She's Sun and Rain

I have several topics I want to post about. One is this: Why do Mexican restaurants charge extra for sour cream? I can't seem to understand this philosophy. Any Mexican, the authentic, or Moe's or Qdoba, or whatever. They all charge extra. I can get as many jalapenos, olives, tomatoes, cheese etc. But if I ask for some of the white stuff, they charge me 50 cents. What if next time I go in and say "I don't want any of the other stuff on my taco, just sour cream" do you think they will charge me for it? Obviously they are saving money on the other ingredients. Next is this: Last night I had two missed calls. I went to the park with my mom's best friend to walk for a while and I got to my car I had two missed calls. Kristi and Casey had both called within a few minutes of each other. This meant something was wrong. I just had a feeling, a sick feeling in my gut. I called Kristi back and she said that Colin (The Fishes son - Rebecca and DJ, two of my good friends)...

This was one of the best weekends of the year! We had a group of 8 go down to Calabash, NC and Sunset beach for the weekend. We played cards, ate seafood at Sharky's and the Boundary House, played lots of Bocce Ball, threw the football some, and played in the ocean. Had ice cream at the Calabash creamery and the guys even rode cows. Yes. They did :) Scott's face is priceless. What a group! I love these people :) That's me far left throwing the football with the guys. The ladies...suck in everyone! Before a little shopping in Calabash. At the Boundary House... gotta say, their Baked Pesto Salmon hit the spot! Two of my favorite people...they'll make ya laugh for sure. Eating ice cream, this was fun for me to take haha. The whole crew at Cracker Barrel as we headed out of town, because Brad Saab says they have the best roast beef!

Rebecca - one of my favorite friends in the world and favorite blogs to read once wrote her 'things I would like to do' list. I have been thinking about this for a while and wanting to write my own. I know this is going to be really long, even just thinking about the things I want to do right now, let alone in the future. I'm also keeping in mind that God has a plan for my life, so of course His way always wins, these are just fun things I'd like to try, or do, or accomplish in my life. 1. Post my Alaska pictures. Done 9/9/08 2. Finish my Alaska scrapbook. Done 11/2011 3. Print all my Italy pictures. Decided to do a shutterfly book - not done yet. 4. Print all the other pictures that need to be printed. Done 12/08 (This is really going to be long). 5. Go to the beach with Rebecca and Joel. 6. Get caught up on all my scrapbooks. Still working... 7. Watch "What happens in Vegas". - Done as of 8/28/08! 8. Go on a mission trip in the U.S. 9. Go o...

Perspective. Trying to get it today. I posted earlier that I'm trying to buy my dad's house from my grandparents. They want me to have it, it's a great investment, and it'll be good for me to own something. However, I can't seem to get a loan. The economy, my college finances, and Wachovia won't seem to let me do it without having a lot out of pocket. So, if it's gonna happen, it's going to have to be a God thing. I knew this going into it, that it'd be a miracle if it really happens. I took a job for happiness over money, and less stress. I'm still glad I made that decision, and have been paying off debt even with making less money, but now buying a house is harder than it would have been. But that's okay...because I know I've done what God wants, and if He wants this thing to happen, then He has to do it cause now it's out of my hands. In a way, this is a good feeling and definitely a good thing. He knows way more than I do about re...

He is jealous for me loves like a hurricane, I am a tree bending beneath the waves of His wind and mercy All of a sudden I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory and I realize just how beautiful you are and how great your affections are for me Oh, how He loves us so oh, how He loves us how He loves us so He is our portion and we are His prize drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes If grace is an ocean we're all sinkin And heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss and my heart turns violently inside of my chest I don't have time to maintain these regrets when I think about the way that He loves us how He loves us so oh how He loves us how He loves us so

Yep. I'm sick. I have a cold. That I most likely got from Danielle McCall or Thailynn Reynolds in Alaska last week. And I still think I'm not fully recovered from the massive amount of jetlag from a 14 (split up between 3 cities) flight, and a 4 hour time difference. Now - I'm not complaining, just stating that yes, I'm tired. :) Alaska was amazing. A different kind of place for sure than any place in the United States I have been to. In a very small way it can compare to the virgin islands, in the naturalism there and the massive amount of mountains meeting the water. I'll have to post pictures later. And stories, lots of stories. This weekend was Greg's 16th birthday. We had a blast. We had a big party at the house, where we cooked a 115 pound pig, had baked beans, cole slaw, a big tent, and practically a full band between the kids, Scott, and my cousin Lee. We also shot off fireworks. Good ones. My family knows how to throw a party for sure. Scott & Krist...

This summer has been absolutely wonderful so far. I've been extremely blessed with the things I've been able to do. Hiking, beach trips, summer camp, mountain trips, really...it's been amazing. Last week July 14-18 we had summer camp, and then Saturday I had lunch with some old but great friends, and this week has been our Cheersport work retreat where you'll see some photos of me riding ATVs and doing the ziplines. We were at Carolina Adventure World and I highly recommend taking a day and spending it there if you ever get the chance! Some of our adult leaders at summer camp in Hendersonville, NC. Me and Shay! Thank you God for making waterfalls and rivers. Jumping off of Turtleback falls. I drove the one on the far left all week! Lunch with some friends from High School and their babies. Riding the ATVs. Loving the zipline. That's me going down a 1,500 ft zip line. AMAZINGness.

Where to start. The 4th of July was amazing. I'll begin there. I went with Teran, Paige, Adam, Lauren, and Jeff to Paige and Teran's parents house in Franklin, NC and it was wonderful. I felt very relaxed. We went hiking, to the fireworks in downtown Franklin, to Fat Buddy's restaurant, and white water rafting. We also were able to meet the Amish friends of their family. I love Amish people! haha, I couldn't wait to meet them. It was a weekend full of laughs and smiles and lots and lots of fun. I love the mountains! (And my new chacos, they came in handy!). Then, on Tuesday, the Student Ministry went to the Matthews Help Center to clean and do some service work around there. After, we went to the Siskey Y, where I got really burnt, and then we played Boggy Pong (there's no way to describe this super fun chaotic game of group ping pong except to see it), and then the leaders went to Li's Chinese in Lake Park for dinner. They have delicious chicken! Then....here...

Had the high school ladies over to my house for dinner last night. We had spaghetti, salad, bread and then of course Ice cream! They thought it would be fun for Lynsey to put on my old uniform! haha We love ice cream. Hangin out on the porch enjoying the ice cream. Love this shot. We were taking a walk down to the gazebo! Thanks girls for coming over! Let's do it again real soon :)

Last year around the 4th I blogged about Traditions and starting new ones. Last year was at least a little traditional because I went down to the beach, stayed at my dad's house, visited with the Humphries and my grandparents, and then for the day of the 4th, drove to Raleigh and watched fireworks there. The 4th is such an awesome time of memories for me. Most of my life I spent the 4th with my dad, who was one of the most fun, amazing people I have ever known. We spent it at Badin lake in my younger years, until I was 14 or so, and then we would always go to his house at the beach, or spend it at Pine Lake CC with Pallie. Those are some great memories! At Badin Dad would get up early just so he could pull me tubing and skiing before everyone woke up and crowded the lake and our cove. There's something special about being out on the lake when it's smooth as glass in the early morning. There would be a boat parade and my whole family would be there, we'd watch fireworks ...

I'm buying Chacos. And I'm excited. There was a time in my life when I thought people who wore these were weird hippies or something. But then I'd be the one rafting with soggy tennis shoes that I couldn't wear ever again running with decent support. Then came Josh Hinton and Margaret Sanders and now...I am going to buy my very own. Haha. The older I get, the more I want to be outdoors doing stuff. I've always known I'm not a "corporate world super office type"...although I've held two of those jobs, and held my own might I say! But, I am growing more to love hiking and nature and water and well, all the things God made that we haven't ruined yet. So...Chacos here I come!

I still haven't figured out why. I woke up singing in my head: From the Inside Out Lord my soul cries out... A thousand times I've failed Still your mercy remains And should I stumble again Still I'm caught in your grace Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame In my heart, in my soul, Lord I give you control Consume me from the inside out Lord Let justice and praise become my embrace To love You from the inside out Your will above all else, my purpose remains The art of losing myself in bringing you praise Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame In my heart, in my soul, Lord I give you control Consume me from the inside out Lord Let justice and praise become my embrace To love You from the inside out Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise From th...

I love Summerpalooza! Katie, Me, and Margaret! Soggy Bottoms..haha, she was trying to get me wet! Elisha, being awesome. Lovin the glasses ladies! Serving up some dogs, chips, and drinks. Rob is cooking and Kelly approves of the chef! Pretty girls! A little soccer in the parking lot... The amazing slide built by the two Brads! Brad Anton & Brad Saab. Lots of hard work and linoleum. And lots of fun! After all the eating and playing we go have a lesson...answering questions the kids put in. SUMMERPALOOZA!

This has been my lesson for today. It wasn't in my quiet time this morning, but on the way to work I listen to 106.9 the Light, which is Billy Graham's station and the sermon this morning was talking about having a way of positive thinking. He used specific verses. (NIV below) Romans 8:4-8 4in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. 5Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6The mind of sinful man[ a ] is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7the sinful mind[ b ] is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. 8Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. He also used... Ephesians 4:22-24 22You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put o...

The Vera Bradley headquarters is in Fort Wayne Indiana. We tried to take a tour, but they don't give them anymore! This is the nice lady's gym. They had rocking chairs on the porch from Cracker Barrel! Me - in front of the field. Ditto. Because I have ALWAYS wanted to run through a field!

I've been in Indiana since Monday June 17. We've been visiting gyms like crazy. Meredith is with me and so far we have eaten at Chick fila twice, Cracker Barrel, Macaroni Grill, Panera, TCBY, and numerous gas stations and hotel breakfasts. Tonight was a great night...because we have been driving from approximately 10am to 9pm each night visiting allstar and gymnastics facilities, we haven't been able to work out. Today however, an amazing thing happened. I'm not exxagerating because when you travel for a living, the little things become amazing things :) We found a Holiday Inn Express (mainly because I have a priority club for Holiday Inn hotels) and they were booked. The super nice lady, named Jennifer, said that she could honor the Holiday Inn Express rate for the Staybridge Suites next door. Jennifer walks away briefly, and then nice lady at the desk (she'll go unnamed because she wasn't wearing her nametag) said that we were getting upgraded because the Stay...

The beach. This is at the Little River Inlet. We drove to Calabash, where my dad's house is. He lived there for 9 years and worked at the Sunset Beach pier. Think Jimmy Buffet as a Christian. That was my pops. Shae and I went to the beach at Sunset and then went to Dockside for dinner. It's one of my favorite restaurants. At the dock they have shrimp boats and you can walk around. There were some guys cleaning fish too. I love the local life. On the way from Calabash to Topsail to visit with Shae's family, we stopped at Walmart to pick up some sunscreen. I require a higher spf than miss Shae. Sear's Landing at Topsail. Shae and I always go here. They have great hushpuppies for sure. We sat out back for a while and talked to a guy that grew up on the island. The whole Beacham fam was there. So much fun. Looking forward to many more beach trips this summer! Side note: while I was there, my aunt's mother passed away from ALS. It's a horrible disease and to learn...