Happy birthday, Jordie!

So in honor of my sister Jordan’s birthday on Thursday, April 18^th I wanted to write a blog about her! And she gently nudged me to do one since I’ve done one for other people… ha kidding!

Where do I begin? I remember when she came home from the hospital in 1991. I was 7 years old and I was so excited to have a baby sister! It had just been me and Jesse for 7 years (he is 4 years older than me) and I was probably tired of being beat up all the time and playing cars in the dirt. I loved helping my parents with her and remember changing her diapers and treating her like a baby doll. We shared a room for several years and I really don’t remember that being a problem although I can’t imagine sharing a room with an infant now! We had bunk beds when she was old enough for a big bed and I remember how she would always try to jump off the top bunk and my Dad would be doing his trademark “uh uh uhhh!” Which basically means no… She was the cutest toddler ever and had hair that stuck straight up that we called “helicopter hair”. For some reason she always said “I hate watermelon” in the cutest voice and was always teased by our Pepa for saying that. She started wearing glasses when she was really young and that was her trademark.

Jordan and I and our cousin Abbey were always together. We had a club house out in the woods that we drew “I love Hanson” all over in and other cheesy teeny bopper things. We jumped on the trampoline for hours and made up dance routines to show our parents. For the most part, we always got along well, except for when Abbey and I would gang up on her and throw her around by her hair.. we would say “Jordan, run to the creek and we’ll time you! And we would lock her out… I look back now and think that was so mean! We had lemonade stands and played school, grocery store, etc. She was always tagging along and I wish she had been a few more years closer so I would have gotten to spend more time with her. When I left for college she was only 11.

We are lucky that my Mom always had a video camera filming us.. we have everything on tape from being in the bathtub singing to doing our redneck fun that would involve twirling Jordan around by her shirt. Oh, and my Dad pulling us around in moving boxes that were attached to a rope. There were always good times around our household and a lot of great Christmas memories too.

One time she and I were driving one of our 4 wheelers and for some reason we flipped it over backwards on a hill and landed on CACTUS! Jordan was hurt worse than I was and for the longest time we called her “cactus butt.” She never got the good driving gene that Jesse and I had, and wrecked the 4 wheeler one time so bad that it knocked the garage door leading into the house off its hinges and ran around the corner crying. I guess she didn’t know how to stop! Another thing that is funny now is that one day while in Family Video I somehow knocked her tooth out! She was saying something and in mid-sentence I turned around and elbowed her in the mouth, knocking her tooth out!

Although she was kind of clumsy and not so athletic (haha!), Jordan was always the smartest out of all of us.. Everyone in our family is smart, but Jordan has a different level of genius than we all do. When she was 13 and I was 20 we spent several days doing IQ tests (yes for fun) and she was already smarter than me at 13! She knew math by that point that I had never learned in 4 years of high school. She doesn’t really have to try to be smart either, which must be nice! She loves to read and I get random texts about how her and my Mom are going to the latest “book sale” and she can’t wait to go. haha

Besides being smart, she is totally hilarious! We can get together after not seeing each other for several weeks and just laugh about things that happened 10+ years ago. She is the person in the world who understands my humor the most and thinks everything is funny just like I do. We have been known to have some giggle fests at family get togethers and Granny Jo always says “oh no, here comes the giggling.”

She is also very creative, organized and can fix or build pretty much anything that comes out of a box with an instruction manual. I would rather do anything than sit and read directions but she loves to do things like that and it’s amazing. At Christmas time, she is the designated builder for all of my kids’ toys and helps me organize the games once we can finally get everyone in our family to stop talking and laughing.

We have a lot of common including our love for Keith Urban and Gavin Degraw, most of our music tastes, how we both like to correct other peoples’ spelling and grammar, and how we love to shop at Goodwill. I don’t think any other people get as much joy out of shopping at Goodwill as we do! We love to dig through the t shirts and find some bargains..usually if it’s more than $1.00, we won’t buy it. She is about to graduate college in a few weeks, and can pretty much go anywhere and do anything in the world she wants.. I am so proud of her and so glad to have such a nice person for a sister! I’ve never had to worry that she was out doing stupid things or acting ridiculous like most teenagers and young adults do. If you know Jordan, then you have probably never once questioned her morals or her character. We are lucky to know her! Happy birthday Jordie aka Squirrel!

“Jenna, it’s blue week!” Are you knitting? Make me a necklace! “did they bring carrots to church?” Was that a Duggar?”

And here are some thoughts from your friends and family!

Mom- Jordan is : Unique, quirky, brilliant, beautiful, reliable, and caring. She was born when Jesse was 10 and Jenna was just turning 7, so she was pretty special to all of us, and still is! She has always made us proud, even in all of her dorkiness, and especially as she graduates from OSU. We are so excited to see what's just around the bend for her. "Do not fear; only believe." Mark 5:36

Jesse- can't believe you are 22. When I was 22, you were in the 4th grade! you have grown up to be such a smart and fun person. Can't wait to see where this next year takes you...don't be afraid to search and struggle, that means you are living life! (Just don't join a rock band), you'll really be poor.. Graduating college can feel like the end of a big era of your life, but its really just the very beginning! I look forward to actually seeing you more if/when you move to Music City! Happy birthday!!

Jessica-"Jordie, Welcome to the park!! Happy birthday!!! Its so hard to believe you're 22 AND graduating! We should not be this old. I hope you have a great birthday! I am so proud of you and I know you've got great things ahead of you! Please know I'm always here for you no matter what!! Love you so much! P.s.Have you heard about Betty? They're just standing around butts!  What was her name? Elizabeth Arden? A muuurrddeeer (I still miss trivia time) Umm.. silverware? Spike don't play with girls."

Brentney- Happy Birthday Jordy! Good luck in your new journey to Nashville! Love you!

Megan- You have been and still will be one of my best friends!  Time capsules will never get old and I’m sorry my dad woke you up whenever he made me go feed my sheep! LOL Happy birthday and remember"Bren” loves you too!

LeeAnn- Jordan was always smart and quiet. I remember mema always trying to get her to spend the night but she liked being home. She was in a weird place age wise. Lots younger than the older 4 grandkids but lots older than the younger 3. So it was like being an only child in a way. She is a lot of fun at Christmas. She loves being around her family!

Connie- First word that comes to mind with Jordan is SMART! She and I share the same taste in little things like flavored chapsticks, baskets, purses, etc. also I have many shoes throughout the years that Jordan outgrew and gave to me :) Jordan was 9 or 10 when Eric was born. I remember her helping babysit "play" with him every Wednesday at Mema"s house! He loved Jordie. She was one of his first words! Happy Birthday Jordie! Love, Connie

Cheryl- Jordan was such a sweet baby and fun addition to our family. She topped the "cousin pyramid" like a cherry on top:) All the cousins enjoyed playing with her when she was little because they were older and she was so cute. She has grown to be such a wonderful, beautiful person. I'm so proud to be her aunt! She has always worked hard to better herself through education. I admire her academic work ethic...she's made every honor roll through the years. I want her to be proud of her accomplishments. She also knows how to get the most for her money--another quality many young people don't even try to do. I, we all love her very much! Happy Birthday Jordan!!!

Abbey- Some of my best memories from my childhood are with Jordan ( and Jenna)! I always looked forward to coming to the LaFave's house so I could play with my little cousin(even though I mainly bossed her around). I couldn't even begin to list all of the great memories I have with her. She is such a smart, funny, beautiful girl! Happy Birthday Jord! P.s. Hi I'm Isaac, I'm Taylor and I'm Zac and we're Hanson!! :)

Juliet- Jordan, because of you I got to have Shelby for a while! I remember when i first moved here we were both brushing Shelby's hair together outside your mom's house. Happy birthday.

Chris- My main memory is hanging out with her at Mema's when we were younger. I vaguely remember also being with my mom when she visited your mom in the hospital when she was pregnant still with Jordan. She used to hate when I called her "Jodie Podie" not sure where I got that name lol. I'm happy to see she's grown up well and been successful so far.

Sarah-  Jordan and I first met in First Grade at Cashion Elementary and we’ve been best friends ever since. We have made many memories over the years including, summers at Falls Creek, camping in the yellow tent in the backyard, several Christmas plays, and, most recently, Bachelor Mondays. Jordan is one of the best storytellers I know and the stories are usually filled with laughter because of the obscure things that seems to follow her. I mean, how many people have mopped the OSU Student Union in a beret, been hit (or maybe “tapped” is a better word) by a car, and have a strong bunny obsession?

Oftentimes, friends grow apart over time as their lives become busy and hectic but I know that will never be the case with Jordan and I. As we walk across the stage at our college graduation in the next few weeks and move to different regions of the country to pursue “big kid” jobs, Jordan will still remain as one of my closest friends.  I hope you have a wonderful 22nd birthday! “Everything will be alright if we just keep dancing like we’re 22” –Taylor Swift 

Michelle- Jordan, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! I don’t know about you but I’m feeling 22! Hope you are too!! I can’t believe we are seniors and graduate in two weeks. It seems like just yesterday we were freshman moving into the dorms for the first time having sleepovers in your room when I would bring my mattes over, crashing other people’s dates so we could go to Orange Leaf too, and most of all the late night chats in Nick’s room when the whole gang was together. Let’s face it we have been through it all from the Kansas City …. “O Hey There Commerce Bank” to the Tulsa trip when I couldn’t meet Ryan and to the Ft. Worth trip…. “Get a car people.” I have shared so many great memories with you and I can’t wait to hear about all of your adventures in Nashville because I know you are going to love it there. Jordan you are one of my best friends and someone I have told everything too. You always help me over analyze everything lol. But most of all I am just glad you have always been there for me. Whenever I need someone to talk to I know I can always go to you and you will help me through anything I need. You are truly an amazing person whom I value so much as a roommate and best friend. Keep your head up because I know that there are only good days ahead for you. You are such a nice, caring, and extremely funny person and don’t let anyone tell you differently. Follow your dreams because I know once you put your mind to it you can do anything. Love you lots and Happy Birthday!!!

 

How adorable is she?

 

 Her and her friend Sarah

 

 Senior picture

 

Siblings

 

Cousin Abbey!

 

 

 Mom and Jord! Probably the only picture in existence

Me and Jord at OSU homecoming parade

 

 

Just one of us

 

The only Family pic in existence since the 90s

 

 

Jordie and her 2 nephews, Carter and Cooper

 

College senior

 

 Jord and her friends Sarah and Michelle

 

 GO POKES!

 



To a special man..

Today I want to take the time to acknowledge someone very special to me.

Dustin and I have been together for 2 years.  He doesn't have

Facebook and isn't obsessed with social media like most of us (haha) but I

wanted to tell people how great he is. He is quiet and calm and the most
hard working man you'll ever meet. He can fix anything and solve pretty

much any problem thrown at him. He is an amazing single parent to his 6 year old

daughter, Paizley. He is everything to her and she is the same to him!

Whenever we met I knew I had found a great man because he had been

taking care of his daughter on his own for several years without any help

(other than his wonderful mom and step Dad of course) .. just like I was

struggling to raise my 2 little boys alone. I don't know any men who take

care of kids alone, and especially not any with little girls who are so great

with them. He gets up every morning at 4 to get ready for work and

hasn't missed a day of work in several YEARS! I admire that so much

because that just isn't possible for most people. He doesn't complain even

though his life definitely hasn't been perfect or easy... he just does what he

has to do and he does it with a lot of grace. We have a lot more in

common than most people do in the life experience category which is a

good thing at this point. We are perfect for each other and understand how a

relationship is supposed to work! He is patient and makes every decision

with a huge amount of time and thought put into it... something I've

never been good at until I met him :)
He is great with my 2 boys and loves to tease them and pull pranks on

them. They admire him so much! He has always been a great brother, son,

and friend and is very reliable and kind. He is also one of the funniest

people! A lot of people don't get to see how funny he is but I am lucky to

see his hilarious sense of humor, dance moves and singing :) He cracks me

up on a daily basis. I have even gotten used to the fact that he adores OU,

although I am the biggest OSU fan ever. I never thought I could be in the

same room with an OU fan for long, much less 2 years.. but he isn't

annoying about it and has always loved them, just like I have always

loved OSU. Neither of us will ever change that and agree to disagree!

 

I am so lucky to have him in my life! He changes my oil and fixes my

millions of flat tires I have a month, and supports me when literally

everything in my life goes wrong on a daily basis. Neither of us seem to

have ANY luck in our life, but hopefully that will change. We have both

been patient and good parents so maybe God's test will be over soon! ha

let's hope so.
To celebrate,  we get a night without any kids on Saturday which is a rare treat. ..

(thanks to our parents) We get maybe one night every 6 months or so

without any children... it usually ends up with a 9:00 bedtime because

we are so tired. Exciting!

So, Happy anniversary, Dustin! I hope I didn't embarrass you too much.

Your Mom did an amazing job raising you at such a young age and you

are doing an amazing job raising your daughter. So many people respect

you!
You are loved by me, Paizley, Carter and Cooper very much.

Go Pokes!!! :)

 

12-12-12

To a lot of people, today is a cool day. Lots of people will be getting married, having babies, and having birthdays on this special day. To my family, it is a very sad day that is also full of good memories that are all we have left. On this day 8 years ago my grandma Betty passed away from a terribly fast and awful pancreatic cancer battle. To us kids, she was fine one minute and gone the next... but later we learned that she had been suffering with the cancer for 3 years and kept it to herself because she didn't want to burden anyone.
 I have written about her a lot and I will continue to do so! It seems like the more time that goes by, I actually remember even more about her. She was the kind of person who would give the shirt off her back to anyone in need, she would invite strangers off the street to her house for a meal, and would let anyone come to her house on the holidays and she would welcome everyone in immediately like they were part of our family. No one would ever feel like an outcast around her. She had the admiration of her whole town, church, family and friends. She was literally the “glue” that held our family together. She worked for my grandpa and also taught Sunday school and did one million other things on the side! She and Pepa built a Gospel Singing Barn that was like my home for several years. Every Saturday night I would look forward to spending the night there listening to music and getting to be around my Mema doing the thing she loved most. Her song at the beginning of the show was always the best and I was proud to tell people that I was her granddaughter. I also liked running the concession stand with my sister and cousins.. I think we ate most of the profits though! 

I was thinking last night about how much she loved Christmas. In 12 days (there’s that 12 again) our family will be gathering for Christmas Eve which was her most favorite day of the year. I was thinking about how she would take the time to get every single person not just one present, but several! I remember getting at least 10 presents as well as the other 7 grandkids and 5 kids. Now that I am a parent, it seems amazing to me that she kept that all organized! There would seriously be hundreds of presents under her tree. She loved to give to others and that’s what she was all about. She would cook a HUGE meal on holidays and Sundays when we would go to her house after church. There was enough food for an army… and she would do that all by herself.

I don’t think I ever saw her actually sit down and eat. She was all about pleasing everyone else and playing with the grandkids.

I had a dream about her last night that all of her family was at their old house and we all spent the night… I stumbled to her room in the dark and she was lying awake in her bed and said “here I am Jenna!”, and started laughing. And then my Aunt Connie fell out of her bed or tripped or something and we all started giggling. I think I inherited my ridiculous love of giggling from my Mema! It probably would’ve been more fitting if my Aunt LeeAnn fell down though. Haha I remember how she would let as many grandkids as possible sleep in her huge bed with her and she would tell us stories before we went to bed. And we always heard the trains at night. Breakfast was always made when we woke up, and there would be a trip to Walmart for whatever toy we wanted and KFC to eat. “Kentucky Fried” is what she called it. And during Christmas time we would always go to Kingfisher in Lights.  

I just woke up today after that dream and I was so happy.. it was like I actually got to see her. I wonder what she thinks about how her family has gone on without her. I think she is very proud of all of us. Christmas Eve has still been my favorite day of the year since she died, and I love that we keep the traditions going. I got my love of Christmas from her for sure. The only thing that would make it better is having her there and hearing her laugh and tell her stories! There are some things that will just never be the same. I wish that my kids and so many other people would've gotten to meet her. It doesn't seem fair that they didn't get to be around her. I tell anyone about her who will listen! Again I am thankful that I got 20 years with her. I just wish there could have been 20 more.

Because He Lives was one of her favorite songs, I like these lyrics:

"And then one day
I'll cross the river
I'll fight life's final
war with pain
And then as death
Gives way to victory
I'll see the lights
Of glory and
I'll know he lives.."

http://youtu.be/egBSduThg3k

and some other songs she liked...

http://youtu.be/yXAqoZuYvyA

http://youtu.be/LBNG3TYnnZw

 

Happy Birthday, LeeAnn!

Today I want to take the time and acknowledge someone very special to a lot of people- my Aunt LeeAnn. LeeAnn is my Dad’s sister and is the middle child of 5 kids. She reminds me so much of my grandma and I love that about her. She got all of her great qualities! Sometimes people tell me that pictures of me look like LeeAnn when she was a kid. We share a love of writing that seems to run in our family, and a love of music and laughter.  She always takes the time to write blogs for various family members’ birthdays and never expects anything in return. Her blogs have me laughing out loud most of the time and always make my day a little better. She always organizes things at Christmas and has been the Bingo caller since I can remember! And for many years she has made the drive from Muskogee to Kingfisher to come to every birthday party and family function we’ve ever had. My mom always said how nice that was of her.

She is seriously one of the funniest people I know. There are not a lot of people who can stand in front of a crowd and do comedy or do improv! I would rather be at the dentist having teeth pulled! I admire her because she will try anything, whether it be Zumba or playing handbells, volunteering for everything under the sun, etc… all things I would never try even at 28. I also admire her for what she has been through.. a devastating divorce in which I’ve also suffered through because of the same reason, though she was married for many more years than I was. She always tried to be strong and has always been a great Mom who will do anything for her kids. She even went back to school in her 40’s and got her degree which is something I’ll probably be doing into my 40s at this rate!  Her boys are the same age apart as mine (my cousins Chris and Andy) and we are both the middle child so I can identify with that as well. She is writing a book about her awful dating experiences that I can’t wait to read!  Not a lot of people could make a book out of some terrible experiences and be able to laugh about it. She has a blog that inspired me to write mine, although hers is a lot better and funnier! 

So to LeeAnn , I just wanted to say how much I admire you and I know that many of your family members and friends do too. You have more friends than I’ll ever have in my lifetime, and that is because you are the nicest person we know! I’m so glad you found Joe and you deserve all the happiness in the world. I’m sure Mema is so proud of everything you’ve done. 

 Happy Birthday from everyone who is lucky to know you!  

And here are some words from your family that I gathered: if I had more time I would’ve gotten a lot more I’m sure! 

From your nephew Jesse- “She is strong, encouraging, hilarious and just a person you like to be around. 

Niece Jordan- “ She is hilarious and likes to tell stories.” 

Son Chris- “ She is a great mom and I am lucky to have her.” 

Daughter in law Juliet- “I am thankful to her for how she made the transition to life here simpler, and helped me get up here.”

A 12-12 kind of day

My grandma died on 12-12-04. It was devastating to her family to say the least because the cancer took her away so quickly. It was like she was gone in the blink of an eye. She also died sometime at 12 am. I remember the phone call from my cousin Chris like it was yesterday.

Well since that day I have seen 12-12 everywhere… not even just one 12 by itself, but always together. I remember on 12-12-05, the one year anniversary of her death, my radio went off at 12:12 am blaring music and there was absolutely no alarm or anything set on it. It woke me up and scared me so bad! That was the very first time I noticed it. I had been working on writing a poem for her that I was going to share at Christmas and I know that was a sign from her. 

Over the years, I have seen 12:12 a lot, especially times. I ALWAYS get text messages at 12:12 pm, and it seems like most nights of the week I will wake up and sure enough it will be 12:12 am. Something else really weird is that now every time when I check what time it is, (if it’s not 12:12!) it’s either 12:38 or 12:43 pm. The times my kids were born! Cooper 12:38 pm and Carter 12:43 pm. My kids were born in 2006 and 2008, after she died.

Now you are probably wondering why this is a good thing.. At first it was kind of scary, like when the radio went off in the middle of the night in a totally different room for no reason. But now I find it comforting. Like today, it started with a bible verse posted by a friend this morning.. the first thing I read of the day and it was Romans 12:12 “ Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, and be constant in prayer.” One of my favorite verses. Then I went in the grocery store and doing my usual check of expiration dates before I buy anything, I noticed that everything I picked up to buy expired in 12-12… things all over the store!

I’ve had totals that were 12.12 also. I just looked on my aunt LeeAnn’s facebook and realized she got married this year on 2-12-12 at 2:12 pm. Mema is her Mom. What a happy day and neat thing to do. This year on the anniversary of her death it will be 12-12-12. That will be even more weird, and I’ll have to think of something special to do that day. 

Anyways, all that said to say this- I know that there are so many of us who miss our Mema! Family, friends, everyone that knew her. We are never going to forget her. And I say keep the twelves coming! It makes me smile every time even though I miss her so much and wish she could be seeing my kids. She would have been a wonderful great grandma, just like she was a wonderful grandma and Mom. I picture her little corner of heaven all decked out in leopard print, cheetah, etc and whatever “loud” things she used to love! I can’t wait to join her someday.

Happy 4th birthday Cooper!

Dear Cooper,

What a year it has been! We have been through a little bit of everything… from different daycares to evaluations, a diagnosis of ADHD, speech therapy, potty training, etc. You have done so many great things this year! You make everyone laugh all the time because you are so silly and crazy, and you are so sweet. I am so happy to be your Mom every day, even when you test my patience and everyone elses to an extreme! : ) You are such a happy and unique little boy, and SO smart! You love Mario more than anyone in the whole world I’m pretty sure, and that’s okay because it just adds to your uniqueness. (the old cartoons and video games)

I love you Coopie Gray! Happy Birthday from Mama and Carter and everyone else who loves you so much.

To Carter on your 6th birthday..

5-11-12

Dear Carter, 

Today you are 6 years old! I am writing your letter this year knowing that you will actually be able to read it by yourself! You have learned so much this year in Kindergarten and you are so smart. I have always known how smart you are, but every time I see you writing and reading something it just blows me away.

You are such a deep thinker and you always challenge me with your amazing questions! You are the only 5 year old I know who already talks about people in Heaven and what it’s like, recognizing the difference in good and bad people in the world, and wanting to know how everything works (most of the time I can’t even explain it) and why things in the world happen, etc.

You are such a sweet boy and so kind to others. I have never seen you be mean to another person in all of your life (except your brother of course) and that is pretty great ! You are so special to me and everyone in our family. 

I have a book of “Carter’s quotes” that I will get to keep forever to remember all your cute and smart things you say. 

Happy birthday precious boy!

I love you and you are the best Carter ever! (He always says “best Mama ever” like 50 times a day)

Love,

Mama