Vacation Part Forty Eleven - But Wait There's More

The weather cleared up on our second trip to the beach. But the waves were roaring in. I am tellin ya, there is nothing like a babysitter called "The Ocean"

If I could, I would hire her everyday and pay her forty-eleven dollars an hour. She entertains, gives exercise, exfoliates, and bathes my children. What more could a woman ask for?

Oh yes, and at any minute she could kill my spawn. so basically, she is as close to their mother's personality as possible,

Kinda. But where oh where has my Baby Twerp gone?

Oh where oh where can he be?

8,421 feet from the spray of any ocean mist.... and doing what Baby Twerp does best....

His own thang. But look at the leader he is --Soon all the cool kids were doing it. Cause that is the kinda influencer he is and all.

Amen.

That Ain't Apple Juice

I am now a frequent visitor to the airport parking garage. They know me. I know them. We are pals, amigos, friends, family, comrades, peeps, homeys.....you get the pic. Anyhoo, I have bonded. Raphael is the crossing guard that blows his whistle. Clarence is the security guard that always says... "Places to go today huh Honey?" And Shauna is the TAS person whose line I try to get into. Most try to avoid her line - but not me. I gotta make her smile. And it ain't happened yet -- but I am tellin ya I WILL CRACK HER!

Anyhoo, I think I have seen about everything -- fender benders, late flights, late people, international travelers, cowboys, homeless, soldiers, -- you name it, I have experienced it.

But this week when I pulled into my parking spot and got out -- I saw something I have never seen before -- and someone from a more cultured background might not have fully understood the complete picture of what I saw BUT being the Country Girl that I am, it took me no time at all to use my deductive reasoning skills as to what had occurred in my parking spot only hours before my arrival. And all I am sayin is....that ain't apple juice.

Amen.

Vacation Part 2: The Dolphin Boogaloo

Day 2 of wet and raining beach vacation we decided to go for a little dolphin watch. And I prayed to the dolphin gods before we ever left for a sighting. Or even something that could pass as a sighting.

I got down on my knees and ensued in a series of clicks as a sacrifice to the dolphin gods. Cause if these little twerps didn't see a dolphin, there was gonna be some wailing and gnashing of teeth. And the ocean - even with all its fury - could not be prepared for such an onslaught of cries.
Twenty minutes into the adventure -- nothing. I am talking not even a turtle or something. And I began to look like this. (Please excuse the hair -- it was raining. And it is vaca.)Then ET screamed out DOLPHIN!And Lordy Be, I kid you not forty eleven of those little mammals encircled round us. And there was a MOMMA and her BABY! In which I was ooohing and ahhhing and lactating over. So I did not get a pic. So sorry.

But I went home that night and swore I would name my next born child Flipper -- as a thanks to the dolphin gods and all. Amen.

Vaca Day 1: I Laugh In the Face of Rain

The first day of vaca brought forth rain. And I said Rain Schmain. I laugh in the face of rain. Kinda. I mean I am still gonna use my umbrella to protect my camera and all. Amen.But I do realize how crazy we looked. I think it is official that we are at the stage in life in which we do not care what we look like....What do you think? Seriously, this made me laugh so hard I wet my pants. But then I just went in to the ocean so no one noticed. But the whole series of events reminded me of this.....And you can only imagine how Baby Twerp responded to the rain. Oh Lord have mercy on my soul. He is sugar. He will melt.

But this one?

And this one? The could care less. It is vaca...and you only live once.
But as you know, gray skies are gonna clear up...and someone put on a happy face.
Cause you see we are the kind of family that takes things in stride.

We just take it as it comes, usually. Until Day 2 came. Oh Lord and Heaven Help Us!

IJ's BFF

Have you ever met someone in this world that brings life into the room as soon as they enter? That throws themselves into everything whole-heartedly? That doesn't believe in themselves nearly as much as they believe in others? But desires to change the face of injustice by sacrificing? I have. His name is Steve.

Steve and Indiana Jones are BFFs. Steve still lives in Oklahoma, but recently embarked upon a journey to change others. Cause Steve brings to front and center that life is about one thing: OTHERS. And he changed OTHERS by sacrificing two weeks of his life on a mission trip to Scotland. Steve brings humor to everything.... He recently wrote on his blog about his experience of youth coming together on a Wednesday night to worship. Listen and see Steve's heart: What greatly impressed me was I thought we would have to pump them up but they came ready to sing and you could tell they were worshipping with their hearts. It was awesome. The missionary, John Blair mainly wanted us to just hang with them and "be real." Well with me he got more than he bargained for as this video shows - a combination of jet lag and the fiddler got to me.

There you have him. At his best. Bring life and laughter to others. Steve, you make the world better. You and Judy are a blessing. We miss you. Thanks for believing in others. You inspire.

ET Goes To Middle School

For the love of sweet Jesus. Sunrise, Sunset has been our theme song this week. Eldest Twerp graduated elementary school. And this is the last graduation I can handle.She looks so grown up and precious.And her teacher this year was a God send. A GOD SEND. Especially after her rough start in her new school in her new town in her new county in her new state in her new time zone. Amen.

And look -- her new friends.

Oh how sweet the friends are. After the graduation, we they celebrated with a balloon release. I was all like WHAT A GREAT IDEA! But I would have had them pink and with glitter.But to each their own.

I am so proud of this girl. With all the moves...
and transitions....

and challenges...She had not only endures, but thrives. She is an inspiration.