Goobie Returns: The Local Edition

When Tyler realized Glenna was going to visit us this year, he decided that she was clearly our favorite person. After all, no one else has come out twice since we've moved. I told him we couldn't play favorites, but it's true that we love Goobie an awful lot and were thrilled to have her in our home again!

Last year she came in August, and Ty and I were still figuring out so many things about the city. In fact, we did some of the tourist attractions for the first time with Glenna last year. (See posts from her that visit here: Part 1 & Part 2.) We decided this year to make her visit "The Local Edition." Yes, we love the perks of living in the metroplex, but to be honest, I love our neighborhood and all its amenities even more!

It just so happened that her visit fell on the Fourth, so there was lots to do locally! Our friends from church, the Buells, took us to the Lakewood (nearby neighborhood) parade! Attending the parade with them was great! Not only did we benefit from their local knowledge of great parking and viewing spots, but we profited from their great company! And we got to show them off to Glenna. And vice versa, of course!

Back: Ella, Jake, Mary Anna, Glenna, Ty, me, Paige
Front: Lucy & Maxine

The parade was everything a neighborhood parade should be. The local Boy Scouts, fire station, high school dance squad, politicians, dog rescue, and super heroes all made an appearance. As they went by, they all threw candy, too! It was like Halloween, but better, because you didn't have to walk anywhere. ;) I'm considering doing a float for next year...Weimaraner themed, of course!

And then there was the automotive pig. You know some dad and kid worked hours on this and were just beaming as they went! Santa and Mrs. Claus also walked by, in full costume. Ty commented on this to Santa, and he replied with a full, bearded smile, "I love my wife!" It was nearing 100 degrees as this point.

Earlier in the day...

Weekend long run!

Ty and I left Glenna sleeping soundly and hit up White Rock Lake for our weekend long run. I had to fit in a 16-miler before all the holiday shenanigans started, and these two kept me company for nine miles!

After the parade, we all hit up Liberty Burger (seemed appropriate, given the day), which is easily the best burger joint we've ever been to. Generally I can take or leave burgers, but I love these! Hot morning + burger bellies = movie time on the giant couch bed fort.

Brooklyn was happy about this.

And we watched Independence Day. You know, the one with Will Smith, where he saves the world from aliens? So patriotic.

Tacos and tats were on the late-afternoon agenda, and both were successful. Ty's famous chicken tacos just keep getting better and better!!

My "Ironman" tat

We finished off the evening with leftover sparklers from our wedding. Yes, we still have so many! We tried really hard to use them up, but even with each of us holding fistfuls (totally safe), we didn't come close. We'll have to remember to use them at New Year's, too!

Sunday was much less scheduled and much more relaxing. We went to church in the morning (and showed everyone off to one another yet again), and then hit up the movies in the afternoon. We've had a hard time finding a good mainstream theatre, but we sure did like this local one! There was a grand total of sixteen seats in our theatre.

Jurassic World, here we come!

Next it was time to prepare for our canoe trip! Ty was off on Monday, so we took advantage of that and planned a fun day!

Rehearsing the life jacket

It's no Wekiva, but we loved it!

At which point Brooklyn decides Glenna's kayak is too far away and she must rescue her!

Always checkin' on her pack.

Monday night we took Goobie to the Goose, a local favorite Mexican restaurant. Our pastor's family joined us, and we had the best time all together! It was a fantastic way to wrap up her visit. And I will say, they were quite impressed by all the local attractions we did!

Ty tried to convince Glenna (yet again) to stay in Dallas, live with us, and do all the cooking and cleaning. We'd let her stay free-of-charge, of course. ;) She does have a life in Florida after all, so our visit came to an end. The live-in offer still stands, Glenna, but you're welcome to visit anytime, too!

Remembering Papa, Part II

(See Part I here)

Five days after returning to Texas, I headed to the airport once again with Florida on my mind. There was just one complication: Tropical Storm Bill decided to move into Dallas the night before my scheduled flight.

(I may or may not have been stalking this Twitter account.)

Ready for the flash floods!

In anticipation of the storm, I sought an earlier flight, but the airline was unmoving. After a mostly restless and stormy night, I left for the airport as planned, doubtful that I would actually leave DFW. The flight to Florida just after mine was cancelled, but mine departed as scheduled, and on time even! My dad called me just as I was boarding to ask whose name he should list on the programs as the accompanist. My dear friend, Erin, had graciously agreed to step in for me if I couldn't make it.

As it turns out, I did make it to Florida, and I did play the service. I pulled up in front of my parents' house less than two hours before the start of the service. A quick shower and rehearsal with the music director later, I began the prelude music.

The service itself was lovely. It honored my Papa and, best of all, gave glory to his Lord and Savior. It was a sweet time of remembrance and joyful celebration. The overall theme was that of faithfulness. Our home church pastor gave the eulogy, focusing on Papa's faithfulness to his country, job, wife, and Savior. In all areas of his life, Papa truly exhibited faithfulness and devotion -- not perfectly, but with conviction and steadfastness. I saw this especially evidenced in his life as he lived in our home, cherishing and caring for the wife of his youth, even as the hideousness of Alzheimer's reduced her lifelong memories to mere shadows of reality. Papa's ardent loyalty to Grams is one of the most beautiful things I have ever witnessed, and something you couldn't help but notice.

Papa also influenced my musical career. He taught me the early basics of the piano (including my first song, as he made sure to tell my college professor at my senior recital ;) and was my biggest fan! In high school, I learned Maple Leaf Rag, and he never let me forget it! Several times each week, he'd request it, though in actuality I only played it on his birthday and special ocassions. Even when his dementia had worsened, he loved music. I had the opportunity to play several times at his memory care facility. One of the times he was more lucid, the nurse wheeled his chair right up to the piano. I played my graduate audition repertoire, all the while hearing, "That's my granddaughter. That's MY granddaughter."

It was my joy to play some rag time one last time at his memorial service. Untraditional, yes. But it was the best tribute I could think to offer my Papa.

The following day, we went to the Florida National Cemetery for Papa's interment. I had never been present for a military burial, but it was stirring and sacred. The Navy Seal who spoke blessed our whole family with his words of honor. It was an intimate family time -- one for which I am so grateful to have been present.

The words Captain Frank Winget gifted our family.

I love you, Papa! You are greatly missed, but I wouldn't wish you back. It is enough knowing that your joy is now complete in Heaven, as you live in the presence of Jesus and have been reunited with Grams. Thank you for walking faithfully day-by-day. Your legacy has inspired your children, grandchildren, and even your great-grandchildren. You finished the race well, even in the wake of disease and left an example that we might all follow.

"But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep." - 1 Thes. 4:13-14

Friday Furry Feature

Thanks so much to our friend, Lea, at Running with Ollie, for featuring Brooklyn and me on her blog! Lea is a Forth Worth runner and fitness guru, and we love following her adventures with her four-legged buddy, Ollie! She hosted the Run with Your Dog 5K, and I also had the privilege of meeting her at the Fort Worth Flavor Run. She did a race entry giveaway on her blog, and I won! It was my first official fun run and first time exploring Fort Worth on foot. Definitely need to go back with Brooklyn, as there are some sweet running spots!

Post Flavor Run!

She also sells some sweet shirts! Of course I bought one and sent one to Erin and Scout, too!

Our Florida twinsies!

Thanks for the shoutout, Lea! We hope to see you at another local race in the near future!

Love,

Jessie and Brooklyn