Backtracking

So how did June already creep up on me?

Better yet, how is it that I graduated college 10 years ago???

We ended May with a bang when my college roommate came in from The Woodlands with her husband and 2 little girls for Memorial Day weekend. Amy lived with me all 4 years at A&M and Challi (who also lived with us) and I often refer to her as our third sister.

I even get the credit for introducing her to her (now) hubby during Sophomore year, who I had become good friends with during a Summer session. Since Matt played football at A&M, it was especially fun to see him sport Park's little Aggie helmet as we reminisced about all the memories we had made together. Chris laughed right along with us, since he has heard them so many times by now.

But after a while, the guys pooped out and just like old times, Amy and I laughed into the wee hours of the night.

But, instead of sleeping until noon the next morning like college, our little ones had us up bright and early. And instead of giving me her best assessment on my health based on pictures from her medical books as she often did at Aggieland, this time, Dr. Amy expertly checked me over for skin cancer. So far, so good.

It is amazing how much more confident I am with her opinions now that she is actually a Dermatologist v/s just the roommate who spent about 20 hours at the pool with me a week. I seriously love that girl.

(Me, Amy, and Chal with our babies 3 years ago. They love this picture because they are both wearing heels and appear taller than me. We are all tall girls, but I feel the need to clarify that I am still the tallest. I also feel the need to clarify that I am only wearing overalls because it was a fishing themed party:)

And after all the Memorial day fun, Chris, Park, and I headed to meet all my family at the lake the next weekend, where we started a new tradition of making homemade ice cream. Yum is all I have to say about that.

The boys (and by that I'm also including the husbands) did their usual fishing, boat riding, deer feeding and swimming in the lake. Somehow my dad got suckered into pitching Park, Krew, and Kage about 400 baseballs, while I'm not sure my mom ever put Baby Kord down except to make green eggs and ham with the older boys.

After a relaxing time, we ventured home to 90 degree plus reality, while my parents are heading off on an Alaskan cruise. Park keeps talking about how he can't understand why Lolli and Pops aren't taking him to ride dog sleds, ice fish and sleep in an igloo. He caught an episode of Daniel Cook in Alaska and it's been downhill every since.

And I don't want to imply he has them wrapped around his finger or anything, but let's just say a certain Pops and Lolli are planning a Disney vacation for everyone to make up for it. I might try and hold them off a year or so.

There is more to write, but a certain little boy is napping right now and since that only happens once in a blue moon, I better go accomplish something.

Or at the very least, squeeze in a call to Amy.

Life in the Slow Lane

In a few short hours we will be heading out to the lake to soak up some rest and relaxation that looks something like this:
And there is no doubt that hubby and brother-in-law, along with some very excited little boys, will also be doing lots of this:
Those same excited little boys will spend most of their weekend in a boat, digging in the dirt, or feeding corn to these:
Except on Saturday, where they will temporarily put dirt digging on hold so we can join up with our people:
Here's to a long weekend of book reading, Aggie football, time away with family, and slow paced living.

And here's to hoping that yours is equally as enjoyable!

Gone Country

After a late night girls' night with Bridget and Sarah, I'm feeling the lack of sleep today. Even as I prop my eyelids up with toothpicks just to finish this post, I have to say it was completely worth it.

Our newest tradition is for Bridget and I to pick up Chili's on our way to Sarah's and then we eat dinner, watch a movie in the guest house, followed by chit chatting into the wee hours in the hot tub. The dip in the hot tub usually warrants some type of discussion as to why we did not more fully appreciate our pre-children figures and if, in fact, we will ever find the discipline to exercise ever again.

And after we debate that topic for a bit, we finish it off with a plate of brownies or cookies.

Last night, we never even made it to the movie or hot tub because the three of us are nothing if not capable of some serious talkage and completely loosing track of time. Especially since this was an emergency session called solely to celebrate Bridget's birthday and serve as my "going away" party.

Tomorrow, Chris, Park and I will be heading out to Allaso Ranch for the month of July. There has been so much preparation and hard work put into this camp by the Fellowship staff and volunteers that I feel guilty even mentioning the monumental packing job I have undertaken to get us there.

But tomorrow we leave behind most of the prep work, and move forward to experience the fruits of our labor. We are eagerly anticipating the arrival of the volunteers on Saturday and the first round of campers on Sunday.

I will do my best to keep you guys posted throughout the journey and ask that when the Lord brings us to your mind, that you would be in prayer for our staff, volunteers, and the 600 + high school students that He will forever change through this experience.

Thirsty Grass: A Thing of the Past

After a long five hour drive on Friday, we made it back safely.

I always feel such a sadness to leave my family, but I love the feeling of opening the front door and knowing that we are indeed home. Park usually runs around reacquainting himself with his favorite toys while Chris and I unload suitcases and reminisce about our time away. There is just something very calming about sleeping in your own bed, with all the comforts of the familiar surrounding you.

And now I'm going to abruptly shatter any serenity the above description may have conjured up by switching gears into something far less beautiful.

Urination.

Judging from the amount of times we stopped for Park's roadside relief, I pity any mommies of recently potty trained girls who frequently take trips on long country roads. "Don't worry, sweetie, there is a bathroom just 20 miles ahead" just doesn't cut it when your tiny bladder is telling you NOW. I had never realized how efficient Park's knack for outdoor bathroom usages would become.

However, I was not so pleased to see him attempt a repeat performance on the grass in front of our church Saturday night. And if you are not completely cringing for me yet, might I add that services had just let out.

What an opportune moment to be spotted by someone wanting to introduce a friend to the wife of their high school student's pastor.

Hi, it is so nice to meet you. This is your first time at our church? Well, we are so glad you are here. Yes, my husband is the Sr. High pastor. Oh, and let me introduce you to our son. Um..... he would be the one attempting to water the grass. PARK RYLAND! (Nothing says welcome better than freshly fertilized grass, right?) Please excuse me, will you?

Maybe those mommies of recently potty trained girls should pity me instead.

Part 2 Adventures

...Continued as promised....

So we arrived at Lolli and Pops' house just in time to for the Village Creek Festival that takes place here each year. And as an added bonus, Challi, Rob, and their boys made the trip as well to complete the impromptu family gathering. Can I just say that there is nothing that makes Lolli happier than having all her ducks (and baby chicks) in one place? Even if they spread their feathers all over her normally clean household.

Since shopping together in Dallas, this was my first time to see all the new remodeling that has taken place and to have a chance to see the fruition of our massive fabric hunt. I must say it is coming along quite nicely. And judging from some of the accessorizing that took place behind my back, I might be consulting them for future decorating choices. Who knew there was such a design diva hiding in Lolli's little 5 ft body? This bathroom turned out to be one of my favorite things hands down:

But, these counter tops and back splash take a close second:


And for his part, Pops' did his best not to cringe when Park and Krew threw footballs at a recently purchased lamp and wiped blueberry stained hands on brand new furniture. Who knew there was such a pushover hiding in Pops' 6ft 2 body?

As for the festival, complete with a parade, I'm not sure if Park could have enjoyed himself any more. Unfortunately, not everybody shared in the enthusiasm. The first ride of the night was the flying elephant and poor Krew may never feel the same about dumbo again after crying so hard they shut the ride down early out of mercy.
Park was undaunted by Krew's terror. In fact, the elephant experience only fed his desire to ride everything from the tiny roller coaster to the hobby horses. But I had to draw the line when he tried to bypass the height requirement and break in line for the Zipper.

The two cousins found common ground once again when Park and Krew both fell in love with the large slide. However, I'm not sure either of the boys had as much fun on it as Pops did.

Chris and I even took turns taking Park down just to get in on the action. Now,I've always considered myself an amusement park junkie, but apparently I'm losing touch in my old age. The festival slide was so fast that my heart took residence in my throat and I had to will myself not to faint halfway down. I envisioned the paramedics wheeling me out on a stretcher as Chris explained to Park why we shouldn't be so excited to ride in an ambulance.

Not a pretty picture.

But, all in all, this week with grandparents is shaping up to be full of magical memories (and broken lamps.)