Just Singing in the Van

Jim and I went to the Acappella concert last night at Southern Hills and it was great. Jim hadn't heard of them before so it was ALL new to him. One the guys now is from Bham, Alan Brantley, Gary Brantley's son. It's always nice to see folks from the old homeplace. They have such a unique sound - unlike anything on Christian radio. It leans toward the old Stamps-Baxter songs. They all follow a familar pattern but the men have tremendous voices and I was taken back to Camp Wyldewood. We loved Acappella's music back then and we memorized all the songs.

I have been thinking of our tradition of acappella music alot lately. There's a whole unity thing going on that is seeking to put us (COC) more in touch with our instrumental brethern (a word you never thought you'd see on this blog!) I'm a music fanatic. I can have a good day based on the last song I heard or I can struggle all day with a horrible song stuck in my head. I listen to the contempory Christian station here in Abilene and have fallen in love with so many of these songs. My kids sing along as much as I do. We worship together every day with "Cry Out To Jesus" or "Famous." Or whatever comes on the radio that Mommy belts out! I am convinced that it's just a matter of time before we have a guitar (much hipper than a piano) in our public services.

I know my kids will probably wonder what all the acapella stuff was about. They'll say they enjoy that sometimes. Me, too.

What Ya Wearing?

Yes, we've been watching the Olympics and loving most of it. I don't enjoy the ski jump - it's boring and the outfits are ugly. Now I love speed skating! They push each other and pass each other. It does remind me of those Church of Christ- Sunday nights at Skateland. (Did you have those in your town? All the denominations have one Sunday night to come and skate after church. Or maybe it was only 4 denominations because we went 1 time a month.) I remember the races and how cool those guys were. The outfits those speed skaters wear crack me up! My personal favorite is the Netherlands. They seem to have on full girdles with black stockings. It's too funny. The snowboarders are wearing large ski pants and jackets with stripes. Kenny said it looked like they had on their pajamas.
I could write alot about the skaters - pairs, men, ice dancing and women - and their costumes. But I decided it wouldn't be as fun without the pictures. Let's just say that somewhere, someone is trying to find some sequins and they are all gone!
Now about curling..... It's fun, too. I love the way they slide on the ice and yell at each other and the "stone." Kenny has taken to watching it in the morning before school and he yells at the stone, too. I have also noticed (apologizes to my male readers) that the curling men are usually attractive. The shirts, the pants, the concentration - it looks pretty good to me.
As you can tell, my enjoyment of an Olympic sport is based on the uniforms and how the athletes look in them.

I'm Still Thinking

Sorry to leave yall hanging out there but life is getting in the way. I've been busy and haven't had much to say. I know it's hard to believe.
Monday Abbie was sick(again) with what ma would call a "fever virus." We went into the doctor to hear that and make Mommy feel better.

Today I was able to attend ACU Lecureship. I attended a class on Philemon-one of 4 on chapter books in the Bible. That was one thing I learned. Mostly intended for preachers, of course, it was a little.....theologically wordy. Tammy and I went and got some out of it. One the most interesting things to me was the teacher is out of the ICOC. What used to be the Boston Movement. WOW! In Birmingham we heard alot about the Boston Movement probably because Bham is so close to Florida, where it began. I had an opportunity to speak with him after and I didn't get all the answers I wanted. He, Doug Jacoby, said they aren't as controlling as they used to be and no longer have a charismatic leader like before. They have become more atonomous.
It lead me to the questions - Who's my brother? Who will I fellowship? Who is in my circle of belief? So much talk around here is about unity. Today I was confronted with being unified with a man that may not be in my circle. Doug mentioned "core beliefs." Do we share "core beliefs?" I suppose so. Are our non-core beliefs too far apart to fellowship one another? They weren't a problem today.

Sounds Heavenly

I have never liked the song "Mansion Over the Hilltop." I know the Bible says that Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us but do we have to be so selfish? A mansion, a robe and a crown? A gold one that's silver lined? One of the reasons I love the song "There's a Stirring" is because we get to lay down our crowns at Jesus's feet. I have since found out that this is in Revelation. I rebelled for years against the idea that our reward was tied to our good works. Finally I gave up. In lieu of the whole gold and silver lined mansion, I'm trusting God for a hut on the beach. I always envision Gilligian's place with the hammock.
Last week our director was talking about her job in heaven. I'd never thought of my job. She is planning on nursing - yes, breastfeeding. I asked just to be sure. It can be a wonderful experience but I say more power to her. So maybe my job will be handing out HUGE beach towels, comfy chairs, ipods with the best beach music, I don't know. I figure there won't be a commute.

Mommy, Is It Summer Yet?

Only 10 more Saturdays until the pool opens!

2nd Grade Valentines

My sweet 8-year-old said that they had to write letters to someone in class today. Everyone drew names and he got Kaitlyn.
"I like Kaitlyn." he says.
"Oh, yeah," I say, "why's that?"
"She laughs at my jokes and she has a nice smile," he says.
"That's a good reason to like someone," I say.
"I didn't tell anyone that because they will laugh at me," he says.
"Thanks for telling me. That makes me feel special," I say.

******Happy Valentine's Day********

The Flying Tomato

We love the Olympics at our house!! I am frequently trying to find a TV program that the whole family can enjoy and the Winter Olympics usually works. Abbie is not that interested so I keep pointing out the girls ice skating and their sparkly costumes. Kenny wants to luge so badly. He thinks that's the coolest sport ever!
I love The Flying Tomato - Shaun White. This guy is so cute! He loves his family and they talk about his family at every turn. He said this morning that he cried when he won because of his family. I keep talking about how cute he is and finally I had to say out loud that he's a "cute kid." Yep, I'm old enough to be his mom. Sometimes it just confronts me that I'm really THAT OLD.

Blessed Be the Name

On the way to the hospital last Thursday ( yep a week ago) I was so scared for Abbie and thought I might lose her. I have seen enough brain trauma victims to be very scared at what I thought was a LONG seizure. I was in the back seat with her trying not to imagine life without her. The entire time I kept up a running dialogue. It made sense to talk to her - mostly just Mommy's here and Daddy's here and we're in our van - stuff like that. She didn't acknowlegde me the until hours later. It was too scary.

Now here's the faith story:
I played the Jack card and started singing church songs. The only one that came to mind was I'm in the Lord's Army. Abbie was singing it a couple of weeks ago and it was so cute. She couldn't get the words right and we were singing together and Kenny jumped in - great family moment. Well, she wasn't responding to the Lord's Army so I went to Blessed Be the Name. It was the only other song I could think of and both of the kids love it. We crank it on the radio and everybody sings. When your daughter is having a seizure and you're worried about future brain function, singing "You give and take away" is confronting. Would a brain damaged Abbie truly make me thankful to God? Would I choose to say "Blessed be the Name?" Yeah, it went though my mind but I had the dismiss it or go crazy. I figured that the song might reach Abbie right then and I would deal with my own faith crisis later. I hope and pray to be thankful or accepting of the "taking away" but I'm very scared of it.

Blessed be Your name in the land that is plentiful Where Your streams of
abundance flow Blessed be Your name And blessed be Your name when I'm found in
the desert place Though I walk through the wilderness Blessed be your name Every
blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise And when the darkness closes in
Lord Still I will say Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your glorious name Blessed be Your
name when the sun's shining down on me When the world's all as it should be
Blessed be Your name And blessed be Your name on the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering Blessed be Your name You give and take away
You give and take away My heart will choose to say Lord, blessed be Your name

Big Brother is Watching You

I read an interesting article in the January issue of Texas Monthly about our voting habits. It was generally believed that we vote for a canidate based on political or religious convictions. Maybe you vote Republican because you are against abortion or you vote Democrat because you are for gay marriage. Now the politicians are using another marketing tool - stuff you like. The title of the article tells us that what the Whole Foods shoppers are usually Dems and the Cabela's customers are Republicans.

Matching consumer preferences with voting profiles yields all sorts of interesting information. Republicans buy domestic SUVs and minivans; Democrats buy foreign ones. Rs drive Audis and GMCs and watch Fox News, and Ds drive Subarus and Volvos and watch CBS and CNN. The History and Learning Channels skew heavily R, while the Food Network is overwhelmingly D. Republicans drink dark alcoholic beverages, such as scotch and bourbon and red wine; Democrats drink white ones like gin and vodka and they prefer white wine. Dr Pepper is a Republican drink, Fantas Democratic. Camping equipment and hiking gear-which Dowd[Bush's chief strategist Matthew Dowd] points out are "noninvasive" outdoor products-tilt Democrat. Some of the data is wonderfully unpredictable, The TV show Will & Grace, for example, which centers on the lives of a gay man and a straight woman, leans heavily Republican. It's the Republican women who are watching it.

I drive a Honda minivan and Jim drives a Ford truck. I LOVE the Food Network (the kids can watch it with us) and Jim watches the History Channel whenever he can. I drink Lime Diet Cokes and Diet Dr Peppers and Jim has Lime Cokes. I watch MSNBC when I need a news fix and Jim likes Fox. I personally believe that anyone who has to say they are "fair and balanced," isn't. I have started watching Will & Grace on Lifetime at 10:00 since Jim's at work. We subscribe to Texas Monthly, too. What does that tell ya?

I've Been Tagged - Yeah!

I told Sarah I was like a little kid jumping up and down saying "Pick me, pick, me!" And she had! I know it's a little lame to be excited to be tagged - it must be left over insecurities.

Four Jobs I've Had:
Camp counselor at Camp Wyldewood in Searcy, Ark - after graduation I spent 3 summers in the heat!
Speech Therapist in Jasper, Ala
State of Alabama - during college I worked for the Employment Service
salesman and Manager of Crazy Bill's Fireworks stands - My family still does this and Jim has been selling ever since getting in the family.

Four Movies I Could Watch Over and Over:
Animal House - too many great high school memories and it's just funny
Legally Blonde - both of them I love Reese and it's just funny, too
Steel Magnolias - yeah, me too. These girls are great! They depend on each other and forgive each other daily.
Matrix - ok, not a chick flick. I love the futuristic stuff and when they blow up the inside of that office building.

Four Books I Could Read Over and Over:
The Bible - there's always something new
the Harry Potter series - love them all. I've read all of them 2 or 4 times. It's the story, it's the transporting to another place, it's the way they care for one another.
the Outlandler series - Diana Gabaldon I long to be in the middle of this tale. It involves time travel (I'm a geek,) a timeless love story, and cool contrasting to our time. I'm reading it the 2nd time through right now - I'm in book 4, Drums of Autumn - so I can enjoy the new one, A Breath on Snow and Ashes
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood - I'm seeing a pattern to my choices. I like the movie, too.

Four Places I've Lived:
Bay City,Michigan - I never met Madonna
Forrest City, Arkansas - everyone stops there on the way to somewhere else
Helena, Alabama - Birmingham surburb I never really lived in Bham, just the burbs. This is where Jim and I lived
Monticello, Arkansas - 3 years enough said

Four TV Shows I Watch:
Gilmore Girls
Lost
24
Saturday Night Live - This show has been part of my life for years and sometimes it isn't funny but sometimes it is!

Four Places I’ve Been on Vacation:
San Antonio, TX
Tybee Island, Georgia - Margaret's aunt and uncle have a house there and I've been a few times. It is wonderful! There's the beach and Savannah to see and do!
Destin, Florida - No self respecting Bhamian would NOT go here.
Vancouver, British Columbia - My sweet husband took here on our honeymoon.

Four Websites I Visit Daily:
Mike Cope's blog
Sarah's blog
Steve's blog
cox.net - that's my homepage and I always read the headlines

Four Favorite Foods:
tamales
spicy Chinese
dark chocolate
marinated artichokes

Four Places I’d Like to Be Right Now:
Tybee Island, Georgia
Hawaii - anywhere, just there
Shopping with Paris Hilton's credit card
coffee with my girlfriends

People to Tag:
Steve
Anthony
I thought about this alot and I would love to see your (both of your) answers!

Now, What Do I Push?

I'm still working on this computer thing. I haven't even tried to post any pictures yet but I'm working up to it. Last night I had a wonderful experience - I explained podcast to Jim! We aren't Ipod people (although I would love one) and I had to tell him how they work. I have a very limited understanding but I've got the basic premise.
So, bare with me as I learn how to do everything from change the date on the computer to getting pictures off the Web.

Wecome to 1985

Last night Steve Martin and Prince were both on http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live// I had to stay up to watch it! I felt like I was back in the 80's and I remember that time well! Prince was great - just like he always was. His second song was crazy - just like he always was. Steve Martin was a terrific, too. He can do much with so little dialogue, facial expression, whatever. Even I can tell he's a great actor. Who would have thought that "wild and crazy guy" would grow up like he did?

Just the Facts, M'am

Yesterday after picking Abbie up at school, Jim and I could tell she had a fever. We didn't take a temp just gave her some Tyneol and she wanted to go bed. I fell asleep on the couch and Jim was getting dressed. About 15 min. later, I heard some loud moaning and groaning and went to check on her. She had thrown up in the bed and just didn't seem right. I took her to the bathroom and she wasn't looking good. She was very stiff to take off her shirt and her eyes were glazed and unfocused. I knew then that she was having a seizure. I called for Jim - he said take her to the hospital (rather than call 911) and away we went. On the way, she continued to be non-responsive and very stiff. Her arms and legs were drawn in. She did lay her head on me but I wasn't able to tell if it was intentional. The trip took about 10 min.
We saw the helicopter landing when we arrived and I feel so blessed that we were able to go right in. The triage nurse acted like this was a paper cut and, oddly, I felt better. Tests had to be done to determine why her fever would go up so quickly. She reponded to the blood draw and seemed freaked by the CT scan. She remained non-responsive during the x-ray, too. Then we had to make her void (tinkle) and gave her about 10 oz of fluids. Abbie actually started to say momma then. I began to think there wasn't any brain trauma. They wouldn't let us leave without the urine sample and were about to put in an IV. She threw up on both of us and then fell asleep in Mimi's arms. After a LONG time, the IV was going in and we didn't want it! Mimi and I tried one more time to have Abbie tinkle. We put her on the potty (with a hat) and ran the water. It worked!! It took at least another hour but we had some discharge orders!!
Jim had given up and gone to work at about 5:30 and the nurse had chased everyone else out of the room at about the same time. We left at 8:15 (6 hours) and made it home before Kenny got home from tae kwondo.

Keep coming back for more of the exciting - Sick House!

The Sick House

This will be short! I have the flu - found out at 12:30. Abbie had a feveral siezure at 1:45. We went to the ER at Hendrix and stayed until 8:15. She has the flu, an ear infection, and a bladder infection. She's getting meds and I'm trying to stay awake. Mimi is staying the night so maybe I can sleep through the next throw-up and bed change.

Kenny's coughing - I'm thinking tomorrow might be his day! Yeah!

Jim is good - so far.

Thanks for everyone's prayers - I'll post soon about the funny side of the entire experience.