Zoo Phonics

Zoo Phonics is a system that many schools use in order to help children learn their letters and sounds.  Maddie has been learning an animal each day along with the corresponding sound.  When they finished all the letters last week they spent the day at the zoo.  The day didn't start out very well because Maddie had it in her mind that I was going to ride on the bus with her which wasn't possible because another parent had already asked.  She then decided that she was going to ride with me which also wasn't possible because the school wouldn't allow it.  So, I had to encourage her to get on the bus and it eventually took two volunteers to remove her very strong little hands from around my neck.  Somehow she managed to make it to the zoo on the bus while I followed in a parent carpool.  We had a lovely time dashing through the zoo looking for all of the animals that she studied about. 

Maddie and her friend Makai (they have been in class together since they were 2 years old)

Gordo Gorilla (Okay, it is really a mama and baby but the Zoo Phonics song says Gordo!!)

Panda eating (no name for him)

Kangaroo Kate

Timothy Tiger

Maddie tired, hungry, hot and C-R-A-B-B-Y!!!!!!

Maddie and friend, Meena

Maddie's Kindergarten Class

Today was the Zoo Phonics parade at her school.  Each Kindergartener got to select their favorite animal and decide on a costume.  What really happened is that each child got to select an animal and then mom and dad had to scramble to put together a costume.  Maddie chose Zeke the Zebra and so I got up at 6:00 this morning to prepare my zebra for the parade.  I think I did a pretty good job but I was put to shame by some of the costumes.  Maddie actually sang the little song along with her class which was a relief because she wouldn't participate when she first started school.  All was well until it was time for mama to leave and then once again it took two people to pry those little hands off of my waist.  I hope that when she is 16 she will remember how she never wanted to be away from my side.

My "Zeke the Zebra"

"Allie, Bubba, Catina Cat"

"Francie Fish"

"Timmy Tiger"

Maddie and her favorite teacher, Mrs. Fuchs

Homecoming

Saturday was homecoming for the Due West Hoyas where Abby cheers.  She had a great time cheering on the Division 2 100 lbs. and under team.  They won which made the day even sweeter. I think she was more excited about her goodie bag though and the bounce house that she got to do after the game was over.  

Happy Birthday Dad!!

Today is my dad's birthday. He would have been 71 years old today. It is hard sometimes for me to comprehend that I can't pick up the phone and just call him and say hi or that I will never hear him say again, "I love you, tell Abby, Maddie and Destiny that I love them and tell Bud hi," his standard end to every phone call.

I know though that he wouldn't want me to be sad. He always lived in the day and in the moment- content right where he was. So, today I won't be sad. I am going on his youngest granddaughter's Kindergarten field trip to the zoo which he would have enjoyed immensely. I will spend the afternoon with the girls and go get ice cream (which he loved!) and I will remember him and smile.

Beloved Mums and Gen-Gen

Saturday we went back to my mother-in-law's grave for the first time since we buried her two years ago.  It sounds bad to admit that but going there I knew would bring nothing but great pain for my husband who still struggles with her death two years later.  For me, there is nothing there. Her quick wit, infectious laugh, love of the South, propensity for peanut butter crackers and Coke for breakfast, and her ability to immediately tell you who any ancestor of the family was and where they came from doesn't reside at the Oakland cemetery.  As I told the girls, everything we love is with God and the rest is just a shell.  I carry her in my heart always.  She drove me to absolute distraction sometimes but I loved her and she loved us.  Some of us more than others, her sons became less important than her daughter-in-laws and her grandchildren took precedence over all of us.  

But I digress.  Saturday her many historical societies took time to honor her.  They told stories about her and they laughed when they spoke of her love for the rules and always following them and how much fun she was on their trips to the archives and to Washington D.C.  The boys spoke of the mom who cheered them on at soccer games, reroofed a house and fixed plumbing, who helped turn them into the men that they are today.  I know that she would have enjoyed Saturday in the brisk sunshine watching her grandchildren run pell mell across the cemetery despite our best efforts to keep them quiet and still, laugh as they tried on hats and posed at the teahouse where we had lunch.  I actually know that she did enjoy it because I am sure she had a front row seat.  We miss you and love you Gen-Gen.

Truth Ashby Gamblin 

January 10, 1944-June 1, 2006

Maddie, Abby and Gen-Gen Easter 2004

Abby, Kate, Ben, Maddie and Destiny September 20, 2008

Matt and Bud, September 20, 2008

Truth's Footstone placed by her beloved historical societies

Kate (a woman commented on her smile being her Gen-Gen's)

Maddie Grace

Abby 

Destiny, Abby and Maddie

The whole crew together

The Green Room

Maddie enjoying her big sister's room

Abby in her new reading corner

Several months ago while Bud was gone with the military Abby asked to have her room painted her new favorite color, lime green. I agreed and bought the paint (albeit in a lighter shade of lime green)and that was the extent of my efforts. Enter the world's best babysitter, Kirsten who not only watches the girls but also offered to paint the bathroom and bedroom for me. Voila! Brand new bathroom and brand new bedroom. Here are pics of the girls enjoying the new bedroom. It still needs pictures and some minor furniture adjustments but had it been up to me or Bud to paint it would have been next year until we got to it.

Sisters

Today at the football game Abby was given a goodie bag from the opposing team's cheerleader's. It contained a melted Reece's, a grape Charm pop and a small box of Nerds. She pulled the goodies out of the bag and after perusing them she handed her little sister the grape Charm pop to eat.

Yesterday afternoon while Abby was crying about not making Student Council, Destiny quietly slipped into the room and wrapped her arms around Abby and said, "I'm sorry, I know how you feel," and indeed she did, because two weeks earlier she wasn't selected for the chorus at her school even though she was trying out for the second time.

Maddie, our resident crabby kid, graciously allowed her sister to share the top bunk last night since Abby's room smells of paint. She scooted over and made room for her sister and even let her share the fan.

Many days I have doubts that they will make it to adulthood without one of them killing the other but this week has shown me that maybe Bud and I are doing something right. I hope that if I instill anything in them it will be, first and foremost, the love and grace of God, and second that sisters are forever and they will always be your best friend.

Disappointment

I have had disappointment in my life. Times when I thought I deserved something and I didn't get it, times when I worked hard for something and it didn't happen. Why is disappointment so much harder to take when it happens to your children?

Abby ran for School Council this week. She worked so hard on her poster and her speech and in the end another boy and girl were chosen from her class instead of her. Only the three of them ran for office and she was left feeling that no one liked her. She said through her tears that even her best friend in her class voted for another girl and she didn't understand why they didn't like her. She said, "Momma, my speech was so good, it was better than anyone else's because you helped me work on it." I couldn't make it better and I couldn't fix it. I could only hold her while she cried and reassure her of my love.

Several hours later she has seemed to recover from her disappointment. Youth is resilient. And yet my heart still aches over this, her first major disappointment that I couldn't do anything about.



Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body. –Elizabeth Stone

Patriot Day

Patriot Day, 2008
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

White House News

September 11, 2001, was etched into America's memory when 19 terrorists attacked us with barbarity unequaled in our history. On Patriot Day, we cherish the memory of the thousands of innocent victims lost, extend our thoughts and prayers to their families, and honor the heroic men and women who risked and sacrificed their lives so others might survive.

Since 9/11, we have recognized the threat posed by terrorists to the safety of the American people and worked to protect our homeland by fighting terrorists abroad. We are confronting terrorism by advancing freedom, liberty, and prosperity as an alternative to the ideologies of hatred and repression. Our Nation pays tribute to our courageous men and women in uniform serving around the world and the devoted members of our law enforcement, public safety, and intelligence communities at home who work night and day to protect us from harm and preserve the freedom of this great Nation.

Seven years ago, ordinary citizens rose to the challenge, united in prayer, and responded with extraordinary acts of courage, with some giving their lives for the country they loved. On Patriot Day, we remember all those who were taken from us in an instant and seek their lasting memorial in a safer and more hopeful world. We must not allow our resolve to be weakened by the passage of time. We will meet the test that history has given us and continue to fight to rid the world of terrorism and promote liberty around the globe.

By a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001 (Public Law 107-89), the Congress has designated September 11 of each year as "Patriot Day."

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim September 11, 2008, as Patriot Day. I call upon the Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct that the flag be flown at half-staff on Patriot Day. I also call upon the people of the United States to observe Patriot Day with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and remembrance services, to display the flag at half-staff from their homes on that day, and to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. eastern daylight time to honor the innocent Americans and people from around the world who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

GEORGE W. BUSH

The difference of a few weeks

One more day

Tonight is rough.  The house is quiet.  Bud and the girls are all in bed and I am up finishing some last minute work before tomorrow and the song "One More Day" by Lonestar came on.  And the wave of sadness hit me all over again.

Last night I had a crazy dream

Wish was granted just for me,

It could be for anything

I didn't ask for money, or a mansion in Malibu

I simply wished for one more day with you

One more day, One more time

One more sunset maybe I'd be satisfied 

But then again; I know what I would do

Leave me wishing still, for one more day with you

I think about the moment that I kissed him goodbye fully expecting to see him in less than a week after I brought the girls back home to Atlanta.  I didn't stay long.  His room was full of visitors but I kissed him and I hugged him and at the last moment I leaned back in and whispered "You are the best dad ever".  I miss him so much and I would give anything for one more day.  

I love you Dad!

Game Day

This fall we became one of those families who run from sporting practice to sporting practice, game to game. I swore we would never be those people which was very easy when the girls were not old enough to be involved in organized activities. I should have know that I would eat my words eventually and for the past few weeks I have. Abby is cheering once again but this year for the Due West Hoya's, an awesome organization compared to our experience last year. Maddie is playing soccer for the YMCA and Destiny is getting ready to begin Tae Kwon Do twice weekly. Add Bud's new softball team and my nursing organizations and I am sure that someone (me) will be crazy by November.

Yesterday was the first game day for both girls. We left the house at 9:15 a.m., returned at 1:00 p.m., left at 2:00 p.m. and got home at 6:00 p.m. Maddie's team won a game and lost a game. She scored her first goal of the season and loved the snack that the team mom handed out. Abby cheered hard , loved the snack and goodie bag she got from the opposing team's cheerleaders and then had a massive nosebleed that scared every parent within 50 feet. (I think it was from being hot and overheated so Daddy carried her to the car and turned the A.C. on quick).

I wish to point out that if you visit the Gamblin's at any point between now and then end of November, our house will not be clean and the laundry will not be done but our daughter's will be well-rounded athletes. At least that is the goal.




• 

My smiley girl at the beginning of the game

In action, she is number 10 and she scored a goal her first game!!

"Mom, it's hot out here"

Maddie and her good friend, Emma

"That's it, I am out of here. Where is my snack?"

"Mom, it's hot out here"

"One, we are the Hoya's, Two a little bit louder...."

Halftime Show (Our girl is the flyer on the right)

Our Cheerleader

Moments before the massive nosebleed that caused quite the commotion

Mmmmm

My Grandma and Grandpa in 1983

Mmmm...Funnel Cake

Abby enjoying a special treat

My Grandma handed a recipe book down to me shortly before she passed away in 1997. I love to look at the cookbook and all of the handwritten notes that my Grandma made about the recipes. "Great Recipe!!" or "Didn't like this one." In my earlier post I referred to something special that we did while Grammy was here. We used a recipe that we found in the cookbook and made funnel cake. It turned out very well despite the fact that I didn't have much oil (a kind neighbor provided some) and I didn't have any powdered sugar- a must for funnel cakes (we used regular sugar and cinnamon). The girls loved them. If you come and visit, we just might make you some.

Pictures of Grammy's Weekend Trip