"Eeeeeeee"

Got a suprise in the form of a confirmation number yesterday.

It was from a certain someone flying in

from Sacramento NEXT WEEKEND!!!

My face got stuck like this!!!!

(sound effects:"eeeeeeeeeeeee")

Holdin’ mu lups luk thus

A few days ago, I had a wacky encounter with a Mexican frozen Rice Pudding (sounds gross, but promise it’s very, very tasty), or as Lin C. and I like to call it “Ice Rice”. I was so excited to eat it, I quickly removed it from its plastic wrapper and as I started in on it, it froze itself almost immediately to my entire mouth! My lips were being pulled by this overwhelming sense of force that this iced treat was causing. I attempted to lick the inside of my mouth and loosen the popsicle from my lips/mouth, to no avail. Finally, afraid it would only worsen the problem by waiting any longer, I just pulled it off like a band-aid! Riiiipppp! My mouth filled with blood, as it gushed out from the sides of my mouth and lips. I screamed out, and ran to the bathroom to grab wet paper towels. I couldn’t believe what had just happened! How did I do that?! Needless to say, it hurt…bad…and swelled up almost immediately after I got the bleeding to stop. The next day, canker sores began to form over the flaps of exposed skin, and those sores are something I seem to have a problem with anyway. So Yippiiee! Here we go again! As it’s started to heal (the popsicle injury, that is), I had another happy canker pop up along my gum line. What is up with that?! Supposedly, as research shows, these little canker sores I am so miserably attacked with seem to be caused by a few nutritional deficiencies

For those fellow sufferers (I know you’re out there!)...here’s a little info I gathered today on recommended doses for canker sore-fighting:
Iron- 60 mg
B-12- 1,000 mcg (sublingual)
Zinc- 50 mg
Folic Acid- 800 mcg
Vitamin E- 400 i.u.
Vitamin C (with biflavinoids)- 1,000 mg
Acidophilus
DGL (Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice) 20 mg
Lots of Water (says doctor Billy)

So I had to share my lovely news. I’m gonna’ be a happy camper as I put this research to the test and add some supplements to my diet. Bye bye canker sores…you will NOT be missed!



TRIP TO NUTRITION DEPOT- $68.95
BEING CANKER-SORE FREE- $$$ PRICELESS $$$

Welcome to Texas!

Billy came for a great, long, well, longER but not long enough trip to my hometown . Right off the bat we threw him into the Tharpe way of living…moving into our new house, having him hang pictures, and move furniture, yes, even clean some, and cook for an open house! We made chicken spaghetti for 50…and we had a crazy time getting the huge-ola pans to fit in the fridge. I thought I had it covered, but realized very quickly after knocking several things over, if we wanted to save the food, I would need some assistance from the man (lol-they were HEAVY pans). Okay, so maybe it was really just a good excuse. :)

The open house was a time for friends and fam to come see the new place, and as my mom says, it was sort of a “blessing party”. We asked our Pastor to pray, and I was truly blessed as he was setting up the prayer and he said “We’re here to bless the Tharpe home…but we’re also here ‘cause we want to welcome Billy to Texas!”. There were sighs and smiles across the room, and I just beamed as I realized how many people are in my life that I love and treasure. Here they were, meeting the man I have fallen in love with, and they want to show him love too?? How cool is that?!

As you have already read in a past blog, Billy was able to meet the Florida fam that came through…all of ‘em! There were so many cousins running around like crazy people, but it didn’t seem to bother him at all! If anything, he joined their wild fun. He also joined me for one night of my Rainbows class…he was one of the big kids in the room, playing with all the little ones. He had them climbing on him like monkeys too.

I love to watch him with the kids. So cool to think of our future family and the awesome dad I know he will be.

I was thrilled that during his time here, Billy and I went on 3 official dates! Woohoo! We've had so many "unofficial" dates and all, but it was a blast to go out and have some fun times on the town! I got to take him to Minute Made Park, and we had club seats to the Milwaukee game, but I’m sad to say we lost…oh well, go ‘Stros Anyway! He was very talented with the nachos and salsa and tacos, all straddled across his lap. We also found a very interesting photographer who tried to give Billy some pointers to keep his eyes open when the camera flashes….hehe, lets just say, after we saw the pic’s he took online, they weren’t really pointers Billy will be applying anytime soon.

We had a great steak dinner at Saltgrass (his first visit there too), and enjoyed some delectable artichoke dip and salsa before our lovely prime rib and rib eye appeared.

Maggiano’s (thanks Lin), was DELICIOUS and we will DEFINITELY be returning in the future. We were served some amazing bruschetta, gnocchi, chicken saltimbocca, and tiramisu…yum! The live pianist that night sang all sorts of cover songs from the Sinatra and Nina Simone eras…good times.

We joined different friends for movies and food and stuff…Alexis, Sean, Lauren, Kenneth, Billy and I went to see Bourne Ultimatum, but we got there later than everyone else, and had to sit on the floor, 2nd row! You’re fired Sean for not saving our seat! Just kidding…we actually had a great time anyway, and ended up eating with Lauren and Kenneth after (good times for sure).

Heather, Celina and Caren met up with us at Los Cucos…and took pictures with no flash so Billy would keep his eyes open, hehe… and had a most excellent double date with BJ and Lin at Pei Wei (you guys rock!).

During his stay, Billy didn’t take even one day off work, he just brought his phone and laptop and he was good to go…

to our Dining room table some…

and to my office some….

I tried to drag him out with me one day after my break was over, but his chair wouldn’t fit through the doorway! Dang oversized office chair!

We went for a nice picnic close to my office... he pointed out that we should purchase one of the tiny, run-down houses across the street! They would certainly be in our price range! (there's a reason it's that cheap, and there are bars on the windows in this crazy dangerous part of town). It was a day with what he described as "Cali weather"...low humidity (shocker) and sunny. What's up with him coming right after the blazing 40 day rainstorm and then it suddenly dries up and a perfect day appears?? Isn't that just the way he rolls? :)

We didn't get much rest...as most of you know..we ALWAYS tend to stay up really late most, if not every night..but no worries, Billy found a way to multi-task on our long drives home from work....poor guy. And now, ever since he left, I haven't been able to stay up past 11pm! What's the deal? Maybe I'm trying to pretend it's a road trip, and sleep so the time will go faster!

Although it’s only been 4 days, I still can’t wait for our next visit! We may not know exactly what the future holds, but all I know is I love the idea of welcoming Billy to Texas!

New Additions

My cousins, Vince and Stephanie, came through Houston on their way back to Florida. They do children’s ministry and were holding a kids camp nearby, here in Texas. So…the Big Vinny bus came driving onto our new street and off jumped not only their kiddos Emily, Samuel, Jeremy and Melody, but also, the newest additions to the fam, daughters, Kira and Kendi!!

They were so much fun!!!

We ended up having a houseful, as more cousins, Clint and Cheryl brought their six kids, Dylan, Tyler, Spencer, Mason, Kinsey and Payton on over and Uncle Dusty and Aunt Mary brought Kirby, David and Courtney!

You should have seen us out to eat that night! We needed our own wing of the restaurant.

I think it’s beautiful how our family is growing, and expanding, and becoming a representation of an array of colorful nationalities!

I love it. I can't wait to see who else we add to this fam!

SIDENOTE: You should check out Vince and Steph's new TV program called Kidz Network, airing on Daystar every Saturday...check your local cable listings and if you have direct TV, it is channel 369, dish network is 263.You can also view the program live on http://www.daystar.com/ if you have high speed internet.

A Legacy

Last night three of my best old school pals and I had some excellent catching up going on....over a beautiful skillet of sizzling Pappasitos fajitas...YUM. Medium rare beef, sauteed onion, fresh guacamole, charro beans and rice, garlic butter, homemade flour tortillas, warm salsa and salty chips. It was by far the making of a most-delightful meal indeed! But the company was even more enjoyable than the great food.

Our friend Mark is in town from Branson MO to see family, and visit with his ill grandfather. Wow, what a legacy his grandfather will leave behind one day! He has left an imprint on Mark's family and the entire community for that matter! He serves God and man with open arms and surrendered heart. He has built and rebuilt churches, homes and families. He has stretched out his hands to the poor, needy, widows, and outright lost and dying sinners. Mark was sharing about his grandad's morning routine, going to a nearby Mexican restaurant every morning at the same exact time, where his favorite breakfast is waiting for him at his very own reserved table. He is greeted every morning with faces of wait-staff at the restaurant that he has poured his heart of love and the love of Christ to. He has made an impact, and lives every day to reach the lost with hope of a Saving Grace. His health is failing him, and he may not live for much longer, but as Mark freely said, he has done everything he possibly needs to do in order to prepare for his eternal life in heaven. What an amazing thing, to know that he has stored up so much treasure in heaven. He has lived in obedience, to serve the least of these, and to feed and care for the lost sheep.
It's people like this great man of God, and times like these that make me look at my life and ask the question "What kind of legacy am I leaving?".