Sleepful in Seattle

I'm so corny, but for real, I slept amazing when I took a trip out to Seattle, Washington last month. I've been meaning to write a post, mostly to put up pictures, but my friend, Angi, who went with me on my vacay has yet to give me the pictures that were on her camera. (You're in trouble, Ang.) Way to call her out on my blog, eh? I've decided to just go ahead and just use my phone pictures...maybe in a couple years I'll get the others. We'll see.

I didn't just randomly choose to explore the rainy city in March. My husband had a annual business trip out there.  He had told me I could come, but I didn't want to go alone while my he sat in meetings all day. So, I inviting one of my really good friends to go along with me. You know, there's only so many people you want to try to spend a whole week with and Angi was a great choice! We had a blast and shopped till we dropped almost everyday. We did every sort of retail possible from antiquing to outdoor market shopping to browsing around one of the largest Anthropology's in the country. I was in heaven. I had almost forgotten what it felt like top travel without a miniature person (often 2) in tow. I was able to relax on the flight, eat dinner without having to share my food, and sleep ALL night long. It was amazing.

There have been times when I was away from my children and felt guilty. I was free of that this trip. It had been 18 months since I had gone on a trip without a child, and even then, I was pregnant and sick as a dog. I knew the boys were old enough to do fine away from me and they had Nana to love on them all week. They were fine, and I was more than fine.

Location: Pike's Market. Such a neat place.

 Look at the size of those bad boys!

 We were in trouble the minute we discovered that our lodge had free ice cream. It was bad, but oh sooooo good. I met dulce de leche this trip and became quite fond.

 Dorks. They are not kidding when they say it rains a lot. I would have to own a few more rain coats if I lived there because I was over my jacket by the end of the trip.

 Quintessential tourist picture. Don't mind the double chin, it was a hard angle.

 Beautiful view from the Space Needle.

 One night, we got tickets to Cirque du Soleil's Quidam show. AMAZING like all their shows.

They trip home was rough to say the least. We took the red eye out at 10:00 pm and our last leg of the commute home was in this little beauty which landed in Charleston at 9:00 am. We essentially had skipped night. Ouch. Totally worth it.

I enjoy having a husband who has to take business trips. Seattle was such a neat city, and I hope to go back some day...maybe sooner than later. Next time I want to go in summer and take the Victoria Clipper over to the San Juan Islands. That's pretty much the only thing we didn't get to do that we wanted to. For some reason, riding a boat across the Puget Sound didn't seem appealing when it was 50 degrees out.


Thanks so much for going with me Angie!!!! I loved our time together...it was fun to be with someone who appreciates shopping and food like I do and who can equally destroy mini Haagen Daz cartons. Where's our next trip to?

He's Alive and I'm Wrinkled.

As a Christian, this past weekend was one of the best times of the year for celebration. The God I serve sent his only Son to die for my wrongful doings, and then, here comes the best part, brought him back to life so that I can serve a risen Savior. We talk about Christ's death a lot in the christian community because pretty much all that we believe hinges upon his death and resurrection. However, if I'm being truthful, I rarely meditate on the insanely immense sacrifice he made for me. I think that's true for most everyone, but Easter provides an occasion where we can take the time to think about, celebrate, and honor our Lord for his perfect, desperately needed grace that he lavished on us when he became our punishment. I am truly thankful.

My Easter did not go as planned. You would think that I was use to this concept of foiled ideas, but no, I was still bummed.

I got home from a week vacation (and I am using that word lightly as I'll explain in a future post) on Friday evening. I had only been in the door about 10 minutes when a storm came through and knocked out our power. I'm not kidding when I say that we NEVER lose power where we live.  But of course we would on Easter weekend.

I needed to go to the store to buy all my food for Easter lunch, but where would I put it? The fridge wasn't being cooled.

Ok. So, I waited for the power to come back on but it never did. When I went to sleep, I reassured myself that the power would come back on in the middle of the night and I could run to Kroger early in the morning and my plans could be salvaged.  I woke up at about 6:30 to Graham's jabbering, but not to electricity. Great. My attitude was not pleasing. I was upset. I was not going to be able to fix fun food and lay a beautiful table with my newly made lacy burlap runner while my family chatted merrily. (I get into details.) Really, when it comes down to it, I was upset that things aren't like they were when I was growing up and my kids weren't going to have what I want them to have when it comes to holidays.

It took me a little while to deal with it, but going to church helped. Isn't church great for rearranging our attitudes. We ended up going out for lunch and had a great time. I am blessed with a wonderful family.  My mom and father-in-law weren't there and we missed them, but I couldn't control my situation or theirs on Sunday. Everything was fine, but I'll try again next year. Despite my nontraditional Easter, the truth remains Jesus is alive and what he did for me is still as great and wonderful as it ever has been or ever will be and there aren't any plans I make, whether successful or bombed that will change that amazing fact.

My boys were so handsome on Easter, but before I post pictures, let me give a few reminders so you don't judge too harshly. It requires power to use a flat iron on my hair and clothes don't dewrinkle themselves with out being pressed. Oh yeah, that requires power as well. My husband picked out his cloths, so he clashes, and Parker's hair is out of control. A planned haircut didn't happen because, alas, clippers also require power. Seeing a theme here?

 Not sure what this face is?

 PawPaw and Parker are buddies.

 

Horsing around. Typical for these two.

 Would NOT look at me.

 Parker has a gimp eye.

 Do you understand how hard it is to hold a 20 month old who wants to play in the rocks? Tickling was the only was to get a smile.

 Nana and the boys. Great pals.

 My beautiful sissy and I.

 My love.

However you spent celebrating our Lord's resurrection, whether exactly as planned or painfully disheveled, I hope you remembered how blessed you are to serve such an incredible God.

Spiderman and Company

I know that life brings stress and worry. It's hard to avoid and impossible to escape. Well, in addition to giving the advice that prayer really works (Matthew 11:30), I also want to alleviate one burden from your shoulders. The world is safe. Parker and Dylan are taking care of the bad guys.(Sorry if you thought I was going to be super serious.) Now, don't you feel better?

crazy 'lil man

Parker had crazy mix up day at school today and he helped pick out his outfit. This is what he would look like everyday if I let him. I asked him to stand in front of the door and smile. This is what I got. I promise. I just said smile. Don't mind the Michael Jackson shot at the end. He needed to pee.

I love my CRAZY 'lil man.