IT'S A BOY !! JOHN SHEPARD KYKER (JACK)

I had to break into my own story to share my NEW story. John Shepard Kyker (Jack) was born today, April 25, 2009 to Judy Kay and Jimmy Kyker!! He joins Travis, Sam, Caroline and Ben in this beautiful family. He was born at home around 5am (exact time will be noted later), 7 lbs. 5 oz, 21" long. Mommy says he has lots of dark hair just like Ben and is adorable. I am anxiously awaiting pictures<3 Ken, of course, is thrilled that he is named after him (John Kenneth Babington) and Jimmy's Grandfather (Shepard/last name). He'll be called Jack which I think is so cute! Judy Kay started her contractions around 3am and Jack was born around 5. What a wonderful midwife....she even fixed the family breakfast!!! The children woke up to a new baby brother and were VERY excited. They had to get off the phone to watch him get his first bath. I can't to meet him (this week). I'll post pictures as soon as I have them:) I went to bed last night thanking the Lord that he/she would be born tonight (24th) or tomorrow with a great sense of knowing. And here he is!!! Thank you, Lord, for your most wonderful gift.

My Daddy is Gone - My worldview starts to take shape

My Dad was gone a lot, so unfortunately there are not many memories of him in my early years. I just thought he was dashing, mysterious and glamorous!! He ended up in Korea for a year while Mom and I lived with my grandmother (mom's mom, Mary B. Lehnert)

My dad would always bring me wonderful dolls and presents home when he returned. I always had something to look forward to......I still like to look forward to things to this day....and I LOVE to give presents!! I can see how my worldview started to take shape. We women could take care of things....there was no man at home......we could rely on ourselves. And who was the authority in the home? The women, of course.

This is the place where I REMEMBER disobeying my Dad and he and I got burned pretty badly. He had come home and we were celebrating with dinner on the back porch. We saw a fire in the kitchen through the window. Dad told me to STAY OUTSIDE while he ran in. Unfortunately I ran in (I was worried about him), stood in a corner while he was taking out a burning pot of grease...the wind caught it and blew the fire on me. He and I ended up at the hospital with fairly severe burns. One of my first memorable lessons of disobedience and headstrongness...many more to come!

Farm Life

My love of farm living began. My dad went to a school at Chanute AFB in Illinois in 1951. At 4 years old, we lived upstairs in a Mennonite farmhouse with a wonderful family. I especially remember Monty, their son, who was a year older than me. It was a wonderful sheep farm and I remember going out to the barn to watch them sheer. Somewhere there is a picture of this farm and if I ever find it, I'd love to post it. It was a big, two story white farm house with a big wrap around porch. Love big farm houses and lots of land to this day.........and homemade pies in the window.....hmmmmmm I digress. Really, this is a great way to live. Must be why my memories are so strong. I thought it was a wonderful time. We only lived here for a year.

At this time I also started my tapping career. I remember performing "Me and My Teddy Bear."

Me and my teddy bear
have no worries have no care
me and my teddy bear
just play and play all day.

Every night he's with me
when I climb up the stairs
By my side he listens
when I say my prayers.

Me and my teddy bear
just play and play all day.

Take a bow.......................

Born in Akron, Ohio

I was born in Akron, Ohio on November 17, 1947 in People's Hospital. I don't think we stayed there very long. In my last post I showed you my first home with the sheer curtains in the window. I duplicated that curtain look when I had my own first "purchased" home in Kennesaw, Georgia. Memories have strong influences!!!

The Berlin Airlift started so Dad applied for recall. He was recalled in September of 1948 and off to Enid, OK we went. We lived in an airstream trailer for a few months. (I've always like those too!)

A few more pictures..................................................

Here I Come!!!!

On December 3, 1945 Dad got home. He had the opportunity to stay in or go to Germany during the occupation. He got out and tried to be a banker in Hudson, Ohio. They bought a little house in Akron for $9,000. I don't think he liked the 9 to 5 very well. He was suited for flying and he missed it!

Pilot Pictures and Palm Springs

A few more pictures of my glamorous parents....hump pilot and Palm Springs living "the good life"!

In The Beginning

Dorothea Jane Lehnert and Arvid Keith Shook were neighbors in Akron, Ohio. They both attended North High School where they became sweethearts. They married on May 9, 1942 at St. Martha's Church on Talmadge Avenue - high school friends Joe LaSalle and Fran stood up for them. Dad was on a 15 day leave from the Royal Canadian Air Force, went to Akron and my mom said, "In case you don't know it, you are getting married tomorrow!" ( ooooooooh......could this be shades of my own controlling ways?!!! ) Dad was in flying school and mom joined him in Miami, Ok. Christmas of l942, they got an apartment in Alexandria, VA where mom worked for the Red Cross. Then, in the spring of 43, they headed to Long Beach, CA. Dad was in the Air Transport Command. Dad said he was gone a lot.....they had a little house in Palm Springs and mom spent a lot of time around the pool. It was the good life!! Mom learned to drive a car in the desert. In 1945 Dad was called overseas to India to live in tent city. he had a monkey named Suki!!! He was a Hump pilot meaning he flew the Hump from China to Burhma during the war. These men were fearless!!
Now you'll begin to see how my worldview was shaped....................