Have you ever...take 2!

Remember this lovely post? Well...these events seem to be quite similar...not that I am admitting it actually happened.

Have you ever decided to just "run" into Target and pick up just "one" thing. Yeah...you and I both know that never happens. But anyway...for some unknown phenomenon, it isn't until I enter Target that I have this uncontrollable need to use the restroom. It always happens....I have to um...tinkle. For the record, Target bathrooms and I do NOT have a good relationship. I mean really...I think they hate me.

So...have you ever just quickly gone to the restroom, did your business and packed up your stuff to leave the stall? Have you ever pulled the lever to the left to unlock the stall door and found that the lock was stuck? Have you ever silently thought to yourself..."oh my gosh...I am stuck in the stall and might possibly never get out"? Have you ever used both hands and all your strength to try and pry the door open? Have you ever used your palms to try and bang the dang lever free? Have you ever started to panic and almost start crying because you feel trapped and don't know what to do?

Have you ever told yourself to breath calmly, take a seat and determine a game plan...do I call my mom and see if she has any advice for me? Do I start screaming and hope someone will come help me? Do I climb over the stall? None of my choices seemed appealing.

Have you ever then put your game face on and decided to take matters in your own hands and get yourself out of this crisis? Have you ever then gotten on all fours and snake-like crawled under the door and out to freedom? Have you ever had someone instantly walk into the restroom and stare at you on the floor like you had totally lost your marbles? Have you ever smiled and politely claimed..."this door seems to be stuck"!

Have you ever scrubbed your hands with scalding hot water...then flee from the building and drive like a maniac home to take a shower...scrubbing yourself for over 30 minutes? Have you ever decided that no matter what...you will NEVER use a Target restroom again?

What's that you say...you have never experienced those events?...Me either!

Celebrating Life

My dear sweet granny, who was 89 years old and suffered from Alzheimer's, contracted an UTI over the Christmas holidays and her health rapidly declined. Thanks to God's perfect timing, I was off for two full weeks and I got to spend countless hours by her bedside, just talking and laughing with her. It was such a blessing to have those last days to love on her.

She passed away on Monday, January 10 and we celebrated her life with a beautiful ceremony complete with friends, family and lots of reminiscing. If there is one thing I learned from my granny...it's that there is nothing that should be treasured more than family. Her whole life revolved around her family and she showered us with her love all the days of her life.

This is her and I in her last few days...memories I will forever cherish.

This is her and her hubby...together for over 70 years. They loved each other so much. Such a true example of unconditional love for another.

After such an emotional week, it felt awkward to celebrate my birthday. It felt wrong to be joyous and happy after such a traumatic loss...however, I know my granny would want us to enjoy one another and embrace the changes life tosses our way. So...I turned 26 on Friday and I must say I am not looking forward to being in my "late" twenties. Way too close to 30 for comfort.

One year, in high school, I had some friends over for a birthday dinner, and for some reason I asked my mom what three attributes did she think best described me. She drew a blank and kept saying "um..well...well..." and never could come up with something. I got so mad at her and told her I couldn't believe she couldn't even think of 3 good qualities for myself. Later the next day when I got home, she had posted like 30 different attributes on my mirror and left me a message saying "there are not enough good words to describe you." Ever since that year, she has done the same thing every birthday...it's become one of my favorites traditions. So she snuck in my house Friday and left this in my bedroom. Brought me to tears. Not to mention the sweet letter from my daddy and my magazines (daddy always buys me magazines as our little thing)

Also when I got to school on Friday, I was welcomed upstairs by this...

A whole wall dedicated to me from my sweet students. I felt so loved. It was so precious. I loved reading the notes from the students.

I also got to see these two precious girls on my birthday and boy do they brighten my day. Mom...you do too!

On Saturday night we went to Christian's mom and dad's house for steak dinner and dominoes! It was so fun to celebrate both Christian and my birthday together with them and boy was that dinner delicious! It is quite possible that I had to unbutton the top button on my jeans it was so good. Sorry...too much information!

Seeing this precious baby girl made our day! She is the tiniest...cutest thing ever!

And I cannot end a post without some of our precious baby...

Oh Lex...we love you too!

So here's to my granny...the glue that held our family together...even though you aren't physically with us anymore...you will forever be in our hearts and our memories. Every moment spent with you is one we will treasure. Thank you for teaching me that life is meant to be spent with the ones you love and every moment of everyday is to be celebrated. I celebrate the greatness of who you were and the impact you made on my life!