Plans

Today is our 2 year anniversary! (we made it!) But today as we celebrate our hearts are heavy with news from groomsman Robert (read Road Trippin: Indy Race Car style and make sure to check out his blog). He got some blood work back today that was less than good. Less than hoped for. Never planned. I read something interesting on his facebook wall. It was a short encouragement from a friend that simply said, God is still sovereign and not surprised by this. Jesus got on the boat and then the storm came. He knew it was coming. The disciples had given up hope. And then at the perfect moment He calmed the storm. I often wish that God's plan looked more like mine. When I should be wishing more that my plan looked like His. But in this I can find peace that there is a plan. Even if I don't understand now. Even if I don't see it here. Hebrews 11

**Don't even get me started on how I can't find a pic for this post. Curse you wedding photographer. Thanks to Meghan for the pic above!**

Happy 2 years buddy!

Road Trippin #6: Jerry World

So as I've mentioned. We try to keep things "fair" in our little household. To do this, each
year we have a girl trip and a boy trip. (I say this as if we've been married for ages, but just go with it). This year we didn't. (So now I just spoke of a tradition that only lasted like once) Neway. This year instead of separate trips, as you noticed in Road Trippin #1, we invited boys to the girls trip. And then I invited myself to the boy trip! Last December, I believe it was, our friends the Walls initiated the idea of going to the Texas A&M vs. Arkansas game in Dallas, TX. If I was honest, I was not in the original game plan (sadly when looking back at the game, not sure the team was either). However, as soon as I heard that the game would be held in the new Dallas
Cowboys billion dollar stadium, I was in. We found the best (read cheapest and yet direct!) flight we've ever had to Texas and were hosted by Tiffany Wall's gracious fam. The stadium did not disappoint. The game might have. But we've (with greater
reluctance than most) moved on to basketball season (except for Mac's amazing fantasy football team!-awesome that the team we can still get behind has fantasy in the title, should have known)













Tailgating with alumni from a football school is a great experience that I've missed since
childhood (though the childhood ones didn't have plasma tvs). Even if I can count on 2 hands the games I've been to where Clemson and A&M (combined) have won (though Clemson did beat A&M at one, so I will not count this for either), losing does not stop the fans. And I have to say that being adopted (even if I just declared myself adopted) into the Aggie tradition is something to be proud of. You would cry too! I promise! When you see the whole stadium wrap their arms around each other and sing. When you see the little players on the field (they were little from the upper deck, HUGE on the big screen) singing their hearts out. I am proud to be a Carolina Tarheel, but you can't watch the fans at an A&M game without knowing it's special and wanting what they have. To which I then conclude, by using the transitive property, that it makes NO SENSE that they don't win every (or at least all but 1) game. If I were a football player, I'd hands down be an Aggie! I guess God knew what he was doing when he let me put on high socks for the church bball team. But as a fan, I feel so honored to be a part of both traditions! Gig 'em Aggies!

**The pictures included are to show off the 60 yard jumbotron. Once you get the idea of how large and clear it was from anywhere in the stadium, you will laugh your silly head off that I saw boob! That's right. Some girl loved it when they scored, as did I. She just jumped up and down. Up and down. And pop goes the weasel! IT WAS AWESOME. Thank goodness for tv delay or you too could have seen "it" from the safety of your own home. Other pics include the boys at the tailgate, me and Tiffany-who looks beautiful even after having a baby a few weeks before!, and the stadium, which made the movie Independence Day come to life**

Road Trippin: #5 Austin City Limits

Late September we got a reprieve from driving around our car (affectionately known to us as Jym), and took off on a jet plane to Austin, by way of San Antonio, with a layover in Houston. Really we were trying to hit up TEXAS. And we did.

The occasion was lil mini Brennan's baby dedication at church. Though he is no longer our newest nephew (it is tough to keep any one position for long!), for one reason or the other his dedication is the only one we have had the honor and blessing of attending in person. As a girl that cries during most dedications at our home church, it was super special to be there and stand as family for Brennan. To speak aloud our commitments to him before the church and God. And also, he's really cute. So that's fun too!

In other news I'm really into cooking. Yes, I overly involve myself in my tv shows (which should be a blog post in and of itself), but also in my books (a post that has been written, but might need a revisit). I loved Julie and Julia. Bc I'm her. Without being crazy liberal. And without the shady morals and potty mouth. No red hair. Ok, I'm not her. But my heart is where her heart was, so I connected with the book and have started cooking more. My colleagues love these shenanigans and one day if I cook something besides chocolate, I'm sure Mac will approve of my new hobby as well. Long story to say, it was SO fun to taste all of Meghan's wonderful meals and be inspired to try new things (though my "new things" are still limited to only chicken and beef, no sandwiches, no veggies besides cucumbers/broccoli/green beans, and no to anything I don't like, including anything with a "texture") But it's fun to pretend I'm adventurous and so fun to be hosted by a pseudo chef with a really cute baby!

A Smile Guarantee

So today (so far) has not been one of those days that make you smile. It's more like one of those "the flu shot gave you the flu, so you didn't have time to pack your lunch bc you overslept for your condo refinancing where they had your "wrong" credit info, so you with your scowl blamed your husband, who hence didn't want to converse, as you were flailing around the metro, walking in late to your office where your new desk is in the center of the universe....and not in a production way, but in a NO privacy way, where your new cube-mate promised to bring you back your fave BLT popover from her "client lunch", but then just didn't, so while your stomach is eating itself it really hurts to notice that the way overpriced dress you (emotionally) bought last night in a size that you were hoping to "grow into" (nobody really hopes this, you just do what you gotta do to justify), became available in your size. (the "helpful" lady suggested I simply buy them both. but even I know that your husband can be maxed out way before your credit card)" So not a bad day. Nothing really wrong.

I was just a bit hesitant when I got the email, subject line "Acorns-sure to make you smile" But I opened it. And it did.

"Since it is the time of year for acorns to fall off the trees, they are abundantly available to Baby Hannah, who is collecting them in a Ziploc baggie to take to Chip and Dale!"

Road Trippin: #9---46 days till Disney World. And yes, we're all counting!!! Just thankful to finally be in the double digits!

PS My eyes teared up the first 5 times I stared at the email. The 6th time I couldn't help but wonder if the baggie would soon contain bugs. I know. Only my mind goes there. I know. I know.

Road Trippin: #4 Sparkle City USA

I'm getting behind on these trips. #4 seems like weeks ago. (And it was.) BUT it was HUGE! PaPa turned 90! 90! Over 60 years of marriage. 3 children (with collectively over 100 years of marriage!) 8 grandchildren (collectively 17 years of marriage, less impressive stat, but perhaps for our generation it's huge? Hollywood standards? anything? Bueller?) And 4 great-grandchildren. Needless to say Christmas Day can get kind of hectic and we tried to bring that same party spirit to the ole man's big day! (well big celebration, we celebrated a week early to avoid a newborn collision....with just cause, as new baby Tyler was born 1 day before his due date, 1 day before the official September 25th birthday-special shout out to reader Kara, Peter, and Peter's mom for holding down the big day- Happy Birthday to all and to all a good night! We were all hoping he'd be born on his due date/share a bday with PaPa, but at some point I had to stop praying my sister would be in labor for 20 hours--this didn't happen until roughly 10 hours into it, but don't tell her) It was such a blessing to be a part of celebrating the beginning of a wonderful legacy. We toasted and ate and ate and the food was really good, so we ate. We missed Betsy, Joe and Trey, but we conference called them, DUH! Which was special for me. Bc I seem to be the sibling that's often missing and it was fun to be able to welcome them to the party the same way that I'm welcomed every other (as in alternating, not as in all the others) holiday. TGISpeakerPhone. And family. :) No matter what else is going on in life. You can't help but to be drawn in. Happy Birthday PaPa! You give us many, many reasons to celebrate! Here's to 90 more!
**Pictures feature: The Ladies (minus Ethel): Aunt Nancy, MaMa, Great Aunt June, and Mom, MaMa and PaPa with the grands, Baby Hannah with PaPa in his bday hat (Blake was scared of the hat), me and my daddy, And my mini family shot with Pops at the Party**