For my Dad

His favorite movie is Sling Blade. He grills a mean hamburger. He likes nicknames. He quotes Napolean Dynamite and The Office regularly (don't worry, not in public). He would choose strawberry over chocolate any day. He loves to golf. He's always the first one awake. He can brew a pot of coffee that tastes better than Starbucks. He's loving. He's compassionate. He's humble. He's considerate. He's selfless. He's encouraging. He's a Godly leader. He's fun to be around. He's my dad. And I look exactly like him. Happy Father's Day, dad!


Dads really are a blessing. On the drive back today I couldn't help but think of those who have lost theirs. So...here's a Happy Father's Day to those who are absent from this world, but present with the Lord.

Sunday Lunch

Sunday lunches are my favorite. I'm not sure if it's the food or the fellowship that I enjoy the most, but there's just something different about a Sunday lunch. I've been in Luverne for the weekend and today my family and some friends went out for Mexican. Luverne recently opened it's very own Mexican restaurant, Monarca's, and it has become a favorite for the community. You might think it's a favorite simply because it's one of only three restaurants where we small town folks can gather after the Sunday morning worship service, but I beg to differ. It earns the title of favorite because it really is delicious. So delicious it sometimes makes you wish you'd never eaten it.

That was exactly my experience today. You know what I'm talking about. First, there's that endless basket of chips. Before you know it, you've already consumed probably 2 whole baskets on your own and when your food finally arrives, it would be terribly rude not to eat it. So you take a deep breath, man up, and attempt to clean your plate like your mother taught you. Today I couldn't possibly have cleaned my plate. If I'd tried I might have keeled over right there in the restaurant from gluttony and I didn't want to miss a beat. Sunday lunches at home with my family and friends are too few and far between not to enjoy.

I glanced around the table and just felt like laughing. Lunches with us at Monarca's are usually mad chaos. Everyone tries to get a word in, each one growing louder and louder in an attempt to drown out the other conversations going on simultaneously. But hey, everybody needs a little mad chaos in their life. It gives you something to laugh about. Today I got enough of it to last me a while--and I'm still stuffed.

Happy Birthday Mom!

47 years ago today in Charleston, South Carolina, my grandparents celebrated the birth of the last of their three children. I talked with my mom this morning on her way to work and asked the typical birthday question, "Well, do you feel any older?" She chuckled and replied with a very honest "Yes."

Two of my favorite memories...
As a little girl, I always thought my mom was beautiful, and to this day I still think so. I remember asking if I could borrow her clothes all the time. This makes no sense because I was then 9 and she was 35- obviously her clothes wouldn't fit me, but it didn't keep me from asking over and over and over again. I wanted to be just like her.

One Sunday morning before church she washed my mouth out with a bar of soap for repeating a word that was inappropriate, especially for a 6 year old. She always threatened to do it when I talked back to her or said something that wasn't nice, and that Sunday morning I finally believed her. Strangely enough for me, the distinct taste of Dial soap is all too familiar.

Today I not only celebrate her life, but I celebrate her faith, her friendship, her guidance, her love, and the fact that she's put up with us for this long! Here's to you, mom. Happy birthday.

Here's a candid of my mom and brother at the beach a few weeks ago. Corey Michael wouldn't smile for my picture if his life depended on it. Go figure.