Stayvacation has ended!!

Spent the weekend before last hanging with my family in G-Town. Started the weekend off with breakfast at one of my favorite places! Lots of family was in town that weekend for our home church Homecoming so I got lots of cousin and auntie and uncle time in!! 

We usually attend both services at homecoming but this year since Marc only had two Sundays off we went over to my godmothers church in the morning to surprise her. 

But got back in plenty of time for the evening service (and in time for lunch and seeing more family).

Monday morning we chilled, helped my mom run a few errands and just hung out around her house most of the day. I usually plan way more activities and thought Marc might want a break this year but surprisingly he was wondering why I didn't have something on the agenda!! So Tuesday morning we joined my mom and cousins for Bingo and then headed to Jamestown to site see! Originally we were going to drive to see Monticello but changed our minds when we couldn't get my mom to join us. Jamestown is not far away so we choose it as a second option. 

You can see a more detailed trip report of the day on my travel blog! 

Wednesday we travelled to Northern VA to share in the birthday of a very special two year old in our life and because we were so close I couldn't resist going to Ikea. 

I didn't purchase a lot (actually only got these pillow covers and a new cutting board), but I did find a birthday gift for our friends child. 

We had a great time hanging out with the family and celebrating, but we were all tired by the time we headed back to my moms that night (it was a 2 1/2 to 3 hour ride). 

I'm not sure where the time went but before we knew it was time to go back home. That Thursday we got together with the family for dinner. I realize more and more each day how blessed I am to have the family I do. And I find it harder and harder to leave them when we get together. It's something about being around my family that not only grounds me but just gives me a joy I can't explain. 

Friday before leaving town we stopped by our favorite ice cream shop. My mom and one of my cousins tagged along as well!! I guest the good thing is that my family is only a few hours away so it's never long before we see each other again. One of my cousins hugged me goodbye and asked if we didn't want to move back. As much as I love visiting the country I like where I live. Now if my kids were to move out of the area that might change things but honestly I am content where I am! 

We returned home that Friday to this!! Marc's  "garden" got a late start because of all of the cold weather we had at the start of spring and by the time he got his peppers and tomatoes in the grown the sun came out and never seemed to leave. When we left the plants were barely holding on and the tomato plant hadn't produced any tomatoes! He threw some miracle grow on them a few weeks ago and now they are growing like crazy. Guess I will have lots of tomatoes for the fall! 

Saturday we hung out with Nicki part of the day and went to check on her new apartment. With B away she's looking to go smaller so they can save for a house. 

We also hit Sams club so she could replace a bunch of plastic containers for some glass (my suggestion after she complained about the containers she had for her meal prep). I ended up getting some as well when we found this set going for $15! I mean you can't beat that price with a stick!! 

Sunday morning we were back at WABC, and Sunday afternoon we headed to Marc's home church to celebrate their pastors 3rd anniversary. Needless to say we were both pooped by the end of the day! 

Tuesday night we resumed ministers training class and in two weeks I will be in some form of class three nights out of the week. If someone had told me this two years ago I would have laughed. But since I know I will probably not ever go back to school for a formal degree this at least offers me the opportunity to keep studying God's word and gaining some knowledge. I have to admit I still am shocked when people greet me as minister, but I know in my heart God has me exactly where I'm suppose to be and I just need to continue to follow his lead. As uncomfortable as that makes me sometime I know he has a plan for my ministry and I am excited to see where it's going to lead!

Quiet weekend!!

Haven't said that in a long time!! lol But seriously my weekend was so low key I really don't have much to blog about.

The only thing I did worth talking about was try to stuff my fridge with some good for me food. I even managed to leave Sam's Club without any chips!! Definitely a big step in the right direction for me!

I don't really struggle with sweets, my poison is salt with a capital S! Hence the last few years on blood pressure medicine (probably doesn't help that I don't get much exercise). 

Strawberries!

Grapes! 

Pulled out my baking bin for the first time in forever!!

And it's been a minute since I used my mixer!

My "famous" banana bread with walnuts!!

Chicken and vegetable stir fry. 

I even managed to eat healthy while eating out! 

Marc and I start vacation from WABC this week. He did a powerful message on the ultimate treasure....which is salvation through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Real treasures do not come from this world! 

I have to admit I enjoyed this downtime!! And I'm especially looking forward to spending the next few weeks visiting with friends and family! 

Weekend Wrap Up

I had every intention of doing this yesterday but the day got away from me (I'm in the process of purging my kitchen).

New dishes in the cabinet after nearly 20 years with the same set!! Yes I know I have to change out the labels lol .

Even my silverware matches lol

I've streamlined my glasses!! 

And we now have only one coffee machine set up (don't ask lol). 

Ok now back to the weekend update! lol First of all I can't get over the fact that it's August!! We are like 45 or so days away from Fall!!!! And I don't even want to think about how close that gets us to Christmas!!

At the start of the weekend I had no immediate plans to do anything. As a matter of fact Saturday morning I was chilling trying to get up enough energy (or motivation) to start decluttering my kitchen cabinets. I recently decided with just Marc and I around the house eating (TJ only uses the microwave to heat up food, otherwise he is rarely in the kitchen and rarely uses "real" dishes lol) I might as well shed some of the excess stuff in the kitchen that we don't use.

While I was still debating getting off of the couch and moving Nicki text me saying one of our favorite drummers were in town and he had tickets for Nicki and I to see him play at a concert. Later I found out it was for Chrisette Michele's tour!

We planned to head to church so she could knock out the church programs and then head for Richmond. He actually had three tickets for us so Quisha got to tag along.  

We never made it to church because it was pouring down rain and the streets were flooded. I checked the weather app though and realized we probably would be ok where the concert was being held. 

Sure enough the sky was slightly blue and the sun was peeping through the clouds when we got to Richmond later that evening. We stopped at Q's apartment for pizza and drinks before heading out. 

We found parking across the street from the theatre (for $5.00 a miracle in itself).

It was so much fun watching Bruce play. I swear the boy gets taller every time I see him!! 

And to hear Chrisette sing. Little did we know that by the end of the evening we would get to meet her in person thanks to our friend!! Talk about a hook up!!

I thought Q was going to lose her mind. She's seen her in concert a few times but Saturday she finally got to meet her up close and personal lol. 

Nicki and I let her take a pic by herself lol. 

We didn't get home tell like 1:30 am (I had a hard time keeping it together Sunday morning lol). This girl is to old to be hanging out at concerts (not that I've ever done that much hanging anywhere lol). 

But Sunday was special because Marc got to baptize one of the first babies people he ever dedicated as pastor back to God. It was a great way to end the weekend.