I Love Weddings.

Let's play a little game called "Which one of these doesn't belong?".

Hint: Look at the other bridesmaids. The other joyful bridesmaids.

Now look at me.

Despite what my expressions might say, I love weddings. I really do.

Ragoo.

I seem to have developed the spiritual gift of no sleep. That's gonna be great in two months once school starts, but for now I'm happy to leave it undeveloped. We all know how much I hate arising in the morn.

Seeing as I might as well be useful, and my checkbook's balanced and my laundry's done and my lunch is packed for the morning and I even just cleaned my ears, here are some tasty morsels for you to savor:

• I occasionally work in the three- and four-year old room at church, and this morning was real special. We taught the story of the fish and loaves feeding 5,000, which went according to plan. Towards the end of each session we let the kids play until their parents come to pick them up. Sweet little boys (who shall be called "G" and "B") decided to play bookstore with the fake cash register and money. This lasted about five minutes, at which point G and B started stealing money from each other. We quickly explained that stealing isn't really a celebrated biblical principal and thus shouldn't be done. They quit without much of a fight and went back to playing bookstore. Then G's dad picked him up and asked what he'd done during church today. G told him they played "steal the money." That's all. No mention of a snack or craft or God's provision through the story. Stealing his friend's money was all that stuck out to him. Something tells me his dad doesn't blame us.
• I also do not possess the spiritual gifts required to work with children.
• I went to a bike race in Indy with Daddy-O on Saturday. A good time was had by all - pictures and prose to come tomorrow.
• I made Manwich today and it easily sits in my top ten favorite foods. Can I get an "Amen" for leftovers!
• I regained respect in my family when I ate more watermelon today than I've ever consumed in my life. I used to not like it and I probably still don't, but Sally used her trickery and added some secret ingredients and froze it and made it magically delicious.
• Upcoming contest. Stay tuned for more details.

I'll leave you with some patriotic pictures from the photo booth at Nicole's and Dan's wedding.

The Family Band.

Last night, when I went over to my brothers' house to pick some tomatoes from their garden to make fried green tomatoes for my roommate to try (she loved them, we can remain friends), I heard a real jam session coming from the house. As I followed the noise, I was led to the cellar door. I cautiously opened it (which really put off Buzzsaw the cat), and found this:

And this:

My brothers are rock stars. So I'm thinking about quitting school and joining the family band as the lead female vocalist.

You know, once they can play an entire song.

Rock on, bras.

Summer Means.

Bare feet and real tomatoes that taste a little like dirt.

Smaller bags when packing.

Baseball games.

Potato salad.

Cherries.

Drinking from a mason jar.

Unruly hair.

Unruly short shorts.

Fried green tomatoes.

Sleeping with the fan on and the windows open.

Summer music.

Water. Lots and lots of water.

Tan skin.

Summer-y nail polish colors.

Bicycle rides.

Cute little (and big) boys with their summer hair cuts.

Eating, concerts, everything outdoors.

Longer, unproductive days.

Summer love.

Summer nights.

Definitely summer nights.

Might as Well Cut Me A Social Security Check.