Two Years

I just can't believe it's been two years since you went to Heaven.  Not a day goes by that I don't miss you and think about you.  Oh how I wish I could just see you right now! Are you sitting by a lake? Maybe you are making something out of nothing with your hands ~ you were so good at that.  You could always take any old thing and make it useful again.  Or maybe you're whittling.  Or eating Ridgewood BBQ.  Or drawing that little dog you used to draw for me every Sunday during church.  If I could only see you draw that dog one more time...

Of course, there's the selfish part of me that wants you here with me.  I so badly want you to see my children grow up and experience life.  I want them to fish with you.  I want them to work in the garden with you.  I want them to learn from you the things you taught us all so well...love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.  You taught us those every day just by the way you lived your life.  

Even though I long to have you here with me, I know where you are.  I have such peace in knowing that you are with Jesus, completely healed.  After seeing your health decline for several years, I am overwhelmed with joy when I think of you walking (running!) around heaven with no limitations, no medicines, no walkers, nothing to hold you back!  

When I join you one day, I can't wait to talk about old times.  I really believe we'll have our memories in Heaven (the good ones of course).  And we sure have a lot of memories, don't we?  Christmas, vacations (I got my love of Myrtle Beach from you), lake, teaching me to drive, church, camping, and just memories of everyday life.  

The day you went to Heaven, my perspective about life changed forever.  I now have experienced a loss that I never even began to understand before.  Everything is different.  Nothing will ever be the same.  Nothing.  Thank you for treasuring Jesus and your family above anything else.  Thank you for loving us unconditionally.  Thank you for simply being you.  I'm so grateful.  I love you Daddy.

"He puts a little of heaven in our hearts so that we'll never settle for less." 2 Corinthians 5: 5 (The Message)

I Promise I'm Trying

We are back from the most fabulous weekend ever visiting Oklahoma, meeting The Pioneer Woman, and staying on her ranch.  I will be posting approximately one million pictures as soon as I get them all sorted out.  It may take me a few days.  Please stand by.  You may now return to your normal programming.

P.S. I've missed you.

I'm About To Break Your Heart

I really don't want to be the bearer of bad news...but you have a right to know the truth.

House Hunters is one of my favorite shows EVER! I love seeing the different houses in different parts of the country.  It's very interesting to compare prices and see what you get for the money in different states and cities.  The different styles of homes and decor also pull me in.  And we can't forget the thrill of guessing which house they will choose.  Of course, the predicting is followed by congratulating myself for my obvious intuitive wisdom or yelling at the people that they are making a horrible choice that they will regret for years to come! Why can't they see that I know what's best for them???

House Hunters is actually kind of a thorn in Brian's side because it's set to record on the DVR.  Since it's on HGTV so often (approximately 27 times a day), it really does seem like it's always recording.  He gets frustrated because it's always on! I really think he secretly kind of likes it though because he watches it with me sometimes and plays right along.  Of course, he still acts all irritated when it comes on to protect his tough guy image.  So for years, I've been innocently watching, predicting, congratulating, and yelling.  Then, I came across this...

The Truth About House Hunters

WARNING: Do not click that link unless you are prepared to handle what's on the other side.  If you click and read, there will be no turning back.  Don't say I didn't warn you!

I'm sorry.  So very sorry.

(I still watch it.  Pretty much every night. With Brian aka Mr. Tough Guy.)

Randomness

1. Claire just pulled another tooth.  I'm convinced that she pulls her teeth just to get money.  Soon, she will have no teeth left in her mouth.  Also, the tooth fairy is going broke.

2. I discovered that is not a good idea to watch Food Network while walking on the treadmill.

3. So I watched Melissa and Tye instead.  Do you remember Melissa Rycroft from The Bachelor, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, and Dancing With The Stars? She's really cute.  Anyway, it wasn't a great idea either because I was crying for the last ten minutes when her daughter was sick. The crying affected my breathing which turned out to be bad treadmill activity as well.

4. I am about to give The Hunger Games another try.  I'll let you know how that goes.

5. Brian finally (bless his heart) got our new mulch put down today.  It was blazin' hot outside, but he persevered.  It looks so much better, and our neighbors are very grateful The Washington County Hillbillies have straightened things up a bit.

6. So far, summer vacation is a big hit around here.  Especially with me.  Nothing has really been cleaned or organized yet, but that swimming pool sure is fun!

Finally!

Whatever shall I do???

Of course, I have big plans to clean up this house ~ everything from closets to garage.  Now will it really happen? That certainly remains to be seen.  In reality, there will be a lot of swimming.  Lots and lots of swimming.  I'm hoping there will also be some reading for all of us.  Several fun trips are coming up too, so we have lots to look forward to in the next couple of months. I was crazy enough to agree to a Dollywood trip yesterday on our first full day off.  I didn't even get to sleep late! So this morning, I rest....the resting will only last until lunch time because I need to vacuum, do a little laundry, and run some errands this afternoon.  One of my errands is to replenish my Love Spell since nobody has stepped up to be a supplier for me yet.  Tonight, Brian is making his winning recipe for a practice run, and we have some family coming over to taste his creation.  Yay for yummy food, family, fun, and REST!

Monday Night With Two Matthews

I'm tired, and I'm still awake at 10:45.  That's late for a Mamaw on a school night.  So you get a list:

1. Tomorrow is the last day of school.  WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!

2. Dancing With The Stars was good tonight.  Tomorrow is the finale, and I seriously don't know who I want to win.  I don't even know who I think might win.  What is wrong with me?

3. I am really enjoying The Bachelorette.  So far, and I'm sure they haven't released all of the crazy yet, I really like Ryan.  He reminds me A LOT of Matthew McConaughey.  In case you're wondering, that is a very good thing.  I am quite fond of Matthew.

4. Friday night's pizza crust was seriously the best ever! I think we are on to something! (And by we, I mean B)

5. We have been contacted by several different folks from Ree's "entourage".  We have our flight arrangements confirmed.  It seriously looks like this trip to the ranch is really going to happen.  I am still in shock.  Also, I have absolutely no idea what I'm going to wear.  I want to look cute-ish, but she keeps talking about horses and horse poo.  Uh oh!

6. I need to find a Pinterest board with this title: Looking Cute While Standing In Horse Poo

7. I am totally out of my giant fire balls.  I usually have one with my dark chocolate every night as a little treat.  I had to buy a bag of tiny, little, baby Value Time fire balls to get me through.  They are SO not a suitable substitute.  So I need my supplier to come through for me...soon.  Hint, Hint.

8. I recently rediscovered a long, lost love ~  Love Spell body wash from Victoria's Secret.  It has been about 11 years since I last used it.  I've fallen in love all over again.  It kind of smells like Hawaiian Punch! I know that probably sounds weird, but just trust me.  There's just one little thing...Claire has discovered it too.  Now I have an empty bottle.  I don't have a Love Spell supplier as of yet, but I'm currently taking applications.

9. Oh my goodness! I'm still watching The Bachelorette, and Emily just said she thinks this Joe guy looks like Matthew McConaughey! Now that I look at him, he does a little.  Not as much as Ryan though.

10. It's 11:11, and I need to go to bed! Did I mention that tomorrow is the LAST DAY OF SCHOOL???

(UPDATE: She just sent Matthew #2 home.  Goodbye Joe!)

Where The Wind Comes Sweeping Down The Plains

Oklahoma! That's where we're going!!! We are still in shock, but we have HUGE news!

Brian entered a recipe contest on The Pioneer Woman's website a while back.  We really did it mostly for fun, never dreaming in a million years that his recipe would get picked out of the 1,300-1,400 recipes that were submitted.  BUT HE WON!  So we're going to spend a weekend on the ranch with Ree.  FOR REAL! I am so excited and of course so proud of him.  I've always known that he's the best cook/chef/culinary artist in the world, but it's so nice for him to get to have such a neat opportunity.

Go here to see the official announcement on The Pioneer Woman's website.

I may get to see him in those chaps and cowboy boots after all! Giddy up!