Fall Fall Fall - Are you here yet?

All of these “back to school” photos make me nostalgic! Laying in bed not being able to sleep because I am so excited about school starting the next day... ahhh good times!!! I always had that brand new outfit so proud to show it off! Maybe it is because I grew up with my mother being a teacher, but it seems to just run through my blood that once August hits, it is school. In college, it was sorority Rush... so even now my brain thinks in the matter of school time. So to me I guess it's time to pull out the jeans!... Even though we have over 100 in the forecast for next week...

Last weekend I kept very busy. Saturday I drove out to Las Colinas to see Andrea, then over to Plano for a pool party then down to the Bishop Arts District near downtown Dallas for Lauren's baby shower. I was exhausted! The shower was so wonderful. I have known Lauren since we were about six years old. It was great to catch up with everyone! Baby Olivia got some wonderful things, too!!!

Sunday Nick changed my oil for me. Why now? Because he has always told me he would do it, but I always insisted on taking my car places. I finally gave in because he explained his oil was better quality. I was in awe of his master oil skills! I think every little boy should learn to change oil from their dads or their father figures or their older cousins... it's a tradition. My dad learned it from his, etc... I have a big thing with teaching children to be down to earth and never take their means for granted meaning I want my child to learn these things and never be a “city boy.” I will never forget and I share this story with everyone... I knocked something over in Mom's classroom and when she told me to clean it up, I said, “The janitor will do it.” Ohhh man... that was the wrong thing to say. She had me cleaning right then. Another time I told a family friend I didn't like their food, upon saying that, my Dad took my plate and threw it on the lawn. I love these lessons. I might be a brat at times, but my parents instilled in me gratitude and I am very thankful.

Well, even though it's about 90 outside I sure am craving some hot soup! Yep, in my blood it's time for Fall.

Lauren opening gifts

Lauren 

Julie, Britt, Kelly, Hayley

Brenda MADE these for Olivia!!!

This was Brenda's favorite!!! She rocks.

Living It Up My Way

Catching up on life seems important if you think about it. The other day I wanted to know what I was doing the last Olympics so I scrolled through four years of my blog. Yep, there it was! I had just started dating Nick so it chronicled all of our fun – that summer was one of the best times ever. Good times to look back! Let's see...

We had a girl's night this week at Andrea's new place in Las Colinas. Yes, with just about the same girls mentioned in the blog four years ago. Kacie, Jana, Andrea, Raelyn, Kathryn... and a few other gals... even my sorority sister, Summer, who lives around the block from Andrea came!!! So wonderful to catch up with her! We chased around Kacie's two year old, Gavin and just chit-chatted and ate appetizers... seems like the night passed in a flash. It is so important to get together with girlfriends. Many of us are at different places in our lives. Summer has two little girls, Jamie almost has two, Raelyn just got married, one gal just broke up with her boyfriend, then there's Andrea, Jana and I on the cusp of engagement one day.

Last weekend we went to Nikki's birthday party at Oscar's... awesome... You know how much I love the Rubio family. I am an honorary one after growing up next door to them!!! We hung out there until about 2 AM- that is how much fun I have with Cody, Kristy and his entire family. They make me laugh beyond words. I got to talking to Jeremy's girlfriend, Rahma all about her country of Egypt – she is half Armenian as well. I was just astonished to hear about some things there. They put on your ID if you are Christian or Muslim. She comes from a Christian family is fearful for her dad to visit there because he might be killed. It's weird how we think we have come so far... but, hasn't it always been this way? My gosh, to be killed for your religion? Decades ago they were killing Jews... in the Bible they were killing for this or that belief... does it ever stop? I know we hear about it in other countries, but it was weird to hear another Christian speaking about it. She is just amazing, I could have listened to her all night. She knows four languages and their two-year-old son already speaks three!

Always keeping busy. I don't believe we have a free weekend until October!!! Love it!!! I'm going home this weekend to Midland and am very excited to see the family. Chandra just moved into their new house, but sometime when we both have more time and I drive down I will get out there to see it. I dream of my house growing up a lot so it is never forgotten, of course. Everyone knows about my nightmares... ugh, they never cease. Mom was back last week and she had lost a lot of weight, she was wild and trying to run away from us. I don't know why... someone said maybe it is because when I lost her I was a freshman in college and my version of “wild”... which wasn't really wild, but free, I guess. Oh well, it's not so bad, just weird. Yes, Sarah was back, too, a few times, of course, again – she had been hiding and never passed (I figure this is just bc I never saw her body)... Sometimes we are back in high school, sometimes we are just hanging out. With Mom, many times we are at Goliad Middle School in her classroom, this time we were at some random house. (I also think I dreamed this because Monday night “Grimm” premiered and his mother came back from the dead after 20 years of hiding!)... Anyway, when I dreamed about my house, Dad, Brenda and I were there and we hadn't moved out yet, but the new family had moved in and I was very unhappy with their decorating and moving my stuff! Who knows?!!! Not really sure if you can ever “fix” dreams because it is the unconscious mind. It's cool to have Mom back in them. So many things I don't recall or just slip away or maybe I never really knew.

Okay blah blah... living it up!!!

Summer Nights

This weekend I had the opportunity to host the Texas Tech Student Sendoff sponsored by the Parents Association. I loved having the mic in my hands! It was so much fun. Nick went with me so he got in on the fun. It was interesting to see the young kids about to head to college. I remember it like it was yesterday. It was such a time of freedom and excitement of this whole new world. I don't remember being scared at all. College is amazing... Texas Tech rocks!

Life here is just wonderful as the summer will soon come to an end. The Olympics have been taking up my nights as I watch them while working out. I don't remember being this interested in the Olympics since the 1996 gymnastics team. Life around in the world is just spiraling out of control as I watch it. Sometimes I would like to hide under a rock. Shootings and violence are just crazy. There has been a big deal with Chick-Fil-A vs. gay marriage which isn't really even about chicken, of course... but, it just puts into spotlight more of this group vs. that group. I thought about it when I was praying one night and realized it isn't just about today's world. You know, thousands of years ago even in the Bible class fought against class. Hitler hated the Jews. Whites hated the blacks. There is always something in the world. Nick said he would love to sit and talk with our grandparents and/or their parents as they lived during the time of the World Wars, especially talk to them about what they felt about Hitler and the Jews. It seems so surreal to live during that time, that hatred... and feel helpless. I guess that is how I feel at times. There is just nothing we can do to control the millions in the world, to make everyone love. Sometimes I know I am naive to many things in this world, and sometimes I enjoy that tiny bit of innocence.

Other than the world's craziness... the rest is pretty good. We have really been enjoying time with friends and just living it up. I love summer nights, they are just the best things in the world when shared among friends.

Speaking Spirituality

The only way I can understand anything in this world is by writing. I feel deeply, yet I show minimal emotion. My emotion is my writing. First, I will address the shooting massacre in Colorado at the Batman movie. I feel anger as I read just how he got his hands on the guns, how he got inside, blah blah... come on, you know what I care about, I care about the fact he gunned down a theatre of people! Let's move past how this or how that... Anyone can get their hands on anything. Sitting here I can take my pen and stab someone with it. I can make the scissors innocently sitting in my drawer and turn them into a weapon. But, I don't. Here is the disconnect. Some people aren't wired with ethics.

Such an interesting topic to me. Last night as I prayed I began by telling God I was going to be selfish for just a moment then get to the "real" stuff. I told Him about my day and about the things that were bothering me. Then I got to what I know is real. Stephanie Hammond lost her husband to cancer when she is pregnant and has a two year old. Aaron Landenberger is married with two young children and now has cancer in his brain and liver. Lauren Littlefield was able to hold Holt after being told months ago he had a 50/50 chance of living and he is turning into a healthy little boy. I know what is real. I lost my mother. I lost family members. I went through things. Sometimes I still want to pray for the little things in life though. Who knows if God wants to hear it.

I've been talking a lot to friends about spirituality lately. No one claims to be right or wrong. We came to the conclusion if you believe in a higher being, you are already ahead. I grew up not knowing many unbelievers. Now the thing that has surfaced is more about religion than non-believers. I grew up Baptist, but who knows if everything I live is exactly how God wants it. So there was beer at Cody's Episcopalian graduation party - is that so wrong? It is according to Baptists, but not to me (well, I don't even like beer, but you get my drift). People can believe exactly what they want to believe, but the heart of religion is really God and love. That's all I need to know. Barbara Walters interviewed all of these different religions, and the only one I totally disagreed with was the Muslim. Is Scientology a true religion... because if it is, I disagree with it because I don't think they even have a God, unless it is the planet or something. Don't ask about Mormons. Because I like the way they live their lives purely, but so don't get some beliefs. Even the Buddhists made sense with their calmness and love... not so sure about the reincarnation thing, but to each their own. And, you can say you live exactly by the Bible word for word, but you tell me don't yoke with unbelievers. Okay, I understand, but another friend said, then how do you bring people to Jesus? Believe me, I've hashed it out with unbelievers before going over so many things in the Bible. Maybe one day they will see my way. But, who am I to lead? I fall every day. I worry every day, I tell God I am pretty angry at Him on some days. I doubt... but, on another note, I was told it is good to ask questions because you get closer to Jesus this way. I lead by example... errr try... People asked me, Wow, you never cuss or drink or talk bad about people. Um, have you met me? Ha... seriously, when I'm angry ya just never know, the drinking thing - ah I don't really like alcohol, but it doesn't mean I don't like a martini at times, and I gossip like a sailor... some days. But, they saw these good things and see me trying to lead by example. When we get to Heaven I really doubt we will be split into groups. Granny Jac was hardcore Church of Christ and she would tell me now I'm not going to Heaven because I don't go to her church, but I bet when Baptist Grandmommy got up there, Granny Jac was a bit surprised. Then they all danced a jig and hung out with the angels. Oh wait, dancing is prohibited in some religions. Point is, no one can know who is totally right or wrong until we get there. So just live by the light of God to your best ability.

Rockin' Party Barge

Nick and I hosted a party barge last weekend just for fun. We had a blast. It wasn't a huge group, I think there were about 30 people, but it was a bunch of our friends and Andrea's friends mashed together! We just wanted to enjoy the night and get the peace of the lake. We grilled, danced and laughed. My kind of night.

Allison, Julie, Ashley & Vanessa

Andrea doing flips off the boat

Ashley

Andrea & Nick jumping in with the infamous Arbor Mist

Mitchell & Jules

Andrea

Jenna

Adams Family Reunion

If you don't believe in ghosts, you've never been to a family reunion.  ~Ashleigh Brilliant

 

I found this quote and just had to smile. You know what it means to me? It means family reunions bring spirits of yesterday back to life. As far back as I can recall, I have loved my family reunion. It is quite small now, but the Adams family is just a special little unit of folks. There is only one of the seven originals who started this Reunion and she is over 90. Fun fact, at one time there were so many “Joe Adams'” they thought we were tricking them. (My dad is Joe Mark... there is also Joe Bayless, Joe Sanford, Joe Carl, Joe Brown, all with the last name Adams – in the younger generations we have Joelle (Jodi) and Joel, too). Each year the people around the table seem to grow and change. The younger generations become the older generation over time. We were once the kids playing at the lake and now sit at the table talking. I drove to Brownwood Saturday morning (sans Nick – he went to the river which I have been to the last two years and chose the reunion this time.) My Dad came up because his birthday was that weekend and I just had to give him his presents and a big hug.

I enjoy hearing all of the old stories. You think you know way back in the day, but you don't. I love to hear about my grandparents. My grandmother, Jackie was very beautiful and they just loved her clothing. My grandfather, Don, was a very hard worker and close to all of his siblings. My great grandmother's family helped found parts of Ft. Worth and there is a town somewhere around there, Watson, named after the Watsons, her family. We had boxes from the 60s and 70s of Granny Gert's letters (my great grandmother) so I spent a long time reading through some of them. There were things I wanted to hear about in “real time.” My dad's wedding, our cousin Lori passing at age 9 in a car accident, the birth of cousins, etc... She told stories of visiting with my grandfather and when he got in a horrible car accident and all about his recovery. She called my dad, Joe M. in her letters. They always had a special bond. She is like Mother Theresa to all of us. She is just the iconic figure in my mind.

Nan, Leslie and I stayed up until 1 AM just talking about life. Nan and I both lost parents at a very young age in college so we talk a lot about that and getting through all of it. I am able now to ask very distinct questions. Like I ask her where she saw God in her past troubles and where she saw God in losing her dad so young. My family is very Christian so that is another wonderful thing, to be immersed in it without the big city of non-believers around you. I sat and talked with Layna for a while. She is like my own daughter. She is going into 7^th grade so we talked about what to expect. She is a beautiful little perfect girl in many's eyes so I explained jealousy and how people could react to her and to always keep her head on straight. I also talked to Donna for a bit about life and love in general. She asked me some questions regarding Nick about what I loved most and she says love and respect always go hand-in-hand. I never want to forget that quote. I like it. Love is nothing without respect.

I love and respect my entire family. At the heart they are all wonderful, amazing people. We all come from the same roots, yet our limbs sprout different leaves. 

 

 D'Layna

 Anna Marie, Julie, Layna

Nate & Julie

 I told you about sitting at the table talking. Nita, Joe Carl, Jan, Dad & Nan

 Jodi & Jules watching the kids fish and swim

 Bryce & Julie

 

What's Your Glue?

Sometimes a reporter can ask a question and you are thrown off. I was usually on the side asking the questions and often I'd even tell them what I was about to ask. So as I sat with my old reporting buddies at the wedding, Shavonne leaned over to Nick and I and said, “So, why aren't you married yet?” Oh, please stop asking me that question! Next summer... let's just say next summer because that's when I'm jotting it in right now mentally. Then she asked what I want everyone to answer for themselves, “How have you kept it together for four years... I can only get past a year.” Nick and I laughed and looked at one another. We had never been asked that question. I explained how you can say unconditional love, but that is just the beginning of it, what makes it unconditional? Why, is the question? I explained, “We have been through so much. Three grandmothers of mine passed, two grandfathers of his, a best friend of mine, he didn't have a job, then I didn't have a job, we just weathered through it.” Nick added his own personal answer to it as well, adding how we just tried to hang on through it all, even when it got really bad, even when we were terrors to be around. I am not God and cannot see into the future, but I believe if you never face strife together, you just might not make it. Life isn't all rainbows. What is the glue that holds you together? It's an interesting question beyond just saying unconditional love. I asked myself why we didn't just say God, but it all ties together. God is in it all. 

 Let's rewind here.

We were in Tyler for my dear friend, Mike's wedding to Norma. Mike and I began as friends reporting in Abilene then I got him a job in Tyler with me. A bunch of our old reporting friends came to the wedding. Mini-reunion!!! I missed it telling old stories and catching up. No, I don't forget that I enjoy money now and a social life though. Heck, I still had the most fun in Abilene, Texas as a little reporter. Mike & Norma's wedding was different to say the least. It had Peruvian, Mexican and American throughout the ceremony. They did so many neat traditions. It was all in Spanish so I was feeling a bit lost! The reception was just about the same. I must say it was a blast!!! So much fun Spanish music and we did these exciting traditional dances. I was laughing and dancing. I had no idea how! I got to dance with Mike and he showed me a little. We laughed so much at Mike as a groom. When we got to the wedding he was showing us our seat. I told him to go away, he is the groom! That is just Mike, one of the kindest, most wonderful men in the world. He is just a good guy. Norma is a great gal, so they belong together. During the reception I had made the slideshow, well, they shut the entire thing down and everyone sat to watch it!!!! Mike had me put his radio clips, TV clips, so much Spanish music, KU music from Kansas... it was a production I worked very hard on!!! What a wonderful night full of culture.

So... think about your glue.

 Shavonne - Mike - Tawnya - Mini Abilene Reporter Reunion