Sunday Lunch

I LOVE Sunday Lunch!  It's an essential part of my week!  I get a hefty dose of family time, sarcasm, and yummy food!!
In America, most gatherings we have are centered around food...I'm ok with that, especially if mom is cooking.

Fisheye shot!!

Love/Pollen is in the air!

James and Mary Kathryn got engaged over spring break!  I think something is in the air because my cousin, Jake, just got engaged over the weekend.  Maybe it's the pollen.
We celebrated James and MK's engagement at Nance's Seafood.  Mary Kathryn is honored to wear the ring Daddy Vince gave our Nana over 20 years ago.
I think it's safe to say, 2013 has shaped up to be an EXCITING year!  We are all looking forward to James's wedding and Millie's wedding.  Then all the Farnham kids will be married!

James, MK, and I ran the Cooper River Bridge Run!  It was so exciting to inch up to the starting line and take off on my 6.2 mile run through Charleston.  There were around 30,000 people racing so it was an adrenalin packed experience.  James and MK reached their goal and I'm happy with my 1 hour and 24 second finish.

Lone Star Visit

     I liked flying with Southwest Airlines to Texas.  Even though I felt like a middle schooler being picked last in P.E.  NO ONE wants anyone to sit beside them.  no one.

     My long distance knight in shining armor picked me up at the airport, gerber daisies in hand.  We drove around Dallas and spent the evening with his house mates.  Jeff is very fortunate to have such great guys to live with.  You never know what you are going to get.
Friday I got to fix Jeff's lunch and help him off to work.  I've missed being able to serve him in those little things.  While he was at work, I had the pleasure of spending time with a fellow SummerShiner.  We stretch far and wide and I'm so thankful for the friends and connections made through this ministry.  Heck, I married a man I met at SummerShine!!
Heather Joy and I had the best time catching up and strolling along a classy river park.
     Friday evening Jeff and I strapped on our boots(not really) and headed to the honky tonk.  We thoroughly enjoy dancing together.  We arrived early for lessons.  While we have different learning styles at these dance lessons, we figure it out.  Jeff is so sure to know what he's doing before he even moves his feet.  I'm all eyes glazed over for the tutorials, fumble over my feet during the practice round, finally I listen to the teacher show us the step the next time around.  It's a good thing I'm a follower.
     Saturday, oh Saturday was our favorite!  We packed up and hit the road to San Antonio!  Jeff knew there wasn't much to do in Dallas so I'm very pleased he planned a getaway...AND took care of all the details.  We felt like kids on Christmas morning driving into the city and riding the elevator with our new friend "Tony the bus boy."  Shortly after checking in, we toured the Riverwalk, Alamo, and surrounding sights.  We dined at Casa Rio to the sounds of the mariachi band.

Rooftop at the Hyatt...Alamo in the bottom left!

Self timer, I'm much too cautious to hand my dslr to a stranger.

Our favorite part of the whole trip!  Casa Rio on the Riverwalk.

God knew I would need a patient spouse, for more than one reason.  I had my "big camera" so we were frequently stopping for pictures.  When night fell, I wanted to do long exposures on the river.  I worked on them for a good 45 minutes and Jeff never rushed me or complained.  He encouraged and was enthusiastic about my results!  Yaaay!  Click here for night shots on my website!

Jeff getting crafty with our self portrait and my souvenir!

    The next day we toured the Alamo and learned a lot about its importance in Texas history.  We headed back to Dallas after a deluxe breakfast from McDonalds.  Our date for the evening was set at Charlie Palmers downtown.  It was an adventurous experience.  I always like to try something new at different restaurants.  The staff was so great, they brought us an extra dessert!!  We savored every second of our time together.

Then Monday came.  We bid farewell for our final 5 weeks apart.  Yep, I was that girl at the check in counter with mascara running down her face.

Staring Future In The Face

   In the last few weeks Jeff and my conversations naturally gravitate toward future things.  Obviously, because it is staring us in the face!  He has three weeks left of clinical rotations, then graduation in May!  We daydream about what job he'll get, where that will place us, and what in the world I will do there.  A few months ago, I would not have so freely toyed with the idea of moving away from home and starting another life somewhere else...BUT GOD has been hard at work!  I had
so many selfish desires
about where I wanted to be, what I wanted to do, and who I wanted to be with.  At this pivotal time, God has filled me with openness and excitement, when I WAS burdened with anxiety and confusion.
so good.

   For now, Jeff is studying for his licensing test(boards) and working with his great patients at Baylor.  I've got weddings every week until Jeff graduates so I'll edit my face off until he returns!

I'll share more about my visit to Texas in another post.  Here's a shot of us in San Antonio outside the Alamo!  We had an amazing time together!!

T-H-R-E-E weeks until Jeff Williams comes back to me!!!!  Which means three weeks and 4 days until he goes surfing!  Poor man has been land locked for far too long!