Mr C goes to college

Hard to believe, but Youngest started college this week. He resisted greatly having his picture taken, but I played the "mom" card and won out.  You only have one "very first day of college" in your college career.  

Tuesday evening, after he finished his second day of calculus (what 17 yr old takes a class like that his first semester?!)  and he was bouncing off the wall with excitement.  He tried to explain how awesome it was, but the words math and awesome do not belong in the same sentence in my world. This is the kid who solves a Rubics cube, in close to a minute, and says it's simple because it's just an algorithm... Who is this kid???  He tried to explain how fun and challenging it was to solve the problem below, but my mind couldn't fathom any of it.  

Youngest's high school video

They tell you that your babies will grow in the blink of an eye.  You never quite believe it, especially if you are in the midst of diapers, potty training, school, and life.  Time seemingly passes slowly, yet somehow it is going at warp speed.  Here we are, on the brink of a new stage of life, with our toes to the line, ready to step over, yet reluctant.  Then it happens, and all the struggles, laughter, joy, and tears seem to fade for time as we rejoice that Youngest has graduated highschool... Poised on the edge for a new adventure of wherever God leads him.

I loved seeing the videos of the four that graduated on Saturday.  Much laughter and more than a few tears of remembering.  The videos, by no-means, define these kids that we have spent 18 years with as moms, teachers, chauffeur, etc,  They don't show the personalities and character developed and possessed by each, but rather a short time-warp glimpse of those first 18 years.

What I'm reading and who I visited this week

It's always a treat when I can find a few minutes to visit friends and people, via blogs. Many times, I find the messages written there are somehow just what I needed to read. I'd like to share some of the post and blogs that really inspired, educated, and touched me.  

• Jamie at PrudentBaby showed her readers how to make Sun Butter.  I have a few friends who have have children with severe Peanut/Nut allergies (one is air born)  and I was so excited to see Jamie's post.  I know that Sun Butter (like peanut butter, but made from sunflower seeds is very expensive to purchase, but safe for those with peanut allergies). Made sure I passed this on to those friends, but I'm tempted to try it myself!

• Christina from Denmark, (Photographer and Life Coach) at Divas and Dreams really spoke to my heart when she honestly wrote how Comparison Kills and self esteem.
  

  When our "inner critic monster" wants to sabotage our passion and creativity by comparing itself to another, it distract us from our flow, owning our value and unique contribution. 

• Jhen Stark at From Here to Eternity for her honest post that lead me to Christina
  

• The Money Saving Queen wrote about being The Balance Queen

For the sake of complete honesty, this area has become a major struggle for me. I'm only mentioning it today because I know God is all about balance and if you are out of balance you can also easily take yourself out from the blessings of God as well. I've seen this in my own life. It is important to keep balance in all things

• I loved Robin Dance's post at incourage about Just Breathe (marriage)

• If you're needing a fun and simple experiment to do with your kids, try this experiment with "Magic Milk" and food coloring.  Can you guess what we're going to study and do this week with the girls?  Cows and milk! 

I'm so glad you stopped by for a short visit.  I would love to hear what has been going on with you this week!

A little thing called a diploma

Has it really been almost a month since I last posted? 

I'll try to spare you of the thousands of words  that have been stockpiling in my little brain. 

Maybe it's all the words bumping into each other that has caused all my headaches lately!

Well, I had another birthday - 45 is the official count,  but I'm telling everyone I'm 39. 

(I'll blame my forgetfulness on my kids).

That means I've been a mom for 18 years and Oldest Graduated on May 20th with Honors from high school. So it rained and all those people who planned on attending

couldn't because it was held inside. We were only given 5 tickets per student, but

everyone else was able to watch it live via the internet from the comfort of their homes. 

I didn't cry, but bit my lip quite a bit.

 Each student (at church) graduating this year was encouraged to put together a small display that represents their life - We had Oldest handle this and we had to laugh when we saw it. I loved the "Who I am" paper he wrote in 2nd grade: Ambulance Driver, police man, and his best friend was a girl. I'm starting to see he gets his goofy side from both Honey and myself.
See that HUGE trophy on the right?  The band won close to 30 awards in a short 3 weeks, and since we go to church with FOUR rival band directors, Oldest wanted to include it.  Their band is most unique because their band has not had a drum major in 4 years - the only band in Arkansas to do this!!!

Sweet Melissa, or Dancing Queen rolling out the dough

We held a reception/celebration at church.  When I asked Oldest what he wanted (I was thinking fingers foods). Honey and Oldest looked at each other like they'd won the lottery!  PIZZA.  REALLY???  Fixing homemade pizzas for 60+ people was NOT what I had in mind! Gee, who do they think I am?  If it were not for my sister chicks and Honey that gave up their Saturday morning to help me roll out all that dough, assemble, and put it all together, I would have lost it. If I every have to make that many pizzas again, I would want the same group of girlfriends because stepped in, did what  needed to be done without complaint (at least verbally).  They deserve a HUGE thank you! Our 26 large pizzas meal:

•  pepperoni, 
• canadian bacon and pineapple
• supreme
• cheese
• meatlovers
• and a various others that somehow were requested and made
• salad bar (My sweet MIL did this)
• Ice cream bar complete with 
• homemade hot fudge
• bananas
• chopped pecans
• whipped topping
• cherries
• Frosty Ice Cream
• Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream 
• store bought vanilla ice cream

Miss Amy (The Princess' Mom) who a treasure to me.

Oldest with his yummy cake made by Sara Short from Ft. Smith

Now if we can just get him to write all those thank-you's for the sweet cards and gifts he received.  The most unique, from Eva, was a fire-proof safe!  It was the best idea I've seen  (beside the thoughtful photo album that Honey's parents put together)! We were all impressed by QL who fashioned a twenty and two ones to represent 2011!!! I also stole borrowed her table decorating and ice cream bar ideas from her. She always has the best ideas.

For all my sister chicks!

Only has already decided she is not going to torture me or the family next year and has decided to have a joint reception with her friend "J" (whom Oldest is dating).  They're already planning, but I can wait.

Thank you for sticking with me and checking in with me this last month.  So much more has happened, but I will share that later.  Leave me a note and let me know what has been going on with you please.I'm slowly getting back to blog land.

Recaping the week

Was it us, or has this been a busy and chilly week? 

 

•  Snow: You would think that the previous week's inch or two of ice would have been plenty but NO! We got a whopping 6", which is very slight compared to those around us who got 12-24"  It shut down school from Wed - Friday.  They say we're supposed to have temps close to 65-70º this coming week!  No wonder there have been so many people sick.

"J"'s Daddy in the hospital

  

• Visitors:  We had three young visitors (ages 3,5,8)staying with us while their daddy was in the hospital.  They certainly kept us hopping!
  
• Taxes:  I don't know how you do you taxes, but we do our own using Turbo Tax.  Honey and I certainly disagree on appropriate filing systems.  He likes to throw everything in a shoe box and I like to put everything in a specific file folder in the file cabinet. 
• I started reading One Thousand Gifts.  I'm finding I need to take it nice and slow with this one, taking plenty of notes.   
• Sewing:  I find a little time today to work a little more on my Blissful Confection quilt by putting the first border on it.  Just one final border to go and then I can start putting it together and quilting it.  Need to get it done before winter is over!  
• Honey and I had a early Valentine's dinner on Friday at Cheddars. 

 
This week, I enjoyed some blog reading:

• Holly talked about Grace in the midst of failure
• Megan at Simply Thrifty posted how to extend the life of your dishwasher
• Mr. Watkins has fantastic links for science helps
• The Momma had me grabbing for my tissues when she wrote about her son's giving heart at Find Joy in the Little Things
• Alexis at Tales from the Back Acher: Losing the "sparkly" in her life and the blahs. 
• Sandy from Celebrating Life just found out she has Rheumatoid Arthritis. What was incredibly touching was her Honey's response.  

Have you had some snow days this last week?  How did you use your time? Did you catch up on reading of a book, some blog posts, or time with your family?   I'd love to hear about it.

Cutting corners to save money (aka sanity)

One thing about being a mom and having this blog is that I aspire to improve.  I'm not the best mom or wife out there, but I really want to be the best that I can for the family God has placed me in.  One of those ways is being careful with our money.  Do you and your family have ways that you cut corners to save money?  We haven't always, but in the last 10 years, I've been more diligent about it.  Now before you start  thinking I'm Miss Happy Homemaker, come visit me for a while and we'll shoot that theory down very quickly!

• Making our own laundry detergent
• using vinegar for fabric softener
• homemade household cleaners (409, soft scrub, glass cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner)
• homemade baby wipes 
• most all of our homeschool curriculum is bought very used (I spent $30-40  per child this year total!)
• via www.vegsource.com
• a local church which has a huge selection of curriclum
• friends who are finished with theirs for this year.
• Ebay
• homemade spaghetti, bbq, secret pizza sauce,
• Honey is my do-it-all repair guy (and a handsome one at that) if he doesn't know how to fix it, he researches it
• Resale shops.  Some of you may cringe at this one, but Only can get a pair of American Eagle jeans for less than $6.  People unload their stuff there and at Goodwill.  Don't discount these places yet.
• checking books out from the library (church and public library)
  
• coupons, coupons, coupons.  I think my  kids hate that word)
  
• free books via Kindle  I have yet to pay for any of the more than 30 books I have on my Kindle for iPhone).  CBD also offers free ebooks. 

• One of the latest I'm looking forward to reading is Craving God by Lysa Tlekeurst which is FREE at the moment on Kindle.  
• The Pioneer Woman: An Early Excerpt First two chapters are free at this time. 
• I'm hoping to win One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are from The Momma at Finding Joy in the Little Things, but I'm not holding my breath. 

• speaking of iPhones - there are 4 of us in our home that have Apple products (1 phone and 3 iTouches).  Once we all sync our devices to the computer, we can all share apps that the other uses without having to waste $$ with repurchasing! 
• If you have a need, put the word out to friends and God.  We've been so blessed to be GIVEN a great new stove and God lead us to a wonderful cast iron Kohler double sink for only $25 that was at a local bakery!

There are too many to list, but I'm sure you help your family save money some way.  Can you tell me a few of your favorites?  

Once upon a snowy day

Their pudgy noses pressed against the front door.  For once Oldest and Only were not in time out, but desperately searching for a sign.  Silently they waiting in their fleece footie jammies, little hands against the glass feeling the cold of the outside world, leaving fingerprints low on the glass.  Their breath fogging up their view as the sun peaked over the treetops, a silhouetting orange glow framed the silent tree limbs. 
"Mommy!  I see it!" they called anxiously beckoning me to them.  Joining them, I peered into the morning light, searching with them for what they imagined.

There, floating lazily down to touch the yard's cold, barren cover, was a lone snowflake, giving hope and laughter to two small kids.  Their lips turned upward as the corners of their eyes wrinkled, their smiles reaching their sparkling eyes while their hands wiped at the foggy glass.

"Sissy!  Did you see it?"
"Bubba, i see it!  Can we go out?"
" Oh!  There's another one and another!" 

Lady loves the snow!

Icy treats

By now their little feet are dancing and hands clapping in anticipation, questioning faces looking up at me, eyes shifting between me and their heavy winter coats... I can see I've already lost this one. 

That was so long ago, but so freshly pressed in my mind as I viewed the falling snow this morning.  Snowflake after snowflake joining together to form a beautiful white carpet on our yard.  The fingerprints are no longer low on the glass and they do not wait eagerly by the door for that first sign of snow.  They snuggle deep under piles of quilts, with their phones close to their faces, groggily reading the text announcing "No School" for them... I miss those playful day, but am thankful for a beautiful day off to rest.

I hope that where ever you are, that today some delightful memory will be pressed in your mind, like the image of a snow angel, or little upturned faces, tongues out, catching feathery flakes from God.

ǝʌoɹƃ ǝɥʇ oʇuı ƃuıʇʇǝƃ: Entitlement or blessings

Have you had any major changes in your life lately? Have they thrown you for a loop? Maybe thrown schedules off. Has it ever thrown your corner of the world upside down? 

Two and years ago (gee I'm a slow learner) I agreed to take in a young boy to home school. Neglect from his mother, while his father was stationed overseas, caused him to miss 2 years of schooling (I can't even begin to explain this one).  It's not been easy.  It's been stressful, sometimes irritating, many times mentally and physically exhausting, and I've been resentful at times.  Not a great attitude.  I told Youngest a few weeks ago that "W" is a mission field that God has placed us in, and we need to adopt and accept the mission He has placed us in.  It's not the mission field I thought I would be in, but how many of us are where WE planned we would be.  I'll be the first to tell you that special education was not my specialty when I went for my teaching degree, but I feel I've researched enough to received an addition to my original degree. Thankfully, after some extensive testing at a special facility, we are getting some answers.  Most of them have confirmed some suspicions that I've been noting, and more testing tomorrow will give us further answers.  I'm still not sure about the direction to go or if I'm heading in the right direction, but I'm still searching. What expectations should I have, what is he really capable of, how far do I go in modifications, have I done all I can or should...

 ¹⁴I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
 ¹⁵Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you;
 ¹⁶however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained. 

Philippians 3:14-16

"Whenever you're in conflict with someone, there is one factor that can make the difference between damaging your relationship and deepening it. That factor is attitude.”
- William James

A little over five months ago, I agreed to watch a "H" for a family we've known for 10 yrs.  It has sure put a new sense of busyness to our house.  I wasn't pursuing adding another little one and it has been an adjustment.  The Princess has been with us for two years and I must confess that we've been spoiled by her - easy nap time (read - no rocking).  This new little one LOVES to be rocked and held, pretty much all the time, and I nor Only, have time.  I was actually getting to the point of despair - trying to get  it all done was suddenly an impossible place to be.  I would break off from doing school to rock "H", taking sometimes a whole hour, only for her to wake up within 15-20 minutes after putting her down, leaving me to repeat the process...  I started dreading my alarm clock and seeing car lights illuminating the kitchen window. It's like working three jobs and I was fast loosing it.

The Princess' sweet momma (please read at the bottom for a urgent prayer request), Only, and I were talking one afternoon and it became clear.  During Christmas break, "H" and I came to an understanding and now she goes down for naps by herself, she sleeps for for two hours at a time, and wakes up happy.  We started teaching her simple signs (eat, drink, more) and this has been a blessing as well.  I'm so thankful that God gave me such a beautiful daughter with a spirit of love, kindness, and giving, that Honey is so understanding, that Youngest is able to be independent in some of his studies. Sometimes when Oldest gets home, he'll hold "H" and play with her.

One of the last sermons that Pastor Paul shared with us was about seeing the blessing in where we were.  It may not be the situation we thought we would be in or wish for.

"... rejoice in all the good things that the Lord your God has given to your household."  Deuteronomy 26:11 

Does God need the best of the best from us? How about our "first fruits"?  This is not because God NEEDS our offerings, but that we can remember to be thankful for what He has done.  I need to give so that I can be thankful for what He has given me."   When we are not thankful, blessings become entitlements." Rejoicing in all the Lord has done for us....  Almost everything that starts out as a blessing, when we lose our thankfulness for that blessing, turns into an entitlement (thinking we deserve it).... 

He went on to say (my paraphrase version) What if our job, the cars, homes, bills, frustrations in life, instead of an entitlement mentality, we remember to be thankful instead of treating it as a curse.  We're looking forward to this year as strive to see the blessings in our circumstances.  God has provided three jobs for me to do at home, so that I may stay home while our kids are school age.  I confess that I'm not always thankful for the blessing God has given us: Medical bills, high electric bill, the constant stream of activities, a sink full of dirty dishes,  taking care of two little ones and trying to teach a special needs child... What this translate as - we have a home and all it's comforts, health care facilities when we need them, jobs, dirty dishes represent the food that God has provided... Does this mean I see everything with rose colored glasses?  Not hardly, but I'm trying to see things a little differently.

Would you join me, keep me accountable, to keep those blessings from becoming entitlements?  Do you have some blessings that you can share?




Prayer Request: The Princess' Daddy, Kevin, is having surgery to remove a tumor from his hand at 5:30 a.m. Thursday.  There are many complications and situations that could arise with where it is.  Please be praying for peace for her family and Momma, for the two surgeons performing the surgery, and those caring for him, and direction.  My personal prayer would be that everything goes smoothly with no complications or nerves cut that would leave him with a paralysis of his arm (he's a band director and trumpet player), and that it would not be cancerous.

Piggy Tales: Runaway, fire drills, ocean creatures

From the rolling hills of Kansas, I found myself transplanted to a land that was filled with excitement and good memories. In "Heading South" I told of our family's move from KS to Homestead AFB, Florida, but settle in for a few more stories of life in this coastal state.

We had them.. See them floating in the back, hiding behind the plastic plants?  Oh, there it goes! Is that a tiny sea-horses living in our fish tank?  Yes, I have always been interested in all those cool animals that God created, but we had some unique ones that I loved watching when we lived in Florida. When they died, for whatever reason, they went to the great porcelain heaven in the ground. They didn't seem quite as minuscule as those Sea Monkey sitting on the kitchen counter, but were more fun to watch. 

"Pretty Bird" she chirped from my shoulder, picking at my hair. Remember those huge yarn things that our mother's used for hair boys?  My bird loved picking at them.  How was I supposed to practice my piano when she kept distracting me? I scooted her over and hoped she would find something else to occupy her.  I loved having my yellow parakeet, but sometimes she was a little annoying.  Have you ever had an inside pet purposely try to escape to the great outdoors?  I remember Pretty Bird doing this at least TWICE!  Yes, multiple times!  How in the world did we ever get her back?  The first time it happened I thought I'd never see her again, but Mom grabbed the first thing she could think of - a fishing net on a 6 foot pole. Why we had that I'm not sure, because we never went fishing in FL.  We followed her from tree to tree, yard to yard, waving that silly pole, making her fly until she finally gave up and flew down to us. I'm sure most people thought we were nuts.  That silly bird lived until I was in college!

School:  I loved going to school in Florida. There were three 1st grade classrooms, all with long narrow windows on two sides that stayed open most year round.  Our classrooms were not enclosed in one building, but a series of connected rooms, open breeze ways that faced an open courtyard that we used for play, science experiments, and PE. One time we had fire drill and we all filed out to the playground that was to the back of our class, clinging to the fence as the bells droned on and on. Most of us had our hands on our ears to block out the loud noise. One girl ran BACK into the room for her jacket, ignoring our teacher's command to stop.  She would have been TOAST if it had been a real fire! Our teacher was so upset with her and I'm sure her seat was on fire once she got home!

Fun Stuff: My mom loved doing different things with us and she took full advantage of living where we did. We would sometimes stop at the side of the road and buy fruit and veggies from a local market stand that we couldn't find at the local PX.  Sometimes she would take us to Cypress Gardens where we would wander through the myriad of gardens and pathways graced with beautiful girls in Civil War type poofy dresses.  It amazes me that they didn't faint from the heat with wearing those hot dresses.  One of my most favorite places to visit was Sea World.  Yeah, Disney World was available and we went twice, but it was expensive. We would rather wander the winding avenues of such a exciting place where you could pet and see some pretty awesome creatures up close.  I remember almost dropping my camera in the shark tank when I lost my grip on it during a school field trip. We stopped one time at some wood workers shop, where the man used all cypress wood.  I still have that wood thing mom let me pick out.  I thought it looked like some animal begging for a morsel.  Some times Mom would take us to the ocean and we loved building sand castles, running in the waves, and running away from pesky jelly fish. I loved feeling the salty spray on my face and the gritty sand in my toes and in my suit.


Well, the babies have arrived and I need to feed them and start on school with the boys.  I'm glad you stopped by for a visit and look forward to seeing you next week when I talk about POWs and more. 

I hope that I have jarred some memories in your heart. If you have the chance, write them down while they are fresh.  If you would like to read more Piggy Tales from other ladies, hope on Over to Mommy's Piggy Tales.   If you would like to join in and start recording your own Piggy Tales, contact Jana at Mommy's Piggy Tales to find out how  (jannajoy25 (at) hotmail.com). If for some reason you missed any of my previous posts, you can find them here.

 

Handy Honey

I don't always get it right away - the way my husband's brain works.  Actually, 20 yrs. after we said "I Do" most of the time I don't understand how he thinks, but that might be a good thing.  God made our brains to work differently and I'm just so grateful for that. 

He's a thinker.  When I ask him a question, he doesn't answer right away and sometimes that leads to frustration on my part.  I feel that I have to go at warp speed or get an answer when I ask it.  I have learned that he really doesn't want to know each detail of what I need to tell him.  He would have been a good  Dragnet detective because he wants "Just the facts, ma'am", so when I start to tell him something, this little voice goes off in my head that reminds me "Just the facts, or you'll lose him."  I must admit that sometimes he looses me on what he's doing or planning. 

So last month  when a set of locking wheels showed up in a Lowes bag with a small pile of boards, I was curious.  I couldn't grasp we needed or didn't need or even WHERE we were going to put his new project.  "You'll see" was all I could get from him.  So I went back to my sewing, going out from time to time to see what was going on and this is what I found


So what was it??????



 My sweet husband built me a rolling cabinet to put all of our school books in so I wouldn't have to tote the crate and bag from room to room each morning!  I just LOVE that guy!  This is one of those weekend projects that I use every weekday!  I keep the student books organized in the crate and all my teachers books, crayons, and cds or DVDs used for this year below. 

Crate and bag: Very heavy

My very own Book Mobile!

Piggy Tales: Jr. College and mentors

  If you're just stopping by, this is my15th and final post, as a part of Jana's Mommy's Piggy Tales, which focuses on life after high school.  I think at the time, I really couldn't imagine life after high school, but it was literally a whole new world of experiences! 

I've just about decided I CANNOT put 6 years into one post.  Are you relieved? I am.  I'm going to continue for a few more weeks to get me to when Honey and I met and married, because there was way too much that happened and a lot of it really influenced who I am and how God got me to where I am now. So here are two of those 6 years.    

Surgery and Colorado: Almost as soon as  graduation, I traveled to Witchita, KS to have surgery on my foot due to a genetic thing my grandma passed on to me and was on crutches for 6 weeks. While it got me out of doing chores for a while, I had a goal in mind and needed to be off those crazy things soon.  I was preparing to go on my last Youth Quake with the Youth Group and I wanted to visit Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods.  It ended up being a wonderful trip.  I think the horseback ride on the mountain was the best!  Honey jokes all the time that I have a screw loose because I do have a screw and wire holding two parts together.  

School and choices:  I attended a nearby community college (where my brother went)  for the next two years, working on the college newspaper, meeting new friends, learning about who I was, and looking at colleges that would help me pursue a career in journalism. I was able to meet and interview Ambassador Bruce Laingen, former Iranian Hostage and Dr. Ruth (I could have done without that one) due to being on the college paper.   I worked in the computer lab (also where my brother worked) for two years on those 1st wonderful Radio Shack computers with true floppy disk. I remember standing in the computer watching the Shuttle Challenger take off with  Christa McAuliffe on board and the horror I felt at seeing it explode. That was the year that I took Technical Writing (I hated) from Lue Barndollar and Creative Writing from Joy Clumsky, which I enjoyed immensely. I got a music scholarship and continued playing in the band, picking up the piccolo again.  I loved playing at basketball games (we got paid something extra for every game we played at).  Somehow it was more fun in college! 


 My first year, I was in the same dorm (4 rooms, 8 people, 1 dorm style bathroom,) as my cousin, and my roommate that year, Roberta (a home ec. major, and band majorette) and I still stay in contact with each other and enjoy a good laugh about kids and life.   I was 1st chair flute/piccolo and Mr. C, our older jovial director, suggested try out for state band.  Just the thought of it made me want to throw up. I begged him to let me off, but he said no, so I was allowed to try out by recording, and I made it!  State Band was in Wichita, KS and the hotel we were supposed to stay in had to clear one floor that some of us were on because Sheena Easton wanted the whole floor.  So four of us volunteer to go to an alternate historic hotel that reminded us of something out of the movies!  It was very grand and we felt a wee bit silly ordering pizza from Pizza Hut Delivery that night.  The music was challenging and I was thankful I was not 1st chair, but it was a good experience.

My second year found me serving as secretary of the Student Body, grading papers for the lab director and just enjoying life.  The first time I caught some cheaters by grading their papers and putting 2+2 together, I asked Mr. Lind if two particular students sat by each other, he was amazed that I knew that until I confessed I figured it out from the tests. A lot of other kids I hung around with, lived on farms or ranches - translated - there was a whole lotta cow poo that we swept up when they came over to visit our dorm, but we always had fun. There were no pretensions or trying to impress, just a bunch of friends who enjoyed spending time together. I must say, these were the first friends I had pthat I was aware of that drank beer occasionally, and while they always offered it to us, they always kept milk or soda on hand just for us... They never really pressured or made fun of us, they were very accepting and okay with our choice, and I can't really remember them ever drinking it when we were around.  Sometimes we had serious talks, sometimes we went to a VoAg sponsored dances (where I learned how to 2-step and do the Cotton-eyed Joe). Country music still takes me back to those days.  That was the year that one of the guys Huey, who developed a crush on me and wanted to date me, but I told him I couldn't because we didn't share the same faith and beliefs.  He used to bring he deer jerky and stuff as, but I gave it to my brother.  Went on my first real date with Max - a double date with Jimmy and Juannell to see a movie.  Because they knew I wouldn't go to a PG movie, we piled in Jimmer's stick-shift pickup (there were no double cabs at that time) and saw The Black Cauldron, a Disney movie and we had so much fun! 


Church:  I was still close enough to continue attending at Tyro and loved it. I moved into the College Age class, made new friends and memories, and learned important lessons that would stick with me through college. About this time, I began babysitting for two families - the Heinleins and the Heaters.  The Heinleins were a payed job and you soon learned that they were not a fun one, and I dreaded getting a phone call to babysit their kids.  You couldn't turn your back on those kids for one second or the whole house would be literally destroyed.
     The Heaters:  I first became acquainted with Annette Heater when she taught a Proverbs 31 class to some of us highschool girls. I remember watching her from a distance - how Rex treated her and the kids, the closeness they shared and the schematics of their home life.  Were they as genuine as they seemed?  I just had to know.  So I approached Annette about coming to their house once or twice a week just so she could get out of the house, shop, meet with friends, or just take a nap.  You know what?  That family was genuine!  I appreciated how she shared with me their early dating years and how she told him that she could no longer see him because he didn't share the same faith. That intrigued him and the more he read and asked questions, the more he saw that he couldn't live without Christ.  That family still holds a special place in my heart and I have received graduation, wedding and birth announcements from each of them as they started their lives.  They showed me what a true marriage could really be and I held fast to that. What a legacy those kids have!

If you would like to read more Piggy Tales from other ladies, hope on Over to Mommy's Piggy Tales.   If you would like to join in and start recording your own Piggy Tales, contact Jana at Mommy's Piggy Tales to find out how  (jannajoy25 (at) hotmail.com). she has a second session starting up in October.  If for some reason you missed any of my previous posts, you can find them here.

•  Birth Story
• Preschool-Kindergarten 
• 1st Grade    Heading South
• In-Between Early Memories 
• Second Grade  Streakers, Metal Trees, and Good and Plenty
• Third Grade    Goodbye City Life, Hello Rural Life
• Fourth Grade - Moonshine, Gardens, and Uncle Zeb
• Fifth Grade - Elvis, my own room, and small town life
• Sixth Grade -Freedom Train, Far away friends, and skinny dipping  
•  Seventh Grade -Painful goodbyes, wobbly beginnings, and church camp
• Eighth Grade:Muddled memories, free time, and horses  
• Ninth Grade:John Denver, snakes, and more changes.
• Tenth Grade:Remodeling, first date, and beloved teacher
• Eleventh Grade:Haiti, good friends, and the police 
• Twelfth Grade: Haiti, good friends, and the police

Piggy Tales: Haiti, good friends, and the police

    I can't believe it!  I'm a Senior!  If you're just stopping by, this is my14th of 15 post that will focus on my 12th grade year, as a part of Jana's Mommy's Piggy Tales. Do you have a fun memory from your Senior year?  There is so much that happened this year, it going to be hard to keep it short.  Shoot, I've done a lousy job keeping it short, so why start now...

Sr. picture with cat Cleo

 School:  Ah, I think this was my favorite year, but it was not without trials. I was in my second year as a Library Aid for Ms. McMullen.  I LOVED being in there with all those books. Wasn't too crazy about inventory week - messed me up for life on knowing the alphabet!  I remember we were always told to hide the Sport Illus. Swimsuit edition and not let the coaches have it....They were NOT happy!  I enjoyed my second year as Feature Editor on the Bullpup Observer, but as a Senior, we were expected to go out to a local printing company and do our own typesetting.  It was always a little weird going out there after hours - so quiet...  Mrs. Paine would let Connie and I drive her VW Bug out there.  We learned very quickly to park the Bug where we didn't have to back up... because we couldn't figure out how to get it in reverse!!!  The secret? Pushing down on the stick when shifting into reverse... Who would have thunk it????   Aren't those Sr. pictures a hoot?  That cat, Cleo, was my favorite and I had to get my picture taken with her.  Don't you just dig those glasses? 


Senior English Honor's Class:  Besides having to read Beowulf, Shakespeare, and more, we had a major Senior Research Project, so Mrs. Wheeler arranged for us to travel to PSU for a research trip.  Remember this was an honors class - supposed to be the top in the class (so what was I doing in there huh?).  Well, everything went well during our research - all18 of us spreading out at the library, gleaning, searching, feeling cool since we were at a college.  Long story short - Ryan and I couldn't find anyone else, so we found the closest place to eat Pizza Hut.  That's where we ran into most of the rest of the group - all in the back room - drinking beer, no teacher in sight. Ryan and I stayed at the front, ate our pizza and got out of there.  On the bus ride back, there were only 3 students (sitting at the front of the bus) that didn't drink.  They thought they really got away from it, but one week later, we were all called into the office - 3 at a time.  Only one of the 14 who had been drinking confessed and the rest of them blamed the three of us for getting caught. They had no idea that their talking in the halls and their actions on the bus - they narked on themselves! Connie and I had more respect for him than we ever did for the others.

Bryan, my brother

Visitations:  Just 10 days before I graduated, I turned 18 and I was no longer required to visit my father.  On that last visit, my brother said he had taken all the could and wanted me to help him move his stuff back to Moms.  When we showed up for that last weekend (Bryan attended a local Jr. College, but didn't want me to go by myself), we discovered our father had changed the locks. Bryan crawled through an loose window, unlocked the front door, and we removed only what he had in his room.  Two hours later, the county sheriff showed up on Mom's front door.  Said our father wanted us arrested for breaking and entering, and stealing.  We told the sheriff what happened, he laughed, said there were no grounds.  Come to find out, they were familiar with our father and his wonderful temper.  I felt so good to know I would never have to go back there.

 

The Olympic Games were held in Los Angeles that year and  the flame went through Caney, a nearby town where I went to school, so we did the only thing we thought we should - skipped some of church to see it pass by. 

Waiting for church to begin

 Church:  It was great to be part of a youth group where the sponsors encouraged us to live out our faith.  One thing they encouraged us to do was go outside our comfort zone to serve others in ways we never imagined.  Montica, a dear friend and two other guys in our youth group traveled with close to 40 other teens to Cap Haitien, Haiti with CIY (Christ in Youth for a two week mission trip. It was the most fantastic experience...The smells, sounds, sights... they have a way of sticking with you.  The children, with distended tummies from lack of nutrition, swarmed around us, touching our white skin and hair.  The love and food they craved was overwhelming.  I remember the absolute destitute living conditions, crowded in tiny huts or tin buildings, in stark contrast with the beautiful scenery. We never knew when there was going to be electricity or running water, took showers outside in our swim suits surrounded by a handful of Haitian kids, or if those shoes that mysteriously disappeared reappeared on some little kid's feet.  

Montica

While there, we built a pole barn that would serve as the church, attended services with the chickens, worked on the house we stayed in, swam in the ocean ("yes, there are sharks, but they won't bother you"), got caught in an undertow, visited The Citadel, experienced open market for groceries, learned to bargain at the market in Port au Prince, and knew if we never rode another Tap Tap we would be thrilled. I can't tell you the times that natives would approach us wanting to give us food (pineapple, coconut, mangoes, plantain (like bananas) , which the missionary warned us not to turn them down.  The pineapple there is the most delicious, juice running down your chin, sweet experience ever.  I brought back 17 bottles of Haitian vanilla to give as thank-you gifts for those who helped make my trip possible and I was addicted as I still use Haitian vanilla to this day - there is nothing like to give any dish a unique flavor, especially ice cream.  When we finally landed in the US, the first place we stopped at in the airport was a McDonalds - that burger was delicious! There is so much that I would love to write about this trip, but need to save it for another time, I've tortured you enough.

A week after returning from Haiti, Mom and Aunt Jerre, favorite cousin's mom, took us to see Oklahoma! at an outdoor theater.  I made it through high school, but would I survive college?  Come back next week to find out how this KS girl adjusted to college life.


Well, there is only one more week left for this Piggy Tale adventure.  I hope that you've learned a little bit more about me (if you made it though each week, you're the best!), and that somehow this has inspired you to write some of your own Piggy Tales to pass down to your children or family.  Not all experiences are great, but God uses those events to His good.  You never know when or where He will use those hidden memories and experiences to touch someone else's life.

  If you would like to read more Piggy Tales from other ladies, hope on Over to Mommy's Piggy Tales.   If you would like to join in and start recording your own Piggy Tales, contact Jana at Mommy's Piggy Tales to find out how  (jannajoy25 (at) hotmail.com). she has a second session starting up in October.  If for some reason you missed any of my previous posts, you can find them here

•  Birth Story
• Preschool-Kindergarten 
• 1st Grade    Heading South
• In-Between Early Memories 
• Second Grade  Streakers, Metal Trees, and Good and Plenty
• Third Grade    Goodbye City Life, Hello Rural Life
• Fourth Grade - Moonshine, Gardens, and Uncle Zeb
• Fifth Grade - Elvis, my own room, and small town life
• Sixth Grade -Freedom Train, Far away friends, and skinny dipping  
•  Seventh Grade -Painful goodbyes, wobbly beginnings, and church camp
• Eighth Grade:Muddled memories, free time, and horses  
• Ninth Grade:John Denver, snakes, and more changes.
• Tenth Grade:Remodeling, first date, and beloved teacher
•  Eleventh Grade:Scotty, Rubber band Band, and Colorado