Trip up north

I always feel overwhelmed when I get back from a trip trying to fit everything in.  So I decided to break this trip down into 2 posts. Our first stop was in Columbus.  We had planned to drop off Buster and pick up Ms. Susie.  We had mentioned to my mom that she should join us.  She is not usually up for traveling so we were super surprised when we got to my parent’s house and she was packed up.  Ike and I were so happy that she had decided to go.  So the 4 of us hit the road.  We debated stopping or driving through, but in the end we just thought it best to get some rest.  We stopped in Knoxville and it was a good thing we did because the weather ended up being terrible in D.C..  Our first day, we relaxed at Aunt Iris’s house which Ike and I always look forward to.  Sunday, Rose and Chris met us and we all went to church at Mclean Bible Church in VA for the patriotic service which was so great!   We all really enjoyed it.  Then we spent the rest of the day with family.   (I had to borrow this from Ms. Susie off facebook)

Monday, we took my mom to see the sights.  Ike was so excited that she was along because the rest of us have seen everything and it was nice to have someone excited about seeing new things.  We all had a blast showing her around.  It was the best tour ever because Ike and Aunt Iris were our chauffer service.  They would drive us right up to the monuments and then come back to pick us up.  Tuesday, we ate all day.  This may seem like a joke but we did.  We got up ate breakfast, and then took showers to go to lunch.  At least that is how it felt this maybe the reason I gained 7 pounds!  In the middle of breakfast and lunch Ike and I had our fight for the trip.  We always have to be sure to get one of those in sometime.  I would like to say it was over something meaningful…however that is not the case.  We fought because I refused to down size my luggage for the beach trip we were about to take.  Since there was 7 of us going in one vehicle we were told to bring one small bag a piece.  I didn’t want to. Period.  Poor Ike has to deal with me.  I eventually did many tears later.  I blame fertility drugs.     
After lunch we went to Ms. Lynn’s house for supper (eating again).   We had northern BBQ and crabs.  I actually really liked the crabs…but still feel they are a lot of work for very little meat.  BUT the experience and social aspect is totally worth it!! 

My mom loves Alabama, so she was excited they were beside each other.

Next up…the beach trip!

No good, very bad WEEK!

It has been quite the week!  We got home late Sunday night from Columbus.  We managed to break the lawn mower and weed eater so the weekend had been just great.  We get home just in time to pack Ike’s clothes for his trip this week.  He has been gone all week and poor guy has worked late every night.  When we were getting ready to leave my parents on Sunday we decided to take this little kitty home with us that had been abandoned by its mom.  My dad catches it with gloves because it was not at all tame.  Turns out he just needed a little attention because he ended up being the sweetest kitty.  By the time we got home he was following us, and climbing up in our lap.  Monday morning we get up, and he still seemed ok, but like maybe he had a cold.  I call the vet on the way to work and make an appointment for that afternoon.  When I got there around 4 to get kitty, he is laid out.  I was afraid he was already dead.  I rush him to vet bawling.  The vet revives him, but says he thinks he should stay there for now.  He calls me later and tells me he is taking him home because he does not want to leave him alone (can we say AWESOME vet).  The next day he calls around lunch to let me know he had to put him to sleep.  I was just heartbroken over this little kitty.  I have never been much of a cat person especially not in the house, but I think little kitty was special.  J  Anyway, TRAUMATIC. 

Here is little kitty sleeping on the way home.

Then Wednesday night, I’m out watering the plants, and I hear Buster yelp a little and run inside.  I didn’t see anything no snake, bee, wasp, nothing.  So I assume he bumped into something.  About 30 minutes later he starts acting extremely weird and pacing the floors!  I search him over and I can’t find anything wrong with him.  I know this will make me sound crazy, and I’m not sure what this means for future children, but I wanted to make Buster happy so I took him for a ride.  I’m not sure if that was more for me or him, but it worked.  We get home he appears fine, but refuses to sleep ALL night long.  It was crazy!  This picture was taken at 3am!!!!  I assumed it was not an emergency since he appeared to want to play.

 Then yesterday I see this!  Apparently he was stung by something. 

After this week I am so ready for Ike to be home tonight I don’t know what to do! What will I ever do with children??!!   I am looking forward to a weekend were we do absolutely nothing but relax!!!

Father's Day

Ike and I are both very thankful for our wonderful dads!  They are both good to us!  I was thinking about it yesterday, and the relationships we have formed with each others dad is pretty awesome too. We are so blessed!

Saturday night my sister and Jason came, and we took my dad out to eat.  I have been reminded this year just how lucky I am to have my parents.  My daddy has been a trooper.  I am so proud of him.  My family is lucky to have such a dedicated, hard working, kind hearted, funny man in our life.   

our little photo shoot after... 

These two act more alike, you would think they were really brother and sister.

Sunday we ate lunch with Mr. Ira.  I feel blessed to have the in-laws that I do.  I have heard some horror stories so I know I am so lucky!  Mr. Ira treats me just like a daughter.  He is a softy when it comes to the girls.   

(I'm not sure what is up with Ike's crazy eyes!)

Randomness

BIG NEWS!!!  Ike passed a section of the CPA exam.  One down Three to go!!!  I'm sooo proud!

This past week Ike and I were both working out of town so we just  left Buster with my parents.  He stayed there while we were on vacation too.  I have to tell you I was so sad to leave him again, but I knew it was best for him with our schedules this week.  There were a few nights when I was home, and I did not like it at all that he was not there.  My mom was sweet, and sent me pictures of the baby (yes, that's what we call him) throughout the week.  I think he's doing good....I am shocked my dad let him up in his chair.  SO rotten.  My dad has also been making jokes that he is "papaw's puppy" now.  I told Ike we better get him back before they try to keep him :) 

Ok, so on our trip we were walking through the mall in Birmingham, and got approached by one of those people at the booths in the center.  Ike and I are terrible at just walking away we feel the need to at least listen (or Ike will leave me listening).  We have only caved a few times.  Anyway, this time it was one of those curling rods.  We didn't buy it then we (Ike) wanted to think about it.  I went back first thing the next morning to get it!  I love it!  Worth every penny!  I have never understood people's love for a good straightner because I have extremely straight hair!  I have rolled my hair for years.  This curling rod thing is awesome!  Below is a picture of my hair...not done the best but still so much better than my normal boring hair (ignore the chubby cheeks). 

Celebrating 4 years!

 I love this man so much! We celebrated 4 wonderful years of marriage by taking a vacation!

 It was FABULOUS!  It was so nice to be away!  Most of all it was great to get to visit with GREAT friends and then get to spend some time just the two of us.  We started off in KY visiting friends.  We spent the first few nights with the Gillis family.  They are always so much fun to hang out with.  Ike and I always leave and are just amazed at how much they have going on and how laid back they both appear to be.     

 Then we spent a few days with the Craig family.  We got Emily set up with a blog while I was there, and I am really excited to be able to read along with their story!  If you go back far enough on my blog you will see I ask for prayers for this family.  Emily has started sharing their journey, and it is a pretty amazing one.  Ike and I so enjoyed hanging out with them, and fell in love with their girls!  We have been friends with them for a long time, especially Emily and I.  She was one of the wonderful #7 girls that I lived with in college, and love to death!  This trip I felt like we all bonded more than ever.  I think friendships change over time, and I am so glad to see our friendship with them grow like it has.  I know Ike and I left feeling challenged in our relationship with the Lord, and there is really nothing as important as that. 

 When we left there Ike and I spent a few days by ourselves in Nashville.  We LOVE country music especially the stuff from the 80's and 90's!  So we were both so excited to go the Grand Ole Opry.  My favorite was Jamie O'Neal, Vince Gill, and most favorite of all Little Jimmie Dickens.  That little man is so funny!  We also spent a great deal of time at Opry Mills.  So thankful for a husband that does whatever it takes to see me happy even if that includes spending hours shopping and carrying bags for me! We really had the best time.



The cocoon

Today was one of those days.  Some one I know and I am super happy for announced that they are expecting.  They started trying last month.  So I was starting to have a selfish moment of why me? and my sweet friend Molly sent this to me.  I thought it was just what I needed so I had to share. 

The Cocoon
One day a small opening appeared on a cocoon, a man sat and watched for
the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body
through that little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It
appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could and it could go no
further.
So the man decided to help the butterfly, he took a pair of scissors
and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly then
emerged easily. But it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings.

The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at
any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the
body, which would contract in time. Neither happened! In fact, the
butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body
and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly.
What the man in his kindness and haste did not understand was the the
restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butter fly to get
through the tiny opening were God's way of forcing fluid from the body
of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight
once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.
Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our life. If God
allowed us to go through our life without any obstacles, it would
cripple us. We would not be as strong as what we could have been. We
could never fly.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many
kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops
perseverance." (James 1:2-3)

Good weekends with friends and family!

Last weekend we met the Wilson's on their camping trip and spent the afternoon with them.  It was a blast!  We just love hanging out with them! Here is their cute little family! 

 Another reason we went home was because Stacie had a dinner party to celebrate Rob finishing his Master's.  We are all so proud of him, and Stacie and I were able to complain  share with each other about how much time the boys spent studying, in class, etc.  We had no idea they had a surprise for us!  I was convinced Rob would try to keep the gender of their baby a secret so when they came out with this cake I believe I may have squealed with excitement!  So as you can see it's a BOY!  YAY!

 Then to top off the weekend these two showed up to surprise my mom on mother's day!  It has been several weeks since we have seen them so this made me very happy!  We miss them terribly!