Happy 20th Anniversary Marie

Twenty years ago today, I met my BFF.  Sometimes in life, you have these instant connections as if you grew up together.  That was my experience with Marie.  To say I was obsessed with the band U2 was an understatement.  I lived and breathed it.  I had a ton of t-shirts, buttons and their posters plastered all over my room and even on my ceiling.  People probably thought I would grow out of it but it's going on 30 years now, so I am not sure if I will.

Lakeland Newspaper!

U2 hadn’t toured in years.  I was like an addict in withdrawals.  I had seen several shows and then went into YEARS of waiting for them to tour again.  The moment finally arrived and through their fan magazine I bought tickets for their small arena shows.  I was super pumped to see them in a small venue.  The show was in Lakeland, Florida and me and my other BFF Jenny drove down to the show. We got there early to stalk the band for their sound check and that’s when Marie and I met. Larry Mullen, Jr. (the drummer) roared up on his Harley and sheer panic ensued.  There was a particular girl who was having a conniption that was matching the one I was experiencing.  We started hugging and freaking out together.  After things calmed down we took off together to walk around the building and to peer in the windows!  We were hoping that some janitor would leave a door open and we could slip in for the sound check.  We ended up staying at the same hotel and even went back to the venue in the wee hours of the night to befriend a bunch of roadies as they were unloading the stage.  It was a total blast.  

U2 Show - February 29, 1992

I ended up going to Mobile, Alabama shortly after for a visit.  We got to look through all her U2 paraphernalia.  We began to hook up for different U2 shows in different cities and found our U2 soul mates in each other.  It was like we had this understanding that no one else got.  It was a true blessing to find someone who shared the same U2 obsession!  It was awesome to have someone that would be thrilled when I called her from the first place U2 ever played when I visited Dublin, Ireland. (Yes I said obsessed!)  I was ecstatic when Marie woke me up in the night because she just chatted with Bono (lead singer of U2!)  No one would be as impressed as me!

As time, went on our friendship took on a whole new level.  When Marie was getting ready to graduate from college, her mom got sick with cancer and died in just a few weeks of finding out.  It was so shocking and traumatic.  Her mother came to my house to visit and hosted me in hers like the true southern belle that she was.  I loved her mother and walked with Marie through this horrific period.  Not too many years later, she would walk with me through the sudden death of my father.  To have a friend, who understands the pain of loosing a parent at such an early age, was life giving for both of us and so comforting.

Again, people probably thought we wouldn’t stay connected as we grew into adulthood but our love has a depth that will live on forever.  We might not talk for months but the connection has never waned.  I hold her dear as as soul sister who understands a part of me that no other friend ever could.  I love you my dear Marie and so grateful God brought us together 20 years ago!!! May we live long and see many more U2 shows together!!!

Scary Tunnels

Ed cracks me up!  He is completely obsessed with “tunnels”  (culverts!)  I guess it started when we got into bike riding.  He would see the pipes under the roads and in ditches and he talks about them relentless.  We stop and he checks them out but is pretty afraid of them.  We have one at the end of our road that he is getting a little braver with his investigations!  I try to reinforce his fear because I don’t ever want him going inside one like little children are prone to do.  Dan gets mad at me and wants all his kid’s adventurous.  I want my kids alive and I don’t care what he says, tunnels are scary!

I might be traumatized from my childhood.  We lived on the oceanfront and before the dredge they had this pipe that ran from the beach to Ocean drive.  My siblings told me stories about how they climbed up the pipe all the way to the metal grate.  I used to look up in that claustrophobic, dark pipe and want to be that brave but I was way to afraid to ever try it.  That’s why I constantly tell Eddie how nasty it is in the “tunnels” and I am totally fine with him playing it safe!!  I know people think we are crazy analyzing all the culverts.  One day the Altenbachs rode by why my kids were playing down in the ditch.  It started with Ed peering inside the tunnel and ended up with my three little peeps rolling down the hill.  It was pretty adorable even if the scary tunnel was near by!  

Firstborn Randi

Not very often do I get to spend time with Randi who I love so much.  I met Randi when I was pregnant with Bonnie, 13 years ago.  She was an intern from Teen Mania and Sean Yost casually introduced me at YouthQuake Live practice and said, “This is Randi. She worked with Teen Mania, goes to UNF and she is going to help you.”  I thought, “Oh great He is pawning off someone he doesn’t want to deal with!"  LOL!   I had been burned by quite a few people that were sent to “help” me. People love to say they are going to help but most people flake out over time especially if they are volunteers.  It’s very hard to hold volunteers accountable for what they commit to because you aren’t paying them.  It’s a rare and wonderful thing to find a dedicated volunteer who is actually a blessing and not a curse. 

I met with Randi, somewhat irritated but was impressed when she whipped out a pad of paper, and a pen and was poised and ready to take down every word of wisdom I was getting ready to speak forth!  We have laughed about it for years but the first thing I asked her is if she was a firstborn!  I had recently started my ongoing obsession with Birth Order (currently reading a book right now, LOL) I had vowed to never have an assistant again who wasn’t a firstborn.  Thankfully she said yes so I was a little reassured that this wouldn’t be as bad as I first anticipated.  I gave her a list of stuff to work on and BAMMM, she was done before I could even believe.  I started getting excited.  I thought wow, she might be a keeper for sure!    As time went on and as I popped out a new baby every two years, Randi took over my position in YouthQuake and blew it out of the park.  I helped set up the organizational systems in the very beginning of YQL and Randi tweaked, improved and created new ways to make it run like a well-oiled machine.  The first Cast Placement I went to that Randi totally ran, amazed me and brought such joy and thankfulness in my heart.  Instead of old school sign in sheets, she had a line of people with laptops signing the kids in so there would be no nightmare, after the fact, data entry that I used to do every year and hated.  She is brilliant and a phenomenal manager.  YQL is a large organization with over 150 cast members, thousands of attendees with many different arms of ministry including, interns, missions, youth pastor outreach and more.  People are stunned and amazed that it’s run by one full-time person and that person is Randi. Sean Yost has never been paid.  We have added a couple part timers over the years. Randi graduated top of her class in college and has her masters and could be banking it in the corporate world but she sold out to Jesus and fervently works to impact the world.  She spends every summer abroad ministering to the poor and lost and lives a simple life and is always focused on helping others. 

 

I admire her so much and we have great visits together.  Today, she came in the rain and mentioned that this was the first visit without a Wog kid at home.  To fill in for the lack of demanding Wog kids, KC howled, bugged and demanded a walk.  I put her off as long as I could since it was raining but finally Randi and I took her for a walk.  We reminisced about standing on the corner of Florida Boulevard on Election Day campaigning and with my George Bush stand up!!  KC wasn’t as bad as I was prepared for. She only ran after about 3 or 4 squirrels dragging me through neighbor’s yards.  I made the mistake of telling Randi that one time she protested when we got close to home and refused to walk.  It’s like KC heard me and put on the skids.  Randi was pretty tough on her and got her moving.  I am actually thinking about letting Randi have KC for a few weeks to train her!  I might just drop KC off at Randi’s door and run!  I will forever be grateful for God sending Randi to YQL!  She is a quiet, dedicated, hard-working, over-achiever FIRSTBORN and I am also hoping I can add Dog Whisperer to her accolades as well :)

Happy Birthday Sweet Daddy!

Today is my Dad’s birthday.  I so wish he were still with us.  In my Beth Moore Bible study, she asked us to think about a bitter experience in our life.  My mind went straight to the day my Dad died.  It was such a shock and still is even though it’s been 16 years.  I can’t imagine a better Dad.  He was so respected and loved by such a vast, diverse group of people that it is mind blowing.  He died in his late 50’s.  That seems younger every year older I get.  I will never understand why God let him die.  I wrestled with it for a long time after his death and finally came to a place of acceptance.  I still don’t like it and still feel shafted.  I wasn’t done needing a Dad. 

The night before he died, my Mom and Dad came up to a youth meeting to see Dan and I.  I hugged my Dad and actually told him I didn’t like him flying on small planes because we just couldn’t go on if something happened to him.  My mom and I always thought something would happen to Dad because he was almost too good to be true.  He died in the front yard the next morning with my mom while they were planting flowers.  I had told him I loved him on the phone an hour before.

We clogged together at my wedding

I had only been married a year.  Dan was still in college and could have used my Dad’s help starting off his career.  We always joked that my Dad started dating Dan before me.  My Dad attended the University of Miami and Dan was a big fan so they instantly bonded.  They would watch Cane games together and cheer on Miami!  Dad would play golf with Dan every Friday for months before we even dated.  Dad thought Dan was an expert golfer and I remember him coming home and telling my mom how Dan had taught him this or that.  Dan was only 19 at the time but really was outstanding at golf and should have pursued it as a career.  I know my Dad would be so proud of Dan and how hard he has worked and sacrificed to take care of our large family. 

Dad was a successful businessman and wise man of God too.  He was an Elder at our church and helped more people than we ever knew.  After his death, we were inundated with letters galore, recounting all the good deeds my Dad did that even my mom didn’t know.  Things like, giving single moms money at Christmas, giving young couples down payment money on houses, giving young boys in Sunday School class their first Bible, counseling young men with failing careers.  It just went on and on.  We got to know even more about the man we loved so much.

The thing that always surprised people was how down to earth and fun my Dad was.  He grew up every summer in Fontana, NC, riding horses, driving boats and even clogging.  He always took his family on great vacations that were always adventurous.  He would jump bareback on a wild horse as it bucked and bucked but the horse would finally yield in submission.  I talked him into to taking me to Colorado during a spring break in college.  Both my mom and dad had never skied but went for it.  Dad was nuts skiing through the trees and one time he even knocked down a lady when we were racing!  He was an outstanding athlete too!  He could hang with the young guys and could swish a basket from anywhere.  Dad used to play me with his left-hand in ping pong so I would have a chance!  He didn't believe in letting kids win either!  :) He used to take me deep sea fishing all the time on his best friend’s boat, The Candy Boat.  He would chum the whole time without one complaint.  I caught a 90-pound Tarpon when I was 13 and Dad was so proud!  He was a true man’s man and I am so grateful Dan got to spend 3 years with him learning from him.  They joked and had so much fun together.   

Dad built me a house when I was in high school that I moved into after I graduated from college. On my last night at home, my Dad picked up my leather jacket that I had thrown on the stairs, and held it and cried.  My mom heard something, ran down and they sat on the stairs and grieved their fourth and last baby leaving the nest. I was a very loved and celebrated daughter.  I was so blessed to have a father who modeled the true love of our Heavenly Father.

I think about Dad so very much when I am with my kids.  I think about how Bonnie has that same calm spirit.  I think about how he would love Maggie so much because she is like my mom, spunky and fun.  I think about how he would so enjoy watching Cane games with Bubba and watching Annie swim.  I think about how much he would take time to listen to all of Ed’s funny stories.  I have made it my life’s goal to have a family with the same qualities that I grew up with.  I know I fall short in so many ways but I desire to also leave a legacy for future generations to emulate just like my Dad has.  My Dad got up early every morning and you would find him sitting in his chair, reading his Bible and praying.  After he died, my mom found his prayer list tucked in his Bible.

I have needed counsel from my Dad a million times over the last 16 years.  I miss his calm, wise spirit, and his integrity and good judgment.  There is no one that I respect more than my Father and we need more men like him today.  He thought the best about people.  He had unshakable faith and he loved my mother more than any other man has ever loved a wife.  I don’t know the mind of God and why he would take a man that meant so much to so many.  All we can do is wait until heaven reunites us all again. Happy Birthday Daddy!  We miss you so much!

President's Day River Trip

The happiest place in the world to me is our River House.  I live such a fast paced, hurried life just trying to keep up with the 5 kid’s schedules.  I almost get to a desperate place of needing rest before I get to the River.  The main reason I love it so much is because I get serious quality time with my kids.  At home, I am always torn between chores, filing things away, laundry and more!  We get to the river and a peace comes over me and I am never happier!  We take lots of walks through the woods, play cards, swing on the front porch and laugh together.  We mainly, slow down!

This trip we had some unusual things happen.  Our zip line was really low like a huge person or two went on it and dropped it several feet.  It was actually really nice for my age kids.  Eddie had his first zip line experience and got braver on every turn.  He was scaring me going so fast by the time we left.  It was Maggie’s turn and Bonnie took her way up to the top of the hill and she got going so fast.  Annie and I both lunged to stop her and we did slow her down but she did slam into the tree. I felt so bad. I yanked my arm and hurt my shoulder and neck trying to stop her.  She got a few scratches but was fine just pretty scared.  Dan forced her to do it again later so she would overcome her fear.  He stopped all the kids easily so we had no other injuries.

The next day, Maggie and I took a walk through the woods and were walking down the wooded road. I was telling Maggie how much I loved the woods and pointing out how beautiful the trees were.  I glanced down and was getting ready to step down on a big snake.  It’s the first snake I have ever seen down there in the past 11 years. I yelled and Maggie stepped right over and started dancing around with this big snake between her feet.  Finally, we got away from it and KC started running back towards us.  I quickly grabbed her and diverted her away from the snake.  We ran up to the main road and stopped to get our breath.  Poor Maggie was shaking and I was pretty sure I was having a heart attack with my chest beating out of control.  I know the Bible says we as believers can tread on serpents but I wasn't ready to give it a try! LOL!  I thought it was a rattler but after checking in our book of critters back at the cabin, I think it was a Pine snake.  It really scared me and freaked me out especially when my kids and KC were running through the woods playing.

We have a small cemetery on our property.  It’s such a mystery to us.  It seems to be a small family.  A couple of the tombstones are children’s and we always wonder about why they died so young. I always imagine it was a yellow fever epidemic or something tragic like that.  I tried to look up who they were online but they died in the early 1900’s and I couldn’t find any information.

 

Dan always cooks when just our family goes and does a spectacular job, grilling and cooking big country breakfasts!  My girls always volunteer to make lunch so it’s such a nice break for me (a person who only cooks to feed the masses and not for enjoyment ever)   Of course we ended, every night with a powerhouse game of Hearts!  Dan actually shot the moon and was pretty proud!

It was typical, crazy, Florida, winter weather.  It got in the mid 70’s and the kids begged to swim.  I thought it was a really bad idea but Dan said OK.  We didn’t take bathing suits so they were swimming in their shorts and t-shirts.  It was my favorite time of the weekend.  Dan and I sat on the deck and watched all five of our children playing in the kayaks, swinging on the rope swing, having so much fun together. It was a surreal moment realizing that I have survived raising all my five babies to this point.  Because I have watched my sister and brother’s kids grow up at the River and now are grown and so busy.  I know how these times are so precious and will be just a memory before too long.  I loved every second and would have stayed there in that moment forever if I could have.  There is nothing as good for my soul as time away with my family enjoying God’s beautiful creation!  The only thing that would have improved our trip was if we got to visit with James McDonald who mysteriously left his River house, moments before our clan arrived!  :)  We did get a drive-by visit on the 4 Wheeler by Mrs. Vicki and Jimmy so I guess that will have to satisfy us for now! 

NJHS Inductions 2012

Today, I finally got to the store and bought a frame for my big girl’s National Junior Honor Society certificate.  As, I was putting it in the frame and hanging it on the wall, I thought about how hard and diligent Bonnie has worked to achieve this honor.  She is a very conscientious student but things haven’t always come easy to her (I won’t say the Math word!)  She strives for excellence and puts the time in necessary to make good grades.  At the beginning of the year, she set out to keep her grades up and was devastated when she got a grade lower than she wanted.  I tried to encourage her to let it go but she thought every bad grade would keep her from being inducted.  I know I told her the requirement was a 3.5 but I think she must have heard 4.0 because for the first time in her life, she has gotten Straight A’s two semesters in a row (even in Math!!) 

 

I am so very proud of her.  Not just for the induction into this exclusive honor society but for setting a goal and reaching it!  I am grateful for her teachers that are so gifted at explaining a subject in different ways so that the student can comprehend.  Teresa Rogers always went out of her way to help Bonnie, (especially in Math) and also Leanne McGarity has been a tremendous blessing. She has been so encouraging to Bonnie and a cheerleader for her when she grasps a concept!  Bonnie has but in so many hours of study (me too!) and has spent many nights at her grandmother’s house getting tutored.  Bonnie has always brought our family honor in a host of ways but now it’s official because a certificate now hangs on the wall!!  Well done, Bonnie!!  We love you and are very proud of your accomplishment!!

Bubba's Final Birthday Celebration

The Wogs are known for dragging out birthdays for as long as possible!!  Bubba started his day off the best way ever, with orange and green frosted donuts.  I had told him it was impossible to do it, because green frosting didn’t come in until March for St. Patty’s Day!  He was very pleasantly surprised when Dan pulled up with two orange AND green dozen donuts for his class! 

I was kind of freaking out and so was my mom.  Bubba wanted this black alternative Miami Heat jersey!  As a surprise, my mom got him a flat cap Heat hat!  I ordered it online and it was suppose to arrive the day before his birthday.  I didn’t worry at all because most orders I do online arrive early and it was not Christmas time or anything.  It didn’t come and my mom wasn’t happy that she had no gift to give Bubba and was planning on going to buy something else.  I desperately called the post office and found great favor with a gruff postal worker who abruptly put me on hold.  I was praying like crazy and she came back on and said she had my package in her hand.  I was stunned and stoked!  I was a happy camper when I held that box in my hand!  I texted my mom “The eagle has landed!”  


Ed and I surprised Bubba and took him to Subway for lunch! Bubba actually got in trouble at school one time for telling a boy in his class that “Your mother doesn’t take you to eat fresh!”  LOL, Really Bubba?  

We took him to Smash Burger for dinner! Food is a high priority to him obviously!  There was a little fight between two customers that was quite disturbing but the food never disappoints!  My mom insisted on making Bubba a cake and came over and he opened his final two gifts and never was a boy so thrilled with his new jersey and new hat!!  I honestly can’t believe it’s been 11 years since God gave me the best Valentine gift ever!!  He brings me so much joy and in his words, loves me the most!!  I think I believe him too!

Wog Dog Blog - Squirrel Hunter

Today was a monumental day at our house.  Since we got KC a year and a half ago, she has chased squirrels with a fierce obsession.  She has made all of us who walk her, despise squirrels.  KC has made us run at break neck speeds and leap over bushes in a single bound.  I swear the squirrels frolic right in front of KC on purpose and mock her as she runs them up a tree!  Bonnie who has tree-hugger tendencies recently told me that she wants an “I Hate Squirrels” T-shirt.  Dan said he hopes one day she would actually catch a squirrel.  Well, today was the day!  She was barking and causing a big commotion outside so I sent Bonnie to check on her.  Bonnie starts freaking out and yelling, “KC caught a squirrel!”  We all raced outside and KC had a squirrel in her mouth.  She just kind of pranced around with it.  Typically, if we give her a bone, she goes outside and buries it.  I don’t think she really knew what to do with the squirrel.  She is a Tree Walker Coon Hound and is raised to hunt.  She is one of the best breeds for hunting that you can have but this was her first successful hunt and we are also untrained what to do next.  

When I was young, a friend of my brothers would go squirrel hunting and I actually ate some fried squirrel before.  I thought today, if times ever get really tough, KC could help bring home the bacon (literally) and help keep all the Wogs fed!  LOL Yes I know this is totally upsetting or grossing some people out but it’s the circle of life is all!  Squirrels are overpopulated in our area and they personally have driven me to the brink of insanity.  When I was pregnant with Bonnie and lived in our stilt house, squirrels moved into the floor, underneath the house and would keep me up all night running around and scratching. Then the little buggers started chewing through our PVC pipes and we would have all these leaks.  I prayed to God to help me figure out how the little critters were getting in the floor.  I was standing outside on the steps, and swoosh I saw the squirrel go in this tiny little whole on the side of a column.  I was wishing I had a gun in my hand to finish the little animal off.  Dan patched the place of entry, along with fixing the water pipes a few times and all was well after that but it did leave me with a bitterness and murderous thoughts about all the sleepless nights the intruding squirrel family caused me.

We decided we needed to get the squirrel away from KC so she wouldn’t tear it up in the back yard.  You would think at least one out of five kids would be upset or even traumatized by the experience but they were all like proud parents.  Yes, it’s weird but I understood.  She has attempted to a catch a squirrel hundreds of times and finally accomplished her life’s purpose!  She finally dropped it and I threw a bag over it and tried to grab it to dispose of it.  The critter was warm and totally freaked me out and I screamed and KC grabbed the tail and ran off again in the bushes.  My mother in law was over and took charge.  She corned KC and got the squirrel and put it in the bag.  The kids were sad like we took KC’s prize but it was the best thing to do.  I texted Dan a picture and he proudly showed everyone in his office and was puffed up with pride in his hound dog!  It might just be me, but I think KC is walking with a new swagger, feeling pretty satisfied with herself!

STAR WARS Phantom Menace 3D

There are things in your life that stand out and will always forever!  I vividly remember going to see the original Star Wars movie, (episode 4, A New Hope) with my parents when I was a kid (Yes I am older than I look, LOL!)  The first time Bubba ever saw a Star Wars movie was when he just turned 4 and we took him to see Episode 3 (yes I am rethinking that decision for sure.  It sounds so ridiculous now but it didn’t at the time because Bubba was so obsessed with Star Wars) 

Yesterday was an Epic day for the Wogs!  The Phantom Menace was re-leased in 3D and Bubba wanted to go see it with his best friend from preschool Ryan.  They had previously had Star Wars bonding as little kids!  Bubba started his day with a flag football game, a Pop Warner football from the Godard’s and then dashed to the theater for the big Star Wars moment.  I emailed the fam about going if the time worked out.  We were quite excited that THE James McDonald was going to be there at the same time!!  (Does a birthday get any better than that? Isn’t that the best gift possible?)  As if to make the day even more epic, BOTH James and Jesse were sporting the now famous, Wog Blog T-shirts!  It was like a major clash of goodness all at once! 

I picked up my nephew Isaac and rushed to the theater!  Dan got there early to save seats while I got the kids situated at home.  It was such an awesome surprise to have Uncle Bill and William there too!  We really dominated the whole theater with the Szarmacks, Ashmores, Burdettes and Porters were there too!  Poor Kennedy was either really tired or freaked out with the 3D action.  We are thinking this may be his first movie and oh what a perfect one to see first!

When the Star Wars music came on, I had to choke back tears of joy!  I sat next to William and Bubs asked me if he was alive when it originally came out and William said he felt old because Bubba wasn’t (it was released in 1999)  William and I both cringed the whole movie and plotted the assassination of Jar Jar Binks.  

My brother Billy can’t stand Jar Jar and actually re-edited a whole movie cutting him out as much as possible.  I think William actually tweeted something like “What was George Lucas thinking?”  and I agreed.  What an irritating character.  We also lamented about what a shame it was that Qui Gon Jinn and Darth Maul were killed off in episode 1.  They were awesome characters.  We were secretly hoping that the plot would miraculous change and Darth Maul would slice Jar Jar binks into the shaft of death.

The 3D Glasses were so cool.  They had a picture of Darth Maul’s eyes on the arms of the glasses.  Bubba is obsessed with 3D glasses.  Mysteriously I ended up with about 6 pair in my purse.  I didn’t make a big deal about Bubba lifting them from the theater because it was his birthday celebration after all.  The film ended and Bubba got another gift, a Star Wars Xbox game from the Altenbachs!  Now we are only left counting down the days until they release Episode 2, Attack of the Clones.  Let’s just hope and pray that James McDonald will be at that showing as well!

Daddy's Home!!!

Twice a year, Dan has to go out of town for several days.  I always think it’s a royal waste of corporate money.  I dread it so much.  I think mainly it’s the thought of being responsible for the 5 kids and the dog.  The dog is the biggest problem because walking her is not enough.  Dan rides her on the bike for 5 miles and then she is the perfect dog with her halo on straight!  Dan lectured the kid to step it up and help me while he is gone. I am not a morning person at all and I am very spoiled.  Dan gets up with all the kids everyday while I sleep in. He feeds them all, packs their lunches and quietly slips a cup of coffee on my side table and I sit in brief silence, waking up slowly. 

The first morning, I got jolted awake by a door slamming.   I looked at the clock and it was 7 AM.  I was really hoping all the kids were still at home!  I stumbled downstairs and was pleasantly surprised.  Maggie had made breakfast, Annie was busy packing everyone’s lunch (she is the one who slammed the door getting juice boxes in the outside refrigerator!)  Maggie even turned on my coffee and it was ready to drink, praise Jesus!! 

The second morning I woke up to something burning.  I freaked, RAN downstairs and it was only a waffle and after scraping it, it was still edible!  The third day, things went a little side-ways.  I had to break up a fight, we were cramming spelling, Bible verses, hunting folders and running late.  I was so glad it was my last morning alone to manage the masses!

The kids were so excited for the Dad to be home.  They turned out all the lights and yelled surprise and all on their own, made him a special treat of yogurt, cream cheese, whip cream and other mysterious ingredients that was really good surprisingly!  After we got the little kids to bed, Dan and I had a quick date to catch up on the quantity of events that transpired while he was out of town for 4 days.  We went to Burrito Gallery and when we came home, a good song came on the radio and we had a mini-dance party in the car.  I told him our neighbors probably think we are even weirder with the bass booming out of the car.  I always have a new appreciation for Dan after his trips.  We are blessed to be a good team and the thought of not having him around is daunting!  I don’t know how people do this.  I think of my friend Chandra whose husband is in the Navy and has a lot of kids too! ! I am so happy to have my family intact again and to be a survivor!

Jaguars

God is so good to our flag football program!  We have had many Jaguar players as guest speakers at halftime, over the last three years and all of them have been exceptional, like Paul Frase, Tom McManus, Kyle Brady and Jeff Loggerman!  Last week, we were very blessed to have our former Jacksonville Jaguar quarterback, David Garrard come out and speak to our players.  He is good friends with Kyle Brady who is one of our coaches. David thought he was just coming out to speak to Kyle’s team.  He was a little surprised to find out he was our halftime speaker! 

I was pretty stunned at how awesome he was.  He was such a passionate speaker and preached the gospel!  He has an awesome testimony of getting saved in a fast food restaurant with the team chaplain!  I told him afterwards that I think he may be called to be a preacher because he was so anointed!  He couldn’t have been nicer to all the kids and to the star-struck parents.  I thought one Dad was going to break down and cry when he was talking to David.  It was hilarious, “Its  a true honor to meet you!  You are one of the greats….”   He signed footballs, jerseys and took a ton of pictures with people.  He brought his little boy with him who was adorable and Bonnie and her friends babysat him while David spoke! 

I sure wish things could have worked out different for David Garrard and the Jags.  He is such a fine representative for our team and our city.  Not to get the haters all going but it would have also been nice if we would have drafted Tim Tebow.  I kind of think that Jack Del Rio may not be on the staff of the Broncos had Tim been with the Jags.  Everyone knows he doesn’t throw the football properly but the intangibles of faith and leadership could have made a huge difference for our Jags.  I pray that the new owner and coaches will make the Jaguars a winning team and will also recruit fine examples like David Garrard!

Little Scholars

When I signed up Bubba for Pop Warner, I did think it was strange that they wanted a report card.  I didn’t give it much thought, I just checked it off the requirement list and never thought of it again.  I don’t know much about Pop Warner and honestly was pleasantly surprised at how nice our experience was.  I have heard horror stories and had resisted letting Bubba participate for years.  I even started a flag football league to try to satisfy him but it didn’t work!  I was so fearful of him getting injured or abused mentally.  I finally relented after I read Tim Tebow’s book so Bubba should really be thankful for Timmy!  LOL

At one of the games, I was handed a packet of information about Bubba being accepted as a Little Scholar.  I was very excited and proud of him.  Basically you have to have a minimum grade of 96% to qualify and be active in your community. They recognized Bubba and the other Little Scholars at the homecoming party, calling each out on the field, explaining that they are in the 1% of the almost half a million participants in the world.  

A few weeks ago we got an invitation in the mail for a Little Scholars Banquet.  We RSVPed and went last Saturday night.  It was quite a big affair.  It was in a beautiful historic room at the Prime Osborn Convention Center, which was the old train station.  All the kids and parents were dressed up and they presented each kid with awards, a T-shirt and a bag of treats (their favorite!)  They also gave cash scholarships too.  Now I am really going to motivate Bubba to make good grades!!  I was very proud of Bubba who has always cared about his grades and always gives 100% effort in everything he does!  Dan and I so enjoyed just being alone with Bubba and spending time with him on our night out!  The older the kids get the more I realize how they will be our best friends!  I don’t know what the future holds for Bubba but I know God has a plan and it’s going to be good!  I just pray it has something to do with football! 

Ed's Bike Pick-Up

I few weeks ago, I thought I was so cool and would make Ed’s day by riding my bike to pick him up from school.  I got his helmet and rode like crazy to his school.  I was so ridiculously excited to see him and for him to find out I rode my bike.  I have just recently realized that I must exercise more if I am going to have the energy to raise all these kids.  It sure takes an effort and takes up more time than I wish but I am dedicated to the cause!

Ed came out and I was standing there with his helmet and he asked me where my truck was.  I told him I was going to ride him home on the bike.  I didn’t quite get the reaction I was going for.  He kept checking the carpool line as if I had abandoned the truck there.  He was never really jazzed about it and I was quite disappointed.  I did it a few more times on crazy beautiful 70 degree winter days!  Last Wednesday, I picked him up in the truck and he starts hassling me about why I didn’t pick him up on the bike….geez, I can’t win! 

Friday was early release for my other kids.  I had a grandiose idea for all of us to bike up to Ed’s school and surprise him.  It was going to be tight because I only had 15 minutes between pick-ups.  That blasted Penman road light almost ruined it for everyone.  I call that light really bad names %$#&@#.....  Lord forgive me!   It turned red after a half of a car made it through so I thought quickly, and went straight through the light instead of turning and parked at the elementary school behind my house.  My kids busted a move, jumped the fence, grabbed the helmets, dodged the dog and rode their little hearts out!  I think the thought of little Ed standing on the curb drove them to ride faster and faster.  We pulled in at 1 PM on the button and I was sure I was going to pass out.

Ed was more than stoked to see his sibs!  Not really sure I got the whole story, but his face was painted up like “Captain Morgan??”  Isn’t that the alcohol dude?  Well, anyway, we rode home and Ed was so excited and chitchatted relentless all the way home!  It was a fun memory and I could hardly walk the rest of the day from all this fun exercise….can we please have a cold snap soon so I can drive again! :)