Memorial Day Weekend Recap

This weekend wasn't incredibly eventful. We live too far away from our families to drive home for the weekend, so we entertained ourselves.

Friday night we went to eat at Tito's - YUMMY YUMMY Mexican - and then we went to The Root Cafe - the best coffee shop in NE Ohio! :-)

Saturday we explored a little. We tried a new deli called Primo's. They give you an endless basket of chips - who needs a sandwich? We had cupcakes at Blake's Cupcakery. We shopped a little - saw an awesome car. It looked like this:

I kept seeing this car at a spa close to our house and the only thing I knew is that it was a Lamborghini. Now I know that it is a Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera AND I don't have to stop at the spa the next time I see it and try to get a picture just so hubby could identify the specimen.

Other Saturday news: we rented The Vow. Actually hubby rented The Vow while I was in the grocery store because he thought I would like it. Holla! I got a chick flick. It was good. His review: It was emotionally intense. My review (NOTE: Spoiler coming....): She never regained her memory? Seriously? And they're married and have 2 kids? Seriously? That's the sweetest story ever.

Sunday - awesome worship service with awesome church family. I am really digging sitting through multiple services (with a coffee break, of course). Something about hearing everything 2 or 3 times is really helpful to me. It makes it really stick! It's like the perfect scenario for my ADD/incredibly forgetful self! I catch something new each service.

We also saw Men in Black 3. Review? It's worth seeing. I liked it better than MIB 2 - probably because of Josh Brolin. His performance was impressive. MIB 3 most certainly exceeded my expectations.

Memorial Day - we slept in and then went to visit a friend...and made 2 new friends! Yummy food, fantastic conversation, and lots of love. God is so good to me!

16 Going on 17

Ok, so it was more like 33 going on 34, but who is counting? (Besides Crys!)

I had a GREAT birthday! Hubby and I actually celebrated last Saturday. We went to eat at MELT in Cleveland! Yum! We ran a few errands, shopped and ended up going for ice cream at Mary Coyle's. It's an honest to goodness old-school ice cream parlor. Loved it!

I got breakfast on the morning of my birthday (hubby made omelets and toast) and he made homemade pizza for dinner. Holla!  I ate a free lunch at First Watch and I bought myself a new skirt and top. I had a very unexpected visit from a special friend of mine who stayed for dinner.

About a bazillion people called, text me, or messaged me on Facebook. I felt very loved and blessed.

As I reflected on the past year, I realized a lot has changed. I lost my job in Cairo. I got married. I moved to Ohio. I've watched my mom fight cancer. I was diagnosed with MS. (I've done a ton of craft projects.) I have laughed and cried - sometimes within 5 minutes of each other. It has been an 'emotional roller coaster' sort of year. I have made new friends and mourned the fact that I can't see old friends as often as I would like to. In the end, 33 was a HUGE year in my life and I'm sad about some things coming to an end, but excited about all of the new things. 33 was bittersweet. I'm sure 34 has a lot in store and I've decided that I just want it to be a year where I ultimately spend time investing in people and in what God has for me. Here's to another year!

and leave that kind of legacy...

I often end up wishing I would’ve said more...

before someone left this world.

I don’t want to wish that this time.

To my Uncle Roger-

You will be greatly missed – your laugh, your words of encouragement (even when someone should’ve been encouraging you), and of course the way you aggravate others (which also means that some of your brothers are going to miss the reinforcement you always provided when plotting to torture your sisters).

The world will keep spinning, but it simply won’t be the same without you in it.

We will cry and grieve for our loss, but we will also celebrate your life. You’re leaving us with great memories and a legacy.

Yep, YOU are most certainly leaving a legacy - and it's a good one!

You are strong - one of the strongest people I have ever known and you have reminded us that life is worth living AND worth fighting for.

You have reminded us to rely on each other and you have taught us to love each other more deeply. 

You have frequently reminded all of us that GOD alone is our everything – our strength , our hope, our comfort, our peace – and we’ve seen Him be all of that in your life.

You have reminded us to cherish today because we may not have tomorrow.

These are words from a song that came to my mind this morning as I prayed for you:

Not well-traveled, not well-read. Not well-to-do or well-bred.

Just want to hear instead, "Well done, good and faithful one..."

I want to leave a legacy.

How will they remember me?

Did I choose to love?

Did I point to you enough to make a mark on things?

I want to leave an offering - a child of mercy and grace who blessed your name unapologetically and leave that kind of legacy.

I want you to know that you are leaving a legacy of FAITH, HOPE & LOVE and that I am grateful and blessed to have you as my uncle.