5 Funny Years

Today is my beautiful niece Britony's 5th birthday. I am blessed to be her aunt and to have spent the past 5 years watching her grow. She's a joy to be around and a little girl full of spunk and energy. She's inquisitive, creative, and loving. I still remember standing in my dorm room my freshman year of college in complete shock as my sister told me over the phone that she was pregnant. I remember watching Britony waddle as she learned to walk. I remember our nonsensical babble conversations on the phone. I remember our first trip to Disney World and how enamored she was with it (and she still totally is!!!). I remember her hugging me at the Detroit airport and telling me she was just going to get in my suitcase to go back to Florida with me. I have so many great memories over the past year that include this amazing little girl. I can't wait to continue to see her grow and develop into a beautiful young girl.

Happy Birthday, Britony!!! I pray that you would grow in the love of Christ and know that you are forever loved.

Some pictures of my favorite 5 year old.

Goofing off on the front porch of Grandma and Grandpa's house.



Obviously I'm their favorite aunt, right? :)


She teaches me how to be gangsta.


Candy cane in the hair...oops! Grandma to the rescue!



Okay, everyone make normal faces. Yep. Just like that.


Ready for Safari.


Flying high in a balloon! She's a daredevil!

Conversations with my nieces

So if you haven't figured it out by now, I have two beautiful nieces whom I absolutely adore. I never thought being an aunt would be as much of a blessing as it is. I can honestly say it's been a complete joy to be able to spend the last 5 years watching them grow and learn. Right now I'm absolutely loving the silly, nonsensical conversations that I get to have with a 5 year old and 3 year old on the phone. Tonight, I called to talk to my sister as Britony's birthday is coming up and I needed to know what she wanted for her birthday. I called multiple times throughout the evening because I was out shopping and really wanted to get something. The third time I called, the phone was answered and I was expecting to hear my sister's voice, but instead I heard the tiny voice of the world's cutest 5 year old. This is basically how our conversation went:

B: Hello
Me: Hey! What are ya doing? (Sidenote: It's typically a bit difficult for me to tell B & K apart right away on the phone. After a few sentences I can usually tell who I'm talking to...)
B: Having my birthday party.
Me: But it's not your birthday.
B: Yes it is!
Me: No it's not.
B: How do you know?
Me: Because I know your birthday is next week and I was calling to see what I should get you for your birthday.
B: Awwww mannnn
Me: You thought you could lie to me, didn't you?
B: We're having a party tonight.
Me: What should I get you?
B: It could be a supwise (yes supwise, not surprise).
Me: So should I get you a can of worms?
B: Or a headband.
Me: Oh, I like headbands. What else?
B: Some clips.
Me: So you just want stuff for your hair? No toys or books? Are you going shopping for your birthday? (My sister had told me they were taking her clothes shopping for her birthday b/c yes, that's what this 5 year old wanted to do.)
B: We're getting our nails painted.
Me: Oooo! What color are you going to get yours painted?
B: Whatever color they have.
Me: Pink or black?
B: Pink. Okay love you bye. Mom says can you call her back later.
Me: Tell your mom to call me when she has time.
B: (to my sister) she said call her later when you have time. (to me) Kerigan wants to talk to you.

And this is where things get really interesting.....I couldn't understand most of what she was telling me. This is what I made of the conversation...

Me: Hi Kerigan!
K: Hi, do you have alligators?
Me: What?
K: Do you have alligators?
Me: Oh yes, there are still alligators here. Do you want me to catch one and send it to you?
K: They're in the water!!
Me: Yeah, I'll swim out and catch one.
K: Okay. But don't get bited.
Me: Oh yeah, that would hurt.
K: And there would be blood.
Me: haha yep.
K: We're having a party with cake and ice cream.
Me: Right now?
K: Well, when daddy gets home.
Me: Oh, can I have some cake?
K: Only if you come over?
Me: Right now?
K: Yep.
Me: How will I get there?
K: (mumbling so I couldn't understand much) take a plane and then a boat and then a cab and then you'll be here.
Me: oh, okay.
K: Where are you?
Me: I'm in Florida, where are you?
K: Are you at your house?
Me: Nope, I'm in my car. Are you at your house?
K: Yep.
Me: Did you get sissy something for her birthday?
K: Yep, but if she's not good then she doesn't get it. I got her something scary, but not too scary. But she has to be good. If you come over you can play with my toys.

She then proceeded to "show" me all of her toys except I don't think she realized that I couldn't actually see them over the phone. And once she gets going, there is no opportunity to stop her chatter, so basically for the next few minutes I just sat on the phone as she talked about all of her toys. Then she started singing Hannah Montana so we sang that together over the phone. After about 3 or 4 minutes of that she said "okay, love you, bye." Best part is, she didn't hang up the phone, but she also didn't give it back to my sister. So basically I could have stayed on the phone all night and listened to the party. I'm kinda wondering if the phone was left in the playroom for the rest of the night...So Keri, if you read this and you're missing your phone, it's probably in the play room next to all the toys Kerigan told me about.

So I suppose it isn't that funny to all who are reading, but on the phone it was hilarious. I love these little girls and cannot wait to see them in a little over a month!!

This is home

No matter how many miles separate me from this place or how long it's been since I've been here. It will always feel like I'm coming home.

This is home...

...where the corn grows high

...where the summer nights are cool

...where the grass is soft beneath my feet

...where the air smells sweet

...where the open roads invite me for a run

...where memories were made of

...preschool best friends

...middle school crushes

...high school loves

...athletic victories

...academic achievements

...musical engagements

...tree climbing adventures

...snowy playgrounds

...family bonding

...autumn time leave jumping

...spring time flower smelling

I'm thankful for the places God has taken me, but I'd be lying if I said that I don't miss this place. It's peacefulness is soothing and the memories fill my heart with warmth. I feel safe here knowing that I always have a place to call home.

And now I'm ready to rest my head as I listen to the rain pitter patter on the tin window awnings. A welcoming invitation back to distant memories and dreams of my childhood.

My princesses

My parents and nieces were in town for a long visit and I loved every minute. I may write more later, but for now, enjoy some of my favorite pictures from the week. I took some great video with my Dad's flip camera, but it's in Ohio and I'm here soooo you'll have to wait for that!
If they aren't the cutest kids you've ever seen, well then, we're gonna need to talk!


Hot and sweaty after spending the day at Magic Kingdom for Grandpa's birthday.


Check out our pretty nail polish and lip gloss. Aren't we gorgeous?


Took Britony on the 400 ft Characters in Flight tethered helium balloon at Downtown Disney. She loved it and wasn't even a little scared.


Ready for the safari!


Kerigan loves the carousel! Look at those bright blue eyes!



The performer at the Boardwalk jumped in our picture. The girls loved his show--he was balancing knives!!


Britony playing in the waves at Cocoa Beach. Her face is classic in this picture. Kerigan didn't so much enjoy the waves, but she loved building sand castles with me!!! I'm still getting sand out of my swimsuit!


Straight up thuggin'. I promise you this was her idea. She's 4. Coolest kid I know.

How Refreshing

I talked to my cousin and dear friend Meghan tonight after a record setting game of phone tag. It's so incredibly refreshing to talk to someone so close to my heart and catch up on life with her. She's getting married in August and I have the privilege of being in her wedding. I'm so so SO excited for her! I feel incredibly blessed to not only be her cousin but also her friend. It's been amazing to see her grow into a woman that truly loves Christ with all of her heart and desires to serve Him and live for Him in all that she does. She's been a testimony to me and I love hearing her input and advice on things. Tonight, she gave me her perspective on things that I've been working through in my own life and it was so refreshing to hear her advice. I'm anxious for August and spending time with family and celebrating. Life is sweet.

It's been a busy few days. Busy and chaotic. Pretty much what my life is made up of. Thanksgiving was good and I enjoyed spending the time with my parents and my friends. Very early Saturday morning my Grandma called to say that my Grandpa had passed away. He's been fighting cancer among many other illnesses for a long time now and I know that the pain was really wearing on him. My heart hurts for my Grandma...I cannot possibly imagine what the pain must be like to lose your husband. And my Grandma has had to endure this twice now (her first husband, my biological grandfather died before I was even born in a car accident. Ken, her second husband who just passed, was her high school sweetheart and they got married when I was probably 3 or 4 so he's basically always been my Grandpa). I don't think the reality of it all has really hit me yet. I've been trying to process it, but it's hard because nothing has changed in my life. It's not like I called him on a regular basis to talk to him, but I think it will hit me when I go home for Christmas. He won't be there during Christmas giving me a hard time, picking on me, asking me how things in Florida are going, etc. I think that may be when I realize it's real...he's gone. I'm so thankful that I was able to spend some time with my Grandma and Ken/Grandpa this past winter while they were here in Florida.

So if you think of it, please pray for my family. Especially my grandmother. I pray that she'll be strong and that she'll trust in the Lord to provide for her. I really admire her.

Family Time

13 hours until my parents arrive in Orlando. I've spent the last 5 hours (plus many hours over the past few days) cooking, cleaning, organizing, baking, etc. I'm so ready to have a home full of family (even if it is just my parents, I think I can consider that full!!). Our Christmas tree is already up and I have a fridge full of Thanksgiving goodness plus other dinner items prepared for the week. Even better, I have homemade candy buckeyes (if you don't know what these are, you are seriously missing out), chocolate covered pretzels, chex mix, pumpkin cheesecake, and banana bread. It will be absolutely marvelous. I'm excited to spend some time with my parents just relaxing, watching football, shopping on Black Friday, watching Christmas movies, preparing dinner, EATING!!, enjoying the beautiful weather, visiting the Disney Parks with all of their holiday glory, and just conversing. This time has been much much much needed.

Anyway...all that stands between me and a beautiful 4 day weekend is a 10 mile run in about 5 hours and a few hours of work!

Safe travels for everyone over this holiday weekend :)

It just never stops...

...my mind that is. So much constantly going on... Here are thoughts that are typically in constant rotation in my mind:

1. My current job. How can I improve the process on my project, better partnership with other areas, better the product, become more relevant to consumers, etc., etc., etc.

2. My future, careerwise. What can I do to improve skills? What skills do I still need to learn? Where do I want my career to go in the next year or two, in the next 5 years, in the next 10 years, etc., etc., etc.

3. Running. How do I make myself a better runner. What can I do to cut time, run longer, build strength, build endurance, etc. Is running something I really want to keep pursuing? Is my body really cut out to withstand the constant pounding on my knees, legs, and ankles? Should I take up a sport that's not as strenuous and demanding on my joints? (Do I sound old?)

4. Location, Ohio. I miss my family. I miss my friends. I miss Ohio. I miss all that's familiar.

5. Location, Florida. I love the life that God's given me here. I love my friends and I love the incredible experiences I've had here. What fantastic memories I've already created and yet to create.

6. Photography. I'm so excited to be doing something I love again. I can't wait to get my camera in my hands and keep creating.

7. Relationships, past and future. I don't even know where to start thinking about this. It's so weird how past relationships continue to affect me to do this day. I suppose that's true about any past experience--it molds you into who you are today. It's strange because I hear of so many of my close friends getting engaged and married and yet, I feel so young. Certainly, there are days when I think "Gosh, why can't I just meet the man of my dream, fall in love, and get married tomorrow?" But then I realize that I'm a mere 23 years old. I don't know what I want to do with the rest of my life let alone who I want to be with the rest of my life. The responsibility of taking care of myself seems overwhelming some days--how the heck am I supposed to take care of a husband and possibly kids someday (that's a whooooole different story. The idea of kids scares the CRAP out of me. Never been one of those girls who longs for children and dreams of being a mom. I want a family of my own someday, but it does certainly scare me). Anyhow, I think I'm getting to the point where I'm ready to "settle down" (sidenote, I hate that term...I want my life to constantly be an adventure regardless of marital status--I'll never be ready to settle down--better just find a guy who can keep up!! :) ). I digress--I'm getting to the point where I'm ready to make room in my life for somebody, but just not sure if I'm there yet. Lots of evaluating to do. So as you can see, this one takes up a LOT of my time...and is likely at the center of a ot of my prayers.

8. Music. As the Jonas brothers would say "it's in my soul." (Don't judge me for quoting them...thanks). I wish I could communicate with people through songs. I wish I could just use lyrics and music to express the way I feel. Or maybe I should make this more general--art. I love the way art express emotions. Give me a day full of music and photography and you've just made me the happiest girl on earth. The emotion created between the two...love it.

9. Social Injustice. I know, heavy topic--likely one that will garner it's on post in upcoming days. But it's on my mind a lot. Why is there poverty? Why is there crime? Why is there abuse? Why are there homeless? Why are there orphans? How do we break the cycle? How do we help? What would Jesus do? What is our responsibilities as Christ followers? Where do you even begin to start? How do you make it seem less overwhelming so you can find a place to start? What makes me any more deserving of a nice home, a nice car, etc. than anyone else? Can we really blame this on a "luck of the draw"? Because I was born into a certain social class then I don't have to worry about others?--That's one question I know the answer to--absolutely not! Anyhow. You can see this weighs heavy on both my heart and mind...constantly.

10. Church, religion, theology. Am I where God wants me to be? Am I doing what God wants me to do? Am I honoring him in all I do? Waht can I do to further Christ's kingdom? How can I become more involved in the church with my already crazy schedule? Am I at the right church? Where are can my spiritual gifts best be utilized? Heck. What are my spiritual gifts? Why do we fight about religion? Why are countries and cultures torn apart over it? Is our world in a moral decline or becoming more aware of Christ's call and Christ's desire for us?

11. Politics. I hate them. I hate what they do to a nation. I hate how they pull us apart. I hate how they pit people against each other. I hate the put labels on things. I hate it all. Can't we just make wise decisions. Can't we just love people? Ugh...I just hate politics. I have no desire to vote, but I know I need to. But I hate it all...hate it.

12. Traveling/Adventure. I wish I could spend my life traveling and discovering the world. I feel like God's created the Earth for us to enjoy and I want to see every inch of his creation. I want to capture the memories with my camera...I want to see it all....someday, someday.

Okay, there's so much more, but as you can see, my mind never ever ever stops. Ridiculousness. But right now what's on my mind? OHIO...3 days until I peace out!

Happy Mother's Day

I have a great mom. In all honesty, it's sometimes hard to be so far away from her. In the past year we've had very little one-on-one time. Growing up, even through college, we regularly had time for just the two of us. Whether it was just an afternoon together or a whole weekend or week together, I got my fill of mom-time whenever I needed it. Living several states away has made it very difficult to get that fill now. Sure, I get to see her a lot, but usually it's with several other people in tow. I was lucky to get to spend a weekend with her in November and we had a great time. Now I'm just waiting until I get Mom and Kristi time again.

Anyways, here are some pics of me and my mom from the last several years.

Last Cross Country meet Senior Year November 2006

Summer 2007 at Easton in Columbus

In Thailand December 2005 (Apparently it was windy)

Disney November 2007 (GO BUCKEYES!)

Disney November 2007 with our favorite monster

Atlanta Braves Spring Training game at DWWS March 2007

Spring Break (Mom's...I don't get a Spring Break anymore....)

March 2007

January 2007 in Winter Park, FL

Mom's Spring Break again

March 2007 at the Polynesian

I love you mom! Happy Mother's Day :)