Dad Memories on Father's Day

This is a long post because I have posted one dozen of my favorite memories about my Dad!  

I thought that this year for Father's Day I would post a bunch of random memories that I have with my Dad.  When I was in elementary school, I was very much a momma's girl.  My Dad worked pretty far away so his commute was a long one. To top that off, he was a band director so that meant during marching season he was gone more than not.  However when I started middle school, he became my band director.  I also got to spend a lot of time with him traveling. I think this is when things turned around and I became very much a Daddy's girl.

1.  I'd like to start this post off with random "snow" memories that I have with my Dad.  When I was little, it snowed.  Most Dad's make snowmen and help their little girls make snow angels.  Not my Dad- my Dad made me a snow elephant.  It was and still is the coolest thing I've ever seen.  It was absolutely awesome.

2.  My parents bought me a small car the Christmas before my 2nd semester of college.  My Dad drove in his car and I drove in my car to make sure that I was safe and sound (because it was a 300 plus mile trip to college).  Well we got into our cars and started to drive away from my grandparent's house and it began to snow.  We thought it shouldn't be that bad because we hadn't heard anything about a snow system coming through. So we continued to drive.  We got to the interstate and the further we got up the mountains the worse the snow got.  I was getting very nervous. This was well before we had cell phones too.  I nearly peed my pants on that drive up the mountain.  So Dad pulled over on the side of the interstate (this was after we had seen numerous cars slide off the mountain --- yes I may be exaggerating, but I honestly remember cars slipping and sliding off the mountain!) and I slid over.  He drove us to the nearest exit and we stopped at a motel thinking that the snow would ease off at some point.  We were in the same town as my college band director so eventually Dad made a call to "Bob" and we left the hotel to spend the night with "Bob" and a college crew of students that had also gotten stuck nearby.  Now while it was scary, that was one of the funnest times of my life.  The next day we shoveled off the car and made onto college.  My college didn't actually start on time because people couldn't get there.  I got to spend 3 or so days on campus with some of my best college friends just hanging out.  It was a blast!  Don't ask me how Dad got back to his car because I don't remember!

3.  Another ice storm:  This had to have been December of 1997.  I had just started dating my husband and he had come to see me at my parent's home.  He was on his way back home when something happened to his car so he drove it back to my parent's home.  He picked up whatever part it was and started working on the car in my parent's driveway.  My Dad stood there amazed at all he could do.  Then, it started sleeting.  Rob kept on working under a tarp.  My Dad continued to stand there watching Rob work.  It was in that moment that I realized I finally was dating a man that my Dad really liked!  :}  It sleeted really bad that day and Rob had to spend the night.  It just happened to be Christmas Eve!  So Rob got to witness my Dad's "Samta" impression early in the morning.  I was so excited it was like Christmas -- oh wait, it was.  Back story:  I don't know what year it started --- but every Christmas morning Dad would walk down the hall way doing his best Ho Ho Ho to "wake" everyone up.  (as if we were really asleep!)

****
Riding with my Dad:

4 When I was in middle & high school, I had to ride with my Dad to go to school.  As previously mentioned, my Dad was the band director.  I went to school with him because the school was 20 minutes from our house. It wasn't my district school, but because he taught there --- I was able to attend.  I felt lucky because who else got to spend 40 minutes of uninterrupted time with their Dad as a teen? So I was learning how to play the flute (my Dad taught me!) and I would practice any chance I would get.  After all, he was my teacher and he knew how long I practiced.  I couldn't lie on the how long did you practice sheets!  Well one of the ways I'd get my time in was on the drive to and from school.  I'd roll down the window, stick my flute out the window and play.  The first year I learned Rocky Top, the 2nd worst song ever.  I played it a lot because I was worried I would mess it up for the fireman's day parade.  If I could have figured out later how to spin a flag or rifle in the car, I would have done that too!

5. On most trips when I wasn't practicing, he would plug in a tape.  This wasn't just any tape, but a musical arrangement tape by Hal Leonard.  He must have had dozens and dozens of these tapes and listen we did on the way home.

6. Another thing that happened on our way home was that we would stop by a store and pick up goodies. I typically picked up a nu-grape in a glass bottle so I could tear off the paper and some sort of pastry item such as a honey-bun.  We did this almost every day. 

***

Wedding related memories:

7. So when I was in elementary school, I fell off my bike. I bit through my tongue and it bled a lot.  I cried a lot. There was a terrible scar, but my parent's promised that it would get better before I got married.  Fast forward to March 27, 1999.  Rob proposed.  We went to my parent's house, but they weren't there!  I called my grandparents and found out Dad was on the golf course.  I told Granny I needed to talk to them and if they could send them home to sign my FAFSA paperwork that would be great.  Of course Granny knew that something else was up and that I wouldn't call in such a hurry if it was just FAFSA paperwork.  So she got it out of me.  My Granny was the first person I told that I was getting married. She sent them on their way later.  I told them I was disappointed because my tongue scar didn't heal and I was getting married!


8. Every wedding my family would attend - my Dad would sit nearest to me and sometime during the ceremony whisper, "Elope."  At some point when I was a little older and actually knew what eloping meant, I'd whisper back, "Can't elope."  Honestly, I can't remember how many weddings this happened.  Well, my Granny called me a few days before the rehearsal and asked if there was anything special I needed that I had not picked up yet.  I told her that I needed her to go to the grocery store and pick up a  very special fruit. So at the rehearsal, I presented Dad with a cantaloupe.  :) On the back of the wedding programs themselves, I had typed up Cantaloupe at the bottom of it.

*** a lot of Elementary school memories ***

9. My Dad put up a basketball goal.   Well, I spent a LONG time out at the basketball goal chunking basket after basket.  Missing goal after goal.  Dad came out and stood approximately where the three point line would be if there had been one and said, "If you make this goal, I'll give you ---" I *think* it was 20 bucks.  Wouldn't you know it, I shot and made that goal.  Easiest 20 bucks I ever made!

10. When I was in 5th or 6th grade, I was granted permission to choose a paint color for my room.  I chose Carolina blue!  My Dad didn't try to talk me into a more girly or neutral color.   

11.  Now, what is one thing a Dad DREADS when he finds out he's going to be the Dad of a daughter? (other than when said daughter starts to date) ---  Well, I can tell you what it would be in my house --- SLEEPOVER PARTIES!  I think it was when I turned 12 I invited 10 or so girls over to the house for a slumber party!  Dad made the best of a bad situation, "DON'T EMBARRASS ME DAD!"  He bought us plenty of food and pretty much stayed out of our way.  He came out when we needed more food or if we needed him to check outside for the pesky boys that showed up to try to scare us, but we were wise to their ways! 

12. Perhaps one of my favorite stories of all time involve me, my little brother, a video store and a car.  Dad ran into the video store to either return a movie or get a new rental.  While my lil bro & I were in the tiny car, he began to get figity.  I was fussing at him (of course) to get back in his seat when all the sudden the car started rolling backwards onto the huge busy street.  I remember screaming, lil bro was oblivious that anything was wrong and Dad came running out of the video store. He grabbed the bumper of the car and single-handedly stopped the car from rolling.

Happy Father's Day to my favorite Dad of all times!

 

Happy Happy Birthday Dad!

My Dad is having a birthday today and I got the present!

We ordered a U-haul for moving on Saturday.  We heavily considered just huffing it and loading up the pick up truck over and over again, but after we weighed the pros and cons we decided to get a U-Haul.  Well, they just called.  The person that has the truck we are renting is keeping it longer than they anticipated.  Therefore, we are getting a free upgrade.

We rented a 17 foot truck and they are giving us a 26 foot truck because of the error.  They asked, "Is that okay with you guys?"  Yeah like I was going to say no ... it will take less trips back and forth which means it will be cheaper for us.  I think we'll take the free upgrade thank you very much!

Tomorrow we close on the house.  Saturday we move all of our stuff.

Back to Dad.

Happy Birthday Dad.  Glad I got your Good Birthday JuJu today. 

Highs and Lows

This week has been full of them.

Highs: I'm at my all time high of LDN! 3mg.
Lows: I have had a few LDN headaches this week. :( First time since starting in May that I've had an LDN headache.

Highs: Pre-K graduation finally happened after 2 months of planning and preparation
Lows: Vomiting, Crying and Boogers for the children. BUT overall it went fine. Plus, I woke up with sore throat this morning so I think I probably caught something from all those people that were at the graduation. Yes I catch things that fast.

Highs: Got a hand held vacuum for the couch.
Lows: It didn't work as well as I had hoped because the suction is so great that the material from the couch goes into it, but it is somewhat easier than using 1,000 lint brush stickies. It also showed me just how dirty my carpet was. I'll be working on that little project for a long long time. I'm hoping to get just the living room done this week. :/ I use my Dyson (I mean .. the thing is great, but we weren't as stoked about it as we thought we would be) to vacuum the carpet. Then I get on my hands and knees and use the hand held one. Then I use the Dyson again and get out MORE stuff. I've been over this one area of carpet probably 10 times since Thursday and there is STILL stuff coming up into both machines! It is finally getting better.

Highs: I get to see one of my best former work friends this week and work at her center.
Lows: Means I'll be working with new germs -aka teachers & children which means I'll probably really get sick- which means I'll probably be sick over the 4th of July weekend.

Highs .... MY DAD IS HEART HEALTHY! He had several tests last week and got the results that his heart was healthy. You have no idea how much weight was lifted off my shoulders.

Waiting for a White Christmas

A few days ago, the weather forecasters predicted a White Christmas (SNOW) for the Triangle for the first time since like the 1940's. Crazy thing is that I do remember having a White Christmas in 1997, but that part of NC isn't considered the Triangle (aka the airport didn't get snow that day). And I can't remember if it actually precipitated that day or if twas the day before Christmas. Either way, It just might snow today. My county is predicted to receive 4 to 6 inches of snow. It completely changes my plans for tomorrow. Our family has a reunion the Sunday after Christmas every year. As a child, we often went. The memories of this reunion are a cherished part of my life. Playing Pinball with my cousins, whining over having to listen to Achy Breaky Heart yet again and eating my Granny's infamous mac & cheese and of course the elder folks saying with gusto how much we had all grown over the past year.

This is the first year without my cherished Grandfather. We had planned to go partake in the reunion. I wasn't going to take Granny's infamous mac & cheese (it takes almost 4 hours to get there), but I did plan on whining about Achy Breaky Heart and kicking my "lil" (who is now very big!) cousin's butt in Pinball. Oh wait, maybe not b.c now the younger generation has taken over the pinball machine.

Looks like Bing will finally get what he wants in the Triangle. A White Christmas.

Family Christmas

So our home was once again gifted by the "Redneck Wrapper." This time the Redneck Wrapper wrapped in the used bag of popcorn. Inside the bag of popcorn was a present carefully wrapped in a Food Lion bag covered by paper towels. Once I got through the butter covered paper towels and into the food lion bag, I opened up the present by my brother in which the Redneck Wrapper hijacked. It was three boxes of toothpicks. Yeah we're crazy like that.



It was shortly after in which I was gifted with the annual gift Gummy Saver, a bag of Gummy Savers. It often results in this facial expression.




Once I suggested the theme was "bags," I gave my brother this look when I saw that he had given me a box of baggies for Christmas.



And if you look in the floor, you'll see a lunch "bag" and a Carolina "bag." This theme apparently was not intentional. In fact, it was only after I pointed out the "bag theme" after the third gift was a bag of something that each gift was funnier and funnier eliciting great responses like this one ....



After this, I got a bag of Munchos from "your facebook friend."



I had a wonderful time with my family on Christmas Eve Squared. I got lots of beautiful things including a wonderful ornament hand made by my mother, actually there were two. One was of my favorite Tar Heel basketball player and the other had photographs of my grandparents with me. Also received a lovely bath wrap which included was a bag to put it in to wash. I received lots of beautiful things, but most of all ... beautiful memories to cherish for the years to come.

Prayers

There are lots of things to be praying for other than my health. There are things that are in my heart that I don't feel comfortable saying out-loud to anyone other than my husband so if you would pray simply that everything that is on Jennifer's heart and mind would be eased soon that would be fabulous. If I can, I will share later on. However right now it's on a need to know basis and no one else really needs to know.

On the other front, I am going to see my LLMD today. I had a deep discussion with his assistant when I popped in on Wednesday regarding my headache. We talked about the controversy of Lyme Disease and how Lyme doctors are so rare. She told me that sometimes she gets phone calls and the person whispers, "Is he an LLMD?" Controversy runs rapid for a MD that treats Lyme Disease. Medical Boards are often on the hunt for MD's that treat this disease. My fear is that one of these days I will go and his office will be shut down. That's why I rarely say his name outloud. Sometimes even if someone flat out asks if I see him, I will say "I can not confirm or deny that I do." Makes me feel like he's in the witness protection program. I bet most if not all of his Lyme patients feel the same way I do.

In any case, my doctor is extremely smart. He treats and diagnoses based on symptoms and not necessarily test results. He has seen enough cases of enough diseases to know that certain symptoms generally mean certain diseases. If it's not dangerous to go ahead and treat for that disease, why not get started and get the labs at the same time instead of waiting for the labs to come back and then treat? In the entire time I've been there, he has NEVER been wrong about a single diagnosis. Most times the lab work backs him up. I say most because of the complexity about the tick borne illnesses tests.

In any case, I have been doing fairly well. My symptoms have been minimal. However at my husband's last appointment, he mentioned that I could have a potential backslide due to all the stress in my life (you have to admit a Grandfather's passing, an Uncle's heart surgery and an assessment at work all within about a month together are HUGE stresses). He suggested that in July he would wrote out a lower dose prescription for something I really need to be on. Though I kind of thought he was nuts in my head since I had overall been physically feeling great, I knew deep down that he would write it out anyways and at some point he'd have the test results to prove that I needed it.

So I decided to get the numbers on my side and that's when I requested my test results. As soon as I saw them, I knew. I have been his patient so long that I know which numbers he looks at and which numbers he's more concerned with. It was immediately alarming when I saw the number he really was interested in was off the normal range. It was also immediately alarming when the office called not once, but twice within a few hours of receiving the test results.

Ultimately ,even though it would have been helpful to have these results in the beginning of April, I think that God held off the results until I had mentally handled all the things I needed to handle before I could even begin to think about the possibility of a relapse. Now there are other things going on, but the assessment is over at work (one of the two anyways) and I am at ease with my Grandfather's passsing and my Uncle is at home after being at the hospital for 3 weeks or so.

While there are now other things on my plate, I am ready to tackle this head on. That's why when the LDN arrived I immediately began to take it. What I wasn't counting on was a reaction. May 28th I took my first dose. May 29th I felt nothing really. May 29th I took my 2nd dose. May 30th, I felt nothing really. I was woohooing all the way. I thought if it went well enough that I'd be able to increase my dose from 1mg to 2mg at my appointment in July. Well I took the third dose on May 30th. When I woke up on May 31st, I had a small headache. I thought it was kind of odd, but went about my day. The headache got worse. It never eased off.

I continued being a fighter and took the 4th dose on May 31st. On June 1st, I had the worst headache of my life. It rivaled the headaches I got pre-diagnosis. It was all I could do to function. I really just wanted to place an ice pack on my face and crawl into a hole where there was no light or sounds. I rivaled on though. June 1st, I took my 5th dose and by the next day my head was hurting even worse. As you know, I drove myself to the LLMD's. That's the day I discussed the controvery of Lyme with the assistant. Even though my head was killing me, I wanted to make sure she understood that I had been in a remission state and that this wasn't my normal.

So June 2nd, No LDN. June 3rd woke up with a less severe headache. No LDN on June 3rd either, woke up on June 4th feeling as well as I had before May 28th. She told me that unless I heard differently to not take the LDN until I had my appointment today. She then suggested that he will probably want me on IV's.

At 10 to 11, I will probably be getting news that I don't want. However, I will take what he has to say and swallow it with pride knowing that I did it once and I can do it again. Who knows, maybe just maybe, he may even say that it's just side effects. Haa. But my lab works proves that he knows what he's doing.

So prayers all around for my heart and mind and even those things that I haven't said outloud.

Do you believe in "ghosts?"

Do you believe in ghosts? I'm not talking about the little fellow walking around with a sheet on. I'm talking about spirits of those that have gone on to Heaven.

You know that place of consciousness right before you wake up?

I saw Daddy George this morning right as I was waking up. He was taking my photograph. When my eyes opened all the way, I realized cognitively he wasn't really there and he disappeared. Then I realized he was gone and it hurt all over again as if I had just received the phone call.

I hate that feeling more than any other feeling I get. That punch in the gut feeling. Wake up thinking someone is alive and well only to remember that they have passed on and the punch of grief hits you again. I'm so glad that I know he's in a better place.

See ya later

Those are the three words I almost always heard from my grandparents. It was almost always followed the words I love you. I love you, see ya later. I like to look at yesterday as a day of all of us saying, "I love you, see ya later."

When it was time to pick out flowers, it was so difficult for me. I just didn't want any ole flower. I didn't want something typical. I didn't want something normal. My grandfather was not a typical man. He was a class act and a gentlemen. He was more than a father, grandfather, a brother, a son, an uncle, a cousin, great grandfather. No matter what role he held, he was simply a friend. The stories he would tell. Oh the same stories. The songs he would sing. Oh the same song. So how could I pick out a typical flower for the man who taught me how to love and be a good friend.

Now in my head, I really wanted to pick out a Lily. The Lily is significant to my family. We have a song that incorporates the word Lily. So it would be completely be appropriate to purchase a Lily, but Lilies are typical. Lilies are the norm. So my husband and I went on a journey. To a florist you say? Nope, not us. We wouldn't be us if we went to a florist. We got in my car and drove to Lowe's. I touched almost every single flower, bush and tree in the place. Then I found this:



Do you know what it is? It's a Red Lily. A beautiful Lily shaped like a red heart. Red Sox Calla Lilies. I had no idea that Calla Lilies came in so many varieties. I knew about a few of them, but this one wowed me. It knocked the breath out of me and it already came in a beautiful pot. So we picked up the best looking pot out of the bunch and started making plans for it. We knew we had to rush to Michaels for a beautiful bow, but wait .. what's that? Something else caught my eye.

A beautiful red Mandevilla. So we decided to pick it up as well along with a beautiful pot to place it in and rushed off to Michaels.



Well when we rushed in, I realized that the bow making lady was no longer there for the evening. What was worse was that she would not be returning until late Thursday night. That would be way too late. So after wandering around for what seemed like hours, we finally decided on some bows that were already made. One was quite patritotic and the other was quite unique. Then we needed white cards and a card holder. Well something you may not realize is that Michaels does not sell card holders for plants. We needed an alternative idea so we began to search when we found these and the little stars held the cards perfectly.



Here is what we wound up with:





Unfortunately, the white bow was not photographed. Somewhere between the church and the funeral home, the bow was destroyed. Also please ignore the snowmen in the window. I have a problem. I know it is the end of April, but I just haven't had time to take them all down yet. :) To be honest, I forgot that was there until I saw it just now!

Praise You in THIS Storm

I've always used this song to lift me up during my Lyme battle. I'm listening to it differently today. My ears that have heard the words that no granddaughter ever wants to hear. My eyes have seen what no granddaughter should ever have to see, but it's a fact of life. God gives and God takes away. If God had not given me such a phenomenal man as a Grandfather, it would not hurt nearly as much. I am thankful for the pain and tears. It's amazing how much I've grown in ten years. I cry because I miss the man that did everything in his power to make sure that everyone was fed and comforted. I've been grieving the loss of "this" man for a while, but the loss of his body is one that is almost too much to bear ... almost, but not quite.

The thing is I know he is no longer in any pain. He can breathe and he is finally HOME. A home he's been wanting for so long. The last three words out of Grandfather's mouth to me, "I love you." In his last moments with me, he wanted me to know how much he loved me. I am trying not to cry. He wouldn't want me to cry, but in part I cry out of joy. He's finally at home. God finally called him home.


Praise You in This Storm
words by Mark Hall/music by Mark Hall and Bernie Herms

I was sure by now,God, that You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.

Chorus:
And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can't find You
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away

Chorus

I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth

Chorus







"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me...to grant consolation & joy to those who mourn in Zion - to give them a garland of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, & failing spirit - that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified." Isaiah 61.1 & 3

Sleep Well Daddy George

I love you! He met my Granny in Heaven late last night 4/25/10.

Thanks for your prayers

A pictures speaks 1,000 words.

Delayed in Myrtle Beach Post

Due to the poor health of my Grandfather, I will be postponing the blog on Myrtle Beach. Please pray for my Grandfather and family. I went to see him today. He's tired and struggling to breathe. So until I can catch my own breath, the blog will have to wait.

Many photos of Christmas

We chose to have a quiet fun Christmas at my parent's house this year. We arrived around 9am and stayed until nearly 5pm. We had a marvelous time, but I missed the days of having Christmas in the mountains with my Grandparents.

The big gift this year was a Wii for Dad. For the first time ever, he got clued. He's usually the clue writer, clue placer and the clue giver, but never the clue recipient. I had the best time writing clues (which I did last year as well for my husband's clue gift ~ which you might remember was also a Wii). Never heard of a "clued gift?" Well let me explain. Sometimes there is a rather large item that you want to give, but instead of just giving the person the gift ... there is a bit of anticipation. The unspsecting person opens up a normal looking gift. In the gift, there is the first clue to where the second clue is. They realize right away that they've been "clue gifted."

Usually 2 to 4 lines per clue are written. Sometimes it's only 3 places and other times it's 5 or 6 places. I'm sure if we really wanted to be annoyingly fun .... we'd have 7 or 8 clues. The first time somoene got clue gifted was me back in good ole 1995. It doesn't happen every year, but it's fun none the less. Whenever I'm the clue writer, I try to give little fun clues inside each clue about what the gift might be. Whenever the final gift is unwrapped .. it's more of a "aha" that's what that clue meant. Generally clues are found somewhere in the kitchen, in the bathroom, and for the first time ever ... one had to walk outside in the cold to find one in the mailbox.

IF you were really lucky, you saw one right here on my blog yesterday. I had it scheduled to post right about the time he would come to the computer for the last clue. VERY hard to schedule. If you've never done this, I suggest you give it a try. Just as a sample of what you might write:

Now that you've found your next clue
It's apparent what we've done to you.
Your next hint or so I've been told
Is where you keep things very cold.

(this was clue number 3 ~ and he had to find the clue in the freezer).

On to the photos of the day.

I took these photos using my new telephoto lens that santa brought me for my camera. The lens has automatic and manual focus. I discovered that I really like the manual focus on this huge lens that is quite heavy indeed for my unsteady hand. I took these photos from a pretty good distance away.

Row 1: Left is the new Nativity Scene. Right is a few candles, water globe and willow tree angels along with the ends of a couple of band director "magical sticks."
Row 2: Snow babies that my Dad painted years ago. They make me smile.
Row 3: Left is the dish that is a MUST. Granny's Mac & Cheese. Right: Trumpet on Tree

The next few photos were taken with our regular lens for the Olympus SLR. We use this lens for traditional picture taking. We can also use the manual focus on it as well as the automatic focus, but we have to change that setting with the camera body instead on the lens itself.

Row 1: Left:My new Willow Tree Angel. Right: Rob with our new birdfeeder
Row 2: Help with my ever needy hair (and check out the velvetta cheese box in my lap)
Row 3: We always get some sort of goodies. Left: Junior Mints Right: Beef Stick

Jeffrey the graduate

Jeffrey receiving his degree in front of a packed gymnasium.


Jeffrey showing off his degree holder for us.



Jeffrey turning his tassel.



Dad, Mom, Jeffrey and me.

My brother the graduate

My brother graduated college today.

This is a grand achievement of spectacular fashion.

I am so proud of my little brother.

Lots of photographs were taken.

Lots of laughter was had.

Tears were on the verge of being shed.

I can now say that I am the big sister of a college graduate.

My parents can say that all of their children are college graduates.

What a moment for our family.

What a moment for Jeffrey.

Way to go Jeffbo.

Way to go.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day

Favorite story of my favorite father's day present ever.
My teacher was going around asking all of her
students what their father's liked to do.
Some would say their Dad's liked sports.
Some would say their Dad's liked golfing.
Some would say their Dad's liked four wheelers.
Some would say their Dad's liked Video Games.
Some would say their Dad's liked church.

ME?
I said my dad liked to sit!
They tried to present me with another option
since my Father is musically talented.
Nope I insisted:
My Dad's a Sitting Nut.

Out of the mouth of children eh?
So Happy Father's Day to
My Sitting Nut!

If I had to say it all over again ...
I think I'd say the same thing!

Well maybe there would be a few more options

My Dad: The Humorous Nut
My Dad: The Musical Nut
My Dad: The Computer Messer Upper Nut
My Dad: The Golfing Nut
My Dad: The Nose Flute Nut
My Dad: Driving about 10 different ways to work Nut

All Joking Aside:

My Dad: The Dependable Nut

I can always count on my Dad to be there when I need him.
He's already done the three most important
things a Dad has to do ...
He gave me Life,
he molded me into
the person I became
and then
he gave me away.



Thankfully I still have my sitting nut.
He's one of the most important people in my life.
He can be serious.
He can be humorous.
But most importantly,
he is my Dad.

Baby Shower Fun

To protect my family & friends, I won't be posting any photos of their whole faces. I haven't gotten permission for one and for two ... I just don't think they'd like to be on my blog! This is the first time I really got photo happy at R's baby shower. I figure this is number 4 ... I had a right to be photo happy. I don't think she got really frustrated about my flashing camera until the end. BUT, I got some really great shots that I can't wait to share with her. :o)

Let the present unwrapping begin.
This was "R" along with one of her munchkins pitching in to unwrap presents. How kind of him!That present was the one from Moi.



I arrived and the hostess and cake had already made it's presence. We laughed and chuckled for a good little bit over it's "itty bitty" size. Supposedly could feed 8 to 10 people. Yeah I suppose if the slices were REALLY ITTY BITTY. We joked about Cake Wrecks Blog and thank goodness she brought some really bright cupcakes. They provided some great photos of the kids.



I took a whole series of these next shots. This was the one that covered "K" the best. I loved shooting her. My favorite photos of the whole batch were "K" covering herself with the green bow. I was trying to get her with her face uncovered and every time the bow would fall, I would snap away. Well one time she said, "You got to snap a little faster. This bow keeps falling down."




Another favorite photo moment was when the kids enjoyed their cupcakes. Beautiful Pink Cupcakes for Miss K and Green for Mr. G


And just so Mr. N doesn't feel left out. Here is what he said about changing diapers. And he's not saying, "I'll do it." He's saying, "I pass this chore onto my sister and brother. I've done it twice now." Then he did a little "Yes" motion with his hands. :D

Long weekend

Woo hoo. It's a long weekend. One I suspect that will have lots of fun cleaning.

Expect some photos next week though. I'm going to a baby shower today! (Not of the actual Mom b/c I doubt she'll want me posting photos of HER in her Pregnant state on my blog, but maybe of the presents .. we'll see).

Also ... just you wait until you see the joke that my husband came up with yesterday. I promise you .. if you have any kind of humor at all, you will be rolling on the floor. You'll just have to wait until Tuesday for that though.

Beautiful Memories

My Beautiful Grandparents 9 years 1 month and 4 days ago. It was today 9 years ago that Granny passed away. I miss her as much now as I did then.

Happy Birthday Dad!