Granny's Funeral

Emily and her Grandma Sue and cousin Laura
The cousins

Tucker and his Grandma SueJake and his Great Aunt Betty

snow.........

We have had more snow this winter than any I can ever remember. We are expecting more tonight.............after we finally got shoveled out from the weekends. It is interesting how I along with the rest of this town hear any threat of snow and feel the need to head off to the grocery store as if we are going to be stranded for weeks with no food. I panic at the thought of no salsa or baking supplies or just plain milk in the house. The good thing about cold weather is I read more. I just finished "Chesapeake" by Michner.........a great long read. A friend gave it to me after we bought our place on the Chesapeake. You have to read it if you haven't. I am also reading a compilation of letters by the 17th century monk Brother Lawrence........It is so incredible......and inspiring. His faith in God is as it should be.......total trust and completely in love with the savior. Ok, off to the grocery store.

My Father

This is my Father looking at his sheep on his ranch in Texas........he is very funny........and crazy too.... he told me that there was a new neighborhood near him where "women walk dogs on leashes and men play golf...........what a waste of people's lives". He wanted to drive me through it because he felt I wouldn't believe how weird it is...........I told him I didn't need to drive through it, I live in it!!!!!!! It's called middle class America!!!

Reality

Here is the reality... at heart, I am not an East Coast girl. San Antonio fed my soul. The spanish style buildings, the food, the live oak trees, the 75 degree weather......all very unVirginia....and very me. We did not have one bad meal while we visited the River Walk........I am going to learn how to do a Texas Land and Cattle restaurant smoked sirloin if it kills me. Chris texted me to enjoy it while it lasted because reality was awaiting me in Charlottesville...........well, reality is a bit over rated!!!!! Still begging him to move to paradise...haven't convinced him yet!!

San Antonio

Am in S.A. for a conference for work.............flew in yesterday with my big coat and sweater....rented a car to drive to Austin to see family for dinner and a quick overnight before I had to get back to the conference..........had to shed the coat and sweater and turn on the A.C. in the car...........stopped at Target to buy sunglasses.............and then a place for BBQ..........today had AMAZING Mexican food and decided that the reason God has me living in Virginia is so I don't get too fat..........or too suntanned.............the food is SOOOOOOOOO much better here and the sun really is brighter year round....I could sure get used to that!!

Hook Em Horns

Jake had a stressful week. The Longhorns lost to Alabama and Colt McCoy was out with an injury in the first quarter. Jake cried and cried............all during the game. We had let him stay up and then just put him to bed third quarter. He was up at 6 am watching ESPN..........catching the highlights, the news on Colt...........with tears streaming down his face.........telling him "it's just a game" was unhelpful.....he was in pain over this thing.............what is it with boys and football??

Peace

I had a really restful break.........and entered the New Year feeling restful and centered. Then the ice picks of life and reality starting chipping away..........I have held strong.....and still feel good, but the truth is the feelings shouldn't count as much as my faith and what I know to be true. If I really believe God is in charge, I will trust him. I will trust him with my children who seem to be in 5000 different directions depending on the day......and 5000 moods too. I will trust him when I get on that plane next Sunday to go to San Antonio for a week........alone! I will trust him that Tucker will be ok going back to VMI and "resurrection week" and all the trauma that brings........I will trust him when Chris and I disagree........or my boss and I disagree..........or a kid at school is failing after so many interventions........I just read "The Prodigal God" by Tim Keller..........very good. We are attending a different church today..........new year new church??? We will see and will trust Him with that too......