THAT PAST NIPPING AT MY HEELS

It may be the most redneck thing I've ever done.

This summer we visited my family in West Virginia, where I was born and raised. I first must state that my growing up life was nothing hillbilly-like... white-collar suburbia is more appropriate. But when empty-nesting approached, my parents decided to ditch that and finally get their dream house out in the country.

However, that dream house is outside of access to city water lines. Its water supply comes from rain that runs through a filtration system. But the week or so before we arrived, a problem with one of the holding tanks was discovered cutting their water supply down dramatically. Just what you want before houseful of company shows up, right?

Long story short, we really had to conserve water during our stay. Fourteen people under one roof can use a lot of water quickly. Teeth were brushed and hands were washed using water from bottles. Showers were rationed.

One more thing you need to know about West Virginia before I go on... is that when it rains it pours. Truly. The water is dense and heavy. And obviously very wet.

One afternoon while we were there, I very much needed to shower and was contemplating driving across town to where my uncle was staying to use the facilities there. But then I heard rolling thunder and got an idea. A crazy, Survivor-style idea. "Maybe I should just go shower in the rain," I announced with a hint of sarcasm. "Really, it wouldn't be too bad if people couldn't see you." "Um, Ashley, you could wear your swimsuit," someone replies. (Oh right, I guess I am not much of a boy scout.)

And with that, I sprinted off to grab my soap, shampoo, conditioner and razor (Yes, I was even going to do a quick shave while I had the chance.) I put on my swimsuit and off I went before the rainstorm went away. Dan and my sister followed suit and we did it. We showered in the rain.

To prove this I have doubly embarrassed myself by posting a picture of me in my swimsuit online. Oh well. I have to say that natural shower may have been the most refreshing one in my life. Honestly, it was great. So even if it was redneck, it was worth it.

In these pictures you can see just how hard it was raining. The water was just pouring off the gutters like a waterfall. It was completely awesome for rinsing hair.

The rest of our time together was wonderful. We did a little in-state traveling to see some sites and beautiful scenery. We tubed on a lake. We spent time just visiting with close friends and extended family. We shared our thoughts and feelings with each other about those people and things most important to us, our family and faith. It really was special and a memory in my heart. Typing this now is making me miss them all. (To my family- We love you and look forward to seeing everyone again, whenever that it is. )

Performing on stage at Carnegie Hall in Lewisburg

Having a royal ball

FIRSTS

I have finally updated the MOVER AND SHAKER post. The videos work now.

The second week of September was full of firsts in our house....

1) Luke's first haircut. The poor kid got called a girl in his Dad's presence, so off went his goldilocks just like that. I am still trying to get over the fact that some of his curls are gone forever. I know it needed a trim though. He was looking like a blonde Beatle. But a really cute one.

Before

After

2) Calli's first week of preschool. My friends and their kiddos (who are Calli's best friends too) started a co-op preschool and it is going great. We have a blog: http://busybeesco-op.blogspot.com/ if you want to check out what we are doing each week. Make sure to scroll through older posts as we've already had three weeks of school.

Her first day

Enjoying singing time

3) Our first post-kid, just us getaway. A spontaneous one at that. Dan took a day off from work without telling me, planned the entire thing and made arrangements for our kids with our amazing friends. All I had to do was get over the fact that I wasn't in charge of my weekend anymore, pack and relax...which for me is no undertaking. But I did and off we went. Coast at night, city in the day, seafood under the moon, modern art... Not too shabby.

To come... recaps of our summer trips.

NOT A SOB STORY

It is just me or was it not mid-July just a blink ago? I know I haven't posted in ages... Typing right now feels foreign to me. Sad. I know no one is interested in my excuses and I am uninterested in listing them. All I can say is that life has been full, life has been fast and I guess that is nothing to complain about.

My heart has been heavy as of late. I've really been wanting to say to the world, "NO MORE SAD STORIES. I AM TIRED OF THEM." It seems I've been stumbling on them week after week all summer long. Some close to me, some not. Either way, they are human stories and I am a sucker for caring.

And yet, I could stare at my computer screen reading with tears in my eyes and still wallow in my own misery. A life lost, yet the only loss I am consumed with is of time or weight. Perspective like that is embarrassing. I decided to be better and sought the help I need.

Yesterday was one of those days...You know when maybe the circumstances aren't that much worse than normal, but you are sure that they must be because it really feels like it. The craziness with the kids never ended. There were several moments throughout the day when I thought to myself, "Grab the camera. Blog this." As the day went on, I thought of simply listing it all. That would pack a punch all on its own.

But in light of trying to be more grounded, I decided to accentuate the positive. (Though I really would love to write a "Day in the Life" post for documenting and commiserating purposes... when the time is right.) Instead of focusing on all that went wrong, I decided to see all that was right.

Specific things I was grateful for last evening:

1) The refreshment I felt from an evening breeze
2) That we were not in the accident we passed along the highway
3) That I was able to serve someone
4) That I saved the package of eggs just in time before Luke threw them out of the shopping cart
5) That I have a husband to talk to, who understands
6) The hope the gospel provides

After I made the choice to not dwell on the negative, the calm that followed was reassuring and quick. Who knew it could all be better that fast? And look at the perspective that followed?

I hope to continue to see what I have and not be so concerned for what I don't. Though my life may have imperfections, it is better than no life at all. And for that knowledge, I am grateful.