You Betta' Think

I drove to Athens today for my good friend's son's birthday party. It was great seeing them today and seeing her adorable baby bump! We also had the chance to see Ellie and my inlaws beforehand. She was so excited to see us and the kids had so much fun playing with her again. I have to admit that although seeing family and friends was great, there was something that I did today that I found even more wonderful. Since I was on the road for 3 hours total, I actually had time to THINK. I've been so busy lately writing scripts for work, writing for my new job, summer activities with the kids and house projects that I really haven't had time to sit and think at all. I enjoyed tooling down the road while my mind wandered away from me. The first part of the car trip actually evolved into a conversation with my kids about God and creation. It was so nice to sit in the car and talk with my kids away from TV's and more urgent activities. I need to make time like that more. It's sad that I have to strap them down for 3 hours in order to talk to them! It was such a beautiful day (although very hot) and the sunshine through my window did me some good.

So what did I think about? I feel so closely connected with God these days in a way I'm not sure I've ever felt. I found myself seeing part (emphasis on part) of the big picture. It's amazing what confidence comes over you when you know you are allowing yourself to listen to God in your day-to-day decisions. Looking back, I believe God has been leading me all the time. How can you live with regret in your heart if you are exactly who God wants you to be? Who am I to question His infinite wisdom? In our culture, it's so easy to get caught up in our busy lives that we forget the most basic things that we need like prayer and contemplation. So, if you're reading this post, I challenge you to think more and meditate on those questions or feelings you're having. It's well worth the time.

Sharing Time

I haven't written any poetry for a very long time. I found blogging around a year ago and along with my little paid writing gig, found a much needed outlet. I have missed poetry. I used to write a lot of poetry in college. I think that when you go through great changes, it is important to reflect on life and writing poetry is one way you can do that. Last night I wrote a poem in my head. It just appeared there - I didn't have to construct it - the words were just in there and I got out of bed and wrote them down. It's a good first effort from my long poetical hiatus. It sounds very sad and given my great mood today I was reluctant to share it - but I am anyway.

"Broken Bone"

It aches sometimes when I move, it

is not a sharp, screaming pain

that says, "Stop doing what you're doing

or you're going to break me again!"

No. It is a dull aching pain.

Some old, broken bone

that never healed right.

I can't remember how it happened.

It's just that it hurts.

Baxter started his new job two days ago. It wasn't the one he really wanted - that one was filled internally. He took a job he is way too overqualified for at Floor & Decor. I'm having lots of mixed feelings about it. I know it's a transitional job and that it's just a paycheck for now but I have a hard time living in transition. I like to get where I'm going, you know? It's also not a rewarding job or something he's really passionate about. So far, from what he's told me, it's boring and tedious. So, after all of his searching, he finally gets a job that doesn't pay much that is tedious and boring? I guess I'm disappointed. Plus, to make it worse - he had to be at work today at 8AM. I don't know if Sundays are going to always be this way but I'm really disappointed at this too. We just had a great time last week visiting Trinity Church and I really want to go back but I don't want to go alone w/ the kids. I'm just way too self-conscious to do that. So, here I am typing on my blog instead of getting ready for church while my husband is up in Kennesaw tying on an apron. What do I do with that?

This morning the toilet overflowed. Fun. I would normally call on Baxter to help me out and take care of it but I was able to fix it in under 5 minutes. I was marginally proud of myself. It also occurred to me that I need to be prepared to fix a lot more toilets with Baxter gone. I'm way too dependent on him. Here's today's list of things I am going to tackle without him here:

• kill the ant mounds
• purchase planting soil and plant herbs in the front
• buy paint for bunk beds and end tables
• buy materials for painting the outside of house
• look for butcher block for kitchen counter
• clean house
• finish laundry & ironing
• bake zucchini bread & apple tart
• plan dinner

Yeah...we'll see!

Reflection

I had many responses to the little girl in the street post. It is amazing to me how one incident can continue to impact your life long afterwards. Thank you for your thoughts and hopefully there will be more chapters in that story as they are revealed to me.

I am living in an increasingly small world these days. As I have said before, I don't believe in coincidences, so I have to ponder what the meaning is behind some of the things I see day-to-day. I feel God tugging me in this direction or that. I understand that it isn't always for us to know what the plan is and that I have to let go of my false sense of control. I seem to be doing that much easier these days. I feel like I can be truly present in the moment and I can worry less about what the future will bring. At the same time, I feel like something truly awesome is going to happen for us. It may be nothing I could possibly imagine right now, but I feel it. It may be an awesome job for Baxter, it may be the actualization of my small business, it may be seeing our dream home built or watching Ford or Abby do something surprising. It may be learning a life-lesson worth its' weight in gold. It may be a trial, something so life-changing that it can only be learned through difficulty. Tomorrow will reveal itself in time and for today, I will be joyful in anticipation of what's to come.

Smyrna - the Friendliest Place on Earth!

We recently moved into the oldest neighborhood in Smyrna - William's Park. It is a lovely area of town that is close to everything and full of charm. The William's Park Neighborhood Association Anniversary Picnic was to be held on Saturday. However, rain and the threat of severe weather postponed it until Sunday. After getting a late start, we made our appetizer, donned our picnic garb, and piled into the car and headed for Roswell Street. As we approached our destination, we noticed that nothing was set up where we thought it should be - but balloons were hung across the street. We followed the signs for parking and walked over to the party. We asked a nice older woman standing on the curb if this was indeed the neighborhood party, to which she replied, "yes - come on over!" I marched up the steps of the beautiful craftsman-style home and plunked my fried cheese down on the table next to chicken nuggets and fruit skewers. Since this was our very first event and we had not yet met anyone, we introduced ourselves to a few guests and we met the homeowners, Carl and Anna. I asked them how old their son was, directed the children to mind the busy street and helped myself to a generous portion of food and a glass of sangria. My husband Baxter had a beer. Nearly two hours passed before we found it necessary to venture inside the house. When I did, I noticed a cake and presents there. Hmmmm... Strange......We asked some new acquaintances about this and why they decided to move the party across the street. That's when we discovered that this particular party had nothing do do with The William's Park Neighbors. We had just crashed a one-year-old's birthday party!

After they finished singing "Happy Birthday" to the little darling, we ushered ourselves over to the hosts and had a real good laugh. Then, they offered us another glass of sangria. We have been in Smyrna just over a month now. Although I grew up here, I really had forgotten what a friendly place this was. What other city in the world would have been as welcoming and understanding in such a situation? So allow me to wish Trey a very Happy Birthday! Thank you once again to Carl and Anna for your amazing hospitality and thank you Smyrna for making us feel so at home!

The actual Williams Park Neighbors' annual party was held the following Saturday at the advertised location. It was fun and our party-crashing reputation preceded us. It's always good to make a splash...