In a bought of restlessness, Stephen took me out to grab a milkshake and take a drive.

We got to Cookout, stole a table outside, and while the weather was beautiful, eventually the milkshake and the wind sent my body into shivers. So we hopped in the car and drove around Lexington eventually ending up at the lake.

We glanced at giant homes, saw tidbits of people's lives as we drove by, and enjoyed exploring new roads, which is sometimes hard to come by for us.

I so appreciate these quiet moments with Stephen. It was desperately needed today.

Playing catch up is getting tough. These weeks have been busy. So I'm going to be brief.

Tonight we had our first IF: Table, what I'm calling Table Gathering. A small group of women gathering around a meal together, and discussing 4 questions. Tonight's theme was Italian, so we had spaghetti, bread, salad, and all sorts of goodies. We discussed things based around Acts 2:42 and the importance of fellowship and community with believers.

Honestly it felt very timely. I know a few of us felt deeply challenged to make sure we continue to stay connected with other believers. Over the past few years I have seen how important this is in my own life, because the times where I don't want to be around people and choose to excuse myself from social situations, the worse that feeling gets. Honestly the farther I separate myself from others, the farther I begin to separate myself from God too.

We have also been discussing on Thursdays the idea of how our relationship with God, others, and ourselves forms this triangle, and when one side is broken the triangle is broken. When our relationships with others are broken, that directly effects our relationship with God.

Really hoping this will continue to be a good way to create that community with our girls in a drama free zone where we are uplifting one another and challenging one another spiritually. 

Well the order of gravel came in today. I was super nervous how big of a task this would be for Stephen, and potentially some of the church guys. We had a few wheelbarrows handy, but having to transport literally 4 tons of gravel from the driveway out front to the backyard is going to take a while.

Thankfully Austin came to the rescue with a friend who had a trailer that would fit through the gate on our yard. So an hour later the driveway was clear.

Gravel Free Driveway

I realize now not having the before photo makes this process really uneventful. Oops.

Oh sometimes my hunger becomes so ridiculously overwhelming, I end up getting hangry. Today was that day. We thought we were being smart and tacking on our order to a group that was going to Groucho's to pick up lunch and bring it back to church, but instead the orders all got mixed up and there was more confusion and chaos, and our orders came like 45 minutes later. Bless Lauren and Lydia for sticking with it, but man by the time they showed up I about ate them instead.

This evening was really peaceful, and I was able to take some time to try and clean our washing machine. It's been smelling, and worse its been leaving grey marks on our light colored clothing. But who thinks you really have to clean your washing machine. That's some serious irony right there. The thing that is supposed to clean things is dirty.

So 1000x cleaner tablets later and I think it's fixed? It still smells. This may be our first big adult purchase we're about to have to do. I really don't want to have to buy a washing machine. Lets pray to the laundry gods (just kidding) that this thing starts cooperating. Although I would be happy to get rid of the awful noises this thing makes while washing.

I have to turn the tv up like another 10 notches when its running. First world problems.

Well I'm a bit behind on the daily post, especially the day or day after it happens, but I have been keeping notes. So I at least remember what I did, but I'll be playing catch up starting now through the next week. Work has been crazy, and our nights have been busy, so of course this manages to fall to the wayside. Moments where it does become the last thing on my mind, I wonder if it's worth keeping it up. I do find it cool to look back on any given day in the almost past year and a half and know what I was doing exactly. Although I think the more satisfactory moments comes in knowing that if my life were ever to play out like an episode of Law and Order, I'd be able to say for sure "Well I was at IHOP that night with 20 other people who can all attest to me being there through 1 am." Yep I have an alibi.

This Saturday I woke up much earlier than I would have cared to, so I could be on time for Ariyanna's performance. She's been mentioning for months that she has a dance/creative movement piece she was performing at Christian Life Center. She was the first on the list, and did a great job.

"Break Every Chain"

It was so encouraging to see how the rest of the church engaged and interacted with her as well. Ariyanna has been through a lot with our group the past year, and seems to have come a long way in how she handles and deals with other people. I have always been curious to see her in a different setting, and while she's treated more like a youth than the adult her age makes her, it was good to see that people engaged her and vice versa.

I stayed for a couple more performances, all group performances. I realized the whole event, with hundreds of people mind you, is some sort of regional or statewide competition between churches. Dramas/Skits have come a long way since we did them in our days. In fact these religious dramas/skits are now done to even secular songs. Some of them took a lot of focus to understand too, but the performers did a great job overall.

Afterwards I ran a few errands, picking up another one of favorite blankets from Ollie's. I've decided as much as I use this ivory/white blanket and as soft as it has stayed through washings, I better get one before I completely wear it out and they no longer carry it. It's made relaxing on the couch so much better.

When I pulled in the driveway, I noticed a few extra vehicles. Amber and Phil had stopped by to drop off a wheelbarrow for the gravel delivery. We'd planned on having it delivered today, but unfortunately the place we bought rock from was all booked for Saturday. So instead of shoveling gravel, we spent about an hour with them in the backyard talking as the dogs ran around us.

Before it got too late, Stephen and I headed back inside after saying our goodbyes, and got dressed for Joanna and Chris's baby shower for Alexandria Grace. It was such a fun afternoon, with the best food, best company, and most interesting conversations. I got to spend time with what feels like a second family, the Robinsons. Jennifer was the host, and I was so glad I got to spend time with her. Much needed time. Miss her and little Micah too much! I always appreciate that no time has passed at all with her, and while we have to do some catching up sometimes, it's never awkward or odd. She's one of my people.

I also got to learn a really cute story about Jackson, Joanna and Chris's son. He's my buddy. While I don't always see my nieces and nephews, and my relationship tends to be lack luster with them because so much time passes between visits, I see Jackson pretty regularly and have managed to make this kid like me. He's really my nephew I swear, at least I love him like one! He gives me hope though that kids may actually think I'm okay.

Anyways, Joanna's mom Connie told me about one day when Joanna was in the grocery store. A lady came up and started talking with Jack and asked him, "You love your Mommy, don't you?!" and his response was "Bit-ney". Cracks me up. While this boy sometimes pretends I'm his favorite person, like today he spent the whole day going around saying my name to the world, over and over again, he still wouldn't let me hold him, not even once! Other days, he constantly wants me to hold him, or he gives me kisses galore, but trust me eventually the shine wears off and Mommy is the only lady for him. He loves her to pieces, and daddy too! 

I slept in a little extra this morning as Joanna and I had decided on a later meet up time so Jack Jack could get a little shut eye. Finally I ventured out at about 11 am to try and find us some gravel to have delivered on Saturday. Well after trying to recollect who all I had spoken to a few months ago about this and who had the best price, I remembered reading stellar reviews on Rock Solid as well as remembering they had about the cheapest prices in town. Doesn't hurt that they are about 2 miles from my house either.

So I strutted on the property in my new heels.... yep... and checked out some light colored brown rock. Unfortunately they can't deliver tomorrow, but will be there on Monday. Lets hope we can do this.

Grabbed some food on the way to Jo's and made it there around 1 o'clock. Greeted by Jack Jack learning to say "Bit-ney" and making me feel like 100 bucks. If I can't have my own little nieces and nephews nearby, its good to know one little kiddo loves me--and I love him a ridiculous amount. Doesn't hurt his family is the bomb.

We went shopping for a bit, grabbed a snack at Target, and headed back to Jo's house after a few hours of shopping. We managed to come away with a few goodies, one of them being about the most uncomfortable shoes ever that I could have bought. But the heels were killing me today so I needed some relief.

Headed home in time for our 7 o'clock game night. We thought like 2 people were going to show up, instead it was about 17 people. That's what happens when no one really tells you "yes" or "no" via text, they just give you a thumbs up or a "cool".

Kat came tonight, but left quickly as the house became super crammed really quick. We played another game of Redneck Life with Stephen and Aaron narrating the whole night. Christopher also came, and it was so good to have him enjoy this group of weirdos we call our church family.