Family, Four-Wheelers, and Frontline

Shawn and Callie

Yes, I'm still alive -despite the extended non-activity on my blog recently.

I'm Back!!

I saw a bumper sticker on my way to work this morning that read, "Family is the most important."

Hmmm... very true. And my family is the best. I know, I'm kinda biased.

The last two weekends have been spent with cousins, second-cousins, siblings, brother- and sister-in-law, and nephews.

April 10th was Mule Day in Columbia.
A fun, family-friendly weekend showcasing those fabulously sterile animals we call mules.

I don't exactly know the history of mule day, but it's gotta be good. And for that one weekend, all of Columbia, TN has mule fever. Hundreds of thousands come to watch the "Liar's Contest," the "Mule Pull" competition, and of course, the Mule Day Parade, complete with Mule Day Queen.

It's a great weekend for Columbia, but it was an especially great weekend for me because the Laurie and her family were in town.

Remember Laurie?

Laurie, without trying to get too complicated, is my second cousin... I think.

Anyway, Laurie and her husband, Shawn, and her three beautiful children came to visit. (Not sure what they are to me... third cousins? Or second cousins once removed? Aaaah!)

Lea, Me, and Callie

All I know is, they're great. Chris and I skipped the Mule Day festivities to spend the afternoon with them at my parents'.

We played Mexican Train Dominoes and then...

we decided to ride.

Tah-Dah!

Chris rode with Callie. I rode with Lea.

Now, these little bikes are very deceiving. I won't go into too much detail about the adventure we had, but let's just say, after about an hour or so, we decided to call it quits.

I could feel the ticks crawling on me anyway...

Upon our return to the house, I dismissed the idea of bathing in Frontline. Instead the girls and I decided to bake cookies!

Me: "Ok, Lea, here are the dry ingredients... flour, sugar..."
Me: "Oh Callie, you start crackin' those eggs, girl. I'll soften this butter. Perfect! Let's pre-heat the oven... wait."
Mom: "OH MAN! I forgot to tell you. My oven doesn't work."

WWWHHHHHYYYY???


Me: "Ok, well here's a bowl of sugar and some flour for later then. Girls, let's find a no-bake cookie recipe, shall we?"

Despite the pictures, the chocolate something-or-other recipe we tried tasted pretty good. Then again, I suppose anything with butter, sugar, and chocolate would be tasty...

Thus concluded the festivites of the day. Like I said, it was an awesome visit.

*Pictures from the birthday party and other Moon-like activities to come!*

Homesick

Today was a difficult day.

Not all days go by so happy-go-lucky for me.

When I was younger, I was always said to be "too sensitive" by friends, family, and even some ex-boyfriends.

I think I've toughened up a bit since then.
That's what life will do.

But today was the Lord's Day, Sunday.

Today I visited a friend who is dying from cancer, a battle she has fought valiently for many years.

And it was hard. So very hard.

Today, my friend and I talked about her favorite hymns. She specifically mentioned one of my most beloved hymns, "It Is Well with My Soul."

That was the hymn we sang at Paul's funeral. Paul was a friend from my childhood.

He is now with Jesus, and this week marked the 11th anniversary of his death.

You know, they say time heals all wounds.

(Whoever "they" is.)

And although I believe this to be true to some extent, deep down, I know some wounds never fully heal. Some memories don't fade. Some are as vivid to me now, as they ever were.

I think I remember them for a reason. God allows me to remember for a reason.

Romans 8:28 promises that all things work together for good for those who love Him, that we are called by Him to a purpose.

I certainly love my God. And I know that she and Paul love Him as well.

Chris comforted our friend today with the reminder that all our bodies will fail us one day and that we will return home, reunited with her and our heavenly Father when they do.

To which she smiled and replied, "I'm ready to see my Jesus."

As my pastor declared to us that day we buried Paul eleven years ago, we can be sure that Paul is home. And heaven is all the more attractive because of it.

"Praise God from whom all blessing flow. Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen."

Announcement

I have some news to share...

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Stephanie is pregnant.

Fireside Thoughts

Chris and Sadie relaxing


So yesterday was Monday.

Cue the line from Soul II Soul's "Back to Life, Back to Reality."

The theme of the day.

Yes, back to life, back to work, bye bye lovely weekend.

The day proved to be a trying one, too.

Meetings, phone calls, and even some manual labor in heels. (Hey, I'm a team player. What can I say?)

My fellow workers even laughed at me as I toted a large stack of chairs across the lobby with a chair dolly, and whipped out their cell phones to snap a picture.

"Employee of the Quarter!" I called.
In my head, I was thinking, "Do I really look that ridiculous? I do this sort of thing all the time."

Lunch was rather speedy and small. So when 7pm rolled around, I was ready for home, husband, and food.

What I got was traffic, angry drivers, and a depressing topic on talk radio.

I spent most of the drive home contemplating my chances of winning the HGTV Dream Home.

The giveaway was that night. I imagined coming home, Chris greeting me with a gleam in his eye, and a knock at the door. I open the door to a guy holding a bunch of balloons, a huge check, and shouts of "CONGRATULATIONS!"

No such luck.

I opened the door to no balloons, no check, no congratulations.
There wasn't even any food.

I was cranky and whiny. Poor Chris.
"I'm getting dinner!" I say.

So after a meal at Panchos, I'm calm, rational, and realizing how difficult I was.
Me: "I'm sorry. You're such a good man, Chris."
Chris: "Uh-huh."

The evening concluded around the fireplace in our living room. A rarely used room.

I sat on cushions eating out of two cartons of ice cream with only a spoon, and Chris laid on the carpet, Sadie stretched out beside him.

We talked about our day, laughed at Chris' funny faces and impressions of me and his ability to shrink his mouth to look like Larry the Cucumber's. We laughed until our sides hurt.

A good ending to the Moon's Monday... even if I didn't get those balloons. :)

Weekend Recap

I heart weekends.

Especially ones I have off. Completely.

Chris and I spent Saturday morning riding around Columbia finishing up work he didn't get to do during the week. I promised him we'd make a day (and a date) of it this weekend.

We had so much fun!

First, I dug out a super-cute but rarely used trench coat and found a pack of Skittles and some Starbursts in the pocket. (Breakfast)

Then while pulling out of the driveway, Chris and I caved and let Sadie come too.

We spent all morning driving out in the middle of nowhere, taking pictures, singing along to Adele, and talking about life and what we wanted for lunch.

Afterwards, we stopped by Dad's office to visit and drop off some lunch leftovers.

Now my dad is one of the coolest men I know. So smart and strong, yet deep down a big teddy bear. I always say I married my daddy, and I'm one lucky girl.

Zoolander Faces

We finally made it home, and Saturday afternoon, I was over the sink finishing up dishes. A monotonous task.

Until Chris came around the corner, guitar in hand.

He sang, propped up on the counter beside me while I washed. It was delightful.

The amazing Saturday was topped off with a visit to my sister, Stephanie, and her husband, Zach's house.

She fed us chicken and dumplings (Zach's grandmother's recipe). We then broke out her new boardgame, Life, around her coffee table while eating birthday cake ice cream.

I conquered, edging Chris, with a total net worth of $2.75 million.

Yes, a good day.

Lazy Mondays

Sleeping in the Sun

Presidential Activities

How I celebrated Presidents' Day yesterday morning:

11:00am
Outside: Snow Falling

11:00am
Inside: Household Chores