Take Me Out To The Ball Game

     

                               

What a fun night!  We just got back to our room here in Atlanta.  We meet Gary's mom and dad and went to see the Braves play.  The game was great.  The Braves won 9 to 4 against the Cardinals.  It rained a little bit, but that was OK.  We had a blast!

    

                             

Out of the Mouths of Babes

As a kindergarten teacher, I hear many amazing stories.  You never know what will come out of their mouths.  Tonight I was reminiscing with some friends about when my children were smaller and thought I would share a few funny stories.  

When Judah was about 6 years old, he loved to help at the church.  This particular Sunday it was raining and he had his umbrella, waiting to help people keep dry going to their cars.  He was walking one of his favorite ladies to her car and asked her if she had some chewing gum.  She would always try to keep gum around to share with him.  They were quite fond of each other.  But this particular Sunday she had changed purses and did not have any gum.  She said, "No darling, I don't have any.  I forgot it."  Without skipping a beat he replied, "I might just forget my umbrella next time."  

One hot summer day, our family was visiting some friends.  Tyler was 4 years old.  We stood at the edge of a stocked pond, where the children swam.  On this particular day they had their daughter and son-in-law (an engineer) visiting from Turkey.  This was one of those times when you are really trying to make a good impression.  We were doing a great job too.  Until Tyler, who was standing next to his dad, made an undesirable noise.   Yes, the one you hope never to hear in public.  He passed gas and it was loud.  Without hesitation Tyler threw his dad under the bus.  With a look of shock, this sweet little boy turned to his dad and with a gasp  said, "Daddy?!"  Gary was mortified.  What do you do at that point?  Tyler looked so innocent.  

When children are young they take everything you say literally.  I didn't realize how literally.  When one of our kids would ask to do something and it was not a good time I used the blanket answer, "One day."  So it went something like this...

"Mom, when can we go to Disney?"  "One day."  "Mom, when can we go to Chucky Cheese?"  "One day."   And then the question came... "Mom, when will I die?"  And I answered "Well, one day you will."  This answer upset Judah greatly.  He said, "I can't believe that the day I get to do all of those fun things, I'm going to die."   That would have been one busy day.

 

My Today,

Christy

Fun, Fun, Fun

I am back from the "tour" - all in one piece.  We had so much fun.  

I have to admit - I am getting the school teacher itch.  I have not done school work all summer, but I find myself looking at school supplies, surfing the net to my favorite teacher sites, opening old files, and wanting to go up to school and work in my room.  This is a good thing since I go back to work in two weeks.  The summer has gone by so fast.  I have had so much fun with my family.  

I still have two weeks to squeeze in some more fun.  

My today,

Christy

Memories ... They Can Be Loud

I am on the road making memories with my son.  I am making loud memories with my son. Wednesday night the guys played praise and worship at Sneads Assembly of God.  It was an amazing service.   I was so proud of the band. 

Thursday was spent in the "bus".  We stopped at a music store and that was like taking kids to a candy store.  But they have been so much fun.  One of them bought a harmonica and learned how to play it on the way to Mississippi.  We have laughed the whole way.  

Tonight they play at Pastor Eddie's church.  And tomorrow we head home.

I am ready to get back to Gary - I am homesick.

My today,

Christy

I'm Tired

I finally finished my day.  I actually started yesterday - I painted the bathroom.  It turned out so well that I decided to paint the kitchen too.   I like how they turned out!

Tomorrow morning the "tour bus" pulls out.  Embark on the Day is leading praise and worship at Sneads Assembly in Northwest Florida.  They are very excited.  The next morning we head off to Mississippi.  We are all going to have a great time.

We are building memories.   

My today,

Christy

Life Is But A Vapor

Tonight I went to a viewing.   It is times like these that remind you of how short life is.   January 6th was a terrifying day for my family.  My middle son, Judah, almost died.  He was out riding his bicycle when he crashed.  Three houses away, the brake handle had thrust itself through his groin, piercing through his right femoral vein.  In shock he stood and walked home.  Blood running down the front of his pants, he began to get light headed but made it all the way home.  Walking through the garage leaving a trail of blood behind him.  His face was gray.  He didn't yell.  He didn't cry.  He simply said "Mom, I don't feel too good."  I screamed for my husband.  It was so unreal.  I prayed.  We all prayed.  He lost so much blood.  I knew it was bad when the paramedics began talking about life-flighting him.  I had never seen so much blood in my life.  It was all over the floor, it was even on the ceiling.  

I can never express enough gratitude to the people who helped me that day.  Who helped my son.   Eugene, my neighbor, helped my husband stop the bleeding as best as they could until the fire department arrived.  After we left for the hospital, he stayed and cleaned up the blood.  Sandy and Susan cleaned up too.   When I walked out of my house it looked like a murder scene.  You would have thought there was no way someone survived.  Deanne drove me to the hospital - I was in no condition to drive.  Engine 25 from the Ocoee Fire Department arrived first.  We have been back to the firehouse to thank them.  It was a great experience.  The hospital, Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital, was the best!  I can never say enough good about the staff there.  His vascular surgeon, Dr. Charles Thompson, was amazing.  He repaired his vein by taking part of one of his other veins and patching the femoral vein.  

Judah spent a week in Arnold Palmer.  There are so many other people who touched our lives during that time.  I appreciate all of them.

It made me realize that life is but a vapor.  It can be 

gone in a moment.  I am glad our lives are in the hands of God.  He has a purpose for Judah.  It was not his time to go.  I am so thankful.  

It has been 6 months and he is doing great.  He will always have issues to deal with because of the accident, but over all they are minor aches and pains.  This picture is of Judah and his ICU Nurse.  She was great!

Make sure you hug the ones you love.  Cherish your time.

My today,

Christy

 

Enjoying My Summer

I love summer.  I like the hot weather that Florida has to offer.  I love the beach.  I love my pool.  I love to be warm.  

I love my job because I get the summer off.  I am a kindergarten teacher.  Teaching is a great job for me.  I work 10 months take 2 months off and then I am ready to go back to work.  The summer breathes new life into me - it refreshes me.  

So what am I doing to get rejuvenated?  This summer I am spending more time with my family.  We are taking trips and playing board games.  This is the first summer I have made the decision not to work (teachers have a habit of working when they don't get paid).  I don't have any continuing education classes or workshops and I am not going to school to work in my room.  Instead I am reading books - novels - not Dr. Suess, Fluffy, If You Give A Mouse A Cookie, not even Junie B.  can you imagine?  I have finished House, Thr3e, and about to finish Obsessed by Ted Dekker.  

I have some projects around the house.  This week I plan to paint the bathroom.  Then I am taking my oldest son on a road trip with his band.  They play in Northwest Florida and then in Mississippi.  I guess I will "drive the bus" and keep the groupies away.  We are making memories.  He is 17 and will be out of the house and off to college before I know it.  

By the time this summer is over I will be so ready to go back to work.

My today,

Christy Howell