An Early Bird

It is 6:22 am and I am sitting here on the sidewalk in front of my house. Kelly called about five minutes ago to say that her alarm didn’t go off and she would be out in ten. So, seeing how we were supposed to leave at 6:00, and my mom is not here yet, I decided to call her. She was asleep and did know what time it was. She said she would be here in five… I told her she had ten, Kelly just called. So, I am sitting here, on the sidewalk, where I have been since 5:55 am, listening to the birds and the dogs wake up. Did you know that you can see the stars this early? Because it is STILL DARK OUT!

Today we are going to OKC for Angela’s memorial service. We went Sunday before last and I am glad we did. It was pretty hard to see her like that. This is the woman who would work the clean up crew at birthday parties, who worked 60+ hours a week at Chili’s, who was at all the kids ball games, church, neighborhood events, bible studies… she was a woman who went all the time, and always helped out. She had a true servant’s heart. . She was there in the hospital bed, mostly sleeping. She had lost a considerable amount of weight in the six weeks they had been gone. Her abdomen was swollen from where the tumor lay. Her bright eyes and beautiful smile were gone. Her eyes were dark and sunk in. And her voice seemed very different.

I have never said goodbye to someone “knowing” it would be the last time. I wanted to make sure that I got in everything that I wanted her to know. It was difficult. I held her hands and I cried. She looked at me in a way that was different than anything I had ever seen before. I was afraid that I had scared her. Kelly says she noticed the change, but thought that it was more that she understood what I was saying and knew that I truly love her. I pray that is what it was.

Michael didn’t talk to her or go close to the bed. It all really scared him. Mavrick came over to the bed and cried with me, and she called him by name and told him that it was going to be ok. He was afraid to touch her because he didn’t want to “get what she had.” That became a whole different conversation in itself…

We took the kids with us to go eat lunch. Andrew wouldn’t go. There was no one to stay with Angela at that time, and he wouldn’t leave her alone. It was fine though, we stuck all eight kids in the car and went to Chili’s. If Andrew would have gone we would have looked like a Mormon family; one husband, two wives and eight kids! Boy! That is a lot of kids!

When we got back, Lilly, Angela’s mom was there. She, too, is amazing. She has lost two children in nine months to cancer. Can you imagine how angry she could be? Yet, she is not. In the midst of this obvious pain, she seems to be able to find peace in knowing that her oldest, Tony, and her baby, Angela, are in the arms of our savior. Thinking about it breaks my heart for her. It’s not right for the kids to go before the parent – no matter what their age.

Angela Dawn Laub entered the presence of our Lord at 10:30 am on Friday, September 12th.

LOL Funny!

I needed this laugh today!

Charlie was fixing a door and found that he needed a new hinge, so he sent his wife Bev to Home Depot. At Home Depot, Bev saw a beautiful Bathroom faucet while she was waiting for Walt, the manager, to finish waiting on a customer. When Walt was finished, Bev asked 'How much for that faucet?' Walt replied, 'That's pewter and it costs $300.' 'My goodness, that sure is a lot of money!' Bev exclaimed. Then she proceeded to describe the hinge that Charlie had sent her to buy, and Walt went to the back room to find it.

From the back room Walt yelled, 'Bev, you wanna screw for that hinge?' Bev replied, 'No, but I will for the faucet.' This is why you can't send a woman to Home Depot.

Funny little guy

Here we are at 10 o’clock . I have been trying to get Major to sleep since 8:30 and he just keeps squirming. He threw up on me about 30 minutes ago, so I figure he has a sour stomach. The boys are at my mom and dad’s, and Mark isn’t home from work yet, so I have brought Major down to my bed. He is very spitty these days, so we keep a burp clothe handy. These pictures are of him just now. Between each pic I would move the clothe down to his waist, but still within his reach.

Mark sleeps with a mask on his face, so I guess he will be like his dad. Note to self... never put him in his crib with a burp clothe or blanket.

Major has been lying on my bed sucking his thumb and singing the entire time I have been making this post. He may end up singing me to sleep tonight!

Michael is so funny!

Michael Funnies ( See August 12th post) – Michael was at home a few days last week still sick with what I feel certain was the Crypto Crap. This is what I found on my camera over the weekend… He looks pretty sick, huh? I am just thankful he wasn't at home with a sinus infection!

Saying Goodbye

Many of you know my neighbor, Angela L., and her family has recently moved back to OKC. Angela has cancer. It started in her liver and she has had numerous surgeries to remove numerous HUGE tumors. I found out today that she now has a tumor the size of a football blocking her bowels and that her kidneys are shutting down. Hospice is there and they do not believe she will be with us too much longer. I know she is tired and I know she loves the Lord like few people in her situation would or could. She is probably ready to go. I know I will see her in heaven. She has been amazing through this ordeal and truly touched my heart forever. Her faith is greater than anyone I have ever personally known. I love her for the influence she has had on me, my kids, my neighborhood, my church. She has touched so many. I love her, and I will miss this amazing woman and friend.

My heart does break for the kids. They have a daughter who is about 12 and a son who just turned 9. When my kids heard me talking about it today they both fell apart. Mavrick cried for well over an hour that he would miss her and that he was sad that Major would never get to know her and that she was like a mom to him… it went on and on. I was truly thankful for my Prozac today. Kelly spoke to Andrew (the husband) today, who told their daughter last night and said that she was ok and said that she knows she will “see mommy in heaven.”

Kelly and I are planning to go up on Sunday and see her, for what may be the last time. If you pray, please keep this precious family in your prayers!

Major's 4 Month Check-up

Major had his 4 month check up last Thursday. He weighed in at 14.13 pounds and was 25 inches long. He got 4 shots and did one of those screams that he lost his breath and just had a red face with a wide open mouth and it was silent. That has got to be the worst part of having an infant. And you just want to slap the nurse. Our poor nurse, she came in the door apologizing. I thought she might cry herself. The Dr looked him over and said he was perfect in every way. I told her that I have started letting him sleep on his stomach and she said that some babies just sleep better on their stomach. BUT “they still recommend putting baby down on their backs until they are able to roll over on their own. He has slept on his stomach every night and naps since last Tuesday and is sleeping sooo much better. I will admit, when I wake up and realize that I haven’t heard from him in 4 or 5 hours I do freak out a little. I just have to trust that God’s hands are on him and He is in control.

Labor Day Weekend

So, for Labor Day weekend we headed to Austin to see my sister-in-law(s). We picked up Mavrick from school about 4:00 in Lewisville and hit the road. Traveling with a baby always seems to take FOREVER! We got to Austin a little after 11:00. We did stop in Hillsboro for about an hour. But traffic was heavy – Labor Day, UT’s first season game, Batfest… seemed like everyone one was headed south. Let’s just say that Major is not much of a traveler at this age. We had a great weekend, and the boys had a blast with Gode’ and Marla, so all in all, the trip was well worth the visit.