Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Random

I want to start with a quick Happy Birthday to David!
Enjoy that Mayonaise!
I have found if I just sit, I end up depressed pertty quickly.
So, I have been trying to stay busy.
I flung open the the fabric cabinet and came up with the cutest little twirl skirt!
Then, we went outside for a little playtime/ impromtu photography session.
Didn't her skirt turn out adorable!
I love it!
She really does not like to have her picture taken!
Unless you are playing Peek-A-Boo!
(complete with drool and all!)
See-Saw Swing!
This is the only one I got of him alone where he is not screaming, "NOOOOOOO PICTURESSSSSSS!"

Monday, March 30, 2009

In Remembrance

I hate writing this post.
My mind is still unable to wrap around all of it.
I just want to shut down for a week and wake up in a better mood, void of all concerns.

Saturday, they had to take Uncle Carl off of his venitlator.
It was not a decision made easily.
It was a decision they were able to involve him in and I think that gave all of them some peace.
He passed away a short time later.

He watched as his wife fought breast cancer.
And again when his oldest daughter fought Lymphoma.
A battle they both overcame.

He was thrilled when his youngest daughter graduated college.
And being quite aware of the independence she possesed was only able to mutter, "Good Luck" when his son in law asked for her hand in marriage.
He spent weeks worrying about tripping while walking her down the aisle.

Just this past year, he celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary with a trip to Hawaii.
It completed their goal of visiting 50 states in 50 years.

We have lost a truely great man.
And, I was fortunate enough to know and love him.

Friday, March 27, 2009

Away On Business

Dad had to go to the Carolinas for business last weekend.
Since it was spring break, the rest of my family decided to go with them.
I talked Adam into taking a half day Friday and we went too!

A great time was had by all (if you leave out the Crab Allergy!Thanks Mom and Adam!)

Caleb did a lot of this.
This was before we left.
I promise we put him in the back, in a carseat!
I am pretty sure I listened to Cars way more than any mother should have to!
Georgia Kate ate her way to and from.
We didn't do a whole lot in the Carolinas, but we stopped off on the way home and played in Pigeon Forge.
Get your mind out of the gutter!
It's an all wood go-kart track!
And Caleb loved it!
Adam made a couple of loops and each time Caleb sank lower into the seat until we couldn't see him anymore!
"I wanna drive!"
I'm pretty sure she likes him more than she likes me :(
Quick, lets run away from Mommy!
Just because we are cute!
Note to self! Do not cram all four of you into one train car!
Just for you, Mom!

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

A Welcome Distraction

Needing to get my mind off of worry, I sat down to sew.
I started on a purse, but it wasn't going right.
I got mad and went to bed only to realize that I had left a piece out of the pattern...
It got placed at the bottom of the pile of things to fix later.

Hoping to have something to finish yesterday, I raided my stash.
I pulled out a remanant I bought about a month ago and waited for inspiration to hit.
And it did!

The shirt I bought at the dollar store last year.
It had some stains on it so I added the applique stars to cover them.

The skirt is part of a pant leg from an old set of Adam's jeans with a ruffle layer added for length.

Update

Being off the ventilator didn't last long.
They put him back on yesterday morning.
Right now, they are doing all they can to get him comfortable and keep him that way.
The ventilator will come out sometime today and we are only expecting 2-3 days, at most.

How is it that kids know exactly how to make you smile when you need it the most?

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Trials in Motherhood

Yesterday was a rough day.
I was upset and distracted.
While I was fixing a snack, Caleb took the tongs out of the drawer and was picking up magnets for me.
I announced that snacks were ready and both kids came running.
Caleb dropped the tongs, which landed on the tip of my big toe.

Eyes closed tight, I screamed.
Not at Caleb.
Just a scream.
Out of pain.
Out of frustration.
Out of emotion.

When I opened my eyes I could see the look of absolute terror on Caleb's face.
His chin quivered.
His eyes watered.
He ran to his room.

I was heartbroken.
I didn't mean to upset him.

I limped down the hall to Caleb's room.
The door was closed and I could hear him sobbing.

I knocked on the door.
A tearful little boy opened it.
I scooped him up and hugged him tight.
I'm sorries were whispered and kisses were given.
Snuggles were soaked up and all was forgiven.

A Big Sigh of Relief

They took Daddy Carl off of the ventilator last night.
We were beyond thrilled when he was able to hold his oxygen stats at acceptable levels!
Mom went for a visit and told him about yesterday's blog.
He laughed again.
I laughed again.
We aren't out of the woods yet, but we are headed in the right direction!

Monday, March 23, 2009

Daddy Carl

This post should have been written a while ago.
I did't want to write it because it would be like admitting it were true.
And true is the last thing I wanted this to be.


In 1991, my Great Aunt, Great Uncle and their family moved to Tennessee.
My younger brother was still an infant and they had come to care for us while Mom and Dad were at work.


Soon, we were all closer than any of us ever imagined.


When Bryant started talking, he referred to them as Mama Grace and Daddy Carl and it is a name that has stuck through all of these years.
Daddy Carl, Mama Grace, Me and Nanny
My Grandparents picture at my wedding


One day, Daddy Carl and I were going somewhere.
The man on the radio was talking about Servicemen.
"You know I was in the military, don't you?" he said, pride obvious in his voice.
I looked at him, inquisitive (as any seven year old would have been) and asked,
"Were you in the Civil War?"
Then, he did something people rarely saw him do.
He laughed.
A big thunderous laugh.
A laugh that gave me the giggles.


Today, that laugh is echoing in my head.


Back in November, he was having some pain in his side.
The doctors told him he needed to have his gallbladder removed and scheduled him for surgery.
Fluid on his lungs prevented him from being able to go through with the surgery.
Later, tests of the fluid would show he had Lymphoma.
A battle both his wife and one of his daughters had fought and won.
Four months of fighting later, things aren't looking good.


Today, we are a broken hearted family.
Praying for the best, but preparing for the worst.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Brotherly Love

A few nights ago, we had a box.
Anyone that has children knows how intriguing a simple box can be.
It calls out to all children, "play with me, play with ME."

Caleb couldn't resist the urge.

He hid under the box and scared Daddy as he came home from work.
He sat on the box and jumped from it's sturdy structure.
He was fascinated.

Then, he made one wrong move.
The seemingly harmless box leapt from it's position and caught Caleb sqaure on the mouth.
With a busted lip, he crawled into my lap, angry at the box.
A quick look and a popsicle later, all was forgiven.

The next day, he again played with his new favorite toy.
He was even trying to pull Georgia Kate into the wonder that is the box.
I peeked in to enjoy the sweet moment taking place between my children.

"Kate, stand right here. Don't move."
She stood still as Caleb slid the box to her side.
He set it up in the same position that caused the bleeding lip the night before.
"You get a popsicle!"

I swept Georgia Kate away just Caleb made the box jump, barely avoiding a bloody mouthed little girl.
After a long talk, I proved that Popsicles can be eaten without injuries.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Happy Birthday, Girls!

Happy Birthday Bailey, Amber and Raylen!
I can't believe how much you have grown!
You are such beautiful little girls!
Bailey
Amber
Raylen
We Love You!
Unker Adam, Aunt Ashlee, Baby Caleb and Georgia Cake!

Monday, March 16, 2009

Chocolate Milk

Caleb got a hold of a sippy cup that sat out over night.
The cup had come from Papaw and I missed it on my dish round up yesterday.
I caught him rather quickly and took away the YooHoo filled cup.
I grabbed the milk out of the fridge and Caleb retrieved a new cup.
As I poured, he begged for chocolate.
Being 8 a.m., I decided that wasn't an option.
I twisted the lid back on the cup and handed it to the pouty little boy standing beside me.

"I wanna go back to Papaw's house."

Weekend Creation

It had been a couple of weeks since the kids got a break from Mom and Dad.
So, Saturday, I packed them up and shipped them off to Nannah and Papaws.
The afternoon was quite.
Adam got a nap.
I began work on a dress.
I could see it in my head.
But, I had nothing to go by.
No pattern.
No little girl to measure for an exact fit.
I really should write her measurements down.
She just grows so stinkin' fast!
Anyway, I knew what I wanted to make, I just wasn't sure how to make it.
I took some fabric bought on a last minute whim.
From Goodwill.
And I cut.
A few undecisive hours later, I was thrilled.
Adam picked out the embroidery color.
I told him if he picked a color, I would use it.
I have to admit, when he handed me the spool, I wasn't sure.
 I was really tempted to put it back and choose something else.
I am so glad I didn't!
I love the way it turned out!
Can you believe this was made from a 99 cent pillowcase?

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Why?

You know that nights that you might get two hours of sleep?
You know how the next day your head is pounding.
 The only thing that will take the edge off is sleep.
Only, you can't sleep because you have kiddos that make obscene demands.
I mean, really, they don't need food. 

So why is it on these days, that toys that have had dead batteries for six months suddenly jump to life?
They sing their little hearts out.
All of them.
At the same time.


It is a conspiracy.


Is it nap time yet?

* I assure you my children have been fed. Both breakfast and lunch. My carpet proves it. *

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Crafty Caleb- Part 3

I went shopping with my Mom, so I armed Adam with my camera.
Every Man's dream
This month, they made a race track.
Some where in the middle, Caleb got a hold of my camera.
He captured a wonderful momento for the family beside him
Mmmmm. Oreo's make a wonderful after work snack
For other Crafty Caleb's click Here and Here

Monday, March 9, 2009

Spring, Sweet Spring

We are very much spring/summer people.
Winters just about kill us.
And today, Spring was in the air!
James, Angie and Gracie came to see us!
We played on the four wheeler.
First, Adam went...
Without Caleb
He looked up at me and said, "Mommy, I sad."
The next pass, Adam picked up his sad little boy.
And he was a happy little boy again.
We played with chalk
Caleb drew a bicycle
Georgia Kate picked up all of his chalk and put it back in the box
Caleb's big feet
Then, we had grilled hamburgers and hot dogs!
Yum! They were delicious!
Georgia Kate was exhausted.
She fell asleep in her high chair.
I am looking forward to many more days like this:)

Friday, March 6, 2009

I Wanna Be a Cowboy, Baby!

We played cowboys yesterday, after we finished cleaning up Caleb's room.
The kids had a blast!
I have had these cowboy hats since Caleb was about 6 months old and they really hadn't ever played with them before. Now, I can't talk them into taking them off!
Notice Caleb's still has the tag :)
He loved to pull the reins like he was walking the horse!
He also loved wearing Georgia Kate's hat.
Thus, the lace around the brim...