Monday, June 17, 2013

Father's Day Weekend

Yesterday was Father's Day, and this weekend I got to see 2/3 of the best dad's there have ever been.

 My Daddy:


This guy is just the best ever. I am a daddy's girl through and through and was so happy that I got to see him Friday night, even if it was just for a quick dinner. I had had a pretty rough day at work on Friday, and my dad rolled through town and took me out to eat. You know that you have a good daddy when on a weekend to celebrate him, he takes YOU out to dinner. Love you Pops. PS your present is in the "mail."

My Father-in-Law:

This is quite possibly my most favorite wedding picture
This man will make you laugh till it hurts and is always prepared for anything. He is such a great man, and I am so blessed to have married in to this family. I know Bubba will be a great dad in large part to the example that his dad has set for him. Love you Mr. Andy!

My Baby Daddy:


Oh Bubba, it is crazy that this was your first Father's Day. It will be so fun to celebrate next year with Beau. I cannot wait to see you be a dad. If its anything like your relationship with Gunnar, I think we will be just fine! Love you. 

Friday, June 7, 2013

A night that may never be topped

Tonight was just such a fun memory. I think that it's very important to note that I am writing a summation of this epic night at 8:50 pm. Meemaw status secured.

My most favorite blogger ever, BooMama, just released her first book "A little Salty to cut the Sweet." When I tell you it's fantastic that is no lie. And I would know as I have read 10 whole books in my lifetime. But let me tell you it's truly great. If you have family, you can relate. But if you have a Southern family, you not only can relate but you will think to yourself oh thank goodness my family is normal. She has a delightful way of finding the Holy in the everyday. The blessings in the people around you.

Well, being from Mississippi, she did a book signing in Jackson and we went! Y'all. It was just delightful. Between my nervous talking and Whitney's high adrenaline, hot flashes, I am quite positive we were one crazy sentence away from security being called and a short trip for an evaluation at the mental institute. I totally kid. BooMama or Sophie Hudson her real name was absolutely delightful and I hope everyone I know reads her stories because I promise you your heart will be blessed. In fact, you can order it here. And you should.

After we thoroughly met and got books signed, it was time for the early bird special at Bravo because we are high rollers like that. We sat and talked and chatted and greatly enjoyed the company. Lifelong friends just can't be beat. They are the cheapest form of therapy there is. We had a ball and laughed till it hurt.

I think it's appropriate to end this post with my favorite quote from the book because it says so beautiful how I feel about a good fellowship with friends, family, friends who are family, and food.

"For the first half of my life, probably, I thought that the whole point of the table was the food....But now that I am older, I know better. And it's comforting, somehow, to recognize that while the food may be what brings us to the table, it's not the main course by a long shot. More than anything, I think, the food is an invitation to see what the Lord is doing, 'to taste and see that the Lord is good' (Psalm 34:8). Because when people gather round the table to break bread, the Lord gets to work. He knits together our hearts, strengthens our bonds, and connects our narratives. The table is where He links the generations, where he prompts us to join hands and now heads and remember and laugh and pass our stories back and forth to each other." A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet by Sophie Hudson.

I sure did appreciate the table tonight. And while the food was great, the company was better. The Lord used a couple hours with best friends to strengthen the heart and soul. And that my friends can't be beat. So thank you Sophie for reminding us of just that little nugget of truth!




Thursday, June 6, 2013

Those Summer NIIIIGGGHHHHTTTS

I hope with all my person that anyone reading this read the title in the tune of the Grease song. Specifically, the magical ending of the song. Because that will make me happy. (I'm looking to you Mama).

Being a grown-up without an official "Summer" is truly the pits. I guess I keep thinking it will be easier to not have one, but who am I kidding. When it is roughly the temperature of the surface of the sun combined with a humidity so dense that the air is essentially a liquid, it is hard to stay motivated in the day to day grind. But such is my cross to bear (a similar cross to millions of people but please go with the drama! feelings! angst!)

Last night, however, it felt like the good ole times and truly like summer. Rebecca, Will, and the girls came over to swim. We braved swimming in possible thunderstorms, but the lightening looked off in the distance so risks were taken. Then we ate my favorite meal on earth: hot dogs, mac and cheese, beans, and corn. I swear should I ever have a "last meal" it will be hot dogs and mac and cheese. Please no fancy mac and cheese. I prefer velveeta from a box. No need to mess with perfection.

Then, we sat out in the drive way and chatted and laughed and played for hours. The weather was magnificent after the rain and rather being a steamy hot mess, the Lord gave us a cool night with no humidity. And if you don't consider that a true miracle, then you have never yet been to Mississippi in June. It was delightful. My most favorite activity is the inactivity of "porch sitting" when you talk and drink lemonade and visit with neighbors. Basically, I want to live in Mayberry. Is that so wrong? 

It gave me the Summer activity that I needed to feel the rest and slow pace that the season offers. Summer makes the hours and minutes seem longer as the light stretches deeper in the night, but rather than being monotonous, its magical. Even though it has lost some of its magic, as I don't get the season off to play, nights like last night will always remind me of why I love Summer.

Summer is for friends, family, food, fun, and sweating to death with those you love. And you just can't beat that.