Meet Pauline!

This sweet girl is the yet another 2013 addition to our family. She is an orphan who lives at Pehucci orphanage and school in Kenya, Africa. 

Because I don't mind bragging on her - she is about seven years old, in Class 2, and is #1 in her class! #GetItGirl  She is super, super sweet and her laugh and energy is super contagious!

I can't wait to watch her grow up and continue doing well in school!

When McKenna saw this pic, she said "Pauline looks sad. We will make her happy!"
#MeltedMyHeart

She visited her first carnival this month!

If you are interested in helping support a child in Africa through the BFR Kids program, please contact Britney or Lacey for more information!

Let the Vent-Fest Ensue

Disclaimer: This post is going to absolutely put in the running for "Worst Mom Ever." Maybe even to claim the reluctant title. But I've got to get it off my chest. Hopefully, I'm not the only parent who's ever felt like this. Let the vent-fest ensue...

Meda is officially one month old. It's been both the shortest and longest month of my life. Weird, I know, but it is true.

I wanted to share a few thoughts that have flown through my mind over the past month. Go ahead and judge me. I'm too sleep deprived to even give a newborn turd what anyone thinks at this point. Hell, I may regret this post (i.e. my confession), but whatever...


1) "When will this stage eeeeennnndddd????"

Okay, sure... the newborn/baby stage doesn't last long. I get it. Yes - "they're only small once." And "they grow up too fast." And "they're in college before you know it." And even the elusive "you are so blessed to have her."

I get it.

I really and truly do. But I'm exhausted. I'm literally dragging myself through each day at this point, just trying to survive.

Trying to feed the new baby, trying to feed the preschooler, trying to feed myself.

Trying to do the laundry, trying keep the dishes from becoming an intense game of Jenga, trying to sweep dog hair off the floor.

Trying to get work done, trying to run errands, trying to still be a good friend and wife.

Trying to hold the baby to keep her happy, trying to play "princess" with the preschooler to keep her happy, trying to not nag the husband to keep him happy.

Trying to keep everyone happy but myself.

Trying to just make it to the next time the baby naps.

Ugh... and let's not even mention the dogs. They basically don't exist in my mind anymore.  #PoorThings #AnybodyWantAnyDogs

As a self-proclaimed "non-baby" person... the whole "baby-ness" of these first few months is overwhelming. Plus, you are "around" roughly 678 times more than you would be normally. Meaning, you are basically on house arrest 99.999988% of the day and forced to be home with baby (especially if you are breastfeeding and the sole source of food) as well as how you are quite literally awake more than normal.

Storytime

There's no break. No off-time. No vacation. Your life begins a continuous three hour cycle of feeding, changing diapers, and cat napping. Along with all that other crap I listed above. You begin to live three hours at a time.

And for the record, three hours is not a lot of time to live. And it's exhausting trying to fit everything in and make everyone happy and not completely show to the world how much of a zombie you've become.

I'm just plain tired.


2) "Shut up already!"

The crying....

And the screaming....

Ohhhh, the screaming....

It. Doesn't. Ever. End.


3) "What did I do to deserve this??"

There's no way this type of punishment didn't come from some absolutely horrific and ghastly act on my part. I just wish I could remember who I murdered or what other heinous crime I committed to deserve this whole "parenthood" thing...

Oh, wait? I asked for this??

Hmmm....


4) "I am so in love."

How stupidly obnoxious is it that such a mini-person, one who weighs less than my upper leg, spits up all over my shoulder, lap and hair, and keeps my boobs aching 24/7 completely take over my heart?

In those rare moments when the darkness of sheer exhaustion and temporary baby hatred hasn't clouded over, I'll look at her little face - adorable in my biased mother eyes when she's not screaming or vomiting curdled breast milk all over me - and be completely blown away with love.

Annoying, right?

Normally, someone who treats us like newborns do would be tossed head first off the "I like you" cliff.... not to mention the "I love you" mountain....

But Meda, complete with screaming tantrums and sleepless nights, has completely stolen my heart, just like her sister did 4 years ago.

And I'll get through this. Just like I did before.

Three hours at a time.

A Not-So-Shameful Appeal to the Masses

Alrighty, y'all...

Most of my life, I have been ashamed, embarrassed, reluctant, what-have-you regarding fundraising and asking people for money. 

Well... besides my parents... or my husband...

But they don't count. Anyway, moving on...

I've been involved with a thousand different fundraisers all my life through a thousand different activities I've done - Brownies (Yes, the same Brownies where you don those awesomely horrible feces-colored uniforms and proudly display a sash of patches proving you are a stellar kid-citizen who remembers to turn off the water faucet after brushing your teeth or pick up a piece of trash.), choir (fa-la-la-la-la!), cheerleading (rah! rah! sis boom bah!), sorority (Go Chi-O!), going to Africa, etc..

During all of these fundraisers, I wanted to crawl under a rock and never show my face again after directly asking people for their hard-earned money, because let's face it. It's embarrassing. In our society, we are so geared towards being independent and not needing help - it sucks asking for money or assistance in anyway. #PridefulAndAssholicSociety #IJustMadeAssholicAWord #Boom

But not this time, I'm not ashamed to throw it out there. 

I think going to Africa helped me with this. After being there and seeing faces of children suffering, it's almost harder to NOT ask for help in order for you to help suffering children.

So here it is... another chance for you to help me help kids.

I need your financial assistance, if you are able. I've pledged to raise no less than $500 for St. Jude Children's Research hospital by November and then plan to run the St. Jude Memphis Marathon on December 7th as a St Jude Hero. 

The St. Jude Memphis Marathon raises money through it's St. Jude Heroes. Last year, nearly 5,000 Heroes raised more than $4 million. This year, St. Jude Heroes are hoping to reach $5 million for the kids of St. Jude.

And after all, it's all about the K. I. D's, right? 

Here's a little blurb from my fundraising site about St. Jude, just in case you've been living under a rock and don't know anything about the hospital.

It costs $1.8 million a day to operate St. Jude. Did you know that 70% of the funds come from the public? That means your donation, no matter what the size, will help! 

How your donation helps:

• Thanks to donors like you, no family ever pays St. Jude for anything, including lodging, food and travel.

• St. Jude will continue to improve treatment of childhood cancer and other deadly diseases through it's groundbreaking research.

• For every child treated at St. Jude, thousands more have been saved worldwide through St. Jude discoveries.

Insane, right? 

This children's hospital is absolutely one of the best in the entire state, region, country, world, galaxy and I want to do what I can to help.

Sooooooooo.... should you find yourself melting at the site of this precious picture.....

5-year old Ian was found to suffer from a rare brain tumor. After treatment at St. Jude Ian is now cancer free and back to his energetic self. He even joined his father for the final few yards of the St. Jude Country Music Marathon & 1/2 Marathon last year.

Or this one.....

Or, heck... maybe even this one....

St. Jude patient Hayli, age 1, acute myeloid leukemia

Go ahead and hop on over to my personal fundraising page and feel free to donate something to help out these precious children. :-)

Thank you so much in advance!!

#BlogReadersAreTheBest

#AllAboutTheKIDs

#HoneyBadgerDOESCare

#OkayIWillStopWithTheHashtags

#GoDonate

Meet Meda Grayson!

Well, she's here. 

Meet the newest addition to our family, Meda Grayson.
(Pronounced Mee-da... like "me" and then "duh." Yeah, just like that.)

She arrived May 9th, at 6:32pm after eight hours and a rather rough delivery at 6lbs, 1oz and 20 inches long.

Below are a list of things I learned after experiencing giving birth to my second child and a few words of advice I have for pregnant peeps everywhere.

*Proceed at your own risk. 

** No seriously.... At your own risk. Gentleman - I recommend shutting your browser now.

*** For real boys, go ahead and shut 'er down. Now.

Good. Now, we can proceed.....

• I still believe epidural's should be available to pregnant women everywhere starting at 38 weeks.
• Epidural's are quite possibly the most fabulous invention in modern medicine.
• Just because you are in a flubby hospital gown that only covers half of your body all day and then your woman parts suddenly become public display for anybody walking by your hospital room, that doesn't mean that your face shouldn't be covered up while in labor. I believe every woman should be wearing makeup at all the times in the last couple weeks of pregnancy. You don't want to risk going into labor without it. Cameras are everywhere. And with smartphones and social media at the level it is these days, Lochness monster pictures of you can pop up on the interwebs without approval at any given moment. So don't become a statistic. Let us ban together to end the era of woman looking like crap before, during and after labor. The whole process is going to rock your body physically, so let's not add to it by being lazy with our faces. So please, at the very least wear some mascara. Remember: eyes and lips at all times, ladies... eyes and lips! 
• Epidural's are the most fabulous invention in modern medicine.
• IV injection is one of the most highly deadly forms of medicine insertion. Upon looking at an IV and after it's insertion with the nurse muttering self-encouraging words under her breath, "We have to save it. Don't lose it!"; one's blood pressure is at risk to bottom out and cause fuzzy vision, yellow skin coloring and possibly even death.   
• Epidural's are, in my opinion, the most fabulous invention in modern medicine.
• When/if your child is positioned so incorrectly they are unable to come out and your doctor offers to help "vacuum" your child out of you or else be forced to perform a c-section, BEWARE. Proceed with the vacuum ONLY if you have the stomach for teams of 8+ medical personnel to swoop in SWAT team style, decked out in head to toe battle gear (face masks included!), doctors tripping backwards as vacuums come unsealed and high flying fluid...........Yeah......... All that happened. BEWARE.
• Epidural's are still the most fabulous invention in modern medicine.
• Ladies - before going in for a vaginal delivery (Ugh. I just said "vaginal." Gross. #YesIAmStillTwelveYearsOld....), make sure to stock up on adult diapers for the weeks and months after. NOBODY EVER TELLS YOU THIS INFORMATION UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE! So here it is. You need to be prepared to bleed out from between your legs for an enormously ridiculous amount of time. I'm talking weeks and possibly even months. And there's a cleansing process every time you go to the restroom that is just straight up NOT cool.  So be ready. *Note: This may not be needed for c-section deliveries. I wouldn't know because I chose to VACUUM my kid's head out of my woman parts. Gross, gross.
• Finally, have I mentioned yet that epidural's are absolutely the most fabulous invention in modern medicine?

Below are some pics from the war zone. Don't be fooled by the happy-go-lucky atmosphere the pictures portray. The 2 hours in between these "before" and "after" pics, shit got real.

But we now have the battle prize; an amazing, healthy and perfect little girl.  Praise God. :-)

Don't look too close or you'll see MK also had a "baby in her belly"

And of course, the unicorn had to be there to witness everything.

McKenna meeting her sister for the 1st time. One of my fav pics!

Why the husband decided to take pics of me while I checked my all social media sites, I'll never know.

This board perfectly appeased my O.C.D.

Watching 

McKenna wasn't about to skip out on IG's #VSitMonth 

First family photo

You Can Take the Girl Out of Kentucky, But Not Kentucky Out of the Girl

So, in case you don't know already, I'm originally from Kentucky.

And proud of it.

And also, in case you didn't know, I used to be highly involved in horses.  

Like I said, I'm from Kentucky.

It's basically mandatory to love horses.

(Okay, okay... not everybody is into them there... but I definitely was.)

I used to ride them, show them, own them (more accurately, one), read about them and basically obsess over them every chance I got. Starting on my 10th birthday, my dad used to take me every year to the races either at Keeneland or Churchill Downs to appease my obsession. #BestBirthdayGiftEver  

After moving to New Mexico, my love for them didn't die, but my involvement definitely did. That's when my sister went all obsessive over them and started purchasing them and becoming a rock-star rider. (Have I mentioned she competed at the NCAA College Nationals in Equestrian? AND did really well? #RockStar #OnlySlightlyJealous) I, on the other hand, got more involved with cheerleading and gymnastics... and who has time to muck stalls and pick hooves when you're wearing crushed velvet leotards and short skirts cheering on the boys from the sideline??? Not me...

So anyway - that aside and with that info in mind, I wanted to let you know how much I LOVE Derby Day.

And not the Roller Derby...

The Kentucky Derby, that is.

This is a race I actually haven't been to... yet. However, I plan on going sometime in the not-so-distant future and doing it up.... attending the Oaks the day before, mint juleps, the big hat, singing 'My Old Kentucky Home,' all of it.

And no in-field for me. I would have maybe joined that colossal mess of a party while still in college maybe, but not now. I want to get all prettied up and go sit in a box seat and do it right.

So yeah. There you have it. I'll be celebrating this Derby with a frosty (virgin) mint julep in hand, looking jealously at pics of old KY friends of mine on FB attending, and yelling for the horse I placed a bet on, all the while wishing I was there.

So here's to the 139th running of the Derby. :-) The greatest two minutes in sports. 

Where Did April Go? Definitely Not Anywhere On My Blog.

Wow - I've been slow on the blog posting this past month....Okay, "slow" is the wrong description. I'm always slow about it.

Completely "AWOL" is a tad more accurate.

So let me try and update you on what's been going on....

Work: Well, I've been busy with BFR shows and sales. If you're in Memphis, you probably saw me at Spring Market, Crawfish Festival and will see me again this coming weekend at Collierville's Fair on the Square,'' which I'll be at in this torrential downpour. Super awesome. Come out and get wet with us if you're in the mood to shop!!! :-)

*Speaking of BFR... if any of you are interested in ANYTHING to do with Be Free - purchasing merchandise, mission trips, hosting a trunk show, etc. - please don't hesitate to contact me! I can hook you up! #ShamelessPlug

Small group stuff: This is pobably crap that would bore you since you're not a part of my kick-butt Jesus-loving small group at church....(which you probably should be if you're not. It's awesome.). I've been able to get together with this amazing group of women a few times this month to study The Word and it's been great. #TotalJesusNerds Every time we're together, I learn something new or get a new perspective on God's will for my life and for others. 

PS - if you've never studied through Beth Moore's work, GO DO IT NOW. She is hysterical, down-to-earth and real.  I recommend her video series' since she's so animated and southern. She also has a blog, which I follow. I relate well to her personality type. #SassyAndSouthern

DAMN YOU Writer's Block!

Writing:  It's been slow.... to say the least. Currently, I'm sort of stuck in a rut on the book, and trying to break out of it. Some might call it "writer's block." Just trying to sludge through it and not loose ALL motivation to do it.

BIRTHDAY'S!!! So on the 27th, I celebrated the big 3-0 birthday. Weird, right? But I'm pumped for thirty. I'm convinced that your thirties are probably the coolest decade. You're an adult, but still not "old".... (okay, maybe a little old).... and people are forced to take you seriously, right? I mean, because you're thirty years old. So, I'm pumped. People might take me seriously now. 

Thirty is definitely the new twenty. 

Also, the husbandal unit turned thirty-one two days after my birthday. So Happy "People Have To Take Us Seriously Now" Birthday to him, as well! With both of us in our thirties, that means we're a serious couple, right? :-) #YeahIDidntThinkSo

Fetus Cooking: Well, I'm 38 weeks along in this pregnancy now. Weird. I'm about to have my second kid. NEXT week. That is if she doesn't show up before. With these contractions I've been having, I won't be surprised if she does. In fact, I'm surprised she hasn't already. But whatever... she's giving me a little more time. 

I go into the hospital for an induction on Wednesday, the 8th of May. Now, that is strange. Two kids... in just a few days. We'll be like a real little family... with parents in their thirties. #weird

I'm excited.

Britney & Lacey, with BFR, hosted a baby shower for me earlier in April as well. It was so fun and I am blessed to have such great friends who showed up and showered Meda & I with gifts. :-) I've included a couple pics. (Clearly.)

This last month has been rather uncomfortable for me physically. This kiddo is MUCH more active and brutal to my insides than McKenna Rayne was. Don't get me wrong - MK was very active, but sheesh.... this little one has it out for me or something. There are times where it feels like she's literally going to pop through the skin. I find this strange because apparently Meda Grayson is much smaller than MK was, according to the doctors. 

Speaking of doctors, I've been on the weekly doctor appointment plan for a little while now, and receiving ultrasounds EVERYTIME I go to the doc, due to the high risk factor I've got going on, because neither Meda or I are fat enough for anybody's liking. I won't lie - I enjoy the ultrasounds, especially considering I only had 2 with McKenna (at 9 weeks and at 20 weeks), but my house is FULL of ultrasound photos now. In drawers, on counters, under beds... And let's be real, those black and white fuzzy TV-like photos of uterine aliens aren't quite the type you'd hang on your wall. Though I feel like a bad parent if I throw them away! Ugh.... #dilemmas.  

But anyway, Meda Grayson will be here next week!!! Craziness!

Running:  OMG. Y'ALL.

I registered a few days ago for my first FULL marathon. EEEK! I'm so pumped. The last bit of this pregnancy has been a little rough for me since it's race season and everyone around me is gearing up, training and racing now! Friends, my husband, everyone... I hate just sitting on the sidelines without my own training in full force. #JealousyIsAHorribleThing

Yes, yes... I know, I know... I have an amazing reason NOT to be running, etc... and I'm so, so, so grateful for that... but that doesn't mean I don't want to be out there as well. So sue me. :-) I plan on, as soon as the doc gives the okay, starting back up again and training for some triathlons as well, and not just running. Whoop! 

But anyway - back to the marathon. I had originally planned on running my first full marathon ON my 30th birthday, but... well, that didn't work out after I got myself knocked up. So the new plan is the St Jude Memphis Marathon on Dec. 7th. I will have plenty of time to train after Numero Dos arrives. I'm going to be training with BPC Performance Systems in their St. Jude training groups, headed up by BPC Running Coach & probably the best/fastest runner in the greater Memphis area (as well as a good friend of ours), Ben Knoernschild. Whoop! It's going to be fun training with this group!

In order to race, I'm required to raise $500 for St Jude, which I'm totally pumped about, as well. St Jude is an amazing hospital and I want to do what I can to help those kiddos! I even dragged my friend Molly into registering with me! Haha! #Sucker #YouAreWelcomeMols 

Something else I'm excited about when it comes to this?? I've already been contacted to write "my story" regarding coming back from pregnancy and training for my first full marathon. Plans are in the works with the editor for me to submit a short series of articles and then a final "recap" article after the race about the overall "journey." He even wants photos of me with Meda Grayson at the finish line. HA! This makes the whole marathon-deal sound so epic, doesn't it? HA! Little does this guy know I am the world's biggest "I-hate-running-runner," so he might not realize what he's asked me to do! HA! #IReallyDoHateRunning #ButNotReally #ButReally #OkILoveIt #Sometimes...

This is the ABSOLUTE truth!! HA!

~~~~

So that's been my last month in a nutshell. Exciting, right?  #NotReallyForAnybodyButMyself

Just trudging through each day now, playing the waiting game until Meda Grayson arrives. Not to worry - I'll be posting those annoying mom-new-baby pics once she does arrive. :-)

Happy MAY everyone!

#OMGItsMay #WhenDidThatHappen

Sunday is Coming...

Okay, so I know it's a few days late... but I went to a Good Friday service last week and this video was played. I absolutely loved it's powerful message and it hit home for me.

I thought I'd share it with you all.

 Sunday is coming...

 

Saturday from Highpoint Church on Vimeo.

The Creepster Has Risen!

**So I actually wrote this last year on Easter, but since I lost that blog, I thought I'd repost to the new blog site. Besides, it was one of my more popular posts accounting to Google along with my Good Friday post. :-) ** 

Wow….today marks the most important day in all of history. And I swear I’m not joking around this time. It really does. 

THE most important day ever. 

As in ever EVER. 

The greatest event in human history of all time. One that has impacted every corner of our Earth.

Today represents the day that roughly 2000 years ago, Jesus of Nazareth rose from the dead. (Creepy, I know.) I’m overwhelmed at the thought of it. I mean, really….someone coming back from the dead??? Literally. Dead. As a doornail. Then alive. Walking and talking like you & I. And it’s not just a myth or folktale. Thousands of people saw him. It’s been documented. It's probably the best and most accurately documented event in history. There's manuscript evidence, archaeological evidence, eyewitness accounts, corroborating accounts, literary consistency and changed lives to prove it happened.... plus some other types of consistencies and expert scrutiny.

Craziness. 

(But that’s old news… if people do any true and hard research they'll know that. And I’ve already covered how crazy and creepy He is before.)

He basically rocks my face off (and will yours too if you let Him)…and not only because He didn’t come back all goblin & ghoul style from the dead, but He came back to give us the opportunity to have everlasting life…..WITH Him. Pretty damn cool if you ask me. Cool in the most un-creepy, but still creepy type of way possible. 

I pray that we all focus on Him today and all days to come. We can’t just think about him during our hour long church service today (or just during Christmas). He’s more involved with our lives than we can even imagine. So let his creepin’ butt in your life and start to recognize Him all around you. I know I’d rather have Him creepin’ on me than anybody else….what about you?

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”– John 3:16 

“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you. So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” — Matthew 28:6-10

I can’t wait to see this face in person someday. It gives me chills thinking about it! I pray you feel the same. It’s going to be awesome! Hope to see you there! 

The Greatest Author of All Time

**So I actually wrote this last year on Good Friday, but since I lost that blog, I thought I'd repost to the new blog site. Besides, it was one of my more popular posts accounting to Google. :-) ** 

Today is “Good Friday.”

For most people that means an amazingly lazy day off of work.

(Okay – that’s exactly what it means to me too! #Guilty… And yes, I still use hashtags in my blogs. #GetOverIt)

Today though, is more importantly the 2000-ish anniversary of the day my home-boy, Jesus, was crucified.

Now… whether you’re a believer that Jesus was Christ or not… this event DID happen. Jesus was a person who lived approximately a gazillion years ago, and he was crucified. There is an overwhelming amount of evidence that proves this event happened. But that's not the point of this post...

Non-believers, your issue with the J-Man is not relevant until Sunday… its only Friday right now. So keep reading…

Have you ever read any details on what happened a gazillion years ago today? If not – here you go. It’s actually a really great story… especially if you’re a dude and into power struggles, blood, guts and gore. (And ladies – don’t tell the guys, but there’s a love story mixed in there as well… shhhh!) Maybe just try to think of a way more old-timey version of Gladiator…

Anyway – I digress.

So here is a very short and sweet synopsis:

• Jesus is found guilty by the Roman governor back in the day. (Guilt of nothing, really… but the story line wouldn’t have a cool ending if He hadn’t been convicted, right? The Screen Writer of this story definitely knew what He was doing to make the climax really hit home. NOBODY saw the ending coming. Except maybe a prophet or two, but whatever… you get my point.)

• A true criminal named Barabbas is released in His place. (Way to go, Governor… way to go.)

• Jesus is mocked, beaten, ridiculed, and tortured. (See? Great dramatics right there…)

• Then He is hung on a cross to die, with nails punctured through His hands and feet – while still awake and fully aware of the pain. (They didn’t have the humane methods of the death sentence back then that apparently we do today. Though Jesus did get a Last Supper of bread and wine, which is cool. #WineRocks #SoDoesBread #HopefullyHeHadSomeButterOrJamToo)

Alright, so that's the short and sweet version. 

What confused me for the longest time was why today is call “GOOD Friday.” I don’t see anything “good” about our much loved protagonist being mocked and beaten. I also personally don’t know how He was able to take it. I’m not really the stand-back-and-let-people-belittle-and-hurt-me type. #MaybeThatsWhyImNotKing

People walking by even made fun of him about His claim to rebuild the Temple in three days. (This ladies and gentlemen, is what you learned in 9th grade English class as “foreshadowing.” Take note.)

You know what I would have done to those jokers if I had been King??? 

Rocked their little Roman, helmet-and-toga-clad world, that’s what… Maybe I would have pulled a bazooka out of my terry cloth and wasted them right then and there.

Wait – bazookas weren’t invented yet, you say? Well, that’s the badass part of being the Son of God. I could have magician-ed that massive bazooka into my hands right out of thin air. (Or maybe turned my terry cloth into it… Picture it: Me. Naked. Carrying a terry cloth bazooka. Not that’s rockin’!)

Or maybe I would have used more era-appropriate measures like a swarm of King Cobras or wild dogs to take them out at the knees and ankles.

Or...

Maybe I would have let all of what actually happened, happen… just like Jesus...

No… never mind. I most assuredly would NOT have done it His way. We all know I’m not smart or creative enough to write the ending that did happen; where three days later, the Writer had Jesus rise from the dead. And now, all of mankind has the chances to live happily-ever-after…. for eternity. (The “ever-after” part there is quite literal.)  

God created this story that came to fruition and did it for His enemies. He did it for you. 

He did it for me. 

What kind of crazy, out-of-this-world love is that? 

I wouldn't have done it. Never. I wouldn't sacrifice my own child for anyone, not even someone I loved deeply. Let alone my enemies...

But that's a pretty sweet ending, huh?

So yes – I do finally understand why today is called “GOOD Friday.”

Psst! In case you’re still wondering… For lack of a better theological type of answer, it’s because today is the day that Christ purchased us with his blood that lead to His resurrection. It’s a holy day. A very good day indeed.

Boom. In your face Roman soldiers!

Make sure to check in with the sequel on Sunday. That’s when the really good stuff happens!

So the picture below is a tad inappropriate with the use of the F-Bomb... however, I couldn't help but laugh and had to share.

Wine Country, Near Celebrity Sightings, & Near-Death Cycling Experiences

So if you follow me on Twitter or Instagram, you'll know Bryant & I went to California a couple weeks ago. My husband manages and rides on an elite cycling team here in Memphis, and the team was invited to go out and for some training and fun in Santa Barbara, CA.

So you know what that means, right?

RHOMC overlooking LA
Ruth, Molly, Me, & Rebecca

Us wives decided we need a little "Real Housewives of Memphis Cycling" bonding time out in Cali as well!

So we all packed up and hopped a flight to LA, excited for a little R&R... at least for us females! My in-laws were amazing enough to come into town so Bryant & I could have one last little vaca before Numero Dos arrives.

We got into LA late and stayed the first night there. The next morning, the boys men piled into an 12 passenger van with their cycling gear and headed north to Santa Barbara County, while us girls stayed in LA for a day of site-seeing, shopping, and celebrity stalking.

And it was an absolute blast. I can't even begin to describe to you the blast the four of us had that first day. We did a celebrity homes tour, ate lunch at the infamous RHOBH Lisa Vanderpump's Villa Blanca, and moseyed up and down Rodeo Dr. We almost saw like 67 celebrities that day too.  Below are a bazzilion just a few pics of our entire trip.

Dining at Villa Blanca.
My fav pic of us.

Molly almost looking like a celebrity ;-)

Ruth & Molly

Somebody who was definitely ALMOST a celebrity
walked in & they couldn't help but stare

Rebecca, Ruth, Myself, & Molly about to head out
on the celebrity home tour

Tom, Katie, & Suri Cruise's old home

Because I had to snap a pic of this place! 

We went right by James Franco getting his Hollywood Star.
You can see this in US Weekly this week!

Dining a few feet away from us was Ken Todd.
The husband of Lisa Vanderpump dining
(from RHOBH & Dancing w/the Stars

Gate to the Playboy Mansion

This is the home Michael Jackson died in.

Where the Osbournes reality show was filmed.
Currently, Christina Aguilera's home.

We were TOTAL tourists in our buddy bus! And we loved every second!

Lucille Ball's home

Rodeo Drive

Aaron Spelling's old home. Largest home in LA & where Tori
Spelling was married. I almost sprinted inside the gate.
Had somebody dared me to... I totally would have have chickened out.

After our fun day in LA, we piled into our own rental and headed north to Santa Barbara to meet the boys men for dinner.

The next few days were packed with all kinds of California-Goodness. Friday, the girls went shopping. Which, let's be real... since becoming an M-O-M, I never get to do for myself anymore. And I must admit, it was a successful day of ME-NESS on State Street. :-)  

EIGHT hours later....
I did some damage to the 'ole bank account.
Shhhh... don't tell Bryant.

We added the Queen of Memphis Cycling on Friday to our click!
Myself, Ruth, Molly, Rebecca, & Janice. 

The next day, we got a driver and headed to Santa Barbara County's best wineries for a day of wine tasting! Being the lame preggo that I am, I wasn't able to partake too much, but Janice was sweet enough to grab me a couple bottles of NA wine! #SCORE #NOMNOMGRAPEJUICE

The wineries were absolutely BEAUTIFUL and we had so much fun. Go ahead and call us all wine connoisseurs now.

Ruth, Rebecca, Georgette, Janice, Molly, & Myself
The complete group of RHOMC

Bachelor fans will recognize this winery. :-)

Yes. These are cupcakes with WINE in the middle them.
Amaze.

We did have some drama on our winery day. What could have been MAJOR drama, was (thank God) only minor drama.

So there was a massive century ride going on all throughout SB County that day (which our husbands were all a part of). Cyclists were everywhere. In town, out of town... everywhere. Well, it turns out our driver had NO REGARD FOR CYCLISTS WHATSOEVER! 

Seriously.

Not an exaggeration. 

We came within inches of plowing a cyclist over when our driver decided to pull out of the parking lot right in front of him. I'm talking INCHES. The cyclist had to swerve into the other lane (of on-coming traffic) and proceeded to throw up a few well-deserved fingers in our direction.

Then, our driver decided to motor past other groups of cyclists at break-neck speeds, almost hitting at least 5-10 others.

Now y'all... I've been known to exaggerate stories every once in a while for the sake of dramatics... but for real....

OUR DRIVER ALMOST KILLED LIKE FIVE HUNDRED AND SIXTY SEVEN CYCLISTS!!!

All within fifteen minutes of each other.

And he had a load of CYCLING WIVES in the car with him!!

W. T. H.

I mean, our husbands were out RIDING right at that moment!!

While all of this was happening...

Myself, Janice, and Georgette's automatic reaction was to duck our heads and not look. (Yeah, I know... shameful. I'm surprised this was my reaction. I'm normally a pretty vocal passenger.... okay, or just vocal in general...Whatever.)

Molly was busy trying to brace herself after being slid around the back seat while the driver swerved back and forth across the double yellow lane into oncoming traffic. 

Rebecca was loudly calling from the backseat, "There's another one! Oh my god!"

And Ruth was busy hanging on for dear life while politely yelling in her sweet southern accent, "Sir... Sir.... SIR!!!  There's another one right there! THEY HAVE THE RIGHT AWAY, SIR!! Treat them like another vehicle! SIR!!!!!"

After we successfully almost killed the 567th cyclist, the driver then had the gall to ARGUE with us about cyclists on the road and tell us how irritating they were.

Alright, so let me set something straight for everyone reading this.  This is a very short and condensed version of how to obey traffic laws in reference to cyclists that may be around you.

If you are driving and see a cyclist... by LAW you must treat them like another vehicle....because technically - they ARE. (No shit, Sherlock) When passing a cyclist, you must give a minimum of 3 feet between you and them.  If they are in front of you.... THEY HAVE THE RIGHT AWAY.

Anyway, the driver eventually shut the f up when he dropped us off for lunch and sped away.

However, we DIDN'T shut up about what a complete moron he was. We ended up calling the driving company and demanded a new driver and may have told the owner of the company that cyclist-killer may have been drinking or something.

Luckily, a new driver picked us up after lunch and he was much better. We were then able to relax and enjoy the rest of the wineries we visited.

Whew.... that was a day.

*To all the cyclists who rode in the Santa Barbara Century ride a few weeks ago.... 

I sincerely apologize for the black Lincoln Navigator that decided it might be fun to buzz your tower over and over again. He was reported.

So our final full day in Santa Barbara was spent working out, lounging and exploring the beach with the entire group. It was beautiful.

The crew.
Ruth, Bryan, Scott, Yosh, Dale, Molly, Janice, Jimmy, Ben, Rebecca, Me, Bryant 

B got mad at me for posting this filter on Instagram
because apparently I made him look like a lobster.
Oops.

The ridiculous-ness hardly ceases