Quick (or NOT SO Quick) Review of 2010

So, if you had received our Christmas card or kept in touch, most of the information you already know. I kinda wish I had kept a journal/blog before now to keep up with our adventures...but ohh well. In short summary, here is a recap of our lives in 2010.

January - We settled down from our trip home for the holidays and meeting my brother's girlfriend.  A couple of weeks after Christmas, my brother proposed and she accepted! Also, we had friends over (at the old house) to help celebrate the new year.

A view of the gathering at our house on New Years Day 

Walking away from the fireworks....

The bro and his girlfriend at the time (now wife)..

February - The Hubs and I went on a trip to New Orleans with friends, but not before I spun out the Jeep (the morning of). Luckily, the Jeep was only mildly injured and I was just shaken up. It was at that point that I decided it's days in this house were limited. We ended up selling it a couple of months later to my brother (after it was fixed and deemed suitable for driving in the NE).
March - March was a crazy month...It included taking the said Jeep to AR (from TX) to be fixed while going to a weekend of bridal showers for Bro and Future Wife. The Hubs had a birthday that made him older than a quarter of a century. Oh, and March included a CRUISE to Mexico...like I said...CRAZY!

Cute dishes sis-in-law received at one of her showers....

Sis and I at one of the showers...

 The Hubs and I in Mexico

The fam (plus AR minus bro and sis-in-law)...walkin' on the beaches of Mexico...

April - A trip to Austin for another engagement session. One of my good friends made the trip with me, which made the trip that much more fun!! It seems like more happened this month that I can't remember...but that was the big highlight..

Sis-in-law's wedding shoes...given to her as a gift from her bridesmaids at the shower in Austin 

Yum! (From our Austin trip!)

May - My birthday!! Visiting Fay'ville for one of my good friend (and bridesmaid's) wedding...only to miss the wedding, but I made the reception!!! My birthday!! My brother's wedding in Austin!

 Friend's wedding...er..reception

The fountain where the Hubs proposed...

 Rehearsal Dinner Decorations (as done by my sister and I)

My brother's wedding...

June - Ohh boy...A 10 day trip to Europe...to be specific - Dublin, Wales, England (Stratford upon Avon and London), and Paris.

Dublin, Ireland

 Conwy Castle, Wales

Paris

July - A sly trip to Arkansas to interview for a job (which I accepted the same month). Spending the 4th with the family. Resigning from my job in TX and preparing to put the TX house for sale and moving. Saying goodbye to our TX family and friends.

Picture of the beautiful AR

August - Officially leaving my job. Moving. Seeing my grandma first thing when I made it to AR. Losing my grandma less than 2 days later.  Starting my new job the next day. Finding a new home in our new town. Growing accustomed to living in "temporary housing."

Old Home (Such a sad goodbye...)

Grandma's urn (an even sadder goodbye)

September - Attending an Arkansas game. Closing on our new home and getting to start unpacking our stuff (still not fully unpacked!). Changing positions at work (overwhelming!).

Sisters at the game...

New Home

October - Still unpacking. Experiencing Fall (as in the season...). Friends from TX visiting!!

Blanchard Springs (where we took our friends)

November - Lil sis turns the big 2-1! Selling the TX home!!!! 1st Thanksgiving at the Johnson home. Attending the AR game vs. LSU (and not sitting in the student section!)!!

The day she turned 2-1!

 Our awesome view!!!

Took Back the Boot and the trip to NOLA! Pour some Sugar on me!

December - A trip to TX to visit friends. Decorating for Christmas at the new home. The Hubs getting hired for the Spring Semester!! Christmas Road Trip!

(Pics of December have yet to be uploaded...)

As you can see, it has been a busy year with lots of adventures. Lots of tears and laughes. It is a year we won't forget. Hopefully, 2011 will be calmer and a time for us to enjoy our new home, our new jobs, our closeness to our families. We already have some grand adventures penciled in our calendar for the year and a few goals we want to accomplish by the end of the year. If this year has taught us anything, it's to be open to God's call, to enjoy life and live it to it's fullest, and to continually strive to love each other and grow closer together as we grow closer to God.

We wish you joy, peace, love, and happiness to follow you in 2011!!!!! May God bless you!

Holiday Road Trip!

Note: Pictures probably could be added to this post, but I can't find the energy to go get the camera and download the pictures from it...

Living in the same state as your family and your spouse's family adds a new dynamic to the holidays. It used to be where it was IMPOSSIBLE to make it to both places in a weekend as well as the travel to and from our home. Now, after 3 years of a road trip to one place, we did the unthinkable and road tripped to both families.

We left Wednesday afterrnoon after packing up clothes, our gifts, and the dogs and headed to my parents. My parents have become the unofficial dog sitters (though I think my sister and potentially them are revoking this title). We ate dinner and spent some family time with them that night.

Then on Thursday morning, we got up and packed for the night and headed to the Hubs home town. We got there and ate lunch at one of our favorite places. Did I mention that the Hubs grew up only a few miles from where we went to school? So going to visit is like taking a walk back down memory lane for both of us. After stuffing ourselves silly, we went and visited the Hub's mom for a few. From there, we went shopping and hanging out until 6. At 6, we went to my favorite mexican restaurant from college to meet up with one of my best friends and her two angels boys whom I adore. The boys are both red heads and have great personalities. The Hubs and I both love getting to spend time with them even when they are running on pure sugar. After dinner, we went over to an aunt and uncle's house to spend time with them. It's nice to spend time with them and catch up. We spent a couple of hours over there and then ended the night by spending quite a bit of time with the Hub's mom.

Friday, I got up early and went shopping. One of the downsides (or upsides, depending on how you look at) of living in a small town is there is very little choices for shopping. So, when given the chance to shop at stores such as Target and TJ Maxx, I am all for it. So I did some looking and a little some buying. I still made it back in time to pack and get ready for lunch. On the way to lunch, we stopped at our favorite bakery in town for some goodies (which were left at my parents). We then met the Hub's mom and brother for Christmas Eve lunch where we ate pizza to our hearts content. Then, we went back to the house to open Christmas presents and hang a little while longer.

We left around 4 and headed back to my hometown for Christmas Eve service and the rest of the holiday gatherings. We pulled into Granddad's church just as the Christmas Eve service started. That feels weird to type...Granddad's church. It's been known for so long as Grandma and Granddad's church. It makes me sad that Grandma was not here to celebrate Christmas yet happy to know that she is Heaven and no longer in pain. It was a hard holiday and even harder to think about it now knowing that I'll never have another holiday here on earth that I will get to spend with her. Needless to say, it was sad yet comforting to spend Christmas Eve service at the church that we used to go to almost every year as a child for Christmas Eve service. I did not make it through the service without crying, but what can I say?!?! I'm a softie. After the service, we went back to the house to eat dinner and finish wrapping gifts.

Christmas morning, we woke up and opened gifts as family. We all got alot of neat gifts that we were excited to get. The Hubs got a chimney smoker starter and I got a Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer...yes you heard me right....a Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer! I'm still soooooooo excited about it. Mom and Dad did a great job on gifts....I'm not sure how, but they got us lots of great gifts! I love that they treat the Hubs just like he was one of us. The Hubs and I did Christmas on Wednesday - he got me a new dish set and I got him new prescription sunglasses (and some video games). After presents, we had breakfast with my granddad (mom's dad), grandma (dad's mom), aunt, parents, and my sister. Then, we got ready for afternoon lunch at my aunt's (mom's sister) house. Most of my extended family on that side was there. We ate, opened presents, enjoyed being a family while trying not to dwell on the fact that one of the main members was no longer here on Earth (or atleast that is what I was trying to do..)... By the time we made it back home, we were all so tired we pretty much passed out. That is after setting up some of Dad's fun gifts.

Sunday morning, I got up and made a trip to Target for the After Christmas stuff. I suceed in making Target happy (i.e. spending a fortune) while buying lots of outdoor lights half off. I think we have enough light to make planes take notice of our house. We will attempt to add lights to the house next year. I can't wait! After a lunch of Prime Rib with grandma and an aunt and opening of presents with dad's family, the Hubs and I packed up as much as we could and grabbed the pups to head back home.

All in all, it was a good holiday weekend. It was full of family and fun and laughter which is just what we needed this Christmas season. Still not sure if it felt like Christmas, but I'll take as much time as I can to spend with my family.

A Letter Says It All...

Do you ever read things you wrote a while ago and cry? I mean full alligator tears, uncontrollable shakes cry. I just had that experience. I was perusing thru FB...ohh the illustrious FB....and found a letter I wrote on FB (not in person, oh how I wish I had) to my grandma. I am not normally a person of regrets, but I have a few there. Moving away, not being there at the last family holiday that she could attend, not sending said note in a letter...I know she knew I loved her beyond words and that she and my family meant the world to me even though I moved 8 hours away. I sometimes wonder if she waited to see that AJ and I made it back HOME before she passed. (I like to think of it positively, though, truthfully I look at the negative side of it and question. Why? Why then? Couldn't I have had just one more visit?)

Anyways, before I continue any further, I thought I would share the letter. The interesting part is that it was written almost 2 months before her passing. The other interesting part is that at that point I did not know that I would do a rememberance of her and in fact I had forgotten I wrote this. The thing is that the letter has many references that were used in the rememberance I wrote.  So without any further ado, here it is:

For one of my rolemodels on her birthday.....

GW...I hope you know how you have and still inspire me..You are one of the most stubborn, strongest, loving people I have ever had the pleasure to know and love. I can only hope that I will be able to adequately depict you...in all your goodness and stubbornness...I only hope that someday I have the impact on someone that you have had on me! I love you more than words can ever express!
I know the potential for you to have a facebook profile is slim-to-none, but I felt the need to write this....as you sleep on your birthday in your beautiful bed jacket!

As a little girl, I can remember being so excited to get to spend the night at your house, and play with my mom's barbies. I can remember Saturday mornings at McDonalds and shopping at Walmart for that toy Dad never wanted to buy me. I remember Sunday mornings..sitting beside you in church..trying to act all grown-up...and always wanting gum...Wrigley's Double Mint. Always and forever! For that matter it was always fun to dig in your HUGE (not so huge by today's standard) to get gum....pencil, notepad, etc. Your purse was like Mary Poppins....

As I grew, I learned to appreciate some of my favorite qualities about you. You are a fighter...for your family, for your church, for the things you believe in...and yet you loved with no bounds...no matter how annoying your 5 girls...yes..5 Girls...of which 2 were identical twins..God knew only you could manage Becky and Barbara and love them to no end....as well as 6 grandchildren...and I don't know how you handled us.

I remember back-to-school shopping days...THE COOLEST! Chuck-e-cheese + Puff's 12 dollar Zoo Temperature Dependent Clothes or the MALL or whatever was cool and hip at the time. I really wondered what you thought when you purchased all of our goodies...and I'm sure part of you was praying that our parents wouldn't kill you for buying what we wanted.

As I moved into Junior High School, I remember calling you because I was sick...or I just didn't want to be there and therefore was sick...and yet you stressed to me the importance of school...Infact, you bribed me to make it through the hard times. Most people wouldn't agree with the bribing, but you and I both know that you gave me the incentive to learn perserverance. I am forever grateful for the lesson...for I know that without perserverance you can not make it through this life.

In Highschool, as in all other times in my life, I remember your looks of pride as you watched me grow, learn, and become a fairly independent, stubborn human being...just like you. The pride in your eyes as you watched all of my plays as well as watched me walk across the stage and on to college is just a glimpse of the love you showed.

As I grew into a young lady - through college and on into THE REAL WORLD, I'll never forget our discussions of where I was going..what I was doing...and did I know Texas was a long way away. God only knows how thankful I am for you being healthy and well enough at the time of my wedding to be there. I remember discussing with AJ where we were going to get married..and the fact of the matter was, that I had to get married in Little Rock, cuz there was no way you were driving "Up in THOSE mountains" just as I knew there was no way I was getting married without you there. As we made the decision to move away from home, away from our families to pursue my job, I remember thinking how I wouldn't get to see you at every birthday, holiday, and family gathering. But I was okay, because I knew you were there, cheering me on all the way.

Over the past year and a half, as your health has declined, I have prayed alot of things..that God will protect you, bless you, and keep you in his everloving arms..that you will continue to be the same woman I have always known...the fighter, the lover, and the most stubborn person...As I said above, you continue to amaze me with your fight to live, your desire to get out of bed, and yet your love for the family. I love that no matter how much food mom brings to you, you swear she can't and doesn't cook. I love that you love to laugh until you cry....which we do well together...I love that you made it to another birthday and have gotten to spend most of the past year in your home...I love that no matter how your day goes you are willing to fight to stay awake even if it is just to smile at me. I love these memories we make as much as the memories we made when we both were younger.

 All in all, I want you to know that you have forever left imprints on my heart and that I love you for all that you are and all that you have done. I hope you have an amazing birthday and I wish I could be there with a tray of lasagna from Olive Garden, but I will be there to visit soon - so we can laugh and cry together and just enjoy our time as we did when I was 5, there was nothing wrong with the world, and McDonalds could cure ANYTHING!

Quick Update Before the Holidays!

We are in the midst our Holiday travels, but I figured this was probably the only time I will have to give a quick update...

So we got back from TX to a house that was missing all of it's Christmas decorations. Needless to say that was my mission...in a matter of days we had the tree and stockings up. Then, we worked on the Christmas cards and Annual Christmas Letter. Those got sent out just in the nick of time. Somewhere along the way, we also put up some of the outside decorations. After all of that, you would have thought I would have been humming Christmas songs..but I wasn't. Still not sure why I didn't feel like it was Christmas, but it hasn't.

In the mean time, work has kept me busy. We had a start up which meant I worked 12 hour shifts for about 5 days..which included last weekend. 10 days in a row! Not the most fun, but a 4 day weekend is awesome after that! I still feel very blessed to have the job I do and to be able to get to do the work I am doing!

Other than work and decorating and the Hubs getting the job (see previous post! So excited about this event!!), we haven't had much other than helping out with Joy to the Children. Joy to the Children is a holiday ministry a local church does to provide underpriviledged kids some gifts and a Christmas party complete with Santa. It is an awesome ministry that gets to the heart of Christmas. We had a great time helping where we could and look forward to getting more involved in the ministry and maybe even the church. We are still searching for a church home, but I think we may be close to closing in on one!

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Congratulations Hubby!

So..if you have read this, you might know that one of the struggles we faced with moving is that we moved without the Hubs having a job. He applied for one in the summer and someone else "more qualified" (and perhaps a friend of a friend of the superintendent) got the job. The Hubs has been substituting for this semester. Also mentioned before, he applied for job that is exactly like what he had to leave for next semester. In early November, he was told he would be recommended for the job to the board. Well if you remember, that board meeting came and went without a vote as well as we found out that it was not a sure thing. Long story short, over a month after the drama of being told he pretty much had the job, the board voted UNANIMOUSLY to hire him!!!

Congratulations Honey! You derserve it! I am so proud of you, not just for getting the job, but for your patience to listen to God as we waited for his timing. It was not the easiest thing, but it was worth it! The doggies and I love you!

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Trip to TX..

Last weekend (well, Wednesday), we started a journey to visit friends back where we used to live. That statement feels very strange. We have several friends there that we miss. We stayed incredibly busy visiting and enjoying what little time we had down there.

Wednesday, we drove to stay with my 'rents and drop off the pups. Thurs, we made the drive on down. Driving reminded me of how I strongly dislike that drive as well as TX roads. I made that journey more times than I want to count. It never got any better. So we made it and the Hubs dropped me off to get my hair done. Yes, I am that big of a nerd that it takes alot for me to trust someone with my hair. When we went to leave, we couldn't start the car. Dead Battery. Must have been all the bad things I had to say about TX. My hair dresser who happens to be a good friend called her stepdad to help us..so an hour later we were on our way with a new battery. The hubs told me that it was the most expensive hair cut I have ever had. I told him not to test me! ;-)
We then made it to the L-town Christmas Parade where we got to spend time with our old small group. After the parade, we went to our favorite burger place. I swear that that place would be a success ANYWHERE. It is sooooo yummy. It was a great welcome. The Hubs and I ended up staying up "late" with one of our friends chatting away.

Friday, I woke up at 6...pissed that I couldn't go back to sleep. One of our friends, R, came over and fixed us a good ole country breakfast. We then went and bummed around Target for a bit looking at baby stuff. R is 5 months pregnant. She told us right before she left. It was one of those bitter sweet moments because she and her hubs are good friends of ours. R had a knackering to see Harry Potter so we all piled up and went a town up to see it for cheap. As we walked out after the movie, we saw a guy riding a horse....only in TX..... From there, we went to dinner with some of our other close friends and caught up with them. After dinner, we headed to a friends house to hang and caught up with a few more people before calling it a night.

Saturday, we got up and headed to P & R's house. P & R have been singularly good friends of ours for over 3 years. Since then, they started dating and during the summer got engaged. We are so excited for them! Their wedding is on our list of trips for this upcoming year. We then headed back to the place we were staying so I could go have girl time with R and her mother-in-law/one of my favorite people. We ate lunch and went to a Christmas Craft Fair. I love those type things! Found a bunch of cute things that i bought and some I passed up but wanted.
The Hubs and I then met up with friends for sushi happy hour including some of the friends we had seen the previous night. I can't tell you how good it is to have real sushi...we don't have a place like that within 30 mi. of here. :-( It was also great to spend time with those folks...sushi happy hour was a regular thing for us back there. It almost felt as if we were living there and nothing had changed...except alot has. We double booked ourselves and so we headed to R's house for homemade pizza with the family and a few close friends. We hung out there before we headed over to another friend's house for a bonfire.

Sunday, we went to our old church (also a sad statement) where we enjoyed seeing our pastor and worshipping with God among friends. We went to MiMi's to eat (like a normal Sunday after church) and then started on our journey back home. We picked up the pups and ate dinner with my 'rents on the way.

Needless to say, it was a long trip, but a good trip. It was filled with lots of laughs, a couple tears, and an all around good time. I have a few pictures to share, but unfortunately did a terrible job of documenting our trip. Needless to say, we miss our TX friends and those friendships, but still find peace and happiness in our new home.

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Thanksgiving and the Holiday Weekend

So somehow, we received the opportunity to host Thanksgiving. I'm not sure how it happened (actually I am, but to protect people I will hold my silence). So the week before, we began preparing the house. One week was not enough time - I ended up running around the day of trying to clean and ultimately felt like it still wasn't good enough, but ohh well.

We ended up having 8 people (including us) here for lunch. Thanksgiving has always been lunch for my family. So the 8 people were us (2), Hub's mom (1), my parents and sister (3), my dad's mom (1) and one of my aunts (1). It was just about the right size, though, we still managed to make too much food and cause mass chaos.

The Hubs handled the turkey (well except the giblets - which will be a story for the ages). My dad, mom, and I handled most of the rest of the food, though, sister got involved in pies. That's her job....pies. Just like mom's job is decorating the table. The rest of the family watched How To Train A Dragon. Didn't see it...still haven't so who knows if it is good. I wish I had taken pictures of the day. It was fun and stressful. At the end of the day, we were all exhausted. Everyone but the Hubs' mom headed home. She spent the night here.

We got up the next morning and she and I drove around town before hitting the Walmart Black Friday. We got a few things of fun and interest including a printer. I know that sounds silly to be excited over, but as some one who wants to start using more coupons and has had a broken printer for YEARS...It's Very Exciting!! We then ate brunch and Hubs' mom left us to ensure she got back home before dark fall.

We got ready, packed up the dogs, and headed for LR for the rest of our fun filled weekend. Friday, we went to the Razorback basketball game, which was fun even though we lost.

Saturday, we got up early and ate breakfast with Granddad. I was thrilled to see him, especially since he didn't make it to Thanksgiving. Then, we got ready and headed out to THE GAME. You ask, what game? The Arkansas Razorbacks football game versus LS...who? ohh yeah, the tigers of LSU. Needless to say, it was an exciting game, which we won! We had great seats thanks to my dad and enjoyed the game. It was my first game to not sit in the student section. (Yes, I have been out of college for a few years.) It's strange not to sit in the student section. There are many positives and negatives..not sure how I feel about it. I'll let you know when I figure it out.

Great view of the U of A

Arkansas "A"

The players running thru the "A"

"GO HOGS" (Upside down)

End of the Game

Celebration!

(Note: The stadium is still PACKED!)

AJ and I then had date night at The Villa...only one of our favorite Italian establishments in the Rock. On Sunday, we got up early and headed home. Sometime Saturday or Sunday, I came down with a severe sore throat so I spent the rest of Sunday on the couch in misery.

All in all, that was our holiday weekend. It was definitely filled with family and fun with little time for rest. We enjoyed our first Thanksgiving back in AR and hope for many more joyous ones here!

I am Alive!

I almost typed "I am Alice!". Needless to say, I am also tired. I want to write several long write ups....and yet I am overwhelmed by lack of sleep and the amount of Christmas decorations still left to be put up...so I'm off to bed instead. I'll try to take some time and give you the Thanksgiving run down tomorrow...and our adventures in TX later this week.

Blah

Throat on fire....feeling BLAH. Lots happened last week..will update when I feel better.... This Weekend - BB Bound....

Shutterfly Holiday Cards

So I am looking for holiday cards. I realize that the pictures I have for them are of the dogs and from the old house. Right now, that's the last of my worries because the picture I have is soo cute.

I love Shutterfly's Holiday Cards. I have loved them longingly for awhile. But right now, they have a promotion for bloggers to get 50 cards free. Seriously?!?! What a great deal!!! I mean, do I even have 50 people I would send it to...(I'm sure I do!) I love this idea! I love freebies! and I love Shutterfly!!!!

A Little Catch Up...

So I figured I should add some catch up time. In my old job, a few bosses ago, we did something weekly called the great, the good, and the ugly..taking a page from the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. I figure I'll do my catch up the way we did our weekly accomplishments.

The Great -
1. I love my job. Despite the numerous weekend calls, it has been great. I feel comfortable in the position I am in, I love the people I work with, and I feel like I make a difference. It keeps me extremely busy.
2. I love my husband. He works so hard and then comes home and makes dinner. He's wonderful. Despite the above issues with job (extremely busy and numerous weekend calls), we still have found lots of hang out time. Being in a place where you have no friends, you learn alot about your relationship. You either find ways in your own home to spend time apart or you spend it together. We do a little of both, but way more of the second than we used to (busy work + busy life = very little time to spend just together).
3. I love Arkansas. Beautiful weather, beautiful places to see, and lots of family nearby. Ohh, and the Razorbacks. Love them, too.

The Good -
1. We are supposed to close on our old house in TX on Wednesday. We'll see if it really happens (hence a good instead of a great). Also, I'm very unhappy with the whole situation. I could rant and rave about it, but I'll wait til it's over and the deal is done. Again, praying the closing holds up and happens Wednesday.
2. We are hosting the our first Thanksgiving at our house. It's great that we can do things like this and be able to invite a very diverse crowd of family. I really like the idea of having one Thanksgiving and having it here. The only down side is that our house needs to be cleaned ASAP. You ask how a house dirties itself in 2 months, but it does alot. We are getting alot done and that makes me happy. Still a ways to go, though.

The Ugly (Well not quite ugly, but not good) -
1. So the job I was boasting about for my husband...well it's made a weird turn. The vote does occur for 3 more weeks. 3 more weeks of anticipation and worry.....3 more weeks of prayer. Again, what should have been easy and drama free has turned into a some what stressful event in our lives.

I think that is alot of what has gone on. Definitely a good thing that the greats and goods trump the not so good things... The next couple of weeks are busy and exciting. We hold Thanksgiving, go to some Razorback games (football definitely and maybe basketball), a few not so fun and exciting doctor's appointments, and then a trip to our old town. In the midst, we have decorations to put up, presents to purchase, and it's about time to get everything (cars/licenses) changed over.

RAZORBACKS WIN!

So I have decided that I need to not worry about blogging everything. Maybe what is best is short and sweet blogs.

The Razorback beat the Mississippi State Bulldogs tonight. In Overtime after being 10 points ahead. Also, they were down at one point by a touchdown (going into halftime plus some of the third  - if you want to know.) After a very dramatic game.

Doesn't that feel like life sometimes? You fight and feel like you are going to lose. Nothing is going right, but you gotta keep with it (I mean you can't just quit a game...well you can, but most teams don't). And then things turn around, the things that you have been praying for or doing actually work. Things get better and you see the light at the end of the tunnel - "You have won the game". And BAM! You end up get creamed a few more times and now you are still struggling. But unlike a game, life should never be about winning or losing. It's not a game, no matter how many people tell you to treat it like such.

During the game, there were some underhanded moves by both teams, though only one got caught. It's disappointing to see that a momentary frustration led to a punch which led to an ejection and that player missing.

How often in life, do we see people cheat to get ahead. It doesn't matter if they (or we) get caught, it is still not right. And someone normally ends up hurt. No matter how big or little the underhandedness is.

I'd love to tell you that in this game, the most deserving team won, but I'd say the better team won. Though both of those are debatable.

How often in our lives do we see the most deserving "team" (people) "win" (experiencing all good)?   Definitely less than I'd like....

Tired but Thankful

As you could probably tell from the post before there was a LOT of drama going. Some of that has changed...most of it has not. Instead of focusing on what is stressing me out, I'm going to start posting on things I'm thankful for.

1. My Hubs - There are very few people who could put up with me on a daily basis, who have seen me and experienced me at my worst and still can find room in their heart to love me. Lucky for me, I have a hubs that does. On a side note, he found out he passed his 2nd area certification test! And is now licensed in our new state! And is being recommended to the board for a teaching position for next semester!!!! Definitely an answered prayer.
2. My BABY sister - Along the way, my baby sister has become one of my best friends. She turned the BIG 2-1 and I got to help her celebrate! We had a blast and got to spend quality time together. We shopped and ate and walked around Memphis. During the weekend, she got 21 (plus a few more) gifts from the women of the family. (Don't get me wrong, most were small...but it was still fun! And seeing her in suspense of when we would be nice enough to give her one more, priceless....)
3. My Parents - Another set of folks who can calm the storms, give me sound advice, and feed me well. After moving to live so close to them, I can't believe I moved away. They are some of the coolest parents a grown person could have. (Though, I didn't always see it that way when I was younger, they were still some of the best parents a girl could have...)
4. The FALL - Ohh how I missed the season called Fall. In the old state, it was hot or green still. We have seen multiple colors of leaves and they still keep changing. I should have taken pictures every week starting in October. The views from our house are breathtaking. You just look out the window and see God's glory.
5. My puppies - Despite the barking and their sometimes rude behavior, nothing brightens your day like a dog who is thrilled to see you and wants to give you a ton of kisses. Our dogs are the best, despite the fact that they are shaggy and in definite need of baths. They help keep me sane with all the craziness that is going on and keep the Hubs company when I need alone time.

These are just some of the things I'm thankful for right now. I'll continue to post on this topic. I promise to be better...as long as the stress of this world doesn't consume me....

Too Tired...

So in the long and short of things, there has been alot of things occuring in our life here. Unfortunately, my mind, emotions, and overall being are exhausted from these things. Soon I will update.

In the mean time, if you want, you can pray for us that the offer placed by a couple in TX continues to go thru without any more drama and that the job the Hubs applied for a couple of weeks ago ends up coming to fruitition. There are lots of other things, but these are the major two causing anxiety. Again, I promise to be better very soon...

Time to play catch-up...

So last time I posted was right around when my granddad was in the hospital. It's an eerie feeling going to visit someone you love in the hospital especially when you realize that someone's love just passed away. It though makes me incredibly grateful and blessed that we have moved close to home. My mom and I were discussing the last time I had been to that hospital and how it felt like it wasn't long ago (in fact it was almost 10 years ago). Mom mentioned that Grandma was just there ~14 months ago. I never made it to see her while she was there. It didn't help that the first two weeks I was in Europe, silently freaking out that she was in the hospital. When I returned to the States, there was severe turmoil in my job and my health. Those issues left no time to visit. I visited with Grandma on Labor Day weekend (~1 month after she left the hospital). There are alot of feelings surrounding my Grandma and the last years of her life. More than I wish to share here, but those feelings definitely surfaced with Grandad.

From there, there was this intense two weeks of unpacking and organizing in preparations for COMPANY! In the two weeks, I "ran" the 3rd largest Susan G Komen Race for the cure. Ran is not the right word...leisurely walked would be more appropriate. My mom, two of my aunts, and I walked together. It was nice. Spent yet another weekend (well Friday and Saturday) with my parents while the hubs went and watched his alma mater play in the area. He has cousins on his alma mater's team and got to see family and friends so I think he was happy.

Like I mentioned, this past weekend, we had our first guests. R & D, some of our best friends from our church home back in TX, came to visit with their four legged child, Peanut. Peanut and Blitz (one of our 4 legged babies) love each other and can play all day long, while Grace (another of ours) barks at them. We showed them the town as well as some great places to see fall. You see in the part of TX where we used to live there are two season, 1) blazing hot and 2) Less hot/occasionally cooler/not blazing hot. Trees changing doesn't typically occur there and even though the fall isn't AMAZINGLY pretty, it's still beautiful and yet another example of God's amazing love. We also took them to Mtn. View to visit Blanchard Springs Caverns. It was a great adventure and a new experience for three of the four of us (I can't count the number of times I've been there). All in all, we had a blast. It made us miss them more than ever. It was such a great time to catch up and spend time together. We are definitely looking forward to our journey in Dec. to visit friends.

There is lots of other crazy, sometimes exciting, different, and God inspired things happening in our lives. But like normal, God is also allowing struggles and obstacles to teach and grow us. We are definitely in need of prayers.

Sorry it has been so long, it feels like days keep moving faster and the to do list keeps growing longer. I miss this and need to ensure that I spend time reflecting on life before I forget it....

Answered Prayers

This is short, but Grandad's procedure went well. No surgery in his immediate future. The doctors think they can help him live "normal" or somewhat that way with meds. He should come home later this week. Praise God! Like I said yesterday, God's plans are perfect, even if it's hard to see and even when we don't "like" them. God doesn't ask for our opinion (even though he loves us), just our obedience.

In The Garden

Won't you take this cup from me
Cause fear has stolen all my sleep
If tomorrow means my death
Pray you'll save their souls with it

Let the songs I sing bring joy to you
Let the words I say confess my love
Let the notes I choose be your favorite tune
Father let my heart be after you
- "In The Garden" by Needtobreathe

Definitely feels like the fear is overwhelming. And yet, I yearn to spend time with my Savior. I know that no matter what he is there, and his plans are perfect. I may not like his plans, but I know there is a reason behind them. I can think back through the years and when I didn't understand why the struggles I had were there. Through the struggles, I have learned, I have grown, and I have learned to trust more. Let me assure, it is still difficult to trust all the time, but I have learned to trust more.

Trusting more brought us to this small town. Trusting more is making this move to knowing no one and having no one that I can go grab some coffee and have girl time. I've always thought I was people person who needs friends. Through this I'm learning to rely on "long distance cups of coffee", talking to God,  and my husband. My poor hubs....he's probably tired of listening to me. And God must be tired, too. Yet in someways, he's probably more glad that I'm turning to him. I don't know.

I guess with this post I'm avoiding the elephant in the room. Partially, because I don't know how much I should publish. Partially, because I'm afraid I won't make it through the post without crying. However, I feel like I should note my day. I went to visit my Granddad. The good thing is he hasn't stopped being feisty and giving the nurses a run for their money. I haven't seen him as feisty (and slightly mean) in a while. He definitely doesn't seem to be 100% and I can tell a difference since the last time I saw him (~1 month ago). He has a procedure tomorrow that should give a better indication of what it going on.

Sorry for not giving more info, but I haven't wanted to talk about it. God and I are having lots of discussions about it. (Well I'm having talks to him....but like I said his plans are perfect, even when I don't like them.)  I'll try to give more information as it appears and as I grow to trusting and obedient (instead of my current arguing and un-obedient state). Please continue to pray for him and for my family - for health and healing, faith and patience, and obedience.

Really, Devil, Really?!?!

Just when things were starting to look positive. I was finally feeling upbeat and happy about everything...and then, the Devil stepped back in. Amazingly, though, God is a greater power and has limited the Devil's damage. So to stop talking in metaphors, here's the update.

My Granddad (my mom's dad also the man who lost his wife two months ago TODAY...ARGH) is in the hospital. He was having shortness of breath, swollen legs, heart pain, and probably other things which my mom either has failed to mention or doesn't even know about. See Granddaddy is like that...He hides his problems. For instance, when I was in highschool, he spent like 2 weeks in the hospital due to a hernia that should have been dealt with months before.

So anyways, my aunt finally made Granddad go to the doctor (it was that or the ER...) and the doctor sent him to the hospital...He has been in there for over a day now. They have reduced the fluid buildup but think he may have had a minor heart attack or some blovckage or something...So sometime soon they will do an angiogram and potentially a stint.

There is no need to say that I'm worried, concerned, scared, hurt, and generally upset. I do not like this at all. I do not want to lose another Grandparent so soon. It stinks to know he is in the same hospital Grandma was in a year and a few months ago with a similiar problem. I don't like that they have gotten old. I don't like that Grandma died. Especially less than 48 hours after I entered the state of Arkansas.

Me, the normally positive person, is not. I'm trying to be. I keep thinking that I'm happy that my aunt forced him to the doctor. I'm glad there are doctors taking care of him. I'm just tired of sadness and loneliness. Even though, I know I'm never alone, it's been hard. Especially since the hubs has been off coaching.

The other hard part is that when I feel this way...so lonely and unpositive....I just don't want to talk with anyone. I want to curl on the couch and do nothing...But I'm trying not to. I'm trying to keep going. And praying. That's really all I can do...

Settling in...

Right now, I'm sitting on the couch, with a dog laying beside me. Ironically, it doesn't feel much different than it did 2.5 months ago in a small town north of Beaumont. Like I have said before, but so much has changed since.

It's nice to be settling in. Nice to be able to unpack and organize (or have your mother come visit and organize...Score for Alice!). Nice to be able to visit local churches and meet new people. I'm excited for the road ahead. There are many things that can bog me down, make me worried/scared, and ruin my positive outlook. All that said, I'm avoiding all of that. Looking up to God and looking forward to his plans. I have had a hard time adjusting to life post-move, but I finally feel excited and happy about it. I'm glad.

I have found lots of great things about the move. It's kinda chilly here...and we get a FALL!!!! Not a Cooler Summer...The leaves are beginning to change (though I'm told that has more to do with the lack of rain.). I'm also so much closer to my family. It amazes me how much I grow to love and appreciate them more each day. Absence makes the heart grow fonder...or so the saying goes. I've found that even though I knew how much I loved and appreciated them from living afar, nothing is like living close by. For instance, my mom has been offering to help us with the unpacking. And they have supplied us with endless amounts of good food. For instance, last week, we had Apple Crumble Pie (AJ's fav) when we visited. Then, Saturday, Dad made me homemade waffles since I was in town early for AJ's test. And Sunday, when my sister sent me a picture bragging about the pumpkin pie Dad made her, I asked mom to bring me a piece...and well, she showed up with three..I mean How Amazing Is That?!?!

In other news, we are gearing up for a busy fall, which was supposed to start this weekend. That has moved due to friend's not being able to come visit, yet. Next weekend is Race for the Cure. The following weekend, we will have our first guests at the humble J abode...just a preview to the awesomeness that will be this fall. I'm definitely excited for all the fun we will have!!

Reuniting of the Family

On Friday, July 16th, my mom took two of our three dogs with her back to Arkansas. As some of us may remember, I had accepted a job that would change our world just a week earlier. My mom, being the wonderful lady she is, offered to come help me organize the house to prepare to put it on the market. When she left, she offered to house two of our dogs. This was the beginning of a long line of change...That Sunday, AJ went on an interview to Arkansas and took with him the last of the three dogs to stay with my wonderful, generous aunt. I was home alone, really alone. It was so strange after living in apartments and houses with dogs for 3.5 years to be alone.
Because we were living in a hotel, the dogs stayed with my parents and my aunt. They are saints for helping us. Then, it was the need to move into the house and let the movers come without having to be worried about dogs. So, two and a half months after my mom took our first two, we have brought the third dog home this evening. It was not without heartache that we made it this long without our beloved dogs. However, along the way, our dogs had foster parents, who grew to love them. There was heartbreak when we asked if we could have them back.
Throughout this journey, I've learned with change, a wide variety of emotions have developed. I've learned that almost all change brings pain. The pain of leaving everything that had become comfortable. The pains of dealing with trying to live in a hotel. The pain of dealing with trying to sell a house 8 hours away. The pain of not having your dogs with you. And now, the pain of taking your dog back from someone who you know will be heartbroken over it. Because, you love them and never want to hurt them. And yet, you have to. It's not fair. But through the pain and the wide variety of emotions, great things happen. You feel a great joy, peace, and happiness.
Throughout it all, I would have had way more breakdowns had I tried not to focus on God and let him take care of it. It's those times where I feel like I could control things, that they spin out of control and lead to a breakdown. And through the change, I've learned. ALOT. about. ALOT. (including myself, my relationships, my endurance, my love, and my willingness to submit). I wouldn't change it for the world. (Well, except I wish we could have our friends move here too....)

A Change will do me good..

It's been awhile since I have blogged. And ALOT has changed...

• I went to an Arkansas Razorback game with my lil sis which was AWESOME!
• We now "own" two homes...at one point we had 3 homeowner's insurance policies and 2 car insurance policies...luckily we are back to two home and one car policy. I'm ready to be back to one of all of the above..
• We have slept on air matresses, had to borrow towels, and live like we were camping...
• We have painted 3 rooms in one day (and did a 3rd coat on one room the next)...2 empty cans and 4 partial cans later there are no more pink and yellow bedrooms or green bathrooms...
• The movers came with ALL of our stuff...which we are still unpacking
• Hubs worked as much as me due to a teacher being sick
• We went and picked up the girls!!

Much more has probably changed...I just can't keep up with it. There have been other challenges in our lives, in our families lives, and around the world. We have definitely felt the pull of God centering us and reminding us that this move, this life is about him.

"To whom much has been given, much is expected" has never felt more true. I feel God's blessings (which in a way is a blessing from where I was a month ago). Yet, I feel like there are mountains of expectations that worry me. Though, when I pray and let go, it all seems to come together and work itself out.

My thoughts run wild, my days grow busy, and yet my desire to serve God, to document my days and feelings still remains. So I will continue to try to write, in hopes that one day someone (including myself) can learn and grow from my experiences.

Ready for a Change

So...still trying to be positive, but still struggling. Since I lasted posted a couple of BIG things have changed:
1. We aren't going to close on Friday. (Hopefully we still can close next week....this whole fiasco has me on pins and needles..Definitely something I keep trying to give to God and yet take back...I'm so tired and frustrated and in need of grace and comfort.)
2. I've been moved. (They came in a week ago and told me I was moving to operations. I have to say I'm kind of excited, but disappointed. Excited for the opportunity...disappointed that I won't get to work a pseudo-normal schedule. Another positive is that it keeps me so busy that I hardly have time to focus on my stress...)

Both of these are blessings I'm sure....just missing the forest for the trees right now.

Other news, I received a great compliment last week from someone high up. The person asked me why I always smiled and like typical I smiled and shrugged. I made some random comment about being happy. He told me that was one of the things he liked about me was that I always had a smile on my face. This person is very high up in management so the compliment in the base case is wonderful but for the scenario is that much nicer to hear. He was also one of the ones (if not the one) who recommended me for the move, so that meant alot to me that he felt like I could do this job and be successful.

I feel though sometimes my smile is a lie. It's can sometimes be my hiding from the fact that the world around me is crumbling. If I smile, no one asks how I'm doing...and I don't have to lie and tell them good. No one knows how frustrated, sad, and mad I am...and as much as I like that. I also am frustrated that people who I used to think were close to me have completely missed it. I'm frustrated by friendships and loneliness..But as always, come tomorrow morning the smile will be back in place and ready for work....

Feeling Blah..

I don't feel well...and it feels like it's a continuing problem. I'm trying to feel better, but I feel like just as I do the devil brings something else that causes me to worry or get upset.

At work today, we watched a video on how to have a terrific day everyday. And despite how awful a morning I had, I felt like it was exactly what I needed to hear. Then I come back and do the things I know I need to do....and find out things that just upset me...and let it get to me. Then I remember...think hopeful good thoughts...and that works til my head starts hurting...

And that's how my day and weeks have gone. It sucks! I'm tired of it. I feel like I'm in a constant fight to be happy, to be joyous, to feel blessed and I feel like I'm losing everytime. It makes me so frustrated. I'm going to try to update with everything that is actually going on soon...Maybe it's the power that if I don't say things are going bad that it won't be....and yet it still does. I just hate whining...and I feel like that's all I'm ever doing now..

ARGH...Back to thinking positive....or just going to sleep :)!

A week away...

I have spent a week away from this and part of me feels like it was worth it, while another part longs to write down everything.

In the past week, I felt a numerous amount of emotions and unfortunately most haven't been positive. I feel like I'm in a dark valley that is farther than I can see, wider than either horizon and it sucks. It sucks because I am normally so positive. It sucks because as much as I want to talk about it with others I don't want to and haven't talked about it. And it sucks because I want people to ask me and care enough to realize that something is wrong and yet that hasn't happened either. I don't like feeling sorry for myself and really don't like it when others feel sorry for me. I am a proud person, but as we all know even the most proud have moments where they have to fold.

I feel so far away from everyone including God. It's as if I have put a wall up, and yet deep in my heart I long for his peace and comfort. I know I can't do this on my own. I know that he will be there to listen to all of my thoughts, concerns, and dreams when others may not be available.

The loneliness of moving to a small town, where we don't know anyone, is getting to me. Yes, I spend most of my day at work, but the time away, makes me miss what we had in Texas. I want to talk with friends, plan dinners, go to Bible Study, and spend time in our home with our dogs. Instead, I run around and try to finalize things on the house, talk to my parents, try to reach friends, and try to enjoy the short hours that I get to spend with AJ.  

It was so nice to spend time with my family this weekend and just be. Not have to do a million family events, but just relax. But like all weekends, that time has ended. Again, I am alone as AJ is at a scrimmage.

Lonely....loneliness sucks...especially when it feels self inflicted. In all of this, I know I need to be sitting at the feet of God and yet in some ways I feel angry that God would have done this to us. Taken us away from all that we know to a place of unknown. When the realization that I keep having (and some how gets lost) is that he has a plan, this is his plan, for us to move here. And even when things don't seem to be going "our way" it's because he has a different plan. And sometimes it takes sitting at his feet, crying, upset at him, to realize that sometimes you have to just take a deep breath and surrender.

My Grandma

Here's my "rememberance" of my Grandma as written for the funeral - It was spoken slightly different, but the meaning is the same.

Grandma Womack’s Memorial

As I reflected on Grandma’s life to prepare for today, I thought back on my many memories of her. Of my brother, sister, and I spending countless nights at her house which always included a trip to McDonalds for breakfast – for us grandkids it was sausage gravy biscuits and pancakes and sausage for her – and then typically a visit to Walmart for a toy of our choice. All of my memories show the heart of the woman who raised 5 beautiful daughters and more than a handful of wonderful grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well as countless friends that became part of her family. Her love for her family was one of her many legacies, which I had the privilege to be a part of. My memories held another theme which is of her faith in Christ. I know, like many of the family, that she is in Heaven right now driving her ’67 Mustang.

Some days and memories I can remember as if they were yesterday, some I wish I had remembered better, but all of them I hold dear. Grandma’s family was everything to her. Whether it was picking her grandchildren up to go to their various activities or eating lunch on Sunday afternoon as an extended family, I know she enjoyed her time with family as much as we enjoyed did. I will definitely never forget the times which her food wasn’t hot enough or wasn’t cooked right. I remember when AJ and I first moved to Texas how difficult is was to miss holidays because we spent every holiday together with the extended family, whether it was Easter, Memorial Day, or Christmas - it was with the family, the ENTIRE family. In fact, most of our birthdays were celebrated in their own dinner with the entire family.

Another favorite memory of mine is our back-to-school shopping trips. This was the time that we were able to buy all the clothes that Mom and Dad wouldn’t have bought us – including Justin’s awesome color changing shirt. These typically included a lunch to Mexico Chiquito…yet another of our location that will always hold memories. As we grew, she influenced us in different ways yet always sending us to church camp, picking us up from various hobbies and just sitting with her. Many memories I have is of her sitting on one side of the bar while I’m sitting on the other.

You never wanted to be on the receiving end of her disappointment. And you knew when you did something that she didn’t agree with, you would definitely hear about it.But her proudest days were when her precious grandchildren grew up, graduated highschool, graduated college, got married and had children of their own. Grandma was proud of her children and grandchildren. I only hope she knows even the glimmer of what influence she has had in each of our lives.

Grandma was a woman of faith. How could she not have been if she had 5 girls? As a grandchild, my earliest memories of Grandma are at church. I never sat too far away from Grandma as she provided us with gum and notepads. Grandma taught us the importance of having faith, what it meant to be a Christian, and how important it was to be involved in church. I can’t tell you the number of times I saw her working for the church, for Gideon’s, prayer breakfasts, and Wednesday night Church group at El Chico. I know that despite how sick she had gotten in the past couple of years, her faith is what helped her through it.

One of the last times that I saw her was Sunday, July 4th, just after she had received communion. I know that she is up in Heaven enjoying all the wonders heaven has for her to experience while drinking coffee as hot as God makes it. She would tell you today that she did all things through Christ who strengthened her. I truly believe if Grandma could talk to us, she would tell us not to fear, but have faith. To hold strong to the values and beliefs she instilled in us. I believe she would want us to look within to evaluate our lives and find out if we are living for ourselves or for God. Because you and I know, that she is planning on seeing us on the other side of Heaven…and boy you don’t want to get her riled up if she didn’t get what she wanted. She would want us to grow closer to God as we attempt to pick up the pieces of our broken hearts. She would want us to hold our memories of her, her love of family, and her love of her Heavenly Father in our hearts and to spread our love and faith to the world.

To end, I’ll leave you with one last message Grandma sent me. I have been reading a Daily Bible Reading and Devotional Study. Over the past two weeks, I had fallen behind on my readings. On Thursday night, I read the devotional from August 8th, the day Grandma went to Heaven. The Bible Verse of the devotional was “Put your trust in the Lord” Proverbs 22:19. Here are the words from the devotional – “The problem with this world is that it doesn’t fit. Oh, it will do for now, but it isn’t tailor-made. We were made to live with God, but on earth we live by faith. We were made to live forever, but on this eart we live for but a moment. We must trust God. We must trust not only that he does what is best but that he knows what ahead. Ponder the words of Isaia 57:1-2: “Those who are right with God may die, but no one pays attention. Good people are taken away, but no one understands. Those who do right are being taken away from evil and are given peace. Those who live as God wants find rest in death.” I know Grandma has found peace and rest.

Ethel King Womack - A glimpse at a great life...

Ethel King Womack passed away peacefully Sunday, August 8th, at her home in Little Rock. Born in El Dorado, Arkansas, on June 21, 1925, she was a graduate of El Dorado High and McKay's Secretarial School. While working as Office Manager for the Boy Scouts of America, she met her beloved husband, Joe. She was a homemaker and loving mother to her daughters. She took great pride in seeing each one graduate from college to pursue their dreams. Mother devoted her life to her family and opened our home to family and friends. Her grandchildren treasured their time at Grandma’s house. She was a 53 year member and Deacon Emeritus of Parkview Christian Church. She was active in the VFW and Gideon's International Auxiliaries.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Agda King, and two brothers, Frank Jr. and Garrett King, both POWs and survivors of WWII.


She is survived by her devoted husband of 59 years, Joseph Womack, and their five daughters, Judy Springer (Bill) of Jupiter, Florida, Cathy Webb (John) of Little Rock, Barbara Webb (Doyle) of Benton, Becky Keogh (Patrick) of Little Rock, and Janis Cottle (Ray) of Longview, Texas; seven grandchildren, Laura Fout (Josh), Katherine Quinn (Wesley), Christopher Webb, Justin Keogh (Stephanie), Alice Johnson (AJ), Anna Keogh, and Stephanie Transue (Don); and five great-grandchildren, Trey and Paige Transue, Mason and Will Quinn, and Holland Fout; and many other family and friends.

Visitation - Friday, August 13th, 5-7 PM, Roller-Drummond Funeral Home, 10900 Interstate 30, Little Rock, AR 72209 (501) 455-5800. Memorial Service - Saturday, August 14th, 3 PM, Parkview Christian Church.


The family thanks Baptist Health Hospice for their compassionate care. Memorials may be made to Parkview Christian Church or charity of your choice.

Grandma is in the center at Kat's Wedding

One of my Wedding showers (Grandma is on my right - your left).

More pictures to come.....

Day 4 - May she rest in peace...

Today was the gravesite service for Grandma. We got up and ate breakfast with Grandaddy. Then, we all traveled to the cemetery. The service was very nice, very simple and really the perfect ending to a very stressful, busy weekend. It was a beautiful day with the wind blowing. I guess I hadn't mentioned that Grandma's urn was beautiful as were all the flower arrangements that were done for the service.

It was nice to be a little less formal and to let Granddad and the daughters (my aunts and mom) speak about Grandma. The service was wonderful and beautiful. It made me miss my Grandma...this whole weekend made me miss her. We stayed around the site and talked for awhile to enjoy the last moments that we, as an extended family, would spend together for a while.

After the service, we went home and relaxed for a bit. Mom took my brother, sister-in-law, sister, my husband, and I out to eat at Loca Luna. From there, we went packed the truck and headed back to Batesville.

I'm exhausted from the activities of the weekend and praying for God's peace as well as energy to make it through the weekend. I feel like I have missed most of the last week due to trying to get the house stuff done as well as all of my emotions with Grandma...I just wanted to thank ya'll again for all the prayers that have been sent our way. You are the best!

Is the weekend over yet?

Just when I expected/needed a day of relaxation...I didn't get any. I should rephrase that..I got some relaxation, but not as much as I needed.

Saturday ended at about 3 this morning, when my sister and I finally quit talking and went to bed. Woke up about 8 and got ready for church. Mom, brother, and sister-in-law went to breakfast and church with Granddad. I went to church with my sister to the church we grew up in. From there, we went to lunch with chaos...I mean the family. After lunch, we went to see "Eat, Pray, Love" with my dad's sister. It was a good movie, but it was LONG....2 and 1/2 hours later and it was time for supper with the extended family.

If lunch was chaos, dinner was a disaster...full of emotional breakdowns, rude remarks, complaints, and typical emotional, stressful outbursts when people have been around each other too much and aren't getting enough sleep. It was very awkward and I was glad when it was over. We then spent time at my parent's house before heading over to my aunt's house to spend the night.

Not quite sure what tomorrow will bring, but for now I need sleep. Thanks for all your prayers and thoughths thus far. If you could, please pray for peace, comfort, and kindness for my entire family over the next couple days/weeks. We definitely need it!

Ethel Lorraine King Womack - June 21, 1925 - August 8, 2010

Today was the big day...the memorial service for Grandma. I wish I could tell you that she looked beautiful, but I'm not sure since she was cremated. However, when I saw her on Sunday she looked peaceful. My sister told me that they put make-up on her for the final family viewing (which took place on Monday) and that she looked good.

Grandma was an amazing person..and really deserves her own post, which I plan to do later...but wanted to share with you the experiences of this weekend. I promise to give you some different views of her life...

Yesterday evening, the visitation was held...we were supposed to leave at 7 and in typical fashion didn't leave til 8. Then, we went to The Villa...one of my (and my grandma's) favorite restaurants. We didn't leave there until 10. We made it to my Aunt's house around 11 and promptly passed out.

This morning, we woke up and got ready. Then, went to my parents house to try to relax...er..practice the rememberance...er..avoid practicing it. Turned out I was the only one speaking...talk about massive pressure...Anyways, we went to lunch and got ready for the memorial service.

The memorial service had some drama...and was very disorganized, but turned out well. The pastor, who never really knew Grandma, gave the message...I think he tried to do a good job and definitely shared the memories of my mom and her sisters. Then, it was my turn to speak. I tried to follow the written words, but changed things around based on my feeling. Everyone said I did a great job..I think it was good, but I tend to be my own worst critic.

Then, we spent quite a bit of time thanking everyone for attending. I saw a bunch of people that I hadn't seen in a while and met many of the friends of my aunts. We then headed to my aunt's house to spend time with the extended family. I spent alot of time with my cousins and their kids. I spent some time with my mom's aunts and cousins, but not as much as I would have liked to do.

We didn't leave there until 11 and came home. Now, we (Sister, Sister-n-law, and I) are conversing and just hanging out...Trying not to think about the craziness that tomorrow brings...

TGIF

TGIF...and in someways...Really? Does it have to be Friday?

Today starts the long road through the weekend. It begins the process of ensuring that I deal with the pain. We are on our way to Little Rock to attend the visitation. I'm not sure why there is a visitation when someone has been cremated. Though, I'm sure with all of this, it's not about Grandma but about us and gaining closure.

I finished my speech...or rememberance. I haven't practiced it...so I'm a little......ok, a lot nervous about how it's going to sound. When I read over it, I feel more confident about it. So maybe it will go okay...

I'm really excited to see my family..not sure who all is coming in, but I figure atleast the close extended family will be there...and that makes me happy.

Not sure what else to say...definitely scatterbrained tonight..Maybe I'll get some sleep tonight...

TGIT - Thank God Its Thursday!

Here I am...waiting on Bible Study and still avoiding writing the speech for Grandma's memorial service...I'm about half a page into the speech and don't really like it...but mainly because I'm scatterbrained. I feel that way alot. Not sure if its the insane multi-tasking that I've had to learn to do...but I feel lost. That's why I am glad it's Thursday. Thursday is Bible Study day...*crosses her fingers* hopefully..Bible Study has been a calming experience for me. Convicting, but calming. It reminds me to take more time for my relationship with God. Not that I don't have a million things I could be doing...

Brings me to subject one....This town has no cute black dresses that fit me...and that stinks. I managed to visit ALL 4 stores that might have black dresses....really all 4 stores that have women's clothes...and failed. Kinda frustrated..I did find a dress...just too colorful for the purpose..

Subject two...I hate medical stuff. So for the job, I had to go through a physical, which included drawing blood to do the yearly check-up. Of course, the results come back that I'm slightly anemic...so I have to have more blood drawn..Yup, that's right...definitely been in medical everyday this week thus far. I also had to go get a chest x-ray this afternoon...ohh yeah and go back on Tuesday. Talk about fun..

I think those are my rants for tonight. I need to finish working on my speech. It's hard. I know what I want to say, it's just putting it together so it flows and makes sense...Typical me is procrastinating til the bitter end on actually typing it. I think part of it is that this means it's for real. I know it is, I mean I saw her body after she had died. I know she is in heaven and yet I still keep seeing her face in my mind and thinking that I will get to see her on Saturday. She has been cremated, so the only view I will have of her is in the pictures and memories. Maybe that is best, though, because views of her in the past year weren't the same as they were 5 even 10 years ago. I don't know if it's a selective thing, but I like to remember her as she was when I was still living at my parents. Before she lost alot of weight and got sick, where she lost even more. I could go on and on about Grandma and will to some degree on Saturday. But my other view for the message is to talk about her faith in Jesus and how she would want us to grow closer to him through this.

Prayer Requests -
For our Texas "family" - there are many prayer requests there - (i.e. Riggs baby and Callie's mom to name a couple).
For the Womack family - all the daughters are there, my brother flew in last night..we will be the last ones there tomorrow. It's all sad. We are desperately in need of peace and comfort.
For God's provision as we grow to seek him - for the husband a job as well as for us to find a church here..(not sure when we will actually get to visit on a Sunday morning..)
For my job -  that I can be a witness and spread God's love while doing well in my job.
And many unspoken requests...

Pseudo Beginning

I had written a whole page on the past week....and it got erased. Learned a hard - not fun lesson with that tonight.
UPDATE - Recovered it!!! YAY!!



After leaving Texas and beginning life here in Batesville, I feel called to start a blog. Some place to journal all of my thoughts and adventures to share with family and friends as well as share my beliefs. I'm also pseudo-avoiding writing my speech...

This past week has been hard. (If there was ever an understatement, that is it.) A week ago today (Wed. 8/4), I was waiting on the packers to finish packing the house up. The house that had slowly become a home to us over the past 2.5 years. There I was, watching it become a house yet again. A beautiful house, but just a dwelling. Sometime that day, I talked with my mom about my Grandma and she was doing better (she had had an infection the weekend previous, but the antibiotics were working). Chelsea and I went to dinner that night and just enjoyed being goofy.

Thursday - brought my last lunch in Beaumont, the people who moved the boxes from the house to the truck, and my last WUMC Young Adult Bible Study (as a Texan). More tears were shed, lots of prayers were said, and I just tried to take it all in.

Friday - My last breakfast as a Texan (Waffle House!!) with some of my favorite people - Rachel, Donny, Kelly, Rob, and Chelsea. We said our goodbyes (without tears) and I began my journey to Arkansas. As I drove home, I knew I needed to go see my grandparents which I did. I didn't stay long probably for many reasons, but as I left I kissed my Grandma and told her "I love you" as I do with every visit. My parents, sister, and I went to dinner at my favorite Mexican restaurant and then we all went to bed.

Saturday - Ate a wonderful homemade breakfast, visited Blitz (got to see Grace and Elle at my parents), and headed towards Batesville. The drive to Batesville was beautiful and I felt as if I was coming home. We looked at houses and found 2 we liked. The one we liked best, we felt was out of our price range, the other we liked, but we were stuck on the first. We made plans that night for Dad to come look on Sunday.

Sunday - I wake up to my mom calling. She was calling to tell me Grandma had died sometime during the night. It's one thing knowing that she could pass at any time and how sick she was. It's a complete other to know that she is gone FOREVER. Mom then told me that Grandma and Granddad had agreed on cremation, so if I wanted to see her I would have to do it in the next 24 hours. (Oh, btw, I start my job the next day) and that she and dad were still planning on coming up.Sometime during this conversation, I feel the overwhelming feeling that I was supposed to speak at Grandma's funeral (I know that this is from God). Long story short, we got on the road to Little Rock where we visited with Grandad and the family, went to see Grandma so I could say my last goodbye and pray for her/our family. We ate lunch at one of the many spots that as a family we would eat at and then headed back to Batesville. I drove Mom back and Dad drove the hubs, so me breaking down was not an option. I did tell her that I wanted to be a part of the memorial service, but not the background on why... We looked at houses, talked about what they thought, and they made the trek back while I ironed clothes and tried to prepare for my first day. Sometime during the day, I felt like we were supposed to go with the first house, we re-did the numbers and now what seemed impossible was very possible (yes, Engineer made a typo error.). So we made an offer on that house.

Monday - First Day on the job. Figured out my cellphone doesn't work in my office. Countered the offers made by the sellers - not once, but twice. Felt at peace about it. Found out that AJ was probably not getting the job at Southside, but knew that they were working to help provide him with something. Ate at Josie's -  AWESOME food...beautiful views..

Tuesday - Second day on the job..Settled on our final offer and signed the final contract letter. Found out AJ definitely didn't get the job. :( The administration is trying to develop ways for him to make money though. :) Got word that I would get to speak at the memorial service and that I should write out what I was going to say...AAHHH! I also set up Skype..YAY! And briefly IM'ed with Rachel and Donny, who we miss!! Also, we found out that the mom of one of our TX friends is not doing well..and that scares me.

Wednesday - Today - Day 3. The sellers signed the offer contract!!Woohoo!!! Grandma's obituary ran today (http://www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/services.asp?locid=25&page=odetail&id=21214). I read it this evening and cried. It still amazes me what an awesome person she was not just to her family but to everyone. I started writing my speech...I've thought alot about it in the past days, but writing it is very hard. I'm not sure of what I want to say, but more importantly, I want to be sure I'm saying what God wants me to say. (Does that make sense?) I guess all of this has me missing our friends back in Texas, who I know are lifting us up in prayer, missing my family, missing having someone (besides hubby) to talk with who can help me to cheer up. Friday will be here soon enough and we will be making the trip back to Little Rock. This trip I dread more than the one last Sunday, probably because it's far enough away that I can dwell on  it.

Please pray for my family in the upcoming days. Pray for our continued strength through the loss of an amazing, Godly woman. Pray for our friends in Texas.