The Day We Became BRADY'S BUNCH

October 12, 1994. The day we blended our two families: me with my 12 yr old daughter and 10 & 7 yr old sons; Brady with his 12 yr old & 9 yr old sons. I had been a single mom for 5 (long!) years; Brady had been single for less than a year. However, we had known each other since high school when we were both in Mrs. Hudson's geometry class. Later, our kids grew up together and became close friends as we all went to church together.

We married on a Wednesday night at my parent's home in Rendon. Only close family and very few friends attended. My two boys 'walked' me in as a song recorded by my sister, Cristi Glover, played in the background. We had all 5 kids 'stand up' with us. We have a video tape of the ceremony: 7 yr old Troy Tabner was practically glued to my side; 10 yr old Nolen was seen raising his arm all the way up and across his chest to check the time - he did this SEVERAL times; and 12 yr old Clay was making various and sundry noises throughout the ceremony. Every one of those things was typical of each of those boys at that time!

I'm not posting any pics of the simple ceremony: but suffice it to say that although we were becoming BRADY'S BUNCH that evening, it was not all smiles as seen on the 70s sitcom, The Brady Bunch. Our union was definitely hardest on Brady's two boys. They were not living full-time with us then. Even though they were close and good friends with my kids, that doesn't take away the hurt and even anger they felt then. Imagine coming to 'your home' and having others living in your bedroom now - and you have to share it with them. Imagine NOT living with your dad any more, but knowing there are THREE kids getting to see him every day. The anger they felt was rarely shown to any of the other kids. It was directed more toward me and even their dad.

Nineteen years have passed; our 'babies' are all grown up now. It has not been easy, but it has definitely been worth it. I am happy, proud and thankful to say that Brady is closer to both his boys now. It's a work in progress, but one that we thank God for every day.

I'm so grateful that God put Brady, Clay and Chance Cowen in my life. Our whole marriage has always revolved around our kids - and now grandkids. That has never taken away the love and gratefulness that I have for my husband. He has financially supported all of us, showing each of us the true character of a man with strong work ethic. Our children have grown and followed suit - all taking pride in doing the best job they can do; being responsible and accountable for their actions.

Our prayer for each of our kids & grandkids, is that they know God, love God and serve Him with all their heart. Looking forward to what God has in store for BRADY'S BUNCH in the coming years :)

Precious Memories, How They Linger…

I had the best dream last night: A young Troy Dale (small child) and I pulled up in Grandma Irene’s driveway. She was sitting on her porch with her little dog, Daisy. As soon as she sees us, she stands up, arms outstretched with the biggest smile EVER! You see, Troy was born 9 days after Grandaddy died. Grandma always called Troy her little ‘burden-lifter’. We go inside Grandma’s house, and it is FULL of family members and friends. Suddenly, I cannot find Grandma anywhere. Her house is (was) tiny/small, and I finally find her in the back bedroom taking a NAP on the bed. She was worn out from all the company, I suppose.

I don’t know what any of this means except that:
*I miss Grandma more and more every day and thank God for her tremendous influence on the Christian/mother/Granny that I am today.

*I miss Troy Dale who moved to Houston a few months ago. He gives the BEST hugs ever.

I’m so thankful to God for precious memories and even dreams that can bring our loved ones close to home again.

Be thankful EVERY DAY to God for His blessings – too many to count, you know!

A thankful heart is a happy heart…

All You Did Was Stop Smiling...

I lost a baby in my first trimester two months before Troy was conceived. Naturally, there was a lot of excitement to find out we were expecting again. As soon as Troy was born, the doctor said to me, "Cheryl, I kept waiting for you to scream out or something. But, all you did was stop smiling."

I guess that's right. But having a baby is hard work and takes concentration. I suppose it is okay to stop smiling long enough to welcome in 8lbs, 14oz, & 22" of joy!

Troy Dale has never met a stranger. He has grown up to be a responsible, respectful, compassionate young man. He is one of my biggest blessings, I am his biggest fan, and I am honored that God chose ME to be his momma:)

The Little Girl Who Was Almost Born At Church Camp...

The Little Girl Who Was Almost Born At Church Camp…June 30, 1982

(as told by her proud mother) 

This is the story of my baby girl's entrance into this world at CHURCH CAMP. Although she was not born at the camp, that is where I went into labor with her. We went to Thorp Springs Christian Camp, Granbury, TX with the church group from Everman, TX in the summer of 1982. My husband was a counselor for the boys, and I was helping in the kitchen with my parents. Samantha’s grandparents, my sisters and I had worked several summers at ACYC (Arlington Christian Youth Center) as cooks when I was a teenager. 


To look at her today, you would not have believed she came into this world 6 ½ weeks premature weighing only 4 lbs., 14 oz. and measuring 17 inches long! I went to the doctor prior to leaving for camp and got an okay that all was fine and going along as scheduled. In fact, we had only attended one Lamaze class, and I only knew one type of ‘breathing’ for the entire labor and delivery! 


During the day Tuesday at camp, I sat on the steps of the pool getting some sun. Doreen Pigg & Colleen Moore shared their labor and delivery stories with me. A few hours later, to my dismay, I found I had gotten way more sun than I had bargained for. My legs were bright red and very painful. Of course, this would soon be forgotten and replaced with a much more important concern! 


On Tuesday evening (actually Wednesday morning) after midnight, I woke up to discover that my water had broken. My daddy went to the boys cabin to wake up Mike and tell him we needed to get to the hospital. He really didn’t have to wake him up because Mike had JUST gone to bed after staying up with the boys. 


It was an hour’s drive to the hospital, and when we arrived there were lots of doctors and nurses tending to me. They, of course, were very concerned with the premature labor, but it could not be stopped at this point. My parents stayed throughout the night. My mom was especially excited about becoming a Mamaw before she turned 40. She turned a very young 39 the day after Sam’s arrival. Of course, since Sam’s birth, Mamaw’s birthday has since taken a backseat! 


Back at camp was a different story. The news of Sam’s impending birth spread quickly and soon prayers were being lifted all over. Her Aunt Cindi was a counselor at the time (her Aunt Cristi was a camper). Aunt Cindi thought it was a ‘false alarm’ after my hearing Doreen & Colleen’s stories earlier that day. In the early morning, I’m told the entire camp met under the tabernacle and joined hands for a giant prayer chain. Every activity that day was begun with a special prayer for me, Mike & Samantha.  


Of course, we had no idea how long labor would be, but figured it might be awhile. Another factor in this is that my daddy was the cook for the camp. Mae Ray & Genie Maddox (two church ladies - and close family friends - taking over for him) were very concerned about preparing breakfast without my daddy – and they weren’t sure how they would fair without him. 


Samantha’s papaw is famous for his excellent cooking, and homemade biscuits were on the menu for Wednesday morning’s meal. Mae was awake all night worried how they would pull off making homemade biscuits. She was trying to think of the closest grocery store that would have enough canned biscuits – just in case.  


There were numerous calls back and forth from the hospital to the camp regarding my well-being, the baby and, of course, the biscuit issue. Finally, daddy went back to Granbury, prepared breakfast and set everything out they would need for lunch. He was so concerned Sam would arrive in the couple of hours he was gone.  


Samantha has been a people-pleaser from the beginning – she was kind enough to wait for her Papaw’s return to the hospital and was born at 12:52 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon.  Mamaw was so happy to have another ‘little girl’ to go shopping for again. She also had a TON of pictures by the time Sami was brought home. Aunt Cindi & Aunt Cristi were VERY UPSET they were unable to go to the hospital until later Wednesday evening. Aunt Cindi remembers seeing a face mask tied around Sam’s tiny bottom instead of a diaper – the preemie diapers would fall off! 


Although she was tiny, and initially hooked up to all kinds of wires and machines, she came home within one week - weighing only 4 ½ lbs.  Since Sam was so tiny and premature, the doctor advised that no one except parents & grandparents be allowed to hold her until after she was two weeks old. We were advised not to take her to church or other public places until she was six weeks old.  


She continued to grow and thrive (rather slowly at first) and has become a beautiful young woman. Samantha’s servant heart and sweet spirit only adds to her beauty. Her commitment to God can surely be attributed to the many fervent prayers offered on her behalf during her eventful delivery.  All are blessed who know her. I know that God gave me the most precious gift of all when He sent me Samantha. 

HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY SAMANTHA!!!

--
Yes - she's heard this story MANY times. In fact I read it to her in front of her friends when Papaw & I drove up to surprise her at Copper Basin Camp when she was in college. But that's what happens, and it's a mother's prerogative to get to tell it over & over again...

It's A God Thing...

So Brady is set to graduate in August - FINALLY - after ???? long years of college and his working full-time as a teacher's aide at our local school district the last five years. We are very grateful for the invaluable experience he has gained - while also realizing without a doubt he is indeed MEANT to be a teacher.

However, this all came with a hefty price tag attached. He took a $38,000 a year pay CUT when he walked in that school building five years ago. To say we live on a VERY strict budget - and month to month - is NO exaggeration. Remember: I work as a registrar for the same school district, too.

Now back to the title for this post: IT'S A GOD THING. Brady must take two teacher exams to be certified. Each one costs approximately $120. He is ready to take the first one, but like I said all our money is already spoken for when payday rolls around.

Yesterday's mail comes, and he tells me, "here's the money for my test." It was a check from our escrow account in the amount of $128. He is now scheduled to take his PPR exam on May 10 @ 7:30am. Prayers would be appreciated.

Gotta love these God things...

Calling Mom vs Facebook Post

This is for all you empty nesters (or close to it) - especially those with college students away from home. Actually it is for the KIDS not the parents. Top 5 things parents would prefer getting a phone call - at the least a TEXT - anything besides having to find out from reading it on your Facebook wall:

5. You've suddenly acquired lots of DOWN TIME to pick up new hobbies (translation: you are now unemployed).

4. The ticket you got - AFTER THE CAR ACCIDENT YOU HAD - was totally unfair!

3. You're in a relationship OR You're Engaged OR You're Single - i.e. status change. Now I know this one doesn't seem like a big deal, and probably isn't to a lot of you. But it's still a courtesy thing, I think.

2. Driving cross-country on a road trip. This again is a courtesy thing which goes back to the days of: What if you have an accident? Where would we look, etc.

And the #1 Thing to Call/Text Home vs FB Post: Getting hit by a car while WALKING home.

Parents reading this will understand right away EXACTLY what I'm talking about. Their kids may be rolling their eyes. Kids please know this: parents love you & think about you even when you're not around. That's why we check your FB so often. More than that we pray for you - without ceasing. Apparently my prayers for safety were answered today.

And yes, NOLEN, was the inspiration for this blog post. But to be totally fair to him, I did receive a phone call with regard to #4 - several years ago when he was living in Phoenix, AZ.

94 Funerals and, Well, Not So Many Weddings...

94 total funerals in 50 years! And that's just what I've counted since this afternoon.
26 family members
10 school age or younger
15 under 30 yrs. which includes:
4 suicide
4 drug/alcohol related
2 gun-related fatalities
2 infants

So here's the deal with what appears to be a rather large number of funerals I have attended in my lifetime: this is something my family has ALWAYS done - ALWAYS! Going to funerals/family visitation as a young child was as normal as going to church for my family.

The first funeral service that I can still recall was one of an 11 yr old boy. I was only 10 yrs old, and they went to church with us. I remember the family walking in, his sister (same age as me), his parents with his mom, very large and pregnant with a black dress and black hat and a black veil covering her face. Even in 1972 that was unusual. I remember the preacher talking how Scotty liked going to Six Flags Over Texas.

I remember the first funeral I had to take my youngest son to out of necessity. He was with me at work before he went to kindergarten that day. I guess the funeral was "in between". We get to the church, then all settled in our seats. The service is fine, and we get ready to go when Troy stops me to whisper "don't we get cake & punch?" Apparently, my children had attended more weddings than funerals:)

So out of 94 services only 26 are family members. The others are friends or family members of friends. I don't go because I know all of these people. I go because I care for their loved ones. The ones left behind. I go because I want them to know that when they walk into the chapel or church they will see a familiar face from work or church or school and know that someone is thinking of them and cares about them and their loss. That's why people go to funerals. Remember that next time you are at a funeral: whether for your loved one or going to support a friend.

This really isn't as depressing as most people think. I usually leave a funeral - now being called a CELEBRATION OF LIFE service - feeling as though I know the person pretty well...and having added another family to my prayer list:)