Generations

I am so enjoying this new generation currently having babies!  I am also so grateful I have not had one ounce of sadness that my childbearing years are over.  I miss my babies being young but not the intense level of exhaustion, up all night and full on attention that infants require.  I see that ghostly hollowness in new parents eyes like they can only half focus on life and are counting down the minutes until naptime!  I think it’s a shame that these most precious days of infancy are sometimes left in a fog of confusion.  I am grateful that I took a bazillion pictures, journaled for each of my kids about funny, sentimental moments and did all I could do to capture the moment, even if I bugged doing it.

I have so enjoyed watching young men as new dads.  Of course, Dan is my hero as far as Dads are concerned.  He truly is the reason the Wog kids have made it thus far in their life.  The infant days would have sent me over the edge or definitely sent me screaming into the night but Dan was ever-patient, walking the babies in the night, sleeping in a chair with the baby on his chest. Whatever it took to let me sleep so I could survive the day of constant demands with the babies.  I have so much compassion on new parents because it is still too fresh in my mind how difficult it is functioning with no sleep.  No one can ever prepare you for it until you walk through it yourself.  It is brutal to say the least, even though you are so happy and in love with your baby.

It’s been an amazing thing to watch a new generation of our family come forth. Especially because it's not me adding to our numbers!! My nephew Britt is so capable and involved with his son Caden’s care, which is no surprise at all.  He loved my Maggie so much and would carry her around when she was a baby!  It was awesome to see four generations in my family for the first time at Thanksgiving!  My Mom and Dad not only have so much fruit in their family as far as numbers but also the spiritual impact that will come through all the many generations is going to be an incredible thing to watch.  They have given our family a strong spiritual foundation to build our lives upon and I am thankful beyond measure.

One of my most favorite pictures that I have seen lately is one of James sporting a Wog Blog T-shirt holding his new baby Cassie!  I could kick myself for not whipping out an infant Wog Blog onesie. What was I thinking??  I must have had a lapse of t-shirt making focus or something.  I just love seeing James as a Dad.  Cassie is in very safe hands.  James has recently been in touch with his violent, protective side of fathering a beautiful girl.  I think Dan and him are starting a Weapons Training Dad’s Club!!  

Baby James

With all the changes that last year brought, I am overwhelmed with gratitude that I am still a part of what God is doing.  I appreciate anew all the long-term relationships we are blessed with.  I love the fact that I held Britt and James when they were infants themselves and now I get to cheer them on as they bring up their outstanding children!  I don’t do New Year’s Resolution but one goal I have is to value true friendships and relationships like never before, to show more mercy and love and to be less negative and judgmental.  At the end of my days, I want to have many people along side of me who can rejoice about all the wonderful things that God has done!  I think it is time we give more honor to all generations and learn from each other!  When I am a grandmother, I want to sit in church with rows of little Wogs being raised to serve the Lord, all the days of their life!  I am committed to stay the course and do whatever it takes to achieve that goal in my life!!  That will be the best legacy I could ever have!  Now if I could only secure a marriage with Cassie and Eddie!  He will need a strong firstborn girl for sure!  Now that would take my blogging to a whole new level!  #thewogblog #generations

Christmas Season 2012

December was a complete blur.  I don’t really know what can be done to simplify and slow down the craziness.  It feels like it’s unstoppable.  I don’t think it’s just because I have 5 kids.  I am sure that magnifies the madness but even people with two kids are stressed to the max.  I don’t think it helped with Dan and my birthdays thrown in the mix either.  I felt like all I did was dole out money for gifts and parties and such.  It’s the biggest challenge to not resent the whole month on the calendar.  I really made an effort to but aside my “Grinch” feelings and to enjoy the season of songs, plays, dances and parties. 

Annie had a two-day championship at UNF and was swimming in 9 events.  We were very excited about it but it did take up a Saturday and Sunday in the busiest time of year.  She swam her heart out Saturday and swam late into the night.  On Sunday, she woke up saying she didn’t feel good.  I told her she could rest and skip the meet and she got quite vocal and proclaimed, “I AM SWIMMING!”  In retrospect, I should have stepped up as a parent and forced her to rest even though she had a great day of swimming and cut time on all her events.  However, when she woke up with a fever on Monday morning, I thought she had pushed herself too hard after all.  I took her to the doctor assuming her sinus infection was back which it was but had a terrible surprise when she tested positive for the Flu.  The doctor prescribed Tamiflu for all 7 of us and what a depressing moment it was to find out that the medication was about $50 a piece.  I had a moment of decision at the pharmacy, chance the flu in our large family or suck it up….I opted for prevention.  I have to say within two days Annie was on the mend and the rest of us stayed well so props for Tamiflu!

The kid’s had a school play and after 2 days free of fever, I let Annie be in the play.  Again, I probably should have resisted her begging and told her no.  After a couple songs, we noticed Annie swaying funny.  We had been focused on Ed’s cute little song and didn’t clue in until Annie’s teacher was rushing on stage to catch her from passing out.  Thankfully, there were several paramedics in the audience who all rushed to help and to make sure she was OK.  I don’t know if she locked her knees, or if she was still sick or if it was just the fact that her shepherd headdress was cutting circulation off to her brain.  I was just grateful that she was not seriously sick.  

What was really freaking me out was that Ms. Vicki picked her to be Mary in the church play.  I told Vicki after she passed out that we needed to replace her and she was calm and said she could sit down and would be fine.  On top of Annie’s drama, Ms. Vicki had picked Eddie to be the Christmas star.  I was freaking out.  He isn’t my most compliant child and I would rather him stay a donkey as he was in the school play!  Thankfully, the church play went really smooth, Annie didn’t pass out and Eddie only threw up a Miami U at the end of the play and didn’t knock down the set or anything!  I sighed a HUGE sigh of relief when that was over.

Christmas finally arrived despite the Mayans saying the world would end on December 21. Somehow all the mass amount of gifts got wrapped and all the children seemed satisfied and happy. I did however find Christmas cards I forgot to mail under my truck seat.  I felt like I wanted to sleep for a week or more.  I am most thankful that despite sickness everywhere, people hacking up lungs, I managed to come through the holidays still healthy.  I am truly grateful for all my many blessings, all my children and the chaos and love that they each bring to my life.  I am still pondering how to better manage the Christmas season and the only way I can see, is to leave the country for a month.  If I go missing next year after Thanksgiving, don’t be worried.  I’ll be back in January! Happy New Year!

Neighborhood Togetherness 2012

The Saturday before Christmas, our neighborhood gathered together in the cul-de-sac for our 1^st Annual Christmas/December Birthday Block Party.  Apparently when Sagittarius people were looking for a street to live on, they picked Forest Oaks Drive.  We only have 13 houses on the street but we have 10 December Birthdays.  That just has to break some record somewhere.  I personally think we need an award or something or a listing in the Guinness book of world records!  

We all decided to throw ourselves a party since all December birthday people totally get shafted because of everyone’s Christmas focus! It was a grand success!  Our non-December birthday neighbors who like to bake, made us the most spectacular red velvet birthday cake, I have ever seen! The guys carried out fire pits for marshmallow roasting and Dan rolled out the grill to make some hot dogs!  Kim, brought crock-pots of chili and everyone else brought their favorite dish!  It was a grand success.  The neighborhood children put on a fabulous performance for all to enjoy!  

All dogs (except KC) were also invited to romp and play!  They almost took out a few people with their game of chase and possibly snatched a few morsels along the way, but I think it was a December highlight for the dogs also.  The new residents of Neptune Beach, the Wyatt Fam, and the Wileys also joined in the festivities.  When the wood ran out and I started getting cold, I decided to head in for the night and couldn’t believe it was 10:30 at night.  We had a 7-hour block party and enjoyed every minute of it!

Two nights later, it was time to gather again for our Annual luminary assembly line!  We celebrate Christmas with Dan’s parents so sometimes we miss the neighborhood festivities.  I am pretty sure they were waiting for the Wog kids (AKA Slave Labor) to come home before they began! My kids were so excited to help!  Eddie was very productive loading sands in the bag and even “pushed” the truck of luminaries down the street. (wink, wink)   We finished in record time and I thought we would have no trouble getting to church on time.  

Of course, it wouldn’t be right not to have a KC incident.  She broke loose from the house (probably bitter because yet again, she wasn’t invited to a neighborhood shindig) Of course, she headed straight for the marsh.  I was sick to my stomach.  Maggie was singing in the choir at church and I didn’t have time to chase her plus I was in clean church clothes and not proper marsh attire.  Thankfully, the great dane Nala, was out and lured KC back home!  We made it church and got to enjoy the beautiful luminaries when we came home!  We are very blessed to live on a street where neighbors care about each other and enjoy being together.  In the world in which we live, it’s a rare thing that most kids will never experience.  I am also very grateful that all the neighbors tolerate my dog and all pitch in to retrieve her when she gets a scent and goes a hunting!  Our block party was possibly one of my favorite activities of 2012 and I look forward to the next one!

Dog Walk Nightmare

I used to have regular traumatic walks with KC.  I know my blog fans have probably been missing stories about her escapades. She has grown up now and we typically only go leaping through yards after squirrels, only a couple times on a walk.  Today, made up for all the past months of almost manageable walks with her.  The kids took off her choke collar and I couldn’t find it this morning.  I used a regular collar and thought I could handle her….I was wrong.  We walked to the 5-way intersection at Penman road and she must have figure the collar situation out.  She put on the brakes and whipped her head out of the collar and went galloping towards the intersection. I panicked and didn’t want to see her hit by a car so I turned my back and started walking back home.  I glanced over my shoulder and she was standing there stunned I wasn’t chasing her.  She actually started following me so I started running and we started racing each other down Forest Avenue.  She took the lead and took a sharp right into a neighbor’s back yard.  I was feeling pretty confident that I could get her in the fenced back yard….I was wrong AGAIN!

She took off into the marsh on the opposite side of where we live and howled like she was tracking a raccoon, which she probably was.  People were starting to stop their cars to inquire what was going on.  A really nice city worker pulled over and tried to lure her out with his French fries. Of course I had no make-up on, looked like a true homeless person in a mismatched outfit AND the famous beanie that I was now sweating in profusely.  Not really the look I was wanting to sport when visiting with the WHOLE neighborhood.  She finally came charging out and went over towards the Neptune school.  I was freaking out because all the handicap children were walking the track and the last thing I wanted to happen was for one of them to be pummeled by my crazy dog.  I left the city worker on Forest and asked him to try to keep her in the woods so a car wouldn’t hit her.  I knew I was in trouble when I heard his truck crank up.  I cut through my gate, jumped on a bike and met more concerned neighbors and the city worker.  She had come back on our street and we all felt confident that she was tired out and would come home…I was wrong AGAIN.

It was like she got a second wind. She headed into the BIG marsh and alerted a whole new set of neighbors that she was loose.  I got in my truck hoping she would hear me leaving and want to go.  She did come out and run next to the truck.  Unfortunately, she kept going past our street.  I was seriously wanting to call my dog whisperer neighbor, Susan up at work and beg her to come help me. She loves that dog and 9 out 10 times is the one who can catch her.  My neighbor Leo and I almost witnessed her death.  A truck was coming down Forest at a good speed and she was going 90 miles an hour down the side street and we both cringed at the point where they would intersect.  Thankfully, the car swerved and barely missed her.  I feel pretty confident that it was the result of my friend Tina’s prayers that she was praying on behalf of my dog.  She prayed with me on the phone for God to protect her and bring her home safe! That’s a true friend!

When I thought it was a hopeless cause, even more neighbors came to the rescue.  Mr. Pearson got on his bike, Jaime and his 4-year-old daughter Eliza got on their bikes and another nice man with a white dog was trying to figure out how we could get a boat in the marsh to retrieve her.  Leo went and got his dog Emily who KC likes and FINALLY KC came out of the Marsh and came to greet Emily and Leo grabbed her!  I was so relieved, grateful and angry all at the same time.  The biggest feeling I had was embarrassment that I cannot control my dog at all.  I am overwhelmed by these kind-hearted, sympathetic neighbors and friends who came to my rescue.  I never understood until Dan brought home a little hound dog puppy, how much love you could have in your heart for a dog.  She exasperates me especially as I was washing muck off her and myself but I am so glad she survived her romp around Neptune Beach.  I issue a formal apology to all my neighbors who were so tolerant of her yelping and howling.  I have been wiped out all day and can barely walk from this episode today but I have a feeling both KC and I will sleep well tonight!  

Cowboy Christmas Lunch 2012

I have been reflecting on the fun day we had as a church family today.  Beaches Chapel hosted a Cowboy Christmas Lunch with hats, boots and BBQ.  Being a youth leader from way back, I am still excited to dressing up with a theme!  I am secretly hoping our next lunch will be an 80’s dance off!  I could totally whip out my Swatch watches and crimper!  My kids were so into being cowboys!  They had all their outfits, bandanas and jeans laying out, ready to go! What shocked me the most was that even Dan wore a western shirt and boots.  He drew the line when I suggested a hat. I think he would have been happy if I mentioned bringing his gun though!  Annie smuggled hers to church but don't worry.  It wasn't loaded!  

When I walked into church, I was amazed at all the good sports that were present. Almost everyone made some effort to join in the fun!  I saw more plaid in one room than at the Grand Ole Opry!  I am glad that my kids will have this memory of such a great time at church!  My favorite was the decked out sheriff!  But what is really stirring inside of me, is how very blessed I am to have such deep roots at Beaches Chapel.  Beaches Chapel is the only church I have ever attended. Today, I have been mediating on how important spiritual roots are.  I looked up the meaning of roots and it became even more valuable to me.  “Part of a plant that provides support, nourishment, food, a place that stores water, that provides strength and security, state of being established.”  Wow and that is what you also receive from your church family:  support, spiritual food, refreshing water from the Word, strength in relationships, a feeling of belonging and feeling secure.  My parents gave this gift to me and I am ever grateful!

I think back to all the monumental things in my life, the good and the bad. They are all centered around my church family.  From square dances to weddings to funerals they have all happened for me at Beaches Chapel. I think about the people that were assembled together today at our lunch.  The caterer that did the BBQ used to be a precious little jr. high boy in our youth group when I was the Youth Pastor.  We nicknamed him “Woodhead” when a pool ball jumped off the table and popped him in the head.  I think about all the parents that were holding babies today that I knew when they were little babies themselves. What a rich heritage we all have together.  It's a rare thing in today's world.

What I appreciate the most is the fruit I am now seeing in my own children. Today, I watched my kids share their faith on stage.  At 4 years old, I had no idea how to say a salvation prayer with someone but yet, Eddie does.  I see people talking and loving on my kids and watching over them.  I am grateful I have stayed through the ups and downs that inevitably happen in every church.  It’s always tempting to run off to the new and exciting church that opens up and no doubt God sometimes calls you to join yourself to a new work that He is doing.  What I have observed is that when people jump around, their children pay the price with no roots, with no spiritual foundation, no history or church memories, experiences and community with a group of people they know and trust.  

I believe it’s time for people to put roots down again, to make a commitment for their kid’s sake.  Let them grow.  Let them get rooted in the Word of God. Let them learn how to serve and share their faith.  When the storms of life come, may their deep roots hold them steady. Let them grow and bear much fruit in their lives, fruit that will remain.  That is my goal is too stay rooted where I was planted.  I want to serve and be a part of growing something and impacting the community.  I am believing God to prosper my kids and use them in a mighty way and I am committed not to uproot them from their home.  I believe God will honor our faithfulness and our kid’s will grow to be strong Christian leaders as a result!  Our society encourages lack of commitment and Christians need to change that.  It’s not convenient to go to church especially with kids but days like today remind me why it is so important 

They will be like a tree planted by the water 
that sends out its roots by the stream. 
It does not fear when heat comes;
  
its leaves are always green.
 It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:8

Town Center Concert Madness

A few days ago, Maggie told me that all the girls in her class were going to see the Bridget Mendler concert at the Town Center and she wanted me to get her a ticket.  She said they were unsure of how they were getting there.  Now, I really do love the Disney show, Good Luck Charlie, and Bridget who is one of the main characters but you can imagine my thought process through this conversation.  I dutifully checked online and couldn’t find out about tickets.  I finally called Barnes and Noble and they said it was a free concert.  My mind starting visualizing the Town Center filled with hordes of screaming little girls.  I much rather buy a ticket with a guaranteed seat of some sort.

We started the day at the Bolles School watching Annie swim in the ice-cold wind.  By the time I got home, I was praying to the Lord that Maggie wouldn’t mention the concert.  She bounded in the door, asking me if we were still going to the concert.  I almost cried but squeaked out an “Of Course!” with a plastered fake smile on my face.  I felt kind of ill when I thought about the concert and promptly climbed into bed and took a power nap.  When I was waking up, I was secretly hoping it was Sunday morning and it was all a bad dream.

I really do try to give Maggie special moments because I fear the “middle child” syndrome of feeling shafted by your siblings.  I drug myself out of bed, got dressed and we headed out in the cold.  I was still chilled to the bone from the swim meet so I put on 3 layers of clothes, boots, scarf, gloves and hat.   I did not want to be cold again. I knew we were in trouble when the traffic was stopped and not moving at all to turn into the Town Center.  I took over 20 minutes to find a parking place.  I was appalled at the lady who zipped around my truck and swiped my parking place.  It was pure insanity. I severely underestimated desperate parents trying to get their kid to the concert.

We started walking up from behind the stage and I thought it would be no big deal to slip through the crowd to get on the front side of the stage.  I WAS WRONG! I should have turned back after the first incident with the lady in the wheel chair.  I was feeling sorry for her until our altercation.  Maggie and I were edging past her and with crazy eyes, she said really loud, “I’m getting ready to light one up!”  I wasn’t totally sure what she was talking about until out comes the cigarette in the middle of a mob.  I swear she burned my jacket.  Some kid bumped into her foot which was apparently broken and the F bombs started flying.  Why the lady felt she needed to position herself in the middle of a concert crowd, I will never know.  I never thought Maggie would learn the F word at a Disney concert.

Then the fun really started.  Maggie and I got crushed against a wall when a desperate lady with a double stroller came plowing through the crowd, unconcerned of our feet.  Maggie yelled out in pain and I was trying to be sympathetic realizing I have probably done the same thing with the multiple double strollers that I have wheeled through crowds in a parenting daze.

What happened next, I would have never thought I would experience at a Disney concert.  A frightening looking woman with a partially shaved heads and piercings, holding a kid started yelling for people to move and to %$#)$% go the other way.  She started flailing her arm and shoving people in front of her and apparently ticked off a man coming the opposite direction.  He started shoving her, yelling at her that she hit his wife and a fist a cuff ensued.  Everyone started screaming, babies were wailing and parents were frantic to get their small children away from the brawl and prolific cussing that was flowing like water.  I started feeling like I was going to pass out and had to ask a strange man to help me take my jacket off before I blacked out in the psycho crush of people, leaving Maggie alone.  I was regretting my 3 layers of clothes and started pulling off my scarf and gloves and stood tall on my tiptoes, trying to get air. I put myself between Maggie and the crazy lady and hoped I could take any blow that came my way and not Maggie.  I was very scared myself and felt terrible for the stricken children who were so traumatized.  It seemed like we were there forever but finally got to an open place in front of a store.  I held Maggie while she cried and told her she was going to be OK.  

Just then, a school friend and parents came up and she instantly recovered and ended up having a fun time. I was never so thankful to run into someone!  I was a little shell shocked and stood there trying to process what just happened.  I have been to many a rock concert in my life and can’t remember ever having an encounter like this one. I think the problem was that half of these people in the crowd were just trying to get away from the concert and had no idea it was going on. Had I been in my right mind, I would have totally videoed and taken pictures for proper blog documentation but I guess saving my child's life took precedents, I am happy to say!

 

Maggie finally said she was ready to go 5 minutes before it ended and we zipped right out. I tried to end the night on a high note, and got her a Peppermint milkshake from Chickfilia!  Chickfila seems to make everything better!  I was prepared for screaming little girls but certainly not adults screaming profanity and being terrible examples for all the many children observing their antics.  Maggie and I sang a little song on the way home, “We are never, ever, ever, going back to a concert!”  Well, unless it was Taylor Swift and we had a seat!!  I know for sure I got many stones in my parenting crown in heaven after today!  My mom was trying to encourage me before I left for the concert, saying that Maggie would always remember this night and boy was she right! 

Blue Angels Weekend 2012

I have been so crazy busy trying to keep up with the five Wogs and a dog, I am backed up in my blog writing.  I have been dying to write about our fabulous Blue Angels Weekend.  It’s one of my favorite weekends of all time and I don’t want to let the great memories fade away without proper recognition!

The fun began on Thursday.  I was home alone cleaning the house when I thought I heard a jet. I went downstairs, made my lunch and indeed, out my back windows, I saw my beloved Blue Angels in the diamond formation, flying over Neptune Beach Elementary.  I ate my lunch in pure wonder!  I picked up the kids and once again, we heard one shriek by.  

Bubba suggested we hop on our bikes and go down to the bridge at the end of our street.  What a sight that was.  We could see the planes north and south down the marsh when they would bank.  One came screeching up Forest Avenue and Eddie’s comments was, “That was awesome!”  We all agreed!  I found out that night at Annie’s swimming from a Navy guy that one of the planes had an engine problem and that was why we had two practice times.

The next day BCS had Blue Angels Day and it was a total blast.  The classes all did fun activities and all the kids were dressed in patriotic clothes!  We watched planes fly all afternoon and enjoyed being together with all our BCS families!  After school, we dashed to the beach and watched the Blue Angels air show in all its glory!

Saturday, I woke up with several messages from friends that my family was in the paper in the Blue Angels insert.  I was a tad disappointed that they chose that certain pic.  I am pretty sure I was prego with Ed.  I have much cuter, patriotic pix if they would have only asked! 

Bubba had a football game at Wingate Park and I got yet another awesome perspective of the air show.  They were circling the park and it worked out that they arrived right at half time. We joked that the Jaguars really splurged with the half time show!  Bubba was a little perturbed at the number of pictures I took of the planes instead of his football game. I honestly did try hard to get some football players in the pictures or at least the goal post!

On Sunday, we went to church and then headed out to the Air Show.  Dan wanted us to ride our bikes and I was totally freaked out.  I knew the number of people that were going to be out and about and to throw 6 Wogs bikes in the mix was wigging me out.  I told him all my concerns and he disregarded them and we set out! We chained the bikes to a fence by the Casa Marina and I have to say it was so nice not having to find somewhere to park.  I had a moment realizing this is the first time since the air show has come to the beach that I have not hauled a stroller.  It felt like I graduated as I watched all my kids walking themselves.  It was a great moment. 

 

We stood in a short line and checked out a jet and walked around to all the vendors.  All the kids got free classes and looked super cool!  I was poised and ready to buy up some souvenirs and was a little shocked and disappointed that no one asked for one! Dan wanted to see the F-22 so we went down on the beach. Dan was a riot.  He was so pumped and kept saying how phenomenal and awesome the maneuvers were.  Eddie got irritated and yelled at Dan and said, “This is NOT awesome, it’s too loud!”  After the jet, we got back on our bikes and headed north.  We went down on the beach again to watch the final show of the Blue Angels.  I befriended a bus driver and a teacher from New York who were here with a Boys Choir who were singing at St. Paul’s.  They were getting ready to leave before the Blue Angels, not understanding that they were the main attraction, having just rolled into to town. They were SOOOO happy that they stayed and must have taken a 100 pictures! The boys choir even walked down from St. Paul's for the show.

 

After it was over, all the Wogs got on the bikes and started back home totally satisfied with the wonderful weekend full of America’s Blue Angels!  I crossed 3^rd Street and heard a big crash.  I was so scared that it was one of my kids who were behind me. I peeked behind and saw a lady in the middle of the rode.  Apparently she cut Bonnie off and hit Dan’s bike who had Ed on the front.  I was so relieved that my peeps were OK but felt sorry for the lady. 

I am sad that we will have to wait two years for the Air Show to come back to the beach.  I hope that they will add back the Amphibious assault on the beach when they do return!  I always think about how it would be to be one of the countries we invade with our mega power military.  It must be a truly awesome display of strength and makes me proud to be American! Go USA!