Putting "First Things" first

I'm still processing the truth that my Daddy is not here. There is so much going on in my head and my heart at this moment that I'm not sure what to say in this space. 

But I feel a numb peace at this moment, and for that, I'm thankful. 

The past week has set my world upside down. My perspective has completely changed. At this point in my life, I was feeling a little lost in work and chores and fitness goals and to-do lists. All GOOD things. But not "First Things." And right now, I have a clarity that I never want to lose again. That clarity is this: Life is short. And all that matters is loving God and loving people. 

Jesus said it best here-- 'Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’ This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs from them.””

Matthew 22:37-40 MSG

I want to love others the way my family and I have been shown love this week. 

Billie and I pulled in our driveway Wednesday night to find a basket of goodies and two flower arrangements along with multiple cards. 

Within the next several days, I received 3 paleo meals cooked by friends, a plant and memory blanket from my coworkers, and packages in the mail including a "sunshine box" and a picture frame. I will NEVER forget these things. 

But the sweetest gift has been people sharing their memories of dad. I will never stop talking about him. And I plan to never lose the perspective of "First Things" again. 

SLP Month

Since last week was my birthday and May is SLP month, my coworkers planned a few surprises for me Friday. 

Outisde the therapy gym, they hung a poster with my picture, information about what an SLP does, and posters for staff and family members to write notes. How sweet?!

At lunch, I was blindfolded and had to taste-test different foods and textures I recommend for my patients. I was a bit nervous, but it was so fun. I even ate puréed green beans. I would like everyone to know this. 

The last item I "taste-tested" was a Double Doozie or "yo-yo cookie" as Publix calls them, which is probably mine and Billie's favorite treat in the history of treats. And my coworkers know this. 

2 chocolate chip cookies with icing in the middle. Like whoa. 

These are decorated for Memorial Day... They don't normally look like this. :) 

I received a couple cards, gift cards, and lunch from another staff member. It was such a fun and special day! Nicole, thanks for everything you planned to celebrate my birthday and SLP month! 

I can't count the way my friends and family served me this week. Thanks to everyone for your cards, calls, texts, and extra hugs!

The day Billie deployed, I had a few little surprises waiting on me at work.... 

First is this list of 25 things to do during deployment from my friend Nicole. I work with three girls whose husbands are either deployed now or will be soon. We refer to ourselves as Team RAW (rehab army wives.)

Another friend came in on her day off to bring me a cupcake from my favorite place in town... Nerdy Birdie gluten-free bakery. 

Around lunchtime, I had a delivery in the front office... An edible arrangement of fruit (and chocolate covered fruit) from the rehab department. 

A friend of Billie's shoveled the snow from my driveway while I was at work Saturday. 

I've thanked God repeatedly this week for His provision and for my friends and family. Y'all have reminded me to find ways to serve other people! Thank you! 

PS- The soldier made it safely to his final destination and is settling in well. Long days right now, but we are getting to talk each day. 

Snow Days in Clarksville

We got some serious snow in Tennessee on Sunday night/Monday morning! Post was closed, so Billie drove me to work at 6am and picked me up when I got off work. Half of our therapy department called in, and I definitely wouldn't have made it without Billie driving! Ditto for Tuesday.

We were like little kids playing in the snow Monday afternoon. Billie did flips down the hill. I'm sad for you guys that I can't upload the videos onto the blog! 

I could totally live in the North for our next duty station! As long as I have a driver, that is. Major McDonald helped Billie and me shovel our entire driveway Tuesday afternoon. (He was stationed in Alaska, which makes him a bit of an expert in snow shoveling.) Then Wednesday morning, we woke up to a fresh new layer. (Heart sinks.) What's the need for gym memberships up north, eh? Snow shoveling... doesn't get much more functional fitness than that.

We have so enjoyed it though. This is the biggest snow Clarksville has gotten since 2003!

1/327 INF Battalion Ball

 Last night was my first Army Ball. I took the day off work to hang out with Billie and get ready. The ball was at the James E. Bruce Convention Center in Hopkinsville, KY. It was the perfect venue to house all 550 of the ball-goers. Our friends Andy and Robin picked us up at 3:30 for a 4:30 social hour. Next was the traditional receiving line where the guest speaker, Battalion Commander, Battalion Command Sergeant Major and wives greet each of the ball attendees. 

My handsome date and me

Our friends Robin and Andy (and baby bump)

We made our way up the stairs, greeted all the big bosses, then made our way down the opposite side.

Next we found our seats for dinner. The night involved a speaker, toasts, and the army tradition of the "grog." The grog is a drink mixed in a large silver bowl. To honor the history of this battalion, selected soldiers stood and added ingredients to the grog bowl, reading a small piece about the historical significance.  To honor their contributions during WWI and specifically their fighting in France, French champagne was added. For their fighting in Vietnam, rice wine was added. Although I can't remember all of the history, I do remember seeing mustard, bourbon, sand, and sriracha going into the grog, to name a few. Next, a representative from each table filled a pitcher full of grog for each table. Luckily, our table got a pre-mixed grog that more closely resembled kool-aid (as opposed to the real grog which looked a bit more like murky tomato juice.)

A few of my pretty friends

After the formal events of the evening concluded, the dance floor was opened! We had so much fun. Loved having the night with Billie and celebrating all the history that's unique to his Battalion.

Superbowl Party

We invited Billie's soldiers and a few of our married couple friends over for the superbowl. I made chili, bbq meatballs, chips with 7-layer dip, Hawaiian sliders, sopapilla cheesecake, and brownies. Friends brought lots of dips, and we didn't have any leftovers! I wish I would have gotten a few closer pics of the food-- it was all fantastic!

The whole group...

Billie's guys... 

Ignoring the grammatical error, here were my sentiments for the night...

Commercials, food, and friends, that is. :) 

Indoor Rock Climbing

I've been telling Billie I want to try it. So as we were leaving the gym on post Sunday, I decided it was time! I completed the quick training and harnessed up.

And ya'll. It was tough!! Talk about feeling the burn. 

Apparently there's a cool rock climbing place in Nashville. But I think my forearms will need some time to recover. Like a couple years, at least. 

Embracing the Mess

We left for Christmas with our house looking like this...

Why? Well, we had a little roof problem, which resulted in a leak down the wall (drywall damage) and into the wood floor. That resulted in a little mildew, requiring new wood floor and complete sanding and re-staining to match the rest of the house. When we got home from our Christmas in Louisiana, I began to feel a little panicky with this view. I told myself, "Take deep breaths, Kat. This is no big deal! Ok, don't take deep breaths because the stain is probably toxic. Ok, so go outside and take deep breaths. Oh wait, it's 20 degrees... Don't go outside."

In case you can't see the layer of grime covering our den and kitchen, here's a close-up.

Two days of sanding and three days of staining down. Most everything has been scrubbed clean. But we can't walk on the floor quite yet. So furniture is still stacked into our guest bedrooms. Oh well, just living the life. Embracing the mess. (At least, that's my mantra.)


On a more exciting note, our garage gym was delivered on Wednesday! By an 18 wheeler. Over 1,400 lbs of equipment and weights. Serious business.

I'm already dreaming of some pallet craft projects. Know of any good ones?? 

The finished product! It's game time.

Christmas in Louisiana

As evidenced by my delay in posting, we have had a pretty busy week since we returned from Louisiana on Sunday. It was so nice to spend 5 days at home!

It started with baking Christmas goodies with my Mom and sister...

snowball cookies, Reese's cookies, and my caramel pecan pie bars

Hubs and brother-in-law making sausage balls

Sister's gorgeous house

Every Christmas Eve that I can remember, my Dad's side of the family has had a fish fry. I love that we've kept the tradition all these years!

Isn't my family beautiful?? This picture makes me teary. Talk about legacy...

Fried fish, potato salad, beans, and hush puppies around a farm table. Don't get much mo' better. :)

I'm bummed about my lack of photos from Christmas Day. I was enjoying myself too much to think about snapping pictures! We had an awesome brunch at my parent's house (our tradition: peppermint hot chocolate, omelet, and biscuits) followed by gifts and family time in our PJs.

The day after Christmas we spent with Billie's family. We ate good food (I could eat brie cheese forever and ever, amen), opened gifts, and laughed at Key and Peele videos on Youtube.

That night, Billie and I met his closest friends (all high school friends and groomsmen in our wedding) and their sweet wives for dinner. Afterwards, we spent time at one couple's house just talking and laughing. I stayed up til 2am, which should tell you how much fun I was having. If I make it past  9pm, it's gotta be good. :)

Saturday, we drove down to Pineville to have Christmas with my Mom's side of the family. Louisiana gumbo, appetizers, and desserts galore! Here are a couple of my cousins. Again, isn't my family good looking?? 

My niece wanted to take a selfie.

Time for presents

Hope you had a great Christmas and New Year's. I read a quote this morning that I wanted to share...

"Today is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a great one!"

Blooper Christmas Cards

I thought it would be fun to take you through the progression of our Christmas card photo shoot last week. 

In the freezing weather. 

Here we have the serious Billie, trying out the no-teeth smile.

Billie: "How's this pose?"

Something in the sky or deep thought, we will never know.

Can't. Stop. Laughing. 

 Nope, still can't.

The accidental close-up. 

 And finally, the traditional rear naked choke, which seems to take place every time we take pictures.

  

There you have it friends. If you are sending a Christmas card this year, we would love to get yours! Let me know, and I'll send you our Tennessee address. 

Oh, and I got my hair dyed a bit darker and a bit red. Can you tell? :)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!