Five on Friday...the Rough Version

 

I love doing Five on Friday posts, and maybe I should be focusing on the good and blessings this week.  But sometimes I feel that I (and most bloggers) post only the good things (the pictures where we are all put together, the projects we accomplished, the fun activities) and not the parts where we struggle.  That's where I am today, so here is my "not so happy/rough version" of Five on Friday.

 

1.  Tomorrow I am going to the funeral of one of my good friends from church during high school.  After being diagnosed with cancer in high school, and being in and out of remission, he finally lost his battle.  He always handled his cancer with such grace.  Even when it seemed so unfair to have to deal with that at such a young age.  I honestly can't remember him complaining once.  He just found joy in what surrounded him.  I will never forget a substitute "prom night" with dinner and bowling in dresses and tuxes when he had chemo the week of his own prom, trips to the zoo, eating out after church, movie nights, and youth trips in the summer.  I am so sad to lose a friend so young, but grateful once again that this is a "See You Later" moment.  

 

2.  Lyle has been running a fever the last couple of days, poor guy.  Whenever he has a fever he is just not himself.  I can't tell if it's just from teeth coming in, or something else.  Whatever it is, has meant a lot more tears and a lot less sleep for everyone!

 

3.  I have been trying to get in the habit of doing devotions every morning before I get ready.  I hoped that once I got in this habit, adding some type of exercise to the routine in the morning would happen as well.  This week I completely failed and overslept (by a lot!) every morning.  Oops.  

 

4.  Lyle's favorite new word this week is "no."  While most of the time it really makes me laugh, it also makes it hard to tell if he really doesn't need to go to the bathroom, or if he just likes saying no!

 

5.  My allergies have been driving me crazy this week!  As long as I remember to take my allergy medicine (oops! forgot that this morning too!) I am usually okay, but for the first half of the week I had to wear my glasses because my eyes were too itchy to wear contacts.

 

 

So there is the truth to my week!  I am extremely grateful that this is a long weekend.  I also am counting my blessings that in truth, many people's weeks were much much worse than mine, and that I have a Heavenly Father I can go to at anytime.  And here's to a better week next week!  :)

P.S.  As I went to read today's "She Reads Truth" devotion on a break today, I read Psalm 143.  Verse 8 is my prayer today.

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.  Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life."

Five on Friday

1.  A weekend at home.  The only plans we have this weekend are to go up to church with my sister for my nephew's dedication.  Otherwise it is time to clean, organize, and play!  After busy weekends for the past month, this is just what we need!

2.  I was working on Lyle's 1 year photo book on Shutterfly last night.  I cannot believe how much he has changed since he was a triple chin-chubby face baby!  He even looks crazily different than at his one year pictures.  I guess that means it's time to take more pictures!  Shawn, want a new subject to practice on??? :)

 

About 2 months old

3.  New music.  I ordered a couple of new CD's with an Amazon gift card I got for my birthday.  I get tired of the same songs on the radio, and love something different to listen to! 

I know, I know.  Pitch perfect is ridiculous.  But it makes me laugh and remember high school singers.
 
4.  I ordered Lyle a few new Melissa and Doug toys, during a sale on Zulily.  I can't wait for them to get here!  Although I haven't decided which he can have now, and what gets saved back for later. 

5.  Lyle learned a knock-knock joke this week.  This is how it goes:  (Lyle) knock-knock, (me) who's there? (Lyle) MOO!!!!!  Haha.  He kept telling it to me over and over and laughing every time.  I found out last night, that his friend Eli has learned the "interrupting cow" joke and this is Lyle's version of it.  I love it.

 

The Manly Way

What's the best way to get rid of weeds on your patio??? 

 Fire of course. 

 I honestly would have never ever thought of that.  When my husband showed me, I was pretty sure he just bought it so he could have an excuse to play with fire.  Which might still be true, but the weeds are all gone from the patio.  Might as well have fun while you're doing a task like that!

The Rest

Although the occasion was sad, it was so great to spend some time with my family this weekend.  We stayed at "The Mansion"  a bed and breakfast that my Aunt's church runs.  We each had beautiful rooms, and enjoyed being all together in one space.  

Here are a few pictures from the weekend.

We stopped at a candy shop on the way to Missouri.  The lady gave Lyle a sucker and he was in heaven!

Playing outside in the morning before breakfast.

Bass Pro Shop!

I want this one, Mom!

Uncle Mike and Eric.  Pretending he was the baby on the E Trade commercials.  Hilarious.

"See You Later"

On Saturday we buried my Grandad.  My last living biological grandparent.  It was a day of many mixed emotions.  Sadness that we won't have any more visits or walks in the garden.  Relief that he is finally himself again.  Joy that he is in heaven with my Granny.  Tiredness from the toll all of these emotions take from you.  

It was a very nice service, my Dad gave a great eulogy with my Grandad's life story, and the pastor gave a great message about his work ethic, and love for his family and God.  I held it together until walking past the casket one last time, and during the military gun salute and taps.  That gets me every time.  

Our family often reflects at funerals, that for Christian's, death is not "Goodbye" but "See You Later."  What an amazing comfort and promise to know that our loved ones are now rejoicing with Jesus in Heaven and that we will be reunited with them one day.  And that they will no longer be sick, confused with Alzheimer's, or sad.  So, "See you later" Grandad!  We love you!

Camp, Concert, Pancakes, and Pies... Oh MY!

We had a Ca-RAY-zee last couple of weeks!  I am very much looking forward to a week at home!  I am realizing more and more that I am the kind of person that likes having different things to do, but I need a few nights at home a week to be able to enjoy/appreciate the busy times.  Otherwise I get burnt out too quickly!

 

Last weekend we had a church retreat out at Camp Mennoscah.  It was fabulous.  Full of great food, walks down to the river, swimming in the pool, letting the kids run like crazy, minute-to-win-it games, and several worship and lesson times.  We did a mini-series on the book of Ruth, and my eyes were opened to all kinds of lessons God was wanting me to learn.  (I continued to be blessed as the She Reads Truth devotions focused on Ruth and Naomi the next couple days after we got home!  I am sure God planned that one!)

 

 

This last week/weekend was the Harper County Fair.  The fair always tends to be a busy time, but this year, we decided to throw in a few extras to make it super busy!  Zach is the "superintendent" for the photography booth at the fair, so basically he is there when people turn in their pictures, and is there when the judge judges.  So he went to set up Monday night, while Lyle and I went to an Outreach ministry meeting.  Tuesday night I went to get my haircut (much much needed) while Zach and Lyle had some play time at home.  Wednesday we were back to the fair to help Zach while people turned in pictures, and to hang signs at the Preschool booth.  And of course make several trips to see the animals with Lyle.  He looooved the animals! 

 

Don't you love his cut off shirt! :)

 

Thursday we met up with Greg and Kim, and Kodi and Shawn for supper and a trip around the fair.  We watched the tractor pull for a while, then headed over to the animal exhibits and the blue barn to look at just who had won ribbons.  Once we got home, I got to work making mini-pies for the fair.  (Outreach started this last year, making mini pies and handing them out with bottled water in the parade.  Seems like pie is as exciting to adults as candy is to little kids!) 

 

Friday my parents came down to watch Lyle (who had come down with a fever...maybe from teeth, but who knows for sure!?) while we went to the Band Perry/Rascal Flatts concert.  They had gotten us tickets for Christmas, but the show got postponed until this weekend.  It was AWESOME.  The Band Perry is probably my favorite group right now, and after seeing them perform, I love them even more.  She looked like she was having the time of her life up there.  I'm pretty sure that Kim and I would be best friends.  Just saying.
 

Sorry, I haven't uploaded pictures from my camera yet.  Hopefully better pictures to come!

 

We got home about midnight and the alarm to get up on Saturday went off about 4:45.  We took our bleary-eyed selves over to the church to get set up and going for the pancake breakfast fundraiser for the new preschool our church is opening in January.  Pancakes, sausage, coffee, and pie (yes we serve pie for breakfast) made the early hour much more bearable!  We had a pretty decent turnout and will use the money to start buying toys and equipment.  It's pretty exciting! 

 

Harper Industries (where Zach works)  was having an open house, so Zach headed over to give tours, and we met up with him for a while.  Lyle's fever was back, so we headed home (our tummies were too full for lunch anyway!) to rest.  After our nap, we headed back over to the church to get ready for the parade.  We handed out 121 pies and over 200 bottles of water.  Once the parade was over, we watched the turtle races, and had wonderful authentic steak tacos.  We chatted with friends, and once Lyle made it very clear that he was worn out and it was past his bed time, we headed home.  Can you believe I didn't even have a funnel cake???  What is wrong with me!

 

Checking out the turtles before the race

 

After a long hot shower I collapsed into bed.  We were very happy with how everything that we worked so hard to plan turned out, but we were ready to sleep until next weekend!  We spent most of Sunday relaxing, having time with the family, and riding the new gator out to look at the pond.

 

 

 We also got the news on Saturday that my Grandad was put on comfort care, and will most likely not be with us very much longer.  Keep our family in your prayers if you think about it! 

A Finished Project

Well, I finally finished the dress I had been working on.  I had a few challenges (the elastic ended up showing in between the tank and skirt), but I like it better with a bow anyway!!!  

I bought fabric to make a couple of infinity scarfs, and also have some ribbon and scraps to try my hand at a few baby gifts.  Here's to hoping each project improves my skills a little!

Golden Birthday

I love birthdays.  Not just my own, but everyone's birthdays.  They were such a happy celebration in my home growing up, and they just make me excited!  I love thinking of little things to make sure that person feels special on their day.  Surprise donuts in the morning, favorite foods for supper, perfect birthday cards, and favorite activities.  For my husband this means going to see as many movies as we can fit in one day.  My family did a great job helping me celebrate my 26th birthday last week, and made sure it was special.

We started off the celebrations on the Sunday before my birthday, grilling burgers with Zach's side of the family (even Kodi was down to celebrate!)  We threw in a fun pool party in the middle of the week with friends, then got ready to celebrate with my family on Friday.

My parents brought supper down (thanks Mom for cooking!) and also brought my Great Aunt Sara who was visiting for the weekend.  She lives in Texas, and we used to see her quite a bit when we lived down there.  We figured up the last time I saw her was about 10 years ago at a Grier Reunion.  What a special birthday treat to be able to reconnect, and introduce her to Zach and Lyle!  Lyle was being quite a tease, loving all the attention, and showing off his mad corn-on-the-cob eating skills!

Saturday morning, I spent outside playing with Lyle.  The weather was beautiful, and it was great to just let him run and play!  Zach and I got ready, sent Lyle to play (and spend the night) at Annie's and headed up to Wichita.  It was a perfect day filled with activities that aren't so easy with a toddler in tow.  We got pretzel dogs at Sonic, pedicures, went shopping (to spend my Hobby Lobby gift certificate, woo!), dinner at Chaio!, a movie, and finally ice cream.  Perfect.  And Annie's gift of keeping Lyle overnight was much appreciated in the morning when I slept in!

It was a perfect combination of my favorite people, food, and activities.  And some amazing gifts ranging from a handgun and boots to a new sewing table.  (I like to think I have a wide variety of interests :)  ) Thanks for all the birthday love.  I can't wait to see what this next year brings!