We Weren't Crazy

20 years ago, I said yes to that first date. 17 years ago I said "I do."  6 years ago we moved halfway across the country. We were young, we were wild, we were restless. We were a lot of things, but we weren't crazy....

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Learning to be a Pineapple

Five years ago we drove away in the Durango.We left our hometown, fully aware that we were leaving behind everything and everyone we knew and loved. Excitement was mixed with apprehension.  Yet we knew - KNEW- this was our journey. We knew we were being led to Charlotte, NC for a reason.

I looked for that reason almost daily the next couple of years. I expected God to open the sky and show me the plan- the reason. Time went on and I kept asking...what are we supposed to do in Charlotte? What impact are we supposed to have? I guess I expected it to be one big thing or one big event.

The last few months I've heard God answering me. But His answer is different than my expectations. We are here for a reason. But the reason is much more complex and yet much simpler than I ever imagined. We are here to live. We are here to love. We are here to grow- both as a couple and as children of God. We are here to raise our kids. We are here to care for others and be cared for by others. We are here to be pineapples. Yes, pineapples.

Our last Wednesday night in Oklahoma, Pastor Greg was preaching at COTM. He spoke about when he and his wife made the move to Tulsa. They left behind their friends and family as well. They had to. God wanted them to be pineapples and pineapples didn't grow where they were from. Sometimes God moves us to grow us. He moves us to give us the environment we need to become the person He knows we can be.

But even after 5 years, I'm a long way from being that pineapple. Right now I'm probably more like the generic brand of pineapple chunks.  God has a lot work left to do in me. I know I mess up. I've messed up this week. I let my humanity seep out more than I let Jesus seep out.

But now I know. I know the reason. I know we are home. We'll happily continue living, loving, growing, raising, and caring. I'll keep striving to be that pineapple.

Greater things have yet to come and greater things are still to be done in this city...

Pop Quiz

Can you speak low country?  Aaron and I were doing some research on how to pronounce "McBee," (a small little town in South Carolina known for its peaches and speed traps.) Not only had we been pronoucing it incorrectly all this time but we've been pronouncing many of these names like a big ol yankee outsider.  I'm shocked that the southern police (the same ones that come get you if you don't have your wreaths hung in all the windows by the first weekend in December) haven't stopped by with a large pitcher of sweet tea and a long lesson in low country.  Quiz yourself.

McBee            =    MAC bee
Belin               =    BLANE (I so would have said bell in)
Cheddar         =    SHED ur (Andy would've gotten that one right.)
Clinton           =    Clin on (do they not see that t?)
Huger             =     HU gee (again, see that r?)
Lancaster      =     lank uh ster
Legare           =     le GREE
Newry           =     NEAR ree
Tammassee   =    tuh MAH see   

I guess this explains Wingate (wing it) Pineville (pine vul) too.  Oklahoma has some crazy town names(Tahlequah, Oologah, Muskogee) but at least we utlize phonics.

Charlotte- We Have Snow

It started yesterday afternoon with these decent sized flakes. Lots and lots of them. Lots. In a couple hours the flakes had been supersized and just kept on falling down. You could hear the excitement of all the neighborhood kids. Anticipation was building...

Here is the view out of the game room (sunroom) window. See? Pretty decent amount of snow! Certainly the most we have ever seen here. I don't know how long it will last but for now it is pretty. Great Saturday "snuggle down type of weather". Not so great- "Andy's birthday party will most likely be a bust weather". I'm trying to prepare Andy for a slim turnout...like maybe just the two boys from next door. People here don't drive in snow. They just don't. Unless they are driving to Harris Teeter for an abundance of bread and milk. That is common. Bless their hearts.

More good news, we found a great deal on a game table on Craigslist yesterday so the game room actually has a game table! And Andy has a distraction from his party issues. Oh, and let the record show that I beat Brad AND Aaron in foosball last night. Twice.

That picnic table snow looks perfect for some snow icecream...hmmm....where is that recipe....I'll have to google it.

Snipets

Just a few snipets today...here are Grandmama's canisters. They have found their place in the kitchen. Finally, enough room to display ALL of them without feeling I have taken up too much room.

My new favorite piece of furniture. I love love LOVE this chair. It is a gorgeous chair and a half that perfectly matches the drapes in the front room AND was a bargain find as well. What could be more perfect?

My favorite rug on CLEARANCE from Pier 1. I so love Pier 1 but I so refuse to pay their prices. Thank goodness this beauty was 50% off.

Nieghbor kids are here....we are really loving the doorbell ringing all the time. I also really love that they already knew to leave shoes at the door.

If only they knew the shoes are supposed to go here! It'll come....it'll come...

and more pictures will come too...one snipet at a time.

In Case You're Wonderin'

We are still around....we are pretty well settled in but still not caught up on rest. We have a new phone number, email if you would like it. (new address too obviously) I'll post some more pics as I get around to it...don't hold your breath. ;)

Southern Football

A few things I've noticed so far this season and keep thinking, "it must be a southern thing."

*umbrellas at games to keep the sun off- LOTS of them

*full out beach tents at the top of the stands for really staying in the shade- never have I seen such a thing

*sweet tea sold at the concession stand

*those beach tents also appear on the field for the coaches to use (notice in the picture)

*yellow tape to mark off the reserved section- yeah. like crime scene tape.

*the largest cheer bows you have ever seen. ever. seriously.

*home team cheerleaders taking the visiting cheerleaders by the hand and loading them down with snacks, treats, and water. did i mention they literally take them by the hand? bless their hearts.

Beach Trips 09

My View

How about a closer look at Mr. Obie Frosty Horner...I think the name is a nod to Star Wars maybe? Aaron gave him hair, Maci used blueberries for eyes, and Andy molded the nose. Brad filled in the gaps.

Snow Day

Here we are in the heart of the south, at the beginning of March, home because of snow. What is up with that? Once we saw Georgia getting hit we knew it was inevitable. When I say the world stops around here for snow, that is an understatement. At my last check there were 880 closings or delays reported on WBTV. The funniest delay is the ABC stores won't open until noon today. (those aren't school supply stores by the way...I know...I made the same mistake when we were new here)

On the agenda-

*snow ice cream for breakfast- check

*watch Saved By the Bell reruns with the kids- check

*clean my closet

*do the 2 hour delay dance for tomorrow

Home Sweet Home

Three years ago last Friday we became official North Carolina residents. We spent the first weeks painting, unpacking boxes, and planting ourselves in our new life. We were giddy with excitement and worried out of our head. There were more unknowns than I care to remember. We learned more about eachother and ourselves than we could have learned in a lifetime had we stayed in our own back yard. Three years ago. Wow.

Of course it's been hard being so far away from family at times. I've felt the sting of being needed and being too far away to do any good. But somewhere along the way this became home. Home. That's what it is. When did that happen? Was it in year 1? Year 3? Somehow an adventure turned into the norm. Stress turned into comfort. Lonliness into abundance. It's good to be home.

So Southern

I never feel I am more in the south than when I am getting my hair cut. Let me start off by saying that I LOVE it. I am not making fun of these girls. I absoluetly love to listen to their conversations. Yesterday I counted 6 times that someone said "bless her" about someone. (This is comparable to "bless your heart" or "love your heart") I also heard the phrase "she looked to be about 70" and everyone there refers to their parents as "momma and daddy." I learned why the Western Sizzler closed in Monroe and about the Wagon Wheel restaurant in Marshville that's been there 40 years. I got a great hair cut too. My little Casey can cut some hair. Out of all the transitions we've made the last 3 years, finding a great hair place was the easiest. If only they served sweet tea...

More Weekend Festivities

Sunday was the Lake Park Tree Lighting. Brad spent most of the day Saturday (after the 5k run!) working to put the lights up on town center. My pictures didn't turn out great but the carriage ride was pretty. Have I mentioned they are big on carriage rides in the South? Oh yeah, really big on them. Anyway...this years additions to the festivities were free cookies, cider, cocoa AND pictures with Santa and the Mrs. It was a sweet little event.

In the Nick of Time

Whew. I got the last wreath hung up just in time. You know if it isn't completed by the first weekend in December the Southern Holiday Decor Police are dispatched out to the house. I'm not sure what the penalty is but I think they take all the sweet tea from your house and make you watch 38 episodes of Designing Women- back to back. Thank goodness we finished in time. Now if only the outside outlets were working! Oh Erin...know of any electricians you could send my way???

Dueling Banjo Kids

Introducing the Dueling Banjo Kids featured nightly through New Years Eve in the Lake Park Lights show. If you live within 120 miles, better make it 220 miles, you must come check out their awesomeness. The lights aren't half bad either. ;)

I'm Ready for Spring Now Please

What the heck is up with our weather? It's been chilly this week! It's even been windy. I know I have wimpified a bit but still...it's cold. I had to resort to wearing real shoes a couple days last week. Sad day. My flip flops are feeling neglected. Somebody please turn the heat back on the Carolinas. Bless our hearts.

Let the Ladies In

If the old saying about Ladybugs bringing luck is true then we should be the luckiest people around right now. At any given time I can look up and count 3-5 ladybugs on our kitchen window or ceiling. What is up with that?

I remember when we were moving in we found ladybugs here and there in the house and I thought...well...thats better than any other kind of "bug" I can think of...but still...

So every fall we welcome the ladies in, although I still don't really know why. For any native Charlotteans that think ladybugs in the house are just a normal part of fall...they aren't.

I've seen more ladybugs in my 3 falls here in NC than my 30ish years in Oklahoma!

Yes, I Voted

This post is not going to be about my disappointment in this years candidates. It isn't going to be about how I really voted *against* someone rather than voting *for* someone. It isn't even going to be about my dislike for Sarah Palin. (which I inteded to blog about but never got around to it) This post is about how sadly disappointed I was with the voting "machines." All those early bird voters told me about the cool computers. I was psyched because in Oklahoma we were given a card and a Sharpie. This was going to be so way cooler.

Not so much. I was given a piece of paper and told to use the "voting tool" in my booth. Hmm...I was optimistic for some hand held device or something... Not so much. The voting tool is also known as a Bic Round Stic. Much the like one pictured below- except it was black and didn't have a lid. Stinking voting tool. Whatthecrapever. I'd rather have the Sharpie.

We Rocked the Block

Here is a quick rundown. The boys performed for well over 2 hours- nonstop. It rocked. We stood and danced for well over 2 hours. We (I) will be feeling it in the morning. It was so fun to watch all the girls (30 something soccer moms)...on the light rail complete strangers were talking about which was their favorite and how many posters they had as a kid. Some girls actually wore original t-shirts AND brought their NKOTB lunch boxes and dolls. Thank goodness for these people because they made me look very normal!


Floor seats are ALWAYS possible. You just gotta be persistent. Crystal at Ticketmaster finally hooked us up! I traded in our so/so seats for AWESOME 10th row center floor seats 3 hours before the concert! Between Buble and now NKOTB I am beginning to think this ticket deal is a secret talent I never knew I had.

Maci had soooo much fun and Stacie and I had so much fun watching her. More to come....but tomorrow is actually today and I have to be at scool in under 6 hours. Sit back and enjoy the pics....I'll add more catptions later too. Be sure to refresh the page to make certain you see them all. ;)

What's That Saying?

What is that saying about a bird in the hand being worth 2 in the bush? What if the the bird is in the HOUSE? That's what happened over here this weekend. We were all at the door as our friends were getting ready to leave. Brad opened the door and in flew a bird! Apparently he had been sitting in my wreath on the door. What followed was pure craziness. Debra, Angela, and I screamed and ducked like girls getting attacked by...well...a bird I guess. Harry and Brad swatted and eventually *strongly tapped* the bird until it finally flew back to wreath. Once there, Brad slammed the door and I choose to believe the bird happily flew away. Let's just say he is now a special needs bird. However, being the dedicated blogger that I am--I was able to grab the camera and get a couple pictures.