Last Wednesday, Richy traveled to the far right-hand corner of Tennessee on his annual trek to the Bristol Motor Speedway for 5 days of "work". Yes, he calls it work. What it boils down to is days spent playing golf and nights spent watching the races. The golf and racing combo reminds me of my favorite definition of the famous mullet haircut - business in the front, party in the back. I attended my one, only, and last NASCAR event at the Bristol Motor Speedway. Can you say, "Ricky Bobby"? Anyway.....not really my scene!
With Daddy gone for the greater part of the week, the boys and I decided to pack it up and head to East Tennessee to Papa's house. My Mom (a.k.a. Nana) was on a beach trip with her friends, so we thought Papa could use a little company. Now Papa's house is quite a legend in the mind's of his grandchildren. Going to Papa's means NO RULES. You name it, anything goes - especially when Nana's out of the picture. You want to eat donuts 3 meals a day - no problem. You want to wrestle with your cousins on Nana's bed or couch - no problem. You want to stay up all night long and have a party eating donuts and wrestling - no problem at Papa's house. He's a total pushover when it comes to his grandchildren. As a child growing up in his home which he ran like a football camp, I find this no rules thing intriguing. He sometimes had trouble separating his children from his linebackers, although I think most of the time his children behaved better than his linebackers! We were expected to know the game plan and stick to it. If we didn't stick to it, there were consequences. For his grandchildren, the only consequence might be one meal of donuts is replaced with pop tarts. Now that'll show 'em!
We had such a grand time on our visit! Papa is always a wonderful host, making sure we have everything we need. On Friday, he insisted that I take Richmond to Dollywood while he kept Knox for the day. I hadn't been to Dollywood in over 10 years - in fact, I last went when I took Heather Hagood when she was probably 10 years old. (Yikes, now there's a close encounter with Father Time). Wow.....what a kid's paradise that place has become! I think Richmond was in total shock and awe that so many wonderful things could exist in one location. We had a blast - we rode it all, played it all, and ate it all!! Thank you, Dolly Parton, for making my little Richmond so very happy :) You are big on entertainment! (Please pardon the pun - I couldn't help myself. Every since my sister received the "Dolly Doll" for her 5th birthday, I've never been able to look at Dolly the same!)
The rest of our visit was spent enjoying quality time with family. It is such a blessing that my brother's family lives right down the street from my parents. That way, we always get 2-for-1 when we visit. My sister-in-law, Sherry, and I spent a lot of time sharing ideas on parenting, exercising, cooking, cleaning, decorating, budgeting, and anything else we needed to conquer. Mostly, it was Sherry doing the sharing and I was taking notes. I call her "Sherry Heloise" because she always has the most practical tips to offer. She has 4 children........need I say more?
My boys were able to spend plenty of "cousin time" with the Mitchell's 4. Abby, who is 7 and #3 of the 4, took a special interest in Knox. She basically took over his care when we were with her. After all, she "knows a lot about 1 year olds". I say, "Have at it, girlfriend!" As always, William (the only boy of the Mitchell crew) and Richmond were attached at the hip. And they, in turn, were attached to Papa's hip. Of course they were, because boys love it when there are no rules!
It was a fabulous time......one of those that sticks in your mind.......a "remember that time?" kind of time. I love those times with all of my heart, because in this rat race of a world we live in, they just don't come around as often as I would like. It's worth every minute of the "Papa detoxing" that must take place when we come home!! Yes, indeed......
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Monday, August 14, 2006
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Friends and Family
This weekend began Friday with the late night arrival of the Teagues, a.k.a. "the Stinky Cousins". They were weary from their long trip when they arrived around 11pm - a 5 hour trip from Carrollton, GA. We visited for a moment and then off to bed. Morning came and we visited some more and then went our separate ways. The Teagues mission - they came to meet SBW, their new nephew/cousin. Would this be the last visit to the Nashville area for a new arrival?? The jury is still out on this one, but chances are that it could be. The two most recent child bearers (Laura and me) are "getting on in years", so it may be 2 and out for both of us. However, neither Laura nor I can say 100% that there won't be more grandchildren for G and Granddad - and we'll just leave it at that!!!
I attended a baby shower for my dear, sweet friend, Heather Hill. We worked together for several years, even sitting a mere 5 feet away from each other in the cubicle maze that was our office. She was closer than she probably wanted to be when I was pregnant with Richmond. The lucky recipient of all the latest and greatest news of my changing body during that first pregnancy, she probably felt like she was having a baby too! And now, she is. Cooper Christopher Hill will be joining us in October.......and so, we celebrated on Saturday. Heather was as bubbly and beautiful as ever, and I so enjoyed being a part of her first pregnancy - because she was so much a part of mine. I also got to spend some quality time with my former boss and friend, Connie. We rode to the shower together, and I always enjoy being with her, though it is never enough time. She's a once-in-a-lifetime kind of friend!
So, from baby showers to the real thing - Saturday night was the welcome home party for SBW. (That's right.....the birth certificate patrol must not work on Saturdays, so the Williams were able to escape the hospital without naming the baby. Who wants to be pressured to name their baby because of paperwork?? Yuck! ) SBW was welcomed with grilled hamburgers and hotdogs.....and lots of stinky cousins. For me, that first night at home with the new baby was the most difficult. It was the night that I grieved for my former life. The night that I was sure my life would never be the same. The night my life was over. But alas, morning came and I survived. The hormones started to settle down, and I realized that it would get better. I had this experience with both babies, because just about the time I thought I had figured out how to be the parent of one, along came #2. Therefore, I am glad that we were able to be there for Laura, hopefully to distract her mind from some of those thoughts that can overwhelm a mother with a brand new baby. And hopefully.....she was glad too!
Sunday morning was spent enjoying the Teagues and their sweet family. It's always fun to be exposed to the dynamics of their family - Laurel, Taylor, and Barrett are a hoot! We said our goodbyes as they were off to Gallatin to take one last peek at SBW and then home to Carrollton. "Back to reality" as Beth put it......Monday does have a way of doing that!
Lord, thank you for the blessing of a new child and the opportunity to gather with family and friends......
I attended a baby shower for my dear, sweet friend, Heather Hill. We worked together for several years, even sitting a mere 5 feet away from each other in the cubicle maze that was our office. She was closer than she probably wanted to be when I was pregnant with Richmond. The lucky recipient of all the latest and greatest news of my changing body during that first pregnancy, she probably felt like she was having a baby too! And now, she is. Cooper Christopher Hill will be joining us in October.......and so, we celebrated on Saturday. Heather was as bubbly and beautiful as ever, and I so enjoyed being a part of her first pregnancy - because she was so much a part of mine. I also got to spend some quality time with my former boss and friend, Connie. We rode to the shower together, and I always enjoy being with her, though it is never enough time. She's a once-in-a-lifetime kind of friend!
So, from baby showers to the real thing - Saturday night was the welcome home party for SBW. (That's right.....the birth certificate patrol must not work on Saturdays, so the Williams were able to escape the hospital without naming the baby. Who wants to be pressured to name their baby because of paperwork?? Yuck! ) SBW was welcomed with grilled hamburgers and hotdogs.....and lots of stinky cousins. For me, that first night at home with the new baby was the most difficult. It was the night that I grieved for my former life. The night that I was sure my life would never be the same. The night my life was over. But alas, morning came and I survived. The hormones started to settle down, and I realized that it would get better. I had this experience with both babies, because just about the time I thought I had figured out how to be the parent of one, along came #2. Therefore, I am glad that we were able to be there for Laura, hopefully to distract her mind from some of those thoughts that can overwhelm a mother with a brand new baby. And hopefully.....she was glad too!
Sunday morning was spent enjoying the Teagues and their sweet family. It's always fun to be exposed to the dynamics of their family - Laurel, Taylor, and Barrett are a hoot! We said our goodbyes as they were off to Gallatin to take one last peek at SBW and then home to Carrollton. "Back to reality" as Beth put it......Monday does have a way of doing that!
Lord, thank you for the blessing of a new child and the opportunity to gather with family and friends......
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
What's In A Name?
Today, my sister-in-law and dear friend gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. He arrived at 12:09pm and was a healthy 8 pounds and 9 ounces and measured 20 inches long. He outweighed his older sister, Elizabeth, at birth by a little over 2 1/2 pounds - they do tend to get bigger each time. Case in point.....Richy was the 4th and last of his siblings. Rumor has it that at a whopping 11lb 4oz, he was practically ready for Little League at birth!
We got to meet SBW (Sweet Baby Williams) as he was escorted down to the nursery by Daddy Tate. We watched through the nursery window as he was welcomed to the world in the usual way - lots of poking and proding. There is something about watching that through the nursery window that makes this mother's heart long for that experience over and over. Problem is that you have that whole nine months of pregnancy that precedes those nursery moments, which tends to pop you back into reality faster than you can say "maternity clothes"! So for today, I live vicariously through my sister.....
Back up to the room we went to greet SBW's mommy. Of course, she looked like she could have hopped out of bed, thrown on some cute flip flops, popped the baby in the stroller, and headed down to Green Hills to do some afternoon power shopping! What's a little surgery? So they made a incision in my abdomen, moved most of my internal organs to the outside of my body momentarily, retrieved an almost 9 pound baby, massaged my uterus a little, put my organs back, and then super glued me back together........you don't expect me to lie around in this bed, do you? Just give me some lip gloss and we're outta here!!
But not so fast sister - there's one small issue..........this baby has no name! That's right, they've known for approximately 8 months that they were going to have a baby. How can they not have a name?? This totally freaks people out - especially those people who had their babies named shortly after the engagement. But not me, because I was in the no name baby club for 2 days after Richmond was born. It took us 9 months and 2 days to decide to name our baby Richmond Lee Roberts II. Yes, 9 months and 2 days to name him......after his Dad. So, I am not shocked that SBW does not have a name. A name is a commitment - as long term as it gets. It's definitely not something entered into lightly. So I say, take your time and make it count!
Meanwhile , back at the name farm, there was certainly no shortage of suggestions. There were so many names flying around, I felt myself ducking to avoid the onslaught. Even nurse Josephine got in on the action. She was saying things like, "Have you thought about Forest?" (just using that one as an example) Did she think she was going to throw a name out there and Laura and Tate were going to say, "Yes! That's the one! Why didn't we think of that? We are eternally grateful to you, Nurse Josephine! If we have another and it's a girl, we will name her Josephine, after you!" Ummm, no, that was not going to happen. Not only did she throw out names for consideration, but she also provided the "whatever you do, don't name your baby this" names. Nurse Josephine said that she cares for about 5 babies a week named this. Unfortunately, this happened to be the name that Tate had in the hat. I'm thinking that name got squashed right then and there, but we shall see. She meant well anyway.
Then there was the name book that showed up on the scene. Who did that? That was just cruel and unusual punishment. I think they probably had it somewhat narrowed down to the point that they didn't need to introduce the name book. I mean, certainly they had a few conversations regarding the name prior to this post-partum name game event. It was an absolute hoot!
So, what's in a name? Everything......that's why SBW is SBW on this first day of his life. Because his mother and father want to make sure he has a strong name to carry through life. And rest assured, this baby will not wander aimlessly through life without a name!!
It was a special day, and I was so blessed to be a part of it! The birth of a child is a miracle in the truest sense of the word. SBW was presented with the most precious gift today - his wonderful parents. They were chosen for him by God - what a blessed baby boy he is on this day!
Congratulations Tate, Laura, and little Elizabeth Tate on your new family of 4!!
We got to meet SBW (Sweet Baby Williams) as he was escorted down to the nursery by Daddy Tate. We watched through the nursery window as he was welcomed to the world in the usual way - lots of poking and proding. There is something about watching that through the nursery window that makes this mother's heart long for that experience over and over. Problem is that you have that whole nine months of pregnancy that precedes those nursery moments, which tends to pop you back into reality faster than you can say "maternity clothes"! So for today, I live vicariously through my sister.....
Back up to the room we went to greet SBW's mommy. Of course, she looked like she could have hopped out of bed, thrown on some cute flip flops, popped the baby in the stroller, and headed down to Green Hills to do some afternoon power shopping! What's a little surgery? So they made a incision in my abdomen, moved most of my internal organs to the outside of my body momentarily, retrieved an almost 9 pound baby, massaged my uterus a little, put my organs back, and then super glued me back together........you don't expect me to lie around in this bed, do you? Just give me some lip gloss and we're outta here!!
But not so fast sister - there's one small issue..........this baby has no name! That's right, they've known for approximately 8 months that they were going to have a baby. How can they not have a name?? This totally freaks people out - especially those people who had their babies named shortly after the engagement. But not me, because I was in the no name baby club for 2 days after Richmond was born. It took us 9 months and 2 days to decide to name our baby Richmond Lee Roberts II. Yes, 9 months and 2 days to name him......after his Dad. So, I am not shocked that SBW does not have a name. A name is a commitment - as long term as it gets. It's definitely not something entered into lightly. So I say, take your time and make it count!
Meanwhile , back at the name farm, there was certainly no shortage of suggestions. There were so many names flying around, I felt myself ducking to avoid the onslaught. Even nurse Josephine got in on the action. She was saying things like, "Have you thought about Forest?" (just using that one as an example) Did she think she was going to throw a name out there and Laura and Tate were going to say, "Yes! That's the one! Why didn't we think of that? We are eternally grateful to you, Nurse Josephine! If we have another and it's a girl, we will name her Josephine, after you!" Ummm, no, that was not going to happen. Not only did she throw out names for consideration, but she also provided the "whatever you do, don't name your baby this" names. Nurse Josephine said that she cares for about 5 babies a week named this. Unfortunately, this happened to be the name that Tate had in the hat. I'm thinking that name got squashed right then and there, but we shall see. She meant well anyway.
Then there was the name book that showed up on the scene. Who did that? That was just cruel and unusual punishment. I think they probably had it somewhat narrowed down to the point that they didn't need to introduce the name book. I mean, certainly they had a few conversations regarding the name prior to this post-partum name game event. It was an absolute hoot!
So, what's in a name? Everything......that's why SBW is SBW on this first day of his life. Because his mother and father want to make sure he has a strong name to carry through life. And rest assured, this baby will not wander aimlessly through life without a name!!
It was a special day, and I was so blessed to be a part of it! The birth of a child is a miracle in the truest sense of the word. SBW was presented with the most precious gift today - his wonderful parents. They were chosen for him by God - what a blessed baby boy he is on this day!
Congratulations Tate, Laura, and little Elizabeth Tate on your new family of 4!!
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Lunch at Sam's
Here's to the sweet little sampler ladies at Sam's Wholesale Club that fed my blonde haired boys today! I always hesitate going to Sam's because I know I can't get out of there without spending more than my "budget" allows. However, today we hit the jackpot! Little ladies (not a one of them under 70) at every corner offering unsolicitated treats to my children. Richmond would normally have to beg for that kind of mid morning buffet, but he just stood back and let the goods come to him. He played it like a professional - the sweet eyes, the quiet "thank you" in a voice to make you melt, and lingering around the ladies as if to say, "My mother never lets me have anything good to eat". Even Knox - Mr. Picky Pete - decided to get in on the action. I think the "yogurt lady" gave half of her samples to him when she saw how excited he was to eat yogurt from that tiny sample spoon. The "ice cream sandwich lady" shoved so many bite size portions of her stash into Richmond's hands, I thought I heard him singing Happy Birthday to Me as we moved to the next aisle. I think she gave him extra when she realized I was not going to purchase the box. She felt sorry for the kid whose mom can't have ice cream sandwiches in her house because the mom will eat more of them than the kid. Same goes for the pizza rolls and the cheesecake - we're just all better off if those don't make it through the front door of the Roberts' home!
This whole scene put a smile on my face - not only because of the way my children were "workin' it", but because the Sam's ladies seem to enjoy them so much. It reminded me of my own grandmother, lovingly dubbed "the Food Pusher" by my brother. When we visited her as children, she always had our favorite treats on hand - the ones that she knew we didn't get at home, only at her house. I remember traveling to her house one time, arriving around 10pm and proceding to eat 3 big bowls of Frosted Flakes - until my stomach hurt - and she would have fixed me another if I hadn't been about to throw up! As we got older, she still loved us with food, full course meals in addition to the sweet treats. It was her way.....and she did it well.
Food has become so tabu in our society - it was nice to forget about that for a few minutes and let my kids be loved with food! They got a glimpse of my grandmother today........in the form of four sweet little ladies at Sam's Wholesale Club.
This whole scene put a smile on my face - not only because of the way my children were "workin' it", but because the Sam's ladies seem to enjoy them so much. It reminded me of my own grandmother, lovingly dubbed "the Food Pusher" by my brother. When we visited her as children, she always had our favorite treats on hand - the ones that she knew we didn't get at home, only at her house. I remember traveling to her house one time, arriving around 10pm and proceding to eat 3 big bowls of Frosted Flakes - until my stomach hurt - and she would have fixed me another if I hadn't been about to throw up! As we got older, she still loved us with food, full course meals in addition to the sweet treats. It was her way.....and she did it well.
Food has become so tabu in our society - it was nice to forget about that for a few minutes and let my kids be loved with food! They got a glimpse of my grandmother today........in the form of four sweet little ladies at Sam's Wholesale Club.
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