Whirlwind Weekend

The weekend consists of 63 precious hours, from 5pm on Friday to 8am on Monday. This weekend I used every single one of those hours. I had two options regarding my weekend plans and although I wanted to do both options, I am very happy with how my weekend turned out.

It was family time vs. friend time.
 It was less driving vs. lots of driving.
And it was Dr. Albert Mohler vs. Dr. Doug Bookman. [Both of whom have been two of the most influential Bible teachers in my life.]

    Friday night sunset

I ended up seeing family and friends, seeing/hearing Dr. Bookman, and spending lots of quality time in my car. To simplify, this was my weekend:

17 hours of driving
8 hours in Kansas City
27 hours with friends
1 hour at Longview Lake
10 hours at home

    Saturday morning sunrise


The normal weekend cleaning still needs to be done and the fridge and cupboards are bare, but it was a refreshing time with people so dear to me and I'm so glad I did it.

    A spotted fawn and its mother. I also saw an armadillo and turkeys. 

Sometimes traveling back to visit can be awkward and sad, but not so. God has been so good to bless me with great friends who love Him and encourage me to do so. I had a relaxing time enjoying their friendship, just hanging out, and celebrating the new and coming babies.

    Sunday night sunset

 Of course, I missed my boys back at home. I got a picture text from them on Sunday...

    "Good morning, Mom. I miss you. See you tonight. Dad is the best."


No matter how much I would love to be sharing my day-to-day with these girls, I would much rather be with Hubs and the Pups. I'm back home and I'm ready to continue building relationships here and looking forward to more great relationships.

Blessed. Again and Again.

Sometimes Hubs and I wonder, "Why in the world...?" Last night was one of them.

Thankfully we rest in God's will for us and we are thankful for technology that lets us keep in touch easier.

Thanks guys. We love you.

Here it comes!

I said a few good-byes yesterday. To my sweetest little helper at the office, Madi. To my uncle/boss. To people we love. I. hate. saying. goodbye. It's emotional and I don't do well with emotions. So don't be offended if I disappear in the night.

Um, let me just give you a brief look in the week ahead:

Monday
 - golf for hubs
 - quick trip to wichita for some st. louis necessities including a garmin for me, a modem so i can be connected to the world, and an underground fence
 - a backyard cookout with some of our friends

Tuesday
 - car in the shop
 - coffee date
 - packing must happen
 - some sort of random grocery shopping
 - various phone calls for the move preparation
 - reading for various book studies
 - dinner at Grant & Becky's

Wednesday
 - still no car
 - more intense packing
 - my last wednesday morning book study :(
 - dinner at Norm & Joan's 

Thursday
 - still no car
 - last day of internet access
 - finish the packing
 - last small group study (for me)
 - not sure about dinner since all will be packed

Friday
 - pick up car
 - pick up my brother from Emporia
 - return modem to Cox
 - pick up uhaul?
 - cleaning and any leftover packing
 - dinner will be interesting
 - sure to be a late night getting ready for the big move

Saturday
 - pack up the truck
 - finish cleaning the house
 - drive to Kansas City
 - and its really gonna happen

Not mentioned: random coffee and lunch dates that will pop up, friends coming over to hang out while I work, and everything else I am forgetting.

I'm so thankful for dinner plans this week - means I don't have to worry about it. I'm so thankful for amazing, godly women that I have gotten to know. Wow. I'm so thankful for Hubs. It's just gonna be me and him soon.

Wednesdays

I just noticed the number of followers that I have. I've never noticed this before and I am in shock and awe that you would read my thoughts and claim to the world that you read them. Thank you.

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I love Wednesday mornings.

Tuesday night after The Biggest Loser, I take a shower. I'm in bed promptly by 10 pm and wake up the next morning between 5:30 and 6 am. I am out the door by 6:50 and within 10 minutes I am sipping coffee with great gals.

We quickly catch up on how the week is going. Struggles. Funny stories. And then we discuss the book we are going through, currently "Holiness by Grace." This week we discussed God's discipline in our lives and why He disciplines. Because He loves us, He wants us to know Him better, He wants us to be more holy, and He knows what is best when we don't.

I've been thinking about moving. A lot. Sometimes I think about how I don't want to. Other times I pretend we aren't. And then I get ideas for our house. Then I wonder what our life will be like there.

Whatever St. Louis has in store for us is in God's control. That is so comforting. Whether I like it, love it, or hate it there - God continues to have a purpose. My desire is to allow Him to use me and us in whatever capacity that is. .

But I'll miss these girls. And Wednesday mornings.

Catching you up

In x weeks we will be in Israel. I have been busy thinking about the gear I want to get and the trip. You know the anticipation of a vacation is half the fun. This is the biggest vacation we have ever taken and it is very appropriate considering we will be hunkering down for 30 months living on my income and paying for school. I can't wait for the time with Hubs exploring a new country and I this vacation should tide me over for 30 months - til we take our finished-with-school-forever-celebration-trip.

So, we've been looking at homes. Yes, we've decided to buy. The homes we really want are a little out of our price range, so we are being a bit more realistic this week. There is a lot to think about. I think we have a few good prospects and I am really having to fight controlling this issue and letting God work it out in His timing.

And of course the biggest search will be a job. The resume is almost updated and ready. It's early, but I'm prepared.

On Sunday, Hubs and I ate with some friends. At one point, while they were getting some pizza from the buffet, Hubs said, "We have to find friends like this in St. Louis." It's true. We have awesome friends and they are going to be missed. This being my 13th move, I know it is all about enduring the awkward conversations and being open and real. We are already praying for friends there.

I just got home from a 3-mile run with Ransom. As I've done before, I thought I would take you through my thought process...

My face is cold, but the rest of me feels great. Hubs is gonna have a good day for 13 miles.

Oh wow. Ransom's pooping already. 

I feel pretty good. I am definitely going 3 miles.

The half marathon wouldn't be so bad. I think I should do it.

Mmmm. Somebody is drying their clothes and that fabric softener smells really good.

Weird. I can still smell the fabric softener.

It is a really nice day. I'm glad I got out and ran.

Ransom! Get over here.

Pee break (we had about 5 of these)

Okay. This is getting kind of boring. But, at least I still feel pretty good.

Turning around. The hard part is over now.

Ransom! Come. over. here.

Okay, so I can obviously run 3 miles but I am NOT running that half marathon.

Severence has never looked so long.

I can't imagine running this 4+ more times during the half.

Ugh. This is not fun.

[Back home] Wow. I feel so great after getting out and running today!

Friends, Corn, Etc.

Friends.

Time. 

       

Homemade.

Scary.

Short.

Corn.

Love.

Shop til you drop (literally) - take 2

It's Sunday night - 10:30pm. Usually, I would be in my comfys, reading a book, easing myself into a good night sleep. Note - I enter my late twenties in a few weeks and am not even tempted to stay up into the wee hours anymore.

Instead, I hopped into a black Honda civic with two beauties for a 24-hour shopping trip. The goal was to find a dress for one of them - the one up for homecoming queen in a few weeks. Shopping trips seems to be better with little-to-no sleep (read post).

I have not had so much fun shopping in a long time. The companions were excellent - my aunt and closest relative, Ruth. She lives in KC and was gracious to let us invade her space for a while. She is so fun to shop with and has been my "sister" for years. I was so excited to spend time with her. And my two gorgeous cousins - Bethany and Sarah. These girls are so fun - we laughed and shared and talked about God. It was so easy to be with them. Not having a sister, it was so fun to see Bethany and Sarah interact together. I was just so impressed with them both in so many ways; and I love them even more than I already did.

Our shopping lasted from 10:30 am - 6:30 pm and we are sad to say we came home empty-handed. Although we saw beautiful dresses (and some ugly ones), we just didn't find the right one. Yet.

We got home at 11:15 pm on Monday. Tired and defeated. But, it was the highlight of my weekend and I really hope to do it again!

Home away from home

For three nights, this was our bedroom:

Not too shabby for a 7x7 area. We had an air mattress and a 2-foot wide entry area for our bags and Ransom, of course.

The first night, Hubs and I laid down on our brand new bed (purchased not even a week earlier). We were drifting off to sleep when we heard a loud noise and I felt a punch to my face from the bed. I sat up and we heard a hiss. The mattress had popped! The next morning, after sleeping on the hard ground, Hubs drove back to town to exchange the broken mattress for a new one. The next two nights were much more comfortable.

This was our kitchen:

And our dining room was screened in once we moved the table in:

This was our living room:

And our back yard:

But most importantly, for three days, this was our family:

92...93...94...

When you think of hiking, you probably think of the mountains. This weekend, we took a hike in Kansas, though, and found it to be quite nice.

The group included 8 adults and 4 dogs. Something very exciting must have distracted the dogs while the picture was snapped.

It was a warm hike at the beginning...muggy. But we climbed up some rocks and even into a cave.

The views were actually quite nice at certain spots.

The dogs were troopers. They climbed rocks. They forged rivers. And Ransom pulled me along the entire time, up and down hills. Two of the dogs were even carrying backpacks with water!

Jazz loved the river because it meant she could sink her whole body down into the water and cool off.

What we didn't realize until halfway through, was the number of ticks attaching themselves to the dogs and us. We pulled off many during the hike and then many more after the hike was over. When we got back to camp, I went off to take a shower. I returned to hear Hubs counting "62...63...". He was counting the number of ticks he had pulled off Ransom since I went to the shower. I sat down and helped him and we got to well over 100 ticks before we lost count. I guess we put that flea and tick medicine to the test!

(Yes, that background noise is Ransom breathing!)

When we arrived home, I found another tick on ME! Those things have to be one of the nastiest insects alive!

Words from Ransom

I love riding in the truck. Wind in my ears, slober flying everywhere. This is the life. We should come here every weekend.

Man, I thought she would understand when I didn't jump in that I don't want to be in the river. Now she's dragging me in. I hope a fish bites her.

Yeah, that other dog Jazz is crazy. This water is gross, can we get out yet?

Ha! It's shallow over here. But what is that slimy stuff under my paws!?

Can I get out yet?

How come she gets to get out, but I am forced to stay in?

Yeah I don't feel bad that she had a river worm thing in her shoe. Serves her right. That'll keep her from ever dragging me in again!

Thrill Ride

Hubs and I took a weekend trip again. We went to Kansas City to 1) house sit, 2) have a weekend away, and 3) go to Worlds of Fun with some of our new friends.

I hadn't ridden a roller coaster, or thrill ride for that matter, in over 5 years. It didn't feel like that long ago, but as I walked into the theme park I started to get nervous. I have never really been a dare-devil with it comes to rides; I only went on my 1st upside-down ride 5 years ago. Imagine my shock when Hubs suggested we ride the Patriot first: dangling feet, upside down, and corkscrew turns.

I made up lots of excuses: my head bangs against the shoulder harness (true); I have a headache (true). But, I ended up on the ride. And, I ended up having fun (with my eyes closed).

Actually, it felt really good to conquer that fear. Every ride after that became easier and easier. Hubs even got me in the 2nd to front car on their newest roller coaster. By the time we had to leave, I was ready to keep riding! It was also good to spend some time getting to know some new friends.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Ransom took a little thrill ride of his own. As Hubs and I were inside Saturday morning, I noticed something strange outside.

Hubs, I think Ransom is in the neighbor's yard.

No. He can't be. He would have had to jump the fence.

I went to investigate. Sure enough; Ransom was chilling out in the neighbor's yard. Correction: Ransom was trying to climb the neighbor's tree and get the squirrel that was dropping nuts into the yard.

I called Ransom back, thinking oh great, he is not going to know how to get back over and I am going to have to crawl over and lift him. To our astonishment, Ransom leaped over the fence without a hint of hesitation or difficulty and came over to me excited as can be over his new trick.

Not only was he excited, but he wanted to do it over and over again. And those squirrels kept taunting him the entire trip.

Note to self: We have a new requirement for a future home - at least a 6-foot fence.

A New Tradition

We had a great weekend. It started out with a visit from my parents. They brought us Colby Ridge popcorn from Lincoln and Krispy Kreme donuts from Kansas City! Though it was a short visit, we had a great time throwing the Frisbee, playing with Ransom, and just hanging out.

On the 4th, we had a cookout with some of our new friends. It was such a success that it is sure to be a tradition going forward.

Haha. They both have buzzed heads and sunglasses. Hubs just needs to get him a goatee!

It started out with some bocce ball and then we grilled and hung out. 

Look closely and you can find the dog-pals. Jazz and Ransom

The party was at Ransom's best friend, Jazz's, house. They loved playing in the backyard and searching for fallen pieces of food. 

Then we made a fire to roast s'mores and also churned some homemade ice cream. Oh my, it was so good.

Ransom, eyeing the ice cream.

We were able to see the big city fireworks in a baseball field a block away. Then, we set off some of our own fireworks in the front yard. There were some really great fireworks all around us. They were loud and booming, but Ransom didn't mind it a bit.

When we exhausted our fireworks, we gathered outside and played cranium until very late. There were lots of laughs and we all decided it was a great party, one to be repeated next year for sure!

July 4th

(I finally figured out how to insert the pictures so that they will enlarge when you click them! This picture was taken at the Arizona Memorial last year.)

As I said last year, tomorrow is one of my favorite holidays. I am sitting here trying to figure out what is my favorite part of the day, though.

Fireworks. I love watching the big show with the music in the background. I like to "ooh" and "ahh" over them, and get close enough for feel the boom when they explode. I also love buying some of our own fireworks and setting them off. From sprinklers to fountains to artillery shells. This is one of my favorite parts of July 4th.

Although, I really love cookouts with a whole bunch of friends! It can't be the 4th without a yummy watermelon, some iced sun tea, and some brats. Throw in some potato salad and baked beans and I am satisfied. My mouth is watering already. Fruit pizza also seems to be a staple for me - red, white, and blue to be patriotic of course.

We have a fun weekend planned. My parents are visiting tonight and then tomorrow we are getting together with friends for food, fun, and fireworks! And the best part about this weekend is that the temperatures are forecasted to be in the upper 80s to lower 90s, so we can actually enjoy being outside.

What is your favorite thing to do on 4th of July?

Friends

Make new friends, but keep the old.

One is silver, and the other's gold.

If I sit and think about all my friends I've ever had in the past 25.5 years of my life, I'm amazed. Each one is different, each have different memories, but all are special in their own ways. I think that after we move on, we change. And, in ways, we may be so different now that our friendships would not be the same. 

There's my best friend from grade school. We'd do everything together and we were tomboys. We'd explore in the woods, build forts, jump off of everything that was high, and throw our dolls off them, too. We'd ride our bikes to and from school and beg our parents to let us spend the night with each other all the time. But, we moved away. I still keep in touch, though. She has a daughter now.

There's my friends from high school - so many. We went through the high school dramas together and shared a lot of common interests, but mostly goals and dreams. I wonder how our dreams have changed and molded us now.

There's my best friend who knew everything about me. We were closer than any friendship had been. We would just talk for hours, or just watch the same show at our separate homes, while the phone was at our ear (don't even pretend you didn't do the same thing). We shared laughs, tears, frustrations, and opinions with each other. We both moved on and have separate lives now.

There's my friends from college. My roommates who knew everything about my life at that time, who were always up for watching an episode of Friends or a walk to Starbucks. We had fun living in the most spontaneous years of our life, while being poor, needing little sleep, and just having fun. We've moved on and have separate lives now.

There's our fellow dental-minded friends. They are always a phone call away even though they are states away. They keep us down-to-earth and are always willing to meet up and travel. They inspire each of us to relax and enjoy life.

There's my friends from flock. These people helped me grow and learn to be a wife. They shared my struggles, they prayed for me and I for them, and we all laughed and shared stories with each other. So many moved and then it was our turn to move on, yet these friendships are ones that I won't give up lightly.

There's something about our old friends. The one I can email to catch-up with, or call when I am in town to have coffee, or the one who gives great advice and I can email at anytime - we can get together and, no matter how we've changed, still laugh about old times and catch-up on the new stuff.

And, there's our new friends. Oh how I dreaded the awkward making friends stage. But, God brought us to a place where He provided the friends we would need. Already, he has given me a great new friend. One who loves to walk around Target without needing to buy anything. One who has a dog and is willing to let mine come over to play. One who I can call and who calls me. 

I love friends, new and old. Whether reconnecting, catching-up, or in my life right now, you all have a special place in my heart.

The big day.

Help: Since I have been blogging on my new mac, I cannot figure out why the pictures won't get bigger when you click on them. Any suggestions?

In my mind I had thought of this day often. I had it planned in my head as a simple day spent with those who had been close to us throughout the past four years. As I thought about it, I always shook my head, laughing because it was so far away and I had plenty of time to plan.

As May 8th, 2009 drew closer, time was flying by. As much as I wanted the minutes to slow down, it was here before I knew it. 

I thought about doing a play-by-play of the day, BORING. So, instead, you are getting pictures from the day.

Hubs had a lot of awards read after his name. He worked very hard for this day, and he made it to the end!

Hubs and I shared very few moments that day. This was one of them.

Hubs and his parents after the ceremony.

After the ceremony, we had a wonderful time with family and friends. So many people came out to congratulate us and, some to say good-bye.

Me, with my mom and dad. I was exhausted by 7:30am, so by the time this picture was taken at 3:30pm, I was struggling. No worries, Dad got coffee pumping through my veins 30 minutes later. We had a party to host!

We had issues finding a cake. This one came all the way from Kansas City and it was yummy! 

I bought this toothbrush for Hubs 2 years ago and he didn't see it until that day. Now it is in his office at work, just in case little kids misbehave.

Remember these? Each chocolate sucker had our new address attached. Each person got to take one home with them.

These little creations were my favorite part of the day. They are white chocolate mint dentures!

It was a great day to have fun and celebrate with family and friends. 

Our move - Part 1

Three weeks ago today was our last day living in this state:

We woke up early and took care of some business at the County attorney's office (oh, have I not told you that story yet?) and then picked up the U-haul. 

When my brother showed up around noon, we began the grueling task of taking all the boxes and furniture from our 3rd floor apartment and loading them onto the 17-foot-long U-haul. 

It was hot, but we were very thankful for the elevator. As more wonderful helpers arrived, our apartment became more bare and my mother-in-law and I began cleaning, a task I am never thrilled about.

Soon, I heard rumors that the U-haul was full and there was still more stuff. Where had it all be hiding? I have no clue. We filled up another car and two more trucks. 

As quickly as we had begun, the task was over. Our friends had left and I was alone in our very first apartment. Our home for the past 3 years was completely empty, yet so many memories flooded my thoughts. I don't know if it was the heat, the exhaustion, or the yucky smell from the self-cleaning oven that I had just remembered to turn on, but the tears came and they weren't to be stopped. I sat in the corner of our bedroom and cried.

Hubs soon came to find me and we got ready to leave and spend the night at his parent's home. We were planning to leave at 8am sharp the next morning and we were both mentally and physically weary. 

We fell into bed that night and slept soundly until the alarm went off. I woke up with renewed excitement and energy. Today I would see our new home. Today would start a new journey of our lives.