Sleep, My Mammy, and Taco Bell

It's Friday and you know what that means! Oh, you don't? Well, it means it's 7:38 and I am ready for bed. No, not just ready, past ready. As in, I could have gone to sleep an hour ago. Legitimately people, I just had a conversation with Michael that I don't remember whatsoever. I texted him to ask if I hung up on him. Because really, I don't remember saying goodbye, or anything except for that he called me. I'm runnin' on empty. What I wouldn't give for twelve hours in pitch black silence.

Why, you ask? Because I can't sleep. Because my mind refuses to pause from it's whirlwind of thoughts and dreams and ideas and what-ifs. So basically I'm an insomniac. I can't really complain though, I'd much rather have it this way than close my eyes each night with nothing to dream about.

Aaannnnd if you're wondering why I'm posting this two hours later than when I started, it's because I just got off the phone with my momma. aka my inside woman, my marketing agent, my co-dreamer, my MAMMY (that was for you, mom...enjoy). Anyway, we just had a nice little chit chat about all the ways she's been hooking us up back on the home-front. Let me tell you, she is quite the string-puller. And then, mid convo, she made my dad drive all the way across town to Taco Bell since he was going to get a slurpy (at 10:30 pm mind you...normal) from the gas station that's two minutes away from my house. And on top of that, she ate it right in my ear and talked about how good it was. So now I'm starving...and going to Taco Bell.

And then I've got a date with the Sandman.

GOOD NIGHT.

How did it get to be Thursday?

Well, apparently Wednesday is my new skip day. Sorry about that, and I'm still not sure how it got to be Thursday. And since I have SO much to fill you in on, I guess Thursday is as good a day as any to be an "update day."

Now for the update. Wait, hold on one second, I need to do another happy dance to get rid of this excitement long enough to finish this post...

Ok. Really, if I could insert a drum roll, I would. It's that big. Just do it yourself.

.....................................insert dramatic silence.....................................

WE'RE MOVING BACK HOME IN LESS THAN THREE WEEKS! LIKE INDIANA. AS IN MY GRANDMA'S FARM HOUSE. A HOUSE. BY OURSELVES. I AM A GROWN UP!

Ok, deep breath.

So, Michael and I will be moving back to Cville indefinitely, and we couldn't be more excited! (in case that wasn't already clear...I really feel like writing this entire post in capital letters in order to properly express my enthusiasm, but I think that might get a little overwhelming)

Anyways, I know you're all dying to have details, so I'll try. But cut me some slack, so much has happened in the past two days that I'm sure I sound like a rambling nutcase... BUT, basically, we I have been stressing out, looking for "real" jobs and housing in CO in time to have our own place by mid December. No such luck. Every door was closed and we were beginning to wonder if maybe we weren't supposed to be here after all. And on top of that, Michael decided not to finish grad school as it is not necessary for his career, and right now it's just not in the budget. So really, we have nothing holding us here (aside from the family and friends who we will miss waaay too much).

We were in a season of waiting for a solid month where we were seeking and praying that the Lord would give us direction and discernment and then provide a way for us to follow in His instruction. We were totally content in knowing that He would provide in His time. We knew that He knew, even though we hadn't the slightest clue. But even knowing that, it's hard not to feel the pressure, and when time seems to be running out it's not super fun having no idea what your next step will be. And now that we know, I could not be more thankful, relieved, excited and just amazed by His goodness.

Anyways, after talking to my dad for a good while the other night, we learned that my grandma's old farm house will be vacant sometime in January, giving us the opportunity to have a home to live in for an unbelievably affordable price. And on top of that, we get to be back in Indiana, back with our family, our friends, and our church. We get to be home. Although Colorado is beyond gorgeous, and arguably one of the most amazing places to live in the entire US, it's just not home. Home, for us, is a place surrounded by family and friends, a small town with land to be farmed, teams to be coached, people to be photographed and lives to love on.

It's amazing that in just two days so many questions have been answered and so many doors have been opened. God is good.

And remember that house I was wishing for, oh, three days ago?! The one with walls and doors and doorknobs and windows? It's here! Granted it's not really our home in the sense of ownership. But, it's not just any home either. It's the home my grandma raised my daddy and his seven brothers and sisters in. My aunt's and uncles who I love so much. I'm so amazed. So thankful.

Proverbs 3:5-8 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct you paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones. 

***disclaimer*** I'm not actually a real grown up, I only try really hard to look like one. But sometimes I eat popcorn for dinner and cookie dough for breakfast and sleep in too late and listen to silly music and basically act like I'm eleven. It's a miracle that I manage to get the bills paid on time and keep up with laundry. But truthfully, I probably need adult supervision more often than not. But hey, that's why I married a 25 year old!

Remember

I can't think of a catchy title for it, but I am officially christening Tuesdays as a day for recording memories. I think one of my biggest fears in life is forgetting things. And maybe that's why I'm so in love with photography, one look at a picture and it brings back a thousand memories. It is true you know, a picture really is worth a thousand words. But anyways, I have so many amazing memories that I never ever ever want to forget. And there are some that I know for sure I won't have a problem remembering. But it's the little things, the small moments, the lessons learned, the laughter, the heartache...I just want to remember them all. There are hundreds of memories flooding my mind, begging to be remembered, but just one for tonight.

So when I was little, probably about three, my dad used to travel some for his job, and he would always bring me something back from his trip as a gift. So this particular time, he came home and had a little brown paper bag in his hand and told me he had a surprise for me. Of course, I was immediately thrilled and anticipating what my surprise might be, jumping up and down. My dad continued to set the paper bag on the floor and I could see a long bushy tail hanging out of the top. Before long, the bag started moving all over the place, and it wasn't long before I figured out there was something alive inside there. Like any three year old girl I was ecstatic: jumping around, squealing, chasing the "thing" in the bag around full of so much joy I nearly exploded...and then I finally caught it.

I grabbed it by the tail just a little too hard and the next thing I new the only thing in my hand was the tail. I was mortified as I watched the paper bag continue to jump around the floor, tailless. I had just ripped the tail off of my new pet!

And then I looked up to see mommy and daddy laughing. It was all a joke. The thing inside the bag was a little battery powered ball that jumped around when it was turned on. I still remember it, it was orage on one half and blue on the other, that evil little toy. I was devastated, heartbroken, furious, etc.

Who does that to a three year old?! Seriously, come on!

But, fortunately I got over it quickly and decided to make the most of it by tricking everyone else I knew. Which, at the age if three included my grandparents. Obviously, they weren't as shocked as I was to find that it wasn't, in fact, a pet squirrel.

Miscellaneous Monday

I realize that's not original.

And I know that some blogger woman out there has probably claimed it already and has a cute little button with copy rights and the whole bit. But, really. It's so unoriginal that I don't think anyone should be able to claim it. And since I need some structure to my blogging, I thought it would be helpful to have some sort of category for each day that would make it a little easier for me to get in a routine. I have yet to figure out the rest of the week. Maybe a photo post, an update day, and something that actually requires thought at least one day a week. We'll see how that goes. But today is all about random.

One. Two and Three

I miss basketball. Like really, seriously miss everything about it. And by basketball, I mean everything but my one year of college basketball (although I do miss the girls...shout out to LJ cool J). I miss getting ready for practice after school, and then sitting around forever afterward, too exhausted to get dressed and go home...quality time with KJ, slowest person EVER. I miss being in amazing shape, praying centercourt after every game, long bus rides full of singing and Alex reading cosmo, skipping practice when you couldn't find your jersey, rocking out before games to Lecrae, chanting GO GO BETTY, GO GO GO BETTY. Oh, the good old days. I miss all the girls and Coach Haas and T$. I'd go back in a heartbeat if I could...but only if I could still be married!

Four.

I love Chipotle. I could eat it every day, along with Jamba Juice.

Five.

Michael just wrote an 18 page paper, and I feel like a proud mother...or wife? Only a few weeks left until his semester is over and we move on to who knows what. That's not terrifying or anything. 

Six.

I think I've spent eight hours every day for the past 800 days searching and applying for jobs. How many ways can I spell AWESOME. 

Seven.

I want a house. With walls that I can paint whatever color my heart desires. With doors and door nobs and windows and maybe a fireplace. That will be the day.

Eight.

I've been wearing men's knee high socks lately, and I'm a big fan. So warm, and very fashionable. It's hard being this cool, really. 

Nine.

300 is such a great movie. Hello, Gerard Butler...you're almost as attractive as my husband. Almost.

Ten.

I love Christmas. I am praying my heart out that we get to go home. And if we do, I will enjoy my evenings by the fireplace mesmerized by the glow of the Christmas tree with a cup of apple cider, and if I'm really lucky there might even be snow. Heaven.

Eleven.

I miss my cat Cutie so much I could cry. 

Twelve.

I'm in need of a good read. 

Thirteen.

I'm in need of a good sleep.

Nighty night.

Turkey Day...In Pictures

I am thankful for...

My aunt, who in two days, gave me more cooking experience than I've had my entire life!

This happy baby.

Our successful pumpkin pie. 

My husband...who also loves Caleb. Who doesn't?

This table. The food on it, and the people around it.

 The people we couldn't be with. PTL for Skype!

This family.

And this guy, too.

I am blessed.

I Am Thankful

I've really enjoyed the month of November and the constant reminder that I have so much to be thankful for, not just the 25 days leading up to Thanksgiving, but everyday of the year. So I've been making it a habit to begin each day, from the moment I open my eyes, by being still and thanking God.

There is so much to be thankful for. But today, I could not be more thankful for my husband. For waking up each morning and stretching my legs, only to bump into his. For rolling over to the sleepy smile that never fails to welcome me each day. I am so thankful.

No matter how many things Michael may not be, I love him for all that he is. I know now that even the things that drive me nuts, are the things that make him him, and I wouldn't change a thing. Because to change one thing would be to trade another, and I'm just not willing to do that.

He loves me so well, and he makes me happier than I ever imagined was possible. He never stops making me laugh...or at least trying [For instance, he is currently singing a made up song while he writes his paper in the basement thinking no one else can hear him. And when I texted him that I just ordered some padded walls for him, he started singing even louder.]

But really, I am so thankful to have him in my life, by my side everyday, knowing he's not going anywhere. Knowing that he will never stop being the glue that holds me together when I feel like the next breath might shatter me into tiny misshaped pieces. He is my shoulder, my friend, my lover, and my constant reminder that life is only as wonderful as the people you share it with.

 

Catching Up

I think it's well past time for me to get caught up in Blogger world, and move on to what is actually happening in the present. That said, here's the rest of our infamous trip from oh, over a month ago (why does it feel like a year ago?) Anyway...

Here you see Sarah continuing on the Russell legacy of outrageous athleticism.

The day after "the surprise" kicked off fall break for Sarah and Christopher, so we spent some quality time enjoying the gorgeous Fall weather with some football and soaking up the sun on AU's campus.

Thanks to my sister for capturing this pretty picture of Michael 

and me thoroughly enjoying all things Indiana.

The whole gang. Sarah and Olivia make a cute couple, yes?

And here we transition to our adventures in TH. Which, sadly, meant we had to say goodbye to Sarah. But on the bright side, sunsets over freshly harvested corn fields are something I will never take for granted. Indiana will always be home to this girl.

Christopher, Alison, Michael and I spent the day wandering around the farm and setting up camp under this enormous tree.

Here we have our campsite and a super old tent more accurately described as "vintage" since that makes it infinitely more cool...which it was.

Before dinner we spent some time with the babies, and this is one of my favorite photos. What you can't see, is that another very curious calf was inches away from my face, literally breathing in my ear as I snapped this picture :) He just loved whoever had the camera and pretty much followed it around everywhere.

After a big tasty home cooked meal, we set out for our campsite where Chris whooped us all in Clue multiple times.

We got tired of losing pretty quickly so we moved on to more entertaining ventures like star-tripping and expressing our theories on evolution...Kidding! Good old Indiana had a fire ban and after all the fun wore off we decided it would be much more comfortable sleeping in a warm house with beds. So we did. The next morning we had a yummy breakfast and then headed back to Cville so that Michael could catch a Wabash football game before we left for Indy to see some of our good friends get married!

 And they lived happily ever after...

while we went straight to bed before waking up early Sunday morning to make the drive back to CO.

As I've reflected on this trip over the past...month, I can hardly understand where the time has gone. It was such a jam packed week filled with so many faces and places and lessons along the way. I will never forget the looks on the faces of the people I love most when they realized who was standing in front of them. And I will forever be grateful that I always have them to come home to. But this trip was so much more than just ten days of fun and surprises; I learned more in those ten days than any other. The thirty hours spent driving across the country with my husband was a blessing straight from heaven in a time when we so needed to be united and closer to Jesus than ever before. The Lord totally used our impulsive decision to pick up and leave to reveal some things to us about ourselves that we otherwise may not have seen; to convict us of the things we were not doing well enough; to reveal to us things we never knew existed; to teach us humility and love; and to show Himself to us in grace and mercy. We came back to CO excited, exhausted, faithful and with a renewed sense of purpose and awareness about what God had called us to.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

THE END.