Pictures, pictures, pictures!

I have to admit I love pictures, but taking them of the family is usually a nightmare. For Zach and I our biggest arguements come on picture days... I can remember our engagement pictures... nightmare (yet they turned out great!)  and our first official "family" picture... another nightmare. I am honestly surprised the photographer did not get in her car and leave! I wanted too!  So you will notice there are not a whole lot of "family" pictures... I try at least one a year and dread it every year. I have learned a few things... do not force outfits... if the kids do not like it... have an alternative! It is not worth the tears, and fits! Second, disappear! Do not be within visual distance of the kids.. they always take better pictures and act better when I am not around. There is no third.. I am hoping for a fun, casual environment this year... So let the picture taking begin with only smiles!

Today I did Mom and Ralph's with their grand kids.. Ralph has two who recently moved here and play so well with my kids. Together taking pictures was a little wild.. but I think we got a few! I did bribe with icecream. I am wondering what I am going to have to bribe with by the time we get around to doing ours!

Home.. a whole new meaning.

 We will miss you GG... so glad you are Home...

Thank you to those of you who prayed and sent sweet notes of support this past weekend. My grandmother was a huge part of my life.. she was an amazing woman. I spent every summer with her and she taught me so much and had a huge influence on who I am today. I have never met a stronger woman... she had no limitations, they just did not apply to her! She was a true icon.

Her obituary is in the paper today and I hate that it is only one column! I want everyone to know all the lines, boundaries and hurdles she faced and defeated in her lifetime. Seriously, how many people do we know started out in a covered wagon and lives to be almost 98 years old?! There was nothing average about her. She qualified for the 1932 Olympics (shouldn't that athletic ability pass on somewhere?! I am hoping my kids might get it!).She once scored 102 in a single basketball game and was the first woman licensed referee in Missouri... just a few little fun facts! She fought for the equalization of womens sports most of her life and then an advocate director for the elderly after she "retired." Never did she take "no" for an answer. She felt females should have the same opportunities as the boys. She graduated from college in a time where it was not common for a female to go to school. I often wonder where all this courage came from and it was her strength and faith within herself. She was just amazing.. she was the best grandmother and mentor anyone could ask for. 
Her passing was beautiful. She had been in a sleep induced state the last week of her life and then last Friday as my Mom and Aunt were holding her hand, she opened her eyes wide and mumbled.. "Going Home."  My aunt prayed and said, " Momma don't be scared, the angels are coming..." and after 8 short breaths she was Home. She said she saw Jesus in the last few weeks of her life, and her husband of over 50 years and her baby girl (June) who died at birth over 60 years ago... There is great comfort in knowing she is in heaven and being reunited with those she loves.
I just am so thankful Christ died for us, it is a gift that is unimaginable and so gracious. He took my pain, my burdens, so I can live with Him in eternity and be reunited with those we so dearly love on this earth.

Thanks again, I just wanted you to know a little bit about my sweet grandmother! Love always, Vickie

Happy Birthday Zach and Meema!

Two of my favorite people celebrated birthdays this week. I am so thankful to have a husband who works so hard for our family and is a good father to our children. I am so thankful to have a Mom who has never done anything but support me and show me unconditional love.  I am blessed by these two everyday. My two best friends. I love you!

Halloween!

Happy Halloween! We had a great halloween weekend celebration... we went to the CC with my Mom Sunday night (She was the best witch and I do not even have a picture!) The kids ran wild and did hay rides and haunted houses... that might not of been such a good idea! EJ had too many quesitons and "couldn't sleep" worring about it. Who would of thought the innocent country club would have a scarey haunted house?! I will rethink that one next time. Last night we meet at our neighbor's/ friends house where there were probably a hundred kids playing, eating hot dogs and then trick er treating. I have never scene so many kids going door to door. it was great. Reminded me of my old childhood memories...  I had a new rule this year.. I told the kids they could eat all the candy they wanted on halloween.. but the next day it was all going away.  They ate a ton! EJ said her tummy hurt close to the end of the night... go figure! Zach about had a heart attack with all the candy, but it is gone today!

Oh, and I discovered a new favorite candy.. peanut butter snickers! Everything I love wrapped up in one little square!!!

Another Amazing Lady

This week just as I returned home from seeing my Grandmother, Zach's Grandmother was rushed to the ER with stomach pains. As you can see, eating fried chicken and hush puppies she is feeling much better. I have been amazed with Dommie since I met her.. she is the text book definition of class. Such a neat lady, always has herself put together, has the best attitude and just makes you want to be a better person. I know why God puts these amazing women in our lives.. why else would we have two grandmothers who are defining all odds living in their 90's?! Another blessing counted. Thank you too to all the caregivers who take sure great care of the day to day needs and oversee them. My grandmother always said you had to have at least one girl... she would joke the "boys will get married and leave you....why do you think I have lived so long?" She had two girls and one who looks in on her daily and Dommie has the three and one who lives near her and does the same thing. I am not sure if Emily June will oversee my care like sweet Aunt Judy and Aunt Emily!!!
Again... we are thankful to you Lord for healing.

Close Call weekend and Indian Guides

 May 2011

My grandmother has 9 lives, maybe 10 at this point. She is amazing,strong, faithful, stubborn and a blessing to us all. At the young age of 98 we laugh that she still makes all the decisions in the family and demands attention! Last week she had a flu shot and a terrible reaction..she has pretty much lost all of her strength, her vitals dropped.. hospice gave her 24 hours. I jumped on a plane flew to Shreveport anticipating seeing my grandmother asleep and not responsive. Well, once again she rallied overnight and her vitals were back up, and she was coherent. (This is the 4th time I can remember hospice, nurses and drs have been amazed by her recoveries)  It was a special time, she knew I was there.. I just got to hold her hand and feel her for maybe the last time. She is so weak, and I could see in her eyes she was tired. Only God knows our days, but there is a reason she is still here, this weekend she taught me the precious gift of a moment. A moment can be priceless.


INDIAN GUIDES TRADITIONS started with Zach and his dad.. now he is doing with with Wyatt... 

 Indian names Little feather and Horse feather... tribe Cherokee

 The boys

 The tent on top of the car, I could not quite image it until I saw a picture.. not exactly my idea of a good night sleep, but they had a good time and were up off the ground.

 Rocket launching

As I was flying to Shreveport, Zach had his first Indian Guides campout with Wyatt. They had a ball. It is not really "roughing" it. I think they just drank beer and watched football (most of the dads has 5th wheels with satellite TV!) and let the kids run around wild. All the things moms do not let them do!  The boys did rocket launching, pumpking carving, and a lot of hog chasing. There were a lot of wonderful memories created and good Daddy/Son bonding. Zach has been researching tents for a while.. he ended up with this contraption that goes on top of his car and folds out to get off the ground. Not my idea of a good time, but I know Wyatt was thrilled to have the tent.  

EJ had a great girls day with Nini on Friday and Saturday. She (and Skeet) watched her and spoiled her while I was in Shreveport. So thankful for grandparents!

My mess in a dress...

As I am sitting her listening to a conversation between on of EJ's friends.. I thought I need to write this down before I forget.. the little stories that I will laugh at later...

One of her friends said "I don't like you June."
EJ replyed., "My name is Emily June and YOU will like me.. YOU do like me."
His reply, " You are right Emily June I do!"

I know I have a strong personality, and I love her for that... as long as we can channel it in the right directions.. but now days I get a little nervous when people come up to me and say, " Oh, you are Emily June's mom.... we hear about her all the time." I am not sure exactly what to say about that mainly bc I have no idea if it is good or not! At a birthday lunch today for a sweet friend of mine she told me a little story that is cute, but kind of disturbing with it is your child! She started telling me  last week when I was walking in she overheard a conversation with a little girl in EJ's class with her mommy. It went something like this,
" Mommy can I be the princess today?"
Her mom, " Sure honey, you are a princess."
"No, I am a King, the whole class is a king, Emily June says there is only one princess and it is her."

As a mom what do you say to this?! We read the God's princess books and I explained that all little girls are Princesses.. His princesses.. So we went though the class picture today pointing to all the little girls and she said she would make sure to tell them they were princesses on Thursday.

I just keep praying.