Luke

    Savannah and Jason's second child was due Wednesday, February 22. A section was scheduled, and plans were made to prepare for this new baby boy. Tuesday was to be a big day with packing and other last minute details to take care of.  Little did we know that our baby boy would call the shots--not the doctor--making it truly a big day.
   Dennis and I were sleeping soundly around 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning the 21st when the phone rang..  It was Savannah informing us that her water had broken. We both got up, got dressed, and headed to Savannah and Jason's house.  Savannah and Jason were busy packing, so I packed for our new baby.  Cheri arrived shortly after they left, so Dennis and I went home to get dressed.  Cheri stayed with Libby who slept through the early morning activity. Dennis then headed to Rock Quarry Middle School (around 2:30 a.m.) where he worked until 6:00 preparing for a substitute and catching up on grading as it was the end of the six weeks. I headed for the hospital in Jason's  truck (Parker is using my car.) as soon as the doors were open at 6:00 a.m. So started our big day and our little one's new life.
   After Luke's arrival at 9 pounds 8 ounces and 20 inches long, family started gathering anxious to see him as well as his parents.  Nursing students were on hand this day, so the family watched as they checked Luke thoroughly through the viewing windows.. Libby was able to see Luke through the nursery windows with CiCi and Coach.

Next, we all headed to Savannah's room and oohed and ahhed over our new family addition.  Of course, we all had to have our pictures made with our cute Luke!

                                                        Here's Coach, Gran, and Luke.

                                                               Pop Pop, Ci Ci, and Luke

                           
                          Luke's two uncles who will undoubtedly influence him in  many ways.

 Parker was not home when Libby was born and only visited on Skype until she was almost one. We were all happy that he was home and able to share this special time with us.  He is turning into a "great" uncle.

                                        Great-Grandparents visited. Here are Mamaw and Pop.

   So, how did Libby react to Luke?  She absolutely adores him..  So far, there seems to be no jealousy, and she is becoming a good Mommy's helper. Her first reaction to Luke......a kiss, of course.

                                 
                                     The Pate Family is now complete, or at least, that is the plan.

                                                                Welcome to the family, Luke!

Time Flies

Time Flies....when you are having fun, when you are busy, or when you are busy having fun, and I can definitely say that the Windles/Pates have been busy having fun! It has been a long time since I posted, but I have been extremely busy. Savannah, Jason, and Libby moved in around the first of October after selling their home in Coker and waiting for their new one to be built in Northport. On November 4th, Parker moved in after his stint as a journeyman in Paris. It was a great time for Parker to get to know Libby, and while stressful at times, it has been a great time for the entire family to be together under one roof--Thanksgiving and Christmas! In case you are wondering who ruled the roost, these next few pictures should clue you in on the person in charge!

All Libby had to do was reach her little hand up to "Soach" and away they went to our bathroom to climb in and out of the shower and to sit in my sink in order to better play with my make-up brushes.

Parker's new phone became a center of "conversation" for Uncle BoBo and Libby. And no, contrary to what Parker thinks, we did not call him BoBO--that is how Parker came out.

If Momma and Daddy would not let Libby watch Minnie on the big TV, then "Soach" let her watch Minnie on a phone!!

OR, Libby could always go to Uncle BoBo who would let her watch Sesame Street on his computer. I wish I could put her rendition of "La La Elmo's World" on this blog! Priceless!! We spent Thanksgivng at Emily and Buddy's and Christmas at home. Momma and Daddy came up Christmas Eve, so Parker moved to the sofa for a few nights. Even though both of my parents are having health difficulties with their lungs, they were well over the holidays and were able to enjoy Christmas with us.

We managed to get a few pictures of Libby by the tree:

Before church...

Although Savannah, Jason, and Libby had MANY Christmas events to attend, we only had three. Last year on Christmas morning, Savannah and Jason started hosting everyone for brunch. Since they were at my house this year, brunch was also here. We enjoyed Cheri, Mike, Jeremy, Momma, and Daddy. Libby enjoyed her Christmas as well as the family that was here to see her. Her favorite toy was "the Coupe" which she is still enjoying today especially since "Soach" is so good to walk behind her and push when she needs him to.

We finished Christmas at Emily and Buddy's. Savannah, Jason, and Libby are now in their new home, and we really miss that big hug around the knees and the bright smile that came with "Soach!" and "Gran!" as we came in the door. Parker is still here and will probably be here until early next year when he plans to return to Paris. He has enjoyed catching up with "old" friends and hopes to see more in the months to come. He has been busy doing Disciple Now weekends for friend's churches, speaking about his experiences in Paris, teaching children for the IMB in Birmingham, preaching, and, basically, anything anyone needs him to do. Hopefully, my next entry will not be too long from now. After all, Luke Michael Pate should be here in a few days--February 22--and I look forward to sharing pictures of him and his big sister.

Thanksgivings Past

Growing up, I spent every Thanksgiving in Sumter County at my grandparents, E.B. and Tamsy Shelby. As soon as Momma and Daddy got off work, we loaded up in the car and headed to the country somewhere between Boyd and Emelle. As corny as it may sound, Momma and I usually sang our version of "Over the River and Through the Woods to Grandmother's House We Go" (and those of you who know us, know that neither of us can carry a tune!). Upon arrival, we were usually greeted by aunts, uncles, and cousins whom we saw only once a year. Some came from Greensboro, some from Birmingham, and some from Jacksonville, Florida. One family lived right next door to my grandparents, so I saw them regularly since we usually visited 3 or 4 times a month until I became a teenager. (By then, I was afraid that I would miss something if I were not in Aliceville.)

Thanksgiving in the country is awesome, and I have always wished that my children could have experienced just one Thanksgiving like I had every year. Upon arrival, I usually headed out to find the kids. We looked for eggs in the barn or played cowboys and Indians; we rode horses if we could get someone to catch them and stay with us; we raked leaves, jumped in them, and started over after a war of leaves between the boys and girls; we got underfoot as our moms cooked for the next day; and we watched as our dads headed to the woods to hunt. (Even though my daddy was not a hunter, he did hunt with the other "guys" during Thanksgiving.)

The night before Thanksgiving my grandfather would always hire several men to roast a pig over a pit that he had had dug in the back yard. These men also watched over a pot of brunswick stew. I remember my mamaw and her daughters preparing all the vegetables and meats to go into that pot. The mention of squirrel always kept me from eating any of it.

Sleeping all of us in their three bedroom home was a trick for Mamaw and Pawpaw. To be honest, I have no clue where all the adults slept, but I remember sleeping under the dining room table on a pallet. What fun! I also remember that one Thanksgiving is when I decided I didn't like the milk that they had. It came straight from the cow, and I had never seen them strain it. When I did, I didn't drink milk again at my grandparents until they started buying it.

The morning of Thanksgiving was hectic--not for the kids, we were back in the barn--but for the adults. My grandparent's church, Hayden Presbyterian, also gathered at their house every year, so around 10:30 more cars loaded with adults, children, and food pulled into their yard. I know I was a kid at the time, but I remember two extremely long tables heavy with food (I always say the tables were as long as the width of Aliceville First Baptist's sanctuary (and again, being a kid, my eyes saw things bigger). But, I do know for sure that there was ALOT OF FOOD! Mamaw and Pawpaw had an old house, and there was a wrap-a-round porch (that I sometimes slept on in the hot, summer months) with tall, wide stairs leading to it. The porch, the stairs, the tops of cars, and the yard in general were literally covered with people. What an awesome way to spend Thanksgiving!

On the years that Momma's cousins came from Memphis, TN and Mississippi, there was even more fun. Each of them played some kind of musical instrument, and the young couples (my mom and dad, etc.) gathered in the front room to listen to them play banjos, guitars, fiddles, and mandolins. There was a lot of singing, dancing, talking, and laughing going on in that room, so the kids would always have to inspect it several times to see if we were missing anything, and we would always be shushed out.

As the years passed, the church families decided that it was time to host their own Thanksgiving, so the tradition of joining together at my grandparent's house was stopped. Our family still gathered, and, of course, as we kids were now teenagers, we only did cool stuff. My cousin who lived next door to my grandparents was in a rock band in Livingston, The Shanks. So the rest of us sat around while he entertained us with his guitar and singing.

We spent Thanksgiving with my grandparents until they both passed on. By this time, the cousins and I were all married with children of our own. Dennis and I always spent Thanksgiving with them and Christmas with his family. After my grandparent's death, Mr. Ralph and Miss Ruby included my parents in all celebrations. Since I am an only child, it worked, and I was so thankful that my parents had a place to go for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. I miss Mr. Ralph and Miss Ruby; they were both truly awesome people.

Dennis and I have been truly blessed with wonderful parents and families. I thank God for them all every day.

"What if God took away the people/things that you did not thank him for today?"
Keith Pugh, Pastor Open Door Baptist Church

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!