Happy 7th Birthday Nathan!

Seven years ago today was the happiest day of my life. It was the day I became Nathan's Uncle. I did not know then how this little boy would change and refocus my life, but he has become the center of our family, and DeeDee, Granddaddy, Todd, Carla, and I all revolve around him. He has brought so much joy to our family, and we cherish the day he entered our lives.

This year on special occasions I have been posting poems or other pieces I have written in the past in tribute to members of my family. Today is no different. This is a poem I wrote about Nathan on his first birthday. It describes so many of his behaviors at the time. We miss the baby, and we miss the one-year old, but we really are enjoying our big seven-year old!

Who’s That Boy?

Who’s that boy with the blazing hair,
And a pair of big blue eyes?
That’s our boy, with six new teeth,
And a smile sure to hypnotize.

Who’s that boy giving everybody sugar,
With a “hmm” and a pat, pat, pat?
That’s Mama’s boy, with the stinky diaper,
Now what do you think about that?

Who’s that boy who can feed himself,
And always wants some more?
That’s Daddy’s boy saying, “Da-da-da,”
And dropping bread balls all over the floor.

Who’s that boy with his ankles crossed,
Sucking his upside-down passie?
That’s Grandmother’s boy, with a giggle and a squeal,
Snatching off earrings and glasses.

Who’s that boy rubbing his eyes,
And nodding his sleepy head?
That’s Grandaddy’s boy snuggled asleep,
On his shoulder ready for bed.

Who’s that boy reading a book,
And singing in the microphone?
That’s Uncle Howie’s boy reading and singing,
As if he were already full-grown.

Who’s that boy with a prophet’s name,
Whose middle name is Todd?
That’s Jesus’ boy we all know,
And his name means “gift of God.”

Who’s that boy turning one year old,
Who loves to open and close the door?
Nathan is that boy, and he changed our lives,
Though he’ll always be our baby, the boy is not a baby, anymore.

—Uncle Howie
July 18, 2002

Happy 7th Birthday, Bubby!

Did you know you are my favorite nephew?

I love YOU the MOST!

Uncle Howie

Jamaica 2.2: Culturama

Before you read any further, stop and read my sister's blog post about Culturama.

She explains much better than I could exactly what it is. These are just a few pictures I wanted to add to Carla's post.

DeeDee telling Nathan not to be nervous.

Bubby wondering if he is going to be nervous or not.

A cute candid.

Not sure what he's looking at.

Still nervous, but adorable.

The Braveheart Scots' decapitation scene cracked me up.

Bubby with best buds Darren and Jaleel.

Checking out the program video.

Jamaica 2.1: Nathan's Pre-Birthday Party

This was my second trip to Jamaica, and I know I will write at least two posts, hence the title "Jamaica 2.1." This trip happened as unexpectedly as the first. I actually had no plans to go until I found a good ticket price online. Another influential factor was the fact that Mama and Daddy were already there, and I knew how much Mama wanted us all to be together again. Like last time, Carla, Todd, and I were able to surprise our parents and Nathan again.

Thursday evening we celebrated Nathan's birthday because we won't be there on July 18 when he turns seven. Todd grilled pork chops, per Nathan's request, and Mama and Carla rounded out his menu with garlic mashed potatoes, DeeDee's salad, and brownies. Todd also roasted garlic and grilled bacon-wrapped jalapeño and cream cheese poppers.

Todd grilling on the balcony.

DeeDee and Carla in the kitchen.
Note: DeeDee matches the curtains, and Carla matches the frig.

Making a wish.

Blowing out the candle.

Nathan was very patient during the meal and brownie sundaes. Finally, he asked about his presents. We started teasing him that there were no presents because it wasn't his real birthday yet. He didn't believe us for a second. In fact, he announced, "I'm gonna go look." He started opening cabinet doors in the kitchen, and it didn't take him long to find the hidden cache. Of all the presents, the Nintendo Wii was his favorite. DeeDee, Granddaddy, Todd, Carla, and I all pitched in on that gift, but it was worth it.

Something Mama would never have let me do.

Okay.

Granddaddy, Bubby & DeeDee

"Excited" would be an understatement.

Do you think he liked his Wii?

Do you think Uncle Howie liked his sugar?

DeeDee and Bubby Wii bowling.

To read my sister's account of Nathan's birthday party, click here.

Sunday Dinner

It was a big eating weekend! Layna's birthday Friday, Kelsey's birthday on Saturday, and on Sunday Mama cooked dinner to thank Jerry for painting her wheel covers and to thank John for the many times he has helped them with their car. Jerry made it, but John had to work, so April willingly took his place. The menu included tater-baked chicken, chicken & dumplings, potato salad, Fordhook limas, sweet potato casserole, and Mama's delicious oil & vinegar salad. For dessert Mama tried out Holli's layered chocolate caramel ice cream sandwich recipe.

Thanks, Mama!

2008 Spring Picture

Here is the 2008 school picture of Nathan and me. It has been a tradition since Nathan was a baby for us to take our spring picture together at school. This year spring pictures happened to be taken the morning Carla and Nathan were flying back to Jamaica, so we were able to squeeze it in. To see the older pictures, visit Carla's blog by clicking here.

Happy Easter!

And if the Spirit of Him Who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, [then] He Who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also restore to life your mortal (short-lived, perishable) bodies through His Spirit Who dwells in you.

Romans 8:11 (AMP)

Last night Bubby and DeeDee colored some Easter eggs because all they had at the Easter egg hunt was plastic eggs. Leave it to DeeDee to do the grandmotherly thing! But then of course DeeDee is the epitome of "mother" and "grandmother."

Why does the purple egg look brown?

DeeDee is making crab stew, garlic bread, and salad for Easter dinner. It has been wonderful to have Nathan and Carla home for two weeks of Spring Break, and we've still got (almost) a week before they fly back to Jamaica. Wish you could be here, Todd!

Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus

Nathan and I went to the opening night of the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa. (Is that a contradiction or what?) Wednesday night, January 2, was one of the coldest nights of the year, and we had to stand outside freezing for about thirty minutes before they let us inside.

Bubby freezing while we waited outside.

Nathan started doing his "duck the camera" tricks until I put a guilt trip on him about how much money Uncle Howie had spent on the circus and how he was going to Jamaica the next day and Uncle Howie was going to miss him and needed pictures. All true, mind you!


We got to see the elephants, tigers, horses, and goats outside before they let us in.


We made it to the pre-show floor and got a picture with a couple of the circus stars. As soon as the spectators started flooding in, I got claustrophobic, so we headed for the overpriced food vendors. We started out with a pizza, and then got some Outback chicken strips and fries.

Yes, I know it's cheesy, and I don't care! I love it!

That boy LOVES cotton candy!

So serious. It's supposed to be a happy place, Bubby!

The circus production was outstanding, totally entertaining, and completely worth the $15 tickets. We had great seats.

The grand finale

It was a great evening spent with my nephew and the perfect ending to the holidays we were blessed to share with Todd, Carla, and Nathan this year. I was not looking forward to saying goodbye the next morning . . . .

NOTE: If you ever attend an event at the St. Pete Times Forum, don't buy your parking tickets in advance at Ticketmaster. I paid $8 in advance plus all the miscellaneous charges they tack on, hoping to be assured of a parking place. When we turned in the parking garage the night of the circus, the sign said $6. Rip-off!

New Year's Eve at Kendra's House

Kelsey, Emily & Nathan

My cousin Kendra and her sweet girls, Kelsey and Emily, invited our family over for New Year's Eve. She prepared a wonderful meal of roast beef and vegetables, mashed potatoes, salad, rolls, and apple dumplings a la mode. After we stuffed ourselves we watched the kids play Nintendo Wii. Nathan, my favorite video gamehead, played hard, but I think Emily was the best-all-around player of all the games including bowling and boxing. I think she may have even beat Todd at golf!

Nathan boxing.

Later in the evening we went outside so the kids could light sparklers. I think it was Nathan's first time. By midnight, I believe we were all home in bed. Thanks for a wonderful evening, DeeDah!

Christmas Morning 2007

To me, the best part of Christmas is Jesus.

The second best part of Christmas is Nathan. He has been my best gift for six years now, and watching him open his presents and give his personally selected gifts to us was almost more than I could contain. Last year we were amazed at how he hand-picked our gifts from Santa's Workshop at school. I had no idea a 5-year old could select such individually appropriate gifts. He gave me a tiger figurine for my desk at school, the home of the Tomlin Tigers. This year DeeDee took him to the dollar store and let him pick out his gifts for us. My gift was a hugging teddy bear. I keep it at school attached to one of Nathan's pictures for the times I need a hug from Bubby.

I think this was the best Christmas morning so far. Carla made a breakfast casserole, the coffee was perking, and then Nathan started handing out gifts and opening presents of his own. He was so excited and so grateful for his presents. We got hugs and kisses for every gift he opened. I hope we are not spoiling him, but he's the only one we have to spend our money on right now. Hint! Hint!

You know you are truly blessed when your family asks for your Christmas list and you can't think of one thing you need. Okay, at least any affordable thing you need. If I wrote a Christmas list it would go like this:

1. a new roof
2. my house tented and fumigated
3. new ball joints on my car
4. new carpet
5. new blinds

and most of all . . .

6. an iPhone!

No one in my family wanted to spend that big, so I settled for some DVDs and a nice cash gift from Mama and Daddy that has already been put in iPhone savings.

Here are a few snapshots from our wonderful Christmas morning . . . .

Carla & Todd

Nathan gives his daddy golf balls.

"It rhymes with Winnie the Pooh."

It IS Winnie the Pooh!

Nathan gives Uncle Howie a huggable teddy bear and a hug.

DeeDee gets a digital camera.

Mommy opens her scented candle.

A bit of drama induced by a Nintendo DS Mario Kart game from Uncle Howie.

Pokémon chapter books

Pokémon drawing books

After we finished opening presents, Nathan volunteered (can you believe it?) to do the sign language performance he gave at his school program in Jamaica. The song was "Living Word" by Fred Hammond. This anointed song, plus Nathan's sign language brought us to tears. We are such cry-babies!

Bread of Life, sent down from Glory,
Many things You were on Earth,
A Holy King, a carpenter,
You are the Living Word

Bread of Heaven, sent down from Glory
Many things You were on Earth,
A Holy King, a carpenter,
You are the Living Word

Awesome Ruler, Gentle Redeemer,
God With Us, the Living Truth,
And what a Friend we have in You,
You are the Living Word

Jesus, Jesus, that's what we call You,
Manger born, but on a tree,
You died to save humanity
You are the Living Word

And now a first for Nathan's Uncle. Not a YouTube link, but my own uploaded video. I give you my nephew, Nathan . . . .