13 Years Ago Today...
Terry and I said, "I Do". The day was sunny, but freezing (well in reality it was below freezing being only 26 degrees) but we weren't about to allow a HUGE snowstorm from the day before and the subsequent non-arrival of some guests who were meant to fly in from Chicago spoil our day! I was excited, not nervous, and ready to start my life as Mrs. Terry Smelker. We decided to get married at a church Terry used to attend - Woodlawn Church of God, and I wish I had a better photo of it, this one doesn't do it justice!
After a brief honeymoon we settled into a two-bedroom apartment in Dearborn, one that for the next 18 months we were destined to call home.
We have moved many times since then, but that doesn't matter - where Terry and my kids are is where I belong. I love you honey - may the next 13 years be as exciting and wonderful (although with less births!)
Labels: anniversary, Terry
How Did It Happen So Fast?
Eleven years ago, at 12:10pm (Eastern Time), on her due date, Teagan Faye Smelker made her appearance into the world. The smallest of all my babies, she weighed in at a tiny 7lbs, and was 21 inches long. Personally I think 2 of those inches was her hair - the girl was born with a shock of black, mohawk-like hair.
Today Teagan happily went off to school - to her final year in elementary school. As I woke her up this morning I reflected that it really does seem like yesterday that I called her Dad at work and told him to come home because it was time. I can clearly picture the moment she 'captured his heart.' The nurses gave Teagan to Terry first, and as she lay quietly in his arms, he tentatively touched her with one finger. She reached out with one hand, grasped his finger firmly and opened her impossibly blue eyes and stared right into his. She has had his heart ever since.
Teagan is our ray of sunshine - bubbly, happy-go-lucky and outgoing. Her smile is contagious, and her big eyes see the world through the wonder of an almost teenager.
We love you Teagan - you have brought your own unique personality and spirit into the Smelker family.
Labels: birth, Teagan
Valentine's Hoopla
Personally, I think Valentine's Day is a ploy by card manufacturers to make some money because Christmas is gone and the next 'big' holiday is not until Mother's Day! And the sad thing most people don't know who Valentine was, or why the day is celebrated. I have to wonder if those who don't follow Christianity knew it was a day held in memory of a man who died as a Christian martyr whether they would be swapping cards, chocolates and roses?
Some of my single friends, and those in College (and high school) lament that they don't have a 'significant other' to share this day with; and many high schoolers dread going to school because what if they don't have flowers? (Remember those days when people would count how many flowers you had, and you JUST knew that was the ONLY way to rate your popularity?) I hear of parents sending flowers to school in case their child doesn't receive any from school mates.
For two consecutive years when I was in high school I was on the 'flower committee'. The headmaster of our school, Peter Nixon, was a compassionate man. He called us into his office and asked how many students weren't going to receive flowers, and then he pulled the money out of his pocket and said, "Buy each one of those students a flower. I don't want anyone to feel left out on Valentine's Day." I have never heard of a principal of a school doing something like that before or since, and both years it was a substantial amount of money he laid out.
My school has since closed down, and Peter Nixon lives in Australia; but to my mind he depicts all that is good about Valentine's Day.
Labels: Valentine's Day
Survivor - A New Season Begins
Well with a new season of
Survivor about to start, ideas have been pitched left and right for future shows. Here is one idea pitched for Texas, called, aptly enough, Survivor: Texas Style.
The contestants will all start in Dallas , then drive to Waco, Austin, San Antonio, over to Houston and down to Brownsville. They will then proceed up to Del Rio, El Paso, Midland, Odessa, Lubbock and Amarillo. From there they will go on to Abilene, Fort Worth and finally back to Dallas.
Each will be driving a pink Volvo
with bumper stickers that read: "I'm Gay," "I Love the Dixie Chicks," "Boycott Beef," "I Voted for John Kerry," "George Strait Stinks," "Hillary in 2008" and "I'm here to confiscate your guns."
Any takers??
Labels: Dallas, pink Volvo, Survivor
