Thursday, May 26, 2011

Confession Number 95: I'm Going

This past Tuesday afternoon I got a phone call from Mom and Lynn.

"Charli, there is a large tornado a mile west of Piedmont." 

I ran to the computer and found the live stream from an OKC television station.  It wasn't "large", it was HUGE and it was baring down on our previous home. 
I panicked. 
I yelled prayers to God.
I cried.
I called Dustin at work. 
I hit refresh on the radar.
I cried some more.
When I thought it was clear I started making calls.  No answers.
I panicked again, but I knew communications must be compromised.
Finally I got through and started making the way down my list.
Scott and Shelli?  Safe, no damage.
Matt and Nicci?  Saw it face to face, but safe with no damage.
Marcie?  Safe, no damage.
I also got from those I talked to who else was okay. 
The Glasgows?  Fine.
Dustin was working his phone, too.
The Samarripases?  Fine.
The Wyatts?  Fine.
Then finally he got a text from the ones we couldn't get in touch with.
The Caldwells.  "We are safe, but lost EVERYTHING."
The Johnsons, same story,
Their homes are completely gone with only a few bags of things that may or may not be salvagable. 
I'm headed home to Piedmont this weekend to help.  If you are in the Grove area and would like to help fill my truck, here are some things I'm looking to take:

Boys clothes size 3T
Boys shirts size XL
Boys pants size 8 slim
Boys toys for 3 year old and 7 year old
Girls clothes sizes 4 and 8
New towels and washcloths
New kitchen items
Bottled water
Snacks
Work gloves
Trash bags
Ice chest
Gift cards

There has been tragedy all around us this spring.  What a great time for us to come together and lift each other. 

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Confession Number 94: She's Passionate

To say that Kennedy is a passionate soul may be putting it lightly.  She loves what she loves with her whole heart and when she doesn't love something, well, she does that with her whole heart, too.  We have really been struggling with keeping our passion in check at our house.  I know part of it is the hardship of being almost four, but holy smokes, this child tests our patience sometimes! 

We set distinct boundaries.  "Kennedy, you can play on the computer for 10 minutes" as I set the timer on my phone.  That seems to work a few times then, out of the blue, nuclear meltdown occurs.  Screaming, crying, clawing, hitting, it is all fair game when one of these fits begin in Kennedy's mind. 

Taking a page from my friend Angie's parenting book, I decided to take pictures of said fit throwing, making it fun and threatening to send to Mimi and Weezie.  Well, okay, maybe posting on the world wide web will be enough embarassment.



It didn't work.  So, here I am, asking for help once again.  How do I help teach my daughter to keep her highly passionate emotions at a reasonable level?

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Confession Number 93: He's A Pretty Lucky Fella

I love Mother's Day.  It's just one of those 'warm your heart make you feel good' kinda days.  I love snuggling up with my kids and not really doing anything in particular but celebrating our little family.  Of course the pampering that comes with the day isn't too bad, either.  One of the sweetest gifts this year was when Dustin decided he would get up with Cole during the night.  He normally does a good job helping out anyway, but, ahhh, sleep.  So good!!

I cherish those little handmade projects from Kennedy, and now that she can write, I love that she can sign her own name (and Cole's) to her card.  Dustin is a great gift giver.  Always has been.  He's passing his skills on to his daughter, and even though I can't wait for the time that she gets to go pick out her own gift for Mommy, I absolutely love seeing what Dustin comes up with next.  A new truck, an iPad, diamond earrings, a special KJ and mommy video and gift certificates to my favorite shoe store are all highlights of gifts past.   My heart goes out to those of you whose husbands don't possess the same "skillz".  The very small materialistic side of me loves this about my husband....along with about a bazillion other things.  :-) 

This year they really went over the top.  I got three cards.  The first was from Kennedy.  It was a princess card with crown stickers for us both to wear, signed in her perfect little almost four year old handwriting.  Tucked inside were two tickets to Game 5, Thunder vs. Grizzlies in OKC for Wednesday night.  Eeekkk!  Sooo excited!  Next was Cole's card, claiming I was an amazing mommy (duh!) and inviting me to dinner at my fav OKC restaurant, Cattleman's.  This boy sure knows the way to his mommy's heart!  Finally I opened a card from my fellow zoo keeper, Dustin.  Out fell a night's stay at the Embassy Suites in Norman after the game. 

I was literally ecstatic with my gift!  I made the comment that this was the 'best Mother's Day ever'!  Later in the day Dustin smiled and said, "What a lucky guy I am to have a wife that thinks NBA playoff tickets make the best Mother's Day ever." 
Yep. 
Your one lucky fella. 
Better not forget it.