Raindrops are falling on my head.

Well. Not yet. But it is raining. And. I do plan to go out. So there will be raindrops on my head before the morning is over.

Twas another good and busy weekend. Story tellers Friday night, Saturday morning chores, dance party up north Saturday night. When we arrived at the dance we met our good friends in the parking lot. They were in a hurry to leave due to a family emergency. We were most concerned and it dampened our spirits quite a bit. We went on with our plans but things felt out of kilter. We stayed until the end of the dance - which seemed to drag on slightly - and then took our leave. We stopped at a Sonic in a little hamlet on the way home to garner a 1/2 priced milk shake. Poor girls there did not have on their roller skates that night. They were s-l-o-w. And then. And then. No napkins. Who would not bring napkins with every order?! I, mistakenly, asked for them. She said she would be right back. Five minutes later we just left.

We got home around midnight. Up early on Sunday so we could go to church. Mr. Macho napped off and on for the rest of the day. No. Not me. After a noon meal (and another nap by Mr. M.) we made a quick trip to the Wal-Mart so I could pick up some fabric and a pattern. That accomplished we drove to our little town welcome center to meet and greet Michael Farris Smith and have him sign a copy of his new book "Rivers". He seemed very nice and I got my copy. Sorry I didn't take a picture with him. You know I like the pictures. Anyway. Came on home and started reading - until my eyes started to droop. Then I shut the book and let the teevee lull me to sleep on the couch.

And there you have it.

Much to do this week. Starting to really prepare for the upcoming birthday. Trying to keep it simple, just like Mr. Macho likes it. Oh. And he nixed the new truck idea, totally. There will be no new truck. At least for now. I am at a loss as to any kind of birthday gift. And I really wanted to do something big since this is such a BIG birthday year. Ah well. Maybe something will come to me. Let me know if you have any good ideas.
Be sweet.

Smell the coffee?

Oh. It is one of those mornings. Cool on the porch. Coffee aroma permeates the house. Step out then step back in. Mmmm. Coffee.
Didn't get out of bed until after 7:00. All is right with the world.
Last night we I enjoyed the story tellers at our local art center. The tellers were from different cultural back grounds. The first was born in Japan. Her face and body language were as much, if not more, a part of the story as was her verbiage. She was enchanting. She wore the traditional kimono. She spoke English very well but used just enough Japanese to spice up her tales. Her tales were simple. Full of emotion.
Our second teller was born in Cuba. Immigrated to the United States at 3 years of age. She was an entertainer. She would be the fun friend to have. Full of life and stories, and quick with off the cuff remarks. She had all the audience enjoying good belly laughs. She regaled us with snippets of her childhood and family. Seasoned with the hot Latin flavor.
Mr. Macho laughed a little. But. I could tell this wasn't his venue. This, most likely, will be his only attendance. I can't see him going back next year.

I really thought I had convinced Mr. Macho to go truck shopping today. I have been thinking of what I could do to make his upcoming birthday extra special. He hasn't totally ruled it out. But. He is over at his Dad's right now eating the weeds. He would like the new truck. He just doesn't want to shop or pay for it.

Tonight we travel to north to attend a dance! A dinner and a dance. We have decided to join the dance club up north. They host dances once a month. We have taken the dance lessons for over two years. Now we need to just dance. Dance lessons will continue.

I must go find something productive to do. If there is something you want to accomplish in September you had better get to it!
Be sweet.

Deep thoughts. (Said with drama and lots of echo.)

Quick survery: How many of you out there has read the entire Left Behind series?
I mean, seriously? Are there not, like, 47 of them?
I read maybe two. Decided it was propaganda garbage. And stopped. Got off that boat.
C'mon. Jesus did not come down to ask if you were going to be left behind.
Figure it out. Be nice. Have faith. Forgive. Talk to God. Without exception, treat others like they were Jesus. With love.
It's tough. You won't do it right. But it is in the trying that you win.
Amen.

These thought were brought on by a gym conversation this very morning. I do not dis' my friends who jump on the Left Behind bandwagon. I just don't buy that line. I am not going to spend waking moments worried about everybody being sucked up but me. I am not going to borrow any of that rapture worry. No thank you.

And this from a champion worrier. That is me. I am a worrier. I am actually quite good at it. It doesn't cause me to loose sleep. I think it gives me a good planning edge. Like, if I think about it long enough I can work out all the details. Be in control. That's me.

But for goodness sake. Please don't tell me the end is coming.
Yes. The end is coming. It is a given. Forget trying to figure out for how long.
Now - go on. Get out there. And live.

Party animals.

Sunday was party day. Mr. Macho and I drove over after eating a lunch of leftover Italian beef sandwiches. They were delish. 

#2 year old party animal. Hamming it up. That's how she rolls. 

Big brother lit the birthday candles. We all sang. And. This year The Super Carrot was much more receptive to the birthday song. Two year olds are much braver than one year olds. 

Totally two. 

Super Carrot. With her carrot cake. And her big sister. 

More ham. With "Pappy O'Neal" securely in her mouth. 

Aunt and Uncle in attendance. 

The two year old's parents. 

The buddy-friend came for a birthday visit. And a check up from Dr. Merritt. 

It isn't easy getting a two year old to pose. She is like quicksand through your fingers. All wiggles and squiggles. 

And she is off. To new adventures. 

Who does #2 work for?

It's a very happy birthday for our delightful Super Carrot! Two years ago she graced us with her presence on the International Day of Peace. Born at 2:27 on a Wednesday weighing in at 9lbs 120z. Pink and perfect. 

This snap was taken on the occasion of her first birthday. I have already sung Happy Birthday to her via Skype this morning. Tomorrow we will travel east to enjoy the birthday cake and deliver a present to the birthday girl. 

In between weekends.

Just a quick hello from the middle of the week. Been a bizzy one. Been taking Sweet Pea to school every morning. Trying to be helpful. 

I think I have been to the WalMart every day this week. But not tomorrow. I refuse to go tomorrow! 

Getting up and to town first thing in the morning has turned my schedule upside down. Slightly. I really don't mind. But the exercising has had to take a back seat. I was afraid that I would get lazy and just not do it. But. I have exercised every day. In the afternoon. 

Yesterday morning I helped babysit 5 people under the age of 2 for a mother's Bible study group. I had several "tween" helpers that were my salvation. It really was very do-able since it only lasted 2 hours. They were cutie pies. 

Had my bunko fun last night. No. I did not win. Last month was an anomaly. Made a huge casserole of Johnny Marzetti (think beefaroni)...it made enough to take a large amount for bunko last night, and have plenty left for Mr. Macho's supper , AND  take some to Sweet Pea's Mom this morning. We ate it again tonight. The rest went into the freezer. Yum. Good stuff. 

Had a pleasant lunch with my Bible study ladies at the Lion Hills today. We just finished our study on the seven deadly sins. Oh my. I really may be going you-know-where in a hand basket. I am guilty of...well, I was gonna tell you which numbers but I changed my mind. I'll just leave it at - 'I am not perfect'. Shocked? Yea. Right. 

***

Tomorrow I will get the mammies grammed. It has been two years since "The Scare". I found the lump. Contemplated not calling the doctor. Thought better of it. Called the doctor. Didn't tell anyone until after I saw the doctor. Called Mr. Macho from the parking lot of the doctor's office. Told him I was going to have a mammy-gram that very afternoon to check said lump. Scared Mr. Macho to pieces. Daughter was 9 months pregnant and I was actually more scared to call her than Mr. Macho. She had a front row seat to her boss' breast cancer and treatments in the recent past. Pregnant hormones + your Mom's breast lump = horror. It was not a good few days or two weeks. But it all worked out for the best. I had an infection that was surgically cleared out. So. Tomorrow. Mammies in the vise grip. 

Good times man. 

***

Son-in-Town's football team will travel slightly north tomorrow night. We are getting a little weenie-ish in our old age. Rain is in the forecast and I have declared my rain sitting days watching football over. I think we will find alternate entertainment for tomorrow evening. 

***

Daughter has order the cake. AND decided that we need to do lunch at this bakery place. Maybe next week. Have something fun to look forward to. Oh. It's carrot cake. What else? To celebrate #2 birthday of Merritt, Merritt the Super Carrot!

Peace out. 

Regular day.

Weekend weather was delish. Mid-50 morning temps were most welcome. Out-of-Town-Son and wife arrived before game time Friday night. Then we all cheered on the Trojans to a 51-0 victory over our county rivals. As it should be. 

Saturday afternoon we watched more football while enjoying tailgate food items: chicken wings, sausage balls, guacamole, chili cheese squares, mini-homemade corn dogs, and veggies with dip. Son-in-Town and his wife brought the wings and some brownies. 2/3 of my teams won. So. It was a pretty good afternoon. 

Sunday we brunched at the new Lion Hills Club. It was very nice. OOT Son and wife left after that. We settled into our Sunday-in-front of the teevee stupor. We did take a nice long walk to try to rid ourselves of the excess calories we had taken in over the weekend. Then we enjoyed the Miss America pageant. Sorry our Miss Mississippi did not win. We always pull for the home girls.

Today I drove Miss P. to school. I will get to do that all this week and maybe next. She is chatty on the ride. She really listens to the songs, too! "They said 'band'" - she told me while we listened to a favorite Tom Chapin CD. "Like Ty is in the band!" And we had a nice conversation about her cousin, Ty, playing the drums in the band. She is always thinking and connecting the dots!

***

News from Friday. Lauren's appointment in Birmingham on Friday confirmed an Auditory Processing Disorder (APD). We are not surprised and are ever hopeful that this will mean some very concrete methods of improving her educational experience. This feels like a big step forward. Reassessment will occur in December, hopefully, to either confirm or negate previous diagnoses. Her former diagnoses can mimic or go hand in hand with the APD. 

*****

Autumn will officially arrive in a few days. The dry weather has encourage foliage to turn loose. Our yard is nearly covered with crunchy leaves. 

Yesterday Mom celebrated 93 years. She still gets on her treadmill nearly every day. She is amazing. Wish I could have been there to celebrate with her.  

Marsha, Mimi, and Pete treated Mom to brunch for her birthday. 

At the end of the week Super Carrot will celebrate birthday #2. 

She was a juicy baby.  "Ah-most two", she says when you ask her how old she is. 

She is a whirling dervish, full of energy, and life. 

Born on the International Day of Peace. 

***

Dirty dishes and clothes are awaiting my hands. 

Be sweet.

Sometimes its hard.

Blogging. Sometimes I avoid the blog because what I am thinking and wanting to say is sad or difficult. Today is a prime example. But a fellow blogger, Glennon Doyle Melton, assures me that "we can do hard things". And so.

This message goes out to Daughter. You can do hard things. You have done hard things. You will continue to do hard things. And it will be awesome. Just remember. You are not alone. I am here. Others are there. We. Can. Do. All. Things. With faith and grace and gratitude. 

I am learning the language of learning disabilities. I know IEP, and ADHD, and NLD. I am adding information on Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) to my repertoire. I have learned about spatial relationships. I can tell you some of the differences between Aspergers and NLD. There is so much more to learn to be able to advocate for our Lauren. And Daughter is learning it. The hard way. One day at a time. One step forward. Two steps back. We long for the glimpse of progress. It will come. 

After a very hard PTO meeting last night I said to Daughter that I wish I had a magic wand. I would wave it and POOF! Teachers, doctors, and therapists would know just how to help Lauren. No. I would not chose to change Lauren. I love her just as she is. She is smart. She is lovely. She is funny. She is artistic. She is a delight. 

I feel sure most parents of children with special learning challenges, at some point, wish there was a road map or an expert that could point them in just the right direction. Oh? NLD? Go straight to Boardwalk and pick up your $200 when you pass "Go"! Or. Go to this clinic and they will make sure that YOUR child has the right diagnosis AND we will prescribe the perfect therapy/learning course of action. Dream on. 

There are meetings and appointments scheduled for Lauren this week. I hope the results will be positive and helpful for all the adults that have a hand in her education process. I hope it will be the beginning of that roadmap we so desperately need. 

I hope. 

***

Daughter, 

You are my heart. You are a hero. It rends my heart to watch your struggle. I am here.

Always,

Mom

" The woods are lovely, dark and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep."

Robert Frost

Week end.

The week wound down with a bang and a sigh. Friday I happened to be in the right place at the right time and was able to be of service to sweet Daughter-in-law. I drove her to a quickly arranged visit with a lactation nurse. The nurse came out and spoke with me while DIL was tending to Millie. I did not realize how tense I was feeling until then. As the lovely Nurse Susan spoke with me I physically felt my body start to relax. She spoke with kindness and confidence and I just felt so much better for having driven DIL to this appointment! I sensed from DIL that she, too, felt much better having met with Nurse Susan.

Daughter and family came over to meet the newest member of the family on Saturday. It was a hot mess. It was chaos. But. That is how we roll.

This is such a good snap of Millie really looking at Aunt Daughter. Lauren and Merritt surrounded her with cousin love. 

Like riding a bike. Tucker remembered just how to hold a baby since he had "holding" experience with his little sister. He was gentle and careful.

Lauren loves the babies. She is a terrific big sister, older cousin, and baby holder. She knows just how to cradle a baby. 

The Super Carrot liked ringing the wooden chimes in the back yard. She was all chatty and running (as in escaping). She is still a bit of a rough love. But oh does she love! Her sister. And brother. And cousins! To pieces!

***

The house is back in order. Oldest Sister and Sister in Town, along with their spouses, are invited for some cool beverages this evening. Oldest Sister is traveling through on her way back home. She has been visiting her oldest, in Kentucky. Helping his family move and celebrating her 50th wedding anniversary. 

***

Sigh. It was good week. Full of growing, stretching, and loving. Gentle. Rough. What-ev. Family love. Nothing like it. Nowhere. Nohow. 

Peace out. 

Out of adrenaline.

I am waning. Think I have been running on adrenaline for around 36 hours. And now. It was such an exciting day yesterday. Even just sitting in the waiting room as our new little Millie was entering the world - the adrenaline was there. The day was slow-slow-slow, then fast-fast-fast.

This morning I dropped in at the hospital and the adrenaline was still flowing. Mother and baby are doing well. Millie is very sleepy right now and is not interested in eating. Yet. She will be. Give her some time.

This afternoon I am trying to prepare some meals to take over to Son-in-Town's house. I hope neither parent has to worry with preparing meals for a few days. I hope they can just enjoy being a family of 4 for now.

In between stirring pots I am washing/folding clothes and dusting.
I am thinking the new baby will probably go home tomorrow. I am sorry that I have a prior commitment and will not be available for the entire day. Another reason I am trying to do the cooking today.

This baby. Oh my. 

***

Tuesday's child is full of grace.

Our newest grandbaby. Born at 3:16. Weighed 6 lbs 13 oz and is 19.5 inches long. 

Millie. 

T for the tuckerman.

T-bone spent Friday and Saturday night at our house. We drove him home today. It was a good weekend. He was a fun houseguest. He was the ultimate super fan at our Trojan football game Friday night. We bought the t-shirt and he cheered for the Trojans. He kept up with the score and asked about first downs. At 7 years old he was very focused on the action. Kudos to him. 

Saturday was good. Tucker helped Granddaddy (a.k.a. Mr. Macho) mow the grass.  

And liked it.

They washed the work truck together, too. 

Tucker had a productive morning followed by a good lunch and some fun swim time at the YMCA pool. It was hot and the pool felt refreshing. And. There were only three of us swimming. So we just about had it to ourselves. 

Now the house is too quiet. And sad. And I miss the boy. 

September has arrived. With all of its promise. Of seasons changing guard. Of football games. Of birth days...sister-in-law, brother, mother, nephew, and The Super Carrot. Merritt will be two this month!

Tomorrow we will celebrate Labor Day. At our house we will celebrate "labor" day! 

Our new Millie will be here by Tuesday. If not sooner. All in our family are waiting with grand anticipation of her arrival. 

Sweet Millie. Thoroughly modern. Our Millie. Hurry home.

We can't wait to love you. In person.