We are in sunny Flordia! After getting up at 4:15 this morning and tearing our children from their beds at 4:45, we have arrived. We’ve already been swimming and now the kids are eating and then they’re headed off to bed. In the meantime, please visit the St. Louis Bloggers Guild and read the post I wrote today about Blogging to Preserve History. I’m proud of this post.
Archives for 2009
Bug Off – and Some Other Stuff
July 7, 2009 by
We have bees. Or, a better way to put it…
OMG-OMG-OMG-BEES!WE-HAVE-BEES-BEES-BEES-BEES-BEEEEEEEEES!
That’s kind of how I felt as I tried to water my flowers about 10 minutes ago. I mean, I know I should be grateful for them, what with their penchant for pollination and what have you, but I am, indeed, not grateful but rather terrified and mad.
I’m not talking one or two bees flying about, enjoying the meal I’ve planted for them in my front yard – I’m talking at LEAST 25-30, maybe more.
We have the big, scary, hairy bees like these:
I’ve heard in the past that these bees don’t actually sting – is that true? Of course, why would they need to sting when they know that people like me will just break my neck trying to get away?
We also have plain old boring bees (that I know for a fact sting) like these:
They seem to particularly enjoy the flowers that have bloomed on our Hostas, which I intend to cut off tonight after they’ve all headed off to Beeville for the evening. But they are also all over my Impatiens and I don’t know what to do about that. Is there anything I can do?
In addition to bees, I noticed some little Beetle-like bugs all over my rose bushes and it appears they are eating the roses. This is what they look like:
Do you have any suggestions as to what I should do about these guys? Ugh – I hate bugs…
In other, completely unrelated, news – We had a birthday party for Sloan last night at BounceU. Seriously – that’s the way to go when throwing a birthday party. We actually split the party with some friends whose kids also have July birthdays, which made it even more fun and exciting for everyone.
Remember last year’s birthday party? This was way better – for me anyway. I didn’t have to do anything but show up and take pictures. And pictures I did take…
Sloan and his frined Nick beating the youknowwhat out of each other. They lasted a long time!
My friend Suzanne and I also beating the youknowwhat out of each other. We did not last nearly as long.
The kids bounced, wrestled, slid and climbed for an hour and a half. And they came home tired.
The three in the top middle were the birthday kids - Ian (8) Gini Lu (4) and Sloan (6)
The bouncing was followed by cupcakes and presents. Sloan came home with a large bag filled with new Star Wars toys. In fact, I think he only got Star Wars toys, which thrilled his little galaxy lovin’ heart. The final gift he opened was from Lee and I. We decided to give him his gift early since we’re leaving tomorrow for Florida.
It’s a new light saber. One that lights up and makes noise. He’s been asking for one for a very long time now. His reaction was priceless.
May the force be with you all.
Yankee Doodle Went to Town
July 6, 2009 by
I sang that song to Sloan this morning. His response?
“Why would someone call a feather macaroni? That’s a weird song.”
He then returned to his ever running loop of humming the theme to Star Wars. So much for teaching him a little piece of Americana.
We had a lovely Fourth of July. But it was missing something. Lee had to fly to Arkansas last minute for the funeral of one of his dearest friends growing up. Not having daddy around definately put a damper on our holiday spirits. And knowing that my husband was grieving and hurting and I couldn’t be there with him made it even worse.
I have to say, I love Fourth of the July. I love the way that it brings everyone together. I love the smell of barbeque, the laughter, the music and the fireworks. I love watching kids run around with Sparklers (other people’s kids – not mine because I don’t quite trust my little piro’s just yet) and I love to hear their delighted shreaks as the sky explodes in flashes of color.
This year, I took the kids to a local park where we enjoyed the company of good friends and ooh’d and aah’d at the fireworks. I was a bit of a kill joy for the kids because I didn’t bring any cash, which means they couldn’t get a drink or a snack or a glow stick or anything at all. Mooooooommmm! (as you read that, let your voice go up about three octaves and stamp your foot and you’ll get an idea of just. how. traumitized the kids were at my lack of preparation.)
We didn’t get home until 10:30, at which point I had to throw the kids in the shower because they smelled like gun powder and mosquito spray. This resulted in us oversleeping Sunday morning. I was singing in church and had to be there at 7:45. I woke up to a quiet house at 7:30. I walked into the church building at 8:05, with all three kids dressed.
I deserve a medal. I nice, shiny medal.
Of course, those 35 minutes went something like this (clap your hands together loudly and repeatedly as you read this next paragraph out loud) – C’mon guys, get dressed. Let’s Go, Go, Go. We’ll brush your teeth after church. I know you’re hungry, I’ll get you something to eat later. There’s no time for a drink, we have to go now, now, now! And so on…
But we made it. And at 8:40, Lee came to church after flying in on the 6:30 am flight. And he brought my starving, neglected children some food. As the kids saw their daddy walk in the building, they took off running toward him and nearly knocked him over as they tackled him. I was on stage with a microphone in my hand and a lump in my throat as I watched them all take turns kissing and hugging on their daddy.
It was the perfect end to a good weekend. I’m a blessed woman.
Is It Bad? Part Four
July 3, 2009 by
It’s time for another installment of Is It Bad? The series where I attempt to make myself feel better for the fallicies in my parenting and my life. It doesn’t really work, but it does make me laugh at myself and laughter keeps the world goin’ ’round, right? Or is it love?
Whatever it is – I hope you enjoy.
-Is it bad that I enjoyed every single moment of my trip alone last week? I mean, I missed my kids, but I reeeaaally enjoyed waking up on my own, going to the bathroom alone and eating sitting down for seven whole days. Is that bad?
-Is it bad that I was over the news about Michael Jackson’s death about ten minutes after I heard it? Is it bad that I have no interest in watching one more documentary about his life? In my opinion, Michael Jackson died a long time ago. All that’s been left for many years was the broken shell of a hurting man. But Michael Jackson the brilliant performer? He died sometime in the early ’90’s.
-Is it bad that yesterday, when I took a Core strengthening class at the gym, I contemplated all the ways that I could bring harm to the instructor who I’m sure was trying to kill us all? Is it bad that this morning, when I tried to sit up and realized that my abdomen has gone on strike in protest to the bajillion and one crunches I did yesterday, I revisited those hateful thoughts? I’ve since repented so that makes it better, right?
-Is it bad that by 9:00 am on Wednesday morning, I was already frustrated with my children besides that fact that I came home full of ambition to be more patient with them?
-Is it bad that I always splash a tiny bit of apple juice into Landon’s sippy cup because he refuses to drink water? Is it bad that when I’m out of apple juice, I put a little water into the apple juice container and attempt to trick him into thinking there’s juice in his cup so he’ll drink water? It worked for awhile, but I think he’s on to me.
-Is it bad that I posted a status update on Facebook yesterday that was grammatically incorrect? (I misused the comma, and, you know, I likes me some commas. Yikes, that last sentence was gramatically incorrent – slang, cliche – oh the horror! And now this paranthetical pause is getting way too long, a personal pet peeve (ooh, I do love alliteration though). Someone stop me!) Is it bad that the knowledge of my comma misuse bothered me so much that I actually laid awake in bed last night thinking about it? Say it with me – obsessive.
-Is it bad that my house is in a sad state (we could be pushing health hazard) but instead of cleaning it I’m thinking of taking the kids to the pool today and then taking a nap?
-Is it bad that I refuse to walk out my back door right now because there is a spider hanging in the air about two feet from the door and I don’t want it to swing over and attack me while I attempt to leave? Is it bad that I sent the dog out first in the hopes that she will eat the spider for me? Is it bad that I’m such a pansy?
-Speaking of the dog, is it bad that we are seriously considering getting rid of her? She’s such a good dog and it really does break my heart to think about giving her away, but we travel so much and are so busy that I feel like we don’t give her the love she needs. Is it that so bad?
-Is it bad that I stuck my kids in front of the TV where I can almost see there brains turning to mush and the eyes turning into liquid pools just so I could sit down at the computer and write this post? Is it bad that I used the television as my babysitter? Is it?
-Is it bad that I want to tear down our swingset because my daughter scares the ever lovin’ bejeebus out of me on it. She’s a crazy little monkey and I fear that she will lead me to an early grave as she dangles precariously from the moneky bars. Is it bad that I would rather just remove the death contraption than to teach her safety?
Okay, now it’s your turn. Write your own Is It Bad? post and leave me a comment with the link – or just post your own Is It Bad? statements in the comments.
So is it bad that I just shamelessly begged you all to leave me a comment?
Sloan-isms
July 2, 2009 by
My boy (who’s almost SIX) has had a few great one liners lately. Enjoy the deep thoughts of Sloan Stuart:
Sloan: “Hey mom – you know what I’m the awesomest at?”
Me: “What?”
Sloan: “Oh, just about everything.”
Me: “You’re modest too.”
Sloan: “Yeah…Mom, what’s modest?”
One morning, after he crawled in bed with us at the crack of dawn, he started rubbing my face.
Sloan: “Mom, do you have sunscream on?”
Me: “No.”
Sloan: “Why is your skin so lotiony then?”
Me: “I put lotion on my face before I went to sleep.”
Sloan: “Oh. Is that to help you not look so old.”
I had no comment…
When I called about 5 days into my trip, I spoke with Sloan who is the only child who apparently missed me while I was gone…
Sloan: “Mom, where are you?”
Me: “I’m in South Caicos.”
Sloan: “What are you doing in South Caicos?”
Me: “I’m just looking around.”
Sloan: “Okay, um…this is getting a little weird. When are you coming home?”
After I returned home, I enjoyed some sweet snuggles with my oldest. As we cuddled up he gave me a kiss on the cheek.
Sloan: “Mom, I missed you so much.”
Me: “I missed you too, buddy.”
Sloan: “You know mom – I always loved you. Like, always…”
And finally – A couple of weeks ago as I was folding laundry, Sloan pulled out one of my bras and held it up.
Sloan: “Mom – when I grow up and turn into a girl, will I wear a nest holder like this?” (he still calls the female chest a nest – at what age do you think I should correct him? Never? Oh good, that’s what I was thinking...)
Me: “Honey, you’ll always be a boy – you will never be a girl.
Sloan: dropping my bra and clapping his hands together as though they were dirty – “Oh good, because that does not look comfortable.”
I seriously don’t know where he comes up with some of this stuff…
Island Gallery
July 1, 2009 by
Our plane, which was scheduled to depart from Miami and 8:15 and land in St. Louis at 9:55 last night, did not leave until 11:40 and land until 1:15 am. So I am tired today. Really, really tired. I can barely form a coherent thought, so I leave you with a few photos. My pictures did not turn out quite like I hoped. I am a little disppointed at how fuzzy many of them turned out. I really need to take a photography course…
Here are a few of the images I managed to capture. I took about 150 pictures with my camera and equal that or more with my mom’s, so limiting this gallery to less than 25 shots was tough! Click on the picture to see the enlarged image.
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- I took so many pictures of the water, hoping to capture the beauty of the greens and blues. I don’t think I did it justice.
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- Dragon Cay in Middle Caicos. This was the view from our balcony. It was stunning.
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- Another picture of the amazing water.
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- Trinity Baptist Church in Bottle Creek, North Caicos. My granddad would take a boat from South Caicos to North and Middle Caicos, many times walking several miles across rocky terrain in order to disciple the people. This church began in 1962.
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- Trinity Baptist Church Steeple.
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- Trinity Baptist Church
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- Even the Islands now have a 7/11. But no slurpies, which makes you wonder if it can really be classified as a 7/11…
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- A scuplture on one of the bluffs overlooking Dragon Cay in Conch Bar, Middle Caicos.
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- Lorimers, Middle Caicos where my granddad conducted occasional outdoor Sunday services. They held a 4:00am, 9:00am, 3:00pm and 7:00pm service – outdoors, in the heat, with the mosquitos.
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- Nature’s Fury – the stretch of road that connects Middle and North Caicos was ravaged by hurricane Ivan last year. Many homes were still in desperate need of repair as well.
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- This cave led from the bluffs of Dragon Cay to the beach.
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- South Caicos, where my mom grew up. This is an old, old lighthouse near where we stayed. I have about bazillion pictures of this because I just thought it was so neat.
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- Um, hello awesome. South Caicos.
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- My mom’s childhood home. It was nearly destroyed in last year’s hurricane. It makes me wish I had a money tree so I could purchase and refurbish it because it’s a really neat little house. If any of you grow money trees, let me know…
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- The addition that my granddad built on front so my uncle would have his own room.
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- The old Commissioner’s house where my grandmother and her kids would go for afternoon tea on occasion. It’s also been nearly destroyed and it’s unfortunate because it’s a beautiful home.
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- Calvary Baptist Church, South Caicos. This was my grandfather’s baby. There were many sweet people who spoke of “Brother Jim” (my granddad) with tears in their eyes. “Those were good days,” they all said.
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- The bell – because they were told when they started the church that they could not be a church without a bell.
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- One of my mom’s friends, Lynette Bassett. We had old pictures from the day she and her husband were married and the day they were baptized. She is a sweet lady who fed us well while we were there!
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- This may be my favorite picture of the whole week.
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- Like I said, I took a lot of pictures of the lighthouse.
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- The outdoor open ovens that the islanders used to cook in.
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- Just one of the many spectacular sunsets.
I’m Coming home soon!
June 28, 2009 by
The day before leaving for this trip, I found myself very anxious. It’s funny how before I had kids I was ready and willing to hop on a plane anywhere and try anything. But now that I have three tiny lives who are dependent on me, I find myself much more cautious.
But, I must say, this has been an amazing trip. Yes, it’s been a vacation. I’ve been childless for an entire week for heaven’s sake! But it hasn’t been a lay-on-the-beach-and-drink-mai-tai’s-all-day-long kind of a vacation.
After seeing the work that my grandparents started 48 years ago, I feel a swell of pride bubbling inside me. To have walked the path that the grandfather I never knew walked is so special and eye opening. What they did and how they sacrificed is more than humbling. My grandparents were 33 and 31 years old when they left for the islands. Their children ranged in age from 12 to 2. And they gave themselves wholeheartedly to their mission.
And I find myself wondering – what am I doing to carry on that legacy? It’s sobering.
As we walked the streets of Kew, Bottle Creek, Lorimers, Bambarra, Conch Bar and South Caicos, we stopped and spoke with the people sitting outside (they all sit outside because my Lord it’s hot down here). All my mom had to say was “I’m Jim Cooper’s daughter,” and people would throw their heads back, grin and say “Oooooohhh, I knew your daddy.”
They remember him. After 48 years, they remember him. He died 36 years ago – but they remember him.
More than a few people told us that my granddad worked harder and accomplished more in the 12 years he spent in the islands than most people accomplish in a lifetime. “It’s as if he knew that his time on this earth would be short,” they said.
Perhaps he did – or maybe, he just understood and respected the call on his life and wasn’t afraid to tackle it with fervor.
Tonight we are back in Provo. Tomorrow will be vacation day. I’m going to park my behind on a beach chair and try and process the thoughts and emotions swirling through my overloaded brain.
I’m coming home Tuesday night and I’m so excited to see the sweet faces of my babies and hear their precious laughter. I love my kids and I can’t wait to hug their little necks. Oh, and Lee? Deep breath, babe – I’ll be home soon!
Another Story from the Mission Field
June 26, 2009 by
After the first year of living in South Caicos, my grandmother realized that my mom and her older brother needed a better education than she could provide. So she and my grandfather made the difficult decision to send their kids back to the States for boarding school.
But how to get them home was an issue. In the early ’60’s, Caicos was hardly a booming tourist hot spot. There were no major airports, and even if there had been, they had little money transport the children back and forth.
So my grandparents took a gigantic leap of faith. It’s something that I couldn’t fully appreciate until I became a mother myself.
On occasion, small planes would land on a small, beach landing strip in S. Caicos. When it came time for the kids to head back to school, they had to pack their suitcases and be ready at all times. If a small plane landed on the beach, Poppy Jim would race to meet the pilot and ask him where he was going, and if he had room for two young children. If the pilot said yes, my grandfather would zoom back to the house, blaring his horn, which was his signal for the kids to grab their bags and leave.
Crazy, huh?
One does not do that unless he has full faith in God to keep his children safe. My mom was only 11/12 and her brother is two years older. They were very small.
When the kids arrived in Miami, they would get word to their parents that they made it, then they left to live with grandparents for the school year.
The deal they had with their parents was that they could come home at Christmas and for summer break. But, in 1962, it looked like the funds would not be there to bring the kids home. On December 10, 1962, after realizing that the supply ship with the food was not going to arrive on time once again, my grandmother wrote:
I can see why many missionaries give up and go home. The discouragements and disappointments that come all at one are more sometimes than we can take. I thank the Lord for His sustaining Hand. Hellp me, O Lord, to be more thankful and more patient!
Poppy Jim was in the States at this point, with Mimi under the impression that he was picking up a few supplies and going to see the kids. He was scheduled to return on December 14, but, as was always possible in the Caribbean, there was a possibility that he would miss his flight or his flight would be cancelled. And Mimi feared this disappointment dreadfully. December 14, 1962 she wrote:
Breakfast is over and I’ve washed my hair and I’m trying to dry it so I’ll look nice to meet the plane. I’m almost afriad to get out of the truck for fear he won’t be on the plane. I wouldan’t want the villagers to see how disappointed I’d be!! I may sit in the truck and then I could cry if I like.
What she didn’t know is that Poppy Jim had scraped together enough funds to bring her kids home as a surprise. Here is what she wrote in the next entry:
He brought my kids home! My baby brought my kids home! My Dusty and my own Candy. Thank you, Lord – Thank you for the best Christmas present ever. My kids and food, too! Food for all of us – we’ll have a party!
That last part always makes me cry…
Wordless Wednesday: What We’ve Been Up To
June 24, 2009 by
It’s been a busy summer so far…
Visiting Lone Elk Park and hanging with a herd of Elk
- Walking on the dock at Lone Elk Park to see a turtle. Suddenly, like a bad Hitchcock film, turtles popped up all around us – no less than 20, including a rare and endangered Alligator Snapping turtle!
- We also saw this baby Copperhead, which is one of the most venomous snakes out there. It swam inches from our feet – awesome…
- Sloan and Daddy got to go to Sloan’s first Cardinals game with his baseball teammates. He thought it was the coolest. thing. EVAH!
- Daddy and Landon hung out and watched the Gaithers on the internet. Yes, Lee’s passing on his love for old Southern Gospel music to his offspring!
- Tia’s homedone haircut is finally growing out a bit and is actually looking quite cute.
- And finally, we grilled out for Father’s Day. Nothing says celebration like some juicy red meat, right?
Hope you’re all having a lovely summer!
Why I’m in Turks & Caicos
June 23, 2009 by
A few months ago, my mom asked me if I would like to accompany her on a trip to trace the unique heritage of our family. Her offer was even more enticing when she said that she and dad had enough miles saved up to get our plane tickets for free.
I’m a smart girl – I know a good deal when I see one. And so, with the blessing of my husband, I jumped on the opportunity to go to Turks and Caicos islands in the Carribean where my grandparents were pioneer missionaries in the early 1960’s.
All I can say is thank God they weren’t pioneer missionaries to the Arctic because this trip would be far less appealing…
In October of 1961, my grandparents, Jim and Betty Cooper, packed up their four young children and moved to South Caicos. It is a small, primitive, yet beautiful, island in the Turks and Caicos chain.
Immediately they established their ministry, building a church, conducting backyard Bible clubs and inviting the islanders into their home as a part of their family.
My grandfather also travelled to other islands within the Caribbean, establishing himself as a gifted preacher and teacher. To this day, my grandfather is well known, loved and remembered in the islands.
When in the islands, Poppy Jim realized that his job would be much easier if he had a small airplane so he could get from island to island with a little more ease. So, he prayed for a plane and God provided. Once he owned the plane, he taught himself to fly it. This man was nothing short of extraordinary.
And if he was extraordinary, then my grandmother was the saint by his side. When people hear that they were missionaries in the Caribbean, the first response is often, “Wow – they really suffered for Jesus, huh?” usually said with the utmost sarcasm. But this was no resort life. They had no electricity, no running water and sometimes very little food.
I have my grandmother’s diaries from those years and every other day she writes about someone being sick. The years were not easy – life was difficult. But they loved their work and so they persevered with their calling.
My grandmother found 1,000 different ways to prepare SPAM, she served alongside her husband, a man she calls my darling over and over in her pages. I admire my grandmother, who went to be with Jesus ins 2004, very much.
While in South Caicos, my mom and her family lived in this house. I hope it’s still standing. South Caicos got hit pretty hard in the hurricane a couple of years ago so I’m not sure if it will be in tact or not – but I do hope. Incidentally, have you ever seen more beautiful water in all the world?
There are so many stories to tell about my family’s Caicos years. I will probably write them out a little bit at a time over the next few months. For now, though, I leave you the words of my grandmother, written on Friday, May 1962 when they had run out of food and were waiting on the supply ship to bring new rations:
Oh-I’m hungry! We haven’t eaten since 11:00 am yesterday. We had some instant coffee in our suitcase so we had coffee and then took off to the beach for a “sea bath.” And I mean a bath. We went in the sea and we also brushed our teeth with the salt water. Then we took up our watch for the little green Crusader (supplies would arrive on this)-she became most precious for she held our food.
Jim finally arrived about 10:00 am and it wasn’t before 12:30 before we got our food.
Finally we ate. Peas and rice, canned beef, bread and hot orange Crush. I never knew realized that hot drinks could taste so delicious. Ah- food. We were about sick with hunger.
Today I will be in Provo, snorkling and Snuba-ing (we will dive down about 20 feet). Tomorrow starts the quest into my heritage. I’ll tell you more later.
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