The Future Mr. and Mrs. Piatt

We knew it was coming. Bobby and I had been waiting for the news that finally came over Memorial Day weekend. Our best friends, John and Natalie, are ENGAGED. We could not, not, not be any happier for those two!

Bobby and John played baseball together at CMU, and I got to know John quite well during that time. The three of us spent lots of meals and football games and weekends together, and made lots of memories. We didn't get to really know Natalie until she got back from college in Denver. John missed her terribly...and we didn't know what we were missing!

Since Natalie's been a part of our lives for the past year, we've grown to love her dearly. It's so obvious why John kept telling us how great she was! It is absolutely true. And the two of them together are even greater still.

We try to see John and Natalie just about every month, if we can. We can't get enough of them! They're easy to be around, fun to visit with, and their friendship is one we cherish. (There will be lots of Phillips/Piatt family vacations in the years ahead, I just know it!) They are special, special friends and we are so very thankful that they are a part of our lives.

To the future Mr. and Mrs. Piatt...a huge congratulations!!! We cannot wait to celebrate with you in the months ahead! Looking forward to your "Big Day" already!

Our Weekend

What a great weekend we just had! I've decided that all weekends should be 3-day weekends...what a difference it makes!

Bobby's brother, Joey, and his girlfriend, Alyssa, came up to visit Friday night, and we went to the Brad Paisley concert together on Saturday. It was terribly warm, and we waited in line (scratch that, waited in lines) for a solid 3 hours...and then waited almost just as long for Brad. The course of the afternoon was a little unexpected, but what a great concert we finally got to see! Brad was totally worth the wait, and it turned out to be a really fun time for Bobby and I.

(Personal Highlight: dancing to "Then", which played with our video slideshow at our wedding...totally romantic!)

For the record, I don't think it's coincidental that Brad Paisley and Bobby Phillips share the same initials...ignoring the "R" for "Robert". (Then again, Bobby also has the same initials as Brad Pitt. But, if I'm going to compare my husband to a celebrity, I have to go with Paisley.) What a handsome guy I got to hang out with at the concert...Bobby definitely rocks his cowboy hat and has all the country swagger as Mr. Paisley himself. What a lucky girl I am....

Aside from the concert and the rest of our time with Joey and Alyssa, the weekend consisted of Bobby and I enjoying "together time"...poolside and grill-side. Tonight will be the 4th night we're utilizing the apartment grills, and I plan to make this a habit. (Okay, tonight will be the last night of grilling in a row for a while. I'll give the guy a break and head back to the kitchen.) It's been amazing. And, paying rent doesn't seem QUITE so bad when we're only 10 seconds away from such a beautiful pool and patio area! We may never be able to move. (OR, the more likely option is that having a pool will be added to our list of "would be (really) nice to have" home qualities when we decide to start looking. We can dream, right?!) Ahh...we are going to make FULL use of these apartment amenities this summer. And, we like visitors. Keep that in mind.

It was such a treat to have Monday off from work. (It felt almost scandalous! Not working! On a Monday!) We enjoyed the day to the fullest. And, we benefited from having extra time...to just relax...together.

Yes, it was a great weekend, and we started the week rejuvenated and completely in a summertime mood. And, the best part is...it's already Tuesday.

One Year Ago Today

One year ago today, I graduated from The University of Missouri.

I've felt quite nostalgic this weekend.

Admittedly, I even wore my black and gold yesterday in recognition of the commencement activities taking place in Columbia and the newest graduating class of Tigers, earning their "stripes".

I've been reflecting on the four years I spent at Mizzou, and how life has changed since May 16th last year.

Of course, the wedding date had been set at that point. I knew on graduation day that in a few months, I'd be married. But aside from that certainty, I was (like most other young graduates) relatively unsure of what life post-college would look like.

I didn't know that I'd be living in St. Louis.

I didn't know I'd be working in a real estate office.

I didn't know how I was going to use my degree.

I did know that I would happy, and well-prepared for whatever life threw my way.

And, I was right.

I'm fairly certain that I didn't give graduation enough credit last year. While I wouldn't have changed a thing about how we recognized the occasion, I was definitely pre-occupied with the upcoming "Big Day", and less concerned with Graduation Day.

I enjoyed my commencement ceremony and the time spent celebrating with my family.

I was proud and excited!

But, I was also very ready to be done, and I was happy to move on.

Looking back, though, I find myself appreciating my time at Mizzou and in Columbia even more than I did last year. What a happy time that was.... I learned and I grew and I became who I am today. I miss that school and I miss that city, and I will always, always think back on my time there with a smile.

Old Missouri, fair Missouri

Dear old Varsity.

Ours are hearts that fondly love thee

Here's a health to thee.

-University of Missouri Alma Mater, Verse 1-

A Nuisance

The ice cream man has been driving around the apartment complex and surrounding area for the last 30 minutes, maybe longer. I heard that awful “music” blaring from his speakers when I pulled into the parking lot…half an hour ago. Who knows how long he’d been going before then?

Apparently “Do Your Ears Hang Low?” is the only song in the repertoire, and I can’t take much more of it. That is NOT a song I’d choose to listen to anyway, and certainly not after a busy day at work. (I should mention, as well, that being inside has not provided escape from the sound. The noise is infectious and has made its way indoors.)

Bobby says I’m being a “Grinch”. Today was a long day, and I have a headache, and perhaps I’m a bit irritable. I’ll admit it. (He asked if I got us some ice cream…I said no, I was trying to get the guy’s license plates. Really, I was.)

I cannot come home to that incessant noise all summer long. (Much less listen to it for half an hour or more.) And, I truly suspect that this very well could be the start of an all summer long pattern. I know this because I remember that awful tune playing on a regular basis at the end of last summer when we moved here. I went so far then as to look up what I’m sure was the same company online and e-mail a complaint. (That shouldn’t surprise anyone who knows me well.) I’m not sure it did much to solve the problem. Although I don’t remember the truck being around much after that, ice cream season was on the way out at that point…. And, the truck IS back now, after all.

Perhaps I am overreacting. I just don’t have much tolerance for nuisances…especially those that get in the way of my enjoying restful evenings at home.

I think I need a bowl of ice cream.

Go Dragons!

Bobby’s “Little League” coaching experience has not been what either of us expected. It’s amounted to spending lots of time, energy, and effort (on treasured Saturdays) put into teaching a group of 10-year old boys (none of whom are our own, or of any relation) who seem to care precious little about baseball (they prefer soccer). True, Bobby gets to spend time on the baseball field and pass on his lifetime of knowledge to the youngsters, but truth be told, they don’t seem to care much for the game.

The experience has been a bit of a letdown…until last night.

Last night was the first game of the season, and to be honest, we were prepared for the worst. They had had only a few practices, only two of which had been outside…on a real field. Who knew if they even knew any fundamentals?! By all accounts, it wasn’t looking good. Bobby and I were counting each little guy as he arrived (hoping enough of them showed up), decked out in their new uniforms. (“Hmm”, I thought. “They at least look like baseball players....”) Ironically, the team’s colors match Bobby’s college team, so all of his CMU gear (and there is plenty of it) coordinates perfectly. And, sure enough, the whole team showed up. Who would've thought?

Then, the (completely) unexpected happened. The Dragons took the field, and lo and behold, those little stinkers became a baseball team right before our eyes. They were hitting the ball like nobody’s business, and stealing bases left and right. Somehow, it all came together, and they were doing more than just holding their own…they were competing, and looking pretty good while they did. They had all the baseball moves, the swagger, the style…and the talent!

It was like the stuff movies are made of. You should’ve seen it.

But, precious as all this was, my favorite aspect of the night was watching Bobby interact with those kids. As surprised as I was at the performance of the boys, I was not surprised whatsoever by the class and positive energy that Bobby brought to the field. He is incredible. His enthusiasm and genuine encouragement made all the difference, in my opinion.

It's taken a while for the kids to figure him out, but now that they’ve realized that he’s a good time, he has them eating out of the palm of his hand. They watch him and listen to him, and I cannot think of a better role model for those young boys. He knows about baseball, sure. But, more than that, he knows what it means to be a respectful, well-mannered, “class act”…on the field and off. And, the boys are drawn to that! I’m sure he’s influencing those little men so much more than he knows, and I suspect they’re going to learn a lot this season.

Watching “Coach Bobby” last night brought tears to my eyes. He has a gift, and it’s going to be a fun summer…watching the team, and watching him.

The Dragons won their first game, 15-11. It was a surprise to everyone, I think, but certainly a welcome one. I’m pretty sure that everyone left the ballpark with a smile. I know I did…because I left with “Coach Bobby” (who I’ve been married to for 8 months today!)

I’m relatively confident that I’ll be watching a good deal of Little League games in the years ahead…and I’m prepared for that. With Bobby as the coach (and perhaps, one day, “little Bobby’s” on the field), I’m sure they will be games I won’t want to miss.

--Before "Coach Bobby" was "Coach Bobby"--

Egg McPhillips

Bobby had to go into work at 2:00 a.m. Thursday morning, and when he got home at 6:30 a.m., I was just crawling out of bed. I showered and dried my hair, and when I came out of the bathroom, I peeked in the kitchen to see my wide-awake husband standing over the stove. He was fixing us bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches on English muffins! What a surprise! Did he have a vested interest in fixing breakfast? Absolutely. He was a hungry guy after a long night’s work! Still, it was a delightful treat, and a fantastic, unexpected way to start my day. I went to work with a smile on my face AND a full tummy…and Bobby went back to sleep with one.

That man makes me feel so loved, so often…and for that I am incredibly blessed. (Oh, yes, and he can fix amazing breakfast food. That’s pretty great, too.)

Bobby has the same routine tonight-another early day at work. Perhaps tomorrow morning at 6:30 a.m. he’ll have a hot breakfast waiting for HIM. I can’t make any promises….tomorrow IS Saturday, after all. But, you never know, it could happen. He’s totally worth it.

Days Like Today

Some days, like today, I just feel so INSPIRED! So MOTIVATED! I start thinking about all of life's possibilities, and all of the things I could try and do and become. I decide that I want to do more blogging, traveling, reading, cooking, coupon-ing, photographing, etc. and I get IMMENSELY excited about buying and then decorating a house, and being a mom, and raising a (large) family, and all of that fun stuff.

What is the catalyst for this upbeat attitude and optimism? Spring? The middle of the week? A good night's sleep? I've GOT to figure out how capture this motivation that comes around on days like today. Because it feels good to feel good about the future and to feel like I have the energy to take on the world.

The reality is this: there aren't enough hours in the day to do all that I'd like to do! (And that's probably a good topic for another post. Hmm, maybe I will accomplish more blogging, at least!) Tonight I'll do laundry, clean up after dinner (...which happens to be BBQ pulled pork sandwiches. The pork has been in the slow-cooker all day and I think it's going to turn out even better than I expected. Yum.), fold laundry (goodness, it feels like I do a LOT of laundry...all the time), and collapse on the couch once I realize what a long day it's been. That's the way it seems to go!

The "every day" chores and routine are blessings and I try to recognize them as the gifts that they are. But, for some unknown reason, today I just feel very motivated to increasingly live life fully. And what a blessing that is, too....

Living For Him

In an effort to do some "spring cleaning" today, I came across a bulletin from one of the churches Bobby and I visited last fall. The topic of the sermon that Sunday had been "Living for Him", and one of the questions that the speaker posed to the congregation was "what does living for God mean?" I jotted down my immediate response to that question.

Living for God means...

• Obedience.
• Potential sacrifice.
• Having a willing attitude.
• Accepting that His purpose/plan may be different than my own.

My desire is to continually ask myself that question...and to more deliberately practice living out my response.

The Green Grass Grows All Around

I am embarrassed to admit that it's been over a month since I've posted. (Which isn't for lack of having blog-worthy thoughts or material, I must say.) I've simply discovered that after sitting at the computer all day at work, doing the same thing once I get home isn't too appealing. (Which doesn't explain my ability to play on facebook at great lengths. Go figure.) In any case, I'm back. For the time being, anyway.

It's been a rainy day in St. Louis, and across much of the state, from what I hear. I was looking out the window (during what was a very, very brief "time-out" from a very, very busy workday), watching it rain. As I watched the drops fall, I couldn't help but notice the grass, practically turning greener before my eyes. I immediately thought, "Wow. God totally planned it this way. It HAS to rain for the grass to grow." It's obvious, of course, but the profoundness came when I realized that God's plan for the grass is probably far more similar to His plans for me than I usually care to recognize. How many of my dilemmas/circumstances/frustrations are serving as the rain that HAS to come for the grass to turn green? What part does this dilemma/circumstance/frustration play into the bigger life story of God's design?

It's easy to see the purpose for the rain when we see the rainbow at the end. But, when you're in the middle of the storm, it's far more difficult. And, I actually had a great day! (Like I said, easy to see a storm as a good thing when it's blown past!) No specific trials or tribulations to speak of. I'm happy. Joyful, really. Because (not only can I not think of any specific storms-or even rain showers-in my life) I know that God used me today for His glory. I hope that I can express that same joy the next time a storm comes along.

On another note, may I just say, I am so very ready to visit Springfield. It's been since late-January, and thankfully, we got to spend a delightful weekend with my parents and Rachel at the end of February...but it's already been a month past that, and I miss all of them and what will probably always be "home". Not to mention my desperate need for time with special friends. Yes, Morgan and Becca...I'm talking to you. One more week. It's going to be great!

Love Like Crazy

I've been a married woman for half of a year. (Seriously? How did that happen?!)

This "newlywed-phase" continues to be such fun. I can only hope that the next six months are as full of excitement and memory-making as the last six have been. I have a feeling that they will be.

I recently discovered a new song on Pandora, and I can't get enough. I like to think that it describes quite nicely the kind of attitude that Bobby and I try to have toward each other and our young marriage. In any case, it always makes me think of him, it reminds me to give him my best, and it paints a great picture of what I imagine our lives will look like as the years go by. You can't beat that. (Listen to it here.)

Thanks for six great months, Bobby. I love you like crazy.