The One Where I Try to Make Up for Lost Time

So, it's been over a month since I've visited my own blog.  Since Phil's out of town and the kids are in bed, and since I've had so much coffee I can't sleep, I think I'll take some time for a cell phone dump.  (That sounds atrocious, doesn't it?)  A writer whose blog I follow will periodically feature her own cell phone dumps--a post made up of the pictures that happen to be on her cell phone at the moment.  So, I thought I'd give it a try.  Some of you may choose to sign off at this point, but I know at least ONE of you will enjoy these pics (Hi, Aunt Becky!).  Drum roll please........ and here we go:

She loves accessories.

February 2012

My sweet class threw a surprise birthday party for me, and as another surprise, these two OLD  :) guys showed up for the fun.  They both graduated YEARS ago.  (in 2010, I think? The years in the classroom are beginning to blur...)

My phone was taken hostage by these crazy girls

My friend Hannah told us about a ministry that she and her family are involved in. They provide a Sunday lunch for the homeless in downtown Memphis.  My husband loves to serve.  Joining with the GO Memphis crew has been such a blessing and a great teaching opportunity for our kids.

Lunch

Distributing coats and blankets.  Chaos.

This is a (terrible) shot of Aubrey with weatherman Ron Childers.  He visited our school on career day and chose Aubrey as one of his helpers.

Isn't he cute?

A picture of a picture of Daddy, me, and Momma in the Grove at Ole Miss--May of 1999.  I started playing with my Facebook timeline and added a few old pics.  I was too lazy to hook up the scanner, hence the picture of a picture.

Phil had the privilege of traveling to Juarez, Mexico, with a group from New Prospect in Olive Branch. 

They built two homes for two families in two-and-a-half days.  In many instances, families of up to 10 or 11 people will live in these houses that are slightly smaller than our living room.  What blessings we take for granted...

What can I say?  He's a baby magnet.

While Phil was in Juarez, I got to visit with this sweet thing for a few minutes.  In the picture, he's doing that backwards goodbye wave that babies do.  He's one of my "grand-students;" I taught his precious mother for two years.

This sweet thing is that little guy's mommy.  She introduced me to her little man when he was only a few weeks old.  A few weeks after that, she went to be with Jesus.  We miss her so much.

Just another reminder that God's ways are higher than our ways.  Even when I don't understand His ways, I choose to trust.

My crazy children at the post office--applying for passports

He caught that nasty thing in the pond in front of our house.  Wanna come over and catch one, too?

Another picture of a picture--Drew and our nephew Joey.  (I may take a moment and cry.... it seems like they were babies only yesterday....)

My little sister (-in-law) Sarah got us free tickets (box seats, actually) to see Cinderella at the Orpheum.  It was Aubrey's first ballet and first trip to the Orpheum.

Aubrey enjoying her new (old) bedroom furniture:)  My aunt Julie recently moved and decided to give Aubrey this dresser and some other pieces that belonged to my great-grandmother.  She also gave her a comfy bed that belonged to my grandparents (can you see it in the mirror?).   

Ok, I know this is a silly picture, but it makes me laugh so hard.  I took this while Drew and I were at the pediatrician's office waiting to see a doctor (Drew had an awful sinus infection).  He was so sick, but he couldn't stop laughing at this sign that was posted on the door.  He said, "Momma, if you can read that sign, then you REALLY shouldn't have a dirty diaper."  (Yes, I know what

the sign means, but he had me laughing so hard I cried... the doctor thought we were crazy...)

I'm almost finished with this post......pretty much....

Actually, I still can't sleep (although YOU probably can after being bombarded with all of this nonsense), so I'll continue....

Yet another picture of a picture. I miss the old Far Side comics SO much.  My college roommates and I would get a 365-day Far Side calendar and read all of the comics before the end of January. 

Vintage Far Side. Put a girl in the picture instead of the guy and you have a portrait of my life.  Really.  Ask my mother.

I deal with teenagers all day, so yes, my sense of humor can often be immature and unsophisticated.  Still.  That's funny.

So this is a picture from tonight.  Our old grill is no longer with us, so the kids and I purchased an inexpensive table-top grill.  I (stupidly) thought the grill was already assembled but soon discovered otherwise...

Drew and I were hungry for steak, so we decided to put the thing together ourselves.  The task seemed a bit daunting, so Drew suggested we pray and ask God to help us figure it out without getting frustrated and yelling (he meant me not getting frustrated and yelling).  So, we prayed (he led), and we did it.  With God, nothing is impossible.

They weren't as good as Phil's steaks, but they were edible.

This is the last one--I promise.  Above are (say it with me) more pictures of pictures -- these are of Phil and me at ages 19 and 20.  The bottom picture was taken two weeks ago while we were on a carriage ride in downtown Memphis.  Of course we love each other, but what a gift it is to still like each other after all this time.

Bless your heart for persevering to the end.  'Nite, y'all.