Sibling Stories

Black, Heart-Broken, Disgusting, Congested,Deadly,Excellent Friday

2010-11-26T20:04:00.000-08:00

The annual Burke sibling highlight of the year has come and gone once more, and with it another wonderful 10 hours of memories. After a wonderful afternoon in Dayton with family for Thanksgiving, we headed home; but not for a night of watching another Bengals loss and to sit and regret the eating of too much of Mama Hudson's awesome turkey, but to drop off the kids, dress warmly, grab newspapers ads, and head out to conquer another Black Friday! (apologies to my mother for the serious run-on sentence).
It was in the dark of night, at 10 p.m. when this year's adventure would begin(that's why it is called 'Black Friday'-a little unknown fact to all). Our night would start at perhaps one of the word's greatest establishments-White Castle. There, we would meet and strategize our evening before meeting everyone else. This year was to be a little different than those past, for this year my wife Stacey came along (for the first few hours). For years she has avoided going saying foolish statements like "You guys are idiots," "Why would anyone in their right mind do that?" or "You'll never catch me out there with 'those' people." We always told her she was wrong and just needed to come once; and let's just say, she is coming back next year!
My wife and I arrived at White castle before Chrystal. There we enjoyed a 20 minute date (take what ever you can get these days). After two double cheeseburgers, small fry, and a large unsweet tea for me and 2 chicken sandwiches and half my fries for Stacey, Chrystal arrived. There was only one more 'couple' in the store, but we chose to sit at the table with the really, really high stools-just to watch Chrystal get up in them...it was worth it-quite a laugh!
Following Chrystal's quickie meal, we got out the papers and strategized. First stop would be Walmart! Now let me first say (in case any CEOs or marketing people are reading), that the sales were pretty weak this year-you could have done better! But, walmart seemed to be the best option. There we would meet Rachel and Ricky who were so missed these last few years as they were propagating the earth (this was the first Thanksgiving in two years Rachel wasn't pregnant).
Walmart wasn't too busy at 10. A few were there to get laptops and tv's, but we really were able to walk around and pick out where we wanted to go. Now, if you've never been to a walmart on this evening, you must understand that every big-ticket item is somewhere in an aisle covered in thick plastic wrap. At midnight, this plastic wrap will be removed and all items are first come/first serve; so you must get near your item as early as possible. Of course it is against the rules to get an item from beneath the plastic wrap before midnight; but how can anyone get to all of those things he/she needs in the five minutes it takes for all items across the store to be picked through? Impossible! So that is why, "Baby Timmy" was sleeping beneath the coats and sweatshirts in our cart.
By now, the gang is all here! Three Burke siblings, two spouses, Jordan Wilson, Nate Morgensen, Anthony Poor, and the pleasant surprise of Rob and Becky Webster! We would see many others we know and love through out the night as well. After a few trips around the store, we separated to 'man our post' near the items we desired.
Rob Webster and Anthony Poor were at one section (had typed where, but Bro. Rob's kids might read this and I don't want to give away a gift). Becky Webster was at another location (see reason for anonymous location above). Nate Morgensen was near his tool box and luggage. Rachel and Chrystal were at the Leapsters (story to come). I was at the Leggos (for Chrystal, not my son-in case he reads this). Jordan was at the vacuums for Becky Webster, and Stacey my dear wife was at a prayer answered for her.
For many years, my wife has wanted to be able to get for our church a Cricut. It cuts out letters and stuff.
They are quite expensive, and her pastor would not allow her to purchase one, but this evening they were over half off and a wonderful deal! She was so very excited when I told her we could get one for the church! She, with a huge smile, got in line for the cricut! There were only six of them available, and she was #2 in line! For the next two hours, she met and spoke with the other five wonderfully charming 'crafty' people in line with her. She shared with them her long time desire to have one of these machines for our church and what all she was going to be able to do with it at church! They even each chose which color they wanted and what cartridges they desired. There would be no grabbing and fighting for this group, only harmony, smiles, and Christmas spirit. Soon, it was midnight, and the plastic wrap came off and everyone got their cricut...sort of.
I always love it when its time for the items to be grabbed! The volume in the store goes up 300%, and the kindness and chivalry goes down that much. The plan was to meet back in front of the cash registers after each of got our items. Rob and Anthony got their things and soon arrived at meeting spot, I got my items for Chrystal, Chrystal and Rachel got their leapsters (story getting closer), Becky got her item, Jordan got his vacuum for Becky, Nate got his stuff, and we all met at aisle 6 with carts full of great deals....except for one.
I saw my wife coming towards me. I just knew that time would slow down and a nice rendition of a love tune would play in my head as she would run to me, embrace me, and share how she was so wrong about Black Friday and how it truly is a most wonderful experience to shop and be victorious and watch others fight and storm the aisles-but that didn't happen. Instead she was filled with tears (at first, I thought I had greatly underestimated her desire for a cricut, but that's not why she was crying). "What's wrong?" I began to ask, but then followed with a "You didn't get it?" No, she didn't! Black Friday was a heart-breaking night!
As the six 'cricut' people were getting their chosen colors, someone came and grabbed the blue one Stacey had chosen out of her fingertips and ran down an aisle. This lady hadn't been there two hours, but just ran up and took it from Stacey. There seemed to be no words adequate for the moment when Chrystal said, "What did she look like?" Now things were going to get good! Stacey described the little thief, I mean lady, I mean woman, and Chrystal went looking. I told Stacey she should have been 'meaner' and held on to that thing. She told me how she had just spent two hours talking about our church, me being pastor, and the Lord-how could she be mean? My wife told the lady it was hers seeing that she had waited two hours and was second in line; to which the lady responded "Is Your name on it?"
Chrystal was heading down the aisles looking for a blue cricut. Stacey was looking too and ask Chrystal what she would do if she found her. Chrystal said she would take it out of her hands/cart, and Stacey said, "And i will say, 'Is Your name on it?" Thankfully, the Lord blessed.
The man and wife #1 in line who Stacey had talked to so long came running up to Stacey and said, "Mam, we want you to have this cricut." Stacey said, "I will not do that, you were in line before me, I won't take it." "No," they replied, "we want you to have it, use it for your church..." and with tears in her eyes and my wife's she continued, "Have a Merry Christmas." They then hugged and shared tears....in walmart....at 12:30 a.m.....over a cricut...it was great!
By this time, half our group was on a search and destroy scavenger hunt for a blue cricut, Becky was 'holding down the fort' at aisle six, and I was trying to re budget to afford a cricut somewhere else. We all met again at aisle six when we saw Stacey coming holding a pink cricut in the air! With a giant smile on her face and tears down her cheeks she told us the story. We all clapped and cheered....at walmart...at 12:40 a.m....over a cricut...it was great!
We then divied up our items and paid for our cricut, vacuums, tools, toys, 'Baby Timmy", and the Leapsters. Ah, those leapsters are quite a story too.
Because I was no where near Chrystal and Rachel for the Leapsters, I did not witness events first hand. So, I asked Chrystal to share her story about the Leapsters and this is her account of "Leapster-gate."

Rachel, Ricky and myself all decided to "camp" in front of the Leapsters. I wish I could say it was because I "had" to have one more than anything else this Christmas, but really we wanted to stay there because it had the most interesting and intense looking shoppers gathered around it! :) (although I did want one for my Lici, so it wasn't completely in vain!) At approx 10;30 pm we assumed our posts. Rachel was directly in front of the pink leapster I had my eye on, Ricky was in front of the Dora game that I absolutely needed to accompany my Leapster system, and I was running backup for both of them just in case things got out of hand. Turned out that it was a good thing I did that too...but that's not for 2 more hours!

The crowd gathered quickly around our posts. People were from all over, from all different ages, from all different backgrounds, but with one thing in mind...I MUST have a Leapster! Rachel quickly made friends with the Walmart Associate named Kelly. She decided that was our best ally in this adventure. Turned out Kelly was as scared as we were of these crazy people! The closer it got to midnight, the more people gathered around the Leapsters and the closer we had to mover to our pink one! A tiny, middle aged lady had moved right in behind Rachel and had squatted down directly behind her. I told Rachel to be careful, someone was right behind her. She turned and looked at the lady. Without even batting an eye she said, "Good thing you wore a skirt tonight because as soon as it's midnight I am grabbing my Leapster from in between your legs." WHAT????? Rachel never even hesitated. She responded, "Then I will kick you in the face." Everyone laughed...except Rachel!!!! It was getting close to midnight, and getting more intense by the second. A couple had moved in behind me very closely. The lady told her husband, "As soon as they start, just jump on these people and get it." I turned and looked at them with a face that I was hoping said, "if you jump on me, you will regret it". Fyi, they didn't get that out of my expression-but we will talk more about that in a minute! Ricky had lots of people asking him to grab games for them too. He is way too nice, and was sneaking his own large stash of games to be passed out right at midnight! Not long after this, a lady came up with a sob story of her own to try to get her hands on a Leapster. Her daughter has a disease..she "needs" one of those game systems to put a smile on her daughter's face. It was hard for me to feel too sorry for her. I told Rachel that if she wanted to play the sympathy, sickness card, then she was playing with the wrong person! My kid had more diseases than she wanted to know about, and she wasn't getting my Leapster! (sorry, but it was way too late, and I was way too tired and hungry to be playing games!) :)

At 11:55 Rachel asked for my camera, so she could take a picture of the people who at this point, were literally standing on top of the Leapster crates with some of the meanest scowls you have ever seen!! I handed her my camera. I yelled, "Smile", but before the word was out of my mouth someone started ripping open the crate!!! I yelled to Rachel to grab the Leapster. Remember the man who had plans to "jump over me"? He was trying to come thru with that threat. He jumped over my shoulder and was reaching for Rachel. He yelled some curse words and threw his elbow into my hip. Before you start to worry, I have plenty of padding on my hips for just such protection!! I just gave that hip a little shove, and the small man fell backwards. I told Rachel to stand her ground, turn and get out of there!! We jumped out of the pile of people just in time to see Ricky standing over in the middle of the health and beauty aisle politely handing out all the games he had stashed for his new friends! We made sure we had gotten all we needed for us and started towards our meeting point. On the way, Rachel looked at her hand. She had the scratches down her arm and hand to prove that we had been in battle tonight...but we looked in the cart to see how victorious we were!! We sang a victory song and kept marching. Did we HAVE to have that Leapster? Nah, I guess not. But I know one thing, Lici better LOVE it!!!!! And I sure love my sister for fighting so hard for it. What a blast!!!

What Chrystal didn't mention was the Princess game at Walmart. Earlier at White Castle, Chrystal shared how she had 'earned' two princess stickers from her family before leaving for our event. While she was at the Leapsters, she texted me and told me that she had secretly stuck the princess stickers on a cart of some lady, and if I could find the sticker I could win $10! Oh, it was on! After a very short walk (and promising to split the money with Jordan Wilson who saw the lady Chrystal gave it to) and a text to Jordan, I had the sticker in hand! I placed it on my nose and walked back to Chrystal and the large Leapster group. It was then I sought to collect my $10 and she had to eat humble pie (worth far more than the $10!). While standing there, we discussed our next stop after walmart.
The walmart associate, Kelly I presume, suggested we go to the outlet stores. Chrystal said we could, but everyone was supposed to wear pajamas there and we were not prepared. It was then I did my one very foolish thing of the evening.
I was prepared for cold weather and had my thermal shirt underneath my 'hoodie'. I raised the bottom right of my hoodie and said, "I could go, these could pass as pajamas." For some reason, everyone grew silent and stared at me with a look of fear. Now I know the thought of me in thermals isn't a pleasant thought...but fear? Come on!! It was while pulling down the hoodie that I realized the reason of their frightened faces. I forgot about my .38 revolver that I was carrying. Ooops. But on the bright side, nobody stopped me from getting what I wanted.
That pretty much was walmart, except for one more thing.
While standing at aisle six to check out, a thin lady wearing all green about three aisles down stopped suddenly. We continued our conversation but was watching this lady acting oddly. It was then in one motion that she doubled over and started to hurl the obvious salad and turkey (with obvious stuffing with celery) and corn. SPLAT was the sound as it hit the ground, not once, but three times. Let's just say there were long lines in every aisle to check out, except for aisle 3. Truly now, it had been a Black, Heart-broken, and Disgusting Friday...and that is just stop one of or night.
We quickly scampered to our cars and left for stop number 2, Toys R Us. We had heard all night the horror stories from walmart. Huge lines, long waits, and mean people is all we heard about. Toys R Us had been open for a while already, but we were after none of their 'big ticket' items, so we thought it safe to wait until now to go. The mad rush was obvious over, but there were still long waits. There was a line that snaked through every aisle on the left side of the store all the way to the back of the store-just to look at video games! We didn't look at video games. We immediately put into action one of our efficient black friday tools as Chrystal got in line to pay while I shopped. Fighting through crowds I picked up a few things and then switched with Chrystal while she shopped. Fighting through crowds and packed aisles wasn't Rachel's thing. She then shouted out, "I can't go any further!" And, she didn't.
She sat down in the aisle and rested. The line to check out snaked all the aisles on the right side of the store and doubled back into the left side of the store. We were in Toys R Us for 2 hours, and one of us was in line the entire time. But, it was pretty much uneventful, but a complete success in getting what we were after. We almost didn't get the items though, because when I got to the cashier, Chrystal wasn't there. She tried to get to me, but it was blocked. She ran to the one side of the store...no way in. She ran to the other side of the store...no way in. Finally, she removed a couple of displays and gift wrap cartons and was able to make a way to me. Luckily, just in time to cash out!
It was now about 2:30 a.m. and we were thirsty and running low on caffine. We needed a White Castle stop. Stacey was heading home and I now jumped in the car with Jordan. When we got to White Castle, I saw the largest crowd at a White castle I had ever seen. While Jordan and Ricky got our drinks, me and my sisters planned the rest of our evening. Our next stop was to be Kohls which opened at 3:00 a.m. Perfect! After waiting in the lines at walmart and now white castle, it had definitely been a Black, heart-broken, disgusting, and congested Friday...and we weren't done yet!
We waited in our warm cars as everyone filed in. We quickly followed. I immediately got into line to pay as everyone else went to shop. I did, while in line, find a very comfortable pair of pajama pants for $7...Merry Christmas to me. The line was huge and the man behind me didn't like it. He kept huffing and puffing loudly and was one of those 'disregards people's personal space' kinda people. I literally felt his hot aired huffs on my neck and smelled the obvious white castle he earlier enjoyed as well. I knew he wasn't going to like it when my sisters, brother in law, and Jordan all joined me in line with all their stuff; but he would have to get used to it. Soon they did join me with many items and sure enough, he wasn't happy. He huffed loudly and this time growled. It would have demanded a response if it weren't for the elf lady.
Yes, the elf lady. This thin, frail, pale lady came walking towards us. She was going the wrong way through a one way check out line. She never smiled, never spoke, but looked straight ahead and just kept staring into space. Like the Red Sea, the line just kept dividing as she walked through us all. She wore a Green Santa hat with elf ears and just kept walking. We almost forgot about the Mean Huffer behind us due to her, until he huffed at the 'crazy elf lady' as he called her.
I figured the man needed a little joy in his life, and music brings joy to people. Chrystal had a toy for Lici in her hand to pay for called a singamajig or a thingamajig. Anyways, it opens its mouth in a perfect circle and sings and harmonizes with other singamajigs.
I decided to see if it worked, and me and the singamajig, with mouths open in circles sang and harmonized. It didn't work, he still huffed. That was about it for Kohls, except for the person that died. The ambulance was there to haul them out and now it had been a Black, Heart-broken, disgusting, congested, deadly Friday.

We were finally at our final stop-Target. They had opened at 4 a.m and we arrived at 4:15. Not bad! There we quickly picked up the last few items we were after and got in another huge check out line. This time though, there was no hot breathed huffer, but instead two nice men and a lady. We talked for 30 minutes about the ketchup packets at Chick-fil-A. Now that may sound weird, but they are truly great things. They come in the shape of a ketchup bottle and you can open it on both ends. One end squirts, the other opens up to dip. Squirt or dip! Great packets!
The only other funny thing is the amount of money Chrystal spent impulse buying while we were in line. She spent more money impulse buying than we did on gifts at Target. Randy has already forbade us from going to Target next year.
Ricky and Rachel bought there items, I bought mine, Chrystal bought hers, and then Jordan bought his-a pillow. As he was checking out, the cashier said, "I hope you didn't come here tonight to buy that pillow." We all laughed and headed out to our cars. The night was over and it truly was great.
I got home about 5:45 a.m. and laid down on my pillow with a smile on my face. I don't know why all those crazy people go out every year in the middle of the night and shop, but I know why I do. Family! God has blessed us with a great family that loves spending time with each other. Laughs, jokes, making others smile and enjoy life. It truly is....well, it's hard to find the right words I thought, while laying in bed. Then, I got a text! It was Jordan. He wrote, "Pillow is Excellent!" Excellent! The whole night was excellent! It truly was a Black, Heart-broken, Disgusting, Congested, Deadly, Excellent Friday! See you next year!

Lessons I Learned From a Butter Knife

2010-03-09T05:38:00.001-08:00

Yesterday was the first really pretty day here in Cincinnati in a very long time!! The sun was shining so bright I actually wore my sunglasses for the proper reasons! (sometimes I wear them on top of my head to keep my hair out of my eyes!:) I spent most of the day cleaning the bedrooms. I dusted, swept, changed sheets...it felt great. Then I moved in to my bathroom. I got out my heavy duty cleaning gloves, my all-purpose cleaner with bleach, my Clorox Toilet cleaner....and I was standing in a sparkling clean bathroom in mere minutes. I started thinking about how great it is to have such wonderful cleaning products right at arms length to help make cleaning so much easier. My toilet cleaner is great. You just click the little blue sponge onto the bottom of the long white stick, swish it in the toilet a few times, then hold it over the garbage can and push the button and it falls in the trash...such technology!! Where was this stuff when I was little?! Then I thought, "who needed that stuff when you had butter knives"!!! Let me explain...

Growing up at our house was always an adventure! (at least that's what dad always said!) Travis and I had our "chores" that we had to do every day. (Rachel did when she was older too, but these specific chores were when she was still rather small.) Travis had to take out the garbage . I did the dishes every night. ..at least the nights I couldn't convince mom my stomach hurt too bad to do them! *wink* We had to keep our rooms clean...stuff like that. We usually did them pretty well. All of them except one...WEEDS!!!!!

We lived in a ranch house in West Carrollton, Ohio.Recently Travis went by it and sent me a picture. (above) It looks run down some from when we were there, but it sure brings a smile to my face just seeing it again. So many memories in that old house. It wasn't big. It wasn't gorgeous. But it was the most beautiful place in the world to me. It was HOME. Anyway, it had a back patio, for lack of a better word. It's hard to describe that patio. It was just lots and lots of cement squares placed close to one another. The problem was, they weren't quite close enough. Weeds grew in between those slabs...thousands and thousands of weeds. I can still remember the sick feeling I would get in my stomach when dad would tell Travis and I to go get the butter knives. We knew what that meant!!! We had to go out back, in the scorching sun, get on our hands and knees and dig out all those weeds..one by one..with our butter knife. Sometimes I would cry and beg dad to not make me do it!! I would fake near death to get out of it. It never worked. So Travis and I would head out the back door, and begin the daunting task of weed removal...with our butter knives! It would start out quiet. Neither of us would say a word. We would scrape our knuckles on the cement..secretly hoping for a bleed big enough that dad would let us stop. That never happened! But before long, we would start talking. (usually about how much we hated digging weeds) Then someone would "flip" their weed a little too hard and it would hit the other person. Of course the other person would then "accidentally" flip his or her weed in to the other one's face a little harder! The laughter would start. And of course the competition always was there too. "I can get my row done before you can."

We whined. We complained. We even cried over having to dig out all those weeds with that butter knife. But, you know what? I learned so much on that back patio. I learned about hard work. I learned it won't kill me. I learned satisfaction! I loved seeing it all done, and knowing we had done that all by ourselves! I learned that my brother wasn't the world's worst human being! I might even like him someday! :) I learned that butter knives don't just spread butter. If you promise to never tell dad...I'm glad he made us sweat over weeds on that back patio. I'm so glad I have those memories with my brother.

Today, I'm thankful for my Clorox Toilet Cleaner Brush...but I'm also thankful for that butter knife!

Caleb Sallee

2010-02-11T09:26:00.000-08:00

This past Monday, my sisters and I and our families gathered at Rick and Rachel's house for Caleb's one year old party. We had a wonderful time. It is hard to believe that Caleb is now one year old! He thoroughly loved his cake (and so did I...only 340 calories :-) ) He loved playing with his new basketball set Stacey and I got for him as well....and I am sure he likes the other stuff others purchased for him...but none like Unkie Travis'!
We didn't play games, we didn't pull a prank, we didn't order Chinese (though I missed that), we didn't watch a movie or show, we just enjoyed family.
These past few months have been tough on all three of us sibling. Different battles and struggles. All three of us were tired, a little weary, and some what subdued. No one said anything, we just all knew and we all in glances, hugs, smiles, and nods encouraged each other, loved each other, and strengthened one another.
Life can be a battle, and in those battles, there is none better comrade than family.
I am thankful for my wife so much and for my sisters...hang in there!

The Faith of a Child

2010-01-24T14:13:00.000-08:00

I seem to be the only one of my siblings who remembers how to type these days, so I guess I will post 2 blogs in a row! :)

I usually write something about my childhood, or something that happened with my brother or sister, but something happened to me this week that I wanted to share with the world. Since I don't have a tv show or a radio broadcast then I figured this was the best way to share my story...the lesson that I learned ....

As I am sure you are all very aware my son Zachary has several health problems. (which I will sneak a quick note in here now asking you to pray for him and these issues! thanks :) We have to take frequent trips to Cincinnati Children's Hospital for various doctor appts. He has about 8 specialists down there now. I am quite comfortable in the hospital hallways. I have been making these trips for almost 8 years now. I usually come quite prepared. I know to bring the extra snacks, toys, and games for those "short" visits that can often become all day adventures. However, on this particular day I had worked all day at Zach's school. I had helped in the Kindergarten class since the time I dropped him off. I had remember to bring Zach's Nintendo DS for the long wait, but I had completely forgotten to bring the extra snacks and drinks.

Now, Zach eats lunch at school at 1030 every day. So when he gets home, he is always hungry for a little snack. This is why I am not winning Mother of the Year. I really should've known this. But I had forgotten. As soon as we were pulling out of the school parking lot I heard his little voice from the back of the van.."Mommy, I'm hungry!" I had one of those "You're a horrible mother" moments. "I'm so sorry, Zach. I forgot to bring you a snack." To the which Zach was quick to reply, "It's ok, we can stop at McDonalds!". Right!! McDonalds!! I started digging in my purse...10, 25, 35, ...well...52 cents won't buy us much at McDonalds these days!!

"I'm sorry, Zach. I have no money!" I was still feeling that horrible mother feeling! Now, while Zach is normally a good child, and has always been fairly well behaved..He has his ...well..his whiney moments.. This was one of them...Imagine the most annoying whiney 7 yr old voice you can imagine..."But, Mommy, I'm soo soo sooo hungry! I will starve to death if I don't get something to eat. You HAVE to find me something to eat!" I knew it could be a very long time before we got home from this appt. I felt horrible. He continued, "Fine, mommy. I will pray and ask Jesus to give me something to eat. He listens to me when I pray."

Oh, great!!! Now he is bringing Jesus and prayer in to this!! Now I'm feeling even more horrible!! It probably would've been a great time to teach him a lesson about prayer or trusting, or something wonderfully spiritual like that. Instead, I chose to pout. "Why do I never have cash? Why can't I remember to be a good mom? Why didn't I bring him a snack? UGH!!"

We pulled in to Children's Hospital, and I immediately went to what I have come to call "my" parking garage. It's just where I always park. It's where there seems to be a parking spot always open for me! We walked inside. Another "stupid mother" moment. We were walking in right in front of the cafeteria!!! As soon as Zach smelled the food the whining began again. "Are you sure you don't have any money, mommy? Nothing at all? I'm soo hungry!!" (and Zach can be quite dramatic too! I don't know where he gets that from :)

"I'm so sorry, Zach. I just don't have any money!" We were directly in front of the cafeteria door when a staff member of CCHMC stopped us. He had a very kind face. He stopped in front of Zach and held out his hand. I looked down. He was handing Zach some money. My heart stopped!!! Then he started talking...

"Hi! I work here at Children's Hospital. Someone turned in some money that they found. When we find money, we hold on to it for a couple of hours, but if no one asks for it then we find someone who looks like they might like some money and give it to them. Would you like some money?"

Now, you are probably thinking what I was thinking...NU-UH!!! That did not happen!!! Well, my friend, I can promise you that it most certainly did happen!!! Right before my very eyes!

Of course, Zach reached out and took the money with the biggest smile I have ever seen!! My eyes filled up with tears. The man probably thought I was a crazy lady! He was quick to say, "Ma'am..it's only $4!".. I laughed. "No, it's just that..well..." I couldn't even find the words to say. I looked down at his name tag. I don't remember his name. But I will NEVER forget the sticker on it. It was a beautiful redbird!!! For those of you who know my mom, you know why the tears started rolling down my face. For as long as I can remember, my mom has used the redbird to symbolize a rememberance to God's promises. She has her own "redbird" that always seems to come visit her on just the days the Lord knows she needs him the most. When I pray for mom, I will often ask Him to send her a redbird as a reminder of His love to her to help her thru the day. When I saw that sticker on the man..I immediately knew Who that money was from!

Zach looked up at me and said, "Come on, mommy. Now we can go get a snack! Jesus answered my prayer." It was so "matter of fact" that I couldn't stop the tears. Oh to have his faith. I got such a great opportunity to talk to him about prayer, about the love of the Lord and about the lesson I had learned from him that day! We went in to the cafeteria. He got a snack, a big Gatorade and even a pop for me. The grand total...$4.02!!! God is so good!!!!!!

As soon as we got to our appt, I text mom.."Did you ask the Lord to send me a redbird today?" I quickly got her reply, "Yes, did He?" DID HE??? She had no idea!!!!

I am so thankful for the little things. I'm so thankful for His reminders. I'm so thankful for redbirds!! :)

Sibling Wars?

2009-12-08T05:30:00.000-08:00

Last Friday night, my family went on a fun family outing. We went to dinner and took a ride thru Holiday In Lights. There were so many Christmas lights, making so many different things. The kids loved it. We then went to see Santa and to a kid's playland. It was an amazing night of fun for both my kids. They smiled and laughed all night long. Then we headed home. We hadn't been in the car for 5 minutues when they started. "She touched my arm!" " He stuck his tongue out at me." "She hit me". "Zach called me meanie". Now I am usually ok with the fighting. Unless I see blood or hear "dirty words or names", I can pretty much let them fight it out. Randy on the other hand, doesn't handle the fighting so well. He gets frustrated with them easily. "Why can they have so much fun together all night, then hate each other minutes later?" Oh, the memories started flooding back.....

When Travis and I were little, we were the best at sibling wars! It was one battle after another. I can't remember much about what we would fight about. What I do remember most is how my mom would handle it. Thinking back on our battles makes me laugh now. Seems like Travis and I would fight just about every day we were going to church. When mom had had enough she would say, "One more word and you two will sit next to me in church and hold hands the entire time." WHAT??? Oh no, that is not happening! Mom never heard another word! (we may have shared some nasty looks, and some tongues being stuck out at each other, but never another word!)

Travis and I had 2 things that were without fail, an area of controversy that always ending in a fight...1. Who was going to ride in the front seat of the car with mom and 2. Who got to watch "their cartoon". As usual, mom had the answer... We had to "call front" when we were growing up. The key was, we had to wait until mom said the words, "We are leaving". As soon as she said those words, whoever said, "I call front" got to sit in the front seat. This is one issue I have not had to deal with my kids yet. (Thank the Lord for the new car seat laws!) Travis and I would follow mom around the house whispering to her, "Is it time? Are we leaving?" We were hoping she would answer "yes" quietly so the other person didn't hear her say it. For some reason, most of my "car memories" are from the back seat! I don't think I was very good at that game!!!

Mom had the answer for stopping the arguing over cartoons too. We had our "days" to watch our cartoons. My days were Mondays and Wednesdays. Travis' days were Tuesdays and Thursdays. (because those days started with a "T" just like his name!) What happens on the other days you ask? They were "Mom and dad's days". If we started arguing over the TV on those afternoons, we watched what mom said to watch. And trust me, it wasn't interesting at all! My Tuesdays and Thursdays were full of "He-Man" and "Transformers" and "Thundercats". I hated them! Travis' Mondays and Wednesdays were full of "Strawberry Shortcake" and "Care Bears". Now that's some good cartoons!

Mom always seemed to have the answers to our arguments! I called mom the other day when my kids had been at each other all day long. I felt like I was losing my mind, and my thoughts went back to those days of bickering with Travis and Rachel. I immediately thought that I needed mom! She would know what to do. She would know how to handle them! I told her my dilemma and said, "What do I do, mom?" She said something I will never forget...she said, "Hahaha. I don't know!" What??? You don't know??? You have to know! You always knew!!! Her answer was, "You reap what you sow!" I think she thoroughly enjoys hearing me suffer thru my kids fights. She remembers those days like yesterday too. But what she told me next did help me .. a lot. She told me every kid is different. You have to find what works with them. Only the Lord can help you figure that out!

We have an amazing mom! Why was she so amazing? Not because she is an awesome cook (even tho she really is). Not because she can sing like no one I have ever heard..or any of the other millions of wonderful things about her...She is an amazing mom because she always found the answers in the Word of God. She always spent time finding her answers on her knees. We thought she had all the answers to solve our sibling wars growing up. What we know now, is we have the same "Book of Knowledge" that she did!! Thanks, MOM!!!!!!

And, Travis, it's Tuesday..and I'm NOT watching your cartoons!!!! :)

Perfect

2009-11-16T08:00:00.001-08:00

So far we have shared some events that highlight the mistakes, attacks, and blunders of one another. Seeing how that both my sisters have forgotten how to type or share a story, I will go again...but this time a little different.
This past Friday at 11:30 a.m. (o.K. 11:40, I was late) I met my sisters at Soho for lunch (a wonderful place to eat). There we sat around the table, Chrystal, Rachel, Stacey, Caleb, Lici, Hope, and I. We told stories about what all was happening in our lives. The Japanese/American -Iron Chef wanna be-was cooking our food. He threw pieces of cooked food in the air and asked if we wanted to try and catch it in our mouths....of course Chrystal and I did. Was there any doubt? That is us all the way. I caught mine in my mouth, Chrystal after four attempts just caught the food in her hands and shoved it in her mouth so as to not waste any more food. Rachel with her smile and wit shared some news in her life. Stacey, the love of my life, sat near me laughing and sharing stories about our last few days. We had not all gotten together for nearly 2 months.
We ate our dinner, enjoying every bite of the wonderful food. Soon, because we inherited our mother's digestive system, Rachel and I at the same time had to go to the bathroom. Upon returning, we paid our bill, shared a candy bar (MILCH) from Mexico I had brought back (awesome), and walked out together. A few jokes shared, a couple of jabs at making fun of each other, and we got in our cars and went our separate ways. It had been a long time since we did something like that.
I know you read and we write of fun stories, jokes, dares, and blunders that we laugh at each other with; but there are not three siblings in the world closer than us. I praise the Lord for the gift He has given us in each other. That event, that afternoon, with each other was....well...in a word...Perfect.

Clue: Travis, in the Hallway, with the Dental Floss

2009-10-07T08:11:00.000-07:00

What has become a legendary story around our church all began one rainy summer evening in around the year 1984. That day, all day, my sister Chrystal tried desperately to interfere with my playing with my G.I. Joe men (not dolls) and transformers. We were stuck inside all day due to the rain, and I was content playing in my room with my cool toys. Problem was, Chrystal was not content with her toys and wanted to play "army" and "transformers" with me.
Now, let me say. My wife, being an only child, does not understand how our two children Alex and Grace, just can't play together all the time. Grace too, wants all the time to play with Alex and his "Legos" and "transformers." I, on the other hand, understand, and try my best to protect this much needed 'alone time between the boy and his toys.' It just isn't right to have your sister play the part of Megatron, Cobra Commander, or have her steeling that one large blue flat piece you need to finish constructing that awesome space ship out of legos. So Alex, I understand and got your back....
Back to our story: That day Chrystal seemingly was constantly interfering with my play time. I was about 10 at the time and Chrystal around 7. Mom, had given in to Chrystal's unjust demands and had instructed to me let her play with my transformers. That is when it happened...I got the idea that would forever symbolize mine and Chrystal's relationship.
"Chrystal, you stay in here and build a fort, and I will go into the living room and build mine and then we will battle!" I said.
"Really, thanks Bub, that will be great." Chrystal replied. Off I went into the living room; but not to build a fort, but instead a trap.
Now, let me say, most who know me have already realized that I have quite the 'imagination.' That day it was working overtime. Instead of building a fort, I reached into the medicine cabinet and pulled out a brand new box of dental floss. I began placing my trap.
At the end of the hallway there was a coat closet and Chrystal's room. I, using the hinges and articles behind both doors, used the dental floss to make a way to trip Chrystal as she walked down the hallway. I, even at that age, new one piece would not do it, so I went back and forth until I felt the trap was strong enough. By that time, I was very proud of myself and was about to call for Chrystal, but then I had another idea.
Instead of just tripping her, I could make like a spider web that she would have to break through. That would be funny. So, like Charlotte for an incredible pig, I began spinning my web. Back and forth from top to bottom I stretched out the dental floss. Soon I realized I had used the entire roll of dental floss. And the best part was, it was virtually invisible with such tiny thread and the lights turned out.
I visioned in my mind Chrystal running down the hall way and hitting the floss and falling through it while all of us laughed and made a fun memory.
It was then I set on the sofa where I could see down the hall way. I then called out "Chrystal, Chrystal, come quick you have to see this...HURRY!"
My bedroom door swang open and Chrystal came running down the hall. My smile grew larger with every step she took. It was then she hit the trap. It was all just like I had visioned...Chrystal runnind down the hall, hitting the floss...but she didn't fall through it. Where was the laughing? I immediately heard a scream...and so did mom downstairs. I turned on the lights, and to my horror found my sister laying on the floor in the hall with blood on her face, arms, and legs. Mom came up and saw her and screamed and went to pick her up....she didn't see the floss either. Luckily, for me, it was just a nuisance to her and she wasn't hurt. By that time I had a big knife to cut my way through the floss so mom could get to her.
Stopping and thinking about it, I sure am glad no one walked in at that time to see my mom screaming, me with a large knife, and a bloody Chrystal lying on the floor.
Anyways, I cut the floss and mom got to Chrystal and all was well.
Seemed that because of the amount of floss I used, instead of just breaking when she hit it, it became like small paper cuts that cut Chrystal's head, arms, and legs.
Needless to say, I got a serious spanking when dad came home....but to be honest, it was worth it and I would definitely had done it again.
Classic!

"Garage Sale" ????

2009-09-28T05:18:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite things to do on Saturdays is to go to garage sales with my sister. It's always been fun to me to go "garage sale-ing", as we call it. It is my husband's least favorite thing that I do. He has never understood why I love other people's "garbage" so much! But Rachel and I find some great treasures amidst that garbage some days! Especially now that she has Caleb. She understands how much fun it can be to go looking for baby clothes and toys! I really believe the Lord sends us to some garage sales just to find the "perfect" item. This story, however, takes place before Caleb. It was about 3 years ago, I think. Let me set the stage...

It was a warm, summer Saturday. Rachel had spent the night with me the night before. It was all with the grand idea of going "garage sale-ing" the next morning. We like to start early. We don't do the early bird thing, because that's just rude, but we do like to get started early before all the good deals are gone. We got our newspaper and hunted out the best area of town to go towards. We were so excited. And "garage sale" we did! It was a blast. I think we hit every garage sale in the newspaper. We were out of ads, so we decided to sign hunt! We were driving around looking for signs. "I will look on my side, you look on your's". We had been out for several hours at this point. So, I will give it to Rachel. We were both getting tired. We were in the beautiful little town of Loveland. We came to the top of a hill to a red light. As we were pulling up to it, Rachel shouted, "Oh, over there." And she started to read the sign. (I'm having trouble typing this right now, because I'm laughing so hard I'm crying.)

Rachel said in a loud, bold voice. "OH! Over there!" .She was reading slowly, and on purpose like she was sounding out every letter.."GARAAAAGGGEEE SAAALLLE! "

I looked out her window with excitement in my voice, "Oh boy, Where? Which way? I don't see it!"

I think she was getting aggervated at me.."Right there!" She pointed to a white piece of poster board. I was looking everywhere around the poster board. "What?"

Rachel said, "Oh, wait. Nevermind." I looked at the board...I said, "You mean the one that says 'Oak Bed for sale' ?" I couldn't help but lose it!! I started laughing so hard!!

"Where in the world did you think you saw garage sale?"

"I don't know. I thought it said that."

I promise you, my friends, my sister can read. She was trying to very hard as she read what she thought said "Garage Sale". She was sounding out every letter with purpose!!!
Oh, we still go "garage sale-ing" these days...but I look for the signs now. Unless of course we are looking for beds..then I let her read them!!! I love my sister, I really do!!! :)

The 3 Bears

2009-09-19T13:36:00.000-07:00

My brother was not known for being kind to me as a child. He loved to make me cry. One of his favorite things to say to me was, "If you don't stop it, I will make you cry." And that he did. If I started to aggervate him in any way, it didn't last long because he would make me cry everytime. I think he found some sort of joy in it.

My worst memory of him making me cry happened when I was about 6 years old. I can still remember it plain as day. Mom was telling us the story of The 3 Bears..Papa bear, Mama Bear, Baby Bear. Such a nice little story. I enjoyed hearing mom tell us stories. It was bed time. It was getting dark out. Mom told us to go to bed. I jumped up and started down the hall. I had to pass Travis' room to get to my room. He said, "Psst. Come here." I went in his room and jumped up on his bed.

He said, "You know those 3 bears mom was telling you about?"

"Yes?"

"Well, what she didn't tell you, because she didn't want to scare you was...They live under your bed!!"

"WHAT????"

"Yes. Papa Bear. Mama Bear. Baby Bear...they all live under your bed. They come out at night while you are sleeping and eat and play in your room."

Now, I don't know why I was such a stupid child. But in my world, Travis hung the moon! He could've told me anything and I would've believed him. (like the fact that I was adopted. bc he told me that and I believed him til I was 12!)

"We need to tell mom!" I was sobbing at this point!

"NOOOO!!! You can't tell anyone!! If you do..they will eat us all!! They don't want to go back to the zoo. If they know we know then they will eat us! You can't tell a soul!"

OHH NOOO!!!! I really was terrified. He told me to go jump in to bed. I couldn't get out of bed until the sun came up every morning. That's when they went back under the bed and wouldn't bother us. We all know bears sleep during the day and are up at night. Right? Of course, I didn't want to sound dumb so I agreed..and I believed every word of it.

I didn't sleep for months! I don't know exactly what happened to make me stop believing that. I do remember having some accidents tho, because I couldn't get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom or we would all die!!

I might have been dumb, but I would rather be dumb than mean...plain old mean!!!!!!!!!!

The Gettysburg Undress

2009-09-17T13:30:00.000-07:00

One score and a few days ago, my father brought forth our family and declared a vacation that none would equal.
My sister and I (as usual) were engaged in a great civil war; testing whether this sibling, or that sibling, after being conceived would endure as the greatest. There we again met on a great battlefield of that war. It was on a portion of that field, a restaurant place where those that were hungry might eat. It was altogether not fitting and propper that I should have done this (but I did).
In a large sense, I cannot delete-I can not erase-I cannot forget this event. The two siblings, Travis and Chrystal, who struggled here, have desecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we said there, but it can never forget what I did there. It was I, the brother, in a brave act greatly humbled and embarrassed the sister. I am here dedicated to the task of remembering this great event-that from this task of dishonour, Chrystal took increased devotion to get back at her brother-but her attempts have all been in vain-for in that day, in that parking lot of that restaurant, before tourist and residents alike, I 'accidentally' pulled her skirt, by its hem, off her waist, to the ground; and this act before family, people, and friends, shall not perish from our thoughts.

Good times, good times!

2009-09-14T11:22:00.000-07:00

Rick and I have now started working with the youth at our church, and I count it as such a privilege and honor. It is such a huge responsibility. Being with the youth has made me really start to think about my time in the youth department. My youth director for most of my time was Travis. It was great having my brother as my youth director...most of the time. I remember a few times when it was not so much fun because he went from youth director to brother REAL fast.
One circumstance would have been at our annual "Murder Mystery." I LOVED murder mysteries. It was one of my favorite activities. At one particular Murder Mystery I was sitting across from my then "beau" Ricky. I believe the mystery was over and we were all just sitting around talking and goofing off. Well, Ricky was hitting my feet and I may or may not have been hitting his back ;) I think you call this "footsies". Well, my youth director/brother saw us from across the room, and hollered at us in this playful but serious way. We got the point! BUSTED!! I know he probably would have done that to any teen in the circumstance, but it was different when it's you're brother! Oh man! I could've died. I could not believe my big brother just caught me flirting with a boy...he's not even supposed to know I like boys yet!
Another circumstance was at our Prim we had each year. I think it was my very first prim. I was probably about 13 (?) We were at Cincinnati museum center about to see an Omnimax show. We were standing outside when these two boys came over and started talking to me and my friend. It was the first time a boy had showed any interest in talking to me, and Travis was going to make sure it was the last! He came right over stepped between me and these boys, threw his arm around me, and asked why they were talking to his "little sister." I could've crawled in a hole! About that time they remembered they had somewhere else to be. He hugged me with his one arm, smiled, and walked away. The youth director/brother strikes again!
At the time those moments were "my worst nightmare", but now as I look back I'm so thankful for my youth director/ brother! I would not have traded any moment in that teen class. I can truly say that I know NO better youth worker! He has taught us so much in how to work with teens, and I pray Rick and I can impact their lives as much as he has impacted our's! I'm so thankful for my youth director!

RBD

2009-09-01T11:30:00.001-07:00

I recently heard a radio commercial that said, "What are the three most feared letters of the English Language? I.R.S." I am sure that for many, that may be true, but while growing up, there were three letters that were by far much more greatly feared...at least for Chrystal and me. Those letters were "R.B.D."
So what is RBD? Well, it all started around 1987 at the Moraine Heights Baptist Church around 5:00 p.m. one Sunday afternoon.
At that time, our father was the Music/Youth Director of the church. This meant many things, one of which was choir practice every Sunday night before church. Now if you have never been to Moraine Heights Baptist Church, you should definitely go, especially if you are a kid. There are so many fun and adventerous things to do there. There are old ruins of a castle or mansion in the woods with rooms underground, writings on the walls, and interesting artifacts left lying around. There are cracks in the stair well walls that take you upstairs that look like animals and words. There are rooms full of cool props to play with, foosball tables, ping pong tables, a gymnasium...not to mention a parking lot perfectly paved and seemingly desinged for riding a bike-with even a 'hump' in the lower left side that was a perfect ramp right into seemingly a never dry puddle. There was a car port outside that was four giant cement squares...perfect for a killer four square game. There were only like 9,000 pews in the auditorium, at that time tile hallways perfect for sliding in socks, hideouts, and perhaps the greatest building for hide-n-seek ever!
Needless to say, Sunday nights before church, the hour of choir practice was the funnest of fun times for us and our friends. It was on one of those Sunday nights that my mother came up to us and first said to us those dreaded words, "Who has RBD tonight?" What was this RBD she spoke of? What was it we had or were about to get? Many things went through my head. It was an exciting thought until we learned that RBD stood for Rachel Burke Duty!
Rachel was at that time 2 years old. To have RBD meant you had to keep her in a pew while she played with her toys. Oh the horror! All of our friends playing and having so much fun while one of us sat imprisoned on a leaf green pew. It was most unfair. Each week we took turns, unless, that is, either me or Chrystal had gotten in trouble that week-then part of punishment was RBD.
Now, let me stop...this is in NO WAY a reflexion upon Rachel as a person. She is the bestest! It was just a selfish childish feeling that Chrystal and I had while growing up. But to this day, the hair on the neck stands, the goosebumps rise, the shake of the hand begins, the eyes open a little wider in dread at the hearing of those three letters:

RBD.

Leave it to them!

2009-08-29T10:17:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, we just returned home not too long ago from seeing my dad after his by-pass surgery. This was not the first time we had to rush out to see him. I remember on one trip out there it was Rick, Chrystal, and me. My dad was in the hospital and my mom was very, very ill. We left on a Sunday night, and I was EXHUASTED. Although, I am not the greatest person to travel with...I speak little and sleep LOTS!! On this particular trip I had fallen asleep. When I woke up I looked around..it did not look familar! I asked where we were. My lovely sister and wonderful husband informed me of where we were and it was not where we were supposed to be. We had passed Kansas...that's right...PASSED IT!! How do you pass a state?!?!?! I know, my same thoughts, but don't worry they managed to do it! We were on the toll roads somewhere in Oklahoma. We got off and proceeded to find a gas station. If you know my husband at all you know that he is not one to ask for directions, so when he did I knew were seriously lost! We found a gas station that I'm pretty sure was straight from the heart of red neck country. At this gas station we asked "Jeff"(now we don't know that Jeff was his name, but Chrystal said he looked like a Jeff so that's what we call him to this day) for directions to Kansas. He gave us directions in his country twang (that only Chrystal can impersonate perfectly) and directed us through "a trashy little town called Pitcher". We were off, and when he said "trashy little town" he really meant it, but he got us there! It was probably one of the funniest moments I've had with my sister..whom swears that Jeff was in love with her! :)
As a side note..not too long ago on the news here in OH they were reporting about the tornadoes out west. One small town was destroyed...it was our trashy little town called Pitcher! It was a sad day in history for sure!

Singing in the Nursing Home

2009-08-24T12:04:00.000-07:00

I don't remember the first time Travis and I sang together. I know we sang "He's Still Workin' on Me", but I don't remember it actually happening. If I had to guess, I would say I was around 4 or 5. (which would've made him 7 or 8.) We sang together a lot after that. It was something our family really loved doing together. We always sang Psalm 18;3 as a family. It was a joy of mine. But Travis and I sang often in competitions, for church services, camp, etc. We even made a "cassette tape" of ourselves. We had big dreams of selling it so we could make some money for our family vacation (which we tell on the tape is a trip to King's Island!). I think I was around 6 and Travis around 9. I would give a lot to get my hands on that tape again. Travis wrote a song on it. It was entitled "Jesus, He's My Friend". Oh boy, if only you could hear that! The words went a little something like this, "Jesus, He's my Friend. He helps me when I'm sick, or when I'm not feeling good. I love Jesus. He's my Friend." It was a ...song. :)

But one of the most enjoyable moments I have had singing with Travis was at the nursing homes. Our church held services on Sunday afternoons at various nursing homes. A man from the church would go and preach, and we would go with them to sing. (usually if Kim Dye was playing the piano!) I don't remember how old we were to be honest. I'm going to guess 5th grade and 8th grade, but it may have been a little younger than that. We went for several years. But on this glorious day, we were at a certain nursing home, and had just finished singing. We were sitting behind the speaker on a love seat. There is always distractions, as you can imagine, in the nursing home services. We had been instructed by mom and dad that no matter what was happening around us, we were to keep our eyes on the speaker and pay attention. Well, I had noticed that a lady, who I don't know how old she was, but from my young memory had to have been 130 years old, was slowly making her way in her wheel chair over towards Travis and me. We were glancing at each other thru our peripheral vision every once and a while, careful not to smile. I started getting a little nervous. She was getting closer and closer. I let out a little snicker, not sure what exactly she was doing, but she was smiling at us and saying something under her breath. Travis kicked me. I knew I had to gain control of myself or I was going to get us both in trouble. So I kept my eyes on the speaker. But she kept coming..closer, closer, closer...she was directly in front of us. Now remember, we are behind the speaker. So the whole audience can see us as well. She was just looking at us and smiling the biggest, toothless smile you have ever seen. That's when it happened!!!

Travis whispered to me, "lift your feet". I looked down. The lady who had so kindly rolled over to us, had apparently thought us to be the bathroom. I will never forget it as long as I live. I have never seen a little tiny lady have so much..."liquid" in her in my whole life! And now it was directly under our feet. We were not moving. We had our feet a little off the ground so the liquid could flow freely under us, but we did our best to keep our eyes on the speaker. (altho at this point, I wasn't doing so well!) When she had finished, she said, "Thank you", and slowly rolled away! Now we were stuck. I was thinking, "What in the world are we supposed to do?" We couldn't stand up. My legs were getting very tired and starting to shake from holding them up off the ground. Thankfully, the speaker said, "Let's pray." As soon as he bowed his head Travis said, "Roll off the end". We pulled our feet on to the couch and rolled over the arm of the chair on to safe ground!!!

It's pretty funny now, and to Kim Dye (who got to observe the whole thing from the dry ground of the piano bench) it was always funny! We learned our lesson. We sat in the back from then on. And on the occasions that I get the opportunity to serve the Lord at nursing homes now, I still sit in the back!!!

Welcome to the Family

2009-08-23T19:07:00.001-07:00

About a year ago this week, our cousin Jonathan Hudson married Ally. The wedding was wonderful and beautiful and I was even able to usher my grandmother to her seat. A wonderful ceremony indeed. We then made our way to the reception. There, at a table, sat I and Stacey, Ricky and Rachel, and Randy and Chrystal. Soon the new bride and groom were going table to table thanking each and everyone for attending.
Let me pause...we, because of living in the Cinci area, did not know Ally very well at all and she didn't know us. She just knew we were the part of the family from Cinci.
As they approached, I looked at Chrystal and might have said something like...
"Hey Sis, when Ally gets over here, I will give you $5 to stand up and kiss her on the cheek and give her a huge bear hug lifting her off the ground and then all 'teary' say, 'Welcome to our family, I love you.'"
We all got a laugh and then a short pause to catch our breath. Chrystal then said, "$5 huh?" "Absolutely!" as I laid a Lincoln on the table.
Soon Ally was at our table making her way down the table thanking us for coming. It was then, well, just look at the pic and especially Ally's face.....

Welcome to the family Ally!

A Quick Follow Up

2009-08-14T16:39:00.000-07:00

Just a quick word to follow up Travis' previous blog on being scarred for life... I too was scarred for life by that attempt at running away...You see, it was at the tender age of 2 when I found myself away from home, scared, lonely and confused that someone picked me up in my tears and set me on a counter and said, "Here, honey, have some food. It will make you feel better..." And now, almost 30 years later..I still find the food to make me feel better. Whoever that person was who started that should be shot!!! Ok, maybe not. But it really makes me feel better to blame it on the one I don't know!

Another quick follow up to that...Travis said he has to keep his children in eye range of him..he needs to add that he still has to keep ME (and Rachel) within eye shot of him. Everyone knows of our Black Friday Adventures (which is only 105 days away, by the way! :). What you don't know is that even in those crowds, Travis must know where I am at all times. The only difference now is that we have cell phones. He has to keep texting me all the time, and if I go too long in between texts answering him, then he will call me. It truly did leave a lasting impression on him when I "ran away". Poor Rachel never got the chance to run away because I'm pretty sure Travis kept her on an actual leash most of her childhood! :) (and she still gets the text today too!)

He didn't always like us growing up, but he knew where we were ALL the time! :)

Scarred For Life

2009-08-12T20:10:00.000-07:00

I am a good speller, problem is, I think too much. I never was successful at Spelling Bees or scored that well on spelling test; not because I could not spell, but that I always double guess myself and over analyze. Thus, I am so thankful for spell checks on these blogs. It also didn't help that while growing up your mom was the Queen of all English teachers.
Anyways, I said all that to say that as I wrote the title for this post, I had to look up the word "scarred" to make sure it was correct. I was right, but talked myself into the idea that maybe it was "scared." I looked both words up, and the funny thing is-both would be perfect. So, I write under the titles:

Scarred For Life

Scared for Life

The year was 1979. I was four years old and my little sister, Chrystal, was not quite two. My father was pastoring a small church in Dayton, Ohio, and we lived at the parsonage on the church property. I remember it all so plainly.
It was early afternoon and my mother came down the stairs. She said, "Wayne, I will be back in a couple of hours, Chrystal is asleep upstairs. Keep an eye on her." Dad agreed with a grunt and I remember hearing the large aluminum screen door slam shut and rattle due to a lack of a working spring.
My dad and I were lying on the couch watching my favorite cartoon-Casper the Friendly Ghost. Dad then said, "Travis, listen for your sister."
Those were the last words I remember. Dad went to sleep and I soon followed. The next thing I heard was my mother's voice.
"Wayne, wake up. Where's Chrystal?"
Where's Chrystal!?
Dad sat up, "She is still in the bed," dad replied. "No she isn't!" Replied a very anxious mother. By this time, I didn't understand fully what was going on, but I felt the fear in the room and began to cry. Dad ran upstairs, mom started calling out her name through the house, and I cried. Dad ran down the stairs shouting her name, mom ran out the door shouting her name, and I cried.
Then it happened. Dad and mom both met back in the living room, frantically yelling out Chrystal's name, and it was then Dad looked at me and said,

It's Your fault, I told you to watch her."

My fault? How could I do this? How could I have allowed my little baby sister to disappear or get taken? How could I have failed in my duties so bad? How could I be such a failure? Wait a minute, I was FOUR!!
Dad then ran out the door, mom got on the phone, and I cried harder. It seemed like days, but it was really only about 30 minutes and dad came in with Chrystal. (At least he told me it was Chrystal. Yes, she was blonde and about two, but lets just say that there aren't too many baby pictures of Chrystal available for our viewing to this day. I am not accusing...I'm just saying it might explain a lot.)
Anyways, Chrystal was back home, safe and sound and I was off the hook for failing my post as a FOUR YEAR OLD!
Where was she? Well, it seemed that dad was running up and down the streets (funny thought there isn't it?), when an old man on his porch in a near by house said, "Hey, you looking for a little blonde girl?" "Yes, you seen one" dad asked. "Yup," he replied, "she is at that pizza place on the corner three blocks away." Dad went in the pizza place and there, sitting on the bar eating pretzles and pizza was my sister. They had called the police, but they had not arrived yet. Everyone was back where they should be.
Could you imagine if that happened today? Children's service would have taken my sister and I on the spot!
So, here we are 30 years later (Happy anniversary on your FIRST attempt at running away Chrystal). To this day, I greatly fear my children wondering away from me. When we are at a store, my children must be in sight at arm's length at all times. When we are at home, the kids may play outside, but only if I or Stacey are watching them. I can't tell you how many times TODAY I asked Stacey, "Where is Alex? Where is Grace? Where is Hope?"
Why am I this way? Because my sister escaped while I was on assigned patrol, I was a failure and felt the blame for it all-and from it all am Scarred/Scared for Life.

Starting at the Beginning...

2009-08-11T15:19:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking a long time about what my first official "memory" should be on here. I started thinking about what my first "memory" is of Travis and Rachel. To be honest, I don't remember my first memory of Travis. He is 2 years and 353 days older than me. (I never used to like him being older than I was, so I liked to remind him he wasn't quite 3 years older than me..altho I am totally OK with him being older than I am now!) Travis has just "always been there". I'm sure he remembers me at a younger age than I have a first memory of him. (He says he can remember looking at his mobile in his crib. Mom verifies the correct mobile, but I'm not sure I'm convinced!)

Rachel...I can remember like yesterday the minute mom told me she was going to have a baby. I was 5. We lived in the house on the parking lot of Moraine Heights at the time. I was in my room playing. Mom came in and said, "Guess what? I have a surprise!" Oh boy!!! Candy? Toy? A new doll? We were going on a trip? Nope! She said, "Mommy is going to have a baby!" Like yesterday I can recall saying back to her, "What are you going to have it for?" I was very confused! She said it was in her belly! I thought that was gross! I can't remember much after that except being very, very worried it was going to be another boy!! Travis was...a boy! I was not ok with another boy.

April 16, 1985 started out as an eventful day from the very beginning. I woke up early, and the house was quiet. I decided to show mom what a big girl I was, so I got myself ready for school. I even brushed my own long, blond hair. I tiptoed quietly down the hall to the little place we kept our school bags etc. I peaked in the living room...who in the world was that??? There was a strange man dressed in a suit asleep on our couch! I ran to mom and dad's room...no one! I ran to Travis' room. By this time I was in a full panic...Shoo! Travis was there. I woke him up. "Travis, someone is sleeping on our couch...and it's not Goldilocks" (ok, so I didn't say that, but it would've been funny!) I did tell him someone was on our couch and mom and dad were gone. Travis ran to the living room with me. He said, "It's Bro. O'Bryant!" He was, and still is, a close, long time family friend..Oh, and our school principal at the time! Bro. O'Bryant heard us by this time. He told us to get ready. Mom and dad had gone to the hospital to have the baby, and we were going to his house for pancakes! Really, I should've heard.."baby", but to be honest- I heard "pancakes"!! YES!!!

I can remember eating pancakes that Mrs. O'Bryant made for us that morning. They were great! The next thing I remember is a knock at our classroom door. Mrs. Eubank, my teacher, called me in to the hallway and told me I had a new baby sister! I was so excited. A sister!!! A real sister!!

It wasn't too long before Rachel Diana Burke came home and joined our little family. (who by this time lived on Maple Hill Dr. in W. Carrollton, Ohio) When mom told me I was getting a new baby in our house, I had no idea the impact this would have on us. Rachel added so much joy, and happiness...and gave me a "doll" to play with for hours on end! I can't wait to share a few of the thousands of memories Rachel and I have made since that day. I might even tell about the time I dropped her on her head! Yep, I'm not kidding..right on her little infant head!

I love you, Rachel!!!! :)

Here goes nothin'

2009-08-10T12:54:00.000-07:00

Well, I must admit that I am very hesitant to be "blogging." I must have more of my mother in me than I thought because this is all very foreign to me, but none the less I do LOVE sharing memories about my family!
So many memories and fun times, although as I joked with Travis earlier, most if his and Chrystal's memories are of eachother and most of mine are with Joey (my mom's fourth child:her poodle). They were just so much older and closer back in the day, but now that we are grown, married, and have started our own families I can say that there is no one closer to me outside of my husband and son.
One memory I would love to share (and I love to share with anyone who will listen) is the night I got saved. It fits perfectly into this setting because my brother was the one who led me to the Lord. I was (I believe) 13, and we had been gone allll day to Cedar Point with the youth group. We were exhausted! We got home at like 1:30 in the morning. Stacey had stayed all night with her mom because she had kept Alex while we were away and he was still quite young. It was just Travis and I in their house, and they live in the country where it is so dark at night. He had gone to bed, and I was laying on the couch...COULD NOT SLEEP. I was so scared the Lord would come back and I would be left all alone. So I went to his door and knocked. All I heard was a voice that said, "YYEEESSSS???" I knew he was so irritated at me. I have been known to be a bit of a baby..not that I am still, of course. :) But I told him I needed to talk. He sleepily came to the living room and asked what was up. I told him I knew I wasn't saved and I was scared. I had been in church my whole life. I had led people to the Lord myself. I knew what to say and when to say it, but it wasn't real. He told me exactly what I needed to hear. He said that I knew what Christ had done for me...died on the cross and rose FOR ME... but it wasn't until now that I knew I NEEDED His salvation! It was so true. I felt like I had lived how I was supposed to, prayed how I was supposed to, smiled like I was supposed to, but never had meaning behind any of it! That night at his house me sitting on the loveseat, him sitting on the couch I asked the Lord to save me! There is no better momory in this world! After that, of course, we had to play a little N64 Hangtime..my favorite game to this day.
I am so thankful for a brother and sister on whom I can trust! They are some of my closest friends. I know they love the Lord,and I know that makes our relationship so much sweeter!
I hope I can recall some wonderful memories to share, but if this is the only one you read I hope that you too will know for sure that the Lord is your Saviour. There is no greater memory to have!!

So Excited!!

2009-08-08T05:27:00.001-07:00

I am so thrilled to be a part of this blog. When Travis asked me if I would be interested in "blogging" some of our past and memories on this blog, I was so excited. Let me begin by saying that I am NOT a writer. I was not given that talent like Travis and Rachel were given it, but I do like to talk! (big surprise to all you who know me, I'm sure!) So, I have just decided that I am going to sit down here when I feel impressed to do so...and "talk" to you. For those of you who go to CBT, or have heard my brother preach on many occasions at all, know that he tends to share much of our childhood memories from the pulpit. One of the reasons this blog makes me so happy is because it gives me a chance to "share" my side of these stories. You may read a blog that you have heard from the pulpit before, but hopefully this time you will get to see it from a different side.

Before I begin "blogging", I wanted to thank the Lord for my brother and sister. I cannot say that we have always been close. As a matter of fact, I can honestly say that there were times growing up (as I'm sure you will read from all of us in the future) that we did not like each other at all!! But we have always LOVED each other. We didn't act like it all the time, but we did. As we have gotten older, we have all grown closer. Today, I consider my siblings, my best friends. (along with my husband, of course) There is nothing on earth I love doing more outside of serving the Lord, than spending time playing games, and fellowshipping with Travis and Rachel. When our other duties cause us to spend time away from this, I get weary. I find myself longing to spend time with them. We all talk at least 2 or 3 times a week, and we are OK with telling each other that we love each other, and that we pray for one another. When I am going thru a trial or hard time, I always call them and ask them to pray for me. I have complete confidence that they are doing just that. I could go on and on, but my point is that I am so grateful for Travis and Rachel. Not only did the Lord choose to give me an amazing set of Godly parents who raised me in the way of the Lord, but He blessed me with wonderful siblings who love Him. I can play with them all day, but I can pray with them all day too. That's what I call awesome!!!

I can't wait to start sharing memories and laughs with you all on here. Don't expect perfect spelling or grammar (sorry, mom), but I hope you can expect a good laugh or a small blessing!

Memories

2009-08-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 10:7 reads, "The memory of the just is blessed:"
As time allows, my sisters and I will be posting memories we have while growing up together. Mainly, it is a way for us to share and remember the many great things that have happened in our lives, and perhaps someone else can be encouraged or just get a laugh from them as well. Thus, we introduce " King".
What is "King?" Good question!
As I once posted on my other blog, my dad has always been into Sci-fi. The Twighlight Zone, Alfred Hitchcock, Buck Rogers, and Star Trek were part of a steady diet for me while growing up. I was especially intrigued in the "Space" shows. Be it Star Trek, Buck Rogers, Lost in Space, or Star Wars-they greatly intrigued me. Because of them, my imagination took off in these areas. So much, that as a senior in High School I wrote a weekly article in our school paper called "The Adventures of King."
'King' was a space pilot that flew a fighter and saved the United Federation of planets over and over. They called him "King" because he never lost a dog fight. He was the 'King of Space.' His full name was Scott A. Shott. The 'A.' stood for Alexander named after the great ancient world conqueror Alexander the Great....and thus you have my first son's name.
Shott's main nemisis was Red Ed. His actual name was Edward Redford, born at a station on the planet Mars. Red Ed flew a, you guessed it, Red Fighter. He was always the best until Scott A. Shott came on the scene.
Whatever happened to Scott Shott? Well, in high school, he ended up finally defeating Red Ed and securing the freedoms of the United Federation. But, in actuality, the story continues. I have continued imagining and writing the adventures of King off and on since then. It has become a way to allow me to drift off to sleep at nights as it gets my mind off of the day's events.
Scott A. Shott eventually sacrifices his life to stop an great enemy. His co-pilot, Jonathan James, then takes the title King for a short while until Shott's Son, Seth, is capable of assuming that role. Seth has many adventures and even sees the annihilation of the United Federation. Seth is betrayed by the Federation and flies solo in a 'Robin Hood' type style for many years. It would be his son, Luke Shott, that would take the pieces of the what was Federation and unite a force to combat an evil empire. The new, Legion of Planets, with Luke's mighty Centurion (100 of the finest fighter pilots ever assembled) would rid the universe of its great foe and leave with it peace.
Luke, tired of the family 'curse' of fighting and destruction, would leave the Legion of Planets in good hands and remove himself from the scene. Luke and his wife would have a secluded home in a distant planet and have a son whom Luke would train to be an even greater pilot than any before.
That is when the unthinkable happens and a message is received in a very ominous way...Thus continues the adventures of King!

easter pictures

2009-04-12T20:24:00.000-07:00