28

Since everyone knows how much I like to milk my birthday for all it's worth, you'll be happy to know that I have successfully had 5 separate times to celebrate. The first was with mom and dad after church on Sunday. They took me out for sushi and then to see Mama Mia, and gave me my presents - much needed bath towels and storage baskets. Thanks!

I woke up on the 22nd determined not to be depressed about turning 28 years old. As daunting as that is, and with 30 looming two years out, my immediate reaction is to freak out! I got to read all the great birthday blogs - Thanks everyone!

At work the gang threw a little party for me with Red Velvet Cake and everything (not as good as Ma's though)! I got some sweet cards and gifts and about 30 co-workers came over to the Sales Office to help me celebrate. They are really only there for the cake, but that's okay :)

After work I met up with Shara at the beach. She just got back from Belize, so I got to hear all about her amazing and challenging mission trip. I'm so thrilled that she is being provided with so much opportunity to go minister outside of the country. God is really using her and changing her in so many wonderful ways. I didn't think there was any way he could improve upon my very best friend Shara. But he has taken everything beautiful about her character and heart and deepened it, adding a whole new dimension. I'm so proud of her and so thankful to have such an amazing friend! She had a stack of perfectly wrapped packages for me, and as always, they were filled with special little gifts that have "Chesed" written all over them. I am blessed!

Then I went to Off 98 that night to celebrate the 2 year Birthday of the group and to give Matt Walker (it's at his house) a proper send off as he moves to Memphis to start a new chapter. Attendance was up and the teaching was very relevant to everything going on right now in my life. My birthday was also celebrated, which was a surprise...

Last night for my other young adults' group in Grayton Beach, I showed up and they had a banner and gifts and ice cream cake for me, which was another great surprise! I got flowers, cards, and a pearl bracelet from Rendezvous in Seaside (I've wanted one for a while now)! We roasted hot dogs and went over to the huge pool at Sactuary at Red Fish to swim and sit in the hot tub. Though it was a late night, I was so thankful that I'm blessed with tons of people who care about me and wanted to do something to make me feel special!

28 is going to be a good year for me! I've decided!

Famous Frauds

Funny story: Last Saturday was a dreary day, so I slept in (9:00) then rode my bike into Seaside to grab a cup-o-joe at my favorite place, Amavida. From there I went to this little book/music store Sundog, selected a few magazine's, and curled up with my latte in one of the reading nooks for about an hour while it rained outside. One of the magazines I picked up was Emerald Coast Brides, thinking "I bet I'll know somebody in here." I came to an article about choosing the right photographer for your engagement pics. I started reading it. When I turned the page I saw my own face smiling back at me, along with Chad's. There was the picture of us right in the middle of a collage of random engagement photos of happy REAL couples! I laughed out loud and someone else in the book store looked over curiously. Immediately I called Chad and he was shocked that they would publish that picture without speaking with us first, but still he thought it was pretty funny. He called Ryan and pretended that I was really mad about it. So, on Sunday when I saw him at church he covered his face with his hands and apologized profusely. I quickly let him know that I think it's hilarious!
So this weekend, not a whole lot is going on. I'm going to see Fuddy Meers, a play at the Seaside Repertory Theater and checking out England night at Redfish Village. Last night I played tennis with Brooke, Matt, Jimmy and Chad and I must say, I'm not so great anymore. I need alot of practice!!! Chad thinks he's Rafael Nadal, of course. My goad this weekend is huge - To Get a Tan! I'm so pasty white from the rainy weekends!

Deep Creek

Home from Deep Creek and I'm missing the mountain air already! Even with those really cold nights in the tent, I love the weather in the Smokey Mountains. Even though we missed Ma & Papa it was a nice time with the family. The babies were a little bit of a challenge to keep up with, but I think that they all had a large time!

Mountain top on the Nolan Divide Trail

Mario tried out the tube and loved it!

Summer, Me and Karin at Indian Falls

Riding in the Ducky was a nice change on the rafting trip. Luke let me slack off a little bit too.

All the hikers. We thought it was important to have a recent picture of us all together so that if we went missing or got attacked by bears, they would have a photo of us for the paper.

Good times



Thanks Ma & Papa for the jackets! We wore them every night :)

Now I'm back at work and in my own bed! As much as I love it there, I'm content where I am and looking forward to the rest of the summer in Florida.

Aunt Chesed's House

I may or may not have had a successful night Friday babysitting all 6 of the Kelley kids. I can proudly announce that they are all still living and breathing, which I consider to be a huge accomplishment. The evening started out pretty great. They were having a large time in the pool and the cold hot tub, playing Marco Polo and having splash contests. Madison was content to explore the pool deck and sit in my lap a bit. Brady was "pushing" the older kids into the deep end, and no one was crying. "This isn't so bad," I thought to myself.

With McKinley's help I got everyone changed into dry clothes, diapers, and pull-ups before corralling them into my tiny living room. Everyone got a glass (no, I don't have any plastic cups) of either water, cranberry juice, or gatorade and they had chips and salsa (not spicy) to snack on until I had their lasagna heated up.

The question was asked, "Where are we going to sit?" In hindsight, I should have let them eat on the porch. Note to self. Instead they sat at the table and on the kitchen floor. Let me tell you, those kids can eat. I think they all wanted seconds and even Sunny ate as much as I would. Granted, half of that ended up on my floor, but she ate alot of that too. Good thing I swept before they came over.

For dessert they had sugar-free peanut butter wafers - Go Aunt Chesed!

High School Musical was on the Disney Channel, so they were mostly entertained for about an hour. Mauri was doing her part to annoy McKinley, and Brady and Sunny were a little restless, but not fussy. I did have to put Brady in Time-Out in my room for afew minutes for biting Marui Hannah (yes, she cried). Eventually he was willing to say he was sorry and was allowed to come back out. Still, I felt that things were going well.

Once the show was over, I pulled out the icing on the cake - Sparklers!!! All was well until still-glowing sparkler wires found a foot and then a finger and another finger and foot. Copious Screaming commenced. Tears poured as Mauri and Brady cradled their burned appendages. I do not have a working icemaker, so we pulled out the frozen berries and greenbeans. "It Burns!!!" "Ow Ow It's too Cold!!!" "OOOOOOOOoh it Burns!" For the next 20 minutes I did what I could to console them.

Needless to say, I was greately relieved when I saw Tony peeking into my window on his way up the stairs. The kids were thrilled to see their parents. Brady practically begged to get in the car and GO HOME! I think he needed to know that he was going to get leave my house.

The funny thing is that Sunday I had the wonderful discovery that I was Brady's new favorite. Hmmm.... I guess I did something right!

South Beach

The Delano Hotel pictures

I want to get married here!!!

Aqua - the Spa @ the Delano

Next to the Pool @ the Delano

They had all these whimsical little seating areas in the orchard near the pool
The Orchard
One of the Dinner Cabanas
Cabanas that Jenifer Aniston and John Mayer stayed in

Hotel Lobby
Lobby
Lobby Bar
Outside dining area
Fabulous infinity pool

I've got pictures now of our trip to Miami! It really was great to get away and clear my head with the company of these two amazing ladies, Kelly and Summer. Even though it was a 9 hour drive, it didn't seem that long because of all the wonderful conversation. It was definately a bonding experience for the three of us. Kelly got a perfect report from her doctor (that's the original reason for the trip) so that was very good news. We're already looking forward to our next trip down in December!

Summer, Kelly & I in Coconut Grove

Me, Robert, & Summer at the Delano, the most magical place in Florida. I'm getting engaged or married there!

On the bed next to the pool at the Delano

Lovely Ladies

South Beach

The Mall

On the drive down we saw the Shuttle Launch and this amazing rainbow! I've never seen anything like it. You could actually see the end of the rainbow in front of the trees! It felt like we drove right into it.

Road Trip

So, I've decided to run away this weekend. I'm going to Miami. I'll be leaving tomorrow morning and driving down with two of my girlfriends, Kelly & Summer. Kelly has a doctor's appointment there and wants some company so we're roadtripping down and coming back on Monday night. This is just what I need right now! I'm going to just enjoy time with my girls and relax, shop, eat, and recharge (by sleeping during the drive). Don't worry; we will be safe & smart. Kelly's boyfriend Warren felt much better knowing that I was tagging along since that meant there would be three of us instead of just two. I'll post pics when I get back...

Fish

The fishing trip on Sunday was so much fun! I think I found a new hobby that could very well rival Triathlon training - We'll just call it "Crosstraining"... Judah put us on all the good spots and made it a really great trip. Summer and Melanie were tearing it up, catching fish after fish after fish. You should have seen the envy and confusion in the eyes of the other fisherpeople. I'm already planning my next trip out and plotting who the lucky people will be who get to come with. Mahi Mahi was my favorite to fish for - they are so fun to watch just under the surface and you can see right when you hook them.

Other news: Robert and I are OVER - no turning back, no more chances, just over. I'm pretty relieved and realize that God just provided a huge door for me to get out of the situation and all of my silly excuses. I have a problem with seeing so much potential in people that I never really give them the chance or challenge them to reach it and I treat them as though they already have. I wish him the best but have no desire to communicate with him going forward.