April Showers...I don't think there were any this month

Every month, Mom gets a few stories, and those of us close get to hear them over and over again.   We love her, so we don't mind, but Belle and I always share a look when we know it is coming.   This month's selection included a conversation with Rinoa at the Cullman wedding shower, where she bragged on Davis being the "life of the party" in Tuscaloosa.   Apparently many are just in death scroll mode on their phones, but when Davis comes in, he helps all remember that we are there to interact with the other humans.   And it is a good story, because Magan and I have both tried to get the kids to keep phones in their pockets when with company.   Our other story of the month was Magan at a department store and the cashier commented on her wedding ring.   Magan, who seems to be comfortable talking with anyone that will listen, immediately begins sharing that we will soon celebrate our 25th anniversary, then shares about the significance of the rings stones indicating her 4 children.   At this, the cashier was blown away and asked "How old are you, you can't have 4 kids" (Apparently the 25 years of marraige did not sink in).   But of course this made magan smile, and eyes disappear, and I think that cashier got her first tip as a cashier.   

And perhaps a story that speaks to the problems of technology.   One day while I was working from home, and the kids were out of school, I heard her and Ruby laughing in the living room.   Then I received a picture of Ruby where she had stuck a magnetic tool to her braces.   It was really funny, but I turned back to my screen and back to work.   Ruby ran over to my desk in the Dining room, looking for the same laughter shared with her mom moments earlier.   But when she showed it to me, I said "Yeah, that is funny, Mom already sent me the picture".   Ruby looked at me in surprise and a little sad "I just did it over there".   Ugh, Dad failure in response coupled with technology misuse.

So what is going in in the hodge podge of pictures below...I think Anabelle did all the boys hair one day...play day with Jordan...Sam gets to work from Cullman all week...Murder Mystery in Tuscaloosa with the game facilitated by Davis...Davis wins the golden egg ($50) and various other prizes at the Northwood church easter egg hunt...Belle inducted into the Music Honor Society...plans for the new target in Chelsea revealed...Davis goes behind the scenes at Bryant Denny with the Crimson Chaos...Stella does an excellent job in a stage show of Pride and Prejudice (altho Scott learns that this is the worst and most horrible story he has ever suffered through...and he verified on google that he is not alone)...Small group at the Britts...a chance encounter with Mrs Speegle at the P&P play...pickleball days...A fun visit to Activate with my "Little" in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.  My "Little" is Cameron right next to me in the pic, but I also got to hang out and play some fun games with Caleb and Israel.   My favorite story from this last year was Cameron setting a goal of doing 5 pushups as one of his goals.   I really didn't worry about it, because we don't get enough time with these kids to really help with big goals, but when I told him he had to meet these goals to get to go to activate, I asked him if he could do it.   He gave me his big smile and said sure.   That was good enough for me.   Then one of the BBBS coordinators came by and asked if he met his goal of 5 pushups.   Bernice asked Cameron, and he said yes...she looked him up and down, then challengingly said "Show me".    hahaha...so hilarious, but Cameron dropped right there in the middle of the meeting and did his 5 pushups.   

And lastly, Magan found a wadded up piece of paper that was unwadded then a picture taken of it, then a text sent to me for it to go in the blog.   So I don't know the details of the original wad, nor of Belle's knowledge that this poem would be captured in the blogs, but I thought is was nice, and I am very glad that her bed is captured in this memory, now and forever.   

An Ode to my Bed - Anabelle Junkin

A simple bed, white and pink, wood and cotton, The bed stays unchanged

The room is different, and the sheets have changed.   The bed stays unchanged

There used to be another right above, but now the other is beside.   The bed stays unchanged

Dolls and stuffed animals used to be gathered there, but now only one remains.   The bed stays unchanged

Used to be a trampoline or a castle, but now they're no where to be seen.   The bed stays unchanged

Both then and now, the bed protects and comforts.   Its a hiding place when the world is too loud.

Even if only as a memory one day, the bed stays unchanged now and forever