Go Home Whitey and Other Advice from the Hood

About a year before Braxton and I moved into our neighborhood we had dinner with a friend that had moved in about 2 years prior. He was telling us about a time when he was walking down his street and a man called out "go home whitey." We laughed at the irony of the situation as this was our friend's home.  There is great advice given by neighbors here. Some warranted and some not so much.

A year later we found ourselves living in the same neighborhood and about six months later I found myself chasing a much younger and faster 10 year old who had just stolen Preston's scooter. About halfway around the block and completely out of breath, I was telling myself, "go home whitey." Good advice.

We have joked several times about how we should write a book on all the funny stories and things that people could not only enjoy but benefit from by our experience. I think I would title it Gunshots from the Lumber Yard. But that is another story albeit piece of advice for another day.

Definitely part of the book would have pictures. On several occasions we have seen things that you would not believe unless you could see it yourself. I recently told my friend Erin, "we will never be bored here."

For example:

This is a man on a horse. On our street. He lives here. In the middle of the city. The horse lives in his backyard. Our lots are roughly 50 X 150, not bad space for a swing set but maybe not so much for a full grown horse. You can't make this stuff up. I think this man's advice would be, "when gas is expensive, make the best of a bad situation. Buy a horse." No gas for a lawn mower, no gas for a car. I like to call him an economist.

Exhibit #2

Tuesday night as I arrived home from picking Bennett up from football practice this was the scene in our guest bathroom. Apparently Emma Sanders had emptied an entire bottle of her shampoo into the upstairs bathtub. And when a catalyst such as this is added to previously stopped up plumbing, well this is the result. I guess if you are going to have a toilet overflow, bubbles is better than the alternative.

Braxton was in the front yard with a flashlight and a wrench for the better part of an hour. Then because my husband is acutely aware of his strengths and weaknesses, he called a plumber.

Only in our neighborhood can you make enough noise with a plumber's snake to wake the dead at 9:30 at night and no one complains. Around here things are just getting crankin' about that time.

Turns out we were clogged up with close to an entire box of baby wipes. I like to call us multi-taskers. We clogged a toilet, provided free entertainment in the hood, and cleaned a bathroom floor all at the same time.

I think I am already working on my 2nd book, What you can't do in your neighborhood, you can definitely do in mine.

An Eagle, Crusader and a Turkey

An Eagle, crusader and a turkey all walked into a bar. Sounds like the beginning of a bad joke, doesn't it? 

Well the bar is not exactly right. More like all walked into a school.

Yesterday marked the first day of the 2011-2012 school year where all 3 of our children were in school for a full day. They were all excited and I was too. It was time. I love the summer and spending time in our PJ's watching movies, staying up late playing games but I also enjoy the serenity of everyone being in a routine and having a little schedule up in here. 

Preston is 13 and in 7th grade this year at ECS and they are the Eagles. He is proud to be an eagle. This is a new school for him and after being there a week and a half he is doing great. He told me last Friday night that he felt like he had known these guys all his life. Such an answer to prayer. He is playing football and is loving going to a co-ed school. I have not once had to ask him to brush his teeth or put on deodorant.

Each year Braxton gives our kids a word for the school year. We talk about the word throughout the year at dinner or different times. It starts great conversations with them and we are able to talk about how they used their word or how they saw their word in action for that day or week. Braxton does a great job on his blog explaining it http://www.strategicdads.com/blog

Preston's word for this year is example. We want him to be an example to others in his words and actions.

Bennett is 8 and in the 2nd grade this year. He is at PDS and they are the Crusaders. He moved to the upstairs hallway this year which is where his dad is. He is so excited and told Braxton the other day, "dad, I will just be able to drop by your office anytime." I love it, like they are co-workers and he can just pop in his office for coffee or lunch. I'm sure Braxton will have a conversation with him about the frequency of just "dropping in." Bennett is playing flag football this year and loves it. 

Bennett's word for the year is respect. We want him to be respectful to authority and to learn a respect for others as he puts others ahead of himself.

 

Emma is starting school for the first time this year. She is 3 and in Pre K at SMS. They are the Turkeys. She so far loves school. She is only going 3 days a week, and LOVES it. She was hilarious the first day. Emma how was your day? "Mom, it was like 5 minutes and that girl with the orange hair and blue dress pushed me." Emma how did you respond? "I asked her to please not push me again." That was great Emma, did you use your word that daddy gave you, kind? "Yes." "Mom, can I change my word?"

She has now decided she wants to have the word polite. I think we will stick with kind and hopefully by the end of the year she will have grown into it. :)

We are excited about a great new school year. Braxton received a new title at PDS. He is now the Director of the Building Boys Making Men Institute, he will remain as the Chaplain and Bible teacher as well. I am so proud of him. He works really hard and is a great teacher, father and husband. 

An Eagle, Crusader and a Turkey walked into a school. And behind them stood a momma with a tear on her cheek and a smile on her face. It was going to be a good year.

Summer's End

The summer is winding down here at the Brady house. School supply shopping, buying new shoes, kids arguing on a constant basis, going to orientations at schools, football practice starting, kids arguing on a constant basis, filling out my new August to August calendar, going over schedules for the fall, did I mention kids arguing on constant basis?

It has been a great summer. And my kids have all really gotten along well until this last week. A sign that it is time, time for everyone to go back to their corners and start school!

Here are a few highlights from the Brady '11 Summer:

Preston traveled with two friends to Chattanooga for a Lacrosse camp. First time to go to camp that far away. He had a great time and learned a lot about Lacrosse.

Bennett went to Victory Ranch for a week, this was his 3rd summer to go to camp there but the first time to go without his big brother being there.

4th of July party in our neighborhood. So fun, thanks to the Parkinsons for hosting this year. We really enjoyed the fellowship and pray that it will continue to grow! 

Braxton and Preston traveled to Honduras for a week. A father son missions trip with our church. It was an amazing experience and they both came back changed forever.

Me, Bennett, Emma and my mom traveled to Starkville to visit my brother and his wife for a few days. It was fun to see their new apartment and spend sometime with them there!

Our entire family traveled to Santa Rosa Beach, FL at the end of July. All 5 of us, my mom (Nanach), my sister Lauren, her husband Andy, the best nephew ever Wyatt or Super Wy, and my brother Ross and his wife Anne Todd. It was so fun! The first time we have ever done this. What a great time, lots of great memories of eating great food, playing fun games and watching hilarious Youtube videos. We hope to do it again next year.

Oh and I can't forget one of the greatest memories of the summer was going with two of our greatest friends and neighbors in the world, Brian and Erin to see Back Street Boys and New Kids on the Block. Awesome memory I will never forget.

We look forward to a great fall. Preston and Bennett are playing football and Emma Sanders is starting PreK!

Thank you Lord for a great summer, we are grateful for the rest, playing and traveling. And Dear Lord we now especially thank you for the schedules, routines and schools. Momma loves her some routine!

So Big

 

When our kids were about 11 months old we could say "so big" and they would reach their arms into the sky and just grin. Truth is they were really so big to us then but little did we know that within the blink of an eye "so big"  turns into standing eye level with you with a size 9 shoe and weighing in at 103 lbs. 

July 14,2011 Preston turned 13.  It is hard to believe. One of his favorite t.v. shows is Man vs. Food so for his birthday he wanted to go to Kooky Canuck where he had seen a recent episode of the show filmed. If you have never seen Man vs. Food it is this guy who goes around the country and does food challenges. Kooky Canuck has just one of those challenges. The burger pictured above is called the King Kookamanuga and if you and a friend eat the 6lbs of beef with bread and side in under 60 min you get it for free. 

It didn't happen. 6 people split the burger and still could not finish it. It was crazy big, but to wash it all down we also ordered the Birthday Avalanche which consist of 18 scoops of ice cream with all the toppings. 

They even give you these cool glasses to wear and take your picture to be put on their website. It really was fun. 

This morning Braxton and Preston left for Honduras on a missions trip. They are going to spend a week with POI ministries in Honduras doing everything from playing with kids at an Orphanage to building a home for a widow and her children. I am excited for them and truthfully a little bit jealous. I know it is going to be an awesome trip and God is going to use it in mighty ways. 

Preston is kind, thoughtful, hard working and funny. He brings much joy to our family. We are so proud of the young man he is becoming. Yesterday he told me he was a little nervous about the trip, mainly his fears were in the plane ride. We talked about the story in the Bible where the disciples go across with Jesus in a boat and a huge storm comes up. The disciples are fearful and wake a sleeping Jesus for help. Jesus calms the storm and then talks to the disciples about their faith. 

Preston looked at me and said, "I get it, Jesus is in control." Exactly. 

Preston, you are a joy and delight as a son. We love you and have loved watching you grow over these past 13 years. You really are "so big."

Where's the Love?

This morning I sat down for a few minutes to watch the news. This past Sunday while our family was at a redbirds game there was a tragedy across the street at a hotel. A Memphis police officer and another man were shot and killed. In my opinion part of the reason this is such a great tragedy is that the people of Memphis have become numb to this type of situation. I heard several comments from fans at the baseball game, "typical Memphis," "it figures another Memphis murder," or even "this isn't even breaking news anymore, it is just Memphis news."


At some level and with a repentant heart I say I am guilty of feeling some of these things myself. I have thought a lot about it the past couple of days and have watched the news off and on to find out the latest details. Partly due to just plain curiosity and partly due to my heart feeling heavy for everyone concerned.

It seems that officer Timothy Warren was a Christian man who loved his Savior, family and this city. I am grateful for men like him in our city and sad for the loss of his life. I pray that somehow through this some good will be found and God will be glorified.

As I flipped on the news this morning there was an interview with a Memphis woman who is a singer/songwriter. She was singing a song called "Wears the Love" As I listened to the words it made me think about the past few days and where my heart is.

I strongly believe that if you are a believer in Jesus it is our call to "wear the love." This city is hard and sometimes hard to love but if you put on the love of Jesus it becomes much easier. I think Timothy Warren understood this and lived his life as a testimony to it.

Where's the love? Something I am going to start asking myself more often. Where's the love for this city, my fellow neighbor and the world?

Jill Dyson is the artist of this song and if you download on itunes today part of the proceeds go to a ministry that she supports to bring young children from other countries to LeBonheur in Memphis for life saving surgeries. You can read more about it here http://sweetshirtbyjilldyson.wordpress.com/2011/06/20/monday-stories-wears-the-love-the-story-behind-the-song/

Great song with a great reminder. Thank you Jill Dyson for the reminder and thank you officer Timothy Warren for wearing the love so much that you gave your life to protect our city.

Smiles like this

Last week started the first of three weeks of May craziness. Just that busy time that is jammed packed with recitals, school programs, sports banquets, end of year parties....the list goes on. It is an exciting time as we end the school year of 2010-2011. Especially for us this year because Preston is graduating from 6th grade and from PDS. We are so proud of him. He has worked hard and had a great work ethic with a grateful heart during his PDS career. We are excited about what the future holds for him as he enters Jr High and High School.  His Sports Banquet was last week. He has played Football, Basketball and Soccer as a PDS Crusader. He received a medal for playing all 3 sports, plus he received an award for best offensive player on the basketball team. You are an incredible young man Preston, we love you. And for the record when you are looking back on these pictures you chose that haircut not us.

 

We also had our first musical recital in the Brady household this past week. Bennett started taking guitar lessons in January and has done great! We are not sure where his musical ability comes from but he definitely has it. He is really doing well. He did tell me on the way to the recital that he was nervous he might "freeze up." Luckily for him there was a well placed piano and lectern right in front and unless you were 6 ft tall no one could see you playing. So no freezing up. He played Ode to Joy, and though no one could see his face or body during the actual song, I was able to snap this shot before he performed. Bennett you are such a blessing to our family. You are kind and sensitive. Great qualities in a young man. We love you and can't wait to see you live out your dream of being the next American Idol. 

We spent Saturday at Madji's soccer game. Madji is a great soccer player and we enjoyed getting to see him play. Our doorbell was ringing bright and early on Saturday morning with him telling us the time and location of his game. I naturally grabbed my camera just like I do for my kids events and we headed to the fields. Madji lit up with that bright grin the minute he saw us. We cheered him on and even though his team lost he never lost that winning smile. He is so sweet and cheerful.

This is Madji's brother Amour cheering with Bennett. Amour is one of the brothers that Braxton takes to the bus stop each morning. He is shy and quiet most of the time. Until he gets around my boys and they just laugh and laugh together. Amour is quite the soccer player as well.

After the game my kids rushed the field to hug Madji and tell him good game. Madji plays goalie and he wanted my boys to try to get one past him. It was fun to watch. I was telling one of my aunts yesterday that my kids have no idea how different life is for Madji and his family. I think they are starting to slowly understand but what warms my heart the most is to watch my kids treat Amour, Madji, Lerah, Imelda, Pulcherie, Leraeni, Laureen, and Larissa just like family.

For me to bring my camera to a sporting event, for people to be cheering my kids on, for Braxton to have a pep talk with one of them after the game, that is just our normal. My prayer as we live and love on our neighbors is that it can become part of their normal as well.

If you look closely at the picture below you can see Madji's grin as Braxton tells him what an great athlete he is what, what a smart boy he is and how proud we are of him. And nothing in the world can compare to smiles like this.

Shattered Glass

This past week was a little bit of a trying one in our neighborhood. It was also one full of lessons and reminders of exactly why we live here. One of our new next door neighbors Madji has become fast friends with our kids. He is 11 and plays outside with our boys almost everyday. This past week Madji along with our boys learned a valuable lesson on grace.

Wednesday afternoon Bennett, Preston and Madji were playing in our front yard. At some point they,  being boys, decided it might be a fun idea to hit rocks with tennis rackets. Bad decision. Madji hit a couple of rocks up and they went perfectly into our other neighbors car window. Picture above :(.

Braxton and I went outside to talk to Madji and the car owner. Madji was visibly shaken and was worried about what his mom would do. Madji's mom came outside and we explained what happened. My boys were watching from the front door and then without us knowing they ran upstairs and emptied both of their piggy banks. Preston and Bennett ran outside holding a ziplock full of money saying, "Mom, here take our money, please pay for the window. We don't want Madji to get in trouble.

Braxton then tells Madji's mom that we will pay for the window we will take the punishment for Madji. Madji then collapsed into Braxton's arms crying. In fact we were all crying. Even the car owner.

It was a beautiful picture of grace. Paying a debt we did not owe. My boys giving without being asked. The car owner even took a very minimal amount of money saying he would go get a piece of glass and fix the window himself.

That night as we tucked the boys in we talked about grace and how that is exactly what Jesus did for us.

I'm glad it happened. I'm glad my boys and Madji got a true picture of grace. Of what it looks like when Jesus takes the shattered glass in our lives and makes it whole again.