Spitting image

When we were getting pictures together for Matthew's big birthday bash earlier this month, I came across this picture of the Debster and her baby boy from 1980.


A couple things immediately stood out to me in this picture.

#1: Dear Lord look at that kid's head.

and

#2: I think I look like my mama in this picture!

I love when I come across pictures of my mother that I think looks like me.

I have always been told, for as long as I can remember really, that I look like my daddy.

I remember being told it as a child, and then as I grew up it continued. I never took it in a bad way (even though I was essentially being told I looked like a man, bless my heart). I actually loved when people would say it.

As you have probably gathered, I enjoy Big Al a great deal. Being told I was like him in anyway made me happy.

I really have always been my father's daughter. Read: Big Ham.


(To be clear, he never wore his mother's jazz pants/boots and his grandad's hat for no apparent reason. We have different methods of hamness.)

There have been more times than I can count when I've been somewhere and introduced myself (Hi. Jenna Tyson. Nice to meet you.) only to have someone I don't know say, "Well you MUST be Alan's daughter. There is no denying who your daddy is!"

I was even in Walmart a couple years ago and noticed a man staring at me as I tried to make decisions about cereal.

The man was older (probably my parents' age) and it wasn't a creepy stare - more like a "Do I know you?" gaze. I could see his wheels turning.

"You look familiar," the guy finally said. I was quite sure I had never met the man in my life. He played detective for a few minutes and asked me a bunch of questions trying to get information to see where our paths may have crossed.

(After re-reading that last part I know it seems like this conversation was recipe for a kidnapping, but trust me - it was a very safe encounter in which no lives were in danger.)

Finally he said, "Well, who are your parents?"

When I told him, he immediately got this relieved look on his face (the kind people get when they solve mysteries) and said, "Oh yes! That's what it is! I know Alan. Wow, you look JUST like him."

I mean, really?

The funny thing about it is that there are several people in my life who have ALWAYS said that I look exactly like my mother.

I always love it when this happens because 1.) My mama is quite pretty (and not at all a man like my other twin), and 2.) I find it so interesting how people can feel so passionately that someone looks EXACTLY like 2 people who are not related.

Marsha contends that I look like whomever I am standing next to. A perfect mix, she says.

I personally think as I get older, I am starting to favor my mother more. The "you must be Alan's daughter" comments are exceedingly less frequent, and upon seeing Deb and I together somewhere, people are increasingly commenting on how we must be sisters.

(That's for you, Mama.) :-)

Of course, when I look at The Debster, it is very clear to me that our features are really not the same. We have a different face shape (def. got these big cheeks from Al), we don't really have the same nose or chin, etc. etc.

But then I find a picture like this one of Mama and her little basketball-head boy.


I personally see the resemblance between the two of us, and all of a sudden my favorite past-time becomes holding it up to pictures of me to see if I think they match.

I hadn't really thought about that picture much since I first came across it early this month.

But it came back to mind this week while I was looking through all my pictures of Jayce's baptism. As I clicked through them on my computer there was one that struck me.


Can I get a witness??


Who do people say you look like?

Weekend: Part Dos

On Sunday morning, I rose bright and early so I could head out to Atlanta for Baby Jayce's baptism! Larisa told us about this big event a while back, and we were so excited to be a part of it! Ris was actually getting baptized along with the babe, so that made it even more special!

I had packed all my stuff Saturday night so I would make as little noise as possible to all the sleeping lake people I had been spending the weekend with.

Marlee, Jake, and I (and Phoebe) shared a room, so I had all my stuff right outside the door so I would not disturb my roomies. I even existed the room without Kujo going ballistic at the sound of a door opening.

(Phoebe likes the sound of her own bark).

I got ready as quickly and quietly as I could then me and my GPS took on the open road.

It was a very easy drive and soon I arrived to THIS little fellas house.


He was all ready to go be baptized!


Deb was already in ATL (she had gone up Saturday morning) so it was exciting to get there and join everyone for the fun.

Deb and DD. They need their own reality show.


One VERY special thing that happened before we left for the church was Larisa asking me to be Jayce's Godmother!!!! What an honor. I think Jayce was pretty happy about it.


Bless his heart - as if I wasn't going to be obnoxious enough about the child as it was.

We got to the church a little early and Baby J was just as happy as he could be. Here he is talking to his grandad.

"Say what? They are going to put water on my HEAD?"


Some of Jayce's supporters!


(Back row: Grandpa Dave, Auntie Sara, Papa Larry, Laura. Front Row: Nana (DD), Mama, Daddy, Cutest baby ever, Godmother (or as Alan later said - Godmaw), and Aunt Deb.)

Sweet little insert in the program.


Church was great and then it was time to bust out that Holy water. No matter the method - dunking, sprinkling, pouring.....there is nothing like a baptism. Thank you, Lord, for the significance of this act!

The pastor read some scripture and talked about what it meant to be baptized. Ris, Joel, and Joel's brother, Matthew, all stood up in the front.




First, he baptized Risa. So sweet and special.


Then it was time for Baby Jayce who was being so good and just taking it all in.


Praying.


As you know, praying leads to joy.


The pastor walked Jayce around the church for everyone to get a little look at him and he's sweetness. Jayce was just as still and precious as he could be - never even whimpered.


Congratulations Ris and Joel - you have created the perfect child.


Precious little angel! I can barely think over those cheeks yelling, "SQUEEZE ME."


Afterwards, Jayce couldn't keep his eyes off his baptizing partner.

"Mama! Getting baptized is fun!"




After everything was finished at the church, we raced home to get everything ready for all the guests coming over for lunch.

Part of the lunch crew.


We had SO many good things to eat!


It was all so beautifully delicious.

Everyone lining up for the blessing and to fix their plates.


BBQ, baked beans, salad, some 3-bean salad that Auntie Sara made (I want it at every meal I ever had from now til eternity), and all kinds of yummy desserts.


Joel's sister Sara (we love her!) and The Debster before taking part in the goodness before them.


Deeds and her friend, Nancy both worked hard in the kitchen.


Mama and I pose for our customary hug pic.


Matt, Joel, Chad (Joel BFF and Jayce's Godfather), and Dave (known to local babies as Grandpa).


Me, Ris, and her friend Kim (Jayce actually lucked out and scored TWO Godmothers. Lucky fella).


The little man of the hour finally woke up from his nap and was promptly passed around to all his adoring fans. There was a line. I almost had to start up a Holding Jayce Schedule.

Deb's turn!


She's obsessed.


As is someone else I know.


It was such fun time, and I'm so glad we got to be there to take part in such a special day!

Weekend: Part Uno

I don't mean to be picky, but is there any way we can get an extra day tacked onto weekends? I don't care if it's Monday or Friday, but something has got to give.

I have found many times this summer that 5:00pm on Friday to 8:00am on Monday cannot sufficiently hold all the good times that are available to be experienced.

This weekend was no different, but I took on the challenge of trying to cram a bunch of fun in a small amount of time.

I am glad to report that I succeeded. My first mission was a trip to the LAKE with the Hagans!

We took my car because I was going to have to leave early Sunday (for mission #2), so we loaded up after work on Friday. Marsha drove us girls in my car because she is the ultimate driver and also because she still holds the memory of me as a teenage driver and cringes.

You wreck 4 times in 2 years and you lose all respect forever.

Phoebe was excited! She passionately loves the lake.


I was so happy to be heading out with my peeps to enjoy some lake time because it was going to be the last time Mar Mar will go before heading off the college in a couple weeks.

(NOOOOOOO!)

Here's the little college cutie herself.


We had some good times on our little road trips. Marsha began the trip with the always scary phrase, "Ok so I have some thoughts about some things." (That could go down so many different ways, I cannot even tell you).

We laughed and laughed as Marsha shared all her many thoughts and we discussed all manner of things, many of which will never be discussed on this blog.

I did ask Marlee - "So, what are you MOST looking forward to about going off to college?"

She thought for a minute and then said with a smile - "Learning." The sad part is she was only half-joking.

"Oh my word" was the only response I could come up with.

Phoebe found our conversations to be very intriguing.


She did perk up with Marlee yelled, "I see Phoebe in the sky!"


We got to the lake right as the sun was going down. We hung out until the late hours laying on the couch, watching TV, and acting ridiculous. Pretty much we always do, just at a different, more beautiful location.

Saturday morning we lounged around for a while until finally suiting up for some boat time!


We had some pumped up individuals amongst us. Marlee for example.


And Jake. Oh to be as cool as The Jakester. It's my ultimate dream.


We followed the signs.


The guys, Matthew and Marco, heading to the water - wake boards in hand.


Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh.


Before we knew it, we were off! Captain Greg at the wheel.


Marco was very excited!


And yes, we know - Marco is very cute. He's the resident Honduran hottie of this bunch.

Marsha said she really wants me to take Marco somewhere and us pretend he is my new boyfriend and blow everyone away.

Here's my thought - why can't he just be my boyfriend???

I kid, I kid. He is way too young and way to hott for me. But we all thoroughly enjoy having both him and his brother Carlos around. Even though when Marsha made him sing the alphabet in Spanish I had to correct him when he forgot q (pronounced "coo").

"What about COO!?! You can't forget COO?!?!" I yelled. Always looking out for you, Q.

Marlee's boyfriend Matthew (yet another cutie) was up first on the skies. He makes it looks so easy.


Jake just being his cool self and taking it all in.


Marco was up next. He prefers to drink Coke while on the water.


And yes, all the muscles you see here are real.

The Precious joined us, of course!


After Marco skied, Matthew took another turn and then it was time for the moment of truth.

Last year, I had a bad experience with skiing. Nothing terrible happened other than me suffering from an extreme case of embarrassment as I had an epic failure on the water.

Nothing tests your pride like repeatedly not being able to even get up out of the water, falling time after time, and finally succumbing to your fate of skiing inadequacy.

But despite last year's trials, I decided I WAS going to try it again. Marsha gave me the "you can do it pep talk" and Matthew stayed in the water to get me all set up.

I got in position and told myself, "You can do it. You are not a loser."

I heard the engine roar and all of a sudden I was up!!!! On the first try! I almost fell over just from the shock of it. But I stayed up and had the best time!


(P.S. Don't look at those white legs too long, they'll burn your corneas).

(P.P.S. The pic above and the one below are both from the lens of my so-very-talented photog friend and boat-mate, Marsha.)

I finally had to just let go because I had a legitimate fear that my arms were actually going to fall off! SO FUN!

I was so proud of myself and it was awesome to get back on the boat and instead of, "good try" and "it's ok" to hear from Marsha "I'm so proud of you!!!" and from Jake and Matthew, "You're a beast."


I only have Jillian Michaels to thank for these little baby arm muscles that helped me achieve this goal.

Marlee was up next and the always sweet and helpful Matthew stayed in to help her, too.


This picture Marsha took of her daughter makes my life complete. "Marlee, you look like a little bunny on skies," I told her upon seeing it.


Marlee's ultimate skillz would later be shown on the wake board. (Another Moesha pic!)




Marlee and I post skiing.


Marco and Jake tried out the wake boards next.




Crazy kids. I don't know why they wanted to get in the water. It was only 200 degrees out there.




The thing I like most about the lake is that it's really just a place you can put your feet up and relax.


And where there is always a smile.....


...and a cool drink to be found.


I am so happy I have such sweet friends to bring me here! I feel like it's where I belong.


Even though weird children lurk about.


Ahhhhhhhhhhh.


We had fun that night piling up on the bed watching the movie "Friday Night Lights" (lots of jocks in this bunch - but it is a great movie) and looking at all of Marsha' pictures from the day.

Then Captain Greg turned into Chef Greg and cooked us a nice little feast.


We soon called it a night because we were exhausted. Even Marsha said she was ready for bed at 11pm. This from the woman who is known for staying up til 3 in the morning on a regular basis.

"You aren't what you used to be," I told her.

I had to get up EARLY the next morning to head to ATL for mission #2 of the weekend. It was for a very sweet reason having to do with this little punkin head.


To be continued....