One Good Guy

For 16 years of my life, I have been part of the Murphy family (courtesy of my association with a guy named Brian). So, in those 16 years, the Murphy's have seen me grow-up (well, a little bit!). Really, I have been so blessed to be part of Brian's family and I have always felt their love and support for me.

Brian's dad passed away unexpectedly last Tuesday (June 24) and we have been on an emotional roller coaster ever since. There have been tears - lots of them. There have been smiles and laughs - sharing memories helps you feel good. There have been hugs and flowers and plants and cards and calls and food (and food and food and food). Most importantly, there have been friends who have shown their love. There have been hard decisions to make, details to finalize, errands to run, things to do. Most importantly, there has been family surrounding us.

We have had the opportunity to grow closer and to recognize the tender mercies of the Lord in this experience. And we have had the chance to share the love we have for Jim. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to know him here on the earth and to be loved by him and I can't wait to see him again.

My Dad

I meant to post this at Father's Day, but like Brian has previously noted... I am a procrastinator!

Actually, I'm just an "I can do that-and that-and that- and that" kind of girl and I take on too many things (just like I put too much food on my plate). Then I am driven to get things done in such a way that nobody feels I let them down (just like I "have" to eat all the food on my plate so it "doesn't go to waste). And on top of that, I'm a huge perfectionist, which causes problems too!

So, all of this rambling to say:
I love my dad, even if I didn't get this posted on Father's Day!

One reason I love my dad is that he has always made it clear that no matter the time or the circumstance, if we need him, he is there.

Perfect example: Brian and I went over to the parentals house (my siblings and I call them the parentals for fun!) the other night because I had one heck of a knotted- up back. Knotted from top to bottom because of the stress from packing literally hundreds of books in a short amount of time (2 & 1/2 days) by myself because the library at school is getting new carpet.

We got to their house later than planned, but it didn't matter, dad made time to work on my back anyway. And although it was painful at times (the knots were not just big, they were deep), he was able to work enough of the tension knots out of my shoulders and my back so that I could get comfortable that night (he has an amazing talent for working out those tension knots).

While we were there, we spent some time laughing over pictures mom had recently gotten back from being developed. The parentals have always had tons of pictures on slides, so mom has decided to go through them one at a time (on a light box) and figure out which ones to get developed into prints. This particular stack was all about me as an infant and toddler, and in those pictures, as I saw myself snuggled up or laughing with him, was the proof that I have always loved my dad and he has always loved me!

13 Years!

Posting on Friday the 13th... about our 13th anniversary... that's appropro!

On June 10, we celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary! Add to that the 3 years we dated before we got married and you get... a long time of growing up together!

In 13 years of marriage, you can learn a lot about someone.

So... on the 13th:

13 things Kirsten has learned about Brian in 13 years of marriage:

1. He snores
2. He could live on PB & J
3. He will help anyone
4. He is incredibly patient
5. He loves, loves, loves sports (especially football)
6. He hates to try on clothes
7. He has great one-liners
8. He likes to sleep in
9. He cooks really well
10. He is a problem solver
11. He is a fan of Sports Radio
12. He always listens
13. He loves me!

And now...

13 things Brian has learned about Kirsten in 13 years of marriage:

1. She always has to finish a book no matter the time (2am, 3am, ...)
2. She loves to try on clothes
3. She is an amazing teacher
4. She can make up a song about anything
5. She loves to people watch
6. She can make anyone laugh
7. She likes basketball (The Mavericks especially)
8. She is amazingly creative
9. She is a procrastinator (ie: late night projects)
10. She talks in her sleep which can make for some funny nights
11. She is a Drama Momma!
12. She has a wonderful testimony that makes everyone cry
13. She loves me!

So... our future plans... 13 (at least!) more great years learning and growing together!

Tagged by D (UGH!).

I am only participating because I "happen" to have a book handy (imagine that)!

The rules:

1. Pick up the nearest book (at least 123 pages).
2. Turn to page 123.
3. Find the 5th sentence.
4. Post the 5th sentence on your blog.
5. Tag 5 people.

My Response:

1. The book... It's All Too Much
   (no commentary on why I own this!)
2. p. 123, the 5th sentence:
   "Remove what doesn't belong in the room."
3. My response: Great idea... who wants to do it for me!!!!
4. Seriously... any takers? I'll pay you (with chocolate)!
5. I don't have anyone else to tag!

Now, I have to go read. Or, better yet, maybe I'll remove some of the stuff that doesn't belong from my sunroom!

And just for kicks...

Find more clutter-free tips from Peter:
http://www.peterwalshdesign.com/

Aahhhh.... summer

Summer in Texas is...

1. Simmering heat.
2. Clinging humidity.
3. Thick air that chokes you when you walk outside.
4. The droning of the AC as it works to keep things cool.
5. Watching the steam rise from the street.
6. Knowing your grass is going to die because you can't water it enough and you have no sprinkler system.
7. Burning yourself on the too-hot interior of your car.
8. Panting like dogs (this is SUPPOSED to work).
9. Stripping off the layers as soon as you walk in the door
   (admit it, if you're in Texas, you know you do it).
10. Getting excited when the temperature finally reaches 82
    (at MIDNIGHT!)

So, why Texas?

1. Roots (friends, family, church)
2. History (I've been here since 2nd grade)
3. It really is it's own planet
4. Things are laid back
5. Comfort (I don't have to have a GPS to get around)
6. Convenience (something is always open late)
7. My neighborhood
8. Did I mention roots?
9. Did I mention convenience?
10. Oh yeah, people understand my accent!

But, if not Texas, then...OREGON!
(we just got back, pictures tell all)...