I had a very surreal experience today. At a picnic sponsored by a large Federal agency I support, the entertainment was supplied by a husband and wife team. When they started in on Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville, followed by some CCR and then the Elton John medley…well, we were all reminded of a famous SNL parody. The last thing I would ever want to do is insult someone’s artistic integrity, but the resemblance was uncanny! I always wondered where some of these ideas came from. Surely not from real people…but yes, they do exist!!!
Bear Hug! September 10, 2008
I was so excited when I opened my email this afternoon and had a new message entitled "Hi from Caroline" … but even more excited when I saw the contents! Our sweet little girl has been growing like a weed and can finally fit into the little outfit I got for her while in Vail! It made me smile. I hope it does the same for you!
on the streets of philadelphia September 9, 2008
Over Labor Day weekend, Brian and I headed up to Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania for a quick visit with Lianna & Wes. Lianna is in Vet School at Penn, so we wanted to get a little trip in before she had to go back to school. It took us about 2 hours to get to Baltimore, but once we were through the tunnels there, it was smooth sailing. 
Lianna & Wes live in the cute little house that was once a part of a much larger farm. The loft area still has the original barn floor. Chadds Ford is close to Delaware and only about 35 minutes from Philadelphia. Lianna (with a little help from the GPS) was our tour guide on Saturday as we navigated the streets of Philly. She had already reserved our tickets at Independence Hall , so that was our first stop. Brian and I had just recently finished watching the HBO mini-series John Adams so I was super excited to visit. To my dismay, one of the first things out of the tour guide’s mouth was that the building was originally built to poorly that there was really only one section of flooring that was original, AND the building wasn’t really ever called "Independence Hall" until much later. Oh well! A lot of the architecture was still beautiful and just the thought of the events that transpired on that site is pretty cool…even if George Washington & John Adams really didn’t sit in the chairs on display.
Of course, no trip to Philly is complete without a trip to see the Liberty Bell and a cheese steak for lunch. More on #2 later. We headed across the street to check out the Liberty Bell and then walked a few more 
blocks to check out the 
Historic Christ Church . This was the church where several revolutionary leaders worshipped…and I believe George Washington had his own pew. I don’t know if you can pick it out in the picture, but there are slabs of marble all around the floor which read "here lies so and so"….. just a little creepy. 
Our day trip to Philly was of course not complete without a cheese steak for lunch! Lianna doesn’t really care for Cheese Wiz, so we all opted for some provolone instead! MMMM!
I wish we had a little more time to spend with Lianna and Wes, but Harpers Ferry was calling! Hopefully we’ll get back soon. On a good day it’s really on a couple hours away. It is a welcomed change to have family so close!
On the Road…Again! September 8, 2008
The somewhat cooler nights and the middle school traffic on my street, can only mean one thing! Fall is on the way! Fall has always been my favorite time of year (rivaled only by the time between Thanksgiving & Christmas) mostly because of my October birthday, though I have feeling as I get older that will change! I love the crispness of the air, the color & rustle of the leaves, and the feeling of anticipation that comes withknowing the holidays are just around the corner.
To wind up the Summer, I’ve been out and about. We headed north to visit Wes & Lianna in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, which is this wonderfully charming little town situated just over the Delaware line, about 35 minutes from Philadelphia. After a few days there, we drove west towards Harpers Ferry, West Virginia and spent a day tubing down the Potomac with some of our best friends.
This past weekend I headed home to Douglasville to celebrate Grandpa’s 80th birthday. He’s still battling the lung cancer, and while he was pretty weak he had a great time at his party! I was also able to spend some time with Holden on his 2nd birthday…which included assisting Carol in attempting to get professional portraits made of him and Caroline! Ha!
Pictures to follow!
My Inner Rock Star August 7, 2008
When I was growing up I don’t really ever remember wanting to pursue one of those ever popular childhood dreams of becoming a pediatrician or a marine biologist. Since my hero, Vanna White, was already doing a stellar job on turning letters, I decided I wanted to be a rock star. When you’re 5, your best bet for a venue is church, which is were it all began. You’re bound to get good reviews when you’re in Kindergarten and you dress up like a little lamb and are given all the funny lines in We Like Sheep, or better yet, when you perform a song that requires you to sing the 50 states in ABC order…fast…and then even faster! And yes, people will still remind you of this amazing feat 20 years later, or your parents will try to pull out the video of it when you bring your boyfriend home. I guess somewhere around 12 or 13, my dream began to crumble when I decided I no longer wanted to take piano lessons. What can you do?
After years of pursuing other things…sports, college, boys, boys who play guitar…I somehow landed into one of the most talented and fun bands ever. After meeting and singing with most of the Ragged Glory crew at church, they invited me to sing some back-up and harmony vocals. Since then, I’ve done several parties with them, a book-release party and on Sunday we’re playing at one of the best NOVA venues, IOTA. I’m super excited to sing some back-up vocals with Susan while the guys rock out…guitars, pedal steel, banjo, harmonica…it’s going to be so awesome!
Anyone who knows me will tell you that I am pretty much the antithesis of your ideal rock star. Brian jokingly tells me all the time that I’m not edgy enough. Every once in a while though, I get to chanel that inner rock star for a night - and that holds me over for a while.
I guess it’s best that I abandoned the letter turning career path. Poor Vanna doesn’t even get to turn the letters anymore. She just touches a screen now. I fear that technology will make her obsolete very soon. Plus, the world could always use another rock star.
Cool Summer July 30, 2008
I was in Vail, Colorado last week for work…and I think I’m in love. While I was still a little shaky from riding in a tiny prop plane from Denver to Vail, I was taken aback by how beautiful Vail was. While I am not a big fan of winter, I think I might like it in Vail. Our wonderful resort had no air conditioning, which I thought was going to be a problem, until I realized that it was dropping to 40 degrees at night!! In late July!!! I realized how much I missed seeing “scenary” other than man-made buildings and monuments. The natural beauty of this place was breathtaking (the thin air & altitude also took your breath away!) and a wonderful reminder of God’s creation! I’ve posted a few shots below. I think after D.C. I might have to move to a higher elevation….say, about 8150 feet!
Learning to Aim. July 20, 2008
Every Sunday morning I spend an hour and a half with a class of 3-yeard olds. My friends can tell you that more often than not, I come out with a hillarious story about one or two of them. It’s funny what kids that age will tell you about their parents or siblings and I love to hear them talk about what they’ve been up to. Most of the time my funny stories are because on of my kids says something that’s just too funny and we all wonder “where in the world did they learn that?”. Today though, I had an entirely different experience.
One of my little boys from the hispanic congregation came up to me tugging on my skirt and said “Pee!” “Pee!” I quickly turned around and usherd him to our small bathroom, where he then yelled “Belt!” “Belt!” Most of my kids can go to the restroom by themselves, but need occasional help with a button or zipper. When I realized this little guy couldn’t get his belt undone, I quickly helped him get it off. At that point I realized that he just couldn’t hold it anymore and was going….with his pants still up. After telling him to pull his pants down and realizing that it wasn’t happening, I quickly helped him, but was not ready for what came next. Now, keep in mind that I have no kids and therefore have never, ever potty trained anyone…so was not prepared for this little kid peeing EVERYWHERE!! He peed on the floor, the walls, everywhere but into the actual toilet. A stream of instructions came flowing from my mouth…”into the bowl”….”aim for the water”….because you see, the duties of a Sunday School teacher do not include helping you with aiming!
When it was finally said and done, our little bathroom was covered. I felt so bad for the little guy, but I had no choice to but to take him upstairs and have his parents paged. I know that I raised my voice somewhat in the midst of things, so I tried to reassure the little guy that it was just an accident, and that we just needed to find his dad so we could get some clean clothes. Poor little guy! 
I always enjoy my little ones, and it’s so great when I walk through the halls at church and hear “Miss Natalie!!!”….and I think that being somewhat younger, I’m able to handle a little more noise and a little more choas, which the kids totally appreciate. However, I’m not sure how much that helps when dealing with learning how to aim!
Jesus loves me, this i know July 15, 2008
He tends his flock like a shepherd. He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart… Isaiah 40:11
This morning we said good-bye to sweet Anna Kate. Since arriving in Douglasville, I’ve spent every moment with my family. In such a short time we’ve all had highs and lows, been strong, been weak, laughed, cried…it’s just been a roller coaster of emotions. This morning’s service was a cullmination of not only our emotions, but of all our wonderful friends and family members emotions, who have been so supportive. Our former pastor, who also married Frank & Sarah, came up from Tifton to do the service. He did a wonderful job, for such a heartbreaking event. We concluded the service by singing “Jesus Loves Me” which, from that moment on, will always be something more than just a little children’s song.
Jesus love me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to him belong, they are weak but he is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus love me. The Bible tells me so.
stuck in the airport July 14, 2008
With the way flying is today, I knew it would be neither cheap nor easy to get to Atlanta at the last minute. I am very fortunate to have a wonderful friend who was able to get me a buddy pass. Unfortunately the weather in both DC and Atlanta has been horrible! So, I’m on standby for a flight that was supposed to leave at 8 (now 945) after my original 855 flight was cancelled. Under normal circumstances my hours of waiting and people watching would entertain me. Tonight though, my heart is just aching to be with my family. Visitation is tomorrow at 5, so even if it takes all day to get on a flight I’d be OK. Wait…here comes the standby list…boo! #19!! I’m very fortunate to have a boyfriend who happily shuttles me to and from Reagan, even at 10 o’clock…er, then back again at 4:30 in the morning!
Very sad news July 11, 2008
It pains me to report that sweet Anna Kate has gone to be with her heavenly father. Her poor little body was unable to make it through surgery. After receiving initial reports that things were looking good, we were all taken aback to hear that her doctors were unable to stop her from bleeding and despite there best efforts, were unable to save her.
Please pray for the entire Emerson/Lee family as they begin this new struggle.
There have been no arrangements made yet, but I am in the middle of trying to get to Atlanta.
Updates as I get them.
