I'm Tired

I'm tired ... of lots of things.

I'm tired of being tired. I take vitamins, so I don't understand why I always feel exhausted, but I do.
I'm tired of the never ending list of chores and the never paid list of bills.
I'm tired of being nice to people that don't always deserve it.
I'm tired of never feeling like enough is good enough.

I've always thought that Fall was my least favorite time of year (colder weather, hunting season, etc). And Spring was my favorite (warm weather, no jackets, pastels, no school, etc).
Now, I'm starting to wonder.

And along that same line of thinking - Easter is rapidly losing favor with me as a 'happy' holiday.
Now before anyone gets all irate and 'religous' on me - I know WHY we have Easter and I know it's one of (if not THE) most important holidays.
I get that, and I'm thankful for it. I am.
I also still love the warm weather, the pretty clothes, the best candy of any time of year, and all that stuff.
But, over the years, Easter has also come to symbolize hospitals and sadness to me.

Let's go back.
1997 - Darrell's first Easter - he spent Easter Eve night and morning in the hospital with an unexplained high fever. They finally sent him home on Easter afternoon - never any answer as to why.
1999 - My grandpa passed away just after Easter.
2002 - Darrell had the chicken pox at Easter.
2003 - I had eye surgery.
2004 - Darrell had his tonsils out.
2008 - Leila had cleft lip surgery.
2009 - Leila had cleft palate surgery.
2011 - The worst. My Dad passed away the Friday after Easter.
2012 - My uncle passed away the week after Easter.
See ... Not a great history going on here.

Another thing I'm tired of - people dying.
In the past year, I think there have been 13 people pass away - family members, cousins, my kid's friends, my kid's friend's parents, church members, friends.
I just lost 3 family members the last 2 weeks of April.

Maybe it's all getting to be just a little too much.

Beach Trip

Last week was our 3rd annual 'Girl's Trip'.
We went to Myrtle Beach this year.
There were 6 of us this time - me, Leila, Mom, my aunt Marcia, my cousin Jessica, and my cousin Mandy.
We had a great time.
I think this was the best place we've stayed yet. 
Right on the beach, 6 pools, 10 hot tubs, 2 lazy rivers, and close to everything. 
The weather couldn't have cooperated better or been more perfect. 
Although, yes, I did take Leila out of school for a week - it is only pre-school right now, and the time of year was fantastic - no crowds ANYWHERE. 

Spring

Time gets away from me so quickly.

Feb was our 20th anniversary!
Wow, who would have thunk it?
Look how young and sweet we were way back when.

I've started taking a knitting class.
And to my surprise - I'm doing pretty well.

Along with some ladies from church, Mom and I made and sent 76 baby bibs to 'Love Without Boundaries' to take on their recent 'cleft trip'.
There was even a picture and a very small notice in the paper about it.

Easter was sort of low-key this year.

Although Darrell doesn't get his 'real' license until fall, he has his permit.
We went ahead and sold the truck and got him a little car - SO much better on gas.
Better to plan ahead now.

Austin finished his freshman year at college yesterday.
He's staying up there for the summer though, because of his job.
Since he's going to be there anyway, he's going to go ahead and take a few summer classes.

Darrell's track season ends tonight.

The school year is winding down early this year.