Airports...

Airports. Growing up I love, love, loved airports. We didn't fly too often when I was a kid - but when we did, I used to love to sit and watch everyone walking by my gate and make up fabulous stories about where they were going, who they were with, and why they were traveling. I was even exactly right with my crazy stories a couple of times.

I love the energy of airports, so many people excited to get to where their going, sprinting to reach a late connection, or simply enjoying a good conversation waiting for the plane to arrive at the gate.

To me they are a symbol of hope and opportunity, and unknown.

Today - the unknown was not the exciting unknown you hope for. I have been now sitting in the Asheville Regional Airport since 1:30, a good 3 hours waiting for a plane to replace our original that had mechanical errors. It's been a long two days of business travel and meetings - and by this time, I just want to be home!

However, all this sitting also gives me time to think. When listening to the chatter around me, some of it really funny, some sad, and some just really stupid - it makes you think. Listening to the woman next to me who lost her son in April, to the women behind me complaining about the size of their bags for their golf clubs, to the woman speaking loudly on the phone to an elderly mother, it's a good time to think about life.

Hearing the thoughts of others can often provide perspective into our own lives and hearts. Today, those around me in North Carolina have reminded me that I am so blessed to have a grounded home life, a fabulous husband who is so loving and understanding, a great little pup, beautiful home, and so many amazing friends and family.

So thank you airport delay for the little dose of perspective on this Tuesday afternoon.

Taking Care of The Heart

The title of this post is the name of a new blog one of my wonderful friends recently started. I wanted to write this because her blog has really inspired me and made me think a lot, about a lot of things, over the past few days.

Let me start by telling you about my dear friend - which may help set up why her blog has been so impactful in my life. Erica was a year older than me in high school - and my saving grace as I tried to make it through my awkward teen years at Roncalli with out embarrassing myself too much. She was like the older sister I never had in a lot of ways, always full of amazing advice, encouragement and support. I would absolutely not have become the person I am without her in my life.

Every time I think of Erica, I am filled with warmth and love. The memories I have of the times we spent together always make me smile. Once we got into college, and even beyond, we still had the occasional 2 hour long phone chat - just to catch up. I found myself calling her when I knew I needed honest and truthful advice.

I always admired her happy personality, kindness to everyone around her, and her undying faith. She is a fabulous example of the way one should live, love and enjoy life. Not to say that she, like everyone else, has not had their share of heartbreaks and sorrows but she handles them with a calm and faithful grace that I have never seen in anyone else.

Now, since our wedding (and an extended period of time before) I have not talked too much with Erica and have ocassionally found myself missing the great conversations we used to have.

So, when I saw she had started a blog - I was really excited to have a way to keep up with her regularly - but when I started reading it, I realized I had found so much more.

Her insightful and honest posts on life, friendship, love and religion have really touched my heart over the past few weeks. Her words have challenged me to consider what is really important in my life - both in who I am to myself, and who I am to those around me. I look forward to reading the little glimpses of life, love and God that she so eloquently writes about.

Her most recent post included comments about how she felt that in her life she was not always giving enough to her friends, so I wanted this and share that whether she knows it or not, she is still giving me that amazing advice and inspiring me to become better than I am - and more of who I should be.

Check out her blog - it's really wonderful: http://takingcareoftheheart.blogspot.com/

:)

Life at 6919

So I had this idea to do a photo album and blog post about life at 6919 (our address...obviously :) And post fun pictures of our family, house, food, friends, and everything that makes our lives so great.

This is mostly a reminder to myself to do that. Be looking for that in the days to come! :)

Thankful

So - I have not been doing very well at #76 on my list of 101 things. Record what I'm thankful for monthly. Since I haven't done this since July, I figured I would just do a Summer wrap up post and with the rest of the things I am thankful for from the summer of 2010.

1. Dexter (most of the time :). He helps me be more patient and is the sweetest little guy.
2. 2 more beautiful weddings for one of my friends and my sister in law.
3. My life finally slowing down a little bit!
4. Finishing my first CASA visit.
5. Trip to Chicago with great friends.
6. Trip to Ohio with my friends of 20 years. Not too many people can say that at the age of 26.
7. Great 26th birthday party for Dave.
8. Great friends.
9. Fall weather and apple cider :)
10. Sunsets.
11. Nice neighbors.
12. Good weather for Bags 2 Riches.
13. My new window office!
14. Interns.
15. Planners (like the kind you write in :)
16. My trip to Asheville for our work photo shoot.
17. Family.
18. Evan finally deciding what he wants to do with his life!
19. Lifetime warranties on foundation work.
20. Vacation days!

Finally Photos!

So, about a month ago, I promised photo proof of several of my 101 things that I have completed. What a great plan right? This would not only provide proof I was getting something done, but also give me some more photography practice.

However, this plan was thwarted when our trusty digital camera I gave Dave our first Christmas together (almost 4 years ago now)completely stopped working. Awesome.

But, because life has a way of working things out, we now have a new, better than ever camera. I bought my little brother's super nice Cannon camera as he upgraded to one that takes HD video, for much cheaper than a brand new nice camera. So finally, here is some photo proof.

More, and hopefully even better photos to come soon :)

Nothing else to call this but...update :)

As the title of this post says, there really is no other way to describe what I am about to write - except as an update. Not a boring one though - SO many exciting things have been going on lately!

1. Pup - is officially named Dexter. Our lovable little guy has gotten bigger over the past two weeks! We're still definitely working on the potty training side of things, but he has gotten much better on that, and is getting into more of a routine with sleeping etc.

He is hard work - but brings so much joy, and I think, Dave and I closer.

2. CASA - I just finished my volunteer training for CASA yesterday. I LOVED every minute of it. Our trainer was absolutely fabulous, and everything we talked about really appealed to the psych side of my brain, which has not been used in a while! Not to mention my heart, because how can the issues some of these kids have not affect you? I have my first case - a little guy taken away from his home because of parent's drug use. I am really looking forward to meeting him and his parents.

Even though I am so excited about it, I had my first bout of nervousness yesterday, about the commitment and time this will take, and doubting my ability to get it done. But, like they say, anything we do for these kids, is that much more than they would be receiving without us! Again, here comes the being brave.

3. Life - is crazy busy still, but punctuated with some nice moments of quiet. The past two weekends we have had time at home to ourselves, to talk, watch a good movie, nap, clean or play with the pup. I have really really enjoyed the time to just stop - and enjoy the moment.

I am also making progress on some of my 101 things, travel wall, book reading, flowers, labeling etc. I even think I may make some updates to my list. Some of them are things I thought I should include, but are not really challenging me like they should and are a little redundant (I mean - I had had a few cocktails at the time).

So stay tuned for some more updates on life, love and happiness :)

Pup!

We got a new addition to our little family last night, a 7 week old golden-retriever lab mix, yet to be named (lots of options, just not one perfect name yet!).

He is VERY cute and lovable, I hope his snuggly personality stays! He is in some ways everything we said we didn't want. He'll probably be kind of big, probably shed more than we like, he's part lab (I'm anti-lab), and we didn't get him on the ideal Saturday stroll through the pet store.

However, I think that could be great for us. He was a compromise, some what spur of the moment and will probably be a challenge (at least more than a 5 lb yorki-poo). Raising him will be an awesome thing for us to do together, and maybe a little lesson that there is no real perfect, but you love what you have, and embrace the choices you make. Be they in the perfect fashion or not :)