My Daddy

Yes you read it correctly--I'm almost 30 years old, but I still refer to the first wonderful man in my life as "Daddy". We all took a whirlwind trip to Atlanta this week to honor this special man and his retirement from United Parcel Service. He has worked there for 34 years!! Almost unheard of anymore. He started WAY BACK when he was in college helping sort packages, worked his way up to driving a big brown truck, into management and even helped start some of their newest "side business stuff" (don't really know what to call them--they are companies within the company--you might could call them divisions, but I dunno). Anyway, the point is he has been very successful. I've always known that, but to hear the 20+ men that gathered to honor him at lunch yesterday say so was an awesome experience. Some had known him for many years, some only a few. Some of his biggest friends weren't even there for one reason or the other--it didn't seem to matter. My daddy was showered with much deserved praise of all his many accomplishments. The running theme (besides making fun of some of his 'country ways') was faith and family. Almost every single man spoke of how much they knew those two things meant to Mike Mack--They said to know him was to know about his faith and his family. Some of those men had met us (the family) maybe once or twice, but they felt like they knew us b/c Daddy told them about us all the time. They talked of his faith--which lead to talk of his integrity--and how they knew of his love for God. One man even went so far as thinking of 'The Good Shepherd' when he thought of my dad. It was so amazing to hear these men thank my dad for all his help with their own careers. A lot of 'you made me what I am today' kinda stuff. They recounted funny stories and good times they had with my dad. They told him how he was always on the 'short list' of people they knew would get the job done and most importantly get it done right. His current boss spoke of Dad's hard work and integrity--that meant a lot b/c it was no secret to many at the table that they did not always get along very well. My dad's presence will be missed at UPS--we knew that, but it was nice to hear others express the same.

They presented Daddy with a nice glass remembrance, if you will, of his 34 years of service. A few cards of well wishes and a BIG gift card to the PGA store in Atlanta. He already spent it before leaving town and I believe you will see some golf memorabilia in their new basement.

Now if you do not know my father very well let me paint a mental picture. He is a big man, proud to be from Texas and from the South. I also describe him as the most executive redneck you'll ever meet:) He can look like a CIA agent walking through the crowd with his suit and sunglasses--a very don't want to mess with me persona, but in his jeans and cowboy hat he looks like any good ol' country boy!! He can look (and act) very tough, but at the heart he is a big teddy bear. That big teddy bear was brought to tears several times yesterday. I may not have cried then, but the thoughts of the nice things have brought tears to my eyes today.

I love you daddy...you have always been a success in my eyes, but yesterday many others expressed it too. Cheers to you for many years of faithful service to God, family, friends and work. The official 9-5 (anyone that knows how hard you worked knows those hours are a joke) job may be over, but the fun is just beginning. We can't wait to make tons of fun memories with you and Mom. Living so close together will provide a lot of time together and your grandkids are going to love it--be totally spoiled, but love it!!

Dr. Christian

Jeff and Christian are playing together right now. We get into a rut of Daddy coming home and helping with house stuff and than putting kids to bed. It's sad to say that we have to be intentional about play time, but we do. Anyway...They are playing with Christian's "doctor kit" he got for Christmas. Jeff was laying on the floor saying "my tummy hurts...help me Dr., my tummy hurts". Christian used several things from his kit...he listened to his heart and looked in his ears...Dr. Christian decided to 'cut open' Jeff's stomach with the pretend scapel. Jeff said "what's in my tummy Dr.? What made me sick?" In all seriousness Christian randomly comes out with "Peanut Butter!!" I died laughing b/c there is no way my three year old knows about all the bad peanut butter in the news!!!

Just thought it was funny

BUSY,BUSY,BUSY

We have been busy beavers around here. The kids and I spent ALL week at my parents house last week. They were out of town and workers are still in and out trying to finish stuff. Kim is a working girl now so I was left being 'in-charge'. Not so bad except for the fact that workers don't always show up when they say they will--a little frustrating. KayKay and Tex came home from Florida with lots of cute gifts:) I even landed a really pretty necklace for all my hard work.

This weekend we hung out as a family--nothing too exciting--cleaned the house, did laundry (everything was backed up from being at my parents all week), took a trip to the mall so Jeff could use his Christmas Gift Card to Joseph A. Banks (he holds on to it until they have their big clearance sale) and went to dinner with my parents. Many of you already know about Martin's BBQ in Nolensville--if you haven't been there you have got to go!! Good food, simple atmosphere and on Saturday nights there is a band--good ol' country & some old rock music is played. Sunday was full of church and visiting with some of Jeff's old friends from E & Y... and watching the Oscars.

That's all for now....Hope all is well in blogger land

After some forced (on my part) cuddle time, book reading and snack time--Christian and I are doing better. Baylor took a good nap and right now I'm listening to both of them all out giggle over their lunch.

There are good things in all the bad:)

Update

Baylor's fever is gone, but the fussiness and lack of sleep remains. We think she has a viral infection in her throat like brother had a week or so ago. She was up and down ALL night so Jeff and I didn't get much sleep. I'm trying my hardest to be patient today, but there's just not much there. I tried explaining this to Christian, but it hasn't seemed to work so far. The whiny voice has set in this morning and it is so ANNOYING. He slept all night long--even late this morning...he's all rested and ready to go and just doesn't understand while the rest of the house just wants some peace and quite. Baylor is sleeping pretty well now and I'm trying to get little rests in between "Mr. I want everything to eat in the house" snack breaks and play times.

God, I need all the patience and energy you can grant me today. I want to be a fun happy mommy, but I just don't feel it today. Let Christian and I came to an understanding of love. He needs a happy mommy and just doesn't get the fact that I'm not feeling up to it. I love my children, but sometimes us mommies just feel like breaking apart--we don't b/c WE ARE STRONG--you make us that way.

Thank you Lord for being a better parent than I feel like today...Amen

First Date

My sweet boy had his first little date today. He has been saying that Caitlyn is his girlfriend for several weeks now...MaryAnn and I thought it would be cute to let them have a little Valentine's lunch. Christian called her on the phone and asked her if she could go eat with him. He was so sweet b/c he pulled the phone away and said "She said yes Mommy!" with the biggest smile on his face. We let her pick the place and we met at McD's after dropping the little sisters off at their grandma's houses. As you can see Caitlyn was very excited about her balloon. She wanted us to watch it while she and Christian played--she was so afraid someone would try to make off with her balloon:) It was popular and we had to share a couple of times with some other kids--but Caitlyn got to take it home(that's what we kept reminding her when others wanted to see it). We had fun and it gave us Mommies some time to chat too.

Happy Valentines Day

We started off Valentines Day at Dr. Merri's office. We know what Baylor does not have--an ear infection, strep or the flu. We just aren't sure what is giving her this high fever (104.5 at 4am) and trouble sleeping. By now I'm getting back into that newborn mode where you knew you just had to function on little or no sleep. ANYWAYS...the other picture is the beautiful roses I got from my hubby. They were waiting for me when I got home from picking Christian up from school--they are pretty and it was very thoughtful. Thanks Baby:)