On Thursday, my first day without Josh around, I came home after trying to connect to my school’s wireless (unsuccessful). I then realized that I had throughly confused my computer, who then refused to connect to the home wireless. (Not an Apple, obviously.)
Very frustrating, mainly because I know Josh could have fixed it in a heartbeat. However, I can still connect via wire, so I am not complaining. Furthermore, I’m still feeling guilty that I live in America after seeing some of those Idol Gives Back clips. No wireless, no problem.

Then my first weekend without Josh, I left on Friday to go to Mom’s, where Katie, John, Mary Ellen, and Caroline babysat me. (Thanks, girls.)
I came back on Sunday just in time to read up before small group (so it’s fresh on the mind) when I walked into my bathroom.
The last calm thought I had was that the floors were especially shiny that night.

Then I stepped into a puddle of water that spread throughout the bathroom floor and had formed a small stream into the hallway. (So small, I missed it on my way in.)
The toilet was completely full. And had, evidently, overflooded.
Then comes the best part.
I went into our pantry/storage/laundry room to get the mop, and stepped into another puddle of water.
The nasty toilet water (it may have been clear, but I wasn’t fooled) had leaked through the tiled bathroom, under the shower, and into the storage room. Now two rugs were soaked, not to mention a pile of darks. (Don’t worry, those were washed twice, Ultra Clean, Level 12)

However.
Let it be known, I did not cry. I (sort of) calmly called Josh and then the Maintenance Man, (okay, fine, I called my mom too) who unfortunately didn’t have the necessary parts on a Sunday evening to fix said toilet.
I went to small group single, germy, tardy, and unprepared since I never was able to read the chapter for this week. (But I finally got around to mopping the bathroom and storage room.)
I mostly went to learn and grow. A miniscule part of me went because they had a working restroom. TWO even. Spoiled Americans.

Last week, Josh’s mom was scheduled to come over and pick me up. (TWO broken Teague sewing machines- we HAD to get them to Joe the repairman as quickly as possible). After a very cheerful knock on the door, Mrs. Teague walked in, gave us some cookies, and was generally quite sunny and content.
It wasn’t until about a full minute of greetings and conversation later that she mentioned that she needed our help. As she was driving through the gate, it slammed shut and left a scratch on her Porshe.
Josh immediately left with her to go talk to the manager of the apartment. The manager’s first response was somewhat of denial. He told Mrs. Teague that it wasn’t that he didn’t believe her, but, well, “no one saw it happen.” Josh-he’s quick and asked him if the camera aimed at the gate hadn’t caught any of the action on tape. No, no, that camera just for monitoring, not taping. (No one was monitoring at the time.) The manager then got the idea to have Maxine, the leasing agent, drive her car through the gate.
If Mrs. Teague’s car needed a band-aid, Maxine’s car needed needed a stiff sling and a leg cast. The gate completely dinged in the side of her car while leaving a nice, long scratch.
The really sympathetic part of the story is after Maxine told the managerthat gate had, in her words, “killed her car,” the manager replied (to Josh and his mother), “Well, that’s good for you.”
He then went about contacting the gate company.
The coolest part is that after Mrs. Teague and I left, Josh had an idea for a good deed.
Remember that Mrs. Teague brought us cookies? She baked them for Josh because she felt like God wanted her to. Being the trusting Christian she is, she followed even though she wasn’t sure why cookies would suddenly be important.
Well, Josh decided to give them to the manager and Maxine to ease the feelings of everyone involved in a- wait, two- gate accidentS.
Of course, they were impressed, grateful, and caught by surprise.
That’s Josh, his mother, and God working together for you.

Over the weekend, my parents surprised Royal probably more than he has ever been in his life. He got the car of his dreams after driving around my old car for a while. Beau and I were chosen to go back behind the house to get the car just as Royal (our youngest brother) finished mowing the grass.

Royal was also recently elected to be the Student Body President at Lassiter. Congratulations Royal!

In case you don’t already know, Lauren and I have a new beautiful little niece named Caroline. God has blessed John and Katie with yet another little girl. Lauren’s sister Mandy took these photos on her first day and we thought you might enjoy them. So… enjoy getting to know Baby Caroline.

Happy, Happy Birthday to two Beautiful Bridesmaids. Annie Petrella is turning 18 today. She is officially legal to vote, buy tobacco products, and make her own medical decisions. Hopefully, she won’t need take advantage of all of these newfound freedoms, but nonetheless, a happy birthday shout out to her. We held a family party for her last night.
Also celebrating is Miss Tiffany Teague. We love and miss you Tiffany! But we’re also very proud of you as you’re living your dream of fashion design in Paris. If you haven’t already checked your mail, be on the lookout for a few cards from the States. I know I speak for everyone when we say that we can’t wait to see you in a few weeks. In the meantime, enjoy Paris. Eat a cute little french birthday dessert for me. =)
I love the fact that two of the coolest sisters we know share the same birthday. What are the odds? It makes it easier for me to remember the date, that’s for sure.
We love you and hope you both have a wonderful birthday.