Mayhem on Mars Hill

Thankfully, I get to visit with several of my old friends pretty often (I say "thankfully," because the good Lord knows I'd go crazy without them). Because of distance and work schedules, though, Jeremy hasn't been able to see as many of his buddies in the last several years.

So it was awesome for him (and the boys and I) to visit with his Mars Hill pals Chris and Becca Thomas today. Chris was in our wedding. He and Becca live in New Jersey, but they were vacationing in Tennessee with their two kids and took a detour to visit with us "on the Hill."

As we drove there this morning, Freddie did as Freddie does - he teased his brother mercilessly. His brother, in turn, did what he does - which is pitch a fit to prove to Freddie that he had NOT pitched a fit as accused (he hadn't; Freddie just had Jones right where he wanted him, but still. THE IRONY).



In response to Freddie's picking, Jones said to me, "I need you to spank him, Mama. He's making me crazy. I need to go back to work." That "Making me crazy ... go back to work" line is something Jones MAY have heard me say when, on more than one occasion, the boys have had the kind of day that has prompted VERY frustrated phone calls to their daddy. Kinda makes me wonder what ELSE he's heard me say?!?

Anyway.

The picking (and the "pitching") ended when we got to campus. The boys were able to run all over the quad. While we waited for the Thomases to finish up in the bookstore, Jones and Freddie made a game out of picking up and throwing sticks. Jones even brought me one that looked like antlers and said, "Look, Mama! It's a REINDEER!"  They then did surprisingly well, as we walked all over campus, going in and out of buildings that were there when their daddy was (as well as some that weren't).

As always, I appreciate Jones's enthusiastic
participation in group photos.

Later, we had pizza for lunch and said our goodbyes to the Thomas family with the promise that it won't be so long before we see their faces again. I am so, so thankful for the gift of old friends - both those I've collected myself and those I've been given by way of marriage. It is SUCH a privilege and worthwhile endeavor to be able to keep up with them as we travel our lives' different roads.