26 Years Ago

Vote for me! I'll do my best!




Look what I got!


If it weren't for kids....have you ever thought?


I came into this world to LIVE OUT LOUD!

Brandon and Tyler spent lots of time in the sprinkler!

26 years ago, I had my first child. 26 years ago, I fell in love with an 8 lb. boy. I remember one person saying, "He's half grown!" Maybe because I was such a tiny little lady THEN, and had labored for 23 hours to no avail, trying and trying and trying to have him, and then ended up with a C section, I always say, "He was stubborn from the beginning". He was born in a little bitty hospital and they didn't have the nice birthing rooms they do now. I layed there for so long, I asked if I could have a TV. They said they would see what they could do. No one had ever asked for a TV before. Dave asked if he could go downtown and get something to eat. I said, "Go ahead, I'm not going anywhere". I remember the many, many, MANY trips back and forth of someone in some very noisy, clicky shoes. I found out later that those noisy shoes belonged to the hospital administrator, who just so happened to be my anesthetist late in the evening. Being a little bitty hospital, there was no surgeon at hand. I had to "wait" for him to be done with another surgery at another hospital. I remember giggling on the operating table. They said they had never heard that before. I was exhausted, nervous, scared, but so, so happy and grateful that they were going to deliver this baby one way or another. Brandon was born, bearing a "cone head", with lots of dark hair, blue eyes, and 8 lbs of flesh and bone and health. Those were also the days without the good drugs and the pain pumps, but rather the hypo in the rear every 4 hours. How I dreaded that needle, but learned to take it or be sorry later when the pain was almost unbearable. They would roll me to the side like a "sack of potatoes" when I was still a bit numb from the spinal block. The pain of childbirth, as my mother always said, is a pain you soon forget. It is still there....some of the memory. But having kids is by far worth the pain. You were full of questions....full of answers...full of it...you made life VERY intersting , and I am so thankful for you! You have grown into a good husband, Daddy, brother and son,and I am so proud of you!

Brandon and his bride, Brittany.

Doing a big construction project. I see Calvin is helping!

Playing with sister, Rissa!

It's a Girl!!!

What a daddy!

Always teaching...

Happy birthday, Bud (that's what we used to call him growing up).

I thank God for you and for giving you to me.

Yes, that first child is a lesson to behold. I was honored to bring you into the world, honored to watch you play soccer and football and basketball and run track, and play baseball, and make pinewood derby cars and be a boy scout, and be confirmed and graduate from high school, and wrestle and swim and play.....and become a Daddy. Enjoy your family. Enjoy your life!

Love you forever, Brandon!

Happy Birthday from your Mama!