L.o.v.e.

(H) Tonight is another night of restlessness for me.  I am lying in bed right now, contemplating love.  What is looks like..what I feel like it should be.  I am thinking about being afraid of moving..because I hate goodbyes more than anyone on the planet. I am thinking about being sad.  Sad to leave heartfelt conversations on the car ride home.  Sad to leave the sweet puppy kisses I am showered with every time I walk through the door.  Mostly, sad to know that the four people resting inside of this house right now will not always be two doors down.  So I believe it is a good time to write down all the ways I look at love.  I can read this when I am hurting in a new place.  And I can use this as a ruler for my future relationships.

Love is. Comfortable. Walking out of bed Saturday morning with a shiny face and frizzy hair.  Morning breath. Running beside someone with sweat pouring down their face and still thinking they are beautiful. Quality time.  Errands, Mountain Dew & Snickers.  Someone always willing to wait while you get your oil changed. Breakfast.  The simple pleasure of looking across the at the same beautiful brown eyes while you eat Special K cereal and discuss the rest of the days plans.  Surprises.  Walking out to your car and seeing the words “I love you this much” written on a Ziploc bag.  The way an unforeseen icee and jumbo Cookies & Cream bar can make a long night at work fade away.  Knowing that someone thinks enough about you to take the time to do the little things..all the time. Additions. Opening your heart to new people brought into the family..and being excited each time you see a tan or bronze car in the driveway.  Admiration. It is respect.  It is knowing that you could not possibly be more proud of not only the brilliant mind..but the depth of compassion second only to Jesus.  Black & White photographs and Friday night movies. Best friend.  Knowing the same person who hears every unkind word you speak also thinks you have a compassionate heart.  No matter how wrong you may be, you ALWAYS have someone in your corner.  The same person can be both your biggest critic and your biggest fan because you know they love you one hundred percent.  Fights.  An entire day can go by consisting only of glares and slamming doors.  Somehow...sitting in your seat at the table..you realize it doesn’t matter.  Years from now, you will be sitting next to the exact same person..and nothing will be the same.  Save for the four faces looking back at you.  It is at this moment in time you realize.  This is what matters.  Choosing someone who gives all of these things. Because in the end..the faces you see first thing in the morning are the ones that count.  Everything else will change..because life is not static.  People die. move. graduate. get married.  But love.. the kind of love that only God can give. Is a gift. A handcrafted treasure involving countless moments of decision. Seemingly everyday choices and pathways all leading to these specific relationships.  It is hard, even painful at times.  It is a fight.  It is laughter.  It is the desire to freeze time.  It is inside jokes.  It is hurt feelings.  It is dirty dishes and pollen filled porches.  It is pre-party frustrations and totally clear refrigerator doors.  It is everything you could ever imagine..and all you will ever need. 

Sunday Afternoons

(H) Today I enjoyed a lovely day with my Mom. We were able to finish my long awaited apron! How the ladies of the Atkinson house were able to cook without these beauties is beyond me. Maybe we will whip up a delicious meal for dinner tomorrow night..or..not. Haha :) The funny thing is, I don't really mind how little or much I am able to use my apron. If I end up having to move to Maine, I know I will pull out my gorgeous apron with the big red bow and think about the two best ladies in my life. The best thing is..forever is a long time to enjoy afternoons like today :)

mobley & me

(H) As you may recall, I met a guy named Jeff on the December trip to Haiti. He came down here to visit over spring break, so I decided to repay the favor with a trip to Ohio. Much to my surprise, the season known as "spring" actually exists somewhere. It is this period of time where the weather is actually enjoyable, and flowers bloom. I was delighted to not only experience that for the first time, but also enjoy the scenery while I was there. It is beautiful!

Our first day was spent enjoying the outdoors. I played my first game of disc golf..despite the windy day. While Jeff is a pro..I kind of was not. Let's put it this way..he is left handed..and played better with his right hand than I did. I'm sure that brought out the best in me..hahaha :)

That night, we went to a bonfire at Riverbend Park. We also spent some time star gazing. There was a large reservoir next to the hill we were on..if you closed your eyes it sounded like the ocean..at least that's what Jeff thought..haha :) The only thing missing at the campfire: Mellie, Davie, and the bullet.

Saturday was spent caving and visiting a castle. Little did we know, we were also able to enjoy roller coaster belly drops during the hour long drive. Another time I was a delight I'm sure. It was during this ride that I learned the whole world knows about "Don't tase me bro." Crazy! We finished off the evening with another lovely bonfire. I was a little bit cold..it was 60 something..haha :)

Sunday we enjoyed a great service at Jeff's church. After that, we hit the 4-wheelers and went mudding. Before and after pictures. Wow. Luckily, I was born a girl..because I would obviously make an interesting looking boy.

We were able to spend some time with Kurt & Julie during our visit. Saturday night we had a fun time seeing their new house and all the cool things around the property. Monday we brought lunch over to Mission Possible's main office and enjoyed a yummy meal with all the staff there. I can't wait until next visit when I can meet their kids!

Epcot

(M)

Last Monday David and I headed out to Orlando to spend the day at Epcot. We were so lucky to get the "Give a Day Get a Day" tickets, and used them towards buying 4 day passes to Disney. In total, we each spent $22 dollars. My sale-loving self was very excited.

Last summer, David surprised me by taking me to Disney for my birthday. Somehow he escaped from getting any pictures with Mickey and Minnie. This trip, we waited in line for an hour to get these winners. David kept claiming all the boys (aka "men") were giving each other sympathetic looks. But we all know he was secretly thrilled to be standing amidst all the screaming children with their autograph books all open and ready.

After a few hours of rides we decided to walk around to all the different countries. Who knew 94° could feel so torturous. We made many pit stops to get pictures with the different characters. David was thrilled at the opportunity to meet so many of the princesses with me. As repayment he made me stand in the heat to watch some men climb on chair towers. I was very sad I chose to wear black that day.

Leaving the park proved to be a long walk, but was well rewarded with an ice cold Prius. It's slowness was actually appreciated for once, as it meant an extra long time with the A/C on the drive to the outlet malls. I am sad to say David had not been able to shop with us before, as anyone who knows our family knows these malls are an official Atkinson Family tradition. He obviously didn't know what he was getting himself into. Shop until you drop is more literally complaining until you believe you are experiencing growing pains in your legs. Only we aren't growing anymore.

I had to take a picture from the beginning of the day for this spot. Pushing my luck to ask for one more picture after countless hours of shopping may have left me sleeping overnight in the stores. In that case, maybe I should've asked.

Alarms and Aprons

(M)

I finished up the spring semester on Tuesday afternoon, and in celebration went to :08 on Thursday night to meet up with Brittany and David. While we were there, we saw an 85 year old lady, with her 50 year old daughter. Funnily enough, they were both keeping up with the line dancing better than even I can admit to.

Yesterday, Me, Kim, Phil, David, and my parents all worked on fixing Heather's fire alarm. Who knew we'd have rather left it chirping until we moved then tackle that beast of a project. Thank God Philip has super long arms.

Much to the boy's horror, I started taking pictures while holding the ladder. Thankfully Phil didn't break any bones - now we can proudly show Heather the pictures when she gets home from Ohio.

Today, my mom and I worked on finishing up making our aprons we three girls started over Christmas break. Mine is now officially complete :)

We had to make a quick trip to Joann Fabrics. Brody really wanted to come...