Team Schuurman: Our Beloved Gunshow

     This past weekend was our beloved gun show. We got there just before 4pm Friday afternoon and enjoyed showing off my new figure, uh, I mean our son. You see, last year, I was 48 ½ weeks pregnant and it was exactly 2 weeks later that I had Marcus. So needless to say, I was LARGE last year and I’m minus a belly, but have a beautiful child this year! We didn’t stay long because we were going over to my cousin Shad’s house for supper.
     Shad is a cousin I haven’t gotten to know until just the past few months, but what a blessing he and his wife, Lauri, already are to Mark and I. They have 8 incredible children (4 girls, then 4 boys), they home school, and live out their love for the Lord! When we pulled up to their home, we saw a large garden, a big chicken coup and pen, and tons of land for children to play in. When we arrived, the children warmed right up to us as if they’d known us the whole time. The children played together while Lauri finished everything & Marcus acted like he owned the place. We had beef roast from a cow that they raised themselves, a salad from their garden, corn from Shad’s mom’s garden, and LOBSTER TAIL that Shad’s brother Brett caught in the Florida Keys. He was still there on vacation, but had dry iced and shipped them to Shad and family.   It was uh-maze-ing! Lauri was quite the cook!
     When supper was over, we really enjoyed visiting with them. Their home was beautiful and filled with love. I admired the pictures of their family on the walls and especially loved the scripture that was everywhere. It was on pillows, on cabinet doors, everywhere. We loved it. After finishing the evening off with ice cream and good-byes, we left for Dugspur and headed to dad’s house.
     By this time, it was 9:30 and we thought Marcus would just go straight to bed, but he woke up from the car ride and EXPLORED! He was climbing up and down the stairs, picking up anything his little hands could touch, and he especially loved the bear at the top of the stairs. We finally got him to bed after 10, but he slept late the next morning.
     When Saturday arrived, we did our normal morning routine then headed to the gun show. We spent the whole day there, seeking out good deals, listening to Uncle David’s, “wisdom,” and just relaxing under the canopy. Mark and TJ got their yearly supply of razors for a fraction of the drugstore price, Granddad bought Marcus 2 camo shirts (since he let Marcus soak his own shirt with a water bottle…), and Aunt Liv bought Marcus a $7 portable high chair – STEAL OF A DEAL! We ended the day sharing a few large pizzas and Marcus ate nearly an entire piece! Mark cut it up for him and he gobbled it all down! As many people say to me (almost weekly), he doesn’t miss many meals.
     The next morning Dad & Sonya left early to work the gun show, and our trio went to church with TJ & Olivia. It was great! Marcus didn’t cry in the nursery and we learned lots from their preacher, who did the most thorough of jobs teaching/preaching from Colossians 1:1-2. After church we headed over to mom’s house. We met her and John for lunch, which he had cooked. We had a great time eating with them and then just visiting for a little bit. While we were there, Olivia changed Marcus’ poopy diaper, but not without plastic gloves. It was hysterical!
     Finally, before heading back to Asheville, we visited my sweet Papa. He turned 90 years old this past Monday and his health is going south quickly, but during our visit, he was precious. I’m not sure he knew who we were, but he was polite and loving, especially to Marcus. When Marcus was holding onto the furniture and walking around him, he stepped on Papa’s foot. Papa pretended to cry and Marcus just looked up at him, then at me like, “is he serious?” It was a good time.
     We had a TON to do over the weekend, and enjoyed every second of it. It was fun, relaxing, and memory-filled. Only 51 more weeks until next year’s show!