My Own Sorority

WE'RE FAMOUS!!!

2012-02-02T16:59:00.002-06:00

Well, ok, not really. But for a split second we are!!!

We video'd a spot of 'Passing the Sub across America' for Jimmy Fallon and we MADE IT!!

Fast forward to 2:32 and DO NOT BLINK or you'll MISS IT! LOL

PLEASE HELP.

2012-01-28T01:26:00.000-06:00

My great friend, Leslie Neal, is in an unfamiliar hotel room tonight with her husband (Reggie) and children (Morgan (6) and RJ (8.5 mos) due to their apartment being destroyed earlier today by fire.

I'm to understand that everything is at a total loss. Who knows how long they'll be there.

So, after taking advice from another dear friend, I've tried to imagine their daily lives and what is needed to go through it.

For right now, with them being at a hotel room, I would assume they'd need the immediate necessities:

Diapers (size 4), wipes, Infamil AR formula, bottles and any Gerber Level 2 foods for the baby.

Shampoos, soaps, deodorants, face cleansers, mouthwash, toothbrushes/pastes, brushes, ponytail holders, etc.

Washing detergent, dryer sheets, clothes basket, rolls of quarters for the washers/dryers/vending machines.

Snacks, drinks, cups, paper plates, restaurant gift cards, WalMart gift cards, etc.

Morgan, the 6yo daughter, attends Sudduth Elementary so any uniform clothing (khaki, black, gold, white) would be very helpful. She wears a size 7/8 and a size 1 shoe. Of course, any other clothing would be wonderful, too! Pjs, jeans, shirts, socks, dresses, shoes. ANYTHING to help her feel at normal.

RJ, the 8.5mo son, wears anything 18-months in size. Again, size 4 diapers. Socks, booties, pjs, etc. Infamil AR formula, bottles.

Leslie, my friend, told me XL (I'm assuming for the tops) for her and I haven't a size for pants. Maybe a size 12? I'll check.

And same with Reggie. Leslie told me he wears 2XL but I'm assuming that's just for the shirts. I'll ask about pants size. And shoes, etc.

But honestly, probably gift cards might be best for them. They both work full-time and will need casual attire. Pjs, underwear, socks, etc.

As they begin to move into another home, everything would be needed.

My friend Michelle has already donated a TV, microwave, pots and pans.

If you know of anyone who has ANY FURNISHINGS just collecting dust or getting in the way, INBOX ME.

I will personally hook up the trailer and come get it.

Furniture, towels, glasses, dishes, silverware, lamps, rugs, beds, mattresses, clothes, ANYTHING!!!!

They're starting over, friends.

Yes, insurance will help....but they will need even bigger help from US to start their recovery from here.

If you have ANYTHING...no matter how small you might think it is...even down to a clothes hamper or pillow, PLEASE LET ME KNOW and I'm on my way.

But as you know, for right now, the best way to help them would be $$$$$$$ and GIFT CARDS.

I've provided PayPal information here if you'd like to donate to the Neal Family Fund.

My cell number is 662-694-0279.

Call anytime.

24/7.

To make a payment to my personal PayPal account, please log in at paypal.com, go to 'Pay Now' and enter in my email address of mcfamilyof6@yahoo.com.

I will put the money to however you wish...whether it's straight cash or a gift card. Drop me a note and let me know if any specifics.

Thanks and God bless.

Lisa B. McReynolds

Hope it does the trick.

2012-01-27T12:32:00.004-06:00

About five years ago, Presley and I were at Dandy Doodlez here in town and one of the cutesy college-aged girls came to our table to see if we needed anything.
We politely told her no, but thanks for asking.
And as I saw her walk off, I was thinking, 'OH MY GODDDDDDDD, what is THAT on your feet???'
So, then, (you know me!) I yodeled out to her, "OH MY GODDDDDDDD, what is THAT on your feet???"
Laughing, she turned around and came back to us and explained:
"They're called Vibram shoes. My dad wears them for better back and leg support and thinks they're the most comfortable shoes he's ever worn. So I ordered some. And he's right! They are the most comfortable shoes ever."
Wow, but were they ugly. (Probably one of the first models made...improvements were surely to come?) But Presley and I were oh-so intrigued. But forgot all about them after that day, really.

Fast-forward to two summers ago when the family and I went to Disneyworld.
As were finishing up our day at Animal Kingdom, dragging ass, about to die at the shuttle stop to go back to the resort, I spotted a dad wearing them. Toting one child, holding hands with another. Looking all refreshed like 'just another day at the park'.
So, of course I asked him about them.
"I LOVE them. Most comfortable shoe I've ever owned."
Hmph.

Fast-forward to this week as my friend, Karen, is now wearing some lovely purple ones. (So cute and robotic looking!)
And guess what?
She 'likes' them....but she's still trying to get used to the whole 'in-between the toe' thing.

Well, you know me, I researched them because I'm in dire need of something that will be comfortable while walking/running. And my FAVORITE shoes (my Under Armors, my trusty 3-day, 60-mile Breast Cancer walk friends) have about seen their better days. I've studied up on all research on 'barefooting' being better for you in tons of ways you never thought about. I mean, how easy was it for you to run barefooted as a child?
Think about it!

So. Say hello to my early birthday present to myself.

Not as ugly as the Dandy Doodlez chick's Vibram's, but not the prettiest either.
(They do come in other styles, colors but they're for sho-nuff outdoors enthusiasts. Maybe one day.

I'll let you know how it goes after my break-in period that you have to do.
Promise!

FunnyButNiceEyeDoctorSayWHUTTT?

2012-01-26T13:47:00.003-06:00

Sometime last semester, the twins got reports sent home about their recent eye testings at school.

Sydney's said everything was A-OK.
Sam's said, "Suggested further testing."

Hmph. Ok.

So, I made Samantha an appointment with Dr. Ford.
It was EMBARRASSING how she zipped right through the exam.
No hesitations. Passed with an A+++.
He sweetly said, ''She SO doesn't need to be here.''

So, we both thought that maybe the reports were switched.
"Well, Lisa. It won't hurt for you to bring Sydney in. Just to get an exam anyway."

I've never heard any complaints from Sydney regarding her eyes. Nor from her teacher.
But, I took her to get her eyes checked yesterday anyway.

She did really well.
"Brighter. Yes. Clear. The same. Z, L, T, C, E. Clearer. Same. Yes."
Then it came.
The dreaded pauses and 'Um's.

"Um......Z.....E....um...huh....um...O?"

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh nooooooooooooooooooooo.

Dr. Ford came in to see her and said that it musta been Syd all along.
Case of the Mistaken Identity Twin.

He says her eyesight may get better with time....that she only needs them right now for reading.
(She fell in love with her new 'PEZ' glasses! lol)

Funny thing is, Syd coulda cared less about getting them, but didn't act thrilled.
Samantha BEGGED for them and is PO'd that she is NOT getting glasses and Sydney did!
I'm gonna have to go buy Sam some faux glasses just so she'll hush!!!

SN: Her daddy had to get his eyes checked a couple of weeks ago, too. Guess who else has bad eyes and is now wearing contacts? Glasses weren't 'cool'.

Happy anniversary to me.

2012-01-18T13:49:00.001-06:00

Bobby's new hobby.

2012-01-18T12:33:00.004-06:00

My almost-40-year-old husband, who usually acts like he's almost-80, has taken up woodworking. And I'll have to admit, he's pretty damn good at it with what little tools he has at home to work with. (though more tools and machines keep mysteriously popping up at our house and in my kitchen)
I have a feeling that this is going to become a bigger thing than just piddling...and I even joke that him and his buddy Tate Fischer are gonna have a booth at a festival soon.
(though Coach says *I* will be included, too...um....I'm not so sure about that)

Here are a few examples of his (unfinished/unpainted) works so far:

The other afternoon, I left the house to take Presley to church for youth and to run a few errands. And when I left, baby Sydney was out back with her daddy 'woodworking'. When I returned, I peeped out the backdoor and told her she needed to come inside and clean up her room with her sisters before Bella could come over.

'Not now, Mama. I will in a minute. I'm making something.'
I told her, 'Sydney...y'all will NOT have company until y'all clean up that room. When you get done, come inside as soon as you're finished.'
'Yes, mama. I will.'

And she did.

And sadly, I didn't even stop two seconds to see what she'd been working on.

Audrey took a picture of it and sent it to me on my phone:

I was pissed I hadn't gone out to see what she was working on. Not that she'd asked me to, but I still should've taken two seconds to take a look. Shown some interest.

And I love you, too, Sydney. More than you'll ever know....more than I could possibly ever show.

Young friendships.

2012-01-17T08:31:00.004-06:00

This past weekend, we had four different girls come in/out of our house for two different sleepovers.
The first night made for seven girls in my house. With 7x the laughter.
The second night made for just one extra for a total of five girls in my house. With 5x the sweetness.
And on a completely unrelated night, I helped chaperone with some of my great friends at Youth Game Night at our church from 8p-midnight. Fun x 200.

On these nights I watched and realized how I wished more adults acted 'childlike' with their friendships.
These young girls sit crammed together in one oversized chair so they can giggle and read and color and play games together. They're that comfortable.
They lovingly hug on each other and hold hands even.
They look into each others eyes as they talk to one another.
They can play wheelbarrow games with the biggest of trust.

Why don't we as adults do that?
I wondered about that question. And the only answers I could come up with were maybe it was a 'personal space' issue? maybe some adults weren't brought up to be huggy/lovey people? maybe it's 'creepy' now that we're 'mature'?

Sad.

These kids seemed so genuinely happy.
And most adults do not.

I read a quote the other day...
"Great is the man who has not lost his childlike heart."

I believe it.

Forgiveness.

2012-01-15T14:26:00.002-06:00

Today's Sunday school lesson was about forgiveness.
And as that word was thrown around our classroom, you could see and hear and feel the people who 'get it'. And those who don't. Or those who 'get it' but struggle with it.
I fall into two of those categories: the 'I get it' and the 'I get it but struggle with it'.

I 'get' forgiveness. And 99.5% of the time, it's so super simple for me.
Really.
Then there's another .5%, two separate cases in my life, where I've struggled with it.

I'm glad to post here that one of those cases I've come to resolution with. Totally.
After time has gone by and things have evolved, I've learned that this person truly probably didn't mean to hurt me; she was brought up that way and only knows how to hurt. I've heard way too many stories of her upbringing and that yes, that's just her and all she knows.
If I were to see her today, I'd smile and say 'hi' and be ok with it.
Honestly.

The other case I have NOT come to resolution with.
Until today.
Fully.
In our class today we discussed that 'forgiveness' and 'reconciliation' do not have to parallel with each other. You can FORGIVE someone but that doesn't mean you have to reconcile. You can still forgive while removing yourself from the situation.

Also I learned that 'forgiveness' makes you the bigger person....that the other person who hurt you so deeply? Is NOT affected by you NOT forgiving them at all. A person who hurt you that badly does not have a conscience and could care less.

Did you get that???
For the first time...I GET IT.

If someone hurts you and shows no remorse about it...doesn't care about fixing it...(which hurts the most, if you ask me)...
they have no conscience.
And aren't hurt by you not being in their lives.
Because if they did care about you, they would still be around.

So. Forgive them and let them go.

Toxic people don't know any better.
They'll find someone else to hide things from and lie to.
And it doesn't have to concern you anymore.

So today I'm gonna start the forgiveness process within myself dealing with someone who hurt me and my family a few years ago.
Someone who didn't think I (or my family) was worthy of reconciliation.
Someone who really wasn't a friend to begin with, now that I think of it.

Forgiveness.
Such an easy word to say....such a hard act to do.

But I'm better than her.

I forgive her.
Today.
And I'm moving on.

Grab a chair and sit a spell.

2012-01-11T09:21:00.009-06:00

This will probably be my hardest post to date, but you knew it was coming, right? Some of you have been waiting on it, I know. Just as I've been wanting to put it all down. But. As happy of an occasion as it is/was, it's tough for me to even grasp the words for this one.
So. Here goes. :)

When I was in high school, I dated a guy, the SAME guy, for almost four years. As crazy as it is for me to even type that, now that I look back, that even sounds crazy. 'I dated a guy, the SAME guy, for almost four years'. That's my high school career. I dated no one else. Really? For four years? Wow. Stupid. Hindsight, ya know?
Anyway, I was madly in love with this boy. No matter what my parents thought or said or how they tried to convince me otherwise, I was convinced he was the guy I was going to spend the rest of my life with. We were going to go to college together, marry, have a family, and live happily forever after.
Well, that all came to a halt when I told him the news that a few of those steps were possibly out of order at the time.
Yep, after graduating high school and going into my freshman year of college, I was pregnant.
And scared.
And dreading telling anyone.
At all.
But, ironically, after my parents were disappointed and then the MOST HELPFUL AND SUPPORTING parents ever, the four-year boyfriend could've cared less. Told me, 'I can't tell my dad this'. And basically told me I was on my own...my problem.
My mom and I moved to Memphis for the summer of 1986 after setting up arrangements through an adoption lawyer there. Despite why we were there, it was an ok summer. It may not have been for my mom, being uprooted from her home and husband in Clarksdale, but I hung out at the pool a lot and just was a bum, basically.
Kendall was born July 31st, 1986. I remember waking up that morning with just some stomach pains...nothing too terrible...to later on being prepped for a C-section. And let me tell you, that C-section at 18 is something I'll never forget, even after 3 more to follow in later years. :)
He was beautiful. Sandy blonde hair, FAT cheeks, and such a sweetness to him.

And he was mine.
For three days.

And then gone...forever.

I was told by the adoptive parents through mediation of the lawyer that they would always let baby K know that he was adopted. That they would keep up with me here and there on him.
I received a picture of him when he was about four or five, I believe, and that was it.

I know this sounds so cliche', but there was not a single day since 7/31/86 that I have not thought about that child.

There were numerous different occasions I wanted to contact him. There were dreams of meeting him again. There were conversations in my head about what we'd talk about.
Would he hate me?
Would he even want to meet me?
Would he ever understand?
Would I if I were in his position?
Should I even try?

I talked about all of this to my best friend since kindergarten and she was on a mission with me.
'Lisa! We WILL find this child!!! Do NOT give up!'
I honestly believe that without Debbie's cheerleading and support and love, I wouldn't be typing this today:
In January of 2011, I wrote the adoption lawyer a letter telling him I desperately wanted my son to know I was thinking of him, wanting to meet him, and had never let him go in my mind.

Months went by.
No reply.
No call.
No email.
Nothing.

Did the lawyer give the family my letter?
Did the family throw it away?
Did they tell Kendall and he could've cared less?

I told Debbie, "I guess that's my answer. I tried."
I couldn't blame him.
Why after almost 25 years would he want to meet me?

Every morning as I get ready, I'll kinda skip around on my phone through Facebook stuff, emails, the weather, etc. Just piddling and procrastinating. One morning, May 23, 2011, at 6:15, I opened up my Yahoo account and I saw an email from a 'k*****@aol.com' (email not complete here, folks!) and it was entitled 'Life Project #2'.
I was *this close* to deleting it.
What in the heck is this 'k**** Life Project #2' email?

"Hi Lisa, It has been a very interesting, exciting, and emotion-filled evening for me I must say," was the first line.
And I STILL was thinking...what is this all about???
and then it hit me like I'd been struck by lightning when I read, "The ironic thing is that I told my girlfriend a couple of years ago that when I turned 25, I was going to reach out and search for my birthparents...."

Let me tell you something about me: I am NOT GOOD with panic situations.
And THIS was a panic situation for me.
I IMMEDIATELY closed the email.
I'm sitting on my bed, getting ready for a work day, my other children are in and out, and OH MY GOD?!?! What if the rest of the email is bad??? What if he is telling me he doesn't want anything to do with me??? What if he's telling me to go to hell? OHHHHHH MYYYYYYY GODDDDDDD, I cannot read this right here, right now.
And no lie, I forwarded it to Debbie and then texted her, "Go check your f'in email, RIGHT NOW!!!" (Now remember this is before 6:30 in the morning.)

I had to get my kids to school.
I could NOT have a breakdown yet.
I hadn't read the complete email.

I got the three little ones to school and then I told Presley (who knew about him), "Presley. I have something to tell you. I got an email from my son this morning. And I'm kinda freaking out about it. Will you please read it and tell me if it's good or bad? If it's bad, I can't read it. Don't read it OUT LOUD, but READ IT!!!"
I told you. I was a MESS.

So, Presley's riding in the car, quietly reading, smiling, and grabs my hand and says, "Mama. It's good. I swear. It's ALL good."

I hadn't read it and was in tears. OH MY GOD, I've got to get to work where I can close my door and read this and cry if need be in my own space.

And she's right.
It was alllllll goooooood.
It was MORE than good; it was PERFECT.

Needless to say, we began emailing daily there for a while. We wrote about our similarities, backgrounds, lives, etc.
He made me laugh, cry, wonder, reminisce, and believe in miracles again.

On December 30, 2011 he literally rounded the corner back into my life.
I saw that handsome face again and melted.
I was a mess. But a good mess.
When I hugged him, I didn't want to let go.
And this time I won't.
My daughters met their half-brother and fell in love.

"Will you come live with us?" asked Samantha.
"I have to go back to Nashville to my job!" smiled Kendall sweetly.

The girls have talked about him non-stop since.
Audrey even texts him almost daily.
They're in love with him, too.

Then on New Year's Eve, Bobby and I met up with him and his beautiful girlfriend, Emily, in New Orleans. They were nice to hang out with our old selves, but I really think they had a good time, too. They're such sweet, loving, laid-back, accepting people. Bobby fell in love with him, too, of course.
As Kendall walked away that night, Bobby said, "Lisa. I LOVE him!!"

I do, too. And have for 25 years now.

My year could not have ended any better or more peaceful.
I finally feel complete.

Oh when the Saints...come marching in....

2012-01-10T19:25:00.001-06:00

My sweet husband gave me tickets to a Saints game and a New Year's Eve trip to New Orleans for Christmas and I couldn't have been more thrilled. We had the time of our lives!!

Thanks, honey! I cannot WAIT to go back!

Happy 2012!!!

2012-01-10T17:41:00.000-06:00

I honestly do not see how 2012 can be better than 2011 was to my family and me, but I'm ready to find out what all it has in store!

Happy New Year!!!

Christmas in pictures.

2012-01-10T15:10:00.000-06:00

Annual Santa Cookie Makin'

2012-01-10T13:56:00.002-06:00

Needless to say, Santa LOVED them. :)

The Big Guy showing off.

2011-12-20T11:16:00.000-06:00

One of my best friends was on .... ELLEN??

2011-12-19T19:19:00.000-06:00

This girl...Michelle...is beyond amazing.
She came into my life a few years ago and I've been nothing but blessed with her friendship since. She, too, is the mother of four children: a set of triplets (Hannah, Hollise and Houston) and baby brother Andrew.
Just recently Michelle started working in my building, so now we're able to see each other even more.
She is truly one of a kind and I love her more than she'll ever know.

My work buddy.

2011-12-19T16:28:00.000-06:00

I snuck LuLu into my office one afternoon.
Hers was good company.
:)

My other daughter's art.

2011-12-19T15:11:00.000-06:00

My fifth daughter-from-another-mother, Flannery, drew this one night.
Though it's a cute portrait, the narration that went with it was priceless.
"Bobby is all like 'heeyyyyy' and I'm all like 'heeeyyyyy' back at him; Presley has a big o' booty listenin' to her iPod; Mom is all like 'what is wrong with these PEOPLE?' and I'm all like 'Gimme the food and candy and don't ask me for any' and ooooh there's Sha-LuLu".
Guess you had to be there.
Love my Flan.

This is how Santa comes to MY house.

2011-12-19T15:02:00.000-06:00

...though I thought it was funny the postman left the tub, too. :)

Merry Christmas from our little home to yours!

2011-12-19T13:45:00.001-06:00

This is usually our flag pole outside! :) Bobby did ALL of the outside decor!

I let the kids completely decorate the tree this year. I think they did a great job!

Experiencing Bethlehem

2011-12-19T12:45:00.001-06:00

Our church (FUMC-Starkville) hosted the 2nd annual 'Experiencing Bethlehem' this Advent season. I was asked by my best friend Melanie to help with wardrobe and costuming and let me tell you: being there for three days in a row I was absolutely AMAZED and what all this production entails. From the planning meetings, construction, costumes, dinners, portrayals, to the final debut, it is a site to behold. It is one of our most popular-attended events at FUMC and I can certainly see why.

What? Snow?!?!

2011-12-19T11:02:00.000-06:00

We actually had a snowfall on December 7th! Can you believe it?
No, it didn't stick....maybe in January?

Meet my friend, Tripp!

2011-12-19T09:24:00.003-06:00

This sweet baby came in to visit while I was at Salon 28.
Bobby would've loved for me to have kidnapped him and brought him home.

Congratulations to the SHS YellowJackets!

2011-12-01T15:38:00.007-06:00

My daughter plays in the SHS band.
My friend helps coach the SHS football players.
My family loves them all like family.
The band, the players, the coaches, the players' and coaches' families.

So, we are VERY excited to go to Jackson on December 3 (with our church family on the FUMC bus) to watch the SHS YellowJackets take on Picayune in the 5A
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME!!

Coach Tate Fischer I'm sure 'explaining' how it needs to be done. :)

My high school classmate/Clarksdale friend Eddie Myles' wife, Andrea cheering on....

her baby, Gabe, #5. :)

Starkville High vs. Ridgeland in the playoffs 11/25/11

One of the players scribbled this pretty quickly in the last few seconds of the game. :)

My beautiful Presley with her bandmates.

I love this family to pieces.

Awesome pic of Tate and Danny in the on-field celebration.

GO JACKETS!!

Happy 9th birthday, Audrey!

2011-11-28T12:06:00.003-06:00

What does a 9-year-old princess's birthday party look like?
An overnight trip with best friends and sisters to a nice hotel in Tupelo for 24 hours of Chuck E. Cheese, swimming, supper, Happy Feet 2, gourmet breakfast, and tons and tons of giggles.

I really don't know who had more fun....them, or me?

Thank God for hard-headed people.

2011-11-14T12:52:00.000-06:00

Harrison and his dad, Ken

Samantha's boyfriend, Harrison, has been dealing with a lot the last week.
His dad, Ken, was shot in an accidental hunting accident.
He's currently in ICU in Jackson and listed still as critical, but stable.
When he was airlifted to Jackson last Monday night, I've been told he was given a 5% chance of survival. I heard the fear in Melanie's voice as she called on her way to Jackson.

Um, he's too hard-headed for that, thank you.

We've been so worried this past week about everyone involved ~
Harrison of course. It's his dad. His hero. His best buddy.
Melanie. Though they're divorced, they're friends of course. And she definitely doesn't want to raise Harrison without him.
Ken's parents.
Ken's sister, Margaret.
And mainly his friend, Jeffery, who's having a very hard time with this.
Please pray for everyone.

The Get Well quilt that Harrison's teacher got his class to make for Mr. Ken.