And we're off...

Well kind of...Some time late Tuesday afternoon we got home.  Bags were packed, my mom was here and we were making last minute trip preparations.  That's when I noticed the microwave was not working.  Huh, that's weird.  Shortly after that my mom requested a tutorial on working our television.  I explained that it was super easy to use.  Just press this button and it should just come on.  Just press this button.  Press.this.button.  Nothing.  Upon further examination I realized our microwave, tv, Wii, Dvd player and bathroom light were not working.  Long story short...a transformer blew in our neighborhood and we'd had a power surge that took out all of the above mentioned items.  Bummer, right.  This is what we call a "first world problem".  My microwave, tv, dvd player, wii and bathroom light don't work and I don't have time to deal with it because I'm leaving on a European vacation.  Yes, I have real problems.  Ha! 

The trip began early Wednesday morning...early mainly because I couldn't sleep for fear of leaving my passport or having the wrong flight time, etc. Despite all of this around 10 am we left Nashville and headed to NYC. 

Once there we boarded an all night flight to London. We got an exit row with an empty seat in between us.  I literally heard angels singing as we settled in on the airplane.  Okay, not literally, but it was a nice moment.  

Once we touched the ground in London we did not waste time nor did we stop. We stored our luggage and grabbed the first tube into the heart of London. It is important to note that Fred slept the entire flight.  Seriously, he was snoring before the plane taxied out. I slept none. None the less when we got off the plane at 6:20 am I was feeling spry. Upon looking back at pictures one can see that I was not as spry as I felt. (A little make would have helped, but NO, I was feeling great!) We quickly located a proper English breakfast. We both had scones with clotted cream (and a lot of other deliciousness), it is beyond me why this is not served in the US! 

 Below is a traditional English breakfast.  Baked beans?  Whatever, it was on Fred's plate, not mine.

After a couple hours of the bus tour we met up with some friends of ours who are serving in London. We ate lunch and visited with them at a delightful restaurant and then continued our bus tour. Have I mentioned that it was cold?  Who knows the formula for converting Celcius to Farhenheit off the top of their head?!?  Clearly I should have familiarized myself with this formula.  We saw all the big sights of London and then took a boat tour of the River Thames. Once off the boat we saw Big Ben and Westminster Abbey

Yes, TJ Maxx is a London sight.  It's right up there with Parliament and Big Ben.  

By this time I was running on about 30 hours with no sleep and I was ready for our hour long commute back to the airport. We shared fish and chips at a pub and then settled in our little (I mean little!) hotel room where I may or may not have fallen asleep in mid sentence.

After a good night's sleep, we left our hotel room with plenty of time to make our next flight to Istanbul...we thought. In hindsight, we would have done well to familiarize ourselves with the layout of the LHR Airport, the time it takes to get from one concourse to another at 4am, and the rules regarding check-in time prior to flying out. In any event, thanks to the kindness of a British Airways ticket agent who read the desperation on the faces of the dumb yanks before her, we were booked on the next flight out and just had a little extra time at the London airport to enjoy another good British breakfast! Thank goodness for sleep and make up...as evidenced by this picture!!  We were waiting for our flight in the London airport in this picture.  

The move

It's been a while since I've written a post.  I've had a lot on my mind, but I just haven't had the ability to put it down on paper.

We are moving.  There, I said it.  Whew...I feel better.  

Fred and I have known about this for some time now, but October 26th Ellendale Baptist Church in Bartlett, Tennessee officially voted for us to be their new pastor.  Then, on November 3rd Fred read his letter of resignation from the only church family my boys have ever really known.  It was tough. There were a lot of tears (and there are still tears yet to cry, although I feel like I've really reached my limit). The week between the 26th and the 3rd was one of the hardest weeks of my life.  
It's been difficult to write all this down.  On one hand I have people that are over the moon excited about getting to know us and starting a new chapter together.  And then on the other hand I have people that are broken over a chapter coming to a close.  It's just tough.  In true fashion to me I decided to do the only thing that I know to do.  Make a list.  It really is the only way I know how to organize my thoughts.  This is by no means an exhaustive list...

Things we will miss about Paris:
-Having friends that are more like family.  They love my kids like their own.  It just doesn't get much better than someone loving my kids.  
-The Fish Fry Parade.  Best Ever!!
-Our workout partners.  I can't speak for Fred, but mine is my friend, confidant, and sometimes therapist.  Lots of problems have been solved as our feet have rhythmically hit lots of Paris pavement. (Speaking of the one above...we always ran the parade route before it began.  Good times.)  Fred also likes all the open highways for bike rides.
-Wednesday lunches at Dairy Delight with Jerry and Patsy.
-Getting directions that begin with..."Go to the big fish and turn---".
-Running all my errands (grocery store, bank, recycle center, dry cleaners, library) and being home in an hour.  As a matter of fact there is no where that I go that takes over 15 minutes...without traffic.  There is never traffic.
-Football games where half the town is in attendance, wearing red and cheering loudly!
-Jasmine and Culver's.  Okay, they are in Murray, but they are super good.
-Summer time and boats.  I love going to Walmart and seeing people in "beach" attire.  It makes my feel like I'm on vacation.

Things we are looking forward to in Bartlett:
-Making new memories, forming new relationships and beginning a new ministry
-Having family close by.  Fred's dad and sister actually have offices in Bartlett.  Fred will be able to meet his dad for lunch. Fred's sisters will be able to just "stop in".  Won't that be a treat?!?
-Sports leagues for the boys.
-Being able to attend Memphis basketball and football games.
-The Grizzlies
-The Children's Museum, The Zoo and The Botanical Gardens
-The Mexican Ice Cream place on Summar Avenue and many other restaurants.


Our last Sunday at Springhill will be December 1st.  Our first Sunday at Ellendale will be December 8th.   We are sad with what we are leaving.  Our babies turned in to boys here.  We grew as a family and had to depend on each other.  We are excited about the future though.  God is taking care of us every time we turn around and we are forever grateful for all He's done.
I think Clayton summed up everything we are all feeling.  He said, "I have tears in my throat and a smile on my face."  I couldn't have said it better.
 
Andrew is super excited about moving to Memphis.  I don't want to forget how he says Memphis. Forgive me for ending a sentence in a preposition.  Also, forgive me that Andrew does not have on a shirt.  That's just how we roll.

Around our house...

-Take two.  My mom and I are going to try our shopping trip again this weekend.  It is going to be epic.  I have a list of restaurants and shops I am ready to go to.  One of the restaurants we are going to is Gas Station Sushi.  We will make a ham sandwich for my mother.    
-While I'm away Fred is taking the boys camping.  He was planning to take them to a local camp ground, but alas it is a federal camp ground and it's closed.  They may just camp out in our backyard.  I hate that I'm going to miss it.  I kid.  I will miss my time with the boys and the s'mores, but I will not miss the camping part.  Have fun boys!
-Clayton had his final flag football game of his flag football career last Saturday.  I could have cried (a lot!!), but I refrained.  Upwards flag football has been such a blessing to our family. Clayton has played since the league began here.  What a joy!

-Fall break is this weekend...Thursday and Friday.  I've been counting down the days this week each morning.  This morning I shouted "last day!!" when the boys came to the table for breakfast. Jack then said, "Yes!  Summer break!!"  Whoops, my excitement over fall break may have been a little much.  He is going to be really disappointed when Monday rolls around and they have to go to school.
-For my birthday Fred took us (I picked) to Jasmine in Murray.  It is my favorite restaurant!  We have never taken the boys, until Saturday.  I'm thinking it may have been a mistake.  We may never go on a date there alone again!!

This week

-Fred wrote a great blog post.  To read it, click here.
-We had pictures made this week while at a family function.  My sweet nephew was sad that he wasn't in our picture.  So, I picked him up for a quick photo op with just the two of us.  Before my sister in law could snap the picture all the boys in attendance were around me.  Really, is that not the sweetest group of boys you've ever seen?!?

-The big boys have been fussing and fighting this week.  It has worn me out.  I finally lost it.  In my rant I remember telling them that they were not Congress.  They needed to figure out a way to get along.  I also told them we were not a democracy in this house.  We were all on the same team, but dad and I were the autocratic leaders.  Figure out a way to get along.  Figure it out people!!  (I was on a serious roll!!)  They must have listened because they started to get along.  Thank goodness. 

-This cutie pulled his own tooth this week.  He informed me that since he pulled it himself (I usually pull teeth. I love it!) he should get paid more.  Funny kiddo.

 -The boys gave me flowers this week for my birthday.  I knew they were giving me flowers the day before my birthday because Andrew said in one long sentence..."You know what we are giving you for your birthday? Flowers!"  You must read it all in one breath, because that's how he said it.  Jack and I protested, but it just rolled off his tongue.  It was awesome.

-Andrew built this high dive (his words, not mine) at story hour.  He told me it was a high dive like at Holiday World.  I told him I was going to get his picture beside it to show dad.  He asked me to wait before getting his picture.  He picked up the dinosaur and then said he was ready.  I think the dinosaur really completes the picture.

Five on Friday

-Fred preached a funeral of a precious man from our church this week.  He lived 94 years.  He was married to his wife for 68 years.  You could find them every day sitting on the couch holding hands and watching television.  The last few years have rendered them bound to their house.  They didn't really seem to mind.  They were together.  94 years?!?  I've reflected on all the things his eyes and heart have experienced.  We was born right at the end of WWI.  He was a boy during the depression.  He was a WWII vet.  He buried an adult son.  His grandparents (or maybe great grandparents) were alive during the Civil War.  He spent his last day on earth on the couch holding hands with his wife.  He laid down to go to sleep and simply stopped breathing.
-Fred took a phone call this week and had to pull over to talk.  I looked around wondering what I was going to do to fill my time.  Out of the corner of my eye I saw it.  Goodwill.  I communicated to Fred my desire to go there.  Ten minutes later I left with a pair of shoes and two shirts for the boys.  Score.  I heart Goodwill.  
-Clayton's good friend from Jackson is turning 10.  He is taking a few friends with him to a University of Memphis football game on Saturday.  Clayton is pumped!  Hopefully I'll get a picture from the game.      
-I was supposed to go shopping with my mom this weekend.  I've been counting down the days...scheduling our plan of attack.  Got a call from Jack's school that changed all of that.  He had a fever.  Diagnosis...strep throat.  He has been sick twice in the last month.  We are never sick. Well...unless it's a holiday or major family event.  :-)
But honestly, to get things into perspective, there are worse things in life than snuggling with my growing boy on the couch.  I'll take it every chance I get.  
-Andrew and Clayton love Legos.  Below is a picture of Andrew's latest creation.  It had wheels on it and a few other things before the picture.  Had I known I was going to have three boys I would have worked on my skills with Lincoln Logs and Legos a little more.  

The weekend, plus a little more

Friday night we had some friends over so their parents could go on a date night.  It was a rip roarin' time!  They all insisted on sleeping in the same room.  The smallest room in our house, but whatever.  They stayed up until 10:30 and then at 6:05 Andrew's buddy woke everyone up by proclaiming, "It's morning time, cha, cha, cha!"  Funny kid.

Earlier in the evening the little boys and I went to the library for their Stuffed Animal Sleepover.  We left our stuffed animals at the library, read a bedtime story to them, had milk and cookies and then kissed the stuffed animals (not the kiddos) good night.  The next morning we picked up the animals and celebrated with donuts.  The precious lady that works at the library presented a slide show with all the of animal's adventures.  Beyond adorable.

We had a whirlwind of a Saturday, which included flag football games and date night for me and Fred.  My friend happened to be snapping pictures during the football game.  What treasures these pictures are!!  Look at that kid go.  His friend is on the ground with his flag.  I'm proud to report they are still friends and Jack did not mow over that kid running toward him.  

After helping at my friend's clothing sale Fred and I headed out.  We swapped babysitting with our friends from the night before.  We left this crew and headed to Patti's in Grand Rivers, Kentucky with a Sunday School class from church.  

We had the most wonderful time at dinner.  The drive to and from Patti's was nice as well.  Three hours total of uninterrupted conversation?!?  I'll take it.  Dinner was really just a bonus.  I love this guy.  

We got back and Jack told me he was not feeling well.  Sure enough, he was running a low grade temp.  He was pretty pitiful.  Saturday night at a preacher's house is not the best time for someone to get sick.  We regrouped and had everyone get ready for bed.  Just as things started to settle we heard this horrible noise in the bathroom.  Yep, sewage was backing up into our house at 9:30 pm on a Saturday night.  Fred called our plumber.  He was on his honeymoon...whoops.  A replacement plumber was scheduled to come the next morning. 

Sunday morning we woke up, packed a bag and headed to church for showers.  Isn't that what everyone does who doesn't have working water at their house?!?  Mimi and Tee came to the rescue to get Jack so Fred and I could carry out our responsibilities at church.  It was definitely an eventful morning.  

When mom and dad picked up Jack he told them that only Fred and I had gotten showers.  Then he said, "I guess preachers and girls are the only ones that need to smell good."  Honestly, he just makes me laugh with his perspective sometimes.  

Here we are staying home from church.  He looks sick, doesn't he?!?

I am pleased to report that our plumbing is now fixed, Jack is not sick and life has gone on. Well...almost.  Victim #2 went down this morning.  Boo.

The boys are out of school tomorrow.  We delayed our regular Dairy Delight meeting to Friday so they could join us.  They are pretty excited.  They are also going to work in the yard with me, which will be epic.  Good times around here!   

  

This week...

There are two things in this picture that I could just eat up.  How funny that one of my favorite cookies could be named after my favorite fella.  Goodness.  

Last week my friend and I spent three days ripping and mudding seams on wallpaper in the church nursery.  Then we painted every surface.  We had two angels that came in one evening who helped us tremendously.  We actually painted the Team Kid room and Josh's office the week before.  We don't have an official company name, but we are officially out of business.  Our company is closed.  :-)

Saturday morning we had early flag football games.  For some reason we were not able to get breakfast together.  Imagine my surprise as I drove through McDonald's to pick up sausage biscuits and this sign greeted me.  Oh, happy day!  I usually have to get these at Starbucks, but no more.  I typically only allow myself one pumpkin spice latte a season.  We'll see how disciplined I can be with this right around the corner.  

-While dusting this week I came across this ball of gum hidden on our entertainment center.  I turned toward the couch to see three angels sitting there.  I used my past knowledge and addressed Jack right away.  I showed him this little ball of gum and asked him if he knew anything about it.  His response..."Hey, that's not my...oh wait, that was a really long time ago!"  Fred said the statue of limitations was in place in this situation.  

-Andrew's friend came over Monday morning.  It is always a blast.  I could just stand and listen to them talk to each other.  Priceless.  

We went to the grocery and they both picked up candy bars as we were leaving.  At 8:45 a.m.? Would I have let me big boys do this?!?  No way.  But these two??  Who can resist that?!?

 Precious boys riding in the horrible car shopping carts.  I despise those carts, but I sure do love these boys.

 Painting at story hour again.  What a great Monday for Andrew!!