the one about this weekend & on tap for today.

So for most dates this is the conversation.

Sam: what do you wanna do?

Me: Im not sure... what do you have in mind?

Sam: I don't care, whatever you want to do.

Me:  Well, do you wanna go out to eat?

Sam: Yeah, where you wanna go?

Me:  Well, why don't you choose between (3 or 4 places)...

Sam:  Court, I don't care.  You pick.

Me:  Okay, pick between these two places...

Sam:  Do you just wanna go to Chili's? (Chili's is not one of his options)

Me: Let's do it!

Lesson to live by: if in doubt.. go to Chili's. :)

But this weekend, I decided I would plan the date in full.  From picking him up at his house, to picking the restaurant, to after supper activity, to giving him a gift towards the end of the date.  All he had to do is show up.  It wasn't insanely eventful... rather simple.. just like we like it.

Walked around downtown Winston after supper...

& then because Sam is very impatient.. he opened his surprise in the parking deck..

Sam is a super fan of the show, The Office.  He absolutely loves it.  What I love about watching it with him is that we NEVER laugh at the same thing.   Which is good, because it keeps us interested & laughing collectively during the entire show! :)  So his gift was The Office board game filled with trivia.

Our game pieces... Meredith (Court) & Kevin (Sam).

We had a big ol' time.   Also, this weekend I went on a yard-sale date with one of my future housemates, Liza.  We had a great time bouncing around stranger's yards rummaging through all of their old goodies, stuff (I wouldn't say that old hairbrushes, & underwear are considered goodies! Ha!)  But Liza & I had a good time riding around town, catching up, & getting our selves wayyyy too excited about our house this coming fall!

Also, sidenote.. this man saw me taking pictures with my Canon SLR.. & wanted me to sale it to him for $100!  I nicely declined his wonderful offer, but in my head.. I was like puhh-lease!  I didn't spend any of my high school graduation money for a reason!  && no, this camera is my baby.  How dare you take away someone's baby!!  My cheezy grin & kind rejection covered the anger & confusion that was going on inside my head!

Also, busy Tuesday.. on tap for today:

Go to Walmart - buy paint.

Burn Graduation/Awards Day pictures onto CD's & External Hard drive.

Antique all dining room chairs.

Paint dining room table with paint bought at Walmart.

Clean out shower.

Do at least 5 loads of laundry.

Make bed.

Go run.

Sign up for a 5k or 10k.

Help mom & dad stain new kitchen table.

Study for EMT class.

Geezzzz, I gotta get on the ball!

 What is on tap for you today?

the one gift that requires you to blog.

I met this girl named Amelia when I was in 7th grade.  She was an 8th grader, a basketball super star & the new girl.  So as a nervous bench-warming 7th grade basketball player, I didn't even think she knew my name.  Until Christmas came along... Amelia got every player (7th graders included) a pillow case with our initials on it.  -- fyi.. I still have it & use it for when friends sleepover!  But anyways... one of my earliest memories of Amelia is her giving spirit.  She did recognize me & acknowledge my presence even when I doubted she knew my name.

We didn't really talk much.  Instead, I was really good friends with her younger sister - who was my age. But then high school basketball came into the picture.  Amelia && I got really close my sophomore year when we were both on the Varsity basketball team.  We would talk, laugh, play, scream, mock, encourage, & support each other.  

Not a great picture.. && the only one I could find on FB -- 

all my other pictures are on the family computer.

In the picture (L to R): Kelsey, Marli (hot shot senior), Milly, & Me.

I remember the day before our first game that year.. I was invited to go to Wendy's & eat with the hot shot senior, & two juniors (Ameila... or Milly was one of them!) before the game.  Seriously, I was honored.  Cheezy, I know but get over it :)  So, before every away game.. that's what we did.  && from there our friendship just blossomed!

If you know Amelia, you know she is hilarious.  She is not afraid to hold back any tact & will tell ya how it is.  She is sweet, caring, committed, & giving... which brings me to the main reason this post is being posted.

First off, another side story.  The other morning, I was watching the news with my parents before work  & we were all drinking coffee.  I couldn't even hold my coffee cup, because it was so hot.  I was like I don't understand why we don't have coffee cups that you can hold that won't burn your whole hand... geez, people.  My mom agreed that we need to invest in new coffee cups or find an alternative.

Well Amelia, and her random act of awesomeness && kindness, gave me my alternative. 

 This morning this is how I am drinking my coffee...

Of course, I am blogging this!  It is a crochet coffee cup holder!  Genius idea! 

Seriously, this gift is absolutely perfect for me. 

I cracked up when I unwrapped it! :)

Mil, I love you so much!  This is an amazing gift.  Thanks for thinking of me.  Seriously, you are so giving -- not just material things, but your spirit, your personality, your humor.  You have always been a huge supporter of this blog & anything I sink my teeth into.  Thanks for being such an amazing person, & unbelievable friend!  I love you Dae!

the one to get excited about painting.

I am so excited. I am working on some stuff for the Raleigh house...

the dining room chairs before...

& once my table & chairs are finished I will show the after!!   

I am so excited.. so you need to be too!

the one spent with 3 of my favorite boys.

I had the most amazing Saturday.  John & Will are the most talented, amazing, outgoing, witty, wonderful, loving, creative, crazy kids I know.  && I am dead serious when I say they are the smartest 6 & 9 year olds known to man.  They are little geniuses! 

Sam volunteered his time, energy & his testosterone to spend the day with us... as we took on hikes, BB guns & fishing.  The boys loved, loved, loved Sam!  && he was so good with them.  He knew exactly when to be act like a 6 or 9 year old && he knew exactly when to pull the reigns a little bit.  I had no doubts about Sam going into the day.. but still I must say he really impressed me.

It was wonderful day spent with 3 wonderful boys...

[activity one]  Pilot Mountain.

I didn't know my heart was able to swoon yet, until I caught this moment.

The boys believed the knob of Pmount was made of "a good quality sandstone".. I'm telling you.. GENIUSES!

[activity two] BB guns && Diet Mountain Dew Cans.

Yes, I did shoot the BB gun.  & yes, I actually did hit the first can of the day!

[activity three] Fishing & Feeding Ducks.

As I sit here in my bed, pretty much bawling my eyes out as I reflect on this day.. I get so excited to know that these feisty, little boys will grow into wonderful, worldly, loving, intelligent men of God.  They already understand His love & the power of prayer. These boys have helped me learn how to love & love hard.

Kelly, you are the most amazing woman.  You are so strong & such a light. I pray one day that your boys will see your insanely bright beauty & your always-growing love for them.  My life has been truly blessed by you & your family.  You have incredible kids who are going to change this world someday... & I personally can't wait to watch them do so.  It has been a blessing to watch you teach your boys about their good & faithful Savior and you have personally reminded me about the power of faith through the hardest hardships.  I can never thank you enough for hiring me! :)  I love you & I love your boys.

I had the most amazing Saturday...

the ones from raleigh come to pilot.

Guess whose coming to hang out with me on Saturday?

My boys for Raleighwood!  :)

I am so excited to see them!!

It's gonna be a tough weekend for them.. please put them in your prayers.