What We've Been Up To....

Some fun pictures to update you on life around here.  It's been busy!

These are a little old but have to share William and his brothers enjoying the new (and old) cowboy costumes.

Philip did a great job creating a model of Jupiter!

Dee has been living with us while she recovers from a broken collarbone.  The boys have loved having her around the house.  Good memories for sure!

Yesterday we made a trip to the hunting camp.  We had a great time getting out in the woods and the weather was perfect!  We even caught the Cotton Patch Festival for the second year in a row!

I spent five hours in the ER with this guy Friday night.  He took a fall off the swing set and wound up with three staples in the back of his head.  As the picture shows, he was no worse for the wear!

End of the year parties are in full swing.  Had a blast with Philip at this one on Dog River!  Yea Summer!

This guy invited me to a sweet Mother's Day tea.  Loved being with just him for an hour!

I got to sneak away for a picnic at the park with this guy.  Again, it was good to have some one on one with him!

The little ones are out and Philip and Daniel finish up this week.  We are ready for summer!!!

Graduation

Sweet William graduated from pre-school today!  He did such a good job singing and reciting his lines.

We love Mrs. Tara!!

After the Spring Sing, we took Claire to run errands and home for lunch.  These two have been such good buddies.  I love listening to them in the car as we drive around town.  When Claire accidentally tore a small part of his yearbook, William got a little upset.  Claire said, "I'm not going to play with you if you make that mad face."  William replied, "That's okay.  You'll forget about it soon."  They crack me up!

St. Paul's better get ready for this dynamic duo!

So proud of you William.  You are more than ready for Kindergarten...but first let's enjoy some summer!!!!

John is Three!

Mother's Day was an interesting one this year.  Sometime before we all rose my sweet grandmother gave up her earthly life to join her mother.  I bet it was a wonderful reunion for the two of them.  I was beyond happy that she was free from pain but a little sad for my own mother to lose her mother on Mother's Day.  In typical GranGran style, she held it together really well.  Because we had another reason to celebrate that day...

JohnJohn is three!!  Hard to believe.  What a great Mother's Day present!

We started early with his breakfast of choice...muffins and smoothies.  Then there was Sunday school and church to attend.  Then home to prepare a Mother's Day/birthday dinner!

The crew arrived and we celebrated!

 Happy Birthday, sweet boy!  Loved sharing my Mother's Day with you!

Unless A Grain of Wheat....

Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 
- John 12:24

I sort of wish I had a picture.  But it would have been highly inappropriate to take one.

A picture wouldn't do it justice either.  It couldn't capture the cramped feeling of the scarcely furnished room.  It couldn't capture the smells.  Oh the smells.  You couldn't hear the nurse call buttons ringing, the woman moaning in her wheelchair, or the man still carrying on about how we are both from Crichton all outside the hall.

But they we were.  The three of us.  Three generations.  Three daughters.  Three wives.  Three mothers.  Just us in this moment.

I watched as my Mama grabbed her Mama's hand.  Their hands and eyes locked together.  It was something to see.  Two women old by today's standards and yet my Mama looks so young here.  I listened as she talked.

Mama, it's Susan.  Remember me.  We have the same name.  It's Susan.  Mama, I love you.  I love you so much.  You were a good mama.  You were such a good mama.  Jesus is waiting for you.  Jesus loves you, Mama.  I love you, Mama.

Big Mama spoke only one word, "Daughter."  She knew.

It was my time to talk.  I fumbled with what to say.  My mind is racing through my catalog of memories spent with my grandmother.  Times at her house in Chickasaw...dressing up in her wigs and costume jewelry, playing cards, walking up the street to the Easy Greasy Store for Mickey Mouse ice cream.  I grew up...got busy...got important...grew so smart...or so I thought.  Our time together waned.  These memories and regrets seem too private, so I talk much like my own mama.

Big Mama, it's Anne.  I love you.  All my boys love you.  Chris, Philip, Daniel, William Tift, and John Dawson love you.  I wish you lots of peace.

And in my head, I sing the Catechesis song that I sang silently at my father-in-law's hospital bed.

Go now in peace.  Go now in peace.  May the love of God surround you.  Everywhere.  Everywhere.  You may go.

All too soon our visit is over.  There are four little boys I must get back to.  Must trudge on mothering them.  But for a moment I witnessed something pretty special.  Love between a mother and her daughter.

And in that moment, I glanced to my future.  To my own time when I will have to say goodbye to my own sweet and gentle mama.  There will be no hesitation in my voice when I say, Mama, it's Anne.  I love you.  You were a good Mama.  You were such a good Mama.

And then to my own time.  I pray my boys are there with wavering voice.  Mama, it's Philip, Daniel, William, John.  I love you, Mama.  You were a good Mama.

It's all I'll need to hear.

I'm a little changed by today's events.  A little softer.  As I tuck my boys in bed, I am filled with a sense of what a precious gift this life of a mother is.  And as my youngest wimpers from his bed, I want Mommy.  I don't ignore him tonight.

I go to his dark room.  I grab his hand.  I look in his eyes.  And I say.  John, it's Mommy.  John, I love you.  You are such a good boy, John but it's time to go to sleep.  Mommy loves you.

And he replies, I love you, Mama Birdie.  

All I need to hear.

Beach Fun

Immediately following Easter lunch at our house,

I packed the boys up for a fun trip to the beach.  My friend, Lynn, and I braved three days and nights at the beach with seven kids.  It was a blast!

Each day was about the same...beach, pool, rest, beach pool, rest!  The kids loved having playmates and I was absolutely struck by how much easier the beach is this year compared to last.

This one did great.  His brace can not get wet, nor can it get sand in it.  He did a lot of hopping and crawling.  I did a lot of carrying.  I'm sure you've noticed a theme by now...he never complained.  The swimming was great exercise for him.  I plan on him doing a lot of that this summer!

This one lost his second tooth at the beach!

This one celebrated his fifth birthday at the beach!

And this one...nothing too special...just continued to be his sweet self.

Too much fun!!  All of us can not wait to go back!