A few nicks and bumps, but holding together after all these years.
Category Archives: Family File
Thoughts on family life
Home for the Holidays #1
One of my goals for 2014 was to get better at taking photographs.
Yeah….well….
So, one of my goals for 2015 is to get better at taking photographs.
However, there might still be time to squeak out an attempt at working on that goal, at least.
How about a photo a day to close out the year?
Election Day
When the kids were little and we were homeschooling, I took advantage of a November election to teach about government. We studied the three branches, the political parties and the candidates running for office. We visited the state capitol and met our representative. We wrote letters to the President and the Governor, assuring them of our prayers and asking for their pictures. We learned the Pledge of Allegiance and said it together every morning.
The night before the election, one of the candidates made a stop in a town nearby. We bundled up the kids and stood outside for an hour before finally seeing the top of the hopeful politician’s head. In the distance. For a split second.
But the atmosphere was electric — that political rally rivaled any big sporting event. There was music and a cheering crowd and people holding up signs. We got swept up in the frenzy.
The next morning, as the kids were eating breakfast, Sam asked who won. When I told him that our candidate was not elected, he put his little head down on the table and started to cry. PB and I looked at each other with wide eyes. I guess we overdid it. I had to convince the broken-hearted boy that the world was not coming to an end.
Smack dab in the middle of the Bible — the very center of all the verses in God’s Word — is this:
“It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.” Psalm 118:8-9
So I’ll vote today.
But my refuge is in the Lord.
I’ll watch the returns come in tonight.
But I won’t put my head down and cry if my candidate loses.
I’ll pray for those who are in positions of authority.
But the world will not come to an end until the Lord God Almighty says so.
Curly
This is Charlie.
He has a beautiful head of curly hair.
I will not take him to Fantastic Sam’s for a haircut.
I repeat:
I will not take him anywhere for a haircut.
Ever.
Once upon a time, this Nonnie took it upon herself to take Charlie’s big brother to get a big boy haircut.
Alas, the baby curls were gone, never to return.
Not doing that again. No siree.
So we are reveling in Charlie’s curls.
There are curls on this side:
And this side:
And all over the back side:
I heard that Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s mother dressed him in dresses and didn’t cut his long curly hair until he was six years old. I might cave in if Charlie has long curly hair when he’s six. (That’s a warning five years in advance, parents.)
Right now, I wouldn’t change a thing.
Second Grade
Second grade was awesome. I loved my teacher. She was young and pretty and married to the sixth grade teacher. I found out her first name was Anita, so when we were assigned to write a story, the main character in my riveting tale was a mysterious character named Anita. I wanted so badly to be the teacher’s pet, but she didn’t seem to pick any favorites. Then, at the end of the year, Carla got to take home the class turtle, so I knew she loved Carla more than me. I was crushed. However, I did win the award for most book reports.
I felt very fancy on picture day. My mom didn’t fuss with my hair very often, so the pin curls made me feel extra stylish and flouncy. Too bad she didn’t cut those bangs a little straighter though. I don’t know why I wore the same plaid dress in both my 1st and 2nd grade pictures. Somebody wasn’t paying attention.
A few weeks into the fall quarter, Anita noticed I was having trouble seeing the blackboard from the back row. She sent a note home and it wasn’t long before I was sporting cat-eye glasses. By third grade, the lovely curls were chopped off in favor of the ever-popular pixie haircut.
Never again would I be as beautiful as I was in September of 1966.
My Wedding Ring
Thirty-five years ago, when I had curly hair and a skinny waistline, I stood before a church full of people and promised to love and to cherish PB my whole life. My handsome groom and I sang a song together to seal the deal.
But when the time came to exchange rings, something went awry. My sister and PB’s brother had conspired to pull a prank on us. My future father-in-law held out his open Bible to receive the gleaming gold bands from the maid-of-honor and the best man.
Instead, gleaming plastic Oscar Meyer wiener rings were presented.
There was a momentary pause as we took it in. A gasp (PB), a frown (his dad), a nervous giggle (me).
Unfortunately, the microphone standing right in front of us picked up my voice as I whispered, “I can’t do this!” Oh yes. More gasps, frowns, and nervous giggles from the congregation.
We carried on. “With this ring, I thee wed.” With this plastic, Oscar Meyer ring, I marry you, and that’s no bologna. Hot dog!
Even though the O.M. boy with the frankfurter hat had been thoroughly blessed, we discarded those trinkets shortly after the ceremony and slipped on the real rings.
A few years ago, I got to thinking about those unique little pieces of our history. I found one on Ebay for $5.00 and gave it to PB for Christmas. We said, “I do” all over again.
This is our story. This is our song.
“Love’s grown deep inside of us,
And time has made us sure,
That the reason we stand here,
Is because You’ve touched Your hand here.
The love we feel today is meant to be shared by two,
So we commit our love to You.”
Still do.
Starting Five
It’s been awhile since I’ve shared photos of my grands. I’m still amazed that five grandchildren have graced my life in the past two and a half years. Since I have writer’s block and can’t think of anything to say, I will default to my little team of kiddos. There’s always something to say about them.
Here’s my starting five line-up:
Hudson, AKA Hud Bud.
He is our starting center, because, well, he started it all and he’s used to being in the center.
Strengths: Tall, most experienced, smart and in-charge.
Needs to work on: Passing the ball and not beating up on teammates.
Elijah, AKA Eli.
This guy is our power forward. Don’t get in his way.
Strengths: Size, strength and having his own personal gym.
Needs to work on: Not crying when he gets fouled.
Eleanor, AKA Ella.
This little lady is a force on the court.
Strengths: Enthusiasm, spirit, and determination.
Needs to work on: Control. And how to dribble while holding three purses.
Charlie, AKA Charlie-boy.
He’s our speedy point guard.
Strengths: Quickness, especially if there is a dog nearby. And well-defined muscles.
Needs to work on: Being a little more aggressive. In a nice way.
And last but not least, Evie, AKA Evie-girl.
She rounds out the team by being the other guard, but she’s secretly holding out to be replaced so she can become head cheerleader.
Strengths: Always looks good on the court.
Needs to work on: Lowering the decibel of her screams.
There you have it, folks.
It looks like a good season.
Opa and Nonnie are cheering them on!
Checkout Line
Here’s how you know you’re life has changed:
You are in the checkout line at the grocery store.
You wonder why there is so little in your cart.
You remember that the 15 people who filled your home for several weeks have dispersed and there’s only two of you left.
You bag up your measly purchases and swipe your card.
You push your cart toward the exit.
You walk past the other checkout lane and are momentarily disoriented.
You see someone familiar and you are slightly taken aback.
You realize it is your newly married son unloading a full cart of groceries.
You panic for an instant as random thoughts run through your mind —
Should I be paying for his groceries? How many bags of chips are in that cart? Did I ever teach my son how to grocery shop? I never sent him to the store for anything but a gallon of milk. Have I failed as a mother? Will he survive?????
Your eyes meet for an awkward second.
Then your newly married son smiles and says, “Hi Momma!” and gives you a big hug right there in the checkout line.
That’s when you know you’re life has changed.
Mr. and Mrs.
The new Mr. and Mrs.
I still get teary-eyed looking at this picture.
The family Scrabble board is complete.
Her name fits just right.
These guys.
All five grands dressed up fancy for Uncle Jake’s wedding.
Three weddings and five grand babies in three years.
Holy moly.
This Nonnie is plumb tuckered out, but with a full heart.
Wedding Week Interview #3
Weighing in on wedding week is brother and Best Man, Sam.
Me: How do you feel about your little brother getting married?
Sam: Oh man…..it’s almost an unexplainable feeling because this is my brother and best friend, so there are a whole lot of emotions.
Me: What are you most looking forward to on Saturday?
Sam: I’m most looking forward to when all the guys put the tuxes on and we’re hanging out waiting for the wedding to start.
Me: Where do you see the happy couple in five years?
Sam: Hopefully still being my next door neighbor.
Me: What are three words that describe your relationship with Jake?
Sam: Oh man……deep, protective, entertaining.
(We’re taking bets on the probability of whether or not there will be tears during the best man’s speech. Odds are currently running 2:1.)
a small drop of ink 