Sooner or Later…

Ann and Brian or as all my siblings say Ann’nBrian*.

Our anniversary is today.  Twenty-four years married, twenty-six together.

My youngest brother was 9 months old when we started dating.  My youngest sister 2yo.  There is no memory of a time when Brian wasn’t there.  Sometimes it seems odd to think about.  He is more brother than brother-in-law.  He has been a living part of their lives longer than our mother (who died when they were just 7 and 9).  Strange to think a bil would last longer than a mother.

Today was also father’s day.  A first, I think, that both days should be on the same date.  As Grits said “had to have one to have the other.” 

So we went to Lake Charles today.  A great state park with a nice sandy, gently sloping beach.  Lots of trees, new restrooms, and a reasonable number of picnic tables.  Took a picnic lunch and just enjoyed doing nothing.  I cooked yesterday and did almost nothing today.  Went a bought an x-large Wally world bathing suit because I refuse to spend $45 on a maternity suit that will get worn maybe 10 times.  The really great thing about Arkansas is just when you think that you are looking bad on the beach someone comes along who looks worse. 

Our timing was good–as we packed up it started raining and during the drive home the rain poured down.  It is an hours drive so the clouds are just now rolling in here.  We are looking forward to the day when we can move from the flat-lands into the hills–the air was so much cooler and way less mosquitoes. 

The younger crew reminded me that tonight was VBS sign-up at the Baptist church 1/2 a block away.  After showering the sand from everyone’s cracks and creases, the three youngest and I went.  There were hamburgers and hotdogs, a jumping air gym, an air battle arena (skipped) and a ball game.  Can you guess which church is the biggest in town?  lol  Ninety minutes of slow eating and lots of playing–everyone ought to sleep good tonight. 

It is the first time that Zach can go and the first time all the younger crew will be gone at the same time.  Having such a large spread out crew has a good side–I know all the VBS teacher from either the older kids ps days or from my being their kid’s 4H leader. 

The rest of the evening will be either game time or embroidery.  I have a goal to get the Christmas gifts done in time to enter in the county fair in September.  Our librarian made over $567 dollars in prize money last year. I won’t make that much but any will help.  And, hopefully, it will help make sure that they get done because with a new baby in August not much sewing will get done this fall. 

So we a having a rare slow Southern Sunday.  This might just grow on us.

Yes, Ann is what my family has called me since the day Mom brought me home from the hospital.  Family, southern schools, and anyone I’ve known longer than about 25 years calls me that too.  It seems so ironic that one of my favorite bloggers is named Anna with a dh named Brian.  So far no children share a name.