Annie Groves

I'm not alone! I just googled my new name to see if the world wide web knows me as a married woman yet, and lo and behold - I discovered an established writer named Annie Groves who has published several novels, including the one on the left.

A few months after getting married, my friend Jen said to me, "Annie Groves... hey that is a great pen name!" I happened to agree and we had a small discussion of how cool it would be to see "Annie Groves" on the cover of a book (mostly just because we were excited about name changes) ... except it's already being used! Not sure what I'm going to do if I ever publish a book... are names copyrighted? Anne Groves... not so much I'm afraid. Anne C. Groves perhaps - though I'm not sure I will publish something scholarly anymore. Annie Burdette-Groves? Maybe I'll just become Hawaiian or Japanese or Spanish and go by Ana Groves or something.

Of course, this all falls under the assumption I ever sit down to write a book that might someday get published (chances slim I'm afraid)... But still! This discovery perturbs me a bit. I liked my romantic little fantasy of publishing a book someday with the pen name Annie Groves. Now I know the name is attached to girly fiction novels that look like the adult version of American Girls or Anne of Green Gables (my favorites growing up, by the way - can't knock Anne of Green Gables, my all time hero).

Ah well, now I can be a poser. When people look at my ID in the grocery store and ask, "You're Annie Groves?" I can proudly (or not so proudly, I haven't read her books) nod my head and smile, "why yes, yes I am. It is an absolute delight to meet you..." (isn't that what you think she'd say based on looking at her selection?) :)

Weird. This is all too weird. On a positive note, JD just bought a Weber BBQ and we're having tri tip tonight!!!

Dukes at Waikiki

Touristy it's true - but great environment nonetheless! This taken when my parents were here a month or so ago...

Some happy things

A snipit...

JD and I had a great half anniversary (6 months and we're still writing thank you cards)... We went to North Shore, spent a couple hours at the organic coffee shop in Hale'iwa reading Berry and Kerouac, walked around the quaint little town, and finished the day with margaritas and Mexican food at Cholos. We really enjoy being married. Aside from the occasional heated discussions about proper dishwasher loading, we have a blast together.

AND my brother is going to attend the University of Hawaii in the fall!

Turkey Bowling with a Dear Friend

"I'm on my way to work and my mom asks me if I can take these turkeys to the Rescue Mission. I have time to spare so I say yes and walk into the garage to open the deep freeze. And then I see them. These turkeys are huge! I mean the biggest turkeys you've ever seen!"

My family and I listen to Cait intently as she tells us the events of her day. It's a few days before Thanksgiving and Caitlin is over for a family dinner at my parent's house, something we've done since our early years of high school.

Caitlin opens her arms wide to demonstrate the size of the turkeys. "Of course I can't carry all these turkeys by myself, so I start rolling them down the lawn in my front yard and then put them in the trunk, one by one."

We start laughing as we imagine the turkey bowling in Cait's front yard as she frantically tries to get these huge turkeys in her car in a timely manner.

"But that's not even the half of it! I get to the Rescue Mission and no one is there who can help me with these turkeys! But, I have to get to work soon and I can't just leave them in my car. So one by one I carry the turkey up a flight of stairs to leave at the doorstep. I'm carrying one of them that's super slippery and it slips out of my arms, rolls down the staircase and into Truxton Ave. Literally cars are honking at me as I try to recover this poor turkey that is now in the street!"

We all howl at Caitlin's story. So classic. Dad leans back in his chair and gives a great belly laugh. Mom sits in her spot with her elbow on the table and chin in hand with a smile on her face. Pat sits across from us grinning quietly. I sit next to Caitlin beaming, almost with pride, at my best friend. She's definitely part of the family. Maid of honor at my wedding and a true kindred spirit, Caitlin is my dearest friend.

Today is her birthday, and while I don't normally make birthday posts for my friends, I decided to write one for Cait because she is in Europe editing a book and I can't give her a present - or even a call for that matter - just now. And while a silly story about Caitlin might seem a little more like a roast than a sweet sentiment, I chose this story because it reveals Cait's heart a bit... Faithful. Servant. Honest. Joyful. Determined... Dependable. And let's be honest, I have waaaay more embarrassing moments that Caitlin has witnessed than I have on her. She's seen me through more than my share of "Annie moments" and loves me anyway. She is brutally honest and yet saturated with grace, she pursues Jesus' truth with ruthless endurance and she gives of herself endlessly. These pictures are taken from New York on a trip she treated me to just before I got married. Yes, she's that good of a friend. I guess there's a lot more I could say about her, but for the sake of not wanting to lose creativity and fear of sounding more sappy than I already have, I will end it here. Cait, here is my Happy Birthday to you... Sorry if I butchered the story a little bit, but I love you and miss you - and wish I could spend this birthday with you. Enjoy your day in Spain lovey...

Mattress Pads

JD and I sit at the computer, looking at mattress pads online... Earlier, I purchased some mattress pads on target.com, but they never seemed to arrive. We discuss the proper pricing for these items in the following playful conversation:
JD: "See honey, this one only costs 26.00! The ones you picked were 50.00!"
Me: "But the ones I picked were comfortable!"
JD: "The ones you picked had bells on them."
Me: "Well, the other, more expensive mattress pads came with bells and whistles on them, so I compromised with only bells." :)

In case you wanted to know...

So I haven't written anything outside of blogging in a very long time. However, this past week, per Leisel's suggestion of actually describing the sitcom of our lives for the previous 10 days and my own desire for creative documenting, I began doing a little writing and decided to post it on my writing blog - which hasn't been updated in nearly a year. The piece on my ma and gma's visit isn't complete yet, but I did a little writing this morning and decided to post it on the other blog. The difference between this blog and my writing blog being mostly that I write my other stuff in Word and might possibly double check it, whereas this blog contains daily musings, thoughts, glimpses, etc. that are often shorter... So hopefully I will update my writing more often, for now, there is a piece for you to read that will hopefully provide a bit of laughter for your day.

Quote of the day

"These past ten days have been like living in a sitcom..."
- JD Groves
~ about life in paradise with my mom and gma visiting. Oh if only you knew...

Good Friday Highlights

Tonight was probably my favorite night of ministry thus far... And one in which I felt the most unprepared, sicker than a dog, and completely overwhelmed - right up to the moment worship started and I stood up to speak.... After the message, we gave the students an opportunity to walk through some prayer stations we had set up: confession, joy & thanksgiving, feet-washing, and a station with mirrors that had a cross painted in the middle of them so they could look at their reflection through the lens of the cross. Here are some highlights of Good Friday:

1) My husband washed my feet
2) A dear 8th grade girl told me that she wanted to be a pastor some day but that she was worried because "our church doesn't allow women pastors"... you can't imagine the smile that crept into my heart just then...
3) A seventh grade girl washed my feet with a beautiful smile
4) JD and I adopted a girl, Oriana, from the Dominican Republic through Compassion International
5) I washed my husband's feet and prayed for him
6) Watching an older brother (a leader) wash his brother's feet and then vice/versa - and hug afterwards
7) One of our leaders obeyed a felt call to pray scripture over the entire group
8) Kids engaged in prayer and reflection
9) The cup of tea my friend Bethany made for me because I am sick
10) Grabbing coffee and smoothies with Jill this morning
11) Watching my grandma and mom laugh like school girls
12) Coming home from youth group at 9:50 pm and eating home made strawberry shortcake that my mom and grandma surprised us with
13) Looking at all the curtains and pillows my grandma made for us today
14) Having the opportunity to talk to 5 of my dearest friends from the Mainland in one phone call
15) Knowing that this day is the day the Lord has made and it is good.

Info about Pictures

Just for you to know - I often update the photo albums on the right, so feel free to check them frequently for new pictures! Ma and Gma are here for a 10 day visit, Easter week brings busy days for ministry, I'm battling a cold, and the weather is improving by the day here in Kailua. That's my very small update for now :)