This summer has been one of moving...and more moving! To start things off, my mom downsized to a beautiful condo which was like a month-long process. Going through a house with 20-plus years of stuff required a lot of work. Thankfully, she's finally settled and has just a few more boxes to put away. Come August, it was time for my sister to move to college. Go Richmond Spiders! And now it's almost September and we just moved my dad from his rental to the house where mom used to live (long story). Oh my, the dust in that rental...well, let's just say we're all still sneezing and blowing our noses. Someone needs to be introduced to Swiffer Dusters. So dad has quite a bit of unpacking to do and so I'll probably spend a few days this week up there to assist. Thank you LORD that this moving stuff is almost done!
The house dad is moving back into is where I grew up. My parents bought it as a fixer-upper. It's taken a long time, but it's now finally getting the TLC it needs- spruced up hardwood floors, central air, updated kitchen and bathrooms, new electrical box...eventually a garage, landscaping, different paint colors, and perhaps a deck? My brother has also decided to open up the wall between the kitchen and dining room...demo time. It's going to be a whole new house.
During this whole moving process I've confirmed a few things in my mind:
1. Yep, I still hate clutter.
2. I love houses without stairs.
3. I don't want to ever say, "Wow! I haven't seen this in 15 years!"
4. Just say "no" to fixer-uppers.
So enough with moving talk.
Things here are going well. I made some delicious chicken tacos today. We also got to see our friends' new baby girl- Jillian Elizabeth. She's absolutely precious. Heaven sent. It was the first time Scott ever held a newborn. We have the new title of Auntie Christi and Uncle Scottie which is pretty sweet! I can hardly imagine having a little one of our own, but one of these days we'll get to be proud parents too.
Scott is working hard as always at his job and I'm enjoying my part-time one. Still praying about a school position so we'll see what happens.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Everyday Hero
As I sit here and think about the things I have to do tomorrow and the places I need to go, I can't help but notice the quiet, emptiness of the house. So still. I have grown accustomed to nights like these. You see, my husband is at work and has been since the early evening. He holds the honorable title of Sheriff's Deputy and has worked hard to get there. He must work a long shift through the night and as soon as the sun starts rising, he knows it's almost time to come home. That is, if the previous night's activities haven't lent themselves to an additional 3 hours of work (on top of the 12, mind you). Finally, he will return home, wake me up with a kiss, and as I start my day, he's off to bed for a much-needed good day's sleep. As he drifts off to dreamland, I know I won't be able to stop thinking about how proud I am of the man he is and how I wouldn't have it any other way. He is an everyday hero. And so I dedicate this blog to him and law enforcement officers everywhere. Thank you for your service, bravery, and commitment.
Pray for the Men in Blue
By Adam E. Hutton
It takes a very special person to wear the blue.
Most people do not understand what we do.
Most people do not understand what we do.
We made a commitment to protect and serve.
We work hard to provide the safety you deserve.
No normal shifts, not nine to five.
No normal shifts, not nine to five.
We work 24/7 to keep you alive.
Holidays and weekends don’t mean a thing.
We work night and day, just give us a ring.
Our loved ones and children pray every night.
We work night and day, just give us a ring.
Our loved ones and children pray every night.
That we will return at the break of daylight.
We carry guns and wear vests to help get us through.
You couldn’t imagine some of the things we must do.
We see accidents and blood and small children crying.
We see accidents and blood and small children crying.
We also see death and it’s not just old people dying.
Abusive spouses and parents that don’t seem to care.
These are just a few of the things, to make you aware.
Drug dealers and drunks are a regular sight.
We go to the bars for fight after fight.
Responding to calls day after day.
Not allowing our personal lives to get in the way.
You complain all the time when you see us on break.
We just drive around in cars and oh, the money we make.
Stop for a second and try to assess,
Who’s always there to clean up the mess.
We do all we can to help and provide.
To make you feel safe and secure inside.
Please remember all of the things that we must do.
And next time you pray, include the men in blue.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Charleston, SC
This past weekend a wonderful friend of mine had her bachelorette weekend in Charleston, South Carolina. The trip was a blast! Charleston is a charming beach town and a place I would love to go back and visit. It's perfect for a weekend getaway. I have been there once before, but it was such a long time ago that I didn't remember anything about it. I must give props to the people of Charleston because everyone we met was incredibly sweet and friendly- gotta love southern hospitality!
The girls and I hit the road about 5am and arrived in Charleston about noon. We had lunch at Snapper Jacks and then walked to Folly Beach to enjoy the sand and sun for the rest of the afternoon. We stayed at Embassy Suites on Meeting Street which was close to everything. After checking in and showering, we all headed out to a casual dinner at Vickery's. After dinner we hopped around a few places. My favorite place of the night was Trio. Saturday morning we were planning on heading to the beach, but one of the girl's friend's set us up with a boat ride. This was the highlight of the weekend for me. Saturday night consisted of a fancy dinner at Anson's and then a few different hot spots. The weekend wrapped up on Sunday with some shopping and lunch at Wild Wings. After a super fun weekend, we headed home and now have some great photos to remember our trip.
The girls and I hit the road about 5am and arrived in Charleston about noon. We had lunch at Snapper Jacks and then walked to Folly Beach to enjoy the sand and sun for the rest of the afternoon. We stayed at Embassy Suites on Meeting Street which was close to everything. After checking in and showering, we all headed out to a casual dinner at Vickery's. After dinner we hopped around a few places. My favorite place of the night was Trio. Saturday morning we were planning on heading to the beach, but one of the girl's friend's set us up with a boat ride. This was the highlight of the weekend for me. Saturday night consisted of a fancy dinner at Anson's and then a few different hot spots. The weekend wrapped up on Sunday with some shopping and lunch at Wild Wings. After a super fun weekend, we headed home and now have some great photos to remember our trip.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Rise Above
If you're like us, then you just might have people in your life who will try to steal your joy. Be encouraged today! In everything, GIVE THANKS and never stop loving and praying for them. God gives us so much grace that we don't deserve, so in turn we need to show grace to others because that is the heart of God.
"People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered; Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway. If you are successful you will win some false friends and true enemies; Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you've got anyway. You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway." -Associated with Mother Teresa, however, it was adapted from The Paradoxical Commandments by Kent Keith (1968)
"Resolve to be tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant with the weak and the wrong. Sometime in your life you will have been all of these." -Bob Goddard
"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are." -John Wooden
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy." -Martin Luther King, Jr.
"And we know that all things work together for good, for them that love God and are called according to his purpose." -Romans 8:28
"Trust in the Lord and do good" -Psalm 37:4 (KJV)
"So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." -Matthew 6:34
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." -Philippians 4:6
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." -Matthew 7:7 (NIV)
"People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered; Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway. If you are successful you will win some false friends and true enemies; Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you've got anyway. You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway." -Associated with Mother Teresa, however, it was adapted from The Paradoxical Commandments by Kent Keith (1968)
"Resolve to be tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant with the weak and the wrong. Sometime in your life you will have been all of these." -Bob Goddard
"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are." -John Wooden
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy." -Martin Luther King, Jr.
"And we know that all things work together for good, for them that love God and are called according to his purpose." -Romans 8:28
"Trust in the Lord and do good" -Psalm 37:4 (KJV)
"So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." -Matthew 6:34
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." -Philippians 4:6
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." -Matthew 7:7 (NIV)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)