Happy Fake Birthday

Because Reagan was blessed with being born on Christmas Eve, we have lots of fake birthdays throughout the month of December. This year for her "friends" birthday party, I decided to take them to a hotel for swimming. Now this seriously limited the number of friends she could invite but we had a blast. I picked all the girls up from school and we headed to Waco. Our first stop was at the mall to see Santa and then we headed to the hotel. They quickly changed into their swimsuits and we headed for the pool. They swam, at pizza, ate cake, and swam some more. Finally around 10:00 we headed to the rooms. They all took showers and then cozied up in the bed to watch Fred Clause. Two o the kids had to leave early the next morning for UIL events but the rest of us lounged around in our pjs. I fixed the girls hot chocolate in bed, they watched cartoons, and I, believe it or not, read my book for about an hour. Then we headed down to breakfast where I fixed waffles, cereal, oatmeal, fresh squeezed orange juice, cranberry juice, coffee, the works. Okay, maybe the hotel provided all of that but I did have to help the girls get it all together. After breakfast we headed upstairs to get our things and head home. We had a fabulous time and Reagan has some super friends. This may have to be a repeat birthday party. (Of course if we do it next year, I am sure that little sister is going to want to be a part of it as well.)

This week both my girls have their real birthdays. Reagan's is the 24th and Henlee's is the 26th. I think God thought I should only be stressed for one week of the year. I also think he was testing my faith - do you think?

Vance

Hey Vance McAnally, this song reminds me of you. I heard this song yesterday and immediately thought of you and our summer vacations and your lapses into hable Espanol.

Happy Birthday Lisa

Today is my favorite sister's birthday and here are a few reasons why she is my favorite:

1. She is my very best BFF ever and for always. Since I was born and despite being 10 years apart, my sister has been my very best friend in the whole wide world. I have never thought of her as just my sister. I went everywhere with my sister, even to college. During the summers, I would spend many weeks with her at her apartment and her friends were my friends. I still talk to them today, just ask Karen Krueger sometime if you see her. I had more fun going to college with my sister than I did when I went. One of the saddest times in my life was when we took my sister to college. I cried every weekend for at least a year when she would have to leave.

2. Her faith in God is amazing and contagious. I often joke that Lisa has "special connections" with God. When I make it to heaven one day and God tells me that he sent Lisa to be my angel on Earth, I will not be surprised.

3. She is a wonderful Mother, but she is an even better Aunt - just ask Reagan. There aren't even words to describe how much love Reagan has for her Aunt Lisa. They have had a special bond since Reagan was born and it just seems to grow stronger with time. Reagan cries everytime we leave Lisa's and can't wait for Christmas vacation so she can spend her time with Aunt Lisa.

4. She has a very warm and loving spirit about her. Everyone can see it. We can be in Wal-Mart and people see her and just start spilling their guts. Her students for sure see this. I was the one to get my actual degree in teaching but I always knew that my sister was the born teacher - she listens not only with her ears but mostly with her heart and her students know this.

As you can tell I love you very much and you are the reason I wanted Reagan to have a sister. I have to tell you, I think Henlee is going to love her big sis as much as I love you. Happy Birthday Lisa!!!

Mean Mama

Back when Reagan was smaller and we were on our way to Waco, we passed by the prison system in Gatesville. Some of the lady prisoners were outside working and Reagan wanted to know what it was. I think my sister and I, at the same time, told the children that that is where mean mamas go. Needless to say everytime we go by there, Reagan has to say something about the mean mamas. Well, the other day, as we were headed to Temple to take the Jetta down to the shop for the upteenth time, we passed by there and you know what my beloved first born said, "I wonder what their number is?"

I said, "Why, you don't need it."

She says with a smirk on her face, "I don't know, I might someday."

Give Blood, Give Life

Last Sunday morning a 14 year old boy was killed and his 18 year old brother was severely burned in a car accident outside of Roscoe. They had been hunting with their father and were headed home to Midland. Anyway, their Father goes to church with my sister in Weatherford. I have been thinking and praying for this family all week because being an outsider that is about all I can do. I just finished reading their carenet page (you can go here to read more http://www.carepages.com/carepages/tylerseedig) and found that there is one more thing I can do and you can do also if you find it in your heart - give blood. If you give through Carter Blood Center and give them the sponsor number SPONO47291, they will credit your gift to him or just donate blood at the Red Cross or wherever because it is a precious thing. God gave each of us the ability to donate our blood to those in need and this is something we can do that costs us nothing - just a little time. I plan to donate this weekend while I am in Weatherford.

Please keep the Seedig family in your prayers. Tyler, the 18 year old, is having his first surgery today (the doctors say that he will probably have a surgery a week for at least the next 4 months), and the family is burying is 14 year old brother tomorrow. I can't imagine the emptiness this family is feeling right now.

Happy Birthday Mom

Today is my dear Mom's birthday. Now I know we all love our Moms with all of hearts but my Mom is extra special. These are just a few of things everyone should know about my Mom:

1. My Father died when my sister was 13, brother 10, and me 3 AND we lived in Gruver, Texas, which is 800+ miles from all any family. My Mom never missed a beat. She had always been a stay-at-home Mom but when this happened, she had to go to work to support her family. She didn't pick any old job. Since she still had me at home she chose jobs that would allow her to be with me and earn some cash to feed us. She worked at the public library in Gruver and guess what - she was able to take me with her to work. Is it any wonder that I love to read? We stayed in Gruver for 4 more years and then my Mom made the decision to move to Hamilton where both sets of my grandparents were and all my aunts and uncles and cousins. At the time, this was a very hard decision for her, but it was the best one for all of us. We now had the love and support of all of our family. I spent the summers and sick days with my grandparents who taught me to fish, play card games and dominos, appreciate farm life, about the old days and traditions, and just life in general.

2. How many of you cook at least 2 meals a day? And no, cereal or instant oatmeal doesn't count as cooking. My Mom got up every morning and COOKED breakfast. We would have eggs, biscuits, pancakes, cinnamon toast (with homemade hot chocolate), french toast, hash browns, sausage, etc. When it was game day, she would fix my sister biscuits, my brother pancakes, and because I was the baby, cinnamon toast. And at night, she always had something hot to eat.

3. How many of you iron all your clothes? My Mom did. There wasn't a stitch of clothes in my closet that wasn't creased or had wrinkles. And no, nothing went to the cleaners unless it had to be dry cleaned.

4. She taught us the love of God and that through Him all things are possible.

5. As much as she loved us, her children, I think she loves her grandchildren more, if that is possible, and this love is reciprocated by her grandchildren. They love to stay with Momo. Nothing makes her happier than for all of her grandchildren to be at home - her house.

6. She loves to go on vacation with us. Right Mom? In the summer of 2007, my sister, my Mom, myself and our children all took a road trip. We went to Nashville to see Charlie Pride at the Grand Ole Oprey, we went to Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and back home to Texas. My sister and I did the driving and my Mom would make sandwiches for all of us. And of course we all had to have something different - cucumber salad, ham, turkey, or pb&j. She was the referee between the children. Needless to say, we had a wonderful time. The children still talk about this trip and want to go again. Then this year she went to the coast and to the lake. She has even been to Cancun with us and put her feet in the ocean and took a submarine down to see the reef. When she doesn't go with us, we don't feel quite complete and say things like, oh Mom would have loved this.

My sister and I often joke that we could let Mom retire, sell her house and she could live part time with each of us. We haven't quite sold her on this yet.

I love you Mom. Thank you for all your sacrifices and life lessons. Have a wonderful blessed day.

Reagan Gets Her Ears Pierced

****** UPDATE********* Yesterday at the end of my entry I mentioned that my niece's dance team (Weatherford Blue Belles) will be performing in the Adolphus Children's Parade. We just received news that they will LEAD THE PARADE and will be dressed as toy soldiers. They will be on stage for the entire opening number (5 minutes). There is also a strong possibility that they will have additonal TV time with the Why Guy on Good Morning Texas on Friday. They also perform on Saturday afternoon at Six Flags.

Reagan has wanted her ears pierced since she was very little, but being the mean Mom that I am, I told her she couldn't have it done until she could take care of her ears herself and change out the earrings by herself. Well boys and girls, we hit that milestone about 3 weeks ago. She decided that since she was turning 8 very soon, it was time. Off to Weatherford and then to Fort Worth we went.

Here Reagan and I before she the piercing. She looks a little nervous, don't you think?

Reagan was very brave and didn't even whimper. Reagan has meticulously taken care of her ears without much prodding or help from me. Her sister was very patient while she waited on us to finish. Many people suggested that I go ahead and get Henlee's pierced too. I politely said no thank you.

On another note, this weekend my niece, Rylee, will be dancing with the Weatherford Blue Belles in the Niemann Marcus Adolphus Children's Parade in Dallas. We are all going to watch and will be sitting in front of City Hall. They danced last year (they were the train conductors) but we weren't brave enough to go. This year we decided we couldn't miss this opportunity. Look for us on TV Saturday morning at 10:00 on Channel 8.