Sprout to Spud

Taylor Reid Dickerson came into the world on August 27. It was an emotional day. That was also the day Hurricane Katrina reached the coast of Louisiana. Those nights in the hospital I was overjoyed with our little bundle of joy, but also saddened at all the mothers who were having babies in shelters rather than hospitals. In five years, New Orleans has come a long way. Taylor has as well.

Taylor is sassy and smart. She is full of questions, comments, and just noise. The little turkey even talks in her sleep! She loves her sisters and goes out of her way to help them. She also loves to compliment people. She's famous for bringing you something that you don't need or want and saying, "you're welcome for bringing you..." as she hands it to you.

Here's Tater Baby at 4 months old...before she could talk.

Here's Tater Tot on Aunt Nancy's farm at about 15 months old. The beginning of the talking.


Here is some early evidence of the foolishness baked into this little potato. This is naptime when she's a little over 2 years old.


Tater Bug as a golf professional in the making (just before 3rd birthday)

Fried Tater looking serious on her fourth birthday at Nanny and Pa's house.


And now, my little Sweet Tater is all grown up. Here are a few pictures from her birthday weekend.


Selecting her American Girl Doll


Loading up on American Girl

At Bass Pro Shop

Here's the sweetest Tater story of the week. On Friday morning, Chad and I went in to wake her up for school. We said, "Happy Birthday, Tater! You're five years old now!" She rubbed her eyes, stretched, and rolled over to look Chad in the eyeballs (she sleeps on the top bunk). She said, "Daddy, even if I'm five will I still be your sweet baby girl?" Now that will melt a daddy's heart!

The people in my pictures...

Each year on the first day of school, I am reminded how lucky I am. I knew growing up that we had something special going on in our home, but I wasn't real sure what that was. I knew that my mom and dad loved each of the three of us individually and collectively. I knew that my mom would come running to the school in a heartbeat if we needed and/or forgot something from home. I also knew that even when she got mad because we missed the bus, she was glad to take us to school. (right, mom?) I knew that my dad would turn 14 shades of red if anyone offered any form of emotion toward him. I knew that my when my daddy walked by and "stepped" on me while lying in the floor that he really was saying, "I love you". Like I said, I knew we had some things going on that some of my other friends didn't have. However, I had NO idea that there were kids in the world who didn't have ANY of those things going on in their homes.

I never thought, "when I grow up, I want to be a teacher". But, I'm grown up, and I thank God that I am a teacher! I don't have all the answers, and I can't fix all the problems with my students. I CAN go to work every day and love them. I can smile at them. I can cheer for them at their sporting events. I can answer their questions about the people in the pictures on my desk. I bet a lot of people have never even considered the questions/comments high school kids ask about the pictures on the teachers' desks. Here are some comments from this picture on my desk...

Wow, Mrs.D, you look like your mom!

Aw, aren't your parents cute?

Dang! They look like they love each other with their arms around each other!

What do your kids call your mom? My (insert name from grandmother) never came to Easter when I was a kid.

The list goes on and on.

I am so thankful for a mom and a dad who love each other. As an adult, I can see faults in both of my parents (small ones though) and have an even greater appreciation for their willingness to love each other through all of the hard times. As a parent, I can see how easy it would have been for them to give up on each other and the three of us. (I know, some of you still think I'm perfect. But, I'm not!) But, my parents did it. Well, more accurately, my parents DO it. They love each other and love us, our spouses, and our kids. Thanks mom and dad for loving me and teaching me how to be a family even when things are tough. Thank you for giving me what so many of my students only see in my pictures.

New year, new goals...

So, today was "the day". I went back to work. I say that as if I haven't been working for the last five months. After days like yesterday, I think it is more work to be home! :)

As I start the new school year, I've got some goals. I don't generally "air my baggage" because I like for people to think I've got it all together. Those of you who know me just a little know that I have it anything but "together".

So, without a lot of explanation and excuses I'm going to list my goals for the school year. Some people consider these "New Year Resolutions". You are probably thinking, "yep, she's lost her mind, and she really is late for EVERYTHING!" But, as a teacher, the new year really begins in August!

• have a good attitude (don't gripe at school)


• get organized with new responsibilities


• eat lunch with one "big girl" each week


• get homework routine for Kennedy and Taylor


• nurse Blake until her first birthday


• lose weight


• read a novel that my students are reading for English


• keep check on blood pressure

So, you know where I'm headed. I would appreciate any accountability and encouragement along the way. My plan (if I don't forget) is to post an update at the end of the first six weeks of school.

Seriously, does it matter that much?

Ok, so remember a few weeks back when I introduced you to Kennedy and just went on and on about how wonderful she is? Well, she is still wonderful, but I'm pretty sure if school doesn't start soon that she will be wonderful at someone else's house! :)

Here's her latest disaster. She has grown. I know, all kids grow. But this summer she has grown and grown and grown some more. When we bought spring shorts, they were a size 6x/7. Well, when I bought school shorts last month, they were a size 8. Today she needs a 9. Now that's really not that important other than the fact that it has created chaos during "dress up" time at our house. Here's our conversation...

Kennedy: Mom, can I wear the cheerleader uniform?

Me: No Kennedy. It is a size 4, and it is too small.

Kennedy: But mom, I'm dancing to High School Musical and I REALLY need to wear it (with extreme drama of voice inflection and body language)

Me: Well, I guess you are going to have to find something else to wear. It is too small. I told you that last week. You are growing, but the clothes are not.

Three minutes or so pass while she's back in her room. She return with a pair of purple shorts, brown shirt, and gray hoodie with the sleeves pushed up. She starts the music, gets in "her pose" and about 2 seconds later she stops the music.

Me: What's wrong?

Kennedy: Do you know where the blue shorts are like these (uniform shorts from softball/soccer).

Me: We got rid of them. They don't fit either of ya'll and they were taking up too much space.

Kennedy: U-u-g-g-g-h-h-h-h! But that is the only thing that matches the song I'm going to dance to.

Seriously? Clothes match songs now? Where did I go wrong with this kid? She will wear a red skirt with a lime green and pink spotted shirt to school if I let her. But, now she thinks her dress up clothes have to match the S-O-N-G? I give up!