A Short Commute

I never thought I'd say that I got to work too quickly, but that seemed to happen to me today. It wasn't that Wednesday morning traffic (ug) was any better than normal, but since both the new David Crowder Band CD AND the new Rascal Flatts CD came out on Tuesday, I had far too much new music on my ipod to listen to, and the trip to Capitol Hill flew by. So I am now saturated with good music from my two favorite bands.

(Jason only has one of these albums on his new ipod. I'll leave you to guess which one.)

While the results are not completely in on either album, the general consensus around the house is: v. good. I have previously mentioned the profound impact that the last Crowder CD had on my life--at a time when my aunt was dying, it put to music the awesome story of being truly brought to life. Yet I find the slim, 10-song Remedy, which speaks of God's glory, a nice bit of relief from the powerful Collision. Right now I love tracks 1 and 3 (of course, we've been playing "Everything Glorious" on repeat for about a month in antipation) and the joyous "chorus" of "O For a Thousand Tongues." Again, as Casey says, "Davidcrowderbandrocks."

As for Rascal Flatts, you can say all you want that all the songs sound the same, the lead singer's voice is annoying, Joe Don's hair is ridiculous, blah blah. I will agree with you. And I will then pull out each and every CD they've ever made and listen to them again. I have an unending musical crush on Rascal Flatts, beginning with their very first album, which my mom sent to Oxford just as I couldn't stand listening to another song on one of the over-played CDs I'd stuffed in my suitcase two months earlier. So, Krista, as I listened to the rascally new music, I thought of you and our integral paper all-nighter, making cookies at 3am in the Canterbury kitchen and listening to track three on repeat. Oh! I just smiled thinking of it!

(And, by the way, I ate about four of those cookies today...)

It has been a mysteriously painful week, so it has taken all the good music--and knowledge that Thursday night is a'comin'--to get me through. Whoever decided that the ratio of five workdays to two weekend days is good math?

A Tourist Whirlwind

Bull Run
Originally uploaded by jmsmall2005.

Jenny and Chad (who work nights) were still asleep when we left McCall a few weeks ago, but we didn't bother to wake them up to say goodbye because we knew we would see them in less than two weeks. They spent a few days with us last week--yay, so fun! Chad had never been to DC, so we spent Sunday at Bull Run Battlefield (a new stop for us) and the newish Air and Space Museum out by Dulles Airport (favorite: space shuttle. Awesome.). Then we sent them out on a tourist whirlwind--monuments, Capitol, museums, and, of course, Crate and Barrel.

We had a great time, and though we sent them home with very sore feet I think they had fun, too. This is the first time we've hosted a sibling and spouse--we are so grown up! Sisters are such good friends to have, and we really enjoyed getting to know each other's husbands better.

Happy Birthday, Cole!

Can you believe it's been a year since little Cole made his grand entrance into the world? I wish I was going to be there for the time honored tradition of watching you smash cake into your face. It's a good thing your mom sends me lots of pictures!

Idaho, Part Two

View from the Cabin
Originally uploaded by jmsmall2005.

Fall has arrived in Washington, so I'd better get "Summer in Idaho" wrapped up so we can head into the new season!

Jason joined me in Idaho for Labor Day weekend. We had a really terrific dinner with Bob and Kristy and their respective fiances (who are both delightful!), then headed up to the cabin to spend the rest of the weekend with the whole fam. Forest fires have been raging throughout the state this summer (worst year on record, I think), so our time in McCall was a bit ashy and discolored as smoke came pouring over the mountains and into our little valley. But the mornings were beautiful, as seen by this picture of our view.

We had a great time together. Inside we were likely found either playing with Cole (who developed the exhausting habit of desiring walking all over the place while holding your finger!) or playing video games. The range of choices was dramatic--my parents got an old-school video arcade, and Jenny and Chad brought up their new Nintendo Wii. While I certainly enjoyed our tournaments on the classic bubble game, I must say that creating Miis for everyone in the family was my favorite.

We also enjoyed some four wheeling, and Jason had his first fly-fishing experience. In addition, we headed down to Ice Cream Alley in town to feast on huge cones. Then Mom and I took Jason on a tour of Victory Cove, our old church camp from days gone by. You can see the picture of me in front of the Dining Hall. Yippee!

We left early on Labor Day, heading down the mountain to have a quick lunch with Krystal before flying out. While it was sad (as always!) to leave, it was a good thing we got out of there when we did--shortly after we got off the road, a new fire swept through the canyon and shut down the road for hours...

Moving Out

IMG_1011
Originally uploaded by jmsmall2005.

It seems that Mom and I have both accepted the fact that--at this juncture, anyway--I am not going to be moving back into my old bedroom. (I think maybe the buying-a-house-in-Virginia is what tipped us off.) So we officially moved me out.

You may think it's strange that I have not moved out of my parents' house. You must remember that almost exactly six years ago I flew out to DC for a three-month internship on a round trip ticket. The plan was to actually use the return flight to move home, but somehow six years, one internship, and two jobs (a few roommates, lots of addresses, a diamond ring, many overweight suitcases, etc.) have gone by, and here I sit.

Thus, moving out.

Mom and I emptied my closet of school papers, oversized flannel shirts from college, and yes, a few of these. My life literally flashed before my eyes as we sorted through the piles. Among the treasures we found:

* Senior pictures from my youth group friends, complete with notes written on the backs. Shaanti's was signed, "Bare Bottoms Forever." Ah, our song-writing days (at ages 4 and 3).

* This sweet FFA sign, in addition to a bumper sticker that says something again to "FFA Rocks!" and a long-lost copy of my retiring address as a State FFA Officer. The blue jacket, unfortunately, is probably in the dress-up clothes now.

* Numerous bridesmaid dresses.

* Delicious letters from Oxford friends, received weeks after we parted ways and headed home. Also, a whole packet of "what to expect when you get to Oxford" information that would have been handy to have read before I arrived in the UK...

* The scrapbook I made of newspaper articles from the year NNC almost won the NAIA men's basketball tournament. Nerdy.

* The volleyball antenna ball that hung from the rearview window of our '89 Honda Accord (a moment of silence, please) all through high school.

*Lots and lots of mix tapes.

Of course, as the clock came around to 1 am, Mom didn't gush about these treasures nearly as much as I did. In fact, I'm pretty sure she only stayed up to finish with me because she knew that if she wasn't there watching like a hawk I would just curl up with a pile of old emails and never finish. I promise that we threw a lot of stuff out. Really, Jason, we did. No, we don't have to find a place for everything in our little house...