And then they grew up...

If you see yourself in this picture, raise your hand.

Weekending

This past weekend it seems like I did a lot, but I don't have much to show for it (except maybe a clean house which will last until all of Wednesday.)

Friday night we drove to Texarkana to visit Brad's parents. It rained most of the day, so I took the opportunity to start a good book, Persuasion by Jane Austen. I also watched a bit of the Bold and the Beautiful with Brad's mom. That might be the most messed up show I have ever seen. I mean, clearly, All My Children and One Life to Live are much less wicked.

Moving on.

We came home late Saturday night, and the rest of the weekend was just spent doing the normal: Brad plays golf and I slave away at the house.

OK, slaving away might be a bit of a stretch. But I did do a bit of spring cleaning and have some lovely new geraniums on my porch. I'm thankful for warmer weather.

Happy Birthday Alisia!

Celebrating at The Cheesecake Factory

Bracketology, defined

n. 1. the science of predicting what Teams will win or go home in the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Tournament. 2. a term that quickly became the most overused word in ESPN history within a week.

Ladies and Gentleman, I am pleased to announce that I was the first round leader in not one, but TWO brackets that I have entered in.

We will not discuss my rankings in the 2nd round. But there is still hope since my Final Four are all still in play.

I may or may not have taken my sports trash talk to a whole new level with respect to someone else who might live in my house. Who knew I had a PhD in bracketology?

He is Risen!

We had a wonderful, restful Easter weekend.

We ate way too much and visited with family. It was great! We also saw quite a few of these little friendlies on our Texas highways...

Photo from Wikipedia
I downloaded a song by Switchfoot recently called Stars. You've probably heard it too. It's been on the radio a million times, and when it comes on, I can't keep myself from cranking it up and singing at the top of my lungs and dancing around. Since I react that way every time I hear it, I felt like I needed that in my iPod arsenal for on demand listening. One line from the song says, "When I look at the STAAAAARS, I feel like myself." And that's the truth, y'all.

I'm so thankful God sent Jesus to break down all barriers between Him and me. He took on my sins at the cross so I could know the Creator of the stars--and know Him well.

I love this lyric because looking at the stars makes me feel how small I am compared to the greatness of God, but yet He has called me His own. And that makes me feel like myself because that is exactly what I was meant to be: His.

And an odd fact about this particular iPod playlist: this song is immediately followed by Midnight Train to Georgia by Gladys Knight and the Pips.

The Old Gray (or Silver) Mare

just ain't what she used to be.

I have had my car since I graduated from college. It is the first major purchase I ever made.

I moved out of my parents house for the last time in this car.
I drove it to my first day of work at my big girl job.
I roadtripped in it to several Aggie football games where I was glad to play the part of Former Student.
It has taken me to numerous dinners with the girls all over DFW.
I've shuttled all over Texas and the rest of the Southern US in it to watch my wonderful friends tie the knot.
I got stopped for speeding once in it.
I drove it to a party where I met my husband.
It made many trips to Fort Worth.
I drove it to the nail salon the day after he placed a shiny diamond on my finger.
And I drove it to the church on my wedding day, then home from the airport after the honeymoon.
We took it to the title company to sign the papers on our first home, much like we did to sign the lease on our first apartment.

By the immeasurable grace of God, I have safely driven it 170,000-ish miles since 2002 with only one minor incident that was self-inflicted at a gas station pump by yours truly (and only the car got hurt.)

And now, we are putting her out to pasture.

I got a little teary thinking about trading in my car this morning. Ridiculous, I know. But of course, it's not the car--it's the wonderful memories between where I was the day I bought it and where I am now. I am so blessed.

Off we go to pick up Our First Car.

Polling the Audience - Wedding Dress Shopping

As I've mentioned before, one of my college roommates got engaged back before Christmas. Of course, with this comes dress shopping. When I got ready to shop for wedding dresses, I thought I would have to try on a million before I found The One, so I was kinda shocked when I fell in love with the first one I tried on and actually had to be talked into trying on subsequent gowns. For me, it was game over within 20 minutes of walking in the store.

That being said, Roommate also mentioned to me that she bought the second one she tried on, and it was only number 2 because she tried another one on while waiting for the saleswoman to take it off of a mannequin.

So, we are both rather surprised that it was so easy. Is that normal? Did anyone else have that experience, or did you try on dress after dress to find The One?

Yeah, this post has nothing to do with anything.

Why Easter is Early and Other Randomness

Maybe I am the only one who didn't know all about this subject, but you can read this article to maybe get an understanding of how the date we celebrate the resurrection of our Savior is determined. I'm gonna be real honest and say that I tuned out a little when I got to the words "vernal equinox," but I did gain a little bit of understanding. It will probably not be this early again in my lifetime.

I'm so thankful the weekend is here. The time change along with many other things going on has been a little much, and I've tossed and turned each night just praying and thinking for the past week. That being said, I am looking forward to a wonderful Saturday morning of sleeping in. And I have some fun things lined up for the weekend.

It's been a good day. There is wonderful news over on the Cowtown Times. More evidence of God's faithfulness and an answer to prayer!!! Thank you Lord!

I visited with both of my Aggie roommates today on the phone, and we planned a reunion for very soon. I even talked to my mom, and then spent a great quiet evening with my husband (right now he's absorbed in Aggie basketball).

If only the laundry fairy would pay us a visit! If you see her, please send her my way.

Praying

Our family is currently praying for some dear friends who have quite frankly had their world turned upside down and inside out. We know that there is no circumstance that is beyond our great God's control and no trial too great for His Mighty Hand to save. He is in the midst of the storm. We wait and we pray.

God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

There is a river whose streams
make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fail;
God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
He lifts His voice, the earth melts.

The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Psalm 46:1-7

Wintry Mix

I've seen more snow, but I've never before seen it falling like it did earlier today. Brr!