Update

It has been a few months since I've updated, so I'm going to take this sleepless night to catch up.
First, Dennis. While chemo and radiation are over, the after effects are in raging bloom. Both his hands and feet are numb and painful--similar to the feeling you get when they have fallen asleep and awaken with that pins and needles feeling only it lasts twenty-four hours a day. If you teach, you know how difficult this could be to work. Also, he is extremely sleepy. When he is at home, he can't stay awake, but he manages to work and coach football. And, simply put, his body hurts. There are other problems that I won't go into, but you get the picture. I've been trying to get him to go back to the Cancer Center to check his medications, but he has put it off until I threatened to go without him. So, we went last week and changed his medications, and he is doing better. Thankfully, the doctor also fussed at him for waiting so long to come back and set an appointment a few weeks down the road to follow up. We will get back to normal...it just takes time.
Second, Savannah, Jason, and Libby. For over three years, Savannah and Jason have been trying to sell their home in Coker. They came extremely close one time and were so disappointed when it fell through.One thing they've learned from this is that if you wait on God's plan for you, it will be so much better than pushing through your own plans. They saw this when they recently sold their home (papers will be signed Monday) and were able to find the home of their dreams. They had already decided that to get the space they needed they would buy an older home and update as they could. After looking and finding nothing, they came across a new builder with lots in Belle Meade, a relatively new subdivision off 69N and Mitt Lary Road and right down the road from me (:-)) and their church. They were able to get what they wanted in their price range in a new home that will be built in the next three to four months. Where will they live until it is built? Why with Gran and Coach, of course. Talk about a full nest!! I helped them pack, clean, and unpack this week, and it has been hectic. Poor Libby has been confused and a little ill at times, I think, because of this transition. But, they are all in and organized now, so hopefully things will get back to somewhat more normalcy for Libby.
Parker's Countdown: 34 days. In thirty-four days, Parker will be home for at least 6 months. During his time home, he will be making a decision to either make mission work in France his career or stay in the states and get a job. Of course, everyone knows what his family would like him to do, but we also know and understand that he will do exactly what the Lord wants him to do. We've already set up dentist, eye, and allergy doctor appointments for the first week he is home. We've worked out the phone situation; I'm buying an Iphone that will become mine if he goes back to France. (Momma has kept his Sim card in her phone so that he will have all of his numbers, and his friends will have his. She thought of that herself, and Parker was excited because he "liked" his number, and it made it easier to keep up with old friends.) Our main problem is a vehicle. Normally, someone in the family would have an extra one, but not now. We looked into leasing a car, but that would take close to $6000 for six months!!!!! So, we are wondering if it would be better to buy an older car for while he is here and sell it if he goes back. But, if he stays, we would not want to have wasted the money on an older car--see the dilemma? Now, we are thinking about just carpooling and letting him have one of our vehicles. Parker will take Libby's room when he comes home, and Libby will have to move into the room with Savannah and Jason--our nest will be running over. :-)
What fun we will have during the holidays with everyone under our roof. Yes, I know it will get hectic, but that is part of the fun! Like Savannah said, "It will be just like old times except for Jason and Libby who will make it even better."

A few pictures:










This rocking chair was my great grandmothers and was in Libby's room until more room was needed for toys. Now that she has found it at my house, she has decided that it is perfect for her, and it is.
















Taking a bath a Gran's. What fun I will have helping with this! Libby's hair is getting long enough to put in pigtails, and Gran plans on doing that a few times while she is here.


















Roe has always been a little jealous of Libby, but lately, the two have become fast friends. Libby will throw Roe's toy for her to retrieve and chase her around the house. Roe also looks out for Libby; if she is awake and we haven't heard her on the monitor, Roe lets us know.












Savannah and "Soach" are watching Mickey Mouse, The Backyardigans, Blues Clues, etc. "Hot Diggetty Dog"

60 Years--WOW!

June 30th, 60 years ago, my momma and daddy got married in Cuba, Alabama, with my Mamaw Shelby, and my Uncle R.A., Aunt Ola, and Gloria as witnesses. My grandmother was there since momma was only 17, and she had to give her consent. I think it was appropriate that Daddy's sister, her husband, and their child were present as they were part of the reason that Momma and Daddy got together. (It seems that William Nance and his date, Lucille, Uncle R.A. and Aunt Ola, and another couple were hanging out with my dad who didn't have a date. Lucille, who went to school with Momma, talked her into going with Daddy, and the rest is history.) Momma said they went to a movie, but Daddy assured me that they went for a burger.

Below are pictures of Momma at 17 and Daddy at 23.





After they married, they moved into the old German Prisoner of War Camp outside of Aliceville. Like everyone else, they had two rooms, a living/bedroom area, a kitchen, and a bathroom. Since Daddy worked at the Cotton Mill at night, and Momma has always been a "scaredy cat", she stayed next door with my Aunt Claudine, Uncle L.D., and their two oldest kids, Nell and Ginger (also in a two room apartment) at night or had one of them stay with her. When some apartments opened up in the mill village, they were able to move there, but they were still in only two rooms.

The fall after they married Momma went to Aliceville High School to get her high school diploma. In those days, married girls could attend school, but pregnant girls could not. Not long after school started, she found out she was having me, so she had to quit. I was born a year later on June 24th almost a year to the day they married.

After I was born, the two rooms were close quarters for Daddy, who worked at night and needed to sleep during the day, and a newborn. So, Daddy approached his foreman and told him that he would have to quit and find another job unless they would let us have a three room apartment. Before a week was out, we were in a three room apartment.

I'm not sure how old I am here, but this is one of the few family pictures when we were young. They tended to take more pictures of just me than of the family.



The village put their apartments up for sale, and Daddy decided he did not want to buy there, so they found a house close to Aliceville Elementary. We lived in that house until I finished the sixth grade. Momma started working at Westinghouse in Reform at this time, so I had to have someone to watch me in the mornings and in the afternoons because she had to leave early for work and was late getting in. Kay Carroll kept me until she started work at Piggly Wiggly; then Glenda Carroll kept me. ( I know I gave them fits, and I apologize here for it. :-))Their mother dropped them off on her way to work and picked them up on the way home. Daddy no longer worked at the Cotton Mill. Instead, he worked for the county driving dump trucks and working all kinds of machinery. I remember walking from the house to the County Barn to greet him when he would get off work. At that time the County Barn was located just down the road from Herndon's Grocery. By the time sixth grade was over for me, Momma and Daddy built a house just a few blocks down the road a little closer to the school. That is where they still live.

Over the past week or two, I have been visiting and talking a lot and trying to get as much information from them about themselves as well as their brothers and sisters. Momma's brothers and sisters lived out of town, but most of Daddy's brothers and sisters lived in Aliceville, and they were all close when they were young. In fact, at one time or another,three of Daddy's brothers and one of his sisters and their families lived with Momma and Daddy. It was what families did in those days--help each other out in times of need. Uncle R.A. had had emergency surgery that kept him from working, so Aunt Ola, Uncle R.A., Gloria, and Sherry lived with us until he got over the surgery, and he was able to work again. Uncle Nathan had to work out of town, and there was no place for Aunt Emma Ruth, Barbara, Wayne, and Gail to stay with him, so they stayed with us until he got a job closer to home. Uncle J.D. and Uncle Jimmy were both just out of service with no place to go. (My grandfather Gilliam died young, and Granny Gillian lived with Aunt Ola. Daddy said that somebody had to be their father, and he figured it was him.)All of us stayed in a two bedroom one bath house. Times sure have changed.

The first picture is of me and Daddy at our first house, and the second picture is of Momma and Daddy after they built the house they live in now.







All my life I have known that I am loved. I was also overprotected and spoiled; however, I was spoiled with love not material things. My momma and daddy did without so that I could have what I needed and what I thought I needed. Everywhere I went, they were there to support me. Words could never express how thankful I am to have them as my parents.

Happy Anniversary, Momma and Daddy! I love you.

Memorial Day

Fun in the sun was our plan for the day. Momma and Daddy got here first, and after telling Daddy about the bird that attacked me while putting out cushions, etc. by the pool, he decided to go check them out. What did he find? Under a crepe myrtle in the far corner of the yard, a young family was trying to fly. While the little ones were hopping around and trying their wings, mom and dad were VIGILANTLY protecting their little ones. Daddy was actually attacked and had to raise his arms in defense.

Here is a picture of the family working hard. If you look close, you can see one of the little ones hiding in the trunk of the tree.



Next to arrive were Jason, Savannah, and Libby. Libby had a rather nasty looking rash on her thigh. It had blisters and was red but did not seem to hurt or itch. We decided, however, to take her to the nearby clinic while Jason started the ribs and burgers. Libby is now on steroids for an allergic reaction. We have no clue to what---no change in food, detergent, etc., but since allergies tend to abound in our kids, it is not unexpected.

When Savannah, Libby, and I got home Jeremy and Cheri had arrived, and the food was ready. So, we sat down to a delicious meal of ribs and burgers prepared by Jason. I also tried a new homemade ice cream recipe that was awesome!



After we were all stuffed, we got Libby down for a nap and hit the pool. Dennis still has his port, and until he gets it removed, he cannot get in the pool. When Libby woke, we let her play in her own pool.



While she enjoyed the pool, she still wanted to help Gran "weed" the flowers.



One of the best toys that I got this year was a bubble maker from CVS. This was the first time she was actually interested in the bubbles, playing with them and trying to catch them.



Before we went in for the day, we decided to see how Libby would like the big pool. She didn't seem afraid of it nor was she anxious to get in. We will work on that this summer.



While we had a good time with famiy, we also remembered those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country and for those still actively serving in our armed forces.
Knowing friends who have lost loved ones brings it closer to home.

Update

Each day I check to see if someone has added a new update to their blogs. I always look forward to seeing what new fun Maddie has been having with her grandparents or to seeing what Dennis's former ball players are doing as mothers. His former players and Savannah's friends have such cute children, and all these girls are wonderful mothers. I can tell by their stories and pictures.
I just realized that I have not updated our blog, so that is what I'm doing. Specifically, I want to give an update of Dennis's health. Dennis finished his treatments early about three weeks ago. He had blood work and a scan two weeks ago, and both came back cancer free. He has been working for two weeks now with a break due to the tornado that devastated Tuscaloosa. Although he is no longer taking treatments, he is still extremely tired. It is very frustrating for him because he wants to get out and help our community. Actually, he has helped several times, but it is extremely hard for him to bounce back and go to work. SO, I've suggested that he and I wait a few weeks when helpers from out of town are not as many. We can then work, and hopefully, he will have more energy back.
Speaking of the tornado--Parker has called every day since the 27th. He actually called during the storm as he was watching it by router through our television. We know that he wants to be home so badly. One of his friends, Colby, is the Associate Pastor/Youth Minister at Alberta Baptist which was demolished. A group from this church also went to Paris to work with Parker, so I know he wants to be here helping them.
Savannah and Jason have worked several times since the tornado--Jason more than Savannah because Libby was sick, and she did not want to leave her--even with me. Savannah teaches at Holt, and that area was one of the worst hit areas. She volunteered there several times in the Holt High Gym where they set up emergency help.
I didn't mean for this blog to be about the tornado, but it has had such an impact on our community. I have never seen so much love, faith, and empathy as I have in the last two weeks. I was so proud when the national government said that Tuscaloosa did in one week what it took New Orleans six months to do. Sweet Home Alabama. What an awesome place to live and what awesome people who reside here!

For some time now, Parker has written a weekly devotion. This week his devotion is written about the devastating tornado that rampaged through Tuscaloosa. He says well what I cannot:

dev175-for Tuscaloosa
by Parker Windle on Saturday, April 30, 2011 at 5:58am

“And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.”


Job 42:10

The last few days I have helplessly poured over the news and facebook looking at devastating photos from Alabama. Tuscaloosa. The town that I call home, was pounded by a violent tornado on Thursday, leaving a mile wide trail of destruction where formally sat houses of friends, restaurants that I enjoyed, and churches that were dear to my heart, and barely missing the hospital where I was born. As I gazed at these photos, my heart was broken at seeing these places, that were once so valuable to me, now reduced to a pile of worthless rubble.

It is at is such times as this that the book of Job is meant to be read. During times of peace and prosperity, we can analyze the conversations of Job and his friends with a haughty air. We give explanations on behalf of God, trying to answer the all-important “why” question that people ask when their souls are overwhelmed with the depths of woe. But when we are in the midst of the storm, these proud answers do not suffice. Although surely my friends and family in Tuscaloosa are asking the “why” question after each body they dig up from the rubble, they will never be satisfied by the arrogant answers. God does not need these answers. God’s ways do not need to be defended. They need to be trusted.

Job’s friends took the road of conventional wisdom - if you are being punished, it is because you have sinned. While we certainly see in the scriptures that God sometimes uses natural disasters to punish sin, we do not see that as being the case all the time. And, in the case of Job, we know that this conventional wisdom of Job’s friends was not only incorrect, but was despicable in the mind of the Lord. Man’s reasoning ability is unable to account for the works of the Lord.

The temptation is to either give up God’s sovereignty or God’s goodness. People would like to either say that God did not cause this to happen or that he doesn’t love people enough to stop it. Yet, in Job, God does not leave either of these positions as an option. Job, who God loves, was chastised because he doubted God’s sovereignty. “Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it.”

“Then Job answered the Lord, and said: ‘Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth.’”

For the moment, we will have to be content without an answer to why my hometown lays in ruins. We are in a position where trust is necessary, and thankfully we have One who is worthy of our trust and who can relate to us in our tears. Just a few days before this tornado brought its worst, the churches of Tuscaloosa met together to remember the time when God suffered for us. They broke bread and drank wine in memory of the Savior that wept over the cup that he would have to drink. Tears are part of what it means to be human in a fallen world. The eyes of God cried tears just like our eyes do. The fact that the sovereign King chose tears tells me that He can be trusted.

Because of His sufferings, eternal life is promised. On account of His afflictions, tears will never be the final emotion. The tears of Tuscaloosa will be turned back into praise soon enough, and therein lies the beauty of the gospel. There could never be any suffering so grave that it would keep the church from praising the One whose wounds healed them.

This Sunday morning in Tuscaloosa there will surely be many “whys” in the hearts of the churches of Tuscaloosa, some of whom will be meeting in new places because of the destruction of their sanctuary. Yet drowning out these “whys” there will be a melody. The great hymns of old will ring through the city like a like a mighty choir ready to welcome in their King. The organs will blast their chords and the drums will bang out the rhythm of a triumphal Savior who has already conquered the death that is staring them in the face. The people from different races, backgrounds, and denominations will unite their voices in harmony in awe of the One who is as sovereign over the storms and as He is over the cross. Why will they do this? Because there will never be a tornado strong enough to keep the church from praising their God.

Alabama, I love you. You are in my prayers, and I will be singing with you this Sunda

Crimson Clover

Every time I drive by a field of crimson clover I think of Sara McBride Craker's beautiful wedding portrait. So, when I noticed an empty lot done the street covered with the flowers I decided that I wanted to get some pictures of Libby in the clover.
Yesterday, Savannah and Jason were busy (she decorating for Holt's prom, and he had church business), so Cheri and I tag-teamed Libby. We swang, blew bubbles, rode in the wagon, etc. etc. etc. She wore me out!!! But, I did get an opportunity to take some pictures of Libby in the crimson clover. She was so enthralled with the flowers that I never got her to look up at me or smile.

Libby-Time

This past week Coach and Gran have had Libby (and her parents) over three times. What fun we have had! Here is the week in pictures:

Gran got a "Happy Meal" this week, and the toy was a fake camera. Libby has been taking our pictures all week.



Our living room ottomans have successfully held Libby within the borders of the living room until this week. Libby is a pretty successful climber who knows no fear.



As much as she likes to put her toys in a basket and take them out, she likes climbing (again) in and out of baskets herself.

Trying to climb in...



with Gran's help...



How do I get out?



Playing with her mom...



Playing Peep Pie (How in the world do you spell Peep Pie?) with Coach...



With Coach (who has finished chemo and goes back to work Thursday)...



Always a busy girl....