Steph Underwood is my hero.

She’s pretty great. Those of you who know her probably know how smart and gorgeous and kind and generous she is, but you may not know what a joy she is to be with–just be with. She’s incredibly easy to be with. And I’ve found that this is a rare and beautiful trait.

There are people you enjoy lunching with, or just having coffee and a quick catch up. There are others that you enjoy in a deeper more intimate setting, like a bible study or church. There are some you look forward to seeing weekly–and perhaps others that you’d rather enjoy in smaller doses. There are people you love to travel with or spend weekends with; there are some you want at your parties because they’re fun and others you’d prefer for more laid back times because they are ok with being still and allowing the conversation to lull into comfortable silence.

Steph is that rare breed that you want in all of the above mentioned circumstances.

I love her very much and am eternally grateful for her friendship.

Everything’s GREAT! I can totally see, which is a miracle itself! Mama, Grandmama, Grant, and Georgia have been excellent nurses 😉

Yesterday I got to go to prayer–awesome–and take mama for the first time to meet everyone in the group–including Patti and Marty and Miss Betty and many many others. It was great and she loved it.

Now I’m off to play with Steph and (assuming I don’t get snowed in at her house) I’ll get to see Nida Sunday and hug her neck! Which is a much needed play date.

LASIK is awesome and everyone should get it! Don’t wait a minute longer if you need corrective vision.

Today I will be given new eyes, Lord willing. I’m pretty pumped. They have this new technology which makes Intralase a “bladeless” procedure. I think the idea is that they use air pressure to separate tissues, rather than having a blade cut through the eye tissues. Whatever. I try not to think about all that too much. It should be quick and painless (15 min per eye!) and I should have 20/20 or better vision TOMORROW! For someone with eyes as bad as mine (-4.00, -4.75) that is good news, my friend.

Click here to see where I’m getting it done and here for an explanation of what it is (it’s not gross, I promise; I wouldn’t be able to post it if it were). Pretty awesome!!

Mama and Grandmama are coming to play with me for the next few days and then I’m headed to TN/KY to play with Steph!! Can’t wait!

More on the results after my 1:00 procedure!!!!!

-L

Go Ask Alice is a new book I simply cannot put down. It is published anonymously and the note from the editors tucked just behind the title page is what initially caught my eye. It reads:

Go Ask Alice is based on the actual diary of a fifteen-year-old drug user.

It is not a definitive statement on the middle-class, teenage drug world. It does not offer any solutions.

It is, however, a highly personal and specific chronicle. As such, we hope it will provide insights into the increasingly complicated world in which we live.

Names, dates, places and certain events have been changed in accordance with the wishes of those concerned.

I’m hooked. I have been for 100 pages and will probably finish it tonight.

I think it should be required reading for high schoolers. It’s that good… and that bad… and totally true.

Today Evan is 19! What a mile stone.

Evan’s been living with us since September and we’re pretty glad he was born! We hope he feels loved and celebrated this and every day!

10 Things you should know about E:

1. Evan is really funny and has a great sense of humor, laugh, and smile.

2. Evan loves to game–he and Grant and Stahler have logged in many hours playing a game I cannot for the life of me remember the name of, but it involves strategy and killing people… so you’re guess is as good as mine 😉

3. Evan has a special place in his heart for Georgia girl (which in turn, has a special place in mine).

4. Evan has a ridiculously amazing work ethic. Wow.

5. Evan loves Jesus.

6. Evan understands that family is who you choose to let into your heart, and that family comes in many shapes and sizes. Family is awesome and we’ve created family in our little 3-bed room apartment.

7. Evan has a really fun girl friend, Gretchen, and we’ve adopted her, too… and her whole family… They’re pretty great 😉

8. Evan is a history buff who probably knows more about American History than… well any one I’ve met. And he’s knocking his history grades outta the park!

9. Evan likes to read. a lot. I like this about him. a lot.

10. Evan’s got a good head on his shoulders and, though it’s a marathon not a sprint toward self-discovery for all of us, I think he will really know himself and allow himself to be fully known–which is the best one can hope for in this life, I think.

Evan’s great and we’re happy to have him with us for this season of life. Through the ups and downs of two young {and stupid} 20-somethings trying to figure out how to “do” this thing called life with another, he makes us better. That’s awesome. We’re thankful.

HAPPY BDAY, Ev!