I remember how the sun was shining. Not a drop of rain in the forecast-woo hoo!!
How amazing it felt to get up that day with so much anticipation pulsing through my veins.
We met at the church that morning to pray. We didn’t care much about superstition…but that would be the last time we’d see each other until the doors opened at the church; a girl on her dad’s arm.
clothed in white, with cheeks flushed pink.
I remember getting ready with all of my girls-the hair, the make up, the dresses. The laughter. This incredible blend of sisters who meant everything to me.
I remember caring little about details. :) Flowers? Decoration of the church and ball room? Food?? Kitty and her entourage of friends are professional event planners. So i went through the day with happy surprises all around me.
I remember how my dad paced and started to cry as we waited on the other side of the doors.
And then the processional. Seeing you up there, waiting for me.
for ME! ;)
The worship music, the vows we wrote, surrounded by absolutely everyone we loved the most.
The kiss. the “I now pronounce you man and wife”. Everyone laughing at my whole body “woo hoo!”
Oh…and the photographer who was the worst photographer in the history of the world.
who smelled bad and needed a shower. :(
I remember the reception hall looking picture perfect and how much fun we had dancing the night away with all of our friends.
but mostly I just remember it feeling like it truly was the best day of my life.
And that was just the beginning.
How blessed are we to be in this place 8 years later?
To have it be so much better now then it was on that day?
love you, I do, Husband.
happy anniversary!
I made this proclamation with the same tone and dread that I do when I say “I think I’m going to throw up.” We were pulling out of dad’s driveway, about to drive away for who knows how long when i felt the yuck well up within me. I. Hate. Leaving. It kills me and yet we should be experts at it. Kyle received my announcement gracefully. He’s used to me, after these trips home. He knows that for a few days, I will talk about moving; I’ll rationalize out loud about how we could both work in WI; I’ll dream about how nice it would be to visit on the weekends. I may get a little teary. I’ll be extra quiet for the first couple hours of the drive. It’s just how it is…only now, after the baby, it’s worse.
It was a wonderful weekend. The weather was lovely; we basically lived outdoors. I realized during this trip home that that’s where life is shared. Bonfires; coffee in the am; grilling out; playing catch; sitting out on the deck/patio. Real conversation without distractions. good stuff. Kyle and I took our brothers to a movie one night which was fun. Dad and Rhonda got to love on the peanut and he was a smiley, happy boy. It took him a while to warm up to those with facial hair and sunglasses…ahem, Dad. But overall, he traveled really well. We missed you-Chris and Lara; so much. Can’t wait to see you.
So…a few pictures, as always.
Until next time.
early morning…just after waking up; all bundled up in the cold
so I remember how tough this day used to be. and it made my moments with the family this past weekend extra, extra special. I woke up in the middle of the night on Sunday to a sign hanging off the crib wishing me a happy mother’s day. :) cheesy sweet. the kind that makes my mouth smile and my heart swell. I couldn’t take it down. it’s hanging there, still. and then Kyle got me this necklace that I love. I have about three pieces of jewelry total that I wear. I don’t accessorize. I have a brown purse and a black one. brown shoes and black ones. you get the idea. anyway, for the few pieces of jewelry that I do have, every piece is significant. This one has tiny footprints and below them is Carter’s name. pretty much the perfect (megan) mother’s day gift. On Sunday we went to walk around outside at the Laurel’s and then walked a bit more in Erwin on a trail. We grilled out and vegged out. And I thanked God every bit of the day.
I’m always mindful of that ache though. The ache of those who’ve lost babies and who long for babies. And so I carried some of my friends with me all day long and I said prayers for them too.
To those amazing momma’s in my life: to those on my speed dial….ah hem…becca. or by way of email…Alyson. to my WI lovelies and my college girls…to my real momma and my in laws…to my Nancy and community group mothers and those who are my family by way of marriage and my heart. to all of you, THANK YOU. I love you and I’m surviving this phase of my life by your wisdom and support!!
Before mom left today we took the peanut outside for a couple shots. This one is my favorite so even though I post waaaaaay too many baby pics, I’m shamelessly posting yet another.
We were sad to say goodbye….again. :( A big shout out to mom for putting up with our grumpy baby the first two days she was here…fortunately, he perked up and became his normal happy self for the second part of the week. We were sad that mom was a bit sickly while she was with us but hopefully once she gets home, she’ll continue to feel better and better. :) Carter loved the extra lovin. We hate goodbyes and we wish we could enjoy the goodness of all of our family so much more frequently then we do now but nonetheless, we’re grateful for our moments. Next up…a trip to Indy and Wisconsin in a few weeks. CAN’T WAIT!
I could write so much more but it will have to wait.
We have a movie to watch and popcorn to pop. :)
until later…
in the meantime, this video is for Riley…it’s Carter’s newest trick. we love you Riley! can’t wait to see you!
it’s been a
turn the tv off; the music up; open the doors; crack open the windows; dance in the living room; sing in the kitchen; fire up the grill; bathe in sunscreen; walk through the fields in flipflops; go barefoot; declare war on the wasp nests; flash gummy grins at old men; tap your foot to some fiddlin; smile at the camera, tip a glass with your love; live in the sunshine;
kind of day.
and at the end of it all, we’re full and a little bit tired. :)
but seriously? how blessed are we? We did every bit of what I’ve written and more. So grateful for the sunshine and 80 degree weather; for small town festivals; and the simplistic goodness of the grill. But mostly, just ridiculously in love with each other.
So I know we’re old enough to be the host couple. To gather up all of our transplant friends, who are also without family, and be that home that brings people together. For a few weeks I contemplated that very thing…it is, afterall, the reason we wanted this house. To entertain every now and then. To sit at the table, sharing stories. To brew up coffee and make brownies-breathing it in. But the weeks kept slipping by and then one day at church, we became the transplant couple that loving friends take in. :) And, despite my once ambitious hopes, I was so very quick to say ‘yes!…we’d LOVE to come!’ So long conjured up Norman Rockwell visions of Easter under our roof. The Long’s have plans! woo hoo!!
maybe next year.
I asked what I could bring: brownies (check); bread (check); and jello salad. I had never made jello salad..which I know is not supposed to be difficult, after all, it’s jello. But I had memories of jello jigglers and thinking that might be fun, I opted to do the jigglers instead. Saturday night everything was ready-the brownies were made, Sister Shubert had slaved over the bread I bought, and the jello was firming up to be cut out in the morning.
Next day…running behind for church. I ask Kyle to cut out the jigglers. 10 minutes later, back downstairs and in the kitchen, I find him cutting teeny tiny squares out of the jello. The squares were bite size because they were falling apart. These were no jigglers folks. It was a complete flop. The pan he was putting them in looked like someone had chewed up regular jello and spit it back out. Seriously?!?! How is it possible to mess THE most simplistic side dish up?! Domestically challenged Meg’s strikes again!! We stood there, shoulder to shoulder, surveying the pile. Amusement was written all over Kyle’s face. 7 years of marriage and by the looks of this fantastic masterpiece, it’s as if not a day has passed in our married life. sigh. Ah well, it’s Easter. There are bigger things to celebrate then side dishes. It will have to do and my reputation of being the world’s worst cook will be undeniably confirmed.
mental note to self: this is just jello. in my n. rockwell visions, I make delectable meals. must get that worked out before next year. ;)
Once we got to the Fickley’s we enjoyed the most incredible company. They love each other so well and there’s always lots of laughter and room for whomever needs a bit of family life. They had some friend’s visiting from West Virginia. Carter literally got passed around so much we didn’t have to worry about entertaining him. He was a happy little guy. He snuggled his head against Dave’s shoulder and neck, and enjoyed the extra bit of loving that was being poured out. It was just a really, really lovely day.
I thought about home. I missed my family. I missed Kyle’s family. but we were filled up by the relationships around the table and the laughter in the room. People slopped my jello onto their spoons and threw it down the hatch; not caring about imperfect side dishes. Above all, my heart was full with gratitude for the incredible sacrifice that was made on that cross…and the miracle of life and grace and redemption that happened that Sunday morning and every day since.
Oh, I have pictures and plenty of things I still want to write about the weekend and Easter but for now, I just want to post this video. I don’t know how to edit it down to one simple part so you’ll have to forward it yourself. sorry. :( This is from Grace Fellowship Church, where Kyle and I used to go. The video is about Grace and Redemption and Hope. So beautiful.
We knew some of the people who got up with their signs and by the end we were both all teary. You don’t have to know their faces to appreciate the grace; there’s a sign up there for all of us.
If you click on this link it will take you to the recording of the service. fast forward it to 15:45 (or 16 minutes) http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/1374604
Give us the grace to
admit we are ragamuffins,
to embrace our brokenness,
to celebrate Your mercy when
we are at our weakest, to
rely on Your mercy no
matter what we may do.
Dear Jesus, gift us to
stop grandstanding and
trying to get attention,
to do the truth quietly
and without display, to let
the dishonesties in our
lives fade away, to accept
our limitations, to cling to
the gospel of grace, and
to delight in Your love.”
~ Ragamuffin Gospel
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