Just Breathe

The first time I came across this song, I played it over and over and over.

It's a lot to read, but I'm posting the lyrics anyway. Click here for the YouTube video.

Just Breathe by Pearl Jam

Yes I understand that every life must end, aw huh,.. 

As we sit alone, I know someday we must go, aw huh,.. 
I’m a lucky man to count on both hands 
The ones I love,.. 

Some folks just have one, 
Others they got none, aw huh,.. 

Stay with me,.. 
Let’s just breathe. 

Practiced are my sins, 
Never gonna let me win, aw huh,.. 
Under everything, just another human being, aw huh,.. 
Yeh, I don’t wanna hurt, there’s so much in this world 
To make me bleed. 

Stay with me,.. 
You’re all I see. 

Did I say that I need you? 
Did I say that I want you? 
Oh, if I didn’t now I’m a fool you see,.. 
No one knows this more than me. 
As I come clean. 

I wonder everyday 
as I look upon your face, aw huh,.. 
Everything you gave 
And nothing you would take, aw huh,.. 
Nothing you would take,.. 
Everything you gave. 

Did I say that I need you? 
Oh, Did I say that I want you? 
Oh, if I didn’t now I’m a fool you see,.. 
No one know this more than me. 
As I come clean. 

Nothing you would take,.. 
everything you gave. 
Hold me till I die,.. 
Meet you on the other side.

Someone that I love said it best, "things work better when I'm transparent."  I'm working hard to come clean about EVERYTHING.  With myself, with my family, with me friends, in my prayers.  Everything.  

This song made me realize that I really don't understand a lot about what happens during this life, but I'm glad that this isn't it.  My story doesn't end here.  One day, I'll be standing in God's presence.  That is the end of my story.  Joy and peace.

Lunch Date

A friend stopped by my house the other day while Burl and I were having lunch.  He was being playful and we were having fun goofing off with him.  

During lunch, she grabbed my camera and snapped a few pictures for me.  Thanks...

Danimal

Danimal has been living with John and me off and on for the past few years.  Even though I have to sweep more often, constantly wipe off sticky hand prints, and do more dishes, I love having him around.  John loves it too...in fact, if Daniel fails to show up, John asks me to text him to find out where he is.  Needless to say, he's a lot of fun.

I can't really pinpoint a good funny story...I can think of funny times: falling off the couch laughing at Paul Foot's stand-up comedy routine about "Baby on Board" signs...scaring each other with ridiculous masks...John and Daniel trying to get me to watch TV when I was reading the Twilight series...it has been all fun.

But, it's been stupid too.  Like the time Daniel left the front door OPEN (not unlocked) on one of the coldest nights of the year, then doing the same thing on one of the hottest days of the year.  Or the time Daniel caught a kitchen towel on fire (ok, I've done that one too).  Or the time Daniel locked himself upstairs.  If we are keeping score though, I have to come clean that I hold the record.  Daniel and I went to Dayton for a quick trip.  I was driving, and he took me the back way-a two lane highway.  It was pretty cool, until we came upon a slow car.  When I had the opportunity, I passed them...in the other lane...with oncoming traffic.  I was determined to pass them and impress Danimal with my mad driving skills.  Oh, I was mad alright.  Mad crazy.  I almost killed us.  I have never seen Daniel as terrified as that.  I think he soiled his pants.  JK.

With all the funny stuff and all the stupid stuff, nothing compares to watching Daniel be a great uncle to Baby Burl.  He's fun with him, he goofs off with him, he's safe with him (believe or not), and he tells him all the time, "I love you Burly Bear."

Crazy uncle Nanul.

Broseph

My brother, Joseph, comes home next week.  He's been teaching overseas for the past year and hasn't met Burl yet.  I can't wait to introduce the two!!!

Joseph is a lot like me different than me.  He takes risks and has fun wherever he goes.  These are things that he has done that I won't:

buy a motorcycle

sing karaoke

move to another country for a year

sky dive

rock climb for HOURS

leave his bed unmade 

win races-and set course records

I'm sure that I've missed a few things.  I promise, he'll add to the list and they will make me laugh out loud.

Funny story (get a snack, I'm getting long-winded): For some reason, we were given two tickets to a hockey game in Atlanta.  I was 18 and he was 16.  We went down there in my car and got lost in downtown Atlanta.  As we were driving around looking for the arena, we got a flat and had to pull over in the darkest, sketchiest abandoned lot.  Neither of us knew what to do.  We called home and realized that we needed to put on the spare, then go buy a new tire to take us home.  While on the phone, working all this out, an old truck pulls up behind us and out steps a what-might-as-well-been-a serial killer.  He walks up to my brother's side and taps on the window and we panic.  With the doors locked, we roll down the window a good two inches and tell the man our dilemma.  He told us to the pop the trunk so he could get to the spare.  He changed our tire while we stayed in the car.  Hand on the phone ready to dial 911.  Doors locked.  Windows foggy from our heat on that cold and rainy night.  We were not stepping out of that car.  No way.  He sent us on our way with directions to a gas station for a new tire and I remember watching and making sure that he didn't follow us.  We got to the gas station and I remember buying my first pack of cigarettes and we smoked one.  We didn't know what we were doing, but I remember sitting by the tanks smoking them and flicking them on the ground.  By the tanks.  At the gas station.  Real smooth.

Can't wait for Broseph.  Danimal, your post is next.

A Reader's Blog

I came across this blog that is about a gal's goal to read a book a week for 2010.  To quote her, "think Julie and Julia, substituting books for recipes."  Love it.  Want to do it. 

Reminded me of a memory...

When I was younger, my dad heard about a boy who grew up in poverty and became a successful surgeon.  I don't remember much of his story, but I remember that his mother made him read a book every week and write a one page report on the book.

For a few summers, my dad made us a summer deal:  read one book a week and at the end of the summer, we go to Six Flags.  At the time, that was a huge deal, because I hated reading.  

But, I did it each time.  We all did and I don't know which I loved more-Six Flags or that feeling of accomplishment.  

And look at me now?  I'm not a surgeon, but I'm a scientist.  Not really, but I like to invent things like, fun, for example.

Slowing to Savor

Slowing to Savor...a phrase that I heard at church yesterday and I love it.  I'll be working it into all my conversations for the next few weeks.

What was one of the things that I heard so much before I had Burl "it goes so fast"-and I didn't understand until Burl was here.  Now that he's here, I understand that life is happening at an accelerated speed.

Burl, slow down.  I'm not getting all of this.  You've gone from Newborn to Baby in the past few weeks.  You were just holding your head up and looking up during tummy time and making eye contact.

Now, you are:

rolling over

blowing bubbles

grunting

eating anything I give you

putting everything in your mouth

reaching AND grabbing

responding to smiles

looking for us

watching us

sitting up with one hand (!!!)

spinning around

looking towards the door when we get your from your nap

You are so aware and so alert and it's so cool to watch.

Last week, I found you in your crib.  You had grabbed the pillow and pulled it to your face and were holding it above you pulling it to and from your mouth...and your feet were propped up.

...And then you saw me taking pictures and you cheesed it up for the camera.  That a boy, Buddy.

The Ardent Sparrow

If you know me, then you know that I'm not a huge jewelry person.  But, I really starting to love some stuff that I'm seeing out there.  Including this adorable girl, The Ardent Sparrow.

Her stuff is great because it's:

1. Handmade

2. One of a kind

3. Pastel

4. Extremely Inexpensive

5. Purely Lovely

Here are my favorites:

I can't remember the last time that I wore a necklace, much less bought one, but I am seriously considering buying the air balloon one.

Cool Colors

The beach has The. Best. Colors.  Agree?  Oh my gosh, I just look everywhere and think that I have to paint a room that color.  If you've seen my house, then you know that I've done that.  Down to the color of sand.  

With our new camera, I LOVE how wonderful my pictures are.  Here you go the best of the best:

Here is the new normal.  I never thought that I would know the day where I would love cloudy days and a good umbrella.  But, it was all worth it to introduce Burl to my favorite place, the beach.

Beach 2,000 and 10

We got back from 5 days at the beach.  Just the three of us rented a condo right on the beach in Fort Walton.  It was great.  The weather was all over the place: storms, overcast, sunny, and overall perfect.  I am usually a sun or nothing girl, but I loved the variety this time.  

Vacationing is a little bit different for me now.  Now that I stay at home and hang out with Burl, everyday feels like a vacation.  

When we went to Ft Walton, I wasn't taking a break FROM anything.  Instead, I was taking a break FOR something:

1. time with John

2. John to have time with Burl

3. my family to make memories 

4. time at the beach...the beach is one of those places for me where I completely relax and have fun and feel totally at peace

Being our first trip to the beach, I wanted to get those super cool shots of John, Burl and me on the beach.  The lighting was great.  The colors were awesome.  But, I can only do so much with a self-timer, crazy wind that blows my hair in all the wrong directions and a baby who doesn't know to look at the camera and loves to grab my earrings and get his hands stuck in my hair.  Check some out:

 

Come back tomorrow for the "perfect" pictures and to see how Burl does the beach!