Memorial Day 2011

 

This year was plenty warm enough to enjoy the lake in May.  It is 24 feet above summer pool, so the docks are impossible to get to, but Brian and Michael managed by putting the boat in and taking it out each day.  The swim deck (which is the way into the boat from the water) broke at the end of last summer.  Brian and I are so scattered, it never occurred to us to get it fixed until, you guessed it- May.  We went anyways.  Getting out is easy, but to get in you had to hoist yourself onto the tube, get your body weight pulled up and then balance on the tube while throwing yourself/ climbing into the boat.  We tried to make sure no other boats were coming by as I am sure this is what beached whales look like.  They may be more graceful.

Jack shows us how it’s done.

Learning to swim.

Jack and Uncle Michael are so cool.

Lucy loves the boat.  She loves to go fast and feel the wind in her hair, and listen to Daddy sing.

My Lords and Ladies

 

As a finish to Brianna’s unit on Medieval Europe, we attended the Tennessee Renaissance Festival.  Very interesting.  We toured a castle and watched jousting.  The music was excellent.  It was not a wheelchair friendly place leaving us to consider getting a jogging stroller for such excursions.  And, we saw a lot of really weird people.  I was unaware this was a lifestyle choice.  Very fun.  We concluded with a trip to Cock of the Walk.  Hadley is not intentionally excluded from  pictures, she was just in another mood.  She is one middle child that will never get lost in the shuffle.

Lucy, like Hadley, struggles to express herself.  Interesting fact- this was the castle in a Taylor Swift video.

Fried pickles can help anyone’s attitude.  Jack ate his weight in them.

Not sure if Mama or Lucy is more nervous when we try to take a picture like this.

Dawn’s Graduation

 

I had to include this shot as it is truly a snapshot of our lives.  Here we have our sweet angel Dawn, all grown up and graduating from WKU.  Doesn’t she look beautiful!!  Brianna is also looking very grown up.  You can read the mischief on Jack’s face.  Lucy is being carried as usual.  Hadley is refusing to participate or smile as her way of expressing her dislike for Dawn’s boyfriend.  Please Hadley, don’t hold anything back.  And then of course there is my eye.  I have no idea how Dawn put up with us for 3 years, but we love her for it.  Congratulations!

The Lottery

At a business dinner this week, the conversation, as it often does among agrarian based business people, turned to feeding the world.  After the usual banter about the challenges of ethanol vs feeding corn to people etc, someone looked at our congealing leftovers of grilled asparagus, steaks and scallops and pointed out how just being born in America was like winning the lottery.  That our children had really won the lottery.  It is a comment we have heard before, and one that we always find uncomfortable. Brian and I always share a knowing glance; it is not them, but us that won the lottery.  In a world where plenty of infertile couples struggle with an unfilled kitchen table, and failed adoptions break hearts every day, we have four precious faces around our table, in the rear view mirror, and climbing into our bed during storms.  We are the lucky ones.
But like most lottery recipients, we sometimes wonder if we haven't squandered our win.  Like the instant millionaires who scoff at investment advice only to seek out a broker when they are down to a few thousand.  "Can't you help me make this more??"  The years that seemed to stretch endlessly before us, suddenly seem terribly short.  Can we really be at middle school?  Wasn't I just sobbing in Immanuel Baptist Church's parking lot as I dropped my oldest off for her first day of preschool?  Can I really just be months away from having everyone in school all day?  What happened to days of Mama directed play, princesses and pink cowboy boots?  When did spending time with dear old Mom and Dad become boring at best and more likely... embarrassing.  The days race by filled with cheerleading, ball games, sleepovers and homework.  I complain about clothes in the hall and cars filled with fast food containers and leaking cups.  We argue over technology and chores.  And, we wonder.  I worry.  Is it all just too fast, too much.  In the rush of the daily, have we buried our real talent? 
I want to make sure we use our winnings wisely.  That we invest in them and not just in the moment.  I hope when our kids look back, they remember meals around the table, and great family trips.  I hope Hadley remembers the hour playing ball on the beach and the late night conversation more than the cheer event.  That Brianna will know she matters because her parents weren't too busy to remind her that "she is fearfully and wonderfully made" that she is "who the great I AM " says she is.  That we taught them all by example-word and deed- that all people matter and are worth the sacrifice.  That we are here for but a moment and only investments in God's bank really yield returns.
We don't play the lottery, it is a poor investment.  Our children are a gift and not a win.  And what they become a blessing and not a trophy.  God is the only perfect parent and even then His children are far from perfect.  Dear God, let me hold my trust with open hands and truly be thankful.  And let us all remember how blessed we are and give back to those who aren't.

How can I stay upset when....

Thing 1 comes home having had an antibiotic induced incident at school.  Thing 2 is in different clothes because she literally bit a hole in the first shirt.  Thing 1 runs inside from backyard with liquid poop puddling in his shoes.  While cleaning Thing 1 up, Thing 2 plays in poop to guarantee equal attention for all.  1 bath and third set of clothes for the day later, Mama attempts to clean up kitchen.  Thing 2, upset at being expected to self entertain for even a moment, takes revenge and plays in poop one more time.  Put her in tub.  Thing 1 now has another explosive moment.  While dealing with him, Thing 2 explodes in the bathtub water.  At what point is it acceptable to start crying.  Get Thing 1 and Thing 2 cleaned up yet again.  Thing 1 smiles at me and says "I'm really happy you are my Mama."  Thing 2 nods vehemently "YES, YES"  I guess there are worse things than poop.  But prayers for cleaner days still accepted... please.

There is more story to this but....

A picture may be worth a thousand words, but I am not taking pictures of these events.  I am completley immersed in One Thousand Gifts so I am trying to be thankful.  This week I am thankful for...

• Our lovely preacher's wife for bringing food while Brianna and I were at Vanderbilt
• Friends, inlaws, and help that did whatever needed to be done while we were at Vandy
• A doctor that lets Brianna break food rules so she'll eat
• A child old enough to finally understand eating= go home
• Wonderful friends that take over the care of my kids when one in a million accidents happen
• Cheer dad that drove me to urgent care despite concerns I might vomit in his car and the looks I am sure he got from the staff.
• Cell phones (I am sure this thanks will be short lived)
• Big sunglasses
• Clorox wipes
• Aunt Lana's homemade soap that removes really awful smells better than anything else I know
• Multiple PBS channels thanks to our new local cable
• A really great husband

These, like the tales of my Dad biting his tongue half off, the ski trip with a migraine, and Brian's assorted injuries, will be the stories we will tell forever.

US Finals 2011

Brianna chose to stay with a friend, but the rest of us headed to Indy for the big finale to cheer season.  As usual, traveling with us is interesting.  After several bathroom stops, lots of rain and many MANY rounds of Lucy’s favorite songs, we arrived in downtown Indianapolis to find several conferences and proms had taken over the local establishments.  We attempted to eat at Webbers Grill and an Italian place before realizing we were much better satisfied with cheeseburgers and shakes from Steak and Shake.  Of course we were running up and down the street without Lucy’s wheelchair and holding her hands down to make sure she didn’t destroy anyone’s hair while packed into an elevator.  A note on current prom dresses- YUCK!!  Too short, too high heels, too much skin, just a general “what were they thinking.”  Also curious after this event and our stay at Vandy- When did the “F-word” become acceptable in public conversation??
We slept in the next day.  There comes a point it is simply impossible to watch all teams from your own gym and still keep family sanity.  Yes, we know we are awful.  I got Hadley’s curlers in late so she wore them to lunch at PF Changs and around town till the competition.  We did have Lucy’s wheelchair this time,but as usual, the world is so far from accessible.  We were directed across a parking garage and down an elevator that didn’t meet directly with the floor requiring the chair to be picked up etc.  I’m not sure why these things tear me up so much.  I just fear Lucy will never be able to manage independently as long as silly things like that are allowed to happen.  Maybe architects and city planners need to spend a few days on wheels instead of on foot.
We arrived at the competition to enjoy team after team of amazing athletes.  I am so impressed with what these young girls accomplish.  Lucy enjoys the music and Jack has plenty of little brothers to play with.  We all just really enjoyed each others company.  We talked and laughed.  I balanced multiple cups of to go coffee.  We cajoled Jack and Lucy into trying Ahi Tuna.  We visited every bathroom in the downtown area, and of course took in other ideas like the homeless man with the cardboard sign “Why lie.  It’s for beer.”  Good times.


Not sure the little brothers had enough sleep.  I know Brian didn’t.  He woke up when the team above us at the hotel started practicing at 4:45am.



I have tried all year to get this picture to turn out and still failed.  Oh well… That’s Had in the back striking her final all attitude pose.  Great Year Total Cheer!

Play Ball!

Brian has made the move from softball to baseball and last night was the beginning of what we hope will be long careers for father and son at Youth Inc. Baseball!  This is Jack’s game face.  I am confident I have the too cutest boys on the field. High points of the game included Jack holding down his own team mate with me yelling from the stands to “LET GO”  “Okay Mama!!”  And, Jack making the final catch of the game and instead of throwing the ball home, dutifully touching all the bases in order before taking the ball home.  He was so proud.

I guess Hadley needed to pitch.  Jack slams the ball back at her head, but against the high school asst coach/ Eli’s dad,  he batted butterflies.

Yes, there are more coaches on the field than kids!  The best quote in the stands was from a grandfather to his daughter "They do realize there have already been 3 outs?"  No,the kids don't but I'm sure a few parents kept up.  Really, I don't have a clue.  I just loved opening day. Aren't these the moments we dreamed of??

Do Not Leave Me Alone with Hadley

 

Hadley had too much time over spring break and Lucy was the receiver of her extra energy.  I can only imagine what Lucy was thinking.

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

"Mirror Mirror on the wall, who's exhausted and ready to bite and claw?"  No, not me, but just as that mirror of the wicked stepmother sometimes gave her news she didn't want, so has my mirror.  My mirror, or mirrors have names.  They are shorter than me, have many of my bad habits and call me Mama.  They reflect my attitude and issues back just as well as a mirror.  I would like to think a sometimes funhouse distortment, but a mirror none the less. 
The last two weeks have certainly been a good examples.  I am an introvert.  Yes, let the laughter of "tell us something we didn't know" begin.  I have heard there are those among us that are charged and invigorated by parties and big events, that the thrill of interactions with multiple people keeps them going.  Who are you nuts???  Oops.  Rephrase "outgoing delights."  We are in the middle of a redecorating project.  I love what is happening to my house.  I love the new butter yellow smiling from my walls.  I adore the way the chocolate brown paper with accents from my Longaberger dishes matches and shows off the wood and granite in my kitchen.  I am ecstatic about the ordering of my raspberry colored couch and chairs.  Now Mirror on the Wall, please send a fairy godmother with a wand to install it all.  Instead, installation has come with decorators, painters, carpet layers, as well as my usual support team of therapists and household help.  Please don't think the blessings are escaping me.  I know I am really lucky to have these things and people, but...  It is exhausting.  Even the nicest of people begin to challenge me when I don't have space to myself.  The simple joy in going to the bathroom with no one calling your name.  I asked Brianna why she was, for the upteenth time, standing in the doorway while I sat on my throne.  "It's just such a good time to talk to you."  Ahhhh.  But as days and hours with people have increased, Brianna and Lucy have, just like their Mama, begun to chaff.  The rolled eyes. The stomp up  the steps, the escape to the basement girl cave.  Okay, I may- may roll my eyes, but I do not stomp.  As my pressure and exhaustion from having to talk to people and being unable to get into my kitchen (my place of solace and stress relief)  so has Lucy's.  I think I manage pretty well, that I increase my coffee and hide in the basement with Brianna.  That we went to the zoo and to the park to get out of the house.  That less stressful Aunt Karen and cousins came to give me a buffer.  But... my mirror is screaming back "TOO MUCH!"  And since Lucy has no words or ability to stomp away, she is biting and clawing.  My attitude, my issues, made manifest in Lucy's actions. Mirrors tell no lies.  Time for me to smile back at my yellow paint and those filling the room with it.  Time for my inner attitude to be joyful and then perhaps I will find a way to speak nicely to those around me and not get caught talking to objects on my wall.

Daytona 2011

 

It has been a rough winter.  Lots of snow and plenty of sickness have combined to put all of us in at best a funk, at worst depression.  We have dealt with excessive anxiety, high blood pressure and the death of a classmate.  The girls and their Mama were very much in need of the break a cheer competition in Daytona offered. We decided to fly and got a much better deal by traveling on Thursday and Monday.  Brian very graciously managed the home front and little people.  Like all things we do, it was a juggling act.  We brought in some one brand new to Jack and Lucy to manage the Friday and Saturday- this is called trial by fire, or in our case trial by biting, hair pulling and bodily fluids - and school kept Lucy on Thursday when they probably should have sent her home.  We flew out on a VERY early flight.  When we landed we waited in a crazy long line to get our rental car.  I guess the representative was overwhelmed by the huge family groups and golf bags.  She took one look at my little group of 3 with only 1 suitcase and offered us a free upgrade to a VW Bug.  It made the girls trip.  Hadley told her “you have made my dreams come true!”

On to Daytona we went.  We soaked up rays, walked on the beach and ate excessive amounts of crab.  Oh yeah, we cheered a little too.

One flips. The other runs.  No need for photos,  but Mama sat and read.

On Sunday we drove back to Orlando where we spent the afternoon and evening at Downtown Disney.  We lunched on enormous ice cream sundaes from Ghiradeli.  Best hot fudge ever.  Spent a few hours playing at Disney Quest, where Brianna got up to 11 upside downs on the virtual Space Mountain.  Disney Imagineers look out!  And, shopped all that is Disney.  What a wonderful trip.

Aquarium of the Smokies

 

A cheer competition in Gatlinburg gave of the opportunity to enjoy this really fabulous aquarium between performances.  This is in the tunnel that goes through an enormous fish tank.  Yes, we are headed back to the competition site.  I don’t wear mardi gras beads just to hit the town!

 

I love seeing the girls this excited about learning.

Sharks up close and personal.

Even Hadley couldn’t eat this crab!

The fish overhead and the marks on the plexi glass from a shark attack were a little unnerving!

But the views were more than worth it.

Jack and Lucy are 5!

 

 

Hadley is 10!!!

 

Ever the sports fan, H chose a competitive fun and games night for her birthday.  New friends and old gathered at the church’s CLC for pizza relay races and Titan’s cake.

Blowing ping pong balls across the floor and turning the Hixsons into toilet paper snowmen were the highlights of the night.