Tag!

Kristi tagged me on her blog, so here is the fun questionaire. I promise a real blog post is coming soon...

What were you doing 5 years ago?

1. Jesse and I were newly married.

2. Living in the Race Street Apartments.

3. Attending graduate school.

4. Taking Human Sexuality & Therapy and Psychopathology & Family Dysfunction.

5. Going off of birth control.

What are 5 things on your To-Do list today?



1. Prep dinner in the morning. (done)

2. Go to the chiropractor. (done)

3. Fold clean clothes. (not done)

4. Clean house (half done)

5. Obedience training with the girls. (half done)



What are 5 snacks you enjoy?



1. Stoneyfield Farms french vanilla yogurt made with whole milk

2. Homemade chocolate chip cookies

3. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches

4. Ice cream

5. Cold pizza

What are 5 things you'd do if you were a Billionaire?

1. Pay off all our debt

2. Buy a nice house in the country

3. Set up nice retirement accounts for my parents and inlaws.

4. Buy my husband his dream car

5. Set up trust funds for my children.



What are 5 of your bad habits?



1. too much time on the computer

2. not taking enough pictures

3. planning but never doing!

4. not picking up after myself

5. procrastination

What are 5 jobs that you've had?

1. Aramark catering

2. Cashier

3. Student Services office assistant

4. Pharmacy assistant

5. One-hour photo



Name 5 places where you have lived



1. Lubbock, TX

2. Benbrook, TX

3. Fort Worth, TX

4. Searcy, AR

5. Summerville, SC


People I want to tag

Oh, I don't care. Tag yourself. If you want to do the questionaire on your own blog, do it. It's fun. Now, off to fold clothes...

What's In a Name?

I copied this from my friend Kristy's blog. It was just too fun to pass up. Enjoy (I know I did)!

YOUR ROCK STAR NAME (first pet, most recent car):
Lucy Ion

YOUR GANGSTA NAME (fave ice cream flavor, favorite type of shoe):
Choco Cherry Chacos aka Triple C

YOUR NATIVE AMERICAN NAME (favorite color, favorite animal):
Sage Squirrel

YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME (middle name, city where you were born):
Colleen Lubbock

YOUR STAR WARS NAME (the first three letters of your last name, first two of your first name):
Moo Am

SUPERHERO NAME (2nd favorite color, favorite drink):
Purple Latte

NASCAR NAME (the first names of your grandfathers):
Leslie Paul

TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME (your fifth grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter):
Torres Tunica

CARTOON NAME (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now):
Canteloupe Capris

HIPPIE NAME (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree):
Weetabix Mimosa

Happy Father's Day!

In honor of Father's Day, here is a post just for my dad.

My first memory of my Dad:

We were living out in the country. I was a very small girl. Mom and I were walking through the house and I was holding her hand. She stopped and said, "Say hi to Daddy." Dad was sitting at his desk reading his Bible, probably preparing for to teach a Bible class. "Hi Daddy" I waved. He said hi to us and returned to his studies.

My most recent memory of my Dad:

Dad took me to the airport at the end of my last trip home. He obtained a vistor's pass so that he could take me to the gate. He held Elijah while I took care of the girls. Elijah spit up all over Dad's clothes. Yuck, especially since he was on his way to work!

Time I was madest at my Dad:

When I was in the second grade I got off the school bus and found Dad cutting down my favorite tree from the front yard. I was really upset. It was a mimosa tree. I loved that tree. In fact, I still love the smell of mimosa trees in full bloom. *sigh*

Funny memory of my Dad:

I was older (either a teen or in college) and Dad was sick with the flu or maybe allergies. The family was home together talking. Dad stopped us and said, "Let's all think of things we can do to make me feel better!"

Good memory of my Dad:

When I was little (5 0r 6) Dad would take us on adventure walks around Mary's Creek. It was scary uncharted territory. Very adventurous!

Great memory of my Dad:

I remember the first time Dad met Jesse. Jesse and I were friends but we were not dating. Jesse was helping me move out of the dorm. Dad and Jesse worked together loading up the van with all my stuff. When we were pulling out of Searcy, Dad said, "Now what was that kid's name?" "Jesse. His name is Jesse." Dad said, "Now, I like Jesse. Jesse is a fine young man." "Good," I answered, "because I'm going to date him." Dad answered back, "I think you should. Jesse, yes I like Jesse a lot." He really went on and on and Dad isn't one to speak his mind openly. I was pleased. Jesse and I were engaged just a few months later.

My proudest memory of my Dad:

Dad spoke at his father's funeral 17 months ago. My dad always been an excellent example of what it means to honor your father and mother. Listening to his talk at Grandad's funeral was the finest display of honor to a parent that I have ever witnessed.

Best family tradition (courtesy of my Dad):

CHRISTMAS EVE GIFT!

Bedtime Prayers

Bedtime is usually a stressful time for me. The kids don't seem to notice, but I am really tired by the end of day. Completing our bedtime routine is a real chore for me most nights. We go potty and brush teeth. We get nighttime pullups for the girls and a diaper for Elijah. Hannah and Elijah get pajamas. Katie refuses them. Everynight. We all go into the girls' room and read three books. We always read one Bible story, one educational story (counting, baby animals, etc.) and one Sandra Boynton book. If you are not familiar with Sandra Boynton, it is time to enter the world of entertaining children's books. She is great. Her books are funny every time and I've read many of her books hundreds of times.

After stories we turn out the lights. Jesse and I take turns saying prayers with the girls and then I sing a few (dozen) songs. Jesse usually says the prayers for each girl but I have been encouraging them to say the prayer themselves. A few months ago, Hannah took a real interest in saying her own prayers. She would mimic a bedtime prayer she learned from the cartoon: Boz the Bear. She would say, "Dear-a God, Thank you ends for Mommy, Daddy, Hannah, Katie, Elijah, and everybody else. Amen" I always remind her, "In Jesus name" She would then repeat, "In Jesus name, Amen." Very sweet. Her interest in the Bible and the Gospel are so encouraging. She loves the story of Jesus dying on the cross and often asks me where Jesus is. I remind her that he has gone to prepare a place for us called Heaven and when it is ready he will come and get us to take us there. In fact, she is a little upset that Brayden got to go to Heaven before the rest of us. She's not sad, she doesn't know to be sad. But she is disappointed that it's not her turn yet. Oh, to have the faith of a little child!!

So, since Hannah has been praying, I decided to encourage Katie to pray outloud. I tell her, "Pray with Mommy." I begin and she repeats after me."

Mommy: Dear God
Katie: Dear God
M: Thank you
K: Ank-ooh
M: for this day
K: day
M: Thank you
K: Ank-ooh
M: for Mommy
K: Mommy
M: for Daddy
K: Daddy
M: Hannah
K: Nanah
M: Katie
K: A-tie!
M: Elijah
K: Ji-jah
M: Thank you
K: Ank-ooh
M: for food
K: ood
M: and drinks
K: water?
M: In Jesus name I pray
K: AMEN!

Good job Katie. This went on for about a week. But Katie is a freespirit. So a few nights ago...

Mommy: Dear God
Katie: Dear God
Mommy: Thank you
Katie: Ank-ooh
M: for Daddy
K: bubbles
M: Mommy
K: bubbles
M: Hannah
K: bubbles
M: Katie
K: A-tie's bubbles?
M: Elijah
K: Ji-JAH!
M: Thank you
K: for bubbles
M: for our home
K: and bubbles
M: In Jesus name I pray
K: AMEN!!
M: Amen. Go to sleep Katie.

A Very Sad Day

This morning I went to the memorial service for this little boy, Brayden. He was the baby son of my friends Michelle and Jake. Michelle and I met when she and her family moved to Summerville one year ago. Michelle attended La Leche League in Summerville and my friend April provided child care for Brayden and his big brother Nathaniel. Brayden drowned on Friday evening in the family's above ground pool.

The memorial service was this morning at the Seacoast Church in Summerville. Several of my friends from La Leche League were there: Sue, Kelly (with her husband and baby Isabella), and Lois (with her baby Rhett). The speakers included the minister from the Seacoast church, Jake's best friend (who is a minister), and Michelle's brother Chuck. The service focused on Brayden's life and the hope we have in Christ. Even so, it was a terribly sad service. They had a slide show of pictures of Brayden. As we watched, most of us wept. Many times during the service, Michelle could be heard crying aloud. I couldn't help but think of Jeremiah 31:15, "A voice is heard in Ramah, Lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; She refuses to be comforted for her children, Because they are no more." At the end of the service, the minister offered an invitation to any who would like to come forward for prayers, to commit their lives to Christ, or to talk with a minister. Various church members went to the sides to receive those wanting prayers. A band sang a few praise and worship songs. Michelle and Jake went to the side. They stood together and prayed and wept. I sat and cried and read a few verses from Lamentations during the song Forever by Chris Tomblin.

Give thanks to the Lord

Our God and King

His love endures forever

For He is good, He is above all things

His love endures forever

Sing praise, sing praise

With a mighty handand outstretched arm

His love endures forever

For the life that's been reborn

His love endures forever

Sing praise, sing praise

Sing praise, sing praise

Yeah

Forever God is faithful

Forever God is strong

Forever God is with us

ForeverForever
From the rising to the setting sun

His love endures forever

By the grace of God

We will carry on

His love endures forever

Sing praise, sing praise

Sing praise, sing praise

Yeah

Forever God is faithful...

I looked up from my reading and saw that much of the audience was standing and praising God. Michelle's parents stood together near the front with their arms outstretched to God. It was beautiful and sad at the same time. I believe that God will be glorified in Brayden's life and in his death. Even so, the sorrow is so deep.

I came home and spent a lot of time holding my little ones today. They are so very precious.

Blessed be your name, On the road marked with suffering, Though there's pain in the offering, Blessed be your name
Every blessing you pour out, I turn back to praise, When the darkness closes in, Lord, Still I will say...Blessed be the name of the Lord

A Happy Day

Today is Hannah's fourth birthday. For months she has been telling me, "Four in June, four in June." And here it is. She is finally 4 in June. I tried telling her that her birthday is June 8th, but that was too much information. Hannah has had a nice birthday so far. We went to church this morning. Then we went to Burger King (her pick) for a family lunch. I brought a homemade cake and one birthday present with us. I remembered candles but forgot the matches. Thankfully, a man offered to light the candles for us. (I guess sometimes I am thankful for smokers). She enjoyed her birthday lunch, her cake, and her present very much. We intend to have a friend birthday party in a couple of weeks. We want to wait until Hannah's cast is removed so that we have more party options. We have even considered combining Hannah and Katie's birthday parties. Katie's birthday is in August. Hannah wants a princess party with a princess cake and a princess crown and a jumprope.

The Robot Park

The children and I had a wonderful time visiting my family in Texas during the month of April. We spent time with my Grandmother, my parents, my brother and his family, my sister and her husband, and my youngest brother and his wife. I even spent an afternoon with my aunt and uncle. Over all we had a wonderful trip. We took the children to the zoo. That was a huge hit! We visited all my favorite restaurants in Fort Worth. Mmmm. Rosa's Tortilla Factory. *sigh*

One of my favorite places to visit was the Robot Park in Benbrook, TX. Benbrook is just next to Fort Worth, in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. My family lived near Benbrook until I was a preteen. The Robot Park was my very favorite park as a little girl. It was awesome. It had swings, slides, a catepillar climby thing, a baby swings, a merry-go-round, and best of all, a robot. Yes: the Robot park was named (at least by my family) for the giant metal robot.

If you look at the picture, you can see a ladder under the robot. You climb the metal ladder up into the robot. The lower level is fun to play inside. My brothers, sister, and I always pretended that we were trapped and would call to our parents to help us. Such fun. When Hannah and Katie climbed up into the lower level, guess what they did. They pretended that were trapped and called to my mom and I for help. So cute.

Once inside the lower level of the robot, you can climb another ladder to the middle level. From here, you can slide down the robot's arm slides. These slides are scary. They are very steep and fast and dark inside. I don't remember the last time I went down them. I did not go down them when I took the girls to the park. I was too scared. No, I'm not kidding.

There was once a ladder leading up to the robot's head. It is very high up there. It was a scary thrill as a kid. The ladder to the robot's head has now been removed and the entrance is sealed up. The metal on the floor of the head level is rusting out. Instead of removing the entire robot, the park people (whoever takes care of parks) opted to remove the ladder, making the robot safe for children for years to come.

It was so special to take my children to this park. I really had a wonderful time with them. All the equipment is the same. The robot, the swings (at least the metal frame, I'm sure the actual seats are not 30 years old), the caterpillar climby thing, the spiral staircase slide, the merry-go-round, the bouncy animals. It's all the same. Very cool. I took a lot of pictures with my mom's camera when she and I went. I hope to get them soon and post them.

The last Friday that I was in Texas my sister and her husband wanted to spend some time with me and the kids. I suggested that we go to the Robot Park, since the kids had enjoyed it so much. Heather and Jimmy agreed, so I met them there. We had a nice time. The kids played on everything. I put Elijah in the babyswing and Jimmy pushed the girls on the merry-go-round. The girls don't usually play on the merry-go-round, but there were not many kids that day so it was fun. Hannah decided to get off the merry-go-round and push it. Another little boy did too. Jimmy stepped out of the way so they could push it together. Hannah ran around the merry-go-round pushing it and laughing. Then she tripped. The little boy was running around also and tripped on top of Hannah. She started screaming like crazy. When he fell on her, it broke her leg. The tibia is broken just above the ankle. The growth plates are fine. She is scheduled to get the cast removed on Wednesday, just 3 days after she turns 4 years old.