Evonne6kid

Ashley and Nick, part 1

2011-06-30T17:10:00.013-05:00

Writing about all this now is extra hard. Ashley and Nick met several years ago at Stonecrest in the ER, where they both worked. Ashley in admitting, Nick as a nurse. They dated some, broke up, then a few years later got back together. He proposed while I was still in Haiti, although I knew about it. Doug even got in on buying the ring for her before Nick returned. She was very surprised and shocked.

The wedding date was originally going to be in October, but the church they chose was not available and it was moved to September 10. Her sister Amber helped to organize and choose a theme for her shower at church. Amanda, Steph, and Rachel, as well as her aunts Annette, Renee, and Amy helped with everything.

I was invited to go along for the bachelorette party. India even came to help celebrate and be in the wedding. We all had a good time!

My cousin, Casey Mackie, made some beautiful pictures for the engagement pictures. She and her friend Alyssa came to the wedding and did an awesome job on those pictures!

They bought their house, closed on it, and got married on the same day! Very hectic. Our cousin Cindy Farmer came and did hair for all of us girls. It rained, didn't get as many pictures as I wanted, but it was a great day. The reception was at our church in Pegram. They honeymooned in Cancun.

A happy couple, off to a great start!

Amanda

2011-06-30T17:07:00.002-05:00

forgot to add that the cruise began the time of Amanda being back home! She lived in California for a year. It was hard, but felt like it would be good for her.

June 2010 cruise

2011-06-14T00:25:00.003-05:00

In june I finally had all my family together for a cruise. Amber brought Adam. Ashley couldn't convince Nick to join us, but then he had just started a new job also. Stephanie brought Taylor. Andrew had to bring a small crew, Brady and Dustin. Amber and Adam drove down separately. Ashley flew down and met us in Tampa. The rest of us all bonded in a 12 passenger van. We took turns sleeping in the floors, seats, anywhere. The cruise was great. The kids were all great. yes even the boys. No one fell off or was thrown off the boat. Yes I'd do it all over again.
before we left we even visited with doug's cousin Julie and husband Matthew, briefly, but good to keep somewhat in touch!

long time no post

2011-06-14T00:06:00.008-05:00

I know I haven't posted since last year. I know all the excuses I've had. But when I clicked on the little saying on the right of my blog, it all becomes clear. I've had a lot of stepping stones in my life this past year. Hopefully I can catch everyone up on this someday. Had I known this time last year, what the year would bring, would I , could I, have done anything differently?
No, I know it was as it was.

My baby girl, Stephanie graduated last may. I am very proud of her. Just didn't blog it. we went out to eat at outback afterwards. ashley, nick, leah, the baker boys, doug, matthew, adam and amber, brittany, amanda and I. Most of the rest of her family were at the graduation, including granny and pa, amber and adam, jason and the kids, annette and jason, joe and renee. I love seeing that smiling face and that dimple.

recovering

2010-07-21T02:03:00.002-05:00

After an awesome family vacation. A few days home to recover. And I was all set to go back to work! Wrong. Woke Sunday morning in plenty of time to make it to class and church. However, my head was busting, my throat sore, each breath sent burning sensations through my nostrils up through each sinus and seemingly out my ears. Breathing was no fun. I returned to bed.
Several hours later my husband decided maybe NyQuil might help. I think I woke long enough from that to make SURE I CALLED WORK**JUST FOR YOU BETSY***, then collapsed into a stupor once more. The next 24 hours I was up to go to the bathroom once or twice and totally out of it the rest of the time. I made it to the couch once, for a couple of minutes. My eyes wouldn't stay open and my head was killing me, so back to bed I went. No now 3 days after it began, my mind is returning to normal. Of course it is now 2am. I have to be quiet. I want to be asleep so I can be awake with the normal people. Have I mentioned I hate being sick? I loose days so quickly that way. Its beginning to become clear that ......I am down to 2 kids in regular school! 2, only 2. how did that happen? only two room fees, two sets of school supplies etc. wow.''

of course the others haven't gone away. and they are in college. one getting married. doesn't mean my life will be less hectic. just sounds funny thinking about only 2 parent/teacher meetings. 2 report cards. 2 getting there on time, etc.

Another birthday

2010-07-17T12:47:00.006-05:00

Today would have been her birthday. She would have been 36. Hard to believe. Hard to believe my age, how old she would have been, and that time has passed since we lost her.

Today we met at the Red Tree to make some plans for Ashley's wedding. She would have loved it. Blake, Brette, and Olivia and Cory stopped by briefly with Jason E. Little knife stabs every time I look into those sweet faces.

Olivia decided some time ago to be baptized today. Brette and Olivia are only 3 weeks apart.

Those two babies, and their mom's got to share some very special times. My sisters had a very special bond. No matter how many years passed, I would never have that same bond with either of them. But, the bond I had/have grew from "the spoiling sister, the surrogate mom, the older sister", into a friend/sister bond. The 3 of us talked almost daily. If a day or two had gone by one of us would call and say "why haven't you called me". Like most siblings we had spats. But never major.

I miss her aches, pains, spots, bumps, bruises, random things that she wanted to know what I thought about it but didn't do what I told her to about. I miss seeing her grow older. Mostly, I just miss the very essence of her.

My kids miss her calling them and tell them what she thinks they should be doing, wearing, or who to date.

I look forward to heaven. Seeing her stamp on it! You know she has had to rearrange something, organize something, or take care of someone.

36 years ago I was hoeing weeds. Beside my brothers, waiting on the birth of the first of my sisters. Living in a house with no bathroom, no air conditioning, and a bed in the living room. I didn't know how poor we were, or what we were missing. Not sure we had a phone, it came and went. Party lines were in use and some times I walked up steep hills to make calls. Mom had been working as a waitress at Shoney's throughout the pregnancy.

Now, mom has a degree in nutrition, a dietitian now retired. Dad breeds black Angus with procedures that cost more than we lived on then. My house has 4 bathrooms, way too many to clean. My kids think they are deprived because of all they know they don't have. Most everyone I know has their own phone in their pocket. No one walks unless they have to for the exercise.

Today, I'm helping plan my oldest daughters wedding, and going to a baptism. Life goes on no matter if I want to get off and rest or not.

I still see Evette in so many ways, daily. My heart still hurts, thinking about things not said or done. I continue to function, aimlessly at times; Trying to keep God in front of me, and keep moving ahead.

do you know how to make clean water?

2010-04-17T10:48:00.004-05:00

My second trip to Haiti had fewer medical people on the plane, but some very important people just the same. One of these was a guy named Trey. Trey liked to say he was just a good 'ole boy from Alabama. But he was much, much more than that. He was known as the "clean water guy". Basically he travels all over the world setting up clean water systems. I didn't get to see him in action at the orphanage, or at any of the other places he went to. But, I did get to see him in action at our clinic. The clinic likes to have one of us teach a short lesson every morning. When I did mine the first trip it was on STD's and how if you keep getting them your partner needs treated, and how infections can also affect pregnancies. I didn't choose the topic but I winged it anyway.

I had heard Trey talking some about the clean drinking water thing, so I mentioned it to Yannick, and volunteered him to teach the next day. Fortunately, he was more than willing. To sum it up, any clear plastic drink bottle can be used, if in good shape and has a lid. You fill it with water, if you can see your hand through the bottle then it is clear enough. Put the lid on and place it where it will get direct sunlight. After 6 hours, the water is safe to drink. The locals were so interested, they asked many questions. You can imagine, no way to cook, so how would you boil water? He also told them how to make re hydration solution with water, sugar and salt. Again, they hung on to his every word. I felt like more than all the medicine we gave them that day, Trey's talk helped them the most.

The little girl in this picture was very mad at me. We had lots of tetanus/diphtheria vaccine. I had just given her a shot and she was one unhappy camper. I'd bribed her with candy, a toy, nothing made her happy. She was even mad at her mom for letting me do it!

The last picture is the team I went with the second trip, plus a few others. Three doctors, me, and a wonderful non-nurse but trained in surgery help in all ways person. The picture also has Greg hidding in the back, and his son Dustin. Marilyn, a friend of Greg's from Townsend, Tn, is also pictured. Each and everyone worked hard all week in some way. Yannick of course is in the picture because she is at the clinic everyday. Garleen, another who runs the clinic, had gone back to the states by this day.

You never knew what you would see each day at the clinic. It ranged from malaria, typhoid, headaches, diabetes, to broken bones, car wrecks, and so so much malnutrition. Can you believe we had no vitamins to give out? I felt so inadequate not having any especially for the pregnant women.
I have to keep reminding myself, I wasn't there to cure anyone. I was there to show them the love of the only one that matters, God. I never really learned how to say, "God bless you", but I had Fermega, my interpreter, say it for me. I know I was blessed by being there.

Haiti in my heart

2010-04-16T08:00:00.004-05:00

Haiti keeps popping in my head. Random memories that I otherwise had forgotten. My first trip to Haiti was 3 weeks after the earthquake. Our group was wired and ready to jump in to whatever we found. Instead, God made us wait for 2 days before we were able to touch our first patient. I am not sure at the time any of us felt grateful for the delay. Each of us had such a heart to serve: One of our doctors served as an electrician; one doctor helped unload food to the point he became dehydrated; several of us helped with the massive feeding of the neighborhood; a paramedic/college administrator became an expert driver in Haitian traffic; so many more stories. Each of us stepped outside our normal comfort zones in so many ways.

One woman came to our clinic with a hand that she had been told was not broken. The middle finger appeared ready to fall off. She could barely use the hand. She said her house had fallen on her during the earthquake. She also lost three children. Because of her tears, and the language barrier, I didn't ask if that was her entire family.

The doctor I was with was very concerned the finger was gangrenous. He asked another doctor to look at it. I was given the task to soak and debreed it. We gave her a Percocet for pain. In the U.S. she would have probably had Morphine! After soaking for 30-45 minutes in a made up soak of peroxide and betadine, I got to work. She had brought copies of her x-ray of her hand. After the doctors looked at it closely it turned out she had two broken areas. The end of her middle finger was one of them. As I removed the worst layers it was great to find it was not gangrene.

I was being very slow, and careful with her hand. I was so afraid of causing the amazingly strong woman more pain. At one point I felt her hand on my shoulder, she looked me in the eyes and nodded her head. She wanted me to know it was ok to pull the skin off her finger. She was reassuring me that I wasn't hurting her. I was so humbled. I can only imagine what it felt like having several inches of skin pulled off an injured hand.

For her rehab I found a bulb syringe used for wound irrigation. I told her how to squeeze it to get exercise, and several other finger movements.

I am not a doctor, I am not a physical therapist, I am not a nurse practitioner. For anyone worried about it, I always put NURSE on my name badge. I wish I had more knowledge, and more initials behind my name. Then I could do more.

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long time no blogging....

2010-04-08T02:32:00.004-05:00

My oldest daughter has reminded me several times that I am way behind in blogging. I apologize. I can only write when I feel like it. These are from Easter 2010. I am in scrubs because I had just gotten off work. The bed is in the Living room, because my mother had stayed in our living room after her hip surgery. Yes there is one kid not usually here, taylor, a friend of steph's. And missing is Amanda, she is still in L.Al

Usually when I return from my mission trips....

2010-03-27T01:47:00.003-05:00

I find it kinda funny I can start my blog with the statement, Usually when I return from my mission trips..... Funny because 10 years ago I had not yet been on one trip. I always had an interest in going, but because of all those babies, I couldn't go. I've now been on 10 trips, I think.

Whenever I went to Mexico, I almost always returned excited. excited to share pictures, stories, and the way I felt about the trip. I would have pictures printed out the next day, or at least before the next Sunday, to share at church. Even the first year, when I returned very angry. I was angry at my world, my children, myself. Angry because we had so much and yet were so ungrateful. But even then, I wanted to share so much.

Haiti is different. I don't think it is just the earthquake and the destruction it caused. I went to help after Katrina and didn't feel this way. After both of my trips now, its taken a while before I could really start talking about it. It's not that the people are all walking around crying or sad, because they aren't . The children don't look deprived, even though they are. No one is lying on the floor saying feed me, they are beyond that. There is so much that needs done. Maybe I am overwhelmed. I try hard not to be. I know I am but one person. But truthfully, with each patient I see, I try to treat them as if they are the only one I have to treat. I can't give them money, a job, a future, but I can give them the dignity and respect most ~~all~~ humans deserve.

I do leave there wondering what more I can do. Not what more can millions of dollars do, or millions of people do, but what can I do. I have a plan to train the Haitians, like nurse aide training. But no idea if I will ever be able to have the time off to really do the training.

The picture of the smiling woman links my 2 visits. She came to me the first time pregnant. She was about 30 weeks. With her first 2 pregnancies she had became ill and lost each one. She wanted us to do a c-section while this one was still alive so she could have a live babe. I tried to do what I could. I sent her for an ultrasound, but the results didn't show us she was far enough along we could safely deliver the baby. When I went back, there she was! Her baby was only a few days old. She was so happy to bring her to see me! She shows me there is hope, hope for Haiti.

30 Years

2009-11-29T14:55:00.000-06:00

great poem

2009-09-08T22:59:00.003-05:00

A very good friend lost her daughter last week. Tera was a child that had been through troubled times but on the outside was a ray of sunshine. To think of her is to think of her smiling a huge smile, nothing half-way about it. She loved her son and if you were her friend she was fiercely loyal. The day we lost Evette she came over to her house and told my oldest daughter, (they graduated together) "I'm here so somebody will be here for YOU". She knew my sister, but she came for my daughter. I appreciated that so much.
So I found this poem on her facebook site today. It was for her, but it also applies to my sister.

“You can shed tears that she is gone, or you can smile because she has lived.You can close your eyes and pray that she'll come back,or you can open your eyes and see all she's left.Your heart can be empty because you can't see her,or you can be full of the love you shared.You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday, or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.You can remember her only that she is gone,or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back.Or you can do what she'd want:smile, open your eyes, love and go on.”

I found this quoted from David Harkins. Then I looked some more and others are not sure who originally wrote it. It was referred to as a funeral poem. I don't remember hearing it before, but I plan on trying to remember it more.

after 25 years, a beautiful birth is...

2009-08-27T05:02:00.001-05:00

After 25 years, a beautiful birth is…
I trained in a hospital where epidurals were normal, very heavy dosed at that time, cut the episiotomy, sew, here’s your baby, quick look, off to nursery, visit every 4 hours. That was the normal. I also got a glimpse into the “birthing suite” where the mom went “natural”, and all that was needed was the dad, the doctor, and a lowly student nurse could help out just a little. Wow, that was beautiful.
But because to me “normal” was the other way, and I had my first baby far from home, I went the “normal” route. The feeling of forceps, even with a very heavy couldn’t move a muscle epidural, was a sickening feeling, I vowed never to do THAT AGAIN! Baby and I were fine but the recovery for me was painful.
I worked at 2 hospitals after that first child. One where forceps were normal, without epidurals, pain for the mom was something she endured and was often encouraged to be quiet while she did it. Moms were happy because her baby was beautiful and mom’s pain was just how it was. I even had Doctors that wouldn’t come in until after “Dallas” was over, in the days before TiVo and VCR’s, so nurses just caught the baby, but it wasn’t truly beautiful, just the way it was. The second hospital also had no epidurals, but forceps and vacuums were rare. Still the cut the episiotomy and sew the repair was normal. But I did see some beautiful births.
My second and third births personally were at my 3rd hospital. We had great doctors, great nurses, educated to do the best and take care of you to the highest standards. My babies were healthy and beautiful; the births were the normal, heavy epidurals, no more forceps for me, cut and sew. My 4th was a beautiful birth, no epidural, no cut, no sews. Why was it beautiful? I controlled the delivery, I helped with the no sewing part by being in control, and I had elation like no other after she was born. You can hear the excitement in my voice in the videos, even though it was my fourth, and my fourth daughter.
That one was almost 18 years ago. I still help birth babies. What is beautiful hasn’t changed much. What is beautiful, is informed parents that are active in the birth, with a doctor that has been trained to keep the mom as intact as possible, and is able to a good job at that goal. Being part of the process with the parents instead of the “Superman” role of I’m here to save you and your baby, (so if I need to rush off for dinner and decide you are tired and I need to help pull your baby out with a vacuum or forceps I convince you it’s for you and your baby’s own good), I deliver you the fastest way, cut, sew, and here is your reward, your healthy baby and sore bottom. Believe me when I say I knew there were Doctors like that out there, but only saw the as rare until recently. I KNEW midwives did these things, but they were only for those other people, not the normal ones.
If I can name names, some of those rare Doctors no longer deliver babies, but they were Dr’s like Betty Neff, Maria Perales, Deborah Kondis, yep all women at the time. Sure women were happy with the doctors that did the cut and sew thing, we were taught that was normal and to expect it, especially with that first baby. I then met a midwife that came to this hospital. For some reason most all of her deliveries were done with very little sewing. Big babies, first babies, with epidurals, without epidurals, all sizes moms, all were having very beautiful controlled births. Deborah Wage, CNM, taught me that my memories of the delivery in the birthing suite so long ago was not just for those weird people that wanted to be different. Anyone could have a beautiful birth and feel better the next day.
For me the beautiful birth is the baby that comes out slowly, head stretching what was made to stretch, everyone in the room is calm. Dr Perales used to let the mom lean down and after the arms were out, grab her baby and pull it up onto her abdomen. My favorite part is when the dad cries, no matter how many children he now has, he still is overwhelmed by the miracle of his child. Everyone in the room is all smiles. The mom doesn’t even know yet if she gets stitches or not she is so enthralled with looking at and memorizing every detail of her new child.
I’ve learned now medical students are being taught how to do births without cutting, and with minimal sewing. I’ve seen 1st year residents that do it beautifully. The epidural is no longer the deciding factor in what the doctor wants to do. I’ve seen it in nice controlled quiet rooms, and in “what do you mean I can’t get my epidural because the head is coming out and I’m delivering in the wheel chair”! These young doctors are learning that simple techniques in supporting mom prevents tears and makes the healing and recovery so much better for everyone.
These doctors do beautiful births even when the parents know their baby will be taken quickly away for heart surgery, or other procedures. They at least have this normal moment. Mom will be in much better shape to deal with whatever lies ahead in her baby’s journey.
My wish would be that all those wonderful doctors that I love, that I know really care about their patients, would go to someone, and say, “Teach me how you do that”. Teach me how not to need to cut and sew. Surely if new medical students can learn, older experience doctors can also. They have so much experience in handling so many situations that can’t be taught, stuff that is vital to healthy babies and mom’s when everything is not easy and not normal.
I still love babies put right on mom, skin to skin, feeling their mom right as they come into a noisy new world. My favorite part, still, is when the daddy cries.

A wonderful Day

2009-07-28T20:22:00.002-05:00

Recently with the end of summer and the beginning of school coming close, I decided to take the kids to Nashville shores Water Park. We don’t go every year so it’s a treat when we do. I found I got a pretty good discount through Vanderbilt for the tickets.
I loaded up my 2 boys, Jon, Jr., Cory, and Olivia. We arrived around noon. The place closed at 6 so I told them we were staying the whole time. Of course if anyone had seriously whined we would have left early.
The kids were all amazing. They took turns riding with each other so that anyone who wanted to go down a certain slide had a chance to do that. They waited on each other so that no one was alone. They were nice to Olivia. Not always the case with an all boy group.

Jon and Matthew always almost always get along great. Jon was amazing with Matthew on this day. Picture the youngest boy, the child that weighs the least, pulling Matthew up on an inflated toy in the lake. Matthew’s life jacket kept floating up around his ears, making it hard to pull himself up out of the water. Jon would stop what he was doing and pull his hardest to help Matthew.
On one of the trampolines in the water there was an adult who was nice enough to let several kids climb on his shoulders and on the trampoline. Matthew was too big for this. So the adult pushed while Olivia and Jon pulled. He was finally able to get up and jump! It was so sweet to watch.

I found out Jr. is a lot like my oldest child and my mother. When he was on a slide you knew it! You could hear him talking and screaming the whole way.
Cory hit his head on one slide. It really scared me. Even the slide attendant said it sounded like a hard hit. When he first got off he looked shaken. I told him he probably needed to sit down a while and he was all for it. Until, everyone else decided they wanted to go back on the same slide. At that point he decided his head was fine and up the steps he went again.
There was no fighting during lunch. No one tried to order way more food or way more expensive food than anyone else. No one whined or fought the whole day.
Most people think it is hard to go anywhere with any children. Some even think I am crazy because I usually have lots of kids everywhere I go. Well I may be crazy, but I wouldn’t trade a day like this one for anything. I needed this day in a very big way. Thanks God.

Tomorrow is July 17th.....

2009-07-16T23:13:00.003-05:00

This is the newest addition to our family. This is Lucy Elizabeth Ann Fite. Her mom is my niece, Rachel Elizabeth Lynn Fite.

When Rachel was born I flew to Germany, with Ashley who was 7 months old at the time. Not a fun flight by the way. Joe and Tina had lost their first child when he was only 11 days old. Robert was a beautiful baby and we all were in love with him. It was the worst thing I had ever been through up until January 12th, 2008. They all lived with Doug and I. At the time it felt like loosing my own child. Now I know that it wasn't even close, but it was still painful for us all. In the way of most of us, I tried to find a reason. Still haven't found one.

I remember 35 years ago July 17th very well. Dad had woke me and the boys up, told us mom had gone to the hospital to have the baby sometime during the night. Then he took us to hoe out tobacco. At least I think it was tobacco, it could have been corn. They were the longest rows in the world. I was 13, joe 12, henry 11. Know any kids now days that you could leave in a field, working under the hot sun, alone, for hours, and know they would do the work? It was a different world. Most of the time our dad would have been out there with us. Mom did her share of outside work too but obviously not while hugely pregnant. Of all the things my parents must have done right to get the results they did, being with us was one of them. We weren't left to sit with a sitter, or in front of a (only 4 channels) tv all day, alone. We worked side by side. We sang silly songs, we heard stories about their lives, and we observed hard work.

Sometime later in the day our Aunt Goldie stopped by to pick us up. Goldie was a very unique person. She was our guardian Angel, Santa, and Fairy Godmother, all rolled into a retired teacher-never married-old maid- great aunt, just for us. I found out many years later when she passed and we were cleaning out her home, that she had helped out many of her relatives over the years. But to us, she was just ours. Every year before school we went to visit her. We would go to the dollar store in down town Jamestown, tn, and get a new pair of tennis shoes. Sometimes maybe 2 pairs, underwear or socks. Most always we went to the 5 and 10 cents store and could pick out a prize. They had a tasty freeze or something on the square and we usually got to get an ice cream cone, she usually had one with us. She would bake a cake of some sort and bring it to us on her visits. Sometimes she came every Sunday, sometimes less. Going to stay at her house for a few days was about the only vacation we were able to have for many years. Going alone was unconditional love and attention.

I remember when she came to get us she wouldn't tell us if the baby was a boy or a girl. She kept the mystery until we were able to get to the hospital. I doubt any of us 3 had shoes on. I also doubt any of our hands were washed before we went. I don't remember if we could even visit inside the hospital. The rules were much stricter then. If we did see Evette during that time she would have been behind the glass in the nursery. We probably had to see mom through the window that may have been open and without screens back then.

I loved that baby so much. We all held her every chance we had. Mom breastfed her and I thought it was the grossest thing I'd ever seen. I remember saying "why are you making her DO THAT?". Funny how I grew up to be such a breastfeeding advocate!! But not too many teenagers really want to see their mom's breast on display ok?

I remember one night mom ask if I wanted to stay up and feed her all night, with bottles of course. It was a very looooooooong night. But I did it. God I wish I could do it again.....

Evette started several years ago a tradition that we try to continue. On each of our birthdays she would say, "now everyone has to go around the room and say what they remember about (whoever's birthday it was)." of course she wanted it to be nice, and mostly it was.

One of my special memories is how she loved my babies. Everyone of them. She hated when they would get older and not let her love on them as much. With Ashley she barely had hips to carry her on. With Amber she could make her smile before most anyone. With Amanda it was the first baby she actually saw being born. Stephanie was the first one she really babysat for and she pretended she was hers. Andrew she almost dropped and cried because of "almost". Matthew she wanted to hold as much as the first one. She never lost that love for babies. I know she has to be loving on Robert, Amanda's lost twin, Tara's lost baby, and all the other babies that need to be loved. She's making them smile with her beautiful smile. She has Grandma Stewart and Aunt Goldie beside her each with a rocking chair and arms full of other babies.

matthew's baptism

2009-06-21T18:16:00.000-05:00

Matthew turned 11 on June the 12th. He has been talking about getting baptized for quite awhile. We decided to finally let him and made sure he was ready. He wanted to be Baptized by his dad while on vacation, not in the ocean but in the pool. So we had everyone over for cake and ice cream then headed to the pool. I am so proud of him!

group shot

2009-06-21T18:08:00.000-05:00

All my children. India is the one in red. Remember as of November I will have 5 single daughters, time for that reality show!

beach 2009

2009-06-21T15:21:00.000-05:00

more beach shots

2009-06-21T15:16:00.000-05:00

fishing trip 2009

2009-06-21T14:49:00.000-05:00

some of the family took a deep sea fishing trip. lots of fish were caught, lots of fish tales were told!

beach vacation 2009

2009-06-21T14:38:00.000-05:00

Our entire family, except for Rachel who had the first baby of the grandkids(!), and Catie, who had a wedding to attend, gathered at Orange beach for a vacation and a wedding. We played volleyball, ate a lot, and no one came away mad! Always a good thing. WE had a few extras like Nick, ashley's boyfriend, and Adam, Amber's boyfriend.

kiss and group shots

2009-06-21T14:26:00.000-05:00

blake is reallly interested....

2009-06-21T14:24:00.000-05:00

wedding cont

2009-06-21T14:22:00.000-05:00

beach wedding

2009-06-21T14:16:00.000-05:00

birthday boy

2009-06-09T15:25:00.000-05:00

Notice mr. tatoo's, not shirt, on his bike!! He also is showing of muscles and eating a hot dog like his uncle lee, or like cousin Matthew!

2009-06-09T15:23:00.000-05:00

Blakes party crowd...

Blakes 3rd birthday

2009-06-09T01:59:00.000-05:00

Three years ago June the 8th, this sweet boy was brought into this world.
His mommy loved him so much. Even though his positioning meant her first c-section, loss of blood and a transfusion. Now we can only try to love him enough, so that he feels her love through us. I miss you Evette.

where am I now?

2009-05-25T03:44:00.002-05:00

As the wedding date of Jason and Amy draws near, I seem to be the only one not able to be excited. Don't get me wrong, I want Jason happy. Amy is great. I could not have hand picked anyone else more perfect. They have bought a house close to me, that couldn't have been better. Now I can see the kids probably more than I want to, lol.
I think it just means moving on, and I just miss Evette so much I'm not ready to move on. I am glad she is in heaven. I know there are babies there that need her, and God needed her.
I know I am selfish. I needed her. She came into our lives at a critical time for me. She was a very bright star in a very dark world at the time. Annette doubled the brightness. They gave me a reason to be at home and a reason to laugh and smile while I was there. My parents are very different people now than they were then. They were both always good deep down, but were sidetracked for years. My sisters kept me from running away from home, I was afraid they would forget me because they were so young.
They kept me from doing things that might not have ended well, because I had to go home and take care of them. They went on dates with me. They told on me when I tried to not take them on dates. They gave me their honest opinion of my life because they were to young to lie.
They helped me raise my children. They built me up, they told me many times that I was the most patient person they knew. Evette was on the look out for potential "good" boyfriends at church and at church camp. Because she was always at camp my children went early and often. She trusted me with her kids also. Whe she had her kidney stone she wanted only me to bottle feed Brette. I think she knew I loved her unconditionally. When she told me anything that she thought might disappoint me about herself she was very quick to ask if I was upset with her.
We had a relationship like no other. Its different from mine and Annette's. Its different from mine and any of my daughters.
I search the bible, I read other blogs dealing with grief, I've talked with numerous counselors. And my friends are probably way over hearing anything about it. Time is all I can count on to dull the pain. God is all I can count on to heal my heart.

Andrew's 8th grade graduation

2009-05-24T15:23:00.000-05:00

Andrew will be moving on to the high school next year, very hard to believe. My first boy will graduate in 4 more years. He received an award for all A and one B for the entire year. There were 5 that received all A awards. So only 6 total for grades out of the entire 8th grade class. He has a great group of friends that we have over at our house frequently, but I like it that way. The neighbors that get their yards rolled might not appreciate it as much, but I have it on good faith that they are being watched, lol. We went to Logans after the ceremony, they gave him a big "hee Haw", scared him a little when they started pulling his chair back.

Andrew'

2009-05-22T17:53:00.000-05:00

Field day 2009 3

2009-05-17T22:11:00.000-05:00

Brette in the sack race.
Matthew looking really excited about this.......

field day 2009 2

2009-05-17T22:10:00.000-05:00

Austin and a funny face.
Brette and Caroline, sack race.
Brette and a serious face.

matthew filed day 2009

2009-05-17T22:09:00.000-05:00

Last field day at Kingston Springs Elementary School for us. Matthew wasn't really into it this year.

Sydney and Wendy posing.......
Ping pong ball race.

fishing

2009-05-17T21:56:00.001-05:00

Matthew, amber, Sydney and I went fishing today.Sydney caught a 3 inch one quickly. At first she didn't even want to touch a worm. Soon she was putting them on the hook, then getting the fish off. The last "worm" of the day she cast the line out all by herself, and look at what she caught! It scared us all! She was wayyyyyyy excited and so were Amber, Matthew and I!

mother's day

2009-05-10T19:56:00.000-05:00

mother's day

2009-05-10T19:54:00.000-05:00

Mother's day 2009

2009-05-10T17:57:00.001-05:00

My girls made great shirts again from Mother's day. They never cease to amaze!

Baby girl goes to prom 2009

2009-05-01T16:07:00.004-05:00

here comes trouble!

2009-04-24T21:29:00.000-05:00

Steph's junior prom with her bff's, leah and emily.

matthew sick

2009-04-20T12:19:00.000-05:00

Matthew was recently sick for almost 2 weeks with strep. On the last couple of days he broke out in a rash especially on his face. I was afraid of Scarlet fever, but per his doctor, it was an antibiotic rash. He is better now, and finally has all that make-up work finished! Oh he is eating chicken on a stick, from the Chinese place in bellvue. That and egg drop soup helped cure him!

Riley

2009-04-20T12:11:00.000-05:00

Amber has a new member in our family now, Riley. He and Fenway look a lot alike. Matthew says they are like salt and pepper, or maybe Andrew said it. Anyway they aren't friendly to each other yet.....

blake taking pictures of me

2009-04-20T12:09:00.000-05:00

Ashley can never say no to Blake, or most any kid. So when Blake wants to take pictures with her camera, he gets to take pictures. So these are pictures of him taking pictures of me!

zip line at the birthday party

2009-04-20T12:07:00.000-05:00

birthday continued

2009-04-20T12:06:00.000-05:00

more rachel's bd

2009-04-20T12:05:00.000-05:00

Rachel's Birthday 2009

2009-04-20T12:03:00.000-05:00

Rachel and her husband John live in Kansas now, so we don't get to celebrate a lot of her birthdays with her. This one we celebrated at Joe and Renee's house.

Rachel

2009-04-13T20:01:00.000-05:00

Isn't she a beautiful pregnant lady!

rachel's shower

2009-04-13T19:47:00.000-05:00

Little sister Brittany kept up with the gifts.

The girls always have cheers and "shows" for us. It's so funny now since Ashley, Amber, Rachel and Brittany did shows constantly.

First Grandbaby--Rachel's Baby Shower

2009-04-13T19:42:00.001-05:00

Rachel Elizabeth Lynn Fite is going to have our first grand baby of the generation. She is Joe's oldest daughter. Our family shower was on Easter after the egg hunt and food. Amber came up some really fun games. I think the younger girl cousins, Brette, Olivia and Sydney, had as much fun as anyone else with that part. The boys even wandered through to get in on the fun.

Renee helped out so much with her cupcake tower and decorations. Wendy Cox made the beautiful diaper cake. Ashley and Annette both bought prizes to give out.

I love the picture with all our hands on Lucy, well really on Rachel's belly. We started the party with a prayer for them both. If every baby coming into this world had as many praying and supporting them as this baby will have wouldn't it be a wonderful world?

Easter

2009-04-13T17:31:00.002-05:00

Easter was awesome

We had almost the whole family together for the first time in a long while. Rachel got to be there with us and it was so special. My dad felt good enough after his surgery that he was reffing the volleyball game. He helped with the egg hunt also. Great food, family, and fun. Doug and I took the idea of the "Resurrection eggs" and hid things related to Christ in the eggs. The kids did really well with all the items and even added the rest of the story that we didn't include.

Rachel hasn't lost her touch playing volleyball either!

A perfect day!

Sydney Hat parade

2009-04-13T17:15:00.000-05:00

Sydney won for "prettiest" Easter hat at school. She was very excited. Her Aunt Judy and Nana helped with getting the decorations and gluing them on but she decided where it all went.

Opossum story

2009-04-13T16:38:00.000-05:00

Since I really don't know the "laws" regarding opossums, I hesitate to post complete details about a recent visitor we had.
Let's just go with, it was found by my husband and he was not happy to be surprised in that manner. No one used the bats that I suggested. The BB gun didn't hurt it. And once we saw the babies all aggressive action ceased.
A good neighbor helped to relocate mom and babies (hopefully far far away), in a place I am sure they will be much happier.
If any of you have met Marcus, our small (ha ha) orange and white cat, it was comparable in size. We had some new born kittens meet an untimely end of life recently and now I am suspicious about how this visitor got so well fattened. If we lived farther out in the country maybe she could have even made some one a good supper!

appropriate verse

2009-04-08T21:06:00.002-05:00

9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.Romans 12:9-13 New Living Translation Bible

Ok so I have trouble with the lazy part, being patient in trouble, and some times just having hope.

blogging and family

2009-04-08T15:14:00.004-05:00

I keep this up because of several reasons. 1)It is like a journal of my life and my family's life. 2)It helps me work through my grief of missing my sister. 3) It keeps me in touch with extended family both my side and doug's. 4) From some emails I get, it is actually helping others with grief issues.

Some times I feel I leave my children out of too many post, or maybe that I don't focus on JUST my children makes me feel guilty. One thing I am very proud of, I have 3 grown daughters, the 4th will be 18 in November. They are each good people in their own way. But the thing I am talking about, THEY LOVE FAMILY. Sure we can get on each others nerves. But you let one of us, a niece, an in-law, cousin, whatever it may be, the we rally and we are THERE in whatever way we need to be. We don't HAVE to see each other every day, we usually communicate some way everyday. If I tell 2 of them something then I know the other 2 will know it before I can turn around. If someone is left out of the loop, then they are upset. Brittany (my niece) is almost as bad about being in the loop. She's learning what support really is.

I say all this because sometimes my post are just about me, sometimes just about one kid, sometimes about nieces and nephews. For me, its all family.

day at the park

2009-03-10T16:16:00.000-05:00

grief

2009-02-28T20:41:00.004-06:00

I recently started on labor and delivery at Vanderbilt. My first day on the floor I had to do a c/section. As an old nurse, this was fairly routine. Until I had a glance at the suction canister. I won't go into detail, but it threw me back 2 1/2 years. I was in the c/section that Evette had with Blake. AT the time, it was a beautiful thing. I got to take care of my sister. I was there to know she had the best care. Breena was helping circulate. The best for anesthesia, Charles. The best team working one her. I remember Sandra was there but sorry I forget who scrubbed. Dr Blake has always been a favorite of mine. She delivered Amanda, and Evette was (14 at the time), was there to watch that delivery of mine.

I knew she was loosing a lot of blood by watching the suction canister. I really knew when I saw Charles starting a second line. But I was calm and confident in those I worked with.

I ended up giving her 2 units of PRBC the next day.

I was honored to be there for it all. I loved helping that baby stay with his mom and dad. Annette stayed and got to be there for it all.

All this came to me in that OR at vandy, and I almost lost it. I explained to the nurse orienting me, and I got through the moment.

Yesterday I worked with Debra Wage, CNM. She delivered Brette and Sydney. Debra and I had a great working relationship. I really respected her practice, how she treated her patients, and that she PROVED babies can come out without a lot of cutting and tearing, over and over again. She's great. She's what I wanted to be when I grew up, but then I had 6 kids and plans changed. Working with her brought back so many more memories. I was with Evette and Jason when they had Syd. Evette was in the bathroom and said, "it feels like I really need to break my water", I said ok...., go for it I guess. She grunted a little and her water broke. Only time I have ever seen that in 26 years of doing this.

I helped her with breastfeeding each child. I remember with Brette Jason called like 6 am, wanted to know how early I'd be over to help more.

I miss that, being needed by her, but also just being with her.

I know I will never forget her, or stop missing her. Right now it just really hurts so much.

science experiment

2009-02-28T20:22:00.001-06:00

Did I ever mention I really hate science fair time of the year? I am not sure how much they learn. I know some parents do more of the project than the children. I'd rather have experiments that the class rooms all work on together. Even if it meant spending the day at the school. Science can be an exciting time. I just think this is done in much to broad of a way. Maybe if they gave everyone a topic and narrowed the purpose. Like how many germs grow in your house. Or how can you cut down those germs. Just my opinion. Matthew's experiment was to see if electricity could be made using a potato. He did very well and seemed to understand the process. He also made a very good grade on it.

sydney's program

2009-02-28T20:21:00.001-06:00

Sydney was a tourist in a recent 1st grade school program. She did so good! We all were very proud of her.

doug's birthday

2009-02-28T20:15:00.001-06:00

Small birthday party at home for Doug's birthday. He even made his own cake as I had work.

2009-02-28T20:14:00.001-06:00

This one is blurry but it is so funny. Adam is all excited and "pulling " brette along. Her face looks like she is just not too sure about all this!

skate party for syd

2009-02-28T20:10:00.002-06:00

Sydney's Birthday party was held once at church and once at the ice skating rink. With a large family there are lots to help little ones skate. Catie and Becca came and the girls love when they help. Amber brought her boyfriend, Adam, and he help a lot also. AS you can see by the pictures he had as much fun as the kids. Amber, Ashley and Amanda of course help. Jason's cousin's and parents were there. Amy was there with Blake and Bailey. They fit right in with the rest of us. Now to get Nana and Poppa on skates!

family update

2009-02-28T19:45:00.007-06:00

2009-01-28T00:12:00.004-06:00

Facebook has a run on everyone doing "25 random things about me". Its been fun learning a few new things about people I've known forever and some I've known not so long. I thought I'd share mine with those who don't get on facebook. I also decide my kids were such a part of who I am that I needed to share stuff about them. So this is a long blog!

My 25 random things about me:

1. I struggle with who is most important, God or my family. I know God should be first, but, I struggle

2. My children are my greatest joy and cause me the most grief. :)

3. I was certified as a lactation consultant for 20 years. Everyone has to have a cause.

4. I had natural childbirth with 3 kids.

5. I had epidurals with 3 kids.

6. I love almost all vegetables. Especially asparagus.

7. I love to read, anytime I am killing time, give me a book, magazine, SOMETHING!

8. need a girls night out, miss 3 am talks with girls at work

9. favorite thing at a delivery, when the father cries

10. mission trips are my passion, my favorite part of the year, time I feel closest to God, and feel like I am really doing something worthwhile.

11. miss fixing little girls hair, braids etc.

12. love holding babies

13. I love to dance, just now i do it where no one can see me

14. love gardening

15. love to push mow the yard, barefoot

16. hate shoes

17. had a breast reduction, still wish i was smaller.

18. miss my sister, love to hear stories about her from others

19. love hugs from Matthew, my youngest

20. enjoy scrap booking

21. love photography, need a class so i can use all those buttons on my camera

22. miss my friends at CMC, but looking forward to VANdy

23. love the ocean, family is the only reason I live in TN!

24. have the best husband ever, he does dishes, laundry, vacuums, takes great care of me and the kids, works hard, and makes up silly songs for the kids.

25. grew up really poor, used a outhouse until high school.

Things you may not know about my kids!

I decided that to know me you need to know my children better:

I have a 30 year old step-daughter, India. She lives in Oregon and is a LPN. She is a great girl. Yes I called her a girl. She pointed that out to me. She's still one of the girls when she visits. they all look so much alike when they are together. Here"s a pic of her and Amber.

My oldest 3 have all graduated, are all in college at Nashville state, all had jobs in high school, all 3 drove cars they paid off. None incarcerated or had rehab. They have matching "sister" tattoos with the other 2 sisters, 7 petal daisies for 7 total children.

Ashley, age 25,

1. acts like the mom. sometimes forgets i am sitting in the room when making them eat vegetables. Mothers other people's kids too. (wonder where she got this?)2. Has no boundaries when it comes to undressing in front of others.Her brothers just shut their eyes quickly. Once asked her brother if he thought anyone saw her naked, he replied, "were they throwing up", she said no, he said, well then they didn't see you.....3. Loves anything with the pink ribbon for breast cancer support on it. She supports many charities and is a sucker, I mean supporter, for anyone raising money.

Amber, age 23

1. Can fit into her skinny 9yr old cousin's clothes. But don't tell her she looks young. And don't say she will appreciate it when she gets older. She's heard it a billion times.2. Broke her back during cheer leading in 8th grade. Continued to cheer through high school even when she had to be iced before and after competitions.3. Tries to be tough and say she doesn't like cats and dogs. Once I MADE her hold a baby kitten, she WOULDN'T give it back! She cries over dead goldfish, and bought her own pet rabbit, a boy named daisy.

Amanda, age 20

1. Never met a stranger. She at first looks quiet. Even as a child could be in the grocery store line and know the next person's life history before we were out of there. She's always had a wide circle of friends. Never just one group.2. Works as a nanny to 2 twin boys that were premature. She says she's never having kids but I have seen her cuddle many babies.3. has a double swirl at the top of her head. She had a twin that "disappeared" around 14 weeks gestation. My only child with the 2 swirls and the only twin pregnancy I knew of. Who knows if they are related at all.

Stephanie, age 17

1. Only one to get Doug's dimple, but only one side. She has always been a happy child. When she plays volleyball she encourages her team no matter what, always with a smile.2. She was "Evette's baby", she was born when Evette was able to drive and take her with her everywhere when I worked. Evette used to give her blake to hold and tell her to "hold your baby". Yes I trusted my sisters with my children even as teenagers. They enjoyed going to Annette's cheer leading practice, wouldn't you?3. She plays volleyball After years of cheerleaders, gymnastics, dance classes etc, it seems really different to have a girl that does something else. But I like it.

Andrew, age 14

1. Has four names. After 4 girls we had a lot saved up. Stephen Andrew Joseph Davison. Clyde was almost put in there but that's another story.2. Is very quiet in school. But ask him about sports and he can talk FOREVER. His hearing is great, try whispering around him...3. He loves babies. He loves Blake but won't play with him outside because he can't keep up with him!

Matthew, age 10

1. is our free spirited child. he can entertain himself. He is constantly thinking way too deep for me.2. He is a math whiz. Didn't get it from me. He loves to ask me math questions while I am driving. I tell him I don't like to think and drive.3. Gives great hugs. Some times you need to brace your legs first cause he has been known to make you sit down suddenly.

I am very proud of each one of my children. They are all much better than I ever was. Watching them grow is the greatest joy I have.

job and life update

2009-01-09T22:02:00.003-06:00

Some, if not all, know that we have been without a paycheck since october the 30th. Doug has had a few days work, in December, in Manchester, that helped some. Of course no paycheck means no benefits. We have been humbled by the experience. We are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.
Many different jobs were discussed, offered, accepted, then the budgets changed and they no longer had the need for his services. It was very frustrating for us all. You have to remember, this is a workaholic I am taking about.
This current job was offered several weeks ago, but who knew how it would turn out. Well he officially is on the payroll on Monday the 12th. The company is called Vitalize. They have already sent him his company computer and a welcome basket of snacks and movie rental coupon. Plus they have a seminar scheduled in April, on the beach of course, for new hires. I'm liking these people already. We will have health benefits starting in February.
We have both done without many of our normal meds. We have been able, through friends and others, to get samples of some of the most important. It will be nice to be able to afford drugs and not worry about if one of us gets ill.
I have looked for many jobs myself. I haven't worked since my surgery in May 2007. My neck still hurts so I wasn't sure I wanted to try. But no money is no money. I had strongly considered travel nursing just for an income. Matthew thought Alaska sounded great. I talked with temp agencies, and local hospitals. The economy has made so many cut back on normal stuff. This week I was given a salary quote from Vanderbilt Hospital. I'll be working in labor and delivery as a staff nurse, with available hours in post-partum and high risk as well. Maybe mostly nights, but again, its income.
We have made it God's help I know. We haven't really had fights. I initially panicked and was really upset, wanted to move Christmas to March! Thank-you all for your prayers. My family, friends, and our church have helped tremendously in getting us through it. Our first real pay day will be January the 30th.

Pay checks are good things, and insurance is too!

our Donna

2009-01-09T21:37:00.004-06:00

Our good friend, one of mom and dad's "other" daughters, graduated from Belmont in December. Three of my girls and I went, mom and dad went, and Ellen, one of the other "daughters", also went. When they were growing up, it was always Evette, Donna, Ellen, Annette and Jenny. Donna took pictures of my kids as a surprise for my anniversary, and she took pictures of Evette in her wedding gown 10 years after the wedding. Donna actually knew Jason before Evette did. So sometimes we blame her for that, but not really. We are all very proud of you Donna!

Donna helped Amber find her job with ABEC, where donna also works.

Donna's parents. Don looks almost as good as Donna did in the hat!

The yellow smiley face on the hat was made by Evette for Annette's graduation from nursing school. It was really nice to see Donna wear it, and it made her easier to find....

New years and birthdays

2009-01-09T20:51:00.006-06:00

Again, our schedules were slightly different this year. Dad's birthday is the 30th, Mom the 31st. We usually do something on New Year's Eve for both. This year we went to Joe and Renee's for both and a New Year celebration. Henry and Wanda also joined us with 2 of their 3. Renee is one of the GREATEST ever. She cooks and cooks and cooks. And she LIKES it! She made awesome lasagna and stuffed shells. She even made plain noodles for Matthew cause he doesn't like sauce. NO idea where he came from. She made so much I was able to take home a pan that Doug and I enjoyed later. Thanks Renee!

When Blake first saw the cake he said "Yay I get to stick my finger in it!".

This is Annette with Rebecca, Henry's youngest daughter. She is a freshman at Lipscomb where her sister Catherine is a junior. Everyone says she looks like Evette. She is very proud of that.Below is mom with the rest of us kids. I really have a hard time with group shots. I just feel like we are not complete now.
My dad loves chess. Most of the boys, and Ashley, have played at some point. Maybe Brette some also. This is Jon and Matthew debating what move is next.Not sure what was funny but I loved this shot of Wanda with Annette and Jason.Not sure why Jason got a kiss from Brittany, I think he was asleep.

Holidays are over??

2009-01-09T20:24:00.004-06:00

I haven't updated in a while, sorry.

Matthew appreciates Christmas morning more than anyone. He is still such a happy carefree child. Sometimes you stop and wonder how he can be so unbothered (is that a word) by everything that goes on. He makes really good grades and excels in math, so I take all those hugs and kisses and figure it will go away when he gets a girlfriend. When I'm like 60 maybe?

Doug was really happy with his leaf blower. Thanks craigslist!

Later in the day with had Christmas with the family. We normally do this on Christmas Eve. However due to lots of conflicting schedules we changed it. It made the day last longer for us all. We of course had to play the couch game. The kids love it more than anything else. It was one of Evette's favorite games to play.

Jason had been shopping for a hot dog cooker. I knew he was too cheap, I mean to frugal to buy himself one.

We had to explain the couch game rules to Adam. But the boys team won twice because of him. I think the boys cheated!

We couldn't have a gathering without the girls giving us a "show". Of course Blake just likes attentions so he had to help.

thanksgiving

2008-12-02T14:24:00.000-06:00

part of how you fit over 30 people in one house

grandpa even had to help with the "shows" the kids put on.

The only shot I have of Casey's family. This as their first trip here. We had them fooled, they thought we were "normal" people. We will see if they ever come back.

thanksgiving chaos

2008-12-02T14:04:00.001-06:00

Fenway was worn out.

So was Jason, but then we are used to him sleeping anywhere. Notice the earphones.

Syd's turn to fly.

Our whole gang. Thanks to Casey.

2008-12-02T14:00:00.001-06:00

2 kinds of cards being played, rook and cribbage, both family traditions.

Joe tossing Blake in the air, he loves it!

Literally, we climb the walls! or at least doorways.

Andrew didn't like a curl in his hair. We had it cut a few days later.

our home chaos

2008-12-02T13:58:00.002-06:00

Scenes from our house for Thanksgiving. This is Doug's brother Dennis, he is almost Matthew's twin. or as Steph says, like Doug and Matthew squished together.

Riley, my cousin Casey's daughter from Sparta, just joined in with the other girls like she'd always been with them.

Planning session for Black Friday.

Sliding down the steps...

Baby girl turns 17!

2008-12-02T13:47:00.000-06:00

Stephanie turned 17 on November 20th. AS always our house was busy. Doug's brothers and spouse's came the friday before to visit with us for the holidays, so we waited until Sunday to celebrate her day. The house was full and fun. She decided to try to show everyone who was the strongest. She carried several of us up our steps. Here is one of her with me on her back. She did get cory up on her back but only was able to hop a little...

Junior's birthday

2008-11-08T18:34:00.004-06:00

I wanted this post to be seperate from the last one. Joe Stephen Lynn Jr's birthday is also on October 31st. He just turned 12. In the picture are his dad, Joe, my brother, my dad, and my Uncle Bud. He came over early, we had cupcakes, opened presents then we all ate lots of food.

I love having an "open" house on that night. Friends and family bring food and we have a lot of fun seeing everyone.

trunk or treat, dressing up

2008-11-08T18:15:00.004-06:00

Trunk or Treat at church this year went well. I decided to set up a photo station and took some pictures, printed them off, and gave them away. It was fun, and a learning experience. Next year have at least 2 cameras and an assistant, and a tripod, and maybe a light! Oh well kids had a great time.

Next on to that day everyone dresses up. Can I say Halloween?
Due to issues with the day, we had a "no scary costume" rule at our house. Our year, and some areas of our lives just demand we look at this day with a different light than before. We recently had a study at church that also made us look at it differently. I stil enjoy dressing up. I like seeing friends. I like candy. So we will still have fun on October 31st, no matter what it is labeled!

Doug and I were the clowns, as if you didn't know that. Blake is the very cute monkey. The foggy picture is what my front yard looked like. The kids, and Uncle Bud, had fun with the fog machines. The very cute baby is Ellen Ola's latest baby to take care of. His name is Rain, I think, (sorry Ellen), and he fell asleep just as I was holding him. Ellen and her husband are taking care of him and his brother for a while.

missing evette

2008-11-01T00:53:00.004-05:00

Feel free not to read this. I am writing for therapy for me.
Blake is sleeping in my bed, next to "unke doug", and our dog fenway. He dropped his pacifier down the crack at the head of the bed, then snuggled up next to me. It broke my heart. That moment just made me so aware, even headed toward sleep, that his mom was not here. Not here to see him grow. Not here to hold him at night. Not here to see him tonight in his monkey costume.
Another baby was here tonight. Ellen's newest addition. I was talking to him and he was smiling the smile babies do when they really see you in the beginning. Evette could make all my babies smile faster than anyone else. She would say they liked her big teeth. I think they just liked her voice and her smile. Like most of us, she would pitch her voice higher and just use a different voice with babies. I remember her doing that not long ago with Blake. even though he was 18 months, no longer a little baby. She would talk to him and make him smile all over. She loved all her babies. But watching him respond to her and move toward her so happy to have her there....
It made me remember she isn't here. I have tried hard not to think. Not to remember. When i go down that path I stop my brain and change lanes. I couldn't do that this time, and it hurts so much.
At school today her 2 girls both rec'd awards. I took pictures and didn't think. I hugged and congratulated them, but didn't think. Sydney kept me by her side while giving candy to all those who came, not letting me leave her to greet my guest in my home. I knew she was needy and I knew why, but it didn't make me think and hurt.
Sometimes I miss her for me. I think about something she would do or say or would be doing now. But I stop my head. My heart still hurts.

caught up briefly

2008-10-25T22:30:00.003-05:00

Ok so I know I posted a lot tonight. We have been busy! I have had mid-terms. Annette and Olivia had birthdays. Annette didn't get to go ice skating but she got a family reunion for hers. I worked forever on a dvd video for a friends memorial service. I think I know a little about it but the program just wouldn't cooperate. Thanks to Aaron Johnson I was able to get it done. The family reunion was very hard for me to go to. I am always glad to see my cousins. It was just a real reminder of who is missing for us. Sorry David about getting your shirt wet. Nice to have another shoulder.

last tree shot

2008-10-25T22:30:00.000-05:00

This was made after the reunion in the same tree the older pictures were made in. The leaves haven't changed color as much yet in Sparta.

2008-10-25T22:28:00.000-05:00

Casey's girls. They look so much like she did when she was little.

Aunt Kibby's kids and grandkids.

family reunion

2008-10-25T22:18:00.001-05:00

Another group shot, this one is Uncle Dohmer's children and grandkids. I think I spelled it right.

This is Casey and her son. Can you tell they are related?

This is the two Blakes. The big Blake is Blake Lynn. Evette helped take care of him when he was in Vanderbilt Children's hospital when he was very young.

Lynn Family reunion 2008

2008-10-25T22:15:00.001-05:00

we wore our shirts from the cattle sale so everyone could identify us belonging to "Bobby Lynn", like they can't look at me and know I AM DEFINITLY A LYNN JUST BY LOOKING! As you see my cousins you will know what i mean!

Dad got excited answering a question!

I think this is all the cousins that were present of this generation, 1st cousins i believe.

the goofy one, in the middle ,was my teacher at one time! So were 2 other ones in that row.

Tree shots

2008-10-25T22:08:00.000-05:00

As you can tell, we've been taking shots up in the tree's for several years. I had to dig to find the ones of Evette and Annette from many years ago. The one of Amber and blake was just a few days ago but the leaves are already mostly gone.

2008-10-25T22:03:00.000-05:00

brette practiced until i got this shot.

Isn't olivia beautiful?

Sydney wouldn't let me get many of her for some reason. Here she is talking to the other Olivia.

2008-10-25T21:59:00.000-05:00

Brette has really learned how to skate so much better this year.

The big "girls" having fun.

2008-10-25T21:58:00.000-05:00

Blake loves cake!

He like Becca too!

Here's Becca doing some hard skating, keeping those girls from falling...

Here are the big kids having fun.

2008-10-25T21:56:00.000-05:00

Aren't they sweet. How many college age sisters would skate together like this?

Annette and Donna. Aren't they cute?

Birthday girl and her friend Emma.

I love pictures like this when I catch the "eye" some girls are giving me.

Olivia's 9th birthday

2008-10-25T21:53:00.000-05:00

Jason was brave and put on skates. But he didn't want anyone to touch him!

Catie and Becca get a real work out because they can really ice skate, the rest of us just watch.

This is after Catie, umm, fell, and her kind sister helped her up, while dying laughing.

Brittany and Matt helped out with the skating.

concert

2008-10-25T21:43:00.000-05:00

Brette recently performed in a county wide concert. Our "other niece", Caroline Armstrong was also in the concert.

My hubby's work

2008-10-01T22:14:00.002-05:00

I don't mention my Husband nearly enough. Doug was at home for the last 2 weeks, between job contracts. He mulched for me!! I was very excited. You have to understand, this man has had 3 heart attacks, triple bypass, and 3 stents. So getting 2 truckloads of mulch spread around our yard is a really big job by yourself. I pulled some weeds and pulled some plants out of the way, and I was wore out. It looks so much better. Thanks honey.

2008-10-01T22:13:00.000-05:00

Brette's birthday party

2008-10-01T22:01:00.002-05:00

Brette turned 9 on the 24th. She had a party before church at the church, and then on Saturday had a skate party at the ice rink at the Sportsplex. Hard to believe she's this old already.

cattle sale

2008-09-21T23:56:00.007-05:00

Well, its over. My dad works really hard, leads up to a couple of sales here and there, and this one big one every year. Well I think this is his 4th one?? He isn't alone in his sale, he simply is not that large of an operation. My dad is not perfect. But he has always, always, worked hard. It would be nice to see that pay off. This year's sale went well. The money was not as good as if the same cows had been with the bigger ranch/farm's sales. But it was fun. We had shirts made for the event. It was my girl's idea. I can't remember which one had it first, Ashley?? We had lots of ideas thrown around and ended up with, Lynn Angus Farms's, "Where good Breeding shows". The kids behaved well. It brought back lots of memories for me and Henry. I didn't get to talk much with Joe. But growing up we spent our fair share of time in cattle sale barns. In Sparta that used to be on the Cookeville highway, I think. Ask Henry to tell you about how he broke his thumb and fell in the cow pookie. It was traumatic no matter what Matt Clark has to say about it! I didn't get to play much with the cows. I mostly did the auction, writing down the bids and who bought what. Just try to decipher what the auctioneer is saying and you can understand the fun I had.

2008-09-19T23:25:00.000-05:00

The spot is next to the gazebo. This is close to the spot where the wedding took place. The big tree was lost to a tornado a few years ago that the wedding was held under. There were two swings in another place at Lylewood but they are no longer there. This place was picked for the shade, the view of the camp, and the memories it holds. There may be a plaque in place at some point.

Blake being funny. One thing I know, he is a happy little boy. Evette, just know, he is happy and he is loved. So many are helping to take care of him and the girls.

This little one is rarely in a bad mood or grouchy unless he feels bad, or is tired, (or is trying to be like his dad, or uncle, or poppa.)
Sydney worked hard and ACTUALLY got dirty. She doesn't do that very much.

2008-09-19T23:17:00.000-05:00

Matthew got to put in a few screws. Blake thought the concrete was "cow poop". He loved adding water and helping mix it. Everyone needs a two year old to help out....
We didn't hang the swings but this will be sorta what it looks like.

2008-09-19T23:14:00.000-05:00

Yes these kids helped a lot! They had to fill in all the holes that couldn't be used.

Blake wanted to wear the work gloves. He looks ready for surgery!

2008-09-19T23:12:00.000-05:00

George did most of the work, well, that's the way it looks in this picture anyway.

Ashley and Matthew were my only two helping this time. Oh and Doug of course.

swings cont

2008-09-19T23:10:00.000-05:00

this is blake getting the bug spray for everyone.
this is the instrument of torture that they used to dig holes. It tortured Jason and George! They dug many holes until they could finally get 2 deep enough!

Swings for Evette

2008-09-19T23:03:00.001-05:00

September 13th was Evette and Jason's wedding aniversary. We went to camp to work on a project that we started this summer at camp. We planted flowers under two trees then. This time it was to put up two swings.
The swings were donated by a friend of Jason's. Blake was willing to help, see him and the shovel and all the dirt!

Here Blake is helping water the plants. Most survived the summer!

volleyball team

2008-09-15T23:23:00.001-05:00

This is the team posing for one of our favorite umpires, George!

this is what they really look like!

2008-09-15T23:19:00.001-05:00

steph serving, her friend leah in front of her.

I hope this one went over!

No matter what, steph always smiles and encourages her fellow team mates.

she is probably trying to tell her sister to stop already with the camera