A week of firsts

I'll let the video talk for me... a week of firsts with the Callender Clan!

I was thinking what this Monday would turn out like since for the first week it seems all summer we have NOTHING planned...no swim practice, no camps, no play dates set, no visits to family. Then I get a call from my very distraught girlfriend. All I heard on the other line was hysteria...he got let go...sobbing...And then the only thing I could do was start crying myself and say "I'll be right over to get the kids." Luckily Nate was still home so I yelled as I was running out the door "Dustin lost his job...he's on his way home...I'm going to get the kids." What else does a friend do when something tragic happens. I know it isn't "tragic" in that sense but really to a family where the husband is the only full time working person and there are kids involved - it all seems rather tragic.

I was impressed that the husband met me at the door to say thank you and hug his kids goodbye. I just wanted to cry as I watched my sweet friend behind him try to hold herself together in front of everyone. And the kids faces...oh, the eight year old just broke my heart. You really can't get anything by those kids!

Eli immediately told me his dad lost his job and I hugged him while the younger ones just watched and listened to their big brother. In the van we talked about what was really important. (he was talking a lot about losing their house and having to move) Houses aren't important, stuff isn't important - but staying together as a family no matter where you have to live or what you live in - that is important. And the fact that those kids know that God is taking care of them no matter what happens right now is so reassuring to them. They all seemed to lighten up after the short pep talk and promptly began telling me a story of when Eli swallowed the marble and had to wait to poop it out. We all cracked up at this and drove to my house.

It was a long day. I could tell the older one was worried at times but didn't talk about it. I was worried...for my friends.

To make this reality even harder my father-in-law stopped by to say hey to the kids this afternoon. He causally told me that he was laid off his job today. He smiled and said "God will provide."

Life is hard. And it isn't always fair. But I believe God 'allows' us to go through these times to make us depend on Him...to Trust Him...to remember that we aren't in control of everything and that He will provide for us in our deepest time of need.

Like my friend said tonight on her blog, "we all think it won't happen to us until it does." And so I pray for her family, for my father-in-law, for so many I know already in need. And I remember to be very thankful for what I have right now b/c it could be us next.

I just get too involved in these books...

I just spent who knows how many hours cramming that book in my brain so I could return it tomorrow to the library...I finished it despite telling myself over and over I would never make it...now I'm depressed. You know the kind of depressed you get when you make a great new friend at camp and then have to leave suddenly knowing you might not see them ever again. I hate reading books sometimes...at least there is one more in this series and then I'll probably have to be committed I'll be so upset!
Will she marry the vampire or leave her first love for the true soul mate (who actually has a soul) the wearwolf? OHHHHHH the drama!

The big boys are gone to Cub Scout resident camp this weekend. They left this morning at 10am and won't be back till Sunday afternoon. I don't know who was more nervous Nate or Eli. Ian and I have been pretty excited ourselves though to tell you the truth. We had lots planned for our weekend together (with sister girl of course).

We've...ridden the Rover with friends across town and walked the 10 million blocks to the library from the bus hub, got our backpack full of books and trekked back to the Rover followed by a stop at McDonalds!

We've...eaten a delicious Southern meal cooked by my friend whose husband is also gone camping with their son. Fresh green beans, squash and corn all from the farmer's market bought this morning and baked chicken with rolls - she out did herself. The best part was that our 5 year olds played so well together, finally bonding without big brothers to distract them - they will be going to kindergarten together this Fall so we were delighted over the new found interests (love playing star wars on the wii, could we act any sillier over dinner, digging in the dirt with trucks, riding scooters - )!

Tomorrow we've got a build a bear birthday party followed with dinner at the Rainforest Cafe in Nashville. Life doesn't get any better does it?

The big boys??? They finally checked in tonight..these are the highlights:
* everyone (even the dads) passed the swim test! Yeah - free swim for three hours tomorrow
* Can't swim in the lake b/c there are leaches, yes, they even saw them!
* They climbed on the Pirate Ship (on the leache infested lake) during their free time today only to find out tonight it is condemded and about to fall apart in the lake!
* Their group won the scavenger hunt so they get to eat breakfast first tomorrow - I'm sure the Dads are most excited about that one.
* Eli rode on somebody's back and he was thrilled about it????
* Eli loves the bus driver - again???? why there is a bus driver on a campground I don't know??
* They are sleeping in a platform tent that is right across from their friend and his dad - couldn't get any better.

Nothing like summer I tell you...nothing like it!

I never thought it would be him...

I've heard that other facebookers have accepted their's but I always frowned on the prospect of doing it myself.

Then I got the message. Do you accept xoxoxo as a friend - accept or DECLINE?

He wasn't even a boyfriend for very long. I think it was my freshmen year's summer when I met him. He was a graduating senior at the rival high school. My mother said the moment he walked in the front door she knew he had "schmooze" written all over his too perfect looking face. (she never trusted him) I though was smitten.

It was a short few months of dating that summer. He was off to college - UT Knoxville - bigger and better things. I remember two things about him...he always wore shorts/overalls (that should have led me on there) and I knew somehow he would never make it through college. (cute but well...you know) I got over him fast and never heard from him again until...

The minute I saw the e-mail notice I felt my stomach gerk. Why would this guy look me up? I hadn't talked to him in almost 18 years (WHY DOES THAT MAKE ME FEEL SO OLD - HOLD ON I THINK I'M GOING TO GO THROW UP)?

Do I accept this cyberfriendship and let him see my beautiful family? Do I look into his life - did he ever make it after flunking UT?
...
...
ok, I decided to peek at his profile picture and see his wall. Only a body shot of him golfing - that was all I needed to see (to almost gag) to decide nope - I have no desire to "be friends" with the boy who dumped me at the ripe age of 15ish...
facebook - it's a crazy tool I tell you.

Now if the boyfriend from my senior year asks....wherever he is (a doctor I heard) I might have to reconsider ---- just kidding!

I'm sorry did you just give me a look?

Most of my life is about doing this or that for somebody (don't get out the fiddle yet) but when it comes to reading books I like to tap into my fantasy world. Mostly my reading repertoire includes Southern fiction or christian fiction but I have now become one of the millions of pathetic fans of the ever so popular Twilight series (the romance vampires...excuse me...the vegetarian vampires). Well, I had been able to borrow the first two books from a friend but then that stopped as she awaited the third to come out in paperback to buy. I'm too cheap to buy it myself so I got on the waiting list at the library.

I've been waiting almost 2 months!!! I was a little scared to check up on my status b/c I know once I get this book I will be done for. No more cleaning, painting, folding clothes, what someone wants me to play with them? sorry I have to read!

But I took my kids (all three) to the library yesterday for the first time (don't tell Campus School - we really have been reading at home kind of like a stay cation, checking out books from our own library). So I walk up to the Gothic clothed librarian (wow things have changed) and start checking out our 50 kids books and I ever so politely (and quietly) ask about a status on a book I'm waiting for. When I tell her the name she pauses, looks at me and gives me a little smirk/half smile. I don't know if she suddenly felt some odd connection with me at that moment or if she was thinking "I know the secrets of a collar wearing iron pressed baby toting summer kid reading mother...vampires!"

She then went on to tell me I was waiting on the big print book and if I put in for the regular print I would be third in line - I enthusiastically agreed ---

I just got my notice today that the book is waiting for me...I think I have a secret friend at the library now!

Ode to Dads

A little late in the coming but just found the time to search out old pictures from the archives!

This is an ode to the Dads in my life. My dad, my father-in-law (who treats me like one of his daughters), and the dad in my own little family of five! Pictures do better then words so enjoy as I walked down the virtual memory lane of old times.







Nate is the best Dad I know. He is as patient as Job with our children...apologizes if he ever raises his voice at them (I hate it when he does that...no I'm just kidding), hardly ever tells them he doesn't have time to play one game or play chase for a few minutes even when he is trying to study; loves to cuddle, rock, read bedtime stories, build leggos, wrestle, swing, and tickle endlessly. He'll put his children before anything else. I admire him for his service in this family in bringing up our 3 children. I love him dearly as my partner in life!







These pictures are just of my dad with the kids - Bob Bob (or Bob he would prefer). I don't have any good ones of just me and him. I like the happy memories of him laughing with us and my kids. He can play hard, cry easily, argue endlessly (had to put that Dad), and try to teach always. He also plays a pretty mean shark in the swimming pool...He inspires me to stay physically active, push myself beyond what I think I can do, not let fear conquer me in life and always listen to other's opinions but make up my own mind! I love you Dad...








Mark (aka Papa) (Nate's dad)...he entered my life 11 years ago. He quickly took me under his wing as a third daughter and loved me the same as if I was one of his own. He never ceases to tell me he is proud of me and that I'm doing a good job as a mother! No matter how old he gets I don't think he will ever stop chasing my boys on the playgrounds at parks. (bless his self!) I admire him because he obviously did well raising his son to be a good husband - thank you Papa!

To all the men in my life...I love you and I thank you for the time and energy you put into my life and the life of my children...