3 weekends in a row?!

I don't know how it happened, but the fates aligned this month and I was able to spend time with Amy 3 weekends in a row! Because she lives in ATL, we usually go months before seeing each other's faces... we've been lucky. Last weekend we celebrated her brother's marriage to his beautiful new bride. That boy is a brother to me, and as the wedding ensued I couldn't help but remember him and his groomsmen catching animals in the backyard and wanting nothing to do with girls. Now one has twin boys and Brian's married and they're all growed up. I'm pretty much an honorary member of Amy's family (yeah, I was the one who got to sit next to the groom's parents) and was happy to be a part of the celebration.

This weekend I was blessed to bring the littles to Wyldlife camp in Ocala (more on that later when the pictures are loaded...) I left early this morning to come home because Ames and Paul got FL/GA tickets last-minute and were staying over for the weekend. I heart seeing my BFF- and getting to see her the whole month of October makes it seem like we live only a few hours apart instead of six. 

Now I have the whole day to spend with Mike... we have plans to be proactive on decorating the house with Thanksgiving as our deadline.... but he's still recovering from the shenanigans of yesterday's game so it might be up to me to get stuff done.

bahhahaha

Every time I look at this picture I burst out laughing. 

More on the wedding later :)

Picture dump day #2

The cabin was amazing. Set back in the woods, right on a beautiful river, just absolutely perfect. Diego had the time of his life exploring and bringing us every stick he found, which in the woods, is a lot of sticks. 

Mmmmm. Have I ever mentioned that I feel most at home in the woods?

Especially the woods in the 'south.' I'm pretty dead set on raising my children within the vicinity of the Blue Ridge/Smoky Mountains... I guess I'd feel different if I were raised going somewhere else like the Rockies or Cascades, but I feel so at home here. I think it will always be like that for me... 

In my heart I'll always hold memories of family getaways and summer youth camp in North Carolina, of camp in Tennessee and rafting down the Ocoee. 

I'm meant to be here, or at least closer than a 9 hour drive. 

Oh, just having breakfast on this rock jutting out into the river. No big deal. 

Okay, let me explain these next set of pictures. I set the timer but didn't realize it was going to take five quick succession pictures. I cracked up today at our ridiculous faces... 

#1-- We were ready.

#2-- Thought the picture was over. How it managed to get ALL of us with our eyes closed, not sure. But it's awesome. Except Diego, who was like, "What was that sound?!"

#3-- please focus on Michael's face. It's like he sees a leprechaun behind the camera... he can't believe that it took another picture!!

#4 And then we all catch on, except for Paul, who's like, "Taking pictures suck. I just want to eat." and Amy, who's like, "Maybe they won't notice if I fart right now..."

#5 Did Paul and Kelly mean to make the same face?

Oh leaves, this is why we drove so far. 

Look at us trying to be stern parents while our unruly child causes a scene in front of everyone...

<3

Yeah, he fell in. It was cold. His butt was soaked.

We came across this lame stream after driving for a super long time looking for an apparently non-existent waterfall that no one could tell us how to get to. In an act of desperation and need to get out of the dang car, we spotted a crick, pulled over, and ran into it. 

.... what are Paul and Amy looking at?....

And then we found the stupid thing! Hooray. The day was saved and we were able to get a little bit of hiking in. 

This was one tuckered out pup. 

bahhahaha

Weekend with my besties, hubs included. It was uh-mazing.

Picture dump time:

Day one, apple picking in Ellijay, GA.

 After a lovely morning walking through Piedmont park waiting for Amy to get off work, we were off to the mountains. Took us a bit of time to get there (dang GPS) but we finally made it and it was absolutely lovely. 

 how about 'dem apples?

 Apple smash GO!

No D, you cannot climb the ladder to retrieve Dad from the tree. 

 Seriously, how can you not love this sweet face? 

 sneak attack picture!!

Can one of these men please be my grandfather?

working out, or hardly working?

every day I've come home with full intentions to go on a run.

BUT every day I don't.

BUT I have been working out at 5 AM bootcamp in our neighborhood with Ashley (week 4!! whoop whoop!)

BUT I know I need to run to get my butt in gear and to make up for football tailgating every weekend.

BUT (I just wanna come home and eat a good meal with Mr. Chex.)
         (It's too hot)
         (I'm too tired)
         (It's been raining)
         (I.just.don't.wanna.)

(Me after bootcamp and doing 50 million pushups. i'm le tired.)

*P.S. I ended up running tonight. And it felt dang good.*

oh well.

I had full intentions this weekend to tackle the monumental stack of papers that are begging for a grade...

along with other chores like washing the dog, cleaning the bathrooms, running five miles, etc. 

But there were too many other desires that took precedence. 

Especially those that I haven't taken the time to entertain for a while...

like actually picking up a book and reading it. 

or baking cookies, (let alone using the kitchenaid mixer.)

pumpkin snickerdoodle cookies? yes, please.

Or how about this guy? all week he gets the shaft, so weekends are fantastic for cuddling.

 He was especially attentive to his mommy and extra droopy.. i think he believes that he is light and comfortable and fits right on your lap...

And most importantly, we got motivated again to decorate some more. With Thanksgiving as a deadline, I WILL finish the back bedrooms and put a picture above our bed. I've been wanting a huge black and white picture of a tree with us in it...We have some pretty great friends who were willing to take some pictures this weekend. Here's a sneak peak, more to come later!

This week's meals:

In an attempt to be better at meal planning, I think I'll start keeping track. I picked up two butternut squash(es?) at the Riverside market yesterday, so those will make an appearance twice this week:

Sunday:
Spicy sausages on the grill & Pasta Salad

Monday:
Spicy butternut squash soup & sourdough bread

Tuesday:
Buffalo Chicken Sliders

Wednesday:
Fettucini with butternut squash

Thursday:
HOTLANTA to go to the mountains with Amy & Paul!!!!!

deep breath

So thankful to have a back porch and comfortable patio furniture.

I think all of us teachers are finding some way to recharge tonight. Ashley just texted pictures of beautiful art she's currently working on, Catie is enjoying a cold one on her porch while grading, and I was able to spend some time in the Word. 

Recently our days have been chock full of stressworryfatiguenegativityemotionaldrainage, so it's much appreciated when these peaceful moments creep into the daily routine to whisper sweet words of encouragement and love. For Ashley in the form of art, and *hopefully* for me in the near future, in the form of music. 

I'm dying for a piano. 

The urge to play has been quietly waiting in my heart for a while now. 

Anyways, while napping on the couch listening to the rain, a gently nudge prompted me to grab my bible and head outside. Unsure of where to turn to, the book of James popped into my head. (I am totally not able to conjure up scripture or know where to turn to when particular scripture is needed; all I know is that I loved that book in high school. I wish I could be like, "Oh, you're going through this?  then you should turn here. lol earn myself some bonus Jesus points if I could do that!!) 

And whatdoyaknow... it's exactly what I needed to hear. (Isn't it funny that all I have to do is ask?) 

Here are some goodies. And I tend to switch from the Message to NIV, depending on which one sounds more lovely....

Faith Under Pressure (from James 1, NIV) 

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 

...(12, the message) 

Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life. 

(Is this not indicative of pretty much all of us at our jobs?! My actions don't always show I'm 'loyally in love with God...') 

(v. 10, NIV)

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. For man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. 

(This needs to be a daily reminder. I am not quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. In fact, I'm often the opposite of these things. Note to self; work on this.) 

ch 4:

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 

Crap. Convicted. 

And finally vs. 13:

Are you hurting? Pray. Do you feel great? Sing. 

Nice.

and finally, in lieu of something awful that happened with one of my Wyldlife-now-in-highschool-girls...

vs. 19--

My dear friends, if you know people who have wandered off from God's truth, don't write the off. Go after them. Get them back and you will have rescued precious lives from destruction and prevented an epidemic of wandering away from God. 

WHEW! I swear. I need to read this Good Book every chance I get. 

Where's Bandit? I have a feeling he is within the vicinity... 

today is a good day.

The weather has sparked a change in these parts. Everyone's a bit happier, calmer, and craftier. The soup recipes that have been on hold are finally making an appearance:

(spicy sausage and kale soup... still cooking but smells delish) 

...and all the kiddos are out screaming in the streets. Even Mike was inspired to mow the lawn and play with Diego.

(Dad, why'd you throw my toy into the tree?)

Bluegrass is playing on Pandora, the windows are open in the house, and my heart is full of joy. 

Other sources of happiness this week came in different forms:

Surprise! I had no idea these two were growing in full force. I gave the cukes a second chance and they aren't letting me down. 

The garden in general makes my heart happy.  I'd like to grow kale but can't find the seeds... might be too late by now... but the garden has given me tons of these:

Green peppers!! Don't be fooled by their red-ness. I just left them on the plant too long. 

I've always HATED green peppers until about last week when I forced myself to eat one with hummus, and I am now in love. Isn't it great when your tastebuds change and you give foods a second chance? 

Homemade birthday cards from far-away friends. I couldn't stop laughing last night at their ridiculousness. Made me nostalgic for times when we were closer/living together (or at least within the vicinity.) I am so thankful for my friends!

The soup is done, I must go test it out.

:)

Birthday Bash Round 2

... and on my actual birthday, we celebrated with tailgating for the Florida/Alabama game. The weather could not have been more lovely, and we were able to snag a spot next to Lake Alice underneath UF's gorgeous oak trees. We played cornhole and washers, grilled food and enjoyed each other's company.

It's great to be a Florida Gator!

(Except for the horrendous loss at the game later one, but I've conveniently blocked out that miserable end to a perfect day.)