What If...

I don't know about everyone else, but Charlie Sheen has made me realize something recently.  The more the media talks about him (and every other idiot in this world) the more it seems to encourage his bad behavior.  I think if we all became disinterested in what he was doing, he may stop.  What if the media only reported on the good stuff people did, however boring it may be?  Would that cause people to stop doing ridiculous things for attention?  Probably not, but it's an ammusing thought anyway.  What if these were the headlines we were used to...

"MTV Donates All Earnings to Charity; Vows to Go Off the Air for the Good of Mankind."

"Charlie Sheen Treats His Kids to a Trip to the Zoo and an Ice Cream."

"Snooki and The Situation Enjoy Brunch and a Round of Golf."

"Lindsay Lohan Buys Fertilizer and Tomato Plants for Her New Garden."

"Divorce Rate Down; Couples Reportedly 'Love' Being Married."

"Kardashian Sisters Start New Jobs as Geriatric Nurses; Patients Say the Sisters are 'Kind and Unpretentious."

"Michael Vick Adopts Entire Animal Shelter, No Ulterior Motive Suspected."

"Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag Take Vow of Silence."

"Paris Hilton Buys Fuel-Efficient Hyundai, Says She's Thrilled with the MPG."

"Rappers Grammatically-Correct Songs Create a Generation of Well-Spoken Teenagers."

"Lady Gaga Has Busy Saturday, Mowing the Grass and Painting the Garage."

"Kanye West Loses a Canasta Tournament, Shows Crowd How to Be Gracious in Defeat."

The Feminine Mystique...

I've said many times how much Ryan makes me laugh. I think it is the glue that holds our marriage together. Well, actually, God is the glue, but you know what I mean. Lighten up. Anyhow, last night Ryan was telling me about a commercial he had seen. I am going to do my best to recount the conversation we had about it:



Ryan: "Guess what I saw a commercial for today?"
Me: "I don't know. What?"
Ryan: "Pads, but not regular lady pads."
Me: Laughing too much to respond
Ryan: (In a slightly disgusted/aggravated tone) "Pads to wear in case of an 'accidental spritz'."
Me: Laughing so hard I'm crying
Ryan: (Now in an angry tone and holding his hand out like he wants me to high-five him) "And guess who was on the commercial? WHOOPI GOLDBERG IN A KING TUT OUTFIT."
Me: Nearly passing out from the lack of oxygen due to laughing
Ryan: "HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF THOSE THINGS?!"




Poor Ryan, feminine products and their mysteries will never end.

Sunny-Side Up...

The last few days, I've felt yucky.  I'm not sick or anything, I've just had a bad attitude.  I hope it hasn't shown on the outside, but I've felt it on the inside.  I know it's just because I'm tired, stressed, have too much on my plate, etc.  You know, everything that everyone else has going on :)  When I get in these little funks, I like to think of what makes me happy.  So, as a self-therapy-type-thing, I've made a list of some of what makes me happy.

~My husband, my babies, my red kitchen, fuzzy socks, the smell of coffee, anything and everything PiNk!, Gene Kelly when he's "Singin' in the Rain", ridiculously HUGE hairbows on little girls, ChRiStMaS MuSiC, fresh sheets, organized drawers, my perfect little black dress, the changing of the seasons, Paul Harvey's noon radio commentaries, Sunday afternoon naps, Laurie's perfect dimple, chenille bathrobes, yummy scented candles, Mary Carolyne's beautiful blue eyes, good hand cream, the feeling of a baby kicking in my tummy, black and white tv shows, Bing Crosby and Nat King Cole, my Dyson vacuum cleaner, Allison's cute "sprinkling" of fReCkLeS,  friendly people, my friends, John*Paul*George*Ringo, Anne Claire's toothless grin, my momma, running, the freedom to worship, getting a recipe right the first time, ***BeDtImE***, realizing that thanking God and counting your bLeSsInGs makes everything all better :)

A Merry Old Soul...

Last week, December 22nd to be exact, Allison turned 12.  I wanted to post something on her actual birthday, but I couldn't.  It wasn't because I was too busy or too tired or that I had a case of writer's block.  I just couldn't find the words to describe what this child means to me. 

Twelve years ago, I would've never imagined that the tiny brown-eyed baby I held in my arms would become a beautiful, wise young woman.  The fact alone that I can describe Allison as a "young woman" ages amazes me!  Allison has always been an "old soul".  I forget sometimes when we're having a conversation that she is only 12.  I often ask her advice and opinions on things, because I know she is guided by God and that alone weighs heavily on her way of thinking.  I know she seeks God's wisdom and counsel and I am always inspired by her example.  It may sound a little strange, but I look up to her. Her little sisters do everything they can to be "just like Allison", in their words.  They want to dress like her, act like her, talk like her.  I try so hard to teach my girls to be themselves (how do you teach a five and three-year-old that anyway?!) but even they see that special something in Allison that makes them want to imitate her. She is the kindest, most compassionate person I know and it pains her to see anyone suffer.  I sometimes find her teary-eyed after seeing a commercial for an animal shelter or the Salvation Army.  Some may call that being a drama-queen, but I think her tender heart is what will make her great in this life.  I've noticed that Allison wants to make the lives of those around her better, whether it's by making them a card or baking them cookies.  She just wants to let people know she loves and appreciates them. 

Even as I type, I'm still struggling to put the words together to accurately describe how much I love her.  Don't get me wrong, I love all four of my babies beyond words.  Just when I feel like my heart can't hold any more love for them, it finds a way to.  I have a different bond and different connection with each of my daughters.  I treasure each of them for their unique personalities and for what makes them "them".  I think what makes my bond with Allison special is that she made me a mother first.  The moment she was born, my life was forever changed and I will always be grateful to her for that.  The second I held her, I felt love that I had never felt before.  I didn't know it was humanly possible to love someone to the depths that I love her. 

In her 12 years, Allison has brought more joy, more happiness and more love than most people have in a lifetime.  She is our blessing and everyday I thank God for that precious, wonderful girl. 

That Perfect Little Face...

Our sweet Laurie turned three today, and I can't believe how quickly time has flown.  When I was pregnant with her, I tried to imagine who she'd be like.  Would she be like Mary Carolyne and Ryan; outgoing with a big personality, or would she be like Allison and me; a bit more on the shy side?  Never did I guess that she would be the perfect "mash-up" of everyone, with a million times more energy than all of us put together! 

When she was born, one of the first things I noticed was the dimple on her left cheek.  I think it was God's finishing touch on that perfect little face.  It wasn't long before her personality began to develop.  She was such a busy baby, always on the move.  I never had to baby-proof our house until Laurie came along!  She was so curious about everything and everything she did was different than the way her sisters did it.  Even her straight hair is a stark contrast to Allison and Mary Carolyne's spiral curls. Laurie is our child that we never know what she's going to do.  Before her, I never had to clean crayon off a wall, or call 911 because a child jumped off the bed and knocked herself unconscious, or tell a child to stop splashing in the toilet water.  I've learned never to ask Laurie why she is sticky, wet, or where all my gum went.  The answer may be downright frightening :)  I've learned to just clean her up and send her on her way.  We affectionately call Laurie, "Pigpen" after the "Peanuts" character.  She attracts dirt and mess wherever she goes, but I wouldn't recognize her otherwise.  The child is more comfortable when she is messy, and I love her for that.  Laurie has made me appreciate the differences in all of my children.  She, in her three short years, has made me realize that a home is meant to look "lived-in" and that crayon marks on the walls are just a sign that kids are present.  That being said, thank goodness for Mr. Clean Magic Erasers :)

Our three years with this sweet baby have been a learning experience, to put it mildly.  She has brought more light and love to our family than we could ever imagine.  She has kept us on our toes and kept our lives interesting.  That perfect little face has blessed our lives in more ways than we thought possible.  Happy birthday, sweet Laurie Beth :)

Well, At Least You Make Me Laugh...

Tonight, Ryan was trying to help Allison with her math homework.  The lesson was on discounts and percents, and Allison was really struggling with it, to the point of tears.  We told her to take a little break and Ryan could help her finish it later.  She walked out of the room, and I said to Ryan, "Poor Allison, I remember having a hard time with math too."  Ryan replied, "Yeah, I never had a hard time with math, but I could never memorize stuff.  Like when I was asked to memorize all ten continents!"  I laughed so hard!  Ryan, unamused, said, "Lindsey, I tell you my deepest and darkest and you just laugh at me."  I couldn't help it though.  I'd rather have a fella that makes me laugh than one who knows all "ten continents" anyway :)

A Crown to the Aged...

One of my favorite verses is Proverbs 17:6, "Children's children are a crown to the aged."  I love this verse because it makes me excited to be a grandmother.  Now, I hope I won't be a grandmother for YEARS to come, but the thought of having grandchildren eventually makes me so happy.  I think it's because I have such good grandparents. 

My dad's parents passed away within the last few years.  They were what I call "Classic" grandparents.  Grandpa Glen was a gentleman, in every sense of the word.  He always wore some kind of button-up shirt, even when he was farming.  I loved the little "twinkle" he had in his eye and the way he would greet me when I saw him, "Well, hell-o there, Lindsey!"  His hands were rough from working in the fields for so many years and he always smelled like Lava soap.  He was somewhat short, a fact that I didn't realize until I was much older.  He always seemed so tall to me I guess because he carried himself that way.  I remember him teaching me how to jump rope when I was four and I remember him tap dancing.  He was what, I think, every kid wanted in a Grandpa.  When I think of him, I picture him on his old Ford tractor, in his green "work slacks" and a plaid button-up shirt with a black pocket protector peeking out.  If Grandpa was a gentleman, then Grandma Avis was a lady.  She was always dressed to the nines and she always looked flawless.  She smelled wonderful; a combination of freshly baked cookies and Balm-Barr handcream.  I remember her keeping a hankie up the cuff of her blouse and when it rained, she wore one of those clear plastic bonnets.  She would sing the song, "A Bicycle Built for Two" when I was little and since she couldn't be at my wedding, I chose that song to be part of our wedding music.  She was an English teacher and even when I was very young, I remember her correcting my grammar.  Maybe that's why poor grammar is one of my pet peeves!  When I think of her, I picture her waiting at her front door for me to come in.  I can see her in her apron, holding a dish towel and feeling her sweet, loving hug.  I'm pretty sure I can smell cookies...

My mom's parents are different in that I feel like we are the same age!  My Granddad is 80, yet he has the energy of a 30 year old.  He is by far the most Godly man on this earth, in my opinion.  I believe he is one of the smartest men too.  I don't think there is a problem that Granddad can't solve.  I love that he and I share a love of reading and I love that he has given me so many of his favorite books.  I love his singing voice and his stories.  He and my Grandma have been married for 57 years, yet he still looks at her as if it is the first time he's seen her.  By his example, he showed me what I deserved in a husband and father for my children.  My Granddad is also one of the best preachers I have ever heard.  Hearing a sermon by him is like receiving a present.  He radiates faith and wisdom.  I can't wait to hear the Lord say to my Granddad, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant," because there are few on this earth who deserve to hear those words more than him.  One of the few who I know will also hear those words is my Grandma Drue.  She is the definition of a Christian woman.  I know she is what God had in mind when he created a "helper" for man. In my overly active imagination, I picture the angels telling God, "Hey, great job on Drue!" when she was created.  I am convinced that my Grandma has never met a stranger.  She is the most personable, fun-loving little lady.  I love that she gets my sense of humor and I love to make her laugh.  She has boundless talent, from writing to photography to organizing family reunions.  I am amazed at how young at heart she is...she had a Facebook page before I did :)  I remember her playing basketball with us when we were younger and I know if I asked her to play now, she would.  She looks at my Granddad with stars in her eyes and her example makes me want to be a better wife.  There is nowhere on this earth that she wouldn't follow my Granddad, and she proved that through their years of mission work.  She looks at everything as an adventure and a new experience.  She truly puts God first in her life and she lives by his example everyday.  I am thankful that she is not only my Grandma, but my close friend.

I hope I am a combination of all four of my grandparents when that time comes for me.  I am thankful that I've had four very different, but very influential people in my life.  I hope to take the best from each of them and pass it along to my grandchildren...no time in the near future though :)