How They Grow

Conversation with Richmond at our breakfast table on this rainy Friday morning:

Richmond: Mom, this is a great day for flowers!

Me: Oh, really.....why do you think that?

Richmond: Because Mom, here's how it works. This is the way flowers grow. First, God gives lots of rain. They love that. Then He gives them lots of sunshine. Then, we give them lots and lots of love. And then.......we have to give them lots of seeds. They need that. Then the flowers will grow and grow and grow!

Not necessarily in that order.....

Everytime a 4 year old opens their mouth to speak, it's an adventure!

Twidlin' My Thumbs

NOT!!!!

Below is a short list of just a few of the eleventy-hundred (a number borrowed from Richmond) events that have transpired since our last meeting here in cyberspace:

1. Visited Memphis for the first time.
2. Did not visit Graceland.
3. Did visit my favorite young newlywed couple, Heather and Paul.
4. Loved, loved, loved their little house.
5. Ate the best bbq ever.
6. Went to a place called Raifort's Hollywood Disco and danced to 70's music.
7. Received a fabulous offer for a "part-time" job.
8. Accepted the offer.
9. Had a mani/pedi with the birthday girls - Laura and Jill.
10. Because I can....because I have a new job!
11. Took Knox to the Dr. for Chicken Pox.
12. It wasn't Chicken Pox.
13. No diagnosis....must be allergic to something.
14. DUH!
15. Changed our minds on whether or not to send Richmond to Kindergarten in the Fall.
16. Again!
17. Put a backup contract on a house.
18. Panicked about selling our house.
19. Painted the front door - because if you're gonna sell your house....
20. The front door is the first thing people notice.
21. Went to pick up Richmond from his 5 day stint at Papa's and Nana's.
22. Began detoxing treatment from Richmond's 5 day stint at Papa and Nana's.
23. Celebrated Laura's birthday with a surprise gathering at Rosepepper Cantina.
24. Lost out on the house. Original contract went through.
25. Wasn't meant to be.
26. Somebody explain that to my husband.
27. Celebrated Laura's birth(month) at the lake with the kids.
28. We like to celebrate birthdays to the fullest extent around here.
29. Found out Knox has a bad case of eczema.
30. Not sure why that was hard to diagnose the first time.
31. Spent a small fortune in co-payments to our pediatrician.
32. Mourned UT's loss to Ohio State in the Sweet Sixteen.
33. For 2 days.
34. Enjoyed a Sunday afternoon with my boys, playing in the kiddie pool.
35. Praised God for His many, many blessings!

I'm sorry.....did I say "short list"? That was terribly misleading!!

Celebrating My Sister

Happy Birthday to my little sister, Marcy! She is celebrating her 4th annual 29th birthday. Marcy holds a very dear place in my heart because, well.....she's had to put up with me her entire life - since day one. I was almost 6 when they brought her home from the hospital. Oh, I thought she was cute and all - at first. Then for the next 12 years, I really had no use for her at all. She totally cramped my style - following me around, wanting to do everything that I was doing. She was such a "little sister". The truth is I really had no style, and she probably made me look better. But what did I know?? She definitely suffered undue physical and mental anguish at the hands of her older sister.

Fast forward to her high school years, she suddenly became very cool in my eyes. I don't know why the sudden change, but I began to like her - even enjoy being around her. I admired the way she seemed to be so grounded, maybe because at that time I was out there doing my "wilderness walk". She was my safe place. I would go as far as to say that I began to love her during those years. Of course, I always loved her - she was my sister and that falls into the "given" category. But those were the years that I discovered that not only was she my sister, but my friend. Always.

Bless her heart, she has put up with a lot from me. There was that one incredibly stormy night that I called her up begging her to drive a half hour to deliver the community ski attire. She was in college at the time, so I promised her and a friend a free meal at the restaurant where I was waiting tables. I ask you, what college student doesn't love a free meal?? So she came. She ate. She brought the necessities for my weekend ski trip. She left. On the way home, the car decided to do a little water skiing of its own and hydroplaned into a concrete wall. Yikes! To make a very long story short, she has a fully paid for home.....in her mouth. That's right, the value of the dental work that she has endured (and is still enduring) as a result of "the accident" is equivalent to that of a small home in a nice neighborhood. Yes, I harbor much guilt. No, she has never made me feel that way. I do that on my own. Luckily, I did save her life at one point, so it all equals out. Right??

She still loves me, in spite of me. She always has. Without a doubt, she is the most loyal person I have ever had the privilege of knowing. If she loves you, consider yourself loved - big time. She has had the same best friends since she was in the 2nd grade - and they live in different states. Now that should tell you something! If you capture her heart, she loves you forever.....faults and all. It's funny, she's always considered me to be the strong one. Really, she is. She just doesn't know it!

So Happy 29th (again), Marcy! I hope you are celebrated in grand fashion - just like you deserve! I love you bunches.....

Opening the Door

I love to open the door to Knox's room in the morning. It is one of my most favorite of God's blessings each day. The unknowns lurking behind that door make my life just a little more exciting! First of all, there is the hair.....you never know what you are going to get. It's so much like his personality - quirky and unpredictable. And then there's the emptying of the crib. He likes to throw everything out of his crib when he wakes up in the morning, as if to say, "I've been with this stuff all night, and I'm over it!" When I walk in, he is quick to point to his stuff laying all over his room, much like he is explaining a crime scene. Over there is my dog, he was the first to go over the edge. Hasn't moved since he landed. He loves to come up with something new to surprise me, as if he knows the thrill I am seeking when I open the door. Sometimes it is just a word or an expression that I haven't heard or seen before. Sometimes it's a new game such as "hide the paci". He likes to hide his paci in his pillow case. When I walk in, he will shake the pillow so that I hear the paci, and then he will hold his hands up in the air and say, "Paci? Paci?" And all of this adventure while his hair is usually standing out in every direction - it totally cracks me up! But today had to be one of my all time favorites. I walk in and he has unzipped his pajamas down to the feet, which in and of itself is not too funny. But never in my life have a seen a child more proud.....of what, I can't be sure. It was tough to know if he was proud of the act of unzipping, or the unveiling of his physique. I truly think it was a combination of the two! He was dancing around his crib and clapping his hands - you would have thought he had just been cast in the latest Baby Einstein production. (Richy actually calls Knox "Baby Einstein" because....well, he's a baby with Einstein's hair. You thought it was because he is extra smart, didn't you?) Anyway, I clapped and danced too, and then I broke the news......clap and dance today, because tomorrow a big, round, white belly might not make you clap and dance. Unless you are working out with Richard Simmons to get rid of your big, round, white belly....and that's a whole other story!

U-Haul

In all of my years, I have never heard the U-Haul ad that says, "U-Haul our favorite neighbors out of the 'hood and break the hearts of our children who will no longer be able to take a walk and see their best friends every night after dinner in the summertime". Maybe they never used that one because it's a tad wordy. Nevertheless, truer words have never been spoken in regards to U-Haul - at least in our book! I'm glad they are moving in the wintertime, so we don't immediately feel the effects of the after dinner walks without Ella. We have a couple of months before the whining begins. Richmond has already started planning the days that would be perfect to invite Ella over - like Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. This morning, after seeing the "big moving truck" in Ella's driveway, he decided that the only possible solution is to marry her - then they would never have to be apart. Oh, he has talked marriage with Ella before, but never with such conviction as today. Bless his big, sweet, broken heart......good thing she's just moving across town!

Random Thoughts on Valentine's Day (Very Random)

As I was pondering a Valentine Day post, my thoughts were all over the board. I couldn't pull together anything that stayed on the same subject long enough to be interesting, so.......I'll just post my random thoughts......which probably won't be very interesting either!

Random Thought #1 - I decided to look up the history of Valentine's Day; after all, I was certain that it existed before Hallmark, Zales Jewelers, FTD Florist, and Victoria's Secrets....right? My husband has long declared this day a marketing ploy by the previously mentioned companies, among others. I will say, he has fallen victim to their evil schemes on several occasions despite his accusations! (Love you, honey) So, I Googled the history of Valentine's Day. Wow, can you say obscurity? There are several theories out there. I will choose to believe this one:

Some experts state that it originated from St. Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity. He died on February 14, 269 A.D., the same day that had been devoted to love lotteries. Legend also says that St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentine". Other aspects of the story say that Saint Valentine served as a priest at the temple during the reign of Emperor Claudius. Claudius then had Valentine jailed for defying him. In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honour St. Valentine.

Random Thought #2 - What's up with the kiddie Valentine Cards they put out these days. I was shocked the first time I had to buy these after Richmond was born. They were nothing like the Valentines that we had in the 70's when I was a kid. What happened to the envelopes? Why are they so small? When did Disney/Pixar/Nickelodeon take over? Why aren't there any cards with cute cuddly characters that don't belong to the aforementioned group? Have I mentioned that I have always thoroughly despised anything with licensed characters? Before I had children, I envisioned just saying "no" to all things licensed. We would not have Pooh bedding, no Buzz Lightyear shoes, no Thomas the Train backpacks, and absolutely no Barney anywhere in my house. Ahhhh, the dreams of future Moms are full of grand illusions. Then reality sets in when we actually give birth to these little Pooh-Buzz Lightyear-Thomas the Train-Barney loving creatures, and we give in. No amount of Mommy strength can keep us from buying a little vehicle named "Snot Rod" for our 4 year old Cars fanatic for his Valentine surprise! (My licensed merchandise rambling was totally a random thought within my random thought.....see, all over the board) Anyway, we bought the Cars cards because I did not want Richmond to be labeled a "generic geek" before he even starts kindergarten. But bless his heart, his odds of gaining this label somewhere along the way are very, very good. After all, remember who his parents are. Having had a career in retail, I prefer the term "private label" as opposed to "generic". I also prefer the term "financially savvy" as opposed to "cheap".

Random Thought #3 - Richmond has been loving the whole Valentine thing for the last week. He is really into "being Valens". He has asked me on numerous occasions to be his "valen". So sweet! Last night, he really wanted to discuss the matter of who would be whose "valen". Unfortunately, I could not concentrate because, ya'll......the Vols were playing Kentucky in a little game of hoops on ESPN. I wanted to be there for him....to declare my heart forever his. But, but.... Chris Lofton and the boys were knocking down 3's like it was nothing. Oh, joy!! However, I regained consciousness during a commercial long enough to hear him declare that he shall be my "valen", along with his brother, Knox. Realizing that his Daddy was left "valen-less", he decided that one of our female neighbors (who shall remain nameless to protect the innocent) would make a perfect "valen" for his Daddy. Ummm, I was a little freaked out by that for just a minute. But then Lofton hit another 3.......

Random Thought #4 - This day never passes without one special memory from the past. I was 23 with no Valentine in sight. (This was the same year that the Lord blessed me with my permanent Valentine!!) For some crazy reason, when you are 23, you think you are old - especially with no marryin' prospect! So I am at my mom and dad's house hanging out with my family, who are all preparing for their Valentine dates. Feeling a little sorry for myself, I had created a Valentine jingle that I was sharing with my sister. It went a little something like this....."Mom has a valentine, Daddy has a valentine, Tony has a valentine, Marcy has a valentine - Missy has no valentine - pooooor Missy." (Yes, I live in Nashville; no, I am not a songwriter) It was a very sad tune, but my 17 year old sister found it to be hilarious. Of course, she did.....because she had a valentine. In fact, she found it so hilarious that with all of the laughing and snorting and such, she sucked one of her valentine M&Ms down her throat and proceeded to choke. For real. I had left the room for a minute and returned to find her on the floor, holding her throat and turning blue. As luck would have it, I had just completed the Heimlich Maneuver training. Also, for real. I grabbed up all 5'11" of her off the floor and commenced to thrustin'. The M&M shot out of her mouth like a Patriot Missile. That's right.....I saved my sister's life.....even if she had just been reveling in my non-valentine-having situation. We've had a lot of good times since then, so it was worth it :)

Random Thought #5 - Conversation at my house this morning:

Me: Richmond, it's time to do our chores and put on our clothes.

Richmond: Mom, it's Valentine's Day. I thought we were just suppose to sit around and love each other all day, not do chores.

Me: Well, we can love each other while we do our chores.

Richmond: That's not love.

Last, But Most Random Thought Of All - Richy had a friend in high school who had lots of girlfriends, but he had devised a grand plan. He always broke up with his girlfriend in early December and maintained his bachelor status until after Valentine's Day. You got it......no Christmas gift, no Valentine gift. And if he was really lucky, his new post-Valentine squeeze had a birthday that fell somewhere in between - mid January was perfect! Now that's brilliant...... Please note that he is 38 and still single. Not that there's anything wrong with that!

Now, we can all be glad that I didn't try to weave these stories into one. I was not an English Lit major, as is evident. I was a business major which is also evident, thus the bullet points/highlights theme. And maybe, just maybe - I am a bit random by nature.

Happy Valentine's Day to all!

Let It Snow

Scenes from yesterday's "snow event"......

Is is Knox, or is it Randy (Ralphie's Brother) from A Christmas Story?

Ella and Richmond

Claire wasn't loving the snow

"I can't put my arms down"

"Help....I can't get up!"

Party Hardy

It was off to Birmingham last weekend to celebrate "The Big 3" for my nephew, Hardy. And party.....we did! The festivities began at The Fun Factory - one of those places with the plethora-o-inflatables. Everytime I step foot into one of those kid's paradises, I begin to sob uncontrollably, and not because I'm afraid my children will get hurt (Richmond has catapulted himself off of the top of one before). No, I am insane with grief because I didn't think of this inflatables-in-a-big-room concept. Such an elementary idea with such big bucks involved. Oh well......after I regained my composure, it was time to party! In taking in the scene, it was hard to tell who was having more fun, the 15 kids there or Richy. Who knew? I guess its The Fun Factory for Richy's 38th! Even Knox, who has typically been less than interested, joined in the fun and gave us a few smiles. Hardy had a blast - he's such a funny little kid, very expressive. When he was first learning to communicate, he would laugh hysterically like Woody the Woodpecker....absolutely hilarious. His new thing is toddler cussing - only it's not the four letter words - instead, he says, "NUGGETS!" And he means it........whatever nuggets means. I guess my sister is just grateful its only nuggets. I accidently taught Richmond to say dang it while watching a UT football game when he was 3. For about a month, I had to lay low around town, for fear that my little dang it boy would let it fly at the most inopportune moment. It's true, we reap what we sow. No more potty mouth for this mommy!

When we returned to the Thompson hacienda, it was naptime for the kids. So what do all normal adults do when they have been to a birthday party all morning and then put their children down for naps?? They play HORSE, of course. That's right.....basketball....about 20 games of HORSE. The only adult who did not participate was my mom. Her idea of fun on a Saturday afternoon when the kids are asleep is to shop, not play basketball. What can I say......she was in the band. And yes, I realize that it is she who is the normal one. I'm not sure why all of her children turned out weird, and then chose weird spouses?? Nevertheless, a fun time was had by all, and Richy totally dominated our HORSE tournament. At one point, I thought he might let my Dad win. He didn't. I also thought he might let me win. He didn't. He won every game. Congratulations Richy.....you won every game. I'm not bitter. Really.

And then, we ate. It's what we do best when we get together as a family. We all love it, and we all do it well. We talk and eat, eat and talk. We drag it out as much as possible. I just love eating with my family. Sounds very simple, but to me - there is no place I would rather be than gathered around a table with all my "peeps".

The weekend came to an end much too soon, as always. Richy completed a few "honey-do" items for my sister on Sunday. Yes, she has a honey-do list for my husband on each visit. It's the price he pays for being a do-it-yourselfer. She is soooo glad "we" married him! Me, too. Although, one of his projects involved two big holes in their siding made by woodpeckers and a can of "Great Stuff" - not Richy's best work. But, hey.....the woodpeckers can no longer call the Thompson house their home. I think my brother-in-law, Tre, just thinks we're rednecks. He loves us anyway!

As a side note: For those of you following our progress on Richmond's training program to be Nick Saban's successor, please know that no trips to Alabama are complete without some side training. We were sure to indoctrinate him with as much high quality Alabama literature/cinematography as possible. Please see pics below for documentation.

The Birthday Boy and His Mom

My sister and me......and our hats!

Richmond and Hardy......looking guilty

Knox discovers powdered donuts

Yummy.......

Nick would be proud (and so would the Bear)

He's so dedicated! Even at age 4, he knows 30 million is a big number.....

Saying Goodbye to our Day Camper

We knew when Cousin Camp began in late October that the day would come when we would have to say goodbye to our most favorite day camper, Will Barrett. What we didn't know is how difficult it would be. We have enjoyed him even beyond our expectations! I am a little sad that Will Barrett will not remember just how much his cousins loved having him be a part of their day. Knox woke up every morning saying, "Bebe, bebe?" Actually, he still does. At least 10 times a day, Richmond would say, "Look how cute he is, Mom!" We are so thankful for the time we were given to love on him. I know that his precious, toothless smiles will be etched into our hearts forever!

And since he won't remember, we took lots and lots of pictures........

Our little Prince.....and the Court Jester!

Little Cutie

Sweet Smiles

The weather outside is frightful.....but our hats are so delightful!

The Next Huggies Model

So long "Little Chief".......We will miss you!

Forget Reading......Let's Talk X's and O's

That's right.....let's learn some football 101. I have a grand plan for Richmond's future after yesterday's 30 million dollar announcement by the University of Alabama. Before yesterday, Richmond and I had been spending some time each day working on phonics (and by the way, he is NOT hooked). He starts school in the fall, so I am trying to prepare him in advance - just a little. We don't spend too much time on it because I know that he is going to be spending the next 16 or so years in school. So, most of the time, we are just having one big party! But alas, the University of Alabama has taken me off the hook. I don't have to worry about being that Mom who works on phonics, math, and all of that other stuff we're suppose to be doing before our children go to school. Does anybody have an old copy of the Alabama playbook? An hour a day of studying the in's and out's of Alabama football - and maybe a couple of hours a week looking at old footage and films about the Bear - and my plan is in place. Who needs phonics and math......we need to know about blitzing and screen plays. By the time Nick Saban decides to retire from Alabama with some crazy nickname and a statue in front of Bryant Denny Stadium, Richmond will be ready to take over the program. That's right, I have begun grooming Richmond to be Nick Saban's replacement as the Head Football Coach at Alabama. Today we just simply began by learning to say "Roll Tide". You have to start somewhere. And, yes, we are huge fans of the Tennessee Vols, but when it comes to our son's future......we're willing to convert. For $30 million over 8 years, we, too, can say "Roll Tide". Of course, by the time Richmond steps in, no telling what he'll be worth......I just hope he'll be able to part with the Tennessee Titans. We'll probably add that scenario into our learning program - so he's prepared. In this crazy world, you have to have a plan for your children's future!

OK.....so if he decides to do his own thing and not be swayed by the dreams of his mother, if he doesn't want to be a legendary coach of the Crimson Tide........well, there's always Knox.

Coach Knox, I like the sound of it!

A December to Remember

Wow....what a December - crazy, just like when I was working, but much more enjoyable because I wasn't! December brings standard events no matter what season in life you find yourself. Christmas shopping is a given, but when you do it is the key. For the first time, I found myself in the malls and shops during the week in the middle of the day. Now that alone was worth giving up my career!! No more nighttime jaunts and weekend haunts....... My little day camper, Will Barrett, and I hit the stores on Tuesdays and Thursdays when Richmond and Knox were at school. The only problem shopping with Will Barrett - I found myself distracted by his "cuteness" sitting in his infant carrier smiling at me. The great thing about shopping with Will Barrett - all Christmas secrets were safe with him :)

Our Christmas tour around the state was fun. Lots of excitement with kids galore at every stop! Remember that lull when you hit the teenage/college years and there don't seem to be any young children in the picture at Christmas? What did we do? B-0-r-i-n-g. No boredom in our families - 7 kids under 12 in the Mitchell family and 7 kids under 16 (4 under 4) in the Roberts family - a nonstop party!

On a very sad note, we lost my Grandmother, Julia Mitchell, on December 16th. She was 89 years old. She had a long and beautiful life. She had been ill for several years, and in the last year had lost the ability of communicate. She is at home now with the Lord, a place for which she spent her life preparing. Every memory that I have of her is wrapped tightly in love - the unconditional type that only exists in the heart of a grandmother. I will miss her. I feel so blessed to have had her for 38 years. I wanted to do an entire entry about her, but I haven't had the strength or courage to do it justice. Perhaps another day......after all, she was an incredible woman.

Below is the "visual" of our wild and wooly December:

Our first attempt at the Christmas card picture

It got progressively worse!

Will Barrett......a Huggies model??

Richmond and the Roberts' Initial Tree at Grandmommy's house

Christmas morning cheer!

Where did Santa go??

Hardy and Richmond with Light Sabers.....the Force be with you!

Two of a kind!

The 3 oldest stinky boy cousins

The Barrett Boys

The Whole Roberts Gang

My Sweet Grandmother......can't wait to eat at your table in Heaven!

Weekend Wonders

Weekend Wonder #1:




A beautiful sunset on Sunday evening.......absolutely breathtaking!


Weekend Wonder #2:

The Titans beat the colts with a 60 yard Field Goal!! You'll notice Rob Bironas, the kicker, warming up on the jumbo tron....right before he kicks the game winner! Of course, I was too excited to get a picture of the real thing!

(I apologize for my obsession with football. I can't help it!)

Tailgating with my friend and former boss, Ken, a.k.a. "The King of Clean". It was a frigid tailgate experience -wind chills in the low 20s. It was Ken's birthday......what a great gift!! A win over the Colts!

The winners in action!

And last, but not least.....

Weekend Wonder #3

My ugly artificial tree turned out much better than expected!!!! Still ugly, but not hideous :)

Artificial Discrimination

Last year, in what was a total chaotic holiday season, our Christmas tree died on December 10th - 5 days after we purchased it and 15 days before Christmas. It wasn't just a little dead, it was stiff, brown, can't-turn-the-lights-on dead. And during this total chaotic holiday season, there was no time for undecorating the dead and redecorating the new. In my state of trauma, I sat down and typed an email to the Lowes corporate offices to express my frustration surrounding this dead tree in my living room. Kudos to Lowes for showing true customer service.......they called me and offered a new artificial tree and my money back on the dead tree. The only thing they could not provide was someone to come and take down my old tree and replace it with a new one - fully decorated of course. I did request this in my email, but they mentioned something about legal ramifications blah, blah, blah. Nevertheless, I am a loyal Lowes customer because of this.

I did go and retrieve my brand new artificial tree, which brings me (over the river and through the woods) to last night. I should preface by saying I have never had an artificial tree - never, never, never. Everything that is in me is against this concept, but I cannot risk another dead tree 15 days before Christmas. My heart just can't take it! So last night, out of the box it came. Richy and I put it together. Put it together. I don't even like the way that sounds. We fluffed it - I think that's what artificial tree lovers call it when they pull the branches and twigs away from the metal pole they're clinging to. The first glaring issue was that it is too small by about 2 feet. Knowing that I am near tears, Richy decides to use his engineering skills to raise the tree to appear taller. I am not going to reveal his "raising" secret, just in case anyone visits us. I don't want them to know what is under that tree skirt. So we plug the tree in and stare at it. We stare some more. I can tell that Richy is struggling with it too. On the other hand, Richmond absolutely loves it! He thinks it is the most beautiful tree ever. Doesn't he know that this tree was manufactured in some factory in China - not grown on a beautiful mountain farm somewhere in North Carolina?? Well, no......he doesn't know that.....thank goodness. But I do. I gave Richy the look, and he knew. "Box it up, and we'll put it on Craig's List", he says. I loved him so much right in that moment - for knowing that I hated it. I didn't even hesitate for a moment, I was off to get the box. But wait a minute, remember the little boy that thought it was the most beautiful tree ever? When he caught wind of our plans to get rid of this eyesore, he went into a state of 4 year old panic. You would have thought we were on our way to the trash can with his matchbox car set. He went ballistic - not in a temper tantrum sort of way, but in a heart broken way. So what do you do? In the name of love, you suck it up and have a hideous artificial tree. I was not going to break his heart, it just wasn't worth it. We'll decorate it, and it will be beautiful - at least that's what I keep telling myself.

If anyone is in the market for a pre-lit 7 ft artificial tree, I know where you can find a great deal on one after Christmas............only used 1 season.

Food, Family, and Fun

I love, love, love Thanksgiving. Everything about it just makes me warm and fuzzy inside. I love the fact that family and friends gather together over a royal feast that takes days to prepare and eat until they are miserable......all because we are thankful. Thankful for the blessings of our relationships with one another - thankful to the God from whom all blessings flow. God is so faithful to bless us with small glimpses of His heart through our relationships with others. Oh how faithful He has been to me in showing me His heart through the people in my life!

We spent the first part of our Thanksgiving holiday in Carrollton at the Teague's house with Richy's family. We would like for this to become tradition, because it means the Carrollton Trojans are in the playoffs. Yes, we will hope that Thanksgiving is in Carrollton every year that Coach Teague is :) We had a fabulous time with family, food, bonfires, and football. I ask you.....does it get any better than that?? Friday, we packed up Beth's SUV and headed to the Northeast corner of Georgia to watch the Trojans play the Stevens County Indians on "The Reservation" in the 2nd round of the playoffs. It was a thriller with the Trojans coming out on top 24-13. Go Trojans!!

On Saturday morning, we packed up and moved on to Birmingham to visit with my sister and brother and the whole gang. That gang consists of 7 kids under 12, so things were rockin'! It was fun to be with all of them under one roof. My brother and his family live in the same subdivision as my parents, so normally we don't get to have a big slumber party with all of the kids - they just go home to sleep. There's just something about all sleeping under one roof that I love - no matter how crazy it gets!

This was one of the more enjoyable Thanksgivings that I can remember. I can't put my finger on just why.......was it because my kids behaved (for the most part) like little angels or was it the stress-free feeling of not having to go back to work after it was over? Truth is.....this has been a year of change in my life in so many ways. I can never remember a time where I have been more thankful - more aware of God's presence, so thankful that He is loving and merciful.

My cup overfloweth......................

Giving Thanks.....The Original Way

Prompted by one of my favorite bloggers, Heather Bruce, I surfed the net this morning to find Abraham Lincoln's Proclamation which established a day of Thanksgiving. I wanted to post it as a reminder for all of us on this Thanksgiving - a wonderful reminder of a time in our country's history when our government freely acknowledged the blessings of our Almighty God upon this nation!


Proclamation Establishing Thanksgiving Day
October 3, 1863
The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle, or the ship; the axe had enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years, with large increase of freedom.
No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.
It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, this third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the independence of the United States the eighty-eighth.
A. Lincoln

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!

The Blogger Blues

OK.....nobody said it was going to be easy. I mean, I had my doubts going into this whole thing. But who knew there would be so much pressure to document all details of daily life, and if you get behind - the stress of it can send you into a tailspin. Not only is there the failure to document, but the fear of alienating family and friends. At the risk of sounding like I believe that more than 5 people actually read my blog, I do sometimes feel guilty if I don't blog about a special/fun time that I have spent with someone - like it wasn't worthy. I can assure you that it is not personal but merely a lack of organization and discipline on my part. (Unfortunately, this problem, lack of organization and discipline, was pre-existing and is unlikely to be cured by a personal blog site). At this point, I am so far behind that the thought of going back and trying to catch up makes my head hurt. So what's a blogger to do? Hang it up??

Well, I am not going to hang it up. I am going to press on with a renewed blogging spirit. In doing so, I am going to attempt to "bullet point" a few highlights from the last 4 or 5 weeks.......in hopes that I may salvage any harm done to the feelings of those 5 people that read my blog. After all, a fabulous time has been had in those weeks - so fabulous that I haven't had time to blog about it!!!

So here goes:

• Fun times were spent with my family back in early October. We went to Jefferson City and made an appearance at my alma mater, Carson-Newman, for homecoming. Celebrated my birthday with my Oct birthday buds......Linzee and Papa.
• Thanks to my Milly and Laura for the fun birthday lunch at The Veranda.
• The pumpkin patch with the boys was loads of fun despite the unexpected chilly temps and the extremely small size of the pumpkins in the patch. Strictly for decoration - not for carving.
• Richy and I attended the UT/USC game in Columbia with our USC friends, Jonathon and Deanna. We also met some new UT friends - Lincoln (who could be the subject of an entire blog), Chris and Angie. We had such a fun time - great tailgate party with our USC friends - great atmosphere. Thanks Jonathon and Deanna for hosting us! Jonathon, sorry about your phone. Also, thanks to Granddad and Grandmommy for hosting Richmond and Knox for the weekend so we could go to Columbia. We loved the bonfire!
• Thanks to Cami and Carter for going with me to the Lifeway live taping of Angela Thomas' new bible study series. How cool was that?
• Halloween was a blast this year. Knox, the pumpkin, was too funny! Richmond was so excited to be Dash - and with good reason - he looked just like him. This was his first year to really "get it". He was on a mission for the candy! Please don't leak it that I sent 3/4 of the candy to work with Richy the next day.....
• We are hosting Will Barrett during the daytime hours for the next couple of months until a spot opens up at his daycare. He is such a sweet baby and has been a joy to have around. Does it make me have the fever for 3? Ummmm.......he is really sweet - I mean super sweet and I love him to death..........but he goes home at 5. So, I don't know. If any baby could give me "the fever", it would be Will Barrett!
• Happy Birthday, Milly! You are the best!!

Well, there it is.......my sad, doesn't-nearly-do-it-justice attempt to recap the last couple of weeks. I really hope I don't have to do that again because it is really sad......and boring. But I can't promise it won't happen again. Did I mention that I have a problem with organization and self-discipline????

What's love got to do with it?? 

Richy and Richmond throwing rocks into the lake

Enjoying an awesome autumn day at the park behind our house