Leta Joy and Emma Jo

My “Granny” was born Leta Joy Woodruff. She had a sister named Emma Jo Woodruff. We called her “Aunt Emmer.” To be honest, I don’t even know who was the older sister. There were five kids, the two girls, then three brothers. There are hilarious stories told about Granny and Aunt Emmer’s antics together.

Granny is on the top left, and Aunt Emma on the top right

My mom remembers being on a trip with them and Emmer’s son, Harold. They stopped at a gas station and somehow Emmer slammed the station attendant’s hand in the door. Emmer turned to little Harold and said “Harold Wilson Swain, look what you did to that man’s hand.”

I remember going to see Emmer every day, or almost every day, when we would stay with Granny and Pop-paw during the summer. I remember them as being really good friends. There are stories about them being VERY emotional, too. I remember at Granny’s funeral, someone saying that they thought that Christy and I were going to be the next Woodruff sisters.

That was all kind of brought up again when Pop-paw died last winter. We were blessed to have a girlfriend and cousin come and stay with the babies at the house. My boys sat with Christy’s in-laws, Brian was a paw bearer, and Mark was sick and sat in the back. So Christy and I held hands and walked in together. Just like when we were little girls. I don’t think I will ever forget the amount of love I felt in her hand and how much security holding my baby sister’s hand brought me that day (yes, I am crying right now, what’s it to you?). Anyway, we were both trying to hold ourselves together and not wale out, when my mom turned around from the front row and looked at us. She started laughing, and poked my Aunt Jody and my dad to turn around and look at the “Woodruff Sisters.”

They were amazing, funny, strong, vulnerable, loving, and somewhat crazy women. I can’t think of anyone else I would prefer to be compared to – or a better woman than my sister to be compared to them with.

Funny Little Man part II

So, I think I have told you that Major is crazy. In a funny way, crazy. The has these little things about him that just make me laugh all the time. He loves to put things on his head. Hats, scarves, papers, panties (when I am folding laundry anything is fair game), glasses, head bands...you name it, if he can balance it there, he will put it on his head.

He also points with his middle finger. And sometimes he just points it at you like he knows he is flipping you off. Imagine, every time a little 15 month old points at something, he is using his middle finger. That has got to mean something about the way his brain is working! So, if he flips you off (Uncle Brian) it is done with all the love in his little heart… I am not going to post one of him really using this ability because I don’t want to receive it back in a funny email in six weeks!

The Boys Are Back In Town!

The boys flew back in from Austin this morning. They had a blast on their trip, and just seemed bigger. Then we got in the car and they argued in the rain all the way home…aaaahhhh, there is something to be said about routine.

Major and I got to the airport about 9:00 and went to the gate. The boys were not set to land until 10:10, so I sat on the floor with Major at the window where we could see the planes come and go. He was really good, and kind of excited. At one point he jumped into my arms and head-butted me hard enough to bust my upper lip. Then he started playing “Boo” where he walked to my left shoulder and said “Boo” then to my right and said “Boo.” He did his morning business, so we went for a diaper change about 9:45. When we got back to the gate the boys were there!

Major was so happy to see them! And right after they hugged me, they wanted to take him out of his stroller! They all really missed each other! It reminded me of when me, Mavrick, mom and dad all drove to a wedding in Ft. Smith and Mark and Michael come later that day or the next day. When Michael and Mavrick were reunited they hugged like it had been weeks. So precious!

When we were waiting for their luggage a man commented to me that they were really good together – the younger one loves the bigger ones and the bigger ones really love and lookout for the little one. This gentleman was an only child and explained he thought it was neat because he never had those kinds of relationships with siblings. We are truly blessed!

Flying Solo

Thursday was an exciting day around the Pittard house. Michael and Mavrick flew to Austin to see Glenda and Marla. This was only the second time that they had ever been on a plane, and the first time alone. The first time we went was just before 911, Michael was one and Mavrick was 3 months. They were absolutely precious the whole day. They got dressed to go very early, and their flight wasn’t until 8 pm. Finally about 2:00 I broke down and told them that we needed to go run some errands on the way to the airport and that we had to be there by 6:30 anyway. I made them go bra shopping. LOL! Then we went by Christy's and met Mark there to say bye to dad.

They come back in the morning. The first night Mav called about 12:35 because he was homesick, the next night it was about 11:30. Saturday they did good and called about 9:30 and everyone was fine. Then when I talked to them tonight they were both really excited about coming home tomorrow.

Lookin' kinda Gangsta!

Watching the luggage load and eating dinner in the airport.

About to get on the plane!

Rants of a Crazy Housewife

Michelle:

Has a lot on her mind

Loves the Zac Brown Band CD.

Had a good workout today and did not have a Dr. Pepper.

Is excited that my big boys come home from Austin in the morning.

Is very happy that one of my besties from Texarkana found me on Facebook…this has been a good Facebook week

Made a delicious Taco Salad for lunch and Stir Fry for dinner – when the kids are gone we eat what they don’t like

Still has a lot of work to do on the house

Is so happy Mark finished painting the entry hall today

Thanks God for my 4 amazing boys

May be obsessed with weighing myself – I want to do it like 5 times a day

Is finding my abs

Hasn’t been sleeping well

Is glad that LA Fitness in Denton is FINALLY open

Funny Little Man

Major is really a funny little man. If you can imagine Mavrick’s sense of humor from a one year’s perspective, I think you would pretty much have Major. He is saying “boo” and “ta-da”. And he is saying “hi” and “bye” all at the appropriate time. He throws kisses, and is all around just cute. But he has a mischievous side too. Like when I tell him to “come here,” when he is running around the house with a straw in his mouth. He will look at me, smile, do a turn about and try to run away. He knows what he is doing!

Monday night I was going to put him back in his bed (he is sleeping with us again). So we go up and as soon as I lay him on the changing table for a new diaper he starts crying. Twenty minutes later, horse voice, still crying, he throws up on me. I Give In! We came back down stairs into my room, and as I put him on the bed he started to giggle! Little punk!

Tuesday I was cleaning out the dogs create. Although he has found and loves the doggie door, Major has never tried to get into the create… until yesterday afternoon. It was empty, but still not a good habit to start. Once I got the dogs blanket and bed back in, he was no longer interested. He is a funny little man!

Sad but true

This is terrible, and I can’t believe I am actually writing about it, but if you know me you know I have no shame…especially when I should.

First, let me say that I am stuck in 1999 when it comes to paying my bills. Only a few things are automated, and I do pay a few on line. Sometimes I call and pay by phone. Anywho, I am one of those old people who don’t like to give out my account number more than is absolutely necessary.

That brings us to Capital One. We have my car financed through them. I am not exaggerating, if I am one day late on my payment they are calling me. I have gotten to where I just don’t pay their bill till they call, because they will call. I hate them for this by the way.

So, tonight we are making sure the boys have all the phone numbers they need in their cell phones before they head to Austin tomorrow. Mark is working on getting them ring tones, etc… Mavrick is sitting on the counter eating a piece of cake and says to me, in all seriousness, “Mom…will capital one ever call me?” OK, that was funny. And maybe I need to start calling Cap One rather than wait for them to call me.

Great Day!

So I have had the greatest day!

When I logged into Facebook today I had a friend request from one of my VERY best friends. We grew up together in Benbrook, lived together in college, we in each other’s weddings, etc… We haven’t talked in years, then years before that too. But when we do talk it seems like it has been a month or so, rather than years. She is just one of those friends that you know would have your back if you EVER need her. I have been looking for her occasionally on FB, but she found me today. OH Happy Day!

Then, this afternoon, I booked a cruise for Mark and I for our 16^th wedding anniversary. He has never been on a cruise, and I haven’t been since we met about 18 years ago. We are going to Progresso, Mexico and Cozumel, Mexico. I am so very excited about this! We haven’t been on a vacation without kids since I found out I was prego with Mavrick…who is now 8! OH Happy Day!