funny manners

Jones:  "Dad, we had a substitute at school today.  She had four earings in her ears and she had kind of a boy haircut.  She had a big ol' belly too. It stuck way out.  I thought she was going to be on Biggest Loser, but I didn't say that.  That would have been rude."

Happy Birthday Song

Happy Birthday to Sister Sheila.  Best sister I've got.  Favorite daughter of my mother and favorite mother of my nephew.
This week's song is for her.  A live performance by one of my favorites, Bobby Bare.  I think this is his first time to be featured here on TOTP, but it won't be the last.   

Random and Butlers

Georgia took pictures of me and West.









Annie took pictures of Georgia, West and me.









Sleeping baby.









Jonesy's latest sleeping fashion. She builds a fort of couch pillows around her and she still wears a headband.












Alison and the kids came for an overnight visit. Cassidy and West, fun toes for Alison, and Georgia, Claire and Jones. I didn't get pics of the twins. :( We did venture out to McDonald's for lunch and an indoor playground with eight kiddos.
We had a fun two days together!






























West standing. In his 0/3 mo pants :) They are almost too short, but they still fit in the waist.














West and Jonesy. So sweet.













The girls were being silly and kissing and hugging each other.

Happy Birthday to Me

Saturday 1-22-11
The kids and I along with Kirsten and Madalyn went to Chili's for my birthday. Two adults and five kids. We were hoping to miss the lunch rush and we at 1. Annie and Madalyn dropped and spilled the salsa, the bowl broke, dropped an empty bowl but it did not break. West grabbed Kirsten's Diet Coke and spilled it. We had a super great waitress(and we tipped extra) We all enjoyed my free birthday brownie and ice cream! Then we all had to tour the ladies two stall bathroom before leaving. I finally asked(after approx.5min.) two ladies to please get out of the handicapped stall. Chili's is not the place to take measurements for handmade clothing.
We left Chili's with smiles and headed for Waco. We joined the Petersons and the Vaughts for an afternoon at Cameron Park Zoo.
Kirsten and Kara surprised me after the zoo with a babysitter and a girls night, but Kaitlyn starting throwing up on the way back to Temple. So, plan B. Jason kept all the girls and Kirsten, West and I went out for about two hours. We went to Lifeway. Spent 10 minutes in the parking lot trying to get two of the doors on the suburban to close. A nice man from the store ended up helping us and we got it fixed. After Lifeway, we decided to have ice cream for supper so we went to Maggie Moos. Yummm. Thanks to Kirsten and Kara for attempting to whisk me away and Thanks to Jason for enduring a "girly" evening (as he was introduced to Hannah Montana). Thanks to everyone who called, sent a text or email, or left a FB message.




















Sunday
The kids and I went to church. Jones is sporting a scarf under her headband. Annie is trying to wear her headband.















Justin took the girls shopping Sunday afternoon when he got home. They had my party at small group. There was cheesecake, flowers, presents, and singing! Justin picked calla lillies, Jones picked roses and Georgia picked orange daises. Beautiful! I also received a fancy new sleeping pillow and the second* best birthday card from my husband. It was great to celebrate with my family and our extended home group family. Thank you for making me feel special!
*First place is from eight birthdays ago. The book with a ring, poems, letters, you singing me a song, and then asking me to marry you is kinda hard to beat! I love you.

Monday
Justin, G, A, W and I went to have lunch with Jones at school. We all got in line and had our own trays. Annie was in awe with so many kids in one room that she did not eat her lunch. Georgia was intent on taking note of the lunch procedure.











Our family dinner was at Texas Roadhouse. Good waiter, good food, great family! Fantastic birthday!

TOTP Behind the Music

I looked at my fasebook page this morning and saw this picture:

 I don't know the guy who took it or posted it, but I guess my friend Craig, who is a friend of this guy who took the picture, had commented on it. (I'm still unclear about the way fasebook works)
It is a picture of the cafe in Tatum, NM.  I've only eaten there a few times.  Famous for their steakfingers. 
Seeing the picture made me think of Joel, and thinking of Joel made me think of using Shenandoah's biggest hit as the Song of the Week.
Whenever Joel and I traveled together Shenandoah always ended up in the CD player, with "Next to You, Next to Me" and "Two Dozen Roses" always getting several repeat plays.  I think Joel liked "Two Dozen Roses" best, but it's a heartache breakup song and I prefer this one.
If you ever leave Texas heading west on Hwy 380, don't settle for the Alsup's chimichanga.  Visit the cafe and sit a spell, eat some steakfingers and buy some  metal art.

Ridin' down the road in my pick-up truck
You'd better get ready cause I'm pickin' you up
With a full moon a shinin' and a little bit a' luck
We'll run out outta gas and maybe get stuck

We could get lost baby I don't care
I ain't worried as long as you're there
There ain't no place that I'd rather be
Next to you, sittin' next to me

There ain't no place that I'd rather be
Next to you, next to me

Barbecue chicken in aluminum foil
Just enough money for my gas and oil
Who needs your shrimp and your caviar
I'd sooner have you just the way you are

Rich people got their money to hold
Mansion on the hill 'n diamonds and gold
It can't compare as far as I can see
Next to you, sittin' next to me

There ain't no place that I'd rather be
Next to you, next to me

Radio playin' our favorite song
I'll change the station if the news comes on
When the signal ain't comin' in too strong
We'll make our music honey all night long

If the Good Lord's willin' when we're old and gray
The kids are grown up and moved away
We'll be rockin there side by side
With the barbecue chicken and the T.V. guide

Well, there ain't no place that I'd rather be
Next to you, sittin' next to me

Last Night's Conversation

When I go to work it’s usually just me and another guy in the cab of a locomotive for 8 to 12 hrs.  Usually someone different each trip.  I get along with just about everybody, but I like working with some better than others, either for personality reasons or safety reasons.  When the phone rang at 12:30 last night and I heard who I was working with I let out a groan.  Double whammy with this guy.  I knew it was going to be a long trip.  No, it wasn’t the guy I wrote about before.Click here to read that story  A different kind of different.  Personality and safety concerns with this one.  He has been pulled from service three times in the last couple of years for signal violations that I know of, and is not someone that I feel especially safe riding the rails with.

The word that comes to mind with this guy is weirdo. (Mom and Sister, think Mr. Jerry Johnson of Lake View science fame.)  
He’s getting close to retirement now.  Legend has it that Rocky (yes, that is his real name) started out his railroad career 30 years ago on a maintenance work gang, but was struck in the head by some heavy equipment.  After having steel plates installed to repair his skull, the railroad offered him a job in train service since he could no longer perform the labor required on the work gang.  If they had just fired him outright he would have had a lawsuit against them.

I’ve only worked with him a couple of times before last night.  One time he didn’t say a word.  The other time he broke out in song every thirty minutes or so, singing 70’s rock anthems and Wierd Al’s greatest hits.  
I remembered that the last time I worked with him he had been going through some health problems so as an attempt at conversation last night I asked him how all of that had worked out.  Here’s the transcript of the conversation that transpired over the next couple of hours..........

“Well, I had some heart surgery, and the dye they used to track my blood flow destroyed my kidneys.  When I got out they said I was down to 24% and was gonna die, but now they’re functioning at 42%, so I guess I’m getting better.”
I just nodded.
“They don’t really know anything though.  One time a doctor told me that I had sorosis of the liver from my ten years of chemo and that I probably had liver cancer and was going to die.  He said that in front of my wife and she went crazy.  He was a sorry SOB.”
I couldn’t believe it (still don’t really), so I asked, “What did you have that required ten years of chemo?”
“Oh, they were trying to kill that virus.”
“What virus?”
“Hepatitis C.  But, they checked me out before my heart surgery and said that my liver was fine and couldn’t find a trace of hepatitis in me.”  
I didn’t know how to respond so I didn’t.
“Yep, I keep trying to kill me, but I keep survivin’.” He paused long enough to light another cigarette. “I got a bunch of scars though.  My heart scar looks pretty cool now.”  
I think he really wanted me to ask if I could see it, but I didn’t.  I didn’t say anything.
After twenty minutes of silence he said,“I wish I could still drink.”
I didn’t reply.
“I like drinkin’.” he stated matter of factly, then continued,  “but I drank four beers last August and thought I was gonna die.”  
Again, I said nothing.
(two minute pause)
“So, I know I can’t drink Wild Turkey or mess with Jose.”
Then he took another long draught from his second 1 liter Dr. Pepper bottle of the night and I had to ask, “Rocky, isn’t all that Dr. Pepper tough on your kidneys?”
“Nah,” he replied, “I don’t drink half as much of it as I used to.”
An hour later he opened the refrigerator and yelled, “Shit!”
“What’s wrong, Rocky?”, I couldn't help but ask.
“I thought I had another Dr Pepper in here.”, he said with a look of defeat on his face.  
A little while later he opened a bottle of water, took a swig, and went into convulsive choking fits.  When he recovered he said simply, “Drinking water makes me choke.  I ain’t used to it.”  

Glorious but not so Glamorous

This is a response for my dear friend Lisa in Alaska. I am going to try to answer her questions and share some insights into having a “large” family.

A few days ago Justin was calling for me and found me in the girl’s bathroom with Annie in the assumed “wipe me” position. As I stood up we were laughing, and it occurred to me…. My life is full and glorious, but not so glamorous at times.

I always thought I would have four kids. So do I feel “done” since I’ve had number four? I don’t know. Ladies that I have talked to say they “know” when they are done having babies. They describe it being like feeling that overcomes you when you know you found the man that you are to marry. You can’t explain it, but it’s that calming assurance that overwhelms your inner being. I asked my doctor at my last appointment if there was any medical reason I shouldn’t have any more babies. Her answer was no.

Is being pregnant hard? Yes. Is it part of being a woman? Yes. From Genesis 3:16, it’s a part of my role in this life. Do I like being tired or throwing up or being nauseated? No. Do I like not being able to tie my own shoes? No. Do I like the constant worry of feeling the baby move or worrying if everything is ok from month to month appointments? No. Did I complain? Yes. But why should I complain and be bitter about my temporary pregnant condition? I love the rush of love nanoseconds after seeing my baby for the first time! I like seeing other people hold my babies and love on them too. I don’t look forward to that time of mourning when I know my baby making days are done.

We realize that our home is loud, constant, and chaotic to most people. I realize that my life with lots of kids and a husband with a crazy schedule is not for every woman. Some people ask, “How do you do it with four? I am exhausted with one or two kids.” The answer is simple. I just do it. I do my best to be strong and focused. I try to do what needs to be done one day at a time without complaining. I talk myself through the day. One thing at a time. Step by step. Have patience. I ask for help when I need it. I am devoted to my husband and to raising our children to be godly adults.

Is it easy everyday? No. Are there days when I want to sleep, shop, read, eat a warm meal or get to eat first, get in and out of the car without taking 10 minutes? Yes. Are there days when I am ashamed of my behavior as a parent? Yes. But, the days that end with extra hugs and kisses, days where the laughter overtakes the house, when they look at you and snuggle you with complete love make it all worth it. Which one of my kids would I not want? God made our kids so unique and perfect, each in their own way.

We are not perfect parents. We have learned to trust others. I cannot watch my children 24/7 and do it right all the time. We have to have help sometimes, and I have learned to ask for help when I need it. And whether it’s Bible class, a babysitter, or the daycare at the gym, we have learned to have trust, grace, patience, and gratitude when someone else is watching our kids. They are not perfect either. As Francesca Battistelli sings, perfection is my enemy.

When I was pregnant with the girls I threw up mornings and nights for the first four or five months and then again the last month or two. I threw up so much that Jones would mimic me. Half way through a meal, she would run to the bathroom. With West I was nauseated all day long. I would be so tired that I would parent from the couch. We would read lots of books, color, puzzles, blocks, sing, watch PBS and movies. Most mid mornings we would still make it to the gym, story time, or ladies Bible class. The afternoons were usually good for me, we would nap and then go outside or in the garage to play. After supper or after the girls went to bed was when I would try to get the dishes and laundry done. The days I did feel good, I made the effort to do the deep cleaning jobs. When Justin is home, he steps in and makes supper, does the dishes, and lets me sleep late in the morning. (I say that sentence in present tense because he still does all those things and more.) It works well that he is a morning person and I’m a night person.

Justin and I also made it a priority to make sure the youngest could do certain jobs before the next baby was born. They could pick out their clothes, dress and undress themselves, get in and out of the kitchen chair and be able to sit to eat/color etc., feed themselves, get in and out of the bathtub, use a washcloth in the tub, do their own seat belt buckles, be able to walk in stores, church, and library holding my hand and follow commands as we walk through a parking lot.

I have two terrific mentor moms. One is a grandmother who doesn’t have any of her own grandchildren here. She (they) have taken ours in as adoptive grandchildren. They have four children too, and she and her husband are so wonderful to us as they teach us, love us, and help us with the kids and our marriage. The other lady is such a blessing in my life. She has taught me to cook, she is awesome at crafts, she is my workout motivator, and my go to for advice and counsel. We cried together this past September as her youngest went off to college and our oldest started Kindergarten. Her husband has a job with a crazy schedule too, so she is wonderful to talk to because she has experienced the lifestyle I am living. I am a big believer in Titus 2, learning from the older women.

Justin and I have been listening to Vision Forum’s Baby Conference over the past several months. It has covered several different topics from naming your child, to adoption, the effects of feminism on today’s families. It’s been a real eye opener. Our family is now considered a large family in today’s society because we have more than two children. We know one family who has seven children, and I met a lady at a restaurant this past week with her tenth baby. This is a new experience for Justin and me since we both come from two children families.

We are learning as we go, but the Lord has provided for us all along the way.