Cheers!!

I have to wish my beautiful neice a happy 2nd birthday!

Uncle Dave & I are looking forward to your big birthday bash next Sunday! We can't believe what a big girl you are! We love you Kadence!!!!




And happy 1 yr anniversary to my brother-in-law Mark & his beautiful wife Kacey! Yesterday was 1 year for them, and we hope it is the first of many, many to come!

Angels

An angel in the book of life

wrote down our babies births

and whispered as she closed the book

"Too beautiful for Earth"

Anonymous

TGIF

I'm so glad it's Friday! I can't wait to sleep in tomorrow (at least past 5:30 AM). It's been a very hectic week at work. My manager was in from Austin with the rest of my team members from other parts of the country. It was an intense week mentally, and physically demanding as well. I was up at 5:30 AM every day and working until 7PM, then out to dinner with the group. I'd get home at 10 PM and crash into bed, only to sleep for what felt like minutes before waking up to do it again.

On a positive note, my mid-year review was exceptional! My manager told me that I exceeded all his expectations, and he's entrusted me with some new challenging but potentially very rewarding tasks. My Oracle project is going okay (the training I conducted M & F was well received) except I found out that I have to work the weekend before we "go live" - so Sat & Sun Aug 11 & 12 - (sigh) But I won't think of that now.

Plans for this weekend:

• clean the house (which I didn't have the energy to do last weekend)
• run errands (dry cleaning, tanning, Hallmark, post office, etc)
• jog at North Park
• Take Lois to birthday dinner at Cheesecake Factory
• Investigate tattoo places for my tattoo
• figure out when I am going to get my tattoo!
• Deliver new laptop to my mom
• Call over-due friends to catch up (sorry!!)
• Spend quality time with Dave (who I feel like I haven't seen all week)
• Did I mention sleep in???

Something is telling me there aren't enough hours in this weekend! Hope you are all well !!

P.S. Please keep a family member (name withheld in case she isn't comfortable sharing) in your prayers as she suffered a miscarriage this week at 12 weeks. My heart breaks for her, as I too well know her pain. I know her angel is in heaven playing with both of mine.

What every weekend should be like...

It's Sunday night, and I'm thinking back as to what a great weekend it's been. I wish every weekend could be like this! Friday I snuck out of work early (as I've been putting a lot of time in after hours at home and working through lunch, so that is allowed right??). I went to my brother & Kelly's house to quickly visit, and then came home and finished the dining room by hanging curtains. Attached is a picture; we're thrilled with the outcome! We still need to make the window seat under the window as well as refinish the floors, but in time...



Saturday I did some retail therapy and spent some time relaxing. Then we had our monthly dinner gathering with friends. The weather was perfect, the BBQ and fixings were tasty, and the company was outstanding. And I got to fulfill my selfish desire to see my newest "niece" Carli - and oh my! What an angel!!!! She is so beautiful (looks just like her mommy!!) and so peaceful. And I got to see my "nephew" Hunter who is 9 months now (where does the time go?!?!) who is just so much fun and is crawling and walking behind his toys!!! He has these beautiful blue eyes, and this big grin when he smiles for the camera! And Angie's Joshua is just as handsome as I remember - what joy to have a house full of babies! It is always wonderful to see my girlfriends and their men too - that goes without saying.







Today after church, I got my hair colored (which was much needed - it was too blond!) and later on we met my mom, David & Kelly and the kids and Kelly's parents for dinner at the Waterfront for my mom's 56'th Birthday this coming Wednesday. It was wonderful - I so enjoy being surrounded by my loved ones. I just wish every weekend could be like this. There is a song out now called "Little Wonders" by Rob Thomas which I love, but the words are just as powerful. Part of the song says:


Our lives are made in these small hours
These little wonders, these twists and turns of fate
Time falls away, but these small hours , these small hours still remain.




In happy moments like this weekend, I feel like those small hours make my life truly special. Wishing everyone a great week ahead, and sending you love and blessings.