I haven't forgotten

I thought I would bring you a treat to get you into my good graces again. Sorry I have been gone for a week and some, but I am back. I promise not to leave you wanting...
well that isn't entirely true. But, I did bring you this recipe that was sent to me today. Holy Yum. I am actually going to make it tonight and so I will let you know how it tastes.

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE
4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
A small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug (MicroSafe)

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
Pour in the milk and oil and mix well...
Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again..
Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.
The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!
Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.
EAT ! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).

This week has been incredibly draining. Spiritually I am spent. It is evident that the Lord is working in the students around me by how much adversity they are facing. And of course, sin effects all of us and some of us get to be a part of the process in which we end up giving out advice and praying and seeking wisdom, which is all spiritually draining. I am just happy I get to do all of this with Andrew!
MY HERO!
I just need to say that I love him more all the time. This week he displayed the patience and gentleness that I dream and pray of having one day.
I was so frustrated at this stupid circumstance and he literally said, "I just don't think it is going to do any good to get worked up about it so I am just going to brush it off"
To me, getting worked up is what makes it better...I feel like...okay I guess not really. But he really had a reasonable cause to get super angry about it! I want to be like him some day!
Anyway, I just wanted to say hey. I think I will post a few things that I have been sort of pining over lately in another post here in a sec.
Love you all, thanks for stopping by

My Daddy.

Today is my Dad's birthday. Lonnie Ray Welker.


He is, well, I think he is 66?! Could that be?

He doesn't seem a day over over 50, and he acts like he is 25.



So I decided that in honor of my dad turning 66, I would post the 66 things I love about my dad!


Just Kidding! But I am going to post 10 things that I love about my dad...and if you know my dad, I really hope you will post something you love about him too!



1. My dad is a good ole' boy. He loves home cookin' and hot sauce..and yet he married my mom who is from Germany...while she, herself, is Saucy, pepper is too much for her taste buds.



2. My dad loves southern gospel music. Gaithers win every time...Lesters, Imperials, Cathedrals, the good old school Oak Ridge Boys, if it sounds country and is about Jesus...my Dad loves it.



3. My dad had been everywhere...Seriously, he joined the Navy back in the day and was on a carrier for 2 years. Every time I am excited about going somewhere new or seeing something, well, lets be real, every time we watch a movie, my dad says, "Well, I've been there!"
And then proceeds with a story.



4. My dad is faithful, and not just to his wife...like, in every sense of the word. He is faithful to his beliefs, his family, his work (he has been there for like 40 years) and the one that has impacted me the most is his friends. My dad has soooo many friends that he has had for some 60 years. It is almost insane to think the people he runs around with are people that he has known for as long as they have been alive. Amazing.



5. My dad thinks he is never wrong. I mean this in a very, very, conservative republican sort of way! ha ha ha!! I hope he reads this and laughs!



6. I love that my dad doesn't call me very much cause he doesn't want to bug me, but he calls me late at night, (Which is good for me) and talks for literally 2 minutes, just long enough to start every story that my mom has already told me, and me to tell him, "I heard." Then he says, "oh" in a semi-defeated tone followed by. "well, I better let you go, I love you."
And then says "bye" somewhere around 4 times, which is sooo cute!
I love that my dad still calls me JUST to tell me he loves me (which, lets me know he misses me)!



7. My dad drives a motorcycle...and yes, he is cool...because it is orange and not a Harley, he is not only awesome, but secure in his manhood.



8. I remember when I was like 4, we were at costume party at Springdale Baptist Church. People were trying to guess who everyone was. I distinctly remember a conversation had between two people (who shall remain nameless). They said. "Oh, everyone knows who that is, Of course it is Lonnie, he has the kindest eyes of anyone..." I am really glad that I heard them say that, because I have never looked my dad in the face without thinking that!



9. My dad is the hardest worker of anyone I know...and not only that, he managed to find time to be a dad. I have a million memories of being in the woods, working in the yard (which I thought was cool), swimming in the pool at night gazing at the stars, vacations and weekend trips to grandmas house...Best dad award...



10. A few summers ago, I spent a chunk of my summer in Florida with my mom. for a little over a week, my dad came to visit too and one of those nights we went for a walk. We walked, then sat and then walked again. I was 24 that summer and my dad and I had the best talk of my life. He told me so many stories that I had never heard. I asked like 1,000 questions and my dad answered them all. I remember that night as the first time we had an adult conversation...like a real, really real one. The next summer on that very same beach he gave me away!



bonus. Unless joking, I have NEVER heard my dad say anything mean about anyone.



Dad, I don't even know if you read this, but I don't care because today I celebrate you! Thanks for the life daddy!

I love you more than you could ever know.

probably the hardest part

I think that I have decided the hardest part about being married. Holidays.
This is such a predicament. Let me say that I love my family and love my in-laws. And I think that this is why it is so hard.

This is the kind of stuff that needs to be talked about in pre-marital counceling. We are doing the best we can with it and try our hardest to let everyone know how much we love them and care for them...we just hope it is working.

I think the thing that makes it so hard is that we live close to Andrew's family and we live far from mine. They are both amazing and totally understand and never complain or say anything to us...but, it doesn't change the way that Andrew and I feel.

We switch holidays with our families. Like this year we spent Thanksgiving with my family in Imperial, and we spent Christmas with Andrews parents here...but my parents decided to come into town on Christmas day...so My family got to see us on Christmas and Thanksgiving, but Andrews family only got to see us on Christmas...and a lot of other days for lunch or at the office...but soooo not the same.

And then there is the thought that when we go to see my family, we are literally spending a week at their house. We don't go many places, we just spend time at my parents house...this isn't fair to Andrew's parent's when we stay at their house for a day rather than a week, because this is Their holiday but we also happen to live here.

And then there is birthdays...which leads me to this post. My dad's birthday is on Saturday. Scott's birthday (Andrew's dad) is on Sunday. And since we live by his parent's we all get to celebrate every ones birthday together...which I love! But, at the same time, I don't get to celebrate my dad's birthday and 2 weeks ago, my family all got together to celebrate my grandma's 90th Birthday. My only living grandparent, and the only I have had since 7th grade. But the celebration was on a Sunday...so I couldn't go cause I had to work...but we are celebrating Scott's birthday on a Sunday and we can go, because they live a mile from home and work...do you see where the frustration comes in!
I guess it is good that I get frustrated that both of us want to spend more time with our families...

I know there really isn't an answer to all of this, and it really isn't that bad, it is just weeks like last week when two friends have babies and you can only make it to see one...or this week when two dad's have birthdays but you can only celebrate with one...that make me cry a little and then be glad for the fact that I have family close, or even family at all...

The way we deal? Well, I sit on my floor and cry and pout and Andrew explains how we don't have 8 extra hours of drive time to spare and how Dave Ramsey says spending that much money on gas at this time is not wise. Does it help? NO, but what will? The only thing that helps is the fact that I am nearly best friends with my brother, I talk to my mom and dad all the time and I have in-laws that people can only dream about having. I am married to the man that far exceeds any dream I ever had and I know that they all love Jesus...and me...

And that is how I will get myself through this short pity party.

On the list of things that are worth complaining about in life, this is probably near the bottom...but that just gives us another reason to thank God for the blessings.

Love ya,
Sarah

Aunt Sarah

This isn't really about marriage, nor have the last few posts, but I promise there will be more of that.

I grew up with 2 friends that I have had forever and will have forever. Jessie and Jenny. Jessie has a little girl, Taylor, and is pregnant with a little boy, Jenny has a little girl, Sydney, and a week ago gave birth to little boy, Austin.

Jess, Me, Jenny and Baby Sydney

Taylor, Jess' baby

Sydney

Austin (photo from Jenny's Facebook)

My sister-in-law, Michelle has Fred and is pregnant with a little boy,

Michelle -and Josh and Fred

Fred

and Yesterday,my college best friend, Jodi, who has a little boy named John, had a little girl. Sophia.

Me and Jodi

John

Baby Sophia

Me and Jodi with Baby Sophia

Andrew and Sophia bonding

I feel overwhelmingly extatic to have all these beautiful little babies call me "aunt Sarah".

Andrew has decided to refer to himself as "Funkle" Fake Uncle for the ones who aren't really his family...which is funny, but I told him he better not try to teach them to say Funkle, I don't think they can translate without messing that one up.

Anyway.
I really don't get to see any of them too often, however I talk on the phone and skype with Fred. I get "home sick" for them and wish I could be at all their birthday parties and hope they know that they always have a place to run to as they grow up and get mad at mom and dad! ha ha!

I am in love with these kiddos...

Some of you know, and some don't, so here you go...Andrew and I have been unsuccessful in the having babies department so far, but that is okay! We are totally happy with where the Lord has us and completely trust in His timing...And I am not wanting any words of advice or encouragement (just so you know). I just want you to know that being around these babies/kids and not having my own is not something that stabs me in the heart with jealousy, but overwhelms me with the fact that I get to share in the life of these special little people.

Yesterday, I was at the hospital with Jodi, and we were talking about how we haven't seen each other in so long...I hate that I don't get to be with these women that I love all the time...but such is life...the story goes that we had to leave and of course, as we were getting ready to head back to the hospital, she had a little girl! WOW!

I walked into the room and I cannot tell you how excited I was to see this little girl. It was like the most amazing thing!! It immediately made me love her and miss Fred, Taylor and Sydney, and long to meet little baby Austin...(john was there bouncing around like a crazy person).

So This post is for Jodi, Jessie, Jenny and Michelle - Thank you for sharing the love of your babies with me, they are the most precious things and I adore them as much as I adore you.

Thank you for making me an aunt, even if it isn't real! I love you.