Storms

I guess you can say that I am a total "chicken" when it comes to bad weather. I've been that way as long as I can remember, but then again, I was always a scaredy-cat of a child. Growing up, we always had at least one bad tornado scare each semester of school. I remember huddling in the halls, hearing the whispers of my scared friends, and listening to the teachers talk on walkie-talkies as the principal gave them the latest weather update. We would hear the name of a community, and all of us would start our own little panicked conversations: "I have a friend that lives in Kimberly" or "Our house is in Brookside." Most of these tornado drills (which, I guess weren't really "drills") seemed to also include tears, frantic drives home in the rain, and lifted prayers as we were all kneeling in the hallway outside our classrooms. It's amazing how certain events seem to stick with you as you grow up. I remember one time when I was in fourth grade, kneeling in the hallway by a window-surrounded doorway (which was supposed to be "safer" than our classrooms, uh no). I huddled there by my best friends, and we quietly shared our fears as we tried our best to hear what was being said by the teachers as they passed along information. I remember tears, I remember being scared, and I remember that they weren't letting children leave the school even though it was right at 3pm. They changed their minds, and let the parents come inside to check their children out of school. My mom was one of those parents. I remember hearing my name and my sister's name over the walkie-talkies. I remember walking down the hall with a teacher while all the other students stayed huddled into balls against the walls, and I remember seeing my mom at the front office. And that's it. I don't remember anything after that...probably because from that moment on, I was safe. I was with my mom and my sister, and I was safe and secure. I remember another time or two in high school. I remember Mrs. Dorothy Taylor (the scariest, yet most amazing teacher in the whole school) sitting in a chair by the double doors that led out to the parking lot. The wind outside was actually pulling the doors open, and she would close them and use her humor or a threat to "take someone out to the parking lot" to calm our nerves. Another time, I remember opening double doors as well, but it was on the other side of the school. Ashley and I were trying our best to conceal our cell phones as we frantically tried to call our mom since we had overheard someone mention our neighborhood on the walkie talkies. I remember the ride home that time. We had to take detours around fallen trees and downed power lines. I actually remember the sights on that trip home...I guess I didn't feel safe until we actually got home. I guess this post just goes to show that I am as long-winded as they come. I started this post to make a simple point, but I think I have beat it into the ground. I'm a chicken when it comes to storms, but I believe I have a right to be so. Growing up, we dealt with floods, severe weather, tons of tornado "drills" at school, and even damage to our home in one way or another. Even now, being 26 years old, married, and a mother...I am scared of storms. The mere mention of tornado warnings just fills me with anxiety. I close the sunroom doors so I can't see the lightning and the trees blowing. I turn the TV to the local weather station and make sure to check on Josh (since he is usually on a 24 hour shift when the bad weather hits...what luck!). Storms just make me uneasy, but eventually they pass, and I get to curl out of my huddled up ball and be thankful that this isn't a night that will forever be engrained in my mind because I am safe at home.

Our Normal

I love how the warmer weather and Patton's growth have changed our daily routine. Instead of coming home and struggling to take Charlie outside with Patton bundled up on my hip before hurrying back inside to play in the warm house; now, we all walk outside and play out there as long as we can. Patton wanders around the yard, pulling bark off the pine tree, trying to pull his big wagon around, chasing Charlie, and pulling my pansy blossoms into pieces. He is just so happy to be outside, and I love that we can play in the yard. That's exactly what Josh and I imagined when we bought this house. We saw ourselves out in the yard playing with our future children, and now we can't wait to all get home (especially now that it doesn't get dark so early) and go swing or run around the yard. I love our family time, and it gets better and better every day!

Spent & Lent

The weather was wonderful for a couple weeks, and then our household was invaded with sickness, which was then followed by rainy, cold days. Oh well, it is March, and that "in like a lion" thing is supposed to explain it all away.

Josh and I went to the Mardi Gras Party in Gardendale with our pals (Fab 4 plus guys), and it was great to reminisce about that same party 3 years ago when we first met. And of course, it was great to catch up with our Gardendale gang of friends. While we were there, Patton spent the night with my mom (his first night spent away from me), and we all did great. No tears shed on my part, although I did keep my cell phone at hand all night. He had a double ear infection, so most of his night was spent awake, and he apparently swept my mom's floors at 1am, but she promised that it was all enjoyable for her.

Saturday, as we headed back home, Josh was plagued with the stomach bug, so I drove us home through the torrential down pours, and we finally made it home around 6pm. I sent Josh straight to bed, and he slept until after Patton and I left for church the next morning. Oh that reminds me, I woke up Saturday morning with no voice. Must have been allergic to something, but my voice was still not better for my children's sermon on Sunday morning. It was sorta fitting anyway since my children's sermon was about how some things are hard to understand (like my voice that morning) and some things about God and Jesus are hard to understand, like Jesus' transfiguration, which we were studying that morning. So I guess it worked out.

Now we are all healing. Josh is back at work and feeling much better. Patton is going to school and spending his nights in bed instead of sweeping, and my voice is creeping back into my throat a little bit each day.

Now it is Fat Tuesday, and my one action of celebration for this day was eating a Wendy's frosty. I would try to convince myself that I ate it in hopes that it would help heal my lack of voice, but in all honesty, that's a lie. The truth of the matter is this is the last time I plan to enjoy a Frosty or anything else that includes chocolate until Easter. No Sunday breaks, no "accidental" lapses in judgment. No chocolate for Lent. No, it's not a publicity stunt. This is my way of celebrating Lent (wait, is "celebrate" the right word?). This is how I will mark the period of time known as Lent. Instead of eating chocolate or focusing on how much I love chocolate or how great it makes me feel...I will spend this season of Lent focusing on how I should crave God, how much I love God, how much He loves me, and how amazing it feels to know that His grace is sufficient for all of life's twists and turns. All those moments that I usually turn to chocolate, well, I need to learn to turn to God. His comfort is more amazing than a Reese's cup or scoop of Bluebell's Milk Chocolate ice cream. This season of Lent, I am going to crave God!

Birthday Recap

Patton had an amazing 1st birthday weekend! The weather was absolutely wonderful! It felt like spring, and we just soaked it up. The weekend was filled with lots of friends and family, and Patton did so well with all the visitors and excitement. We spent a good part of the party and the rest of the weekend outside: playing ball, lounging on the patio, or taking wagon rides. We ate cake, opened gifts, and just enjoyed visiting with everyone. It really was the perfect day. Josh and I couldn't have wanted it to be any different than how it turned out. I think Patton enjoyed his special day as much as we did!

Patton's Almost Birthday

Since I am sure I will not be able to post on Patton's actual birthday due to festivities and company, I just want to take this moment to wish our son a very Happy 1st Birthday! Patton has blessed our lives in so many ways, and we are just so thankful that God allowed us to be his parents! Josh and I were always a fun and laughing couple, but we have never laughed as much as we do now. Patton keeps us rolling with laughter as he plays and giggles. He just makes our family complete (for now, yes we want more children, but not right this second). Patton has brought Josh and me from a newlywed couple to full-blown parents, and we are just so grateful for this past year that is filled with so many lovely memories!

3 Amazing Years

Three years ago today, I was forced to meet the love of my life. I don't think that back then I ever thought that the man I was going to meet that evening would be my boyfriend, let alone my husband, love of my life, and father of our wonderful son! Three amazing years have passed since that night. To celebrate, Josh and I went to lunch today and grabbed some ice cream...oh, and I wore the same polka-dot dress I wore 3 years ago to that Mardi Gras dance.

That night was something special. It started out as a headache since neither one of us wanted to meet the other, but it turned out to be the night we both reminisce about when we get in bed at night and have a conversation. That night, we stayed up all night (seriously, until the sun came up), and we practically told each other our life stories through silly questions and answers. That was the night he learned where my favorite spot in the world is...and that is where he proposed to me about 6 months later. We shared our childhood memories, our fears, what we order on our pizza, and our favorite holidays. It was like a relationship crash course, we got it all done in one night, and from then on, we were head over heels.

God really does work in mysterious ways, but they are some amazingly wonderful ways as well!

Wisteria Weekend

I'm sure we're not the only family that enjoyed the amazing weather this past weekend! Friday, Josh and I were able to spend most of the morning together shopping for Patton's birthday party decorations and eating lunch at Little Tokyo. Friday afternoon, since the weather was so nice, we took Patton on his first trip to Mason Park to swing! We all had a great time, and some of our friends were even there (The Mobley Family). On Saturday, we were ready for a day filled with tasks outside of the house. We woke up and had a family breakfast at Huddle House followed by our weekly family trip to the grocery store. Patton fell asleep on the way home from Walmart (yes, the less than 1 mile trip home), so he took a nap while Josh and I tackled the huge tangle of wisteria in the corner of our front yard. We've been wanting to get rid of it for a while, but on Saturday it was finally warm enough for all of us to be outside, including Patton and Charlie. After Patton woke from his nap, he joined us outside in his playpen (since he still has a tendency to try to eat anything he picks up). He played and laughed as we worked on pulling up the wisteria. Eventually, he took his afternoon nap, while Josh and I trimmed some hedges and just took on any project we could think of before the sun went down. It was such a great day full of accomplishments!

Sunday was a good day to be inside, since the weather was icky, so after church we stayed in for the rest of the afternoon except for Josh going to a meeting. He was elected to be on our Pastor Nominating Committee at church, and I am so proud of him! He was chosen to represent the youth and children of the church, and I know he will do a great job!