Happiness Is...

Happiness is attending The Avett Brothers concert with my husband and having an overnight date!

Life has been stressful in the last months and we finally got a break from it all.  I can't tell you how much we needed some time to ourselves.

The Avett Brothers were originally scheduled to play Dallas in April, but the concert was postponed because Scott Avett's wife was having a baby .  I was disappointed at the time, but it ended up being even better timing for us. 

We decided to make it a fun weekend.  We had about 24 hours kid-free thanks to our niece and nephew and Mark's parents who babysat Will and Ben.  We stayed at a hotel near downtown Dallas.  Before the concert we met up with Mark's brother and his wife.  We ate a local burger joint near the hotel and then we made our way to the Palladium Ballroom.

Here's the marquee.  The Palladium Ballroom is a part of Gilley's. (Gilley's as in Gilley's of Urban Cowboy, just in case you were wondering.)

The Palladium Ballroom sign 

This was the stage before the show started.  I've been to a lot of concerts, but it's been about 10 years since I've seen a live band.  I forgot how much fun it is to see a concert.  I kind of felt young and hip. The opening act was the David Mayfield Parade.

My favorite photo of the night.

Scott Avett is on the left and Seth Avett is on the right. 

They are phenomenal in concert.  Seriously amazing! 

These guys are entertaining and extremely talented. 

At the end of the show we made our way to the stage.

Mark and I felt like kids just dating.  So fun and carefree!

Here's what I wore to the concert if you are into that sort of thing.

Andrea and Craig had a great time at the concert, too.

Time to go.  The show is over. 

Dallas, Texas at night. 

Here's the setlist from the concert on 10/15/11

And It Spread

The Fall

Salina

Go 2 Sleep

Will You Return

Living of Love

All My Mistakes

At The Beach

Head Full Of Doubt/Road Full of Promise

Denouncing November Blue

Kick Drum Heart

Never Been Alive

Murder in the City

When I Drink

January Wedding

Paranoia in B Major

Merle Haggard cover, I Won't Give Up My Train

I & Love & You

Colorshow

Slight Figure Of Speech w/ David Mayfield

Laundry Room

Encore:

Ballad of Love & Hate

Talk on Indolence

There you have it.  One of the best nights I've had in a very long time.

Old Standby

My old standby when it comes to cooking a meal in the crockpot is a packet of onion soup mix and a can of golden mushroom soup (and a *secret ingredient). 

It's not gourmet, but it's good. 

This combination works well with pork tenderloin, pork chops or roast beef.  I've had the best success cooking the meat on low heat for 6-8 hours.  Once the meat is fully cooked and tender, I usually serve it with a side of steamed veggies, salad, brown rice or mashed potatoes.

I rely on the crockpot during the busy school year when I don't have time to spend hours preparing a meal for my family.  I am trying to be more creative in the meals I'm preparing, but it takes a great deal of planning and effort.

My old standby, golden mushroom soup and onion soup mix.

*The secret ingredient I mentioned above.

The bottle is almost empty, which shows that I use it a lot.  I've only found this at Whole Foods.  It makes the old standby more flavorful.  Just add a little, maybe 1/4 cup.
This combo isn't new to anyone, but it works for me.

I'm linking up to Mel at the Larson Lingo.  Go check out her fun link up party
Crocktober
you'll get so many good ideas for easy, delicious meals in your crockpot.

Happy. Monday.

I have a list of good things to share with you!

Lately I've been heavy-hearted, there's no denying that.  I know my blogging has reflected it.  Despite all of the sad things in my life, there are so many things to be grateful for.  Today I will focus on the positive.

1.

My father-in-law, Jerry,  received a good report from the doctor.  His scans and tests came back good and the doctor is positive his prostate cancer can be treated.  It did not spread to other parts of his body.  Prayers answered!!!  He will still have to have some form of treatment and that will be a challenge because there are side effects from each option.  Please keep him in your prayers.

This was taken June 9, 2011 in Tennessee at The Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

2.  

On Saturday, Ben and I did something fun.  There was a craft fair in the local high school.  The weather was amazing so Ben and I walked to it.  It was nice to hang out with Ben while Mark and Will stayed home.  Ben was really well-behaved while we strolled around and looked at all the different booths.  I purchased some wonderful handmade items.

3. 

These beautiful scarves are handmade by my sister-in-law, Andrea.  Last year I wrote about Andrea and the honorable charity she supports, Knitters Without Borders.  You can check out the post here to get more info.

I have a closet full of beautiful scarves that she's made, but I can't resist buying more!  Is that what you call an addiction?

The colors and textures are beautiful.

4.

I met Caroline from good times never seem sew good at the craft fair.  She's so sweet and a fellow Aggie :)  I bought two adorable flower headbands. 

I have a cute story to tell you about wearing the one with white flowers.  I'll save it for my WIWW post on Wednesday.

5.
I also bought Mark a homemade pumpkin roll.  Well, it wasn't all for Mark.  (I may have had a piece or two.)  Sunday afternoon was rainy--the perfect day to enjoy a cup of hot tea and some pumpkin roll.  Delish! 




6.
Angela from Unexpected Elegance sent me the sweetest thing.  She made this beautiful key chain.
Her post about the key chain made me cry.  She is a dear friend and I'm thankful she's in my life.


7.
"My friends remind me, by their very steadfastness, that truth, beauty, and goodness exist in the world, and that, no matter what, there will be people loving people through thick and thin."

I found that beautiful quote on Pinterest.  I posted it as one of my facebook statuses this week.  I can't express how much my friends (real life and blog) have been a source of strength and encouragement during this difficult time. 

8.
Speaking of friends, my cousin, Laine, is a relative and close friend.  Laine, Tommy and big brother Sam anxiously await Harper's arrival in November.  I'm beyond thrilled for their family.  Saturday I went to a baby shower in her honor.  She has the neatest group of friends and the shower was absolutely lovely.

*Laine is 8 months pregnant and glowing.  I, on the other hand, am not pregnant, but this top sort of makes me look that way.  I still love the top, but I will remember to suck in if I ever have my photo taken in it again :)

Linking up to lowercase letters for Misc. Monday

A Decade

Mark and I have been a couple for 10 years!

Sometimes it seems like we just started dating and then other times it feels like we've always been together.

The events of the past few weeks and months have made me even more grateful to have someone like Mark by my side.  It's been bearable knowing I have him to support me through it all.

We're going to do something fun next weekend.  We're going to see The Avett Brothers in concert.  I can't wait.  It's great timing for us and will be the perfect break from all of the stress we've been under.

One of my favorite lines from an Avett Bros song,

If you're loved by someone, you're never rejected.

"Head full of doubt, Road full of Promise"

It's good to be loved by someone.

These photos were taken in July at the Dallas Arboretum (that's before I cut my hair in August, just in case you were wondering).

{Photos by Lauren}

The Pursuit of Normal

Most of my adult life has been spent in pursuit of one thing--normal.

When I started blogging I noticed that I was drawn to blogs with ideal families who seemed

to live picture perfect lives.  The families were so "normal".  I've been trying so hard to figure out what normal is because so many things in my life have not been normal.

Today I decided that I needed to get some things off my chest.  Things that I've always hesitated to go into great detail about before--my family. 

My family is something that's been on my mind lately and I can't seem to shake it.  The death of my grandfather has brought back so many things that I try not to think about each day.  Mixed in with the emotions I feel about his passing are feelings I have concerning my family. 

If we've been blog friends for a while, then you may have noticed that I talk about my grandparents a great deal.  You may have noticed that I don't really mention "my Mom" or "my Dad", and I don't talk about my siblings very much.  There are reasons why I've never talked about those people.  I've never given very many details about my family because it's so personal and it's complicated.  In an effort to find some resolution and process these feelings and emotions, I'm just going to write about it. 

Here's more information than you probably ever wanted to know about my family. 

I was raised by my paternal grandparents, as most of you know.

Their son, my biological father, was in the military and stationed in the Philippines.  He met and married a native Filipino, my biological mother, and they had me and my older brother.  When I was 10 weeks old, my biological father took me and my older brother from the Philippines and brought us to the United States.  From my understanding, there were issues with both of my biological parents, which made them incapable to raise us at the time. 

My brother and I lived with my grandparents until I was about 2 1/2 and my brother was about 4 (I think, I was so young and all of these details are fuzzy).  By this time, my biological father had divorced my biological mother and married another Filipino woman.  He and his new wife came to the United States.  I believe their intentions were to take my brother and I and begin again as a family.  Somehow the decision was made that I would not go and live with them but stay with my grandparents instead.  My older brother ended up going with my biological father and stepmother. 

My grandparents made the decision to legally adopt me and raise me as their own.  Because of this they have always been my parents, even though they are my grandparents.

Here's where it gets even more complicated...

I didn't call my grandparents "Mom" or "Dad".  I referred to them as Mama Winnie and Papa Ralph, which you've read about them numerous times on the blog.  I also didn't consider my uncles (their other sons) as brothers; they were my uncles.  I didn't consider my cousins to be nieces and nephews; they were just my cousins.  I never really considered my biological parents to be parents; they were just people in my life like any other relatives I had very little contact with.  Are you confused?  Don't worry, it is confusing.

So, where does this leave me now.

Well, I have three siblings.  I have my older brother who I mentioned earlier.  I also have a younger brother and sister from my biological father and stepmother.  I still consider them to be my brothers and sister even though I did not grow up with them, and when it comes to "being a part of their family" I'm not technically a part of their nuclear family.  I'm pretty close to my older brother and my younger brother and his wife.  My younger sister is still in high school so she is all about high school stuff.  She and I text and communicate through facebook ever once in awhile.

I have no other siblings from my biological mother.  I know this because her relatives found me and my older brother about 4 years ago.  We had not had contact with her and her family, other than an occasional letter or card we would receive every 5 years or so.  Since our contact and with her was so limited, we were beyond shocked when her sisters tracked us down.  I never ever expected to have contact with her and to get a phone call from her was very unsettling.  It took me a while to work through all of those feelings and emotions.  Through it all, I have no issues with my biological mother, and I don't hold any resentment towards her.  I know there were things that have happened over the last 30 years that have been out of her control.  I have accepted a friend request from her on facebook and she can now view photos and current information about my family, which I think makes her happy.  It's interesting interacting with her on facebook.    It's been interesting interacting with her over the last 4 years since she reconnected with us.

I am very guarded with my emotions and cautious with my relationship concerning both of my biological parents.  I have boundaries in place to protect myself.  It took many years of soul searching and questioning before I could have peace with my life.

In my pursuit of normal, I've realized that my family situation is complicated.  Accepting these complications has brought peace.

I have peace knowing  that many of the events that led me to where I am at in my life are results of decisions that were made over 30 years ago, and many of those events were out of my control. 

I am at peace knowing that the ones who made the decision for me to live with my grandparents made that decision trying to do the best they knew how.

I am at peace with my childhood.  Even though it was unusual, I felt very loved and secure. All credit goes to my amazing grandparents, a loving extended family and wonderful church family.

Despite my unusual family situation, my husband likes to say that I'm normal surrounded with some abnormal circumstances.

Whew, that was a lot to get off my chest.

Hopefully by me sharing all of this someone who is facing difficult family circumstances might find encouragement.

Also be encouraged to know that despite what life hands you, you can make your family what you want it to be. 

I believe we have that power to be who we want to be and ultimately who God wants us to be.

Philippians 4: 13

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

I believe in the power of the gospel to changes lives.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

I believe God gave us everything we need to accomplish this.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

I believe we have the ultimate example as a parent in our Heavenly Father, and more than anything else His love makes me the person I am today.  I'm forever grateful for the redeeming love of Christ. 

Romans 8:15

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!"

Galatians 4: 4-7

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,  to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”  Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Sharing what's On My Heart at Casey's.

and

Life

Hello Friends!

It's Monday, and I have just a moment to put together a post of randoms about my life lately.  I'll be linking up to lowercase letters.

1.

Since the passing of my grandfather just over a week ago, life has been hard.  Each day it gets a little easier, but there are still moments when I'm very sad.

2. 

We have other big things going on in our family right now.  The day before my grandfather passed away we found out that my father-in-law has prostate cancer.  He is going for more tests this week to determine if the cancer has spread, which will determine his course of treatment.  It goes without saying, that I would appreciate your prayers.  We are praying that the cancer has not spread and that it is very treatable.  We also hope and pray for a fast and complete recovery.  I'll keep you updated.

3. 

Despite the stress in our lives right now we still feel blessed.  I believe God is sovereign and in control.  I believe that we have been given the grace to see us through.  {Thank you, Angela} Sometimes that grace comes in a Bible verse that is comforting, a song on the radio, a visit from friends, a card in the mail, a kind text from a friend or thoughtful email or blog comment.  Somehow we are making it through each day and finding plenty of things to be thankful for.

2 Corinthians 12:9

 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

4.

When I'm feeling a little down, these guys pick me up!  Here they are in their typical positions watching a little television. 

5.

We decided to have a picnic this weekend.  This was a fun way to enjoy the awesome weather.  The boys loved it.

6.

I'm feeling a little more like myself.  I hadn't picked up my camera for 20 days.  My SD card was blank from September 4-24.  I was so busy with all that was going on that taking photos was the last thing on my mind.  I even took some photos for WIWW.

7.

I also know that I'm feeling more like myself because I baked cookies.  Will thinks they are the best cookies ever.  I followed the snickerdoodle recipe in my Betty Crocker cookbook (the one I got as a wedding gift 9 years ago and I bet some of you received a copy of it as a wedding gift, too).  I made them last night, and we had cookies and ice cream for dinner.  Seriously, we did :) 

*Did you spot my Yankee candle in the corner of the photo?  It's Harvest.  It feels like fall--baking cookies that have cinnamon and burning my Harvest candle. 

Ben's Two Year Photos

Ben turned 2 four months ago.  Life has been crazy and hectic in the four months that have passed since his birthday.  I realized I didn't show you photos from his two-year photo shoot at the Dallas Arboretum (my very favorite place to have photos taken!).  I also realized that if I don't get these put on the blog soon, it will  be time to show you fall photos and Christmas photos.  We are scheduled to have photos taken in November for Will's 5th birthday and photos taken for our Christmas card.

Here's our precious Ben.

I can't say enough good things about our wonderful photographer Lauren.  If you are in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and need a talented photographer, use Lauren!