A Generous Brother

Recently, W found something he thought MK would just love to have. For a mere 79.99 plus tax he wanted her to have a Tink Cafe'.

I explained it was not her birthday, Christmas or just give MK-a-gift day. It was a big gift and we could put it on a list to think about for another time. He may have felt where that was going so he immediately said he would pay for it and wanted to buy it for her. So very sweet. While the girls have banks for coins, he has has an old coffee can that he likes. Now that he is aware he can spend his own money he saves but it has been a while since he has had a large amount. Still, he wanted to count it out. He had over ten dollars and wanted to give all he had but we were not going to spend another $70 plus for the cafe'.

While he was disappointed about not having enough money right now to get it for MK he said he will just keep saving. Why would he want to give it all for his sister when he could save for something for himself, I asked. "Because I love her", he said... and he really does and that goes for A too.

First Day Being Twelve!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

It Won't Be Like This For Long

I wanted to share a song that I heard for the first time several weeks ago. Of course while I am all nostalgic about A's 11th year and really how quickly time is flying by for all three of our children it just makes me cry.



*Edited to Add: Guys, I just added a video to this blog! Seriously, it is easy and if you have time, (not like my fine example here), I imagine those close to you (especially ME) would love to see your pictures, videos and read your thoughts and it is EASIER than you think.

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.