Is it time for the mystery van?

I said I would never drive a minivan. Maybe it is because every time I pass a grey GMC safari minivan I have flashbacks of driving the family van to my upper-middle class high school, having no choice but to park it in the oh-so-safely designed, absolutely no obscure or obstructed places to park, parking lot. But what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. After all, the van was an upgrade from the Ford Tempo sky blue mini station wagon, complete with tweed permanently reclining driver's seat and the horn that was activated by pushing on the end of the turn signal wand thingy. With the thrifty living Philip and I now subscribe to, I thank God for such an experience in humility when I was a selfish self-centered teenager with no sense of how hard my parents worked to even provide me with the van (which incidentally, held all eight kids in the neighborhood for the middle school carpool each afternoon). Yeah - I was cool like that.

Why the childhood reflection? Philip and I have waited until the last minute and are now realizing how impossible it will be to load the two of us, our 26 pound son (with the all important DVD player and Sesame Street DVDs), luggage for a week, and bounty of presents for the Moss family, all into our humble Mazda 626. Can we bungee the dog to the roof? Our hope is that the purchase of a roof cargo bag will balance the load. If you are headed down Hwy 45 in north Alabama or I-40 somewhere between Jackson, TN and exit 66 and see luggage on the ground (or poor Riley the dog), please deliver to Brownsville, TN.

In other words, I am coming full circle in the not too distant future to again driving a minivan...and welcoming such an opportunity. Perhaps this time we can spring for the sexy Honda Oddysey instead of the GMC van from my high school days that looked a lot like this:

Update on NeeNee Porter

NeeNee Porter is resting after surgery at the hospital. The doctors said the surgery was successful and now they are working to get her appetite back up and to be sure that her other kidney takes fully over for what two kidneys once did. She should be home by Friday!

NeeNee's surgery today

Today NeeNee Porter will have surgery to remove her right kidney. Last week we found out through a CT scan that she had a cancerous mass there. The doctors are all saying that once this surgery is completed, there will be no need for any further treatement (no chemotherapy, radiation, etc). We are all praying that will, indeed, be the case. Please join us in prayer today for her health and that she and my father will be encouraged.

Over the river and through the woods, to great-grandparents houses we go

We just returned from a wonderful weekend visit with Little Philip's great grandparents on Renie's side. His little second cousin, Kaylie, was there with her mom, Ruthie, and together, they created most of the entertainment for the weekend. After arriving late Friday night, we visited with the great grandparents Wettermark in Mobile for lunch. When Renie was a little girl, there was one dresser drawer in the living room she was allowed to open. In it were toys and Mardi Gras beads and treasure, and it never failed that she would find something new to play with everytime. This time it was Little Philip's turn and he went straight for the plastic alligator and a pair of maracas to shake around the house. Then he turned to playing the piano before lunch.

When nap time arrived, we headed back "over the bay" to Memaw and Papa Julian's house to visit with cousins and holiday shop downtown Fairhope. Saturday night we enjoyed a family birthday dinner of Memaw's fabulous spaghetti and NeeNee Porter's famous carrot cake. We wound up the night by throwing Kaylie and Little Philip in the tub together and Kaylie was an abolute riot! She threw herself on her belly and flailed about, kicking her legs and arms, creating what can only be called a baby jacuzzi tub. The adults were rolling on the floor she was so funny! Little Philip tolerated it but enjoyed the shampoo mohawk and bath toys, along with the waves and bubbles donated by his cousin's excitement. Aunt Ruthie, Danielle and Brad, and Dominique were also there for our visit and we loved catching up with everyone and look forward to another visit very soon!

16 months

Where has November gone?

We've been MIA lately and on the road every weekend traveling to see family and friends. We've just returned from a great Thanksgiving holiday long weekend in Brownsville, topped off by lunch with the Porters on Sunday with cousin Mary Eugenia Espinosa, who spent Thanksgiving with the Porters before returning to Spring Hill College for the rest of the term.

Thanksgiving at the Moss Farm was lots of fun. All the cousins dressed up as pilgrims, except for cousin George, who was a fierce indian. Little Philip liked that a lot.


At the Porters, we managed to take what NeeNee hopes will be some good Christmas card pictures.

Instructions while Mommy is away

I am headed to a three day conference tomorrow in San Antonio at Trinity University. This is the annual Associated Colleges of the South conference that gathers the senior student affairs officers together from member institutions. I will get to see Randy Hays, my old boss and friend from Centre, along with others I've come to know. But most important in this equation is the fact that this will be my first trip away from Little Philip since he started "day care" at Trinity UMC. I've traveled before but it was when "Miss Sarah" Skocelas was still keeping Little Philip. Don't get me wrong. It's not that I don't trust my husband to tend to the house and keep Little Philip clothed and fed. It's the way he will be clothed and fed that I fear. With that in mind, here are some gentle instructions for my dear husband:

Sunday morning - Little Philip will wake around 7:00 a.m. Change his diaper but only after you hug and kiss on him a lot to help him wake up happy. He will want some hot maple and brown sugar oatmeal. Make sure you BUCKLE HIM into his seat and put a bib on him. He likes to sing while he eats his breakfast. Help him learn his basic words like "cat" and "dog" and "juice." Before you leave for church be sure you take the diaper bag which is already packed for you. Don't forget his sippy cup with diluted juice.

Sunday afternoon - Even though Little Philip will want to nap at 12:00 noon, you will need to wake him up in time to take him to Nee Nee and Poppy Porter's house at 1:30 to show him off at the wedding luncheon they are having for a family friend. Please be sure he is clean in his blue plaid john john with the dog/firetruck on it.

Sunday evening - Don't forget to feed your son. He will probably enjoy a grilled cheese sandwich with some hot soup. Finish off with some fruit. Get him into his footy pajamas around 7:00 p.m. Let him play a bit but read to him to help him settle before bedtime at 8:00 p.m. Mommy will call before bedtime to blow kisses to both her Philips.

Monday morning - Make sure you are dressed and ready for the day BEFORE Little Philip wakes up at 7:00 a.m. Mommy won't be here to cover toddler watch! Cheesy eggs and cinammon toast for breakfast. Pick one of the outfits already laid out on the chair in his room to put him in. Double knot his sneakers before heading out the door. Take his red Trinity CDC bag and be sure he has a fresh full sippy cup with him. Don't forget the kid-napper sleeping bag and a coat. It's going to be cold! Be sure to tell Ms. Rose and Ms. Nita that Mommy is not in town in case they need to call for an emergency.

Monday afternoon/evening - repeat instructions for Sunday evening, replacing meal with turkey pot pie and fruit for dessert. Try to get him to drink some milk. He can have a cheese stick with dinner as well. Mommy will call to say she loves and misses both of you.

Tuesday morning - repeat Monday morning's routine but try to get Little Philip to eat half a banana, offering oatmeal and toast again.

Tuesday evening - Bath time! Do NOT leave the bathroom with Little Philip in the tub. Mommy will be home, God willing, by 9:30 p.m. to gently come in a give Little Philip a goodnight kiss!

Basic instructions:
No stripes and plaid.
Only use outfits laid out on back of chair in Little Philip's room.
Make sure all books are up off the floor to keep Riley from eating them.
Antibiotic ointment on the little sore between his fingers on his right hand.
Kisses, lots of them, and prayers that Mommy will arrive home safely soon!