Made in Richmond

Ross does not like to spend money. At all. Even on necessities, i.e. milk and bread. He figures there is just something else in the pantry to eat. He doesn’t understand that I am from Richmond and if you don’t have milk and bread, you might as well throw yourself off the Mayo bridge while yelling “It’s Po-white!” and “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity!”

However, I came home from working out today (2 hours, friends. 2 hours of the working out.) and Ross said, “Do you want to buy you a new computer tonight?”

Left was right. Up was down. The heavens opened and God shot me double-finger-guns and a wink.

I paused and then calmly, very calmly said, “Ok,” being careful to hide any excitement as not to scare him back into his hole where he sits and count his gold bars.

A little back story. I got the blue screen of death on my laptop the other night. This laptop (a graduation gift to ME from my in-laws) has been through much. Specifically ScottPharr and some water, as well as constant jacking-up from Ross who can’t just leave things alone. This is not to say that Ross broke the computer. It’s just that we’ve been through much together.

Anyway, I figured that I was screwed and I just wasn’t going to get another computer until blah-blah-blah released the new blah-blah-blah in June. I was not happy.

But then I remembered that the thing that needed to be bought was smooth and shiny. How silly of me to think that this would wait! We have needed a new furnace since 2003, but furnaces aren’t sleekly designed! This was a *need.* And when you need something, it’s a responsibility.

Thus, tonight, we made us a purchase. Actually, we made me a purchase that Ross has promised not to touch even though he was nice enough to initiate the whole thing. Thanks to some extra miserly ways in the past, we are somehow able to afford a lovely, lovely MacBook that will arrive in 5 business days.

I. am. so. excited.

There was a baby explosion at church today. We have been talking about starting child care during the services, but it had never been an issue. I am actually the person who is supposed to be coordinating it, but as of last week we had one child at church who was only 3 weeks old so it wasn’t a big deal.

However, today we were blessed with several little ones. Lots of people said that hearing babies coo and little kids whispering made it seem more like church. Halfway through the service we made an announcement that child care would be available starting immediately. I got to spend the rest of the service with a sweet and adorable little friend while her mom got to sit with her husband and enjoy the service.

I loved being able to do that for her and I can’t wait to see other members of our church serve in that way. But I like being with the little ones for purely selfish reasons. I get so much joy from comforting them or making them laugh. It’s seriously addictive and exactly what I needed after this very, very long and rough week. It was wonderful being at church and getting to see all of their little faces. To me, God is never more present than with a child.

Many blessings to those little ones tonight and I hope I get to see them all next week.

Ross and I decided at the last minute to go to Blacksburg this weekend. Thanks to the awesomeness of my sister and bonus-brother, the dogs were taken care of and off we could go. I really think this was the best thing we could do. We got to Blacksburg Friday evening and got to spend some time with Nic, Kate, and Kate’s wonderful sister Julia ( a student at Tech).

Saturday started as one of the hardest days of my life. We went to campus and saw all of the memorials set up for those we lost. I can’t even explain what it was like. Ross took some pictures so I’ll be sure to post them. They are so sad and touching at the same time.

We left campus for Narrows, VA to attend the funeral for Jarrett Lane, Alicia’s brother. The whole time we were there I just kept shaking my head. I couldn’t believe what was happening. However, the service was a beautiful memorial to Jarrett. The turn out was phenomenal and there were so many heartfelt tributes made to him by the small town that raised him so well and loved him so much. It hurts so much to see people you love in such pain. You just want to take it away and you can’t. After the funeral we got to spend some time with Alicia and her husband Daniel. It was wonderful to get to see them and hug them. You never really know what to say in those situations, but you just want them to know that you are there and you love them.

We had planned on only staying one night, but ended up staying over Saturday night, too (thanks again to the awesomeness of my family). After getting back to Blacksburg we went to the drillfield for the alumni/student picnic. And by picnic I mean the most awesome, kind thing ever. Ross and I got a chance to meet the VT police chief which was amazing. Very emotional, but amazing.

We ended our evening by spending more time with friends and then finally collapsing and getting some much needed rest.

I’m glad we went. I’m still exhausted and my head hurts and I have a deep wrinkle in my forehead from choking back tears for two days. But we both feel like it was what Ross needed, what we both needed.

Go Hokies

Truly, truly brilliant.

Click here to see why.

I cannot stop eating. Like at all. Watch out. If you resemble food, I will eat you. Even if you are a mushroom smothered in cilantro you will GET IN MY BELLY.

I didn’t have much time to think of the chaos of the last few days because of major drama at school. I won’t get into specifics but I will tell you that I spent much of the afternoon furrowing my brow, shaking my fist, yelling, “What’s wrong with these kids today??!?!?!?!!?!?” and demanding that if anyone gives birth to a girl they should just put it back so it finishes cooking and comes back out a boy. Sounds like business as usual to me.

I don’t understand why people are choosing to assign blame to VT administration and law enforcement for this tragedy. I cannot stand how people are choosing to play Monday morning quarterback about this. It is so inappropriate and uncalled for. Obviously, VT has taken steps towards an investigation by asking Gov. Kaine to appoint a team to look into what happened. A call needed to be made and they made it. We cannot fault them for that.

The person to blame is dead. No one else is responsible for this. And what really gets me is that it seems the people doing the majority of the finger pointing are not even the ones who have truly suffered.

Please keep Alicia, Daniel, and all of their loved ones in your prayers.