A Special Name

Today, my father-in-law, who I affectionately named "Pop", has a birthday to celebrate! After D and I were married I wanted to call his mom and dad something other than by their first or last names. I grew up where people called adult friends and neighbors by their last names like Mr. or Mrs. Smith (for example).

After we were married, I found that in D's community they called friends and neighbors Mr. or Mrs. and their first name. While I could pull that off for people that D had already named from his growing up years, for his parents it was a clean slate. I thought about it. A LOT.

Once we moved to D's home state, I remember calling his dad from work because I had just discovered what I wanted to call him and I wanted to ask him if it was okay. He liked it and I was thrilled.

Putting his name into use was harder because I had yet found something to call his mom. I did ask her and she said I could call her Mrs. and her first name like everyone else. That was really hard for me since she wasn't a neighbor or friend like everyone else. I was always on a quest to find something she would like though. I thought I would find a name for her but I didn't get to before she went to be with Jesus. I do still think about it though.

It had been a while since I had talked to D's dad about his name so he asked me if I was going to use it and I told him I wanted to so I put aside my plan of having names at the same time for his mom and dad and was able to call him Pop. Up until then, I really avoided calling them anything because I wanted it to be right the first time and not have to be undone. Tricky, I know. All those years. How did we even communicate? I would call, they would answer and I would just start talking. :) If we were in the same room, I just looked at them when I talked to them or needed to get their attention. It worked somehow.

Now, I have been calling him Pop for eight years and I am the only one who does. It is special and he is special to me.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, POP! I love you ~ Sondra

Plugged or Unplugged?

I have wanted to update this little blog for months. I know of other people who have blogs and update them faithfully but "unplug" for a break. I guess I could say I was unplugged but that just screams LAZY to me and I have been anything but lazy recently. It also seems rude to just drop off the cyber face of the earth without saying goodbye for a while. I have worked more at home in the last few months, besides my usual schedule, and it really has just seemed busier with all the kids.

If you know me well you know it is all about order. There was a 11-year-old girl's interview, a slideshow for that sweet girl's 12th birthday, spring activities, programs, awards and all kinds of things you may or may not have wanted to know all about for the last few months. On this day, the 31st of May, I could not bear to not have an entry for this month.

I cannot recapture all those moments that I did not get to mention here but I will try to highlight some of those events because it is about ORDER. I have not even downloaded pictures from my camera since I posted on this blog last!

There is not really an end in sight on the busy schedules but I want to officially say I am definitely not unplugged and will be back SOON!

A Special Birthday

This weekend we celebrated D's birthday... kind of. He likes things a bit low-key so we obliged this time. The rest of us love a celebration and we are hoping we can have a few highlights during his birthday week. WEEK?!, you ask? Well yes, we cannot just stop at a day. One day just didn't seem like enough. A birthday week was designed to let the celebrated one make lots of choices during their birthday week. Since A has a birthday week coming up next week she wants to make sure he enjoys his.

On his birthday, I overheard D telling someone on the phone that he was going backward one year now instead of up so he is going with 39. Genius! Why didn't I think of that two months ago? It is never too late so I will join him and we can both be 39.

Last summer we celebrated 15 years of marriage and through these years he remains the same. Steady and solid is a great way to describe him. He is generous and loving. He loves us and takes care of us well. He would rather spend his free time with his family than doing something on his own without us. He doesn't have to... he wants to. He inspires me to be a better person and I only hope I can give back as much to him as he does for me every. single. day.

Happy Birthday, D!

Recent Highlights....

We have so much catching up to do! First, I thought I would combine a couple of posts and then it started looking like it needed to be a week in review and then two weeks and now highlights of the month seems more appropriate.

Let's go back just over a couple of weeks and pick up there. W found his John Deere overalls that Granny made him nearly two years ago and he put them on with his John Deere boots and added the John Deere pen in his front pocket to complete his ensemble. He played outside with MK and smiled at the thought of how good he looked.

A joined us outside with her guitar on her back and waited for Papaw to pick her up to spend some time together. There was her pinewood derby race car that needed finishing touches and guitars to play. MK was just happy. It was a great day for everyone.

Back to the timeline recap... there was the Pinewood Derby race. A's car turned out to be such a family affair. First there was the design, Papaw cut it out and sanded it, D put on the wheels and took A shopping for the paint colors, she painted it, I drew on some lines for her to fill in and the number she picked out. It needed a little more weight after the first weigh-in so Papaw drilled holes for some weights and they took it to the post office to make sure it weighed enough without going over. It was ready to race! Her car made it to the third round and it was a lot of fun watching the races. She said it was special getting it ready and spending the time with family.

Then we sailed into the week to get ready for Valentine's Day. MK and W had valentines to put together for AWANAs and there were class parties. W had soccer practice following a class party and could not wait to get home and go through his valentines.

Even though A's class no longer exchanges valentines, they made it up to them with a formal Valentine's banquet. She was beside herself with excitement and even said "Just think of how much fun we will have finding my dress!". I was just imagining it right then. I braced myself for the shopping experience but it went well. Luckily, the dresses we found for her size were modest and age appropriate.

W stayed with Papaw that evening and we drove A to the banquet. After taking some pictures, we headed to Luby's with MK. She was so thrilled... they have blue Jell-O. After a trip through Target, it was time to go pick up A. She was just elated and announced this was the best time she has had since camp last summer. Really? I am recalling other special moments since then but she is right it will be something she will always remember. I just hope she has fond memories of our time together finding her fancy dress.

Happy Valentine's Day!

This is one of my most favorite days of the year! I love LOVE. I love a day that celebrates LOVE. It has been busy around here since my last post.

This week has been great fun with all the Valentine's parties, Valentine card exchanges, candy, roses and a Valentine Banquet for A.

It has gotten late and I will post pictures soon!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!!

Rock Star Night

A week ago, after W learned there would be a Rock Star Night at AWANAs he was so excited. The very next day he had a plan and drew it all out. First, there was the picture he drew of the guitar he needed, and then another drawing of the spiked hair he had to have to pull the look off and of course he had to have a rock star shirt.

He talked about it every day for the week and it could not be far from our minds that it was coming up and there were preparations to make. There was the guitar we needed to make to his specs, hair gel to purchase and the rock star shirt.

The rock star shirt is where I encounted my biggest dilemma. We do not need rock star attire very often but I was quite sure he would not be wearing the likes of skulls with guitars or winged-guitars and frankly very frightening backgrounds. I could have ripped up a shirt I suppose but that would have just been tacky... and wasteful. I found the answer he and I both could live with in a tasteful shirt with rock star guitars fashioned in blue plaid on a brown background. I know the plaid and rockin' theme we had going on may have been at odds but for this sweet boy and me we were satisfied.

Below is his guitar design.

Here is our little rock star.

During the process of putting his guitar together and while we all enjoyed making his dream come true, he was beside himself with excitement. He could hardly contain himself. It is such a joy to watch him grow.

Christmas 2008 ~ Part Three

I finally have been able to put together my last installment for Christmas 2008. We went to the cabin and stayed for few days to celebrate the holiday with family.

Here is W with his Star Trek PEZ collection. He was pretty excited here. He doesn't just throw those smiles around. They truly have to be earned.

MK loved her bathrobe and it had her name monogrammed on it.

A received a pink guitar from Grandfather and she absolutely loved it.

Grandfather had no problem playing the pink guitar.

Here is someone else not afraid to play the pink guitar.

A loves the guitar and has wanted one for a long time. She is still practicing every day.

In the next picture, I did not exactly have a captive audience. Only one child was looking my direction but I thought the moment was sweet with him and W standing together.

After my sister distributed jelly beans they all thought she was fabulous... and they wanted to let her know how much they appreciated her.

Here is my happy little family.

The next picture was taken just before dark but there were ten young cousins scattering outside for a walk by the water.

There was a gingerbread house to build and there was definitely tasting while decorating.

Later, I happened to find MK just watching over the gingerbread house... all by herself.

Granny supervised two granddaughters making pumpkin bread.

W and Aunt R singing into colored pencils is a moment that is just a treasure.

We decided to take family pictures so we obviously collected ourselves for a great pose.

Here we are inside under the stockings my mom has made for each one of us.

There were pictures outside of my sisters and I with my Mom and Dad.

And lastly, a picture taken of my sisters and I.

That is a wrap-up of Christmas 2008 and it was all good.