Rally Rags, Spirit Fingers and Shakers

It is awesome to see family pull together and cheer one another along during a rough patch.

What greater thing is there for human souls than to feel that they are joined for life - to be with each other in silent unspeakable memories.  ~George Eliot

Surgery Went Well

Papaw's surgery went well.  It ended up being 5 bypasses instead of 3.  70% blockage.  It was a very long day.  Papaw's start time was pushed from 12 to 3.  And it was almost 10 pm when they finally called to say the surgery was over.  Today (Saturday) he was moved out of CCU and into a private room.  He rested and watched football in between napping.  After sitting up for 4-5 hours today Grandmama said he is in some pain tonight.

Still asking for prayers.  The scariest part is over, but there is still a long ways to go.

Thank you for all the calls, texts and messages.  Peace filled the waiting room yesterday as we all tried to be patient waiting for the long day to conclude.

God is good.

A Change of Heart

Did you know that God spends time on the golf course?

This week my grandfather played his regular round of Tuesday morning golf.  Voted.  And then went to the hospital because he had a massive heart attack.

Papaw plays golf every Tuesday morning at 7:30.  This is before the Club is even open.  The pro shop leaves out a couple of golf carts the night before.  And this group of men tee off with the sun.  The bet - three dollars.  You might think that the same three dollars go round and round, but I learned this week that Papaw and his partner were on a hot streak - 15 wins in a row - up until this past Tuesday.

Papaw was complaining that his chest was hurting.  Thankfully, one of the men in the group had a little pill in his pocket that he kept with him at all times.  This man, a retired doctor, and someone who had previously had heart surgery himself, kept this with him in case he ever had a heart attack.  The doc made him take the pill, which we later learned probably saved his life.  Thank you Lord for rising with the sun on Tuesday and heading to the golf course.

Today Papaw will have triple bypass surgery.  My prayers are for a successful surgery, may the Lord be with the surgeon and nurses, and strength for my grandmother.

I'm 27 years old and I have a gray hair.

My mom first cut my hair short when I was about 5 years old.  From then on I primarily had short to medium length hair growing up.  I started high lights in high school, continued in college and when Grant met me he thought I was a blond.  I slowly started doing low lights trying to get back to my natural color while I lived in Atlanta.  The last round came out dark and with a hint of auburn that I really enjoyed.

I haven't colored my hair since and it is now the longest it probably has ever been.

But today I saw something in my hair that I have never seen before.  A single gray strand of hair sparkled brightly in the bathroom lights as I washed my hands.  Caught off guard, I immediately moved closer to the mirror.  Surely my eyes have mistaken me.  Nope.  Its there.  Just a single right now.  And if the old wives tales are true, I will not be pulling it.  No need to help it multiply.

I'm 27 years old and I have a gray hair.  There are worse things.

Playdates are Essential for Every Mother

This week LB and I had three playdates.  Wow, it makes the week fly by.  And every single one was fabulous in its on way.  One was with a little boy just a few months older than LB.  Another was a first time date that I look forward to doing again - great mom and son!  And the third was with what is now our regulars.

LB and I have a standing Friday playdate with the Taylors - Lee Ann, Thomas and Makayla.  At first it started out at our houses, alternating each week.  Then the weather cooled off and we started having field trips.  I now look forward to our Friday field trip pretty much when the week starts on Monday.  Some are out of town, but most are in and around Dothan.  I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know this area a little bit better through our Friday playdates and love to call it home even more.

Today we ventured out to the Botanical Gardens to see the scarecrows.  Fabulous.  And quite possibly one of our best destinations to date.  The kiddos could run and roam free while Lee Ann, Makayla and I strolled behind them.  We were all fascinated with the inventiveness of the scarecrows.  If you have not been, please go soon.  They are only up through Halloween, but are well worth the drive out there.

"The Yawn and Stretch" - LB didn't even see it coming!

But the best part of our playdate, is the mommy time!  Sometimes we go deep and really pour into one another and other times conversation is light and carefree.  Either way, it is a great avenue to connect with another women over things we have in common, share trade secrets, and encourage each other when times are tough.

I am now a firm believer that playdates are essential for every mother.

Stepping Back in Time - Dad's Article

Here is the link to Dad's article this week.

http://www.thepostsearchlight.com/2010/10/26/stepping-back-in-time/

Note how I am introduced :)

And here are a few pictures from our day at Landmark Park.

Laura, myself and Granddaddy Dan

We ran into some friends.  

Laura's first time on a horse.

Trip to Auburn

Grant attended a seminar in Auburn last week, so LB and I decided to tag along.  It turned out to be an interesting trip, but fun nonetheless.  Most of these pictures are in front of Samford Hall.  I needed a shot to go with LB's picture in front of the Colonnade at W&L.

 

Oh, did I mention she got car sick?  This is the aftermath - trying to clean up.

And that explains her jersey and polka dot pants.  We had to make a Wal-Mart run to buy new clothes.