Weekend Happenings

Good Friday morning and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I'm sorry I'm late this morning. We didn't go to bed until after midnight... much like your family, I imagine.

You may have noticed the Showcase Pic is a little different today. It is a photo of our Special Guest, Robin Oakley, and her family of handsome men. The first part of her interview will begin today, and will end next Tuesday.

In the Gallery today I have added a couple of shots from our New Year's Eve celebration. Our family has been bringing in the new year with one of Mikie's oldest friends, Kerry and family, for many, many years now. Well, actually we don't bring the new year in... all the way. Kerry's chicks are quite a bit younger than our brood (7 and 8 years-old), so around 10:00 we call it a night. I wrote in Project 365 last night by the time the little ones are old enough to stay up all night, the adults will be the ones having to call it quits around 10:00... or earlier!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - YEAR IN REVIEW

I guess if I wanted to give 2009 a name, it would have to be "A Year of Growth(s)." Allow me to explain.

Mikie - Mikie was our constant this year... as he has been in years past. Although he had an extremely busy year at work, he made every football and/or volleyball game, (these two sports tend to coincide), every JSU home game (as well as three out-of-town games), every basketball game (except the one which coincided with the Football Banquet), the Volleyball Banquet, etc., etc. He continued to teach faithfulness at church by example to our three kiddos. Although we ate later at night at times to accommodate his work schedule, if I "declared" it was a family meal night, he was there. And that, in a phrase, is just one of the reasons I love this guy... "He's always there for us."

The Enchanting Belinda - If Mikie was our constant, this year I have been our family's "change." My head spins with the almost daily changes 2009 had for our family. As for my own personal change, I began to purposefully reach out to other women... to build new relationships and to care for the old ones. At 48 years of age, I made not one, not two, but several new friendships. And I was able to see the value and uniqueness in each new relationship. I stepped out of the small box I had been hiding in the past few years, and was pleased I was accepted by several new and wonderful women.

I continue to love blogging. As each day passes, it is still such a release for me, and I have even made some of my new relationships through the blog. I still love scrapbooking. I still love my kids... even though they continue to grow up, and that was just NOT part of the deal.

Health-wise I still have Diabetes 2, but I do not have to take medication. I still have arthritis, but it has not spread this year. I have grown a second tongue, but I'm learning to live with it (thus, the name of this section... A Year of Growths). I have had a dental "episode" I hope never repeats itself, but I'm told it will happen again and again because I'm getting older, you know. I'm still having panic attacks, but I didn't have to go to the Emergency Room in 2009. Gravity is still marching onward and downward, but that's part of life. and I have discovered dwelling too much on "what once was" is a huge waste of my time.

And when asked what my best feature is, I still humbly reply, "My low blood pressure." (And depending on who asks the question, they are sometimes very, very impressed!)

Austin - The Boy moved to Jacksonville to attend college, and I was terrified. Terrified of all the horrible things which were coming to pass in our little family unit. He stepped out of the big gold van August 7, 2009 not knowing a soul. He saw many, many things in person he had only heard about at home. Mike and I decided on a "transition" approach to college, and his first semester we have been very active in his life... and he has continued to be very active in ours. Does that mean we took care of him every minute of every day? Nope. He did his laundry when he stayed on campus over the weekend. He took care of his finances, school work, packing for all of his road trips, and building new relationships.

We did urge him to join the BCM, and we continued to be his accountability partners when it came to Bible Study and protecting his testimony.

He came home with a big smile on his face every weekend (except the two when he was out of town), and he left every Monday morning at 6:45 a.m. with the same big smile as he happily drove back to JSU.

He received the Rookie of the Year Award (for his section) and Most Outstanding Member Award (for his section) at the Band Banquet. He became a Sports Writer for the school newspaper and wrote one or two articles most weeks. He has grown leaps and bounds in 2009. I cannot even begin to imagine what 2010 will be for The Boy.

He is 18 years-old. I will not say he is the "stereotypical" college student, because there is nothing "stereotypical" about The Boy!

Joshua - Josh's resolve to conquer his illness has never been stronger. Things he was unable to do in May of 2009 because of OCD were "knocked to the curb" in August of 2009. He had 12-hour days (or more) when school began and football season was going on, but we saw some sort of progress almost every day. He continues to amaze us, and we give God the glory for allowing Josh's Journey to be one of hope to other adults and children suffering with OCD or any other type of illness that has to do with the mind AND body. We continue to pray for people who do not "get" that OCD and other similar conditions are no different from asthma, diabetes, or any other chronic illness... and with Josh's continued permission, we will share his story as long as people will listen.

He played JV football and he was called in almost every game. He is driving now, and in the process of looking for a part-time job. He is funny, aggravating, exasperating and incredibly sweet. He is a 16 year-old. I will not say "typical," because there is nothing "typical" about Josh.

Roxie - Roxie's 2009 has been amazing. She has had to make some hard decisions for a young teenager, but once the decisions were made, she looked forward and has worked hard. She made the school volleyball and basketball teams this year, and life has been incredibly busy.

She has made new friends, works hard to maintain her old friendships, loves clothes, make-up, shoes and purses... AND SHOPPING!

Austin moving to college was difficult for her, but we both just needed to make sure he could survive without us... and when we saw he could, we relaxed (just a little).

She's not the same Roxie from January 2009. She's growing, too, and she's growing fast (and I don't mean height). I know 2010 is going to be a year of trying to "keep up" (for me, not Roxie), and I'm looking forward to seeing what Miss Roxie will surprise us with in the days, weeks and months to come.

She is a 13 year-old. I will not say "average" teenage girl, because there is nothing "average" about Miss Roxie.

A perfect year? Oh, please! Give me a break!

But it was another year spent as the Faulkner Five, and for that I will always be grateful.

Special Guest - Robin Oakley - Robin and I have known each other for about 15 years, I think. She is one of the first people I met when we moved to this little town. She is funny and compassionate. She is a teacher extraodinaire. Oh, and she looks REALLY, REALLY good to be the mom of THREE teenage sons. You're holding up extremely well under the strain, Robin! You're one of the moms I watch to "see how it's done." And now, we'll get to know Robin a little better...

1. If your life was made into a movie, would it be considered (mainly) a comedy, drama, action/adventure or a romantic chick flick?

Romantic Comedy

2. What was your worst dating experience?

A blind date my sister fixed me up with because she wanted to go out with his brother. It was BAD! (You've got to love those sisters!)

3. How many siblings do you have, and where do you fall in the mix?

Two sisters. I am the middle child. (Couldn’t you tell?)

4. What is your courtship/engagement story?

Allen and I met at Samford University. We had Astronomy together. He was studying the stars, and I was studying the “heavenly bodies.” I like to say he got an “A” in the class, but I got what I wanted in the class. (Did I mention Robin is VERY honest?)

5. Use 5 adjectives to describe you (good or bad)?

Loyal, Loud, Fun, Capable, and (I have to use this one) Enchanting. (Hmmm. I thought I was the only enchanting... Hmmm.)

6. In as few words as possible, what is the most important lesson you want your children to know before leaving your home?

I want my children to know they are loved. Loved by their Dad and me, but most importantly by our Heavenly Father. And because of that love, we only want the best for them, so listen to us! Most importantly, listen to God, because He not only wants the best for them, but He KNOWS what is best for them.

7. Dog lover or cat lover?

Neither

8. If you could be any age (prior or later than now), what age would you pick?

Ninety years-old because then I can say what I want to and nobody would care. “Oh, don’t mind her, she is 90 you know.”

9. What is your favorite old hymn?

Too many to name.

10. What is your family's favorite meal you prepare?

The next one. (I loved this answer!)

Tune in Monday for MORE Robin!

Weekend Happenings

Short and sweet... time spent with friends and family, The Hope Quartet Concert Saturday night and getting ready for school next week. Christmas Vacation is almost over. (Heavy, heavy sigh!)

Have a great weekend. I'll be back Monday with tons of winter traditions, parties, dates, recipes and so much more.

Take care, and I'll talk to you Monday.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda