The Greats come to visit!

Over Will's birthday weekend, we had some very special visitors join us - Great Papa and Great Betty!  Great Papa is my maternal grandfather and the kids love him and Betty to pieces.  He and Betty act much younger than they really are, still travel, are in great health and always have good nuggets of wisdom to share.

They are a blessing to our family and I feel so fortunate that my kids have the opportunity to develop a relationship with a great-grandparent.  How cool is that?

The Greats and all the Grands :-)

Here's hoping we get to see you both in Amarillo before long!

Top Nine: 'Thank You' is never enough

Today's top ten became the top nine (see below)...We all know one (or two or more), a distinguished man or woman who served our country.  Our family is blessed to have several such heroes:

Papa Jack (WWII)

Grandpa Toots (WWII)

Uncle Joe Mack (Korea)

Dad Bill (Vietnam)

Cousin John (Gulf War, Iraqx2)

Uncle Buddy (Korea)

Uncle Troy (Korea)

Cousin David (currently serving)

Uncle James (Korea)

If you're blessed to know such a fine folk, do this...call them, text them, send a note or say a prayer.  Tell them you appreciate their sacrifice.  Their service.  Their selflessness.  My take at least, is that we can never say 'thanks' enough.

Scott and I had the honor of visiting the Normandy beaches in France this spring.  That was one of the most humbling and moving days of my life.  We've spent time at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in D.C., walked the Vietnam Wall and seen the eternal flame.  We know that we're able to sleep in our beds, practice our faith and raise our children in a free society because of them.

Happy Veterans Day.

QOTW: September 11, 2009

Will: So, why are we having a party for cousin John, Mom?

Me: Because he just got back from his year-long deployment to Iraq.

Will: Oh, so was he there like on vacation or something?

Me: Uh, no. He was over there protecting your hiney.

Will: You said hiney, Mom!

So I did. But, the message is still the same. John, we're thrilled to have you home (and stationed down the road at Camp Mabry for the next 6 years!) and thank God everyday for the sacrifice you make. I'm sure today evokes many memories for everyone of us. One of those moments in history that give you pause to think about just how horrible it was, how far we've come and how we should never forget.

God Bless America and put on a little Neil Diamond in your CD player if you've got it :-)

We are supposed to have a busy weekend, but the rain (THANK YOU JESUS!) may pre-empt the weekend 'o sports games. Will started flag football and ALG and JP are in soccer. ALG has a double-header, so between the three, we'll be spectators at four. We shall see if that actually happens. I'll be super bummed for the kids, but not so bummed that we'll have some extra time on our hands.

My Papa and his wife, Betty, are here all weekend for his WWII Bomb Group reunion. That's a big hoo-rah. The girls, Mom and I had lunch together and it was so fun. I love that at 83 he's still active, funny and very engaged in our lives. It's a tremendous gift and I'm so very thankful that my children have the opportunity to know their great-grandfather. That just rocks.

Hey, make it a great weekend, ok? We'll post some fun pics from the "Cousin John Welcome Home" bash, along with some weekend festivities.

Top Ten: Dads Rock

I know, we're on a time delay around here. So, it didn't get posted on THE day, but it is posted TODAY. Living in the present, right?

Dads. I thought I knew how that whole thing rolled until Scott became one. I distinctly remember him standing up at church that first Father's Day, Will must've been three months old. We totally had parenthood figured out. I mean, of course, we still do. Ahem.

There are so many things to love about Scott, my dad, my grandfather and the many father figures in my life. The one that stands out among them all is their ability to love, without restriction, their children. I love that my kids yell out "Papa" and run screaming into his arms everytime they see him. I love that my kids fight over the telephone to talk to "Great Papa" when he calls. I love that the kids go bonkers when they hear the garage door open and Daddy walks in the door.

So, here it is, this week's...

TOP TEN THINGS I LOVE ABOUT FATHERHOOD

1. I love that when I see the kids with Scott they're learning how a heavenly father can love them so much, because their earthly father does it so well.

2. I love that when he lets them eat ice cream for dinner he's the 'best dad in the world', I'm merely being nice when I afford such a pleasure.

3. I love that he knows how to be patient when I'm not.

4. I love that the kids make him laugh so much. His laugh is the best.

5. I love that everyday, when he comes home, he gets kisses galore from the kids. But, no matter what, he always makes mine the last kiss so they can see how much he loves being a husband. I totally dig that.

6. I love that he makes our marriage a priority even when life is hectic.

7. I love how he never complains when he's asked to watch 'Star Wars' for the nine billionth time. Although, now that I type that, I don't really think that's a sacrifice?

8. I love how he tells the kids that he loves them...no matter what. And, in the midst of a crying fit, one of the other siblings will usually shout that sentiment out.

9. I love how he relishes teaching the kids how to throw a ball, plant a garden, ride a bike, pull a tooth - you name it.

10. I love that God chose him to be the father of our children. There is no better one around.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

The Greatest Generation

For once, I agree with a newcaster. Tom Brokaw was right when he called WWII veterans the greatest generation. I happen to be the proud granddaughter of one.

Omaha Beach

American Cemetery, near Caen, France

Pointe du Hoc

Let us not forget the signficance of today's D-Day anniversary, nor the sacrifice that many of those men laid down for our continued freedom.

During our spring break trip to France, I wrote about that very poignant day. As I read accounts that President Obama would be visiting the cemetery and beach on it's 65th anniversary, it caused me to take pause and remember the powerful emotions we experienced back in March. While the trip may be coined as a strategic political move, I'm more focused on what today really means.

That those men were brave, even if they didn't know it at the time.

That our country's moral compass has changed significantly since then.

That freedom is never free.

That I am thankful to be an American and even more proud to be Jack's granddaughter.

Here's to you, Papa, and all the many men who served with you. Here's to the greatest generation. We have much to learn from you...

Day Two! Mont St. Michel & Normandy

Today, we opened our eyes to this beaut...Mont St. Michel. This Benedictine Abbey (a prison at one time) sits on the northern coast of France on the English Channel. We were there during low tide, where the waves go out a full 9 miles before coming back in during high tide. It was a little chilly, but that made for some gorgeous blue skies. Our walk took us up, and up and up. I'm telling you, the stairmaster ain't got nothing on the Mont. I seriously thought I might need an oxygen tank.


Believe it or not, this thing has been around (although it started out significantly smaller and was added to over the years) in the 6th century. Hello? That's old. This is a little background on its beginnings:

"Before the construction of the first monastic establishment in the 8th century, the island was called Mont Tombe. According to legend, the archangel Michael appeared to St. Aubert, bishop of Avranches, in 708 and instructed him to build a church on the rocky islet. But Aubert repeatedly ignored the angel's instruction until Michael burned a hole in the bishop's skull with his finger. That did the trick. The dedication to St Michael occurred on October 16, 708."

Low tide - can you believe how far we could see?

I'll admit, going to northern France was all Scott's doing. He saw a photo of this place in one of our travel books and insisted we go. I was a wee bit skeptical only because it took about a 4-hour car ride with lovely Jane. Totally worth it. Scott was right - did you get that honey? We packed our bags, hauled them back down the mountain to our little Polka Dot and headed off to Pointe du Hoc and Omaha Beach to relive "the longest day." On our way, we had to pull over and snap this photo. Hey, what can I say? We're Aggies, like real Aggies with our agriculture degrees. We loved comparing the countryside, the wheat fields, the dairy farms and the cattle breeds to the states. On our drives around France, we were struck by how much of the country is just that - France has its big cities, but it's largely an agricultural country with some breathtaking views.

After we got our agriculture fix, we arrived at the Normandy beaches, specifically Pointe du Hoc. This place had some special meaning to Scott and I. A certain Colonel, James Earl Rudder (a mighty fine figure at Texas A&M), and his troops played a key role on D-Day. Here's some history...

The Allied bombardment of Pointe-du-Hoc had begun weeks before D-Day. Heavy bombers from the U.S. Eighth Air Force and British Bomber Command had repeatedly plastered the area, with a climax coming before dawn on June 6. Then the battleship Texas took up the action, sending dozens of 14-inch shells into the position. Altogether, Pointe-du-Hoc got hit by more than ten kilotons of high explosives, the equivalent of the explosive power of the atomic bomb used at Hiroshima. Texas lifted her fire at 0630, the moment the rangers were scheduled to touch down. Col. James Earl Rudder was in the lead boat. He was not supposed to be there. Lt. Gen. Clarence Huebner, CO of the 1st Division and in overall command at Omaha Beach, had forbidden Rudder to lead D, E, and F Companies of the 2nd Rangers into Pointe-du-Hoc, saying, "We're not going to risk getting you knocked out in the first round." "I'm sorry to have to disobey you, sir," Rudder had replied, "but if I don't take it, it may not go."

For a second, folks, just look at those cliffs. They're huge and about 60 years ago they were filled with men climbing up those walls, sacrificing their lives for people they didn't know, but for a cause they believed in. I tear up everytime I look at these photos. Not just because of that sacrifice, but because of a fine man, my papa, Jack Dodson. He was a tail gunner in WWII and his unit made many key strikes in preparation for this day. The amount of pride I felt was indescribable. I love you Papa.

The U.S. memorial at Pointe du Hoc.

All those "holes" you see were filled with men and lots of guns, ready to strike all those men who actually made it up the cliffs.

After an emotional moment at Pointe du Hoc, we headed to the U.S. Memorial. The gift of land was given to the U.S. by the French. It was an emotional and surreal day as we strolled through the cemetery and shed some tears. People keep saying, "I bet going to Normandy was amazing." It was, but it was so much more than that. History became reality, stories became life and places became memorials. It was a day to remember and it was a day to be thankful.

Omaha Beach

Originally a different name, but it was renamed "Omaha Beach" after its code name by U.S. and British forces.

A pictorial view of the pre-emptive air strikes by forces prior to D-Day.

After our beautiful day in northern France, we hopped in the Polka Dot one last time and headed inward to busy, crazy, lovely Paris. Tomorrow, we meet the hotel maintenance staff, navigate the metro, witness a theft, dine on delish pastries, participate in a parade, head to confession in a special place and eat more filet de bouef. Bonjour!

Top Ten, Take 2

So, as promised, here are the other 10 worthy Kodak moments. I know you've been waiting...

Christmas Day
Yes, that is us in short sleeves, on a golf course, in the middle of winter.

I love this pic because it captures our life perfectly...precious Clare, happy as can be and piles and piles of laundry behind her. See? Christmas Day is no different than any other around here!!

THE trip to Amarillo!!

You're lookin' at our reason for driving 19 hours. Could Great Betty and Great Papa look any happier? The boys were thrilled that they, along with my parents, got to spend the night with Great Papa. I hear they played dominoes, ate pancakes like racehorses and wore out said Greats.

Friends from A&M, Jan, Leighton and Co.

We're nearly the same as we were in college, except now we get excited about "kids eat free on Mondays" instead of penny pitchers...

High school friend Heather and her gang.

She still goes a million miles a minute, but I so love that about her. Heather knows the best, and the very, very worst about me and still invited me over for dinner. Heath, we loved seeing you.

Yeah, yeah, there's more than 10. I'm an Aggie and taking Math 151 almost kept me from graduating. Nuff said.

A whole lot of joy

I think our Christmas season - and yes, it's technically still Christmas until January 6 - can be summed up in one sweet word: JOY. I pray yours was filled with the same. Here, I'll give you another word: LOUD. Another: UNFORGETTABLE. And one last one: NUTS. That pretty much sums it up...joy, loud, loud, nuts, unforgettable, joy, joy, nuts.

We started the season by heading up to Bowie the weekend before and celebrating the Whitaker family Christmas. Amazingly, we didn't freak out nephew Alex. He and Clare had a great time with the wrapping paper. The kids - and by kids I'm speaking specifically about John Paul and Anna-Laura - had Academy award-winning reactions. There were lots of "Yes!" and "I knew it" and "AHHH". Classic. We even filled up a whole pew (and then some) at Saturday evening's Mass. Granny, thank you for hosting such a joyful get together.

Then, it was back home to celebrate Christmas with Uncle Daniel and Aunt Amanda. It was pretty much the same scenario of oohs and ahhs and performances. Scott felt like the pits, though. So, we ordered in Chili's while he slept on the couch. Aren't we nice?

Christmas Eve, we met my parents and cousin Mickey at Mass. Will was in the choir and did a fabulous job. I must say, at the end of Mass Msgr. Bill dimmed the lights in the church, we hugged those next to us and sang "Silent Night." That was when God let the peace in. It was a precious moment. Afterwards we tried for a kid picture in front of the Christmas tree out front. Exit unforgettable. Enter nuts. The pasta dinner at home was eaten in lightening speed, then it was on to present opening. Yes, we open them all after Mass. This year, we did something different, though. We wrapped all the baby Jesus' and placed them under the tree. We prayed together as a family and then the kids opened the package. The excitement was contagious as they ran through the house placing Baby Jesus in his rightful place. It was also dangerous as one lost his head. Remember this post?

We dutifully spread reindeer food out front and baked delish cookies for Santa. What sweet innocence. I now know there is a God who performs miracles - our children did not get out of bed until 7:14 AM. Did you see that?? 7:14 AM!!!!!!!!!!! We enjoyed the rest of the day at my parents and then hit the sack with a heavy head that night.

Oh, but the festivities didn't stop there. 3 Christmas celebrations were not enough.

We decided it would be fun to head up to Amarillo. In a car. With 4 children. For 19 hours. Enter loud.

I've bored you long enough, though. Check back in tomorrow for the evidence that we survived, had a blast and made it back home in one piece.

Top Ten: Papa the Great

Well, your calendars may say Thursday, but I'm going with Wednesday. Here it is!

TOP TEN: THINGS I LOVE ABOUT MY PAPA

1. His blue eyes. Fortunately, this brown-eyed girl carried that recessive gene. Combine it with my hubby's blue eyes and voila - 4 kids with eyes just like my grandpa.

2. His service to our country. He's a WWII veteran, a tailgunner. I've had the privilege of hearing some of those war stories. As a parent, I treasure them even more and everday my admiration for his sacrifice grows deeper.

3. His amazing woodworking skills. He's a master in the workshop. Step aside Norm Abrams, you've got nothing on Jack. Our house is full of his masterpieces and I'll be so proud to give them to my kids someday.

4. His laugh. He likes to tell jokes - some a little off-color - but he sure does like to laugh. And, at 83, laughter is a beautiful thing.

5. His optimism. Certainly, being a war veteran, then losing two wives must wear on your soul. Despite all that, he's proof that happiness can be found at any age. You just have to be willing to look for it.

6. His energy. He and his wife, "Great Betty" (as the kids call her) are still busier than Scott and I! They have bridge, Texas Tech basketball games, dancing, traveling and that hot cup of coffee every morning. Oh, and did I mention he built his own backyard pergula and workshop? He's an inspiration.

7. His knowledge. As a little girl, I remember riding along in the car while he pointed out endless tidbits of information. Perhaps there was an eye roll or two on my end. But, he kept talking anyway. (thank you for that) Did you know if you're driving along Highway 287, there's a mile marker that denotes the start of Potter County and the end of Moore County? Bet you didn't. I find myself looking for those darn markers everytime we go on a roadtrip...and I usually spot one.

8. His ability to solve a problem. You have never, and I mean NEVER, met a man who can figure out just about any logistical problem like my Papa. Think a dresser won't fit through that door? Or, that you'd like to build a pergula but it looks too complicated? Meet my Papa. He's one smart guy.

9. His hugs. As a little girl and now as a grown-up Mom, Papa has always been quick to "hug my neck." He always told us that he loved us and always expressed his appreciation when we did something for him.

10. His honesty. Perhaps that comes with age, but I've never known Papa to tell me something other than the honest-to-goodness truth. There's no bush to beat around with him. Now you know where I got it :-)

Papa, I love you. I pray your BIG day was a great one. And, I pray there are many more to celebrate.

I didn't forget...

Papa, Happy Birthday.

I hope your day was a great one. I have a top ten, just for you, for tomorrow.