The week

I’ve been in Charlotte this past week helping my leetle seester Caiti. The poor girl is terribly sick with her third pregnancy. Seriously, the girl is miserable. She’s got a condition that maybe 5-10% of all pregnant women get called Hyperemesis. Check it out here.

I’ve had a good time hanging out with my nephews. The first day I was here we went to see “Oceans” at the movie theater. Man, was it amazing! It was especially funny to hear Ryan saying “Awesome!” and Gavin make a comment or ask a question about possibly everything. I simply answered, “I don’t know”. For the most part, I haven’t been a visitor, but a normal part of every day life, which is what I like. My day consists of getting the boys up for school, dressing them, feeding them, and taking them to school. Bad news – they get up at 6 am!! It’s true. School starts at 7:30! Can you even believe it?! It works well for Gavin, since he is a morning person. However, Ryan isn’t such a fan. He’s moo-dy in the morning. However, once that subsides, he’s quite a pleasant little 6 year old.

They are funny boys, for the most part. Gavin is a wiz at everything and comes up with some really surprising facts and big words. My favorite phrase of the day was this – “Auntie, there is a multitude of children on the bus. It’s a fiasco debaucle!”. Turns out these were his words of the week in his FIRST grade class! Ryan has been picking up on some of these words from Gavin and particulary likes to use the word loathe and incessantly. I am amazed at how totally different these boys are from one another. Gavin’s favorite subjects are Math & Science, while Ryan loves Reading and is quite an actor.

I love these boys. I can’t believe they’ve grown up so fast! Soon they’ll be in San Antonio, and in a few months they’ll have a brother or sister to take care of and watch grow. I can hardly wait to see their excitement at welcoming a new member of their family!

North Carolina is, in my opinion, the Garden of Eden. I’d love to come back and live here at some point. Everything is so lush and green. Ahhh, I must come back soon.

Well, I'll be home soon, so I must get out and enjoy this amazing 75 degree weather. Ciao!

The trip

Cruising, kayaking, snorkeling, para-sailing, body surfing, too-much-food eating, sun-burn getting, tacos al pastor consuming, motion sickness feeling, relaxation spending... and there you have it!

It was a fabulous time. I hope to do another cruise in the near futuro.

Vicki and I pointing out our lovely sunburns on the first day. Remind me to apply sun screen next time.
At dinner on 'formal night' with Vicki and Jen.
Painful, very painful.
El Arco de Cabo San Lucas with Katy and Dave.
So, this was the moment swear words were coming out of my mouth. The moment the wind changed and I almost had a water landing. Bad, very bad.
El Arco 'n me.
Yogurt cones a-plenty. I enjoyed these at least a few times a day. Who cares that I gained 5 pounds?! Seriously.
This was what the ship photographer called a 'group hug'.

Baby, let's cruise...

Snorkeling, kayaking, and beach sitting in Cabo San Lucas.
Lots of chillin' on this thang.

Good times will be had - oh yes, they will. Saturday can't come soon enough!

Thoughts and value.

Funny, you'd think that being semi-employed right now I wouldn't be so busy, right? Wrong-o. Life has kept me busy as of late, and I'm thankful. I definitely enjoyed my first month of unemployment doing whatever I wanted anytime I wanted, but sometime after I lost a sense of value. Work gave me a sense of value of sorts - at least when I was busy in my job. I realize that I'm a person that enjoys some down time, but I also want to be of use. I want to matter, and I also want to progress. You know what I mean?

About a month ago, my old friend from H.S. and Chick-fil-A days called and said her husband was running for the 2nd district congressional seat. They were looking for someone to coordinate their meetings, etc. and asked if I'd be interested in the job. As one who had a few interviews with no results, and was online looking for jobs hours on end, my interest was peaked. I was immediately put to work and became busy doing work I had done the last few years at my previous job. It was familiar and comfortable, with some differences. For one thing, I had never been involved in anything political, but was intrigued and excited to learn more. In the past month I have met many new and interesting people - even the governor and a well known senator (one not so popular at the moment). It's funny how we get thrown into things sometimes, never realizing how much we'll actually enjoy it. I feel I am progressing, and I feel that my work has value.
Oh, and if you live in the 2nd congressional district, please consider Neil Walter. Check him out at neilwalterforcongress.com

When I'm not working on the campaign, I try to do other things that matter. Kids matter to me, and I've had some good times hanging out with my nephews that I love dearly. Also, my friend Karen has four adorable girls that I've had the chance to babysit from time to time. Karen was my neighbor for years growing up, and we've always been great friends. Her girls have become like nieces to me and have helped me feel value in my life as well. Having the trust of a child is a precious thing, and I'm grateful when I've been lucky enough to earn it.


7 month old Taya. She's a doll with beautiful blue eyes and olive skin.

Three year old Ember is hilarious. She's very independent and wants to do everything herself, but she's quick to give love, and she frequently tells me that she (without being able to say her r's) really, really, really loves me. Ah, melts my heart.

Triathlon training is here again. It's only three weeks away, and I feel ill-prepared. I've been concentrating more on running than anything else, and I'm nervous. Ahhhh. Oh well, I'll keep going!

Lastly, many already know of my struggles to finish my bachelor's degree. It's true, I'm 34 and still haven't finished. I have been one class away for many years, and the details of this trial in my life has been harder than many of you know. Well folks, I may actually have my degree by the end of Summer. The reality of it is still sinking in for me, but I can't begin to tell you how thankful I am. All of the feelings of inadequacy, failure, and frustration are coming to an end. I have no idea what I'll do with the degree, but finishing is the key here!

Overall, life is good. I have a lot to be thankful for, and especially thankful that in this time of unemployment I can still be of value in the small details.

The end.