Dumas 4
Before we are moms, we are women. Before we are women, we are girls. Before we are girls we are children. Few things have stayed constant in my life through all of these stages. My family, my faith and the desire to be a mother. I loved baby dolls as a child. I would enter a world where I was in control of those around me and they had to do what I told them. I foolishly thought that would happen when I became a mother. When I was a girl, I decided I would have 3 children. Two girls and a boy, just as my mother had. I foolishly thought that I got to decide these things when I became a mother. When I became a woman, I decided I would also have a wonderful career alongside these 3 perfect children. I foolishly thought I could do it all. As I lay here in bed recovering from a very simple surgery that had lasting effects on my ability to have more children, there is a photo in my direct line of sight. Its a black and white photo that I cherish. It is from a vacation we took before Emma was even 1 year old. We went to Colorado for a week in the summer to escape the heat of Texas, and the busyness of life. On our way home we stopped in Dumas, TX for a picture. There are not that many people who have the honor of having a last name like Dumas. It is often mispronounced, I'm sure my husband was teased terribly as a child, and I'm certain my daughters will hate it when they hit the 'tween years. But I married into this name. It came with the man I love so I like it. Just before you get to Dumas, Texas, there is a sign that reads "Dumas 4" indicating that you are just 4 miles from the thriving metropolis of Dumas, Texas (population 13,747, a quarter the size of the college I went to). I made my husband and my two daughters (and even my cousin Caitlin who came with us on this trip) get out and take a picture with this sign. At the last second, as the baby was crying and the toddler was whining, I just looked up and snapped one last photo of this sign. I eventually had a black and white made of it and I've always loved it but the "4" part of "Dumas 4" never meant much to me. I always planned that our family would be a family of 5 eventually. Today though, it reminds me that when I snapped that photo, on the side of the highway, in 100 degree heat, God knew I would need a sign. Dumas 4. It is, and always was, His plan for my life. I'm thankful for my sign. I needed a sign. I'd like to have that sign. I wonder what the fine is for stealing a sign that reads "Dumas 4." It might be worth it.
Its a zoo here
I often think about what it would be like to live in a different era. I would love to visit the South during the antebellum time when fair skin and a full figure were fashionable. I love those gorgeous gowns but I would hate not having air conditioning. I think I would have been a good 1955 wife and mom. It seems like families were stronger in the 50’s and perhaps our marriage and family life would be the norm instead of the exception. But I am a millennium mom. I had my first baby in early 2000. I always tried to stay busy even as I “stayed home” with my girls. I was involved in volunteer programs, lots of hobbies and projects always going on. Now that my girls are in school I have started working. It’s a family business so my hours our flexible but basically I work any time I can. I thought our life was crazy when the girls were toddlers but now that the kids are busy with homework, dance, gymnastics etc., its really chaotic. I’m trying desperately to keep the traditions that we started when they were little. For example, this week was Halloween. Typically for the Halloween season we would visit a pumpkin patch. We’d take the hayride, pick a pumpkin, feed the goats. This year we went to the pile of pumpkins in a field next to a church. In years past I would make their costumes. This year, I bought them online. I’m doing the best I can. I’ve realized that what they really value is time with us so that is what I’m trying to keep consistent. When brainstorming about costumes this year, we decided to go with zoo animals. Once we were all in costume, I realized that it was a great reflection on our home. Its busy, its loud, its messy, its always full of kids. Yes it’s a zoo, but it’s the Dumas Zoo!
2 comments:
It's nice to see an update on your family! I can't believe how big your girls are. They look so grown up. Miss you, Ali!
Bethany
Why wasn't the gorilla in costume for the fall festival, that is hilarious.... Love the post, about time :)
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