Everyday Carrie

Seriously? Stephanie Tanner? Not sure how I feel about that. And who in the world is Bipasha Basu?

One whole year without you! I will miss worshiping with you. If you have ever gotten the gift of being led in worship by Ji then you know what I mean. She is so gifted and has such an open heart that you just can’t help but sing out. It is just beautiful~ travel safe:)

Well, well, well… I go to check on Nate today and this is what he is up to. Showing off for his girlfriend!

I think Nate and his Uncle Chris have the same hair. What do you think?

And his Grandaddy too!

Just when I get used to her being around one of my best friends is moving away. She likes to tease me by living here for a few months (even a year) and then moving off to India or now Costa Rica. They are being faithful to where God is calling them but it still makes me sad! This move is even harder bc since she has been home we have both had babies. Our babies should be able to play together. Well, since have betrothed them in marriage they will get over it. We are friends no matter where she lives but there is nothing like being able to get on the phone and say, “Come over,” and it actually happening. Thank goodness for modern conveniences like email and Skype but it is still not the same as face to face and a hug from a friend that you love so dearly. I miss you already Ames!

The bomb that hit our booth! So long to the days of just bringing your purse to lunch.

We were talking with some friends last night about following your dreams and doing the things that use your gifts and talents. To me it is so important to use the things that you are gifted at doing! If not you just feel smothered. Life is less stressful and bogged down when you are totally being yourself.  Maybe I mean totally expressing yourself. Sometimes that is just an outlet of creativity. Sometimes that is being a mom or a friend. Sometimes that is stepping outside of what is comfortable and easy to pursue the things that only you can do with your gifts.

What is your outlet? How do you use your talent?

Unbelievable that Nate is 5 months already. A friend of mine told me at the beginning that sometimes the days go by slow but the months and years fly by. It is really true! He is so much fun and is going through some serious separation anxiety right now. It is nice to know that Mommy makes all things better but also really hard that he is crying his head off when I am not around. It makes daycare a challenge. One little smile and all is forgotten!

Tyler beat me to some 5 month pictures so check out his blog. Here are a some others…

Our friends came to visit from PA on the one weekend in like four years that we have inclement weather. Seriously? Coming from somewhere that has snow on the ground for several months at time they were truly impressed with they way the south deals with a trace of snow (please read that with sincere sarcasm).

Wednesday night- Their connecting flight gets canceled in Charlotte. Wait. It is rescheduled. Wait. They will get to here too late to get their rental car. What?! They finally arrive at our house at around 3:45am in a rental car in the icy rain. Did I mention they had been traveling since around lunch time with three kids that are 5, 3, and 9 months?

Thursday- We are slow moving in waking up but are excited to catch up and even make a trip (the first of two) to Moes! Nice relaxing day but we have no idea of what is to come after we go to bed. 3am! Nate wakes up. Nice. Then someone is throwing up in the bathroom. Uh oh. Kelsey (5) has a stomach virus. This then wakes up Addie the 9 mo. old marathon sleeper.

Friday- We wake up (after not really going to sleep) and disinfect the house. Every surface was touched with a Clorox wipe. Everyone is quarantined to their rooms. Things start to look up though when Kelsey hasn’t thrown up for 5 hours. Our fun dinner out while the kids are with babysitters gets ditched. Oh well.  After the kids get to bed we get some Longhorn takeout and start an intense game of Mexican Train Dominoes.

Saturday- STORM WATCH ‘08! The snow was beautiful. It was a fun day of puzzles, games, a good dinner around the table, and of course- dominoes. Good thing we had gotten our eggs, bread, and milk earlier in the week since the news was predicting a storm of the century:)

Sunday- No church!? So sad because we wanted our friends (who are also in ministry) to come to church with us. This was probably the one weekend in the year that they weren’t going to be preaching, teaching, or leading. They could just attend and worship. I think God had other plans to just rest. If you can’t go to church then you might as well go shopping which is just what my friend Suzy and I did.

There is never a dull moment with the Priestafs. That is why we love them so much. We will miss them until our next visit!

Here are just a few of my favorite quotes from their incredibly sweet (and polite i might add) girls…

“I could use a helping hand putting things back in my back pack.” Kelsey (5)

“I have one!” Lilli (3)

“We can’t play in the snow without our snow suits.” K and L

“That puzzle is reeeeallly tricky!” L

My friend Annie is chasing her dream. She has always been an encourager so it is not a surprise to read her blog and to be encouraged. I am sure she doesn’t even know that is what she is doing or would laugh it off if she was told that to her face. Annie has a dream of being a writer. You can see her talent on her blog but that is just a start bc she is well on her way.

Thanks Annie for making me not forget my dream and what God has called me to do.

What are you dreams? Are you chasing after them?