My apologies...

My seester left this morning.  *sniff*  KJ and I went down to my parents last night to say goodbye.  *sniff*sniff*  I didn't blog because I was wallowing in my pity party, just me and my peanut butter-chocolate Haagen-Dazs.  So...I guess I'll explain the pic on the last blog of the back of my head and my seester with a rather surprised expression on her face.

My seester called me one day and told me that I had to read this book Carry On, Warrior: Thoughts on Life Unarmed by Glennon Melton.  She was excited about it because there was a chapter about a guy she went to high school with, long story.  She would read me excerpts from the book and begged me to get it from my library.  It had a long hold on it, so I told her I might buy it.  if I did, she would buy it from me when she got here.  We had a plan.

I ended up buying the book because I was on the hold list forever.  Right when I got the shipping notice for the book, I got the notice that it was on hold for me at the library.  Ugh.  I read it all the way through. It was good.  I looked the author up on Facebook and noticed that she was doing book signings and one of them was in Baltimore.

So KJ and I went.  Kevin was the 4th guy there, but he didn't have a baby like the rest.  We sat in the front row.  Glennon gave a talk and then we all lined up to get our books signed.  They gave us a yellow sticky note to write what we wanted our dedication to say, but I couldn't think of anything.  I got to the front of the line and told her the whole story about my seester and how she knew her sister's husband.  It's complicated, but her sister was there and texted her husband that his old schoolmate's little sis was there.  Got all that?  

Fast forward to a MONTH later.  Some background first...I can't even hold the secret of what I get my seester for Christmas, and I held this secret for SO LONG.  AND I was so excited about it!  It was really hard.  When she finally got here, I had to wait longer because KJ had to work and couldn't come see her the first day we went to see her.  I couldn't tell her all about it without him there.

It was a big deal!  Everyone gathered around and my seester had no clue what was going on.  I handed her the book and told her to look in it.  She couldn't believe I got it signed for her.  After all that, I didn't take a picture of what she wrote.  It was something like "My Maria,  You are loved.  You are strong.  You are enough.  Just do the next right thing.  Love, Glennon."  

It was one of the better things I've ever done in my life.  I know it meant so much to her, and I still get high when I think about it.  When Maria first told me about this book she said, "She has a little sister who is three years younger than her.  She says that she doesn't know how she breathed for those three years without her, and that's how I feel about you."  Maria and I are three years apart.  *sniff*  I already miss her so much.

I'm so animated!

I miss you, Ri.

First Day of August Daybook

Outside my window...
It's dark and warm.  At least it's not hot even though it looks like there's heat lightning.

I am thankful for...
Safe travels and family.  I feel like I've been running everywhere, and I'm just glad I keep getting wherever there may be in one piece.  (not to be taken for granted)

I am thinking about...
All sorts of things.  I went to a talk at my church tonight about discerning God's will in your life.  I felt like I had a spotlight on me most of the night.

In the schoolroom...
Rory is kicking out her reading program still and climbing levels.  We're waiting to get into the swing of things until next week when my sister and her family leave.

From the kitchen...
(cue crickets)  I've been out of town physically and mentally.  I feel like things will come together NEXT WEEK.  

I am creating...
Stillness.  This has to do with the talk tonight.  I am a planner.  Normally I would be creating a plan.  I've been told to, "Be still, and know that I am God."  So that's what I'm going to do.

I am working on...
Myself.  That's a new one.  ;)  I'm past the first step at least if I'm admitting it now.  

I am reading...
The Bible.  (back to basics)

I am praying...
steadfastly for some dear ones.

I am hearing...
Kevin come home.  He ran to get some french fries for me because I am not eating well.  NEXT WEEK!  NEXT WEEK!

Around the house...
Can I get those crickets back again?  NEXT WEEK.  Folks, I don't know about you, but I can't wait to see what next week's blogs look like.  I hope I keep my word.

One of my favorite things...
my seester.  I get one month a year, and I am soaking.it.up.  

A few plans for the rest of the week...
Well, it's Thursday night so...nothing tomorrow and my parent's house on Saturday (the last day I'll see my seester.

A picture...

There's a story....later.  In the meantime...check out Mufasa from the back.  Yikes!

Thirty-One HOTlanta

Lessons I learned at the Thirty-One conference.

• Driving ten hours on three hours sleep is not a good idea.
• Arriving into Atlanta at rush hour isn't either.
• Make sure you know what is expected of you when sharing hotel rooms with others.
• Being by yourself is ok.
• Eating once a day and that food being crap is not advisable.
• Getting less than three hours of sleep a night is insane.
• All of the above might make you grouchy.
• If you have to go to the bathroom really bad, and have waited in line for 45 minutes, you can wait a little longer to NOT go in the stall with a wet floor and all kinds of nastiness on it.  Please trust me on this one.  The flip flops I had to throw away beg you to.
• Bring an extra pair of flip flops.
• Spanx is always a good idea.
• Purell can save your life.
• I am no longer a teenager.
• The ten hour drive back will not be better than the drive to.
• Charlotte, NC is a NICE place.
• GO THE SPEED LIMIT THE WHOLE TIME THROUGH SOUTH CAROLINA.  I did not get a ticket simply by the grace of God.  I'm sure that doesn't help the lady behind me that got it for going as fast as me.

Realizing I'm no longer a teenager is kind of depressing.  This whole getting old thing stinks.  Anyway, I'm back.  Did you miss me?  What would this whole post be without pictures?  Role call...

Mob scene

HOT-Lanta Bound

I meant to post last night, but my seester and her kids went back to my parents yesterday, and I had to pack!  It's Thirty-One conference time!  I'm about to drive to Atlanta with one of my team members.  I'll be back next week, and I'm not bringing a puter, so....I'll see you then.  Don't worry, my camera is PACKED!

Be safe.  XXXOOO

Happy Birthday, Nicole!!!

Today, Monday, is my niece Nikki's birthday.  Happy birthday, Nikki!  I first met Nikki when she was 3yo.  I can't tell you the story I remember first about her because that wouldn't be right.  It's potty humor.  At one point I tutored Nikki, but really we just read stories and talked.  I don't know if she remembers that, but I do.  That was when I figured out that she had everyone fooled about this needing tutoring and such.  She was very bright and just didn't want to do the work that was boring.  ;)  A kid after my own heart.  Here is Nikki's birthday acrostic.  I'm going to use Nikki instead of Nicole to shake things up a bit.

N- NATURE LOVER  Poor Nik has terrible allergies but loves to be outside.  Even though it's awful on her, she still smells the flowers.  Speaking of which, if flowers come to me to die, they go to Nikki to live.  She has the greenest thumb I've seen since my daddy.
I- IMPERMEABLE  Sometimes Nikki's life is like watching a comedy in spanish.  You don't know what's going on but it's funny.  I have seen and heard things happen to Nikki and the girl just keeps on rolling as if it doesn't bother her.  Kind of like when I get in a huge argument with Kaelyn and she's fine in five minutes.  Nikki's not exactly like that but has something of that characteristic.  I think it's that mixed with the fine Bucy trait of not "letting them see you sweat."  She definitely comes by that honestly.  ;)  
K- KAMIKAZE  Nikki is always up for anything whether it's good for her or not.  This could be something that fares well for her or not so much.  When I tell KJ's parents about things that Marley does that are dare devilish, they say it sounds just like Nikki.  I'm scared.
K-KWERKY/KLUTZY  I know how to spell quirky, but it works here just the same.  Nikki is always on except for when she's sick.  She's watering plants, playing with the littles, making crafts and ideas she finds from the internet.  She does a little bit of everything.  Sure she's still a kid and makes mistakes, but she is endearing with her...weirdness.  I added the KLUTZY because to this day, if she falls or trips and isn't in the same room as you, she'll yell out, "I'm ok!"  Marley has started doing this too.  :O
I-  INTENSE  While Nikki is all these things, she does them with great passion.  She's all in unless, again, you catch her at something she's not interested in.  Isn't that most kids this age?  She excels and is passionate about science...probably her best subject. She enjoys it and approaches it with a determination and intensity that you almost miss unless you're looking for it.  Nikki tries to play a lot of things off, but I watch her.  I watch her kindness and her love for others.  She's a special kid...even though she's crazy.  :P

Happy Birthday, Nikki!  I forgot and then remembered, but I remembered!  That's the important part!  Have a great day!

Some Things We've Been Up To

I was thinking about taking each activity moment by moment, but we have been doing A LOT.  So I'm going to post pics, see what I have, and explain along the way.  We have been pretty non-stop.  Get ready...here we go.

This is KJ by himself in the inflatable having fun.

Meanwhile, Logan was at a fishing derby...

Logan caught the biggest fish and the most fish.

It's been crazy and awesome.  Our time together ends Tuesday.  The kids are getting to that point where some time apart might be good for them, so I think our timing is right on.  Still...I want them to stay.

Quick Takes Friday

1. My seester is here, so things have been busy.  There are three more kids (boys) mixed with my kids.  It's interesting to say the least.  We're meshing well, and while there are little fights, they're not as bad as they used to be.  They pair up and play well now.
2. I love back to school time.  I get entranced with the sales and pretty markers and crayons.  I'm excited to partake in some actual supplies this year since the kids are going to homeschool school.  They're pretty excited too, and that always helps.
3. I've been on pain pills for the past four days.  I'm a better person on pain pills.  I have more patience and everything is lovely.  It's easy to see how all those stars have addiction problems.  The only problem I've seen so far is that when they start to wear off, I get a little grumpy.  It lasts about 20 minutes, but it seems like I'm super sensitive to all things that bug me.  After that I'm fine again.  It really is the only downside.
4. I leave for the Thirty-One conference in less than a week.  I am not prepared.  I probably won't be prepared until I've been there a day and don't have a choice.  :)  I'm definitely not excited about the heat in HOTlanta.  I don't like sweating.  

I don't have seven takes today because I'm tired.  Don't worry.  I have lots of stuff coming up.  I'm just beat and can't get to it right now, and my pain medicine is wearing off.  :o  Have a great weekend!