The Post and the Reality: the same but different

It sincerely was an amazing trip. Refreshing and wonderful! 

And what that actually looked like...

Plan A. Nope, Plan B: Our trip to Pigeon Forge got cancelled the day before we were supposed to leave. It isn't the end of the world, but disappointing, you understand, right? A year ago we had purchased a Groupon kayak trip for the 2 grown ups to get away! It just really worked out for us to schedule the kayak trip last minute, and of course, we didn't want to leave the kids behind!  We planned to leave early to reserve a campsite and go kayaking the next morning.  

Departure:  Happy, our 95 pound 8 month old puppy, had eaten an entire koozi and had already been sick for a couple of days.  We recently started leaving him out of his crate during the night, but he had never caused any problem.  This night he decided to tear into the metal trash can and eat everything within.  I think he just thought, "I'm already sick, I should just live it up!"  Well he did live it up...all over the stairs.  My husband generously took care of all of this during the night and there was little evidence when I woke up. Apparently there was pizza crust in one room, chicken bone in another, and watermelon all over the walls and floor. So it's time for us to leave and I am packing in a frenzy and Joshua is (still) cleaning floors like a crazy man. During this frenzy he kicks a large bouncy ball into the kitchen which knocks dishes into the sink and sends a glass of grape juice shattering onto the floor. You know, the one he just cleaned? We finally leave the house 48 minutes post plan and have to return 3x (are you kidding me?) before we get it all situated. And we had to pull over because the beach ball flew out the window. Ok..not exasperated yet. Staying positive.  We drop the dog off at the boarders (Cue choir "hallelujah!") and oh yea we have to drive by Townville for life jackets. Ok now we are on our way. Wait! We need ice and cash. Ok now we are almost there. 

Arrival: The park employee says they are a full, but I dramatically throw my head on the counter and whine (I'm so embarrassed this is true) "I just drove two hours and I called a million times to get a reservation and no one would help me" I really did call numerous times and I called when we were leaving our house to assure there was one site left, so she double checked and miraculously we got a site with electricity. Oh yea, we forgot the forks so she pulled out two sporks from the employee stash!! (#1of1000gifts) Never mind the crazy man with his hospital band still on his wrist who keeps interrupting my drama with his own drama. WE MADE IT. We have no idea what we are doing, but we are here to have a good time and rest as a family.

 The view of mountains towering over the lake steal our breaths and we rest. Together. Quiet. Together. Sigh.  Of course, resting is climbing up the wall of jetties with both boys and building rock towers and searching for minnows. Nonetheless, it was rest. There were no phones or TV. No rush. No dog. Just us enjoying one another. Then we had to leave because K had a poopy swim diaper. Have you ever seen one?? We HAD to leave. Immediately. 

Hotdog appetizers over the best fire, because my husband is awesome at building fires.  He would be my first pick for a partner on Naked and Afraid. Then hobo packs with butter boiling filled with shrimp and potatoes. Yum!! I learned not to put the shrimp on the bottom (they got tasty). Then we went for a hike and found an awesome cove with turquoise water and perfect rocks for skipping. And we got muddy because we had no place to be. Sigh. 

And then came bedtime...

K skipped his nap today so I thought he would be exhausted. Delirious would have been more accurate. Keean jumped "in the sky like an airplane".  After Grey and I read a chapter of The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe,  it finally got dark so we all laid as still as possible and pretended to be asleep while K wallered all over us. Mostly Grey. He kept kissing him and cuddling in and saying his name a million times, then impulsively jumping and rolling like a maniac. Then he started saying "hey baby" in his sweetest motherese. We contained our laughter until he pooted. Then Josh turned on the air mattress pump AGAIN (you didn't think I was on the ground, did you?) because apparently our mattress has a hole in it even though it didn't the last time we used it. Imagine the 4 of us sleeping in one tent just big enough for a queen size air mattress and the mattress keeps losing air. And the baby is jumping. And and and and. We lost it and laughed hysterically because what on earth else are you going to do? A little more of that then K bonks heads with Greyson and they cry until K finally stops moving. Grey rolls over and rubs Keean's arms and back. Then K falls asleep on my chest. That sounds sweet but his entire body was on my chest...pushing against my chin. We are sweating profusely.
This is my thought in that moment: Greyson has a brother. Contentment. Life is so much sweeter because Greyson has a brother.  There is nothing I cherish more. I remember when he didn't have a brother. He was so happy and easy to please, but the joy and laughter and shared moments now make my heart burst. I know you know.  

**Kayaking was truly exceptional. I think we will do that again. The group kept leaving me because I was exhausted and my arms are so wimpy, but I didn't really care- I just kept telling myself how wonderful it all was and giving thanks.

Grey's Bedroom Makeover

Recently I shopped high and low for curtains long enough for our 10' ceilings...and not navy or white. I wanted a bold print that was fun and interesting.  It rarely goes well when I create a design plan before I shop because I can never find what I've created in my mind! It is so frustrating.  This day brought ooey goodness and delight!  I was wandering in Target circling for the millionth time hoping to miraculously find something striking and awesome.  I was complaining in my mind, "Why do they make shower curtains so bold and colorful? Why can't they just make what I want???".  So rude, I know.  (I don't usually write all that I think..need some censoring)  Anyway, at this point I'm staring at the shower curtains wishing they would become curtain curtains when the wheels started turning.  Aha! Let's just cut these babies in half, sew them back together, and voila- 10' curtains with a pattern! ...CHEAP!  

Small print: Then I had to call Nana and beg her to teach me to sew.  She graciously obliged only frowning a little.  It was a really fun and easy experience.  If I can sew these, truly, anyone can!  I am seriously the 5' girl who glues my hem because I can't tie a knot in the thread in order to sew even a button.

We surprised Grey with a room makeover- his was the first done in the house! He loved it.  Isn't the light fun?  Sigh...oh how lights inspire!

Breathe in...breathe out

Breathe in breathe out... My friend's wisdom at my state of shock because I'm 30! I think about my ear lobes starting to droop and wish I'd worn lighter earrings. I think about the wrinkles around my eyes and think I should have worn a hat at the pool. Then I really start to remember where I was when I turned 20. I was still in college in Orlando. I don't really remember turning 20. I was probably too busy pretending to be grown to have enough fun worth remembering. My 20's could be described as chaotic, full, transitional at best. they brought so much joy and friendship with some deep heartache intertwined. Much of the heart ache brought the friendships and change so can I regret? I think not.  I squeezed a lot into the first 4 years of my twenties then it took the last 6 to recuperate! 

I have really looked forward to being 30. The last year has represented a time of renewal for my spirit. New dreams have been created. Confidence is restored. Hope is strengthened. I have truly settled into who I am and how I want to live. Joshua has grown into a beautiful man of God and leader of our home. I would not know True Love if it weren't for my husband. He reflects Christ's love daily.  He reminds me who I am. He is my source of comfort and reassurance.  

In this next phase of my life with Joshua and Greyson I anticipate a lot of adventure. I am ready to enjoy life and share it with others. I laugh because, for my birthday, my husband bought me a bow with arrows and my parents gave me a bicycle! That sends a clear message that I am ready for some fun!!! This is the year for starting new hobbies.

I've recently shared with others that we can spend a lot of time striving to be: to be smart, to be pretty, to be friendly, to be Godly, to be good cooks, cleaners, employees, just to be everything everyone else is or looks to be. When that becomes too difficult Throw it out and soak in His presence. Being there heals all pain, covers all wounds, removes all shame and guilt. His presence brings clarity and perspective. It allows new dreams to be dreamed and for confidence to build. I can plan all day how I am going to be successful but I find peace and satisfaction when I am with my Savior who cherishes me and reminds me that His plans for me are good. I believe that is true so I am going to live that way. 

So here is to an adventure filled 30th decade!

The pantry is organized!!!

I've been so envious of the pictures I've seen of neat and organized pantries, but I could not bring myself to pay for the very expensive containers for the flour, sugar, etc.  I finally got desperate enough because the pantry was overflowing and the floor was covered in lunchboxes, ziploc bags, and the rest of the junk that fell off of the shelves!
Oh I'm attempting to make turnip greens today and the timer is beeping. Be right back!

So Target had lovely containers for $17 EACH.  ROBBERY!  So, I braced myself, put on a happy face, planned for astronomical and unnecessary delays and went to Wal-mart.  It actually was a pleasant experience and I came out with 3 containers for the price of the one at Target.  I LOVE THEM, by the way.  I get so excited when I get to use the flour or something.  They are so pretty and neat and clean and fun!  I also hung a rack on the door for all of the boxes with foils and lunch bags.  I am so excited.  I just want to leave the pantry door open for awhile...but I won't.

Diet Coke and Mentos Experiment

This experiment is old news but I've always wanted to try it and now Grey is at the age where he could be involved.  Don't you love having a kid as an excuse to do fun stuff?

Grey charted the ingredients in his journal first.  Then we had some friends over.  I bought 4 of each so we could do it several times and everyone could have a turn.  I read that you could put a strip of tape on each side of a row of Mentos but that was really flimsy.  We had this tube that came with Glowsticks in it and it worked marvelously to hold the mentos vertically in a row and allow them to drop quickly into the 2 liter. 

1. Gather Materials: 2 liter of Diet Coke and a pack of mint Mentos.
2. Put Mentos in a tube. Place a piece of paper between the tube and the open 2 liter so that you can pull it out quickly allowing the Mentos to fall in.
3. Have someone hold the tube and someone pull the paper out.
4.  BACK UP!!!!! TAKE PICTURES!!!!

Tyler and Allie

I have no words to describe how my heart swells when I think of Tyler and his baby.  I am so deeply thankful that he and Allie are sharing this experience.  I have hardly looked forward to a moment as I am looking forward to meeting my sweet nephew.  We will share a birth month and maybe a birthday (he is due on my birthday) so I already feel like we are connected.  October babies definitely know how to have fun and I plan on getting into lots of trouble with this Sloan baby.  I praise our amazing Father for this gift in our family.  He is working in mysterious and incredibly beautiful ways in Tyler's life and this baby is a reflection of His goodness.  I am so inspired and blessed by Allie.  She is an exceptional woman and absolutely spills gorgeousness everywhere she goes.  I especially love how Tyler and Allie share their love with each other.  They are a picture of grace and he loves her like Christ loves us.  He makes her a priority and proves that she is worth pursuing.  Marriage is a reflection that Christ is willing to fight and love and pursue and live for you...one person. If it were only you he would still chase after you and speak tenderly to you.  You are His passion and He chose to give His life for you. 

Somehow I got to be there for that miraculous moment when a daddy feels his baby move for the first time.  It is overwhelming to consider how a new life is created and developed so intricately.  I got to see Tyler experience and realize the depth of this new life then the giddyness that followed.

I'll need new shoes...

I am so tired but I cannot shut off my brain.  It probably has to do with the 3-4 glasses of sweet tea I drank at the very delectable dinner we attended.  I hope one day someone will read this and think, "Riley drank sweet tea! (aghast!) She is such a health nut!" Yeah right. It will go more like this, "Poor Riley, she drowned in all that sweet tea."  Oh well. I can only be good at a few things despite my efforts to be perfect.  Tonight we went to Beth's 30th birthday dinner at Nami's.  I tried to imagine my 30th. It is hard to think of myself as 30 because it is so far off, but when I do I'm tall, skinny, successful (suit and heels), smiling, and loving life.  I guess I won't be quite full grown yet since I only have 3 months and am still 60 inches, but most of my dreams have come true and some of them have changed. I am very happy and starting the prime of my life.  Established.  Mature.  Unafraid of the world. Making a new path.

I better get a new pair of shoes before I take on all of that.