Fridays

Fridays are like holidays round here. I look forward to them more than any other day because atleast on Friday I have the dream of sleeping in on Saturday and taking it easy on Sunday... even if 9 times out of 10 that never happens!

Happy Friday from a girl who once had a mullet as her mom rocked her to sleep!

Saturday in the Park

It is HOT HOT HOT here, and we are really feeling summer setting upon us. On top of all the chaos happening in our little family group's personal lives the heat is unwelcome in my opinion but we are dealing.

This past weekend Drew and I took a little trip to Dallas/Ft. Worth to see his Dad for his birthday. We drove in late Friday night to stay with Patrick. We found him up waiting for us ready to serenade us with his new guitar skills. Nothing like listening to your brother sing Pat Green at 1:30 in the morning. Saturday we were planning on meeting Drew's Dad and step-mom at the Ranger's game, so I made him get up extra early to insure I could make a trip to Urban Outfitters while there. Let me just share a little lesson I learned on this particular trip to Urban, 1) It is no fun to go without Neeley, you just need your buddy there to get you more excited about sales and clothing items. 2) Boys stink to shop with when they are ready to go to a baseball game! Nevertheless I made out with a few items and we headed in the heat of the day to go watch the Ranger's play.

We enjoyed hanging out at the game with Drew's Dad  and Step-Mom even though the temps were scorching. After the Ranger's were down 7-0 we decided to head on over to Cheescake Factory for dinner. I love love love Cheescake Factory. Our trip was just truly fantastic all the way around, it was fun to get to spend some time with Drew's family.

Being in that area really made me miss my Dad though, I sat in the stadium remembering all the games he took me and the boys to as kids, I thought about all the times we went to watch the Yankees play with Gary's family and I always felt to torn to even see my Dad. Those moments I look back on and am devastated by, especially seeing where I am now in my life but then  I remember last year when Drew and I went to see the Yankees play and met my Dad and Christie for lunch at the Cheescake Factory afterwards and know he knew how much I love him even when I didn't know how to show it.   I hope Drew can spend as much time with his Dad as possible since he is not in good health and is in need of  heart transplant sooner than later. Those memories together are to be cherished and never take time with family for granted.



No words.

Birthday Monday!

Today is two of my Favorite People's Birthdays!

First: Whitney Ann Mann Davis, aka Mother to be

Whitney is my oldest and dearest friend who is planning her return trip home from Africa to have her first child in December. I cannot wait to see her in person after almost 2 years. Whitney and I have been through some of our hardest ups and downs together, some of our greatest adventures, and saddest moments. I am so grateful to have her as my friend and looking forward to the many many more adventures we will have together! Happy Birthday Whitney!!

Second: Bailey Schneiderjahn

Bailey is my newest friend, we have known each other for a couple of years now but really started being great friends on a consistent basis for the past year and a half. Bailey is the sweetest, most genuine person in the world. She brightens  you up on a blue day and always puts others first. She is rarely ever not cheery, and even when she is mad she has a smile on her face. She is fashion forward and absolutely precious! I am so blessed to have her as my friend! Happy Birthday Bailey!

Love to both of these amazing women on their Birthday's today!!!!!


Also check out this link to my photography website! So excited to finally have a REAL website to market and hopefully grow my business.

Remembering Fathers

This Father's Day is a tough one for me. I have been very angry and emotional lately and I am coming to realize this holiday, which for a long long time I cared little about means more to me this year than ever before.

This will be the first year that I have to go through Father's Day without any Father to celebrate with. Last year was the first without my Grandy, who served as my Father in most ways, he was there for me whenever I needed him, he taught me about taking care of car, he taught me what to look for in a mate, he taught me how important Faith is, he showed me unconditional love in everyway he knew how. I always took great honor in spending Father's Day with my Grandy while he was alive. I miss him terribly every single day and cannot seem to fathom how we have survived this long without him. Life always seemed to feel much calmer with Grandy around keeping us grounded in the knowledge that the Lord is in control and to Trust in Him. These days as life seems to be swirling quickly out of control I look to the sky and ask Grandy to share his wisdom with us. This time though I know he has Jesus as his side as they together send comfort down upon us all.

We will NEVER FORGET!

 

This year is the first year that I am faced with Father's Day without my Dad. Looking back at the year after losing Grandy I would have never ever guessed that I would lose my Dad that same year. I miss my Dad more now than ever before. I miss all the lost moments and those we didn't get to share. I miss his laughter and his down to earth attitude. My Dad gave me some of the best advice I ever got during some of our quiet moments together or on the phone. My Dad showed me the strongest of loves even after we had hurt each other.  I am so proud of the man that my Dad grew to be, the fighter he was, the loyal friend he was, the loving husband to Christie. I know that on my toughest days here when I want to give up the fight his strength pushes me forward and on. His love never leaves me and I know he is watching over me always.

This Father's Day is one spent in reflection of the great men in my life. These men whose lives have shaped me forever.

Happy Father's Day to my Grandy and my Dad!

I also wish a very Happy Father's Day to my brother... the most AMAZING Father I know. One of the greatest things in the world is watching your brother become a father and seeing the transformation from crazy kid to patient father. Ryan you are doing an amazing job with all of your girls! I love you!

LB

There are some people you meet and know instantly that they will be a forever friend. A friend that even though you may not see them everyday or even every month  your bond will never falter. A friend that when you do see again you pick right back up where you left off the last time. A friend who listens to your craziness, your worries, and your hopes as though they were their own. A friend you can call on at anytime  you are in need.

I have such a friend and today is her birthday! Laura Beth I hope you have an amazing birthday today full of celebration of the amazing person that you are! I am beyond blessed to be called your friend.

I don't remember the first time I actually met Laura Beth but I remember her comforting personality being there to help get me through so many hard times in my life in the time we have known each other. I remember her being the first one to say that she thought "Drew was the one for me". She is suprising, fun-loving, smart, and country and I adore her!



Happy Birthday precious friend!

Happy Birthday Darrah, We ate boiled crawfish!

Yesterday was my Sister-in-law Darrah's Birthday!!! HAPPY LATE BIRTHDAY DARRAH!!!

Darrah has been such an amazing addition to our family and such a powerful influence in my brother Ryan's life. She has brought two wonderful daughters into our family one of which looks exactly like my Mom and the other who keeps us laughing and on our toes constantly. She has broadened my scope of many areas of life and educated me on how I am not as "southern of a girl" as I think because she certainly is a Southern Girl! We are beyond blessed by the addition of her in our lifes!

In honor of her I am going to post today about my first experience with broiled Crawfish.

When we went to Louisiana a couple of weeks ago Ryan and Darrah wanted to give us a REAL cajun experience. Our last meal at the Lowe casa we ventured off the base to pick up 30 lbs.... yes you read that right, 30 POUNDS of boiled crawfish and 10 lbs. of boiled shrimp to bring home and feast on. Ryan and Darrah had been talking about crawfish since before we actually got to Louisiana, and me being a HUGE fan of Pappadeaux fried crawfish or crawfish et toufee I was ready and waiting for that big meal. It wasn't until we got to the little "restaurant" to pick up the food did I realize that not only it was boiled but that I would have to peel the crawfish myself. Then my happy face went away. Now I can peel me some shrimp with the best of them but when you hand me a food that has eyes staring back at me it becomes a different story. I didn't realize either that our "sides" had been all boiled with the fish and consisted of corn on the cob and potatoes all sacked up with the crawfish for the pickings.

We got home with the hot boiled food, spread it out on the patio table, grabbed a roll of paper towels, along with a cold coors light and got to cracking. I had decided I would stick to shrimp and realized just how much my Mom and I were alike when she gagged at the sight of the crawfish and gracefully began to peel her shrimp looking the other way from the rest of the clan chowing down on the fish they had just torn open.

My lovely, southern, cajun, sister-in-law began to crack the crawfish for me so that I could try the meat which I of course LOVED. It wasn't until she told me 2 and a half year old niece that next year she too could peel her own that I actually decided to try it for myself and embrace the moment with my family. Darrah patiently taught me how to crack the crawfish in half, peel away the tail, dig out the meat and enjoy while Drew looking lovingly on. After about 2 tries of my own I resumed allowing Drew and Darrah do the dirty work for me... but I did try on my own!

It was messy, spicy, and in any other situation kinda gross but it was such a fun dinner shared with my family and I loved every moment of it!

 

 

 

 

Peonies

 

Fresh flowers make everything better and I have decided to trade in my old time favorite flowers for Peonies. I love the full yet delicacy of the petals and all the beautiful colors they bloom in. 

This week has been full of unpacking and stowing away all the crap important things I have collected over the years. I think we are finally almost all the way there. 

I made a sad sad batch of homemade cookies for the first time in months. 

Mom and I rode bikes around our new neighborhood last night. She was smiling and laughing as we rode amongst historic houses.

This weekend we have two weddings at Starlight, one of which I am responsible for the photography. I am very much looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow morning.

So excited to share that one of my dearest and best friends is expecting her first child in December and will be coming home to USA in August. Cannot wait to see her and celebrate this time!

Happy Weekend to you all!

Memorial Weekend 2012... FINALLY!

We had such a lovely Memorial Day! Lots of time spent with those we love but live to far away.
 
Lots of loving on a silly little girl.

Lots of good eating... although it was messy and kinda grossed me out at times.

Lots of laughter talking about simple things amongst siblings.

Lots of time spent relishing every moment we have together because we aren't promised anymore time than now.

 

 

 

 

 

Ryan, Darrah, Paige and Peyton played amazing hosts to Mom, Patrick, Drew and I over the weekend. They gave us a great Louisiana experience and a little glimpse into their life on Ft. Polk. We hung out at the house, went bowling, ate at the Army's version of Waffle House, drove in the wildnerness of a military base, at boiled crawfish, watched the Ranger's play, took pictures, played in the water, and enjoyed time away.

I cannot think of a more fitting way to spend Memorial Day than with my very own brother who sacrifices his time and life to fight for our country. A country who at times seems to not care much about such sacrifices but when it really matters would rally to support our troops the way they have fought to support us for so many many years.

Ryan I am so very proud of you for your accomplishments and achievements in a field of work that not many choose and far less can excel in the way you have! I am in awe of you!

I also spent time reflecting on the precious and selfless life of Grandy who served in the Navy many years ago. His sacrifices and dedication lasts well beyond his time in the Navy and his life here on Earth.

Saying goodbye came too quickly and too early in the morning but we had a blast and can't wait for the next time!

New Beginnings

The mission of moving Neeley and I out of our depressing, crazy roomate infested, overbearing landlord run house in a matter of hours on Saturday was a complete and total success. Thanks that is to the help of a couple of AMAZING men in our lives, our Mom's, Kelsey and some Fantastic friends. We have spent the past couple of days organizing, putting knick knacks away and enjoying a real home again.

Our first night in the house, we had beds put up and not much else but we managed to cookout some stellar hamburgars on our makshift patio for our helpers. Sunday Drew smoked ribs outside while putting bookshelves and tables together and last night we cooked out hamburger steaks. We may not have cable yet or a functioning dining room but by golly we are having us some good meals!

Here are a few pics of my favorite things at our new home right now...


1. Buying flowers to plant around the outside of the house.

2. Putting the bakers rack outside with plants, flowers, and outside dishes on it to help bring the inside out. 

3. Going for double date bike rides through my favorite old neighborhood in Amarillo that just happens to be across the street with red brick streets.

4. An inspirational wall full of wonderful sayings and my favorite things to bring some depth to my room.

6. The muted tones of the brick and siding on the house is given a pop of color with a homemade wreath on the door and some bright planters and flowers.



I have already slept better here in the past three nights than the last six in my old house. So thankful for this new place and all the fun that will be had here! Also glad that cable and internet will be installed today!

6 Months

It still feels very surreal and fake that you have been gone 6 months now.

I still pick up the phone to call you on my drive home, needing to hear a voice of unbiased reason. The advice of someone who doesn't get caught in the emotions just the reality.

It feels strange to be progressing down the road of life without you on it as well.

I still get caught up in the regrets I have. The anger I let influence me for too long. I wish I could change that.

I think about where I will be in another 6 months and wonder if you are proud of the path I am traveling. The choices I am making.

I wish we were planning a trip to the lake with you and Christie for Labor Day, or any time really.

That was the best trip ever last year as we sat around (not even able to get in the water) and you taught Drew to smoke meat, and watched me glue lima beans on a wreath, and you fought through your nausea by asking us all trivia questions. You laughed and cried and cooked and it was wonderful.

I think about your friends in Dallas and wonder how they are getting on with life without you. I pray for Christie everyday and the strong woman she is, how she made you a better man, how she never left your side. I am grateful you had her and left her behind for us to have in your absence.

I miss your text messages telling me that my Yankees are losing and your Rangers are killing it.

These past 6 months feels like the shortest and longest months of my life. Your absence is felt. You are missed beyond belief.

I love you more and more everyday!