Adventures Make Great Friendships

Not many things can silence the combo of Claire and Shay, unless you're talking about severe weather. 

Typically we will talk about anything and everything from the moment we see each other until we go to bed.  We email during the day, even, and  when we're together, there's always a running commentary about life, usually with Gilmore Girls in the background.

I used to laugh at the tornado sirens going off around us.  But after the last few weeks of tornado weather hitting the U.S., that laughter came to a halt. 

After dinner at Uncle Julio's to catch up (we always have to plan a date!), we went back to our apartment and began watching Biggest Loser, only to be interrupted by countless weather reports.  I could hear the sirens going off at this point, too. 

I told Claire I thought we should go to our gym's bathrooms at the apartment complex, since we don't live on the first floor.  When the weather reports showed we should really take cover, I looked at Claire and said, "Grab anything you think is important to you,"  and we were out the door in three minutes flat. 

We each had a bag--Claire with her Bible and her school stuff, an umbrella and a snack. (Man, she was so prepared!)  Me with my Bible, computer, my wedding planning notebook and an Iowa sweatshirt I stole from Adam.  It was kind of freeing to know that we could leave most everything else and be just fine.  (And it also made me question the reason why I have so much stuff...but that's another thought all together. )

The sky wasn't too dark yet, and on our way walking to the gym, passing by our rather unfriendly/creepy neighbor, I asked Claire if she just wanted to go over to my parents' house.  We thought that might be a more cozy option than the bathroom floor of an apartment gym, and it looked as if we still had some time before the storm got really bad.

The five-minute drive was nearly silent, the sky turning greener by the second.  The rain wasn't too bad, but there was a sense of urgency.  It seemed like every car I passed was in my way.  The silence was accompanied by my own pounding heart, racing to get us to a safe place.

The only other time we've been that silent was when we drove out in the ice in February.  Now that I'm writing this, I'm sort of questioning my sanity, as I choose the oddest time to drive places. But those are what make them adventures, and it's going through instances like this that make you friends. 

Pinterest

I am addicted!  At first, I couldn't figure out what was so great about this website.  But then I started using it.  It's an easy to way to capture things that you like and categorize them into different boards. 

 

This one pictured is the one I started since we're on the search for blue bedding.  I've also got one about hair, food, and lots of other things, including one just for Claire, because I kept running across things with ruffles or ballet or just really pretty things and thinking, "Oh, Claire would really like that!"  

Usually when I run across a blog that interests me, whether it's about how to paint something or a recipe, I just email the link to myself and categorize it in my inbox.  THIS IS SO MUCH BETTER, because I can capture an image with it, and it reminds me of why I like it.  Yay. 

All you have to do is visit Pinterest and sign up.  The only downside is that for some reason, it's not instantaneous.  (Rude.)  They email you within the week saying "Thanks for joining, here's how to get started."  It kind of irritated me at first, because really, who does that online??  But once I got over that and started pinning things, I didn't care as much.  :-)

I was really extra excited because I got to share this little tidbit with Anna first.  She's forever educating me on all new, up-and-coming apps for my phone and things online.  I was so pumped to get to share with her, haha.   

So tell me, have you started pinning things??

Family Florida Vacay

This weekend was spent in Florida with my family.  It was a weekend marked by sitting by the pool, eating, sitting in the pool, eating, reading and laughing on Ameilia Island.  It was a weekend for days without make-up and doing without fancy cameras.  And so we have here, a family trip documented by phone, capturing some of our sweet time together. 

Mom and I spent Thursday afternoon and the spa, and it was heavenly.  She told me I seemed really happy.  If you spent a weekday not thinking about numbers and emails and reports, I think you'd be happy too.  :-)

Troy and I sat on our balcony Saturday morning and had breakfast.  We talked.  And laughed.  One of the books I began to read this trip is called Cold Tangerines.  It is one of those books that I will shamelessly promote from now until whenver.  Because it's just.that.good.  I resonated with the author when I read this quote:

 "I want to hear every single little thing that my brother has to tell me...I can badger him via email and cell phone all year long about his life or his girlfriend or his job, and end up knowing very little, but on vacation, sometimes he gets on a roll, and I want to be there when he does, even if it means we sit on the dock till the sun sets and we're freezing, or even if I have to play basketball with him at the court in town."

{And lest you think that we have the most perfect brother/sister relationship, let me assure you that we do not.  We still disagree and "have words" with each other, sometimes.  But that's just part of life.}  :-)

I stayed in my jammers that morning until noon, just soaking up the balcony time, reading, listening to music and relaxing.  Have I mentioned that I was really happy?  Because I was totally soaking up this vacation!

 

Friday night in Jacksonville, we met up with my cousins, aunt, uncle and Papa for dinner.  We were all in town to see the Players Championship Golf tournament, thanks to Aussie's job with the PGA. 

Saturday was our day to go out to the tourney, and after battling traffic for 2 hours and getting to the course, it started raining, and they suspended play.  Not a great day for golf, but we made friends and memories, despite not having seen a single stroke played. 

  

We ate at Salsas Saturday afternoon after the rain cleared up and we could walk to our car without getting completely drenched.  You'll notice that Dad looks a little beat up.  He fell running a few weeks ago and broke both radius bones in his arms...major bummer.  He's in slings, but no casts and no surgery.  It makes doing simple things like opening a water bottle challenging.  Traveling is pretty much out of the question for now, unless he has help...which in this case, he did!

After Linner, we went to an outdoor shopping mall and walked around. 

Papa came with us and even found some shoes! 

A late night snack at Mickey-D's.  Dad was super excited because it was an original McDonald's and asked the casheir about its history.  She had no idea.  Ha.  But we looked at photos in the restaurant and Dad just thought it was one of the coolest things.  This makes me laugh.  :-)

We flew back Sunday afternoon and got to ease back into reality.  I did laundry, grocery shopped and made dinner for AMP, who I missed a whole lot.  We've got a wedding this weekend (and then the next one we'll go to will be our own!), and then Memorial Day weekend.  May is just flying by!

Black Tie Country

Last weekend was really fun.  Mary Ellen came to visit and Katie was in town for her sister's wedding.  We caught up over breakfast in Grapevine on Saturday morning with SMoo.  I think this picture looks like we went on an actual girls' trip to a fun, far-away place.  It was fun, but not too far!

Mary Ellen and I got our nails done and made a Target trip Saturday afternoon before getting all dressed up!  I LOVE getting dressed up.  Really.  My Dad had some extra tickets to a gala benefitting the charity that goes along with the Dallas Summer Musicals, and so I got to bring Mary Ellen, SMoo and of course, Adam.  :-)  I should've gotten a picture with her, but we ran into Lyndsy there, too! 

My aunt and uncle and other summer bunch friends came, too, and Mark jumped in our photo above.  He is just so stinkin' funny.  Both he and Adam make me laugh so hard.

After the dinner, Blake Shelton performed.  We got to walk right up to the stage, and Adam and I danced to almost every song over on the side.  Loved it.

Me and my hot date!  Lookin' good in his suit & tie.

Sunday we celebrated Mother's Day!  We met up for dinner with the Flaggs and Papa and Jonita at Breadwinners.  {They have free dessert on Sunday nights, just FYI.  Yum.}  We sat out on the patio and had a lovely dinner together!  

 

{Me and my Mama}

Happy Day to you, Mom!

Happy Mother's Day, Mom.  To the Mom who, as Troy said, "Can always make things work."  Seriously, you have a way of figuring out all sorts of solutions to things.

Mom, you...

• are a great hostess
• are great at making things feel homey and put-together all at the same time
• love us unconditionally.  I'm sure we make it hard sometimes.  :-)
• are great at balancing a zillion projects at once
• are a wonderful example of what it means to be a great wife, mom, sister and daughter.
• are LOVED!

Excited to celebrate you tonight.

Love,

Shay 

The Power of Piles

Long ago in fourth grade, my cousin Anna introduced me to the Pile Method.  As a 10 year old, I didn't want to try on anything I saw in J.C. Penney's.  Anna, however, had just about everything possible in the girls' section INSIDE our one large dressing room.  I was dumbfounded.  Meanwhile, my Mom and Laura were pulling things for me to try on.  It's quite possible I already had the eye-roll down at this point.

When we got to the dressing room, I was overwhelmed.  Anna said, "It's easy, Shay!  You just make a Yes Pile, a No Pile and a Maybe Pile."  (You also have to imagine the lilt of her seven-year-old voice squeaking high on the first syllable of MAYbe.)

Let me tell you...that was the day it all changed in the dressing room.  (No pun intended.) 

Recently I ventured out of my usual Target shopping mode and went to the mall.  I was looking for some denim shorts that were much longer than the tiny 2-inch ones they feature in Tar-jay.  I needed a few more options.  When I got to the mall, I kept finding things I actually wanted to try on.  And of course, they brought me a few more shirts they "thought I might like."  Of course I did, thankyouverymuch. 

So here I am14 years later, still employing the yes-no-maybe pile system.  I'm telling you, it works like a charm.

This was my Maybe pile.

This was one part of my No pile.  All super-cute stuff that just didn't quite fit.

And this is my Yes pile.

Just kidding.

This is the rest of my No pile, after reevaluating my Maybes. :-)

And I did walk out of there with a pair of denim shorts. 

Imagine that.

So thanks, Anna, for teaching me to make piles and to take one thing at a time.  Who knew a seven-year-old could impart such wisdom??

Bike Rides and a Steak Dinner

source

Well the entire lower half of my body is rather sore from yesterday's 9 mile bike ride around the lake, but it was so worth it.  Spring in Dallas lasts only a few weeks, and I'm determined to enjoy it!  We checked out a "cruiser bike" for me yesterday afternoon--the kind with the tall handle bars that would look really great with a basket and a bell.  Adam & I rode around the entire lake, stopping at one of the bridges to spot 20 turtles popping up their heads, and baby ducks following their Mama, so small they could fit in the palm of your hand.  It was precious. 

{Yum.}

Then we came back and cooked out on the charcoal grill.  I don't know if I was exceptionally hungry, the charcoal made the steak even better, or if it was the grill master (I think I'll go with that one), but it was so good that I ate almost the entire steak.  That's sayin' something, for the girl who typically eats about half of every meal.  :-) 

Here's to Spring and to a weekend that's almost here, full of good friends visiting and fun adventures ahead!

ps.  Anna posted a blog about her cousin Troy and his song he wrote (about me and AMP).  Go read it.  It's sweet.

Weekend Letters

Dear Royal Wedding, I enjoyed watching you on Friday night while doing my nails.  To see a common girl become royalty is pretty fascinating, and I really liked Kate's bouquet.  It did bug me, though, that they kept making references to Charles and Diana's wedding day.  Does anyone remember how that worked out??  Just sayin'.  Dear AMP, you came and found me on Saturday afternoon in the most interesting get-up, including black socks and sandals.  Thanks for going to great lengths to make me laugh.  

Dear Girls' Night Out, you were much welcomed.  I'd be lying if I told you I wasn't more than a little sad about not having girl roomies after September 24.  I mean, it's not like I can wear Adam's necklaces and heels.  I'm thankful there will be plenty of opportunities for Fireside Pies and movie nights, still.  We will have to find a way to swap wardrobes on a regular basis.  Maybe we can build an underground tunnel?  King's Speech, you are the best movie I've seen in a very long time.  I'd watch it again in a heartbeat.  (And that's saying something.)   Sunday, who knew that May 1 would bring weather cold enough to welcome chili and cornbread for dinner?  It was a great ending to the weekend.  AMP, so excited we've booked our honeymoon to Hawaii.  Can't wait for beaches and Jeep adventures on the island!

A Song for Sister

Sister by TroyCartwright

Today my brother posted a new song he'd recorded called "Sister."  After listening, I texted him and asked if it was about any sister in particular.  :-)  He said, "The only one I've got!"  This is seriously the best gift he could've given.

And I'm pretty sure this is pretty true to how he feels ("I don't have my head around it yet"), because when we called to tell him our good news, all he could say was, "Wow.  I can't believe it."

I love how he writes, because it's not how "normal" people think.  My favorite parts are in bold.

So here it is...

I don't have my head around it yet

But I'm doing the best that I can

So hold her up, when she feels like sinking

In all you white, I just can't believe it

Sister, I hope when you shiver

He gives you his coat and hes holding you close

through the pain and sickness

the health and the rich-es

And its all so beautiful

I just don't know what I'm so anxious for

Cause you used to hold my hand

and help me to understand

taught me bout Jesus

and how to believe it

So hold her up, when she feels like sinking

In all you white, I just can't believe it

Sister, I hope when you shiver

He gives you his coat and hes holding you close

through the pain and sickness

the health and the rich-es

Or how deep you're in it

your loves gonna fix it

The thorniest thicket

has spaces within it

and thats where the love is

thats where the love is

And if you ever get to thinkin'

its not enough, believe me it is

Trust your brother on this one

Sister, I hope when you shiver

He gives you his coat and hes holding you close

through the pain and sickness

the health and the rich-es

Decisions, Decisions.

  

Yesterday, had you been a fly on the wall in Dillard's, you might have heard a conversation like this...

Shay:  Do you like this yellow dinner plate?  I can't imagine eating roast off a cream plate.  I think I would get bored, and it wouldn't taste as good.

Adam:  {Laughing}Sure, but I 'm pretty sure roast would taste good either way.

Shay: Ok, how big of a bowl do you think you'll need for cereal?

Adam: Um, I think I'll need about three bowls for all the cereal I eat.  Let's go with the big bowls.

Shay: True.  But can we register for Shay-sized bowls, too?  {There are smaller bowls and bigger bowls. Read: too many decisions.  We registered for both.}

Adam: Who knew that getting married meant we'd have these kinds of conversations?? 

 

In case you haven't noticed, Adam is incredibly patient with me.  {And I'm so grateful.}  I have about a two-hour window before I hit a wall when it comes to making wedding decisions.  This usually means that we either stop what we're doing and eat, or just stop all together.  

This is also the second department store we've registered in.  I couldn't find dishes I liked at Macy's or Bed, Bath & Beyond, so Adam was such a trooper, and we went and registered there instead.  {Again, grateful!}

I realize that there are much bigger and more important decisions to be made than dishes.  Someday, though, we will look back and laugh at that experience.  Yesterday we tried a new church and continued our search for a place to live after we're married.  Indeed, those are much bigger decisions.  I know we'll figure it all out, and we'll have a place to go each Sunday that's more our size, and a roof over our head.  But if dishes are the most challenging of our decisions we're making this weekend, I'm totally ok with that right now.  :-)