Out of the Mouths of Babes

It's been so long since I've posted anything, I thought I'd kick start things with some quotes from some of my favorite kiddos.

These are things that my niece, nephews, and my oldest child have said and done throughout the past few years, that we thought were funny enough to write down at the time.

Stay tuned for more from the younger ones as they start talking more. Especially the 2014 babies, Luke, Nate, and Ellie. I have a feeling they are going to have a lot to say. :)

Jack, when asked how many children he was going to have: "I don't know how many babies I will have, but I am marrying with Katie and Shane."

From Em: Oliver told me that he was going to make me decaf pears with cocoa so I could be wide asleep and not get cold.

While taking a walk with Clare and Eli, Clare wanted to push the stroller. She looked up at me and said, "Katie, aren't you proud that I can push your big chubby baby up this hill?"

Clare, after referring to Eli as a chubby baby: “I used to think that chubby meant cute and sweet. Now I know that it just means really fat.”

Oliver: “We don’t eat poop… just hot dogs.”

April: “Clare, why do you have paint on your face?”
Clare: “Because I'm an artist. And artists get dirty.”

Eli: “More cheese”
Me (in an attempt to correct him): “Please may I have more cheese?”
Eli: “Okay!”

From mom: Oliver just opened the dishwasher and said he needs to fold dishes.

After a conversation with Pop about the scars on his knees, Clare reported to Gram that he had had surgery. Gram asked her if she knew what surgery was, to which she promptly and confidently replied, "yep! That's when they ga-pow ya!"

Mom brought home Chinese food one day after work. When she walked in with dinner, Sam came running up and asked if she had "the China food." A few minutes later, with a very concerned look on his face, Sam said, "Gram, did you miss me?" Assuming that he meant did she miss him while she was at work, she said, "I sure did, buddy!" He responded, "Should you have gone all the way to China, then?"

Eli (holding flash card): “What’s this?”
Me: “An apple.”
Eli: “There ya go!”

Me: "Sam, what's on your finger?"
Sam: "Dirt. I'm going to eat it."
Me: "You're not supposed to eat dirt."
Sam: "It's ok. I'm pretending it's something I can eat... like a booger."

Oliver: “Sleep will feel me better.”

Sam: "Is Nate a boy's name?"
April: "Yes."
Sam (looking confused): "Is Nate a boy?"
April: "Yes, he is."
Sam (with a sigh): "Okay. I'll let Katie know."

From Em: Oliver told me yesterday after his nap that he “fell awake.”

Me: “Eli, where is the grey block?”
Eli: “Right there!” (holding grey block)
Me: “Good job! That’s grey!”
Eli (pointing to my hair): “Hair?” :\

Distance Is Not For The Fearful

"Distance is not for the fearful, it is for the bold. It is for those who are willing to spend a lot of time alone in exchange for a little time with the one they love. It is for those knowing a good thing when they see it, even if they don't see it nearly enough."

Anyone who has a spouse and actually lives in the same house with them, don’t take it for granted. If you live in the same city or even the same state as them - don't take it for granted.

Next time you start to argue with them, think about how lucky you are to have someone there to even argue with. If you get to tell them hello each morning, and kiss them goodnight each night, you are luckier than some.

Being deployed half a world away last year made me thankful to be back in the U.S. and have the opportunity to see Shane once a month, and talk to him on the phone every day. I never thought that a thousand miles would seem like a short distance! And I know that being a thousand miles away from him now will make me appreciate finally being home with him, in the same house.

I'm sure there will be a point in the future when Shane and I will get so accustomed to being together that we will be tempted to take each other for granted. But I know all I'll have to do is think back to these times when we see each other so infrequently, and I'll be thankful for the closeness.

All that to say - don't take each other for granted. No matter how far apart you may be, physically or otherwise, it could always be worse, so now is the time to care for the relationship – and to appreciate what you have while you have it.

"And ever has it been known that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation." - Khalil Gibran

Granddaddy

Today is the 90^th birthday of a wonderful man who has touched countless lives, faithfully followed God’s call for his life, and has been a blessing to all who have come in contact with him.

Some people know him as Country Boy, from his days on the radio. Most know him as Brother Jimmy, from his days as pastor of Morningside and various other churches after he retired from Morningside. He has been part of so many people’s lives, from beginning to end, praying with them to receive Christ, baptizing them, officiating at their weddings and at their funerals.

While I agree with every label that has been put on him – a man of God, a leader, a minister, a friend, a mentor – He is something else to me too. He is Granddaddy. He loves sweets, he enjoys tinkering around on his computer, he is wise, kind, hilarious, is a great storyteller, and he makes me smile. He has 3 children, 7 grandchildren, and is on his way to having a whole heap of great grandchildren. :)

He read us books when we were little... sometimes falling asleep mid-story. He baptized me and was my pastor for the first several years of my life. Our entire family would gather at Grandmama and Granddaddy’s house every year for Christmas Eve. Any time there is a birthday party (and there are plenty now that there are so many great-grandkids around) he and Grandmama are there. Once we moved to Hamilton, he would walk over to our house every day, bringing the newspaper and looking for something sweet to snack on. We would usually have something on hand to sneak to him – something he could eat without getting caught by Grandmama. When I was in Basic Training, he wrote me a hilarious letter outlining everything I “should be glad I’m missing” from back home.

Last year my family went to the church in Pine Mountain Valley where Granddad is currently preaching. Watching him preach was just like it was when I watched him as a child. Memories came flooding back as I listened to him, and recognized the same mannerisms and gestures I had observed when I was a child. His booming voice in the pulpit has always been both intimidating and comforting to me.

During family get-togethers Granddad can always be found sitting somewhere quietly. But he does not look bored. He is watching everyone around him, and always seems to be prepared with something witty or entertaining to say. We would sometimes sit around the table after eating, telling stories, and I always enjoyed it when Granddad chimed in with some of his own. When Granddad talks, people listen. When he speaks, you can be sure you are about to hear something very wise or very funny. I know I speak for everyone in my family when I say we have a special place in our hearts for Granddad. We all feel the same way about him. We love him.

Of course, talking about Granddad is not complete without mentioning Grandmama. They are quite a pair, and they balance each other out perfectly. Grandmama has been faithfully by Granddad’s side during the entire journey, ministering to friends, family, and church members just as much as he did.

I like to think I’ve inherited some of my traits from Granddad. I, too, have a love of sweets (I’m eating a cookie as I write this). I love to sit back and watch people, and I typically will find something funny to say if I know someone is paying attention. I think I may have gotten some of my quirkiness from him. One of my favorite pictures of him is one of him wearing my little sister’s bicycle helmet (which was far too small of course), and he has a little grin on his face.

I wish I could go back to the 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s and see what Granddaddy was like when he was younger. But I imagine he was very similar to the way he is now. He has always been the same to me, always providing a sweet, quiet, comforting presence. I love you Granddaddy. Happy Birthday.

My Parents

My initial inspiration for this blog was the recent Mother’s Day holiday. My plan was to write a Mother’s Day post, but as soon as I started writing I realized that I really want to dedicate this to both my parents, because they both have been instrumental in shaping me into who I am today. And you don’t get one without the other - they come together as a package deal.

I know plenty of people who look back at their childhood and think, “Wow, I bet I can pinpoint exactly why I’m screwed up now.” They can think back to a certain argument with their parents that inevitably shaped their relationship with them. Or a careless statement made by a parent that shaped their own view of themselves. When I look back at my childhood I truly see the most carefree, joy-filled memories of my life, and I think “That is what I want mine and Shane’s children to experience with us.”

Some people argue the issue of nature versus nurture, and I am a strong believer that more often than not, nurture is the reigning champion. April, Emily, and I have always had (especially at childhood) totally different personalities, temperaments, interests, and ways of relating to others. Yet we all grew into strong, loving, Godly women who are capable of pursuing career and family goals, and maintaining healthy relationships with the people in our lives. I remember people coming up to my mom or dad and saying, “You really lucked out and got three amazing daughters.” I think it’s a far stretch to say it’s a coincidence that we turned out well. The only explanation needed is to take a closer look at who raised us.

Here are a few things I have learned from my parents:

To love God – The most important thing I’ve learned is to keep my relationship with God number one. Of course, with my Granddad being the pastor of our church growing up, it seemed like we were at church any time the doors were open. But they didn’t go to church and act one way, and then come home and act a totally different way. They have always lived what they believe.

To be myself – They never once said, “You should play this sport, or participate in this activity instead of that one.” They let us choose what we wanted to do, based on what interested us. Maybe I would have been better at soccer than at basketball, but I had no interest in soccer and loved basketball, so they encouraged me in basketball.

I can do anything - I can do and be whatever I desire to be, with God’s help.

Not to take myself too seriously. My family is very fun-loving, and willing to laugh at themselves. This doesn’t just make for entertaining family get-togethers, it really is important.

To take care of each other – Whenever any of us is in need of something, the rest of the family is always right there to pitch in and help out.

Family produces awesome friendships – My family members honestly are my best friends. My parents both have healthy relationships with their own parents, and I think that definitely provided a positive influence on us as well.

To serve other people – From watching my parents, I learned that when you see someone in need of help, you go help them. You don’t just say, “Oh tell me if you need something.” You just do it.

Hospitality – For as long as I can remember my parents have been very eager to have people over for dinner, or just to visit. And they are always willing to bend over backwards to make someone feel at home when they are visiting.

Commitment – This may be the most important one. My parents have been married for 32 years. During those years they have said repeatedly, not by their words but by their actions, “I am here for good. I’m not going anywhere, even if things get tough.”

Here are a few things my parents have given me:

Acceptance – My parents never pressured us to get all A’s in school. They said all they asked of us was that we truly did our best. I cannot think of ONE time in my life that either of my parents has criticized me for what I am, what I believe, or how I feel.

Encouragement – Acceptance and lack of criticism is nice to have, but it’s not enough to stop there. My parents always encouraged us in whatever we were striving to do, even if it wasn’t exactly what they had in mind for us. I can guarantee my Mom probably had many other ideas in mind for me outside of joining the military. But ever since I told her that’s what I wanted to do, she has been one of my greatest supporters.

Unfailing support – They have been there to walk with me through all of life’s big moments, from first steps and first words to graduations and first jobs. They have helped me through the happy moments and the sad – from the loss of family members and close friends, and leaving to join the military, to very recently, getting married.

A helping hand - They are always there to pick me up when I fall. No matter what kind of mess I get myself into, they are right there to gently pick me back up and get me back on track.

Time – Time is one of the most important gifts a parent can give their kids. My parents took the time to home-school us when we were young. My mom worked part-time, and the rest of the time she was home with us. My dad took us hunting, and taught us to shoot guns and go fishing. My mom taught us to cook, bake, sew, and read. My dad taught us to work with our hands, and how to cut the grass (though I definitely didn’t appreciate that one at the time). My mom taught us to love books, and to enjoy traveling to new places. My dad taught us how to build things. They helped us with homework and countless school projects. And if I had to guess, they are going to help teach all of those things to our children as well.

Sacrifice - When we were older, my parents sent us to a private Christian school. They didn’t send us to public school because it was cheaper and they would be able to drive brand new cars or go on extravagant vacations. They drove used cars and gave us the opportunity to attend the school they felt we would benefit from the most. I know that was a sacrifice.

Role models – My parents have shown me what it means to be a father, mother, husband, wife, and friend. They are not perfect, but they do their best. My parents have shown me what it is that I want for my children. Of course, being female, I’ve especially learned what I want to be as a mother. If I can be half the mother my mom was to me, I will consider myself to have accomplished quite a feat.

Shane gave me the best compliment the other day. We were talking about which characteristics I inherited from my dad, and which ones I got from my mom. He summed it up perfectly and said I got my dad's strength and my mom's heart. I agree 100%, and I am very grateful for it.

So even though it’s not Mother’s Day anymore and it’s not Father’s Day yet, I just want to say:

Mom and Dad, thank you. :)