Sunday, May 30, 2010

36 hrs in Mississippi

During our move week, Parker & I hopped on a plane for MS to attend a friend's wedding. I was a little stressed from the events & craziness of the week itself, but was hesitant for the flight as well because it was the first flight I was doing by myself without Parker's Travel Car Seat/Stroller. Clay & I had decided it was time to try out the travel straps/toddler seatbelt for Parker. I packed light & prayed for speedy legs (for me, not Parker) in case I had some running to do through the terminals.

I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. The entire flight & time at the airports went terrific. Parker made me one proud mama that day. We left in plenty of time (30 min earlier than we typically would with me pushing him in the stroller) to allow for curiosity & dawdling little legs. :) I figured that with this complete newfound freedom of getting to walk from car to plane, Parker would enjoy full advantage of all the sights & experiences...I was right. We used the entire extra 30 minutes. It was completely stress free & might I even say...relaxing?! Well, maybe not totally relaxing, but as relaxing as traveling with a two year old can be!

Since the flight was immediately after lunch, we stopped for a special treat at McDonalds, so that tummies would be full during our "naptime" (which just happened to be flight time! :)) Not sure why, but I was in the mood to take pictures of Parker eating McD's. I took quite a few, to which my little man got a little exasperated with --as you can see by the picture below. I was thankful I messed up the order by ordering more than intended because not only did P enjoy his chicken nuggets, apple slices & juice, but he also devoured my extra cheeseburger & a few of my fries. Growth spurt? Nah, how about a look into my future and what I have to look forward to when cooking for boys.

When arriving at the terminal, we boarded practically immediately. Thankfully, I was one of the first coach passengers to board. It makes my life so much easier when I can get our bags put away, Parker's goodie bag/travel bag out & ready, & Parker & myself strapped in while everyone else is strolling onto the airplane with their one little carry-on. With that routine, we finish everything just perfectly & I don't feel as if I'm holding anyone else up (or the entire take-off for that matter).

I will never forget one of the times a not-so-friendly gate agent had me wait & be the last one on the airplane (even though I already had confirmed seats). The flight was already running a little behind schedule & you can imagine how flushed I was as we boarded the aircraft to approximately 150 anxious & ready-to-go, strapped-in-their-seats, individuals. The flight attendants were quite beyond ready to get off the ground as well, so all of that combined did not make for happy times. People just sat there & stared as I tried hopelessly to find a space for our carry-on bag (which we ended up having to put underneath the plane), get Parker's stroller folded down into the car seat & strapped in to the aircraft, help him as he was calling for his Nunu, his trucks & little animals, his blankee & his juice & get myself situated & buckled in. It was not the happiest of times. All that being said to say, I am extremely grateful for the polite & caring gate agents out there & I make sure to let them know how much I appreciate them when they so graciously allow us to board a little early. Happy mama's & happy babies on flights make for happy passengers & happy flight attendants.

On this particular trip to MS, Parker decided--just before drifting off to sleep for his naptime--to review the flight safety charts & ensure he was prepared in the case of an emergency.
Rassie and great-grandparents Mama Sam & Shorty were there to greet us at the Memphis airport. Parker enjoyed having "buddies" in the back seat with him for part of the car ride home. The highlight was the tickling of the toes between Memphis & Batesville.
This was a special trip in more ways than one as I got to meet sweet, precious Jack for the first time. One of my best friends recently had her first baby & was going to be in town that weekend. I couldn't wait to get my hands on that precious little boy. Terra was just radiant & Jack was even cuter than pictures portrayed. I am so happy for Terra & Allen on this new addition to their family!
I am so thankful that I was able to attend Mindy & Richard's wedding. Mindy is a childhood friend of mine back before even our preschool days. We always had such fun on our weekend sleepovers & playdates. She is one of the most genuine people one could ever hope to meet.
The day was a beautiful & special one & the couple just spilled happiness & joy from their smiles. I wish them blessings & happy memories in their future. Thank you for having me be a part of your special day, Mindy.
The reception was such fun in that I got to see sooo many friends & people that I knew & hadn't seen in awhile. Summer, one of my college roommates, was there with Virgil, her hubby & their two sweet girls. (They are actually related to the bride.) Ann, another college friend was there with Nick, her husband & their two children (also related to the bride.) It's always fun to catch up on lives & see how your friends are doing. I can't wait to see many of them again this summer since our visit was so short this time.

And of course it's always a joy to get to stay at mama's house when in town. A warm comfortable feeling when I walk in the front door, my bedroom with childhood remembrances, soft candles burning, daffodils displayed on the kitchen table, sweet smells drafting from the kitchen...mama's house. I love it so. :)
Though a rushed & quick trip, (less than 48 hrs actually) it was one with great memories & fun times with family & friends. Thanks to everyone who helped to make it so special, as you always do. We love each of you so very much.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

happy weekend!

I hope that each of you enjoys the warm, sunny weekend & also experiences lots of simple moments with your family & friends!

We're planning on lots of outdoor family time, including cooking out on the grill, playing & working in the yard, running around barefoot in the grass & sippin' some sweet lemonade out on the deck.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Progress around the home & "Being a Mary vs. Martha"

A couple of nights ago we finished up unpacking the last bulk of boxes. Yea! We have a handful of boxes still sitting around needing attention, but I should be able to tackle these in an afternoon. All the large wall items are hung, but I have at least 60+ frames in need of attention. I am really looking forward to hanging my frames & wall decor! Sadly enough, I actually get giddy just thinking about it. :)

Last Saturday was a rainy day, so I actually rejoiced because that meant we could tackle the basement. Since moving in, we have wanted to play outside as much as possible & get some yard work done (I'll show some pics soon!); therefore, the inside of the house has been put off a bit due to gorgeous weather. :) We did get everything organized & unpacked in the basement with the exception of my scrapbooking stuff. I will look forward to gradually getting to that over the next several weeks. There are some pictures that are calling my name in need of printing & scrapping/hanging.
Monday night we decided to have a watermelon social at our place for a few of the neighbors. It was a beautiful day so we were looking forward to sitting out on the deck & enjoying the delicious weather. Well, about halfway through our dinner, Clay, Parker & I had to grab our plates & run inside to miss the buckets of water pouring from the sky...random. We weren't sure whether or not the neighbors would show up or not with the change, but low & behold they were knocking on our doors at 7:15 ready for a party. I have to tell you that I was highly embarassed by the way our kitchen & living area looked. Stuff sitting out, candles not lit...see, I hadn't planned on people actually coming in & wanting a tour of the place with the original plan being that the party was going to be outdoors. Now, I know we have just moved & all, but I was beyond mortified. I actually told my mom that night that I would rather have someone walk in on me in my underwear than to walk in & have the garbage sitting out in the kitchen, a warm candle not lit & stuff sitting around waiting to be put away. Call it ocd, call it nesting, call it whatever you want to, but that has got to be one of my biggest pet peeves. (I'm going to regret admitting all of this later! ha!) Anyway, I sucked it up when I saw how happy Clay & everyone else was & decided not to stress over those little details...well, at least not while the company was in the house.

We recently had a message in our Sunday School class about "Mary & Martha." (Luke 10:38-42) It was the perfect lesson for me that week. (I think I could stand to hear it a time or two more!) Less than two weeks before the move my dear husband made the comment, "Baby, we haven't had anyone over for supper in awhile. Let's invite one of the couples from church over in the next week or so." (Now, please keep in mind that by this time, our kitchen table was packed up along with over 3/4 of our home.) I looked at him in wide-eyed disbelief & replied, "What did you have in mind? Having a pow wow over a pizza box in the middle of the living room floor?!" I nipped that suggestion in the bud quickly much to his dismay...the next Sunday was the lesson on being a Martha or Mary. I couldn't help but laugh when most of the husbands in the room (including mine) glanced over at their wives to raise their eyebrows as if to say with one look, "See, I told you so."

Growing up, our family always had people stopping by the house to say hello, play, etc. I remember my mom having candles lit & creating such a warm environment for our guests. Now, the house was rarely in perfect order with everything that was going on in everyday lives; however, she always made people feel welcome & comfortable when they walked through the door. My mom is definitely a "Mary." I pray often that I will develop more of the "Mary" mentality...you see it's a lot easier to do when life is calm & a little quieter...I can do that part. It's more of a challenge when your life gets turned upside down & twisted around; that's when the test stands strongest.

With all that being said, though our house was nowhere near perfect condition, it was a fun evening with new friends...imagine that! ;) ...by the way, the watermelon was delish. 

Monday, May 24, 2010

Several fun things from this weekend...

I am soooo happy to be sitting here at my working computer looking through pictures from the past month & actually being able to share some of these cuties with ya'll! It has been an interesting last several weeks mixed with a little of everything: busy days, fun times, challenging hours, stressful situations, beautiful weather, laid-back afternoons. We are loving the new home & starting to feel a lot more settled in. Sooo much to share & catch up on, but I had to get on here & post some pictures from our weekend. This post will be random, but quick thoughts (I've actually got about 10 minutes before the boys get home for supper).

This was at 11:15 last night (sexy picture isn't it...half dressed in pjs, half dressed in clothes from the day). I got the urge around 10pm to start decorating, so Clay got to help me...obviously, I couldn't crawl up there by myself. :) I'm very happy with the finished results...this picture doesn't show the final arrangement, but we were having fun at this point & decided to take pictures. I will say though, that as I sit here & look at the picture, my palms are sweating (as they were last night when I was trying to dust the upper level & arrange my pretty things...I was determined to get it done though.)

LOVE this picture & these two! This was taken after church on Sunday...I have got to get some cute pics of little man in this outfit from his Rassie. It's adorable & one of my current favorites. Parker refused to leave his baseball cap in the car during church, so we allowed him to wear it in, then he placed it in his little container in the nursery until after church was over. When Clay & I went to get him afterwards, he happily walked out swinging his arms & walked over to his little bucket where he pulled his hat from. That hat went straight back on his head & stayed on for the remainder of the day. He actually wore it until bedtime (literally, I took it off after we had said bedtime prayers & as I was laying him down!)

I have started my first herb garden! It will be so much fun to have fresh herbs to use with my cooking this summer & fall. For years I have said I wanted one, so I am excited to be able to have my own small little garden of it now. This weekend, I walked out on the deck to see the first little buds popping up out of the potting soil. I was so excited I started yelling at Clay to come see my plants. He laughed....so I took pictures to show everyone. So far, I have planted Basil, Oregano, Parsley & Cilantro. I want to plant Rosemary & Mint too, but haven't been able to find it yet; they seem to be out of those two everywhere I go.

This is what entertained Parker during our long Walmart shopping trip this weekend. He took things off the shelves & lined them up across the aisles. Well, at least there is some order to it. ;)
Lots more to do...a few boxes left to unpack, frames need to be hung & of course the decorating is not done. But, I am having lots of fun playing with it all & enjoying our everyday life in our new home.
P.S. Only 2 things were broken during the move...1 was a nice glass from our everyday line & the other was my Southern Living red pedestal that I used ALL the time. Shame. I was sad about those things, but sooo happy that more wasn't broken. I about cried for joy when I unpacked all of my unharmed McCarty & Peter's. Clay still shakes his head over my protective nature of the treasured Mississippi Mud. He says there's a problem (aka mental issue) when one is more concerned for "fired delta clay" than their own expensive china & crystal. Well, I won't argue with that. I will say to the comment though, I am who I am & will proudly announce that I am a true Southerner at heart who supports & loves her MS roots...enough to appear mentally challenged if it means protecting the dear Mississippi mud that resides in my kitchen...and my living room...and my bedroom...and the nursery... :)

Thursday, May 13, 2010

busy days

To say that the last 2 1/2 weeks have been a whirlwind would be an understatement; I'm sure that anyone who has been through a move or major personal event would agree. In keeping this brief (since I'm borrowing a neighbors'/friends' computer) I'll summarize our events over the last couple of weeks:

Monday, April 26: moving truck came...we officially moved all of our belongings from the apt to the house
Tuesday: spent from 11am-4am with a one hour supper break cleaning the apt (remind me to tell you sometime how many filters are in a microwave that you can clean...I think you'll be surprised)
Wednesday: exhausted beyond words...Clay left to go fly that morning
Thursday: don't remember anything other than packing & unpacking...oh yeah, we had our move-out inspection...
Friday: flew out for friends' wedding in MS with Parker
Saturday: wedding in MS
Sunday: supposed to leave Grenada at 2am with mom to head to airport to make 6am flight back to Minne...due to Tornados, flash flood warnings & thunderstorm warnings in MS & TN we didn't make that schedule...my 36 hr trip in MS turned into 48 :)
Monday: left at 2:30am to head to Memphis for flight to MN...flight delayed because of weekend weather...arrived just a few hours later than planned

After arriving back from MS, we have unpacked most of the boxes that are in the house (I have a LONG way to go before everything is in its place & looking cute though!), spent a LOT of time outside working & playing, visiting with new & old friends, a fun outing to the Children's Museum & yesterday I had fun watching 3 boys for a girlfriend of mine (Parker had so much fun playing with 3 other guys & getting to do all "boy stuff" for awhile).

If you can believe it, we still do not have internet service (should be up & running by next Thursday), cable or a house phone. I have honestly checked my email once in the last 2 1/2 weeks...I couldn't tell you when I have EVER not checked my email in such a long period of time. Cable & house phone I am fine without...internet on the other hand...not so much. I told Clay last night that he wasn't allowed to sleep in the bed with me until he called about our internet service. ha ha! He took care of it right away; unfortunately, it will be 7-8 days before they can hook it up. Boo.

Lots of pics & fun things to post. I'll look forward to getting back to regular posting next week! :)