The Other Side

Yesterday, I was on the other side and to be quite frank, I didn't like it. I've only been on the other side two other times in my life and for the most part, the memories are not too fond. The end result- great! But the process is difficult. We are looking for a new home church.

Some may say no big deal, but when you are the newbie and everyone wants to shake your hand it can be overwhelming. I'm glad I'm not in banking anymore just so I don't have to shake hands. My hands tend to perspire more than others (yuck, I know, but it's something I have to live with) and not that I'm a germ-a-phobe, but my mind does wander to where that other person's hand has been. And the meet the visitor song was probably the longest five minutes in my life.

Okay, so I'm doing a lot of complaining. I should be saying "good for you" to those willing believers who welcome someone new into their fellowship. But to be honest, I wish I were the one doing some of the welcoming.

It didn't make things better that I was also overcome with a lot of emotions that I didn't expect. I realized just how much I missed our home church (which literally met in a home like in the Roman times) who were our dear friends. The sermon was good, but it probably also didn't help my emotional state that it was over Mark 2 when the paralytic's friends went to great lengths to help him see Jesus so much that they lowered him down through the roof. That's dedication by some great friends.

I was tempted to convince D. that maybe we should keep traveling the distance we had to church, but we both knew we had made a commitment through the end of 2009 and it was now time to move on.

Trying to look on the positive side, I keep telling myself that looking for a new church will allow us to see what's going on in the Body of Christ. Until then, we'll try to be patient to God's calling. Just don't be offended if I'm on the other side of that clammy hand. I mean no harm.

This Is How We Roll

I've been meaning to post these pics of D.'s Birthday Bowling Bash for awhile now. I almost didn't, but we had so much fun I couldn't help but share. We took the whole fam to the nearest bowling alley which had been updated since I was there last. Okay, so they had to since the last time I was there I was probably sporting braces. We just so happened to be there during black light bowl.

We decided to play guys versus girls. As a joint effort, D. and I made everyone these official team hats. The women were Bipolar Rollers.

While the men were Gutter Madness. The youngest two cuties got onesies instead of hats. We missed you Logan!

We had a range of skills from those that had never bowled to a few that had their first date and subsequent dates as part of a bowling league (Are you sure Mom? Just kidding!).

My nephew Ayden was such a good sport as we all willed his ball down the lane.

Poor Gavin wanted down so bad, but we were afraid he would end up being mistaken for a bowling pin. Let's just say there were lots of arms to hold him and he entertained himself by saying "ball" a lot.



While none of us broke the triple digits, I think we all had fun.

Dishing on a Decade

We had such a wild and crazy week which meant there hasn't been much going on with the blog. We don't have a lot planned for this coming week (except I'm going to start a Zumba class- exciting!).

However, I deemed it was time to take a little break. Ten years ago, I met the man who was more than I could dream of, so I decided to whisk him away. I had a conference scheduled for Saturday in Houston and he planned to pick me up when it was over. When D. woke up Saturday morning, he found this:

Pack your bags. You won’t need much.
Where we’re going, we’ll be back after tomorrow’s lunch.
Don’t ask any questions, but I’ll give you a little tip.
We’re going to a place that’s very, very hip.
I’m excited about this little rendezvous
Because it’s going to be just me and you.

Not too bad considering I wrote it at about 5:30 that morning. I had already packed my bags and most of Gavin's bags since he would spend the night with the grandparents. When D. picked me up, we first made our way to the Menil. It's an evolving art museum that we've frequented before, but since the collection is changed often, there's always something new to see. Then it was off to Crave Cupcakes to get none other than the sweetest mini cakes. D. chose Lemon while I dined on Macadamia.

Neither of us were extremely hungry or dressed up so we made our way to California Pizza Kitchen to share a Southwest pizza complete with a side of salsa and guacamole. It was so delicious that you forgot it was pizza. Sharing a pizza may sound like a lot, but the whole pizza was about the size of a dinner plate-perfect with a small salad.

Hotel Icon was the destination for the evening. We've stayed there once before because it's not like a typical hotel. We've tried to figure out the decor, but the closest we can get to is eclectic French with a little western thrown in.



I started feeling like Pioneer Woman taking pictures of the hotel room. The bathroom had a window that opened up to the rest of the room.
Oh, how I love these red doors trimmed in black.
One of my favorite parts about the hotel is the giant vault in the lobby. The hotel was once a bank before it was renovated.

We capped the rendezvous off with brunch at Le Peep. Let's just say we'll be going back.

We both missed our little boy dearly, but there's just something about making an investment in your marriage that's so worth it.

To D.- the past decade has been the best. We could fill volumes with the memories we have together. Mostly funny adventures and memorable tales, but not without those hard roads as well. I'm looking forward to our continued travels together. Just promise me we'll never stop at Burger King! :-)

A Peaceful Ponder

Gavin's fever was much better today. Only once did his temp reach 100 degrees. You still wouldn't know he even had a fever because he played as much as he usually does. So much that he wouldn't take his afternoon nap which he usually willingly does. But it was during this nap refusal that I was quietly reminded of something. I had let him cry for a little bit to see if he would eventually fall asleep. When I went in to check on him, I stopped at the door and just watched. Little man was lying down curled up with his head resting on Mr. Rabbit and obviously couldn't see me. I'm pretty sure he didn't know I was there, but for the longest time he stopped crying. In that moment, I was reminded that even though I can't see God, His presence alone is enough to bring the sweetest peace. I don't have to see Him, touch Him or hear Him, I just have to believe He's there.

The rest of the day was not as thoughtful, but there were lots of laughs, help with the laundry and even a some playtime outside. Gavin also insisted on wearing his cow boots and Amish hat. He doesn't look too happy in the first picture, but I promise his ensemble was all him.

Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot

It's hard to believe that the face of this happy little camper...

who enjoyed a breakfast of "O's" with his daddy this morning...

while sitting on the floor (Don't all people eat breakfast sitting on the floor?)...


would end up with a 103.9 degree temp this afternoon. It kind of hit him all of the sudden. After a trip to the doctor and lots of cuddles, hopefully he'll be on the mend soon.

But the neat thing about Gavin is that even though he's not feeling the best, the smile on his face this evening wasn't much unlike this one he had this morning.

Cell Phones and Cottages

With the weather absolutely perfect, there's nothing better than playing in a cottage with your cell phone on a cool day.
Excuse the hard shadow the windows kept giving, but this shows Gavin handing me all of the tiny little leaves that were cluttering his house.
I can't wait for evenings with more daylight and more outside playtime. I think he agrees.

Birthday Wishes

My dear husband,

Today is your birthday. I'm thinking you already knew that. And guess what? You survived not only one but two years past your expiration date (30). You're not even the little tiniest bit sour, but all the more sweeter, funnier, handsome, loving, kinder, creative man I know and I get to be married to you. I hope your day is happy and full of births. Yea, I know, I stole that phrase from you. See how you make me laugh every day? It makes me so grateful God put the two of us together. I think Gavin kind of takes a shining to you too.