Lies

Yesterday wasn't Grandma's birthday. Today is! I'm a nerd but it just let her celebrate a little longer, right?

You know something I hate? My house is never completely clean. Like completely. And I have been trying to come to terms with this for yearssssss (ie - not Jamey's fault). If I empty the trash but then wipe the counters and sweep the floors - then there's garbage in there. Once I unload the dishwasher it's time to eat lunch or dinner - and back in the dishes go. I'll do laundry but then when I get everything folded and put away, my dirty clothes from the day go straight into the hamper. Not a big deal, but always so sad to me. There is always something to wipe up, dust off, or put away. It's never done. I know I'm nuts.

Another thing - fruit flies never die!

But there are some things I really love. No matter how long I neglect my flowers, they never die. The ceiling fan in our room makes it the perfect temperature to sleep at night. Our couches are comfy and deep and I can do anything on them - sit, sleep, read, or study. Jamey doesn't mind being the one to clean out the shower drain (even though it's mostly my hair). And our windows let in a lot of natural light.

Happy Birthday my dear sweet Grandma!

Don't I have a lovely grandmother? I just love her. I called this morning and Jamey and I sang to her and then she and I just chatted...and I've been smiling ever since. I wish I was there to celebrate. We'd go shopping -window shopping and shoe shopping and look at a quite a few purses and a bit of this and that. Then we'd eat lunch. Then we'd start round 2 of shopping. If it was my birthday she'd be sure to pick up something my mother would certainly hate and insist that I must have it. She was always good like that. But it is her birthday so no good ways to make my mom roll her eyes. 

Grandma has spunk. She's feisty and quick-witted and I love hearing what comes out of her mouth. I'll giggle for days. When I was little and at their house, she and Grandpa Brown would let me drink my water or juice in the fancy wine glasses with my pinky up. She was at every dance recital, orchestra concert, and graduation (along with the numerous ones of all her other grandchildren). She makes the best tortellini soup. She is always in fashion. She enjoys road trips with her family. And she is always there.

Love you Grandma! Happy birthday!

more family time

Oh I am just such a good little blogger recently. We got to see more family this weekend! Lexi and her crew came thru Columbus on their major trek from Rhode Island to Washington. Not even a full 24 hours but we packed a lot in. And because I'm so awesome I didn't take a single picture on my phone. So I hacked Lexi's from Instagram. Thanks Lex!

About as soon as the boys were out of the car they HAD to go to the pool. This was a serious NEED that had to be met immediately. I was just about to change into my own suit when Lexi suggested pedicures. I didn't need convincing. Once we were in the wonderful massage chairs letting our feet soak Lexi was telling me a story and flipped her hand and away went her pretty pink nail color. It happened so fast and was really great. The Asian man was yelling at me to move my own purple away from danger but I was laughing too hard to comprehend.

When we got back I cut up a few apples and set out the nutella and peanut butter. Apparently Casey had never been introduced to nutella and I was happy to do the honors. Since I'm really classy I just dunk the apple straight in, no utensils. Casey tried but didn't get any so I told him he just had to really stick his hand in and scoop it out. The apple got lost but Casey went after it. I was so proud. 

Then last night we took them all to the Food Truck Festival downtown. There were 47 different trucks to choose from and all so delicious. The boys had hot dogs and pizza, of course Jamey and I had to choose the noodles truck which had the longest line (worth it!). It was such a gorgeous evening to be outside and with family. 

And that was pretty much it. Got home, kids went to bed, woke up, ate peach pancakes, and they were on their way. So glad we made the list of stops! Miss them already.

The letter P

Super fun weekend. We went pickin peaches! This was one of my favorite things we've ever done because 1) it's a nice drive thru beautiful rural Ohio scenery 2) it's time to be with Jamey away from school and responsibility 3) it's outside 4) the deliciousness lasts FOREVER.

We had mentioned this to the Hiltons and they were the instigators to be on our way by 8 am. Their company made it all the more fun. We go to Apple Hill Orchard in Fredericktown, OH - about an hour's drive from Columbus. We found it on a whim last year and were so pleased. Yesterday was the first day they opened the part of the orchard with the peaches we love and so the pickings were pretty high yield. They weren't all ripe and soft and perfect as last year but we'll leave them out for a few days and enjoy them even longer. We left with an overflowing half bushel of peaches, a half peck of apples, and some fresh homemade apple donuts for the drive home. Happiness.

Then last night Jamey and I went up the Gambier, OH to volunteer at Pelotonia, the bike race he participated in last year. We staffed the First Aid station. Pelotonia is such a neat experience to be a part of. I know Jamey would've loved to ride again this year but I felt like we couldn't really hit up everyone we know for the fundraising again. Everyone was so generous to support Jamey last year and we were/are so grateful for all the donations. So instead, we volunteered to staff it. I love doing these things with Jamey. I am so grateful we can share so much about our lives - school, work, and socially - together. 

And I guess Jamey was feeling like livin on the edge because we were leaving Gambier and the gas light was on. When we checked the trip computer we weren't concerned, it's pretty accurate with the mileage. We found on our phones that there were some gas stations ahead with about 5 miles to spare. But we forgot that in small towns gas stations are not always 24 hours. We seriously coasted into the gas station before the highway with 1 mile to go and then 0. Huge sigh of relief. I was very anxious. Jamey was too but of the 2 of us he had to be the calm one and he was trying hard, I know he didn't want to get out and walk it.

Blessed are they that mourn...

...for they shall be comforted.

I started this post a long while back. But only now do I feel like I can share it. Two nights ago I was reading the Sermon on the Mount and going thru the Beatitudes. When I got to v.4 I had the calming, strengthening, peaceful realization that I have been blessed. I have been comforted. It has come from my Savior, my Heavenly Father, my husband, my family, my friends. I have felt it thru prayer, in silence, thru service, thru laughter. It has been continual. I have been blessed.

In February Jamey and I had our hearts broken. We were 16 weeks along with our baby boy when we found out at my routine checkup that his tiny heart no longer beat. We were completely blindsided - there had been zero signs of miscarriage. We were devastated. We didn't know how to wrap our minds around it. We still hadn't told many people we were expecting and really didn't know how to share what we had lost.

The love was instant. People sent cards, emails, and texts full of love and support. Daily phone calls and check-ins to say whatever we were feeling was just right. We received beautiful flowers and delicious meals. No one tried to make it better. No one tried to tell us how to make it thru. They were just there. We felt their prayers and their love. It was very humbling. Too often I shy away from service because it seems like my small offering is in no way enough to help. But now I know it does - it means the world. Of course nothing could make up for the loss of a wanted child, but it is incredible how strengthening it is to know we were not alone. Far from family but not from love.

I remember a time when my brother and I were little. It was early on a weekend morning. Mom and Dad were asleep and we were playing quietly in the front room. My mom used to make beautiful porcelain dolls and I was playing with one with long brown hair that sat in a rocking chair. I loved her and I was being so careful, but I got distracted and she broke. I was scared and sad. Thomas tried to help me put her back together, but she was cracked. When Mom got up (I think something triggered when the "playing quietly" turned to "utter silence") she came out and I cried and showed her. I knew she was upset and maybe a little mad, but she said "It's ok" to my tears and got the glue out and I watched as she carefully pieced her back together. I see myself a lot like that doll now. My heart was broken, it was in pieces. But love glued it back together and now it is whole. Just like you can still see the faint crack lines on the doll, I know I still have scars on my heart. They have healed but they will never disappear. But I am whole again.

I have been comforted.

Friends

Jamey is so much better at keeping in touch with his friends than I am with mine. I wish it weren't the case, I wish this was an area that I was awesome in. But I'm not. It's not that I don't love you all, I do. It's just...don't know. I'm bad at it.

But, since it is an area of strength for Jamey, we often benefit from visits and last weekend was just such the case. Jason and Nicole with their kiddos came to play! We went to the State Fair, rode rides, ate fair food (pics are of a deep fried snickers), ate late night wings and talked into the night (the boys stayed up way later than us girls). I love when friends visit! They just stayed for the one night but it was great while they were here!

Happy Birthday Jamey

Jamey turned 28 a couple weeks ago and we had a good time celebrating it! We spent the morning lounging around and he opened his presents. Everyone was so nice to think of him. Then, unfortunately, a full day of work for the 2 of us. But after. We partied. It's so much fun that his birthday typically falls during Columbus' Restaurant Week. We have great friends that agreed to try a new restaurant, The Olde Mohawk. Our waitress was fun, Jamey got up on a chair and danced, and we ate lots of cake.

Lake House

Lake House + 4th of July + Family = Happiness

FAMILY!! Jamey and I were lucky enough to schedule a couple of days off together for the holiday weekend and mini family reunion. Seeing family is bittersweet. It's the BEST EVER and when it's over I'm so sad and realize how much I need them and want to be around them. We saw Jamey's Mom, 2 sisters, Shelby and Melanie and their families, and Home Bear. Awesome. We played in the lake, played normal games, went to Nauvoo, set off many fireworks, saw a Cardinals game, ate ice cream, and had the best of times. Now I miss family in a big way. 

Cousins

I've been beyond blessed to see more family in the last 2 months than I have seen in the last 7. In June my cousin Rachelle and her family were in northern Ohio (Kirtland) on a church history trip. I was so excited when my preceptor let me rearrange my schedule so that I could drive up there and spend the night and a day with them (totally crashed her in-laws' family reunion - worth it). It was heaven. That sounds cheesy, but really I was so happy. I was so peaceful. I felt more at home and more loved than I had in awhile and wow did I need that. It's funny how I can fool myself into believing I'm Miss Independent and happy on my own and grown up and spread my wings yada yada yada. Then as soon as I spend any amount of time with my family I feel true strength restored - true joy, love, and completeness. What was most fun was I forgot how incredible hilarious and wonderful it is to try and cram as many people into a tiny motel room as possible. 2 double beds and 7 people. There were bodies everywhere!! I was giddy in the tight quarters. I love my family.

SHARKNADO

Well our Shark Week is not what it has been. We did not get to visit Shelby for her Extravabration, but you can still read about it all here. I WISH WE'D BEEN THERE! But, instead we went out tonight for our own celebration. The Gateway was showing Sharknado on the big screen. And when Jamey found that we could get free tickets with our purchase of the Spicy Pepperoni slice from Late Night Slice...well how could we say no? $3 for dinner and movie? I call that an awesome date night. We are glad we have good friends that are willing to put up with our whims and join us for the fun (and enjoy every bit of it). Thanks Hiltons!

Watching Sharknado in a tiny theater (it only sat 24) was the best ever. The group was hilarious and it took the show from laughable to pretty much the best ever.