We Did It!

Well, the Wiley family has successfully completed the 2 hour Zip Line Course at North Georgia Canopy Tours!! This was D's big adventure for his birthday. This is one of those "bucket list" things that we've talked about doing and just decided, what the heck, let's go for it! And so we did. Last Saturday, we suited up, signed our life away and wound our way through the North Georgia mountains by trail, swinging bridges (argh!) and zip lines.

And it was fun! Terrifying yes, but fun. I tend to be a little afraid of heights so even looking at this picture now makes my palms sweaty. I conquered my fears and actually enjoyed it. D had a great time and going as a family made it even better.

That's E on the zip line.

The helmets are not, I repeat, not a complementary fashion accessory.

G coming in for a landing.

That's D on the zip.

Okay, I had to include this because it is just too funny. After the zip-lining adventure, the whole family came back to the house for birthday dinner. Well, if you know anything at all, you know that our after dinner entertainment was of course, the Georgia game. While we were watching the game, D opened his birthday gifts. Well, look what D got from E and N? Mark Richt's Georgia Bulldog shirt! The same exact shirt that Mark was wearing at the Georgia game!

Not that the shirt coincidence did the Dawgs any good. I'm just sayin.

Happy Birthday, D!

Today is my precious husband's 53rd birthday. In honor of this occasion, here are 53 reasons I love and adore my husband!

1. The love we share. It has been tested, twisted and turned. But thanks to God’s great love for us, we have a love that is stronger than it’s ever been.
2. He has the most beautiful big brown eyes.
3. He gave those beautiful eyes to our daughter.
4. He has the Wiley ear.
5. He gave that handsome ear to our son.
6. He cares about his health.
7. His gray hair. He’s earned every one.
8. His favorite Bible verse is: - “Gray hair is a crown of splendor.” Proverbs 16:31. :)
9. He thinks August 16th (the day Elvis died) should be a national holiday.
10. He drives a truck.
11. His truck has Flow Masters.
12. He can sing like Donald Duck.
13. He has watched Dumb and Dumber at least 100 times.
14. He is patient . . . as Job, I tell you.
15. He gives thoughtful answers.
16. He makes me breakfast in bed.
17. He works hard.
18. He loves his job.
19. He cares about his employees.
20. He loves to travel.
21. He laughs at old reruns . . . even though he’s seen them a 100 times.
22. He watches girl movies with me.
23. He thinks Georgia Football and the SEC are the best . . . anywhere . . . ever . . . period.
24. He understands me (at least he tries.)
25. He’s a great dad.
26. He’s my soul mate.
27. He eats whatever I cook and never complains.
28. He helps me in the kitchen.
29. He loves an adventure.
30. The man can do a mean twist . . . and go all the way to the floor! I don’t know how he does it.
31. He doesn’t snore.
32. He’s a good friend.
33. He isn’t afraid to make the hard decisions for the good of our children.
34. He holds my hand in the car.
35. He sang to me on our wedding day (surprise!). It was, and still is, the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard.
36. He can diagram a sentence like nobody’s business.
37. He supports my decisions.
38. He loves gadgets.
39. He cares deeply about those he loves.
40. He makes me laugh like crazy.
41. He will take me just about anywhere I want to go without complaint.
42. He is smart.
43. He is a good, honest, businessman.
44. He has integrity.
45. He told me the other day that I was only getting better with age. (melt my heart)
46. The man is never rude or obnoxious . . . never.
47. He carries all the heavy things.
48. He can fix stuff. And if there is something he can’t fix, he will call somebody to fix it . . . quickly.
49. He loves his parents.
50. He loves my mother.
51. He loves and adores our children.
52. He loves God
53. And he loves me.

Update and What I Do to Deal with It

Well, I had high hopes this week of many blog posts about our trip as well as lots of other very "important" things but somehow reality hit and well, let's just say, other things were WAY more really important.

D and I received the phone call that no parent wants to get this week. G had been involved in a car accident. PRAISE GOD, he wasn't hurt seriously. When I finally saw him, I just cried and cried. Then I went to the lot where his truck had been towed, I cried some more. I can't really put into words how, as a momma, I feel knowing that it could have been so much worse. This is the second time in three months that I have been to this wrecker company's lot to see my child's totaled vehicle. Oh dear Lord, please, I don't want to go again. I am thankful that both of my children's vehicles were well made, steel boxes that protected them from harm. I also believe in God's great provision that spared my boy and my girl. I have prayed for a hedge of protection over my children all of their lives - physically, spiritually and emotionally. Thank you God for an answered prayer.

I have a unique way of dealing with stress in my life. I cook. I believe somehow, a good home-cooked meal and/or dessert can make all things better. So Thursday night, I made Bacon Cheeseburger Meat Loaf (Paula Deen's recipe), mashed potatoes and peas. I comfort favorite of my boy. My recent goal has been to try new recipes, so last night I made empanadas. You may have had these at your favorite Mexican restaurant. I had never tried them at home. I made two different fillings - chicken and shrimp, served with salsa, queso and chips.

Yesterday afternoon, I made D's birthday cake. This is his favorite - German Chocolate. Not the prettiest cake I've ever made but hopefully, it will taste good.

Earlier in the week, I had made this. and wow it was a hit . . . and a big one! In fact D's exact words were, "this may be the best pound cake I have ever put in my mouth." And he's had his share of pound cakes over the years. This is the 5-flavor Pound Cake and really was delicious! As you can see, I couldn't even get a picture taken before somebody got them a slice, or two.

I'm headed back in the kitchen now to prepare D's birthday dinner. The family is coming over tonight to celebrate and we'll be coming back in from our "D's Birthday Adventure" right before dinner time so I've got to prepare ahead. I can hardly wait to share about our big adventure. I'm a little more than nervous but I'm trying not to think about it. But I can't think about anything else . . .

I Did It All for the Cupcake!

Greetings, dear friends! Yes, I'm back from the left coast and let me just say, it was fabulous. I told D I would totally live in San Francisco if it weren't in California but in Georgia. But I guess that might cause it to lose part of it's charm. I have tons to tell you and some great pictures but that will have to come at the first of the week when I have more than five minutes to talk.
Once we landed back on Georgia soil (thank you, Lord), it was full speed ahead for me since E and I had a wedding this weekend. Can you believe it? But, thank goodness, we were just assisting with the ceremony and I was able to clear my vacation head to think clearly. Not that I ever really think clearly. And if you asked E if I was thinking clearly this weekend, she might disagree. Let's just say, I had my moments.

Anyway, we got back around midnight Thursday night. Guess who was at our house? Oh, yes, that big, ole sweet handsome boy of mine. Woo.Hoo. I could have hugged his head off. To say I was glad to see that precious child is an understatement. I think after being gone for a week, seeing your loved ones just takes on a special meaning. Do you know that feeling? Okay, anyway. Our flight was delayed and the time change makes it an all day trip. I'll have you know when I got home, since I was still on Pacific Time and it was only 9:00 p.m. in San Fran, I emptied my suitcase, put it away and did two loads of laundry, all before laying my head on the pillow.

Friday morning was spent finishing the laundry, running some errands, and having lunch with my boy. Friday afternoon was spent wrapping my head around all the wedding details and heading out to the rehearsal that night. All went well and we were headed home by 8:00. I came home to an empty house (my husband had gone to the local high school football game) so I took full advantage of it. I put on my pajamas; turned on "Say Yes to the Dress" (muted); got out the new In Style magazine (fall issue - amazing); and tuned in on the radio to listen to the above mentioned football game. The son of some of our dear friends is the starting quarterback for this team and I just had to hear how it was going.

Then, Saturday morning was the big event . . . oh yes, the 5K Cupcake Challenge in Clermont! D and I, E and N were up bright and early, raring to run/walk and at the starting line at 8:30 a.m. E took the best pictures with her phone before the race (fyi -it's always better to take photos before the race). She sent them to me through email just like she thought I knew how to get them to this blog from the email. She clearly overestimates my technological intelligence.
N is like a running machine and practically ran the whole thing by the time I got around the first block. E was amazing too. She finished really quickly. Me, well, I'm pretty much slow as Christmas. However, I shaved about 14 minutes off my time since I did the last 5K in April. BUT, the star of the show was my husband! He won 2nd place in his age group!! (Age group will go unmentioned) Oh yes, he did! And he has a "City of Clermont" mug to prove it. :))

After the race, I ran (not really) back home, got ready in record time and took off to the wedding. And it was beautiful. Gorgeous chapel and surrounding grounds in the rolling hills of North Georgia. Beautiful bride and handsome groom. Like I said, we were just assisting with the ceremony so I was back in Gainesville by 4:00. Knowing my husband would not be home from work for hours, I took the opportunity to stroll through Target. I mean really, there is no better place to clear your head than the aisles of Target. Oh, and it did not disappoint. I got a pair of boots that are killer! And I got a top and a dress - yes, at Target. I'll have to post pictures. It is that good. After that, I came home, cooked supper and crashed.

Got to run. My momma and my boy are coming over for dinner tonight and I gotta get in the kitchen. Just a couple of my "after the race" pictures! Oh, yes and I forgot to tell you - we really did get a cupcake after the race! E and N got red velvets and D and I got key limes. I ate every last crumb. Really, if you're going to run/walk 3.2 miles, the least you can do is celebrate with a cupcake!

Sleepless on Springdale

I have officially decided that sleep is over-rated. That's because I now know that I can't sleep again until Friday night. I might squeeze in an hour and half or so tonight but tomorrow night, there's no way. I have done so much the past few days that I'm not sure if I'm coming or going. So to say that leaving Friday morning on vacation is much anticipated, well that's just an understatement. You need a vacation after you try to get all that needs to be done, done, before you leave. Does that make sense?

I love a good vacation but you know, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed about the whole process. I'm leaving E behind with two big meetings. She can handle it without a doubt but I still feel like I should be there with her. I'm leaving some very dear friends behind with heavy burdens. I feel like they might need me. And why do I feel like both of my children might need us while we're gone and we won't be here for them. Or my momma? What if she needs me? Am I having some sort of guilt complex? I think I might be.

Okay. Heavy sigh.

Let's think on the positive side. This vacation is going to be fabulous. I can hardly wait to spend a week with my sweet husband in the beautiful city of San Francisco. What a blessing!
I'm not sure how much I'll blog if any, so I'll give you a little itinerary because I know you are just dying to know what I'm going to be doing every single day. :)

We'll fly out early morning. By mid-afternoon, we'll hopefully be checked in our room and on our way to our Alcatraz tour. D is so excited about this he can hardly stand it. He really wanted to take this tour at night but apparently, that tour is so popular, tickets were already long gone. I can totally understand why you would want to go to an empty prison . . . at night. I don't think so. I personally will be going to bed early this night. Although I may sleep with one eye open after seeing the cell of the dastardly Al Capone.
The next day, we are going to get up fairly early and make our way down to the Farmer's Market. Supposedly, this is supposed to be "foodie" heaven, and so, as you can imagine, D and I are all about this. "Amazing Grazing" is the theme of this trip. Oh yes. This day will be spent walking the city, going to China Town, hopping on a cable car, walking the Golden Gate Bridge, and taking in all the city has to offer.
A couple of things are still up in the air, but one day we will mosey out to Sonoma for a wine tour. Another day a car will be rented and we'll spend a few days just exploring the whole area. We plan on taking in Muir Woods, Sausilito, Yosemite, the Redwoods, Monterey, Carmel and Yosemite. All of this will culminate on the very last night with a visit to see the Giants play at AT&T Park. Because no vacation is complete until we go to a stadium and see someone play something that involves a ball. It's so true but I can live with it.

Putting this all out on the Internet makes me a little nervous. I just can't imagine that the 4 people that read this blog would have thief-like qualities but on the slim chance there is a 5th reader out there who does, you have to know that we have a house-sitter, a burglar alarm that works and a neighborhood watch program. And a neighbor with a big, mean dog. So there.

And because of that I will sleep easy . . . eventually.

Happy Labor Day!

I was so looking forward to sleeping in, lounging around in my p.j.s til about noon and then maybe getting dressed and doing something. When that alarm went off at 4:45 this morning, I knew that was all a dream. That alarm blaring in my ear reminded me that I had promised my sweet husband that I would go down to the Muscular Dystrophy Telethon location, south of the Atlanta Airport, with him this morning. As you are probably aware, the Labor Day weekend is the annual Jerry Lewis telethon for MD. Our three store locations had collected almost $10,000 with the Shamrock sales during the months of February and March of this year. So, D and our Marketing Director (in the red below) were invited to come down and present the check live during the broadcast. The MCs were Lisa Rayam from Fox 5 and popular radio host, Rhubarb Jones.

Now, I think I need a nap. Happy Day off from Work!

Food Sunday

Yes, it's Sunday. I swaney (as my grandmother used to say) I cannot get Food Friday actually on a Friday. But because, as you already know, I am so excited for fall I can hardly stand it, I've just got to share this recipe I found the other day. I haven't tried it yet so I can't attest to it's worthiness but it's on the menu for this week so I'll let you know. It just sounds so good that it has to be good!


Caramel Apple Pork Chops

Ingredients
• 4 (3/4 inch) thick pork chops
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tart apples - peeled, cored and sliced
• 3 tablespoons pecans (optional)
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 175 degrees. Place a medium dish in the oven to warm.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brush chops lightly with oil and place in hot pan. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, turning occasionally, or until done. Transfer to the warm dish, and keep warm in the preheated oven.
3. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, salt and pepper, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add butter to skillet, and stir in brown sugar mixture and apples. Cover and cook until apples are just tender. Remove apples with a slotted spoon and arrange on top of chops. Keep warm in the preheated oven.
4. Continue cooking sauce uncovered in skillet, until thickened slightly. Spoon sauce over apples and chops. Sprinkle with pecans.

Enjoy!!

September, 2010

Can you believe this is my second post in 12 hours? I'm trying to do a little better about staying up with the blog around here . . . we'll see if that lasts. I've actually got a list of things running in my date book of things that I have yet to blog about; lest you think the excitement of my life has somehow come to a screeching halt. Fascinating things, I tell you, just fascinating.

But is the second day of September and that calls for . . .
What I Love about September 2010

1. The Big News . . . it's vacation month for my precious husband and I. Next week we will be leaving for an entire week, flying to the left coast to the beautiful city of San Francisco. To say that I am excited, well, that's an understatement. WooHoo!
2. College Football Season starts Saturday!! Can I get an amen? We've waited eight very long months to see the boys put on those pads, helmets and tight pants and run up and down the field! I can hardly wait. Go Dawgs!! And to me, the season just gets better and better as it goes along because it gets cooler and cooler and your clothes get cuter and cuter. I don't know about you but by this time of year, I'm am way over my summer clothes. I'm am so ready for some cute sweaters, coats, scarves and boots that I can hardly stand it. It's about the whole experience, you know.
3. Which brings me to our next point . . . Fall is on the way! I love fall . . . the cool air, the colors, the leaves, the trips to the mountains, the apples, the fall festivals, the decorating, and did I mention the cute fall clothes?
4. D's Birthday! Now, we have something really cool planned for his birthday! I am about to bust to tell you about it but I'm going to restrain myself. You'll just have to wait but it's pretty awesome. He's gonna LOVE it!
5. E and I will be traveling up to a beautiful winery in the mountains Sunday to work out the details for a bride's October wedding there! She has done most of the pre-planning and we're coming in to pull it all together and make it all happen. That's what we do.
And E will have an initial meeting while I'm gone with a bride who is in the very beginning stages of planning her November, 2011 wedding. Now, this is fun to be a part of the whole planning process. This is extra-special to me because this is a daughter of a friend.
6. Oh, you're gonna love this. On Saturday, the 18th, D and I along with E and N are going to participate in the 5K Cupcake Challenge in Clermont. Yes, you read that correctly. The Cupcake Challenge. I want to do this race for two reasons: 1. the t-shirt (you know you're going to love a t-shirt from a cupcake challenge) and 2. as a reward for finishing the race, you get a cupcake from Peggy Truelove's bakery. Oh yes you do. Which goes to show you, I will do most anything for a cupcake.
7. During the month of September, some great events occur in our community: The John Jarrard Concert on the front lawn of Brenau; The Hearts and Hands Emporium at First Baptist Church; The Art on the Square event; just to name a few. I plan to attend as many as possible. I've said this before and I'll say it again. This community continues, despite our shaky economy to support the arts and so many worthwhile charitable organizations. Thankfully, events like I've listed above have not had to be cancelled because of lack of participation by volunteers or because of lack of donations. This says alot about the community where we live.
8. Bible studies will continue this month which makes me just so thankful. I'm deep into the book of Esther and the life of David. God and His Word are simply awesome.
9. Handbells make a return this month! D is our fearless leader and it will be a joy to get back in the ring, I mean swing, of things.
10. Life is good, friends. Celebrate it. Enjoy it. It is a gift. Do something to make this world a better place. Do something to bless someone today. Serve others. Love people. Love the One who created it all.

Happy September!

The Day He Wore My Crown

Tonight was the second week of the Esther study at our church. It just thrills my heart when I see almost 40 ladies in one room with their Bibles open digging into God's Word! Praise Him! The book of Esther does not leave you wanting for more excitement or drama that's for sure. We've only completed the first chapter and so far it has read like some sort of adventure/romance/murder mystery book of fiction. However, it is not fiction. Truth is stranger than fiction, as they say.

As I was preparing for this lesson tonight I could not shake the whole idea of royalty. The idea of countries ruled by kings and queens back in this time and culture with all of their pomp and circumstance is a little hard to wrap your brain around. King Xerxes and Queen Vashti certainly were living the "high life" in the winter palace in Susa, capital of Persia, when all heck breaks loose in the first chapter. Whew - what a mess.

So, given my thoughts of royalty and love of crowns (and all things bling-ish actually), I decided that each of these precious ladies needed a crown of their very own. Apparently, not everyone has one. Go figure. I have two. So just look at this first-class, dollar store variety, garish excuse for a head adornment . . . not what I would prefer but it works I suppose.

Okay, so here's the point. And it's a very important one.

As women, we must not confuse our roles with our identity. We can fail in our roles - such as mom, wife, etc. However, the identity that He has given us is secure. No matter what happens I am:

• Redeemed
• Forgiven
• Sealed
• Confident
• Victorious
• Empowered
• Loved
• Accepted
• Chosen
• Treasured
• Adopted
• A Child of God . . . a Princess!!

Beloved, absorb this with your whole heart: You are royalty. Not figurative royalty. Not just spiritual royalty. You are in the most literal sense possible the daughter of the universe's King. You have royal blood in a way that even Esther did not. The crimson bloodline of Christ flows through your veins.

For now the kingdom of God on this earth resides within you, but one day your eyes will spring open to the most brilliant reality sight can behold. The kingdom of God will surround you, complete with palace, mansions, streets and horses. In ways incomprehensible now, you will reign there with Him. All that we now call "reality" will be a mere shadow of the vivid world we have coming. Right now you are representing the King on official business in another land, but you are no less royal than the Queen of England would be if she visited the White House. She is queen regardless of where she is and how she is treated. Her status is secure. So is yours. When she's cut, she bleeds royal blood. So do you.

Not only are you royalty but you also have been placed in your sphere of influence, regardless of the size you perceive it to be, "for such a time as this."

(Words of Beth Moore, Esther study)

Did you get that? If you know Christ as your personal Savior, you are royalty! A daughter of the King of Kings! The same King who wore a crown of thorns . . . so we can wear a crown of beauty.