Good things

Hi there!

For some reason it feels like it's been a long time since I posted, then I checked today and it's really only been two weeks. Which as the non-committal blogger I am, isn't really all that long of a break. This last month has gone by fast but has also been extremely packed thanks to some big news - I got a new job! To say I'm excited would be an understatement...as most of you all know the desire for a new job has been great and has been a long-time coming. So between wrapping up my old job as best as I possibly could and making one last trip to California, it's been a crazy time over here.

But...here I am with a whole week off before I start the new job, just in time for our Anniversary (#4!), and will be on vacation with Ty starting tomorrow. We're vacationing at a little B&B that's actually a working ranch right outside of Round Top, Texas so we can spend a few days at the semi-annual antique fair that's in town. Seriously, the Round Top Antique show is amazing. We went one day last year but definitely needed a full weekend, so I can't wait to really see everything. I'll be sure to do a full recap when we're back - they have another show in the fall and hopefully it will entice a few of you to come out and join me???

So the new job - I'm guessing you want details? I start April 4th as the Chief Development Officer for the Arbor School in Houston which is a private school that provides education and therapy to children with special needs. I really can't even begin to tell you how excited I am about the work they're doing - the stories and breakthroughs they're having with these kids are just incredible! The school recently brought on a very well known name in the child development/education world (Dr. Charles Meisgeier), and they have plans for a state-of-the-art campus to be built...it will be my job to see that we build up the school's brand, influence, reach (and budget!) both nationally and locally to make sure we see that campus built so we can offer education to more students, plus a whole slew of other things...there's lots of work in my future, but I'm really excited for the challenge of it all!

Okay, so that's the scoop! This is a long post sans pictures so I hope you'll forgive me, I promise to make up for it when we return from vacation:) Talk to you all in a few weeks!

The Silver Bullet

Margot is like this ALL.THE.TIME. Really. From sun up, to sun down - the girl is nuts. And SO stubborn. She is most definitely our alpha-dog. It's a big joke in our family now, because when Ty brought her home he said he picked her because she was "so calm." The breeders had obviously given the girl some puppy downers, because within two days of her being home, she was in full force.

We now call her the Silver Bullet and Raleigh has earned the nickname of the Golden Ghost...MAJOR points go to anyone who knows where we got that one from;)

P.S. This is really a dumb video but makes me laugh every time I watch it, oh and also please ignore my troll feet. Also that's me at the very end responding to Ty as to why I was laughing upstairs by myself:)

Ramblings on a spring afternoon

Today is the kind of day where it feels so good it feels like a drug…or at least what I imagine a drug that makes you feel good would feel like? The goodness literally feels like it’s running through my veins.

It’s blue, verdant, and looks like it’s all just about to burst. From the azaleas all in bloom to the trees that are showing off their greens after sleeping all winter long, it’s like one big breath of fresh air.

And it makes you feel oh-so-good. Like right down to the tippy toes. It’s all I can do to not just sit outside all.day.long.

It’s so weird, when I was pregnant I was overcome with this feeling of a desire and want for spring. I craved it. It was literally all I could think about in moments alone – and I kept trying to constantly remind myself to be happy and present – but it just wouldn’t happen. And I thought, you know…spring would be when we would be making the big announcement to friends and extended family, I would be showing, etc…so maybe that’s why I had this yearning for the coming season.

But I realize now, that God was doing something in my heart, and was preparing me for a new season – albeit just not one that I had pictured in my head. All along He knew spring would bring an overwhelming sense of happiness and renewal.  He has quieted my heart in a way that I never thought possible…and as most of you know, a quiet-anything is not very “me.” I’m more the kick-and-stomp-and-yell sort. Add to that combo a heart and mind led to easily to question and doubt, and well, I think you’ve got me figured out.

But oh, I’m learning. SO MUCH. SO-SO-SO-MUCH. This new season is so beautiful, gracious, and I feel like there’s nothing left for me to do but to sit, be silent, and enjoy. There are great things ahead.

The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.  ~ Exodus 14:14

Excited...

Did you hear the news? Ralph Macchio is set to appear on Dancing with the Stars?!?! Now I have never really been a fan of the show - but this...this is something my inner six year old can get behind! Karate Kid was one of my very favorites when I was young - as a six year old growing up in Okinawa, Mr. Miyagi held a special place in my heart;) Naturally...right?

Oh...Hi, there...do you like my headband?

I also credit the movie with introducing me to my other love - Peter Cetera. They better have dear ol'Ralph do a number to "Glory of Love" - and that's all I have to say about that!