Trust

'"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts."'

Birthday weekend recap!

Wow. Wow. WOW! What a FUN weekend. Growing up my mom always said "It's your birthday. Whatever you want.". That was within reason, of course, but the basic concept was "it's your special day and we're going to celebrate you!". I have so many wonderful birthday memories from birthday's past... Big Splash, Sister Act and miniature golf when Big Splash was rained out, coming home and finding my dad had assembled a trampoline in record time so that it was waiting for me when we got home, On The Border, and, of course, cheesecake. Brandon has done a fabulous job over the years keeping the "it's all about you" tradition up. And this year didn't disappoint. I only had three requests. I wanted to walk the Arthur Ravenel Jr. bridge, go to the beach, and end the night with dinner at Halls Chophouse on King Street. That would've been wonderful, but B went above and beyond and planned an entire weekend. Let's break this down day by day, shall we?

Friday
The day started when this beauty arrived at my door.

Yum , yum, YUM! The cheesecake tradition started on my 18th birthday. I had been to NYC on spring break a few months earlier and fell in love with Carnegie Deli cheesecake. I had no clue you could order one, but mom and dad surprised me. It's been a tradition ever since! :)

By that afternoon I received this from Brandon. The agenda for my weekend! He had planned it all out!

How fun is that?! An agenda! (I'm not a planner at all, so I appreciate all his thought and effort into making my weekend so special.) 

The first thing on the agenda was a 90 minute walking ghost and graveyard tour. It was Friday the 13th, so it was only fitting, right? And any chance we get to walk downtown and explore, we take it! 

It was HOT in the graveyard. I was drenched. I told B I didn't know if it was just the humidity or if all the ghosts were suffocating me. ;)

Saturday

The original plan for Saturday was to travel to Columbia for the day. B wanted to take me to Hobby Lobby (we don't have one here -yet!) and we wanted to find Crowns and Gowns. Does anyone remember the TLC show "King of the Crown"? It followed Cyrus Frakes a pageant consultant. Oh, goodness, we loved that show. Anyway, he's out of Columbia so B thought we could at least get a picture outside of his store. Well, things changed and I needed to spend the day shopping because the "top secret" part of the agenda was a dinner B's boss had planned for me. He wanted to know what I'd like to eat and then researched and found the top rated Italian restaurant in Charleston. I didn't feel like I had adequate clothing so we put Columbia on hold and went shopping for something to wear. Ha!

Tattoria Lucca. Just a cute little house in downtown Charleston that had been converted to a restaurant. It seats maybe 50? So lovely.

I know this is dark, but I didn't want to use my flash. It's house made bucatini and marinara sauce, with goat butter and basil. Umm. I just can't explain how amazing this dish was. The simplicity of it took my breath away. And everyone else's, too, because I insisted they try it. Ha! At one point I was sandwiched between two people getting a bite. I wish I had a picture of that! 

The group. Lots of delicious food and lots of laughter. Good times.

I love my boy.

Sunday

Bran made us reservations to ride Thriller Charleston that afternoon. We had taken this speedboat ride in December, but that was a "sleigh ride" complete with hot chocolate and 40 degree weather. It was time to experience the true thrill -- speed, water in the face, sun blaring down, and loud music. We decided to go to the early service at church so we'd have time to grab a good lunch before Thriller. We woke up earlier than normal and B said "we should go to Cracker Barrel before church. You love their breakfast.". Well, he didn't need to repeat himself. I was jumping out of bed and ready in record time. Ha! We walked in around 7:30 and I devoured my Old Timer's breakfast. After church we were still full so we had a lot of time on our hands. So what'd I do? I curled up in bed and took an hour and a half nap before leaving. Haha! I'm old! ;)

Before boarding.

We sat on the back row. We were told that was the wettest spot on the boat. I wanted to get drenched, but it was more of water in the face type of wet. Still, lots of fun. 

We drove all through the harbor and even beyond. I think I laughed and smiled the entire hour. 

Monday

Oh, happy day! It was finally my birthday! I woke up with an extra pep in my step. I even managed to whip out two loads of laundry before 9 o'clock. Ha! B had to work for a couple of hours, but was home by 9:30. Then it was time to get moving! I had a bridge to conquer, beach to enjoy, and dinner to get ready for! 

The Arthur Ravenel Jr. bridge. Three miles, one way.

Here I am after I walked the first three miles. We were about to turn around and head back across the bridge. And I was just a little bit hot. ;)

Being athletic on my birthday. ;)

I did it! It took an hour and a half, (and that included stops for lots of pics) but we did it. 

What better way to relax after that than to hit the beach?!

Birthday on the beach!

I love this pic. We're both laughing. Genuine smiles. :)

After running home and cleaning up, we headed to Halls Chophouse for dinner. I snapped pics of the food (spicy shrimp, chopped salad, sourdough bread, loaded baked potato, steak, and pepperjack cream corn), but I'll just post this one of the two of us. 

That's bread pudding. I don't care for bread pudding, but B had eaten this at the Christmas dinner and loved it. Since I knew I had cheesecake waiting for me at home I let my complimentary birthday dessert from the Halls crew be something I knew B would enjoy. :)

  

Now that's what I'm talking about! Finally! I could cut into my cheesecake! (B had it delivered on Friday thinking we would eat on it all weekend. But I wanted it as my "cake" on my actual birthday so we resisted! And, yes, I know I look exhausted. I was! This was taken at almost 11. Again, I'm old!)

Mmmmmmm! Totally worth the wait! NYC cheesecake and fresh SC peaches. Delish. And, yes, it's a tiny piece. But we had just eaten like pigs at dinner! Ha!

So that was my birthday in a nutshell! I loved every minute of it. Only thing that could've made it better was a hug from my parents and my girls. But they were all together in Oklahoma and celebrated me all day long there. I talked to them all day long and Mom kept giving me a play by play like she does every year, "this time 30 years ago I was....". 

Bring it on, 30th year! I'm ready to see what all is in store for me and my sweet family!

Halfway to 60!

Today I am 30. 30! Or in the words of my dad, "halfway to 60". Or if I want to take it another step forward, a third of the way to 90. Wow. I wonder if I'll live to be 90? What would a 90 year old Cari look like? Hmmm. I'm laughing trying to picture myself at 90. That's funny. Anyway, here are some thoughts running through my head as I begin this new decade. 

* I'm excited. I know a lot of people (my husband being one of them) dreaded turning 30. It has never even been an issue for me. I think because I had the girls at such a young age (18) I always felt much older. I jokingly say "I've felt 30 for 11 years". Ha! Seriously, though, God created us to live. I want to embrace each new year. 

* I am now the age my sister was when she died of colon cancer. That's hard to wrap my head around. Brenna was diagnosed with cancer at 29. She fought it for nine months and died 27 days after her 30th birthday. If I live to August 13 I will have outlived my sister. I know this is a morbid way of thinking, but it's true. I always knew she died much too young. But now that I'm there, I just can't imagine what she had to go through. The goodbyes she had to face. Planning a will at 29. Telling our parents how and where she wanted to be buried. Unreal. 

* I feel like I am on the verge of a breakthrough. Brandon and I have been working for a few months at getting healthier. Yes, we've taken a bit of a break these past couple of weeks as we've enjoyed some precious alone time, but starting tomorrow we are hitting it hard again. It's not a diet. We are choosing to eat to live. For far too long we lived to eat. Enough is enough. 

* I've learned in the last few years that, yes, you can have a plan for your life. But, ultimately, we are not in control. God moved us from Oklahoma, to Arkansas, and now South Carolina. When I turned 20 I never dreamed I would ever leave my sweet little small town in northeast Oklahoma. Now that I turn 30 I know I can't be so set in my ways because His ways are higher than my ways (Isaiah 55:9). Will He move us again? Is the lowcountry our forever home? I don't know. And I'm learning that's ok. 

* I get to spend today on the beach. That's cool. I'm going to write "Happy 30th birthday to me" in the sand and take a picture with it. That'll be fun.

* In this next decade the girls will hit a lot of major milestones... becoming teenagers, driving, turning 18, graduating high school, college, and I'm sure their fair share of girl drama and boy troubles. Wow. That's crazy. These next 10 years are gonna be quite the ride! 

Life is so good. In the highs and in the lows, I am blessed. 

Now, it's time to go celebrate! 

Whirlwind: Part 4 (the end!)

I remember when I was in the youth group and we'd get home from church camp. I'd always crash for hours to catch up on the lack of sleep. It was wonderful. But now that I'm a "grown up", umm, that's just not possible. I said my goodbyes in Shawnee, drove straight to the grocery store to pick up Father's Day groceries, made a quick stop by my Grandma's, picked the girls up from my mother in law, and then hit mom and dad's house and put my cankles in the air for a minute before it was time to get busy again!

Happy 35th Anniversary Mom and Dad!

What a beautiful example of two people who love each other, have seen the highest of highs and the lowest of lows and stick together threw it all. 

Father's Day!

Lucky for me I was able to spend Father's Day and mom and dad's anniversary with them. We celebrated with Ben and his family and a delicious meal.

I was so glad to spend Father's Day with my dad. Goodness I love him. He's the best!

Gramps and his girlers.

The meal. Oh my goodness, oh my goodness. Yes, it's a starch filled mess, but it's the most delicious starch filled mess you will ever know. Muesnter chicken, rice, corn, salad, homemade macaroni and cheese, and rolls. De.Lish. 

Barrett is obsessed with mac and cheese. It's all the kid eats. And it makes my heart soar when he tells me mine is the best! :) So because I'm a good aunt, I make it for him any chance I get. Just look at that face! 

And his empty bowl. Success! ;)

Dessert. Yum, yum, YUM! Angel food cake, strawberries, and some yummy white fluffy stuff.

While I loved being home for Father's Day and my parents anniversary, it was very sad to be celebrating without Brandon. Poor guy was home alone on Father's day. I promised him we'd recreate this meal though! :)

The iPhone took a swim...

My mom is the best. I come home from camp with a suitcase full of dirty clothes and she gets to work washing them. But not only my clothes, my bedding as well. While everyone was resting after lunch, mom scooped up my blanket and threw it in the washer. Well...my phone was in the blanket and it went for a swim. Oh goodness. It was sad. Mom felt awful and I was worried about all my Falls Creek pics. I could get another phone, but I couldn't replace the pictures. We tried the rice trick, and while the phone still functioned, there was clearly still a lot of water inside. You could see it. So I was phone less for over three days. You'd think the world had come to an end. ;)

Reunited with Bran!

After three long week, I was able to see Brandon again! He flew into Little Rock for a quick day of work and I met up with him so he could drive us back home. Little Rock was the last stop on my whirlwind trip before heading back east.

We made a pit stop by our Cabot house. Sweet, sweet memories in that house.

I love that house. 

Juanita's with the Russell's!

Fred and Cyndi are just the sweetest. They are also misplaced Okies and we had that Sooner connection in Razorback nation. We were able to eat at one of our favorite Little Rock restaurants and visit with some of our favorite people.

Hilary was one of my "firstborns" from Sunday school. Love. Her. So. Much.

Hahahahaha!!!! I wanted a group pic. We felt like we were posing at the prom or something. But I love this picture. :)

Heading home!

And we're off! Goodbye Arkansas, hello Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and finally South Carolina!

One of my SS girls introduced me to Golden Oreos at camp. My life will never be the same. 

We made sure to plan our tip home based on food. We hit Gus's in Memphis (no pic, though. Weird!) and The Varsity in Atlanta. Their chili cheese coneys are to die for. And I don't even like hot dogs. Ha!

Oh, but their peach pies. Good grief. Nothing like them.

HOME!

After a marathon day/night of driving we finally made it. 

And waiting for me inside was souvenirs from France. Fun!

So there we have it. The conclusion of my whilrwind trip. What a blessing it was. Yes, it was crazy. Yes, it flew by. Yes, I never stopped. And, yes, I'd do it again in a heartbeat. 

Who's ready for a road trip? ;)

Whilrwind: Part 3

Falls Creek!

A month ago today I began part three of my whirlwind trip. It was time for Falls Creek! Back in December when we had gone to Arkansas/Oklahoma for Christmas, I met up for lunch with some of the girls I had taught in Sunday School. While we were catching up and laughing, they asked me if I would come back in the summer to go to church camp with them. And they didn't have to ask twice! I love church camp and I adore these sweet girls. We all got on our phones and bombarded the youth pastor with texts and calls and once I had the okay to join them, there was no looking back! Oh, what a sweet week we had encountering God and creating precious memories.

Since I had to be all over the place in just a short amount of time, I drove to Falls Creek. These five girls were my road companions. We laughed, sang, played Hangman (hexametaphosphate!), ate lots of snacks, and enjoyed each other's company. 

Oh. My. What a mess. A lovely mess tho. :)

Hannah Mae scaled that high ropes ladder like was nothing! I have a 16 minute video to prove it, but can't figure out how to send it to anyone or upload it. Ha! Way to go, Hannah!!

RSM worship band!

Each student and adult worker had an envelope. Throughout the week everyone is encouraged to drop someone a note. It's an in-cabin mail delivery system. I know I'll treasure the sweet notes I received. 

I enjoyed every minute I had to love on my girls!

And I equally loved the time I had with the sponsors. Oh, what memories we created. Late a night/early morning memories. We had an ab workout from the time we got to camp until the time we departed. We laughed all week long. It makes me smile just to think about it. :)

We pretended we were teenagers all week long. Ha!

We went looking for Hilary, our fellow sponsor, when she went on an icee date. We never found her. I'm sure she's glad. Ha!

And when all the students were asleep, we would stay up talking. We were the ones being told to be quiet and go to bed. Ha! We finally figured it out on the last night and went and talked in the bathroom until 2am. Again, teenagers. ;)

But this is what it was all about, friends.

Worshipping Him because He is worthy.

Standing together in good times and bad.

Diving into His Word. Asking Him to show us "great and mighty things". Jeremiah 33:3

Relationships restored and a plea to always stand together. 

And as with all great things, it had to come to an end.

The last group picture with all of my girls. We had to be silly, because I was a basket case knowing it was time to say goodbye to them. I love this picture so very much.

Leaving camp. Look at my eyes. Tired. Puffy from crying. But totally worth it.

 My dear friend Laura took this picture. This is me saying goodbye to everyone. Tears were flowing, but oh how I loved each and every last hug. 

What a wonderful week we had! Can't wait to do it again! ;)