august 2012

You know those days when you feel mentally maxed out?

Last week I felt I had too much on my plate.  It was as though I was a kid in the cafeteria being served heaping spoon fulls of junk that I didn't want, all while saying, "no thanks!"

There were times when I wanted to scream or cry. 
There were times when I wanted to scream and cry.
Instead, I prayed.
And I remembered to be still.
Psalm 37:7-9, James 1:19-20

Sometimes you just have to roll with the punches. 

In other news not related to me taking a visit to Crazy Town...

We've been refurbishing a table and eight chairs that my wonderfully sweet SIL gave us.  We're going to use it in the dining room at our new house.  No before and after photos yet!  I promised the hubs we'd wait until we're all done.
But here's one with primer on it!

Hubs and I made this cute little wall art.  It didn't take long at all.  

Because he loves me.

Ah, next week.
(I'm already getting anxiety about leaving my angel dog)

 Last weekend my Aunt Jo, Uncle Bill, and cousin Victoria came to Birmingham.  I was so excited for their visit!  I hadn't seen Victoria in a long time.  We had lunch at Cheesecake Factory and went shopping.  We had a blast!!

Olympics!
We've watched a lot of gymnastics and swimming and I may or may not have done google searches for pictures of Kate Middleton at the games.  Go USA!

Even when life's frustrations seem overwhelming, there are sweet little blessings sprinkled in the mix.  That's what makes this short time here all the more special, sweet little blessings.

Almost the weekend!

xo

Lil bit of this. Lil bit of that.

I did it. 
I joined pinterest and I love it.
I made two recipes from there tonight:
Cajun Chicken Pasta and Healthy Deep Dish Cookie Pie. 
They were both delish!  Hubby went on and on about how wonderful the pasta was.  We were both surprised at how good the cookie pie was considering it had beans, oats and unsweetened applesauce in it. 

We watched Moneyball Friday night and munched on Cuban Sandwiches from Kool Korner Sandwiches.  Loved the movie - if you haven't seen it, you definitely should. 

Last night we went on a date to Village Tavern and dined on filet mignon and chicken pasta with basil cream sauce.  It was a nice evening.
Other than that, we have been lounging around and enjoying the weekend.  I really needed time to recover and reflect from last weekend.  My sweet husband has been so good to me throughout everything.  He lets me grieve at my own pace.  He knows when to hold, when to hug, and what to say. 
I plan to start running full time again tomorrow.  I know that will help clear my head and enable me to sleep better.  Thanks to my blog friend over at 5th Belle Avenue, I now have a running schedule and a goal to work towards instead of my usual 2-3 mile runs.  You can email her as well and she'll forward you all of the information.  So inspiring and helpful.
Today was the first day I haven't cried all week.  I still think about what happened or how sad my dad is every few minutes.  I wish I could take his pain away and carry it myself.  I would.  Please, please, please continue to pray that him (Jim Bynum) and my aunt (Jane Culberson) can feel the comfort that only our Father can provide right now.

And His plan is perfect.

Last Saturday morning CJ and I headed towards Prentiss, Mississippi.  As we pulled in the drive of Mamaw and Papaw's house I noticed all of the cars.  Once I walked inside I saw all of my cousins, their children, my aunt, my brother, and my parents.  The house has not been that crowded in years.  The phone rang almost constantly, visitors came and went, there was all sorts of food dropped off from sweet family and friends.  Those few days were sad and even tragic, but our hearts didn't feel nearly as heavy as they would have had we not been surrounded by each other.

During our few days in Mississippi I heard two statements that rang true:
"God don't make no mistakes." - Pearl
"..but I do know that God has a plan.  And His plan is perfect." - Dr. Tripp

Virginia Bynum
Virginia Lee Mikell Bynum was born February 1, 1929 in Jefferson Davis County. She was the daughter of Herman Ray Mikell and Edna Mae Brinson Mikell. She was a homemaker and a member of Prentiss Presbyterian Church.
Mrs. Bynum is survived by her husband, James Bynum of Prentiss; her son, Jim Bynum of Birmingham, AL; her daughter, Jane Culberson of Laurel; five grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and a sister.

James "Jim" Bynum
Joint funeral services were held Monday, January 23, 2012 at Saulters Moore Funeral Chapel in Prentiss, MS for Mr. James "Jim" Bynum, age 83, who passed away Saturday, January 21, 2012 and his wife, Mrs. Virginia Bynum, who passed away on Friday, January 20, 2012 in Prentiss, MS. Interment followed at Prentiss Cemetery. Saulters Moore Funeral Home of Prentiss was in charge of all arrangements.
James W. Bynum was born February 1, 1929 in Jefferson Davis County. He was the son of John Buell Bynum and Flora McIver Bynum. He served in the US Navy and was a veteran of World War II. He retired as a Superintendent from Exxon after working thirty five years. He was a former member of the Rotary Club and Lions Club of Prentiss and served as the VA County Service Officer. He was a member and elder of Prentiss Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Bynum is survived by his son, Jim Bynum of Birmingham, AL; his daughter, Jane Culberson of Laurel; five grandchildren, six great grandchildren; and two sisters, Louise Luper of Jackson and Mildred Edmons of Sicily Island, LA.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and a sister.

Thank you all for your prayers for my family and I last week.  The days that we rejoice will be more often than the days that we are sad.  Please continue to pray for my dad, Jim Bynum and aunt, Jane Culberson as they cope with their loss and Heaven's gain.

"And they lived happily ever after..." is not the end.   

Fall four times, get up five.

I am yours regardless of

The dark clouds that may loom above

Because You are much greater than my pain

You made a way for me

By suffering your destiny

So tell me, what's a little rain

'Bring The Rain' by Mercy Me

Life hasn't been easy recently.  I understand that things could always be worse and that some people's problems would make mine pale in comparison.  However, that doesn't ease my heart as selfish as that may sound. 

This post will not be about what jacket I'm loving, where we had dinner last weekend, or how great my new gum tastes.  This post will be about what's been my reality as of last week and this week. 

Last Thursday my mom had emergency surgery.  The surgery didn't scare me, although it's never easy to see your mother in a hospital bed.  What did scare me were the circumstances of it.  My mom's life could have been changed forever.  She's back to being healthy again thanks to the prayers from our wonderful family and friends...and the sweet nurses, doctor and surgeon.  Maybe one day I'll post more about the miracle we witnessed, as for now that is all I'm comfortable sharing.

My grandmother's health started to decline earlier this week.  Her husband of 65 years and children were by her side as the nurse started her on morphine Monday night.  All of my life she has talked to me about our Father.  I know she was at peace when she met him this morning around 4am.  Heaven gained a mighty fine angel today.  As I was packing this afternoon, I found myself thinking what she would say about the dresses I picked out for her visitation and funeral.  There were two ways to dress and two ways to decorate: tacky or tasteful.  I love that I knew her that well.  God, I love her.  If you feel led to pray, please pray for the Lord to comfort her family as we honor her (Virginia Bynum) life in the coming days.

My grandfather is not doing well.  He was diagnosed with cancer months ago and has been undergoing treatments once a week.  He had an MRI done on his brain yesterday.  His confusion has gotten worse this week.  If you feel led to pray, please pray for him (Jimmy Bynum) to have positive results from his scan, for his confusion to reside, and for his heart - as I'm sure it must hurt for the loss of his wife.

Wednesday evening, my dog fell from the steps and hit his head hard causing what we think was a seizure or stroke.  He was very unsure of himself at first.  As of today, he's very sore.  I'm hoping the fall was a freak accident and that there was no underlying issue that caused it.  I'm also hoping that he'll feel like himself soon.  I am so thankful for our friend Ashley.  She works at a vet and answered all of my questions.  If you feel led to pray, and you pray for animals, please pray that he feels like himself soon and that his health be restored.  He's been by my side for nine years.

So there, in a very small nut shell, is the short version of where my thoughts lie for now.
 
xo