2012

I went to 5 funerals between August 31st and October 30th. I am 37 years old. It is not strange that I have known people who have died. But 5 in 2 months was a lot for my soul to bear.

This has been heavy on my heart for months now, and I just don't think I can close out this year without paying tribute to these people.

The first one was a grandmother of one of my best friends. Nanny. Nanny lived alone, walked for miles everyday, gardened, cooked, babysat, drove to church, and was fiercely independent until her last day. She lived until almost 100 with not a bit of assistance! She was babysitting her great-grandchildren right up until her death. She got the last one sent off to Kindergarten and decided she was tired. She is now at home with her Savior.

The second one was sweet Sara Walker. (If you have not read her story or blog, please stop and do so now.) 35 years old.  A mother of 2 boys. A wife. A daughter. A sister. A friend. A disciple of Christ. Her life ended too soon, but oh to be able to make an impact like she did. The world has not heard the last of the life of Sara Walker. You just wait.

The third one was the mother of one of my best friends. (I am not ready to start attending funerals of my friends parents.) I spent many nights at this woman's house. I ate her red velvet cake and her rotel dip. She drove my pre-teen age friends and me to football games and listened to us act like idiots. She has a son and a daughter and a beautiful granddaughter that all need her. She left us too early.

The fourth was a friend of mine from church. A lady I sat next to in my women's Bible Study group. I attended a book club at her house. She was not a close friend, but someone I knew and admired. Her death was a result of the horrible meningitis brought on by the tainted steroid shot she received. Her story has been on the local and national news. She has 2 sons and a husband that desperately need her. She left us too early.

The fifth one was a cousin of my mother-in-law and husband. I did not know him well. I probably only met him a few times since I have been married. He was a husband and father to 3 children. A son. A brother.  And a grandfather to one precious little boy who really needed him. His life ended too soon and he has left a gaping hole in their lives.

All these people were missed this Christmas. Their absence was felt by many. All these people have friends and family that have to wake up everyday and realize they are still gone. Radio stations still play Christmas music. Children still have to go to school. Bills still have to be paid and dogs still have to be fed.

I think about these people and I pray for their families. I try to be thankful for the family I have and tell the people in my life how much I love them.

When things happen like the shooting in Newtown, CT I feel numb. I feel like I cannot even process the hatred and the wrong. The evil that exists. I did not watch any news coverage and I still don't know many of the details. I can't. I can't or I won't be able to drive my boys to school.

And then I remember that death is not the end of the story. Death does not get the last word.
That is our hope. Our only hope. Death does not win.

I wish you peace and love in 2013.


4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus
(Philippians 4)

Dawsons go to Disney

**I wrote this post a couple months ago and never published. I am trying to post some to finish out 2012. We'll see how it goes.

We went to Disney for Fall Break this year. We usually go to the beach for a week with my parents, so this was a big decision for us. We waited to take the boys until the were both big enough to: a. ride all the rides b. not need strollers c. not need naps. Wow! We are so glad we waited! They both rode everything! It was wonderful!

I must admit, John Will and I were both Disney skeptics. We are not big into crowds or the whole Disney-esque world of fabricated atmospheres. We are happy sitting on an uncrowded beach every October. We both love to travel and want to take the boys many places and expose them to different parts of the world. Our parents both did this for us and we really believe it makes for a well-rounded, cultured person. But, Disney was not super high on our list. Our boys have been to New York City, Washington D.C., St. Louis and Atlanta well before Disney.

But, we bit the dust and went. And it was amazing.  It truly was magical. Someone asked me the other day: "Why, Ginger? Why was it so great?" I don't know. I don't know if it was the place we stayed, or the weather, or the low crowds or just the entire experience. I don't know, but it was awesome. It was one big happy-smiling-from the time we got up til the time we went to bed-family vacation.

This was the view from our balconey at the Polynesian. That is Cinderella's castle across the lake. Every night we could see the castle lit up, hear the music, and see the fireworks display. Two nights we saw the electric boat parade.

Our first day at Disney was at the Animal Kingdom. (We got to Orlando a day early and went to Legoland first. So, we were there 5 days. 4 days inside the Disney Parks.)

More days to come.........maybe :)

Things I Did and Did Not Do This Summer

Things I Did do this Summer:

1. Attended an Atlanta Braves game in 107 degree heat.

2. Took the boys to see the amazing Treehouse display at Cheekwood.

3. Listened as Ryan learned to whistle.

4. Watched in amazement as Will knocked out half a front tooth on a gym floor without crying, or even really flinching. He is now impressed with his "pretty new tooth."

5. Spent some time at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital when Ryan had his surgery on his arm. Instead of crying or being scared, he charmed the nurses and doctors with his nonchalant attitude and "Ryan charm." He says his favorite part was riding on his "bed with wheels."

6. Watched with joy as Will finally mastered swimming.

7. Took the boys to the Frist to see the quilt exhibit. Tried to impart to them what amazing works of art they were seeing. Wished my Grandmama were there with me to see them.

8. Took the boys to the zoo to see the clouded leopard cubs and the dinosaur trek exhibit (even thoough I openly despise going to the zoo.)

9. Watched lots of Olympics with my boys. Thrilled that they got to see a man with no legs race in the Olympic games and hope they will remember that the only real disability is in the mind.

10. Celebrated Will turning 9,  JW turning 38, and JW's 20th high school reunion.


Things I Did not do this Summer:

1. I did not run. It's too hot.

2. I did not make my boys do flash cards.

3. I did not diet, but instead I ate lots of birthday cake and chocolate dipped cones from McDonald's. (Thus proving my 36 year old metabolism just ain't what it used to be.)

4. I did not get 2 new puppies, but instead took care of my fat, happy, blind 11 year old schnauzer.

5. I did not wish the summer away. I did not count down the days until school starts. I do not want my boys to start back to school simply because I miss their sweet faces and laughter while they are gone all day. They are my heart and soul and the best part of me.

Father's Day Picture

I thought the blog needed a new picture. This was taken on Father's Day. I love it. I have the best Dad in the world and the two sweetest, smartest boys in the whole world!
Happy Summer!

Panic and the Art of Letting Go

One good (or bad) thing about running is that you have time to think. Sure, I listen to my ipod way too loud but there is also thinking going on beneath the music.

I did 6 miles Saturday morning and my thoughts started easy and manageable and progressed to pure panic and then back again. 

Much of my running is a prayer. I thanked God for the perfect running conditions; sunny and temp in the 50's. (It doesn't get any better than that.) I thanked God for my health and my ability to get outside and safely run. 

Sometimes thoughts turn self-deprecating when I have to stop and walk. When a woman probably 25 years older than me blows past me going up a hill, I think "what in the world?" Ginger, you should be doing better than this. But, then I remember I'm not in a race and I can usually tune that out. 

Then, I think about how Ryan will turn 6 next Tuesday and all thoughts lose all reason. The panic sets in because (a.) I do not want my baby to turn 6 and (b). He is my baby (c.) This means I am getting older too.  Makes perfect sense, right? 

I panic because I think about all the things I have to do before next Tuesday and his birthday party. 

How will I do it all? How will I have time to do this, this, and this and plan his party, and go to baseball, and fit in running and planning meals, and laundry and the other million little errands that have to be done every week. And did I mention he only wants his birthday party at home and I have a gazillion ideas in my head that I want to do but know will never make it out of my head by next week. 

The Virgoan panic of wanting things perfect sets in and so I keep running and eventually I realize: IT'S GOING TO BE OKAY.

No, I do not want my boys to grow up and leave me. I just don't.  But, I can't make them stop growing. 

Yes, it would be great to always have a baby, but that is not my reality. 

No, Ryan's party does not have to be perfect, because guess what? He doesn't care. He just wants his friends to come over to play and eat pizza and cake. 

And so I run. And I run slowly and that's okay too. Because on that beautiful Saturday morning I eventually got rid of the panic and headed over to the baseball fields in time to see my almost 6 yr old Ryan play baseball. The kid hits that ball every time it's thrown to him and runs lightening fast. It's a joy to watch my boys in whatever they are doing. 

Today my Nana turns 80. She has 3 children, 6 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. She is beautiful, smart, funny and very independent. Maybe growing up isn't all bad. 

Washington D.C. part 2

I finally got blogger working again and uploaded some more pictures. 

Since it is now 80 degrees outside, it is strange to think that less than a month ago we were bundled up in hats, coats, and boots. Crazy middle TN weather!!

This picture is from the very first day when Ryan didn't want to walk and therefore he was on JW's shoulders with me in the background saying : "see, I told you we should have brought a stroller." But, then he came around and walked the rest of the trip. He was really great. Such a little trooper. 

This is a picture of us waiting to go into the Spy Museum. It was the only thing we did the whole trip that had  an admission fee! It was very cool with lots of neat spy gadgets and history. I would have enjoyed it a million times more had it not been so crowded. It was a small place with lots of nooks and crannies and I just don't do crowded very well. The gift shop was very cool. All the boys got really neat spy kits. Except for Ryan who got a very realistic pair of handcuffs. Scary. 

Right before we left Ryan lost both front teeth. Nothing cuter than a little boy missing his front teeth. 

And here is my Will waiting to get on the Metro.

D.C.'s subway system is called the Metro. Much cleaner and nicer than the NYC subway system. We only had to ride the Metro the day we went up to Capitol Hill. Much too far of a walk from our hotel. I love subway architecture. I found myself taking lots of pictures of the Metro just like I did in NYC.

 Attempt at group picture at the Capitol

Air and Space Museum. Boys checking out the Wright Brothers plane

Arlington was one of my favorite parts of D.C. It was a beautiful, cold day and the place is just so gorgeous and very well tended. This is a shot of Uncle Bob's casket being loaded onto the caisson. (A horse drawn carriage used at funerals.) The rest of us followed in our cars. It was very impressive and moving. 

The Dawsons go to Washington

John Will's Uncle Bob Dawson was buried at Arlington National Cemetery this past Tuesday Feb. 21st. So, we went to Washington D.C. over the long Presidents Day weekend.  We went with JW's parents and his sister Gini and her family. We had a great trip. This is what Uncle Bob wanted. All the family to meet in D.C. and be able to enjoy a family vacation. I think he would have been happy. 

The weather cooperated and was sunny and cool most days which was great because we walked everywhere. I am planning to do another post when I can get all my pictures and blogger to cooperate. This is the second time I have typed out this post. More pictures to come soon....

Boys at Nashville airport waiting to board the plane

 All four cousins at the White House welcome center before we toured the White House.

Taking a rest at the Lincoln Memorial after walking all the way up the Mall from the Washington Monument

 Lincoln

Capitol Visitors Center

JW and boys standing on steps of the Supreme Court

Capitol Dome

Sweet Sara Walker

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/sarawalker

If you don't know the story of sweet Sara Walker, then keep reading. She is a 34 yr old mother and wife. She has two precious boys and one beautiful little girl (Anna) already in heaven because she was (full term) stillborn. About a month after Anna was born, Sara found out she had colon cancer. She has chronicled her story on her Caringbridge site which I have included a link to above. Her life is a testimony to the love of Jesus Christ. Grab a cup of coffee and start reading at the beginning. Your life will never be the same after reading her journal. I felt a strange connection to Sara the very first time I heard about her story. I have gotten to know her and have fallen in love with her along with the rest of the world.

Please keep her in your prayers as she continues to fight for complete healing and also continues to spread the Gospel. I am convinced she will someday be a household name! She plans to continue to write and spread the good news of our Lord and Savior in a big way!

Update

Quick update on Greta:

She is doing so much better! I am so pleased to be able to say this, because she was one day away from being cut open for exploratory surgery and biopsies. I will spare you the details, but her digestive tract seems much healthier! I am so glad we did not put her through surgery and anesthesia. She is still blind as a bat and I have had to fish her out of the pond once, but other than that she gets around pretty good.

The weeks leading up to Christmas were pretty hard on me thinking we were going to have to put her to sleep. I did not get as much done as I had hoped I would, but that's life sometimes, right?

We are back in the swing of life here in 2012 and I am trying, unsuccessfully, to organize the house and my life.

My boys love playing Angry Birds. I have never once played it and find the music annoying. Apparently, I am in the minority since it is extremely popular all over the world. Will made these out of a set of clay he got for Christmas. I thought the detail was pretty amazing.

Both boys are doing great in school and continue to love going every day. I am so thankful for our school and our amazing teachers. My respect for teachers continues to grow as I witness what an important and difficult job they have.

I still teach my 2 year olds on Sunday mornings and have just started a new Beth Moore Bible study on Wednesday nights. I have signed up for the half marathon again in April, so I will soon have to start running seriously again.

We are planning a trip to Washington D.C. in February because John Will's Uncle Bob passed away and is being buried at Arlington National Cemetary. This is a blog post all by itself, but I just mention it now because it will take much planning and preparation between now and when we leave.

Life is good and we are blessed. God is good all the time.


(P.S. The reason I have time to sit and type out this long post is b/c it is a snow day here and Ryan had the stomach virus last night. So, we aren't going anywhere today.)