SATURDAY SHOWCASE.....

Well, I had to include two photos today......

It seems that when you are really "special", you are blessed with not one, but two birthday cakes. (Remember I had a caramel birthday cake at Temple's grandmothers.)

And I, my friends, if nothing else, am "special". Or at least that's what my brother used to tell me when I had to ride the "short" bus to enrichment class.......I've always wondered why he said it so funny and smiled as he spoke the word "special".

Anyway, upon returning from our Thanksgiving travels, we also had another round of Thanksgiving Feast with the family.....at my parents. And my sweet mother had also made me this yummy birthday cake to share. It was delicious.....and I say was, because there is only one slice left in the fridge, and Temple has already laid claim to it. Sorry. But you would have loved it....double chocolate fudge cake (3 layers) with caramel & whipped cream & toasted pecans & chocolate shavings.....between each layer. Rich, honey, is not the word. Decadently wealthy like Bill Gates is more or less a better word analogy.

And here is a favorite birthday gift from my sweet Walt man.....who was at the hunting camp all day and into the evening of my birthday, but when he walked through the doors to greet me....he had this homemade present ready to offer. He's resourceful too......there was no artist pad hidden in a deer stand in the woods, so he found a paper plate at the hunting camp and drew me a birthday message all the same.

I love these handmade gifts the best of all.

Thanksgiving 2008

Grandmama made me a delicious caramel cake for my birthday.......she's 82, I hope I'm still baking cakes and look this good at 82......but I've got a while to go since I'm still only 29. :)
While waiting for all the food to be prepared for our Thanksgiving meal, Walt, Tyner Beth & their cousin Amber decided to play cards. Giggles were heard frequently.


After eating, (no, I do not have any pictures of the scrumptious food we devoured....I was too busy eating it to bother with taking a photo.)....anyway, the hunters headed up to the woods mid-afternoon......I think the men all went to get their tryptophan-induced naps from the turkey.....but the kids had a great time.

Tyner Beth and Amber were ready for an afternoon of hunting too.....although I think Tyner Beth was confused about what she was hunting.....deer are not particularly afraid of a pink-shirted, zebra-vested little girl doing cheers in the wilderness. However, Aunt Elizabeth loves a hug no matter how she's dressed. And later, Tyner Beth had the best time playing "hair dresser"......a game Aunt Elizabeth loves to let her play.
T5 and Grandmama had fun looking at old photographs.....so I took a new one to add to the stack. Uncle Jonathan and Aunt Jackie came over late in the afternoon......sorry I didn't get a good photo of the baby bump progress....but maybe I will soon....Jackie is feeling good and the baby is growing and kicking like crazy.....and we can still hardly wait to hold him/her!!!

Tyner Beth was showing how she can do a really good form push-up (especially for a little girl) and she was even trying to do "clap" push-ups....where you clap in between.....and so, Uncle Jonathan challenged her to try to do "diamond" push-ups. Here he is demostrating his skills....of course this led to a little brotherly competition.....with Temple getting down in the floor to show he could still do "diamond" push-ups too. They are too funny.

Although at first Tyner Beth was unable to do a "diamond" push-up, and Uncle Jonathan had given her a training time and expected her to be able to show him at Christmas her abilities. She had different expectations, and worked hard until she did one.....not the best form, but she did it! And she loved showing off her muscles! :)

Thanksgiving Memories......they are wonderful.....times with family can't be beat, any time of the year. Moments that are perfect, like this photo of Tyner Beth and Grandmama's hands.....moments that make you want to hold on to it all.........forever.

And she wasn't talking about Buzz Lightyear.......(read on to understand more)

When we arrived home last night from traveling, the kids all wanted to pile their sleeping bags in the floor of our bedroom. So, they did. When the lights went out, everyone started their usual..."I love you more than you love me."

Rivers, speaking for the group, announced to Temple and I that, "they" (the children) had 3 hearts and therefore, they had more love for us because "we" (the parents) only have 2.

Good logic.....but a big untruth. Despite the higher quantity, our hearts are better equipped to hold a substantial amount of love.......in fact, when talking of our kids, the love is simply spilling out all over from our hearts....it cannot possibly hold it all. So, I announce that we (the parents) win.

Tyner Beth sneaks out of her sleeping bag in the cover of darkness and crawls up my side of the bed to whisper in my ear...."I love you more than infinity and that means I win because there is no end to numbers."

And then she climbed down, traveled around to her Daddy's ear and told him the same. Now, that is something to be thankful for......being loved beyond infinity......who could ask for anything more?

Work...on my Birthday? You mean, people actually do that?

Yep, apparently there is no such thing as personal birthday holidays. We have George Washington's Birthday on the calendar, why not mine? What, all because he was the first President of the United States........whatever.

So I made it over 30 years of my life without having to work on my birthday......guess it was past time to bite the bullet. My Uncle informed me that he guessed he had worked every birthday of his life since he had joined the workforce over 50 years ago.....and then shook his head at me marveling at the thought of having to WORK on my BIRTHDAY.

Granted, it was only 1/2 a day...that's good. And the even better news is that next year, I won't have to work on my birthday at all......it will fall on Thanksgiving Day. Thank the Lord.

I've had tons of well-wishers call, e-mail, text and such to send birthday wishes. It's so fun. And my sweetheart sent the best one of all......early this morning at work, he sent me a text message that said the usual, Happy Birthday.....and it had "Ecclesiates 4:11". Now you may already know that verse by heart, but it's not a scripture I have stored......not yet.

However, if you look closely over to the photo of Temple and I on the blog, underneath is the scripture I have always held close for us.....and I do have it memorized......and it's Ecclesiates 4:9. Basically, I never guess I looked farther down to verse 11. But I'm so glad my sweetheart did.......because it made my day.

"Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone."~~Ecclesiastes 4:11

And it was so neat, after I received his text, I went to check on the the animals in the clinic that were boarding. I had just put two cute little puppies in a kennel together.......just a few seconds earlier, and now they were all snuggled close together, one with his head propped on his friends back.

Had they not been completely different colors, it would have been very difficult to see where one began and the other ended. They two of them were so happy to be in the same kennel, merged together and savoring the moment.

So, on my birthday today, I am so thankful that I don't have to know the answer to "how can one keep warm alone?" For I have found the love of life that God sent for me......to keep me warm all the rest of my days.

SATURDAY SHOWCASE.....

Okay, already. So, I'm a day late with the Saturday Showcase....don't feed me to the wolves. I was getting around to it......even though Saturday has passed.

Today's Topic -- working hard. Yep, you gotta work hard to get good results. We have been fortunate to have a great run in high school football this year---BHS made it to the 2nd round of playoffs this year---something to be jubilant about....it doesn't come around that often.....but that's another post, that will arrive soon, hopefully.

Back to working hard....yeah, so the boys want to be great at football.....they love it. Watching the varsity team this season made them want to work even harder, so that when they arrive at high school to put on the pads and suit up for Friday Night under the lights---they'll be more than ready to give it their all. To help with this aspect, we've explained how they need to eat all their veggies, their meat, etc., and how they need to exercise and 'train' to help their bodies grow to be strong. (It's working pretty good so far.....I'm not saying I've got them eating brussel sprouts yet, but I've convinced them to eat a few things they would have normally turned their nose up to.) (Parents....they are ruthless, sometimes.) ;)

For some reason, I heard one of the french doors slam off the porch and looked to the back yard and saw this....and had to snap a shot through the window. I didn't want to take a chance on going outside to disturb them during their "training" time. Temple suggested they do X-number of sit-ups and X-number of push-ups every day. So, about 1 day a week they remember.......I'm not sure how much that is helping exactly.

"Come on Walt, you can do it"

Well, would you look at that........it's already working.......he's busting out of the knees of his 'britches' just like the INCREDIBLE HULK! Way to go, Walt Man.

There's Power in Prayer.....

and it's an open line, any day, any time. Why not use it.......like, right now. You don't have to bow your head, kneel at an altar, face the east, face the west, clasp your hands together, or close your eyes.......you don't have to do any of that for HIM to hear you.

And there is so much to pray for.....your friends requests, your family requests.....and what about you?

".......the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." ~~James 5:16

So, where are you? At your desk at work? in a classroom? on your couch at home? in your kitchen? on your i-phone? in the car? at the mall? on a plane? on a train? in a zoo? in the shower?.........(I thought I heard you singing in the shower)......well, anyway, you can pray while you're there......where ever "there" happens to be for you......right now.

And if you don't have something or someone already on your prayer list.......let me know....I'll share some of what's on mine with you. Just whisper what you heart is pleading for..... right now. HE's listening......HE's been listening to your heart the whole time.......just waiting on you......right now.

Remember...."your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask Him."~~Matthew 6:8

Use the mighty power of prayer. It's free for the taking. And it's even better than the energizer bunny......it doesn't just "outlast the competition", it actually NEVER runs out.

I'm praying for you......right now.

"With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith" ~~2 Thessalonians 1:11

Meet The Press..........

Let me introduce you to my latest necklace for this fashion season. Oh, see the pretty color of paper, and that nylon cording and the whole Non-Transferrable boldness of it all......you are jealous. Admit it......You know it.

So, I've been keeping another secret from y'all.....and it does not involve me appearing on an episode of Jerry Springer....thankfully. :) No, that's how people brought about reveals in the 80's or 90's.........we've turned another century since then.....now, they lay it all out on you tube and BLOGGER .....so here it goes.........

.......the secret.......... I've been moonlighting. And you didn't even know it. Don't you feel violated in some way? I mean really....I go from not working since being conceived in 1972 to the point of holding down MULTIPLE jobs. All of which still only encompasses about 10 hours of a work week. So, basically, it takes me a month to create a 40-hour work week. That's so sad. I won't be able to draw social security if my life depends on it.

• My night job? I've been pretending to be a sports photographer on Friday nights. And apparently I can still function quite well in the pretend world (the voices inside my head help out a lot)........the newspaper person asked me to keep doing it for several weeks in a row. And they published my photos in the paper. With my name attached. Aren't you simply amazed? Me too.

I have this friend at the paper, an actual (as opposed to pretend like myself) sports writer and photographer, who asked me to fill in for him the last few games, as photographer. And why did he choose me? Basically, because he had no other options, and he saw that I owned my own camera. Big whoop. Owning a camera doesn't mean you know how to use it. I offer myself as exhibit A in that argument.

• But, I did try my best. I had lots of fun. And I enjoyed the sideline view. It's different from being in the stands (in case you didn't already know that little tidbit). But let me say, just becuase I am closer to the action, in no way does that help me figure out what's going on, or who's position is what, or any of that. I did, however, find out a lot about the fact that referees are retards. No offense if you happen to be a referee. But it appeared to me at some moments, that they knew less about the game than I did. That would be a whole other post though....and sadly, I do not have time to waste about zebra officials. Sadly. It's just my own personal policy.

So, because people NEVER look at the by lines on the photos in the paper.......I have scathed by without being noticed. Until now, when I decided to let the whole internet in on the secret. So, let's try to keep it just between the few of us, okay? And if you see me wielding my press pass around like an emmy.....just ignore me.....I'm in my pretend world....having a grand time listening to the voices in my head....who happen to think that blurry pictures of half-bodies of football players with red eyes and after the action has passed shots are FANTASTIC. I love those voices in my head. They are my heroes.

• And in due time....I plan on showing you a few of those fancy photos that were put into print......and I may even show you the ones that Sports Illustrated wanted, but I declined their offer. I cannot work a full load.....I mean, I am pushing my max with the 10 hours I've been putting in........so SI, get off my back already.

SATURDAY SHOWCASE.....

Well, if it isn't Little Bit winning her a spot on Saturday Showcase.........she was very proud of her report card.....and so were we.
All the kids made All-A honor roll.....but only Tyner Beth had a "100" in one of her subjects....Language.

Does that mean she'll grow up to be as much of a talker as her Daddy? :)

And her teacher even gave her extra accolades....'excellent, excellent, excellent'.....way to go TB!

Modern Day Miracle.........

The Good Lord.....he performed miracles. He still performs miracles. Sometimes, my mind gets all clouded and I forget that HE still performs miracles. Sure, I, like yourself I'm sure, remember most all the famous ones from the GOOD BOOK.......turning water into wine (nice trick by the way), healing the deaf-lame-lepers-etc., parting the Red Sea, walking on water, raising the dead, and what about the one I taught in Sunday School just a few weeks ago......telling a man to spit in some dirt and then rub it in his eyes and his blindness was cured....that was a doozie too, by the way.

So, earlier this afternoon.....I was minding my own business, driving down the road, singing along to some fantastic 80's music.....and--WHAM! BAM!----I witnessed a miracle. And I went home to get my camera to take some photos because I wasn't sure you would believe me otherwise. Here it is.....in living color.....and the proof isn't in the pudding this time, it's in the pump.

I thought my eyes might be deceiving me, so I drove on through town to my friend's store and lo' and behold....it's true.....it's a MIRACLE. Can you even believe it?

Seriously.....I never thought I'd live to see the day gas fell into the $1 range again. In fact, I just told my sister about 4 or 5 days ago while we were driving to the movies....."if that gas sign shows a $1 something, even if it's just a $1.99.....I'm gonna throw a party!"

So, Karisa, I love you, and I am trying to stay true to my word.......except I have a lot going on right now and can't actually 'throw a party'......although I do love a party, especially the party food.......but this little BLOG PARTY will have to do for now.

Here's your invitation to celebrate with me.......at this internet party I owe my sister......and the MIRACLE the good Lord decided to send our way.

Sure....it doesn't really rank in the top 10----I mean curing illness, disease, casting out demons, feeding 5000 with a loaf of bread a couple of fish, Jonah sitting in the belly of a whale, Daniel petting a bunch of lions all night long......nah, it doesn't do justice to the wonderful, captivating capabilities Jesus can show......but it sure is nice to see!!!

Anyone else excited as me? Then I bet you don't drive a gas guzzler that gets like 2 miles to the gallon. Come on......it's a P.A.R.T.Y. people.......whether you are in your living room, kitchen, or your office at work.....stand up and do the happy dance........I just did. :)

Savannah's Birthday Party.....or, better known as my children wish we had our own petting zoo...

Birthdays are so great.....I mean, right up until you get as old as me....then you just try to overlook them.....hey, it's just another day on the calendar, right?

Anyway, my sweet niece, Savannah, recently celebrated a big one....a whole decade...she's 10!

And we joined them at her house for a birthday party celebration. Where Tyner Beth had a furry object attached to her arm for like 5 hours. Oh, you think I kid......she dropped it long enough for me to make her wash her hands before we ate lunch and cake....only to pick it up between the hot dog consumption and the blowing out of the candles. And then after the 5th round of "the washing of the hands", she picked it back up again and toted it everywhere she went. I think that included the bathroom trips, if you really wanted to know.

But seriously, I thought the bunny was cute......and then I saw this photo......and thought my little "bunny" is too cute too!! They both have the brownest eyes.


Rivers also enjoyed the friendly animals Uncle Kevin has as "pets" at their home. I snapped this photo too soon......he was all smiles, having a great time showing me tricks he could do with this chicken.......

.............then he realized it was all being documented digitally......so he swapped back to his "I'm so cool, even while holding a chicken" face. Oh, to be a pre-teen again........and take the wisdom I have now back in time with me.........I could possibly take over the world, given the opportunity.

Here's Savannah, getting tickled at our "cha-cha-cha" in the birthday song....a family favorite rendition.

Aunt Karisa knows how to party.....especially when you need just a little more sugar.....what else are birthday parties for? So, one of the birthday activities was to make your own gigantic candy straw. Yep, you fill it up with as many fun colors of sugar as you want. Yippee.

• My thoughts.......why not just hook 'em up to an IV of Karo Syrup and skip all the mess? Same effect. Oh, but less on the fun. I get it. Really, I do.

Happy Birthday Savannah.......your historical birthday was loads of FUN!!

A short lesson in Alabama History.....

Walt's PTO Program was this week.....and it was outstanding. He is learning about Alabama History this year....and loves it. So, their program was based on a typical day in their history class at school. The kids opened their play by leading the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag and followed it with the pledge to the Alabama Flag......and I am so proud to say this is a reality of how they open their school day EVERY morning. The stage was filled with famous "Alabamians"----many of which I am certain you are familiar with.....actors, musicians, sports figures, political figures....etc.etc.

People like........Harper Lee (author), Helen Keller, Charles Barkley (Auburn athlete), Bear Bryant, Rosa Parks (civil rights activist), Courtney Cox (actress famous for her role on Friends), Heather Whitestone (first deaf Miss America), George Wallace (AL governor), Jimmy Buffett (musician), Condoleezza Rice, Bo Jackson (Auburn athlete) and many others......

The children all sang the Alabama State song....which was played excellently on the piano by a fellow classmate and friend of Walt's---James, a very talented young fellow. I am sure the viewers with speech therapy will notice Walt's tongue in this photo about to enuciate the chorus of the state song "Alabama". :)

Aside from being the talented pianist, James was also the character of Charles Barkley.....can you guess which sport he played at Auburn University?

The children also had a short demonstration of the state dance of Alabama---no, it's not the macarena, the fox trot, the jitterbug or the electric slide---it's none other than the "square dance". Do-si-do, Cotton-Eyed-Joe.....right up Walt's alley.....as we try to never miss an episode of Dancing with the Stars!

And here's another of Walt's good friends....Trace....entertaining the crowd as Jimmy Buffett. Complete with visor, "LuLu's" t-shirt, and the ever necessary flip flops......but watch out for those "pop tops". :)


And here's Walter----as the famous Alabamian, and I quote (because I can quote it all having practiced his lines with him for weeks now....) "Vincent Edward Jackson....more commonly known as 'Bo' Jackson." Becuase hello.....would you have had any idea who Vincent Edward was?


Walt also mentions in his dialogue of Bo Jackson that in 1985, he won the heisman trophy....... I suggested to Walt that after he delivered that line, he should strike a heisman pose, for effect. To which he adamantly revoked my opinion. I explained how I thought it would make the crowd chuckle, and at home, he is always looking to make us chuckle.

He still refused until we talked to his teacher and she thought the suggestion was a great idea too. Beacuse apparently we have broached the age of "mom knows nothing, but my teacher rocks." So, the night of the program, he did it.......and the crowd released a great chuckle for his efforts. Except I missed the photo opportunity.....and didn't get it. So, I waited for the 'in-school' program time, and went to get the photo during that production......the problem, he chickened out of doing it in front of all his peers at school.........so, I had to make him do it for this photo.

Thanks for indulging your mother, sweet Walter. It's a hard and difficult life, I know......
And finally, here's Walt with his terrific teacher, whom he adores, Mrs. Henderson. Thanks, Mrs. Henderson, for a wonderful, entertaining, and informative school program. And for helping me out with the "mom isn't as dumb as you think" scenarios that come up from time to time.

Field Trip to McWane Center.......

Tyner Beth...ready for take off at the NASA space class she was able to attend......

My little sweetie smiling big at the NASA lab......

Here, she is placing the vials of "liquids and solids" into their correct spot.....I think it's so cute her little face is pushed against the plexi glass for her to be able to see.....she wasn't tall enough to look into her lab through the top glass....too cute.

She and her friends LOVED going to the river, lake and ocean level of McWane Center. They were able to see cool jellyfish, a gigantic eel, tons of fish, turtles, etc.....and this really neat STINGRAY who seems to be smiling at us...... :) hee.hee.

They have a huge plastic fish greeting the entrance to this level.....and she had to climb in so she could be "inside it's belly" like Jonah. ----except she was spit out almost instantly and by the big smile, seemed to enjoy being in the belly of a 'whale'. Of course she wanted to do the bed of nails.......I asked "are you sure?"....she replied, "yes, yes yes".....I then pointed to the sign and with a straight face in a serious tone said....."well, it says there is a 300 pound weight limit...I don't know?".....she looked at me very quizzically and replied..."I think I weigh less than that"......"yea, mom, I weigh A LOT less than that".....it was so funny to see her face knowing her brain was thinking....I can't believe my mom doesn't know that I weigh so little.

Apparently laying on a bed of nails is lots of fun.....she wanted to stand in line to do it again.
A hair raising adventure at the next fun stop was the wind tunnel......see her ribbon and hair blowing around like crazy.......Now you know why........see the windspeed?

My little NASA scientist And a field trip is not complete without a sack lunch sent from school.......a nice hot dog. And she ate two......yum. Yep, nothing beats a good ol' school dog. I don't think I have ever asked for seconds of that in my life.

SATURDAY SHOWCASE.....

Well, here's the photos for the weekly showcase. These lovely helpers right here. I mean to tell you, you can't find better campaign workers ....... unless you were actually intending to pay them money.
I guess by now you may have heard there was an election in our nation a few days ago. Or maybe you live on Mars, and were only traveling through our neck of the galaxy and happened to be unaware of the happenings........wow.....bless your heart......bet you wish you were back on your home planet.......crazy bunch of earthlings.........do you aliens elect your leaders too? I bet it's a mess up there waiting at the polling site.......

Let me first set the record as officially announcing that I dislike politics. Everyone clear on that. Good. Becuase I really dislike politics. But I would like to offer a small explanation for my strong disdainment.

My father was in politics for most of my childhood and teen years. I really dislike politics. And I have memories that are very bitter.....memories that have nothing to do with your normal adolescent angst....but they have everything to do with politics. I really dislike politics. I can remember being at our local county courthouse during election night when I was around the age of 11 and overhearing someone say something negative about my Daddy.

Now, to only be fair, I can't honestly tell you that I remember "what" they actually said. I can't. But, again, to only be fair, I can honestly say that I vividly remember how it made me "feel". I dislike politics. I can still "feel" it over 25 years later. And it makes me want to throw-up.

The early 80's....what a decade......it had some hard times but I still love their music.

With all that said, I have an announcement to make.......my man may not have won on the Presidential ticket, in this National Historic Election.........but my "man" won at the local level, and it was pretty historic....for our little family, anyway. Temple was on the Republican ticket for School Board. He won. And have I mentioned that I really dislike politics.

To tell the truth it was sort of a shock. I don't like to hop up on a political soap box, so I didn't mention anything about this on the blog beforehand. And for good reason. I dislike politics. But let me be clear on another matter. I support my husband......so much so, I even voted for him. :) HA.

However, even though we are in the new millennium, I still didn't think I could go to the courthouse on election night......so I had a friend, stationed there all night, reporting in just like those fancy folks on the news media.....and by the way, she happens to love the 80's music too. Thanks friend.

• Here's Tyner Beth doing her part to help in the campaign for her Dad's election. And who could forget these "hard-working" hands.......this was Temple's "campaign manager". Ha. I still laugh every time I say that. My Daddy cracks me up. Campaign manager. That's funny. And it's also code for "an old retiree with lots of time on his hands to think up opinions and offer them to us as facts."........ Well, he really did help out a great deal. More than you could imagine.


• In fact he was the only one of the original "committee" that was up bright and early the morning after the election to take up all the signs that had been put out all over the district. I'm thinking about paying him double.......I wonder what good campaign managers are worth these days.....I'll have to google that and check to see....... So, let me back up.......election day came.....and I went to vote. But I waited until after school, because I had planned to take the kids. They had been asking A LOT of questions because of all the attention of this particular National Election. And it was a great opportunity for a little lesson in History......How do you vote? What does it look like in the voting place? What does a ballot look like? How do they count how many people voted? Etc. Etc. Etc.

We arrive at my polling place----see the sign..."VOTE HERE"...... Took them inside, they watched the poll workers check my identification.......and then because I am who I said I was, they saw them highlight my name and give me a ballot, and then they were all given "I voted" stickers.

Next, they huddled around me and watched me use my black marker to connect the lines on who I wanted to vote for.....which they announced rather loudly as I drew a line to each name and amendment. Lovely.....assume that there is no such thing as a secret ballot if you take a 7, 9 and 11 year old to vote with you.

But they thought it was so cool to see their Dad's name on a ballot. And even cooler when I took the black pen and drew the line to vote for him. "Cool." "That is so cool." "I can't believe it, that's really cool." Who knew I could be so cool in a voting house?

I was proud to show them what all this "right to vote" stuff is about, this privilege we have, because of men in their heritage, that fought for that right, those men that sacrificed everything for our rights. I was proud to show them the importance of casting a vote, letting your voice be heard, it is our duty to use the freedom we have been given.

I was proud to show them their Dad's name on that ballot.....because I knew they were so proud to see it.....because they know just as well as I do, that he is willing to put himself on the line, for them, for all the kids in our school system. They knew he was the right choice. And beleive me when I tell you......there voice was heard in the voting house. They giggled with delight at the awe factor of watching me vote for their father. And it made my heart smile.......granted I still felt queasy, but my heart was smiling.

Then we went back outside and before leaving they asked could they play for just a little bit at the park, located in the same area. I said, sure. Now, it's a very old park. Like really old. Like my brother at one point in time played baseball here as a kid.......and he's really old now himself. :)

• Rusted swings, old wooden merry-go-rounds----they went at it like crazy. And I realized I needed to get a picture of that......for what it is.....which is LIFE. Just like that, we leave from turning our ballot in at what appears to have been the most historic national election ever, and jump straight in to the next event.......seeing how far you can jump out of a rusted 50 year old swing. Now, that's America at it's finest, folks.

And the moments I captured are ones that would speak volumes to me later on......after I realized the results of the election.

• Like here....as with our children on this merry-go-round.........it is very probable that Temple will be pulled in all directions.

• And me....I'll try to hang on for the ride, more than likely stay dizzy, try to smile, but still feel like throwing-up.

Temple will do a great job.....and he will put forth his best effort.....that's how he is with everything he does. I am proud of his commitment to helping. I just really dislike all the side effects of politics. And I'm feeling quite like 1983 all over again....my head is spinning and I haven't even been on the merry-go-round......

But the most important moment captured in the day is summed up on Tyner Beth's shirt. Look closely,can you see her "I voted" sticker? She wore it with pride.....as all Americans should.....but more importantly than that, look closely at what the slogan on her shirt says.........."My heart belongs to Daddy"......and I couldn't agree more.

For her, the boys, and myself.......our hearts belong to Temple.....whether he were to win or lose on election night, that fact was never going to change. It's not even something we pull out a ballot to vote on at our house.........it's just common knowledge.....no electoral college needed.