Child #2 Celebrates a Birthday

August is a huge birthday month for us. Actually born on Tuesday, August 23, 1988, a second little bundle of joy arrived and joined our family about 3:25 in the afternoon. Bryan undoubtedly had the biggest, blu-est eyes I've ever seen, and today, 23 years later, they are still as blue as can be.

I always called him, "my little man" and now he is grown into quite a handsome young man. He is too kind for his own good sometimes, but very courteous and loved by all mothers who have daughters. I'm frequently told if I ever get tired of him, they (other mothers) will adopt him. What a compliment for me, but not a chance. That boy could never do anything to make me dis-own him.

I knew before he was born that he would be musically inclined. Did he ever have rhythm! He would sway and wave at church during the music and as soon as it stopped, he would get still. He played the drums at two on my pots, pans, and coffee cans. He used pencils for drum sticks. He would get in the floor and pull them out of the cabinets. He would insist that I save different sizes of cans to add to his collection. Why I did not get a picture of this, I do not know and I do so regret it.

When he was 7, Santa brought this first set of drums. He was so excited and played them all the time.

Then in the 7th grade, we stepped up to the "real thing." PEARL!

At the end of his freshman year of college, we went "professional." YAHAMA!

He worked long and hard all summer to save his money to buy these himself.

I started calling him "the little drummer boy" and to this day I still say that. I did so in fact just the other day to someone and they laughed. People would say, that racket must drive you crazy. And I would say, "Not one bit, I love it! I dance around the house to the beat. And besides, you never have to wonder where he is or what he is doing."

Life has been exciting with Bryan just like his sister. We've had a snake bite, the same arm broken twice, and acute appendicitis 700 miles from home just to name a few.

We've played t-ball and basketball, been in scouts and sold popcorn, had drum lessons, gone to band rehearsals, competitions, marching events, and concerts. We've rented a tux for proms and bought corsages. I even taught him how to drive and went with him for his driving tests. Now that was a day full of mishaps. I wish I had time to tell that story; maybe another day. We've sat for hours at the kitchen bar memorizing multiplication tables and practicing spelling words. On the way to school, I called the word and he would spell. He has a million dollar smile when you can get one out of him and I paid for it; he had braces. If you get him really tickled he has the best laugh in the world; it comes from really deep within and it was just like that when he was little. Every morning I fixed cinnamon toast, his favorite, and then would go get him out of bed. He was a sleepy head. I picked him up and carried him to the bar until I just couldn't do it any more. I think he must have been 8 and about 50 pounds. His legs were nearly dragging the ground. I didn't want to quit until I just couldn't do it any more. I knew the day would come all to fast for him to grow up and leave me behind.

And indeed, it has. It's his last year of college and he has moved out once again back to the dorm to enjoy campus life. I can't blame him, but I sure do miss him. He'll be around though. He still does laundry and he gets hungry. We sort of celebrated his birthday Sunday. We bought him a small frig to take to his college room. He was actually excited.

Well, the day is all his, but I think I am the one who is truly blessed.

One proud momma,

Marcia

Celebrating Another Birthday

Twenty-eight years ago today, actually on a "Thursday", a beautiful little princess was sent directly from heaven to earth and joined our life at 10:51 p.m. . . .and our life would never be the same.

This precious baby girl began to grow, and walk, and talk. Soon it was time to begin school and we went to lessons for piano, flute, drama, and twirling. Then there were basketball games, (yes, really) choir concerts, band competitions, all sorts of summer camps, girl scouts and cookie sales, and the list goes on and on.

We made a visit to the hospital two times, went through braces, glasses, and contacts.

We got a car at 16 and a cell phone soon followed. There were friends, proms, balls, and other parties and social events. We bought dresses, and shoes, and purses, and shoes, and pants, and shoes, and jewelry, and shoes, and formal gowns, and shoes. We went through several phases of hair styles and hair colors. There was laughter and there were tears.

Graduation came and went and it was time for college days. We moved in and we moved out four years running. Prince Charming came along. She graduated from college, married the prince, and moved away with him to his castle to live happily ever after in spite of everything we had done for her and with her all those years. Once again, we moved her in and moved her out, moved her in and moved her out. So many times, in fact, we've lost count.

Now we are very proud of this little princess who has grown into a beautiful, intelligent, delightful young woman. She has a brilliant career as a caring, dedicated teacher and I think the Prince would say she is a wonderful wife (that is if he is a smart Prince).

And through it all, we wouldn't change anything and we'd do it all over again. We love you, Micah. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Celebrating a Birthday

My family went to a birthday party yesterday honoring my Uncle Buck who turned 90 last Thursday. What a milestone! This is my mom's brother. This was a wonderful tribute to a great man who has always loved his family, served his country, and above all else worshipped his Lord and Savior. I remember his inviting me to travel with him one weekend to a small church to help with the music at a weekend revival type meeting. We had a great time. I just thought I'd share a few pictures of the day particularly for those family members who follow my blog and didn't get to come because of distance or illness. For those who did get to come, it was a mini family reunion and it was great to visit and catch up on the latest.

Settling In

The last week of June and up through July 4th, we went vacationing in the camper to the White River at Bull Shoals. We stayed in a camp ground called Copper Johns. We had a wonderful time relaxing and enjoying nature. Collin got to fish a little bit, and I read some books. We did drive to Branson one day celebrating our 32nd anniversary, but mostly we just took it easy and let the days pass by without too much fanfare.

Once we returned home, it was time for both of us to go to work. Collin returning to his usual routine, but myself beginning my new job at Ridgefield. A few weeks prior, I had good shopping for office furniture with my boss since there wasn't too much in the way of furnishings. After the furniture was delivered, I decided that I would have to go shopping for some new pieces to go on the walls. I was fortunate to find a number of things and Hobby Lobby just happened to be running all the wall decor on half price and the furniture at 40% off. Did I ever have fun and make a great haul. Collin helped me carry everything to the office and helped me hang everything.

This office had been occupied by the coaches, was sometimes used for ISS, and just for whatever came along. It had to be emptied out, I shampooed the carpet, and it began to take on a new look. It went from this. . .

to this.

How do you like it? A filing cabinet has been moved in and placed over the corner door and I've camouflaged it with a small plant since this photo was taken. I've worked three days and I think it's a fit. I'm beginning to feel at home.

Marcia

Assistant Administrator

Fruits of the Season

There is nothing better than garden vegetables and ranking number one at the top of my list is the tomato. We have a small garden this year with tomatoes, yellow neck squash, bell peppers and just for the fun of it, a pumpkin vine. We worked a small spot in our yard in April and it looked liked this.

Now, it looks like this.

Several weeks ago, we began to harvest squash. . .
and early last week, I was able to pick the first tomato. I admit, it's rather small as it is the first one, but none the less, I peeled it and made the season opener . . . a BLT. It had a wonderful flavor. Today, we picked three small bell peppers.

You just cannot beat fresh veggies from the garden.

Marcia

Let's Hear It for Our Favorite Dads

I'm a very lucky girl. I have a wonderful father 85 years young. And today, I was blessed to worship in church and have lunch with him. He is also a wonderful grandfather. No one could be any more crazy about his grandkids. Here are a couple of pictures from the archives.

My two children are equally blessed. I do not believe they could find anyone more exceptional on the face of this earth than their dad who has spent the better part of his life rocking, playing, and wrestling in the floor. Going to Little League games, band and choir concerts, and buying cars and trucks for them to drive. Moving, playing golf, and any and all necessary projects. Whatever the problem, dad can fix it or make it better.

It's hard to believe that 22 and 27 years have passed. Dad got a present today.

and no doubt Micah will call tonight. (Another photo from the archives.)

Although separated by distance physically, the heart is full of love. Just this morning, we were reminiscing about days gone by and the growing-up years.

And let's not forget Papaw Bob. Here's another grandfather who thinks his grandkids are the greatest.

So to all our favorite dads. . .

Happy Father's Day

Marcia

Celebration is in Order

I've gone back to school. Yes the teacher has returned to being the student. I have been literally consumed the last five weeks in a graduate class, School Law. I'm so excited to have a new job and be promoted to the position of administrator, but also with the privilege comes some demanding expectations.

I'm certified for the assistant position, but I'm short some hours to serve as the administrator so I did some research, applying, and registering and I am officially a RedWolf (once upon a time Indian) again at ASU tackling some classes. And yes, I'm celebrating tonight. I finished my fifth week assignments today, hit the submit button one last time, and also tonight, posted my research paper (15 pages if your interested, Review of School Policy Involving Evaluation Procedures and FairDismissal of which I did earn an "A" I might add) to my electronic portfolio that I'm required to construct and build.

These are 18 week semester courses crammed into 5 weeks done completely on-line. VERY INTENSE!!! I've enjoyed the course work and learned a great deal, but adding two different software packages for submitting assignments plus this major paper has kept me hopping. I have lived at the computer the last few weeks and when I close my eyes, I see GOOGLE. If you want to know the facts and case law in regard to education, I can tell you. Sometimes I would wonder am I going to be an administrator or an attorney.

This is a picture of my computer desk and this looks good. It has been far messier and covered with even more papers and other articles. I'm the person who does NOT like clutter and must be organized, but I would leave everything scattered and nothing was bothered.

I think I have the worst behind me. I don't think the other classes can be any more demanding than this one and I think I have finally got a grip on all the software.

This being said, I'm really behind on sharing some blog posts. I hope to update and catch up besides doing a few things on the home front. I'm not sure what tomorrow will bring, but I expect to rest easy tonight; perhaps the best night of sleep I've had in five weeks. And the best part? I think I may have actually pulled an "A".

Marcia