tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25795958465545925242024-03-05T16:28:54.497-06:00Irene's BoysIrenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007508244520246024noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579595846554592524.post-68322803506867611772012-02-09T13:19:00.008-06:002012-02-09T19:03:31.612-06:00Neil's Anniversary and Henry's Bike WreckNeil's last heart surgery was five years ago today. Irene remembers sitting in the waiting room with her sister Marian waiting for word from Dr. Bacha, thinking that as she was knitting the little hat she was working on, Dr. Bacha was stitching Neil's heart- while Marian read aloud Psalm 139 (you knit me together in my mother's womb). When he did arrive the report was encouraging: "We were much more successful than we had expected to be, achieving probably 95 percent of what we hoped for." We are so grateful for Dr. Bacha and the staff of Children's in Boston, and these days nothing slows Neil down.<div><br /></div><div>Nor, unfortunately, does much of anything slow Henry down, and today he scared the hell out of his dad. We were on one our trips along the trails by the river, Henry riding his bike and me walking the dogs. There is a long grassy hill behind the site of the old Capitol, at the bottom of which is a line of trees and bushes and then an abrupt drop about twenty feet down an embankment. </div><div><br /></div><div>We had been playing around the area of the Capitol and when we left Henry headed off down the hill, heedless of my warning that he should not ride so fast that he wouldn't be able to stop. By the time he was approaching the bottom of the hill he had reached terminal velocity and as far as I could tell had yet to touch his brakes. He was obviously enjoying himself immensely and was deaf to my screaming for him to slow down. He crossed the path at the bottom of the hill, crashed into and then over a concrete lamp post that was lying on the ground parallel to the line of trees and bushes, and disappeared headfirst <span style=" ;font-size:100%;" >over the embankment</span><span style=" ;font-size:100%;" >, still clinging to his bike. </span></div><div><span style=" ;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></div><div><span style=" ;font-size:100%;" >I stood for a moment stunned, not quite grasping what I had just witnessed, then ran madly down the hill terrified of what I would find when I got to him. As I looked through the bushes and down the embankment I saw Henry's bike about six feet down to the right and one of his sneakers a little further down on the left. At the bottom, about twenty feet down, was Henry, pretty quiet and visibly shaken, but trying to climb back up. I thanked God that he was moving and asked if he was alright, his response being something to the effect of "Do I look like I'm alright?". He managed to crawl far enough up that I could grab his shirt and pull him the rest of the way. Examining him I found gunk running in streams out of his nose, a little blood in his mouth but no teeth loose or missing (other than the baby teeth he had already lost), superficial scrapes and scratches on his face and hands, a lot of dirt and leaves and sticks, but nothing broken or out of place as far as I could tell. </span></div><div><span style=" ;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></div><div><span style=" ;font-size:100%;" >Having satisfied myself that he was more or less intact I retrieved his other shoe and his bike and then said a couple of unhelpful things in terms you really shouldn't use with a six year old. "I didn't mean to," he said; "I thought I could turn." Right. I could see the skid mark between the path and the bushes, but nothing on the other side of the path, meaning that only in the last six to eight feet of the fifty yards or so he had traveled had he made any attempt to slow down, which was probably at least twenty yards too late. His only other contribution was, "Thank goodness I had my helmet on." </span></div><div><span style=" ;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></div><div><span style=" ;font-size:100%;" >I got his shoe back on, checked again that he was in one piece, he got back on his bike and we headed back toward home. And while I did say that nothing much slows him down, he was in fact riding much more slowly than usual on the return trip. I hope the lesson sticks, though my fear is he will remember the thrill and forget the unpleasant consequences at the end. </span></div>Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03959086837852707557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579595846554592524.post-26997222442377177122011-08-24T16:10:00.017-05:002011-12-03T15:34:57.749-06:00Blowin' in the Wind: Part One of the Tornado Story<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaoyr3cgKbUPX5cDKNshxzs1LNLJ0ZodCzVJqbQ0UoNx5DfBPkE2xREe8mGtDR1_nZ6zCGrV72pgpkCzwbnNBG2rvUj4w4GtIYbZd58DbPyiOMIW4Zf4o8svLBQTs8PiuXrF630313ono/s1600/Tornado+2011.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaoyr3cgKbUPX5cDKNshxzs1LNLJ0ZodCzVJqbQ0UoNx5DfBPkE2xREe8mGtDR1_nZ6zCGrV72pgpkCzwbnNBG2rvUj4w4GtIYbZd58DbPyiOMIW4Zf4o8svLBQTs8PiuXrF630313ono/s200/Tornado+2011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644591865253451842" border="0" /></a><br />Well, one F4 and four months later, we are here and giving thanks. To sum up those tense moments before, during, and immediately after the tornado in Tuscaloosa on April 27, 2011, I'll transcribe Richard's notes from that evening that he wrote by the light of the Coleman lantern.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The sound of water dripping into the kitchen and den. Blood from my finger as a result of brushing off my chair to sit down, glass everywhere. The floors covered with glass, leaves, small branches. The sound of sirens, constant, unceasing. Chainsaws coping with the trees, down everywhere. People walking around dazed, in shock, not knowing what to say to each other. Are you alright? Do you know anything about the folks in the house on the corner?<br /><br /></span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Flashing lights,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">flashlights,<br /></span> <span style="font-style: italic;">headlights of emergency vehicles,<br /></span> <span style="font-style: italic;">but no lights at all from houses or streetlights.<br /></span> <span style="font-style: italic;">People actually driving around sightseeing, taking pictures of the devastation from their car windows.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Sitting in the cellar laughing and sort of coping with five people in a 6'x6' space listening to the radio, "this is the perfect storm!" Approaching Tuscaloosa from the SW heading for downtown and the University. A path sure to bring it right to us. "It's a half mile wide!"</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Then the radio goes dead. Our ears popping, the sound of thunder, but sustained, a deep rumbling, vague sound of destruction, God be with us, God have mercy on us, (no atheists in foxholes or in the cellar during a tornado).</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Then, stillness after the violence. And, Parker, "Hail Mary, full of grace." Parker who comforted his brothers</span><span> (and mother I might add)</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> during the ordeal.<br /><br />Finally when we were reasonably confident the storm or this one anyway had passed, I emerged (no better word) from our refuge to a world only vaguely resembling the one we knew before where formerly there were trees and shade and green, now there was a broad horizon, a sense of what it must be like to live on the great plains or in Montana, big sky country.<br /><br />But, we were unharmed, unscathed, untouched, alive, together, mom's word, "we're together." And, thank God, thank God.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Really, when I think about it I realize we're so traumatized that only when we heard Willie barking, Willie who refused to come to the cellar with us, only when we heard him barking did I finally climb out, finding our neighbor Cherry walking down the street checking on neighbors, slowly did I, and </span><span style="font-style: italic;">eventually</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> we, come to understand the extent of the damage and great good fortune we enjoyed in being alive.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Most windows in the house blown out, the house full of debris. The roof damaged, the ceiling sagging.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"> glass,</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">debris,</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">photos on the floor</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">But, the awareness on another level that our most valuable possessions were of so little significance. We were alive, we are together, we have one another.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">Now outside. </span> <span style="font-style: italic;">All of the trees are down, enormous Oak in the backyard-3-4 feet in diameter, uprooted, Sweet Gum-3 feet, uprooted, Pine- 3 feet, uprooted, Pecan tree 3 feet, uprooted, Redbud uprooted. Shed in the back moved off its foundation and lying on it's back, roof completely gone. Roof of our house with one very large hole and numerous smaller holes. The biggest hole in the house being 5x8 in the den, where the window used to be.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Roll call on neighbors. Everyone accounted for as far as I could walk, trees down across the streets in every direction. But, word of three people in the back corner house which hardly stood at this point.<br /><br /></span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Back to University Boulevard, cars bumper to bumper in every direction-being routed away from Alberta. I would later understand why. Even pedestrians were prevented walking in that direction.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">Assess cars: windows blown out of every car. But right now we can't get out of the neighborhood anyway.<br /><br />I talk to a cop, someone I recognized from the citizens academy and who reminds me why I have a fondness for cops. I explain that I have a family trapped in the neighborhood and need to get them to someone's house. He offers me his phone and tells me an officer will take them wherever they need to go.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Irene comes out, uses his phone and leaves a message with Johnnie. I walk to Nikki's who invites us to her home since they are relatively intact. Irene packs several bags and we walk toward Nikki's when at the intersection Irene says, "there's Johnnie!" "Like an angel" she says, and we make our way to her car and load everyone in, on the way to power and running water, safe and well in the arms of someone we love. I can't believe how our lives have so suddenly changed.<br /><br /></span> <span style="font-style: italic;">I stay. I stand around stunned, not sure what to do or which way to turn. The smell of wood-like a sawmill, hardwood and pine. The open horizon. The sirens and lights. People milling around, literally walking in circles, carrying birdcages and puppies and a kitten wrapped in a towel. Are you OK? Yeah. Are you? Any word on the house in the corner? I decide to see what has happened in the neighborhood and tread my way through the downed trees and power lines, laboriously making my way back past Barbara and Mr. B and the Shirleys and the Johnsons, and Darlene's and through the backyard of Darlene's neighbor to Ann Ramos' house, roof, doors, and windows gone, water running freely from broken pipes, Miss Delbridge's.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">Now getting dark but I make my way out the far side of the hood and onto University. Now, having bypassed the roadblocks, able to walk East and shocked at the utter devastation. Cars upside down on the road, entire buildings gone, not just damaged. Ambulances lining the streets, police cars, and emergency vehicles of every description. Empty lot where a tire store stood this morning, now a staging area for emergency personnel and the suddenly homeless. Beds, grocery carts full of water, medics.<br /><br /></span> <span style="font-style: italic;">And finally, back home. Can't sit still, so I walk down to the corner house for an hour while a track hoe digs three bodies from the rubble, kids who had taken refuge in a crawl space but the house was hit and collapsed on them, a refrigerator among other things having to be pulled off of them to open the grave in order for them to be given a proper burial on another day.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">City employee tells me two infants were killed in Alberta, one found across the road from her mom. Silence. No one really speaks beyond orders/instructions. Coroner glances down, then pronounces them dead.</span>Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007508244520246024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579595846554592524.post-46863649437843274822011-03-10T05:42:00.008-06:002011-04-05T14:49:19.398-05:00One of those days and other happeningsI think I may be a seasonal blogger. It certainly is not that nothing has happened around here since January the 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span></span>. Or, maybe it's just that the experience has to be so powerful that I am driven to therapeutic writing such as our day yesterday.<br /><br />The day began at 4:30am with Neil wide awake and wanting to come in the den and play with Willie. For a brief few moments I tried to entice him back to sleep in my lap in the lazy boy, but he really was ready to start his day. So, I started a pot of coffee to try to keep up. 4:45 and Henry is up as well. Trying quickly to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">re frame</span> how this day had started, I told myself this was good to get such an early start since we had a to see Dr. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Pettit</span></span> today for the five year check up. I made the lunches, drank more coffee, got breakfast started, drank more coffee and watched Henry and Neil playing very sweetly on Willie's dog bed and all over Willie.<br /><br />Today Henry and Neil and I will be heading to Dr. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Pettit's</span></span> for their five year check up. Henry has already asked if there will be a shot and I have let him know there will be one. So, as he is dressing this morning he says, "I am going to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">disguise</span> myself as a detective and keep an eye on that nurse." He proceeds with getting dressed in what he perceives to be detective clothes--corduroy pants, a plaid shirt, a bow tie, and his brown fedora. I have said several times we need to get ready and get to Dr. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Pettit's</span> early so their won't be a long wait. Neil is saying "take Parker school." So, I'm guessing he is hoping for something besides a trip to Dr. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Pettit's</span>.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Ok</span>, we're off. Not too many in the waiting room so I choose to sit on the sick side rather than in the "well" room" even though we are there for a "well" check. The boys have a little sniffle and a little cough and I would feel real guilty if they coughed on "well" children. The wait is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">loooooooonnnnnggg</span>. Now, I'm nervous that the waiting room is filling up (with really sick children) and worrying that we really are going to leave is some sort of bug. I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Purell</span> them after every toy and would not dare read any of the children's books lying around--I am certain they have a high germ count. They need urine specimens. Oh boy, this is something new. Henry manages a tiny bit that the nurse says might be enough. Neil is rather amused with the thought of tinkling in the cup, but decides not to produce a thing.<br /><br />Finally, "Neil and Henry, room 2 please." Weight, height checks, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">ok</span> still doing well. Finger sticks, not doing so well. Neil cooperates somewhat. Henry does NOT cooperate somewhat. Major chase by the nurse to catch Henry's finger and squeeze a drop of blood from it. Henry leaves the examining room and runs to the waiting area. I run to look for him (not sure what I did with Neil) and he has gone into the "well" room and is under a table. Somehow, I coax him our of there and back to room 2. I get a call from Dad who says he is in the area, and asks if it would help for him to come by. YES, YES, YES I say to that. Dad and Dr. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Pettit</span> arrive about the same time and we make it though the exams and updates on what a 5 year old should be doing.<br /><br />We find out there are two shots each for Henry and Neil, not the one I had thought. Oh boy. A couple of minutes later, in walk two nurses, each holding two syringes. Not a welcome site. Neil goes first and only has a tiny lip poked out. Henry is on the run--this time only in room 2. Dad decides to step out with Neil and Mom gets the challenge. Long story short, two nurses and mom and Henry is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">vaccinated</span>. One of the nurses remarks that no more shots are due for the next six years and I thank God for that.<br /><br />A few other happenings. Our sweet Parker turned 15 in January (and I must add very calmly received a shot at his yearly check up with Dr. Pettit). Dad turned 56 in February and took a trip to his beloved Apalachicola. Mom turned 47 in March and is feeling pretty darn good.Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007508244520246024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579595846554592524.post-63276695959978804292011-01-05T07:13:00.025-06:002011-01-06T00:18:34.160-06:00Happy 5th Birthday!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5FDSavJudVvLRSG4X-pAzwmTvwtrV6NDrWyiCO7cl7iRU6UJMgSowUYecerOSgn8i4Kr6YWnkNL_2_VeZKZK4NK6PmIHlxVYONLn2Q3be_TtFDxkSqsBr4I3buQF5Oz0f9Kl4npbTu1M/s1600/firetruck+Mom+sm.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 190px; height: 126px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5FDSavJudVvLRSG4X-pAzwmTvwtrV6NDrWyiCO7cl7iRU6UJMgSowUYecerOSgn8i4Kr6YWnkNL_2_VeZKZK4NK6PmIHlxVYONLn2Q3be_TtFDxkSqsBr4I3buQF5Oz0f9Kl4npbTu1M/s320/firetruck+Mom+sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558939167935601890" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUSEHfKEovHtrBhN4RcYJ7FlW4hbElETul-fW0IvUDPQpGlFAM7nsFPxn84xP7bDa3BtIrjoz9kp83n8H6m-WawlQvI3ibdA5M7Tj5Fy0HjTUNmkvr8sY4zFVZuy137NFhffz2XrBXifk/s1600/Dad+donkey+sm.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 189px; height: 126px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUSEHfKEovHtrBhN4RcYJ7FlW4hbElETul-fW0IvUDPQpGlFAM7nsFPxn84xP7bDa3BtIrjoz9kp83n8H6m-WawlQvI3ibdA5M7Tj5Fy0HjTUNmkvr8sY4zFVZuy137NFhffz2XrBXifk/s200/Dad+donkey+sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558915446891205090" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdyeMoTdyFCeM0vzqwzwC-wfGE1MdEI8_wh0OHyZBR0u4c9ls0B-gCSYSMhJrlfLofQAD7OtemznPxIveMbQCChBZkiHlyhoBaviOK0p3FQZV3zfU6ihulyoxFOnfg0Jd5xooamzhYmU/s1600/mom+and+birthday+boys+sm.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 187px; height: 126px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdyeMoTdyFCeM0vzqwzwC-wfGE1MdEI8_wh0OHyZBR0u4c9ls0B-gCSYSMhJrlfLofQAD7OtemznPxIveMbQCChBZkiHlyhoBaviOK0p3FQZV3zfU6ihulyoxFOnfg0Jd5xooamzhYmU/s200/mom+and+birthday+boys+sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558915449392217890" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />When the twins looked out the front window about 6:30 am yesterday, they were understandably thrilled. I mean, who would have ever thought Mom and Dad could have gotten the fire department to send a truck, complete with lights flashing and sirens wailing, just for their birthday? And when a couple of minutes later the ambulance arrived, likewise flashing and screaming, well the boys were just beside themselves with joy. Their excitement was unfortunately dampened a bit later when Mom was rolled out to the ambulance on a stretcher and loaded in the back. Actually, Henry became hysterical and stood in a corner screaming over and over again, "I want my Mommy back. Now!" Neil mostly just stood in stunned silence, though he did manage a feeble wave and "Bye Mom," then stood nose pressed against the window as tears started to roll down his cheeks.<br /><br />I woke up a little before 6:00 and was getting up to go to the litterbox when Irene stopped me saying Richard, there is something wrong with me, something really wrong. She said she felt very dizzy and could not open her eyes. She was nauseous and was definitely going to need a receptacle. She said she felt very hot, though to the touch there was no apparent fever.<br /><br />About this time the birthday boys started to wake up and things got very busy very quickly. Irene decided to get up, thinking that might help, so I helped her to a chair and tried to distract the boys while at the same time trying to assess her condition, get her a glass of water and provide for other needs peculiar to this particular situation.<br /><br />In the meantime, Henry got a bloody nose.<br /><br />Realizing the boat was leaking faster than I could bail, I woke Parker to enlist his help. He made it to the den where he sat down with his Mom and brothers. I propped Irene up in a chair with a trash can for the nausea and gave Henry a paper towel for his nosebleed. Neil thank God was, as usual, entertaining himself. I could see it was going to be a day and I thought I saw an opportunity to take a quick shower, but as I was getting out Irene stumbled in to tell me that Parker did not feel well. I ran immediately - do not pass go and do not collect any clothing - to the den where Parker reported that he indeed wasn't feeling so great and in fact was starting to feel really bad and needed to get to the bathroom.<br /><br />I walked with Parker toward the bathroom, but ten feet on he passed out cold - collapsed against the wall and dropped to the floor. Now we're really taking on water.<br /><br />Parker said he couldn't see, and he certainly couldn't stand, but he still needed to go, so with a renewed effort I managed to get him up and situated in the bathroom. Once I felt he could sit there safely for a brief time anyway I ran back to the den to check on Irene and Henry, where I found his nosebleed improving but her nausea and dizziness not one whit better. Once Henry's nose had stopped enough that we could safely move to another room I steadied Irene long enough to relocate to the sofa in the living room. I had been asking all along if she felt the need to go to the hospital and if she wanted me to call an ambulance, though I was not getting an unequivocal response. At this point, with Parker reporting what sounded like similar symptoms and having passed completely out, I decided we must have a plague in the house and called 911.<br /><br />The fire department guys took vitals and reported that everything in that sense looked normal. They did encourage Irene at least to take an ambulance ride to have someone check her out, but by this point Parker had recovered enough to say he really just wanted to get back to bed. So off they go with Irene on a stretcher, the twins crying inconsolably, and me on the phone with our neighbor who God love her was able to come over and stay with the boys so I could follow Irene to the bowels of hell - I mean the DCH emergency room.<br /><br />Three hours and much frustration later Irene was discharged, having never seen a doctor but only a medical student who though a nice young fellow seemed to have only a little better understanding of medicine than I have. During Irene's stay there I fetched blankets and water and found a new nausea bag when needed. While the hospital did provide IV fluids, Reglan for nausea and Benadryl for dizziness, they offered no idea of what the problem might be and certainly nothing in the way of what one might think of as "care."<br /><br />Arriving home, Irene was greeted with squeals of delight. Visiting royalty could not have had a more enthusiastic welcome. Henry's first question for his Mom was whether they had given her a Mic-key button. Mercifully, she did not require a gastric feeding tube, and in fact improved considerably over the next few hours. Henry's nose was fine and Parker felt much better. We were ultimately able to celebrate the boys fifth birthday in what for our family passes for a normal manner.<br /><br />Thanks be to God and pass the ice cream.Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007508244520246024noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579595846554592524.post-30789128231690873672010-10-18T21:17:00.005-05:002010-10-18T22:43:35.077-05:00Boys, boys, boys<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4gkg-zm5ZCDGoXpLREpKmdkacwkylLXaK4BuyafsufjUTBLHi-JXH3IB89pfeKYRxVtyFH0NgMPu3j3a4xQafnOAvrLl4KawOnZbu3agqvOBtpJgCj7CPyoQ5IoOInedwpU8gBv_Eew/s1600/Shoes+2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4gkg-zm5ZCDGoXpLREpKmdkacwkylLXaK4BuyafsufjUTBLHi-JXH3IB89pfeKYRxVtyFH0NgMPu3j3a4xQafnOAvrLl4KawOnZbu3agqvOBtpJgCj7CPyoQ5IoOInedwpU8gBv_Eew/s320/Shoes+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529596902068376866" border="0" /></a><br />On the day that you were born the angels got together,<br />And decided to create a dream come true,<br />So they sprinkled <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">moondust</span> in your hair<br />And golden starlight in your eyes of blue...<br />(The Carpenters)<br /><br />This always makes me think of all these sweet blue-eyed boys with which I am surrounded.<br /><br />The weekend has been a flurry of activities- Alabama's homecoming, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Kentuck</span> Arts Festival, tennis matches, youth group, praying mantis hunting, running the teenage taxi.<br /><br />We all made it to the homecoming parade and all the Quad festivities. I was so proud that Parker wore the only Ole Miss shirt in the house and made his Mama proud. He was a navy blue and red dot in a sea of crimson. I pulled out our Ole Miss baby blankets given to Neil and Henry by Uncle Charles and draped them over the stroller. Parker met his friends and quickly disappeared from the family group. Henry and Neil loved <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">browsing</span> at the Chemistry (Henry got to smash a nitrogen frozen banana with a hammer) and Biology (lots of reptiles and dead preserved fish) tents.<br /><br />We Rebel fans can always hope when playing the Crimson Tide, but it's not too long before those hopes are dashed. Oh well, there's always next year.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/irenevans/October16172010HomecomingAndKentuck#">I think these pictures will say it all.</a>Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007508244520246024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579595846554592524.post-69207410842749432092010-09-28T21:00:00.010-05:002010-10-03T12:14:03.983-05:00Whoa, whoa, whoa it's magic!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUGK5xkGvXzi9X1rpRl-dHyngzHcBusS1DM4RbFDEQ0sxparMrV6zWTYJMiDBkn0DP3D6gNleHCa-lbNsH6E7NKkR823dM6w8sI-_VVNj6V7H8gmQxPeDCg21ryMmDdjj6F1HUheAij9Y/s1600/Henry+in+chair_sm.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUGK5xkGvXzi9X1rpRl-dHyngzHcBusS1DM4RbFDEQ0sxparMrV6zWTYJMiDBkn0DP3D6gNleHCa-lbNsH6E7NKkR823dM6w8sI-_VVNj6V7H8gmQxPeDCg21ryMmDdjj6F1HUheAij9Y/s320/Henry+in+chair_sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523868724593690274" border="0" /></a>Just about every afternoon in the backyard is eventful. Sometimes, it's just flat magical. This evening in the fabulous cool weather Parker taught Henry how to ride a bicycle. Just amazing to see the pride they both had. What a moment when Parker realized Henry was pedaling on his own and what a moment for Henry to realize he was riding alone. And Neil, cheering them both on with "yeah." And, I must add that Neil did some pedaling of his own on his tricycle!<br /><br />Last week Russian musicians came to the Rise school, a flautist and a trumpeter, both were energetic young men that absolutely captivated their audience of children, teachers, and parents. "Flight of the Bumblebee" was played by the flutist with bumblebee hand puppets (on both hands!). A couple of hours later, I was the lucky caller to Alabama Public Radio and won two free tickets for the "Celebrity Series" at UA featuring these two musicians. Henry had asked to see them again and the next night he and I attended together. He was just so excited and dressed up--complete with a black bow tie and his "nice tennis shoes." I was a bit worried when I realized our seats were way up at the front on the third row. What a perfect little sweetie pie he was--listening, taking it all in. Four college boys were behind us and Henry was amused when he turned around and one was snoozing midway through the concert. We left at intermission, mostly because I wanted to stop while we were ahead and keep the experience good. We came home to find Neil amusing Dad and Parker with "knock, knock" jokes. He can come up with some doozies! His favorite this week is: Knock, knock, who's there? Night, night. Night night who? Night, night babies. Maybe I should say this is his favorite one at bedtime.<br /><br />Parker has survived the first six weeks of high school (maybe I'm projecting here, ok, I have survived it). Math (geometry) began with a jolt--a 65 question test the first day-yes, right after Summer, that COUNTED on material that they had not covered! But, he has steadily hung in and it looks darn good to his non-math minded parents. He's really grasping it and has even mentioned to Richard that he is beginning to make connections between math and life. In Biology he is working on a genetics project about <a href="http://www.progeriaresearch.org/">Progeria</a> (a rare genetic disorder in which one ages at an extraordinary rate). On a trip to Boston with Neil in June 2008, Parker met and got to know someone his age with this disease. Powerful to have had such an experience.<br /><br />Friday night Parker will attend his first high school homecoming football game. He's going to the game with a sweet 11th grade girl named Sara.<br /><br />Richard has set us up in the den with a 55 gallon aquarium that we have really enjoyed. We call it "FTV" (Fish TV). No more blood pressure medicine around here.Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007508244520246024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579595846554592524.post-28916965084108626302010-08-17T14:45:00.008-05:002010-08-27T21:58:47.907-05:00Magnificent Morning at the Arboretum<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZBGv0Gnyv5lyQrfZO8b5GiwBbvWjvZOflbwBf0RJc6Rwj0PTVAlh0hC7Y9Q8iHST9hxPk898i37r_X6xhq0XBDQX_XD1eAhMcWSTiHlRwMlpOz9pLhOa5bVMhfNEq3lF0SEfuhQpfZ8/s1600/twins_face_to_face.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZBGv0Gnyv5lyQrfZO8b5GiwBbvWjvZOflbwBf0RJc6Rwj0PTVAlh0hC7Y9Q8iHST9hxPk898i37r_X6xhq0XBDQX_XD1eAhMcWSTiHlRwMlpOz9pLhOa5bVMhfNEq3lF0SEfuhQpfZ8/s320/twins_face_to_face.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506472072442131538" border="0" /></a>After Neil, Henry, and I dropped Parker off at school this morning, we headed to the Arboretum and were there for four hours! About midway through, we were joined by our dear friend/godmother Johnnie. The place is just magical. We began with breakfast in the pavilion, then a walk to the pond, and on to the children's garden. Always a surprise to see what has been added. Today, we found an "alphabet garden" and a labyrinth. Henry was so moved by the labyrinth that when he came to the center, he knelt and said a prayer. Butterflies everywhere! At one point, Neil was just standing mesmerized by the flutter of activity on the zinnias. We later found out a weasel had been spotted there today.<div><br />Here are some of those <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/irenevans/August172010Arboretum?locked=true#slideshow/5506464777358599090">magic moments</a>. They really, really were.<br /></div>Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007508244520246024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579595846554592524.post-55906643490373643382010-07-10T22:31:00.020-05:002010-08-27T15:59:52.426-05:00Summertime 2010Oh my how good it has been!<br /><br />Carpenter bees with white faces<br />Tunica<br />Memphis Zoo<br />Oobleck<br />Canterbury Farmer's market<br />Archeology camp<br />Cheaha<br />Lightening bugs<br />Tiny frogs<br />Deer<br />One-eyed owls<br />Swim lessons<br />Guitar lessons<br />June bugs<br />Swimming pools and movie stars<br />Tomatoes<br />Pesto<br />Flying stink bugs<br />Bald cardinals<br />Beautiful Zinnias<br />Honeybees<br />Daddy's visit<br />Parker playing the Blues...and much more!<br />Neil's "watch this"<br />Goodbyes to Dara and Nick-moving to Nashville! As Neil says, "I love Dawa."<br />Dad to Henry, "Henry you are just so cute I can hardly stand it." Henry: "Sometimes I can hardly stand it myself." 7-19-2010<br />8-2-10 We removed Neil's mic-key button after 3 years and 4 months! Henry said, " Now Neil's belly is like mine!"<br />Dad, how old were you when you were little?<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/irenevans/2010MartindaleDaughdrill35thFamilyReunionGuntersvilleAL#">2010 Martindale-Daughdrill Reunion in Guntersville, Alabama</a><br /><br /><br /><br />Summer...to be continued...<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/irenevans/Summer2010#">what joy!</a>Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007508244520246024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579595846554592524.post-43426336297021370372010-05-12T09:16:00.021-05:002010-06-05T19:52:42.720-05:00What a day!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBf4pwk2v15iySSZVRXP_Vtl_fHrsPpLRmod2fIBOT0AxBVLLvAOrhyphenhyphenVN0O_NrUi3wFw6275Zq-fSmbJjj1dsnPMlRe9Agctuyd3sCzz6hQnSO1ovWs4h5AO_cPrPS06WlwfHV8uOjkM/s1600/JP+in+dugout+sm.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 215px; height: 161px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBf4pwk2v15iySSZVRXP_Vtl_fHrsPpLRmod2fIBOT0AxBVLLvAOrhyphenhyphenVN0O_NrUi3wFw6275Zq-fSmbJjj1dsnPMlRe9Agctuyd3sCzz6hQnSO1ovWs4h5AO_cPrPS06WlwfHV8uOjkM/s320/JP+in+dugout+sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471877162008668114" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8l_bhurZuR0woT6mXOhsiA6V_qk0tHeKhiui0qIzY95ldXyQkmSC0HXKVESdC30ND0nfASRINSCpay2Wu5Gf_ad9_llMjMYH6IkI0Xw5wgStXmziD71uLRG452jWIPjd4RXmme7RHK2s/s1600/park_sm.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 142px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8l_bhurZuR0woT6mXOhsiA6V_qk0tHeKhiui0qIzY95ldXyQkmSC0HXKVESdC30ND0nfASRINSCpay2Wu5Gf_ad9_llMjMYH6IkI0Xw5wgStXmziD71uLRG452jWIPjd4RXmme7RHK2s/s320/park_sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471877735450278306" border="0" /></a>Dad here, with an account of what I would consider a perfect day. The weather was pleasantly cool with a fresh breeze, so I took Henry to a nearby open field for a little kite flying and we had a blast. The grass was about two feet high, so even without the kite he was amused, walking through this chest high growth looking for whatever creatures might be lurking there. I put the kite together and the wind was brisk enough that it was almost hard to hold onto. I let Henry hold the reel (though keeping my hand inside just in case), and up it went. Squeals of delight! We let line out, watching the kite get smaller and smaller and letting Henry get a good feel for just how hard the wind was pulling it. Eventually I started worrying about getting all this line back in and convinced Henry we should bring our bird a little closer to earth. Of course, once I had reeled it back to a reasonable height he wanted to let it out once again. We did this a few times, and despite his pleas that we "do this all day," the four year old's empty tummy finally got to him and we loaded up for home, where we found Mom had cooked us up a delicious breakfast - eggs, grits, sausage and even homemade biscuits. What a treat.<br /><br />I had been wanting to take Parker on a baseball pilgrimage, so he and I kissed everyone goodbye and headed to Birmingham, first stop the oldest operating baseball Park in the U.S. - Rickwood Field - "the closest thing the baseball world has to a time machine." What an experience. The park is not open on Saturdays, but I knew from their website that this Saturday morning was a volunteer cleanup and I figured if we got there in time someone would let us look around. Sure enough, we got there a little after 11:00 and found a group of guys hanging around the West end gate. I asked about seeing the park and was told to pull on in, park and enjoy our visit. Parker and I toured at our leisure, walking through the stands, checking out the view from the dugout, pounding imaginary homers, and pitching imaginary strikes from the mound once occupied by Christy Mathewson, Satchell Paige and Dizzy Dean, among others. We walked up and down and in and through the entire park, taking pictures and reading the signs and generally just soaking it all in. When we finally felt we had seen everything we walked back out to where we had parked. What we found when we got there was a locked gate - really locked, with a big chain and padlock. We did not, unfortunately, find people. No one, not a soul in sight.<br /><br />It took a few minutes for this to sink in, and we first walked around looking for the gate we just knew they had left open somewhere, then when that failed we walked around a bit more looking for the person we just knew was still there working on something and waiting to let us out. When that failed as well, despite a few tentative shouts of "Anyone here?," it became clear that 911 was our only recourse. "How embarrassing," says Parker. So thanking God for cell phones I called and explained to the dispatcher that my son and I were locked in Rickwood Field. There was a bit of a pause as I suppose she must have been trying to decide if this was a practical joke; then understanding that I was quite serious she told me she would get someone out to us.<br /><br />We waited 15 or 20 minutes, during which time I told Parker I guess a couple of loonies locked in a ballpark wasn't a real high priority for the Birmingham police. So we looked around the park a little more, fiddled with the car, and twiddled our thumbs. I called back a few minutes later to give the police an exact address based on the street sign I could see and make sure they knew we really were locked in the park. She took the address and assured me someone had been dispatched. An officer arrived a few minutes later, which although we had never really felt in danger was comforting nonetheless. We explained what happened and I told him that since we knew he didn't have a key to every lock in Birmingham my son had suggested he just shoot the lock off like they do in the movies. We thought this would have the dual advantage of being more fun and considerably quicker than waiting for someone to come with a key, but while he seemed amused he assured us this was not an option. Rats. He contacted his dispatcher who he said would contact the Public Works Department who would try to find contact information for someone with a key.<br /><br />Not expecting this to be quick, Parker and I broke out our snack bag and found a shady bench for a picnic. We munched our apples and granola bars and took an occasional brief tour around, careful not to get too far from our rescuer. Within just a few more minutes a guy pulled up in a pickup truck, spoke with the cop and unlocked the gate for us. The beauty of this was that he had not been contacted by the police or the city, who had had no luck locating anyone with a key, but had been in a meeting at his church down the street and stopped when he saw the police by the gate and the two people inside the fence. Pure serendipity - or as he indicated by a finger pointing upward, divine intervention.<br /><br />We thanked the officer and the churchman, got outside the gate where we stopped for a couple of last photos, and headed toward our next stop. As we drove away, Parker asked, "Dad, why can't we just do things like normal people?"<br /><br />So the next stop on our pilgrimage is the museum at Vulcan Park, where there is an exhibit on the history of baseball in Birmingham. We stop at the ticket booth and when we tell the nice lady there that we're interested in the baseball exhibit she asks if we're going to get to Rickwood field today. Parker and I look at each other and start laughing hysterically, which of course leaves the lady in the ticket booth wondering if we're OK. We recount our morning so far and we all have another good laugh. Parker and I head to the museum and enjoy the exhibit, though after our morning the museum was a bit anticlimactic.<br /><br />Leaving the museum we took the stairs to the top of Vulcan (forgetting to count) and walked out onto the observation deck on what could not have been a more perfect day to see Birmingham. The air was wonderfully clear, there was a light breeze, and not a cloud in the sky. We could clearly see all of Birmingham in Jones Valley to North and Homewood in Shades Valley to the South. Just spectacular.<br /><br />After a leisurely visit atop Vulcan we agreed we were hungry and set out in search of food. I detoured by our old house on Mecca Avenue and seeing a couple I assumed were the current owners stopped for a chat. They were amused to hear a description of their home from over 40 years ago, and I was a bit saddened to hear from them how much it had changed. It looked pretty much the same from the outside, but I think it would have been unrecognizable inside. Anyway, we visited for a while and resumed our search for food.<br /><br />We had an unremarkable meal at Demetris BBQ and drove back downtown to Parker's favorite destination in Birmingham - Sloss Furnace. Did our usual tour there and decided to walk around downtown for a while.<br /><br />We had a stroke of luck when we passed the Alabama Theater. A recital of some sort had just finished and I figured with all the people milling around no one would notice a couple of tourists or care if we looked around. What a treat. I had forgotten how glorious this old movie palace is - four stories of pure luxury, built, ironically, in 1927, just before the beginning of the Great Depression. Anyway, we looked around at our leisure, seeing every floor and every angle, and decided to call it a day.<br /><br />And what a day it had been!Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03959086837852707557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579595846554592524.post-34290340814715011802010-04-03T11:20:00.004-05:002010-04-03T21:54:01.963-05:00Balloons"Did you know you can blow a balloon up with your nose?"-HenryDadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03959086837852707557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579595846554592524.post-33993916197463891262010-03-29T21:54:00.014-05:002010-03-30T12:14:15.113-05:00Palm Sunday and FestivalsWe all went to Canterbury yesterday and Parker was an acolyte for the first time. During the beginning of this service, we start outside with St. Francis Catholic Church and the nearby University Lutheran Church. For about the past seven years I was at the Catholic Church and for about he past two to three years have missed the Episcopal Church. I made the move to come back to Canterbury about a year ago and have been looking forward to this service as a symbolic time for me to walk back with the Canterburians after this convergence of the churches. As my sister Marian said when I became Roman Catholic, "Irene, it's all a journey." It was a good side trip, but I'm glad to be home. We were sick last year and missed the Palm Sunday service, but it happened yesterday and was beautiful. Parker was a "torch bearer two" and added to the beauty for me. I was a proud Mama.<br /><br />While Dad was hard at work this weekend at the Tuscaloosa Public Library, I "festivaled" with the boys. Saturday morning while Parker slept in, I took Henry and Neil to the "Rubber Duck Derby" and met our dear friends Johnnie and her sister, "Sister" and their niece Lee Miller (Henry and Neil know her from school). Fun times with moon bouncing, games, sugar (Henry got into quite a lot!) , and watching 400 rubber duckies race around the pool. Here are a few <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/irenevans/March272010RubberDuckDerby#">pictures</a> which say it all. Beautiful day, lots of fun.<br /><br />Then, home to hope for naps, but there were none to be had. So, off to the Druid City Arts festival in downtown Tuscaloosa with all of my boys. Lots of good music and more moon bouncing and face painting. Parker and I especially liked a song group called "Sparrow and the Ghost," from Tuscaloosa. After three hours,cotton candy, popcorn, and chasing little boys that missed their naps (not to mention their napless Mama)we headed to the house.<br /><br />The next day (Palm Sunday), we once again headed out to the storytelling festival by the river (a continuation of the Druid Arts Festival). Upon arrival, we walked a around and found no hint of storytelling happening. Then, we see a sign that says it had been moved inside to a building on campus. Finally found that, but there was no way this group was going to sit quietly and listen in the small room. So, downstairs to activities for wee ones. Then, hooray, the drums arrive and set up a drum circle outside. A drum for everyone to be played as loudly as desired. Just what we needed. Here are a few <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/irenevans/March272010Festivals#">festival moments</a>.<br /><br />A little Neil funny. Tonight I was walking around the house feeding Neil a banana and at some point put him down to do something. I few minutes later, I didn't see him and I began to walk around the house calling his name and saying "Neil, where are you?" After I had made a few circles, he came running down the hallway with a big smile saying, "pee pi." (pea pie, pee pie, anyway, you know what I mean--peek-a boo!).Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007508244520246024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579595846554592524.post-86598046305096085232010-03-28T21:26:00.005-05:002010-03-28T21:47:40.814-05:00I Feel GoodOk, I have to start somewhere to catch up for not writing for a while. I think I'll start with the trip to Publix this afternoon with Henry and Neil. We always have to get one of the "car carts" so we can drive through the store. They each have a steering wheel and both rock it madly back and forth just about the entire trip. Today, Henry immediately spotted a singing bunny in the Easter display. I immediately grabbed it as trip entertainment and handed it to them. So, the music begins, the song is James Brown singing "I Feel Good." After a while, Henry places it on the little space behind them in the cart. They both make certain that it never is quiet. Oh, and the long bunny ears flap up and down. At one point we pass the lady in the fish department and she is just staring--it appears that out car cart has a radio. From my point of view, whatever it takes to get through a grocery trip smoothly, I can handle. Relatively quick shopping trip, but lots of time checking out. I think all 40,000 U of A students choose Sunday evening (at this Publix) for their weekly needs. Henry asks for a squeaky doggy toy, so of course I hand him one. Now, imagine, "squeak, squeak, squeak, " then, "I Feel Good." Lots of looks. I smile back. Happy boys. I take the bagger up on taking my groceries to the car for us.Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007508244520246024noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579595846554592524.post-65470207676644014792010-02-16T18:58:00.008-06:002010-02-18T13:44:12.307-06:00Parker's Confirmation<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCp1Dayr0NfdmFVDrpDI4KR-U0uV2hj95z6JKBAcs33jVWQxOaJwY1JCBovfIieAAQXY-3lg07pv4lRx6c4ZsQCwaPOxC9cqTwDosdxGKiP2KcNvhvhs7n36IE050O5_bfMvwUa-_tjL8/s1600-h/Parker's+confirmation.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCp1Dayr0NfdmFVDrpDI4KR-U0uV2hj95z6JKBAcs33jVWQxOaJwY1JCBovfIieAAQXY-3lg07pv4lRx6c4ZsQCwaPOxC9cqTwDosdxGKiP2KcNvhvhs7n36IE050O5_bfMvwUa-_tjL8/s320/Parker's+confirmation.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439010830351231682" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />On Sunday February 14, 2010 Parker was confirmed at Canterbury Episcopal Church by <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Bishop Suffragan</span> Kee Sloan. Beautiful day for us all to share this joy with Parker.Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007508244520246024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579595846554592524.post-86879093142278925102010-02-16T17:31:00.006-06:002010-02-16T18:43:38.939-06:00Speech Pathologist's Progress ReportNeil's speech pathologist sent home his progress report and I could not help smiling as I read it. Here is an excerpt:<br /><br />Neil "says or repeats whatever he wants... He will not answer questions with 100% consistency but this is due to attitude not ability. He has the most expressive facial expressions of any child that I know. He also gets what he wants because he gets in your face until you figure out what he wants."<br /><br />That's my Neil.Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03959086837852707557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579595846554592524.post-85976258013694555712010-01-14T12:39:00.006-06:002010-01-29T15:07:18.036-06:00The Birthday Boys 2010!Just catching my breath after Christmas and then the celebrations of Henry and Neil's 4th and Parker's 14th! Here are some photos of the <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/irenevans/TheBirthdayBoys2010#">festive celebrations</a> before we're out of their birthday month and into February. If I can stop falling asleep at 8pm, I am hoping to get more writing done about the wild things that go on around here!Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007508244520246024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579595846554592524.post-60146326495507294852009-12-26T10:49:00.007-06:002009-12-26T17:07:38.431-06:00Merry Christmas Day!What a lovely, wild, Christmas Day! Neil began our day at 6 a.m..<br /><br />Here's a little<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=irenevans&target=ALBUM&id=5419310596658795713&authkey=Gv1sRgCKOk3JOKnf6cLg&feat=email"> </a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=irenevans&target=ALBUM&id=5419310596658795713&authkey=Gv1sRgCKOk3JOKnf6cLg&feat=email"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">slideshow</span></a> until I get a moment to write.<br /><br /><a href="http://http//picasaweb.google.com/irenevans/ChristmasDay2009#"><br /></a>Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007508244520246024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579595846554592524.post-27188048412860737742009-12-12T20:44:00.003-06:002009-12-12T22:47:28.237-06:00Big MoodNot much to this, but it was just too funny to not mention that when Henry got up this morning he came into the kitchen announcing that he was in a BIG mood. Whatever that means. Geez these guys are so funny sometimes.Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03959086837852707557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579595846554592524.post-19064492242426874672009-12-05T20:56:00.007-06:002009-12-08T13:40:39.444-06:00Giving Thanks<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEHfDNVygDynEO2hLsmo4f8tCf3dPXRF_5Gij3B3PyIAASM0QC6fuHolqzNswVT3OdQfncYM67aQF4Xrvm57nL3ulv36gKOkYbZqpK4epmm7og8fhX6c56jH0C_OiE9NMrirbMRB9h9js-/s1600-h/Tgiving.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEHfDNVygDynEO2hLsmo4f8tCf3dPXRF_5Gij3B3PyIAASM0QC6fuHolqzNswVT3OdQfncYM67aQF4Xrvm57nL3ulv36gKOkYbZqpK4epmm7og8fhX6c56jH0C_OiE9NMrirbMRB9h9js-/s320/Tgiving.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412951515085620194" border="0" /></a>It's not that nothing has been happening around here since Halloween, just a lack of some quiet moments to try to record at least some of it. Seems like everyone was sick with a little something the whole month of November--not enough to really to really bring us to a halt--just a couple of rounds of antibiotics, some cough <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">meds</span>, and a various assortment of cold remedies. For now though, thankfully, all are well. And, another BIG thing--Neil is officially off the oxygen as of our <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">November</span> 20<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">th</span> appointment with Dr. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Colvin</span>.<br /><br />I had a great trip with my boys to visit Marian, Tom, and Alley in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Hattiesburg</span>. Such an easy trip from Tuscaloosa and so comforting to have a sister so close. And, so wonderful to hear Marian preach and watch these boys with their aunt, uncle, and cousin.<br /><br />Nice Thanksgiving in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Tunica</span> (see above picture). Mama's presence sure was missed but I'm sure that she <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">helped</span> Susan and me in spirit to get the feast on the table. Richard had a nice outing to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Tunica</span> museums (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Tunica</span> and River) with John, Jacob, Parker and Henry. Neil and I had a great outing at the John Deere store where I heard lots of "Mama look." We had a really nice visit in Oxford on the return trip with a saunter around the Square, lunch/picnic from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Bottletree</span> Bakery, and a leisurely stroll around Rowan Oak--trying our best to get these boys to cooperate for a Christmas picture.<br /><br />Gearing up for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Christmas</span> now. We now have a tree in the living room and as of tonight it has lots of big fat colored lights and a box full of ornaments. I didn't want to fill it too full of ornaments too soon because I have a feeling that Henry and Neil are about to come home from Rise with a pile of them. So nice to sit down at the end of the evening and look at a Christmas tree.<br /><br />Parker's guitar playing has really taken off. He has a new teacher who goes above and beyond and has taken a real interest in his playing. Tonight I requested "O Holy Night" for Christmas. I feel certain he'll come up with it beautifully. I can hardly wait.Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007508244520246024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579595846554592524.post-79687862619030431722009-11-22T10:02:00.000-06:002009-11-22T10:03:19.480-06:00Kids Lying<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/x541sggu4x4&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/x541sggu4x4&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03959086837852707557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579595846554592524.post-48561658253675921882009-11-17T09:04:00.003-06:002009-11-17T10:05:05.366-06:00Our little boy growing up.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKz1oHJgs0bGD97wwgmMWVC1PODYHikY71w8XNqeQ0_gcUffsqKG9IkSgPZnGjq0s4YeQ9tlMsuEKFdNRNYq03OqWDs19bBZAo1Dg90-RMRlT-_UrkHCCb2hyYEjrWoNh3Xb11q0L30Zv1/s1600/JP+bw+sm.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKz1oHJgs0bGD97wwgmMWVC1PODYHikY71w8XNqeQ0_gcUffsqKG9IkSgPZnGjq0s4YeQ9tlMsuEKFdNRNYq03OqWDs19bBZAo1Dg90-RMRlT-_UrkHCCb2hyYEjrWoNh3Xb11q0L30Zv1/s320/JP+bw+sm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405092438050814210" /></a>Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03959086837852707557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579595846554592524.post-13484399724278089432009-11-02T06:27:00.006-06:002009-11-02T13:24:19.927-06:00Halloween at the ArboretumUntil last night, I thought the only way for children to have a real Halloween was to trick or treat around the block. I'll have to say, I really missed seeing some of our neighbors (I've even thought of dressing everyone up again and going for visits this nice Sunday afternoon). But, Halloween at the Arboretum was just enchanting! A drive into the woods with woodsy creatures, nice lights, nothing scary, Irish music, and happy children was just lovely. Parker dressed as a hippie, Neil as a bear, Henry as a monkey--with an old beaver poncho thrown over it at the last minute due to the cool night, Mom with a little $2 witch hat from the grocery, and Dad as a Sox fan. Happy children are a wonderful thing.<br /><br />P.S. Took Henry and Neil to trick or treat Miss Barbara and Mr.and Mrs. Barksdale this evening.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Now</span>, our Halloween is complete<span style="text-decoration: underline;">.<br /><br /></span> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidTrJnuca17vVW9kWEy3B5MqlC3D2fzB9RAtI-BH2ng0KREBNOThqtKLJQgGgob_IJNwLm0SdJfNHKZK7XGvuVYlbGOGXuR8vy8kS8f5S2K5zWlqw0MVvTdIgziXL45Spt0iaq0_p-Abw/s1600-h/bears_cr.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidTrJnuca17vVW9kWEy3B5MqlC3D2fzB9RAtI-BH2ng0KREBNOThqtKLJQgGgob_IJNwLm0SdJfNHKZK7XGvuVYlbGOGXuR8vy8kS8f5S2K5zWlqw0MVvTdIgziXL45Spt0iaq0_p-Abw/s320/bears_cr.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399558589878841362" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQs_JucKKTb5tcFjENoFH7mvSLaE_hkWaQ1l8-ob6VMUZEdycLevGSc-4_4NxQQtGB3JQ1a5y1z1xRwSkHar44mjsulFCqsdaGFcHaRnHvgnTLQ6BdkgAFifAF77qYtI04e1uH_rNl-k/s1600-h/jp_cr.jpg"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQs_JucKKTb5tcFjENoFH7mvSLaE_hkWaQ1l8-ob6VMUZEdycLevGSc-4_4NxQQtGB3JQ1a5y1z1xRwSkHar44mjsulFCqsdaGFcHaRnHvgnTLQ6BdkgAFifAF77qYtI04e1uH_rNl-k/s320/jp_cr.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399558592498232258" border="0" /></a>Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007508244520246024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579595846554592524.post-10100552498816284922009-11-01T14:23:00.003-06:002009-11-01T14:27:14.156-06:00Hip, Hip, HOORAY!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4KDTqPJZJwwvoaPJGELJ66-knJzHUbD8biesHLH2hG4Xn5s3qH9q6zONPszHUu0fiOhUYnORCaH9fkLkRTQIHefbKXU4NSQURalzbUzrcUVOoiojf1O2Ophi5H7EdgENcKnTlz7pIHxk/s1600-h/DSC_0016.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4KDTqPJZJwwvoaPJGELJ66-knJzHUbD8biesHLH2hG4Xn5s3qH9q6zONPszHUu0fiOhUYnORCaH9fkLkRTQIHefbKXU4NSQURalzbUzrcUVOoiojf1O2Ophi5H7EdgENcKnTlz7pIHxk/s320/DSC_0016.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399233988711016786" /></a>Neil and I made a trip to visit Dr. Colvin this week in Birmingham. We waited patiently for Dr. Colvin to finish the echocadiogram and to hear his assessment. These only take about five minutes, but Dr. Colvin doesn't say much during the echo, so it seems much longer and I just always hope that the news will be good. This time it was outstanding! Neil's right ventricular pressure is now normal, we can come off of the nighttime oxygen, and he can now fly with out oxygen!<br /><br />I have had so many emotions for past 3 years and 11 months leaving the Hillman Building. This time as we walked down that long hall, I was just holding my baby as he gave me one of his knock out smiles and floating above it all. Joy and thanksgivng! That was just it.Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007508244520246024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579595846554592524.post-71023776294689768972009-10-26T06:56:00.006-05:002009-10-26T07:12:59.681-05:00A Day at the Arboretum<a href="http://tinypic.com/" target="_blank"><img style="width: 430px; height: 325px;" src="http://i38.tinypic.com/300r8z8.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://tinypic.com/" target="_blank"><img style="width: 431px; height: 313px;" src="http://i36.tinypic.com/2lcmucl.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />The great thing about this shot is that Henry is the photographer. Look closely and you'll see the remote control in his hand.Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007508244520246024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579595846554592524.post-64317323840699483402009-10-20T22:44:00.004-05:002009-10-21T08:50:29.126-05:00Blood, (No) Sleep, and TearsThree a.m. Sunday morning and I'm in the best sleep of the night, sleeping beside Henry. I hear a big nose blow and then a request for a tissue. I reach on the table beside me and hand Henry a tissue, never opening my eyes. A few minutes later, I open my eyes and Henry is sitting up in the bed and I can see blood on the sheets. I turn the light on and Henry's face, hands, shirt, pants, feet and everything around him are covered in blood. Richard (who later said it looked like the scene of a splatterpunk film) comes running in to check on all the commotion and very carefully gets Henry to the bathroom, trying his best to avoid splattering blood on the new yellow chair and ottoman in the nursery. They made it successfully to the bathroom where I realize that Richard missed his calling as an EMT. Very calmly, he soothes Henry who is blowing his nose, crying and saying,"look at all that blood." I, who have never had a nose bleed, run <span style="font-style: italic;">warm</span> water on a washcloth to hold on his upper lip to stop the bleeding. Dad, who has had many nose bleeds as a child, reminds me that it's <span style="font-style: italic;">cold</span> water that we need. By this time Neil is wide awake, standing in his crib crying. Have I mentioned that it is 3 a.m. and we are doing all this in our sleep! I head back to the nursery to try to clean up and calm Neil. Not just sheets, but a comforter, a blanket, pillows, EVERYTHING is splattered in blood!<br /><br />I can hear Richard continuing to calm Henry "You're doing great Henry, I think it has stopped." Wait, don't blow again. " It starts again. This goes on for what seems like all night--but I guess it was really only about 15 minutes. Finally things quiet down. Henry settles onto a crib mattress with Dad on the floor beside him. Neil would have nothing less than being in the bed with Mom. I think by 4 a.m. we were all sound asleep again.<br /><br />Sunday morning, Henry awakens and says, "I didn't like that nose bleed." We get our coffee (bow) and ask him to tread lightly for awhile so that heaven forbid, that doesn't happen again. By Sunday afternoon, Henry complains of an ear ache. Thankfully we have those numbing drops that helped him make it until Monday when he was diagnosed with an ear infection. On Amoxicillin now and all is fine. And while at the doctor, for better or worse, Henry was the first of us to get the H1N1 flu mist vaccine. At the moment, all is well.Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007508244520246024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579595846554592524.post-27278815459565096062009-10-08T11:47:00.010-05:002009-10-20T22:28:36.221-05:00Mother Hen and Other Stories<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtOl9lws0vSVbdaC9TFOyEJXcNlkKFyObGvM7ma5UJ7cIsz4Zo-Urug6QNPtatYHf0mo0tlGioISAaZd5y6UBckBERGU7uQB0zI9eQEn5RvoJiAT6tOOS7ONWhrNoENMFai7lw13GvL5h/s1600-h/twins+on+porch+sm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 226px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtOl9lws0vSVbdaC9TFOyEJXcNlkKFyObGvM7ma5UJ7cIsz4Zo-Urug6QNPtatYHf0mo0tlGioISAaZd5y6UBckBERGU7uQB0zI9eQEn5RvoJiAT6tOOS7ONWhrNoENMFai7lw13GvL5h/s320/twins+on+porch+sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390319367768253938" border="0" /></a>I feel like a mother hen with all my chicks gathered 'round. Parker started at the new Tuscaloosa Magnet Middle School for 8th grade, and Neil and Henry are now BOTH at the RISE School at UA. All are within walking distance of our house. What a dream! And, they are all very happy!<br /><br />The opening available at RISE for Henry was in the 4 year old room (Neil is in the 3). Henry told me last night that he hugs and kisses Neil when he meets him in the hallway. Henry has been so excited about this that one night he named everyone he could possibly think of that he has ever known and talked about having a celebration party with BBQ hot dogs, BBQ pizza, BBQ turnip greens, etc... I think he was still naming people and BBQ'd items when I finally fell asleep. Needless to say it is wonderful to have them in one place.<br /><br />Dad and P<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYuvRCtX6v9aIB89HMHPYyjIy3rLQyw1OiKxDh42iQ2uDXACnO3FNzM1RK9E-14gf-Je8bBrDDjnyejBLUx58dmdS2F_-CT_yuHlOYPvJoCDT-VI_PkbC4-wOCkvSpdBUYANSd94YYbQl/s1600-h/JP+xc+sm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 224px; height: 330px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYuvRCtX6v9aIB89HMHPYyjIy3rLQyw1OiKxDh42iQ2uDXACnO3FNzM1RK9E-14gf-Je8bBrDDjnyejBLUx58dmdS2F_-CT_yuHlOYPvJoCDT-VI_PkbC4-wOCkvSpdBUYANSd94YYbQl/s320/JP+xc+sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390319362821172626" border="0" /></a>arker have completed the backyard play structure and it is fabulous. Dad spent MUCH of his time securing everything for safety. We tried our best to think like Henry and Neil would. Well, after about a day, Neil discovered that he could climb all the way to the top, get to the slide, raise his hands above his head, hold on to the beam above him, pull his legs up and swing like a little monkey! Terrifying! He does this with one of his beautiful, big smiles on his face. Thankfully, Mom can quickly climb the nearby tree and get to him! So much for trying to stay ahead of these guys. They get us every time!<br /><br />After six years of competitive swimming Parker thought he'd enjoy a break--and he has. We have loved having him here in the evenings. He wanted more time to play tennis and has joined the Fall USTA team. He has been a part of the Cross Country Team at his school and has enjoyed that. The meets are held in beautiful areas (Arboretum and Sokol Park) and it's nice to see all these children out in the fresh air. As of two weeks ago, Parker started guitar lessons with Tommy Sorrell and is soaking it up. It's amazing what a child does with a musical instrument when it's their idea.<br /><br />That catches me up to this week. The "piggy flu" as Parker calls it or the "flying swu" as Henry calls it has hit. Parker tested negative but Dr. Pettit says that "clinically" he has it and has been out of school all week. He appears to have had a mild case compared to some I've heard. Neil and Henry are running wide open on Tamiflu to try to prevent it. Richard and I are hoping for the best and taking our C and Zinc.Irenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007508244520246024noreply@blogger.com0