And so it ends

As with all good things, my vacation has come to an end.  The last morning of Kentucky proved to be the most beautiful (of course), we headed to the conclusion of the women's conference.  It was a lovely time of worship and praise with a large group of women.  It was very refreshing and 'transformed' my way of thinking about a few things. 
Afterward, it was time to grab lunch and head on my way back to the peach state and Dawg country.  It was a nice time to fellowship, but it was time to say farewell to sweet Kristen, adorable Sam and my good friend Melissa.  Sam even woke up in time to see me off.  I can't wait to see what God has in store for this little family!  They love each other so much and have such a desire to fulfill Gods will! Best of luck to them as they continue on their adventure! I wish we lived closer (I loved babysitting), but for now our paths are going two different ways.

After saying goodbye I roamed into old Louisville where I found the oldest homemade ice cream shop in the United States.  It is a Louisville staple and let me tell you, I know why! They freeze chocolate syrup so there is no crunch to your bite! I got a peanut butter chip and it was amazing, perhaps (dare I say) better than Blue Bell, don't know about Braums, I think they will always be my fave!  Then I had put it off long enough, it was time to begin the LONG drive back down the mountain.  I stopped several times along the way looking for a Kentucky and Tennessee sticker, but to no avail! My poor laptop has no evidence of my travels :( (I will have to order online I guess).  Luckily, I missed most of the really bad weather, only Tennessee saw rain (of course when I am coming down the mountain), but the Lord blessed and I arrived home safely very late last night. 
It was a very exciting trip and after I catch up on some sleep, I will reflect on it's awesomeness, but until then, I am thankful to have good friends who no matter how long we are apart or how much our lives change, I know I can count on them.  God has blessed me immensely and no matter the trial I have a great support group!

Day 5 and 6: Baby it's cold outside!

Wednesday was a relaxing day.  Melissa and Will went out to breakfast so I got to play with Kristen and Sam all morning long.  Of course that means we had to break out the arts and crafts!  After coloring coloring sheets for awhile we decided to be adventurous.  Kristen loves butterflies and I found glitter.  What does that mean?  You guessed it we made our own sparkly butterflies for her bedroom!  I also have a new respect for moms having to do everything one handed and keeping vigil!  Sam wanted to help and as he sat in my lap got a handful of glitter!  Who says boys don't sparkle? 
Once Melissa was back and Will was off to work, we girls decided it was time to get serious about Spring.  Time to Dye Easter eggs!!!  But of course we couldn't die normal eggs oh no we had glitter eggs! Kristen was quite enthralled with the egg that exploded while boiling, but we made beautiful eggs with very little mess.  One thing we learned is that you really didn't need the special kit, you could have used normal glitter, but it made each egg unique and special. 
After our mess was all cleaned up (two glitter projects equals lots of glitter mess that will hang around for a bit), we introduced Kristen to perhaps the best movie to date from Disney.  (I say perhaps, since I am still torn between this and Beauty and the Beast...let's say tied for best movie to date) Tangled!  It captivated her (or it did in my head) and she loved it as much as she should with the proper gasps, giggles, and tears where needed.  I of course had a glitter day and Zachary Levi, so it was win win.  We then went to church and I got to see a very large, young congregation at work.  It was really nice to see so many little ones running around.

Thursday was supposed to be the long awaited zoo day.  The Louisville Zoo is famous for its polar bear exhibit and if you know me I am a little into polar bears ever since my Daddy gave me Mr. Bear when I was a very little girl.  However, who would have thought Louisville would be a meat locker in the middle of March! Not only was it bitterly cold, but there was a baby we were unsure we could keep warm (when I say baby I am talking about me! I did not pack for 30 degree weather and this southern girl was not feeling the hypothermia I am sure would follow!)  So instead we ventured to the Louisville Derby grounds.  Did you know on Derby day the infield (area in the center of the track) holds so many people it becomes the 3rd largest city in Kentucky?  Just the infield! And I thought Game day in Athens was bad!  They have almost 200,000 people in a very small area for Derby day! No thank you! However, the hats are awesome! I have an idea, how about this year we have our own Derby Day and make hats and watch it on TV...Amber Jo? Sam? Could be fun!  Anyway, we also got to see a miniature horse.  Kristen's mind was a little blown as to why it wasn't a pony.  It was a lot of fun to see something so Louisville! We even got to walk out to the track!

To end the day we went to a women's conference being held at Melissa's church.  There are a billion women in attendance.  It's kind of like a DNOW for adults.  There is worship with a great leader, a speaker and then you break off into small groups to discuss follow up questions.  There are 3 sessions over the course of 2 days (only difference, we go home and go to sleep at reasonable hours).  It is really nice to see a church so compassionate about its women's ministry.  It is already a great conference and I look forward to its conclusion tomorrow.
 
So, there it is!  Still haven't found any blue grass, but to be fair its thirty four degrees and March! Tomorrow concludes my vacation and I must force myself to  make the long drive back to reality...

Day 3 and 4: The New State

After an early farewell to Nashville and Laura, I began my trek to an unexplored state: Kentucky.  For the last several months all I have heard is how wonderful Kentucky is from my manager, so with high hopes I began the short trek north.  First impression?  Kentucky has the nicest rest stops of any state I have visited though they are missing a state plaque.  The buildings themselves are very colonial and well kept.  The next thing I noticed would be the grass.  It’s green.  Really?  I am continuing my quest, but I have yet to find any blue grass.  I know the grass isn’t like Florida blue, but it’s called blue grass for some reason right?  When found I will promptly photograph it to document it for you.

I finally arrived in Louisville after convincing myself I did not need to stop in Elizabethtown.  Orlando Bloom wouldn’t be there (great movie btw, you should see it if over 13).  I met up with Melissa and her family!  I haven’t seen her in forever and it was nice to see her and her husband, Will again.  I was also able to meet her two kiddos, Kristen (7) and Sam (4mos).  For Kristen, she can mostly remember my name, but if she gets stuck I become Mommy’s bridesmaid.  Sorry Mom, looks like I am always going to be remembered as the bridesmaid not the bride!  After leaving Sam with Daddy for boy bonding, the girls went off to the Louisville Slugger museum!

The museum is pretty awesome.  There is a monster slugger that is 3 or 4 stories tall outside the doorway with their trademark brand.  Inside we were dazzled by a Lego exhibit recreating famous parks out of Legos.  Pretty cool if I do say so.  They even had Legos for you to build your own masterpiece.  I failed, but Kristen built a pool.  We got to walk through the only working factory that produces the Louisville Sluggers.  Our tour guide had way too much fun, but the tour was pretty cool.  They showed you the original form of carving the bats (which took about 30 minutes apiece) to the updated route (which takes about 30 seconds).  We got to watch as they programed the machine to carve a Reds players order.  Next time I watch the Reds I’m gonna be able to say I watched his bat get made!  I even learned a few tricks to sound really smart while watching a game with my sportholic friends.  At the conclusion of the tour we each received a mini bat! Now I can duel Chuck and threaten our staff J. 

Afterwards Melissa made an amazing dinner and it was time to get the kiddos in bed.  I was even asked to read the bedtime story!  Of course what could I say! Hint: I’d love too!  We read Danny and the Dinosaur! I was pretty stoked the book was still around; it was one I had as a kid.  Then Melissa, Will and I visited to end my first night in Kentucky!

Day 2 in Kentucky brought another realization.  It’s COLD! I felt like I was back in Colorado.  It is windy and super frigid. They were calling for snow, but I never saw any.  Needless to say I did not pack properly for it!  However, despite the weather the Thomas clan and I battled the great outdoors in the quest of the perfect Easter dress and suit for the kiddos.  Kristen found a pretty cute dress, but poor Sam’s mission was a failure L.  Who knew finding kids clothes would be so hard?  My vote is still on the bow tie!  We had a Red Robin Lunch and roamed another Massive mall.  Then back home for dinner and getting ready for church! 

Night 2 brought another story.  This time Amelia Bedlia! What?  Oh yes, Melissa keeps this child stocked with the good books.  Oh the antics of Amelia! Such fond memories! Love those books.  Then Melissa and I ran off to Target and stayed out til 10! We are getting crazy in here!  It was fun to just roam the store.  I may have bought The Hobbit.  I’m on an adventure, Martin was on the cover, he’s on an adventure, Sherlock started filming this week….okay, no maybe, I bought it!   We bought candy and soda pop and had a really great time of fellowship and shopping!  I mean what more is there!

Perhaps the saddest part of the day was the realization I left my brush in Nashville!  This may seem petty to you, but that brush has been through everything with me and it made me quite sad to go buy a new one.  We’ll see if I like it.  I’m gonna have to pick it up on my way home, sorry Mom it isn’t officially gone yet! 

I’m loving Kentucky so far (except for the cold), better be careful Melissa, you may not be able to get rid of me now!

Day 2: Unexpected Awesome

It was a dark and stormy morning and all seemed lost as the two friends dressed for a day that was supposed to be filled with carousels, and more amazing animals than the eye could behold.  What started as a light rain soon turned to a full out thunder storm destroying the well laid plans the two friends had made.  What were they to do?  Give up?  Never.  They decided to get breakfast and perhaps wait out the storm so that their plans would be delayed, but not altogether ruined. 
With a new plan in mind the girls raced into the city for a tall stack of pancakes.  This was unlike any place you had ever seen before.  There was an outdoor line waiting to get inside for a taste of the buttermilk awesomeness.  So the two friends took their spot in the rain to wait for their much anticipated breakfast!  Once seated, they wondered at the amount of food placed before them and ate until they could barely move, but stall as they might the weather did not improve.
"Let's attempt to head to the zoo, maybe they will let us in," declared one friend determined to save the adventure, but fate would not be so kind.  As they took their exit a large lightening bolt tore across the sky riveling any such wonder Thor could create.  Just as all seemed lost off in the distant stood a sign directing the two saddened friends to a science adventure.
"What is this?" The friend asked.  "Should we explore?"  So off they went in hopes their detour would bring some unexpected adventure.  They had no idea what this would entail, but as they approached the entrance their spirits lifted as they saw the sign for a Magic School Bus exhibit. 

Inside the friends beheld the most amazing sight! A hands on experience like none other.  There the friends met with a Time Lord in disguise as Ms. Frizzle explained the weather and why the day had begun with a terrible storm!  They bravely battled pathegins in a shoot out, climbed to the top of a tower to get a 360 degree view of Nashville, got a glimpse of galaxies far away, operated on a poor defensless patient after racing them to OR, emersed themselves in the past in a planetarium viewing of sea monsters, channeled their inner Dorothy as they fought tornado force winds, ran from dinosaurs, and tried space ice cream all before lunch.  Though the two friends had not met a Doctor, they traveled through time and space for an unexpected adventure. 
Though exhausted the friends would not complete their adventure while the light still shone in stormy sky, so off they went to explore another world, one man made and hidden in a hotel.  A place where cat fish swim freely and fountains dance for the entertainment of guests.  Water falls and foliage complete the rainforest feel and the girls were amazed at its unparalleled beauty. 

After stepping back into the dreary world they went to the mall that never ends.  Here they shopped because let's face it the friends are girls.  And don't fret they found an amazing carousel, so not all was lost!  Following an exhausting morning the friends decided to dive into the deep blue ocean for a magical dinner.  As the dined a black tipped shark watched from the distance and a grouper stayed close, his nose in a corner trying to go unobserved.  Sting rays laughed as they swam by the friends wondered at the beauty of the animals.  Quietly, they quoted Finding Nemo looking desperatly for Nemo amongst the schools that teased their vision. 



Following this, the friends went to Dave and Busters to try their luck at the video games, they weren't very good, but alas their adventure, though not as planned, became one of childish joy.  And now dear friends I leave you as we escape into a world of Doctor Who.  The pressure is on to pick the best episode to introduce my hosts to its awesomeness!!

Day 1: How many miles to the tootsie roll center?

As expected my night was far from sleep filled.  It was as if I was suddenly a kid on Christmas Eve waiting anxiously for the sound of jingle bells in the distance! Alas, dawn finally came and it was time to get this show on the road!
First, I was able to attend the early service and still worship on this beautiful Sunday morning.  It was a small service seeing as many are sick or on vacation this week, but it was still very nice.  As soon as the final Amen was said off I went to begin the trek to Nashville, Tennessee!
The road wasn't actually bad.  I was concerned having to go through Atlanta and Chatanooga would slow me way down, but who would have thought traveling North on a Sunday afternoon would be so uneventful and dare I say dead.  I met very little traffic and made great time.  However, it did still take me a little over 5 hours, which gave me time to discover the answer to an age old question.  Everyone has their travel snack to stay away and alert.  For me this snack would be Tootsie Pops.  I got tired of counting licks, but I can now say it took 33 miles to get to the center of the tootsie pop!  Take that Mr. Owl! I arrived in Nashville way ahead of schedule due in part to the fact I changed time zones...finally get to replace that hour that Daylight Savings so cruelly stole from me!

I found Laura's place with no difficulty, which is saying a lot if you know me!  And after some serious catching up, we headed to dinner.  However, the true fun came afterwards.  We came home and played DVD Clue with her sister and roommate! So much fun.  There are more characters to eliminate and an extra catagory to discover! So much fun.  Laura won, but I was only a turn away.  I had the answers her turn just came first, but that's okay, I'll get you next time!  This was then followed by Super 8, aka Kyle Chandler!  The rest of the evening was spent in Nerd talk.  I won't bore you with the discussed theories for Sherlock series 3 or Avengers or Doctor Who, but let me just say, this is an amazing start to a great week.  I mean come on tootsie pops, clue, Kyle Chandler, and nerd theories, come on what more could a girl ask for?  Pray it doesnt rain tomorrow so we can hit the zoo after pancakes!

The Eve of Awesome!

So, I haven't had a real vacation in quite some time.  I usually acrue my vacation time for World Changers and spend my vacation with my amazing teenagers in a different state doing hard labor.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE World Changers and am lookiong forward to going back this year, but I am also very excited to be going on a lazy vacation.
For those who know me, I am a planner.  I have extensive iteneraries that plan trips to the minute with little wiggle room.  I print menus for resteraunts beforehand so everyone knows what they want when we get there so there is no wasted time.  I have a binder with reservations and color coded plans.  However, this year is my fearless year, so not only am I taking my first trip solo, but I am flying with minimal planning.  At least for now.  As the night progresses that may change, but I am hoping to be fearless and adventerous!
I am at the age where my friends are moving on and taking different paths for their lives.  I couldnt be more happy for them, but it means seeing them is rare, so on this trip I am reuniting with some great friends I have made since college. 
First up, Nashville! Heart of the music world, home of anyone who's anyone including my buddy Laura.  She is a major role model.  Deciding God was calling her to be a musician she moved to Nashville to make it on her own.  She is getting there is with a pretty popular band!  I couldnt be more proud, but her touring means I havent seen her in eternity! So from Sunday to Tuesday it's just the 2 of us ready to paint the town Red!! Monday we will be going to the Nashville Zoo! Please pray it doesnt rain so we can embrace our kid side and ride the carosel!  Sunday, depending on when I arrive, we may go see the parthenon! That's right be jealous! It's going to be great!
Tuesday, I get to head to Louisville, Kentucky! I get to mark another state off my list and see my dear friend Melissa!  I haven't seen her in almost three years I believe and those three years have been HUGE for her! The last time I saw her she was marrying Will (a great guy), but since then they have adopted a sweet little girl (who I can't wait to meet and blow glow in the dark bubbles with!) and have had a little boy who is 4 months old! I am pretty stoked! I am so excited for all the things God is doing in their lives.  Before I meet up with them, I am going to the Louisville Slugger Museum.  It's like the Coca-Cola museum, but bats and you get a mini bat at the end! Then I get to see Kristen dance! Yay! I've never been to a dance recital so I'm really excited! At some point during the visit we are also going to the Louisville Zoo, famous for their polar bears, which as you know I love! Not sure what else, but there is a Women's Conference Melissa and I are going to to conclude our visit! From there who knows what will happen as I head back to Athens. 
Life changes in the blink of an eye, the last thing I want is to regret not taking chances.  If that means an unscheduled stop to see the worlds largest ball of yarn, then bring it! I won't be cured overnight, but without jumping on faith you may miss an even more amazing adventure that God has been preparing.

So, here I sit on the eve of Awesome and I am a child, too excited to sit still longer than five minutes as my mind wanders with possibilities! I will post the adventure as it happens, not sure if it will be in story form or recounting, but I am too excited to reunite with some dear Godly women and have some awesome fun!!