We're Going To to the Zoo, Zoo, Zoo....

Steve, Patrick and Sam had a guy's day out at the zoo. From the pictures it looked to be a real hands on experience. Sam brushed a goat in the petting zoo, fed birds in the lorikeet area and got up close and personal with a very large snake. Yikes!
Of course my first question was, "Did you remember to use hand sanitizer before lunch?" Nothing like a female to take all the fun out of a strictly male outing. Maybe there is a lesson here. They did have a great time and they survived without my constant reminders to wash up! Maybe I should take the advice of Mark Twain. "Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is listening. Love like you've never been hurt and live like it's heaven on Earth." And if I can be so bold as to make one small addition to this very famous and very wise quote it would be:" and don't worry so much about germs!" Enjoy the pictures!

Ghosts of Dauphin Island

I recently chaperoned Sara's fifth grade field trip to Dauphin Island. The trip included four hours on a bus (each way), two nights on a "bed" that was not my own, and six cafeteria meals (which turned out to be pretty good). Despite the fact that I dreaded all these things, I was pleasantly surprised with the trip overall. The best part was being away with just Sara. When you have three children, it is such a luxury to be able to focus on just one of them. It was good for both of us! With work and my other responsibilities, I haven't been able to be that mom who helps in the classroom or regularly has lunch with her child. This trip was a chance for me to show Sara how important she is to me. I hope that I succeeded! Thanks to Steve who took three days off from work so that I was able to go on this trip! The trip itself was fascinating. Staying at the Sea Lab meant we were within walking distance to the Estuarium, Fort Gaines, and the beach. The sea lab has awesome instructors. We learned so much about Dauphin Island and it's habitats. This trip was all about science but if it's history you're interested in, Dauphin Island has plenty! A night time beach walk complete with ghost stories and a visit to Fort Gaines were just a few of the activities that brought history to life. It is rumored that visitors to Fort Gaines often have problems with their cameras or other equipment due to fun loving pranksters (who just happen to be ghosts.) It is also rumored that some of these spirited pranksters follow visitors back to their lodging to continue the fun. Some of the chaperones, including myself, began to wonder if these stories had validity when the pay phones in our dormitory began ringing at 11:00 at night. Doesn't sound too strange, right? But add in the fact that the phones had been taken off the hook earlier b/c they rang at 11:00 the night before. One of our chaperones had gotten out of bed, on that first night, to answer them only to find nobody on the other end of the line. After two trips to the phones, the weary chaperone took the phones of the hook. Fast forward to the next night when we decided to take them off the hook at 10:30 before climbing into bed. Thirty minutes later, we found ourselves in the hall watching the phones ring while the receivers dangled toward the floor. While discussing the possible causes for what we were seeing, we began to hear thumping noises. We never found the source, but we did learn that two of the chaperones heard those same sounds around 11:00 the night before. One chaperone even went outside to see if it was someone from the boys cabin knocking on the door in search of the nurse. We were a little freaked to say the least. Luckily the 50 or so girls we were chaperoning slept through our little adventure. The adults however had fun giggling and scaring each other. It took us back to our childhoods, and gave us a break from being the responsible, logical moms that we are. Looking back, I am happy that our "ghost" came to visit. Laughing and having fun is good for the soul. However, in retrospect I know that the real ghosts of this trip aren't from Fort Gaines. They are the ghosts of childhood. We watched as little girls seemingly matured overnight. Some of them had never even spent one night away from home and here they were hours from their parents managing their daily routines with only a little help from us. There were some tears at first but by the end of the trip these girls were confident that they could actually manage for a few days "on their own." Even though Sara thought she couldn't manage without me, I suspected that she could have and just two short months later she proved me right. You see, Sara just got back from a three night trip to the beach with a friend. Last year she took the same trip during Spring Break. Same friend, same amount of time,etc. The only difference was that last year she cried at night and was anxious to get home. This year she didn't cry. On the last night, she even told her friend's mom that she didn't want to come home yet. While I am so proud of this step toward independence, part of me is sad. It reminds me that all too soon she will be a grown woman and all I'll have left of her childhood are the sweet memories. The ghosts of childhood are likely the ghosts that I will be hoping to see in the near future. We can't hold on to our children forever but hopefully through memories, photographs, and even blogs, we can continue to hold them in our hearts. I am reminded of a poem that I heard for the first time years ago. I wish I could apply the wisdom to my life but it seems that when life gets hectic I forget what is really important. Maybe posting it here will help me remember!

"If I Had My Child To Raise Over Again" by Diane Loomas
If I had my child to raise over again,
I'd finger paint more, and point fingers less.
I'd do less correcting and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I would care to know less, and know to care more.
I'd take hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I'd run through more fields, and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging and less tugging.
I'd be firm less often, and affirm much more.
I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I'd teach less about the love of power,
and more about the power of love!

A True Friend

A true friend seems to know what you need even when you don't. Recently, I was feeling overwhelmed with life. I got caught up in the "have to's". You know the ones. I have to do laundry. I have to clean the house. I have to buy groceries. I think you get the picture. My attitude was also greatly affected by a medicine that I was having a bad reaction to, although I didn't realize it at the time. I wanted to get away so badly even if it was for just a little while. Any way my oldest and dearest friend, Vicki was here from Iowa. She came to visit her mom who is fighting cancer. Of course we wanted to see each other. Vicki also wanted to see the kids and Sara was dying to see her Aunt Vicki. We decided that she would come to my house the next day. However, in the course of about 12 hours Vicki decided to change our plans. When I talked to her the following morning I found out that she had decided to book a room for us at Ross Bridge so that we could have a spend the night party. Ross Bridge is a very nice resort and she wanted the kids and me to come and stay with her and enjoy the amenities. Patrick was at diabetes camp but Sara, Sam, and I were packed in no time at all. Now I don't know if Vicki got some psychic friendy kind of vive and knew I was on the edge of a breakdown or is she was just trying to avoid my house. Vicki and I have never had the same standards when it comes to house keeping. While growing up, many were the times that she cleaned my closet saying, "This is the last time. You have to start cleaning up yourself!" Of course I didn't believe her. I knew she could only take so much. She would have to help me again. The only thing I was more sure of was the fact that she would always be my friend. I was right about both things by the way. She tried to change my slovenly ways up until the time we both left our respective homes to start our adult lives. I was also right about our friendship. She is still my best friend and she deserves a medal for putting up with me for all these years. The point is that for whatever reason Vicki treated us to 24 hours of paradise. Sara and I were thrilled with everything from the awesome mattresses to the newspaper that was left neatly in front of our door. The room was beautiful. The pools and hot tubs were heavenly. Sara and I have never felt so pampered as when room service delivered our breakfast. I highly recommend the lemon souffle pancakes! Sam was his usual 22 month old self but he really enjoyed the pool insisting that I take him down the water slide numerous times even though my arms were not long enough to keep him from going under at the bottom. The pool was a little over 5 feet deep at that point so Vicki had to stand by to take Sam from me as the water was over my head and I didn't want to try to swim with a wiggling, crying baby. Yes, he cried each time he went under but immediately wanted to go back down again. Go figure! I think the experience was good for him. He now puts his face in the water when he takes a bath. I think I have a world class swimmer in the makings. If so Sam will have his Vick,Vick to thank. In fact we all have Vicki to thank for a wonderful time.

Father' Day

I wanted Steve to have a really nice Father's Day weekend so Saturday I sent him off to play golf with Patrick. Entertainment of any kind is a treat to our family because those activities aren't in our budget. I knew that would make it even more fun for them. Plus, I was glad they got to spend time together. Steve has so much fun when he gets to just hang out with Patrick. They have always been close and enjoyed each others company! On Sunday we continued our celebration with a special breakfast casserole that is usually reserved for Christmas. Afterwards, Steve opened the presents that we got him. I think he liked the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey puck the best. It was a special Father's day edition puck and he put it in his office along with the frame we gave him. We didn't bother to put pictures in the three openings. He took care of that himself! Sara made a very special card for Steve to show him how much she loves him. Steve is very close to Sara too. He adores her and it makes me so happy to see them together. Steve has always been close to our children. Some dad's are "hands off" when their children are very small but Steve has shared the responsibilities of parenting from the beginning. He is reaping the benefits in the relationships that he has with Patrick and Sara today. He is always there when they need him. He takes all the responsibility for Patrick's day to day pump care. Sam was an infant when Patrick got the insulin pump. Knowing that I wasn't able to handle another big change, Steve stepped up and learned what we needed to know. He still knows so much more about it than I do. This is just one example of his dedication to our children. Of course when Sam came along he opened his heart once again and was active in his care from the beginning. After Sam was born, the first thing he said to me was, "We have three children now." I think he realized even before I did the implications of that simple statement. We could never have known what a joy Sam would come to be. He truly is a blessing. Being new parents again, after eight and a half years, has been more wonderful and more difficult than we expected. However, Steve never missed a beat. He shared the nightly feedings with me and even gave Sam his very first bath. Steve enjoyed bathing Sam and did it nightly in those early days of Sam's life. Sam loves playing with Steve and has for as long as I can remember. Steve was the recipient of Sam's first smile and first laugh. To this day, I can't get Sam to laugh like Steve can. Sam also wants his Daddy when it is time to go to sleep. Steve holds and cuddles him until he is asleep. Sometimes, I am jealous of all that sweet cuddle time but mostly I think how much he deserves the sweet rewards of his dedication to our children. He loves them so much and it shows! The love of a Father helps us to understand our relationship with our Heavenly Father. We tend to view God in the same way we view our earthly fathers. Grandfathers can also play an important role in that respect. My grandfather was a very special person. He gave me unconditional love and taught me so many life lessons. He was kind to everyone he met. He loved God and God loved other people through him. When I am struggling, I think of my grandfather and the way he lived his life. After losing my Grandmother, he could have given up. They were so close. I'll never forget the way he held and kissed her with tears streaming down his face the night she died. He loved her so much. The loss had to be devastating. However, he went on living his life and being a blessing to his family. He lived his life with strength and determination epitomizing the verse, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." His memory strengthens me daily. Pop-Pop is continuing the traditional of truly "grand" grandfathers. He decided when Sam was only 6 months old that he wanted to keep him on Thursdays and Fridays while I work. He and Maw-Maw do this every week. Sam has been a different baby since then. He is so happy and loving and I will forever be in debt to Pop-Pop for coming to his rescue. It's as if Sam knows that Pop-Pop "rescued" him. He loves his Pop-Pop so much. Recently, when he was sick, Pop-Pop was the only one who could console him. They have a very special bond and I am so happy that my children also have such a special grandfather. Patrick and Sara love their Pop-Pop too. They both know how much he cares for them. Sara summed it up when she recently reflected on her relationship with him. She said, "Pop-Pop always thinks of others before himself.'' I think that is very high praise indeed. We should all try to live our lives so that the children that have been entrusted to our care can say the same about us. I am thankful for the examples of the fathers and grandfathers that I have been blessed to knowl

Summer Fun!

Today, armed only with a bathing suit and a swim diaper, Sam braved the wilds of the front yard and went swimming in the mouth of a gigantic frog. At first he wasn't too sure about the wisdom of actually climbing into a frog's open mouth. He certainly didn't want to become Mr. Frog's lunch. But his big sister and protector, Sara, demonstrated that it was perfectly safe. After all this frog didn't even have a long sticky tongue! However he does have a spout in the front that sprays water into the air. FYI to big sister, don't turn on the water feature just as skittish little brother stands above it and looks down. The result was Sam got an eyeful and mouthful of water. But it all worked out in the end. After a few minutes of terrified crying we were able to convince Sam that the frog was not evil and did not intentionally spit in his eyes and mouth. After that it was smooth sailing, just check out the pictures! Even though Sam made freinds with Mr. Frog, we were not able to convince him to come anywhere near Tiki Tiki Tembo who spouts water like a geyser every few seconds. I got soaking wet and ended up being the only contestant in a one woman wet t-shirt contest but Sam never even felt a drop of the falling water. I've included a picture of Tiki named after one of my favorite children's book characters( Tiki Tiki Tembo No Sa Rembo Chari Bari Ruchi Pip Peri Pembo) I really like him but he does look a little crazy in the photo. We also played with bubbles today. I have appointed myself queen of the bubbles because I have never made such huge bubbles before. Of course I was so pleased with myself that I made bubbles long after Sam had lost interest in them. I bragged about how big they were to my friend Bethany. So, I am putting up a picture for her, to prove that I am indeed queen of the bubbles. There's just no arguing that sometimes size does mattter! Until next time, Traci

School's Out

School is out for the summer.  Patrick and Sara both had all A's and B's this year.  We are very proud of them both.  I think Steve and I are just as happy as Sara and Patrick about the break. It has been nice not having to get everyone out the door by 7:30.  The kids have been going to the pool and visiting with my cousin Jeff's children who are here for the week. Seeing Elizabeth and Michael is one of the highlights of our summer each year.  Next week Patrick will be at Camp Seale Harris.  It is such a wonderful place.  Patrick gets to hang out with other kids who have diabetes.  They do traditional camp activities but also have diabetes education sessions.  Patrick loved it last year and can't wait to go this year.  They have doctors and nurses on staff as well as counselors who have diabetes too.  The cost is $600.  Without donations from very generous relatives, friends, and my Mom's sorority, we would not have been able to send Patrick to camp.  Thanks to Jane and Lee Maddox, Ruth and Clyce Hurst, Linda Burns, Nancy Glover and members of Xi Beta Xi of McCalla.  We are so thankful to you all.  Sara will go to camp in two weeks.  It is a softball camp at UAB.  She had fun playing this spring and wants to improve her skills before Fall Ball starts.  We are going to Dothan this weekend to see my cousin Keith's new twin babies.  He and Annie are the proud parents of Laiken and Emily Maddox.  Chase is a very excited big brother!   We don't have any big plans for the rest of the summer but hope to spend more time together as a family.   Until next time, Happy Summer!

Mother's Day 2008

I hope that everyone had a nice Mother's Day.  Mine started with a breakfast of my choice and presents!  One of the presents that I received was a storyboard with images of all three of my children on it.  Steve did a wonderful job and I was proud to be able to give one to my mother too.  Of course she loved it.  Mother's Day has become a time for me to reflect on how fortunate I am to have such a wonderful Mother.  It is also a time to remember other women who are special to me and who have or still do make a difference in my life.  I just want to thank my own mother first for being an example of love, generosity, and wisdom.  I truly don't think I could make it without her! I also want to thank my Aunt Jane for always making me feel special and loved.  She continues to love and support me and I know that she will always be there for me.  Other women who continue to make a difference in my life are my Aunt Ruth and Mary Lou Glover(my second mom growing up!)  My list wouldn't be complete without two life long friends, Vicki Glover Kee and Cathy Bell Tricquet.  Ladies you rock!  I also remember those women who helped to shape my life but who are no longer with us.  My mother-in-law Sara Wood was a wonderful example of a devoted mother and selfless woman.  She also had an awesome sense of humor and I will never forget the many hours that we shared talking and laughing.  She is gone but not forgotten.  My grandmother is also gone but will never be forgotten.  She loved me unconditionally.  She encouraged me and nurtured me. She is the person that I most wanted to be like.  When I began my teaching career, I used her examples of love, kindness, and forgiveness to help guide me in my classroom.  I wish that I could say that I am like her today.  I really can't.  However, as long as her memory lives on, I will always have something to strive for.  I am blessed.