"Baby Reed"

Oh, little Reed. I was so excited when your Mom and Dad announced they were expecting you. We were at the Catfish House (one of our favorite places) for G'Daddy's Birthday when your Daddy either asked what names we recommended for the new baby or said what they might name the new baby. It didn't really matter, all I heard was there was going to be a new baby. I was so excited I could burst. My baby was now having a baby! You see, all I ever wanted out of my life was to have babies. I have always loved children and that will never change. I wanted a 3rd child (still often wish I had done that), but circumstances didn't allow it, but now I was getting a 3rd grandchild and I was very excited. Your Daddy & Mommy wanted to keep it secret for a couple of months, but I wanted to tell everybody immediately. Two months was a long time to keep good news silent. I felt like I would burst (even angry sometimes), but finally we were allowed to tell; everyone in the whole family, church, and community were so excited. Of course your Mom's pregnancy was a little different from that of your Aunt Regina and Cousin Nay Nay. She was determined from the very beginning to make everything perfect and took absolutely no risk. Eating and drinking exactly as she read was appropriate according to the articles she researched. Nothing wrong with that, we just had to pick more healthy restaurants (you see your Gramma doesn't cook much). Now, your mama is very private and loves her personal space, but she stepped outside her comfort zone occassionally to let us feel you move or watch as you rolled around in her tummy. She was so proud of you growing healthy and strong, she just couldn't help but want to show you off (modestly of course). She and your Daddy began early making plans for you. They want you to be the best and most loved child ever. Now your mom and dad had a niece, nephew, and cousin to start watching behaviors and things that your Gramma and Grumpy did that weren't necessarily bad things, but things that might be considered spoiling. They didn't want some of these things for you and started making a mental list (and telling us of course) of things we would not be allowed to do. Don't worry, we'll still sneak something in every now and then, but would never, never, do anything that would harm you in anyway. I've got my eye on a dill pickle for you. Your cousin Kaelyn loved them. Used to suck all of the juice out and leave an old shriveled up shell. We'll see what you think soon. The day you were born, I was ill and there was a chance I could pass that to you. So Grumpy had to hold you and I could only look. I still grieve for what I missed that day. I think the touches you feel that first week or so stay with you forever. Finally I got to hold you a week later and I was in heaven. Then I went and got myself into an accident and wasn't able to hold you at all for a while. But when I could sit on the floor, you used to crawl up next to me and (with people yelling at me to be careful) I could still pull you into my lap a bit. Now you've moved away and distance cuts down on those numbers of hugs. So someday when you are reading this for yourself, stay prepared, because the Lord willing, I will still be kicking and looking for those hugs to make up for all of those we lost early on and those we miss due to the distance between us. I do love you so, Reed. I'm so sorry that the few precious months you lived in Pleasant View, circumstances didn't allow us to spend lots of quality time together. I do pray God keeps us close as a family even across the miles and brings you within my reach very often! I can' t wait to share your first birthday celebration with you. You have fun in Florida and have Mommy take lots of pictures. Before we know it, you'll be able to talk to Gramma on the phone and tell me about your days. I can't wait!! Love you, my sunshine. (Yep, I've decided that's what you are). Kaelyn is my Sweet Pea, Caleb is my Sugar Bear, and you are my Sunshine! What will the new one be? Oops, not supposed to tell that yet. Your Gramma is in trouble again. Oh well, I'm getting used to it. I'm sure there will be times that you and I are in trouble together some day! But it will be safe and fun, I promise! See you soon, Sunshine! Give everyone hugs from Gramma!

Happy 3rd Birthday Caleb

Caleb.....today you've turned 3 years old. Time flies by so quickly. You are such a precious and smart little boy and this day's post is dedicated to you. Your party was so much fun. Watching you and your friends play in the park was the best. Even though there were 2 slung off the merry-go-round and 2 really sick, it was still the hit of the party. Sometimes we adults forget how tuff you kids are. Jumping up to get right back on. When the party was over, it was off to see "Disney on Ice". The sparkle in your eyes as you watched, sang, and shouted greetings to your favorite characters was well worth fighting the crowds for. Thank you, Ms. Cindy for inviting us! Running in to Kyle and Allie was an added bonus. And hearing that tired little voice saying "I love you, Gramma" when I dropped you, Kaelyn, and Mommy off at home when the evening ended is priceless. I love you Sugar Bear! Happy Birthday.

Go faster Grumpy!!!!

A day in history....

Yesterday was September 11th. A date you will some day see in your history books. I hope that by the time you are old enough to read this, God will still reside in most hearts and fear will not be a part of your everyday life. As American's most of us do not really know fear. We hear about it and see it on TV, but most of us do not live in a situation where you must run from your house to the next building in fear of being shot, stabbed, or bombed. But on September 11, 2001, all Americans experienced a fear that most had never been subjected to. I remember the morning very well. I was at work when I heard about the first crash. As with any plane crash we all knew there would be many lives lost and our sympathies were immediately there, but no real fear. After all, it was just an accident, right. Then as the news came in about the next plane, and the next, ...... it became very evident, it was no accident. The United States was under attack. One of the girls in our office building ran home and got a portable TV so we could see the news as it came in. We did at least get a moment of relief from fear while setting up the TV. You see there was no cable TV in our building and it sits in a hollow next to the river bottom. So we had to make ourselves an antennae. We gathered aluminum foil from the kitchen, anything we could find to help get reception. The fear soon returned quickly as we got reception and saw the pictures coming in of the twin towers in New York burning and crumbling to the ground. We sat in awe as each of us wondered what was next. I immediately started calling my family. I couldn't reach Michael at first. He was still in school in Chattanooga and I was frantic until I finally heard his voice. Of course, he was okay, but I wanted him home! You see being a mom is just like being an old mother hen. Whenever there is something threatening our babies (no matter how old they are), we want to gather them under our wings and protect them. The fear that something major might happen in our area and my family would be spread in different places, not knowing if another was okay or not, was almost more than I could bear. Living in a military town, security was bumped up everywhere quickly. Flights were stopped immediately all across the country. The only aircraft in the sky was military. Working in a plant near a major river means we get lots of military traffic overhead. Just the sound of an airplane or helicopter would send us to the window to make sure it was safe. I can't explain the fear that day brought. That night our community gathered at Henrietta's Volunteer Fire Department hall and held a church service to pray for our country, the families of those who were victims of the attack, and yes, we also prayed for the attackers. You see, even in this early time, we had to begin forgiving our attackers or we would continue to live in fear. God gave me peace that night and I saw all of my immediate family members, except Michael. But God brought him home to me over the weekend, so I could just see him and touch him to know God was still in control. Now there was and still is a lot of question as to whether we should retaliate. We are human, and most of the citizens of the United States supported fully the decision to "make a statement" that we would not sit quietly and watch our country attacked. I'm not going to get into any more details, you can read about it in your history books or whatever method you'll be using by the time you read this, but I just wanted to share how I felt that day with you. You see life is not always fun. We have to learn to deal with the bad and sad times along with the good. We can't stick our heads in the sand and pretend they aren't happening. They won't go away. This is the same in your relationships with your siblings, parents, grandparents, friends, co-workers, and so on. If there is a time of adversity, stand up and face it head on. Talk about it, listen, and be sympathetic even if you feel you were wronged. And never be afraid or to proud to say you're sorry (and mean it). This is the only way to truly heal and move forward without regret. Love and hugs! Gramma

Number 2

Caleb, there's lots of things that aren't the same when you're not the 'first' grandchild, but don't ever let anyone tell you that it means you are any less special. There is one thing you will learn as you grow up, and that is there is so much love, it can never run out! Your mommy and daddy let Kaelyn share the news about you. She was so proud to announce that she was going to have a baby brother or sister! We watched you grow in your mommy's tummy and sometimes it looked as if you were doing back flips in there. In some ways watching as you developed was more exciting than 'the first'. We also got the pleasure of watching Kaelyn as she rubbed your mommy's tummy and talked to you even before you were born. I love you so much. You are such a kind and loving little boy. You'll always be my "sugar bear", even when you are big like your daddy. Last week you started your new school! Only two days there and your teacher already loves you. You keep Lane out of trouble and continue to set a good example for him. This is all new to him and you're experienced! I'm glad you two have each other and hope you will be best friends. Just always remember that Jesus loves you, even more than your Gramma.