a little girl never grows up

I've had Raggedy Ann since I can remember.  I have pictures from my 2nd birthday and up of my beloved doll in my arms.  When I was 2 my mom had a little church lady make a Raggedy Ann for me.  From the stories my mother tells, I dragged that doll everywhere.  She had to wean me off of taking "Aggie" everywhere when I went to kindergarten.  When one doll would wear out, she would patch Aggie until she was beyond patching and then I would receive a new one.  I have 4 homemade Aggies.  By the time I was 6yo, Mom and Dad upgraded to a store bought doll but I started to outgrow taking her everywhere and she survived far longer than the other 4 though nowadays, she's missing her face. 

My mom's favorite story is when one of my "Aggies" had a gigantic hole in her forehead.  My grandmother took her into the sewing room for "emergency surgery".  I knelt down just outside the door and prayed for Aggie.  When Grandma came out, Aggie had a new patch over her head and (according to my mother) I ran around the house yelling "God healed Aggie!"  Ah, the faith of a child.
Over the years, I've picked up Raggedy Ann dolls and misc. from garage sales, friends, or various places but I've never felt like a collector.  When I stumbled upon a facebook page for Raggedy Ann Collectors and then a page for a Raggedy Ann Rally in Arcola, IL.  I knew they did the Raggedy Ann Festival years ago but I thought they had stopped them so I didn't even think to look.  Since being on these pages and meeting fellow collectors, I was filled with a new sense of excitement for Raggedy Ann.  Suddenly I wanted to bring up all my collection from the boxes in the basement and so, I did.  I took pictures of everything I had and made an album of them.  I started holding and looking at my beloved "homies" and enjoying them all over again.  I even took out that pattern that I've had for 3 yrs and said "I'm going to make her in time for the Rally."  And in under 30 days, she was done. 

The blessings continued when Kurtis said that yes, he would take me to this Rally and we would have two days together enjoying something that brings me happiness (in a geeky sort of way).  And so, we did. I just want to write down the amazing-ness of this weekend and some of the things that were running through my head.  Some of the once in a lifetime moments I had.
Friday night was the banquet for Raggedy Collectors.  With these types of events, you don't know anyone. You're walking into a room with 70 strangers and you don't know what it's gonna be like.  Because of the facebook page, I had been able to get to know a few people.  They knew me a little bit and it was fun chatting.  We all were looking forward to meeting face to face.  As we are walking into the restaurant, I hear 2 people yell "Greta!" (and they said it correctly b/c we had talked on FB about how to pronounce my name)!  I was enveloped in hug after hug, hearing these wonderful people tell me how excited they were to meet me.  People who could find me annoying, naïve, or dorky but they embraced me and just treated me like a lifelong friend.  Kathy even had the pronunciation of my name on my nametag b/c she wanted people to know how to say it right off the bat!  I had people who wanted to sit with me, no weird "where are we gonna sit" moments!  Pictures were taken EVERYWHERE!  EVERYONE was getting hugged, even husbands!  I bought a camel with wrinkled knees to get autographs from people I met and so, I did!  Friday night was just fun meeting people who's names I knew but their faces were "new".  It was crazy how instantly I related to these people.  One gal, Loujean, made a comment to me that she had started reading my blog and said "this is you.  You are real."  It really affected me b/c I do try to be genuine so it made me feel good :)  Of course, it didn't take long for me to get talked into dancing in front of everyone.....great way to make a first impression, right?  The best moment of the dancing for me was when one of the husbands was sitting at a table and I tried to get him to join the conga line. Everyone was so sure he wouldn't do it.  I just told him "your birthday was last week and this is your chance to dance with a bunch of younger women!"  What a sport he was, jumping up and following the conga line.  He is now forever, my conga line dancing partner!  It was one of my highlights!

Saturday morning was the day to get up and get your big girl panties on....we were SHOPPING!  The Rally was of course to meet people but they also had vendors selling Raggedy Ann stuff that you've never even heard of.  And that is where the fun began.  Isabel and I worked on a "Giraffe Ballerina Ann" for the Raggedy Ann makeover contest.  She looked crazy but Izzy and I did it together so it was worth it.  One sweet woman, Rose, even sold a HUGE giraffe to me when I told her how much Isabel loves giraffes.  I got LOTS of goodies.  That was another amazing thing...people brought goodie bags for everybody!  Everyone was passing out goodies to others....dolls, pins, bags, I got a piggy bank with Andy on a rocking horse from Patti.  Kathy gave me a t-shirt.  Loujean gave me two vests (see me in my awesome vest in the above picture).  She gave Izzy some dress the Raggedy stickers and more.  Robyn even had a purse that matched my vest....totally using them both next year.  I really did get a ton of stuff. So here's some fun stories of my "goodies".

The Toy box: As the day was wearing down, I had gone through the Vendor barn four times probably.  I just kept looking but my wallet was getting thin.  Brownie Statler walks up to me and says "I'm gonna make you a good deal."  He proceeds to walk over and pick up the 3 biggest items he has left.  They happen to be a rocking horse-type chair, a hamper, and a toy box bench.  I told him that I didn't have much money left and he said "that's okay."  He asked his wife what the least amount was she would take on the toy box.  I won't mention the price but let's just say that I basically stole from them.  I don't know how Kurtis and Brownie fit that toy box and chair in our car but they did (I didn't have room for the hamper).

The Arcola Ann: I wanted an Arcola Ann (from the festival in 2001) but I knew they were a high priced item.  I had talked to a few people about them but I wasn't sure.  Rose had sold me the HUGE giraffe and mentioned she had an Arcola Ann.  She made me a deal on both.  When she pulled out the Arcola Ann, we looked at the collection number.  She was #52 out of 5,000.  The lower the number the higher the value!  I couldn't believe it!
The Awake/Asleep dolls: I decided to get the Awake/Asleep dolls from the gift shop b/c Joni Gruelle Wannamaker (Johnny Gruelle's granddaughter) would sign them for you.  I walked in with Kurtis, Loujean, and Charlie and picked up the first box I saw.  It was #110 out of 5,000!  But the story gets better.

After we bought the dolls, Loujean was asked to go up to the schoolhouse to read to any children that came.  We walked up to the schoolhouse and realized that there were no kids to read to BUT Joni was coming out of the schoolhouse.  She stopped to pose for pictures with us and talked to us for a bit.  I was nervous to ask her if she would sign my dolls before the time allotted but Loujean asked her and she said "sure, I've got time".  So, she did.  She signed both my dolls and while she had time, I showed her my doll that I made.  I had made a wig for the doll and hated it so I threw it out.  The second wig I made was hard and I was not happy with it but I kept it.  As I handed my doll to her, she looks her over and first words out of her mouth are "I love her hair!"  I was so speechless.  I felt like crying!  I could not believe she  said the very thing that I was so worried about.  It gets better.  She still had time to kill so she sat Kurtis, Loujean, Charlie and I down and there in the little schoolhouse, she showed us how to draw Raggedy Ann.  She took pictures with us, with our drawings, and just talked to us.  When she was done, she said "I don't know what I'm going to do with these drawings I made to show everyone how to draw.  Why don't you take them?!"  We got to take her artwork, signed, home with us....for free....just out of the goodness of her heart.  We talked for a little while longer and as she got ready to leave, she said "Thank you for letting me spend time with you and share with you."  I almost fell off my seat.  She just thanked us for spending time with her!  It was one of those "I never thought I'd get to do something like that" moments.  SO COOL!

When it was all said and done, we were gonna head out but we asked some folks to have dinner with us before we left for home.  It was so fun to chat and laugh and share stories with these people.  I just love them all so much and there is a kinship that I can't understand, let alone express.  But it was so cool for me to experience this weekend.  It made "a hobby" into a "true passion" for me.  I can't express how much I loved the whole weekend! But I thought I try to share it....and so, I did!

Just a thought that popped into my head

today as I'm vacuuming and dragging the trash can back up to the house, picking up toys, cleaning up the kitchen and such, I had just a moment where I felt so blessed with my life.  I'm so thankful for a good husband who works hard so I can stay home, I'm thankful for 4 healthy children that can run around and scream and argue b/c they feel safe enough to express themselves, I'm thankful for a beautiful home that has survived uncertain weather in the last few years....I know it sounds silly but this thought came into my mind and I figured I'd better share b/c I'm certain it's the Lord reminding me of all the good

I can't believe it's not May

For the last two years I have thoroughly hated May.  The schools always seem to cram sooooo much into the last month and if you have more than one kid, you feel like you meet yourself coming and going.  It is crazy.  Isabel had a Student of the Month breakfast and 1st grade program all on the same day. The very next day she had Career Day and Family Read-in.  Kurtis missed the breakfast and program because Kal had Donuts with Daddy at his preschool!  It was just so much punched into a few days.  I didn't even get to see Sammy in his silly string battle with the principal b/c it was on the last day of school while I was having a garage sale.  It just makes me sad if I miss something and at the same time, I'm coming to the realization that I just will not be able to do it all....even if I want to.

me and my Student of the Month

she was awarded for being helpful

Uncle Joe and Izzy on Career Day

 

On May 23rd, I quoted this story on facebook: I made peanut butter on celery tonight and asked Sam to try it. He takes a bite and says "well, I've had worse."

 

On Memorial Day, we had a church picnic at a park.  Kurtis was in charge of running it and wasn't sure what to do so I had the Cub Scouts come and do a flag ceremony.   They presented the flag, led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, sang the 1st verse of My Country Tis of Thee, had a moment of silence and gave a prayer.  It was very simple, sweet and poignant and I'm so glad we did it.

 

On May 27th, I made this comment about Kalen and it's so true.  He uses all his toys and makes little scenes.  It is hilarious and really I tend to not mind the mess b/c of how sweet it is to see him play.  So Kal LOVES police cars and fire trucks! First Responders are this kid's dream...it doesn't matter if it's Transformers Rescue Bots or Hotwheels or Big Boots or whatever as long as it's an emergency vehicle. And then every single day, my little 4yo recreates accidents and crime scenes in his bedroom with all his vehicles. I would be worried if it weren't for how stinkin' cute it is.

 

Kalen had a preschool program on Friday night.  It was called graduation b/c some of the older kids will be going on to kindergarten next year but Kal still has one year left of preschool.  I can't believe how quickly all the children are growing up. It makes it bittersweet to watch them get older.  Kalen sang some songs at his program, we had a picnic dinner, and the best part of the night was when the preschool children sang Going on a Bear Hunt and Zeke was dressed as the bear. I didn't get a great picture of it but we have it on video for posterity.

Not wanting to be outdone after his siblings all finished their school years, Zeke decided to do something "grown up" too.  Zeke said his first full sentence today when he looked at Papaw and said "Here ya go!"  I now have a 4th grader, a 2nd grader and a second year preschooler in the house :)

Lastly, a friend from church loves to do photography and she took some cute pics of Zeke this past week.  First at the Memorial Day picnic and then at the Bike Rodeo at church.

 

kids do the little things that make every day Mother's Day

So last week was crazy.  There was something every night: swim lessons, Cub Scouts, mtgs and talent shows.  Add to that a massive migraine headache that came on the tag end of Sam's birthday and I was a worn out mom.  But I did manage to get some fun things accomplished throughout the week.  So let's go back through the past week and reminisce. 
First off was Sam's 9th birthday.  It was a ninja/SAMurai birthday party.  He had some buddies from school and church come to celebrate and for the first time, I didn't make his cake. He wanted an ice cream cake and that is what he got. Sam at 9yos is the same Sam I know and love.  He loves to play video games and read.  He still wants to be a scientist when he grows up.  He likes Legos and really loved the Lego movie.  He likes going to the movie theater and is at the stage where he basically wants to do one-on-one things with everyone: Mom, Dad, Mamaw, Papaw, Uncle Joe...whoever will give him individual attention.  He has discovered the chocolate fondue fountain at Golden Corral and requests it often.  He also loves Subway subs and Arbys.  He is counting down the days until school is over.  He loves swim lessons and play dates with his older cousins.  He is sweet and thoughtful and still the first child in the group to give hugs and kisses.  He makes me smile but is starting to talk back and being a bit snippy.  I'm told this is normal for this age.  Who knows what the teen years will be like?

while working on a Scout project, I asked Sam "what makes a good dad?" Sam: "he takes care of the kids, teaches them things, believes in God, and buys things to help the family."
Me:"why are those things important?"
Sam:"your kids could die if you don't take care of them, You kids would be dumb if you don't teach them and your life would be TERRIBLE if you didn't believe in God!"
I think he's got the basics.

Zeke has recently been switching from two naps to one which is funny b/c he will fall asleep earlier in the day and in some crazy places.  One day I came out of the bathroom to see him passed out whiling sitting up on the couch.  Below is his new place to crash: behind the couch!

Friday was field day at Bethel Elementary so the kids eat a picnic lunch outside.  They invite family to come and eat lunch with the kids. It was a windy day and I found that the kids really just wanted to play with their friends though I do think they enjoyed seeing us at their school.  My mom and dad went with Kal, Zeke and I to see Sam and Iz.  I'm attaching pictures from Silver Bee Day where the grandparents go and eat breakfast with the kids.  I wasn't there but the school took one of my mom and Izzy.  Also are my Mother's Day presents from Kalen and Izzy.  Kal's preschool had a Muffins with Mom where we came and ate snacks and did a craft together but other than that, I received a fun little flower.  Izzy decorated the cup for my flower and Sam made me a fun card.  Overall, a good Mother's Day.

Sam's Mother's Day card from school was in the shape of a teapot and said this: "Mom, next time that I'm naughty and you are mad at me, take a breath, read this card and have a cup of tea. Love, Sam" then it had a tea bag taped to the inside Today, Sam took out the teabag and said "since you don't drink tea, here's a hershey's bar instead". My son knows me.

 

Lastly, I sang in the church talent show on Friday night.  I donned a red wig and sang Part of Your World from The Little Mermaid.  It was a hit though I feel like I could've done better.  Either way, I'm glad I did it and the kids loved it.  I really enjoy the opportunities I have to sing and perform.  There is just something about it that makes me feel good.