Whittaker Woman

Made It Big...

What has made it big from  your home town? The A town has many things... Chick-Fil-A, Delta, CNN, but my personal Favorite is Coke. What is your hometown known for? H

The Gals on the Road!

The girls, Sherry and I headed for a overnight trip to see the Amish and head to Franklin. Sherry has been to GA three times and has never been north of our home so I thought I'd take her on our tourist road trip. We had a great day! I must say a day in the car with out a two year old is quite divine! 

An Amish school house. 

We stopped in to check on my benches, but Dannie has not started them. 

This was my favorite find... They used a Coors Light ad, to cover up part of the chicken coop. Somehow if find this quite entertaining. Oh, another day in the life of the Whittaker's... I love my life. H

Mommy I'm Scared

I had a life moment today. My bean came to the gut wrenching, horrific knowledge that there was a time and place where people like her were not accepted. A time where color mattered. A place where ignorance was exalted. She realized, that she is different.

My step mom is here and we did the tourist thing and went to Stone Mountain, then to MLK Historical Center. Sohaila has learned about Martin Luther King in School and has brought home a passion for his work. That passion has been passed down to Seanna and they LOVE everything about him. So they always love to go show people where he grew up, where he preached and now where he is buried. Today we went into the museum, which shares his life story and how we can help change even today. 

We were almost done when Seanna came up to me and said " Mommy I am scared" "why baby?" 

"Because I am afraid these people are going to be mean to me" My little brown girl realized the pain that people have gone through for years. She hurt because she is human and realized there was no reason for someone not to love her... To treat her different. Regardless of the fact that she has freedoms today, in that moment she felt the weight of her skin color. She felt the pain for all those who have been treated unfairly because they simply look different. Today I felt LIFE. H

Daley's Mama

You all know our friend Daley who takes our pictures... Well his mama has a blog and it is a nugget of wisdom. I don't know if you remember this post... But it rocked me! If you have not read it YOU MUST! She got to bloggin' again and I loved it so much I copied it. Hope you are able to enjoy some encouragement for TODAY! H

Courage……

January 25, 2009 in Uncategorized

Courage does not roar

Sometimes courage is the quiet voice

At the end of the day saying, 

“I will try again tomorrow”.

Mary Anne Radmacher

I don’t think I could have “got” this quote in my early years of mothering……my house was always immaculately kept…..I was desperate to be “perfect”……..somehow if I did and said everything right……nothing bad could touch me…..my children would always be happy…..my husband always be in love with me…..a friend to everyone……everything blissfully……perfect……sigh 

Fast forward 11 years and he left me for someone else……my children definitely were not happy……I lost that house…..and everything else…..including some “so-called” friends…….my world turned upside down…..literally.  

Fast forward 10 more years and this quote is how I live my life.  I often get asked by other mothers, “How do you do it….a mother to six sons…..and your still standing….”?   The reality is that “I don’t do it very good…. a lot of the time”.  What I have learned is that it takes courage to be a mother.  But, it takes even more courage to get up and do it all over again the next day.  When the last one leaves our home…..I will have been mothering roughly 40 years……it overwhelms me to see that in print 

All any of us can really do…..IS DO TODAY……and if I blow it…..like I have on many occasions…..I ask God to forgive me…..believe Him for creative ways to do it differently the next day……get a little sleep……wake up……if I’m lucky walk Mt. Rubidoux…..read God’s word……and face up to TWELVE eyes waiting for me to either change a diaper, fix the leg that fell off of Batman, locate a Star Wars light sabre…….read and edit a history paper, fix chocolate chip pancakes, wash a load of clothes cause he’s leaving for Canada and hasn’t washed since the last gig he went on, find a lost cowboy boot (sigh)…… take another one to RCC, read a skunk book….pick up from RCC…..make 15-year-old do his geography……give permission for girlfriends to come over later…..six-year-old meltdown because Indiana Jones’ whip is missing and it MUST be found……lunch……school…….maybe sit down to close my eyes for 1/2 hour…..run to grocery store cuz they ate what I was going to fix……make dinner…..all of us crowded around our dinning room table…… plus usually some wayward soul that pops by……take my 4th to the rock-climbing gym……come back…..make homemade brownies…….Hi Rob….maybe……baths……feed Rob…..put little boys down for bed…..maybe some “me” time…..possibly Rob time…..oh…no….pick up from rock-climbing gym……Love you Rob…..wash make-up off face…..slather in some kind of wrinkle cream that, obviously, is not working……climb into bed……cry…..just kidding….not really, sometimes I do cry……tell Rob I desperately love him…….sleep…..REPEAT!    

Courage.….it really isn’t a roar…..but the ability to keep trying…..believing…….loving…..knowing that what you have given your life to……is making a difference……

Disclaimer:  Not all days will look like this…..some are worse 

 

 

I Just Love These...

This cracks me up. I know that it just tagged me because I used the same words, but I love that someone came to my blog because they were looking for a book about a woman who cannot leave the mountains in Tennessee and her husband Joe. HA! That is great! H

Oops. HeHe, Sorry Guys!

Oops, that is our thermostat when I woke up the other morning... Mama forgot to turn the heater back on after the burning of the enchiladas. Oops... H 

Winner is...

Number 85 is... I love the cupid bow, right in time for valentine's day! Thanks!!

Posted by: Tiffany | January 27, 2009 at 11:52 AM

Number 32 is... My two favorites are Bonnie and Anna! I couldn't pick!! Fun giveaway, Bella is finally getting hair so I can look at bows!!

Posted by: katie | January 27, 2009 at 06:49 AM

Winners email me at whittakerwoman@yahoo.com with your emails and addresses and I will pass them off to Brilliant Bows! Congrats! H

Yes, my friends... I AM A MIRACLE WORKER!

Check out my healing powers! Here! 

Giveaway!

This is a week of Giveaways! Can I get a Yee-Haw! 

Today we are going to be giving away something fun! You may laugh at this, but I am a true Southerner now and we are going to be giving away some bows! 

 I have someone who wants to share her talent with you. She makes these bows for sweet little girls.    All you have to do is check out her site Brilliant Bows and comment back here with your favorite! Then on Wednesday I will let you know who the two winners are! Simple as pie!  

Each winner will receive a $25 gift certificate! Now lets go shopping! H

Shoot... I missed it!

I totally missed my 1 millionth page view! It was today sometime, but I lost track of time and did not stalk my stats. Either way... Whoever you are... THANK YOU! H

The Joy Of Little Ones

I hope you heard my sarcasm in that. Because JOY is not the word I would describe in my heart right now. 

Here is the story... I had plans, very important grownup plans. Plans that did not involve little ones. I prepared and called ahead to verify that the function I was attending had childcare. Can I get an Amen to that. Those are words that bring pure delight to my soul. So we packed up and headed out. 

I got there a few minutes before it started... It was the live recording of Travis Cottrell's Worship CD. I was excited to be a part of it, plus see some friends. BOOMAMA, and Shlog from our Compassion trip were going to be there and I was so excited to see both of them. Not to mention Beth Moore and her girl Melissa. So I was set. Ready to see my peeps and have a good time. 

I went to the front desk of the childcare place and began giving out birth dates in exchange for room assignments. My delight came to a screeching halt when they said there was no childcare for my 6 year old. I am sorry friends, 6 year olds are still CHILDREN. Great... Not only did I have my 6 year old but my 5 year old was going to have none of it. She was not going to be checked in when she knew her sis was not going... Just what I wanted... two kids in my lap! 

So... Fast forward about and hour and a half later. I was on my last string. D-O-N-E! Done with my dearest. Really they did great for any 5 and 6 year old experiencing an adult concert. But man, oh man. I held on... Waiting for the final song. Finally I gave up. We left. I came all this way and did not get to see ANYONE! That my friends is the joy of little ones! H

Where Are You From?

Me... Atlanta, GA. 

Confession Of A Mom

I saw this on my friends blog and here is my confession... I did not want to watch it. Why... Because I knew I would have to look at my life. I would have to evaluate, I would have to change, I would have to move. And at the time it seemed easier to live in ignorance. 

The play button was hit and yes... I was changed. My trip to Africa is again a burden in my heart. I need to never forget. 

I challenge you to live... Watch this! H

Agree or Disagree?

I found this on Yahoo the other day... 

"Let's put it this way: The way I see it, physical intimacy is like chocolate cake. After five days of eating chocolate cake, even chocolate cake doesn't taste that great."

"Right," Ed says, "but after five days of talking about chocolate cake, that cake tastes really good.

What's That Smell?

Burnt enchiladas! Oops, I guess you should not put something on the stove and then go blow dry your hair. :) 

H

Whatcha Talkin' About Nani?

This was a Christmas gift from Nani... AKA Moisturizer Nazi!

I was excited. until I read the fine print

Mature skin!?! Oh but wait it gets better...

QUOTE..."as most women approach 60 or so!" What the heck. Nani... really? Either you needed an extra gift for me and you pulled this out of you bathroom drawers or we need to have a little chat. I am 30 NOT 60! :) H

Video Family Night... Made By My Man

So You Want To Be A Dad // Family Night - Snow Man Theme from Carlos Whittaker on Vimeo.

Family Night... Snowman Night

We are back! Yes we are! Oh it has been a  long time! The break was needed, I don't think I could have handled the traditions and festivities of the Holidays and still do Family Nights. I feel refreshed and ready to pour into our nights! This week we did a snowman night.  I planed our theme last week and told the girls that on Thursday we are having a Snowman Night. I think that was the best part of the whole week. They were so excited! Everyday was a countdown. I loved it. 

We decorated and got all bundled up. We put coats on the chairs, snowflakes falling down, 

The centerpiece was Frosty melted away. 

 

Snowman night would not be complete with out... snowman soup aka... potato soup. 

For dessert... snowballs

Hot chocolate... because when do you build a snowman and not drink hot coco? 

Then we had a snowball fight. Or a smelly sock fight. Depending on how you look at it. :)

I just love our family nights. I was a grump before, tired...stressed, but then it came together and we had such a fun time. I love it! 

Your turn...
Share your what your family does to connect. 
1. Simply write about it in a post on your blog.
2. LINK back to this site somewhere in your post.
3. Then put your URL into Mr Linky below. 
I can't wait to get more ideas!  H

Feeling Lonely?

Last week I lost my phone. It had all my numbers in it and left me high and dry. I had no one to call, because I  only know about 2 peoples numbers by heart... my mom's and Carlos'. So I sent a mass email to all of my family and friends to send me their contact info. Let me tell you... It was a blast. I think I am going to "LOSE" my phone a few times a year. It was like getting Christmas cards all over again. Most people wrote a little note and it just made my day all the people that came out of the wood work. SO... here is my tip... if you are lonely, lose your phone! :) H

Wake Up Little Eyelids, Wake Up!

I need caffeine! BAD! Man, every night I plan to go to bed by 9pm. I need to catch up on some serious zzz's, but without fail... I don't.  Either a good book, a child or like last night... The Bachelor will keep me up well past my bed time! I get so mad at myself!  So lately I have been digging into my stock of  Gobena Coffee, have you heard of it? Our friends actually started this coffee company. I love it because  all the proceeds goes to help orphans, (which tugs at my heart). You have to read their story... and why it is called Gobena Coffee.  Seriously I need to get more sleep, but when the bachelor, 24 or Lost gets in the way I am going to be drinking my coffee! H

A Step Closer Toward Being Granola

We juice, we aim for every night. Mostly carrots, then we add apples, oranges and when no one looks I add some spinach or celery. The kids love it. They know it keeps them healthy and alive! 

My bean loves to do it!

All I know is that I have heard countless testimonies of people who have added years to their lives because of juicing.  I know it is not a get out of jail free card, but if I can get these vitamins in my kids and my man then I will keep it up! Health, and becoming "GREEN" is the cool thing to do these days, what are you doing to take that one step closer toward being granola? 

Stay At Home Mama

One thing that I love is the fact that I am on my own schedule! I could not imagine having to work during a day like today. This is history my friends, no matter what you believe, it is a day of HISTORY. I believe schools, businesses and life should stop and watch this day in history unfold! Are you watching? H

By the way, I am in my jammies, coffee in hand and a fire built... what more could I ask for!

"To Know God, Is To Live Life"... Mark Lamberth

Wow, I think I have a new motto! Here is the slide show they showed at Mark's funeral. I watched it with a sense of pride. I was glad to be able to see these pictures of Marks life, but what I loved even more was the fact that they showed how he loved to LIVE each day. When my dad died when I was 16,a I grasped onto this logic. I have attempted to capture each day. Loving, experiencing, and giving all I have to these few days I have on earth. That is what I loved so much about Mark! I think this is one of my passions in life. Are you capturing every moment. Are you living the life you dreamed? Are you making every second count with your kids, spouse, family? Are you? H

The Mute Button

Who has it? If you have it you will know. This is how you know you have it. Your kids can be screaming in the background and you can be having a serious conversation on the phone. Or you can be in the grocery store and after 5 minutes you realize that there was a kid screaming and you did not even notice. Do you have a mute button. I think it comes as you are giving birth. I know before I had kids I knew every-time a child was crying now, I don't even notice! H

If I Could Type The Opening Song I Would

I am in heaven! You all know we don't have cable so I miss the random channel surfing to find oldies but goodies. CBS has a section called Classics on their streaming episodes! Look what mama found! Glorious! Come on who's with me, any West Beverly High fans?  I know you teens in the 90's are out there fess up!  H

Georgia On My Mind... Bows

Bows, the bigger the better, or so it seems. In Georgia, I often see girls with bows as big as their head. I am not sure why they are so big, I just have noticed lots and lots of bows here. There are bows, flowers, and simple clips in CA but these bows are different. They scream the South! 

How To Find Me!

There is just nothing more humbling than this! Ha! H

My Heart

Oh, this brings joy to my heart. Sohaila has always been my little hiker, but Seanna seems to also have the passion! Hiking is my heart, and I love to see my kids loving what I do! What do your kidos do that you love? H

Georgia On My Mind...Captive

Today, RIGHT NOW, Mark is being buried in Riverside. My heart is there, but I am not. Angie asked my man to play and someone graciously gave him their frequent flyer miles, which allowed him to go. I write this post because it is where I am at this very second. I am mourning my friend, Mark. He was rare, there are not that many genuine, loving husbands and fathers out there anymore and it pains me that Nolan will not have him as his daddy. It hurts to know Ang is alone. I sit here sad.

I know that there are things I will now miss because I am not in community in Riverside. I knew when i moved that moments would happen and I would have to watch from afar, but when something like this happens and I can not go I actually get mad. Why because it is my fault. I made decisions, we made decisions that now have left us unable to afford a plane ticket out to CA, and this time I feel captive. I want to be there. What holds you captive? 

Anyone Want To Walk To The Bus Stop With Me?

Help!

Ok I know some of you have some tricks up your sleeve. My dearest #1 some how got a big piece of gum in her hair and I need help! How do I get it out? H

Namesake

I was honored. My firstborn wanted to name her new webkinz animal after her mama... 

What... Heather? I tried it over and over. What is wrong with my name? She had to name it Julia. H

Georgia On My Mind

I know I have said it before... We don't call our grandparents Memaw or Papaw in CA... 

These were at a pottery store up in the Smoky Mountains... How appropriate! H

One Of These Things Doesn't Belong Here

For the sake of those of you who do not have kids I blocked out the special present that was left amongst the toys for us. I heard the same scream that I heard this day.  I was in shock! 

We had 4 of our couple friends over for dinner we had 11 kids running crazy... One puking, one somehow pulled our extremely heavy barn door over which could have killed him... LITERALLY, and then the grand finale was Losiah taking a big dump in the girls room! Nice! 

Ain't no party like a Whittaker Party. H

Help Me... Help Them

First let me say thank you so much for standing my ME, my friend, and pulling together and being a community here. I am so thankful to be connected to so many people who genuinely care and support one another. That my friends is what brings me great joy in doing this blog! 

I come to you again asking for help. As you know our friend Mark passed away last Thursday. I need some help... I would love for you to give, I would love for you to pray, but what I would really love would be for you to share with Angie and Nolan how Marks story has touched you, how this story has changed you and what his life meant to you. Help me, help THEM! 

Brilliant!

This is one of my favorite things I have seen in a long time. It drew my attention because it was a family who adopted two little boys from Uganda. Which is my dream. Two babies from Uganda! You must watch this you will die laughing!   

H.T. Kristen Franklin