Friday Night Football

Tonight we went to the big game. It seemed like the entire town was there. Even though the Pups lost, we had a great time.

CONVERSATION #1: (The loudest man in the stadium sat directly behind us. He had lots of opinions and wasn't afraid to SCREAM them out to the team.)

Abe: That man is really loud. He scares me.
Me: It's OK. He is just really excited about the game.
Abe: Doesn't he know it's rude to yell like that at a game?
Me: You would think so.
Abe: I am so glad I am not that man's kid!

CONVERSATION #2:

Abe: Will I have to wear all those pads when I play flag football?
Me: I'm not sure. I don't think so. Ask your dad.
Abe: I don't even know how to throw a football.
Me: It's OK. Your dad will practice with you.
Abe: Dad doesn't know anything about football. I will go to Uncle Chad's and have him and Uncle Tal teach me. (This is because my brothers are ALWAYS tossing a football when we get together for BBQ's & Birthdays)

CONVERSATION #3: (Right before half time)
Abe: I am dying of thirst and have to go the bathroom really bad.
Me: Don't you want to wait until after the marching band? They are playing the theme from Batman. (He LOVES Batman)
Abe: All I really care about are the Hi-Steppers!

A work in progress....10 things I'm working on (or should be!)

1. How to be the parent of a grown up. It's hard to let go. It's like letting go of a piece of my heart. The piece I wanted to keep forever and ever. The piece that has been there for 21 years and is covered in scar tissue. It may even be stuck.

2. To be more generous with my time. It's OK if something "is not my thing." That should no longer be an excuse.

3. How to be a better friend. I've been leaning on mine for weeks. I'm sure they have cramps from holding me upright.

4. To be more hospitable. I really want to start having people over. I know I have been saying this since I got the Mennonite table 5 years ago, but this time I really mean it.

5. To be more compassionate. Not condemning. Not judging.

6. To know before 5:00 what's for dinner. I'm actually doing better this week.

7. Living in the moment. Not yesterday or the day before. Or even the day before that. Or that Tuesday in June of 1989...(you can just call me Grandma Ratzlaff)

8. To appreciate each of my children for who they are and not who I think they should be or by the choices they make. They may come home pierced in a strange spot or tattooed (or married) and it's OK. This is getting easier for me. Amazing what God can do if I let Him!

9. To not give unsolicited advice. This is hard because I seem to know everything and I really just want to spare my kids from making stupid mistakes. If only they would ask me (and then listen to what I have to say!) I could take this off my list.

10. Stop obsessing over miles per gallon. I'm currently high bidder on an oil well in Iraq. Gotta love E-Bay!

Nice Doggie.....

I used to be scared of dogs. When I would walk with my sister-in-law and there would be a stray dog I would jump up on her and she would piggy back me until all the danger of loose dog was over. (I'm kidding - but I did grab her and hide behind her back-she was my shield). One evening, we were approached by a little yappy dog. I hid behind her with my eyes tightly closed and waited for her reassuring words that all was clear. That the bad dog was gone.

This is what I heard: THAT DOG JUST BIT ME!

I know that she was the one who endured all the pain and suffering of that dog bite (she did get an insurance settlement, too) but since that time I am TERRIFIED of loose dogs.

Last night, around 9:00, Annie and I headed out on our walk.

On our route there is a very long block which is pretty creepy. The sidewalk jaunts over and there are so many trees that the streetlight doesn't quite reach the sidewalk. Because of these trees, the sunlight doesn't reach the sidewalk, either. It is always damp and muddy and very dark. The trees are not friendly trees. They are not cozy, pretty shade trees. They are dark, overgrown, cranky trees. Nobody mows, either. It reminds me of H.R. Pufnstuf.

It was here that two loud barking dogs came out of nowhere.

Annie and I were scared to death. We froze. I could feel their breath on my ankles. The dogs were literally on our heels. Annie kept saying over and over that one of them was a pit bull. I was too terrified to look. Time stood still. We tried to decided what to do. I had visions of our legs being totally mutilated. Years of plastic surgery. Never wearing shorts or skirts again. Pain. Scars.

I felt that my only choice was to go to the closest house and plead for help. It was typical of the other houses on the block. Dark and dreary. There was no porch light on. Once I made it to the front door I wondered if anybody even lived there. Miraculously, the dogs did not follow me up on the porch. They stood at the bottom of the steps. Barking ferociously.

I started ringing the doorbell as if our life depended on it. In fact, I think I rang it about 25 times! I was wondering why I was so persistent because I doubted anybody was in there.

Suddenly, the door opened. A very unkempt, unhappy man, wearing only shorts, was staring at me. I apologized for bothering him and said I hoped I did not wake him up. He said I did not wake him but he had a lot of kids and I woke at least 1/2 of them up. I imagined a room with rows of baby beds (like a third world orphanage) and all the babies crying. How many kids could he possible have? He looked like he was barely out of highschool.

I told him we did not know what to do about the crazy dogs who we thought were going to attack us. Could he help us, please?

This is what he said, "Why don't you shoot them?"

This really wasn't the help I was looking for. I was now second guessing my judgement to pick this house for help.

The dogs had stopped barking and were running towards a couple who were walking down the street. They started petting the dogs and calling one of them "Baby." I asked the couple if the dogs belonged to them. I told them that we thought they were going to attack us. The lady told us they were her brothers dogs and he probably didn't even know they were out. She said she would take them home.

I apologized to the man on the porch for waking up his litter of children and we headed home. We were safe!!

2 Points

When the kids were small we decided that we would try different activities to see what they enjoyed. Through the years we have spent many hours involved in soccer, basketball, track, tumbling, swimming lessons, swim team, baseball, gymnastics, karate, cheerleading, violin, drums, trumpet. Not to mention piano. Both girls took lots of piano lessons and Annie took lessons for 10 years. 7 years from a Professor (who also has a doctorate) at the college. This cost lots of money but I kept telling myself it was an investment. I'm not sure an investment in what but it made myself feel better when I was paying a ridiculous amount of money each week.

Yesterday afternoon I was reading in the living room when my favorite teen-ager came in from school and sat down to talk to me.

Daughter: Mom, why didn't you make do something in highschool? All of my friends are involved in something. (note: she is involved in AP Art and is a yearbook editor but unless it involves some sort of BALL it is a meaningless activity in this town)

Me: You've tried lots of sports. You didn't like anything.

Daughter: I could have been a cheerleader.

Me: You were a cheerleader in middleschool. I encouraged you to try out in highschool. You did not want to, remember?

Daughter: You should have made me.

Me: I can't make you do anything like that. Did you want to me to force you to do something you didn't want to do?

Daughter: Yes. You should have forced me.

Me: Ok. We'll start today. I want you to start back up and play the keyboard again in the praise band at church. I was disappointed when you quit. You have all those years of piano and you are really good at it.

Daughter: That is different!! I don't want to do that.

Me: You are not allowed to come back to me in a couple of years and ask why I didn't force you stay in the praise band.

MOM - 2 POINTS

Later, we went to sign Abe up for Flag Football. (I guess I can add that to my list above). Heaven forbid he is asking me at the age of 17 why I didn't make him play football.

This is the conversation we had in the SUV:

Daughter: By the time your kids are teen-agers parenting is really easy. Isn't it? All the hard stuff is over.

Me (after I take out two cars, a light pole and a tree) : What did you just say?

Daughter: At least I have been an easy teen-ager. You have to admit, I'm pretty good.

ANNIE - 2 POINTS

Wedding Photo's

Pickled Beets

This morning, after coffee, I visited our local Farmers Market. I had one thing on my mind. Flowers. I was not disappointed. I picked up this lovely bouquet of home grown flowers for $3.00!

I walked past the tomatoes and cucumbers (I have tons of those in my own garden) and was on my way out the door when something deep purple caught my eye. Something very familiar. Something I had completely forgot about. Pickled Beets! In a mason jar! Suddenly, all sorts of memories flooded my mind. The smell and feel of my grandma's cellar. Her fresh dill pickles, her sausage and her, oh so yummy, Pickled Beets. After paying the lady for my treasure I headed home.

It's funny how at such unexpected times the littlest thing can trigger memories of days gone by. Special times. Special people. Times are different today. The people in my life are different.

I can't wait until dinner tonight. I will introduce Abe to Pickled Beets (I can see the look on his face now) and share my stories of when I was a little girl and all of the gardening and canning my family enjoyed, thanks to Grandma. I will tell him, again, of my Grandma's love and what she means to me. I continue to be blessed, even now, after she has been in Heaven for many years. If it wasn't for that special lady I would have walked right by those Pickled Beets and would have missed out on all the sweetness I was reminded of today.

Friday's 10

10 things I am looking forward to!
(no particular order)

1. Corn Candy & Peanuts - Fall is just around the corner
2. Coffee on Saturday morning - we have missed a couple of weeks
3. Church on Sunday - I need it.
4. Going to the library with Abe - we both love it there
5. My evening walk - I always feel so much better
6. Sunday afternoon nap - I am exausted
7. Labor Day Weekend - next weekend is a 3 day weekend!
8. A phone call from Abby - I love chatting with her on the phone
9. Date night with Randy - I need to plan this ASAP - I haven't seen him all summer!
10. Coffee with Annie - Anytime spent with her is priceless
    

Where is that key????

My Chicago bound family had originally anticipated leaving town Tuesday around 1:00 in the afternoon. There weren't enough hours in the day so moving day was pushed back to Wednesday - same time. Well, it proved to be a typical moving day. Many trips to the dump. Clean old house. Look for more empty moving boxes. 1:00 came and went. Great for me because I got to go by and get more hugs and kisses (and carry a few more boxes to the car.)

If you remember from earlier posts, my darling first born child (the newlywed-the same one moving back to Chicago) has no concept of time and misplaces things. Not a good combo when moving 12 hours from home.

I got the call a little after 4:00. They seemed to have LOST the key to the big yellow moving truck. Not sure when. Not sure where. If they knew it wouldn't be lost! Duh!

The big yellow truck is loaded. The little car is loaded. Lots of boxes all taped up really well with packing tape are stacked in the truck. The house is empty. There have been many trips to the dump and the key to the the big yellow moving truck is missing.

Do you remember my earlier post about little sister and her keys? Well, this is big sister we are talking about now. Bless her Heart! Of course, it could be her new husband who has misplaced the key. He was in charge of it. Could it be possible my daughter would marry a man just like her? Does he "misplace" things, too? It appears so. I have already told Miss Stella she may have to be in charge of keys and cell phones and social security cards and birth certificates. Anything of any importance should be in her possession.

After searching and not finding the yellow keychain, they did the smart thing and called the moving company. I am very proud of them. They made a great decision there. They could still be looking for that key! They both start class on Monday. They did need to get a move on it. The truck rental company made a spare key and delivered it to the newlyweds at their door step.

I think they got the heck out of Dodge around 8:00 pm.

Who am I?

Here are some of the names I answer to on any given day:

• Mom - Each of my children call me this


• Mommy- Abe still calls me this occasionally


• Sparky - Randy calls me this


• Stephanie - This is what my boss calls me when he is having a bad day.
  
• Steph - All of my close friends and family call me this


• Stephie - Anyone from my childhood calls me this (all Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, etc.)


• Aunt Stephie- All of my nieces and nephews call me this (even on Randy's side)

We have been wondering what Miss Stella will call each of us.

Abe does not want to be Uncle Abraham. Just Abe, please.

Aunt Annie. Perfect. I adore this. I think it is very endearing.

Randy hopes to be Papaw. That is what he called his Grandpa. Randy says the best part of this family "development" has been that he is an instant Grandpa. He wanted us to have a dozen or more kids. I guess we should have discussed how many children we wanted before marriage. In my opinion, 2 + 1 has been perfect. (I know that we actually have 3 kids but it really is like 2 and 1, weird, I know) Now that Stella has been added to the family he is 1 closer to his dozen and I am now at 2 and 2.

The day of the wedding Great Aunt Sarah was determined to figure out what I was going to be named. She had several suggestions for Stella to choose from. Grandma, Nana, Mimi (this cracks me up). All of this got me to thinking about embroidered sweatshirts and coffee mugs that are sure to be in my future. "I Love Mimi " or maybe "Mimi's Angel". I may also want a front door mat or a barnwood sign hanging outside my front door. "Welcome to Mimi and Papaw's House" or "Papaw and Mimi live here". I may request a gold scroll necklace that says "MIMI" It is really kind of growing on me.

I was holding Stella's hand and we were heading to walk down the isle at the wedding. It was really a Hallmark moment. It was literally seconds before I was going to be seated. She looked up at me with those huge brown eyes and she said "I decided what I'm going to call you." I could barely hear her above all the locust so I stopped and bent down to get closer to her so I could hear exactly what she was going to say. It was just like Christmas Morning. I could hardly wait. What would it be? Mimi? Nana? Nannie? Just Grandma? Whatever she decided it would set the precedent for all future little babies (not for many years, though) we would be welcoming into our family. I wanted it to be a great name. Something I could find on an embroidered sweatshirt.

Out of her precious little mouth came two words:

"AUNT STEPHIE"

Another School Year

Yesterday we started our first full week of the new school year. I was dreading it and guess what? It was a good day. Abe and I walked to school in the morning and he walked home in the afternoon. Annie surprised me by visiting me at work over her lunch hour. I enjoyed hearing about her morning and all of her classes. After school the four of us celebrated the first day of her senior year by going out for coffee (granita's & iced tea) at our favorite coffee shop.
After all the craziness of the summer it feels good to settle down into a routine. I did not even realize how much our family needed routine. The year will fly by, as it always does. There will be a crisis or two. We will get tired. We will get cranky. But for today, we are all on the same page as we start this next chapter in our life.

Sisters

When I was 7 I was going to have a baby sister. Her name was Carrie Dyan. This is what my mom told me. When she went to the hospital to have the baby, my little brother and I stayed with my grandparent's. I could hardly wait for my dad to come and share the good news with us. Would she look like me? When my dad finally came I was in for the surprise of my life! The new baby had a different name. Chad. My 4 year old brother cried because he DID NOT want a baby brother and I cried because I wanted a baby sister! It didn't take long to fall in love with that little boy and I wouldn't trade either of my brothers for all of the sisters in the world! My prayers were eventually answered. I don't have a sister (great mom and sisters-in-law, though) but my daughters each have a sister of their very own.

I cannot believe these girls have the same set of parents. One of them could have moved away and been on her own in kindergarten (not kidding!) The other will have a difficult transition at the age of 18! One of them loves to shop (too much) the other does not like it at all! One of them is a very picky eater, the other will eat anything(especially bread). One of them has very bad allergies, the other has none. (sorry, Abs). One likes scary movies, one hates them. One of the sisters didn't miss a day of school until 3rd grade (this was traumatic. we almost needed therapy - perfect attendance broken because of stomach flu) the other sister, well, I picked her up early almost weekly because she was "sick" and in the nurses office. One of them is neat and tidy, the other messy. One is short the other one taller. (along with this comes bigger feet, too). One of them is a debater the other a very creative thinker.

They do have some things in common, as well. They like the same TV shows. They both adore their little brother. They both are strong in their faith. They share clothes. They like caramel popcorn. They enjoy going out for coffee and hanging out with their friends. Big Sister drove 12 hours to be at her little sisters Junior Prom this past Spring.

I will be the first to admit that one of the hardest jobs in the world is raising girls. There were many days I thought I was in way over my head (OK. I still feel this way). I am not qualified for this most important job of being a mom. What I do know is that this set of Sisters has been a gift to me from God and it has been a privilege to share in this special relationship with them both.

Two Words

The Wedding can be summed up in two words. Here they are:

• I'm Hungry!
• I'm Thirsty!
• I'm Hot!!!!!!! (most repeated)
• I'm Tired.
• Where's Abby?
• Where's Jeff?
• You're Kidding?!
• Help Me!
• More, please.
• I'll help.
• I'm broke.
• IT BROKE!
• Thank you.
• You're Welcome.
• You decide.
• I'm happy.
• I'm sad.
• I'm fine.
• It's OK.
• No Way!!
• Stupid Corsage.
• Don't cry.
• You're beautiful.
• Daddy's girl.
• Let's Pray.
• Aunt Stephie (more on this later)
• Locked out.
• Love you.
• Me, too.
• I do.
• Just Married.
• Mrs. Jones
• Have fun.
• Good-Bye.
• Clean up.
• Wake up!
• Good-Night.
• Wedding Planner (Live and Learn)
  
  
  
  

10

Here is a list of 10 things that I have experienced this past week.

• First Day of Second Grade. Brother Bear was late walking home from school because he had to go and visit his first grade teacher. He is going to do this every single day, he told us.

• Enjoyed an adult only breakfast out with my girls and husband. Lots of Coffee. Lots of memories.
• I have a senior in High school! This would be tramatic. This would normally be cause for great distress in my life. God is taking care of this for me. Too busy to worry about it.
• Wedding Rehearsal. Only a couple of little issues. #1. We did have tears with Miss Flower Girl. She refused to hold his hand OR even walk down the isle beside Mr. Ring Bearer. She does not like boys and he is a boy! #2. Father of the Bride could not even rehearse replying to Pastor's question "who gives this woman to this man?" Not only could Father of the Bride NOT talk, he requested that the question not even be mentioned during rehearsal. Will the wedding go on if the the Father of the Bride is emotionally unable to give her away? It is Daddy's little girl getting married......(I am prepared to take over. I have been practicing my manly voice and will say "Her mother and me", in my really low voice, if I need too)
  

• Had to re-order Randy's tux. He looked like a mafia hit man in his jacket. It came down to his knees! It was a size 54! If by some chance he has to wear that big jacket (which makes him look like a midget) I will be laughing hysterically and won't be able to be his "manly voice over" for the important question. The wedding may actually be null and void. Poor Bride. Daddy crying. Mom laughing. Some things never change.
• Had a surprise late-night visit from our neighbors , bringing homemade peach cobbler and ice cream to our doorstep.
• Hosted Rehearsal dinner. Loved every minute of it. Great food and fellowship.
• Have decided that August is my least favorite month. I hate school and I hate hot weather.
• Test drove a vehicle that gets 30 MPH. In town! I may actually have more money than month left after payday!
• Remembered (again & again) not to take for granted that I have the best family and friends of anybody in the whole wide world! Their love and support have carried me through the past thirty days.

The Last Supper

Tonight we will have our last meal as a "family". Abby has already requested Poppy Seed Chicken without the Poppy Seeds (typical Abby - she can never just eat something without it being tweaked one way or another). I feel like it is The Last Supper. It makes me very sad. When Abby is away at college our dinner conversation is always the same. Abe prays that he wishes Abby could be eating with us. Then he tells us "It sure is quiet without Abby here. I really miss her". EVERY MEAL HE SAYS THIS! I am wondering if he will say that for the next 10 years of his life. Our next 3,650 suppers I will have to be reminded how quiet our dinner table is. How one of us is missing. Or will one day he just forget. Will we all forget our family of five? We don't know when she will be home next. Nothing on the calendar. No plane tickets bought. This is the real deal. Supper will be quiet. Nobody to complain about the food (she is the picky eater). Nobody to tell us long exaggerated stories about her day. I am holding on to the hope of meals to come. When Abby comes home and brings her family along. There will be more picky eaters to complain about the food. More people talking and telling their stories. I can hardly wait!

CAR TRUNKS & CAR KEYS

The last time that I took a trip with my dad I learned something about genetics. We were all loading into the car and he was hunched over digging in the trunk. I walked over to him to see what he was working on. He was organizing the trunk. "I like my car neat and organized," he told me. That is great. I can totally relate to that. No problem. I leaned over to get a closer look as to what was even inside the trunk. This is what I saw: 3 umbrella's and a backpack. Yep. That was all. 3 umbrella's and a backpack. Two umbrella's were mine as was the backpack. NOW I UNDERSTAND WHY I AM THE WAY I AM. I BLAME MY DAD! It certainly explains a lot about my borderline insane obsessive compulsive personality. I have had to let go of some of my perfectionism because of living with kids (Oh! and a husband). However, I am guessing when I am his age you may find me neatly organizing my umbrella's in my trunk, too. This personality trait completely skipped my first born but was passed along in double measure to my middle child. The two of us are also very organized. We rarely misplace our things (ie: keys, glasses, cell phone, badge to clock into work, etc...) We hate to be on the hunt for things that are important. There are 2 other members of our household who do not share the need for such order in their life. One of them being the big sister, who happens to be sharing the car with little sister this summer. The current object of little sisters obsession is her car keys. She has a new key chain, a gift from friends, and she loves those keys. So far this summer the keys have been lost, misplaced and locked in the car . Big sister does have her own set of keys but she is always relying on little sisters set because we always know where those are located. (On the hook by the backdoor, duh!) Last night little sis wanted to see and touch her keys. To look at her cute keychain. To be in control of them. Make sure they were not MIA. Big sis said, "they are hanging on the hook by the backdoor." She was very smug and proud of herself. After all, didn't I make sure there were lots of hooks and baskets right inside the back door so NOBODY should ever have to hunt for ANYTHING. Little Sis wants to verify this information with her own eyes. So big sis heads to back door to retrieve blankie (oops, I mean keys). We hear lots of noise. Purse being emptied, shoes being moved, bench being moved, back door being slammed.
Little Sis panics. She says she has 5 new zits at this very moment, all caused by stress. Her beloved keys are lost. I try and calm her. I am sure that big sister is not looking for the keys but simply getting something she needs out of the car. I stick my head out the door to try and assess the situation. Asking her what she is doing. Her reply "Looking for the keys! I know I had them earlier." All the while, I am trying to remember my CPR skills for baby sister. It's not looking pretty in our kitchen. Never Fear Mom is here: I remember Big Sister has a lot of stuff piled on the dining room table. Doesn't it make sense the keys would be with all of her books and stuff she carried in earlier? Of course it does. I find the keys. I give them to little Sister and tell her to go and share the news with her sister. The girls come in. Everyone is happy. Little sister has her keys. (will she ever let them go? I suspect that she sleeps with them under her pillow) Not 10 seconds later big sister is asking "Has anybody seen MY keys? The ones with my work key on them? I really need them before tomorrow!"

NEIGHBORS

Last night Randy took Abe for an evening swim down the street. We call the family across the street and a block South of us our neighbors. We have known them for as long as we have lived on Maple Street. While the boys were swimming I walked across the street to say "hi" to the newest neighbors. She is going to teach 5th grade at our school. She showed me her class list to see if I knew anybody. We talked about everything under the sun. An hour and a half later I finally had to make myself go home. It was after 10:00 pm! I am glad they moved to Maple Street from Mississippi! Yesterday, Abe and I walked to school to check Abe's class list (again) and we stopped by the "neighbors" on Walnut Street, which happens to be my baby brother! We sat on his porch steps and Abe played on the swing which hangs from a big tree in the front yard. I heard all about their most recent camping trip. Walking home from Uncle's house we stopped and visited with our neighbor who lives right next door who happens to be house sitting for our neighbor directly behind the alley from us. She was so kind to give Abe and I a house tour. Earlier in the day we had lunch with our neighbors from across the street (they live in the house right next door to our old house). We see these neighbors often. Each of my kids adore them (so do we!) After lunch, I supported MHS football by buying a football card from the 2 doors to the North neighbor's son. Caleb and Annie have been classmates since Kindergarden. We also will be celebrating with these neighbors, Saturday, when their oldest son gets married.
I love our neighborhood. It is right where we belong. I think we will stay.

Bed & Breakfast (and Lunch)

We had a very special overnight guest this weekend. A very sweet and adorable 5 year old. What makes her extra precious is that she is soon to be my "little girls" little girl.

If Daddy doesn't treat Brother Bear to the donut shop or Neighbor's Cafe on Saturday morning we make Pillsbury Orange Rolls. Not sure why or when this tradition ever started but today was an Orange Roll breakfast.

Abe and I were enjoying our rolls this morning when our special guest (and late sleeper) came down into the kitchen.

BREAKFAST CONVERSATION

Me: Good Morning! Would you like a roll for breakfast?

Stella (turning her nose up at our breakfast) My daddy makes me pop-tarts or pancakes.

Abe and I look at each other, worried, because we both know we have neither.

Me: We are out of pop-tarts and pancakes. How about some Honey Nut Cheerios?

Stella: No.

Abe: How about a bagel, Stella?

Me: We are out of bagels, also.

Abe: We have Oatmeal. Do you want Oatmeal, Stella?

Stella: No.

Abe: Peanut butter toast?

Stella: No. Pop Tart or Pancake, please.

Abe: Jelly toast?

Stella: No.

Abe: Toaster Strudel?

Me: Great idea, Abe!

Pretty much a fancy pop-tart. I dig through he freezer. Shoot. Out of Toaster Strudel but I found something else!

Me: Stella! We have rectangle pancakes (aka - French Toast Sticks) How does that sound?

Stella: Good.

We all enjoy breakfast together.

After the breakfast experience I decide to let our special visitor pick the lunch menu. Chicken Nuggets.

As I am cleaning up lunch.....

LUNCH CONVERSATION

Me: Abe! Guess what? We have one orange roll left. Would you like it for dessert?

Stella: I want it!

Abe: Stella, you don't like them. Remember breakfast?

Me: I will be more than happy to cut it in half for you both to share, but Stella, Abe is right. You told us you don't like orange rolls.

Stella: I was only joking. I do like them.

Abe (jaw dropped to the floor and his hands waving wildly in the air) STELLA! We worked so hard to find you something for breakfast. It would have been way easier if you would have just told us you liked Orange Rolls!

Needless to say, Abe and Stella both enjoyed their dessert!

WEDDING WEEK

My kindred spirit and I both have children getting married in the same week. She has come to my rescue more than once. My girls remember her making them homemade suckers for every single holiday when they were young. We never missed a trick or treat night at her house (even during the Halloween snow storm) and she always blessed our family with a Christmas basket. In fact, my kids love her as much as I do. We used the same babysitter for our small children and we would always race to see who could call Cari the quickest and reserve her for Saturday night. She is my "coffee drinking" friend. My "weather the storm" friend. We both have "cabooses" (Abe & Nick) We helped each other through toddler, elementary, middle school and high school growing pains. Now we are celebrating the marriage of our children! I am feeling really old about now.
It is the first wedding for both of us. Her wedding is tomorrow and mine is Friday. She is Mother of the Groom and I am Mother of the Bride. Since we get together weekly I have been in the know about her wedding for several months (if not longer). We have both known about my wedding for a month. Her wedding is outside at the park. My wedding is outside at my folks. I called her to check in and offer any support she may need. She told me she's doing great. HUH? How does that happen? I don't get it. No nerves? No worries? No stress? Is it because she is mother of the groom OR is it because she is my complete opposite personality? Laid back with a sunny disposition. Always smiling. (I just described her not me!) All I know is I admire her tremendously. I am taking my cue from her. I can't wait until tomorrow night when I get to celebrate with her and her family and when she calls me next week to see what I need I will say "COFFEE!!!"

WISHFUL THINKING

In the tradition of my friends (Jamie, Rhonda, and Joanna) who are experienced bloggers, I am going to do my very first ever Top 10 on Friday.

I am blessed beyond measure and it is not my intent to appear that I am not thankful for what I have been given. I am very thankful. That said - here is my very random wish list.

WISH LIST:

1. I wish Randy's mom was here to celebrate Abby's wedding with us. (cancer - where is the cure?)
2. I wish Randy's dad was not in the hospital. (Earthly body)
3. I wish it was the beginning of summer vacation instead of the end. (went way too fast)
4. I wish I could make a decision without changing my mind. (advice?)
5. I wish I wasn't a worrier. (prayer has helped me)
6. I wish I could write a check to pay for my children's education. (I could do this - can you say BOUNCE?)
7. I wish I had a pool in my backyard. (second mortgage?)
8. I wish I had went to college. (I am taking a class this semester)
9. I wish I was as tall as my tallest child. (5'5" - I would feel so tall!)
10. I wish all five of us had taken a 10 day trip to Hawaii this summer. (now Randy has to take ME for our 25th!)
    

SEVEN

With our summer vacation wrapping up I thought I would share some thoughts from the precious seven year old who we love so much. I have decided that 7 is my new favorite age.

• I love rollercoasters!! (first rollercoaster - Powderkeg @ Silver Dollar City)
• Why is everybody taller than me? (because your mom is short)
• Mom, is second grade really your favorite? (yes - because you are a second grader)
• Can I crack the eggs? (of course you can - everything tastes better when you help)
• Will the cousins be there? (I hope so. Do you know how blessed you are to have so many cousins to grow up with?)
• I don't want a big brother (in-law) I want a baby brother! (you ARE the baby brother)
• I don't want to be an Uncle (I know, honey, but you are the cutest uncle - ever!)
• Can I wear my new suit to church? (sure - they may ask you to help with communion or give the sermon)
• Can we go swimming? (this is when Dad takes Abe down the street to swim at the neighbors and I take a nap)
• Annie and I want a puppy. (You already have a grown up puppy. Her name is Chloe.)
• I don't get homesick because everybody that I stay with is my family. (Poor boy. He has been shuffled around way too much this summer)
• Grandma's church smelled really funny. They said a rug was wet and the smell was coming through the vents. (Are you sure it wasn't Papaw?)
  

8 HOURS

I can't remember the last time that I got 8 hours of sleep. I honestly think I am way more sleep deprived than I ever was with newborn babies in the house. Of course, it is totally self inflicted. For some strange reason we have never given our girls a curfew. I know, we need our heads examined. (Parenting is actually just a science experiment. We don't have it down to a science yet. We are making minor adjustments with the baby of the family.) Anyways, both girls have been blessed beyond measure with great friends and haven't gotten into too much trouble (or at least they haven't gotten caught) and we intentionally decided this was an area where boundaries were not needed. So now they can pretty much roam around town all night long! That is really not true. They can be found at a friend's house watching movies, drinking coffee (another reason their bodies can handle late nights), and just hanging out. Teen-agers and young adults are by nature night owls. My kiddos have also inherited their nocturnal state from their mother. Besides being a natural late niter, I am also blessed with not being able to actually fall asleep until everybody is home and tucked in safe and sound. This makes no sense to me because when Abby is in Chicago I never give her night life a second thought. When she is back home, however, my mommy obsessions kick in high gear.
After midnight. That is when the good stuff always happens. That is when our girl talk happens. During the day it is hard enough to have any conversation whatsoever. Brother Bear is always shooting us with a Nerf gun, dart gun, climbing the door jams and doing ninja moves on us. We love him dearly but he is crazy! So last night I got to enjoy my one on one with Big Sister (1:15 a.m.) and right after she went up to bed Baby Sister came home (2:10 a.m.) As I was crawling into bed at 2:45 a.m. I was counting my blessings. The short night was a very small price to pay for the time I had my girls each to myself.

TIME

Time. I have a love/hate relationship with time. I seem to find myself in a hurry or patiently waiting. I first became aware of this about 21 years ago. It all became painfully clear while we were anticipating the birth of our first child. I thought a due date was just that. The day our baby would be born. October 24th. It came and went. We soon turned our calendars to November. Patiently we waited. Well, Daddy was patient, I was not (this seems to be a common theme throughout our marriage). I was ready to meet our baby. Kiss her sweet little face, count her fingers and toes.
12:10 p.m. November 10, 1986, (15 days late) Miss Abby finally decided to grace us with her presence and she has been in her own time zone ever since.
Our little girl is now all grown up. She is getting married. She told us just a few short weeks ago. The wedding will be taking place before going back to school. Before summer's end.
It is now my prayer that time will show me some mercy. I want to enjoy every moment of the next 10 days with my oldest daughter before I say good-bye to a very sweet chapter of my life and watch a new chapter open in hers.