I'm still alive...

...and I'm even writing blog posts. Just not here. Sorry about that. I promise I will finish updating very soon and get all caught up. (Just in time for our next trip to Texas!)

Tim had stand down last week and we were enjoying some much needed family time and this week we've been doing Vacation Bible School every night. Needless to say, it's been crazy! But if you are missing me, and who wouldn't be? ☺ You can read some posts I've done on our wedding, our honeymoon and our early days of marriage at Today's Housewife.

A Quick Trip to Houston

Not only do I have my paternal grandparents in my life, but both of my maternal grandparents are in Texas as well. I am so incredibly blessed! Granny and Grandaddy moved into an assisted living facility in Houston last year, so we always try to make a trip down to see them. This time it was a very quick day trip. Thankfully the boys were excellent and made the car trip as pleasant as possible. Here are a few pictures from our visit.

Grandaddy drawing Mark a cowboy like he used to draw for all of the grandkids

Cheap labor

Luke wasn't sure about the whole situation after he got up from his nap

Grandaddy trying to entice Luke to come see him

It's always worth the trip!

Mamaw's Burgers...

For as long as I can remember, my Mamaw's burgers have been my favorite.  But since we make it back to Texas so infrequently, I hardly ever get to eat one anymore.  But Memorial Day, Mamaw made burgers for me and they were as good as they ever were.  Most of the family came over and we had a great afternoon seeing everyone.  I feel incredibly blessed to be able to share my Mamaw and Papaw (G.C.) with my boys.  They mean so much to me and I am grateful every day that they are still in my life!

Here I am with a mouthful - I told you I liked them!

Mamaw has many, many "famous" dishes, but this is another recipe I can 

remember her making most every Memorial Day and 4th of July.

Old Friends...

Sometimes I am truly amazed at how God has blessed me with so many wonderful friends in my lifetime.  I wrote about the gift of friendship not too long ago on Today's Housewife and how some friends are little-while friends that God gives us for a season, while others are long-while friends who are in our lives for much longer.  

I met Alli when I was a freshman at John Brown University, so I guess that puts her in the "long-while" category.  We endured many hours in elementary education classes together and even shared a room together when we lived off campus with two other friends our senior year.  But it might have been those early morning commutes when we were student teaching that bonded us forever.  

Unfortunately, life took us in two different directions and we haven't seen each other since my wedding - almost 6 years ago.  But Alli and her husband, Alex, happened to be in Dallas looking at a new car and were able to stay with my parents while the boys and I were there.  They came with their two little ones, Oliver and Meredith.  It was so much fun.  The kids are pretty close in age.  Both of hers being just a bit younger than my two boys and they played amazingly well together.  Oliver and Mark Garrett were fast friends and had a great time.  There were even some tears when they had to say good-bye.  

Popping popcorn for a post-dinner snack

Meredith is not impressed that Luke is stealing her popcorn

The visit flew by, but I'm so grateful it worked out to get to see them.  It was such a great reminder of the many, many blessings God has given me through my friends.  Hopefully it won't be 6 more years before I get to see you guys again!

This picture is pretty impressive for 4 kids under 4!

Showers Galore!

I absolutely adore Mark's fiance.  When Meghan asked me to be her maid of honor I was so excited to be part of their wedding.  A few of the other bridesmaids and I threw her a personal shower and bachelorette party in Dallas over Memorial Day weekend.  And we had the best time!  You can read her post about it on her darling blog Getting Our Ducks In a Row.

We opened her shower gifts at one of the bridesmaid's home.  She'd ordered dinner from Whole Foods and another bridesmaid had carried Meghan's favorite cupcakes all the way from Nashville for us.  I think they had more icing than cake to them - so yummy!  We also played the Newlywed Game.  I was pretty impressed with how many questions she got right.  I guess they were both paying attention in their pre-marital counseling classes!  

I made these based on some I'd seen on Martha Stewart

Then we headed out.  We didn't make Meghan wear anything too embarrassing.  Just a sash and a HUGE ring that glowed.  We danced and had a great time and like the old people that we are, were done by 12:30 before it was even getting crowded.  Mark picked us up and even got us Taco Cabana on the way home.  

The next morning we all got up and got ready for a more formal shower thrown by Meghan's mother's friends.  It was absolutely lovely.  We had a fabulous lunch and she received lots of beautiful gifts.  

There are seven bridesmaids, but 5 of us are from out of Texas 

and 2 of the girls couldn't make it for the weekend.

The beautiful tables

Mom and I

We are setting back in to life

Our whirlwind trip to Texas is over.  To be honest, we've been home almost a week now.  But it's been crazy and filled with lots of events.  I'm finally back to blogging so stay tuned for pictures and stories from our two weeks "back home."  Although, I'm starting to think Mark is getting used to living in Georgia.  We've been working on this for a while now, but he finally says, "Yes May-am" all the time now.  It's pretty cute and very southern with his little drawl!