God Provides

Last week, we got an unexpected bill in the mail for $500 from the blood lab I had to go to for my pregnancy and Mike panicked, as he usually does about money. We had just gotten back from the first dinner we have enjoyed out since my pregnancy, but the night was ruined by his frustration. We have new health insurance, and he is determined to find fault with the coverage. After about an hour of listening to him rant and rave, I suggested that he stop worrying, pray about it, and call the insurance company first thing the next morning. Turns out, the bill was in the amount of our unmet deductible, which he completely forgot about…OOPS!

God has a wonderful way of teaching us little lessons. With the $500 payment still lingering in his mind, Mike opened the mail on Monday and got really quiet. I could tell he was focusing on something hard. Then, a few minutes later, he handed me a check for $500 made out to us from our mortgage company because of over-payment. Immediately, we joined hands and thanked Jesus for this unexpected blessing!

Bryant Family Reunion

Great-Uncle James, Me, Great-Aunt Retha May, and Mom

Yesterday, Mike and I traveled over to White Springs, Florida, to the Stephen Foster Memorial State Park to the annual Bryant Family Reunion.  Usually, one of my distant cousins has the reunion at her house; however, because of the heat, we gathered at Nelly Bly’s Kitchen within the park to enjoy a feast of fried catfish and grouper, fresh vegetables, homemade casseroles, and delicious desserts. 

My mom’s mother, Silvia May (pronounced in Cracker fashion as Silvamay) was a Bryant.  Her father was Julius Bryant, who had a brother named Buford Bryant.  Most of the people at the reunion were the descendants of Buford.  However, a good number of my closer relatives were there, too, including my Great-Uncle James Bryant, Great Aunt Audrey Sikes, and Great-Aunt Willa May Bryant, who was married to my late Great-Uncle Russell Bryant.

This part of my family tree has left me stumped, if you pardon the expression.  It is the only line that I have completely failed in my research and the reason is the surname itself.  My mom remembered there being controversy with my Great-Grandmother (who was somewhat ornery) before she died because she stopped using the “t” at the end of Bryant.  My mom did not know why.  So, yesterday, I armed myself with a legal pad upon entering the reunion and was determined to find some answers.

Luckily, my Uncle James was gracious enough to fill me in, at least a little, on what he knows.  Apparently, when his father Julius Bryant served in the military during WWI, by mistake they spelled his name “Bryan”.  However, he confirmed that his father had always used “Bryant” as had his grandfather, James Courtney Bryant and at least one of James Courtney’s brothers, Rowe Bryant.  However, he believed that other of their siblings, for whatever reason, did drop the “t”.

As you might have guessed, this will make my research very difficult.  But now, at least, I have a few names to go on that I did not have before.

Mike and my step-dad, Steve, enjoyed lunch, featuring fried catfish.  Mike has really learned to appreciate southern cousine since living in North Florida.

My Immediate Family: My brother, Mitch; niece, Peyton; mom, Charlotte; nephew, Joseph; step-dad, Steve; me; and Mike

My Extended Family

Mike, Peyton, and Me

JUST BUY TICKETS, JAGUAR FANS!

Reading The Florida Times-Union online today I was furious to read a story about the possible sell of the Jacksonville Jaguars, followed by a likely eventual move of the franchise to Los Angeles.  My husband and I live over two hours away from Jacksonville and we still manage to buy season tickets and go to the games.  It makes me so mad that the First Coast does not support the Jaguars whole-heartedly, especially in a season when the team is a serious contender for the Super Bowl.

I understand that Jacksonville does not have a huge corporate base like Charlotte and other NFL cities.  And I understand that individuals are struggling in our sluggish economy.  However, I love the city of Jacksonville–the whole area, in fact–and hate the idea of it losing one of its best assets.  Besides, Jaguar tickets are affordable, the games are a blast, the fans are great, the stadium is more than comfortable, and the experiences is priceless.

JUST BUY TICKETS, JAGUARS FANS!

The Family Tree Won’t Die

Before becoming pregnant, I never wanted kids.  Mike used to point out that it was ironic that the family genealogist was willing to let her branch of the tree whither and die.  That astute observation really hit home to me.  So, this morning as I was enjoying breakfast at Cracker Barrell and looking around at all of the old photos hanging on the walls, I felt a little comforted that Baby Bonfanti will grow and flourish! And I hope that he or she has at least a small interest in history so that Mike and I are not complete pains.

If Baby Bonfanti is a girl, she has really, really deep and interesting roots.  A year or so ago, I sent off to have my mitochondrial DNA analyzed through the National Geographic Genographic Project.  This “landmark study of the human journey” seeks to use DNA to trace human migration back to a group of African ancestors some 60,000 years ago.  I received a test kit and an extremely entertaining and informative DVD explaining the project in depth and was thrilled to get the results.

Keep in mind, that the mitochodrial DNA basicly traces my mother’s mother’s mother’s … line.   When I opened the website to read where my ancestors had trecked across the world, my secretary laughed and said, “I could have saved you some money. You are northern European. Just look at you!”  Sure enough, she was right.  I belong to haplogroup U5.  According to the Genographic Project site, this means that my routes are unique: “U5 is quite restricted in its variation to Scandinavia, and particularly Finland.”

So, should Baby Bonfanti be a girl, I cannot wait to tell her about her rich maternal line and the wonderful journey our mothers have been on for 60,000 years.

Just Because It’s Monday!

Airdate for “Paula’s Best Dishes” Episode

I am so excited! Last week, I got an email from one of the producers for “Paula’s Best Dishes” to let me know that the episode that I am on will air on September 7th!  This is Grandparents’ Day, so it is very fitting with the theme of the show and the featured recipes.  I cannot wait for my family to see it.

Remembering the USS Cole

In October 2000, my family lived through hell.  My youngest brother, Carl (standing left in the photo), a mere 21 year-old at the time, was on the USS Cole on a routine trip to the Middle East when it was bombed while on a lay-over in Yemen.  Luckily, he was unharmed, but we had no way of knowing at first if he was one of the dead and injured young soldiers being carried off of the ship immediately after the vicious blast.  All we could do was stare at our television and wait for news.  Luckily, my own Representative Jack Kingston (I was living in Vidalia, Georgia at the time) was quick to respond.  Within hours, he had our family linked to officials in Washington, D.C., which brought at least a little comfort to my parents in Florida.  I will never forget Representative Kingston’s kindness to people who were not even his constituents.

My poor brother did not leave the ship that day or the next, in fact.  Instead, when the bomb hit, the explosion lifted the ship out of the water, awakening him from a nap before lunch.  He stumbled out of bed and into a narrow corridor where he helped to treat his injured shipmates.  Several of his close friends died, one in his arms.  He wrote a journal in the hours afterwards entitled, “The Bloody Aisle”, which he shared with family and friends upon his safe return home.

It needs to be said that Bill Clinton, still in office, did nothing to retaliate for the USS Cole attack.

So, today I was reading an article by the Associate Press which states that the Pentagon is seeking the death penalty for the alleged (I have to say that since I am a defense attorney by profession) master-mind of this plot, Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri.  I hate to even write the bastard’s name.  Yes, he is claiming that his confession was coerced and that his rights were violated.  I say, bullshit.  Send him to see his god (which, incidently, is not mine) as soon as possible.

Here is a story from the Florida Times-Union  which features my brother and his best friend.

“The Bloody Aisle” can be found at abcnews.com.  Below, is a photo of the damage to the side of the ship caused by this terrorist act.

 

Vacation Bible School, Day Two

I thought I would add a few more  pictures from Vacation Bible School at Indian Springs Baptist Church.  I hope you enjoy them.

 

Vacation Bible School, Day One

Mike and I have been helping at Vacation Bible School at our church this week.  I was supposed to be a co-director, but my pregnancy has relegated me to assisting.  Our theme is “Cactus Canyon” and I have been amazed at how well everything has come together!  Kara Murphy, the Director, did an excellent job in her preparations, as did the decorating team led by Susan O’Brien.  I thought it would be fun to share a few pictures from the first day’s activities.

Mike helping with recreation

Chuck Wagon

 Mr. Mike Sheffield’s camp fire tale about Jesus (Grades 1-3)

 Nicole and Susan O’Brien prepare for snacks

Charlotte Wingate (my mom) and her class of 4-5 year-olds

Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired

I am in Week 11 of my pregnancy and am sick and tired of being sick and tired.  The morning sickness and exhaustian have not gone away.  Just when I get a burst of energy or think that I am feeling “normal” (whatever that means), I get a sudden reminder that I have a long way to go.

Yesterday, I could not wake up in time for church.  Then, I made myself get up and shower so that I could go to lunch with Mike and my parents afterwards.  After a nice meal, Mike and I decided to take an afternoon nap. Yes, I still felt sleepy.  Some three hours later, we both woke up to get dressed to head to the church for the first night of Vacation Bible School.  No sooner had we gotten in the truck than I became sick. Really sick.  And it continued until we had to run to the bathroom in the fellowship hall once we arrived.

I am sorry that this is not a pleasant blog.  I just had to vent.  I am usually a very active, healthy person, and it has been really hard for me to adjust to having to take it easy.  I just hope that this does goes away at the end of the first trimester and does not linger for the next six months.