just because

Well it’s Monday and I am headed back to Angel Fire. I am sitting here reliving my trip and wanted to blog (for Polly!) and so I won’t forget these great memories. Let’s back up to last Saturday. It was college football kickoff - so it’s the most amazing day of the year for me. Who cares if UGA basically played a middle school…I was watching. I woke up early to start watching GameDay. It starts at 7am in NM, therefore so do I. I loved watching football (for over 12 hours) but my heart was sad. I hated the thought of leaving Gabe. And jay! I haven’t left G for more than 5 days since he was born. He’s left ME – but I haven’t left him. That kid stole my heart day one and it hasn’t looked back. I did all I could to keep it together in front of him. He’d already caught me crying earlier in the week about leaving him so I wanted to stay strong. Some of y’all may think “good grief kaci!” but I can’t help it. I love him. I love talking to him. Kissing those sweet...

It's July and it's not hot. I just wanted to say that. I am thankful that it isn't crazy hot and humid. I may miss some things about GA but summer ain't one of them. I thought I'd give a little Lesley update. Let's start with G since he is every one's favorite. That kid. He is so flippin' cute. Nothing about that kid gets old. He loves this NM life. He loves skiing. He told me this morning that he wishes he could do it everyday. He has a love/hate relationship with golf. Mostly love. He is enjoying horseback riding. Although the time before last he let go of the reigns and that sweet little guy was flopping all around on the horse and eventually fell off. I stayed calm. But my friend and I couldn't figure out how to get the gate open so I gave up and limbo-ed (made up that verb) through the gate to get to him. He was completely freaking out. But Marvin made him buck up and get right back on. He did. I was so proud. I probably wouldn't...

I remember hearing about this new guy in town that was helping Jay with the youth group. All I knew was that he was in the army and his name was Paul. I asked Jay about him one day. He said "oh he's something else. Maybe a little to PTL for you but he's energetic for sure." PTL being Praise the Lord. That description was pretty spot on. Paul is loud. HILARIOUS. Full of joy. Full of life. Loves Jesus wholeheartedly. And is faithful. Faithful is for sure the word I would use to describe him. Here are some things I will always love and remember about Paul: He will always ask for extra ribs at country's bbq. And most times get it. Free. He has the best and funniest stories about time in Iraq. Only Paul could make you laugh about a war. And I mean laugh until you cry. He and I went to Carabba's often on Sunday afternoons and would sing LOUDLY along with Shane & Shane on the way. I still think of Paul every time I hear "Yearn." He wou...

I got a text from a friend on Sunday reminding me that this time last year we were both packing up our houses for a cross country move. Oh all the emotions came flooding back! I texted my mom and told her I could still feel every emotion from that time. I remember feeling afraid. Certain, but afraid. I knew we were doing what God called us to. But that didn’t take away fear of the unknown. New Mexico? What in the world? EVERYTHING in my life was upside down. I like everything in its place. My purse goes in the same place every day when I get home, my boots are lined up in a specific order in my closet. Only certain things are allowed on the kitchen counter, etc. Yes, I am that girl.   (I do have some grace for Jay and G J some.) But for over a month my house was a mess. Boxes, a million to do lists, empty places where sold furniture used to sit. It was too much. My heart was excited, afraid and sad. I was sad to leave my family. I’d never lived in...

I really do love living in the mountains. I LOVE the beauty. I appreciate the peacefulness. I appreciate nature (i've never been much of a nature girl!) I like the quiet. Living in a place like this really does calm my heart and mind. I've learned how to be still living here. I've learned how to be ok with quiet. In Georgia there was always somewhere to go and something to do. Or at least the option. Here we only have one grocery store, a family dollar, some locals shops and restaurants. That's it. Sure, we stay busy with normal life and spending time with friends but we don't create busyness by running to this place and that store just for the heck of it. I like the relaxed feel of Angel Fire. It probably helps that it's a place people come to retire or vacation, ha. I love Gabe's school. It is truly a family atmosphere. I think the teachers are outstanding. The students seem to know it's a safe place and seem to know they are loved (not just ta...

G quotes for your enjoyment Age 4: “mom, your hair looks great but mine looks better.” “do king snakes only bite kings?” he walked into the playroom at chick-fil-a and said “what’s up ladies?” (I may have prompted that.) Words he used in sentence at age 4: similar, hollow, exoskeleton, intelligent, replicate and extraordinary. At age 4 he asked me what I wanted for Christmas. That sweet heart. “son of a nutcracker!” age 2 & 3:   Jay and I were talking to him about his obedience and he said “all of this talking makes me boring.” he asked jay "whatcha doin' brotha?" because our neighbors called jay "mr. jay" when they all played in our backyard.  G would refer to any man as "mr. jay" in our backyard. he called pancakes “tantakes.” guitar = "tar" when retelling David & Goliath he would call it a "wing shot" and end it with "the giant berry, berry died." "i l...