Saturday, January 20, 2007

Chattanooga, TN

In January, I again had the great opportunity to assist Libby with her new baby, Elizabeth. We had a wonderful time together. We spent the first two days in the hospital as Libby was recovering from surgery and then the remainder of the time look forward to opportunities to sleep! Libby is a natural mother and Jake is a great support as a husband. Stepping right in and not afraid to do anything. Even Berkley did well with baby Elizabeth!



















Thank you Libby and Jake for giving me with opportunity!

Good luck with your new opportunities in Utah! Maybe we can have a Sisters weekend in CA this summer!

Saturday, January 06, 2007

30 Things

Ok, I could not come up with 100, but here are 30 things about me ...

1. I am an independent person.
2. I enjoy my friends and getting together with people regularly, but I also enjoy my alone time.
3. I feel nothing comes before family.
4. I am comfortable with my religion. I know what I believe to be true and do not let things shake my faith.
5. I have a hard time with people who do not have their own opinion or insights.
6. I enjoy being around people who are uplifting and enjoy life.
7. I prefer people who think outside of the box
9. I like to be around those who will help me become a better person.
10. I am a very impatient driver, and I don't know why.
11. I like organization and am a very routine person. I do not do well in chaos.
12. I enjoy being creative and don't like to be narrowed in thought and ideas.
13. I enjoy discussing ideas with others and talking through the right course of action but do not like to be told "no" without understanding all the facts.
14. I like to appear as a strong person, but am sad that other's don't recognize it is possible for me to be weak.
15. I am a sensative person, but I try not get easily offended.
16. I am the oldest of a large family.
17. I find it easy to stand up in front of a group of people when training, facilitating, or teaching, but do not feel comfortable giving a talk.
18. I have a better self-esteem than when I was younger.
19. I don't feel that money, education or status make someone better than some else.
20. I find it funny that people I work with think I have an MBA.
21. I always feel I am not doing enough for others when I receive so much.
22. If someone has broken my trust, I too easily turn off all feelings for that person. I forgive but will not trust again.
23. My mother keeps our family together, one day that responsibility will fall on me and I fear that I will do it well.
24. I enjoy reading fictional books that provide an introspect on life.
25. If I say I am going to do something, 95% of the time, I will do it.
26. I recognize that I am a perfectly average person - average in school, average in sports, average in talents - and I am OK with that.
27. I love decorating and organizing.
29. I love my neices and nephews and wish I lived closer to them.
30. I am lucky and grateful to be married to a wonderful husband that always puts me first.

Tuesday, January 02, 2007

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

We had a wonderful Christmas holiday at with my parents and my brother's family in Boston. Unfortunately, Michael had strep with a double ear infection and I had an upper respiratory infection. Ugh. But by the time we got to Boston, we were both on antibiotics and on the road to recovery!

Beth and I continued our "training" in preparation for our half-marathon and for eating all the wonderful Christmas food, cookies and chocolate. The rest of the time was spent relaxing as we simply catching up and enjoying each other's company.

Bethany prepared a wonderful Christmas Eve dinner, the kids performed a puppet show of the meaning of Christmas (with Bethany narrating) and the kids received their traditional holiday pajamas. Watching the kids and the joy in their eyes both Christmas Eve and Christmas morning reminds you of what Christmas is all about. It has been several years since Mike and I have been with the kids for Christmas morning and it made all the difference.

Mike and I returned to Maryland, back to the grind stone. We really didn't have much planned for New Year's Eve. At the last minute, we were invited to a friend's party. We had a great time playing Pit and Pounce most of the evening. Even the kids (11 of them) stayed up with us to bring in the new year.

So, it's a new year. A time for fresh starts and new beginnings with new resolutions. A time to reflect on being kinder, more loving, more sharing, more caring, and to cut back on sweets!

Happy New Year to All!!!