Happy Birthday, Harrison!

What a great day we had celebrating Harrison's 10th birthday Thursday, June 23rd. We enjoyed a long visit in the toy store, while Harrison spent his birthday money, then headed to a newly opened steak restaurant in our area.

Harrison didn't know what else to do except comply as the restaurant's wait staff suddenly gathered around him and told him to sit on the saddle that seemed to appear from nowhere. We all cheered in excitement as they shouted to the restaurant patrons that Harrison was turning 10 and they requested that everyone give him a big "YEEHAW!" What fun!

A family tradition that the kids never let us forget is the retelling of the birth story as each child celebrates his or her birthday.

One memorable part of Harrison's birth story is when I realized (late at night and very anxiously) that I was farther along in the labor than I thought and I feared I'd deliver at home unexpectedly.

As Timmy talked with the midwife on the phone, she suggested he call an ambulance to transport me to the nearest hospital instead of the birthing center I had chosen. When Timmy hung up, I insisted he not call an ambulance but instead drive me quickly to the hospital himself. Although reluctant to disregard the midwife's instructions, he agreed to drive me but said we needed to leave immediately.

He took my hand and started leading me to the door but since it was late at night I only had on one of Timmy's big t-shirts instead of pajamas. I told him he needed to go upstairs and get me my skirt from church earlier that day to which he replied, "Don't be proud! Go like you are!"

This is when the vicious laboring mom appeared and I said, "You go upstairs and get my skirt! I am NOT going to the hospital in a t-shirt and underwear!!"

I'm surprised that I recall a sense of fashion contentment as I got in the truck wearing a man's over-sized t-shirt and a bright green floral skirt with bare feet.

I remember a very rough and speedy drive to the hospital, the receptionist in the ER who tried unsuccessfully to make me fill out paperwork between contractions, and the labor and delivery nurse who asked me to lie flat on my back to be checked for progress.

I wasn't able to extend the same firm but courteous response I gave to the ER receptionist and I ended up getting uncharacteristically loud and grouchy with the L&D nurse. Another of our funny memories was of the nurse and me in a battle of wills and Timmy saying, in an effort to diffuse the raging tempers, "We're all friends here. We're all friends!"

Harrison was born within 15 minutes of my arrival at the hospital. He was our biggest baby at 10 pounds, 3 ounces. We were home in time for lunch and were greeted by four happy siblings including an almost 2 year old big brother who excitedly announced, "A baby! A baby!"

What a gift our Harrison Spencer has been to us. We are so blessed to have had the joy of living with this precious boy for 10 years! Happy birthday, sweet Harrison. We love you so much!

The Snicker Bar Tradition

Sheridan joins in the
Alexander Family Snicker Bar Tradition

I don't know when the Snicker Bar Tradition first began but it seems it has been part of our family for as long as I can remember.

When our children reach the age where they are brave enough to put their head under water, they receive as their reward an entire Snicker bar to enjoy all by themselves.

I always cringe as I watch my preschoolers eat a whole candy bar but I can testify that it is the only time they do so until they're in their preteens
(or without their mother observing!).

The tradition gained momentum when Nikki, a neighbor friend who became such a wonderful blessing to our family, was encouraged to compete for a Snicker bar of her own.

Nikki was a few years older than Meredith and since her hard-working, single mother wasn't able to be home during the day, Nikki became part of our lives as we enjoyed taking her with us to the pool, beach, church, and even family vacations.

She was always filled with laughter, love for the younger children, and appreciation for the smallest of things.

I remember my excitement when coordinating the holiday parties as the room mother for Nikki's third grade class. I also vividly remember a time when Nikki was in her early teens and she, so uncharacteristically, got angry with me and slammed the door to the bedroom where she stayed when visiting with us.

As a mother with toddlers and elementary aged children, I didn't know quite what to do about her defiant display but was certain some action should be taken. Wanting to rid Nikki of similar future outbursts, I decided on what I thought might be an appropriate discipline and insisted she slam the door 100 times until she was completely free from her door-slamming desire.

After only a few slams, Nikki's tender heart broke although I insisted the prescribed remedy for future outbursts be met.

I'll never forget the confused look on Timmy's face when he arrived that evening and instead of entering a peaceful, happy home, he stood speechless as one young lady was crying and slamming the door repeatedly while the 30-something mom was counting,
"Fifty-five, fifty-six..."

Nikki is now in her mid-twenties with children of her own yet she will always hold such a special place in our hearts. Recalling that she, as a preteen, and Oliver, as a toddler, earned their Snicker bars at the same time serves as yet one more precious recollection of my younger years as a mother.

I hope I will never forget the memories God has allowed me to make with these polliwogs He has so graciously sent into my life.

Nikki, Meredith, and Oliver

Past Inductees in the Alexander Snicker Bar Tradition

Harrison

Sullivan

Sullivan's New Book

Sullivan, age 11, would like to invite young readers to enjoy the book he's writing. Chapters are being added to the website page entitled "Sullivan's Book" as they are completed.

Sullivan has submitted this introduction for his readership to enjoy:

"Thirty years into the future.....
a time of duels and dogfights, races and robots, when good is in a constant war with evil, and it's up to two men to keep a star on the American flag...."

A word from the author:

"I, Sullivan Alexander, have been prompted to create a Christian Star Wars. My ambition is to add some nutrition to the science fiction diet many kids my age enjoy. I, as a Christian, believe God can perform miracles any time and at any place. I do not like immoral books or shows and can promise that in this series there will be: no prejudice, no pornography, and no Pantheism."

We hope you enjoy the book, young readers.