I Still Believe

Tonight I drove home watching the sun set in a heavenly display of beauty and feeling as close to not being as empty as I have in five years. I watched the golden rays deepen to flaming orange and then into a burning red and my thoughts bounced from my beautiful family to things left unfinished to the most recent white hair I found on my head and back again. From the trivial thoughts of needing a ham as well as a turkey on Thanksgiving to exploring the deepest quiet corners of my soul. I thought about how as a little girl I never dreamed of being a princess or having a knight in shining armor come to rescue me. My dreams were always of being a good and kind queen with my own sword and my own horse fighting just as hard alongside the knight. Needless to say I had a very vivid imagination, I just don't think I was ever very vocal about it. I thought about all the things I believed in then, and all the things that in spite of the turbulence that life brings I still believe in. I still believe in dreaming big. I still believe that good will ultimately prevail over evil. I still believe that age is a state of mind and that laughter is definately the best medicine. I still believe that potato cakes are one of the worst foods ever and is only trumped by asparagus. I still believe that all the countless hours I spent just holding my babies and memorizing their faces was worth every unwashed dish and pile of dirty laundry. I still believe that the smallest actions can have the most profound effects. That taking a spare 10 seconds to pick up something that someone else has dropped for them is still a necessary kindness. I still believe that taking the time to wave to that one boy who looks pretty rough sitting outside waiting on the van that will take him to alternative school every morning is worth it. It may be the only friendly gesture he receives that day. I still believe that every sincere smile given may be just that one little boost someone might need to carry on for one more step. Every pat on the back doesn't necessarily have to be earned, but may be enough to propel someone on to do just that. And in a world where we are fast becoming more disconnected with each other, more afraid of our actions being "misconstrued", I still believe in taking someone's hand, an arm around the shoulder, a warm hug, and I still believe in the power of a gentle touch. I still believe in believing in others, even when they have failed a thousand times, but that you don't have to be stupid about it. I still believe that it is almost never too late. I still believe in letting go of hurt and forgiving, even when those who hurt don't want it. And I still believe that one good heart can make a profound difference in the world if it is put into action, whether through tiny acts or big ones or both. I still believe in not being too afraid to believe. I still believe that opening my heart even knowing that there's a pretty good chance it might get hurt is worth the risk. I still believe I could do so much more.

No Coincidence

About six years ago I was in the kitchen one evening cleaning up from supper when the phone rang. When I answered a man on the other end asked for me, I replied, and then he said very excitedly "It's your brother, Blaine!" I immediately thought somebody was trying to play a joke on me (first and foremost on my list was of course my real brother John). I vaguely remember laughing and calling him "Sonny Boy" (John's nickname), but the further the conversation went the more it became clear to me that this guy 1)wasn't playing a joke and 2)really believed I was his sister...his long lost sister whose name in fact is also my own, Kelly Sutton. It took me about 20 minutes to convince him that I really was not the Kelly Sutton he was looking for, while he asked over and over "Are you sure?" By the time our conversation ended I wanted to be able to say "I'll be your sister!" I don't think he was entirely convinced that I wasn't her when we hung up and the sorrow and disappointment in his voice haunted me for months afterwards. I tried every way in the world I could think of to help this man find his sister. I even thought of calling Oprah! (Maybe I should have!) Eventually the phone call was pushed to my long-term memory bank and filed way in the back under a few other things I can no longer recall. About a month ago I logged on to check my email and noticed I had a message on Facebook titled "Set Me Back a Little" from a girl named "Kelly Sutton Baur". It said: "I am trying to find my half brother and when I typed in his name several people came up one of which was you. What set me back a little is my name is Kelly Sutton Baur and my half brothers name is Blaine. Maybe its a sign that I will find him someday. Just wanted to share the name info. Thank you." I was absolutely stunned. Speechless. And the conversation I had with her brother six years ago flooded back to me instantly. And I stood rooted to the square of tile I was standing on with my mouth gaping open. I finally managed to get my wits about me enough to send her a message back telling her about my experience with her brother on the phone, tell her that I thought I remembered that he was somewhere in Illinois, offer my help to find him, and last but clearly not least, let her know that he's looking for her too. What are the odds that they would both contact me in their search for each other? Astronomical? Yes. Coincidental? I don't think so. Just one more evidence that God is so in control, so aware of our every single tiny need. Who knows, maybe I remembered wrong about the state, but I know for certain the sorrow in his voice at not finding her, and the realness of the reassurance I was able to give her that he's looking for her too. I received a message back from her a few days later saying that my response had given her new hope and encouragement, and quite a few tears as well. To say that I've been touched by this experience is an understatement. All I know is that I hope with all of my heart that this long lost brother and sister find each other! Kelly consented to let me tell her story on this blog in hopes that someone out there might know how to help. Anybody have Oprah's cell on speed dial or has access to that kind of info?

First Day of School

I love first day of school pictures. I love to see how much Erika grows from year to year as I look back through them. It was such fun to take two sets of first day of school pictures this year. I think this is the first picture I've gotten of Kail where he hasn't been making a face since he was about two. (You'll notice he didn't make it through the photo session without needing to make at least one face...he's too much like his Daddy and Uncle Son for that) Erika and Kail were busting at the seams with grins and excitement...what a fun morning! But I saved my favorite picture for last. I wanted a picture of Kail with his teacher "Miss" Tracy...but he was so embarassed I barely got him to stand next to her! It was hilarious. I absolutely love the look on his face!

Standing in line waiting to meet her our conversation went something like this...
Kail: "Mom, my teacher's name is Miss Lacy."
Me: "No, it's Miss Tracy."
Kail: "Yeah, Miss Tracy."
30 seconds pass
Kail: "Mom, my teacher's name is Miss Macy."
Me: "No bud, it's Miss Tracy."
Kail: "Yeah, Miss Tracy."
30 more seconds pass
Kail: "Mom, my teacher's name is Miss Lacy."
Me: "No buddy, it's Miss Tracy."
Kail: "Yeah, Miss Tracy."
30 more seconds
Kail: "Mom! My teacher's name is MISS TRACY!"
Me: "Yes! It's Miss Tracy!"

I can hardly wait for all the tales of Fifth Grade and Kindergarten!

I Blinked

Friday was a half day back to school for Erika and Kindergarten registration for Kail. They both start full blast tomorrow. Life is funny. One of the things God blessed me with was the ability to enjoy the moment and appreciate it while it is happening. One of the few things I have done right as a mother starting with the day Erika was born was not take a second with her for granted, and as the rest have come along with them either. When Erika started Kindergarten I missed her terribly. She had been my side-kick for five years. My buddy. But I wasn't sad when she started school. I hadn't missed out on anything with her, and had soaked up every minute spent with her. Though the days were too quiet, and I missed her, I was okay with her starting school. It was because I hadn't missed out on anything with her. I had zero regrets. This time around has been a completely different story. Kail's starting Kindergarten has been, while exciting and wonderful for him (and I am excited for him and can't wait to see his little mind explode) I have found that try as I might to blow it off or just downright try to ignore it, I am grieving that the time has come for him to take his first steps out of the nest. I am grieving for the time stolen away with him. I'm grieving for the moments that he asked me to read him a book and I had to turn him away because bigger, louder, angrier, more needy wheels were squeaking. I am grieving for the quiet times on my lap that came to abrupt ends by events that neither he nor I had control over. I am grieving for the moments that I should've been watching him after he called out "Mama! Look at me!", but had to turn my head and watch an entirely different scenario instead. I am grieving that this little boy who has more pure love in his little heart than most people have in a sliver of their little fingernail has not had a hundreth of what he deserves in return. Those years are gone. They cannot be reclaimed. And though I pathetically did the very best I could, I cannot say that I have zero regrets. Though I soaked up and treasured the moments I did have with him, I cannot say that they were enough. As Erika returns to school this year I have a number of the same feelings about her. I am watching my beautiful little girl stand at the very last edge of being a little girl. It leaves me speechless. Even though I had her first seven years with no regrets, she too has had four years of sweet moments stolen away. And I find myself becoming more and more selfish of the time I have with them. And more and more "projects" are shelved that will have to wait. And saying "no" to everyone else is becoming easier and easier. And I cling more and more to my hope in the power of Christ's atonement to fill in where my best has not measured up. And I understand what is to have my heart walking around outside of my body. And I am grateful for the precious moments we have had, and even more for the ones to come that I am determined not to miss. I blinked, and the years are gone.

June 26, 2009 Journal Entry (California Trip)

This morning we woke up bright and early and took off for Ventura and the ocean. The day started off typically for me...we stopped to get doughnuts and milk for breakfast and naturally I dropped a chocolate milk on the floor where it busted all over everything including my feet and legs. Nothing like having milk between your toes to start the day off right! And as is also typical we had a good laugh about it. Don't cry over spilt milk right? After filling our tanks on the goods we made it to the beach, bolted from the car, dropped our shoes in the sand and took off! Talk about cold! Watching the kids play in the water was an absolute blast. I am so accustomed to the Atlantic and the Gulf that is was almost disorienting to not see the sun rising as we looked out across the ocean but to have it rising at our backs instead.

I can't find the words to describe the feeling of standing at the ocean as the sun began to burn through the morning fog, the salt water lapping at my feet, the sound of my kids squealing with delight as they raced through the waves mingled with the roar of the surf. I never experience something like that without wishing the rest of my family was there with me all wrapped up with feeling gratitude that my immediate one is. Nor can I have my senses flooded with that kind of beauty without thanking God for his creations and the ability and opportunity to experience it. I have a feeling that I will experience that more than once this trip.

We picked up a few beach souvenirs in the form of driftwood and rocks, then headed back towards Santa Clarita on our way up to Shaver Lake. We learned that in California it is "The 5"...not Interstate 5 or Highway 5, but "The 5". Yup, still chuckling about that. The road between Santa Clarita and Ventura is full of orange and lemon orchards, so we made sure to stop at a fresh fruit stand on the side of the road. I bought 3 huge grapefruit, 5 oranges, 4 lemons, and 4 apples for $5.40! It was fun to see the huge truck loads of lemons being hauled down the road. We were suprised to see mile after mile after mile of agriculture as we headed towards Fresno. The vineyards and grove after grove of fruit trees was beautiful. It is something Clint and I have never seen before. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the drastic change in landscape as we make our way up to Shaver Lake. From desert, to desert mountains, and then suddenly to mountains within a few miles is fascinating. I can hardly wait to see Papa, Becky, Ava, Kavae, and Melvin, William and Alison (Arash, Dillon, and Corinne aren't coming dang it!) and can hardly wait to go to Yosemite tomorrow!

June 25, 2009 Journal Entry (California Trip)

We finally crawled in to bed this morning around 1:30am (3:30am our time). We spent the day hanging out with Sherman and Missy and kids in the pool and then went out and stuffed our faces for lunch. I had the best piece of German Chocolate Cake I've ever tasted in my life! It was so hard to leave them after only a few hours. One day is NOT ENOUGH. All I know is that it's an extraordinary thing to have friends that you can entirely be yourself with, and be able to pick right up where you've left off when you've been apart for a while. They're not friends really anyway...they're family. Like the knucklhead I am I didn't even snap a single picture! I'm still shaking my head over that. The boys have gotten so big, and holding baby Micah soothed a few sore spots in my heart. I haven't held a baby that little since Kail was born. Sigh.

The drive across the desert to Santa Clarita was everything I imagined it to be. We got halfway across and finally found a place to stop and GET SOMETHING TO DRINK! We're definately not used to no humidity and all of us were like fish laying in the mud sucking as hard as we could for something WET! Kail was enthralled with the desert mountains, Erika barely looked up from her book long enough to see the vast expanse of nothing, and Jackson was Jackson.

Santa Clarita has ended up being a beautiful spot. Unfortunately we got in too late to visit with Becky and family this evening. Pretty disappointed about that but I seem to be pretty good at disappointing everybody, so why stop now? Tommorrow morning we're getting up early and going to Ventura to the Pacific Ocean, then the kids will have been to both the Atlantic and Pacific. I think I'm nearly as excited as they are!

June 24, 2009 Journal Entry (California Trip)

Today we began our six day trip. We managed to leave the house on time without forgetting anything, and make it to the airport and on the plane without incident. Miracles never cease! I can hardly wait to go on yet another one of our big adventures. Jackson has managed to throw a pretty good fit on the flight from Denver in to Las Vegas, hopefully he'll chill out before we land. Can't wait to see Sherman and Missy and family when we get in! It's already been a year since we've seen them and that's way too long!

Down Time

I continually find myself struggling with the demands of life in general. Not the keeping up part (although that can be a pain in the rear), but with the why are we trying to part. I think back frequently to how when J and I were growing up we spent our summer days exploring the woods or the field and old shooting range across the road or at the pool or playing something. We didn't come in to the house except to eat, check in with Honey, or to ask permission to stay out later to play. We enjoyed all the benefits of lazy summer days. Sure we had chores, but by and large we were blessed to spend time just being kids. Aside from school during the other seasons of the year, we still spent our leisure time in quest of the ultimate fun thing to do and playing our guts out. I guess the key words here would be "leisure time". I find myself boycotting more and more things that pull my kids away from them having leisure time. There are so many opportunities out there, don't get me wrong, I want them to be able to experience all that life can offer, but in balance. I am the mean mom a lot of days (only x amout of game/tv time!) This summer I've said no to a lot of things including soccer camp and cello camp and I'm sure there are a whole bunch more "camps" we've missed out on. Plays and summer exploration classes and the list goes on and on. But being a mean mom pays off when I look around and see all three of my children at various spots curled up engrossed in a book, listening to Erika say "I'll race you outside to ride bikes!" and then hearing the stampede out the front door, watching them play in the rain, hearing them laughing while they run through the sprinkler, shooting water at them through the end of the noodles at the pool, or hanging out in the art room with my three little monkeys while they are hard at work creating something. When I walk by and smell the scent of pine needles and find myself instantly transported back to childhood memories of hiding in the pine trees while we played I find myself longing for my children to have the chance to build the same kind of memories with each other, to have the chance to be children, to understand that more often than not the best things in life truly are free, and to know how to experience the silence at the dusk of a summer evening, take a long, deep breath, and be comfortable in themselves when they do. Yes, we're busy traveling visiting with family all summer long, but every single other day we aren't gone is all ready spoken for. They are our lazy summer days and we fully intend to spend them breathing in and breathing out, no schedule needed, imagination required.

Long Lost Friends

Can you believe it? I actually jumped through a thousand hoops, juggled a thousand details, and made the trip back to Ozark for a "mini-reunion"! I was so EXCITED to go! The facebook hype had me hyped...the crowd of those who said they were coming...I was READY. It has been 16 years since I've seen anyone I graduated with except for Kim who was at our wedding reception 14 years ago. That's a dang long time. Plus the added bonus of getting to go spend some time with John, Tosha and Chad! Jon's parents were so gracious to open their home to us for the gathering, all the details were attended to and then....six of us showed up from the class of '93. Five of us stayed and visited for the evening. You're joking right? I've got to admit...I was pretty perturbed for Jon and Kim who had put so much effort in to planning and fixing food and getting "Some Guy Named Robb" to come perform and all the other little details. But hey, the point is, I got to spend an evening with people I really wanted to visit with. It was SO GOOD to see my friends again...I might even be talked into doing it again...MIGHT!

The Silver Lining

It has been a rough week at our house...oh wait, every week is a rough week, I forgot that for a minute. But isn't that the trick to life? Looking for the silver lining, opening our eyes wide enough to see the beauty that sits plainly in front of our faces if we'll just SEE it. Sounds easy enough to say, but let's face it, the reality is sometimes all you really want to do is squeeze your eyes shut so tight it gives you a headache, put your head under a pillow, stick your fingers in your ears and start singing "la la la la la la I can't hear you la la la la". Amidst all the chaos this week here are the top ten silver linings that jumped out at me.

10. No more school!!! I get to have Erika home!!!!
9. Walking out onto a clean porch (you have no idea!)
8. Having the opportunity to say "thank you" to three people who truly deserve it.
7. Laughing until my face hurt with a friend.
6. Sitting in the living room showing Erika how to play the guitar and making up silly songs ("E for Erika, G for girl, D for dimwitted...no you're not, A for allstar...you're that a lot")
5. Kail whispering to me as I leave his bedside "Mama? Sweet dreams."
4. Standing on the back porch witnessing a glimpse of heaven...sunlight shimmering and sparkling and transforming a wall of rain drenched leaves into something...well, words just fail.
3. Witnessing a wedding and remembering my own.
2. Holding a friend's hand when she needed a hand the most.
1. Hearing the sounds of three little angels laughing while I watched them play in the rain.

The hardest part? Narrowing it down to ten. I am blessed. What about you?

A Day In The Life of "I've ABSOLUTELY Lost My Mind"

Picture this...Me. Standing outside of Marshalls patting my butt over and over and over again trying to convince myself that if I pat it one more time my keys will magically reappear in my back pockets. I wonder what those people in the parking lot were thinking...hmmmmm. Grab Jackson's hand and walk back into store...
(Me to the lady that just checked me out)..."I've lost my keys in the store. If anyone finds and brings a set up here they are mine."
(The nice checkout lady)..."Oh dear. Go retrace your steps and see if you can find them."
(The gentleman at the checkout counter gracious enough not to bust out laughing)..."They wouldn't be the ones hanging out of your front pocket there would they?"
I look down and lo and behold...
(Me to the kind gentleman who has still managed to refrain from laughing)..."Yup, those would be the ones."
He actually waited until I was back outside the store before hee-hawing. I didn't.

In A Word

Bear with me for a minute....I've just got to get this off my chest. What is it with all the absurdly inconsequential drama? People need to get some (in a word) p-e-r-s-p-e-c-t-i-v-e!

Son of My Heart

I don't talk about life with Jackson much unless you're family. Our journey together has been life altering for both of us. I know there are a lot of you who don't know our story, (ask me someday and I might give you a glimpse), but I will say that our story is a lot like those movies you see of somebody leaving a baby on a doorstep, just put a phone call in between that and the doorstep, the baby is already 2 and you pretty much have the gist, minus the "They lived happily ever after"...we're still working very, very hard on that part. That he was meant to be my son there is no doubt, and that knowledge held close to my heart is what helps us get through most of our days. That and an enormous amount of heavenly help. Why I'm writing about it now (nearly four years after his arrival) I'm not exactly sure, it suprises me probably more than it does those of you (the very, very few of you) who have traveled this journey with us. Maybe because I looked at this picture and saw a real smile on his face that didn't stop at the mouth, but was in his eyes also. He looks like a happy boy! It brings me to my knees when I see it. My son of the heart. My bruised and broken and four-times-abandoned little boy who cringed at my touch, and literally spat in the face of my love and devotion to him. My boy who can now curl up in my lap after his bath at night and on occasion let me rock him and just be with him, relaxed, guard down, allowing himself to love and be loved. I can't describe what a miracle that is. Those moments are getting less and less rare. Sometimes on an exceptionally rare good week they can be daily. Roughly a year after he came to our home I put in the song "You Are Loved" by Josh Groban, picked him up and began to dance. It was the very first time he ever let me love him and from that moment on every time he has heard or hears that song he says "That's my song Mama." Four years later I still spend my days battling for his heart and would be lying if I didn't admit that most days I want to give him a shovel so he can go dig his own hole, but I love my boy Jackson. Come hell or high water I've loved that boy and always will, forever. He has taught me lessons I never could have learned without him. He has profoundly changed my life. Our trek is far from over, but every step we take together is one more step towards our happily ever after. Think of how much sweeter it will be when we arrive knowing what we have journeyed through together. Take a minute to close your eyes and listen to our song that we still dance to together (Josh Groban..."You Are Loved". You can go down to the bottom of this page and click on it in the playlist). It says all that I ever want him to know, that and that he is worth it all. My boy Jackson, my son of my heart.

Animal At Play

Spring season soccer games are under way and our little animal has come out to play! Weekend before last Erika and her team-mates took second place in their first tournament of the season. She scored her first goal that was described in the official write-up as an "Erika Blaine thunderbolt!" Well, it did scare the goalie so bad she ducked. The conditions were NASTY, water standing all over the fields, mud slinging with every move, raining and freezin' cold... and the girls still went after it! Watching Erika play is an absolute blast! When she allows herself to let loose there ain't nobody getting in her way. It has been a lot of fun to see the girls develop into a real team, runnin' up to each other to celebrate after they score, watchin' them watch each other's backs, seein' them encourage each other on and off the field. They are an exceptional group of kids and I don't just mean talent, I mean character. I'm so glad she has an opportunity to be a part of Paris Danger. To read the full write-up or to keep up with their season you can go to http://www.parisdangersoccer.blogspot.com

Addle-Brained

I've spent the last week after my hip surgery in an anesthesia/drug-induced fog. Apparently when I am under the influence my tongue is a little looser than I would normally allow it to be. There are a lot of holes in my memories from this past week, but a few things have managed to make it in to the "recovery" file. Such as looking at the nurse in post-op like she was a crazed-fool when she gave me my post-op instructions and almost yelling "I can't take a shower for FIVE DAYS!" Or offering my father-in-law my stockings they made me wear during surgery (trust me...it's a long story). How about telling Rebecca that I wasn't going to let Clint go to work without helping me wash my rear first. Can you really believe I said that? Fortunately there are a few really good memories that have managed to solidify their spot in my brain like Honey coming and cooking and cleaning for us, or like Rebecca coming and doing the same. Both of them have made it possible for me to actually rest like I am supposed to. (Neither one of them have allowed me to lift a finger...not even to get up and get a drink!) They have done all the running to the store, to soccer practice, to cello lessons, to school, and everything in between. I don't know WHAT I would've done without them. I love both of them so much...enough to actually not mind them coming and helping because I seem to have issues with asking anyone for anything. I know that as long as I live I will never forget Clint taking my bandages off and nearly passing out from the pain of it, then having him carry me to bed where he was sweet enough to gently brush and dry my hair for me...and make me die laughing the whole time he was at it. And I won't soon forget him staying up with me until 2am the other night when I was in such pain...and when I finally woke up the next morning and opened my eyes the first thing I saw was a glass of my favorite flowers sitting next to my side of the bed that he had stopped and picked for me on his way home from taking Erika to school. Today Kail has showered me with his sweet kisses and when I told him he was medicine for me he said "Yeah Mom, I'm purple grape medicine for you that's gonna make your hip feel better, and when I give you sugars on your nose it'll help you get better faster." He's made sure I haven't run out of healing sugars yet. Being completely dependent on others has been every bit as challenging for me as I thought it would be, but it has also really made my heart nearly burst with love and gratitude for my sweet, sweet family. I appreciate them so much for helping me have such sweet sunshine amidst the rain of recovery. They've filled my days with plenty of doses of laughter and love, the two best medicines that can't be found on a single pharmacy shelf. So, my brain might still be a little addled, but even a nit-wit like me can plainly see that my recovery has been every bit a blessed one.

My Girl

I won a photo contest last weekend with a picture I had taken of Erika two years ago (not this one). She has always been such a good sport about letting me play around with the camera on her. Such a sweet thing and so much fun! I gave her half the prize money after I won...I wouldn't have the picture if it wasn't for her in the first place, and she never cares when I ask her if I can show it to someone or when I asked her if I could enter it in to this contest. Do you know what that little monkey did with her money a couple of days later? She gave it all to Relay for Life. She's already cut her hair off twice and donated it to Locks of Love. I seriously don't know what I could ever have done to be blessed with a girl like her. She's amazing, and I'm so proud of her. My girl Erika.

Day Dreams!

I was just lookin' at Honey's blog again. Her post about her new shoes not makin' her run faster just triggered the best memory...the one of her hurtling piles of laundry. Yup! She really did it. I saw it with my own two eyes! Those short little legs just went flyin' across those six inch piles. It's a good thing she wasn't wearing whistle britches that day, they might've caught fire! Hey Honey, when you come up next week will you let me take a picture of your legs so I can superimpose a square-dancing dress on you? And no, you still can't catch me to wear me out even if I am on crutches! Love you Honey.

February RESTLESS!

Twitch, jerk, sniff blink, twitch...can anyone say cabin fever? Have I ever mentioned how much February is my least favorite month. Ever. Every year February hits and I WANT TO RUN AWAY! Okay, I'm going to la la land now. It has a warm, sunny beach and not a soul around for miles and miles and miles... Be back with drool runnin' down my chin in a while...you know where to find me if you don't get ahold of me sooner.

Medical Terminology

Sadly enough I woke up this morning to Kail bounding in my room shouting "Mama! Erika has froat!" GROAN! This is NOT good news at our house, it means somebody is huggin' the porcelain. Anyway, in the off chance you ever come to my house and hear any of the following medical terminology, I want you to know exactly what it is you might be going home with. First, "froat" is my least favorite illness. It is also known as the stomach flu, but according to Kail it is your throat stuck down in your stomach trying to come out, thus it is "throat" (pronounced froat). Second, I don't know if any of you have ever had "Stripe Throat" (aka Strep Throat), but it is definately not fun. Third, be sure that if you ever end up at the "Postodontist"(that would be Orthodontist to most lay people) that you never allow him/her to perform "C3PR" on you there. The Star Wars version of CPR is highly unsuccesful at anything but leaving you feeling like you had a light-saber crammed.......never mind. And last but not least, be sure to wear socks with your shoes because you never want to end up with "Bleachers" on your heels. They are far worse than blisters. "Foof-whee" (Whew) I'm glad I have that off my chest!

Go Honey! Go Honey!

I've waited and waited for Honey to announce her latest achievement, but since she hasn't decided to share it...I WILL! Honey was given the Heart of the Community Teacher of the Year award! CONGRATULATIONS to Honey! (Why in the world she was shocked to receive it is beyond me! Everyone knows she's a gifted teacher! I should know...I had her four times in High School myself!) Way to go Mims!

Backfire!

I have the funniest brother ever. Any of you that know him cannot deny the truth of that statement. Those of you who don't, I'm sorry you haven't had the pleasure of a few hours in his company, and to put it in perspective, those who know both of us don't think I have a sense of humor at all after knowing him. I am the "quiet" one. I defy anyone to not be pale in comparison. He thinks his latest prank may have backfired...I completely disagree. I've laughed so hard about it since he told me that my stomach and cheeks (facial ones thank you very much) are sore. A little over a month ago he decided to fill out a survey for the regional Pizza joint there in Fort Smith called Eureka Pizza. Knowing him as I do I would expect absolutely nothing less than the response he gave, which they took seriously and PUBLISHED! And so without further delay I give you the words of my famous brother John: "I really enjoyed my big, big meal from ya'll. It was so, so good! When I was done I licked my teeth and patted my stomach and said AAAAHHHHHHH." The best part of the whole thing...they included his name and city on the flyer they are delivering with every box!

Knock Knock

One of Jackson's favorite things to do is sit next to me and babble incessantly. Repeat things over and over and over and over...... The other night we were sitting at the table playing a board game and he was sitting next to me repeating "Knock knock, who's there, banana. Knock knock, who's there, banana. Knock knock, who's there, banana. Knock knock, who's there, banana. Knock knock, who's there, banana". This continued without pause for approximately 10 minutes (ask Clint if you think I'm exagerrating) when out of the blue he said "Knock knock, who's there, orange. Aren't you glad I didn't say banana?" We about fell out of our chairs laughing! First, HE TOLD A JOKE! Second, he was exactly right! I was profusely glad that he did not say banana!

Beano + Panty Hose

I just have to tell you...Erika ROCKS! She's been going to one on one soccer coaching for about eight weeks now with Coach Sean, her new soccer coach. Being her natural reserved self, she never says a word during the hour long sessions. When he picks at her she just puts her head down and grins. For eight weeks she has spent the entire hour quiet as a mouse going through drills, even playing him one on one without a peep. The other week she was sitting on the tailgate getting some water and he was pickin' at her and out of the blue she said "How do you know if a woman is wearing pantyhose?" He said "I don't know". She answered "If she farts her ankles swell up." I thought I would fall off the tailgate! His face turned blazing red and I laughed until I couldn't see straight. Eight weeks of silence and she breaks it with THAT!!!!!! I don't know, maybe you just had to be there. Either way, Becky and I decided today that maybe they should start selling Beano with each package of pantyhose just so you never give yourself away.

One Big Recessive Gene

That's me alright. One big recessive gene. It's been a joke in our family for quite some time now. Just look at my children! I did nothing but incubate them! Of course with a mug like mine I'm rather relieved they took their father's dominate genes over mine. I even have proof now....at my visit to the ENT I was told that I have significant hearing loss in both ears and there ain't nothin' I can do about it. Just look forward to hearing aids much sooner rather than later. I wish you could have seen the look of consternation on the Doctor's face when he said "Your hearing loss is attributed to a specific recessive gene" and I busted out laughing. Well of course it is! I could've told him that! I just hope that "specific recessive gene" and a few others ended with me for real. I'm sorry, what did you say?

AAAAAAHHHHH! Bluh.

According to Kail, "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!" is the sound a raindrop makes while it's falling and "Bluh" is the sound it makes when it hits the window. Just thought you should know.

Can't Fool Him!

I had the opportunity this morning to wake up bright and early (as usual) with Kail's hand on my face rubbing my cheek and the sounds of him giggling after he announced "I farted on you Mom!" The difference this morning was that I also had a chance to go upstairs and play with him in his room for a while since no one else was awake yet. Let me tell you, playing with Kail is ALWAYS a treat. He held up his Princess Leia figure (we were playing a combination of Star Wars and Knights of course) and asked "Where did you get this Mom?" I said, "I don't remember if it came from Wal-Mart or if I got it on the computer". He thought about this for a second then busted out laughing and said "This won't fit in the computer!" He ain't no dummy! By the way, this is Kail-Boy in his "Jerry Lewis" hat making his "Jerry Lewis" face. Our little comedian has a new idol. Sure wish you could see him dance around the living room acting like him.