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Ranger Time Baby!

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What Happens When You Marry A Frenchman, Vol. 6

To read all of Brandi's "What Happens When You Marry A Frenchman posts click here.

There has been a highlight of my summer for at least the last six years since my sister became involved with the likes of one Christopher Hebert. You see, as part of her indoctrination, initiation, and hazing process of becoming a real bloodline Hebert she has been put to a test that rivals the Princess and the Pea in the form of a deep sea Gulf fishing trip off the coast of Grande Isle, LA (A.K.A. the end of the earth).

For several years she was the only girl on the trip other than Mama Nancy with three crazy Hebert boys and one even crazier Hebert Big Daddy Didier. I always look forward to the pictures and stories Ava tells when she returns from the Grande Voyage and I have seen how her perspective has changed through the years, growing from a timid (if ever she could have been called that) young girlfriend, to the veteran wife as younger brothers bring along new fresh meat to see if they can stand up to the Hebert traditions.

I love the story Ava tells about how Mama Nancy always wants to take her to the Grande Isle butterfly museum while the boys fish and most years there is only one butterfly there. This year they went back together for old times' sake, just the two ladies bearing the Hebert names, and they were both delighted to find that there were two butterflies in the museum--that is until Mama Nancy inadvertently let one escape when she stepped out to go to the restroom. Barnacles!

Big Daddy Didi has rented the same cabin for more than 15 years, but the clan has outgrown the 2 bedroom camp with all of the potential Hebert girlfriends, so this year Ava got to move on up to the local motel, as she should, being six months prego with the first Hebert grandchild. Two beds, four walls, and a bar of soap are yours for the low price of 100 bucks, but better hold on to your towel because the housekeeper only shows up once a week.

Nevertheless, once the boys start bringing the Gulf fish in to Mama, it is worth it all. We love when Chris (JJ) and Ava come over with an ice-chest filled with red snapper. He's been cooking it since he was tall enough to drink a beer. It is a real treat.

So not only does today mark another edition of "What Happens When You Marry a Frenchman", today marks the third year since my little sister was officially welcomed into Team Hebert in a beautiful chapel in Bunkie, LA followed by a honeymoon that did not include the traditional Hebert stop in Grande Isle. By next year at this time, Baby Hebert will have made his or her first trek to the coast with Papa Didi. Life is good.

There's Just Something About Mary

This weekend at the Lakeway Resort our need for an extended check out led to an unusual turn of events. I listened to my husband's half of the conversation and it became clear that something was happening. I wasn't sure what, but later I discovered the conversation went a little something like this:

Bob: Hello, we'd like to get an extended check out.

Operator: Yes sir. You live in Highland Village?

Bob: I do. (Wondering what that had to do with anything).

Operator: I lived in Highland Village once.

Bob: Really? Where?

When the operator whom we later found out was named Mary told my husband the name of her former address his eyes opened wide with disbelief for the address she named was our very own.

Her husband built our sun deck with his own hands. Her son, now a Pastor in Kansas and graduate of Southwestern (SWBTS) like my husband, grew up in my son's room.

Once Bob related to me what was unfolding, I chatted with Mary on the phone some as we caught up about neighbors she knew. We later walked over and met her and now have a new friend in Austin.

She asked if we liked our home and I told her that we loved it. I told her the story of how I fell in love with it instantly. After walking into the doorway for the first time, my exact words were, "I love it!" as I looked over and saw the library/office with it's ornate archways and bookshelves. I told her that it was still a home filled with love and with the Word of God and shared with Mary all the updates we have done.

After hugs, we parted ways and promised to keep in touch. It was an extra special end to our lakeside retreat.

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