Stuart

What can I say about Stuart? It all started out with an innocent prank. Cheri and I were visiting James and Barbara, sitting out on the back porch drinking coffee and learning about life, when James decided to go to town. I got up to get some water in the garage and noticed this large skeleton hanging in the corner. A thought entered my mind and I carefully hung him where James would drive right into to him when he returned. Excitedly, I joined the girls to wait for his return. Moments later, he returned and nothing was said. I was feeling a little down because I thought my prank had not worked. Later I went into the bedroom to gather my clothes to take a shower to start the day. Low and behold, there was the skeleton laying in our bed dressed in some of our clothes. I was filled with delight! I hooped and hollared and gathered Cheri and Barbara to come look. We laughed and then I carefully placed him in their shower. About an hour later we were leaving to go shopping when we approached the car and there was the skeleton hanging onto my door. We loaded him up in the back seat and that was the beginning of Stuart! He went to Sonic with us to get our daily drink. He rode all over Abilene as we shopped around at all the neat little stores. When we returned, I once again carefully placed him onto their bed right in James' spot. Our continuous placement of Stuart has never stopped. Everytime we go to visit, Stuart gets placed somewhere out of the ordinary.
About a month after our first incident, I received a strange card in the mail stating that "I can't go on without you" and a small bag of bones. I was horrified. What sick person would do this? What did I do to cause someone to dislike me so much. Cheri happened to come by that day and I couldn't wait to show her the terrible card I had received in the mail. As soon as she saw it, she burst out in laughter saying....."Stuart! Stuart!" It was from Barbara and my mind does not think the same way as theirs, so I was clueless at first. From that moment, it has been a search to see who can find the neatest or ugliest skeleton to add to our collection. We have exchanged very unusual cards and gifts over the past 2 years that have something to do with a skeleton. It is a passion, a thrill, a journey to see what we can find. Halloween has become one of my favorite holidays now because of Stuart and all his skeleton friends. Yesterday I found the coolest cards with a skeleton on the front. I can't wait for them to receive it. I have already received my cards from Cheri and Barbara and have them standing proudly on my dresser for all to see along with all the other goodies they have sent over the past 2 years.
Long live Stuart!!!!

Tristin arrives

Early Thursday morning as I was getting ready for school, I get a call from Cheri saying that Cari is in labor. I was so excited! I felt like I was a grandma and I wanted to get there as soon as I could. I told Bri that we would leave after lunch and she was so happy that she didn't have to go to athletics. I don't understand the purpose of off-season where all they do is kill these girls. Bri has always loved sports, but they have managed to take that love away because she fears what they are going to have to run. Since school started, they have yet to touch a basketball. You would think they would let them practice at least twice a week. Oh well, let's get back to Cari.
We arrived at 4:00 and were able to go in her room to check on her. She looked great. A big smile was on her face and Kevin was sitting on the bed next to her making sure she was okay. The nurse came in and told her they were getting things ready for her to start pushing. Oh My! The time is here. The time we have been waiting for......a baby will be born soon. We leave Cari in good hands and head out to the waiting room.
Memories of my births begin to enter my head.....
May 2, 1985....my water breaks in a store with Mother. We drive back to LaGrange and I manage to deliver a healthy baby boy.
February 28, 1988....labor begins and I am left alone in the delivery room for what seems like hours. Don and the doctor have decided to visit and leave me alone. Hours later I deliver a beautiful baby girl.
October 28, 1992....after hours of having a nurse's hand between my legs, midnight comes and another nurse comes in to take over. Bri is sunny side up and doesn't want to come out. Eventually, I deliver another beautiful baby girl.
All mothers love to share their birthing stories. We all feel like ours is the only one that matters. As we sat in the waiting room, everyone was sharing their stories as we waited for Tristin to be born. Finally at 5:10 we get a text from Kevin....he is here!
We had to wait awhile before we were able to see this precious baby. He was beautiful. Perfect in every way. It is hard for me to imagine that my little Cari is now a mother. She seems so small and fragile. I was afraid that she wasn't going to be able to deliver, but she proved me wrong. This new baby made me wish that I was a grandmother, but I know that none of my kiddos are ready and that is a relief in a way. As much as I want a grandbaby, I am also scared. Will I be a good Nana? Will I say and do the right things? Will I be able to give advice without seeming overbearing? My mom and dad were the best grandparents so I know that I can count on the memories I have of them. I have watched all my brothers and sisters become grandparents and I can also learn from them.
To Kevin and Cari.......treasure every moment! Write down everything because you tend to forget. Rock him, hold him, love on him every chance you get. He is a gift from God. You will be great parents. I love all of you:)