Summer Is Here

Today is the last day of school. Awards have been awarded, promotions have been conferred and I am now the proud mother of second, fourth and sixth graders.

The summer calendar is filled with camps, Vacation Bible schools, fishing trips and extended family visits. The phrases ‘weekly friend day,’ ‘free movie Tuesdays’ and ‘library day’ have been bandied about. As have the phrases ‘chore jar,’ ‘quiet hour’ and ‘garage project’.

I’ll be here at work, equally overjoyed and sad to skip the daily grind of motivating/enduring/entertaining.

Summer is here. Y’all pray for Jack.

2012 Week Seven

We had a very nice Valentine’s Day. Jack and I exchanged flowers and movie tickets and the kids were absolutely swimming in sweets. We celebrated Liz’s birthday with supper and some fun gifts. Grandma Jackie gave Liz the sweetest poster of puppies, but I’m pretty sure her favorite gift so far has been the folding money.

We were touched that Thomas and Emma both spent money of their own to buy Liz something for her birthday despite Emma’s worry that it might be offensive to spend money she received for her own birthday on someone else. She doesn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. Oh, the traumas and dramas of the tween years. I have a very clear memory of a sleepless night spent worrying about my lack of funds and my parent’s upcoming anniversary. I know I had to be older than 11 because we were living in Brookston, but I couldn’t have been much older than that because I had a job by 13. I feel very blessed that my –and Emma’s- worries were not more serious.

Jack took Liz to a maxillofacial dentist this week. She has a pearl tooth coming in in such a way that its roots are causing problems with her incoming permanent teeth. The super-dentist wants to cut it out, a 45-minute procedure that takes place under sedation. I’m not too thrilled about the sedation part, but I guess that’s something I’ll have to pray about. Y’all pray with me please.

We managed to lock three –yes, I said three- sets of keys in the pickup this week (thankfully all at the same time, otherwise I really would’ve looked stupid.) Yeah, I locked my keys in with my purse and then found out Jack left the spare key he had been using -because he can’t find his keys, which are in the floorboard of the pickup- in the cup-holder. Oh …  joy. Thankfully the local PD sent their new officer to my rescue (at no charge!). At which time I further embarrassed myself by introducing myself to a man who I’d been talking on the phone with (in the course of everyday work), for over three years. What a great day.

And finally in this Week Of Liz we had a birthday party Saturday. Our friend Andi made the cutest cake and Liz had a wonderful time with her friends. I had a wonderful time with my friends and family too. We should do stuff together more often, don’t y’all think?

Hello?

2012 Week Six

I’m free, I’m free, I’m free! All my finals are complete and submitted and I’m free!

For one week. I’ve already registered and bought books for the next semester (Psychology of Personality, Psychology of Parenting, Jesus and the Gospels and Exit Seminar) which starts February 20. But did you see that last class I listed? It says Exit Seminar! After this next semester I’ll only lack three classes- one of which is a one-hour PE class. I’m sooo close! Y’all please keep praying.

At the risk of inviting those to whom I owe money to come crawling out of the woodwork I’ll report that we received our income tax return this week. I had the distinct pleasure of being able to write checks for full balances and file away several of those invoices we had been ‘paying out’. We’ve put the remainder away for future plumbing costs and are very thankful to be able to do that. In case y’all haven’t noticed the economy is in the crapper.

Jack had very good news from the bariatric surgeon: his insurance is no longer requiring the 90-day dietician-directed diet before surgery. We won’t know exactly what this means for Jack until he meets with the surgeon again (an appointment will be made following Jack’s 02-20 appointment with cardiologist), but it sounds like answered prayer to me!

And in other good news, we had snow this past weekend. About an inch I think. Now I’m praying that it has time to melt and soak in before the wind blows it all away…

I’ll close with this photo of proof that red-neck engineering is strong with our people.

Yes, those are dresses (and boots) are made of duct tape. Aren’t they brilliant!? I’m so proud!

2012 Week Four

Lots of official changes at the Smallwood house this week. This week we officially cancelled our Royal Ambassador and God’s Girls programs at Oklahoma Lane and we’ve officially begun the process of transitioning from our little Methodist home-away-from-home back to an official Baptist environment. It’s a decision we feel is right for our family now, but we’re gonna miss Oklahoma Lane. They loved us through a very difficult time in our lives. I hope we still get invited to the Baked Potato supper!

I met Mama and Ella in Wichita Falls this past weekend where we shopped, ate, laughed and talked ‘til we dropped. Seriously, the trunk of the car is full and my feet are still burning. We discovered Fuzzy’s Taco Shop and toured WF in the dark. We ate at Fuzzy’s again and saw One For The Money. We considered Fuzzy’s for breakfast, but decided on another restaurant and parted ways. Until next year, when we’ll definitely have breakfast a Fuzzy’s!

The Year 2011 in Review

In looking back at this blog over the past year, I realize I haven’t done a stellar job in documenting our life for posterity. To be honest it’s been a stressful year. Jack and I have started calling it the ‘Year of the Waiting Room’ since we (okay, mostly he) averaged at least one waiting room visit a week between his dad’s, his mom’s and his own doctor’s appointments this year. Jack even waited out a couple of Grandma Alma’s doctor visits. I also blame my higher education. I average approximately 15-20 hours a week writing for one class or another. That’s time I used to spend writing here and reading other people’s writing everywhere else.

Anyway, I’m determined to do a better job of documenting this year. In the meantime, I wanted to record the highlights of 2011 in some way before 2012 started piling up:

January:

• Jack traveled to Dallas for the RA Camp Director’s Meeting and was well received. This is always one of his favorite trips. God was really watching out for us on that trip. On the way home Jack hydroplaned his dad’s pickup off the interstate and into the median, doing a few di-does and experiencing some near misses along the way. Thankfully, no one was seriously hurt and the insurance completely covered the repairs.
• Jack also visited a rheumatologist and received the good news that Jack’s arthritis is not rheumatoid, but is some form of osteoarthritis.

February:

• We celebrated Liz’s 6^th birthday with a Pinkalicious party in the park. It was a lot of fun to put together. Not sure how I’m gonna top that one!
• Jack’s mom fell and cracked her wrist and as a follow-up to the osteoarthritis verdict, Jack visited with an orthopedic surgeon who suggests Jack have both hips as well as both knees replaced, but only after extensive weight loss which he suggested Jack achieve by gastric bypass. Finally a doctor with a plan!

March:

• Ella and I snuck off to Wichita Falls for some much needed sister time. We left each other on Sunday planning to make the weekend trip an annual event and I’m please to say the 2012 trip is already on the calendar!
• Spring Break went by with no one really memorable event. Based on past experience I’m sure we had some cold weather and some warm weather, but not necessarily in that order. I’m also sure the kids spent some time with Grandma and Grandpa and I do remember Granny and Papa visiting at the end of the week. I hope that we enjoyed some much needed rest and time with each other.
• I celebrated a relaxing 41^st birthday. Yea, me!
• Jack and I spent a weekend with his assistant RA Camp director Bob and his wife Regina inventorying and organizing the RA storage at camp. It was a very dusty job, but we’re one step closer to being ready for July!

April:

• Jack made another trip to Dallas. He is now a Royal Ambassador Regional Trainer. Anything you need to know about RAs he can now officially fill you in on!
• Easter rounded out to one (1) Easter pageant, two (2) baptisms, three (3) Easter egg hunts, four (4) versions of potatoes and a lot (#!) of deviled eggs. It was a really great year.
• TAKS tests were administered and passed with flying colors!
• Jack had his first appointment with the gastric bypass doctor and the upshot is that Jack must lose 50 pounds while under a dietary clinicians care over the next 90 days. Water anyone?

May:

• May was a blur of field trips, school projects, achievement parties and graduations. School is out for another summer! And we’ve got a new pool to prove it. Hoorah!
• I cleaned out and filled up my flower beds again. It’s an addiction I think.
• It was either late this month or early next month that Jackie fell and broke the wrist she had cracked earlier in the year. Back problems abound (Ella, Grandma Alma and Jackie) and Jack’s dad is suffering with breathing problems again. Jack’s diet showed very little progress even though he stuck very closely to the program.

June:

• The girls and I (plus four more!) attended Girls Camp at Plains Baptist Assembly the second week of June and had a blast. We’re already excited for next year.
• The Sunday after Girls Camp, I rush Jack to the ER for the beginning of a week-long odyssey into emergency health care. Long story short he had a gall bladder infection that had turned septic, which then led to a severe depletion of potassium, which then led to atrial fibrillation of the heart. It was scary, more so after it was over and we finally understood how close Jack was to losing his life. God was watching out for us again!
• While we languished in hospital, Jack’s parents, sister and nieces gave 110% in keeping up with the kids and even managed to take them to Vacation Bible School. Their willingness to step in was a God-send and the kids loved it. Maybe we need to have Camp Sheran as well as Camp Granny.

July:

• Just shy of a full recovery, Jack, Thomas and I (plus five) attended RA Camp.  With nearly 325 boys and men attending and 80-something decisions made, I’d say it was a great success!
• Emma celebrated her 9^th birthday with a sleepover and we attended the annual Border Town Days parade and celebration in the park.

August:

• The kids attended Camp Granny while I finished another semester of school. Four down, four to go! (Semesters, not Camp Granny’s. Camp Granny should last FOREVER.)
• I took the kids to the County Fair, school started and the girls attended Cheer Camp. Exciting days!

September:

• Jack continues to suffer near-weekly migraines and started seeing a new primary physician to discover the cause.
• Jack’s mother undergoes an ablation procedure that corrects her heart rhythm.
• We managed to celebrate Jack’s 48^th birthday. For some reason he always seems to get kind of a wave and kiss instead of a full-blown celebration. I’m gonna have to do something about that.
• Unfortunately the day after Jack’s birthday, his dad unexpectedly passed away.  It was a shocking and traumatic event, but ultimately we know that he is with Jesus and no longer in pain or suffering. The services were very nice and we celebrated Joe’s life with family, some crying and much laughing.

October:

• Jack’s mother develops an embolism in the groin wound opened during the ablation procedure. The surgeon re-opens the wound to repair the embolism and the healing process slowly begins.
• The girls and I attended a Secret Keeper’s Pajama Party in Clovis. I was so proud of Emma for volunteering to help out on stage. She is so adventurous and willing.
• We spent a weekend visiting Mama and Daddy and helping out (or did we?) at Ella’s new house. It has a long way to go, but it’s gonna be so great when she gets done!
• The post-camp RA storage inventory was completed by Jack and a great team from Park Drive Baptist, Levelland. The countdown to RA Camp 2012 begins!
• Work begins on RA racers and the kids Sunday School teachers take them out for pizza and a movie. Emma is not allowed to attend due to being grounded for a pretty severe offense.  I don’t think she’ll consider cheating on another test anytime soon.
• Jack’s headaches continue and he is scheduled for a sleep study.

November:

• Jack has a sleep study and they send him home with a CPAP machine which made an immediate difference for the better in his sleep. He still has occasional migraines so doctors continue to work toward better blood pressure control.
• Jackie’s wound continues to heal slowly. She is dividing her nights between our house and Sheran’s house as the wound has to be cleaned three times a day.
• We celebrate Thanksgiving with Jack’s family at Sheran’s house.  It’s fun that we’ve gone from four cooks to seven or eight cooks when you count all the grandkids who want to contribute to the meal. Lots more yummy stuff! Ashlie made a picture of a turkey using only crudités. Too cute!
• Between holidays, comp time and vacation days, I manage to schedule myself every Friday off for the rest of the year!

December:

• December events include the school Christmas Concert, the church Christmas Concert and Chili Supper, the church Ladies Christmas party, three school Christmas parties, late starts to and early releases from school, Christmas with the Smallwoods in Lubbock, Christmas with the Eubanks in Brookston, some home renovation at my sister’s and New Year’s Eve movies in Lubbock.
• In and amongst and for all that we made three dozen pints of apple butter to give away as gifts to neighbors, family and friends. It was fun and not too stressful and smelled wonderful. We’re gonna have to do it again soon because we gave it all away without saving any for ourselves!

9 On The Ninth: TV I Love

As a true American, I feel it’s my duty to watch as much television as possible. For many reasons –including a busy class schedule and R-rated tastes in a PG-rated household- I consider the dvr and streaming Netflix to be two of the greatest inventions of all time (along with microwave popcorn and Hot Tamales), as they allow me to watch the television I want, when I want it. So, in no particular order, I give you 9 (on the Ninth) television programs I will be watching this Fall season:

1. Breaking Bad: from mild-mannered chemistry teacher to kingpin of the drug trade, who couldn’t root for Walter White? WARNING: This show will SUCK! YOU! IN!
2. Desperate Housewives: Yes, I realize I’m the last person in the nation to get hooked, but hooked I am. I’m watching from the beginning on streaming Netflix and will dvr the Final Season so I don’t miss a minute.
3. NCIS: Still one the best shows on tv. And I’m pretty sure they couldn’t solve a crime without me- I’m one of the team. I know I’m not pretty and lethal like Ziva, or brainy and edgy like Abby. I’m more doofy like Tony, and look more like an early McGee. BUT, Gibbs needs me there. He told me so in a dreeeeam.
4. Dexter: Dexter comes to us via Netflix DVD so we’re a season behind. We’ll get started on Season 5 tonight so DON’T SAY ANYTHING THAT’LL RUIN MY ENDINGS!
5. Fringe: Ditto with Fringe. Yeah, between Dexter and Fringe, my kids will not be seeing many Netflix movies in the near future. AND, the new season of Fringe will be coming to a dvr near you (that is if you live anywhere near me) very, very soon!
6. Sons of Anarchy: We just discovered this jewel and are catching up on streaming Netflix while dvr-ing (yes that a verb) the new episodes. Motorcycles, Charlie Hunnam, charming Charming, Charlie Hunnam, sex/drugs/rock-n-roll, Charlie Hunnam … What more could you want in a tv show?
7. In Plain Sight: I love, love, love this show. Mary gets to say all the things I’m thinking in my head. Speaking of which, I’m more than a little perturbed that we left dear Mary IN LABOR. What! The! … Poohberries!???
8. 30 Rock: I’m waiting (patiently, I might add) for Season 5 of 30 Rock to come to Netflix. This is one I watch alone, as Jack doesn’t really think it’s all that funny. He won’t watch Mr. Bean with me and the kids either. Okay, that’s fine. Just don’t expect me NOT to laugh during Warehouse 13 and Legend Quest.
9. And finally, a show I’d like to give a try: Pan Am. “Passion, adventure, espionage …” What could go wrong with that formula?

Cheer Camp 2011

Emma and Liz attended Cheer Camp this past weekend at which, SIL Sheran was kind enough to take pictures.

Liz and friends with Varsity Cheerleader

Emma with Varsity Cheerleader

There was a performance at the end of Camp.

If enthusiasm has anything to do with it, both girls are ready for NCAA scholarships.

In Which I Discuss Football

I am not a Sporty Spice. Other than a short span as a Jr. High cheerleader (and by short I mean the entire squad was disbanded after cheering at only 2 or 3 games- something about uniforms) I’ve never participated in any school sponsored, intermural or community-based team sport. I was for many years the team manager of the boys’ basketball team (a brilliant move by which I was REQUIRED to attend all games, rode the bus with the boys and never broke a sweat!) and I still love to watch basketball at all levels, but football was never my thing.

But now it’s football season.

In Texas.

And I have three children in public school, where the fight song is better drilled than the multiplication tables.

I don’t understand football. I don’t know the rules, understand the positions or recognize the players. And before someone offers to educate me, let me just say that honestly, I don’t want to know. I love basketball and I enjoy baseball and that’s enough sportiness for me.

What I do understand about football is that while church and civic organizations may direct social activity in our little town for the majority of the year, attending football games are about all the social connection you’re gonna get around here for the next few months. So, while I’m no more a Social Spice than a Sporty Spice, the kids and I will probably be attending most of the home games.

I don’t know what to do with myself at football games. It’s already been established that I don’t watch football and I never seem to be sitting near people I know well enough to carry on two and a half hours’ worth of conversation. I don’t know what to do with my kids at football games either. It seems that most everyone else’s kids are running around completely unsupervised, but I’ve never been comfortable with that. Yet the whole point of me taking the kids to the games is for all of us to be more social. I wish someone would give me a copy of the playbook- the social playbook, not the football playbook.

At least thanks to the head coach’s wife’s new football blog Stampede Alley, I can tell who’s a coach and who’s just standing there yelling.

Bring on the lap blankets.

And the hot chocolate.

It’s football season.

County Fair

Last night I took the kids to the county fair. We pursed the exhibitions, watched a street magician, visited the animals and then hit the midway.

Liz on the Carousel

Emma on the Ferris Wheel

Thomas in the House of Mirrors

After a nightcap of cotton candy we headed home, already making plans for next year!

 

The Good Old Summertime

It’s been a full summer for the Smallwoods. I don’t usually think of our family as especially busy; we’re not involved in sports, we don’t take grand vacations, we don’t even run to the movies that often. But looking back at this blog and remembering how we spent the summer, I’d be hard pressed to see where we’d fit any of those things in! Here’s a quick look at what the Summer 2011 held for us: