On the Last Day of May, A Little More Grey

Today is the last day of May, and I have worn at least a little grey, every single day this month:
 
My shoes, my clothes, my nail polish,  my grey bracelet; I have kept it on me, and I have constantly thought of her.

Thank you all who wore grey and have thought of her this month too. The 8th will forever touch my heart.  Thank you too for all of your messages of love and support over this last month.  This morning I got a message from Marci saying that she is in grey today too, all the way in South Africa, and that she is thinking of Missy.  I am just constantly moved beyond words by the outpouring of love I find within this community.

 Tonight is our local Relay for Life.  Mary, Nick's ex-step mom and a beloved family friend, has been raising money and is taking part in the relay.  She is dedicating her relay to her own sister, who she lost 19 years ago, and to our Sweet Melissa.  She has made luminary bags and lights in their honor.

Thank you Mary, for including my sweet sister.  It means more than words can say.

So as we close out May, I miss my sister.  But I am constantly grateful for all the love and support that surrounds her memory, and our entire family.

Thank you.

A Camera's Help with Focusing on the Good

I have a lot of thoughts rolling around in my head.  Mainly about Missy and grief, heaven and the meaning of life.  You know.. the little things.  Henry is talking about Missy so much, and asking so many questions.  I embrace his questions, I  really try to.  But I wish I knew the answers, or I wish I didn't feel like I was making up the answers as I go.  I wish he didn't have to try to grasp things as big as death and loss and heaven at the age of four, because I am struggling like hell to understand them at 33.  And I want to write about it, but I can't quite formulate them into a post.  Right now the thoughts are too abstract.  Or the grief is just a little too strong today.  Maybe I will write it out someday soon, or maybe this post, that simply says I am struggling, will be enough to calm my head and my heart, and possibly ease my grief.

So along with that thought, today I will just give you some pictures from the last few days. I have taken some good ones.  And looking at them helps me to remember how many good things are happening right now, even when I am missing her so very much.



My boys, relaxing and playing the Wii U before bed

First day at the pool this summer.

Cousins

The girls

fuzzy head :)

Henry with his Aunt Boo, Uncle Chris and Cici

Cici with her Uncle Nick

Cousins again, just because they make me smile


A brave boy at the dentist this morning.  No tears, no cavities!

Enjoying every last drop...

Henry with his Papa and Mawmaw in South Carolina

Me and my boy

Life...it's pretty alright

I am glad I have been using my camera recently, because today these pictures are helping me to remember that.

 

2nd Annual Memorial Day Weekend Outdoor Adventure

Kind of a long title, but it felt worth mentioning that for two years running we have gone out into nature during Memorial Day Weekend! I mean... pretty much the rest of the year we stayed safely locked within city limits, but this one weekend a year we have repeatedly gone into the great wilderness! And, don't hold me to this or anything, but I REALLY think we will be in nature even more than one weekend this summer! We... wait for it... went shopping for camping equipment this weekend!

 I KNOW.

WHO ARE WE.

But Nick's mom and step dad really want to do a family camping trip, and I'll be damned, I am actually getting kinda excited about it. I LOVED camping with my family when I was little, and the idea of having that tradition with Henry is something I am looking forward to.  So, WATCH OUT WILDERNESS.  HERE WE COME! 

(wilderness with a bathroom and running water... we aren't savages)

This post has taken a turn for the rambling.  Let's get back on track.

We went hiking this weekend!  Want to see pictures?


We went to Raven Run, which is a place I have never been, even though it is like, twenty minutes from where we live...

Sometimes I forget how pretty Kentucky is. It's like you just get used to it, and then one day you look around and are like "Wow... I actually like here. and it is gorgeous."

It was actually Andy's idea to get out into nature this weekend, so we owe him a thanks for not letting the annual tradition die on it's second year
 
I mean, if he hadn't asked us to go, we would have missed the giant rock that looks like a foot.  NOBODY should have to miss that.

But even MORE important than the foot, we would have missed a great time with each other... (awww)

Henry and Andy, just hanging out
 
Henry did amazing, and did the majority of his own walking. I would say he walked two miles of the two and a half mile hike. Which is pretty impressive!

but that did mean we spent about a half mile carrying him around like a sack of potatoes... which he found extremely enjoyable

 
but even that half mile of carrying was worth our final destination (or, I guess the half way point of the hike, since we had to head back)
 
Totally worth it
 
So.. it was nice to meet you, Raven Run. We will be back. Hopefully in less than a year.

 

Summer Reading Suggestions!

Well I am back!

The travel yesterday was exhausting, but fine. I didn't realize it was a holiday weekend until like, five hours into the trip and I was just SO CONFUSED as to why so many people are flying on a Thursday. It was PACKED. But I made it home, I am so happy to see my boys, and all is well.

But that is not the point of this post.  The point of this post is to tell you about the amazing books I have been reading!  I haven't really read at all this year.  I guess between classes and Missy and life I just couldn't.  But a few weeks ago I sent out a message to my book review friend , Kate, asking for some recommendations, and man... she hooked me up.  Clearly her and I have the same reading interests because I swear, every book she told me to read I have adored. And I want to pass along these gems of books to you all because... well... that's what I do.  I share things I love with you so you can read them and tell me you love them too.  Then we can talk about these characters like they are real people and it wont be strange AT ALL.

So, I am calling this post my summer reading suggestions list.  I will come back and add to it over the next few months (if anybody cares).  For now it has four books on it, and they are all most definitely worth checking out!

SUMMER READING SUGGESTIONS

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell: This is the first of two books by Rainbow Rowell on the list, and I find it highly likely that as the summer continues, everything she has written will be added.  There is something about her writing style that just speaks to me.  It reads so natural, and you completely fall in love with her characters.  Don't be fooled by this book being listed at Young Adult or by the simple cover.  It is a fast read, but the story is amazing. 

The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay- I basically read this entire book yesterday. And it is not a light read.  But I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN.  Even once I got home, and the boys were asleep, I stayed up an extra two hours to finish it.  Once again it's a Young Adult book, but the subject is anything but juvenile.  It is heart wrenching and amazing.  The main characters are written so well you feel like you know them.  And love them. And just want to help them.  The story is dark at parts, but in the same vein as Language of Flowers, is worth it's dark side.  And this book pulls off something that few can do, it absolutely grabs you up until the final page.  And when you close the book, you will have chills.  (at least I did). Read it.

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell: I adored this book.  And in some ways, that may be because it reminded me so much of me and Whitney. If you have ever had a friend who makes you laugh (really hard) mostly in the form of emails/IM/texting then you might see yourself in it as well.  The story is about a guy who is hired to police the inner office email at a newspaper, and the two best friends who email back and forth throughout the day.  The story is sweet and heartfelt and definitely worth reading.

Measure of Love (And Life from Scratch) by Mellisa Ford: These are written by Mel from Stirrup Queens, who has become a dear friend over the years.  I adored her first book, Life from Scratch, about a woman who has recently divorced her husband, so begins a blog about learning to cook, and starting live over from scratch.  Measure of Love just came out last month, and is the squeal.  I don't really want to give away it's story, because it ties too much into the end of Life from Scratch, but both books are great and definitely worth reading this summer!

So that's it (so far).  I have about ten more books suggested by Kate, plus everything by Rainbow Rowell on my summer reading list, so I will let you know in future posts when I update here with new suggestions!  If you have read anything good this summer, let me know in the comments and I will add it to my list!

 

Kelsey and Thomas Get Married!

So let's talk about the wedding!!  It was a success!  I mean, it's hard for weddings to not be a success unless someone gets left at the alter, but this one was an EXTREME success. It was AMAZING! Like, one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever seen. And it was so much fun! I will forever love the memory of Nick, Henry and dancing together. I smile every single time I think of it. So anyway, do you want to see some pictures? I knew it!


I figured I should start with an adorable shot of the bride and groom.
 
And of course the oh so handsome ring bearer


Actually, we are just going to start at the beginning of the day... because otherwise I will miss too many great pictures. Here is Mawmaw with three of her four grandsons. I HATE that Chris and Nieem weren't there yet. We will have to get all teh boys with Mawmaw at the next wedding :)

Matt and Blair, looking adorable

The groom, hiding from the bride

The bride, right above him, hiding from the groom
 
a proud Mama and a sweet boy

cake

one of many amazing spots at this wedding... the buffet line

the reception

The Sweet Bride
\
Our little family

cousins

The girls

my loves

Our big boy, totally in control of his ring bearing duties


The reason for it all

The wedding party

Our sweet South Carolina Family



The music :)


a little pre-dinner dancing.  This turned into a lot of full group dancing later. I have no pictures of it, because I was too busy loving every second of it.

 
These two had a blast


The awesome, antique milk jugs used for glasses

Siblings, all dressed up

first dance

Love this one!

Mama and Papa jump in

Candice and I

Speeches... which I am mainly including so you can see how pretty the reception tent was!

Nana and Grandpa



Cake! (and pie!)

Aaaaand then my camera ran out of batteries. But the evening went on, and a ton of fun was had by EVERYONE. Truly. It was a beautiful wedding, and we could not be happier for the amazing couple!

**Like every other wedding, there are WAY more pictures that what I am posting. If you want to see more of how adorable this was, click on any picture and it will take you to my flickr account.