Just sayin'...

On my way to work this morning I heard one of my favorite songs that I've actually blogged about before. I love this song! I love a lot of songs that actually pertain to the subject of being from the country, hard work, & family. They're my favorites. Call me a redneck if ya want to!

WAY OUT HERE

By: Josh Thompson

Our houses are protected by the good Lord and a gun
And you might meet 'em both if you show up here not welcome son
Our necks are burnt, our roads are dirt and our trucks ain't clean
The dogs run loose, we smoke, we chew and fry everything
Out here, way out here

(Chorus)
We won't take a dime if we ain't earned it
When it comes to weight brother we pull our own
If it's our backwoods way of livin' you're concerned with
You can leave us alone
We're about John Wayne, Johnny Cash and John Deere
Way out here

We got a fightin' side a mile wide but we pray for peace
'Cause it's mostly us that end up servin' overseas
If it was up to me I'd love to see this country run
Like it used to be, oughta be, just like it's done
Out here, way out here

(Chorus)
We won't take a dime if we ain't earned it
When it comes to weight brother we pull our own
If it's our backwoods way of livin' you're concerned with
You can leave us alone
We're about John Wayne, Johnny Cash and John Deere
Way out here

We won't take a dime if we ain't earned it
When it comes to weight brother we pull our own
If it's our backwoods way of livin' you're concerned with
You can leave us alone
We're about John Wayne, Johnny Cash and John Deere
Way out here, way out here

Our houses are protected by the good Lord and a gun
And you might meet 'em both if you show up here not welcome son

The song ignited several thoughts to stream through my mind.

 First, I'm proud of where I'm from. I could have been born to a white-collared CEO from a fast-paced business in a crime-infested city man & a stay-at-home, crafty, loves to bake because there's nothing else to do woman, but I wasn't.

God knew where I belonged.

I was born to to two blue-collared, hard-working, middle-class, WONDERFUL people.
I was born to two people who were from small, southern towns, too.
Where we say "Hey, Y'all!" to people we pass in the grocery store, at the post office, or at the gas pumps.
We didn't have a lot of money, but we had class.
You do not have to come from money nor have a lot of money to have morals, integrity, respect for self & others, or class.

I see so many people that may have a little money act like they are so much more than they are.
It's not that big ol' house, or those fancy rides that get you into Heaven, I promise.
Sure, they're nice to have, but I'm happy with what I've got. It may not be much, but it's mine.


I find myself thinking about this a lot since Jubal was born. I would certainly love a bigger, newer home. Who wouldn't? That is a couple years down the road for us, though. I've always heard "Love grows best in small houses". I figure that must be true because the world sure seems like it was easier to live in way back when families of 12 lived in two-bedroom homes (yes, true!). Families were just that-FAMILY!

Second, I want Jubal to have a happy childhood, just like I did. We didn't go on expensive vacations. We went camping on sandbars, we went on day trips to the beach, or we just sprayed each other with water hoses! Ha! That sounds funny, but it was fun.

My most memorable summers were spent riding my bike with friends from my neighborhood & coming home when it started to get dark. We would build forts, go exploring in the woods, climb trees, and even "help" our female dogs birth their babies. Yes, I did that. Ahhhmazing! Especially for a seven year old! :)

I want Jubal to find happiness in the small things that life presents us with, that are often times free.
I want him to believe in God with his whole heart & know that it is only because of Him that we exist or have the things we do have.

I want him to be proud of where he is from. I feel like if we lived in a big city, he wouldn't get the chance to experience the crickets chirping, or the frogs croaking. He wouldn't get to chase fireflies, or just enjoy the slow-paced life of living in the country. Period.

Third, I want Jubal to want to work. If that means becoming the big CEO of some fast-paced company, that's his choice. I wish we had a farm or something we could pass down to him, though. I think our hard-working farmers are the most humble people & I would love for Jubal to be that kind of man. I want nothing for him but happiness, as long as it's productive for him. I just want him to always do his best.

We don't have to struggle (thank God!) to make ends meet at our house, but we do both have to work. I do hate that it takes away from time I could be spending with Jubal, but it's our way of life. He has two hard-working parents. He has a mama & daddy that would work their fingers to the bone to provide a good life for him.

Maybe not the big ol' house, like some, or the brand new truck I would love to give him on his 16th birthday (maybe if I start saving now), but he does and will always, if I can help it, have nice, clean clothes to wear, a safe, secure roof over his head, food on the table where we will sit down as a family to eat, and so much love that I hope he never feels alone in this world.

This post has been all over the place, really. My thoughts get jumbled when I try to write them all down. Maybe this post doesn't even make sense to some who read it. I understand it, though, and I know exactly what I'm trying to say.

I've been caught up lately in wanting to have things that only money can buy. I need to get back to my roots & remember what genuine happiness really exists of. Family, home, laughter, togetherness, hugs, kisses, friends, cookouts, football games, boiled peanuts, crickets chirping, frogs croaking, & chasing fireflies. Just a few of my favorite things. ;)


Thank God I'm from the country.
I may not have much, but it's mine, and I'm happy.

Just sayin'!



And for your listening pleasure, a few more of my favorites. ;)

Mammaw's Walker

Mammaw's walker used to be Pappaw's walker, but since Pappaw is in Heaven, it has now been handed down to Mammaw.

The first time Jubal's pappaw ever held him in his arms, he was sitting in this very walker. It's special!

July 13, 2010



Jubal has been infatuated with this walker since he began crawling. He first just always wanted to play with the wheels on it, but since he started standing he's always used it to pull up on. Now that he's walking (while still holding on to something), he loves to hold onto it & push it. He's so cute!



He likes to be pushed in it, too. I think it's probably safe to say that it's his favorite thing to play with at Mammaw's house.



I took some pics of him riding it, too. You can tell by the look on his face how much he loves it. Some of these pics were taken last week when he was sick, so you can also tell he didn't feel too good. The ones where his cousin, Alannah, was pushing him, though, he felt good & was all smiles.

Who would have thought he could have so much fun on Pappaw's hand-me-down walker?

My baby boy didn't feel too good this day.

Mr. Snotty Nose

We can still manage a smile, though.

He was really having fun in this pic. Wish it wasn't blurry.

I love all his little teeth!

Still smiling!

This is what happens when you stop pushing, though. HA!

Now this is having fun!

Is that not the sweetest smile EVER?



A few pics

I haven't blogged in over a week. I just don't feel like I have enough hours in the day to do everything that needs to be done. Jubal has been sick since Monday, running a high fever we couldn't get to break until Tuesday afternoon.

We had to take him to see his pediatrician and even he couldn't find anything to really focus on other than he was a little congested & stuffy. They did blood work and that all came back normal. It has been very frustrating. Jubal hasn't had a good night's sleep in almost a week, which means neither has his mommy.

I'm exhausted. I'm irritable. I'm feeling very overwhelmed.

Needless to say, I don't really feel like blogging, but I want to add some pics for Jubal's journal. They're all random. Just want to get them off of my memory card.

I love this tree down at the river at our little spot

we enjoy going to.

Jubal's Aunt Heather gave him a mohawk.

My niece, Alannah, likes to go with us. Love her!

Jubal loves to have his picture taken.

I think he really just likes the camera because...

...this is what happens when I won't let him hold it. HA!

He walked all over the little waiting room in the lab while we waited for the blood work & urinalysis.

These pics pretty much look the same, but I love them all.

Sneaky smile at Daddy.

"Look at Mommy."

There's me a smile. :)

Aww! See the bandage on his little arm where they drew blood? :(

Very random, I know, but I want to include these

pics of his daddy & I. :)

(Don't you just love "self" pics???)

Mommy & Daddy love you, Jubal!!!



Great Grandfather

Just a little lineage before I begin this post. I want Jubal to have names of his family that came & has gone on before him. I am in the process of doing a more complete family history for him, but for now, this will do.

Jubal's Great-grandparents:

Maternal                                                  
Robert Benjamin Brackin (paternal)        
Willie Kathryn Jeffreys Brackin Truschka

Carl Alfred (C.A.) Kennedy, Jr.                                       
Lois Ann Hopkins Kennedy                    

Paternal
James Elias (J.E.) Stanfield (paternal)
Vina Lee Morgan Stanfield

Wedrell Finn Craft
Ruby Kate Lumley Craft

The reason for this post is because Jubal lost his last living great-grandfather this past weekend, on June 12th.

Mr. J.E. was a well-known man and everyone thought very highly of him. He and Mrs. Vina Lee pretty much raised Larson. He was an avid outdoorsman, as well as a County Commissioner. He will be missed.

Jubal has one great-grandmother still living, Mrs. Vina Lee.

Jubal @ 2 weeks old with his Daddy & Papa

Jubal wasn't very happy in this pic. Poor baby. Ha!

This was March 27, 2011 @ a family luncheon for Mr. J.E. & Mrs. Vina Lee

R.I.P. Mr. J.E./Papa

Almost a year...11 months already

Cute sailboat applique by Cousin Lacy :)

My Sweet Jubal Talon,

You are still and always will be my biggest and best accomplishment. I love you so much and CANNOT believe you are almost a year old. What happened to the last eleven months??? Time has passed and we will never be able to get it back and that saddens me. I want to keep you just like you are forever.

-Your vocabulary has definitely increased. Even though you don't exactly pronounce the words, we know by your gestures what it is you're trying to say. You say "hey", "dada", "hey there", "no", and "thank you" now. You still haven't said mama, but I know when you do it will be music to my ears & I will more than likely cry. Ha!

-You have six teeth now. You've had your two bottom teeth for awhile, but the four on top came through all at one time just two weeks ago. They're coming on down now & they are the prettiest little pearly whites I have ever seen. You're definitely going to have a gorgeous smile. That makes me proud.

-You still eat baby food. It's Stage 3 Gerber, though. You like the lasagna, spaghetti, vegetables w/ chicken, vegetables w/ beef, chicken noodle, broccoli & carrots w/ cheese, and squash & zucchini. You eat a lot of table food. You love buttery grits for breakfast. You eat eggs, as well. You eat any meat we give you. However, we still give you meats in your mesh feeder because Daddy is still afraid of you choking. So far you have liked everything you've tried & do not seem to be a picky eater at all.

-You will begin regular milk in two weeks. I think about that and wonder how it will feel not to boil water anymore. You have never had water straight from the spicket, nor have you ever had bottled water. I just couldn't bring myself to buy the bottled water when I could boil yours for free. Besides, who knows if they really purify the water anyway. I had to be sure. It's going to seem odd not to be giving you formula anymore. No more mixing, just pour regular milk into a sippy cup & go. My mind can't grasp that yet. My goal for you by the time you're one is to have you solely on a sippy cup and only taking a bottle at bedtime. We'll see how that goes.

-You still wear mostly 6-9 month clothes, depending on the style. Some of your shorts are still 3 month. We have started buying you some 12 month outfits, though. Also, we are transitioning  from onesies to regular little shirts and shorts or pants. You're still in size 3 diapers. You are growing quickly, though.

-We just bought you your first pair of walking shoes. You have a couple of pairs of sandals for Summer, but these are to hopefully help you progress in your walking skills. You "walk" everywhere as long as you have something to hold onto, but every time you let go, you fall so you haven't gotten over that fear yet. So...no "first steps" yet. You're well on your way, though. I'm in NO hurry!

-You swim like a little fish. Daddy is always afraid for you to go under, but I just let you go naturally. You instinctively know what to do.  I'm so glad you love the water.

-You are generally a very sociable little boy. However, the older you get, the more "clingy" you get. It's usually only when you're sleepy, but most recently when you're ill from your gums hurting because of your teeth coming in.

-You love to sleep. You are your mommy's boy! Our lifestyles never changed much because ever since you were born, you have slept through the night. Unless, of course, you were stuffy from a sinus infection, which was only twice. Other than that, you've been a very healthy baby, with wonderful sleeping habits. Right now, you still sleep in our room, mostly in my arms. It can stay that way, too, no matter what other people say! We love having you close to us.

-You still enjoy going to daycare twice a week. You have a little buddy there named Jacob. I'm waiting to see which of you walk first. The two of you are very competitive with each other.

-You still take baths, but you mostly shower with Daddy. It's so funny to watch you put your head under the water & try to drink it. You get mad when I come get you out so Daddy can bathe, but once I start drying you off and rubbing you down with lotion, you calm down. You especially like it when I clean your ears out. It's almost like I'm giving you a mini massage or something. Too cute!

-You got to attend two weddings this month. I must say you were a huge hit at both. Both brides are close friends of Mommy's so they didn't mind sharing the spotlight with you at all. The photographers at their weddings loved you, too.

Well, little man, that's the rundown. I hope I haven't missed anything because I want to remember all of these things just for my own heart's sake. I'm so happy you are growing into such a happy little boy, but I will admit it's breaking my heart for the time to be passing so quickly. I hope that I show you every single day how special you are & how much I love and cherish you. I waited so long for you.

You are extra special to your daddy, too, because he never thought he would be able to live the life he lives today. To have you in his life is the most spectacular thing ever! You are one WANTED little boy. Oh, how special & loved you are!!!

I love you, Jubal!


Love,
Mommy

Wishes

      

I'm going to link up with Brooke @ Bright Wishes today.

 My wishes...

ONE

I so want my little boy's first birthday to be wonderful.

I know he won't remember it, but one day he'll see pictures and

I hope it makes him feel special & proud.

I want him to be able to tell that his mommy put her heart into planning it for him.

via

It's actually not until July 12th, but I've been planning

and purchasing a little along & along for almost a month now.

I just want it to be perfect.

TWO

I wish we could have some milder temps!

It's like we went straight from Winter to Summer.

What ever happened to Spring?!?

via

THREE

Since we are having such high temps, I sure do wish we had a pool!

via

Right about now, this one will do...

via

Seriously, though. It has been very hot.

It's also been very dry.

I really wish for rain.

via

Ahhhhh...how refreshing would that be?

I would love to be dancing in the rain right now.

And last, but not least...

I wish for nothing but happiness for all my family & friends.

via

I love you all & hope I show you enough everyday.

I hope all your wishes come true, too.

Take me to the river

We spent another fabulous weekend down by the riverside. It was a wonderful day. We splashed in the water, made new friends, spent time with old friends, grilled some tasty chicken, & just had an all-around pretty perfect day.

Let me share our pics from this weekend with you.

I tried & tried to get a good pic of Jubal & his Aunt Heather both looking at the camera and smiling, but Jubal loves to splash and it just wasn't going to happen. Ha! We had a great time, though.

Hope everyone else had a good weekend.