blankets

Technically, this story isn't mine to tell. It was told by Pastor Larry, and I didn't even hear it from him ... I heard it from someone else. I may not even have all the details just right. But the punchline ... just a few words ... they've been ringing in my ears since I heard them.

A pastor from Uganda, Pastor Richard, came to The Woodlands to visit PL. Old friends, I believe. It had been a very cold week here, below freezing for several days in a row. Plants and pipes were draped with sheets to prevent damage. PL took Pastor Richard out to lunch after church on Sunday and on the way home Pastor Richard stared out the truck window.

"It's amazing," he said. "Even your plants have blankets."

Jesus, open our eyes.

Beyond this place,

our jobs, our schools, our streets, our sickness.

Beyond our friends, our own families,

Fox news, local radio.

Beyond our town

our state

our country.

Across oceans

to places we can't image.

Give us a passion.

A prayer.

A love for the nations.

Make us care, sweet Jesus.

Our plants have blankets.

I'm sure there are many trustworthy organizations through which to donate money to a Haiti relief fund. But here's one that I know, personally, has a love for the nations. www.iamchange.org/haiti

sweet sweet friend

Just got home from a little road trip. In three days, I saw three (four?) small Texas towns and had a blast! I went to Graham for Meredith's baby shower, then to Kerrville to stay with Kathryn. Together, we drove to San Antonio one day and Fredericksburg another day to have some girl time! I lost track of the number of thrift stores we hit, but I picked up several little treasures for the house and searched the clearance rack for "professional attire" for this coming semester. We also shopped for baby clothes... for Kathryn and Mike's baby Kate! :) In fact, aunt Jen bought Kate a giraffe print onesie! With a PINK giraffe on the front! So precious. We went to the movies and splurged on buttered popcorn and Cokes. We cooked a yummy dinner and drank lots of coffee. There was lots of time in the car, tons of great conversation, and we laughed until our cheeks hurt!

I am so thankful for you, sweet Kathryn, and nearly fifteen years of friendship!

Junior high.

Hot rollers. Bangs. Ribbons.

Horseback riding. Red Barn.

I swear, no matter what L & M said, those Breyer horses never, ever moved their heads!

Road trip to Wyoming.

Do you remember when the microwave fell on my head?

High school. Homecoming.

Graduations.

New student orientation. Underwood. Phi Lamb. 8:00 a.m. freshman biology. Football.

Apartment. Roommates. Shakie's.

Falling in love.

Engagements. Weddings.

Houses!

Who knew we inherited our mother's decorating senses... and that we'd love landscaping.

And now, your precious baby girl.

I cannot wait to meet her!

You are so precious to me. I am so thankful for a confidant, a friend, a sister. I love our talks about Jesus, husbands, sins and freedom, fear, clothes, plants, plans, people. Thanks for having me to Kerrville this weekend. I will see you in February!

five christmases

Christmas 2005. Been married for just a few months, we decorated our little apartment with a hand-me-down tree and stockings I bought for $5 each at Kroger. (We still have our Kroger stockings!)
Christmas 2006. First Christmas in a new home. We had friends living with us at the time...

Christmas 2007. Daisy was just a few months old, and we were so nervous she would eat the ornaments! Little did we know she wouldn't start that until this year ...

Christmas 2008. All dressed up for a western Christmas party. Can't believe I don't have any pictures of our tree that year!

And, Christmas of 2009. Merry Christmas!!

it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

Got home from school tonight and Adam had done our outside lights! In the freezing cold! All by himself! Don't they look great! We might add some around our pathway, too! I love the holidays!

family thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! We've had an awesome week, with much more free time than expected. I was supposed to work on Thanksgiving and the day after, but I got cancelled all but a few hours on Thanksgiving afternoon. Adam's entire family has been in town -- all three sisters with husbands, kids, and dogs in tow. Although I missed the big feast, word is that there were almost 40 people at my mother-in-law's house and she had the full spread. I did get to eat leftovers on Thursday night and then had a real Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday with my mom. Got to see an aunt and uncle from Dallas that I hadn't seen in years, enjoyed a steak dinner at my dad's, went house hunting with my sister-in-law, ate at Cheddar's with our friends, helped teach my nephew how to ride a bike, played about 100 rounds of peek-a-boo with my niece, watched my dog swim in the pond by our house when it was 50 degrees outside, got a new car!, bought a Christmas tree, watched a silly movie with my husband, slept in 'til 8:00 every morning, made some delicious fudge, brought a Thanksgiving dinner to some folks who don't have much of anything, played the rhyming game with nephews at Olive Garden, ran in beautiful weather, went to church, played at the park, and enjoyed every moment of my time off. It was an awesome week. I am truly truly thankful for friends and family this season. For an amazing, selfless, generous, husband who is my best friend and favorite person. For a home filled with people and dogs and food and laughter. For a relationship with my dad stronger than it's ever been before. For a mom who is following her heart and her dreams and who is happier than ever. For the opportunities to go to school, go to work, do what I love and learn more about that. For friends who feel more like family every day. For a God who loves me, and for the little things in life that remind me of that. Happy Thanksgiving.

This picture pretty much sums up my nephews and niece. I had tried all week to get a picture of all of them - together - with me! And we finally got one .... sort of. I love love love Abigail in the back, smiling for the camera! Isn't she precious!

The boys.

Abigail on my couch. :)

lately

I have about 2 blog readers. Ironically enough, one of them is my mom and she knows what's going on in my life anyhow, so she doesn't in any way need my blog posts as updates. But, as loving mothers do, she asks all the time why I have not updated my blog. :) The reason is simple ... there's not much to update! Most of my time these days is spent doing one of three things: studying, working, or sitting in class. Just right now, in fact, I am writing this blog when I should be playing an online lecture. I am sitting on our love seat, in my PJs, Daisy curled up at my side, with a bowl of cereal on one arm of the couch, my computer in my lap, and a binder on the pillow next to me. There are class notes spread out all over the living room. I've got my colored pens handy and I'm about to start taking notes on a pharmacology lecture from home. This is my life. And I am so thankful to be living it.

happy 50th birthday mom!

SURPRiSE, momma! We surprised my mom last night with a big party to celebrate her 50th birthday, which is on Monday. It was a great time, with great food and even greater people. Thanks to my wonderful friends who helped get everything together. We had such a blast cooking and decorating and scheming and laughing and just being girls! The guys had fun, too. The first thing Adam said this morning was, "we need to have another party!" I wasn't too great of a photographer last night but this was my favorite picture ...

People tell me all the time that we look alike. I've never really seen it before. But after looking at this picture, I could deny it no longer! This is crazy! :) And it's a great compliment, mom. You are so beautiful. Your spirit is so genuine, your heart so selfless. You are an amazing woman. You are my best friend. When I am fifty, I hope I am only half as amazing and beautiful and sincere and brave and kind as you are today. Happy Birthday.