(five years old)

Lots of changes in our lives all at once. Your Dad got a new job at McDonnell Douglas, we are moving a short distance away, 4310 Abbott Ave., the car is having lots of problems, the family room flooded again (in house on Edgewood), just to name a few things.

You are changing in your personality, a little rebellious at times. When I’m angry or grouchy, you’re worse. You react a lot like my brother Stanley, you respond best to praise. Of course, Lora, David, and your Dad are the same when it comes to responding best to praise, but you get more cantankerous when I’m grouchy.

* Just notes so I won’t forget

7-86…Daddy was laid off

9-86…Mommy went to work for 3 mos. while Daddy stayed with you

12-86…We sold our house, bought a 2/BR mobile home and moved to Marshall, about 12 mi out of Ripley, WV, Jackson County. Just takes about 20 min. to get to Granny’s in Ravenswood.

1-87…Daddy started electronics school but soon was notified no funds to continue

3-87…Pappy, Daddy, Mommy and Erin went to visit Aunt Bid and Uncle Gene in Orlando, FL. Stayed 2 wks. Erin and Mom got real bad colds.

4-87…Erin developed pneumonia from her cold. I developed an allergy to the sulfa drugs prescribed by a doctor at Drs. Urgent Care in Cross Lanes. We had just gone there for them to check Erin’s ears and throat; that’s when the pneumonia was diagnosed. After 10 days, I developed the allergy, was hospitalized 4 days. Garry went back to FL and we stayed behind to sell trailer, etc.

5-1-87…Garry returned for us; we arrived in Orlando day before Erin’s 4^th birthday

8-15-87…Moved to Titusville, FL. Erin became increasingly sad over losing Bo Bo. It took her about 3 mos. of crying off and on over him.

9-15-87…Enrolled Erin in Titusville Christian School. After a few days, she became very upset at the thought of school. After 6 wks., I took her out of the school.

12-16-87…Pappy and Granny came to visit for 5 wks. Lots of juicy oranges on our tree.

2-88…Erin enrolled in First United Methodist Preschool.

4-88…Started resisting going after being off a lot in March due to illness. I think she was too bashful on the playground; but other factors, too. She’s growing up very fast.

5-7-88…We spent day at Ormond Beach, Pam, Kate, her cousin Annie, Richard, Aunt and Uncle, Garry and I. Kate started breaking out w/chicken pox. Badly sunburned.

5-19…Erin had a few chicken pox on her, then fully broke out next day. No fever. Very uncomfortable, but they did not cover her entire body.

6-88…We have been looking for a house for a couple or more months. Interest rates were at 9 ½; now at 10.58 and rising.

April 10, 1984

You somehow opened a bottle of vinegar and poured half of it out on kitchen carpet. Boy, it almost knocked me out. How you opened it, I don’t know.

(just over one year)

Lora told us she and David were planning on moving back to live with their mother in Colorado. I know you’ll miss having a brother and sister here. I imagine it will be lonely for you, being the only child, but we’ll try to love you enough.

(almost one year)

Haven’t written much for a few days. You are getting sweeter every day. Your personality is beginning to take shape. Just as the American Baby Magazine said, you are becoming more and more attached to your Dad. When he comes home at night, you say, “Da, da, da, da,” with your arms outstretched. You also cry to go with him when he puts his coat on. You even kiss him without being asked.

Your birthday is coming up next week. Can’t believe it.

Twenty years to the day before my wedding, my mother wrote one line in her journal:

You still do not like the car.

December 9, 1985 (two-and-a-half)

I just have to write this. Last night, in your prayers, you said, “Dear God, I have a boo boo, a sore back, and a red toe. Bless Daddy, ‘cause he don’t feel good. Bless Mommy, ‘cause she don’t feel good either.” Sounds pretty depressing, huh? After you were in the bed, you kept talking to yourself and you said, “I’m angry, aggravated, mean. Humbug!” Dad and I had to cover our heads to keep you from hearing us laugh.