It's vacation morning. In a few minutes I'll be waking up the family so we can leave for Disney. I've always loved vacation morning since I was a kid (who doesn't!) and last night brought back memories of my excitement just before vacation. Miss Bee, who usually has no problems falling asleep on her own, just couldn't get to sleep last night. She read a book for awhile, then around ten o'clock came to me with her "can't get to sleep" problem. I lay down with her for a little while and talked about all the fun we would have at Disney and she finally relaxed enough to go to sleep.
I didn't have any problem falling asleep last night but I am up too early this morning! That's okay, though. In about an hour we'll be on the road and all my obsessive planning will be ended - I'll be On Vacation!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
Memorial Day
It's Memorial Day weekend, so on Saturday (after deciding against a trip to D*) we decided to go to Metcalf Bottoms for a picnic. In past years it would've been almost impossible to get a good picnic site at this particular place on a holiday weekend, but for some reason even with the current economy it wasn't a problem at all this year. After enjoying a delicious charcoal-grilled hamburger the kids wanted to go inner-tubing in the river. Keep in mind the temperature was in the mid-70's and this river is always C-O-L-D, even in the middle of August. But they jumped right in and had a great time! Miss Bee couldn't believe that something this fun was free! I guess we haven't taken her tubing nearly enough. It was an integral part of my childhood. While in the river the kids found a total of four snakes. This river is known for its water snakes. You can't visit it without seeing at least a few. For better or worse the kiddos weren't frightened of them. As long as they know to be scared of the poisonous ones, I guess it's okay to be comfortable around the non-poisonous snakes.
After tubing and enjoying some watermelon (another staple of summer picnics in our family) we decided to go on a short hike to an old homestead close by. The hike is a bit over a mile each way and is fairly flat the whole trip, so it's an easy hike and also very pretty this time of year with mountain laurel blooming along parts of the trail. Part of the trail follows a creek and we saw - you guessed it - three more water snakes sunning on a branch over the water. Like I said, the snakes didn't bother the kids in the least, but about halfway up the trail Miss Bee suddenly screams the loudest, girliest scream I've ever heard her scream. If you know Miss Bee you know she just doesn't scream like that - ever. She's the biggest tomboy you'll meet. So instead of panicking and asking her what's wrong I turn to her and laugh. Probably the wrong response, but it was just so funny because she was in the middle of the trail and had scared herself into thinking a bee was stinging her because she brushed her hiking stick against the back of her leg. To add to the humor there was a couple passing us going back down the trail - the first of only two groups we met on the trail - so I'm sure they got a kick out of the city kid who was scared of the outdoor critters. Like I said, Miss Bee just doesn't do things like this, so it really was funny! Not to be outdone, on the way back as we were passing over a creek I looked down and screamed myself. There was a craw-dad (old Appalachian term - not sure what the "technical" name is) sitting at the side of the trail. It startled me because these things are crayfish that can't live out of water (imagine a small lobster). I imagine some other creature had gone fishing and come up with a craw-dad then left it since it heard us coming down the trail. I know for sure that crayfish would never voluntarily be sitting outside water. DH helped it back into the water and we continued down the trail, again saying hi to the water snakes as we passed them. When we were almost at the end of the trail Princess had to sit down to get a rock out of her sandal and what should be crawling on her ankle but a tick. As soon as I pointed it out she screamed. She hated ticks ever since getting bitten by one who's pinchers got stuck in her skin. It took me a long time to dig them out and I know it was painful for her. So she now hates ticks passionately. Thankfully this one was stil crawling and not stuck so we brushed it off.
In all, this was one of the most adventure- and scream-filled trips to Little Greenbriar our family has ever taken. But it was also a relaxing start to the summer.
After tubing and enjoying some watermelon (another staple of summer picnics in our family) we decided to go on a short hike to an old homestead close by. The hike is a bit over a mile each way and is fairly flat the whole trip, so it's an easy hike and also very pretty this time of year with mountain laurel blooming along parts of the trail. Part of the trail follows a creek and we saw - you guessed it - three more water snakes sunning on a branch over the water. Like I said, the snakes didn't bother the kids in the least, but about halfway up the trail Miss Bee suddenly screams the loudest, girliest scream I've ever heard her scream. If you know Miss Bee you know she just doesn't scream like that - ever. She's the biggest tomboy you'll meet. So instead of panicking and asking her what's wrong I turn to her and laugh. Probably the wrong response, but it was just so funny because she was in the middle of the trail and had scared herself into thinking a bee was stinging her because she brushed her hiking stick against the back of her leg. To add to the humor there was a couple passing us going back down the trail - the first of only two groups we met on the trail - so I'm sure they got a kick out of the city kid who was scared of the outdoor critters. Like I said, Miss Bee just doesn't do things like this, so it really was funny! Not to be outdone, on the way back as we were passing over a creek I looked down and screamed myself. There was a craw-dad (old Appalachian term - not sure what the "technical" name is) sitting at the side of the trail. It startled me because these things are crayfish that can't live out of water (imagine a small lobster). I imagine some other creature had gone fishing and come up with a craw-dad then left it since it heard us coming down the trail. I know for sure that crayfish would never voluntarily be sitting outside water. DH helped it back into the water and we continued down the trail, again saying hi to the water snakes as we passed them. When we were almost at the end of the trail Princess had to sit down to get a rock out of her sandal and what should be crawling on her ankle but a tick. As soon as I pointed it out she screamed. She hated ticks ever since getting bitten by one who's pinchers got stuck in her skin. It took me a long time to dig them out and I know it was painful for her. So she now hates ticks passionately. Thankfully this one was stil crawling and not stuck so we brushed it off.
In all, this was one of the most adventure- and scream-filled trips to Little Greenbriar our family has ever taken. But it was also a relaxing start to the summer.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
End of the School Year
It's hard to believe that another school year has already come and gone. For the past several days Princess had been creating new excuses to stay home faster than the pumpkin vine in the garden is producing new blooms. I've been offered the typical "my stomach hurts, my throat hurts, my head hurts" as well as the slightly more creative "my hip hurts, my elbow hurts, my tongue hurts (that one was an infected taste bud)". Honestly, though, I sometimes doubt her a bit too much. A couple of weeks ago she complained of her throat hurting and I decided that rather than take her out of school the next day to go to the dr we would go to the walk-in clinic that evening. I was 100 percent sure it was just allergies - until I saw the positive strep test. So she isn't always just trying to skip school.
I can't say that I blame her efforts, either. It's been so pretty here outside lately. Princess is definitely my nature lover. She tends our small backyard garden with all the love she has. She faithfully waters the garden (even when we've had days of rain) and visits each of the plants, talking to and about them. For example, "She's looking good today, isn't she Mama" (said about one of the tomato plants). Or, "She's the prize winner today" (said about a different tomato plant). Princess can make anything grow. She planted radishes last year and we had fresh radishes all spring. The plants reseeded themselves and we are again enjoying fresh radishes - all from the first time she scattered her seeds in one tiny row. I've helped foster her love of plants by helping her plant several veggies in our garden this year - corn, okra, tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers and cantaloupe.
With all the "graduation" ceremonies, birthday parties, end-of-school year parties, sports parties, and various other activities, I may be coming down with a case of summer fever myself. That way Princess and I can spend a little while in the garden talking to our plants.
I can't say that I blame her efforts, either. It's been so pretty here outside lately. Princess is definitely my nature lover. She tends our small backyard garden with all the love she has. She faithfully waters the garden (even when we've had days of rain) and visits each of the plants, talking to and about them. For example, "She's looking good today, isn't she Mama" (said about one of the tomato plants). Or, "She's the prize winner today" (said about a different tomato plant). Princess can make anything grow. She planted radishes last year and we had fresh radishes all spring. The plants reseeded themselves and we are again enjoying fresh radishes - all from the first time she scattered her seeds in one tiny row. I've helped foster her love of plants by helping her plant several veggies in our garden this year - corn, okra, tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers and cantaloupe.
With all the "graduation" ceremonies, birthday parties, end-of-school year parties, sports parties, and various other activities, I may be coming down with a case of summer fever myself. That way Princess and I can spend a little while in the garden talking to our plants.
Friday, May 15, 2009
The Principle of the Path
I have just completed reading Andy Stanley's new book "The Principle of the Path" and I wanted to share a few of my thoughts on it. When I picked this book up I originally thought it would outline steps I could take to figure out what career path to choose. As I read it I was surprised to discover that this book is much more than that. It does not offer a personality test or set of steps to take to get you to where you want to be. Instead it challenges you to live your life intentionally by focusing your attention on what matters to you.
After I started reading I couldn't help but think of Robert Frost's poem, "The Road Not Taken". We all make choices on a daily basis that determine our direction in every aspect of life - physical, relational, spiritual, financial and so on. Andy Stanley, with humor and anecdotes from his own life as well as Bible times, guides you in choosing the right path on a daily basis.
When we find ourselves at a place in life we never intended to be it is easy to blame someone or something else. "It's not my fault" has become the mantra of our society. This book challenges that notion on every level. The decisions you make today will - not may - affect where you end up. The book contains excellent Biblical examples that clearly highight several components we should consider when deciding direction.
This is an excellent book for all adults, but is especially appropriate for young adults. It will make you reevaluate the choices you make on a daily basis and hopefully make decisions based on long-term goals and priorities. Another excellent aspect of the book is the Study Guide in the back. It it very useful for revisiting the ideas presented in each chapter.
We all choose the paths we take and our direction - not intention - determines our destination. What's more, the things to which we devote our attention determine our direction. So make sure you are giving your attention to the things (people) that matter to you.
After I started reading I couldn't help but think of Robert Frost's poem, "The Road Not Taken". We all make choices on a daily basis that determine our direction in every aspect of life - physical, relational, spiritual, financial and so on. Andy Stanley, with humor and anecdotes from his own life as well as Bible times, guides you in choosing the right path on a daily basis.
When we find ourselves at a place in life we never intended to be it is easy to blame someone or something else. "It's not my fault" has become the mantra of our society. This book challenges that notion on every level. The decisions you make today will - not may - affect where you end up. The book contains excellent Biblical examples that clearly highight several components we should consider when deciding direction.
This is an excellent book for all adults, but is especially appropriate for young adults. It will make you reevaluate the choices you make on a daily basis and hopefully make decisions based on long-term goals and priorities. Another excellent aspect of the book is the Study Guide in the back. It it very useful for revisiting the ideas presented in each chapter.
We all choose the paths we take and our direction - not intention - determines our destination. What's more, the things to which we devote our attention determine our direction. So make sure you are giving your attention to the things (people) that matter to you.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Mother's Day Meal
Every family has its traditions on special days, and Mother's Day is no exception. Our family usually tries to visit all our mothers and grandmothers which means grabbing fast food after church so we can make the one hour plus drive and have as much time as possible in the afternoon for our two to three stops. In other words, we have NEVER fought the Mother's Day lunch crowd. Well, this Mother's Day will be different. We've decided to go to early church service and eat at a local Japanese steak house for lunch. I've even made a reservation. Only problem is, Princess and Big Man do not like Japanese. So I told them we would pick up a fast food meal for them and take into the restaurant (which is not a problem - lots of children do that at this particular place). When I mentioned this to Princess she immediately knew where she wanted her food. "Mom, can we get chicken from that gas station? You know, it comes in a box." I wanted to burst out laughing, but restrained myself. I know exactly the place she's talking about - Popeye's. She's been to the one in the gas station exactly one time and I believe it was last Mother's Day! She definitely has a great memory and wonderful descriptive capabilities. And yes, she will get her "gas station chicken" - for supper, though. It's too far a drive to get it for lunch, so Nana and Pooh will pick it up on their way to visit us for supper.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Saying Goodbye
Last Friday we said goodbye to my grandfather "Pa". He'd had emphysema for 30 odd years, so it wasn't unexpected, but it was still hard. My daughters have now said goodbye to two great-grandparents. As a Mom I never quite know if I'm handling situations like these well or not. Each of my children reacted a bit differently to Pa's death, but in general they initially accepted my explanation with no questions. My oldest Miss Bee told me that "At least Pa won't have to use his wheelchair any more." Each of them came to me later and asked questions and made comments. I'm so thankful that as a Christian I could give them the promise that truly this is just goodbye for now, that we will see Pa again and that his spirit will live eternally and without pain. It has been almost a week since Pa left this earth and the children still make at least one comment about him a day. I know that since we spent at least one Sunday a month at his house they won't soon forget him. I wonder if they should journal/draw some of their memories of Pa so they can look back on those later? Maybe I'll suggest that to them tonight.
As for me, I've realized that I'm Finally maturing a bit when it comes to saying goodbye to loved ones. As I joked with my sister when we were at the hospital, she and I could've made a fortune as professional criers if we'd been born a few hundred years ago. My waterworks just aren't controllable. And yet, for the first time ever I was able to not sob like an idiot every time I turned around last weekend. I was there when he left this earth (and crying - but then the whole room was crying), I went to the funeral home to support my dad as he helped with arrangements (and only broke down in the casket room), listened as the siblings wrote the obituary, watched as my children said their goodbyes to Pa at the funeral home (and would've loved to have sobbed the whole time, but kept it to discreet tears - although I sent DH with them when they had to go back to the casket a second time), and sang with all the grandchildren at the funeral (okay, maybe I didn't make it through the whole song, but at least I sang most of it). And lest you think I did all this with fewer tears because I wasn't as close to Pa let me tell you I've spent almost every other Sunday my whole life at Pa's house. I was honestly closer to him than to any of my other grandparents (mostly because I lost two of them when I was a child). I could turn on the waterworks right now and not stop for an hour, but I won't. Because of my children. While they need to see me grieve, they also need me to be strong so they can grieve in my arms. One of the hardest things I've done as a Mom so far is telling them that Pa died. But death is part of life and they must accept that and understand that we only hurt because we have the capacity to love. And loving another person is worth it.
Some of my favorite memories of Pa and spending time at Pa's house:
* When I was young I read all the time. I would bring a book to Pa's house every Sunday. And every Sunday Pa would tell me "You're gonna ruin your eyes if you keep reading so much." I guess he was right. I had LASIK surgery two years ago!
* Pa loved to draw. When I was a girl he would always have drawings laying around. I loved to look at his drawings, especially the mountain scenes and wildflowers. He often gave me a drawing or two and if they were chalk he would spray them with aerosol hairspray first so they wouldn't get smeared.
* Pa also loved to carve. I have great memories of sitting across the creek from his house watching him turn an ordinary piece of wood into a bird or a toy.
* Before Pa's emphysema got really bad I remember going on one last walk with him on the trail to the cabin on his property. He showed me several plants and told me their names. He loved the mountains and communicated that to his children.
* These last few years Pa always kept candy on the table near the couch where he sat. Big Man is a huge fan of orange slices as was Pa. Pa always offered him orange slices whenever Big Man came through the door on Sunday afternoons.
Pa was a Christian. He was a child of the Appalachian Mountains and he never had much in the way of material possessions. But he left an incredible legacy. His nine children have raised their children to know Christ and to love others just like Pa taught his children. He gave his family a moral compass that is sorely lacking in our society today. Things aren't important - how you live your life is what counts. Thank you Pa.
As for me, I've realized that I'm Finally maturing a bit when it comes to saying goodbye to loved ones. As I joked with my sister when we were at the hospital, she and I could've made a fortune as professional criers if we'd been born a few hundred years ago. My waterworks just aren't controllable. And yet, for the first time ever I was able to not sob like an idiot every time I turned around last weekend. I was there when he left this earth (and crying - but then the whole room was crying), I went to the funeral home to support my dad as he helped with arrangements (and only broke down in the casket room), listened as the siblings wrote the obituary, watched as my children said their goodbyes to Pa at the funeral home (and would've loved to have sobbed the whole time, but kept it to discreet tears - although I sent DH with them when they had to go back to the casket a second time), and sang with all the grandchildren at the funeral (okay, maybe I didn't make it through the whole song, but at least I sang most of it). And lest you think I did all this with fewer tears because I wasn't as close to Pa let me tell you I've spent almost every other Sunday my whole life at Pa's house. I was honestly closer to him than to any of my other grandparents (mostly because I lost two of them when I was a child). I could turn on the waterworks right now and not stop for an hour, but I won't. Because of my children. While they need to see me grieve, they also need me to be strong so they can grieve in my arms. One of the hardest things I've done as a Mom so far is telling them that Pa died. But death is part of life and they must accept that and understand that we only hurt because we have the capacity to love. And loving another person is worth it.
Some of my favorite memories of Pa and spending time at Pa's house:
* When I was young I read all the time. I would bring a book to Pa's house every Sunday. And every Sunday Pa would tell me "You're gonna ruin your eyes if you keep reading so much." I guess he was right. I had LASIK surgery two years ago!
* Pa loved to draw. When I was a girl he would always have drawings laying around. I loved to look at his drawings, especially the mountain scenes and wildflowers. He often gave me a drawing or two and if they were chalk he would spray them with aerosol hairspray first so they wouldn't get smeared.
* Pa also loved to carve. I have great memories of sitting across the creek from his house watching him turn an ordinary piece of wood into a bird or a toy.
* Before Pa's emphysema got really bad I remember going on one last walk with him on the trail to the cabin on his property. He showed me several plants and told me their names. He loved the mountains and communicated that to his children.
* These last few years Pa always kept candy on the table near the couch where he sat. Big Man is a huge fan of orange slices as was Pa. Pa always offered him orange slices whenever Big Man came through the door on Sunday afternoons.
Pa was a Christian. He was a child of the Appalachian Mountains and he never had much in the way of material possessions. But he left an incredible legacy. His nine children have raised their children to know Christ and to love others just like Pa taught his children. He gave his family a moral compass that is sorely lacking in our society today. Things aren't important - how you live your life is what counts. Thank you Pa.
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