Down memory lane...

I had a wonderful set of grandparents (2 sets actually, but this set was close by)...grew up just down the road from them. I've been thinking of them lately and what I remember from those years.

My dad was one of 17 children. He has 8 brothers and 8 sisters. Most of them live within an hour of here and alot of them have 4, 5, or more children.  So I grew up with LOTS of cousins close by. There were probably 8 or 10 close to my age. On Sunday nights, we'd go to church, then if we were lucky we'd go to Grandpa's for a snack. I'd say most every Sunday night somebody stopped in there, not always us.  I remember asking every time on the way home from church, "Dad can we go to Grandpa's?"  If we did, everyone brought something to eat and there was always popcorn and grape juice. And coffee. LOTS of coffee. These Overholts drink coffee all day long. My grandpa always had a half a cup close by and it was laced with lots of creamer.  I don't remember him saying alot, but every now and then his dry sense of humor came out and we'd laugh and laugh.  Us children would end up outside playing King's Base, playing in the big basement or playing Probe or Rack-O in the sewing room.

During the summer, there was always a big 'corn day'.  All the family who could showed up to 'do corn'.  Us children would help husk, until some was cooked and put in the washtubs to cool, then we'd eat corn. :)  It was all moved inside to the basement when it was ready to be cut off. Grandma would get out her knife sharpener and I watched in awe as her hand flew up and down making everyone's knives sharp. (I feel very proud of the fact that I now own that knife sharpener. I just wish I had been able to ask her how she did it.) I remember when I was finally old enough to help cut. I felt so grown up! We'd go upstairs to eat lunch and everyone sat around that big kitchen table. Grandpa would pray so quietly, that I'd peek so I'd know when he said Amen.

Then there were the days of making hay. Once it was baled, we'd run out to the field and help throw it up on the wagon. There were always a few boys riding on top to stack it. Loads and loads were hauled to the barn and stacked and then we had hay to play in.

Grandpa's also had the best tire swing in the world. It was hung way up high in a huge oak tree and there was an old yellow truck of some sort parked near by. We'd climb up on the truck, then jump and swing way out across the fence and pasture. We spent hours out there.

I remember helping Grandma pick up pinecones in the yard, or help weed the garden. She'd give me the choice of a quarter, or else a 5 stick pack of Juicy Fruit gum. I'd often pick the gum unless I was saving up for something, then I'd choose the quarter. She also loved to pull loose teeth. :) Then we'd get a dollar.

Grandma and Grandpa passed on their love of laughter and smiles to their children and grandchildren. Alot of them have a great sense of humor! :)

                          {These were taken last year at a family gathering at my mom and dad's. The first time everyone was together since Grandma's funeral, I think}

My Grandpa was called to his Heavenly home in 2003 at 91 years old. His hospital room was full to overflowing as we gathered around his bed and sang "There is a God". 

Then, the week after Paul was ordained to the ministry, 2006, Grandma went to be with Jesus. One of the last things she ate was a raspberry bar that I had dropped off for her. Her children and grandchildren were gathered around her bed. Carson was only 2 and I was pregnant with Brooklyn.  I so badly wish they could have known them or remembered them. Grandma was such a sweet person. She worked like few women I've ever known and never, ever did I hear her complain. She left a wonderful Godly example for her children and grandchildren to follow. I often wish I could ask her for child raising advice...what to do for teething, fighting colds, and sibling rivalry. I'm pretty sure that by the time she raised 17, there's was lots she could say!

I thank God for the blessing of a wonderful family!

The Long Winter

There is a long version of the story, but here's the short version: it's been a winter of sickness. And I'm so happy SPRING is on it's way! Isn't it so awesome that no matter how bad the winter can get, you always can be sure that spring will follow winter. Every single time. YAY!

Alena had RSV the end of November at the same time Avery had bronchitis.

2 sick little girls watching a video.  They are 3 1/2 yrs. apart in age, but Avery loves her to death. She calls her Munchkin.

On those sick days, we had to come up with something to keep everyone occupied or the 'grouchies' set in. Thanks to Pinterest, we came up with this game.

Finally, one day we were all well again, and it was so warm, we went to the park.

Then a few more were sick...fever, coughing, sore throat.

Finally well again, when the in-laws came to visit from Va. So loved having them here for a couple days! We visited a plantation, ate seafood, shopped and visited.

This is the only original tree on the property. It was huge!!

Another day in January, was so beautiful we took off of school and went to Greenville for the day. My mom had offered to keep Alena since we were planning to go to the zoo, but they were closed for the day. I missed not having her along, but it was a nice to be able to give my other 3 my full attention. We played at the Reedy Falls Park, shopped at Mast General Store, ate outside at Chick-Fil-A and played at Monkey Joe's. A fun day where you think, "I just might make it through this winter after all." :)

Then Miss Alena ends up at the ER with RSV again...I had stayed home from church with her because she was coughing, etc.  When she got up Sunday morning, she sounded worse and wouldn't eat, which is very unusual.  I decided to take her in to the Dr's Care Clinic about 20 min. away.  She wasn't seen but 5 minutes and the dr. said, "I'm sending you to the ER." We were taken in right away, they put her on oxygen, tested her for RSV and she was positive. They also took x-rays and did blood work, checking for pnuemonia, etc.  We found out after several hours that she was going to be admitted.  All this was going on while Paul was at church preaching...little did he know that we were sitting in the hospital. :)

When I left home Sunday morning, I had no idea I would be gone for 3 days. And my only camera was my web cam on the laptop. :)

First piggytails

She loves sitting here at the door and watching the kitties. She is a little ray of sunshine. Finally up to 15 lbs. at almost 9 months old.

She is crawling everywhere and eats ever piece of anything she finds on the floor. Rubberbands, crayons, ladybugs, etc. 

A couple sewing projects to keep my sanity. :) A blanket for Alena, dresses for Avery and a clothespin bag. Thank you Pinterest!

I'm hoping the rest of winter is a little less eventful. Alena has started coughing again and I'm praying she doesn't get sick. Any immune boosting ideas, please share!

I'm looking forward to a 4 day vacation next week! A friend and I (and Alena) are flying to Colorado to see friends. SOO excited about that! Also, my brother and his wife are moving down from Ohio next weekend. We can't wait to have family 2 min. away.  Hope everyone is well at your house and that you're enjoying winter. Spring will soon be here! :)

Amber

So, I haven't posted for 4 months! We are still alive. :) It's been a crazy winter so far. I'll try to post some pics tonight. The mob is shouting for food. No, not really, but there are 5 hungry people who want supper soon. :)

I Will be back.

Amber

I'll never forget...

 I'll never forget the lump in my throat the first time I held his 7lb., 7oz.s

I'll never forget the first day I sent him off to Kindergarten...when he got halfway up the walks, he turned around and gave a little wave.

I'll never forget the day we discovered that he learns differently than many others. (Albert Einstien and George W. Bush are also dyslexic )

I'll never forget the many nights I went to bed and cried into my pillow...feeling the heavy weight of responsibility on my shoulders, to teach him, and feeling so uncapable.

I'll never forget the day he struggled through half of a book, then brought it to me nearly in tears. "Mom, I so badly want to know what happens, but reading it is just so hard".

I'll never forget the many times I reminded him that I'd rather have a son who is kind to others, than one who makes straight A's and is mean.

I'll never forget the time a well-meaning soul told me he'd be reading already if he was in the school system.

I'll never forget his determination and the many times he said, "I won't let this beat me. I can do this."

I'll never forget watching him with his 3 kitties and any other sort of animal and seeing his kind heart.

I'll never forget the day I read Joshua 1:9 and clung to that verse as my lifeline.

I'll never forget how I felt everytime I talked to another mom who understood and 'got me'.

I'll never forget the look of pride and accomplishment on his face the day he made a 100 on his spelling test of 20 words.

I'll never forget the day he wrapped his arms around my waist and said, "You're the best mom in the world".

I love you, my son. And I'll fight for you, defend you, and teach you as best I can.

 Me, you and Jesus, we can do this.

Pinterest musings

I don't know about you, but I love Pinterest.  Sometimes because I need inspiration for supper, sometimes because I'm looking for ideas to decorate my mantle, sometimes I just need a laugh. Do you ever look at Pinterest pictures and go, "Do people really do that?!"

Here are a few from today, along with my thoughts about them. No offense if you actually do this. :)

1. Claustrophobia, anyone? Not to mention the nightmare of changing the sheets.

2. Spiders!! There's no way I'm leaving my doors open, even if it looks lovely.

3. Are we the only ones who can't get through a summer with a pool still intact? Thanks to the cats, there are usually holes in the rings by July.

4. They obviously have no children. Period.

5. Chiggers! You may not get that if you don't live in the South. Sitting in the middle of a field in South Carolina would be lovely...until the next day, when the scratching begins.

There you go, 5 reasons why Pinterest is great eye candy and may or may not be realistic. :)

Have a great weekend!

~Amber