West Virginia

At the end of August, we all headed out to West Virginia for a family friend's wedding (very brotherly to me and my brothers). It was awesome to be with the entire Marsteller family and their extended family.

This is a family we share a lot of childhood memories with. We would head down to San Diego every summer and spent the week swimming in their pool and playing together. 3 kids in their family, 3 kids in ours. We always had the best time.

One of my favorite things about the weekend was having all of our kids play together and seeing that they were EXACTLY us growing up when we got together. No tattling. No whining. Lots of laughing. Lots of running. They only came to us when they needed food or something to drink or permission to do something. We would see them in flashes running by every now and then. It was really very cool.

West Virgina is beautiful. I have never been there before and I loved walking around the West Virginia college campus. It was the first week of school, so the place was bustling. Brian and Katie and both professors at the school, so the ceremony was in the church on campus.

We had a wonderful time. Josh stayed an extra day with my family to head to Baltimore see the Orioles play. The kids and I had to get back for school. They are good flyers/travelers.

Cheers to the Marstellers! Can't wait for our next reunion.

P!NK

She was unbelievable. The woman is strong. The woman is talented. The woman is fun.

Not all of her songs show it, but her voice is really gorgeous. Had a blast with a few of my closets gals. I had tickets with KC, Kim, and Joy but had fun meeting up with other ladies that were there. What a night!

Perspective

Every time I go long periods without writing any entries, I always wonder what I should post first. Should I just pick up where we left off and share events and stories? Should I write about what's been on my mind the most?
Yes, I will go with that.

I do feel like as I get older I do get wiser. I do not think I am necessarily a wise person, but as I learn certain lessons, they tend to stick and cause a shift in my life for the better. I feel I live graciously and gratefully (for the most part). I feel I am caring and empathetic (for the most part). I feel like I practice what I preach (for the most part).

I have so much to learn and gain, but feel I am always getting better. With that said, there are definitely times that I start to slip from grace. My foot has met the banana peel of old habits and there are times when I stumble. The transition from summer life to work life is always one of those times. Some years it lasts for a fleeting moment. Some times longer.

I know that I have not been at the top of my game lately and have found myself checking in with friends after an encounter where perhaps I was insensitive or just plain bratty. I never really realize that I'm sliding down until I just know that I'm not my best. These are never major dips but things like, " I wish I had_____ (you fill in the blank)." Instead of, "I am so grateful to have_____." The moment I say the words "I am so grateful to have..." I am able to snap myself back from any degree of pity party.

The last few weeks I have had some blasting reminders of just how blessed I am.

We did some home visits to a few at risk students.
Seeing how some of them live= blasting reminder. 
Hearing that a good friend of my friend is losing her battle with cancer and has three small children= blasting reminder. 
Going to a memorial for a childhood friend's mother who left too soon= blasting reminder.

I know how good I have it. Even when it's not at the forefront of my mind, it is embedded in my soul. I am ashamed and embarrassed when I say things that do not reflect my gratitude. We are all human and all need to vent and get things off our chests. I do get that. I always want to do that without diminishing all of the blessings that are my life.

Everything that is truly important to me is in place at this moment. In this moment I have a clear perspective. The signs are clear when I slip and need reminders.

Always learning, always growing.