Nina and Oli

Found Nina Kate brushing the cat with MY hairbrush last week! She is always making me smile. Here's the video! Blogger is the worst for videos so sorry about the quality.

The Sleepys

Lately I find myself tired almost every day all day. Today I was brainstorming on the matter and I think I realized why. I'm usually the type of person who drops into the bed and wakes up in the morning with no concept of what happened during the hours in between. Well this baby boy is BIG (measuring 3 weeks ahead of schedule) and I keep waking up to roll over and get comfortable. Sounds like NK is asleep now, so I'm putting the laptop down and crawling back into bed. Farewell responsibilities, I'm going to go snooze!

Tristeza Inconmensurable

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked.
“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.
Jesus wept.

Last night on facebook I noticed an odd status. I investigated further and my heart dropped as my fears were realized. A friend of mine from high school has lost her sister, her confident, her best friend to a tragic accident. They always reminded me of Sarah and I. They were only a few years apart in age and tied together in spirit. Oh how my heart ached as I read through Vio's wall. I cannot imagine. Mari was only in her early twenties. Was a resident doctor in a country who is in desperate need for Godly professionals, especially women. Her smile and love for God were ever present. I pray with all my heart for peace, comfort, and strength for Vio and her family.

For some reason as I sit here in tears, I am comforted to know that Jesus, God on earth, was so deeply grieved that He too wept at the loss of a friend even though He knew that his friend would rise again.

65 Years and Counting

Just returned from a whirlwind trip to celebrate my grandparents 65th year of marriage. We got to see all my immediate family plus many relatives I haven't seen in over a decade. Here are my top 5 favorite moments from this weekend:

1. Nina Kate and her Great Grandpa exchanging kisses

2. Seeing a crew of kind souls (that weren't even blood related) decorate, prepare, serve, and clean up an amazing party complete with homemade barbecue, fresh fried fish and hush puppies, and Bingo!

3. Nina Kate screaming "BARAH" every time she saw her Aunt Sarah and chasing her down

4. Mollie and Betsy playing together in an old wooden bucket wearing seersucker dresses as their great grandparents sat in the shade watching all the bustle

5. My husband saying with sincerity "Happy Mother's Day" before he even opened his eyes this morning

Pictures and videos to follow. i'm too worn out and my ankles are too swollen to mess with memory cards and picassa at the moment. Happy Mother's Day all you hard working Mamas out there! Mom, I also really enjoyed you being so enthusiastic as you looked through the book I made you for Mom's day. Love you!

Yoga Baby

So today I decided to try doing a prenatal yoga video while Nina was awake. Ingenious! She spent most the time staring at the crazy pregnant yoga lady on the tv and surrounding me and my sticky mat with toys, shoes, remote controls etc. Every now and then she would try to climb into my lap or sit under me in downward facing dog. Too cute and a great way to pass the time! I might have to do this more often.

Purring Kitty

Oliver is usually not to keen on Nina Kate and her affection she loudly lavishes upon him. He usually tolerates the assault for a few seconds and then quickly removes himself from the situation. Yesterday morning the whole family was on our bed and Oliver was purring loudly as Dad scratched his chin. Nina was amazed and began trying to imitate him. She stuck her tongue between her lips and blew a bunch of spit bulbs.

Tornadoes and Cookouts... not the smartest mix

Wednesday was David's birthday and for weeks I had been planning a surprise cookout for him after work. I made an ice cream cake, had the fridge stocked with meat and dogs, and had a friend on his way from Atlanta to surprise him and spend the night. Only one thing unaccounted for... the weather. The night before I'm watching the 11 o'clock news and the weather forecast: SEVERE WEATHER 4-9pm. I was so sad! The friend headed up from Atlanta regardless and so I welcomed all crazy individuals who wanted to still come over in spite of the weather and I hoped it would just blow over.

It did not blow over. Biggest storm system since the 1970's and it claimed hundreds of lives including many right here in our own city. It stormed about 7 different tim

es during the day and David's loving friends drove over in between storms. He was VERY surprised. As am I in retrospect. The power went out as soon as guests started arriving and we ate by candlelight and enjoyed the sounds of rain and hail as more storms rolled through.

It was probably the stupidest thing anybody has ever done for his birthday, but also probably the greatest act of love. I still am amazed and touched that so many people

made it in the midst of tornadoes to ring in his 28th year.

Here is an image of the devastation just 8 miles down the road from our party: