How Does Your Garden Grow?

The Goose family decided to have their Saturday morning breakfast in my my poor little struggling garden. Everett may be fired as my official weeder. The geese minded their manners and did not touch my tomato plants.

Cozette went absolutely wild with excitement when the geese came up to our back porch. I may try to hire my little friends to weed my garden since they ate the grass and not the plants!


Needless to say, we love our little geese.

You Little Goose

The Goose family.
There are five gosling.
One is behind the goose in the shade.

Have I mentioned that I've been a little worried about my fine feathered friends? Mr. and Mrs. Goose are true blue when it comes to strutting down the street together. I always look forward to seeing them when I return home from running my errands. For the past week or so, we have only been seeing one goose. In the back of my mind, I hoped that everything was OK, but I feared the worst.

To be honest, I really didn't know that one goose was a "he" and the other goose a "she." But, they were always together, so I assumed that they were a couple of love birds.

As I was about to get in the van today, Everett came running and screaming with excitement.

"Look at the baby geese! The geese have baby geese!"

I could not believe my eyes when I spied a family of geese in our neighbor's yard.

I knew it!

Mr. and Mrs. Goose ARE love birds. They are also the proud parents of five gosling.

Mrs. Goose, we sure are glad you're back.

And may I add that you look fabulous for just hatching five little gosling!

I Love a Parade

Reenactment of soldiers raising the flag at Iwo Jima.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of our family attending the Dacula, Georgia Memorial Day Parade. As I watched my children today, I found myself reflecting on our first trip to the parade. Everett was an infant and Kayleigh was a toddler. I recalled wiping Kayleigh's tears and calming her fears of the loud sirens coming down the little street. Brad carried Everett in an infant carrier. He tried to collect candy for Kayleigh. We were with Bill and Shirley, who had moved to Georgia months earlier. I remembered feeling an overwhelming sense of patriotism as I cheered for our veterans.

Has it really been 10 years?

Today, we had Nikki with us. Everett entertained us by sucking helium from the balloons and singing, "Elmo's World" to Cozette. It was quite comical. This is Cozette's second year attending the parade. She loves the loud sounds and danced to the beat of the drums. Kayleigh and Everett scrambled to get all the candy they could, and Cozette tried to eat it all. Each year I attend the parade, I feel more grateful for the sacrifices of those who have laid down their lives, so I can enjoy the blessings of freedom.

On the way home, we discussed our favorite parts of the parade. We all agreed that we loved watching the veterans, the vast military equipment, horses, marching band, the display of John Deere tractors, and cars from the 1930's. This year the Dacula Jump Club participated, and we really enjoyed watching a little girl hopping down the street on her pogo stick while jumping rope at the same time. Kayleigh expressed she loved seeing Little Miss Special Dacula. I had noticed their float too, and it made me happy that Kayleigh was sensitive to this.

We always follow our trip to the parade with a family cook out. Brad is the king "hamburger cooker." Mommom and Papa said if they searched the whole world over, they could not find a better hamburger.

I would have to agree!

After dinner, Mommom read to us facts about Memorial Day and Arlington National Cemetery. We discussed the inscription on the tomb of the unknown solider:

Here rests in honored glory
an American Soldier
known but to God.

Kayleigh and Everett loved having a game about what they learned. I was impressed that they remembered everything. I think Everett won, but only because he was the loudest.

Little Miss Cozette also loves a parade!

Taking a nice little snooze with Cozette was a great way to end a perfect day!

It Ain't Over... 'Til It's Over

This is a story with a happy ending; however, it could have been a story with a good ending. Our family was prepared either way.

We have never pursued All-Stars or travel ball with Everett because some of the games are played on Sunday. This year Everett excelled in baseball, and we knew that he had a real chance at making the All-Star baseball team. Brad spoke with the coaches about games and what days they are played. The coach let us know that it was possible that one game would be played on Sunday.

Brad decided to plead our case. The coach was sympathetic.

We made the decision to let Everett try out. Try outs were scheduled for last Saturday. We have had a rainy spring in Georgia, and sadly try outs were cancelled due to the rain. We were devastated when we received the email stating that try outs were rescheduled for Sunday afternoon at 3:30.

Everett's heart was broken. He knew that he would not be able to try out for the team. I sat by him on our sofa, and we had a discussion about being a disciple of Jesus Christ. We both came to the conclusion that sometimes obeying the commandments is not easy.

I told him not to lose faith.

So, we prayed for it to rain the next day and promised Heavenly Father that we were willing to accept the outcome of it not raining.

Around 1:00 pm on Sunday, it was not raining. Everett's disappointment was visible, and my heart ached for him.

Then, suddenly it started to rain.

It was a down pour.

Brad and Everett anxiously awaited to receive word about the try outs being cancelled. Finally at 3:15, they received a phone call telling them to be at the field Tuesday night at 5:30.

We did a party dance and offered a prayer of gratitude and thanks.

Everett had a fantastic try out last night. He came home ecstatic. He was beaming with joy as he told me that one of the coaches told him to expect a phone call later that night for an invitation to play on the team.

Everett waited all night.

We received a phone call around 10:45. We were not prepared for the conversation that was about to happen.

Brad started speaking with the coach and then became silent. I could tell that Brad was not happy. I heard Brad restating our position about playing ball on Sunday. He told the coach he would need to discuss this with his wife and would call him back.

At this point, Everett, Kayleigh. and I were hovering around Brad waiting for the news.

Brad sadly informed us that the coach extended an invitation to Everett to play, but Everett would not be excused from playing on Sunday. (It was only one game).

I almost fainted.

Everett started sobbing.

I had to excuse myself and go upstairs, I was so upset. I went to the bathroom to get a tissue, and then felt prompted to go downstairs and speak with Everett.

"Everett, you are wasting your energy crying over this. Have you lost your faith? Let's say a prayer that their hearts will be softened."

So, we prayed.

Again.

Brad called the coach back.

"Coach, we understand your position when it comes to games on Sunday. We hope you will understand ours. We are sorry to have to make this choice, but Everett will not be able to play this year." Brad expressed with regret.

The coach then shared with Brad that Everett had one of the best try outs at the park and it would be a real loss for the team if he could not participate.

"Let me speak with the baseball director about this. I will call you tomorrow" The coach offered to Brad.

When Brad got off the phone, we were exhausted from the drama. We assured Everett that no matter what the outcome was, we were pleased with him for making the team. Everett handled all of this amazingly well.

Within five minutes, the phone rang. We all jumped to our feet.

Brad started pacing when he answered the phone. We all sat in complete silence as we watched Brad listen to the coach.

"You're a good man, coach. Thank you." Brad said with a smile as he hung up the phone.

Brad then gave us a full report of the coach's words:

"I am not going to punish any young man man for making the decision not to play ball on Sunday. I'm a christian, and I go to church every Sunday. I'm going to start praying to the Lord that we will not have any games on Sunday. But, if we do, you just call me that morning and say,'Coach, Everett will not be able to play today, and I will take care of the rest.' I am happy to have Everett on the team."

The coach then asked to speak with Everett.

It is hard to express the relief and jubilation that came over our family. I looked at Everett and jokingly asked him, "Are you ever going to doubt your old Mama again?"

"No, Ma'am!" he promised.

We were prepared for Everett not to play on the All-Star team this season. Brad and I discussed with him, that even if he didn't get to play on the team, the ending to all of this would have been good--because Everett made a very difficult choice of putting the Lord first.

We have all learned more about the importance of speaking up for what we know to be true and to be unwavering in our convictions. Everett has learned an invaluable lesson that he will draw from for the rest of his life.

Even if that meant not getting to play on the All-Star team.

But, I sure am glad he gets to.

And I don't even mind having to endure another month of baseball in the hot sun!

The Suessical Musical

Due to Cozette making the sudden decision to join the cast of Suessical and perform on stage, I missed about 25 minutes of the musical, because I had to take her out. Chasing Cozette through the halls of Grayson High School was a lovely experience for me.

Luckily for me, there were two performances this weekend. I sat through the second performance all by myself--Cozette free.

While driving home on Friday evening, I decided to ask Brad if he understood the plot to the musical.

"Well...they talked about Dr. Suess and they put Horton on trial for something." Brad was grasping to come with an answer.

"You know, I really don't know." He admitted.

We all burst into laughter.

So, Everett tried to explain the plot.

"I know what it is about. Horton finds a clover and he thinks there's a little world on the clover. And then a vampire looking dude comes in and steals the flower."

Kayleigh speaks up, and I could hear how exasperated she is.

"Didn't any of you pay attention? Daddy, no one ever talked about Dr. Suess!"

"Well, I missed 25 minutes of it, so I was not sure." I tried to comfort her.

"Horton thinks he hears the Who's on a spec of dust on a clover. No one believes him, except for Gertrude McFuzz who likes Horton. She's afraid that he won't like her because she only has a one feathered tail. Horton is put on trial. In the end everyone can hear the Who's on the spec of dust on the clover and Horton is found: Not guilty."

The End.



p.s.The second performance was a delightful treat. I am thrilled that Kayleigh had the opportunity to participate in such a wonderful experience. I told her that now she can officially say she has performed in a musical on the big stage. That put a very big smile on her face!

And yes, I understood the plot!

Motherhood

Insanity is hereditary; you get it from your children.
~Sam Levenson

Why do I love being a mother?

Kayleigh and I went to Publix today to purchase a few groceries. While in the bakery, getting a cookie for Cozette, Kayleigh spied a huge chocolate chip double doozie cookie. It was filled with fluffy white icing and it looked absolutely beautifully delicious.

"Hey, Mom, why don't you buy this for your Mother's Day gift from me? " Kayleigh tempted me.

"OH! I get to buy my own gift, and I don't have to share? I teased her.

I could see how much Kayleigh wanted the cookie, so I bought it. We waited until we got back to the van to eat our delicious treat.

I took half and gave Kayleigh half. We devoured the cookie together. When we were done eating, I looked at her and said , "That was the best treat I have eaten in 10 years."

Kayleigh contemplated this and then questioned me, "Did you like it better than our favorite killer brownies?"

"Oh, yes! I thought it was much better."

"How about you?" I asked her.

"I like the killer brownies much better." She assured me.

We then laughed as we drove home discussing the events of her day.

It is the simple moments of pleasure I have with my children that bring me the most joy. Last week, while driving to church, Everett promised me that when he grows up, he's going to have a guest bedroom just for me in his house. Kayleigh and Everett then started a competitive conversation about who was going to have the biggest room with the biggest bed for me.

Everett became absolute and declared, "Well, I am going to give Mommy a million dollars."

Kayleigh would have no part of that. She had to out-do him. "Well, I am going to give Mom a billion dollars."

It's moments like this that make all of the hard work worth while. Being a Mom is not easy. I am usually exhausted at the end of each day. From the moment I wake up, my entire being is centered around my children.

Are they safe?

Are they happy?

Do they have good friends?

Are they making good choices?

Are their hearts broken?

Are they doing well in school?

Are they hearing stuff that I don't want them to know yet?

Will they be in good moods when they arrive home from school?


And then there's Cozette...

Please don't eat my mascara.

Darling, please don't hit.

Don't run from Mommy.

Don't drop your banana on the floor on purpose.

She actually threw-up a screw the other day! That's a big mystery to me.

Take a nap!

The list is endless.

What I know for certainty is that I would not have any hopes or dreams were it not for my children. I love being a mother. I love being a wife to Brad.

It is with these special people, I have found fulfillment and true happiness.

Even if I am tired at the end of the day!

Why do I love being a daughter?

I think that Lucy expresses it best. In a Mother' Day card, I found years ago, the following dialogue is exchanged between Charlie Brown and Lucy:

Lucy: Everyone needs someone to love them, to take care of them, and to watch over them.

Charlie Brown: Ponders her statement and responds, "Wow, that's a lot of people!"

Lucy: Or just one good mother!

Thank you, Mom, for being one good mother.

I am grateful that I am a daughter who has a mother to love.

Why do I love my Mother-in-law?

There are not many women who can say that while dating their husbands, they double-dated with their future in-laws on a regular basis. It did not take me long to fall in love with Shirley. From the moment we first met, she has treated me as her daughter. I am thankful for her loving example and gentle ways. I enjoy our conversations; you can always give me your opinion!

And I really do love your pecan fudge!

"Motherhood is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels."

~Elder Russell M. Nelson

I Love To See the Temple

Speaking of Art...

Mom surprised us tonight with this beautiful piece of art for Kayleigh's room. This is a picture of Kayleigh looking up at the temple.

It is hanging on the wall above her bed.

What a lovely reminder for her.

Works of Art

This week's Friday folder brought home two surprises. Everett was especially excited for me to see his art work. He explained how this picture is his silhouette.

"Can't you see that this is my profile?" He asked.

"It looks just like you!" I responded.

Then, I gave him a big hug and expressed how artistic he is.

He continued to tell me that he drew pictures that represent his favorite things:

Baseball, Under Armour, pizza, drawing, and other fun stuff.

Sailboat scene

Everett shared with me how much he loves drawing. He then quickly excused himself to go play. I asked him why he was in such a hurry. I discovered there were some sketchy grades that he was hoping I would not see.

He almost got away!

Like Father, Like Son

A view of the lake at Ft. Yargo.
Brad took this picture in the fall of 2006.

Every Spring Brad and Everett look forward to the annual Grayson Ward Father-Son Camp Out. They have been attending this fine event for the past five years. Ft. Yargo was the site for this year's trip. Ft. Yargo was built in 1792 to protect the settlers from the Creek Indians. It is also a favorite camping spot for our family. Brad and Papa have been taking Kayleigh and Everett there for years.

Since I am not invited to attend, I can only share my observations of the excitement that precedes this event.

Well, I can do a little interviewing, too.

The preparations start days in advance. This year's camping trip was different for Brad and Everett. They went up to the campground to set up camp, and then had to leave for an 8 o'clock baseball game. I am happy to report they won. Everett was smokin' hot... again!

Kayleigh and I usually have our own date night when the boys leave us, but this year, I lost her to her friends. After Everett's baseball game, Cozette and I came home to an empty house. It was a rainy night in Georgia, and I was a little frightened being by myself.

About 11 o'clock is when I started receiving all of the phone calls. It was pouring down rain at Ft. Yargo. Brad was calling to check on me, but I was more concerned about their well-being. I am not sure how this happened, but I received about three phone calls from men in our ward by accident, my Dad being one of them.

My favorite phone call of the evening came from Miss. Social Butterfly. At about 11:30 pm, in the middle of a huge storm, she decided to get a case of the "guilts" for skipping out on her poor Mom. After getting assurance that everything was OK with her, I promised her that I was just fine and dandy. I did not want to have to load up a sleeping baby in the middle of a thunderstorm to go and get her!

Kayleigh happily agreed to stay with her friends.

And I finally fell asleep around 2 am.

I usually brace myself for their return home. They reek of campfire smoke, Everett is covered in mud, and I am suddenly overwhelmed with all of the laundry. This year was especially fun because everything was wet.

Brad and Everett gave me a full report:

Everett: It was awesome. My favorite thing this year was playing zombie freeze-tag.

Me: What is zombie freeze tag?

Everett: It's when you have a person who is "it." Everyone else hides. If you are caught, then you are "it," too. Guess what?

Me: What?

Everett: I was never "it."

Me: I'm not surprised. You're so tricky.

Everett: Yeah, I hid so well, that a lot of time passed. I came out of my hiding place and saw everyone around the camp fire eating breakfast! Then I went up to everyone and said, "Hey, what's going on?" They said they couldn't find me. Then I ate, too.

Me: Good. I was worried that you would not have a campfire to play around because of the rain.

Everett: That would have been SO sad. The campfire is my favorite, too.

Brad: Let me tell you my favorite part. It was when I was trying to fall asleep. When I would finally get comfortable, I would feel a drip, drip, drip on my forehead. Then I tried to re-position myself. Then, drip, drip, drip. on my cheek. Then it happened on my chest. So, I gave up and fell asleep with rain dripping on me.

Me: That sounds like lots of fun!

Brad and Everett were full of details about the fun they had with each other, with Papa, and all of their good friends.

It's another camping trip down.

And many more to come!




P.S. In case you're wondering, I forgot to send the camera!