Do I Make You Proud?

Taylor Hicks began his reign as the American Idol by singing,
”Do I Make You Proud?”, a song that he admittedly did not like, but I did. I got to thinking about my children, and boy, do they make me proud. Kim, Paul, Josh, Katie, Daniel, and Mandi….all so active for God. Kim and Paul, teaching and working with Lads to Leaders, Josh and Katie, also teaching and working with Bible Bowl and other good works, Daniel and Mandi, working with the church at Glencoe. David had the opportunity to spend some time with both Josh and Daniel at Polishing the Pulpit- because they were there. Josh had worked a hard day, yet he still found time to do something good. Daniel made the trip to Birmingham 2 days, and Mandi came after school one of those days. They have such good hearts. I know, the Lord willing, that I have sons and a son-in-law that will one day serve as Elders in the church. How wonderful that I don’t have to worry about them frequenting bars, or other places where so many other young adults find their “place” in life. I love you all.

Arky Update

As some of my 3 devoted readers may remember, I blogged about Arky, the Arkadelphia exit dog, many months ago. Arky was the big black dog standing on the side of the Arkadelphia Road exit. When I moved back to the new school, in September of last year, on the first morning there stood Arky (the name I gave him- I bet he has 10,000 names that others have given him). Well, today is August 29, 2007, and Arky is still there. How can a dog survive a year on an interstate???? He is so fat that he waddles. This morning he had pizza, biscuits (he has biscuits EVERY morning- up to 10 or 12), several containers of water (which he never seems to knock over- I guess he has learned the value of water during the drought), endless donuts, left-overs, and you name it. He goes into the shrubbery until the light changes to red, and then he comes out to see what has been left. He has become very picky, only eating what he really likes- I have noted that on bacon, egg, and cheese biscuits that he will open the biscuit and eat the bacon and egg but leave the cheese. The other morning as I came up the ramp I saw an Alabama State Trooper car pulled over- my first thought was that something had happened to Arky- wrong thought. The trooper was out feeding and watering Arky. I am amazed that some radical animal lover has not reported his hiding place to some animal organization. I hope people continue to leave Arky alone. He may get hit by a car tomorrow, but he is living the high life today. Even the grass mowers just move his water bowl and food when they mow. If you have a chance, check him out. He is truly a “Wonder-Dog”!

Primary biliary cirrhosis

Yesterday Mary had her port removed. The treatments did not help. She will go on the transplant list within the next week or so. They have told her that she has to be within 45 minutes of the hospital, and she will be on call 24/7. It is a scary time, but also a time of hope. How fortunate that we live near UAB where they are experts as liver transplants. Mary's condition is so rare, that they have only done 4 transplants for this same disease. Our family has certainly had their share of "rare" liver problems.As most of ou know, Kim suffered from AFLP (Acute Fatty Liver in Pregnancy), which is also very rare. I had a virus attach my liver several years ago, but fortunately I recovered. Obviously Mary is not blood related to Kim or me, and what Kim and I had was certainly not related, but all this liver stuff is scary.
Please remember Mary in your prayers. She is brave and strong, and that is to her favor. Also, the reality is, someone must die and donate, and that is a scary thought. Below is an excerpt about PBC.
(PBC) is a disease characterized by inflammatory destruction of the small bile ducts within the liver. PBC eventually leads to cirrhosis of the liver. The cause of PBC is unknown, but because of the presence of autoantibodies, it is generally thought to be an autoimmune disease. Other etiologies, such as infectious agents, have not been completely excluded. PBC has a worldwide prevalence of approximately 5/100,000 and an annual incidence of approximately 6/1,000,000. The prevalence and incidence appear to be similar in different regions of the world. About 90% of patients with PBC are women. Most commonly, the disease is diagnosed in patients between the ages of 40 and 60 years.

Choosing Cheerfulness

Well, it is Saturday and I have been busy washing, cleaning, hemming pants, and mending rips.
David and I went to Polishing the Pulpit last night, and we enjoyed it. I went to 2 ladies classes, and during the second one, Becky was there so I enjoyed her company. We don't spend much time together, anymore. Melony Webster spoke on choosing cheerfulness. I needed to hear that one. I have needed it today. We are so blessed, and yet sometimes we let things overshadow all the good.
I need to go vacuum the pool, so I may do that. I have also read all my daily blogs. It is nice to keep up with everyone, and to read what they have on their minds and in their hearts. It is kind of like reading someone's diary- only one they have edited, I am certain. If not my first 2 paragraphs would have been full of much more detail, if you know what I mean.
Have a great weekend, and be CHEERFUL!

Tidbits

Well, the first full week of school is behind me, and I have spent the last 3 days in training. We have a new circulation system, and I am here to tell you that I am about brain dead from the training. We spent 3 SOLID days, and the information was OVERLOAD. I really don’t know if I remember anything. I guess it will be one of those learn as you go type things. I had to do some programming with HTML language- something I have NEVER done, so that was a challenge (and also unbelievable that it was required considering this program set B’ham City Schools back MANY dollars). Our old program was only 2 years old, but the company bailed and we were basically left with a skeletal program. Oh well, enough of that.
Tonight we went to Golden Rule in Irondale to eat. About the time we got our drinks the lights went out because of lightning. David and I had food- but everyone else was just waiting. We actually ate in the dark. David went and got a flashlight right toward the end. It was interesting. We truly could not see what we were putting in our mouths. Everyone was using their cell phones to try to see. How funny!!
We have a funeral to go to tomorrow. Some people that come to church at Sylvan Springs had a 20 year old son to die. He had a bicycle wreck and they thought he was okay. Apparently he had gone to bed and they went to check on him some time later and he was blue. They called the paramedics and when they got there he had a faint pulse. They carried him to the hospital but he died. He was their only child (not that that makes any difference), and I know this is a tremendous shock to them.
Tomorrow is also sweet, baby Hannah’s big first birthday party. That should be fun. She is getting so big. Wednesday night she was walking every where. She is still a little wobbly, but she is about to overcome that. My bed calls…..I am getting old.

Mary, Mary, not contrary!

My sister-in-law, Mary had a port put in today so that she can take some medication to hopefully relieve her itching. For those that may not know, Mary has a liver condition that is going to eventually require a transplant. We are hopeful that it might be some long years down the road, but some of Mary’s problems, and blood work numbers indicates that the problem may have worsened some since it was last checked. Mary has taken some medications that may have caused the numbers to worsen. Have you ever noted that every single drug advertisement says something like…”Don’t take this drug if you have liver problems.” Some of the drugs that Mary has taken to TRY to get relief from the itching might be culprits in making the numbers higher, as well. I don’t know if any of you out in Blog Land have ever itched- but I have. It is not like a mosquito bite- it is sheer torment. Back before the doctors realized my gallbladder was bad (anyone else out there had this misdiagnosed????), I almost itched myself to death. As a matter of fact, at one point I spent 5 days in the hospital on a Benadryl drip (boy was that a trip!). I can sympathize with Mary. While I don’t think I know what she is going through to the extent that it is, I know it is more than just itching. I also know that Mary is being very brave. She is smiling, and laughing, and well, just being Mary. What she is actually facing is very serious. I love Mary. I don’t think the 2 of us have ever had a cross word. If we have, I don’t remember it (so don’t remind me, Mary!). So, all you Bloggers, pray for Mary. She is trying to work, but it is hard. She has no sick days, and she is the “insurance” carrier in the family. Hopefully she will feel better in a few days. I love you, Mary!

So Disappointed

I am not a huge fan of reality television, but I do love "Little People, Big World." As a matter of fact, I know too much about these people. I love Amy- she is so real. I love it that she is always loading the dishwasher, and that the laundry is all over the house. The kids are so messy, it seems real. They also fuss and fight. Molly, the only girl, stands her ground with the 3 brothers. Matt's parents crack me up- especially when his dad says, "I have had it up to here with these dwarf people!" The kids attend a private, church-related school. Amy worries about money (although I believe those problems have been taken care of by the income from the show), and Matt is always starting projects (some he finishes, some he doesn't). Well, the other day, Matt was arrested for DUI. I am crushed. I feel like my cousin committed a crime. Matt- what were you thinking???? You know your little body will not tolerate much alcohol. You already have a hard time driving a vehicle- and then you add alcohol to the mix. Shame on you, little person. You have disillusioned me with your awful act. What if you had an accident and left Amy to fend for herself, or worse yet, what if you have hurt someone else! You need to be ashamed little person.....As Gomer would say...."Shame, Shame, Shame!"

I also read that this was not his first arrest- he was arrested in 03 but underwent an alcohol program.

For All You Moms Out In Blog Land

I blog hopped to this site. Check out some of the cute items. Addi, Levi, Lila, and Hannah may get something off of this site for the holidays. I liked the white with the blue snow flakes. I thought it might be something they could wear all winter, perhaps. Kim, Katie, and myself will have to look through and pick something out. It is August 1st and I am thinking about Christmas.
Also, Happy Birthday to my "baby", Daniel, who is 23 today. Poor thing- he is celebrating in Gatlinburg. Addi was worried about Daniel just being with Mandi on his birthday. She has a big party mentality. So sweet.

http://www.babyfacedesign.blogspot.com/

He fought hard....

Baby Chandler lost his hard fought battle a little after 11 last night. The infection in his tiny body was just too much for him to overcome. He struggled his whole life, but had made some progress up until last week.
The family needs prayer at this time. It has been a very emotional and physically draining situation.

Baby Chandler needs our prayers

Chandler Ferguson is critically sick. They needed to do surgery last night, but he was not stable enough. He has the intestinal problem that hits preemies, and it is not good. Please pray for him.

Is God There?

In the light of the past week, with the sad events that have made many of our blog community so sad- I thought this might be good reading.
I love you all.

Is God There?
May 5, 2004
by WAYNE JACKSON
When the hardships of life take their toll, sufferers may be tempted to question whether God is at all concerned. Yet the following truths reveal that the faithful child of God is ever in the mind and care of our loving Creator.
Emma was a sweet, four-and-one-half year old girl, the utter delight of her parents. Now, she is with the Lord. Emma was killed in a tragic automobile accident. Many grieving souls, with sincere faith, struggle with these sorts of tragedies.
Does God hear our pleas when we pray for the protection of our loved ones? Does he intervene providentially on behalf of his children? If so, why do these heartbreaking things happen? Why?!
Our souls agonize with those who are subjected to such horrors. How do we assist them? It is not easy, but here are some principles that may help.
Instead of trying to make sense of individual episodes of tragedy, we need to focus upon several fundamental truths.
It is absolutely paramount that we establish our confidence in the testimony of the Scriptures. Unless we are convinced that the Bible is true, and we can trust its message, there is nowhere to go for any meaningful resolution.
We must, therefore, immerse ourselves in the evidences that build faith in the integrity of the Word of God. This will be the foundation upon which all else rests. If we desert our faith, we have solved nothing. Rather than having a single problem, we then will have two; and infidelity is of far greater consequence.
Is the Creator sensitive to out prayers? Yes. Jesus himself depended upon prayer (cf. Lk. 22:44). He prayed that if God so willed, the “cup” of suffering might pass from him; but it did not. There was a higher purpose to be served (Heb. 5:8-9).
Though Christ taught that the Father lovingly listens to us (Jn. 15:7; cf. Jas. 5:16-18; 1 Pet. 3:12; 1 Jn. 5:14), that does not mean we will be immune to the common difficulties of life. Were that the case, no child of God would ever die!
We are citizens of a planet cursed by evil, and we, like all others, are heir to its hardships. Prayer will provide the Christian with comfort and the strength to endure, but it does not exempt us from trials.
Is it true that God is able to intervene in the lives of his people to bring about, in a providential (i.e., non-miraculous) fashion what is best for them? Yes.
If we could only see “behind the scenes,” we might understand that what is now perceived to be quite “bad,” from our limited vantage point, may turn out to be “good” in the final analysis.
That is why Joseph ultimately could say to his brothers, after much heartache, “And as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good . . .” (Gen. 50:20). The events of our lives must be measured in terms of eternity, not time.
Paul petitioned the Lord that he might he able to visit the saints in Rome (Rom. 1:9-10; cf. 15:30-32). God moved in mysterious ways to bring about the apostle’s request; it actually involved Paul spending four years as a prisoner (Acts 24:27; 28:30).
It is very clear that our Father can operate in our lives. But precisely when he is directing matters, we cannot know (cf. Philem. 15). God can intervene; but some things may “just happen.” We can only resolve to glorify the Lord – under any circumstance.
The Bible makes it clear that it is not possible for us to scrutinize the ways of our Maker and subject them to meaningful analysis. “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out!” (Rom. 11:33).
We are not qualified to be the Lord’s “counsellor” or to tender judgment upon what he is doing (vs. 34). This was a major lesson that Job, the patriarch of Uz, had to learn (cf. 42:1-3).
We are not the first to struggle with the mysteries of crushing blows in our lives. The early saints were similarly confronted with such hardships, and yet they maintained their faith.
During the reign of Herod Agrippa I, James, the brother of John was killed for the cause of Christ, and yet, Peter, on the same occasion was delivered from prison and spared the malicious intent of the ruler (Acts 12:1ff). Why? Surely the Jerusalem Christians puzzled over this matter.
Four companions in the gospel – Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke – arrive in the city of Philippi to do mission work. Two of them – Paul and Silas – are whipped and thrown into prison. The other two remain untouched. Who can explain it?
Why was it the case that Epaphroditus, Paul’s helper in Rome, who had become so desperately ill, was delivered from his illness (Phil. 2:25-27), while Paul himself, who was afflicted with some grievous “thorn in the flesh,” was informed that he must abide in that condition (2 Cor. 12:7-9)?
Why these seeming inequities? We do not know. But the New Testament writers record these events with no apology. We will never be able to “figure out” why some of us today appear to have it so well, while others are forced to endure agonies. We must simply have confidence that out Father is working a plan that he knows far better than we. We must wait for the clearer picture.
Based upon what we know of God’s goodness, as revealed in the Scriptures, we must conclude that whatever he does, or allows to happen, ultimately is “right” (Gen. 18:25). The life of faith is a life of trust. We are not promised exemptions from suffering; we are promised that whatever bad happens in our lives, through it all the Lord loves us supremely (Rom. 8:35ff).
Finally, whatever the difficulties and mysteries of this life, we can take hope in the fact that the trials we now endure are but a prelude to glory (Rom. 8:18ff). We will understand things much better in the “sweet bye-and-bye.”
But we are not there yet! We’re still in the hard here-and-now.

My #1 Son-in-law

My #1 son-in-law, the famous Paul Kelsey, has given my blog a much needed facelift. I am so excited- I have blinkies and everything!!!!! Paul, you did a great job. If you need a blog revival- see Paul as he may be going into the business. Just kidding, Paul. I know you don't need another job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Blog Poem

I never kept a diary for more than a week,
To keep a journal I did not seek.
So what makes Blogging such a wonderful treat?
Perhaps it’s because it’s such an easy feat!

Oh that today I could look back on the past,
And see what I was doing when I was a mere las.
So for all of you Blogging parents in mass,
Be certain to save a paper copy of all that has passed!

For there will come a day and it won’t be long,
When you won’t be able to recount that child’s silly song.
But if to the paper Blog you can once again roam,
Then the memories will be relived in your present day home.

So, though the computer and blogging is today’s current art,
Remember that not too long ago we thought typewriters were a great start!
And, although you may not believe that I am this smart,
There will come a day when you will wish you had taken my warning to heart!

My List

Okay….here goes. Some of this is a wish list! By the way- there are only 50 things here.

1. I love my life.
2. I love God, and I am so thankful that He loves me.
3. I love David more than words can tell. He writes me the sweetest cards, because the ones in the store do not meet his approval.
4. I never intended to marry a preacher.
5. My children and grandchildren are my world. This includes my children-in-law. I can’t imagine life without a single one of them. I also have fears as to how I would handle anything bad that might happen to any of them. My mother also had these fears, stemmed by the fact that her sisters and brother lost children.
6. I love my whole family. While we might not be Norman Rockwell material, I think we do pretty well.
7. I need my sister, more than she probably knows.
8. I love my job. I never dread going to work, other than getting out of bed.
9. I am the “Principal’s Pet”, and have been for the tenure of 5 different administrations.
10. My life would not be complete without my daughter. She is special.
11. My “boys” are now men that would make any mother proud.
12. The day my mother died made me realize how important it is to tell those around you that you love them. She was special.
13. I like for my house to be organized, but it really isn’t. I have also learned that having a clean house is not everything in life.
14. I went back to school and received my Masters at 50. It was not easy.
15. I love teaching for the University of West Alabama. Dr. Snider is one of my favorite people, and he is my boss.
16. I love my swimming pool and cannot stand for the water not to be crystal clear with no leaves. I spend more time cleaning than swimming. No bugs, please!
17. I wish I could successfully loose weight and keep it off. This should really be like #4 on my list. I wish it were as simple as “want to”. I also hate that I have passed the ‘fat gene” along to others. Then again, someone passed it on to me!
18. I think there are 2 places in the world that are the most wonderful- 1. Indian Creek Youth Camp, and 2. Freed Hardeman University
19. I cry easily.
20. I will never live with any of my children- despite all of the nice things I have said about them. I should never say never, but let me tell you, I mean never if I have life and breath and can do otherwise.
21. My gray hair will not cover, despite the fact that the bottle says it will.
22. The day Addi was born was one of the happiest and scariest days of my life.
23. When Levi pats my back, I get tears in my eyes.
24. I love Hannah’s fang tooth. Her grin lights up a room.
25. I haven’t read a book in over a year. Pretty sad for a librarian.
26. I love to find a bargain.
27, I love to monogram with my new machine.
28. I miss having a “best girlfriend”- when Glenda moved to Georgia our relationship changed.
29. I like eating out- that is part of the problem with #17.
30. I do not like conflict. Sometimes I keep my mouth shut to keep things from escalating.
31. I wish people would do what they say they are going to do and not make excuses.
32. I wish I had more money so that I could help my kids out more.
33. I love being able to give more to the church now that I have a third job.
34. Sometimes I look for small imperfections in things, and then let it drive me crazy. For example, if I buy a new dress and it has a tiny little flaw, I will think that everyone sees it.
35. I don’t like water marks on my stainless sink. I have them, anyway.
36. I sometimes leave things in the refrigerator until it gives off fumes (seriously). When I clean out the frig, I vow to not do it again, but I do.
37, I wish I had insisted that my children take more responsibility in cleaning, and cooking.
38. I wish my mother and father could see my grandchildren. They would be so proud.
39. I am not as adaptable as people think I am.
40. I miss being alone at times.
41. I am not as kind as I need to be.
42. I love my dog, but I don’t understand people that think animals are like their children. None of my children ever dug a 4 foot hole under my steps!
43. If I could only eat at one place for the rest of my life, it would be the Fish Market.
44. I do not want to be buried. I want to be cremated, but David and Patsy are not too keen on that idea. Then again, maybe I will be here when the Lord comes and that will be a non-issue. I also want to be scattered at ICYC because it is my happy place. Just pour me off the point.
45. I think Blogging brings people closer. We all say things on our Blog that we would not say in public.
46. I need to be a better Bible student.
47. I am excited about baby Lila. I also miss Lila Mae so much. I never had anyone outside of my family that loved me like she did. She would be excited over baby Lila and have someone make her a quilt!
48. I am not going to make it to 100- so this will be 50 things!
49. When you start making a list, you realize that some things are not in the order that they should be.
50. I vowed I would never do one of these lists.

Please, Call me by name!

In February, when we attended the Freed Hardeman lectures, we attended church on Wednesday night at the Estes congregation. Tom Holland always speaks on Wednesday night, and it is always a treat. When they made their announcements, it was announced that one of the members had just been diagnosed with colon cancer. I could tell it was someone who was a faithful, active member, simply by the way the announcement was made. As we were exiting the building, there was a lady standing in the back. Everyone was crowded around her. She looked to be about 50 years old, and she was crying. I could tell by the conversation that I was hearing that she was the lady in the announcement. Everyone seemed so concerned. One man stated- “We are praying for you.” The lady kindly replied, “Thank you. Please, call me by name when you pray! I don’t need generic prayers right now.” In other words, she did not want to be clumped with all of the other sick- she wanted her name brought before the throne of God. She wanted God to know that people were praying specifically for her. I don’t know the lady, or her outcome, but I do know that she understood that prayer is powerful. Will you help me as we pray for this people- and call them by name?
Melody Ferguson
Chandler Ferguson
Denese Billitz
Phillip Hammock
Chad Vernon
Bayley Maddox
Teale Yielding and Baby
Betty Garrison
Wayne Courington
Virginia Barnes
Eva Gaither
Would you like to add others to this list?

Blog by Bullets

Due to Bullet #1, I am going to sum up the past few weeks by using bullets

• I have a summer cold. The first cold I have had in several years, much less a summer cold.
• David and I had a great week in Destin. It was beautiful- the place we stayed was beautiful- and the workshop was A+.
• I had a great week at camp. We cooked 15 meals ranging from spaghetti, biscuits, gravy, sausage, bacon, grilled pork chops, cheesecake, banana pudding, and you name it!
• Tomorrow, Lord willing, I will know if my Blog title will be Addi, Levi, Lila, and Hannah's Granna, or Addi, Levi, Carter, and Hannah's Granna.
• Baby Bayley is thriving. Yesterday she was up to 3 lbs. 6.8 ounces. I have not had today's update. She might come home in 2 to 3 weeks barring any set-backs.
• Baby Chandler is fighting an infection. He is still below 2 lbs. He needs our prayers.
• I am working this week at school. It is very low key. The 5th graders are coming for orientation for 2 hours each day. I get paid for the day, so that is good.
• My UWA classes are going well. I am teaching 2 sections of Childrens/Young Adult Literature. I have 30 students in each class. I also have a new internship class, putting me well over 100 internships in progress. Thank goodness for folders in my inbox! I will be teaching Cataloging in the fall. This is a huge honor as Dr. Snider always teaches the cataloging class. Cataloging to a librarian is like learning the language of the books. It is vital to understanding classification.
• Did I mention I have a cold?

Mother

I started thinking about anniversaries- some are good, some are bad, and some are sad. It is hard not to think about certain things on certain dates. December 20th, my anniversary, October 28, September 6, August 1, December 1, January 20, August 23, all important and happy dates to me. Today is an anniversary date, as well. My mother passed from this life 9 years ago today. Mother was 86, and by years that is a long life, but it did not seem like it was time for her to go. My heart felt as if though she had some more living to do, but I guess that is as it is with all who pass on. Of all my great fortunes in life, having a good mother has to rank way close to the top. Mother was somewhat of a unique person. She was private, yet very public with her love for her family. She was so proud of every family member. In her “nursing home” journal, which was like a Blog before there were Blogs, she wrote about family. I am going to share some of her entries just as she wrote them-
“Charles, you walked at 1 yr, + 1 mo. We lived in four large rooms in a house in Sayreton. You were born at Carraway Hospital, November, 1946. You (before you turned loose to walk by yourself) you went round and round catching to furniture, finally you turned loose, took off, and never fell. You were a big smart boy. You and Patsy had so much fun at night, playing on the bed, wrestling, and giggling.”
“Lisa and Norman are like a light to me.”
“David is the wind beneath Susan’s wings. She could not have done for me all she has done, without him.”
“Thank you, Patsy, for all your help.”
“Daniel is so good looking, and his skin is beautiful. I love Daniel so good. As he left he told me that he loved me. That was so sweet, and precious to me.”
“I love Leslie and Laura.”
“As Lisa and Norman were leaving Thanksgiving Day, after doing so much for me, Norman put both arms around me with such feeling. I’ll never forget as long as I live, the love I have been shown. I love, Norman.”
“Today Kim came to see me, I was so happy to see her I bawled (cried). Kim looked so good. Love becomes her, she is so very pretty.”
“Josh will be back from vacation tomorrow. I miss him talking with me and his visits.”
As you can see, family meant so much to mother. She loved us all, and one of the last requests that she made was to “keep being a family”. I think she would be proud of us- while we might not see each other that often, we all know that we are there for each other. We are in harmony, and that means so much. I think if any of us had a need, the others would rally to their cause. So, on this anniversary, I want to tell all of you how much I love you, because Mother would want me to do that, and not just because she would want me to,but because I mean it.

Granna's Brag Book

Following Addi’s game on Tuesday night, I made the comment to David on the way home that I though Addi loved playing softball more than any of the other girls in the whole league. I told him I guessed I was just prejudice, and maybe everyone else did not see it that way, but she was just having such a great time. She has even patented a little dance when she gets on base that I heard one of the coachs refer to as “The Addi Dance”. If grins are any indication of happiness, she has had one on all season. She has had so many people come to see her play, probably more than any of the other girls in the league. She developed a Miss America wave that she would wave at the stands as she went to bat. Everyone soon fell under her influence and would look for that wave. We worried that she might have a hard time learning to hit the ball at her age- wrong. I don't know what her batting average was, but I will say this much- it was higher than some of the girls that made All-Stars. Next year if her fielding catches up to her batting, she will probably be an All-Star. She was, even if she is my grandchild, a definite crowd favorite. Well, last night proved me right. Addi received the award for Most Outstanding Player in the Sweeties League, 2007. All of the coaches voted on this award. The commissioner gave this special 2 or 3 minute speech (little did we know that Addi was about to receive the award) about all of the wonderful attributes that the winner of the award had- then they called Addi’s name and a little red-headed girl came running in from the outfield, grinning from ear to ear, to the applause of everyone in the crowd. I teared up. She was so cute, having not a clue as to what she was receiving, but loving every second of getting a medal. I hate that Paul missed it- who would have guessed that one of the very few 4 year olds in the whole league would win this honor. After the ceremony she proudly showed her medallion, telling everyone that it was very special. Am I proud- you bet! If she never wins another medal, ribbon, trophy, or award, last night was a crowning moment for her Granna. What fun it is to have grandchildren!

New Blog Name

Okay- I am faced with a dilemma. My blog has had the perfect “rhyming” name- “Addi, Levi, and Hannah’s Granna.” With the arrival of baby Lila (or at least we THINK baby Lila), I am perplexed with what my new blog title should be. I have had the kids in chronological order, but I am tinkering with Addi, Levi, Lila, and Hannah’s Granna. The Hannah and Granna just have such a good sound. What do you think?

Granna, he usted to know my name….

Sunday was Mothers Day and I had the joy of spending time with my children. Daniel called, but he was preaching so I did not see him. We had celebrated earlier with a wonderful meal that Daniel cooked. I love my kids, and they were very kind to me on this special day. I had a moment of thought about my own mother and I could not even start to write about how wonderful she was, or how much I still miss her after these almost 9 years.
After lunch, David, Kim, Addi, MaMa, and myself made a trip to the nursing home to see PaPa. It was after lunch and PaPa was sitting in the TV room sound asleep. We shook, and called his name, but PaPa was out of it. Addi got in front of him and started yelling,
”PaPa, PaPa!” Finally David helped him get on his feet and he looked down at Addi and for a brief second, there was a smile. Addi asked Kim, “Why doesn’t PaPa know my name?”
I took Addi for a walk to the front hall to see the bird atrium. As we were walking Addi asked- “Why do these old people like me?” That was a simple answer- you are cute and they don’t see many kids. Then she said, in her absolute sweetest voice ever, “Granna, he usted to know my name.” This, of course, was in reference to her PaPa Courington. Yes, he “usted” to know all of our names, but now that is no longer the case. Sometimes he smiles like he recognizes that we might be somewhat familiar, but hardly ever a name. Addi does not understand Alzheimer’s , nor do I. It is a sad disease. It is a cruel disease. It is indeed, the long goodbye. So, we have to remember when PaPa did remember our names, and hold on to those memories. It is hard to watch someone that you love turn into someone that does not know you. But, he has no control over this disease, for if he did he would argue it down and overcome it! We love you, PaPa, and we know that your heart knows us even if your mind does not.