Aunt Sherri needs a vacation.... and she's getting one!!

When this clock hits zero I will be in Maryland on vacation... visiting some of my favorite younger family members!! Just got one question for them....

Welcome Tator Tot

Wow, its been a while since my last post... Aunt Sherri is so busy!! But, I have great news.... I'M NOW THE PROUD AUNT TO A TATOR TOT!!! That's right, my older bro and wife had a beautiful baby boy a week and three days ago (so behind on posting!!). I spent all last weekend with them getting acquainted to the new man in my life :)

Isn't he the sweetest little thing!?!?!

 He makes the greatest face.... 

This one is my fav

This one means get me to Mommy cause I'm hungry!!!

I also spent some quality time with my Fur- Niece Lizzy on a walk-turned-hike to the Chattanooga River....

 We got the river... and Lizzy got to get in and have fun! (Mostly because Aunt Sherri's attempt to just let Lizzy get a quick drink turned into her slipping in mud and Lizzy diving in)

Aunt Sherri, can you take me to the River EVERYDAY!! I love mud!!

Of course Tator Tot gets a tator tot costume!!

Only smiling to make you happy Aunt Sherri

It tastes good!

And of course ketchup on top!!

So cute, but he was sooo done playing dress up

Needed a nap to recover!!

 We watched some football... and consoled one another cause Auburn and UGA lost....

Daddy, Sister Jorge, Tator Tot, Aunt Sherri, and Sister Lizzy!!

Sunday brought the WHOLE family.... including, you guessed it, BLUEBERRY (who will be one years old in 17 days!!)

Nana and Tato Tot

Poppy and Tator Tot

Grandmommie and Cousin-Aunt Hannah meet Tator Tot

So weird that both my brothers are Daddies

Tator Tot time with Aunt Amanda

Aunties time!!

My parents with their grandkids!! (BB is very distracted by Lizzy)

ONE HAPPY AUNT SHERRI!!!

Got in a little adventure with Blueberry on a walk around Uncle Will and Aunt Erin's house...

Pretty flowers and a Pretty Girl

Blueberry's queen of the mountain

WHAT A GREAT WEEKEND WITH FAMILY AND MEETING MY TATOR TOT!!

Happy Birthday Myla

Due to some technical difficulties, the attempted vlog for you birthday, Myla, didn't quite pan out...


BUT... there are a few people in Augusta that want to wish you happy birthday... :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MYLA... LOVE TRIPP AND MALLORIE (who was being camera shy)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MYLA -- LOVE YOUR FAVORITE CAKE!

Did I mention I was having technical difficulties?!?! No clue where the sound went on that one....



Or this one...

One last attempt with my phone (which made me look like death warmed over...) 


LOVE YOU MILES!! :)

Aunt Sherri Runs a 5K

Last weekend, I did something a year ago I would have laughed at... I completed a 5K race. At the beginning of this year, I decided I needed a physical challenge but had always had a strict "I-only-run-when-I'm-being-chased" rule... Well, I decided that this being the year I turn (now turned) 30, I needed to give it a try. So for the past seven months, I've been working a conservative couch to 5K plan and with the help of my good friend Tiffany, prepared me for my chosen race... The Bele Chere 5K... We attempted to drag along as many friends as we could. The group included myself, Tiffany (aka my personal running coach), my roommate Rachel, and two of our guy friends, Jeremy and Mazen.

The days leading up the race... I was more nervous than I could have ever expected. I had an upset stomach, I was having trouble sleeping, and I was deathly afraid of falling down or throwing up or throwing up and then falling down or falling down and then throwing... Well, you get the picture. I asked a kid at work what I should do if I fell down and he told to me to "stay down until the cops show up... you got a life alert button? You should get one." Those kids crack me up!

Friday evening, we arrived in Asheville with time to pick up our race bibs and t-shirts which for me was the point of no return... I was there, I had my number, and this was happening...

Morning of the race, I woke from another restless night where I attempted to count sheep that only turned into mocking runners... I got dressed, sucked down some coffee, and piled into the car with my fellow runners.

By the time we made it to the staring line area, I was getting excited. I had picked a playlist of my favorite running songs and prepared myself to WIN (aka not fall down or throw up)

My "In it to WIN" face!

Warming up... and stretching are very important

Tiffany and her "Olympic" themed warm-up

Looking towards the starting line...

Mile 1... The race began and I was feeling good. I don't know if it was the adrenaline or what but I made to the first mile marker without walking and in about 12 mins (much faster than my usual pace). I knew I needed to slow down especially since I knew some of what was coming in the mile 2 stretch... a BIG OLE HILL!

Mile 2... aka The one that almost took me down. About 1/3 mile into this one, I started getting this pain in my stomach which I thought meant I was dying (yes, I know I am dramatic)... thankfully my coach Tiffany was with me and informed me that I was cramping (which I had NEVER experienced in all my months of running). I was very thankful for her presence as I probably would have sat down and cried and waited for the "cops to show up" as the kid at work instructed... We got my breathing back on track (I knew from my "research" that was the "cure") and walked up the MASSIVE HILL that was in the middle of mile 2. As we crossed the mile marker (I couldn't tell you what my time was to save my life), I felt less like I was gonna die but more uncertain if I was going to make my 45 min goal.

Mile 3... We started doing intervals by running down hills and walking up taking it a block at a time. I trudged on and on... and finally the finish line was just around a corner and past where we started. Tiffany took my phone and ran ahead to be able to document my crossing and I was alone... Just me and the finish line in the distance... I knew I didn't want to walk over it but I wasn't sure I had anything left in me. Up ahead I could see Jeremy and Mazen on the sidelines (they finished LONG before me) and I knew what I had to do... RUN!! So I did :) and I....


FINISHED!!

My official time was 43:03 :)

The gang post run... Jeremy, Rachel, Me, Tiffany, and Mazen

Will I do it again?  HECK YES I WILL!! I've already picked out another 5K (a less hilly one this time) and have found a plan to train for a 10K in November.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Hebrews 12:1-2

... I think I will move to Australia

Aunt Sherri and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Monday Morning...

First, I slept through all FOUR alarms and woke up convinced it was still the weekend...

I think they should outlaw Monday mornings...

Then, my roommate got in the shower first... She takes FOREVER in the shower...
I then proceed to shout out loud in exasperation in efforts to get her attention to get out of the shower, only to realize that if I did take a shower I would be late to work...
She didn't hear me anyway...

I looked in the my closet and only to discover that everything piece of clothing I own no long fits me... Some might think this as a positive but on a morning like this, its devastating...

I poked myself in the finger while pinning my shirt back so that I didn't look like a hoochie...
I think they should send all "safety pins" on a plane to Antarctica...

I could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad Monday morning...

I filled my water bottle up but somehow the lid didn't get screwed on tight... 22 ounces of water spilled into the passenger seat of my car and all over my purse... I reach in my purse to rescue my cell phone and to hook it up to play relaxing music, only to realize that I had left it at home...

There was nothing good on the radio... even after searching the channels 100 times... I think all radio stations should be boxed up and sent to South America.

I finally make it to work and begin preparing for treatment team. The doctor is late and forgets she has five treatment teams... After starting 30 mins late, families either don't answer the phone or come and take a long time in treatment team...
and then everyone keeps telling me that my kids are acting up and wanting to talk to me...

Told my supervisor that I was moving to Australia and she asked if she could go with me...

At 12:09pm, I feel like I could eat a horse or a HUGE box of cookies... but no, I must go and make "healthy choices" for lunch... and then come back to work and get at it again...

I have a feeling this is going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad Monday...

At lunch I take some time to just sit in my car... I closed my eyes, let the Spring breeze dance upon my face, and consider if I want to return to work...

As I sit and ponder how horrible my attitude has turned in response to my bad morning, one of my favorite Psalms comes to mind...

Psalm 73:21-28
"When my soul was embittered,
when I was pricked in heart,
I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you.
Nevertheless, I am continually with you;
you hold my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will receive me to glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
For behold, those who are far from you shall perish;
you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.
But for me it is good to be near God;
I have made the Lord God my refuge,
that I may tell of all your works."

I return to work and have an OK Monday afternoon... not great mind you, but OK... not giving up on that Australia idea just yet...

So Blueberry, some Monday mornings are like this... but He is stronger...

Saying Goodbye

It's never easy... I've had to do it several times in my life with people who I cared deeply about... two aunts, a cousin, a grandpa... and now a friend.

I met John in January of 2006, after graduating from undergrad and entering an identify crisis. I met him at a DUI school where a local singles ministry met for Bible study once a week. The girl who invited me told me an "older" guy led the study. I expected so middle-aged creepy dude but it turned out to be John. He was a mild tempered guy who let me argue with people without judgement. I really enjoyed being welcomed into this group of friends. I didn't get to be a part of it very much the first part of the year but by the summer, my parents and I had started visiting the church the group was from. Every week, John would come and talk to me and ask how things were going. When I told him I was looking for a roommate, he told me that he would keep an ear out. He later told me he had asked several people.

The day I moved into the Lofts in Newnan, he brought me cookies (baked no doubt in the counter top toaster oven he swore by). We started hanging out a lot then as "neighbors." He introduced me to The Office and convinced me to watch some of the most random movies. John had an uncanny ability to talk me into watching these movies. He really enjoyed movies so naturally we got a long. At some point, we started getting into "movie and a message." A local group of men hold on once a month meeting to do this and we did do several in our singles group. I introduced him to Les Miserables and Stranger than Fiction and he introduced us to Gattaca. Some of my favorite conversations with John were about the redemptive qualities of movies. He was a story teller at heart. He always talked about "when I write a screenplay..."

While we lived at the Lofts, we spent countless nights talking about life along with my roommate Angela. She had a dog, Piper, and John was the only guy Piper didn't attack. We didn't always agree about the topic but it never held us back.

We also had great talks during bike rides. In 2007, we all bought bikes and started a long tradition of Peachtree City bike rides. We spent weekday evenings and Saturdays whenever we could bike riding. During my grad school days and John's unemployment, we made some weekday rides and talked about life. They continued bikes rides long after I had moved to Loganville in 2009. I think that is one thing he missed the most when his health kept him from riding.

London had a special place in John's heart. He first went there in 2006 with Southcrest Church and I had the privilege of going on his second trip the following Summer. I had spent a year of hearing stories of London and the work he was a part of there. It was a special glimpse into what John loved about working towards something. Something as simple as mixing paste to hang wallpaper became an opportunity to handle it with precision and care. Never felt inferior from him or the rest of the all male team because of my lack of skill. He would go on the next year he would return for six months and he would describe it as some of the most refining and encouraging days of his life.

So many other memories... Braves games, the 2007 new year's eve misadventure, House, karaoke, praying while I cried over a family member's poor choices, Zaxby's, Seinfeld, cigar smoking (he never did convince me to do it), celebrating birthdays... six years of memories... six years that changed my life.

I'll never forget where I was when I found out about his cancer... I woke up one morning and got onto facebook and saw this funny little black and white picture on John's page. I immediately called him and left a message (half ticked off cause I found out on facebook). He called me back and told me that he would be having surgery in a few days and that being a real-life House episode was not as fun as it seemed. The next two years he spent in treatment, we all got to see his unwavering faith in the Lord's plan for his life. I often stopped him from talking about his death because I didn't like to think about it. He had faith that no matter what happened, God's will would be done and he was OK with that. He's encouraged countless believers and wowed staunch atheist by his faith. I cherish the visits I had with him over the past two years: bringing him a huge sunshine balloon to the hospital and making him laugh, hours-long trips to Zaxby's, attending my graduation party on Mother's day, being my date to Ellis and Allie's wedding, stopping off in Augusta to have dinner with me on his way to the beach with his family, sending my mom with a goodie basket while I was in NOLA on a service trip.... these last few were the hardest - would leave his mom's house crying as I saw my friend change. I never doubted that my friend was still there... his ability to interact with us was declining. I am thankful for coworkers and friends who helped make these visits possible. I will cherish his final words with me forever.

Last night, I had the great privilege of holding John's hand hours before his earthly life ended. Earlier that day, his sister and mom read him a letter I wrote before my last visit. Some of this post I got to tell him through that letter. I held his hand and apologized for being too chicken to tell him those things myself. I thanked him for his friendship that has spilled over into so many areas of my life. Many of my friends who primarily knew him through my stories of John were praying. My younger brother will always remember his generosity and friendship to me.

I miss him already. I miss talking to him about stuff - movies, careers, family, friends, the Lord. I miss hearing him say "can't complain" when I ask him how he is doing. I miss him reminding me to seek the Lord and trust Him. I miss him razzing me for being "born to be a project manager." I miss him laughing when I remind him that I am a recovering feminist. I miss him rolling his eyes when I tell him to keep bringing "sexy back."

I miss him.

John Richard Tyler

April 4, 1975 - February 10, 2012

Though I wish my Blueberry or young cousins or no one would never have to experience this, I know life better... I hope that you take every opportunity to love others. There is a small voice in me telling me never to get this close to someone again. But that small voice is wrong. God is glorified by our choice to be in relationships. He is the one who take me and the countless others who loved John through this difficult time. This passage has been a source of comfort for me these past few months.

Psalms 73:23-26, 28

Nevertheless, I am continually with you;
you hold my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will receive me to glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
But for me it is good to be near God;
I have made the Lord GOD my refuge,
that I may tell of all your works.

If you would like to read about his two year journey with cancer, check out his blog http://jtsbrain.blogspot.com/