My Heart is Full
This has been another fun month for us. We kicked it off with a trip to DC to celebrate the long 4th of July weekend with Trent’s parents. We took Brayden to the National Zoo and she absolutely loved it! We also watched the fireworks from Iwo Jima, overlooking the Washington Monument and the Capitol Building. If that’s not patriotic, I don’t know what is. About 15 minutes prior to the fireworks’ viewing, Brayden let Trent know that she had to go to the bathroom (she had refused to go about 45 minutes earlier). So, he took her back to the same place we had tried before and the line was too long. His male instincts kicked in and Miss B was soon initiated into the “peeing outdoors club.” On the walk there he had noticed an apartment complex with a TV van parked out front, so that became the place of incident. They returned to where I was sitting and she bragged about how she peed in the grass. Funny how when you become a parent, there is no shame. Since she doesn’t like port-a-potties, I think this new talent will come in very handy for the upcoming football season. We really enjoyed hanging out with Trent’s parents that weekend. Fran and I took Brayden, Peapod, and Indiana around the block in a little, red wagon. It was so cute!
I enjoyed a girls’ night out under the stars at a local ampitheater to watch a movie. Brayden has continued playing soccer each weekend. There have been dinners with friends, a baseball game with Trent’s company, and days at the pool. Brayden is enjoying battles with Chinese chicken wings and popsicle in which they win (note the messy face pictures). She has also found an affection for “turkey ramblans” (turkey reubens). We have also been playing a favorite childhood CD of mine that Miss B now knows the words to. It is so cute to hear her sing “Maybe Baby Chicken and Gravy” and “Doodlebee.”
The Spurlin (mom’s) side of the family got together for a family reunion in Gatlinburg, TN for a long weekend as well. Don’t worry, we did not stay in the “Myrtle Beach of the Mountains” section—we were actually tucked away at the top of a mountain in three beautifully stunning cabins. There were a total of 32 people that showed up (about nine weren’t able to make it) from Kentucky, Georgia, Illinois, and North Carolina…and that is nothing more extended than 1st cousins. We had cornhole tournaments, tubed down a river, went hiking, saw a black bear (quite close), and ate very well during that trip. On our last night there, about 10 of us partied a little too loud on our back deck (dominoes, dancing), where Trent yelled blindly into the woods, accusing the raccoons of stealing one of his cornhole bags. It was quite comical to say the least. We can’t wait to go back! I really hope this becomes a yearly tradition (no matter where). I absolutely adore the Spurlin family and while we don’t see everyone but once every one-to-two years, the distance does not separate the connections we have. This family has endured a lot and through it all, we grow closer. Everyone has such warm hearts, are completely sincere, knows how to have a good time, and I love each and every one of them so dearly.
I am truly blessed to be a part of this family. My heart is full.