A Day at the Lake

DH and I spent the day with friends at a lake.

There were muscles...

There was swimming....

There was sitting after swimming and jumping and diving....

There was rehydrating.....

There was a determined dog and a well secured buoy....

There was myself and DH in open water before I panicked and demanded to be put back on dry land...

There was a retrospective mosquito-bitten little man.

Tomorrow there will be sore arms from wake boarding, sun-burnt noses and the memory of what a weekend can be.

My Mistake

I read a lot of other blogs. Some are focused on one thing like baking (Bake at 350, Joy the Baker), family/adoption (Storing Up Treasures), and some encompass all manner of life (Pioneer Woman, A Little Something for Me, OliePants, Coal Creek Farm).

The mistake I have made is thinking that I need to have my blog focused on all but one aspect of my life. When I started writing this blog I didn't make the conscious decision to not include discussion of my faith, but I was shying away from it. I was making a distinction between it and the rest of my life. When I would include a post that focused on my faith or something that I felt God had showed me or I had learned through a blessing or trial, I would wonder if maybe some readers would be offended or not read anymore.

The truth is, I can't separate who I am from what I believe. And that is a good thing, friends. It's a mistake to not give the whole of who I am. It's a mistake to not trust that those who read will either continue to or decide I'm too preachy. Either way, it's not my decision. I'm not being very true to myself or to my God if I censor how much of His truth I share when it's a part of me. I fear I may have disillusioned readers to believe I am someone who I am not.

The other blogs I read do not appear to keep parts of themselves (within reason of course) hidden. They simply present who they are and what happens in life. If there is a niche, like the baking blogs, clearly they will focus more on the topic than anything else. But my blog is no niche, it is not topically themed - not to be confused with tropically themed, which I also am not.

Thank you, A Nickle in The Dryer, for unintentionally showing me my mistake. Love you, Lollipop Queen!

It's Not Easy Being a Dad

There are many things that make The Dad who he is. The first thing most people notice when they have met both my dad and one of my uncles is that they look a lot a like. A lot. They are identical twins. And when I was a wee tot I used to get them confused. They had the same facial hair even!

The Dad is one of the hardest workers that I've ever met. When we were little The Dad and The Uncle both were laid off from the Mighty Railroad for six years. These two are industrius and had three small mouths to feed apiece. So what did they do? They formed a construction company that they kept for 19 years. Yes you read that right. Even after being called back to the railroad they continued to work two jobs, because you never know what might happen. They built their company from the ground up, literally. The Dad would leave early in the morning and not come home until dark, providing us with what we needed by serving other's needs.

Helping me move in to yet one more apartment...

His sense of humor is weird and wonderful and can have me rolling on the ground. He should have been an ad executive with the way he can create jingles and jigs. There was much singing and dancing around the dinner table growing up. I think it comes partly from who he simply is and his family growing up. They were a band of brothers with one lone baby sister. They used to set the grass on fire and then take turns seeing who could tamp out the largest section...using their bodies. They used to shoot at each other with BB guns. They used to fall into the creek "by accident" on hot summer days. They used to, and sometimes still do, eat weird things like pickled eggs and pigs feet or knuckles.

Enjoying a cigar and hamming it up for the camera

A few things that The Dad learned when he had kids:

• That he hadn't a clue how to support a baby's neck - The Mother of Us All has a photo to prove it and I think MIB's neck still hurts 34 years later. I'm just glad I was the second child.
• Thanksgiving is a day that is meant to be spent in the woods waiting for a doe to stroll by. Or just waiting until the madness in the kitchen has died down. Either way something had to die before he'd come back home.
• When The Mother of Us All and I both enjoy a show absolutely no talking during the air time will be tolerated. None. There will be much shushing and "Dad!" and "Bah bah bah" occurring if he considers joining our (allowed) conversation.
• That there is a huge sense of satisfaction and bonding that comes from rebuilding a car with one of his sons.
• That hockey can be fun to watch....especially when Lil' B is a goalie.

A few things that The Dad not only learned but embraced wholeheartedly for my sake:

• Gilmore Girls and their insanely fast talking and witty characters. Sometimes he'd have it turned on before I even made it through the door after my late afternoon/early evening class.
• UT football, with all the dandys, scruffles, and muffed punts. He'd call me and tell me that he had found a game on, even after I had moved out.
• When he answers the phone and I say "Daddy?", it will be one of three things: car, money or a boy. Incidentally, he doesn't seem to take it personally when I'm upset and the person I want to talk to is my mom. Mainly because I know he'll make me laugh and then I won't be able to mope a little.
• That I am not destined to drive anything larger than a GMC Jimmy, and it must be a standard if you don't want to worry about me dropping the transmission. Also, any truck requiring my assistance to unflood the carbeurator using a wrench alongside the road will be met with frustration and scorn...and possible a knocked over fence.

This is what happens when we don't get food fast enough at a party

But what is most important and says the most about The Dad is that he is a moving evolving rock. He is eager to change and grow as a man of God, a husband or a daddy. He is half of the heart of our family. He is an example of commitment, humility and a servant's heart.

I love you, Dad.  You the man.

Jillian Michaels, I Dislike You Heartily and I Kind of Love You

My lovely friend Kristen over at A Little Something for Me is a lesson in transparency. In a fantastic way. Kristen has ninety-three thousand four hundred and seventeen things to get done every day as the momma of three little ones. Yet she blogs regularly. And they're not simple updates or short insights. Her posts are well-written, carefully thought out and beautifully stated looks into her life, her fears, her joys, her needs and her abilities.

I aspire to this. To being transparent. To sharing my fears and accomplishments. To being vulnerable to others thoughts and judgements.

To that end, I had a really crappy day today in the gym. My whole life my self-image has ranged from shaky at best to really great. And since I've moved to the Deep South it's been mainly really good. I think the lack of clothing layers here helped me understand that there are few Hollywood worthy people walking around. In Yankeeland there is more clothing, so less reality and more fantasy - no one can tell what's under that sweatshirt. Anyway, I started to run a year and a half ago and that has done wonders for my self-esteem. My focus has shifted from being thin in the world's eyes to being healthy. But there is still a part of me that focuses on what the number is on the scale, the way I measure up to others, how much did I eat in a day that I shouldn't have, what size my clothes are.

I went to the gym this afternoon and jumped on the treadmill...and jumped off 7 minutes and a measly 88 calories later. My goal? Three miles. My actual? A bit over 3/4 of a mile. I felt weird and shaky and tired. As I walked home and mentally beat myself up I remembered that our cable company has on-demand exercise routines. Enter Jillian Michaels and a Last Chance Workout.

When I was still in Yankeeland, I had done Jillian and Bob's different work-outs on demand and they always kicked my proverbial and literal butt. I had never done a Last Chance Workout. She basically does circuits and cycles in strength and cardio. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was not nearly as difficult as it used to be to keep up with Jillian and her sadomasochistic style of motivation. By the end of the 30 minutes I was sweaty, winded and proud that I kept up...even with the mountain climbers.  After more than 30 seconds of mountain climbers I will tell you anything you want to know if you'll let me stop.

Maybe I should have stuck with the run to push through and prove to myself that I could have finished. Maybe it was my body's way of telling me that I needed a change. Either way, I'm glad I didn't punish myself by suffering through a horrendous run instead of letting Jillian tell me how it is.

Overlooked Opportunites

Seventeen years ago I was on a mission trip to South America. Our group consisted of 6 teens and three adults who met up with a missionary couple in Lima, Peru. Seventeen years ago I believed I was given an opportunity that I could not pass up. I felt I was having this lightbulb moment directly handed to me by God.

Seven years ago I was deciding whether to go to grad school. I had graduated from my undergrad program with a degree that I would ultimately never use for it's intended purpose. On a side note, I use a whole lot of acting in my current job...kids need to believe that they are in charge and that we are just playing games, even if I'm in charge and actually evaluating their hearing. I spent an agonizing couple weeks during my post-baccalaureate year trying to decipher if God was asking me to give up four years instead of two, to get a doctorate not a masters, to postpone getting married and having children to help others - no, I wasn't seriously dating but that's besides the point.

Two and a half years ago I was interviewing for jobs following grad school. I didn't know where I would end up at all. I had applied and interviewed with my current employer and was waiting on pins and needles. Asking God to give me an answer that was clear as day and bright as lighting at night.

What is the common thread here? In every situation I was asking God to give me a "clear" answer....I thought I needed a slap up the side of the head to know what He wanted me to do. I don't believe that anymore.

I think that He often will put opportunities into our paths that look like the ordinary. Someone once said that if God doesn't want you to walk down a certain path, move a certain direction, etc. that He will close that door, end that opportunity. And I believe that's true. He doesn't hand us blessings on a silver platter all the time, in fact more often than not they're subtle and can be overlooked. But we have been trained by this world, by others experiences, by our churches to think that hearing God or seeing the opportunities He has placed right in front of us is like winning the lottery. There should be balloons and glitter and a giant cardboard check that has the opportunity listed in the "Pay To" field!

Additionally, I think that when we're faced with two choices and we pray and seek His will and no doors close then neither choice is necessarily wrong. Either choice will bring us to the place that He ultimately has planned for us, the roads may look different is all.

So how do we not overlook the opportunities? By seeking His guideance for our lives and not looking for the ostentatious and overdone. By being more aware of what exists around us, the quiet and non-intrusive taps on the shoulder, by pursuing what is an option and believing that if He means us to go a certain way that He won't close those doors.

I am no expert of this and these were just some thoughts that were rolling around in my head this morning as I headed to work. When change is a-foot my brain starts turning and considering how I view things and whether I need a view-adjustment.

What's Up, Buttercup?

Just a short glimpse into my life this past week:

I have the cleanest ear canals that at least one audiology student has ever seen.

I looked into 4 different sets of ears today, 2 of which I really wish I hadn't. Weird things, friends, weird things.

DH and I embarked on a new eating plan...not so much a diet, but a better way of eating. All I know is I now NEED ice cream. Sigh.

It sucks when someone you love isn't able to move forward the way they want and deserve to.

When it's 100 degrees outside five miles feels like ten. And that's walking.

The next time I go to the movies I will take small pieces of paper that have area ENTs and audiologists on them to pass out to those people who must not be able to hear... in surround sound...that is insanely loud. Because they ask the person next to them, and invariably sitting behind me, "What did she say" after approximately every other line of dialogue.

A fit of the giggles at 9:30 at night is contagious to whoever may be around you.

There are seriously cute 2nd birthday cookies on the horizon.


What have y'all learned in the last week?

Life Lately - A Photographic Perspective

There was The Mother of Us All's best friends and manicures

And Lil Sister

It appears there was a cake and it's a mystery as to what happens next

 There were cakes...lots of cakes

Lil' B spit out some whiskey and scarfed some wedding cake

Toasts were given...

Cigars were smoked...

The cousins and a random pirate showed up

Tuxedos waited for groomsmen...

I think it's possible The Dad just sold Lil' B a car?

It was a lovely day for pictures...

And maybe a kiss.

For first dances...

And more dancing...

And maybe some smooching...

And a little relaxing.

To Have and To Hold

It's official: I'm a SIL for the second time in as many months.

Lil' B and Library Girl are one small happy family. I'm so excited to add another sister to the mix!

To my little brother and new sister-in-law,
  Now you both know that I have never been married, so any words of wisdom I have to pass on here are nuggets gleaned from others or truths that have been evident in others marriages. Uphold your spouse always, do not bring their character into question to anyone. Love each other when there are rainbows and sunshine and glitter, but hold on even harder when it's thunderstorms and conscious decisions to love and unrest. Marriage isn't easy, or so I'm told. Marriage is hard work no matter how much you love the other person. I pray fervently that you both have seen this in those around you and will remember that you are devoting yourselves to one another despite the circumstances that may surround you at times. Enjoy the easy times and laugh a whole lot. Don't be afraid to apologize to one another, even in front of others. Be quick to ask forgiveness and slow to hold a grudge. Don't let your house and all the physical belongings that you have take precedence over your relationship with the Lord and with each other. Lil' B, flowers for no reason may go a long way toward overlooking any idiosyncrasies that you bring into the mix, just as Library Girl's going to hockey games will instill warm feelings on your part.
I pray that you both will have nuggets of married wisdom and evident truths present in your marriage for others to gain from.

I love you