So....50 years ago today (well minus a little time difference) a beautiful little 8lb, 21 inch long baby girl with a head full of dark hair was born. Jamie Diane Garner made her debut to her missionary parents at a hospital in Manila, Philippines. That is where the story began. I don't know the end to the story but I know the first half and, believe me, it's worth reading. Here's the tricky part, I don't exactly have the time or talent to write it out like a story. So, I am going to steal an idea off of some other blogs and give you 50 Jamie facts that, if I do ever write that book, will most definitely be included.
1. She was born in the Philippines to Charlie T and Jenet Garner, who were doing their 2nd of 3 missionary tours there. They already had two sons, Ted and Tom and after Jamie was born they added one more girl, Beth. Now she has 2 sister-in-laws, 1 brother-in-law, 8 nephews, and 3 nieces.
2. She claims, that with all of those siblings, they never fought. She enjoyed sharing, moving a lot, and having her dates hang out at her house and never got aggravated with them or disrespected her parents. Although, I have never bought the "never" term (sorry, Mom, I haven't ;^), I do know that they had an exceptional time growing up and she was a great daughter and a great sister.
3. She love playing games! Card games, board games, car games, anything competitive. But, she is definitely not competitive to a fault (like some others that will go unmentioned) she just loves spending the time with her friends and or family. She has passed that love onto all of her daughters. No matter how corny it sounds, our family loves to play games together!
4. Although she loves playing game such as mentioned above, she would not, could not be defined as an athlete. She doesn't enjoy sports, playing or watching, unless (and this is a big unless) someone she loves, specifically one of her children or husband, is playing or coaching.
5. Another favorite pastime of hers is singing. She had a beautiful alto voice before and has worked really hard to get it back to where it is today. When we would take road trips we would all take part in Mom lead signings. Since my dad didn't get to go a lot, guess who always got stuck with the "boy" parts of the song? And, I don't know what kinds of songs you had in mind but we sang, 'church songs', 'camp songs', 'fun songs', 'Christmas songs', and songs we would hear on the radio.
6. She loves the holidays, especially Christmas time. She goes all out, doesn't leave one square inch of a tree or house for that matter, uncovered. There are ornaments and nick knacks everywhere. I've never seen a Christmas tree done up better than she does it.
7. She had a massive stroke on July 15, 2004. The doctors said that if the clot that caused it had been 7/38ths of a mm bigger she would have died. She couldn't walk, write, could barely even smile or talk. Now she walks, talks, drives, does pretty much everything that she did before. It's actually pretty amazing.
8. I weighed 10lbs 6oz, Louise weighed 9lbs 15oz, and Leigh was 10lbs 15oz. I only tell you that because my mom is 5'3" and weighed barely 100lbs before she got pregnant with me. All natural too. Pretty impressive, huh?
9. She graduated from high school in 1976 and left that fall for college at Freed Hardeman University in Tennessee. It's where both of her brothers went and where her baby sister would go too.
10. Over her Thanksgiving break 1978 she visited her grandparents, aunt, uncle, and cousins in Jacksonville, FL. While going to service at the congregation where her Uncle's family worshiped she was introduced to one of her cousin's friends and their new youth minister. She saw him again that Christmas and he came and visited her at school over Valentine's Day, 1979. That's when he purposed and she accepted. They got married that August and had their first baby (that's me!) the following July. How's that for fast moving!
11. Her favorite movies are old musicals.
12. Her children were never bored when they were little. During the summers she would take us to every single vacation Bible school in the county and every surrounding county. We went to every reading and special thing at the library. Picnics at the park and just going to the playground, anything that was free she packed us all up and carried us all there to keep us busy and having fun. Now, looking back at how busy she must have been and how tired she had to have been and how little people do like that now, it's pretty amazing.
13. She was always a full time mother and wife until her youngest was in high school. But she would take part time and seasonal jobs that didn't interfere with her family to make sure that we all had the most amazing birthdays and Christmases.
14. We were really, really barely, maybe considered the lowest of middle class but somehow her and my dad always managed to pay for, not only private school but anything extra curricular that we ever wanted to even try. Example, I played t ball, softball, basketball, the saxophone in the pep band, and sang in the chorus at different parts of my childhood.
15. Me and my sisters all played athletics (for the sake of time, I am considering cheering as athletics) and she never once missed a home or away game that any of us dressed out for even if we never made it off the bench. She has always been our biggest fan.
16. She loves to have her nails done....by a professional, or one of her daughters.
17. She sold Mary Kay for many years when we were growing up. She would take us along to her parties and every now and then we got to play in the makeup.
18. She has always made every friend of ours feel extremely welcome at our house, whether it be from middle school, high school or college. They always talk about how they were part of our family.
19. Mom always cooked enough food for everyone! You never knew who would end up at the table with us but there was always plenty and everyone was happy.
20. We ALWAYS held hands while we prayed around the dinner table. It was a rule!
21. Mom would be a millionaire if we really did pay her every time we said crap, shut up, butt, etc. That was a rule too!
22. When we were small, Mom and Dad were the dorm parents for the boys dorm at Georgia Christian. I still don't understand how she managed all those boys and the three of us!!!
23. Mom sang in the chorus at Freed Hardeman and now anytime any chorus calls for former members, she loves to go up and sing "The Lord Bless You and Keep You" with them.
24. When Mom was a teenager, she was a CandyStriper.
25. Mom was the youngest patient on her floor in the rehab hospital after her stroke but probably the most loved. It was the best example of making the best of the worst situation. A few visited Church with her and we still take goodies by to our 'Siskin family' sometimes.
26. She LOVES to teach class at church and she always does such a good job! She puts a ton of time and work into making her classroom look great and her kids feel great about coming to class.
27. She is one of the most giving people I know. Maybe tied with my dad. Together they would literally give you anything they had. For that matter, they would find a way to get whatever you needed if they didn't have it.
28. Loves candy and loved passing her love of it on to her children!! :)
29. She and Dad are really excited about becoming grandparents one day!
30. When we were in high school and would go out on dates, she was always up when we got home, no matter what time it was. It was never discussed, she was just always up and we always knew she would be.
31. Loves Coke. Scratch loves and insert addicted to.
32. When we were younger and would get to go to the movies, she would let us buy candy at the gas station or Dollar General and then she would take it in in her purse.
33. She made a great scrapbook for Louise's wedding events....and I think it was her first one!!
34. She always comes up with the best presents! She just always seems to know!! I think it a combination of her love of the holidays and her love of others over herself.
35. Whenever we were sick and would have to stay home from school, she would do whatever we wanted....watch the same movie over and over or play the same game over and over!! When we got sick at night time she would come in our rooms and read the Bible to us until we fell asleep.
36. Hand and Foot is a game that I think her family invented and she is practically a pro at it.
37. She was VERY hesitant about letting Louise and Leigh go to their high school proms....even though she and Dad could and did go. But she really enjoyed helping them pick the perfect dresses and getting them ready to go.
38. She makes the best homemade yeast rolls ever!! I think her son in law is her favorite person to make them for.
39. She loves to play Dominoes....they even used them as part of her rehab and she STILL loves to play.
40. Speaking of rehab.....she HATED it. There is no lesser word that could be used.
41. She has lived in the Philippines, Texas, Oregon, Florida, and Georgia.
42. She can cook anything and I do mean ANYTHING with the exception of instant Jello. I know....I don't understand it either.
43. The favorite job she ever had was working at the make up counter at JCPenney's. If I ever had the money I would buy her her own make up store. Even if it didn't make much money she would LOVE it and is SO good at it! Hard to believe I'm her daughter, huh?
44. For our birthdays every year she makes your favorite meal. The great thing is, is that the meal doesn't have to go together (i.e. fried chicken, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, rolls), it can be your favorite stuff. Mine usually is broccoli and cheese casserole, chicken casserole, asparagus and cheese, cheese potato's, and yeast rolls. Oh yeah, baby. I don't ever ask for jello :^)
45. She had two miscarriages. Just another thing that amazes me that she went through and still has the sunniest disposition of anyone I know.
46. She puts the funniest things on her cell phone voice mail. You'll just have to call her. It's always changing and it will always make you smile.
47. She loves 3 Dog Night, America, Michael Bolton, and Billy Joel just to name a few.
48. She is a die hard pack rat. Don't try to change her or organize her, believe me we've tried! But if you need something I made in VBS in 1986, I'm sure she can find it for you.
49. There is no one in the world that I could post 50 things about who would love it and appreciate it more than she will. Or who deserves it more.
50. I have saved the most important one for last. She is the absolute epitome of the Christian woman described in Proverbs 31. She takes the J-O-Y song theory to heart and as far as I can tell, always have. In turn it has made her the best daughter, sister, wife, mother, and friend that I have ever met. She has done the Lord's work her entire life and we are lucky, no blessed, to have her as a mother. I tell people all the time that she absolutely couldn't have been a better mother or made for a better childhood. But, I honestly don't think she could have been a better person. You too are blessed if you have met her.
Mom, we love you and wish we could be with you today but can't wait to celebrate with you all weekend long!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Here it comes....50 things about the best Mom ever!
Posted by LaurieR at 7:00 AM 11 comments
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
A Heavy Heart...
...that is what this post is written with. Yesterday I had a big date with my "boyfriend" Peyton and his sister Gracie. They are the kids of Coach Nichols and his wife, Haley, whom I wrote about in my last post. I was watching them while their mom had her "baby doctor" appointment to find out what the sex of their baby was going to be. I received a call from Haley (who's Dr was in Auburn, about an hour from Faulkner) from there and she told me the Dr was not able to find a heartbeat. As I write this I just received a text from Coach Nichols that Haley has just gone back for her surgery. I covet your prayers for this family. As Haley told me yesterday, "This baby is ok now, no one has to worry about it anymore" but the family obviously has a lot of healing to do. Please keep them in your prayers and just let me know if you would like their address to send a card.
Also, while I am asking for important prayer time, I have 2 other quick requests. I have also spoken before about Melissa, whom lost her sweet baby on the same day she was born last year, will give birth to another beautiful baby girl, Brecken within the week. There have been a few concerns with this pregnancy as well, so everyone involved will be so happy to meet this baby and make sure that she is healthy. Please keep, Melissa, Brecken, the Dr's, and the family in your prayers. Hopefully, the next time I post about them I will have a picture of a healthy little Brecken!!!
Last but certainly not least is Avie Dawkins. Avie is about 5 1/2 months old and was born to Audrey and Donald with a cleft pallet and is scheduled to have surgery to close it later this month. Audrey and Melissa both were at my very first birthday party so have known me longer than anyone else, excluding family. I love them both like sisters and miss being involved in their daily lives. I hope they both know how much I do care about them and I will be constantly praying for thir little girls over the next few weeks.
I feel so blessed to have you (whoever you are reading this) in my life. It is so reassuring when things seem to be spiraling totally out of my control that I can turn to all you over cyberspace and ask you to join me in prayer. Thanks so much for listening to my rambling and, in advance, for your prayers.
Posted by LaurieR at 10:45 AM 11 comments
Monday, September 22, 2008
Important Things
So, ever since last Wednesday I have been planning to blog on Monday (today). I "bought" a car that day and knew that I would be picking it up today and had planned on putting pictures and such telling all about it, ect., ect. This is not going to be that blog. That blog will probably come, just not today. Today, I am blogging about something much more important. Actually, just something important. New cars really don't even fall into the "important" category.
Last year (I wish that I could remember exactly when or how but, I can't. No surprise to those of you who know me :^) I met Haley Nichols. Before I tell you about her and their family, I need to tell you a little something about myself. I am, as most of you know, 28, single (never married), and have no children (please try to contain your sympathy sighs and no need to rack your brain on who you can set me up with....it's not as bad as it sounds :^) I grew up like most other girls thinking that I wanted a house full of children, a husband, of course, the whole 9 yards. Then I turned 22 and saw all my friends get married and start to have children. My blinders came off and reality hit of how hard it actually is and how wonderful having the freedom of no children, husband is. It's almost intoxicating and addictive. I am well aware of how selfish I sound here but not just that, I just started too see parenting from the parents perspective instead of the child's and it left me having two good reasons that I probably wasn't cut out for parenthood.
First, I love my family, especially my sisters, way too much. I worry about them way too much, I care about everything in their lives too much, I am way too overprotective and defensive of them. You may be saying that this isn't possible, but I assure you that my sisters would disagree. I just got to thinking that if it was this hard just to be someones sister that the mother/child love might put me over the edge. I still feel that way but have been convinced that if God can send me someone that I would actually be willing to give up all that I have for and want to have children with, He could keep me from going crazy with love for that child. Literally, crazy.
The second point (and the one that is eventually going to lead me back on point) is that I am not like other parents. I am way more laid back about things (clothes, hair, ect.) that seem to drive parents. No knock here, I just don't care. I mean it might change but, I honestly don't need my kids initials embroidered on everything from their socks to their hats. I don't see spending more on a rambunctious 4 year old's dress, that she may wear for one season that I do on one for me that I may wear for five years. I have no desire to be a parent who freaks out anytime a speck of dirt comes near my child or they get a hole in their pants. Like I said, this could change, I just wouldn't count on it. In comes, Haley Nichols (and from the best I can remember, my mom. But like I said, now I see things from a parents perspective where all I remember is from a child's) She is the coolest, most laid back mother. Not that she never disciplines her children or that they run around covered in dirt and in rags. Quite the opposite actually. Her kids are always cute, very well behaved, and clean. Her whole attitude towards parenting is just so much like I figure mine would be and I see how happy and wonderful her children are and I think, "Oh! I COULD raise a happy, healthy child!" And, not just her attitude towards parenting, but her attitude towards life. I just really love her. Back to point.
Haley is married to Coach Jim Nichols the head football coach at Faulkner and also my boss. As I stated in my last blog, I love them and their kids. She is in between 3-4 months pregnant and does have a history of miscarriages. She started having a few complications last week and now is on bed rest and things are not looking good. I remember when GinGin (my aunt) had Jessica (who has down syndrome and was born with a lot of problems that come with that) and Melissa (one of my best friends from home) found out about Janey (she found out in her third month that she had anecephely and Janey died, just a few hours after being born) really having trouble sleeping and just waking up in the middle of the "night" thinking about it and spending countless hours praying. That was again where I found myself at 5 o'clock this morning. Awake and praying.
I write all this so you will have a little understanding of the situation and, most of all, to beg of you to pray. Haley has 2 very big Dr's appointments this week and I KNOW the power of prayer and so do Haley and Jim. Please pray that things will turn out for the best for this family and that God will find a way to keep this baby healthy. It is not to me to question why these things happen and I won't start now but this is a Godly family who is raising Godly kids, the kind of kids this world needs more of and I am praying that it is His will that this baby be born and born healthy. Please also pray and ask anyone you know to pray too. I know that it is mostly mothers in this world and weather you have ever had a sick baby or a unhealthy pregnancy or not, you know how traumatic this can be. If you or your ladies class, ect would be interested in sending Haley a card of encouragement that would be great, just e mail me at Laurierwalker@yahoo.com or lrwalker@faulkner.edu and I'll be happy to give you their address. Thanks for reading through all of my rambling to get to this important point.
Posted by LaurieR at 8:19 AM 10 comments
Monday, September 15, 2008
So much to blog about.....
Posted by LaurieR at 8:41 AM 3 comments
Thursday, September 11, 2008
"On the day when buildings fell....."
GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Posted by LaurieR at 4:11 PM 2 comments
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Politics, Religion, Football, and other politically incorrect social topics!
Politics.... I love Sarah Palin and I am learning to love John McCain. Here are my reasons why, and quite honestly, I don't care if you agree or not. As was pointed out in another blog (shout out to Audrey) it's my blog, my thoughts, and my memories. I am pretty sure that my blog is not set as the home page on your computer so, feel free to navigate away if it is too upsetting!
First, I am a fan of smaller government. It is fine if you like the government sticking it's nose into every aspect of your life and would trust them with your checkbook, I just do not and would not. That is why I choose to live here instead of China or some other communist country. I also do not believe that throwing money (especially MY hard earned money) at problems makes them better. Here, you may also have a different opinion and my opinion on your opinion is that you are wrong. Also, I love that we try to work problems out diplomatically but I love more that we have the world's GREATEST military to back up those pretty words and that we are not afraid to use it and the world knows it. I love that we are not a country of pansies and if you think I am wrong about this you might want to quit reading here and google some history lessons. I think experience is not the most important thing you can look for when choosing a president but I think that experience, a clam head, good history of making good decisions, and patriotism are some of the most important things! It's obvious who I am voting for and I am just praying that we are not really just a nation of stupid sheep who can make the most important decision for our country based on pretty words and well written speeches!
Second, religion....OK, I don't really have anything to add to this but I needed it for my title ;^) I think most of you know how I feel on this topic and I would be more than happy to debate or talk about anything relating to religion by e mail :^)
Third, football.....for the love. Let's just say that it was a TOUGH weekend. I did my first radio broadcast for Faulkner and loved it (even though I was in terrible pain thanks to a small "surgical procedure" that I had on the Friday before) and must have done ok because I'll be back on as the sideline reporter this Saturday for the big Huntington game under the lights! I am very excited and as a note concerning this game, if you are in town you should definitely come out and support these boys! AND wear black!! We are previewing our new black uniforms (VERY COOL, if you have ever seen Ga's or So Carolina's!!) and we want to "black out" the crowd, meaning everyone wear some form of black shirt, so spread the word! Back to this past Saturday, it was, er...tough. Well, let's just say that we knew going in that we were playing a much bigger, more experienced school that plays in a much tougher division and has lots more experience and scholarships. These are not excuses, just facts. Here is the last fact I am quoting from that game and then I am moving on, we lost 62-0. I know, girls from the "old days" at GCS, it brought back a lot of bad memories! Moving on, I am also trying my hand at fantasy football this year (you know, in all of my spare time...HA!) For those of you who don't get this it is basically where you take real players and their real stats and put together your own "fantasy" team and compete against others and their "fantasy" team. The way that you win is by your players doing well and earning you more points than the other teams in your league. You have to keep up with their stats and make sure that all of your players are playing (not hurt and their teams are not having a bye week) and put in the players who you expect to do the best that week. My quarterback for the first week was Tom Brady. For the love. He was the best (statistically) quarterback last year and seemed to be a good choice. He went down in the first stinking quarter with a season ending knee injury. Just my luck. With the shellacking (sp?) that Faulkner took and Tom Brady going down in my fantasy league I was just SO thankful that Tennessee had a bye week! I am still hurting from last weeks game from them!
Other politically incorrect topics..... something that was brought up on a friend of mine's blog is mothers that either stay home or working while raising children. Her point was that some mothers who have the choice and make the choice to stay home with their children should not make those who can't and/or don't make that choice feel like their children are any less loved. I am not going into her details but I am going to offer my opinion. My mom (through choice or the simple economics of how ridiculously expensive it is to put three kids in day care and all of my in town relatives worked full time) stayed at home with us but took many part time jobs. She worked at many retails stores part time and seasonally to make sure we had great Christmases and birthdays, could not only attend private school but participate in whatever extra curricular activities that we wanted, and sometimes just to make the stinkin ends meet and put food on the table! Her, not only working but saving money by being a good, sensible shopper enabled my dad to teach and coach and a Christian school and impact many other young lives besides the three of ours. The thing that her hard work gave us was much more than just great presents, parties, educations, and basic necessities, she gave us the knowledge that as mothers and women we can do whatever we want but that you DO do whatever you have to, to do the best for your family. I know that this is what she did and most of the mothers I know do. So, to all of you mothers, who work outside the home and otherwise, thank you. You all have made sacrifices in one way or another for your family and children in order to make this a better world for them and for all of us.
Last thing......
GO EAGLES!!!!!
and what can I say, I'm a die hard, glutton for punishment, non bandwagon fan.....
GO VOLS!!!!!!
Posted by LaurieR at 9:24 AM 4 comments
Thursday, September 4, 2008
DISGUSTED
dis·gust (dĭs-gŭst') dis·gust·ed, dis·gust·ing, dis·gusts
1. To excite nausea or loathing in; sicken.
2. To offend the taste or moral sense of; repel.
n. Profound aversion or repugnance excited by something offensive.
adj. Filled with disgust or irritated impatience
Just wanted to make sure that everyone understood how I felt. This is how I feel about first of all, the way that the main stream media is treating Sarah Palin. They are out of control and all of these women's lib groups, Democratic and Republic should be making a call to arms! How dare they not only insinuate, but out and out say that she cannot be a good mother while being a good mother at the same time! How many people criticized the democratic VP pick for leaving his very recently motherless, small, injured children for a Senate job and he was THE ONLY parent at home? I am not criticizing him for the decision he made I am just pointing out the EXTREME sexism and bias! If elected, her children would live with her, in a house just a few miles from her office, and her husband has already agreed to be a full time stay at home dad! Speaking of her husband, the media has been very critical of his DUI from 22 years ago (before they had any children). Now, I am obviously not condoning the behavior AT ALL, however, I need the media to focus on the fact that at the same time that this VP nominee's SPOUSE received a DUI another PRESIDENT nominee, HIMSELF, admits to doing illegal drugs!! And, on a matter that is VERY CLOSE to my own heart, if you are any part of a rumor involving a BABY, especially with any special needs, you are the lowest kind of human being and don't deserve anything good. I could use lots of different words to define how I feel about the main stream media's treatment of Republican VP nominee Sarah Palin but for now I will stick with disgusted!
The second thing that I am disgusted with is the Tennessee Volunteers (also with obnoxious AL and Fl fans, but that goes without saying) The way that they looked Monday night was embarrassing to all Vol fans. I am not sold on not a fan of this new "offense" (even calling it that is a stretch) nor am I am fan of our quarterback (never have been). But the way that they looked like they were giving about 20% during that UCLA game was hard to watch as a Tennessee fan. I would have been disgusted even if they had found a way to win at the end, they just looked like a team with no heart. I hope that this show was not indicative of the rest of the season and the best thing that came from that game was that we don't play again for almost two weeks!!
On the same note of football but away from being disgusted, today is the first Faulkner football game. Most of you know that I am working in the Faulkner football office part time so I know how much hard work these guys have been putting in and I am so excited that game time is finally here for them. Also, I am working with the Faulkner Radio Network this year and will be splitting my time at the games between color commentator, side line reporter, and on site producer. Today, at the game against Samford, in Birmingham, I will be having my debut as color commentator. Depending on how it goes, it could be my final presentation so you better listen in! :^) GO EAGLES!
Posted by LaurieR at 10:32 AM 6 comments
