So Happy Together

How is everyone on this spectacular Monday morning afternoon? I hope your weather is as lovely as ours. How can anyone not love autumn? 

Remember when I said August was busy around here? Well October is coming in a close second with grandchildren in the house, my niece's wedding with lots of out of town family here to celebrate, my momma staying on for a couple of weeks after, hubs trekking to South Dakota for a pheasant hunt and just so many everyday life happenings on the calendar. Whew. 

I guess life slowing down is an illusion and we're okay with that. I mean sometimes we want a nap but really we're okay with full. 

cousin crew

So...a week and two days ago my niece tied the knot with her favorite guy and y'all...all of my children and all of my in-law children and all of my siblings and my momma were here for it. I can't remember the last time all of my siblings were together. 

I want to say it was Christmas of 2017 which doesn't sound right but photos do not lie. We have been together in various combinations of two or three, but all of us plus my mom in the same place at the same time? It's been a good long while.   

Friday night hubs and I met my brother and younger sister and their spouses for dinner downtown. There was a huge and well attended festival happening in the small big city this same weekend so it was a little bit nuts trying to get ourselves parked, but we did it and we ate in a restaurant we hadn't tried before so that was fun. 

Afterwards we walked around some before meeting up with the rehearsal dinner crew, which included both of my girls and both of their husbands. This weekend was the first time my sons in law had met in person, which seems crazy and in any other decade would have been, but connecting in the 2020's has not been simple. 

The wedding was Saturday evening and the venue was gorgeous. Tucked away out of the downtown area, but not too far out of the downtown area, with a view of the mountains and a secret garden vibe, these two cuties said I Do. 

The weather was fabulous the entire day and the entire night except for the thirty minute ceremony slot where the skies opened up just a little. Nothing terrible although our hair might say otherwise, but on the literal bright side-

Not every bride gets a rainbow on her wedding day. 

Sunday morning Daughter1 headed to her in-laws to collect her boys and bring them to the hotel so they could meet what I'm sure felt like everyone in the universe. It was so much fun. 

I loved watching them soak up all the love a big loud funny family brings to the table, and it just made my heart want to burst. My own girls have so enjoyed and benefited from having lots of aunts and uncles in their lives who support and love them more than words can say and these little boys are the next generation to be scooped up into that embrace. So precious and such a gift, one I don't take for granted. 

My younger sister, her husband, and my nephew had a later flight out that evening so we had brunch with them downtown then they drove out to the lake and my nephew went swimming with our pup. Yes it's mid-October, but it was plenty warm and the water even warmer and he was a happy camper. 

So was my nephew-ha! 

My mom isn't flying home for another week or so and my older sister (aka mother of the bride) and I have been sharing time with her. My sister lives about an hour from me so there's some back and forth in terms of miles but we've made it work and it's been nice to have this relaxed time with my mom. 

Hubs has gone on the hunt for birds of the pheasant variety way out west so it's just us girls for a few days. We're working puzzles, playing cards, and soaking up the glorious weather all from the cozy comfort of my porches.  

I was reminded this weekend of how very much we need our people. Not just on facetime or via text, but in person, beside us on the couch, eating at our dinner tables, giggling over something funny or talking over some bit of everyday ordinary life because those things are more easily shared when you're skin to skin as opposed to screen to screen. 

We are made for being together. 

Thursday Thirteen. Ish.

What does one do when one feels like blogging, but doesn't have much to say? They blog anyway. And a list is always a good idea, especially on a Thursday.

Here's my thirteen somethings-

1. I've been browsing through my collection of scanned photographs for a little project here, and came across the absolute sweetest picture of my girlies when they were oh so small. I started to post it here, as a #hashtagthrowbackthursday #bestillmyheart, but they're in tiny swim suits and I started imagining the creepy crawlies all around the Internet and decided against it. Do you think about the creepy crawlies when you post pics online?

2.  I did find another swim related pic I can post, taken during this very same week in March, 2008-

Daughter2 and one of her best buds at a high school swim meet.

In Cairo.

I know! I love this last one...not a shot you see every day, and perhaps not what you imagine when you think Egyptian pyramids, but real life.

Pizza Hut and history.
High school swimmers need both.

6. Anyone notice what I did there? Totally legit.
Also, 2008 feels like a long time ago.

7.  Hubs is working from home today which is nice. A couple of weeks I ago I tagged along to NC with him, a quick couple of days on the tail end of our long weekend with friends. I met a blog friend for lunch one day, which was really fun. (Odom Party of Five) I think we started blogging about the same time, and we're both moms of adult daughters. So great to meet in person.

8. Here's a tip for making your Thursday more super than your Tuesday...steer clear of the news and social media. Other than my blog of course. You're safe reading here.

9.  I'm re-reading My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers this year, and every morning I remember how much I love this book. I bought the journal version since my copy is in storage and I like to journal in the morning. It's been in print since the early 30's, but is still relevant, convicting, and filled with wisdom for daily living in 2016.

10. What in the world am I making for dinner tonite???

11.  Tomorrow my son-in-law celebrates a birthday so whoohoo! I know my daughter will make him feel special and adored because he is. And she knows peanut butter is his love language so I'm sure she'll find a way to serve up some peanut butter in the form of cookies, cake, pie, or ice cream.

12.  This picture was taken the first time we met, August 2013. We spent the day in Annapolis and insisted the Army boy have his photo snapped in front of the Naval Academy. He agreed but under duress.

13. Also, it was the hottest day of the century and we were literally melting.  Well maybe not literally, but close to it.  My son-in-law is a good sport, and we capped off the day with a crab feast at our favorite spot-Cantlers.

Happy birthday dear Dr. Captain! I'm so glad you're family now, and I appreciate so very much the gentle love and care you show my girl. Your girl. Our girl.

 May the year ahead be filled with good health, lots of love, and all the joy your heart can hold.

As Time Goes By

A lot of life is contained within a single year.

Joy and sorrow. Boredom and adventure. Routine and surprise. Change.

One year ago today we watched our first born baby girl become a wife.

She took the hand of the boy she loves and promised to cherish him forever and ever amen.

He promised the same right back and set her like a seal upon his heart.

Surrounded, buoyed, loved beyond measure by family and friends, they stepped confidently into the future as husband and wife.

They moved to the far off land of Washington and made a house a home.

They have loved well.

Happy First Anniversary to the Dr. Captain and his Mrs!

May your love grow deeper, wider, and more wonderful with every passing year.

How Do You Solve A Problem Like The Hodgepodge?

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge...so glad you've stopped by this side of the pond! I will ask that you please link only if you've answered today's questions. Much as I want to help you promote your blog, that's not what The Wednesday Hodgepodge is about. Thank you for understanding! Also if you do participate, please add a link back here somewhere in your post, because that's what good neighbors do. 

It's possible winter is making me a little cranky. 

Let's get started-

1. 'In like a lion, out like a lamb'...does the first part of this saying about March weather ring true where you live?

We had approximately five inches of snow fall on March 1st, snow and freezing rain most of the day Tuesday, and still more snow in the forecast for Thursday, so yeah she's a roarin'!

2. March 4th is National Grammar Day. What common grammatical error bothers you the most?

Just one? The whole your and you're thing really gets under my skin, I think more so than the whole there-they're-their confusion. 

3. William Arthur Ward says, 'The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts his sails.' Which one are you?

I'm the one telling everyone in the boat with me to be patient, give it time... the wind will change. When adjusting the sails becomes unavoidable, I'll happily adjust the sails, it's just not my first inclination.

4. What's something you need to 'march forth and conquer' this month?

Our house is officially on the market. If you've ever sold a house you know keeping it market-ready is a full time job. 

5. An ongoing debate around here...do you dust first, then vacuum or vacuum first, then dust? Of the two routine household chores, which do you dislike the least? How's that for wording?

I say dust then vacuum but hubs prefers to vacuum then dust. He feels like vacuuming stirs up the dust, but I say dusting after you vacuum just creates more dust to be vacuumed. You might have to read that twice.

If we're tag teaming the chores, I dust and hubs vacuums. Vacuuming is more satisfying overall, because it lasts longer. Dust seems to reappear as soon as I put the cloth away.

6. According to thrilllist.com, the ten most photographed sites in the U.S.A. are- Cinderella's Castle in Orlando, Southernmost House in Key West Florida, The Space Needle in Seattle, The Site of the Boston Massacre in Boston, The Bellagio Lake/fountains in Las Vegas, The Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC, Coit Tower in San Fransisco, The Art Institute of Chicago, Niagara Falls, and snagging the number one spot-The Guggenheim Museum in New York City. 

How many on this list have you photographed? Which on the list would you most like to visit and photograph?

I've been to six of the ten, and since my daughter is conveniently living in the PNW now, I'm excited to see The Space Needle later this year. I've never been to Las Vegas or Niagara Falls, and I'd never heard of the Coit Tower until I saw this list. 

The one I most want to see is Niagara Falls. I know it's a tourist trap, but I'd still like to see it in person. I wouldn't say no to a trip to Cinderella's Castle either. 

7. Fifty years ago Monday (March 2, 1965) The Sound of Music premiered at the Rivoli Theatre in NYC. Have you seen the film? Do you own a copy? On a scale of 1-10 how much do you love it (or not)? Ten=best movie ever. If you're a fan, what's your favorite scene or song from the movie?

I'm a definite 11, and yes we own a copy. The Sound of Music is my all time favorite movie, one that never gets old for me. It's awfully hard to pick a favorite song or scene. My girls used to love to recreate the 'clock' song, and we have that on video. Too cute for words. 

I think in the movie though, my favorite scene is the one where Christopher Plummer sings Edelweiss knowing in a few hours he's leaving his beloved homeland for good. So heart wrenching. Plus hubs used to sing that song as a lullaby to the girls when they were small, so its extra special in my mind.  

If you're ever in Salzburg take the Sound of Music tour. So much fun!! You see a lot of the sites used in filming the movie, and the city is so perfectly charming.  

'There's a family in Salzburg...' We might have uttered that line no less than 100x during our visit there. And if you don't know where that line originated I feel sorry for you. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

My son-in-law celebrates a birthday today so whoohoo! When I say celebrate I mean he'll work an exceedingly long day, because that's how life rolls just now. At the end of it all though, he gets to come home to his adorable wife and I know she'll spoil him good.

Happy birthday Dr. Captain...may all your dreams come true!