Thursday, September 22, 2011

The First Birthday

Well, it happened.  Today, my baby turned ONE.  I’m not quite certain how this happened.  I don’t recall giving her permission to turn one.  But, she’s so darned cute, so I think I’ll let it slide.  As long as she promises not to ever turn sixteen. 
A lot has happened in the last year.  I went from being an elephant to being a normal human being again.  I went from sleeping to not sleeping.  Mostly, I went from a household of just me and my husband to a household of me, husband and baby.  People always tell you that when you have kids your life will be turned upside down.  Our lives are entirely different, and yet, it’s hard to imagine what life was like before. 
It all started like this.  
 One year ago, she entered our lives; our beautiful baby girl. 


She didn’t do much, aside from sleep, eat and poop.  And yet, we were enthralled with her.  We thought she was so much fun. 
But then, she became even more fun. 
And more. 
She’s brought such immense joy to our lives.  A smile from her can brighten my day quicker than anything.  A giggle makes my heart overflow.  The way she points and grins when I walk in the door makes me feel more welcome and appreciated than I’ve ever felt before.  She’s such a friendly, happy girl.  She makes an impression wherever she goes.  We love her more with each passing day. 

Happy Birthday to our precious Dinah!
 

Friday, September 9, 2011

A Fair Weekend

It’s fair time around these parts.  I haven’t been to the fair in a few years, but when I was growing up it was a big deal.  Dean and I will probably take Dinah to the local county fair this weekend.  She loves animals, and she loves being around people so I’m excited to see how she reacts.  My cousins’ kids have projects in the fair, and one has sheep to show in the county fair back home this weekend. (Good luck Samantha, Jessie & Waylon! Love you all!)
Growing up, I was in 4-H so I spent my summers making projects to enter in the fair, and even showed lambs a couple years.  My first lamb was a Southdown named Shari.  I was nine years old, and worked my little tail off taking care of and working that lamb.  A few weeks before the fair, my brother’s dog attacked her and I nursed her back to health, which included doctoring her wounds and giving her shots every day.  Yeah, I’m pretty hardcore like that.  We spent so much time together that summer.  If I had her out of her pen working with her and wanted to go inside for a drink or something, I didn’t even bother putting her up.  And, all the while I was inside; she would stand at the back door and bleat until I came back.  My grandpa thought it was the funniest thing, and came up with a little poem:
Rachel had a little lamb
its fleece as white as cotton
and everywhere that Rachel went
the lamb came a trottin’

Friday, September 2, 2011

This Time of Year

When I was in high school, I couldn’t have cared less about football for the most part.  I went to all the games, simply because I was in the band.  Sure, I cheered my team on (especially if it was a particularly good game), but I still didn’t care that much.  I didn’t really understand it, either.  I never bothered to.  I never felt school spirit.  I didn’t have a bad high school experience, but I never felt many ties there.  Last night was pretty much the biggest game of the year for my high school; the rivalry game.  I still don’t care. 
After high school, I went to a small college close to home for a couple years.  I had a little more school spirit there.  I did to start with anyway.  By the end, I hated that place.  When I left there, I transferred to a bigger, more respected university.    And then, something happened.  The place became dear to my heart.  It was home.  I cared more if we won or lost.  I felt a connection to the players, whether I knew them or not.  And, I began to love football.  I began to understand it better, because I wanted to understand it better.  At first, I only cared about my team, but as the time has passed, I’ve begun to develop opinions and loyalties of other teams as well.  I’m not a huge football fan.  I don’t care much about the NFL, but I love some college football. 
I’m proud of my alma mater.  I know the songs and chants. (I never knew the words to our high school fight song).  When I graduated from there, I felt as though I had accomplished something worthwhile.  I love the campus, and the buildings.  I loved the time I spent there.  Some of the best people I’ve ever known, I met there.  I worked harder there than I had ever worked before.  I learned more than I’d ever learned before, or since.  So now, I get excited when this time of year rolls around, because…
It’s football time in OKLAHOMA!

Thursday, September 1, 2011

The Way I Was Raised: A List

·         Be Honest.  Don’t lie, don’t cheat, and don’t steal. Telling half the truth is not the same as telling the truth. 
·         Don’t start fights, but finish them.
·         Don’t half-way do something.  If you’re going to do it, do it right and do it as best you can.   
·         Two wrongs don’t make a right. 
·         If you’re tired, or don’t feel good, it doesn’t give you the right to treat others poorly. 
·         Family takes care of each other.  Not just when it’s convenient.  Not just when they’re being attacked by an outside source.  Always.  Even if you have to sacrifice something. 
·         The American flag deserves respect.  Always stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem, take the hat off your head, and put your hand over your heart.  It’s a symbol that means something.  People sacrificed everything for that flag. 
·         Help those in need. 
·         Everything looks better with a coat of paint. 
·         Work hard.