An Impromptu Trip

We got word last Tuesday night that my grandfather wasn't doing well. Wednesday night we found out that he had been admitted to the ICU with a slew of problems. We decided to work it out to leave Thursday night to head up there and visit but not before a few things got done, including new brakes and an oil change for the car. Before any of that though, we woke up Thursday morning to this in our yard:

Our church's youth group is doing a fund raiser where you can "Flock" someone by sending this flock of flamingos to their yard. It is always fun and I have to give props to the youth that did our yard as it had been raining for days and the grass was REALLY long and thick. ;)

Next up I had a wedding cake to make and thankfully was able to deliver it early so we could head out of town late Thursday night. I have never made a wedding cake in 1 day before and I hope to never have to do it again! It did turn out lovely though...
We decided to stop half way and stayed in Wytheville, VA at a Marriott property (for the great bed) and got some quality sleep before getting up early Friday and heading off for the other 4 hours of the trip through WV.

Friday we had a nice visit with my grandfather and we were so glad to have been able to get up there and see him. He isn't doing well, Saturday we found out he has a staph infection, he did have a heart attack, and he has pneumonia. Not good for a 91 year old man. Thankfully they have things "under control" and since we got home he has been admitted to a nursing facility where he'll spend the next 3 weeks or so while he's recovering from everything. He is less than thrilled to be there, but he's gotta do what he's gotta do to get better.

While we were in town we got to see my cousin's sweet baby, Maggie (who is just a doll and changing so much each time we see her) and the rest of my family. My dad & step mom even came up Saturday to have lunch with us and my brother & his wife who came in to town late Friday night. It was unexpected to get to see all that family, but really fun since we don't get to see them very often. That afternoon we took Maggie out for a few pictures in a dress that was Jennifer's when she was a little girl. She was recovering from being sick and the weather was dreary, but I think we got some good shots anyway.

This last one was just too funny...mmm, sweet potatoes. ;0)

We appreciate your prayers for my grandfather's recovery, for the physicians and my family as they take care of him and for my grandmother who is lonely without him at home with her. Thanks!

A weekend with friends

This past weekend our dear friends Cory & Courtney came down for a visit along with their 2 kids...Addi is almost 4 and Gage will be 1 in June. They are friends from Norfolk who now live in Greenville, SC and while we only see them a few times a year, when we do get together it's like no time has lapsed. It was so great to get to spend some time with them. We didn't do anything special, just hang out. We did get in some Wii time in while the kids were sleeping.

Gage in his Johnny Jump Up - he loves this thing!Cory & Courtney - I love this picture!Playing tug of war with the cat toyMore tug of warThe clear winner...Addi - she's so photogenic!Addi wanted to do "cirque di sole" where she climbs up no Cory's back, then gets to a standing position while he gets up on his knees with no hands or help - very impressive!Taking their much deserved bow - "tank" you very much, she said...to cute!Flip time! Daddy & his boyWhere Martin spends his weekends when little ones are in the house...

Sunday we decided to head out to Church of the Redeemer where our friend Ewan (who was our pastor in Norfolk - he was the one who led us through our pre-marital counseling) is now the head pastor. Despite the downpour of rain, we made it on time and after getting Gage settled in the nursery, we decided sit in the row behind Ewan. It was pretty funny when at one point he turned around and there was a row of Norfolk people sitting behind him. ;0) Halfway through the service, it started to snow really hard. After the service we collected the kids and visited with Ewan & Heather a bit before Cory & Court decided to go ahead and head out early.

We had planned to eat out, so we decided to head to Fuddruckers with the Kennedy family as well as a few couples from their church. While we wanted for them to wrap up their Sunday morning duties, David & their 3 boys (Calvin, their oldest son who is now 12 was our ring bearer - how time flies!) got into a major snowball fight. They were all wet before we piled into the cars to head over to the restaurant. It was so nice to get to visit with them. They've been here for just over a year and we haven't had nearly enough time to get together. One thing I can say is how comfortable it is to be with them. I think part of it is that Ewan knows David & I individually & as a couple, he's probably the only person on this planet who knows us so well. It was such an enjoyable time. It's been a long time since we heard Ewan preach and spending time with them and chatting & catching up with Heather was just awesome. It was a fantastic weekend!

Our annual Church Retreat

February 20-22, 2008 we headed up to Rome, GA for our annual church retreat. It is always alot of fun and relaxing with lots of bonding time with our church family. David & I always splurge on the nice King Size suites up at the Winshape Retreat Center where we enjoy good quality sleep so we don't come home exhausted - which is always nice. ;0)

My leg had been bothering me so I chilled most of the weekend and enjoyed lots of girly time with some of the ladies I don't know so well at church. After hanging out with them, I am looking forward to more of that in the days to come! I also got to spend alot of time chatting with Leigh-Ann (she is the wife in the couple that lived with us 2 summers ago) which was also really nice. It was great to catch up without the husbands.

David spent most of his time playing sports with the guys and youth and did the rock climbing wall on Saturday afternoon. Since I was in full gab mode at that point I didn't venture over to watch, but from what I heard everyone had a great time. Saturday night a full on game of Bunco ensued led by Leigh-Ann & Anthony...I took pictures of all the fun. Here's just a few highlights for you to enjoy from the weekend.

Family Worship TimeLydia CrabbJim, our fearless leader?...maybe

our Friend & Pastor...definitelyMy friend Elizabeth (and Jim's wife ;0) - I love this picture of her!Leigh-Ann & IDavid playing Bunco

The theme of the weekend was Faith, Hope & Love. Our speaker was Mark Taylor and he did a great job of teaching us about our relationships, both with the Lord & each other. On Saturday he gave us a chart with 5 circles similar to this one I (very roughly) recreated:

We were to categorize our relationships from people we had connected with over the last week or so into the appropriate circle. The outer circle was for strangers, and moving towards the center: acquaintances, friendship, personal & finally intimate in the center. After we had completed that portion, he posed this question: "Would the people on your chart put you into the same categories?" That was easy to answer for the most part, but there were several friends that I had to carefully examine.

Last week was particularly difficult as I struggled through this task. I have consistently been classified by my friends as giving and caring. I try to be a good friend and I carefully (probably more so than I actually should) select those I welcome into my personal circle. I have been burned alot over my lifetime by broken trust, so it takes me a while to move a friendship into a more personal realm. I hate to say it like this, but I start with small things and work my way up testing to make sure I can trust them. It can take a long time for someone to move into my "inner circle". What pains me is when someone moves out, often without my knowing, into an "outer circle". It is really hard for me to see relationships change that I long to keep. I can see the friendship slipping away and the distance growing, but I'm helpless to stop it. The coffin was closed on one such relationship last week and I had a hard time letting go. I don't begrudge someone the opportunity to move on, but it doesn't make it any less difficult when they choose to go and you have to let them.

So that was me last week. I'm still working through the hurt and disappointment, but it will pass as time goes on.