Wildflowers and a Wedding

Aren't the best trips the ones you plan at the last minute? That's the kind I've enjoyed the most the past 15 months.  After January 9, 2009, there have been many of those trips:  some very hard and some very fun.  Then there was one in January this year that was VERY hard and still VERY fun.  (Unloading a car full of my parent's "treasures" out at the ranch - after midnight - in the dark - in 14 degree temperature - with only a sweatshirt for warmth - unable to see just where we were placing those boxes inside the totally dark house.)  The one factor that remains consistent is that these trips have involved Cassidy and me.
This past weekend, our original plan was a day trip to Austin to a wedding.  But Thursday (2 days prior) it turned into a 30 hour, 700 mile road trip - traipsing (def : to walk or travel about without apparent plan but with or without a purpose) around Central Texas. :)

After a L-O-N-G very delayed trip (due to encountering 5 separate vehicle accidents on I-35), we saw many varied fields of flowers, stopped to take pictures and ended up at the Monument Cafe in Georgetown at 9:30 for dinner.   And guess what was going on in Georgetown?  The Red Poppy Festival was in full swing and we heard a bit of the band "Rotel and the Hot Tomatoes", while driving around (and around) the town.

Saturday morning we hit Highway 29 due west to Llano - to the 521 Ranch.  A stop at the granite "lot" procuring a piece of granite to place at Trooper's grave and we were on the way down FM 2323 - one of the premier roads for Texas wildflower sightings.  Eighteen miles of lush green pasture land, full green branches on trees, full ponds, bluebonnets, yellow bitterweed, and red Indian Paintbush flowers had us smiling from ear to ear. We could only keep saying, "Don't you know Papa would be loving all this?"

Realizing our time was fleeting, we "flew" back to our LaQuinta home in Georgetown, jumped in the shower and were all "made up" for the wedding in less than 40 minutes.  YES!  Two females:  from jeans and pasture clothes to wedding attire in 40 minutes - arriving at the wedding 20 minutes away, with 4 minutes to spare. I don't know if you and your daughter have these moments, but it is so fitting for Cassidy and me!

The groom was a dear friend of Cassidy's from college, who I am honored to know too.  It was fun for Cassidy to see several of her Harding friends and Shantih sisters - and in a blink of an eye - we were off again. ;)

Since we were on FM 1431 - it only made sense to keep driving west a couple of miles and tour our old neighborhood in Cedar Park.  Funny how after 15 years, some things never changed, except for our house.  The subdivision was the same - the pool was still there (sans the high diving board - which we both laughed at it being Tyson's fault ~ as he had several injuries there, including a broken nose and 911 call - from jumping off said high diving board), the streets were the same.  The 10-12 foot tall fort that my Daddy built from scrap lumber was still in the backyard.  THAT surprised us, as we're sure the house has been sold more than once since we moved. After a swing by Cassidy and Tyson's elementary school, we were "on the road again".  Noticing there was a huge construction project on our way south on I-35W, we made a detour and came home via I-35E, dropping Cassidy off at her apartment before 10:00 pm.

What a trip - more memories, more laughter and more pictures.  The trips that Cassidy and I make are indescrible - and we are thankful and blessed that we have husbands who understand (the best they can) the importance of these trips.  I've wondered where it really began - on mission trips when she was in junior high?  Trips I made to visit her those 4 years at Harding?  Trips back to Llano after my Daddy died?  The most fantastic trip to New York City?  The answer:  Yes - to all of those.  Each trip has been another beginning - a new chapter - another path on our journey.

I realize the uniqueness of our relationship - and I treasure each moment of those trips.  She can "bark" a statement ("put that down!" when I'm trying to clean up the hotel room before running out the door to the wedding yesterday) and I know where it comes from.  I can drive on the "road bumps" on the road and she laughs.  We know our heart, and each other's.   

Many families have riches and elegant houses.  Many families have large gatherings and holiday traditions that involve a full year of planning.  Many families have time shares on beaches or condos at ski slopes around the country.  For us, our house may not be elegant, but we are rich.  Our family is small (being an only child, our gatherings maxes out now at 6), but we love our "stockings at Christmas".  The closest we get to a full family vacation is my mom's family reunion one weekend at a RV park in May, but the time we spend is made perfect.  And the trips that Cassidy and I make are one of a kind special.  I wouldn't trade one of those trips for all the beach condo's or snow skiing in the world.

Thank you, Lord ~ for wildflowers, weddings and family.  In very unique times, all three come together into one wild trip.

(**Line of the trip:  "Pick and Choose Later!" - by Cassidy as I was trying to decide which flower(s) to pick from our ranch as a memento.  She grabbed a handful of color - roots and all.  Hmm.. what a statement of the whole trip!  The memories were so many that I'm still "picking and choosing"!**)

Lately.. this past week....

The week of Thanksgiving marks some sort of "milestone". In Texas, it is usually when we can finally say goodbye to summer temperatures. It involves the beginning of holiday (off work) time and the start to serious cooking, eating, singing, friends and memories. This year, this past week began with a road trip.

After my dad died in early January, we knew we would have another memorial service later in the year. Well, "later" was last Saturday - at his ranch in central Texas. It involved immediate family and the men who have been coming to deer camp (or their decendents) for over 40 years. We had a time of remembering and a time of saying goodbye. Hard as it was, the goodbye was fitting. Alan Jackson's Small Town Southern Man said it all.

It was a quick trip and the beginning to a much less emotional week. (Thank you Lord!

The work week was short (Thank you RHCC) and our Thanksgiving meal was NOT traditional, as it involved a Mexican menu (Thank you Joaquin for the tamales). The dinner table had several different family unit's represented and what an enjoyable time of relaxing and remembering. (Welcome to Texas Lindsey and Jesse!) Friday morning, Cassidy and I hit the streets at 5:15 am, but were back home in bed by 6:45! Woo Hoo! :)

Friday afternoon we witnessed the glorious beginning to a new family, as Meghan Rinestine and Chris Cobb promised God to love Him and each other forever. (Thanks for inviting us to be witness to a miracle!) What a beautiful and fun afternoon.

Another blessing occurred Saturday morning, as we were blessed to be around a great family - taking pictures of some awesome kiddos. I wish I would have been as flexible of a mom as ABL is and how intuned she is to what is really important. Thank you ABL and RRL for letting us be part of your precious family's adventure!

Church was amazing (isn't it always?) Saturday night and rushed back home to cheer on the Arkansas Razorbacks. Even wearing the appropriate clothing, our good vibes weren't felt all the way to Baton Rouge. But losing 1 game out of the 3 we really cheered loudly for still has us in the winner's bracket (yes, the Longhorns and the Cowboys were our other 2 teams we cheered/yelled for/at!)

Today (Sunday) has been the perfect ending to a great vacation from the normal routine. Although Joel went back to work (don't feel sorry for him - he's been off almost 2 weeks...), the rest of us began the day in shifts. Jeremy went to his normal Sunday afternoon basketball game while Cassidy and I put up the Christmas tree and related decorations. No, there are no gifts under the tree - there may not be that many this year. We just don't feel the need to buy gifts that no one needs, or spend money that no one should. Our gifts are these: we have each other, we have jobs, good health, a warm house, dogs that think we hung the moon, and a Savior who loves us and wants us to remember why we celebrate this season.

Family and friends.... we have lots of them... So as this Thanksgiving holiday ends, I am thankful for you - the people who love me - and that I love. Here's the last pictures of just a couple more of them....

Muah!

Boss's Day, A Wedding, and the State Fair

The calendar (or is it Hallmark Cards) shows Boss's Day as October 16. That was last Friday and it just came and went. (My boss actually wasn't in the office on Friday, so it was easy to overlook the calendar date.) So today, Susan and I decided to celebrate Boss's Day - a few days late - tomorrow. We talked about options, and came up with a basket idea - a variety of things - to hopefully show all of them how important they are. One thing I wanted to do was bake some cookies... from a very new recipe that I received - from a wedding of all places.

The recipe shows it came from Italy - handed down from a mom, to a daughter, who is now the grandmother of the bride - who I've known for 15 years. Family - comes in all dimensions, designs and directions. It is blood relatives, it is church family and it is the relationship that comes from being an employee to a great boss. The wedding included all of those categories, as Cassidy (and Jeremy) were at the wedding with me: the bride and her family have been church family since we arrived in Fort Worth, and many of the guests were part of that CareGroup that we so quickly came to know and love: and 2 of the other guests were bosses of mine. Amazing - how it was all intertwined. And how comfortable that it all fit together.

Since I love taking pictures, and a camera is always in my purse, I had one (ok, I had 3) at the wedding. While putting them all on a CD to give to the bride's family, Facebook calls. Hmm.. there's a wall post from Tyson.. responding to a question I asked about how he felt - and asking for pictures. Pictures we took from the State Fair this past weekend.... The 2nd year in a row (my 2nd and 3rd years ever, his 1st and 2nd ever) that we've gone to the Fair. (And we got to add Cassidy and Jeremy to our group - their 1st year ever). I have to admit - it's more than pictures - it's more than a State Fair. It's family. It's just the thought of walking around people that you've never met, that you'll never see again - taking fun pictures of places that you only see for a few hours a year. And of the 3 title categories, which is the most important? All of those things. Bosses, weddings, family. And having pictures of all of them - to hold on to the memories.

I think I need more pictures of DF, DH, MH and JH. I love my family: my husband, my children, my church, and my bosses. I wish everyone knew the Jewish carpenter - and counted Him as their ultimate boss, and brother. THAT Family. There's nothing like it.

Too many...

Too many of what? Calories, Bills, Worries, Thoughts... A, B, C, D, or E ~ All of the above? I choose E.
Heard a wonderful sermon tonight -"Living the Worry Free Life" based on Matthew 6. As typical sermons go, there were 3 points.. 1. Don't let Worry Overcome you. 2. Make trusting God a Priority over worry. 3. Always build on the right Foundation. You get the idea, right? One statement he (Drew Sherman) made was "Every one builds a house (life) and Every house faces a storm." He related the biblical story of building your house on the rock, not on sand to the childhood story of The Three Little Pigs. Hmm. Never put those 2 stories side by side. And the natural question is why do we build on sand, not on rock? And why do we cower when the big bad wolf tries to blow our house down? Why do we worry about things that we know God is in control of? Why do we put ourselves in positions to worry unnecessarily? Bills, Calories.. those we have more control of. Thoughts, and Worries... who controls those?
This post has no real answers - at least not the ones we want.

I am grateful that my children are safe, have food and shelter, friends who love them and this family that adores them. As much as I wish I wouldn't worry about them, it happens. Anyone around have any ideas on how NOT to do this? All I can try to do is give them to God. Because really - they've belonged to HIM all along.

Summer - Halfway over.

Summers have been measured in many different ways in years past - beginning with when the local city pool opened when I was a kid, to the last day of school (when I was a student, and when I worked in the school district) to now. With this job - summer is measured by when college interns arrive and when they leave. If that is the measuring stick, then we are over half way through "summer" - as they arrived mid May, and leave after the 1st week in August. We have accomplished many things - mission trips, camps, service days in the local community, fun times in the office and lots more that probably only mean something to the people involved. About this time each year, I get alittle melancholy - not in a depressing way, just thoughtful.

After the last post, I spent a week at camp - with the high school students - in the mountains of New Mexico. I was unsure of that trip - having not been to camp since I was 10 or 12. But as soon as we walked off the bus, I was sold on it. My boss had been out of the office on a mission trip for a week prior and seeing him made me realize how special our office is - how much we are a family - how much we work hard, tease alot, play some and enjoy our time together. College interns arrive for the summer and we learn about them and their families, and we just grow by 3 more members. I am blessed to go on a mission trip with 60 Juniors and Seniors in high school, and learn more about their lives - and my family grows again. (One super big blessing the past 2 years has been sharing this with Cassidy. She has been such a treasure on these trips - more than a daughter, more than a "trip sponsor", but a true friend.) Then 75 more members of my "family" spend a week at camp learning more about "family" and sharing joys and sorrows.
Tonight, another aspect of my "family" met - my care group church family. We are united in our faith, and we have parallel parent and children situations, and it's good to share experiences, feats and sometimes failures.

Most of you know I am an only child - and sometimes, I am sad with that position - having no siblings to share duties, stories and concerns. But parts of my other "families" have stepped in to fill those gaps, and given me strength - and hope.
I'm so thankful for my own 2 children - who show me they love me - who allow me to be a part of their lives - and who help me battle my feelings of being inadequate. I struggle often with those emotions. I wish my house was better (not quality, but in being picked up and I could be comfortable with anyone walking into any room at anytime), and I had more control. Maybe one day.

So summer - it's been good - the first half. Having friends who offer their pools to come enjoy a casual afternoon or evening of swimming, friends who genuinely ask how the family is doing - friends who care - make it clear that life is indeed good.

Packing.. again..

I've done more trips in past summers, but this summer seems to be harder. Perhaps because I'm old(er)? Also must have something to do with the fact that I've made more trips to Llano in the past 6 months than I have in probably 3 years. Those kind of miles sure do add years to the body. New Orleans was such a wonderful trip - enjoyed all those miles. This week, we faced a different trip - 650 miles to a funeral (roundtrip) - in one day. The 11 1/2 hour trip is still yelling at me.

So now I start packing for Camp Pine Springs - the high school camp our youth group is beginning. I haven't been to camp probably since I was 10. Sure hope the mission trip packing comes in handy! :) Not sure of "my" job there - but looking forward to finding out. I do know I'll be blogging - "on the job" - right up my alley...

Cassidy and Jeremy are out of town - Tyson's out of state - and Joel's at work. Should be working on something productive. Guess I'll go start that now. Packing.. here I come.

New Orleans - Post Mission Thoughts - round 1

It's been over 36 hours since we left the Crescent City, and thoughts are still running though my head. From the conversations in the parking lot upon arrival last night, to church this morning and seeing friends at Summer Spectacular tonight - the question has been: "How was it?" And the answers have not been as easy. It was wonderful, it was painful. It was fun, it was hard. It was worth a million words, and it is impossible to put into those words.
What I've found myself repeating is how much we felt appreciated. Everywhere we went, people asked where we were from, and thanked us for coming to help revive the city. It did not matter where we were - from working in Chalmette, to eating in Metarie, everyone was genuinely grateful for any help that the outsiders were willing to give. Thinking back to three years ago - those are the same responses we got when our 8th graders were there mucking out the houses. This time, those kids are 11th graders and remember the houses in ruin, and the work that would contine for years. We were a unique group - who returned to continue to help.

Several homes were worked on, and several lives were affected - oh not only the local people, but ours too. It was another mission trip that will go into the memory banks, but this one has deeper roots in my heart. I don't think I would ever want to live in New Orleans, or the swamp area of Louisiana, but I do love the people we met there, who do love that city and that swampy land. Home is home to any group (and I'm very thankful to call Fort Worth my home) - and I'm grateful to live in a country that allows and encourages others to help those who need it.
Thanks Dave and Jason, and the leaders of RHCC for allowing me to be part of this trip - and to all the teens, who let an old person invade their trip - and their lives. It was a great week.