Fa La La La...Ha Ha Ha

I'm a momma big on traditions, always have been.  Traditions are our connection to family; they give us a sense of belonging.  But nobody prepares you for when those traditions change. 

With a near-grown teen, I've had to shift and adjust our annual customs the past few years.  Some traditions ended, some altered and along the way, new ones added. 

A missed tradition; however, has been driving around to view the Christmas lights.  When the kids were younger, we'd load up the car with blankets and pillows, a thermos of hot cocoa, and wear our snuggly PJs.  Favorite CDs of the holidays would play in the background as we toured the sparkly scenes. 

With a teen who works weekends, the past couple years this tradition has slipped by.  Time seems to go much quicker the last month of the year and before we knew it, the holiday would pass.  When I realized Noah had this past Saturday night off, I decided to make plans for us to revisit this favorite pastime. 

Now, we could've just ridden around our county but I selfishly wanted to soak up as much family time as possible.  So, I opted for a drive a couple hours away that promised a one of kind show with dancing lights.  It did not disappoint, even after waiting in line an hour, but I think what I enjoyed most was hanging in the car. 

It's not often I get my towering teen in the same vehicle, since he normally prefers to drive his own car.  He drove most of the way up and played chauffeur and DJ to Mom and Dad in the backseat, his best friend shotgun.  On the way home, we switched. 

As it was daylight on our way to the light show, we viewed the scenery and some amazing houses.  It was interesting to hear the kids talk about their dream homes for the future and what they would do.  After passing a mansion that made our home look like a shed, one of them said they would love to live there if a rich uncle just gave it to them.  When I asked how they would afford utilities like electric and water, they promised to be frugal.  This made us cackle considering how long of a shower Noah takes and the fact that I'm always going behind them and turning off lights.

On the way back, Noah scrunched into the backseat and played games with his buddy.  I loved hearing them joke and snicker back and forth.  It was reminiscent of old times.

In fact, the ride home was so full of laughs from the many you-had-to-be there scenarios that I can't even write. Honestly, there isn't a story to share, as I can't recall what even made us start laughing.  But it was the kind of side-splitting, snorting, feel good all over laughs that make you giggle each time you remember.  I needed and relished those laughs and thought it was fitting, as today marks the Advent week of JOY. 

That's my wish for you, friends.  May you have the kind of JOY that fills you with laughter from head to toe and keeps you smiling all week long!

"Do you want to build a snowman?"

One of the songs during the light show was from Frozen and we were roaring that Noah's male friend knew

 ALL. THE. WORDS.  And sang along passionately.  So obviously, Blitz had to pick on him this morning!

Faithful Friday: Platinum Love

To have and to hold...

20 years.  I look at the fresh, young faces from our wedding day and it seems so much longer than just two decades ago.  And then again, it seems like only yesterday we were nervously saying, "I do."

We've certainly packed many moments and memories into that time.  Through it all what has held us together and made us stronger was holding onto not just to each other, but also to God.

"Love comes from God..."  1 John 4:7

Knowing that today, our actual anniversary, would be the kids' first day back from camp, we celebrated early.  While they were away, we snuck off for a few days at the lake.  And it was blissful.

"Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away...."

Song of Solomon 8:7

 
Amazing weather for June, with only one somewhat humid day.  Sparkling smooth waters.  Not good fishing, but we made the most of the peaceful quiet on the lake.  Being there during the week nearly gave us our own private oasis. 

 

It gave us time to talk and just be. 

Lots of wildlife watching, including a family of ducks we somewhat adopted during our stay.  Wherever they were on the lake, if they caught a glimpse of us, they'd quickly waddle over, knowing their new friends would have a cracker snack to share.    

Of course, not all the wildlife watching was this peaceful.  Most people who know me know that I don't like snakes.  To say I'm terrified of them is an understatement.  I think even Tim forgot how terrified I was...until this trip.  As I'm lazily basking in the sun, deep into my thick book with the waves gently rocking the boat, I somewhat notice Tim pulling up anchors.  Not giving it much thought, as I figured he had probably grown tired of yet another "no bite zone," I almost ignored his sentence.

"Heather, don't look behind you."

After twenty years, not many words are necessary in our relationship.  Often times we read each other's thoughts, finish their sentences.  There was something about his tone that made me look up and into his eyes.  Those eyes told the rest of the sentence he didn't want to say aloud.

Thinking that not saying the word would keep me calmer was not exactly working out as he'd planned.  (Insert mental breakdown here)

For what seemed to be an eternity, but was probably mere minutes, I fell into the boat, in a futile attempt to flee my spot.  In my mind, the said (snake) was making his way into the boat, surely ready to attack me at any moment.  In a crumbled mess at the bottom of the boat, arms and limbs scattered up under and around seats and fishing gear, I sobbed and screamed incomprehensibly.  Meanwhile, Tim - my calm constant - was focused on getting me out of the reptile zone. 

Though it was not funny at the time, even retelling the story to the kids last night found me back in tears, we did joke about it during the rest of our trip and I can chuckle (in the safety of my living room) as I type today.

 

In fact, that laughter is probably one of the top reasons I love Tim and our relationship.  Any marriage will be filled with a mixture of good times and bad. 

Ours has had more than our share of bad but the good patches up those holes.  Laughter heals.

And it wouldn't be fair to share only my funny story from our anniversary trip. 

Walking down the hall one afternoon, I heard Tim spitting and gagging into the sink.  Knowing he was brushing his teeth, I wondered what was causing such a reaction.  Again with no words, it hit me.  And I began laughing hysterically and uncontrollably.  I laughed so much my bruised body ached.  I laughed so hard that Tim thought I'd planned the mishap.  But I honestly didn't.

Looking back, it probably wasn't the best placement for my small tube of sunscreen I used for my face.  Yes, the tube was the same size as the toothpaste and being right beside each other... well, you can imagine what happened next.

 

Love you, honey.  Thank you for making me laugh for 20 years.

Here's to 20 more...

 

"A cheerful heart is good medicine..." Proverbs 17:22

Plan B

I was disappointed last night.  Noah's ballgame was cancelled. 

I feared it at 2:30 when the skies opened up and dumped a torrential downpour in the yard.  I waited for the text as lightning flashed through the room.  While my itty bitty dog quivered under the covers from the thunder, I resigned myself to the fact that a cancellation was inevitable. 

Within the hour though the sun was shining again.  Birds chirping.  And although clouds lingered, no text arrived.  The game was still on!

We waited until the last minute to dress, just in the off chance the text might arrive late.  Receiving none, we headed for the ballpark decked out Phillies-style.  Juggling my normal array of lawn chairs, coolers, bat bags and bug spray, I felt a text buzz in my pocket.  I assumed it was Mom, knowing she was planning to come.

Dumping the collection with a sigh, after the careful walk to step only on gravel at the now muddy ballpark, I reached for my phone.  "30 minute delay to check the storms"  Great.  Considering we already arrive 30 minutes before the game for warm-up, this now means we'll be here an hour.  Waiting.  I send a quick text to Mom & my hubby, knowing he's rushing at work to make it anyway.

I settle in to my comfy chair while watching Noah play games with rocks.  He may be a strapping big guy but in his heart he is still the sweet, energetic little boy that could entertain himself for hours.  We're enjoying making bets whether or not his rock will hit the trash can, make it through a certain hole on the fence, etc when I notice a flurry of activity on the other side.  People are packing up.  My phone buzzes.  "Games are cancelled, rescheduled for tomorrow"  My heart sinks. 

This is his last week of games and I haven't missed a one.  Knowing I have a prior commitment the exact same time as his game deflates me.  And I can see it does him as well. 

I'm also disappointed because my family was coming to see him play and, as much as I love to watch Noah in a game, I was also looking forward to spending time with them.  I call Mom, wondering how close she is, to tell her the news.  She's very close and I feel terrible they've made the trip only to turn around.  But instead she says, "We'll just come to your house!"

My spirits are somewhat lifted, though I still can't shake the thought of missing his game.  We head home though and I set to cooking dinner for all of us.

Instantly my mood shifts, all busyness, comfort and chaos that comes when family gets together.  We're picking on each other, laughing, and the entire group moves from kitchen to deck, as I multi-task our meal.  At some point someone mentions hair, and for whatever reason my little sister decides to don the scissors.  She sets to cutting Tina's hair -in a super cute short and sassy style I've been begging her to try since she's been with us.  To my surprise Noah asks to be next.  (Noah is normally pretty picky w/his hair, telling me once when he was little I couldn't cut it because he 'wanted someone real to do it')  We get an even bigger shocker when he asks for the buzzer and goes really short, especially for him.  But they look great in the end and it saves me some money, so happy smiles all around!

Everyone gathers in the living room, bellies full and the hour of the evening soaking in.  One silly thing leads to another and we are soon rolling in the floor with laughter.  Big belly laughs.  Snorts.  Tears of joy.  I love that about family.  When you can't even describe why you're laughing or recall what was said that is so amusing.  Just being together and enjoying each other.  What a wonderful, unexpected, unplanned night!

Kicked out of Bed

Last night was a first.  I kicked Tim out of the bed.  Well, actually I pushed him out.  In the middle of the night.  In all our years together, we've never slept apart while under the same roof.  Even when I was confined to a hospital bed, he slept on the couch beside me.  He refused to sleep in our bed without me.  He may have changed his mind after last night.  In fact, I may find myself sleeping on the couch!

The night before a pain in my back woke me from my sleep.  I tossed, I turned, in an attempt to find a more comfortable position, but it remained.  The pain was there to greet me yesterday morning and, being the good friend it was, stayed throughout the day.  By the afternoon I was at the chiropractor, hoping for much needed relief.  When I left the pain was reduced but still present.

Coming home, I tried the recliner, ice, stretches and being very, very still.  Defeated, I opted for the bed.  Unfortunately there wasn't a flat position of comfort either.  When Tim arrived home, he talked me into taking a pain pill.  Truly, at that point no twisting of my arm was necessary.  I just needed to know he was home to care for the kids once I conked out. 

Sometime in the middle of the night, I decided to reposition myself and was attempting to use him as a brace.  This coincided with him sitting on the side of the bed.  I'm not sure if he was about to leave or returning from the restroom but his plans were quickly changed.  With what I'm sure he'd describe as a hefty push, he was flying off the side and landing with a solid THUMP! on the floor.  Our responses were not equal.

With a grumpy, still half asleep raise of his voice, he questioned what on earth I was doing.  I answered with uproarious laughter.  Sensing that he didn't find the humor and afraid I'd wake myself fully, I muffled it.  When the alarm sounded hours later I was reminded of the event and let the laughter return.  In fact, I laughed until I cried.  Until I was gasping for air.  Until I started coughing.  Until I was laughing because I was laughing.  Uncontrollable, belly shaking, side splitting, tears streaming laughter.  Oddly, he still didn't join me with the same gusto.  But secretly, underneath his sore behind, I know he chuckled inside!