My Big Girl and My Little One

Originally uploaded by abroadermark.

Chelsea and Clara – my oldest child and my youngest one. I’m often left with a lump in my throat when I witness the love my children share. If the only thing I ever accomplish is to give my children the gift of being loved and treasured by so many others, I will consider myself a success – like my life was worth living. And I’ll be happy.

First Rose

Originally uploaded by abroadermark.

My family gave me a rosebush for Mother’s Day this year. I’ve been wanting one for a long time so it was a VERY nice surprise! Old Man planted it for me last Saturday and by Monday I had this beautiful flower! There are two more flowers now and several buds getting ready to open, but I think this first rose will always be my favorite.

Mama and Her Birthday Boy

Originally uploaded by abroadermark.

I really like this picture of Ethan and me!! Looking at it makes me both happy and sad at the same time. He’s just so grown-up – not my little boy anymore. And it all went so fast! I remember the day he was born like it was yesterday – I really do! We finally had a boy on my side of the family and he was a strong, handsome, healthy one! I love all my kids dearly – anyone who knows me knows that, but there’s something about “firsts” – first loves, first kisses, first babies, etc… He was my first boy and the first baby I didn’t have to share with everyone. One of the drawbacks of living near relatives and having some of their first grandchildren is that you’re kind of expected to share your babies with them. At least that’s how it was for us. My mother in law would have kept Chelsea (her first grandaughter) all the time if I would have let her. Ethan was less in demand, in Old Man’s family anyway, perhaps because he was just another boy in a long line of them. I don’t really know. He was the first boy in my family but my parents didn’t often ask to borrow my kids – probably because they were busy helping to raise my sister’s. So Ethan was more “mine” than Chelsea was and in a way our bond was stronger because of that. Anyway, when I look at this picture of my big boy with his arm wrapped protectively around me – his mama, who has spent 17 years teaching him, and guiding him, loving him, and protecting him from a world that hasn’t always understood him – I’m overwhelmed by a happiness that comes from knowing that all the work and persistence and heartache are paying off – in a big way! Ethan is a good person. He’s confident, strong, and intelligent. He knows that he is loved deeply and unconditionally, and he loves deeply and unconditionally in return. He’s an asset to the world and I’m proud to claim him as my son. The sadness comes from the knowledge that he’s no longer my little boy and that I can’t do much to protect him anymore. But then, he doesn’t need me to protect him anymore! I guess that means I’ve done my job, doesn’t it? And that’s a happy thing – which is where I think I’m going to end – on a happy note!

Happy Birthday Ethan!

Originally uploaded by abroadermark.

Mike is seventeen years old today.

Where I’m From

About a year ago a group of women participated (via their blogs) in a contest in which they wrote their own “Where I’m From” poems, using a poem by George Ella Lyons entitled Where I’m From as an example. There was a template somewhere on the Internet that everyone was using to help them get started and I printed it off, but never wrote the poem, much less entered the contest. I pulled the template out again last night and finally wrote my own “Where I’m From” poem. Here’s the finished product.

I am from camping gear and Keds sneakers, from Dr. Suess books and Fisher Price toys.
I’m from the cluttered, noisy house where no one knocked and everyone was welcome.
I am from red mud, blackjack trees and roses sneakily plucked from the neighbor’s flower bed.
I am from music and laughter, from David and Lenora – the M’s and the T’s.
I’m from being left to fend for myself too soon, and deep unconditional love.
From being an example to my little sisters and learning to “make friends with horror”.
I’m from a place of little formal religion, but where kindness, goodness, forgiveness and love were practiced on a regular basis.
I’m from Oklahoma, from plum jelly made from the fruit of our own tree, and “burned bean crud” – the dish my dad created when my mom was out of town one weekend.
From Robert Service poetry recited by my father around the campfire, Sunday drives to old cemetaries, and the Christmas Eve gatherings at Memaw and Grandaddy’s house where my grandfather always sang along when we played My Cup Runneth Over on the old player piano.
I am from photos, newspaper clippings, construction paper creations, scribbled love notes, announcements and cassette tape recordings of my sisters and me singing our own songs and the songs others have written, stored haphazardly and occasionally uncovered at my parents’ house or my own, then passed around as a reminder of how quickly time moves along and how beautiful and precious life is.

Between the Puddle and the Bathtub

Originally uploaded by abroadermark.

Henry and Gus after playing in the muddy water but before hitting the shower.

Mud Puddle Fun!

Originally uploaded by abroadermark.

Henry and Gus playing in the mud.

A Day in the Life of the Shoes

7:30-9:00 Kids started waking up. Old Man got up with them. Chelsea left for work. Not sure what else happened because I was still asleep.
9:00-10:00 I finally hauled my lazy bum out of bed and started the waffles and sausage breakfast I promised to make for the kids, while simultaneously tidying up the kitchen and over-seeing the kids as they put the stacks of folded laundry on the dining room table away and straightened the living room. Lily changed Clara’s diaper and kept an eye on her and Mamie while I finished the breakfast.
10:00-10:30 Breakfast. Old Man is working at home today so he eats with the crew. Ethan asks for his clean work clothes – the ones I forgot to put into the dryer when I got up!! Oh no!!! I stopped eating and quickly put his pants and shirt in the dryer. Ethan was NOT happy!
10:30-11:00 Finished breakfast but not the clean-up. Old Man went back to work. Ethan left (in damp clothes) to go to his job. I made my way to the computer while Lily, Tess and Mamie went outside to plant the flower bulbs My sister and brother in law gave Tess as a 1st Communion gift. Henry and Gus played in their bedroom. Clara kept herself occupied in her high-chair, which by the way, is the same high-chair that each of my 8 children have used. (I keep thinking I ought to write a letter to Fisher Price to commend them on the quality and durability of that particular product. We’ve used it for nineteen years now!)
11:00-12:00 Clara got fussy. I changed her diaper again, put clean clothes on her, and tried to get her interested in some of her toys so I could clean the kitchen. But she’d have none of that. She wanted to be held for awhile, so (naturally) I held her. Henry and Gus went outside with the girls. Old Man came in to tell me something. It seemed like it was going to be a long story so I asked him to hold Clara while he told it so I could do the dishes. Tess came inside to tell us that Henry and Gus were in the neighbor’s backyard. Oh not again!!! Old Man put Clara down and went to get the boys. Everyone came back inside. I finished the dishes and took a quick computer break. Kids played quietly inside. Bigger ones watched the little ones. Old Man was back at work.
12:00-1:30 Math, Spelling, and English with Tess. Reading and Math with Wiggly Henry. Gus played on front porch. Clara played on the floor. Lily worked with Mamie on prayers, songs, and the alphabet. All played outside for 10 or 15 minutes, then Tess, Henry and I came back inside to finish their studies. Lily watched the others outside. Henry finished his work before Tess did so he went out to join Gus. Lily and the little girls came inside. I also searched for (and found) pencils, a pencil sharpener, and the telephone during that time.
1:30-2:00 Started lunch for the kids. Discovered that Henry and Gus were playing in a huge puddle of water and were completely soaked – called them in to change while I finished the lunch. Fed Henry, Gus, Mamie and Clara. Clara ate close to half of a PB&J sandwich!! Old Man asked if I wanted to grab a bite at Arby’s with him after the kids were down for naps. It sounded better than PB&J and chips so I accepted his offer – even though I hadn’t had a shower yet. Washed faces and hands of the four youngest and put them in their beds.
2:20-3:00 Old Man came in and scared the kids to sleep. Don’t know exactly what he did or said, but it worked! Told Lily and Tess that Old Man and I were going to get some lunch and that we’d bring something back for them. Old Man and I ate while we chatted about the kids’ schedules, upcoming birthdays, and camping trip plans. Lily did some reading. Tess watched a recorded episode of The Wonder Years.
3:00-3:45 Four youngest still asleep. Lily did school work. Tess watched more TV. Old Man went back to work. Chelsea home from work. Ethan not home yet. I messed around on the computer.
3:45-4:00 Henry, Gus, Mamie and Clara up from naps. I tried to keep playing on the computer but it didn’t work out too well. Ethan home from work.

4:00-5:30 I continued in vain to try to have some computer fun. Ethan left for his second job. Chelsea left for…hmm…well, for something. Kids played inside and outside. Without my knowledge Henry and Gus played in what was a water puddle earlier in the day but was a gigantic mud puddle by the afternoon. They used some dishes swiped from the kitchen to make it a little more fun. I went outside to scold them and ended up taking pictures of them because they were so dang cute!! Needless to say, they both had to have baths as soon as they got inside. Luckily Old Man took care of that (with a little help from 2 year old Mamie who helped wash the boys’ hair ) while I did some laundry. Clara ate crackers and Mamie got into all kinds of things she wasn’t supposed to be into. Lily and Tess got ready to go to choir rehearsal.
5:30-5:50 Old Man made a business call. We all went on a search for Lily’s missing choir music folder. Finally remembered she left it in Chelsea’s car. Lily called Chelsea who kindly brought her music to her.
5:50-6:00 I took Lily and Tess to choir rehearsal. Old Man stayed with the other kids.
6:00-7:25 I did laundry, took some pictures and did a tiny bit of computer stuff. Old Man played with the kids. Fed kids.
7:25-7:55 Old Man went to pick girls up from choir rehearsal. Took forever because Lily’s director kept the kids later than usual. I played outside with kids. Clara heard a dog barking and tried to mimic the sound. So cute!!
7:55-8:15 Old Man and I put Henry, Gus and Mamie to bed. Lily bathed Clara, then took her own shower. Tess played in her bedroom.
8:15-8:45 Old Man gave Clara her bottle and put her to bed. I worked on the laundry and tidied up the kitchen. Lily and Tess played in their room.
8:45-9:45 Lily and Tess watched a movie. I had a little more computer time then joined Old Man who was watching a program about Mormonism. Chelsea got home.
9:45-11:00 Old Man and I went to pick a few things up at the grocery store. Shared a chicken dinner at Popeye’s. Blech!! Lily and Tess went to bed. Chelsea kept an eye on the kids. Ethan got home.
11:00-11:15 Put groceries away.
11:15-11:35 I ironed clothes for a funeral we have to attend tomorrow morning. Chelsea showered and went to bed. Ethan worked on his computer. Old Man worked on his computer.
11:35-11:45 Old Man and I chatted. Ethan got in the shower.
11:45-12:30 Old Man went to bed. Ethan finished his shower and went to bed. I got on the computer long enough to finish this post.

And that is a day in the life of the Shoes.

Martha’s Rose

Originally uploaded by abroadermark.

I love roses!! This one is growing in my neighbor’s flower bed. Isn’t it beautiful?! I was standing there admiring it this afternoon when it occured to me that if I took a picture of it I could look at it whenever I wanted to – even when it is gone. So I grabbed the camera and this is what I ended up with. Not as good as the real thing, but it’ll certainly do.

Clara Wears a Sandwich

Originally uploaded by abroadermark.

Clara loves peanut butter and jelly sandwiches!! She enjoys the taste and thinks the grape jelly goes very well with her complexion!!