Reformed Grits

Lost Season Finale....NOooooooooooooooooooooo!

I can't wait another year!  I'm on the floor throwing a temper tantrum that it's all over! 

WOW!  What a great episode!  I'm still "chewing" on it so I don't have a lot to say. 

-Just before the bomb blew, Christian appeared and said, "Now you can go."  I'm guessing this is a throw back to when Michael was trying to kill himself and couldn't and Mr. Friendly told him he couldn't because the island wouldn't let him.  He tried and tried, but couldn't.  So it was interesting that Christian said, "Now you can go."  To me that says, he really IS dead.  I mean, obviously, but it removes all hope I think of anyone being alive. 

-Why do all the Oceanic 6 (plus Walt) refer to John Locke as Jeremy Bentham?  Why did they not just call him Locke?

-Ben looks TOTALLY different in the flash forwards.  I know he looked whooped up on the island, but TOTALLY different.

-Did anyone notice there were some weird clips where it almost looked green-screened?  One, in particular, was when Jack was on the lifeboat.  Jojo said, "It looks.... old."  Yeah, it kind of did.  Whassup with that?

-Claire!  She's freakin' me out.  I mean I know it was just a dream, but we all know it wasn't. 

-The whispers... it happens before someone "teleports?"  Maybe or not, but it seems so.  Does that mean, for instance, that Ecko when eaten by the smoke monster was actually transported out into another dimension or something and possibly DID play checkers with Hurley? 

-And Charlotte saying she was still trying to find where she was born-- did she mean the island?  Don't pregnant women and babies die on the island? 

-What happened to Daniel and all the "red shirts" that went on the motor boat to the freighter?  No freighter to go to and no island to go back to.  How was it that Penny's boat didn't find THEM also?

-When I see the things I just wrote, I wonder if I'm just as crazy as Hurley... This show spins me in circles.  I am SOOO going to miss it!!!!! 

I don't believe we have been properly introduced

**Bear with me here.  I must explain that maybe I should be worried about axe murderers or stalkers here but I'm going to this here event, DV. They've asked us to introduce ourselves so here I go.  It'd be EVER so much fun if you'd come too! 




Well, hello there!  My name is Kim and I'm pleased to meet you.  Here is some randomness that probably won't interest you in the least, but nevertheless we'll need something to talk about when we meet fact to face so here ya go: 

This is me: 
 





When I was 14, I met and fell in love with him:









I think his mom, who is great, got this outfit for him while he was modeling for Bargain Town USA back in the 80's.  Yes, he really did. 



Four years later we got married.  Not after the modeling gig... 4 years after we met.  Stay with me.  Three and a half years later we started popping out babies like rabbits.  We now have 6 here (3 boys and 3 girls) and one little boy that went on ahead. 

Now for some more unexpected random things you never wanted to know...

1.  I was born in South Carolina.  I know, who cares? 

2.  I've been blessed to go to Scotland twice and I think heaven may actually be there.  It looks like it, but the cars are small so I can't be sure. 

3.  I do NOT look like the above picture anymore.  Thank you, Lord, for your mercies are new every morning.  

4.  My beloved still wears that tie.

5.  Not really.  Bow ties make you look like a pediatrician.  And he's not.  He's in seminary preparing for full-time ministry.  That's not my idea.  We were kind of dragged in to it.    But right now, he works in the steel industry to pay the bills.  We are not sure how we will pay the bills once we go full-time.  That's out of our hands. 

6.  I'm currently on a summer-time quest to purge our horrific back yard of dead branches, trees, rotten wood, leaves, and other dead things like bushes.   I don't know what we'll do once I complete this, but it must be done.  It's awful looking.  We take lots of stuff to the curb to be picked up on Tuesdays so that's my day to work in the yard with the spawn.

7.  We are a soccer family.  We love to watch it and the boys love to play it.  My children are all exceptionally fast runners.  They did NOT get this from me. 

8.  I used to love Stryper and even went to their concert-- more than once.  I still secretly like some of their songs.  Actually, never mind.  Let's just pretend I never said that.  As my Granny would say, "And we should never speak of it again..."

9.  I love to sew.  I made all my prom dresses in high school.  Now I like to sew for my girls-- especially smocked things.  I don't get to spend a lot of time doing it, but it gives me great pleasure and satisfaction.

10.  I collect diseases like some people collect stamps.  I've had everything from scarlet fever to meningitis to kidney stones.  Not by my choice, you should know.   I hope and pray and expect to be healthy when we meet in person, DV. 

11.  And finally, I love to read.  Just junk mostly.  Historical fiction is my favorite.  But if you give me a book expect me to not do ANYTHING until I've finished reading it.  No food, no trips to the emergency room, no diaper changes, or anything.  Just find someone else to do it while I'm reading.  And heaven help if you get me reading a series.  The house may burn down around me but I'll take the book (and my children of course!) into the yard next door and probably will sit down to continue reading until the fire trucks come... assuming someone else called them. 

Fun with Google

I just thought I'd say, it's really funny that the top 3 searches that bring people to Reformed Grits are:

1.  "reasons not to run away" which totally breaks my heart...  I was trying to be funny but my heart hurts for someone who is really struggling with this. 

2.  "sips and strokes" which is a really good time for a GNO! 

3.  "forever young prom dress"  Oh my goodness.  I have some soul sistahs out there, sounds like.  I love the 80's!   Good times!


Speaking of the 80's... I really need to come up with a good "blast from the past" story... I'll work on that.

Have a great day, and don't forget the bugspray!

The following images may be disturbing for some viewers...

I mentioned that 3 of my children went fishing with their daddy on Saturday.  What I DIDN'T mention was that they were also eaten alive by mosquitos and other biting bugs.  Take a look at Sister's legs (used with permission...) No smart-alec comments about the reflection on the oven of me squatting to take the pictures, kay?


Viewer discretion is advised....




















Ouch. 

What makes for a good holiday?

Well, smoking brisket for one!
 










The tire swing and QT with daddy makes for two...











The pool makes for three...











And did I mention.... SMOKED BRISKET???
8 lbs of it...

Good times **edited!

We have enjoyed this weekend, like I can't even tell ya!  No where to go.  Nothing to do but ENJOY.  What a privilege!  We do NOT take it for granted, either.   Something that is great too is that Jojo has taken over the majority of the "yard chores" on weekdays when Mr. Grits is at work, so that frees up Mr. Grits to engage with the fam.  We are LOVING that!  (If anyone needs a very hardworking yard guy who works for cheap, call him and he'll do your grass!  He's saving up to buy a laptop. :-)  ) 
This weekend, we have enjoyed the opening of the pool.  It's going to be a real trick with Bee being such a "busy bee" there.  She doesn't really want to go in other than the stairs; she just wants to investigate the EDGE! 
After we did a few hours of pool, the little ones took a nap while Jojo went to a friend's house and Mr. G took the other 3 children to a pond for some fishing.  Poo caught some really big fish, including this one held by Sister:












Today we enjoyed actually getting to all go to church together-- no one sick; no one in a soccer tournament; no one working the nursery even!  It was great.  This afternoon after my usual Sunday grocery shopping, we grilled out and ate like kings. 
Tomorrow, Lord willin' we are smoking an 8 pound beef brisket and will be enjoying it with potato salad, baked beans, and grilled corn.  We also plan on going swimming and ending the day with ice cream over at Mr. Grits' parents' house.  We are mostly relishing the fact that he doesn't have school tomorrow night!  It starts again next week so we will enjoy the break while we get it! 
I really hate to just chronicle what we are doing but I'm so overwhelmed with thankfulness that that is all our life consists of right now.  I hope to remind myself that there was a time and a day where we did some fun things not because we were required to or because it was on the church calendar to do or because some event dictated that we had to be there and do a certain thing... but that we really are capable of creating great family memories alone, by God's grace and help of course, and if even for a moment... there was peace...
So what are you all doing?

**EDITED**
** I forgot to mention that Saturday AM Caroline called me at 6:40 AM and said, "I'm coming to get you!"  We enjoyed an early morning at The Pepper Place Market downtown and it was lots of fun loading up on fresh fruits and veggies.  I hope we get to go LOTS this summer!!

And out of nowhere...

It always amazes me that people actually read this blog.  I'm flattered that I have people who are regulars here who "don't know me" in the real world; I actually enjoy many of your blogs as well.  I am doubly flattered that people I DO know actually give a flip about this little blawg and continue to peek into our lives. 
What REALLY blows me over is when I find out that people will just come across this wee spot and read and THEN realize they know me through one connection in their life or another. 
You know who you are, but I've enjoyed the fact that I've gotten to know two lovely mamas who stumbled here through different ways, that I actually went to the same small school with.  Of course I'm practically a FOSSIL and WAY older than them but I'm privileged that you continue reading here. 
What really strikes me is when I find out that "someone out there" -- a virtual blast from the past-- is reading and I don't even know it.  It's awesome, in the truest sense of the word, the way God weaves that in to the story of our life and brings it 'round to help us. 
We got a call today that can be considered nothing less than an answer to our prayers.  I mentioned in my last post that we were really struggling with and praying about what to do with Jojo concerning the future of  soccer.  We just couldn't get peace about what to do.  It's been a real issue for us lately and a big topic of conversation and prayer for me and Mr. Grits.   I don't know how many times he's said in the last week, "I just don't have any direction or peace.  I wish I just knew what to do."  The call that came today was a real blast from the past-- a real treat-- from friends we've known since we were teenagers that have walked this road already and had experience.  And of all things, the wife found out about our dilemma through my little ol' blog!  (Hi K!!!  Thank you so much for seeking us out and having J call today.  I can't tell you what a blessing that was.)  I had no clue, but God used it to help us and give us direction. 
So tonight, our decision isn't 100% but we are moving in a direction.  I mean, that's what we prayed for-- direction, and I'm sure when we walk in that way we will get the peace as well. 

But I have to wonder... who ELSE is out there??? 

What time is it?

Summertime!  It's our vacation!  (haha name that movie!)

Well, we have officially been out of school for a week now.  I know I've been quiet.  I'm relishing the slower pace and the being at home by catching up on the cleaning, laundry, school work, and... life.  Our soccer season ended with a big disappointment-- a team we have beat a number of times this season cheated in a key play by boxing in our goalie and pressing him so he couldn't defend a corner kick... and they scored.  We lost that game 1-2, and they went on to win the state title.  Cheaters.  It SO should have been us.  Our team is way better but "unfortunately" we play clean.  Sometimes.  ;-)

It was nice to just be done.  I don't know what next year will hold as far as soccer.  We've really strongly considered sitting out fall.  That would cinch Jojo to be on the "blue" or 2nd team, but frankly we are not assured he would make the "gold" or 1st team anyway.  Unfortunately, as this stage of the game body mass plays heavily into success.  And at 78 lbs, he is struggling to hold his own against guys nearly twice his weight who look like grown men.  He has great skill, but that's only part of the picture.  We are wondering if giving him some time to grow would allow him to have a "comeback" as well as giving us a break, stresswise as well as financially, as well as spare his struggling confidence.  Nothing's for sure; we are in the praying hard stage. 

The pool opens this weekend and we are really ready for some sun!  The water-- not so much.  We have had a really, REALLY mild spring and it's going to be freezing cold.  So much for "global warming." 

And lastly, in this the most boring of posts EVER, Mr. Grits and I have changed gears on the ideas we had for our getaway.  Due to the summertime rates and gas, it's actually cheaper for us to fly to New Orleans for a 3 day adventure.  We are really looking forward to doing something different even if we are disappointed about not going to the beach.  We love to eat out, and are looking forward to some great food!  If you've ever been, we'd love to hear your hints and ideas!!

Prepare to be amazed

... for we are fearfully and wonderfully made!!  This is awesome!

Thoughts on American Idol... Liiiiivvve!

Ok, not really "live blogging" because we are halfway through the finale... But a couple things...

• Really.  Enough with the cheesy choreography on the group numbers.  I'm embarrassed for them... Hey, I'm embarrassed WITH them.  And I'm really tired of all white clothing.  It's just not complimentary to see guys in white pants and shoes.  They look like... "murses." 
• The David and David number... ok it was actually really good.  I bet it's a big iTunes moneymaker tomorrow.  But... was Little David wearing.... leather pants?  Please tell me they were just shiny. 
• We had a lot... LOT.. of explaining to do about the whole GURU/ Mike Myers thing.  Or, NOT to do. 
• I'm not kidding.  If I have to say, "YALL HUSH!!!"  to my kids one more time or "SIT DOWN!"  I'm going postal...
• Ok the music is AWESOME!  Yall I almost fell out of my chair when Bryan Adams came on!  Me and Mr. Grits both just jumped up and started singing along!  WE LOVE HIM and honestly had just about forgotten he existed.  LOVE his music!!!!  Whoa, talk about music that "takes you back...!" 
• ZZ TOOOPPPPP!  That is a treat!  My kids were very confused, however.  They said, "Are they just really old guys from like the 60's or something??" 
• Call me a geezer, but I liked the song with Nash and Brooke White.  It was really sweet and sounded pretty I thought.  
• Is that...?  DAVID COOK dancing in his undies???  OH MY GOSH.  LOL 
• Hm.  The Jonas brothers?  I wonder how it would feel to be the ugly brother.  Or the brother who can't play anything but the tambourine.  Did you see him throw it up in the air?  Special.  
• Wow.  I was really scared Paula was going to have a serious wardrobe malfunction in that dress dancing with the band.  I thought this was a family show??
• That Apologize song?  That was awesome!  I liked that.  Good job.  I'm predicting David A wins... even thought I "prefer" David Cook... Oh well.  My kids call it the "Kool-Aid" song.  "It's Kool-Aid to 'pologize..."
• Man, Jack Black doing the Pips reminded me of Chris Farley doing Chippendales.  Anyone??
• Wow... Carrie Underwood... My kids were distracted from the words to the song thankfully... sadly they were distracted by the fact that they wondering if she had anything on under her coat.  Wow. 
• AHHHH, David Archeletta is a light-weight!  He wore boxers and wouldn't do that legs over the head move.... Annnnd we are all grateful.  Thank you. 
• And you have to love a WHAM!/ George Michael flashback!  I SO had those "tapes!"  Love it! AWESOME!  But that was before he was, well you know, playing for the other team...  His glasses were like something out of the 80's.  Two words.... "En Fuego!!!" 
• WHOW!!!!!!!!!!!!  I AM THRILLED THAT DAVID COOK WON!  But I wish my kids would STOP CRYING SO LOUD!!  I CAN"T HEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!    SHOCKED.  But Thrilled!  I am so shocked!!!
• Until next year.... !