Backyard Birthday Bash

Amelia turns 2 on October 2 (stay tuned for sappy Mom nostalgia entry on that day), but next weekend had some scheduling conflicts for the b-day party, so this afternoon, we celebrated the Big Numero Dos. I rented a moonbounce (big hit) for the backyard, which was miraculously dry after flood-like rains for days preceding. We set up playdough on the deck, covered the kitchen table with butcher paper for coloring, had a bubble blower and a tent. Amelia got a playhouse from us for her b-day, and that was out for the kids as well. The weather was truly magnificent, breezy and sunny. The grown-ups took turns guarding the big bouncey (and a few even got in!) and just chatting, while the kids wandered from activity to activity. Amelia was hesitant at first about the bouncey, but she caught on quickly and eventually hopped in and out like she owned the thing. After guests left, Amelia enjoyed a fabulous bath where she tried out many Dora-themed bath toys she received.

Bom-Bom Turns 101!

We--children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren--gathered at Bom-Bom's nursing home for her 101st birthday! The greats (Molly, Rebecca, Amelia and Maggie) turned swimming noodles into light sabers, and everyone posed for pictures with the Queen of the McKees,who cracked us all up by waving for every shot. She opened presents, and everyone enjoyed cake and ice cream. Rebecca made an owl card for her (see below) and Amelia put Bom-Bom's new socks on and trotted around in them. Can't wait for 102...!

My Big Backyard

The Memphis Botanic Gardens are a lovely respite from city life & hold lots of happy memories for our family. Peter and I had our engagement pictures taken there, and our wedding reception was held in one of the banquet halls. The girls love to feed the greedy koi fish and run through the flowers and among the trees. We'd never really considered getting a membership, though, because there was nothing specifically for kids. That has changed with the opening of My Big Backyard. Local artists were commissioned to build themed playhouses (the biggest is a two-part gigantic treehouse/"birdhouse" connected by a swinging bridge), there's a wading creek and a rain storm simulation (sprinklers), musical instruments made out wood and recycled items, swings, slides, and gardens planted in/on furniture (bed frames planted with flowers instead of a bedspread, plants springing out of a clawfoot tub). The kids had a blast, Papa came along, and, on our way out, we bought a family membership!

Funnel Cakes & Ferris Wheels & FUN!

One of my best childhood memories is of the Mid-South Fair. In late September, the carnies would roll into town and set up shop by our year-round amusement park called Libertyland. The 4H kids would bring their show animals and we city kids would marvel at the huge-and-stinky cows and pigs, ooh and aah over the rabbits and guinea pigs, cheer at the armadillo races. We'd wait in long lines, watch teenagers in spandex making questionable relationship decisions, and eat sweet, greasy food for hours. We'd listen to heavy metal bands on the Himalaya, spinning around so fast our heads ached, then wait forever for the Gravitron or the Scrambler. In my teen years, my parents even let me go without them--in fact, one of my first dates with Peter was to the fair. We saw the Temptations in concert and had our first picture together.

The Mid-South fair still exists, but this year is its first year out of the city, down in Mississippi. In its stead, for the city kids, is the Delta Fair at the Agricenter. No livestock. Fewer unaccompanied minors (supposedly). More family-friendly. There are pros and cons to this new plan, but for my kids, this is where their memories will be. So we loaded them up, forked over their inheritance to get in and get hand stamps for unlimited rides, and spent Labor Day evening at the Delta Fair!







Since our trip to Hershey Park earlier this year, the older girls have been waiting for a chance to display their fearlessness when it comes to thrill rides. They will ride anything. Rebecca got a little pouty when she was too small for the upside down rides, but we had a blast. Amelia rode the merry-go-round. Then Peter and I took turns riding with Molly & Becca, while Amelia happily took in the sights and smells and inhaled not one but TWO corndogs and sucked the life out of two lemons from the fresh-squeezed lemonade (you know, the kind they make by adding sugar and shaking it). She wailed as her dried-out lemons fell on the ground ("mimi's yemon! ooohh! poor yemon! i want it!"), but by then she was exhausted and she soon fell asleep. The sun set, the lights came on, and Molly and Rebecca and I rode the ferris wheel, for the spectacular view of the fair lights from above. Fireworks closed out the night, and we slept well (after thorough bathing, of course!). I can still smell those funnel cakes....

You Belong Among the Wildflowers

Shall We Gather At The River?

A few months ago, Molly began telling us she wanted to be baptized. In the Baptist church, we believe in immersion baptism (dunking), a public symbol of a private prayer to Jesus, asking him to come into one's heart. We consider this a decision to be made, rather than an automatic rite of passage at birth or otherwise. Since Molly was only just turning 7, we weren't all that sure how much she understood what she was asking about. She talked with me, then with Peter, and then with the pastor of the church. She is a bit wise beyond her years and articulated what she was feeling. She had prayed numerous times on her own to tell Jesus she wanted to follow Him and learn about how he wants her to live. She believes Jesus is God's Son and that He was on Earth to save us, she said. One Sunday at the end of June, she came forward at the end of our church service and made a public profession of faith. Yesterday, she moved forward in her decision and was immersed in the warm waters, dying to a life of sin and washed in the sacrificial blood that offers New Life.





With each baptism, I am reminded of my own decision 20+ years ago to walk that walk. Sometimes I fall off the road a little--or a lot--but someone (and I'm pretty sure who it is) always picks me up and guides me to where I need to be. With Molly's baptism, though, I felt more than just grateful for how Jesus loves me and takes care of me. Indeed, I cried tears of joy, knowing she will be on the same road, making some of the same mistakes but always lifted back again into the arms of the One who saves. As her momma, I will be protecting her in all things, but what a relief to know He's got her back, too!

As she and I walked downstairs to return to the congregation, we could hear the chorus of the hymn, "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus." She stopped for a minute and said, "Mom, I know why they're singing that. It's for me. Because I have decided to follow Jesus today!" No turning back, no turning back....