Completely Gone

There've always been lingering questions:  Maybe I was wrong.  Maybe I misread.  Maybe, what if, question mark.

But recent realizations and events solidified my original decision.  There are no questions left.  They meant for evil, but all is good.  Surprisingly good.   I know I am not required to give any of it another thought.  My conscience is clear, and I'll lose no sleep.

Godspeed.

Happy Friday 13th, Dad! ;)

Yesterday was my dad's birthday. He turned 74 and still has a lot of get up and go. :)  I love this picture of dad with the three of us:  Steve, me and Chris.  It brings back a lot of warm memories.

Dad was a hands on dad, and not a do as I say, not as I do dad.  He patiently taught us, played with us, and listened to us.  We had great talks.

It was around the time this picture was taken that I realized I was going to die someday.  The idea of mortality hit me.  I got up crying, wondering how I would go, when, if it would hurt.  He told me God gives us grace when that time comes.  That was enough for me, and I slept well that night.

He built us a treehouse.  Two stories.  I remember the first time I made it to the second floor by myself!  You had to get there by rope.  My floor had my play stove and sink, and mom would give me water and flour in one of my play pans so I could "cook."  It was a great playhouse.

I remember Dad sitting us down at a card table and using my doll dishes to teach Steve and me about table manners.  I've wondered for years what prompted that lesson!

I know there's a lot in the news lately about the importance of dads in a kids' life.  I can testify that my dad gave me such a good foundation with relationships, trusting, and loving.  It's easy to learn it when you've been given that love unconditionally!

Love you, Dad!  I've always wondered how I ever managed to get the best Dad in the world!
 

Why So Serious?

Sometimes play is good.

22 years ago tomorrow

I was setting up the reception area. Picking up cake. Getting my hair did, and joining girlfriends at the church.

I was a tad nervous. Not about the event, but about standing up in front of people, all eyes on T and me.

It was a good day with loved ones all around. Thinking back, it's sad because there are quite a few that were there, but are no longer with us now: Chris, Mamaw, Papa, Aunt Leila, Uncle Johnnye, George. My dad officiated. Papa read from I Corinthians 13. That I remember.

I remember looking at T and thinking "Here we go!" I got to start my life with my best friend. I know that sounds like such a cliche, but for us it's real. That friendship has sustained us through some pretty rough times, and has made this union what it is: something that is real and genuine, full of respect and affection.

I'm so glad that we met. I'm so glad I got past not liking him for giving me a hard time for asking for extra ketchup. I'm glad we worked through the long distance relationship, and I'm glad we took that step. We owe Darby a huge debt for setting us up on that first date!

I love you, Big Dad! You're my hero.

Stuff I Want

I want one of those cool cell phones with all the bells and whistles.

I want a chef to fix me fantastic, fresh foods with no fish whatsoever.

I want a car with a full, lifetime warrantee.

I want a thai lady to live with us to give us foot massages whenever we want.

I want a lifetime, all you can buy card for Office Depot, because office supplies rock.

But then again....

If I had the phone, I would end up spending time talking to other people than to the one I'm with.

If I had a chef to fix me food, then I wouldn't want to grow my own garden and find out how to nurture the plants and cook with them.

If I had the car with the full time warrantee, then I wouldn't learn how to fix cars and would be at the full mercy of mechanics everywhere!

I can't find a reason why a thai lady shouldn't live with us to give us foot massages.

If I had a lifetime supply card for Office Depot, then I would rob random people from giving supplies to help kids that don't have.



I guess I don't want that stuff after all. Except the thai lady. Still can't find a reason not to have her.

Cousins

My nephew flew in for the week, and we're having such a good time having him around. He is the son of my husband's sister, and we all used to live close to each other, until we moved overseas when the boys were four and five years old. They've only spent a week or two together at a time every few years since then. But we've always gone to their house. This time Trey came here.

All I can say is, he assimilated. Kind of a seamless transition from his house to ours. It's been fun, hearing all of the kids upstairs laughing, feet pounding on the floor, having to tell them it's late and they need to go to bed. Then there are the times when we tell family stories, and laughter spreads all around.

A week isn't long. But it's just enough time to let the kids hang out, touch base, and reconnect. Now if I can just get him to stop saying "yes ma'am."

I Want To Go To There...

It's just a matter of a couple of weeks now, and we'll be moving into our new school. I'm so excited. It's a beautiful campus, with a two story building that will house 660 students and 75 teachers and administrators. My room will be on the far right, bottom floor.

I can't wait to get started! I feel so blessed to have a job that I can't wait to go to.