get to drive that thing around the streets of Manhattan?
Flat LJ goes to Broadway! Billy Elliot!
It was a great story with awesome choreography and an amazing performance by the 12 year old lead "Billy."
Chillin in Times Square.
This is one of the many jumbotrons we saw.
If you look very close, you can see me holding Fat LJ under the big 2 in the picture below. Flat LJ's 15 seconds of fame!
We also took Flat LJ to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. You know, where Claudia Kincaid went when she ran away from home? (The Mixed Up Files of Basil E. Frankweiler)
Ancient art and Flat LJ.
An enormous Grecian pillar and a flat LJ.
Nice view in the MET.
It doesn't get any better than going eye to with a little Henri Matisse.
and Vincent Van Gogh...
This is the modern art gallery.
Flat LJ wonders if this is actually art.

Grand Central Station should be one of the modern wonders of the world.
It really is gorgeous. The ceiling is my favorite color in the world, light blue.
The apartment buildings are so quaint and interesting. Or "flats" as they're called.
Bye bye New York! Flat LJ is headed back to OKlaHOma!

Did We Look Like This in 7th grade???

2011-02-12T14:40:00.000-08:00

Kami just finished up a 5 week etiquette and dance class, with a finale being a formal dinner and dance at Southern Hills Country Club. Here are the 30 ~~girls~~ gorgeous young women and boys who participated.

Here is a little zoom in on Kami and three of her friends. I know I am biased towards these girls, but is their beauty not, well, um, outstanding if not a little disturbing? What happened to the "ugly duckling stage" that girls go through? Or was that a little story that my mom told me to make me feel better about my middle school years? (Similar to the story that cotton candy tasted like peanut butter?!! I believed that one for years!! I hated peanut butter so I never ate cotton candy)

See for yourself below the ugly duckling in 7th grade. I actually had to drag out this picture so I could verify my thoughts on how I looked in 7th grade. I wanted so badly to have Farrah Fawcettish hair, but it did not work out for me. Granted I was not dressed up in this pic, but I have some of those pictures too from 8th grade graduation, and believe me, it was not one of my proudest moments. The saving grace of this picture is that I had just started wearing contacts! You should see my 6th grade school picture with my big brownish plastic spectacles. I really loved those glasses. I'll spare you that picture for now. Back to Kami's event...

Here is Kami and her cousin James. My dad's brother's daughter's son, also a 7th grader and part of the cotillion.

I got to go take pictures of the kids as they arrived at the dinner and dance. This horrified Kami. And she was thrilled to see me walking my hiney out the door for the rest of the evening.

Kami and everyone we talked to had a wonderful time at the dinner and dance. They had to use all their table manners and other etiquette lessons throughout the evening. They danced using different dance steps and with different partners.

I don't know exactly what to think. Maybe every generation thinks the next one is "growing up way too fast." It just hard yet a blessing to see our 12 1/2 year old making such strides towards being a young woman. My prayer is that her inner beauty is what will shine... her love for God and others. And to answer the question posed in my post title, HECK NO!!!!

Desperate Days Call for Desperate Measures

2011-02-09T22:59:00.000-08:00

On a day when I had my children shovel 6 inches of snow off of our entire driveway...

(1 hour of energy burned)

and took them sledding on an enormous hill

the closest thing to a ski slope we have here in town....

(2 additional hours of energy burned)

And on a day when my boy is still bouncing around like silly putty at bedtime,

The couch becomes a landing pad for his crazy football-catching stunts.

No, I don't let him (or anyone) jump on the couch, not usually, (uh-uh!)

but since today,

we are on Snow Day #10...

daddy is out of town...

and momma desperately needs her boy to get a good night's sleep....

The couch will be ok.

(another hour of energy is burned.)

Good night!!!

Smudges

2011-02-07T04:10:00.000-08:00

No griping at kids,
no forcing them to clean it up
with a rag and spray bottle of kitchen cleanser.
Just a slight grimace
overcome by a smile and recognition:
this won't last forever,
so enjoy the sweet smudges
{they're only smudges}
while you can.

Perfect Pairings Job 37: 6-7

2011-02-06T07:28:00.000-08:00

For more Perfect Pairings, visit Baloney.

Homebound

2011-02-03T11:43:00.001-08:00

Being homebound with the kids because of record snowfall on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday brings a blizzard of feelings and thoughts.

I find myself caught between 2 extremes: 1) wanting to play family games in front of the fire and 2) knock out a few walls and remodel the top floor of my house. What to do?

So I have done a little of everything the last few days and who knows how many more.

(I'm a little worried we won't go back to school until March. There is more snow in the forecast and Lord knows we Southerners do not deal well with even an inch or two of snow, much less 14!)

My current list of accomplishments:
*Taught the girls to play backgammon.
*Had my hair cut and colored (my neighbor does my hair! - I skiied over to her house)
*Cleaned out a junk drawer and filled it with organized files (why is this type of organization so hard for me? I think I am ADD when it comes to this!)
*Blogged a little
*Had the kids do a little homework/piano practice (not easy, I tell ya)
*Straightened up my closet
*Watched Toddlers and Tiaras with Kami (great mommy/daughter time, right?)
*Fixed some homemade chicken and noodle soup that reminds me of granny.
*Entertained the kids' friends.
*worked on nominating a new Exec board for next year's PTA

If I got all those things done, why do I feel so worthless and slothful?

My kids had a singular purpose today, and that was to build igloos in the snow. And work they did, all day long. They are feeling particularly accomplished with their igloos. One of them has four tunnels that meet together in the middle. I think they could sleep in there. And another has a tunnel long enough to fit three kids in it... they called it their fox hole!

I am wondering how much longer we will be homebound and what I will get accomplished tomorrow?

A Real Live Oklahoma Blizzard

2011-02-02T20:55:00.000-08:00

Today, we received a record setting 14 inches of snow! 20-40 mile per hour winds! Arctic temperatures!! Never seen anything like it in all my days!!!

Life in Christ....

2011-01-30T20:32:00.000-08:00

The White Stuff

2011-01-25T20:25:00.000-08:00

“The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event” ~Anonymous

“When it snows, you have two choices: shovel or make snow angels” ~Anonymous

Even in winter an isolated patch of snow has a special quality. ~Andy Goldsworthy

Oh! the snow, the beautiful snow, Filling the sky and earth below, Over the housetops, over the street, Over the heads of the people you meet. Dancing, Flirting, Skimming along. ~ J.W. Watson

“Cats are smarter than dogs. You can't get eight cats to pull a sled through snow." ~Jeff Valdez

“Kindness is like snow - it beautifies everything it covers” ~Anonymous

Lesson of the Day

2011-01-21T07:31:00.000-08:00

There has been a continuous theme during Luke's elementary years so far......
The things that run through my mind every year?

"I wonder how bad the teacher thinks my parenting skills must be?!
"If they just knew how many books I've read and prayers I've said!"
"Oh gosh, what will he do next?"

The "moment of truth" happens from about 3:32 to 3:33, as I learn what excitement he brought the classroom on that particular day.

On Wednesday, he told me about their Lesson of the Day, synonyms. I had not really seen him this excited about actual classroom content before. He began explaining what synonyms are and how he had provided several examples of synonyms to the class. Ah, finally a proud parent moment. I listened intently as he told me his examples.....

Bottom - Butt
Toot - Fart
Poop - Turd

I should have seen this one coming. Truly. I am guessing the teacher has a sense of humor because I didn't get a note or phone call.

Other lesson of the day? Boys will be boys and God isn't finished with mine yet.

The Power of a Hug

2011-01-18T17:38:00.000-08:00

This is just an eye opening and true moment that happened in our lives yesterday.

While trying to keep this person anonymous, I wanted to share how the little things we do for people can make an enormous difference in their lives.

Yesterday, Ellie saw a person outside our window. Being the Princess of Hearts that she is, she sensed that person needed a hug.

Today, the message below was posted on this person's Facebook. I, being somewhat oblivious to the depth of this person's pain, was blown away when I saw this person's Facebook status today...

Yesterday I felt pretty hopeless, alone and beaten up. I decided to take the dog for a walk. As I walked down the street, I was greeted by a smile and a wave from a neighbor's front window. I smiled and waved back. This smile came from a sweet little girl. She had no knowledge of the things I am going through. It was cold and raining outside. This little girl did not care. Without even thinking she ran out of her house. Not grabbing a coat to keep warm. Not grabbing an umbrella to shelter herself from the rain. She did not even put shoes or socks on. She just jumped up and ran outside to me. I asked her what she was doing outside like that. She said "I just want to give you a hug," and so she did and turned around and ran back inside. This little girl touched my heart and let me know that God is still with me, around me and giving me the things I need. I thank God for the children of this world, and for him being in my life.I am truly bless by God's grace and by this sweet angel Ellie. Just waited to share. Have a great day friends and count your blessings. God does love you.

Funky Jesus Music

2011-01-17T07:17:00.000-08:00

If there was ever a night I wished this white girl could pop and lock, snap n roll and do the stanky legg, this was the night..... the night Toby Mac came to town.

I feel like down deep I've got some soul blood in me cause that music makes me wanna get up and dance like noone's ever danced before.

But I know if I did, I would look like a dying mongoose. I have faced the fact that my pale booty just doesn't have the rhythm or the cool.

However, I do think that in heaven I would love to be one of God's backup dancers... dancing like a fool on the streets of gold... oh yeah. Baby. Now that would be chill. That would be ON POINT. That would be 1 thousand. That would be hot. (Thanks to my soul sista Nicole for a little help with the lingo).

Dare I say it? Cause I've seen lots of concerts.... James Taylor, Carrie Underwood, Garth Brooks, ZZ Top, Michael W. Smith, The Bee Gees, Third Day, Justin Beiber, Club Nouveau, Hall and Oates, (omigosh can you believe that list... that list is hilarious),

but Toby Mac.....

Best. Concert. EVER.

A close second? Garth Brooks.

My kids LOVED it. Tom even tapped his foot a little. And did some arm waving. Toby Mac is a true showstopper, and has God to call as his King. If he comes to an area near you, GO SEE HIM. That would be Legit!

Perfect Pairings - Isaiah 11:6

2011-01-16T13:24:00.000-08:00

Our dog Wilson and one of his favorite toys.....

She's off this week, but you can usually see That's Baloney for more Perfect Pairings, and that ain't no baloney!

SAVED

2011-01-11T18:35:00.000-08:00

Romans 1:16 am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.

Here We Have the BCS Championship....

2011-01-10T19:26:00.000-08:00

in Legos..... !!!
This Luke and Ellie's football field creation....complete with yard lines, goal posts and bleachers.Here is the ultra-competitive coach....
.... the raucous crowd....

... the "impartial" refs

I didn't get a picture of the concession stand in back of the bleachers or the skittles for sale. No kidding.

Still in the works, a scoreboard!

I hope it shows AUBURN and Cam Newton as the winner. Go Tigers!

Top Ten Pics of Our Two Thousand Ten

2011-01-07T14:38:00.000-08:00

~Ellie performing in Babes in Toyland~

~The possum and her babies on our back fence~~Luke and his faux hawk~

~Farm dog~ ~OKC Memorial~

~Rope swing in Kerrville, Texas~~Sunset on the farm~

~Falling in love with Football~

~Our Angel Ida~~We Love Wilson~

What's Wrong With This Picture?

2011-01-06T20:48:00.000-08:00

Isn't the human supposed to have her head on the pillow, not the dog.........

Technical Support

2011-01-04T19:18:00.000-08:00

People: I love my husband. He is a man with many a great quality. He's loyal and kind. He's a hard worker. He is strong and silent. He supports me. He doesn't miss a Sunday of church. He's great at folding laundry and unloading the dishwasher. I so love him for that.

But there's one thing he is not, and that is good at the jobs that require you to read directions and/or think deeply. Putting together and/or hooking up things is just not his strength. To say the least.

When the kids were little he assembled their Little Tykes wagon with the wheels on
backwards. They stayed that way for seven years. It never really rolled quite right. I have quit asking him to hang things on the wall because bless ~~his~~ my heart, they usually end up falling down at some point. I tutor him in all things computer. So ya see, it's just not his specialty. Even though in his younger days he did get a job as a maintenance man for a bank down in Texas. Now that's funny stuff. He had his own workshop and everything. And I can say all this about him because he doesn't read my blog either, Baloney.

Anyway, things have changed for the better in our house. I now have my own little Technical Support, known as Luke. Completely of his own initiative, he decided that the XBox that we got on Christmas morning and that was gathering dust in the corner, needed to be set up. So he got up, opened up the boxes, read the directions and SET UP the XBox. Bam. Just like that. People, do you know how much easier my life just became? I envision myself sitting in my easy chair eating bonbons, shoving owner's manuals at Luke and having him hook up everything from our surround sound to changing the oil in my car. ;-) Oh Happy Day!

It is Well....

2011-01-03T20:50:00.001-08:00

....with our souls!

We said goodbye to Granny today at her ~~funeral~~ celebration.

It was another hallelujah moment, and the program said as much.

There it was in big letters at the top of the program: "It's A Hallelujah Moment."

And we could hardly even muster a tear.

Oh, we miss her right down to our foot bones,

but it was the happiest, most inspirational service I have ever been to.

We sang lots of old hyms, the ones I learned in that very church.

"Because He Lives" "When We All Get to Heaven" "Victory in Jesus" and "Sweet Sweet Spirit" to name a few.

My dear uncle and the pastor both talked about Granny for awhile.

The memories made us smile, and they pushed us on to be a little more like her.

Giving, loving, never angry (my uncle talked about the two times we remember her being mad), sweet, kind, God-fearing, God-seeking, faithful, steadfast, a true believer.

At the very end, as she requested, her family gathered together at the front of the church and sang "How Great Thou Art."

It was an awesome service. Awesome. I was thinking that even people who didn't know her would come away inspired by her life and her legacy.

The luncheon afterwards was fun because we had granny's favorite foods. Brown beans and cornbread at one station, Chik-Fil-A on the other side of the dining hall, and since coneys were granny's favorite, we had Coney I-Land come out and set up a coney line. It was so fun! Everyone seemed to enjoy it.

Later at the burial, Uncle Jim read Psalm 91, the Psalm that she clung to when her son Fred was in Vietnam. We are clinging to it now!

The joy we had in our hearts seemed to patch the big hole we have there. I know as the days pass, I will sorely miss her, just not being able to call her and hear her voice. Smell her house. See her smile.

But remembering this day will help....
and singing this helps a little bit too...

When We All Get to Heaven...

What a day of rejoicing that will be!

When we all see Jesus, ---- and Grandma Ida! ;-)

We’ll sing and shout the victory!

A Little More Hope

2011-01-02T21:02:00.000-08:00

I tell ya what, God just doesn't stop putting sweet, little bows on this week.
As hard as it's been to lose Granny, God has given us little blessings along the way to ease the pain a bit.

My blogging friend Roxx who I have gotten to know over the last couple of years took a little trip over Christmas to, guess where?

Unbelievably, granny's birthplace, Hope, Idaho. population, 79. (according to Wikipedia)

Here is the title of Roxx's recent blog entry:

Loving Hope Idaho:
I may be in the middle of no where geographically,
but it's moments like this my heart centers.

Isn't that the coolest? You can see here why her family was in Hope and look here for more of the awesome pictures she posted just for me!

Thanks Roxx! (and God, thanks to you too. That was a nice touch).

Hallelujah Moment

2010-12-30T20:42:00.000-08:00

i am tired,
but before i sleep i want to share....
the details of the day my granny went to heaven.

but let me start first a few hours before today,
yesterday afternoon....

granny had only had the strength to ask for water about 3 times throughout the day...
and by the time 5 o'clock came, she was in a deep sleep,
not opening her eyes, not talking,
just breathing.

at 5PM, unexpectedly, everyone left the hospital,
exhausted,
but God ordained for me a time with her,
just me and my granny.

alone with her, i thought, what do i do?
sing. so sing i did, voice and all.
i prayed she would hear the voice of an angel
and it would have had to be a supernatural intervention,
because i ain't no angel-voiced lady.

i sang
"It is Well"
"I'll Fly Away"
"How Great Thou Art"
"Great is Thy Faithfulness"
"There's a Sweet, Sweet Spirit in this Place"
"Jesus, I Adore You"
and then i sang them again.

sometimes i couldn't remember the words,
so i looked them up on my iphone.
sometimes i could barely make it through the song,
but i kept singing in a broken voice.

did she hear me?
i don't know but when i sang"It is Well" one time,
I could see her lips moving in such a way that I think she was singing along with me.
i am almost sure of it.

i read scriptures to her...
i knew that Psalms 91 and Psalms 23 were two of her favorites,
so I read her those,
along with a few others sprinkled in.

i laid my face next to hers,
i got close to her and hugged her,
my tears fell upon her cheeks.

she didn't arise
or open her eyes
or talk to me,
but when i left i felt that i had just experienced
3 of the most precious hours on earth that i have ever had.

so this morning,
i thought, goodness,
do i go right back up to the hospital?
after all, we had been told that 4-7 days was a realistic time frame for granny,
but something drew me there,
and by 8:30am, i sat there with mom.

granny's breathing was shallow and she looked pretty awful,
but these were expected changes.
around 10:30, mom said we should start thinking about granny's funeral.
so i got out my laptop and started typing some ideas for the service.

Mom said, "let's put a title on it called 'It's a Hallelujah Moment.'"
It was an idea given to her by a friend who had lost her son years before.

I typed that phrase at the top of my page and
at
that
instantaneous
slice
of
a
second,
something changed in the air.

mom and I both looked up at granny
and realized that her breathing had stopped.

i went over to her and touched her chest.
i felt her neck for a heartbeat.
she was warm.
but her heart beat no longer on this earth.

i didn't plan it friends,
but out of me sprang
a song,
one i hadn't thought of the night before...

"Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye Heavenly Host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen."

i looked up; i thought she might be looking at me from there,
i smiled through the tears at Granny and her Hallelujah Moment.

Mishap

2010-12-29T17:43:00.000-08:00

During these days, God hasn't left me without a touch of humor and thankfulness.

In the craziness of the week, it occurred to me that on December 27th, we had the annual family get together with my dad's family.

And then I realized it was at my house.

So I scurried around like a rat on crack trying to make all the preparations for what turned out to be a 40 person 4 hour holiday party at my house!

The day after Christmas, Tom and I cleaned like Merry Maids, out with the old, in with the new, literally trying to make room for everyone.

The next night, I made the big shopping trip for the event, a mini-marathon. I ran to and fro all over that Super-Duper WalMart and home and back to SDWM when I realized I had left a sack of dairy products there. That took an extra hour.

When I finally got back, I made the brilliant decision to store several things in our oven, because I wanted the counters to be clean and frankly, the pantry was busting at the seams. I stacked up the Fritos and Chex Mix and Water Crackers and can of icing and red styrofoam plates, count em, 60 of em! Oh yes, and a bag of M and Ms.

On about my business I went and later that evening I walked in to find Kami making cupcakes, except they didn't smell like cupcakes at all, just some toxic, liquid styrofoam billowing from my oven. For the record, she did mention to me that she would be making cupcakes. It just didn't register.

I opened the oven like SuperWoman and began knocking things out of the oven as quickly as Superwomanly possible. I quite thought something may be alight; maybe I reasoned I would put the fire out that way?

There was no fire, just smoke, thick polymeric smoke (not sure what that means, but it sounds like what I smelled), melted M and M's, roasted frito and charred icing.....and I didn't even cry.

I just laughed and thank God that I caught the mishap before it became a true disaster.

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

2010-12-28T21:47:00.000-08:00

Well, honestly, it's hard to think about my favorite things right now, when I have a hole in my heart the size of a pot of Granny's brown beans.

But as I watched granny lie there in her hospital bed today, with one foot on earth and one in heaven, I realized that she still has some favorite things. She is in a dream-like state, talking in words and phrases that obviously represent some things dear to her heart.

Here are a few of Granny's favorite things:

*Her dear dog Fred - at one point, we got to laughing that he must be more important to her than anyone, because she kept telling us to "let him in" or "let him out!"

*Cooking - she constantly talked about what she should get us or cook for us - "If you'll stay awhile, I'll put something on the stove for you" or "let's go cook something up!"

*Her family - almost everytime she opened her mouth, the name of one of her loved ones would pop out, like a Valentine. "Rex" "Judy" "Fred" One special moment was when she talked about my cousin's son Kyler... she went on for awhile about what a special little boy he is. If you could just have heard her say his name "Ky-ler" then you would know how she feels about him.

*Opening up her house for company - She always wanted to know who was coming through her door, whether a real or dreamed up person, she wanted to welcome them, whomever it was.

*God - As I prayed for her aloud she murmured lovingly "God" and "It is well."

Surprisingly, I didn't hear her say anything about sewing, but I still think she'll be sewing us quilts up in heaven. Maybe, though, God will have her in his kitchen. Probably so.

So in honor of Granny, here are a few of my favorite things about this Christmas:
Drinking hot chocolate and singing Christmas carols around a fire at Big Cedar Lodge.

The elf tuck in at Big Cedar Lodge. "Candy" the elf came for a bedtime story and gave out a stocking to each kiddo.

We had a Christamas tree in our cabin at Big Cedar. I love Christmas trees. And the smell of the pine that has been fresh and fragrant in our house this December.

The last moments we were able to spend with Granny over Christmas were priceless.

Ahhh, making Gingerbread houses is always such a treat.

We play Dirty Santa each Christmas Eve. The adults play a round and so do the kids. Here are the kids acting all nicey nice after they have stolen each others gifts several times.

Christmas morning excitment is still electric. Here is Luke with his Skateboarding Nutcracker that was sitting on top of his brand new skateboard.

Ellie got at least one thing off her list: a bow and arrow. She was thrilled.

Tom is gone for a lot of special occassions, but he is ALWAYS home on Christmas morning. That is one of my favorite things.

Getting together with family I only see once a year. This year's gathering was at our house!

Here are the "hat girls" Ellie and Aunt Billy

Cousins hanging out in the cul-de-sac!

When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I'm feeling bad,

I simply remember my favorite things

and then I don't feel so bad....

What a Difference a Day Makes

2010-12-23T05:39:00.000-08:00

We never really can lose hope, can we?

Granny was born in Hope, Idaho by a lake called Ponderay. Ida Pondarae probably seemed like a perfect fit to granny's parents, but we always joke that her parents should have used the town as their namesake instead of the lake and the state. Hope just fits her, and has all her life.

Today is no different. Granny inspired hope in us yesterday as we all converged in her tiny hospital room. The news went out that Granny wanted to sing and within a few minutes there gathered no less than 20 family members. We stood around her bed and sang every Christmas Carol we could think of. She sang with us as well she could and in moments of joy, she raised her unbroken right arm to the sky. And then everyone grew silent as granny herself weakly, yet unabashedly, sang "How Great Thou Art."

As usual, Granny gave to each one of in that room yesterday. She just can't stop giving.

She even gave to her doctor, who said she was amazed by Granny's strength.

What is to come? We really don't know, but we all have great hope and faith in God's perfect timing in her life.

Singing with Granny, making Gingerbread houses with family and a win by the Golden Eagles just really kind of made everything better yesterday.

The Rundown

2010-12-22T18:54:00.000-08:00

12:01 AM ~ Cleaning up vomit is never a great way to start the day. ohhh nooo. especially when you are supposed to be "getting away" at Big Cedar Lodge. (Kim and I decided to take a little three day trip to break up the time with our husbands out of town til Christmas Eve.) The fun continued until 3AM as Luke coughed, sneezed, had a nightmare I was unable to wake him up from, ran a fever, threw up more, and yodeled. Yes, he yodeled in his sleep. That did give me a little smile. At 3AM, he calmed down enough to allow us to sleep, if fitfully. I started the day exhausted already.

7:45 AM ~ Waking up to the reality of the day was tough for me. I felt like I had a Lifetime movie playing in my head as I watched scenes of my Granny through all stages of my life. I saw Granny reach for the Hostess cupcakes on top of her refrigerator to give me as a five year old having a slumber party at her house. I saw her pulling potatoes and carrots from her garden she and my grandpa planted on our farm. I listened to her teaching me to quilt. I saw her smile a thousand times. All these are memories to treasure, but today they just hurt.

8:00 AM ~ Messages start coming in. Texts, phone calls (one from Louisiana!), Facebook

messages, emails, blog comments. I thanked God for digital communication today. All communication treasured, all helping me move forward. ThAnK yOu!!!

9:30 AM ~ Packed the car alone. Felt lonely for Tom and my mom and sister as I got everything together on a blustery morning in Missouri. I try not to complain how much I miss my husband, because you just kind of have to steel yourself to that, but there is a hole in my heart that can't be patched until he comes back to us.

10AM ~ I had nothing but time as I drove back home from Big Cedar, listening to Luke cough like a crazy man and think about my granny. Headache. At least there was no vomit. Just a whole lot of phlegm and snot and coughing. Did I mention the coughing? And Did I mention how good my kids were in the car? I think the personal 10 inch TV's had something to do with that, but still.

3PM ~ Finally, after what seemed an eternity of driving, I saw my granny at the hospital. I thought she would be unresponsive, but I found that she was no less amazing than any other time I've been around her lately. Though she obviously is growing painfully weaker with each moment, she greeted each grandchild with pure delight from her bed. Her left arm is broken, but with her right she reached up to touch each one's face, ending the conversation with a slurred "I looooovvvvveee youuuuuuuu." Her resolve to show love is stunning.

4:30PM ~ Picked up Wilson from the vet. Who doesn't feel a little better at the sight of a dog who thinks you are the best person ever.

5:30 PM ~ Brought my cousin's kids to the house so she could spend more time at the hospital with granny. She lives out of town and I know that it's been hard on her to be far away during this time. Yes, I wanted to be there tonight with everyone, but I'm really glad that Heather got a few more precious moments with our inspiration.

6:00 PM ~ Picked up burgers for all 5 kids. Luke hasn't eaten much today, but requested coleslaw. Just the smell of it makes me sick, but for Lukey I guess it's a healing food. Cause he ate all of it. And weirdly, he's better now.7:30 PM ~ Opened a slew a Christmas cards, just love em, each and everyone. Mine are being mailed tomorrow, really they are coming to a mailbox near you.

7:45 PM ~ Gasped when I saw a preview for this show on Nick Teen. Really? I. had. no. idea. TV off. Out comes the board games.
8:40 PM ~ Listened to my beloved Golden Eagles lose their game by a couple points. Ugh. Never a good way to end the day. Ever. I feel for my hubby, my bro-in-law, and the players. And the coaches wives. Ouch.
9:30 PM ~ Made a new ending to the day by reading Christmas books with the kids. They each picked out one. Though I could barely keep my eyes focused on the words, the kids settled into it and we even sang through "The Little Drummer Boy" together. I like this ending better.

11:42 PM ~ Not sure where that 2 hours and 12 minutes went, but that is the rundown. I am feeling run down but lifted up. I am reminded of Max Lucado's book Everyday Deserves a Chance. He points out the verse "This is the day that the Lord has made" refers to all days, not just the ones we liked. Sick days, sad days, losing days, and dying days. They are all still days that He has made, and I worship Him for it.

She Will Rise....

2010-12-21T21:39:00.000-08:00

For the last couple of weeks, Granny has been holding onto this world by a few stray threads, and soon the magnificent beauty of the quilt of heaven will be upon her.

Though it cuts our hearts to shreds thinking of not having our inspiration here with us on earth anymore,we know the truth, that she has had her eyes set upon the kingdom of God for days, months and years. She has anticipated living in His presence more than anyone I know.

Ellie couldn't understand how we can go on without Granny, and I tried to communicate what I know as sure as I know that Granny's eyes are blue like mine. I explained that we go on WITH her. The Bible assures us that the faith of a believer is poured out into future generations, so that faith is surely surging into Ellie's little life as I type. And Kami and Luke and Hallie and Lauren and Maggie and dozens of others. Granny is very much with us yet will be preparing many, many heavenly quilts for us in heaven.

As tears pour from my eyes, I ask you to please pray for Granny's last days. Hospice care is necessary now, as we have been told 3-5 days is the timeline. Granny is certainly one to defy expectations, but in my mind she is thinking this: "Only 3-5 days til I get to see Jesus!"

I have been listening to a big dose of Chris Tomlin lately. The kids and I sing our lungs out to "I Will Follow," but the song that has moved me, particularly the last couple of weeks is "I Will Rise." It isn't a song Granny knows, but the lyrics fit her so well. I am sharing them below as well as a link to the song in case you've never heard it.

There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say "It is well"

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

[Chorus:] And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise I will rise

There's a day that's drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light
And the shadows disappear
And my faith shall be my eyes

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

[Chorus:] And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise I will rise

And I hear the voice of many angels sing, "
Worthy is the Lamb"
And I hear the cry of every longing heart,
"Worthy is the Lamb" [x2]

[Chorus:] And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise I will rise

She Will Rise.

You GOTTA go

2010-12-19T22:31:00.000-08:00

I have heard about the Christmas Train at Dry Gulch, USA for years. Why in the world have I never been?

Because my husband is a basketball coach and is primarily unavailable this time of year.

Oh yeah, that's right.

This year, however, I didn't let that minor detail stop me. I found a day and time that looked good enough and let T know that we are going to the Christmas Train this year. Come rain or shine, pain or line, we were GOING. And go we did last night. Check HERE for details. It was SUPER. Honestly, words can't describe it... we loved every minute of it, and of course, our favorite part was the train and the poweful telling of the story of Jesus from birth to resurrection. Also loved the carousel rides, the wagon ride with the retelling of "Twas the Night Before Christmas." Take my word for it. You gotta go.

You won't be disappointed.

Sicko

2010-12-16T17:37:00.000-08:00

Awww.... poor girl....

not fun to be sick this time of year.

104.8 fever, ick!

What a sicko!

Our Babe in Toyland

2010-12-15T20:18:00.000-08:00

Ellie's 5th performance at the Spotlight is the musical Babes in Toyland, directed by Bruce Webb. Although it has nearly killed us (the rehearsals were absolutely time-sucking little monsters at a time of the year when time is sooo important), the play has turned out to be adorable (I say through clenched teeth). I did finally get to see the whole show and here are some favorite scenes.... (I really did enjoy the performance, it almost made it all worth it!!) Ellie pre-show in her Jill costume (as in Jack and Jill)

Ellie as a townsperson in the opening scene...

Introduction of Fairy Tale characters on stage....

Jack and Jill went up the hill...

Ellie in the classroom scene...

Ellie as an elf in Toyland (center)....

Ahhh, all is well in Toyland. Contrary Mary gets to marry her true love, Allen....

Ellie's friends came to watch!

And Brooke won the cookie they give away at intermission.

Ok. Take note. It WAS worth it. To see Ellie doing something she loves, in an environment where she thrives, TOTALLY worth it.

Giving it Up

2010-12-14T20:38:00.000-08:00

As I make little ant tracks on this earth,

I create a concept of what my life should be like,

how God should work things out for me.

And when the river of my life encounters rapids and roaring waters,

and other events that frankly rail against all common sense,

it's easy for me to be taken aback: God why have you allowed this?

But I'm giving it up. I think it's in my best interest.

The God who made the ants and rivers and every layer of this richly detailed universe

is the God who does what He pleases. Yes, He is loving and gracious and kind.

And He sustains me daily. I can't possibly understand all his kindnesses toward me.

But, lest I forget, He is God. He Does as he Pleases.

Take Mary. I'm positive she was completely shocked and confused about the developments in her life. Not only did she embarrassingly turn up pregnant before she was married, she had to ride a donkey while very pregnant and give birth to a baby in a stable. It makes no sense. But I really believe she had given it up: "I am the Lord's servant... May it be to me as you have said." ~Luke 1:37

She could have kicked, she could've screamed. Instead she gave it up.

I notice this same response with many of God's chosen people:

When faced with talking to the king and risking her own life, Esther surrendered: "If I perish, I perish." She held on Loosely but Didn't Let Go.

When responding to Nebuchadnezzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego hotly retorted: "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” They definitely gave it up. I love those guys.

Take Jonah, however. We're studying him at church right now and being reminded how he held on to Jonah's will. He didn't feel like taking the trip to Nineveh and he really despised the Ninevites, so "Jonah ran away from the Lord." As we know, things got worse for Jonah. What really gets me about Jonah was that after he had finally obeyed God, he held on to his own bitter will. He waited outside the city of Ninevah, hoping to see calamity fall upon it. But when it didn't he was "greatly displeased and became angry [with God]." Jonah's final words of the book are "It would be better for me to die than to live." How sad. Give it up, dude. How different the book of Jonah could have been.

It sure is easy to see the err of Jonah's ways, but the irony is that I live my own life like Jonah. Questioning the things that happen in my life. Such as, I prayed to be a missionary (in college I really did surrender my life to mission work), but I'm living a very secular life married to a basketball coach. Huh? That makes no sense Lord. And as far as basketball goes, I would think it's in God's perfect and pleasing will that the ORU basketball team, who holds up the banner of Jesus, would win each and every basketball game we play!!! Ha. Not even close. It doesn't make sense. There are also numerous unbloggable things about my life that just don't make sense. And in the lives of many, many of my Christian friends.

I haven't dared to mention the number of those who loved God in the Bible and beyond who died awful deaths because of their profession of faith in Christ. Now that just does not jive with my idea of what God would do. Yeah, I'm having a hard time getting that, and in my human mind, maybe it's not possible to understand.

But with God's help I'm giving it up. God is God. He does as He pleases.

I think this attitude will be strengthened by a three keys:

*An understanding of my place, God is God; I am put here on earth as his humble servant, doing whatever it is he asks.

*An yearning for my real home, earth is temporary, heaven is forever.

*A belief in God's love enormous for me, and how in the end God's plan is perfect, even if that doesn't mean perfect as we understand it.

I can't think of a better thing to give God for Christmas than my stubborn will which wants my own way. I want to give him my heart that says, "I trust You, I love You and I submit to You, even when things don't make sense."

J is for Jolly, Jaunty, and Jokey Uncle Jon

2010-12-09T19:53:00.000-08:00

One of the best parts of the holidays is that Uncle Jon, Tom's oldest brother, usually comes to town to see us. He is tons o' fun for the kids, and hung out with them each day he was here. JOLLY * He came to watch Ellie's class play.... (plus her performance at the Spotlight, and came to observe her guitar lesson too)JAUNTY * played hours of football with Luke, plus watched a little Sunday and Monday night football... and cheered Luke on at his basketball game.

JOKEY * he schooled Kami in some Social Studies and that's about it because she studied her little buns off for finals this week!

We are thankful for Uncle Jon and already miss him very much!

What Ellie Wants For Christmas, 2010

2010-12-05T20:43:00.000-08:00

A tarp

A realistic train set

Antique pocket knives

A round trip airplane ticket to Hong Kong (where her Uncle Zach lives)

A bow and arrow

A new puppy

A rifle

A chemistry set

A machete

Needless to say, Ellie is a bit difficult to shop for this year. I just can't picture a tarp under the Christmas tree or a machete for that matter. If you don't know her well, you may be a bit worried about her; if you do know her, you know that Ellie is Ellie and nobody else but Ellie.

Cough Variant Asthma

2010-12-02T07:17:00.000-08:00

This is the story of Luke's health struggle the last seven years and how we *think* we have finally found the answer to his problem.

Luke had RSV when he was 9 months old. It didn't require hospitalization, and he recovered quickly. We were relieved about that. But in caution over his "twitchy" lungs and wheezing, we were sent home with a nebulizer and Albuterol to help control "possible asthma."

But no one ever said anything about asthma again.

We heard about allergies (tested with the stick method twice)
We heard about steroids (given them a lot)
We had his tonsils and adenoids removed when he was 3.
We heard about sinus infections (and administered countless antibiotics to him over the years, literally, dozens of rounds and I don't want to THINK about how many x-rays he has had)
We heard about sinus passages, and how sinus surgery was a last resort.
We tried medicine after medicine. Singular, Zyrtec, Albuterol, Alavert. You name it, he tried it.
At one point, he was on 9 different medicines.
That's when I decided to take him off everything.
That didn't work either.
We tried sinus rinses. They helped.
But regardless of all these things, Luke still struggled with this:

RELENTLESS COUGHING, primarily at night. Coughing until he vomited. Coughing so hard blood vessels broke in his face. And there was absolutely no cough medicine that would make a difference. Fresh air, lemon and honey, cough drops, lollipops, they were all mocking us. He lost sleep. His face puffed up. And then we would crawl back like servants to an antibiotic, the only thing that would relieve what we believed were sinus infections. No one really seemed to get it but Tom and I. The helplessness we felt when we heard that first little strum of a cough, the unproductive, tight cough that was a sure sign of a long, long night.

And then, at age 7, our ENT recommended an Infectious Disease doctor. Just in case Luke was dealing with some kind of immunity problem, because after all IT'S NOT NORMAL FOR A KID TO HAVE A CONSTANT REOCURRENCE OF A CONDITION SUCH AS A SINUS INFECTION. I get that now. I get that I should have searched harder and quicker. But Dr. Chang sat and listened for an hour to Luke's health history. I could see his wheels turning. He is one of those people who is smarter than smart, yet personable and warm. After I took Luke for a potty break, we walked back in and Dr. Chang gave me his tentative diagnosis:

Cough Variant Asthma.

People with CVA have no classic symptoms of asthma, such as wheezing or shortness of breath. For that reason, it is a very difficult condition to diagnose.

Here is what I found on "Pediatric Planet" - Some children with a persistent cough have a condition called "cough variant asthma." This means that we believe that the child is coughing because his or her breathing tubes (bronchi) are reacting to irritation by squeezing in to a smaller size, just like in asthma. Children with cough variant asthma do not make the wheezing sound that we usually hear in children with ordinary asthma, though. This can make it difficult to diagnose the condition, and very often children with cough variant asthma have been through a number of other diagnoses or treatments. Parents of children with cough variant asthma usually find that regular cough and cold medicines don’t help their children, and of course antibiotics don’t help either. Cough variant asthma can be a very frustrating condition.

This blog also helped. It helped me to hear the story of another parent who dealt with similar issues.

So, we have been treating Luke's asthma for the last few weeks, and so far, it's like magic. He's doing very well on the Flovent inhaler. And it's such a relief to have a healthy little boy. It's only been a few weeks, so I am a little hesitant to declare it a total cure, but we are very optimistic that we have made some progress by finding out about CVA.

Encouraging Ida

2010-11-30T06:21:00.000-08:00

Granny loves the holidays, but unfortunately, she's spending this one stuck in a wheelchair living in the nursing home. So we thought we'd spice things up for her a little bit. You would have thought we had brought in a live 24-foot Douglas fir like the one in Washington, D.C.......she was so pleased with the little, silvery, tinselly thing. She was in good spirits on this day.

One night last week, I went by to see her around 7 P.M. She was wearing her red laced gown and all tucked in under 3 layers of covers (now I know why I love covers so) with the lights down low. She says to wake her up when she's asleep "I want you to wake me up!" she insists sweetly. "It breaks the monotony." So woke her up I did, and I don't know if was the heaviness of night that or the dream-like state of sleep that had her baring a soul a little more freely to me. She talked of what ifs (what if that darn swivel chair hadn't taken me down), and she affirmed God's protection over her (it didn't even hurt! God was right there with me.) She expressed her motherly worries (how's your Uncle Rex [her son] doing) and then spoke of her frustration at her current situation (I just want to be home). I wasn't sure what home she was talking about, her earthly one or heavenly one, but I just felt my heart twist up and I said, "Granny, God has left you about this old earth for some reason. He has a little more work for you to do here." She looked at me with a tiny twinkle in her eye. "You think so?" she wondered aloud.... "I know so, Granny!" I replied. "In fact," I explained, "you are already doing God's work, just being here in this nursing home and living so faithfully with your eyes on Jesus." I told her that several of my friends have been inspired by her over the years and especially lately. (I know this, friends, because you've told me!). "Really?" she questioned. "Yes, granny." I told her I share with my friends her love for God, her fear of nothing but him, the way she is always looking for God to return to earth, in anticipation of meeting Jesus each and every day of her life. She said, "Well, that just makes it worth it, then doesn't it," she whispered before she drifted off in sleep.

If my granny has touched you in any way, if you have seen her faith shine, I'd ask you to consider taking a moment and telling her so. I'd love you to send her a card to the nursing home. I know that many of you have never met her, but felt you have from hearing me talk about her incessantly. :) The words from you would confirm to her that her faithful walk has touched hearts along the way, even those she doesn't even know. It would make her days there a little softer. Here is her contact info:

Park's Edge Nursing Center
Attn: Ida Reynolds
5115 East 51st Street
Tulsa, OK 74135-7430

Perfect Pairings - Ephesians 5:15-16

2010-11-28T19:45:00.000-08:00

Ellie (who you might notice walks to the beat of her own drum...) walks in the house and says through clenched teeth: "Look mom, I'm multitasking!" I wonder where she gets that from? Ha!

Here's my perfect pairing emphasizing the "value" of multitasking..... Ephesians 5: 15-16....Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

Turkey Day {Bittersweet}

2010-11-28T06:39:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving was bittersweet this year. And I'm not talking about the food. Bitter in that it was the first year in 40 that I didn't spent Thanksgiving with my extended family at my cousin's house, like we have always done before.

Sweet in that Thanksgiving was spent at our house with our immediate family, mom, dad plus Kim and family. And my cousin Heather and her kiddos came over later that day. Bitter in that my granny is in the nursing home right now, and it's so hard to see her there when you know that she wants to be home with her family.

Sweet in that we all went to see her and took her a heaping plate of our favorite dishes.

Bitter in that we knew that the guys were leaving for 10 days the morning after Thanksgiving.

Sweet in that we know that God is with our husbands and with us too as we manage our households alone.

And the rest was just sweet, sweet, sweet as we ate, played games, wrestled (that would be Luke and Kyler) and enjoyed the day. Hope yours was sweeter than bitter too!

I Caught My Dog Worshipping God Today

2010-11-22T22:34:00.000-08:00

Wilson is such a good dog. He crates contentedly. He was potty trained in a few, short days. No kidding! He has had two surgeries and absolutely will not chew on his stitches. He cuddles on command. He plays rowdily when summoned. He knows how to sit and a few other tricks. And now he worships God. I saw it.

I let him outside the afternoon and the weather was warm and musty with leaves. Wilson sensed that too and decided to stay out back for awhile. Later, I checked on him and saw him sitting on the ground, nose pointed to the sky, eyes closed, breathing in life. And I thought, I bet he's worshipping the one true God, what a dog! Can you picture the moment? I ran right out with my camera to capture the doggy devotional, but he of course looked up at my interruption. Let's all be more like Wilson tomorrow... and just take a minute to stop, breathe in the fresh air and worship God!

Halloween Randomness

2010-11-18T14:44:00.000-08:00

Some darling people I know coordinate their Halloween costumes.

Like Jonni Baloney whose entire family dressed up as different Mario characters.... yes, even the adults dressed up. I think that's so darn cute. And Katie's kiddos were all super duper coordinated.

You guys are my idols. Because what my kids chose to be were ...... drumroll please...... a table, a twin, and an injured skateboarder. There is no great photo op for costumes so random as these. Ellie was absolutley determined to be a table for Halloween. After dumpster diving for boxes, I finally went to UPS and paid over 20 bucks for a 3X3 one. A few cuts with a box knife and one trip to the thrift store later, and oh yeah, a LOT of hot glue, she had a fun costume that took everyone she saw by surprise.

Boys of course want to be as gory or scary as possible. After working my buns off on the table, i was relieved to shred up some old clothes and throw on some red and black makeup for the effect of scrapes and bruises. He was perfectly happy and as an added bonus, he got to ride his skateboard around on Halloween night.

And here is Kami's twin sister Katie. No matter that Kami is about a foot shorter than her and their hair is different colors, and so on. What they did have in common was that they are both darling. And coordinated!

Okay, a little random, but a lot fun. Can't believe another Halloween has come and gone.

In a Baking Kind of Mood

2010-11-16T03:07:00.000-08:00

I think if I lived in a simpler time, I'd be a canner of all things preservable. Baker of golden-brown pies and cobblers. I'd stuff my visitors' hands with baked goodies. Everyday would be a day that my home would smell like my granny's. Scrumptlicious.

However, 2010 time corners me and forces me to schlop the ingredient heavy applesauce off the shelves at Walmart, and anonymous cans of soup line my pantry.

Lately, though, I really have been in a baking kind of mood. I think I started making Pumpkin Bread the very weekend the pureed pumpkin hit the supermarket - seasonal item, you know. And even before granny's fall, I was simmering up pots of brown beans and muffin cups of cornbread. Just tastes like granny, you know? This weekend, I cooked up a big batch of homemade noodle soup... and yummy, we ate every last tidbit.

I don't want to forget granny's favorite dishes, so I decided to post the recipes right here, right now. There's no sugar-free or fat-free claims on any of these, but hey, she's been eating this stuff for years on end, and she's 99. Just saying!

Here are a few of our favorites:

Brown Beans and Ham
Soak brown beans overnight. In the morning, drain beans, rinse and cover again with water a few inches above the bean line. Add hamhock, salt pork or other source of flavoring (ham cubes and crumbled bacon are other possibilities.) Bring to a rapid boil and then turn down heat to simmer. In there somewhere, you will need to add salt and sugar to taste. Granny guesstimates that she starts with about 3 tsp. salt and 2 tsp. sugar, but she really has no idea. Simmer down for about 4-5 hours. A family favorite.

Old Fashioned Applesauce
Peel apples, as many as you want. Cut into pieces. Add H20, but not completely covering the apples. Just so you can see it through the apple pieces. Cook down til done, or soft and mushy. Mash up as you cook if you want. Add sugar and cinnamon to taste. That could be 1-2 tsp cinnamon and 1/2 C sugar for starters.

Mashed Potatoes
Peel 5-6 potatoes, if that sounds good to you. Dice into chunks. Cook down til soft. Real soft. Pour most water out, but leave a small amount. Add 1-2 sticks butter. Add milk. Add salt and pepper to taste. Mix with mixer. This is potato heaven or as Ellie calls it "creamy goodness."

Field Trip Favorite

2010-11-15T20:43:00.000-08:00

One great highlight of elementary school is the day-long field trip to the one-room school house in Perry. It was a great learning experience when Kami went (and I had my camera fully charged), and Ellie loved it too, (but my battery lasted all of two and a half minutes, Dang Technology!). So my pictures are few but the memories are many. (which pretty much kills me by the way - the picture part that is...)

Ellie is more of a prairie girl at heart (remember the summer of Laura Ingalls Wilder?) and she soaked in the bridge of time, the school marm, the strict learning environment, the lessons on the slateboards, the spelling bee and the kid who had to put his nose in the circle on the chalkboard. For a day, no smartboards, no intercom announcements, no lunchables and no smart-mouthed boys (for this is the age when the boys really smart noticing the girls and their way of getting attention? Smart-mouthing. Ellie knows. It happened again today).

So glad that Ellie could experience just a taste of what her very own Great Grandma Ida lived in her childhood. Kami's post contains an interesting interview with Granny about her schooling, and this time my sister and I went over and got Granny on film. I would love to post snippets of her when I can so you can get to know her better and go back into time yourself to a time when things were simpler and humbler and... cold! Granny says the only bathroom was God's green earth and that when it was cold, then so was your hiney! Cold hineys aside, the "good" old days are a'calling my name.

In All of Her Glory

2010-11-14T20:00:00.000-08:00

Fall, beautiful fall, on fire with beauty.
I know I am absolutely driving my kids bonkers as I point out the exact hue of each and every tree that catches my eye. I have definitely become a full-fledged "old person" as I ooh and ahh at the oaks and elms on every street of our town. This year's foliage has been absolutely stunning though. Has there ever been a prettier fall season? While watching the trees closely the last few days, I was thinking how funny it is that God gave their ravishing beauty directly before they shed their leaves and become bare. Only God could do something so surprising, so gorgeous, so blessed! It's sad that the beauty will go, but such a gift of God, one we can enjoy and savor.

And God is working His magic in another area too... He is allowing my granny to glow like the yellows and reds and oranges that are lining our streets. She is granny in her full beauty... so precious and bursting with the Spirit of God. Inevitably she, like the rest of us, will shed her leaves, but before she does, she is truly glorious, attracting attention whereever she is.

And that whereever she is is.... right now.... a nursing home. After 99 years of living, and living independently, she needs constant help. She is not able to put any weight on her leg yet, so the rehab wing of the nursing home is her temporary home. It's surely to be a tough adjustment, but my beautiful granny doens't complain. She smiles. She says witty things. She hurts, to be sure, but her attitude is no-doubt a testimony to her faith in God.

You may have read what I put on Facebook when she was still in the hospital . After singing "How Great Thou Art" from her hospital bed, she declared, "My God is so great, and He is so good to me." Then she quipped, "Put that on Facebook!" Yesterday, while talking to my mom about the challenge of becoming mobile again, she said, "If Jesus can walk on water, I know God can help me walk again!" I walked in her room a couple days while she was sleeping. Her eyes popped open "Annie!" she exclaimed. "Is anyone here with you?" she asked. "No just me," I answered." She smiled lightly and said, "Just you and the Lord!" One night, I ran by to see her. She wasn't feeling well, but I wheeled her down to the assembly room where a gospel band was singing "He Touched Me," and "Oh How I Love Jesus." I watched as she raised her hands in faith to her Father, and tears rolled down my cheeks as a I did the same.

Sometimes, my sister and I talk about how hard it is to see Granny hurting, living in the nursing home and for things to be so different than they were before. We wonder if it would be better if she could just go to the place that she's longed to be for most of her life... in heaven with Jesus. But I think her work here isn't quite done yet... God's making her a colorful and stunning testament to His goodness and mercy. Praise Him!

Halloween at the Hospital

2010-10-31T20:33:00.000-07:00

Well, we had planned to spend Halloween afternoon at Granny's house. Instead we spent it at the hospital, because that's where Granny is right now.

I took all 6 kids (my 3 and my sister's 3) up to see her.

She hadn't slept all night, had her right leg in traction, and acted as though she was delighted to see everyone. She kept asking me if I needed anything. Like a snack or drink. In a hospital bed in traction, and still trying to serve others.

There were other relatives there besides us, so it seemed like a party. We were all crammed in the room, but it didn't seem weird, because we pack ourselves in her house like that too.

As everyone was talking and visiting, I went to granny's bed and took her hand. As I started massaging her arm lightly, I decided to sing "How Great Thou Art." It's a good thing she can't hear too well, because I can't sing too well. But I looked at her and saw she had her eyes closed as though she was relaxed and peaceful.

I love that woman beyond words.

Two kids cried upon sight of granny in that bed, and that was my Ellie and Luke. They both tried to hold it back, but seeing her like that I imagine was hard for all of us.

Tomorrow she will have surgery to place a steel rod in her leg and fix her "Halloween trick" as she calls it. She has the faith that her Lord will carry her through. Our prayers could only serve to support her even more.

The Day I Have Dreaded

2010-10-31T05:40:00.000-07:00

When your granny is 99, you know that at some point, inevitably, there is going to be an issue healthwise. Last night, Granny fell and broke her hip. Well, shattered it, as the doctor said. A hip replacement is in her near future. She is in lots of pain, though still full of life and spirit. She had us all cracking up. But a broken hip, as you know, is not a good thing. I thank you in advance for praying for Granny. I told her you would be! And she's holding you to it now, ya hear?

A Blast from Halloween Past

2010-10-27T16:09:00.000-07:00

the cat family, circa 1979

I Heart Granny's House

2010-10-26T07:27:00.000-07:00

Our every-holiday tradition is to go to granny's. If there is a holiday, whatever it may be, we celebrate at granny's. Below are images of this year's Halloween celebration complete with cookie decorating and crafts at granny's house. The moments are so sweet I could eat them.

One note: For the first time EVER, the grandkids supplied the food. I took the chili and pumpkin bread and everyone pitched in by bringing other stuff. One one hand it was bittersweet, a changing of hands, so to speak, on the other hand, it was about time I got off my hiney and started SERVING instead of being SERVED. For Pete's sake, she's 99 and the most precious thing you could ever imagine. Look at her in the last image in this post: she's glowing.

Are You Ready for Some Football?

2010-10-24T21:28:00.000-07:00

For obvious reasons, we have always kind of been a basketball family. In fact, instead of listening to classical music in the womb, my children heard the steady squeak of basketball shoes on the court and the thump of adrenaline raising songs played at timeouts. That's just the way it's always been.

Imagine my surprise at the way that football has snuck up and intercepted our hearts! I just wasn't expecting it. In the least.

At Jenks, kids start playing TACKLE football at the tender age of six. I know, it sounds crazy. And it is crazy. You can see our first experience with it here. I wasn't so sure at that I wasn't the worst mother in the world for allowing my precious son to be involved with such a thing.

But I'll tell you, he has loved it. LOVED it. His favorite thing about playing tackle football? You guessed it... the hitting. There's something about a boy that needs that physicality. To smack other kids down and be smacked down.

Tom has enjoyed the heck out of football too. He has seemed to relish each game as though it's the SuperBowl.

And another strange thing has happened! Ellie has gotten into it. She actually (I can't believe I'm typing this), willingly and excitedly puts on pads to help Luke practice. She runs the ball so he can practice tackling her and then she goes after him real hard when he runs it. It's been a really strange phenomenon.

Now that Kami's cheering for Jenks Black (for the first time EVER, cheering that is), football has exploded into our lives even more. Would it be weird to say we're becoming a football family?

So the fact that the kids played football for about an hour in grandma's back yard when we went over this weekend really wasn't that surprising. A kid next door jumped the fence, they squared off, boys against girls, I made the calls and off they went, making football history right there in granny's yard.

TOUCHDOWN!!!!

It's Beginning to Feel A Lot Like Fall!

2010-10-21T19:10:00.001-07:00

Feeling Lazy

2010-10-21T10:45:00.000-07:00

It's what Fall Break does to us. Ahhhhhh!~

Happy/Busy/Crazy/Busy/Happy

2010-10-15T18:49:00.001-07:00

At long last.

Whew. I feel like I have been going non-stop for a month.

And I just NOW sat down. 24 X 31 hours later....

I get frustrated when I am soooo busy, feeling pulled, not being on top of things...

feeling like every moment is worth a thousand bucks. What am I going to do with that moment?

....but I wouldn't want to be doing anything else than what I have been doing.

I am happy busy. Crazy, yes. Wondering if this is the true meaning of life. Yes.

But knowing that this is a phase that I will look fondly back to one day.

Planning birthday parties. Coordinating stuff. Helping with homework.

Emphasis on the WORK. Solving puberty problems. Staying up late. Getting up early.

Feeding the herds. Tending to people. Praying my heart out for it's the only way I can make it through each day. Playing a little tennis in between. And spelling words. Lots of em. All with Tom out of town or busy with basketball much of the time.

You know. You are living it too.

There is a time in the not so distant future when I will miss the business the craziness the happiness that comes with taking care of my precious family.

And here are some of our happy/busy/crazy/busy/happy times over the last month that include a birthday party, a homecoming parade, family photos, and mudnight at our church .

When Mommy Isn't Watching

2010-09-13T21:42:00.000-07:00

Ok, I have a guilty pleasure to admit: Dateline NBC.

Guilty: because I have zero time to sit down and witness someone get "exposed" for an hour in my evening.

Pleasure: because there is something odd in me that enjoys seeing people's true nature... watching people self-destruct right there on cold, hard TV. Ok, feeling guilty again.

Said guilty pleasure happens about once every 6 month... and tonight with Tom OOT (out of town), I DVR'd the show.

This night, no murder trial, no child predators (thank heavens, that show makes me want to pull the plug on every computer in our neighborhood) , but it was the hidden camera watching kids when their parents weren't around that caught my attention.

Interesting situations:

*Will a child stand up against a bully?

*Will a child let a stranger in her house?

*Will a teenager text in the car? (There is a business that actually installs hidden camera to check this out)

*Will a child ride with a driver she thinks has been drinking?

In each case, Dateline NBC experimented with different kids and the outcome was different. One 12 year old girl stood up to the bully like I can only dream my kids would. One set of siblings, 12 and 14, let a stranger into the house when he flashed a badge and said he was a "milk inspector." Another little boy stood his ground when the elderly stranger demanded, "Let me in, my wife is sick!" The teenagers TOTALLY texted in the car, probably because they had seen their parents do it so many times and the kids riding with the older teen who showed signs of drinking? What do you think those 4 kids did? Got in the car with the drinking driver. All 4 of them.

It was pretty thought provoking and I'm somewhat convinced I will do the following things:

*Teach my kids to stand up to a bully. Give them specific strategies and show them the tape of the sweet girl (Lucy) who befriended the victim and was a total sweetheart.

*Set up a test for my kids and see if they will open the door to a stranger. I know it sounds awful. I am really thinking about it.

*Stop texting in the car completely. I am actually pretty good about it, however, I DO, I admit, I DO text at stoplights. I think that probably needs to stop too. The kids are watching!

*Start now talking about riding with safe drivers. And talk to my kids about it. I will probably show them the tape. I want them to see all the signs the teenagers chose to ignore. And set up an emergency code with the kids when they get older. The show suggested "111." That means drop everything and come get me now!

I just hope my kids do the right thing when Mommy isn't watching!!!!

I'm Pretty Sure I'm a Redneck

2010-09-10T04:27:00.000-07:00

When your family's idea of a Labor Day Get Together is a cookout between two ponds on a strip of land called the "Island," I'm pretty sure you're a redneck.

When you can't remember one family member's real name because everyone has called him "Tuff" since he was born AND Tuff wears something that looks like a mullett (see blue shirt on left), I'm pretty sure you're a redneck.

When the kids have to dig through dozens of cans of beer to get to the water bottles at the bottom of the cooler, I'm pretty sure you're a redneck.

When you choose to play with a stick gun instead of the football, trackball and baseball your momma brought for you, I'm pretty sure you're a redneck.

When coralling the kids together for a family picture and they step in cow patties, I'm pretty sure you're a redneck. When there is a dog named Hank at the family get together and they stick him in the back of an old Chevy truck full of barbed wire to keep him away from the hot dogs, I'm pretty sure you're a redneck.When you're taking a "cousin" picture and one of your cousins thinks it's appropriate to just stoop down in front of everybody else, I'm pretty sure you're a redneck. When your cousin celebrates her 50th birthday in a lawn chair with a big honking chocolate cake, I'm pretty sure you're a redneck.
When your daughter eats the chocolate cake straight from the serving spatula and everyone gets a kick out of it, I'm pretty sure you're a redneck When it's normal for your son to walk around with a weed in his mouth, I'm pretty sure you're a redneck.When you take a picture of your cousins who you only see once a year, and the background for the picture is two old farm trucks, I'm pretty sure you're a redneck.
When the kids go swimming in the mucky ponds for entertainment, I'm pretty sure you're a redneck.

When people don't see birds in the air but "targets" in the air, I'm pretty sure you're a redneck.

Yep, it's official, I'm a bred, born and raised REDNECK!

The Day

2010-09-05T22:07:00.000-07:00

There is no day nearly so wonderful,

no day quite so bright

as the day my child trusted in the Savior

and put her faith in His light

The day of her birth is so clearly etched

in colorful detail in my mind

but the day she trusted Jesus

is the glorious day I prayed she'd find

Each day she lives on this earth

is a day He guides and leads

She need only look to Him

for all her daily needs

Days of sadness and much confusion

Days of loss and despair

are now days she will be strengthened

by the One who is always there

I find awesome joy in the day of her baptism

it is this day I recognize

that strips away the old

and gives her New Life in Jesus Christ!!!

Hats off to Granny and Her 99 Years of Living!

2010-08-28T08:32:00.000-07:00

Birthdays are a big deal at any age. But when you turn 97, 98, or 99, it certainly warrants an enormous celebration. Having done a pioneer party and an American Idol party, we were looking for another idea that fit our loving, hilarious, sweet, silly, Granny. One thing she is famous for, (besides her quilts!) is taking pictures with hats and other things (even a lampshade) on her head. I will post those pictures sometime. (Mom, can you email them to me?) So we decided that everyone would wear a hat in honor of Granny and that we did. Granny laughed it up, even if at 99, she is just now starting to feel her age. She hasn't been at her best lately and her comment... "I guess I am just getting old." Too funny. Prayers for granny and praises for a lovely 99th birthday.

First Day of School

2010-08-23T09:51:00.001-07:00

We are now the proud parents of one 7th grader...plus a third grader and a first grader.

Heavens to Besty... this is freaking me out!!!

Fun in the Mud

2010-08-21T17:57:00.000-07:00

Call me crazy.

I signed the kids up for the mud run on probably the hottest day of the year. It was brutal out there, I tell ya, brutal. It was over 100 and there's no telling what the heat index was. I know this: it was HOT SNOT.

And dirty. Scratch that. Filthy.

but we were with friends....and family....and worked hard...and well, the kids had a blast.

How often can you just get as yucky dirty as possible and your parents don't yell at you?Look at Ana in the middle; proof that kids can get just as dirty or clean as they set their minds to! That was a great accomplishment Ana :)
at the end, the firefighters hosed them clean and as Nana (who came out and watched the action) said, "Every time you get a chance to do something fun in life, you should take it!"

Luke's First Work of Non-Fikshun

2010-08-20T05:06:00.000-07:00

He titled it "Non Fikshun"

Wosubus a tim (once upon a time), ther wus a dog namd wilsin.

he was my dog. he cud cum hir win you sed "Wilsin cum her boy!"

But won tim I was riding my scootr, I rod rit bi him and he ran rit in frut of me.

I hit him, but he srvivd. he rin rit undr the car. he sat down but he was ok.

True Story!

The River's Deep, The River's Wide

2010-08-19T03:53:00.001-07:00

The River's Waters are ALIVE so sink or swim.... I'm Diving IN!
Just a few pics from our semi-annual trip south to Hunt, Texas and the Guadalupe River.

Why Tom is One of the Best Things That Ever Happened to Me

2010-08-17T06:40:00.000-07:00

I have been reading through some of my old diaries and journals lately. I kept a pretty accurate record of my life for at least ten of my formative years. Peeking back into those curly cursived pages, I realized something: I haven't really changed that much.

My emotions threatened to drown me then; there is always some kind of flood stage in my life now. Warning: Rising Water. It's not something I can or ever could control. My mom always told me I was making a mountain out of a molehill. And I'm sure I was. But that didn't change the physical pain that came with the cascade of feelings. Believe me, if I could change it I would. It's UNPLEASANT.

In one of my journals, I copied down this quote by Cynthia Swindoll: "Depression... black as a thousand midnights in a cypress swamp. Lonliness that is indescribable. Confusion regarding God. Frustration with life and circumstances. The feeling that you have been abandoned, that you are worthless. Unlovable. The pain is excruciating."

Does this sound Ultra-dramatic? Yep? Hurtful to everyone who loves me? I'm sorry. But those are the things that the devil regularly plants in my mind. And it is a bloody war to fight them off.

Does this weakness make me less of a Christian, feeble as a woman, and miniscule as a mother? In the end, I don't believe so. It gives me a chance to live out "In my weakness, HE is strong." It gives me an element of life that God definitely wanted me to experience.

I think of David, a man after God's own heart, who cried out in desperation while seeking God. His emotioned rocked his world. Thank God I didn't marry a David.

I married a Tom who is about as cool as a fresh drink beachside in Costa Rica. He doesn't get me. Thank God. There are honestly times he has no idea what I'm talking about. But he loves me. And he is the best thing that could have ever happened to me. Because of him, I've had 14 1/2 years of emotional stability.

I thought it was just that I had matured. Grown out of my feelings. But ever so often (see here and here) when they come roaring back, I realize that those monsters are still there, held at bay by God of course, and a marriage to a man who is strong and loyal and at times braindead. haha. Just the polar opposite of me. Which is just what I need.

Faith Thoughts Found

2010-08-15T20:57:00.000-07:00

Looking back through one of the many, old, spiral notebooks I poured my thoughts into from 6th grade through college, I found a page with these sayings. Some of them have stuck by my side through the years. I put those in bold. The rest are no less meaningful. They still gave me some straight talk that I really needed to hear. I hope you enjoy them.

Faith is remembering I am God's priceless treasure when i feel utterly worthless.

When I try I fail, when I trust I succeed.

Never put a ? where God puts a .

Faith isn't faith until it's all you're holding on to.

Seek God's face, not His hands.

Nothing is or can be accidental with God.

God's answers are wiser than our prayers.

You are either leaving your mark on the world, or it is leaving it's mark on you.

Stay humble or stumble.

Our lives are never more secure than when they are abandoned to God.

Can you take it? Hammering hardens steel, but crumbles putty.

Don't plan then pray; pray then plan.

There are times when God asks nothing of His children but silence, patience and tears.

Peace of mind depends on strength of mind.

Some people talk more about their problems than praying for them.

It may be difficult to wait on the Lord, but it's worse to wish you had.

Dissappointments are all HIS appointments, so put HIM between you and your circumstances.

One of the devil's temptations is to occupy the mind with the past and future so as to neglect eh present.

No one is so empty as when he is filled with thoughts of himslef.

We die by living to ourselves. We live by dying to ourselves.

Nothing shows more accurately what we are than the way we meet trials and difficulties.

Uh-Oh Hawk

2010-08-03T19:41:00.000-07:00

You've heard of a mowhawk.

You've heard of a faux hawk.

but have you ever heard of an uh-oh hawk?

That is when mommy asks daddy to run baby boy by and get a quick haircut today please.

When mommy sees baby boy....

UH OH!!!!!

The Story of Wilson (or at least part of it)

2010-07-31T17:14:00.000-07:00

God knows exactly what we need when we need it, doesn't he?

A little dog Wilson came to our family at the perfect time. He is a miniature picture of God's love and blessing and faithfulness to our family.

Let me tell you why.

For awhile now (years), Tom and I have been praying about moving. We love our house, we really do, but just wish for more space and a few things to be rearranged. A bathroom for the girls and one for the boy. A master bedroom on the bottom floor instead of 5 feet from the kids' rooms. A playroom for the neverending lego creations that are scattered all over our front room! It's been a prayer and just that. We have never really found a house we liked enough to move and the doors have never really opened for us.

However, a few weeks back, we walked into a house for sale and that feeling of HOME rang through my bones. Before I even saw the upstairs (which was PERFECT!) I knew I loved it. It was exactly what we were looking for, oversized garage to boot.

I haven't been that excited in a long time. I could already see us living there. Should I say I got my hopes up too high? Probably, but it seemed that God had helped us find the desire of our heart. It was perfect. It was also in a neighborhood with bucoos of friends; that was a major bonus.

But as soon as the door opened, it closed again BAM. Ugh. It seems we went through this last summer too! Major frustration and D.I.S.S.A.P.P.O.I.N.T.M.E.N.T.

Now the dog part....

Lately, I have been praying a specific prayer that God would help us find a dog perfect for our family. It's hard to pick out a dog, ya know? But during the time I faced the fact that we would not be living in the house of my dreams, God pretty much delivered him to our doorstep. The dog of our dreams.

Our friends the Wilsons had next door neighbors who breed Boston Terriers. They were moving and had sold all but one puppy. No one wanted him because he has a hernia. Really, no one wanted him because he was meant for us. We wanted a dog that doesn't shed. Check. One that isn't too big or small. Check. One that is intelligent. Well, that remains to be seen. One that is friendly. CHECK. He is friendly to people and other animals. He is sweet, funny, polite and chews on things like crazy.

But we know, just KNOW he is meant to be part of our family.

Now a puppy is not a house. However, with this warm, gorgeous, furry and full of kisses little dog, God's timing said to me, "Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." `

Let's TRI

2010-07-30T21:15:00.000-07:00

The 13th Annual Kids' Triathalon was held yesterday. I noticed that I sometimes tri to make up for my childhood weaknesses (in this case lack of athleticism) by getting my kids involved in things that might have been difficult for me. There's got to be something Freudian about that. So despite the fact that I am completely wacking out my children, I am proud to say that they participated in the event along with the Streeter kids and cousin Hallie.

Here are number 68, 69 and 71 (niece Hallie was 70).

We learned a lot about how triathalons work including an education on "transition areas." This is Luke's square.

First, the kids lined up at the pool. The cool thing about this triathalon is that they started the kids at 10 second intervals instead of all at the same time.

He woke up crying fat tears this morning: "I don't WANT to do a triathalon," (see I AM mentally messing with my kids), however, he was so excited to jump into the water at race time!

Hallie and Ellie during the biking portion of the race.

Luke headed to the finish line!
They all crossed the finish line! Woo Hoo! You will be glad to know that I was rational enough to allow them to participate in the SHORT course instead of the LONG course, and that the SHORT course was truly that - SHORT. 25m swim, 1/2 mile bike ride, 1/4 mile run. Maybe the damage is minimal!

They were all smiles after the race and Ellie said with satisfaction, "THAT FELT GREAT!" I smile because of all three of our kids, she is most like me. Her weakness is probably athletic ability. Hmmmm. Maybe I AM doing something right after all.

Everybody who finished got a medal on stage. They didn't even hand out 1st, 2nd and 3rd places. How's that for increasing everyone's self esteem?

My proudest moment though? After Luke finished, he spotted a little girl walking by herself through the running portion of the triathalon. He sprinted over to her and encouraged her, "You can do it! Let's run!" Luke crossed the finish line for a second time, this time with the little girl by his side. That was cool. And it made me feel a little better about my parenting abilities. ;-)

Doggone EXCITED!!!

2010-07-25T10:30:00.000-07:00

The story will come later, but for now you MUST know that a dog came to us....
(this is the the moment that Ellie realized he was ours).
He is a Boston Terrier and his name is Wilson!

Long Time, No See

2010-07-24T21:57:00.000-07:00

Three years ago our friends the Williams left us to move to Tallahassee, Florida to be on staff at Florida State. Remember? We never thought it would be the same again.

And well, it hasn't been.

With them to Florida they took this cooky spirit of uproarious laughter. I have laughed so hard around them I snorted and spit.

They took the surprising comfort of being able to talk about ANYTHING and I do mean anything. I have discussed things with Nicole that I may not have ever done so with any other human being.

I feel like I've known her since kindergarten.

So when she flew her little hiney back here to Oklahoma, I can't tell you how right it was to see her.

And laugh and talk and reintroduce our kids. The girls enjoyed hanging and talking about cell phones and music. Jourdan looked like she'd grown 2 feet. And I'm pretty sure she did.

The boys, who were only 4 when they last saw each other, picked up like they were best buds who lived next door to each other. Oh, how I wish they did! Next time, Nicole, if you are reading this, please come back sooner. Don't wait 3 years! Or I will blog about some of those crazy things we talk about and blame it all on you. Don't forget reading U.S. I'm not afraid to tell it to the world!

Where Boys Become Men....

2010-07-22T21:27:00.000-07:00

...at Jenks Mighty Mite Football Combine, 2010.
150 boys ages 6,7, and 8, 10 different drills, 2 nights of workouts, two dozen coaches with clipboards, wondering.... who is the best fit for my team?

Helmets, Pads, Mouthpieces, Whistles blowing, Coaches Yelling, Encouraging, "Daylight's Burning!" Throwing, Catching, Tackling, Taking the Hit. Down, Set, Hut!

Reveling in pure testosterone!

1 football draft....

which team will Luke be on? Black, Silver, Nickel, Gold, Titanium? No, BRONZE!!!

Lego Love

2010-07-21T21:24:00.000-07:00

Our last stop in on our OKC trip was the first stop that Luke wanted to make, (I know this because he asked me about 2 million times when we were going to the Lego store) but we had to wait to the very end to go there! (and unfortunately by that time the little dude had lost his shopping priveleges. - this had something to do with karate chopping bottles on glass shelves while at POPs)

The Lego Store in Penn Square Mall was stop #4. Needless to say, Luke was in lego-heaven. What was cool was how much all the girls in the group dug the Lego Store too. Nana ended up with quite a haul in Christmas presents. (She buys early. Lest you think that July is early, please understand she starts in January.) (and Luke got the much-anticipated Space Shuttle, hopefully he'll forget about it by Christmas.) (highly doubtful),

Let's just pray the Lego Store stays in OKC for now; it is too much of an obsession and/or temptation for our little Lego lover!

OKC Memorial

2010-07-19T19:59:00.000-07:00

I am ashamed to admit that I live an hour and 1/2 from the site of the Oklahoma City bombing and in the 15 years since the horrific event that claimed 168 lives, I have never visited the stunning memorial that was built. Stop #3 - OKC Memorial and Museum

This is the edge of the Survivor's Wall that we saw when we first arrived.

Bolded sections from Wikipedia:

Survivors' Wall: The only remaining original portions of the Murrah Building are the southeast corner, known as the Survivors' Wall, and a portion of the south wall. The Survivors' Wall includes several panels of granite salvaged from the Murrah Building itself, inscribed with the names of more than 800 survivors from the building and the surrounding area, many of whom were injured in the blast.

This is the truly beautiful reflective pool that was built in the center of the memorial site.

Reflecting Pool: A thin layer of water flowing over polished black granite, the Reflecting Pool runs east to west down the center of the Memorial (also see reflecting pool) on what was once Fifth Street. Visitors who see their reflection in the reflecting pool are supposed to see "a face of a person changed by domestic terrorism."

And here are 168 chairs for the 168 people who were killed.

Field of Empty Chairs: 168 empty chairs hand-crafted from glass, bronze, and stone represent those who lost their lives in the tragedy. A bombing victim's name is etched in the glass base of each chair. The chairs represent the empty chairs at the dinner tables of the victims' families. The chairs are arranged in nine rows symbolizing the nine floors of the building, and each person's chair is on the row (or the floor) on which the person worked or was visiting when the bomb went off. The chairs are also grouped according to the blast pattern, with the most chairs nearest the most heavily damaged portion of the building. The westernmost column of five chairs represents the five people who died but were not in the Murrah Building when the bomb went off (two in the Water Resources Board building, one in the Athenian Building, one outside near the building, and one rescuer). The 19 smaller chairs represent the children killed in the bombing. Three unborn children died along with their mothers, and they are listed on their mothers' chairs beneath their mothers' names.

The fence where people left mementos is still standing. New mementos have been added, but there is something powerful if yet strange about this fence.

The Memorial Fence: A ten foot tall (3.05 m) chain link fence was originally installed around the area that is now the Reflecting Pool and the Field of Empty Chairs to protect the site from damage and visitors from injury. The Fence stood for more than four years and became famous itself, with visitors leaving stuffed animals, poems, keychains, and other items there as tributes. During the construction of the Outdoor Memorial, 210 feet (64 m) of the Fence was moved to the west side of the Memorial, along the 9:03 side or the 'healing' side. The remainder of the Fence is in storage. Visitors may still leave small items along and in the Fence; the mementos are periodically collected, catalogued, and stored.

Children painted tiles for the entrance of the museum. This is one that spoke for me.

More than 5,000 hand-painted tiles, from all over the United States and Canada, were made by children and sent to Oklahoma City after the bombing in 1995. The tiles are now stored in the Memorial's Archives, and a sampling of those tiles is on the wall in the Children's Area, along with a series of chalkboards where children can draw and share their feelings. The Children's Area is north of the 9:03 gate, on the west side of the Museum

The entrance to the museum also has a chalkboard area where people can write their thoughts.

I think that's a cool idea. It did appear that the children might fry like eggs, but they sweated it out and each wrote a message.

Luke composed one all by himself: "You are in the hands of God."

Finally, the rememberance tree, a perfect ending to our visit.

The Survivor Tree: An American elm on the north side of the Memorial, this tree was the only shade tree in the parking lot across the street from the Murrah Building, and commuters came in to work early to get one of the shady parking spots provided by its branches. Photos of Oklahoma City taken around the time of statehood (1907) show this tree, meaning it is currently at least 103 years old. Despite its age, the tree was neglected and taken for granted prior to the blast. Heavily damaged by the bomb, the Tree ultimately survived after nearly being chopped down during the initial investigation, in order to recover evidence hanging in its branches and embedded in its bark.
The force of the blast ripped most of the branches from the Survivor Tree, glass and debris were embedded in its trunk and fire from the cars parked beneath it blackened what was left of the tree. Most thought the tree could not survive. However, almost a year after the bombing, family members, survivors and rescue workers gathered for a memorial ceremony under the tree noticed it was beginning to bloom again. The Survivor Tree now thrives, in no small part because the specifications for the Outdoor Memorial design included a mandate to feature and protect the Tree. One example of the dramatic measures taken to save the Tree: one of the roots that would have been cut by the wall surrounding the Tree was placed inside a large pipe, so it could reach the soil beyond the wall without being damaged. A second example is the decking around the Tree, which is raised several feet to make an underground crawlspace; workers enter through a secure hatchway and monitor the health of the Tree and maintain its very deep roots.
The inscription around the inside of the deck wall around the Survivor Tree reads:
The spirit of this city and this nation will not be defeated; our deeply rooted faith sustains us.
Hundreds of seeds from the Survivor Tree are planted annually and the resulting saplings are distributed each year on the anniversary of the bombing. Thousands of Survivor Trees are growing today in public and private places all over the United States; saplings were sent to Columbine High School after the massacre there, to New York City mayor Rudolph Giuliani after the September 11, 2001 attacks, the Virginia Tech massacre in 2007, and various other times.

Pops!

2010-07-17T18:43:00.000-07:00

Stop #2 on our trip to OKC....
Pops, near Edmond, Oklahoma

My friend Jessie introduced us to this in-the-middle-of-nowhere spot, so we wanted to introduce everyone else to the fun of Pop's!

Pops lives up to it's name by stocking over 500 different varieties of pop! Pick up an empty six pack box and fill it up with whatever tickles your tongue.
I felt like strangling Luke right before this picture was taken. Ok, not REALLY, but he was getting a kick out of pretending to knock down the thousands of bottles that line the shelves of the store. Yes, the bottles are glued down, but I don't think that small detail would stop him from ruining the display. Aargh!!

Once we got outside, the kids (my 3 plus 6 cousins) ran off some steam while we waited for dinner. The menu was pretty much what you'd expect at a truck stop, but yummy burgers and fries and onion rings, and of course, POP!

Looking at all the different kinds of pop was fun; Luke discovered a bottle of pop called Ramune' that has a marble in it. Not sure if he likes the taste of the pop or the marble. Ellie likes that kind and the classic Coke in a glass bottle. Me, of course, Pepsi, and Kami found a gourmet cream soda called "Hank's!"

At night, the 66 foot neon pop bottle glows for all to see, and this is another MUST see near Oklahoma City, Oklahoma!

Science in the Summer

2010-07-15T15:14:00.000-07:00

Oklahoma City is less than 2 hours away from home. So can you tell me why we have hardly ever been there? We may drive through once in awhile, but I have never taken my kiddos there for any kind of outing. Until now! We planned a short 26 hour stay in OKC, and had a lot of fun! I'm putting our four stops in four different posts....

Stop #1 - The Science Museum Oklahoma, formerly known as the Omniplex.

We spent about 4 hours there, and the kids loved it! It appealed to all age groups, from 3-12. They didn't get bored once. My only regret is that I didn't take enough pictures. I got most of the cheesy photo-ops, but was too absorbed in the scientific insights to snap many other pics!
The tickets were around $15.00 for adults and $12.00 for kids, but that was with a visit to their 3D Theatre Experience. The theatre was closed the day we were there, so we only paid $11.00 and $9.00. Not bad!
I was stationed at "The Peg Board" for a looooooong time though, because Luke could simply not get enough of it! He was fascinated with the pegs, the ramps, the funnels and getting a marble to run from the top of his contraption to the bottom. He loved it so much that it gave me an idea for redecorating his room..... hmmmmmm.
All in all, I would say the kids were in awe of the museum. We could spend another 4 hours there and still not be bored. We missed the Mad Science Experiment, the 3D Theatre and there were several rooms we didn't even experience.It's a MUST SEE if you are ever in the Oklahoma City Area!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-07-13T20:09:00.000-07:00