wednesdays

Wednesdays are dear to me. A lot of good comes to my heart every single Wednesday. I am immeasurably grateful for that. It starts for me when I get to Kellie’s house to pick her up. She started going with me to BSF this year. I didn’t think it could get any better for me until she started coming along. 

We get to stand together and sing old hymns to affirm our faith. And we sit together during the lecture, while we feverishly write notes as Barbara speaks truth and wisdom straight from God’s Word into our hearts. Then we walk out together talking excitedly about the lecture and the discussion and the upcoming lesson. We visit with friends, some new and some women we grew up with teaching us Sunday School as little kids. I take her back to her house and hang out for a bit before I head over to my in-laws house where I meet Andrew for lunch. We hang out and eat and I steal a couple of kisses mid work day before he’s on his way. 

Then Maddie Bell and I hang out on the front lawn under the shade of a big tree and I dive into my BSF lesson for the week. On some Wednesdays I will go and pick Stacey up from school and catch up with her for a bit. And the day is positively perfect to me.

I literally feel as though I am grieving over losing it. We move in a month. I only have one more BSF Wednesday left. One. And it hurts my heart enough to bring tears brimming to the surface every single time I think about it. And depending on where I am when I think about it, I’ll allow them to brim up and over and I get lost in my grief because it’s that kind of heavy. I need to feel it to move on from it. And I know it’s just the beginning of the process.

I know I will still go to BSF. I will still get the same lessons and be in the Word and doing the same study Kellie and many friends are doing in Miami. And I am blessed to have a friend attending the BSF in Orlando. I won’t be alone and I know I’ll make friends. It’s just that the Wednesdays here are so special. And the Wednesdays there will just be different.

I am so grateful for the sweetness of my current Wednesdays. I am so glad I got to have them. I’ll always treasure them and the people I got to share them with.

my favorite birthday

**Disclaimer: I had been working on this post for two weeks leading up to his actual birthday. I had written it, erased it, written it, edited it, etc. To complicate matters, the last couple of months we have been dealing with a lap top on the fritz and unreliable Internet connection. I couldn’t and still can’t seem to do him justice. I feel really bad that his post of all posts is the one I post so ridiculously late, but I tried to post it on time. I promise. I doubt my words will convey how great he is, but I will try.

We met in 7th grade. I tell people who ask how we met that his first act of chivalry was dissecting the frog alone in 7th grade science. We were lab partners. We were friends back then. I was the girl dating all the stupid jocks. He was the guy who got to hear me complain about them. In the 8th grade, we had a group project to do and the group met at his house. I wasn’t feeling well that day and he was really sweet to me. When my mom came to pick me up, I got in the car and said, “I may be dating That Guy Who’s Totally in Love with Himself, but I will marry Andrew Thompson some day.” No joke. Here is where you ask me why I continued to bother with the jerks jocks if I said that and here is where I would tell you that that is a great question to which I don’t have the answer. Then 9th grade rolled around and he continued to be all chivalrous and got me through algebra. I would not have made it through without him. He sat right in front of me and this non-rule breaker turned around in his seat to help me many a time when he probably wasn’t supposed to.

That year we went to Orlando for a choir trip. We sat together on the bus and he endured girl talk and Seventeen Magazine with me. During that trip, we went to Church Street, which was an Orlando attraction because of it’s shops, restaurants, and mostly for it’s ridiculously freaky haunted house. As part of the “allure” for the haunted house, creatures roamed the street scaring people, even if you weren’t anywhere near the building. That night he sat in Brookstone with me for hours because I wouldn’t go outside onto the street. I didn’t want to be near anything that scary. I don’t do scary. I like to hear him tell the story because he talks about the moment I grabbed his hand to cross the street and run into Brookstone because some kind of werewolf or zombie was coming towards us. I love that he remembers that and that he will say it was the first night we held hands.

Then I transferred and went to a new high school. We kept in touch, but didn’t see each other much for years. Freshman year of college we IMed {if you have to ask me what that means then you are really young and I am getting old} quite a bit and he will tell you that I am the one who encouraged him to go out for men’s glee club. Then one summer we were both home from college and started hanging out. All the time. And the rest is history. 

He is still my knight in shining armor. We went through another algebra class together. This time he volunteered to take the class with me after clearing it with my professor. He sat in and took the notes so I could pay my full attention to the professor. Then he took me home and sat me down to do the homework and tutor me. {Which was no easy task. I was a hostile and resentful learner.}  I went to the first week of that class without him and failed the first exam. After he started going with me, I aced every single exam and quiz I took. Did I mention it was a 7am class? The man is my hero.

I think I could write enough to fill books with the ways he has shown me how he loves me, and the reasons why I think he is the greatest thing God ever came up with. Two reasons why this post was difficult to write; how do you condense all of that and still portray significant meaning? 

He loves the Lord and it was that quality that made me first believe that I could trust him. He is the greatest friend a girl could ask for and I am so blessed to share life with him. We have been through a lot together. He has loved me at my worst. He has the patience and gentleness of a saint. A SAINT, I tell you! He is good to me. He works hard and he is an amazing husband. I can’t wait to see him with our kids one day. He’s pretty funny too. He can make me laugh and smile in those moments when I don’t even want to. I love him dearly. I don’t tell him or show him that enough. He is my favorite person and my very best friend. His birthday is my favorite of all birthdays.

Babe, I am sorry this came so late. I love you so much! I hope you had a very happy birthday and that this is one of your very best years yet.

1000

This last week I got to my One Thousandth Gift in my gratitude journal. I remember thinking all along as I got closer and closer to #1,000 that I hoped it would be cool, because some days I can write down fifteen things I am thankful for and on others I struggle to write one. So, I thought...what if my one thousandth gift comes on one of those days? And it sort of did.

I've been going through something. It's been in the works for a long time now. And these last few weeks have been hard because I've begun to really deal with that. I think I have been running after and away from the wrong things. For a long time now. And I have started to put those things in their proper places. Slowly. Because old, bad habits die hard, painful deaths.

I have begun to tip-toe away from perfectionism and ideals and it-ought-to-be-this-ways. It's hard to do that. I mean, I put so much pressure on myself and others and it's hard not to because that self-imposed pressure, in all of it's unhealthy glory, gives me a sense of control. So when I am tempted to turn around and pick up one of those idealistic perfectionisms and hold them close to my heart I have to retrain my focus and remind myself what it's all about. Not me. It is not about me. It is about Him. Pursue Him. His Word. His Presence. His Spirit. Him. It is about Him.

My life is not my own. It was a gift. And not only did He give me that, but He did something even wilder. He died to bring me life, abundant and full. And He gave me His Word and the Holy Spirit that I might know Him and know that He is with me.  And when I am running after His heart and His Word, I am pursuing knowledge, wisdom, peace, joy, etc. in the only How-To Manual that I can rely on. The one I have been authoring is quite useless; I can assure you because it is full of impossible expectations and is riddled with formula after formula for failure.

So I am really grateful for change. Though it hurts and it's hard. I am grateful for admitting how flawed I am and how prideful I have been because it takes the pressure off...in a weird way. I am grateful that God loves me and that He is patient and faithful and would never chide me for my foolishness, that He accepts me and loves me as I am. A total mess. And that He calls me out in love through His Word, but doesn't expect me to fix myself on my own because He reassures me that messes are His specialty and if I let Him, He will do the fixing.

And I am grateful that He gave me a wonderful husband because in this world we live in wonderful husbands and good men are rare. But God gave me this amazing man who can handle this mess. Without judgement. Without anger. Without resentment. Without fill-in-the-blank with a sentiment that would be perfectly acceptable and deserved. And he loves me where I am at too. A mess. And he helps me see that this mess, me, I am beautiful because I am a work in progress, not an ideal of beauty to be attained eventually through my self-imposed pressures and perfectionisms.

we liked it so much we went back

My dad has a name for it. He calls it, "The Keys Disease". I have it bad. I wrote the message below in the sand and at the time I wasn't sure if I was speaking it to my husband or to that sweet, salt air and soft sand.





We went back with my sister and her husband. We arrived just in time for sunset and it was beautiful.










Each day we hung out on the beach and in the sand bar. Each night we played games and watched the beginnings of Shark Week {which seemed appropriate, but not at the same time given our surroundings during the day}.

I learned that my brother-in-law could do this...



and that my sister has the teeniest bit of a mean streak...




One morning we went to this adorable place called the Midway Cafe for breakfast. Midway because while you dine or shop you will be 80 miles from Miami and 80 miles from Key West. It was delicious, and the ambiance was fabulous. I wanted to go there {still want to} every single day for breakfast. If you find yourself near Mile Marker 80 you should definitely check it out.



Kellie tried their coffee and thought it was delish. They roast their own beans!











Did I also mention that I wanted every single thing I saw in the gift shop including the art on the walls!?  And this sweet, little sign...

On our way down to the house we passed a used bookstore and I was dying to go in! So we took a few minutes to meander through the shelves and shelves of old books. I found quite the treasure! A teen romance novel from 1948. Jean Craig Finds Romance. I cannot wait to read it and see how the times have changed! I'll have to post a picture of the book. 

We then went back to the house and got out to the water where we spent the rest of the day. The guys threw the Frisbee around for a bit while Kellie and I read.



We found several hermit crabs and I just loved checking them out. I am sure it was not a shared affection. I made sure they were put right back where I found them.




Then we found this guy...



and I screamed a bit and laughed at myself a lot.



He was really quite beautiful, and I instantly regretted that one time I ate crab legs and vowed never to do it again.



The next morning was perfection. Serene, gorgeous bliss. Andrew and I enjoyed the quiet company as we sat out there together with our books. I don't think anything could make me more happy or content then to be on the beach with a book.



That particular morning happened to be Kellie's birthday so we wrote a message for her in the sand.








Then while she and Jorge enjoyed the quiet morning, Andrew and I went inside to whip up a batch of birthday cinnamon rolls.







We had a wonderful weekend. I am so sad we aren't there right now. Keys Disease indeed!

back from the keys

With a view like that you can imagine how hard it was for us to leave! Andrew's family allowed us to stay at their home in the Keys for the weekend and it was the perfect get away! We had an awesome time with our friends!

The first night we were there we all cooked dinner together. Julie and I played it safe and followed a recipe for stuffed peppers that was D-to-the-licious. The boys on the other hand decided to play Bobby Flay and worked up their own concoction for their chicken. It all worked out splendidly and we ate to our hearts content and had left overs.






We also caught the sunset that night and it was beautiful! The sun literally set right in front of us on our own private beach. Incredible!









Friday morning we got up and headed south. We stopped at Bahia Honda State Park and did a little sight seeing and snorkeling. I am pretty certain Julie and I are the only individuals on the entire planet who could make friends with fish and become emotionally attached to them; therefore, it was entirely perfect that we were together making friends with our fish while the boys snorkeled into deeper waters that we were certain were shark infested deep waters. {At one point a family nearby saw a blue crab and started yelling to each other about it. Julie and I nearly had cardiac arrest because we thought they were yelling about a shark sighting and the guys were two little dots somewhere along the horizon. Oh my!}

After a morning at Bahia Honda, we headed down to Key West. I had never been and was so excited to go and see what the hype was all about. We had plans to spend all afternoon and into the night there. However, we had not accounted for the heat index spiking to over 100 degrees! We walked around quite a bit. Ate lunch. Checked out Peter Lik's art gallery. I got a picture at the Southern Most Point of the Continental U.S.A. {Something I've always wanted to do.} Ate some frozen chocolate covered key lime pie. Sweated more than I ever have in my life. Then called it a day because we were all so darn hot and uncomfortable. Next time we will go back down there in the Fall or Winter so that we can enjoy it more.



That night we enjoyed a Leo movie. Julie and I share a "love" for Leo that goes all the way back to his Growing Pains days. {Thank you to our dear sweet husbands who are confident in our love for them and allow us to watch our Leo and talk about him. We appreciate that. And we love you for it.}

The next day we just hung out on our beach and in the water for the entire day and it was wonderful!



Andrew deserved and needed this, and I was happy to look over and see him relaxing.







Vic and Andrew had a lot of time for catching up and talking while Julie and I had a lot of time for girl talk and getting to know each other better.



There was a lot of this over the weekend...






On our last night we played some Taboo and Scategories. Guys vs. the Girls. We shook on it and the playful competitive banter commenced. The guys won Taboo, but we totally creamed them in Scategories so we are even.



We had a great time and we made some great memories! Lyn Family, thank you for opening your home to us and allowing us to have such a good time in such a beautiful place. We can't express how much we appreciate it!

they are that good

Feast your eyes on my new favorite snack dinner side dish!

GARLIC ROASTED POTATOES

We were in charge of bringing some kind of potato dish to our community group dinner the other night. Andrew found the recipe and I did the cooking. It was a hit. They scraped the pan clean that night.

Sooooooo....

We had to make them again because they were THAT good. And this time we were in the kitchen together.

Now go get yourself a 3 lb bag of those cute, little red potatoes. Rinse them real good.

Quarter them up.

Over on the other counter....take out a big bowl and pour in a 1/4 cup of good olive oil,

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper,

and 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt.

Now for the fun part. Enter garlic! Please tell me you love the cousin to the onion! Andrew wouldn't touch it when we first got married, but luckily he has quickly acquired a taste for the good stuff. When you are out buying your red potatoes, be sure to pick up a garlic peeler if you don't already own one. It makes life so much easier when you are peeling 6 {yes, 6!} cloves of garlic. The clove comes out all pretty like. A garlic press will also be quite helpful, so add that to your grocery list. You're going to peel and press 6 cloves of garlic into the big bowl.

Then you're going to mix it all up and make it look gorgeous. Like this.

Go on back to the other counter and pick up your quartered potatoes and put them all into that big bowl. 

And mix everything up really, really well. Don't leave one, single potato uncovered. And be sure that you don't have all the garlic hanging out in one place. Spread the love!

Dump them out into a roasting pan. Be sure to get every last drop, speck, and particle from that bowl into your pan! Then spread everything out and cover that pan with the oil mixture and potatoes.

Now you're going to stick them in the oven at 400 degrees for an hour. Set the timer for 20 minute intervals because you're going to want to make sure to flip the potatoes to ensure even roasting. 

Now on Saturday night I popped them in the oven and went to read on the couch. While I was learning and relaxing the hubby was up to something...

He told me that he was going to get chicken for the grill when he left for the store. So I naturally assumed he was out there grilling chicken, but that was not the case, my friends, that was not the case.

He was grilling these bad boys. And let me tell you something...that steak nearly changed my life. It was sooooooo good! {Please notice the Master Griller's perfectly proportioned and skilled diamond sears on the steak. Oh yeah!}

Then when the hour was up I took these beauties out of the oven.

And this is how we dined on Saturday night. Better {and cheaper} than any steakhouse in town. 

After Saturday evening, I maybe might have been seen snacking on those potatoes a lot. Maybe. 

If you maybe might want to snack on them, too, then go here for the recipe.  It called for parsley, but we left it out. To each his own.

Happy Roasting!