Where have you been?

It's the question I've heard often recently. Yes, I realize I've dropped off the bloggy planet. Yes, I have good reasons…well, sorta. And, yes, I know you miss me. At least some of you do.

So, I hope to be better now that summer is upon us and theoretically that means all sorts of time to do nothing other than blog. There has been MUCH that has happened over the last few weeks while I've been away. I'm going to do my best to give a quick recap here. To delve into it all as deeply as I might normally, would be too laborious for me as well as for you, dear gracious reading friend. It may take you a few days to read all of this, but that's okay right? Just making up for lost time! So, in my best attempt at the correct chronological order, may I present to you….what's been UP while I've been OUT?

1. I'll just get this out of the way up front. The main reason I dropped off the planet was due to this thing called "my job" and an immense amount of pressure that came up right around the beginning of May. I'm so thankful for my job but I'm WAY more thankful God is with me through all sorts of situations. I nearly like-ta-have-croaked with that one. But, it's over now! (I think.) I'm still working, just not dying.
   
2. American Idol – David Cook was my fave from the beginning. Loved the crossword puzzles, the increasingly shaggy facial hair, the music, the attitude. Hated Simon for raking him over the coals in the finale. Literally jumped out of my bed and did a fist pump complete with a "YES! YES!" when he was announced the winner. He's gonna rock it out big time. Can't wait for the first album.
   
3. We had hail damage earlier this year. Got a new roof! Those two sentences encompassed about 18 full hours of my life in May. My first real foray into homeowners' insurance claims…what a quagmire.
   
4. Carson won first place in his Kindergarten class spelling bee. Oh the joy and celebration that one sparkly blue ribbon can set off in our household. It was about 3 weeks ago and the prize is still hanging from the light fixture over the kitchen table.
   
5. Avery is seriously good at soccer. We're so proud of her. On the last day of the season, she had a double header and scored 5 goals. Not too shabby, Little One! And, she does it all on quickness and determination…none of that pushing and shoving mess…no ma'am. That's for the Slow!
   
6. Avery also had a ballet recital in May. We spent roughly 45 hours at rehearsals, $119 in gasoline, $40 on her "costume fee" and $20 for tickets all for the pleasure of watching her praise Jesus for a total of 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Really…it was priceless.
   
7. I helped a neighbor friend coordinate a neighborhood garage sale. Ugh. But, the purging felt so good.
   
8. I have officially recovered from UNC's loss to Kansas in the Final Four. I told you it would take a few weeks. It did. I'm now looking forward to next year and the return of Psycho T!
   
9. During the garage sale, Super Heather brought over some of her stuff to sell. This point really deserves an entire blog unto itself. In one sentence, she transformed our immensely cluttered and trashed up garage into a glistening palace of organized order and joy. Oh yes, it was that good.
   
10. Then…literally…just a handful of days later, my friend Cindy divulges that she, like Heather, has this amazing gift of organization. She then volunteers to come over and help me with my choice of rooms. The choice was the "craft closet"….Scrapbook Explosion is now Scrapbook Heaven. I'm not even sure I want to scrapbook since I'll have to mess up the closet to do it. Thank GOD for friends like these!!!!
    
11. I took over the family finances. Oh my word. I've been to see a financial advisor. It's been a wicked learning process, but in 50 years I hope to say it was worth it! And I do mean in cold hard cash, people.
    
12. We temporarily traded vans with Richard's parents. We have decided to keep our van until it literally falls apart, so Pop is working his magic on the windshield, the door that Richard damaged in some freak wind storm and the side panel that I ever so slightly rubbed against a ginormous metal dumpster. Dang trash can.
    
13. Richie has managed a newfound love of nakedness. It hearkens back to the days of the diaper and boots ensemble only this time buck naked….as often as we'll let him, but always at naps. He's alarmed several of our friends. Dear souls….they still love us.
    
14. Carson graduated from Kindergarten and it was the river of tears you might expect from this softie. It was complete with cap, gown, singing, Kindergarten bell choir, slide show, scripture recitation and the diploma distribution in which Carson's teacher chose the words "articulate" and "mature" to describe him.
    
15. Avery also graduated from the Sunday/Wednesday preschool program at church. Gosh, the time is really flying by.
    
16. And finally…..this one as well could really use it's own blog. We went to St. Louis as a "school's out" celebration with the kids. We went to a ballgame at which both Avery and Emma got baseballs during practice out in the bleacher seats! They were also chosen to be on Fox that night. Here is the video to prove it! Next day, we went to the zoo. It was great!
    

Ok, I'm tired of writing and I think you're probably tired of reading. I think I'm back online now and you're caught up with all the major events! Sorry for any typos. This came out fast!