Spring

Happy Easter!!!

It has been a very long and hard winter in Virginia, well really the whole country. Easter is normally cold and rainy here, not at all like the Easters I remember from my childhood. But, this week has been incredibly warm and sunny. This morning as I sit on my porch the tulips have finally joined the daffodils as if on Easter cue. The grass has that fresh green Easter look and the birds and air are teeming with life. I love it!!! I do NOT want to go to church tomorrow........isn't that sad? I find church depressing, not "life giving".............I would rather sit up on top of Afton Mountain at sunrise with my family and sing and read scripture. We did that last year and Emily says that is her best Easter ever.................We will go to church. I find that I still have a very strong faith.........I just don't practice it very well. I live so much in the flesh..........fear, anxiety, almost in a triage sort of way...........reacting to everything as it comes. I have started listening to Beth Moore online at Life Today every morning and then to Paige Benton Brown's four talks at: http://www.2pc.org/resources/audio/?page=4
She is the best and most amazing speaker................believe me!!
What they have to say is truth, but in the midst of my everyday life and work, I have to really change my thinking and attitude. We will all be together tomorrow.............Monday I take Tucker back to VMI after having him here for just 2 nights.........and then we have the rest of the week off for Spring Break. I signed Jake up for civility school on Tuesday...........manners camp....he is in dire need. We will have several college visits for Miss Em who is ready to fly the nest............as a Junior I have to say, I am not even close to being ready for that girl to leave me....who is really having to grow up..............my kids or me????

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!!