Little Arthur & The Gang

On November 18, 2011 By AngeliaIn FAMILY5 Comments

As the youngest of four, I was the baby of the family. I had to move fast to keep up with my brothers and sister, if I didn’t, I might get left behind (actually that happened at a grocery store).

We were country kids that played in the fields, and walked a mile to the quickie mart. Mom demanded respect, manners, and kindness to animals, but most of all – don’t ever embarrass her.

I had to endure nicknames as a child. I think Brat was my first one, but my second, Little Arthur. It kinda stuck. Don’t ask, I have no idea.

My brothers christened me with that name when we were out in the yard playing fumble football. You know….the game where whoever grabs the ball gets tackled? Yeah, I never had the ball. If I did……I fumbled. Heh.

My sister is the oldest- back row. My oldest brother is on the left, and then my other brother on the other end. His daughter stands next to him. And Mom in the middle.

Mom – mother of four kids about 9 years apart. She had us all in her twenties. Phew! I get tired just thinking about that.

This picture was taken last month during a visit to Oklahoma. It was the first time we have all been together in a year (and last year was only because of my wedding).

It’s really hard to get everyone in the same town, which is why we don’t have many pictures as adults.

My sister lives in Houston. I’m in Dallas. One brother is in Tulsa, and the other is the only sibling that stayed in our hometown. We all work full-time and have kids to keep up with.

I had to capture this rare gathering for my mom. Unfortunately, I forgot my tripod. The camera was a little helter skelter on the picnic table – just barely hanging on.

But we got it.

From left to right – Jay, Little Arthur, Mom, Deedy, Laney, and Lonnie.

I see this picture and I wonder how long before we are all together again……

I see my brother’s gray hairs and wonder when that happened…..

The years pile on………….

And I think…………….how does times go by so fast?

I am heading to Oklahoma on Sunday for quick day visit with my mom. It always make me a little nostalgic.

Do you see your siblings very often?

A Taste of Spring in the Heat of Summer

On August 16, 2011August 16, 2011 By AngeliaIn Beautiful Life16 Comments

My Mother’s garden.

In the Spring, the hands of my mother turn the soil. She picks each plant lovingly and places it in the dirt. She pats the ground around it and wills it to grow beautiful.

She works her garden all the year, but most especially, spring and summer. Sweating, watering, and arranging until she gets it just about right (but it’s never done).

We look upon her gallery of color and placement as if in the finest of museums. From one garden bed to the next, there is more to gaze upon and revel in. Hidden delights find your eye in wonder. Magic sparkles and weaves throughout the yard, delighting in fairy tales come true.

I don’t know if I every thanked my mother for her work, or for the love of gardening, she has instilled in me. I don’t know if she knows how much I appreciate the beauty she brings to life.

I took my camera to Oklahoma, in hopes, I could capture her joy and return it to her.

Mom, you make life more beautiful by just being in it. Thank-you for what you share with us, and for what I can share with all of you.

Gardening is a very special gift. It’s a mix of nurture, artistry, and love. There are many lessons taught in the garden of life. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

“There is always music amongst the trees in the garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it.”

When the world wearies and society ceases to satisfy, there is always the garden.”

“A little garden in which to walk, and immensity in which to dream.”

“All the flowers of tomorrow are in the seeds of yesterday.”

“As you walk down the fairway of life you must smell the roses, for you only get to play one round.”-Ben Hogan

“”True progress quietly and persistently moves along without notice.”
— St. Francis of Assisi

“To plant a garden is to believe in the future.”

“Flowers… are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty outvalues all the utilities of the world.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1844

“Flowers whisper “Beauty!” to the world, even as they fade, wilt, fall.” ~Dr. SunWolf

“Count the garden by the flowers, never by the leaves that fall. Count your life with smiles and not the tears that roll.”

Ohhh, You Make me Smile

On October 26, 2010October 26, 2010 By AngeliaIn Beautiful Life, In my heart forever & ever19 Comments

I heard this song on a blog one day. I wish I could link back to it, but I don’t remember whose or when, but I humbly thank you. It was the song’s video by Uncle Kracker. As soon as I heard it, I knew two things.

Without a doubt, this song was the one I wanted to play for my first dance at the wedding. For two, it was so perfect, it brought tears to my eyes.

What I didn’t know is the two weeks leading up to the wedding…with my friend, my wedding planner, and my new future mom….getting terribly ill; unable to breathe or eat on her own. Recovering from not just a brain aneurysm, but a stroke, pneumonia, and surgery.

I didn’t know that love fights, love stands up, and it rallies side-by-side in this family. It does not abandon that loved one, until they go home. Pride, honor, loyalty – fierce and strong. She is the mom (and dad most of their lives) of three sons. She is the wife and step-mom to her husband, step-son, and step-daughter. She loves, and gives to everyone, and in turn everyone loves and gives back to her.

She made a request to her step-son before her aneurysm to take photographs at the wedding. She especially wanted all her grandchildren in a photo. She is so proud of her family and she has every right to be. I always tell her, I am so lucky to be part of this family, and even from her hospital bed, she answered the same, “We are lucky to have you”.

That is the kind of person she is. Full of heart and pride, it overflows.

So, for one day, we gathered in her support. To don our wedding clothes and shine our love for family, as we grew larger joining two-together in joy, love, and laughter. Although she wasn’t there, it wouldn’t have been possible without her. I think her step-son did a great job with her request. I think when she sees this, she will smile.

I hope you smile with us too, as you view our special 10-10-10 day.

Don’t Give Up

On October 4, 2010October 4, 2010 By AngeliaIn Beautiful Life, FAITH, FAMILY, Life is what you make it.23 Comments

And she is not. Sue is doing as well as can be expected. A few days after surgery, she got the breathing tube out and passed several neuro tests. She moved BOTH hands and legs, opened her eyes, and we were all very encouraged. She could answer in uh-huh, and nuh-huh. Although it wasn’t clear words, she did respond to I love you with the tone. They did warn she could get worse before better, and she did lessen her talking and moving the next day. We were prepared for that. At time of post they had put the breathing tube back in due to fluid build-up on her lungs. Again, this is normal in her type of recovery. If she can’t get deep enough breaths fluid could build up. The good thing is, she has top-notch care with the nurses micro-managing her. They have her comfortable and sedated so she is not in any pain. It is a long recovery road, but time is what she needs. The main thing is to NOT get pneumonia, so pray specifically for that.

Don’t give up was also the message at Jason’s brother’s Church this Sunday. We attended the service to watch the baptism of his youngest daughter. It is a theme I have stated quite often in the last few days and not always accomplished.

It started out as, “I can’t do this.” Do – being plan a wedding without Sue’s help. She had EVERYTHING and I do mean everything handled or planned. Locating that information is not possible since she can not communicate. Starting over? A very daunting task one week prior to the wedding and I do mean START ALL OVER. Food, cake, punch, and table linens. Did I mention we have 100 people coming?

As I dived deeper into it, I figured out even faster – I couldn’t do it. I wanted to cancel the wedding and say, “I give up.” I said this too many times to count and almost actualized it more times than I said it. There were LOTS of frustrated tears. On top of that, work is off the charts busy. I was there until 8pm on Friday night. When I finally get to Jason, he is laid up on the couch with a fever, chills, severe headache, and hard time breathing. It was awful.

He went to the doctor on Saturday and they gave him an antibiotics shot. I got a taste of being a real step-mom as I took the two little girls and Sydney with me everywhere. The bakery, the flower shop, and Hobby Lobby. They were such troopers and very, very good. Then we had to beat it over to the skating ring for one of Molly’s parties. Jason met us there and I dropped them off to do MORE shopping. Thank-you Hobby Lobby for the 50% bridal event sale. I think you saved me – literally.

I’d also like to mention Cooper St Bakery with a BIG thank-you. They took my order ONE WEEK prior to the wedding for both the Bride and Groom’s cake. I am amazed and thankful. The owner made sure we were taken care of. Tammy, I will highly recommend you guys for your efficiency and servitude.

And to my friend Karen, who loves cooking and planning, and eagerly agreed to do the food for the reception. Not only do it, but do an outstanding job, and happily. Thank-you Karen soooo much. You have been such a blessing to my life.

When I finally sat down this weekend, I made my fingers make 52 bows, 26 tulle, and 26 ribbon for pew markers. Now just to glue a pretty a flower and attach to pew holder – voila. And I just thought I wasn’t crafty.

My future step-brother is sewing hems on fabric for tablecloths. God love em’. He is sewing.

I got a speeding ticket this morning – oh, the irony.

Have I mentioned we still need our marriage license?

So glad, I have SIX MORE DAYS, because I really can’t take much more, but I’m NOT giving up.

The pastor ready to baptize my almost niece.

Molly and her cousin at the Church.

I love how children celebrate EVERY moment. They don’t worry. They don’t fret. They are not thinking of a hundred different things to get done, to do, or to not forget. They don’t think about who is sick, and who needs help. They just smile and laugh and play.