The Jobe Journal

Last year, on Cow Appreciation Day, a day when Chick-fil-A awards free food to its cow-look-alike customers, my herd took full advantage. The children got out white and black and excitedly designed their costumes.

They laid them out, went to bed, and had dreams of what soft drink they’d order with their combo meal – a luxury for my gang because I usually insist on water when eating out. Before we left for the restaurant, we took a picture in our basement, using my son’s bedspread for a backdrop. My husband took the picture, his last words as we left for lunch being, “No, I don’t want to be in it! I’ll take the picture and if you win the national contest, I’ll buy my own chicken.”

Seven weeks later, we won the national contest. The prize… 52 meal coupons for each person in the picture!

I owe the win to my facebook friends (especially my dad who I called my campaign manager!) and church family who found it fun to log on to facebook to vote for us and my friend Sarah who posted about our family on her blog which was then linked by several mom bloggers. I didn’t expect to win. Originally I just thought the children would enjoy seeing their picture in the contest. After two weeks of voting, we were voted into first place. It appeared that we had little competition until the last two weeks of the contest when a Star Wars storm-trooper cow entered and threatened (and took over a couple of times) our lead. Ultimately, CFA awarded both the Storm Trooper Cow and our family  grand prizes – a very diplomatic move as we both brought about 15,000 hits to the site. By the way, the other winner is awesome – a Christian guy with a sweet family who has since become a facebook friend! (See his winning picture on the official CAD site!)

Yesterday was CAD 2010 and yes, we attended again.

We are not, however, entering the contest. I guess I should “never say never” but I can’t see myself entering any online contest again. While thankful to win, the contest began to take on a life of its own toward the end. I seriously had several strangers sending me negative facebook messages. There were slanderous comments written about me and my family. I definitely was given opportunity to pray for my enemies! (… and yes – all for chicken!) The competition grew pretty fierce and I began to wish it over. Thankfully, I’ve seen that Chick-fil-A has changed the contest to protect the privacy of the participants. To my knowledge, there is no way to search the participants by name and no links on the contest site to profile pages. Voters also can vote only once – not once per day for seven weeks. Whew! That was a long contest!

There is one change that I find disappointing. This year, children in a picture are not eligible to win prizes. There is a kids’ contest that children ten and under may enter. Only those 18 and older may enter the facebook contest. Children 11-17 are not eligible to win any prizes at all. While I am not at all seeking further publicity (I actually have been relieved not to see our picture “out there” after my contest experience), Chick-fil-A has not used our winning picture. I believe this is because they do not desire to promote families entering since all members aren’t eligible for prizes.  I do hope this rule is reconsidered and I’ve contacted the company expressing my thoughts (click link and you can do the same!)

My family has brought many other families to CFA as a result of winning the contest. We’ve treated moms and other children at  birthday parties at the restaurant. We’ve given CFA coupons as gifts. We’ve given them to families in need or in the hospital. My husband has even given them to clerks who’ve been especially helpful. I know children are not income-producing and thus can’t on their own patronize the restaurant. However, most families, if they know their children aren’t eligible to win, won’t enter the contest at all. Yet, my observation about CAD is that families take advantage and enjoy. The kids love it! Families bring other families to the store and families (including children!)  should be eligible to participate together in the contest! I’m so thankful I had the opportunity to do so with my children.

While I am not entering the contest, I am voting! I have three friends in the contest this year:

The first was a huge supporter of our herd last year. Her picture can be found here:

The second is a local friend of mine who can be found here:

And the third is also a mom to six! She is a blogging friend of mine and her picture can be found here:

Regardless of their decision about children in the contest, I am very grateful for Chick-fil-A’s family friendly atmosphere. All my children love eating there. The company honors the Sabbath by closing on Sundays and I praise God for that! They are a great company and our local Chick-fil-A is simply the best! They always go above and beyond in serving their customers. CFA has been my favorite place for a sandwich since I was a child living near the original CFA south of Atlanta and it will continue to be!

… And for the record, Daniel didn’t buy his own chicken this year. Instead, he took little Esther’s coupons and bought her a kid’s meal with each visit. He got a combo and she got a prize – a win/win situation!

I’ll admit that when my children were all young, I really wanted a break on Mother’s Day. It just didn’t happen. I don’t like to eat out on this special day. The lines are long. After church, my brood of 4 under 4 or 5 under 7 couldn’t handle the wait. Eating out was more trouble than it was worth back then. My husband doesn’t cook. I can remember one particular Mother’s Day when I cooked and even made myself a cake, because that was what the children wanted to make my day special. While I’m sure Daniel did the dishes so I could rest,  I was whiney. “Can’t I have just one day when I don’t have to do all this work?!?” I thought. Back then, even on Mother’s Day, the children would argue, I had messes to clean and felt there was no rest for the weary. How I wished I could have had a glimpse into the future…

This Mother’s Day,  I woke up to a special Sunday morning breakfast of orange juice and muffins. I didn’t set the table. I didn’t make the muffins. It was delicious. (And I even got the Special plate!)

For lunch, we had steaks that my husband thawed (that’s important… I didn’t have to “think” about preparing them!) and grilled.

Bethany made a strawberry cake all by herself!

A sweet sign hung on the door.

I received thoughtful cards and a “Coupon Queen” coupon organizer. Christina talked all week about how much I’d love this gift. She was right! I do love it, but I love the fact that she picked it out and anticipated the joy of giving it to me maybe even more. I must say “gifts” are one of my love languages. I don’t like people spending money on me. However, if I’m given a sweet card or candy, flowers, or even a coupon envelope, I do feel loved!

The children cleaned up the kitchen.

The children didn’t argue. (If “peace and quiet” were one of the love language, it would #1 to me!).

Then when Daddy called and said this Mother’s Day would be the day he’d receive his new heart, I cried. I was so thankful, yet very scared for him. I was nervous and lost my appetite. Daniel prayed and the children consoled me by sending me off to Charlotte with lots of hugs and prayers.

My children are growing up. They are acquiring skills and learning how to bless others. My Mother’s Day was precious. Of course, my dad receiving his heart and doing well through surgery made this Mother’s Day a day I’ll never forget. Yet I also won’t forget how my children worked hard to encourage me.

I’m so thankful for each of my six children. I wish I could go back ten years ago and just smile through making my own cake. It was then that they were learning how to one day make one for me! I was tired. Having lots of little ones can be exhausting! Back then, a nap was all I really wanted for Mother’s Day. My perspective has changed quite a bit over the years.  I consider every day a Mother’s Day.  No, every day isn’t perfect. Some days I solve one conflict after another, the house is a huge mess and I don’t know what’s for supper. The children, however, are maturing and I am seeing good fruit. I know that my attitude is something they are watching. They are learning and I am learning through this journey of mothering. It is privilege. I am blessed.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galations 6:9

Written Mother’s Day, 2009.

I received a precious gift today. My oldest daughter decided to make one of my favorite cakes while I was away at the grocery store – a devil’s food cake with chocolate mocha icing. YUMMY!

I knew I’d probably get a cake today. Yesterday my sweet children asked, “Mama, what would you like for Mother’s Day?” When that question is asked late on Mother’s Day Eve, it is best to think of something that can be accomplished without leaving home or spending money. So, I answered truthfully, “I’d like for all of you to get along with one another all day… and I’d also like a cake!”

That delighted my girls who love an excuse to bake. Here lately, they are all learning how to make drop flowers and roses. A Mother’s Day cake would be fun!

So, today I went to the grocery store alone, wondering what kind of cake I’d come home to enjoy. While I was out, Anna called and asked me to get some ice cream… cause later we’d have cake! When I walked in the door, she excitedly led me to two beautiful chocolate layers. “Look, Mom, I got them out of the pans without them cracking at all!” They really did look beautiful and I could tell immediately that this wasn’t a cake mix. I like mixes but this was the real thing. I contemplated skipping supper and just eating a REALLY BIG piece. Moms are allowed to indulge a little on Mother’s Day, right?!

I left the kitchen for a few minutes so I could be “surprised” by the showpiece cake. It still needed to be iced… the favorite part of the gift for the children.

Suddenly I heard a SPLAT noise followed by a very distressed cry followed by a “WHAT HAPPENED?!?!” I knew what had happened and went into the kitchen to try to console my daughter who was crying over the mess on the floor.

“Honey, it’s ok. It will taste great. I don’t care what it looks like,” I told her.

“I know, Mama, but I really wanted it to be perfect,” was her response through tears.

“It is!” I said and then this child, who has a sarcastic wit about her, burst into laughter. She gave me a hug and said, “I love you, Mom. Happy Mother’s Day. Here is your delicious, ugly cake.”

I immediately thought that this delicious and ugly cake truly was the perfect gift for my Mother’s Day. I want to be a perfect mom. Yet, I am not. I fail and without Christ, I am just a mess. It is my prayer that I can model Christ – likeness to my children. I want to be gentle and slow to anger. However, when I take my eyes off of Christ, even for a moment, I “drop the cake.” I often have a crumbled mess to offer the Lord. Yet He forgives me and encourages me. The really cool thing is He even puts all those pieces back together. I have brought so many messes to Him that He just cleans right up. I couldn’t do that to my Mother’s Day cake, but I did pile it on a plate and top it off with a perfect scoop of ice cream! The smiles given as it were served were sweet indeed.

There is nothing wrong with creating something beautiful. However, God is not concerned with outward appearances. Just as I was able to look at Anna and see her motive was to make a beautiful cake for me, God is able to look at my feeble efforts as a mother. When my efforts are truly meant to please God, he can take my mistakes and use them for His good purposes.

My ugly Mother’s Day cake was delicious and I am thankful for its reminder that I am a work in progress. As I teach my children, God is is teaching me. Today, as happens quite often, my children are the instruments He uses in doing so.

Mother’s Day 2010: I marvel at the beautiful cakes Anna has made this year. She made me one of the loveliest and most delicious cakes ever on my 39th birthday. I am so thankful she wasn’t discouraged and that she persevered. Now my daughter, who presented to me a chocolate mess a year ago, can make butter cream roses perfectly! Anna’s growth in her cake decorating is a picture to me of how God often uses our sins, struggles and mess- ups and turn them into something beautiful! In thinking about the messy cake representing my sin, I think of the beautiful cakes she’s made as representative of the Holy Spirit working in our lives to make all things beautiful.  Anna now can teach others how to pipe perfect roses! What once was a struggle, is now a strength of hers. When we are willing, God uses our weaknesses and gives us all we need to overcome sin and bless other people. God is so good!

A single crayon and a sheet of paper

And for hours you’d sit still

Coloring itty, bitty squiggles

Delighted with your skill.

“You realize, Tina, that’s not normal…”

My friends told me it wasn’t fair

That I was blessed with a toddler

Who’d sit for hours in her chair!

Coloring was entertaining

Yet not your only type of play

Anything involving animals

To you was A-OK!

You had a jaq-”WIRE “family

I remember them quite clearly…

Mommy, Daddy and, of course, Marc and Chelesa-

The Jaq-”WIRE” twins you loved so dearly.

Were those feline twins

A foreshadowing of what was to be?

Like real live twins arriving

Right before you’d turn 3?

God knew I needed one child

Artistic and creative

Who’d entertain herself

And even help out the natives!

Yes, and as you grew, you became

The “go to” gal for fun!

Your creativity was contagious

And blessed the Jobelettes –  Each One!

At 4, you enjoyed stories

And pretended you could read.

You’d recite our story- books verbatim

I assumed from memory…

Until you surprised me at the dentist

By picking up a book you’d never seen.

You read it perfectly aloud-

From Anna’s phonics lessons you had gleaned!

That was only the beginning…

I never cease to be amazed

That when you set your mind to learning

You are successful – Always!

Knitting, sewing, decorating

Painting, dancing, baking,

Choreography and organizing

Music and cake-making!

You speak canine quite fluently

So much so that –

When you bark dogs far and wide

Chime in and try to chat!

You once wrote to me an essay

Of the persuasive kind

To buy for you a hamster

And it indeed DID change my mind!

Captivating, creative, expressive,

On stage you’ve quite a voice

A Wiggles or Barney dancer

Could be your profession of choice!

Though more likely, and I pray

That as you grow you will become

A godly wife and mother

Like the famous Proverbs 31.

You are worth far more than rubies

You’re diligent, virtuous and kind.

A daughter such as you

Is certainly a rare find!

Now you are teen!

May the Lord always be your guide.

He loves you and desires for you

To grow and in Him abide.

I love you sweet, Christina.

Happy Birthday Dear!

May the Lord bless you

Throughout this and every year!

We had a party last week… a BIG one! Boo (Daniel’s mother) turned 70. Fun was had by all. Memories were shared, songs sung, poems read. The girls and I made two HUGE cakes for the 42 guests in attendance. It was a GREAT party.. one we’ll all remember for a long time!

I didn’t realize when I married into the Jobe family that one must have poetry or song-writing skills to attend family birthdays. No one told me. It may have scared me away. However, I’ve acclimated and now know the routine. Big birthdays require an admission ticket… a song, poem, memory shared, skit or interpretive dance. There have not been many takers over the age of 5 on the dancing. Poems and songs about the guest of honor, on the other hand, are wildly popular and definitely an expectation. Boo’s 70th delivered… maybe with some of the most creative limericks and lyrics yet!

Anna and Mary have inherited the song-writing gene. While the adults were away at a luncheon with Boo (in which she received a distinguished alumni award from her college), these two gals humorously changed the words of “Two Is Better Than One” by Boys Like Girls to “Boo Is Better Than You!” This became the catch phrase of the evening as it was truly hilarious.

Bethany presented Boo with a framed Monet style painting she made in art class. She may have just added a new “party ticket” option. However, since I can’t paint, it won’t help me any!

Several friends read poems. Jean Hattle, Boo’s lifelong friend, read a very funny poem about their growing up together. I remember the last line was something like, “Every girl should have a friend like Boo.” Julie put in verse her memories of living close to her Aunt Boo in her early years of motherhood. We laughed at her subtle mentioning of her superior Boggle-playing skills. Mary Goforth read a letter to Boo. After the poetry reading, we sang the song Hadley sent, “Boo’s A Senior At Last.”

Boo’s boys definitely outdid themselves with “Life Begins At 70″ sung to the tune of “I’ve Could’ve Danced All Night” from My Fair Lady. Stephen wrote the lyrics and sang, Daniel also sung, and Paul accompanied them with his sax. This was HARD, but so funny!

I’m glad no one told me about these parties 18 years ago. Writing songs and poems for birthday events would have been intimidating! However,  I am SO THANKFUL to be a part of this tradition. It provides a precious means of blessing the guest of honor. Our children have grown up with these poetry/song/ blessing parties. Excitedly, they want to participate. For weeks before the party, the birthday guest is thought of   – in rhyme or song and in our prayers as we ponder how we can express our appreciation thoughtfully and creatively. Instead of just visiting at the party, there is a “show!” We “build our loved one up” and everyone who listens benefits. (Ephesians 4:29) Memories are made.. and then read over and over and over.

I Thessalonians 5:11 “Encourage one another and build each other up.”

Happy Birthday, Boo! Boo is better than you! Every gal should have one! … And life begins at 70!

Diapers…

They’ve been in our home since ’95. We did have a 2 1/2 year break from diapers between Sarah being trained and Esther being born. However, since we diapered twins, I’m not counting it. (Don’t try to figure that out mathematically… I make up my own formulas.) So… Esther is ecstatic to announce that the Jobes are diaper free!!!!!

This whole potty-training thing was her idea. We went to a party last Sunday night and Esther played with a little friend who showed her the routine: put on potty seat, go pee-pee, wipe, flush, pull up pants, take off seat, close lid, stand on potty, and lean over to wash hands (their sink was right beside the potty.) This little girl then offered her seat to Esther to take home and “try out.” Esther was thrilled! The whole way home she talked about her new potty seat and wearing big girl panties like her friend.

Guess who got to stop by Wal-Mart on the way home to pick out new panties and jelly bean potty treats?

Guess who really didn’t have potty-training on the calendar for this week?

My plan was to wait until summer because my girls aren’t as busy then. They can help now but if I waited they could do it for me!  Also, my dad is waiting for a heart transplant. Potty training can take a while and I could be called away. Plus, I just don’t really like potty training. The novelty of it has plain worn off.

Esther, however, decided that this was the week so Monday we began official potty training. Today is Friday and she has only had two accidents since Tuesday morning. I have not reminded her to go at all today. Rather, she has reminded me!

YEAH for Esther!

Thank you, Lord, for inspiring this child through her friend!

Of all six children, she trained the easiest. This job wasn’t on my calendar this week, but now I am so thankful it is behind me!