Birthday

Friday is Jarrett’s birthday. Being the first one we will celebrate without him, my family & I are headed to the beach for the weekend because Jarrett loved going to the beach. Here is a note my mom put in her community paper, inviting her neighbors to celebrate Jarrett’s birthday:

Jarrett Lane was known and loved by many people in Giles County. Friday, March 28^th is his birthday. To celebrate his life, we ask you to join us in remembering him. On Friday, we encourage you to spend time sharing your favorite memories of Jarrett and doing things that Jarrett loved to do – like, spend time with friends, get outside and play, go for a drive and spend the evening watching a movie with family.

Love, the family of Jarrett Lane.

Child of Wonder, Child of God. We remember you.

Tags: Family, From another, Insanity, Narrows

A Story About My Mom

The Roanoke Times published a story today about my mom and her faith.  Along with the article there is an audio slide show.

Tags: Family, Insanity, Narrows

Wanted: Beach House

My family & I have decided to spend the weekend of Jarrett’s birthday at one of his favorite places, the beach.  I have been put in charge of finding a nice beach house to rent for a weekend in March.  I am thinking we will just go down to North Carolina.  I am looking for advice on places to find good rentals.  I checked out CraigsList, but didn’t really see anything I liked.

Tags: Family, Insanity

Smile - maybe

Tags: Family

Some things never change…

Christmas traditions that still go on in Narrows:

- My grandmother will apologize 1,000,000 times for not buying us enough stuff.

- Both my mom & grandmother will stay up till 3 am wrapping gifts, then promise each other that next year they will just put everything in gift bags.

- My grandmother will cook too much food and if you are not eating 24/7 she will apologize that she didn’t make something you like.

- And the greatest of all Narrows Christmas traditions…..someone will ask me if I have gained weight.

Tags: Family, Narrows

Making the world a better place….

Words of encouragement I received in an email from the mother of one of the VT victims:

“If we can heal, the world will be a much better place.”

Tags: Family, Insanity, Spirituality

Holidays

I guess Christmas celebrating is in full-swing. On Friday we went downtown to see all Christmas lights and enjoy warm drinks. Yesterday I pulled out our Christmas decorations and put some up, not as much as in past years. No tree. No outside decorations other than the wreath I made for our first Christmas. Our weekends are quickly filling up with holiday parties, already we are having to plan a party-hopping evening. This coming weekend is also the Christmas celebrations in Church Hill.

Like many of you, growing up and moving away from home means having to redefine the Christmas experience. I had to let go of a lot of traditions, which usually left me saying, “it doesn’t feel like Christmas.” Since then, I’ve tried new ways of celebrating each year with various friends and my extended family. These new celebrations were meaningful, enjoyable and usually spent with people I love, but still never felt like the holidays I had fallen in love with as a child at home. I guess this year will be the ultimate “doesn’t feel like Christmas” season. Everything already feels like I’m going through the motions. Which, I feel obligated to do because it is much easier than to explain why I’m not following along, and also, sucking it up and getting it over with won’t bum everyone else out.

Tags: Family, Insanity, Life, Narrows

New Ink

I went to River City Tattoo tonight to get some new ink. I have a bird on my back, carrying a banner for Jarrett.

Dan took this picture as soon as the tattoo was finished, as you can see my skin is red and irritated. I’ll post a new picture when everything looks better.

Tags: Art Heals, Family, Insanity

From Thanksgiving 3 years ago

There are things about me that I feel I have lost along the way of life….good things….things that I grieve about. But, when I am with Fawn & Jarrett, I feel those things start to come alive again. Most of all, my want to care for others and the drive to enjoy every moment to the fullest. I know it sounds cheesy…live life to the fullest. But that is what happens when I am with them. The dullest moments, the painful moments, the awkward moments, the joyous moments, the silly moments, the embarrassing moments….everything in life. Everything in life, the good, the bad, and the ugly, is a meaningful opportunity. And, when we are together we choose to explore that for all it is worth. Most of the time we end up in tears or laughing hysterically. This time it was all laughs.

Tags: Family, Insanity, Narrows

Dan’s Party

Just a quick reminder that Dan’s birthday party is tonight!

Tags: Family, Marriage

One Week

You have 1 week to prepare for the party of the year as we celebrate another year in the life of Dan.

Let me know if you want to join us for the celebration and I’ll let you know when and where.

Tags: Family, Marriage

Potluck

We are loving our weekly potluck dinners!  I’ve decided to start a page on my blog about potluck.  You can go here to find out about upcoming themes and share recipes.

This week’s theme is pizza!!  I think it will be my all-time favorite.

Tags: Family, Friends, Life

Highlights

Yesterday Dan & I went down to Williamsburg to meet up with his parents who were there for the weekend. It was a beautiful drive followed by a yummy lunch at the Mother In Law of the Year awards banquet. After lunch we spent some time browsing through the stores, which fueled me with ideas for some jewelry and handmade gifts I want to attempt to create this holiday season.

Saturday night was game night at a friend’s house. I was the champ, walking away with gold medals in Apples to Apples and Cranium Pop 5. I also snuggled with a pit bull.

This morning I pulled the heathen card and skipped church. It was a much needed few hours at home alone. I did things like laundry, go to the store and snuggle with cats.

Twice this weekend I was the recipient of once-loved, but now unwanted clothing from female friends. I love receiving handme downs! Even when I still lived at home I would take my sister’s clothes when she grew tired of them. Now I have added a few pretty shirts and skirts to my wardrobe that will be perfect for work. To compliment my new clothes I bought 2 pairs of boots today and made myself a matching necklace & earring set over the weekend.

I also kicked ass in fantasy football. Man Eaters #1!!!

Tags: Crafty, Family, Friends, Life

Grouchy

I’m thinking of going to bed now, at 9pm, just to make this day end. Tonight I haven’t accomplished any of the 1oo chores I need to do. I also didn’t do any of the reading I wanted to do. All I did was spill beer on my laptop and nap.

I’m going to bed lazy & grouchy, but tomorrow I will wake up knowing that someone I love is mailing me this.   (Yes, the link is correct. Vera Wang has a line at Kohls.)

Tags: Family, Life

Hokie Spirit Fund

Here is some information my family learned about the Hokie Spirit Fund this week:

- To receive any support from the HSF, the families of deceased victims have to fill out an application and submit it by Friday.

- On this application all living parents of the deceased must agree to how the fund will be given to the family.

- Also, on this application both signatures of the living parents are required.

- This also includes “fathers” who left their family over 22 years ago, has had little to no contact with his children, and owes about $100,000 in back child support.

Tags: Family, Insanity, Life