Reed's First Birthday

Reed, It's so hard to believe that you have already turned a year old. It seems like just yesterday that Grumpy and Me (along with others) were at your house in Pleasant View, building the room upstairs so we could move your Mommy's office and get your room ready. It didn't even seem like work the day we painted your room. We were so excited to get it ready for your arrival that even though is was a lot of work, it was so much fun. Now Gramma can paint, but you are such a lucky little boy to have a Mommy and Granna who are so talented and got everything decorated and made you such a fun room. Grumpy didn't even complain about putting the bed together. He and your Daddy worked almost all of Sunday afternoon. Your cousin Caleb helped them out to. And before we knew it, the big day finally arrived. Your Daddy called me at work early on Monday morning to tell me he and your Mommy were going to the hospital, but wasn't sure yet if you would be arriving that day. Even though he said to just wait until I heard back from him, I called your Grumpy and told him to get ready or I would be going without him. He was ready and before your Daddy could call me back, we were ready and waiting. We brought Memama and G'Daddy along to the hospital and we waited and waited and waited. Granna and Papa T soon arrived and we all waited and waited and waited. Finally your Daddy came to the waiting room and told us you had arrived. Then we had to wait some more before we could see you. So some 12 hours or so from the time your Daddy called me, we finally got to see you. You were such a beautiful baby. I couldn't hold you that day and was pretty disappointed about that, but so excited that you were here and that you and your Mommy were okay. I would say that I fell in love with you on that day, but that wouldn't be true. I actually fell in love with you long before you were born. It's amazing how our love can just grow and grow. And now you are a year old! And once again, Gramma has been painting your room at your new home on Signal Mountain, trying to get it ready for you to move in. Granna has been busy making those curtains (among many other things) and she and your Mommy will soon have it all decorated and fun just like your room was in Pleasant View. Even though I didn't see you every day in Pleasant View, I miss knowing that I could if I wanted to. Having you 3 hours away is much different than when you were just 30 minutes away. I miss you so much, but see that you will be very happy in your new home. I've enjoyed pushing you in your stroller through your new neighborhood when we have been there to help on the house. And you have put many of my fears to rest when you greet me with that big smile and reach your arms out for me. You have helped bring sunshine back into my life. Celebrating your birthday here at Gramma and Grumpy's house was such fun. It was a busy, but exciting weekend. You were so tired by the time you had your cake (you preferred your cranberries), so Kaelyn, Reed, and Lane helped you out with the cake. Having my whole family (4 generations) here at the house sharing laughter and fun times together was the priceless part of the weekend. I know you won't remember this time, but hope that this journal of my thoughts and all of the pictures will always remind you of how very much you are loved. So just one more time, Happy 1st Birthday, Sunshine! I love you.

A great weekend!

Last weekend was a great time. It's been a really busy week so I haven't gotten to update the blog yet. Don't want to rush because it was an important time (celebrating Reed's first birthday) so will write about the weekend soon. Until then, here are a few pics. I love you Reed!

Chicago and an American Girl Birthday Celebration

Kaelyn, What a great weekend! This weekend might have been planned just for you, but it has proven to be a fantastic time for all of us. I can't remember when I have laughed so much. I know you are old enough to remember some things for yourself, but I want to share some highlights I think were worth remembering. The fun started right at the train station. Kassandra and you picked up right where you left off last time and even made new friends right off. Remember Sarah, the young lady who was going alone to visit her friends in Chicago. Remember how she found you on the train and sat right down in the floor with you and started reading your books to you. That was quite a compliment for you girls. You were having so much fun, this college girl who was at least 12 to 15 years older than you, wanted to spend time with you later. We should have gotten more information from her so we could share some of our photos. I think she was just one of God's angels he sends our way sometimes. Then there was the older lady (even older than Gramma) who was quite impressed with the way you girls presented yourselves. I was very proud of you. Then what about that train ride. Wasn't that just awesome? The food wasn't so great, but it was still fun making our way from car to car to get to the dining area. Just like in the movies! The conductor was also quite impressed with your good behavior and smiling faces. It shows in the pictures we captured. Getting that little 'power nap' before we arrived was a good idea, even though you looked like little homeless children lying there on the floor of the train. The bus drive to the hotel was a little less than exciting, but our hotel made up for it. What about that view! Waking to the sunrises over the water in the mornings put us in a good mood right from the beginning of the day. Shopping at the American Girl Store was unbelievable. I think Miss Cindy, Nana, Mama, and me had as much, if not more, fun as you and Kassandra. It brought out that little girl in us that we hadn't seen in a while. But it is always there. You should always hang on to that little part down inside of us that never grows up. And what was up with all of that food we had at your birthday brunch! Good thing we did a lot of walking. And a lot of walking is an understatement (my thighs are still sore). I wish we knew how many miles we walked over those 2 days. And once again, Kassandra and you handled it like real troopers. You didn't complain and hung right in there every step of the way. And then there was Navy Pier. Thank you so much for keeping me calm while riding that giant ferris wheel. Wasn't that just too cool? I can't repeat every event, but I want you to know that this was certainly a memorable weekend for me. I hope as we both grow older, you'll always find a little time to share a weekend with me. Even when it is you who has to help me. But most importantly I hope you loved this enough to remember to do these things with your own daughter/granddaughter someday. Sharing so much laughter with family and good friends is definitely the priceless part of this trip. When you have laughed so much your jaws hurt, you know it has been a good time. And it was a healing time for me. After all, laughter is the best medicine. I love you so much. I know I say that a lot, but that is one phrase I don't think you can say too many times. Especially when it comes straight from the heart! Don't forget to look at the pictures in the slide show. In addition to Kaelyn and Kassandra, I want to thank Regina, Barbara, and Cindy for such a wonderful weekend. We did pretty good ourselves. Six people in one hotel suite can get pretty 'cozy' and I don't remember one time when any of us had an issue. Thanks girls! Next post will be Reed's 1st birthday!! Can't wait to see him (Michael and Jessica, too). Seems like he changes so much in between visits.

Kaelyn's Birthday

Kaelyn, I can't believe my "Sweet Pea" is 6 years old already. Your party was so much fun. You are so special to have a family who loves you so much. I'm so excited about this weekend when we take the train to Chicago! I'll have more birthday memories to post for you when we get back. But for now, I just wanted to tell you how very special you are and how very much I love you. The day before your party, you just couldn't resist picking the one lone rose off my rosebush in the back yard. I wanted to be mad at you, but how could I be mad when I was looking at this...

I love you, little girl.

"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