5 on Friday

I' m going to be brief today, well because I have barely had a second to myself, spent my whole week  feeling like I was spinning my wheels, and my throat hurts. So before this lil night night pill take effect, I give you my 5 on Friday.

1. SPRING - As in finally arrived in Texas! It was indeed almost 90 here yesterday! YAHOO

2. I see this every morning on my lovely 5 minute commute. But sometimes I just wish I could drive right up that ramp and let that tow-truck  man take me to work. Random party of 1 I know.

3. Sophie's anniversary of becoming a part of the family! Yup, my little snuggle bug has been with me for a year!

4. Fort Worth Food & Wine Festival - Le guy and I are heading out to one of the event's tomorrow. Its called Burgers, Brews & Blues. Let's just say he is excited for the brew and me the burgers....

5. Bagels. I have a problem. I like them. And they are just so easy and scrumptious and on my way to work. I like them all (ok so I may not like the one with cheese on it) But its not the best way to start my am, ya know all those carbs.... but man so good, so easy, so warm and toasty covered in smear.... Yeah, its just perfect.

Happy Weekend ya'll!

Eye Roll and OMG I'm that person

So last night our little city group had a get together with another group. We were uber excited and planned picnic theme. In other words, we had a ton of hot dogs we needed to unload and it was easy for a bring whatever the heck you can for dinner kind of theme. But, I digress.

So, not sure what happened to our lil group, but they were rather MIA, darn it when life gets in the way, but it was good for those of us who were there to branch out and meet new people. The other group brought a TON of people and... kids. Yes, kids.

No biggie, except our group, well all our kids are either of the four-legged variety, in-vitro or under the age 2. We are not used to mini-people running around. It was a tad overwhelming to some of us at first. They run, jump, squeal, etc... I'm all for kids, but when you're suddenly inundated with them all at once and in various stages of activity, it can be a tad disturbing.

Now, the pups seems to be in heaven. They jumped, ran, slid, bombarded just as the kids did. However, I suddenly became that person. I was appalled at myself. It was right there as I finally grabbed a  plate and began to go through the food line. See, we waited. We let the other group and kids go first. So, as I wandered over to the chicken, it was gone. Yup, gone. Nar a chicken tender in sight. And then it happened, I rolled my eyes and opened my mouth and said it. I blamed the kids. I was that person. That person who is not understanding of kids who grab more than they can actually eat and live off of chicken tenders. I gulped. Oh no! When did I become that person?

As I sat down to eat, I did it again! I saw them running in and out of the back doors and with feet on furniture and thought, someone tell them to stop! Gulp!

When I got home, I laid down in bed and had a talk with myself. It went like this: Self, when did we get so... old.... when did we get so grumpy.... when did we get so judgy? Self, we are awful!

It was in that moment that I realized that its so easy to become complacent in your chapter of life.Its so easy for our group the become overwhelmed because we don't experience it everyday. We are good with the baby thing, the dog thing, but the kid thing? Wow, we were humbled. These kids were not rude, they did not willingly cause malicious acts, they were just being kids. They were polite, they cleaned their plates and simply did not notice the door needed a lil extra umph to close it. I was so quick to judge.

But, its understandable. I am not around it everyday. And so I apologized for my actions and judgment and then realized it was also ok for me to and the others to be overwhelmed. We all had a lesson in life. Everyone learned that our church and the world is different for everyone. Someday I will have those kids and want others to understand, and those who have kids I am sure long for the days of being kidless every once in a while and envy my current life.

But, all-in-all it made me realize how easy I am to judge and complacent I have become in my stage of life. So, thank you God for showing me grace and teaching me a lesson. I am blessed to have my life, but even more blessed to see God at work in people of all ages and stages of life. And... I am so not ready for anything over the age of umm 2, right now! Good thing they don't come out at teenagers!

Dogs, babies & Jesus

If ever there was slogan for my life or that of my friends' lives, this would be it. Dogs,  babies and Jesus! This also easily describes that last year or so of my life.

DOGS:
Yes, one year ago today I brought this sweet baby home.

She turned Chloe and my life upside down, inside-out and every which way from Sunday. Sophie is the complete opposite of Chloe. She is wild, needy, whiny, throws tantrums, and wants your constant attention.

Chloe is sweet, loving, calm (for the most part), does her own thing, etc... you get the point. BUT.... They are inseparable. Chloe has loved having a built-in playmate and best friend. They run and jump and play and get into adventurous situations. They are my puppy-girls, and my first babies.

BABIES

My friends and co-workers are popping these things out like waffles from a toaster! From my bf lawyer at my office, to our paralegal, from two girls in my city group, including my incredible bestie K (who might be the cutest preggo ever!). Add in several sorority sisters, including my little, my first friend at TCU, who just had twins! Its the year of the baby!

JESUS

We laughed about this at city group, but its so true for me. I have spent the last year + finding myself again. I went from wife to single woman. I went from doubter to believer. I went from living in darkness to stepping into light and seeing and speaking truth. I have embarked upon the greatest journey of life, and its the most fulfilling of them all. I have found that life is messy, and dirty and dark. Humans hide in the darkness by pretending it doesn't exist or by justifying it. We are all guilty of this. I am guilty of this. But what this year and what I have learned is that He gave up His only son so that we could live in the light. He knows we will struggle, but His grace is infinite and loving. I have learned that we are not meant to do this journey alone. Life is meant to be lived in community with others who love us, disciple us, and lead us into the light. So, yes, this has been the year of Jesus.

Three words to sum it all up: Dogs.Babies.Jesus.

Chocolate Makes it Better

Yeah, so sorry I was MIA yesterday. I just had no desire, energy or time to blog. I would say it was because I had a fabu weekend, but alas I mostly did some of this.

As did the pups. I was just exhausted, so I slept. And then I felt like poo Sunday, so I slept some more. I did what I like to call championship sleeping. I think I probably slept at least 10 hours each day.

I did have some fun. Friday was gorgeous here in Texas. So, we headed to a local joint called the Bearded Lady and had some grub and someone had some beer.

Saturday, post sleep-session, there was a dinner trip to Kona Grill, where someone had some sushi.

Sunday, post sleep-session, someone made me Dijon-pesto salmon.

As for the rest of the weekend and my life? I am mourning Duke's loss and the bust of my bracket, but oh well cause who saw Mercer coming?

 And, I was so excited because my iHome died. Ok, so that is not what got me excited. I have been working musicless for about 3 weeks. 3 long, quiet weeks. So, I finally invested in bluetooth speaker. Meet Mini Jawbox. Isn't she cute? And there is dead iHome. Notice she thinks its 6:35am? Yeah its not. And she is perpetually stuck in some Tejano station, so alas, my Jambox rocks! I have my Kiss FM in the morning and my tunes all day via my ipod or phone!

Well, I know its not exciting, but its me. Up this week, more MSJ drafting and mediation prep. Oh, and Spring may creep its pretty little head in here.

5 on Friday

It's Friday! Its supposed to be 80 here today and well this week managed to turn out alright! Like...

1. March Madness - This is the first year in forever I am not a basketball widow. Yup! Nope man has deserted me for Vegas to watch copious hours of basketball in a smoky casino sports book with his BFF. Nope, I filled out my bracket, by myself, (not that Ohio St. or Cincinnati did me much help) and I don't plan on watching one solitary moment of basketball!

2. I came home to these babies on my doorstep! Made my little heart so happy. What is better than flowers? Flowers from one of your BOFF!

 3. Lattes, when I can make them from the comfort of the Keurig in our office kitchen.... I love the Gevalia mocha lattes!

ignore that my mousepad is nasty we had a coffee incident

4. SPRING! As in its finally looking like its lovely face will stay for more than 24 hours! Rain, shine, as long as its above 32!

5. Food! Yup, its amazing. This is perhaps the first time since hmm 2006 that I have just not worried so much about food. Yes, I watch what I eat, and only indulge when it matters, but I do not count every calorie, look at every fat gram, weigh myself 3-4 times a day, and oh I eat! Like 6 times a day. Its freeing to not see food as the enemy anymore! I let myself splurge every once and while, don't shame run 4 miles when I eat bread or dessert.... Who knew life could be so good and I would actually look better than I did 10 pounds ago!

Hello Spring

Yup, today is the first day of Spring and the International Day of Happiness. I know that many of you have not seen or felt a sign of spring, but I shall send some your way if I can! For us Texans, well spring is normally a short-lived season in which we see er, perhaps a month of nice, manageable temperatures before summer hits and then the other season known as extreme-summer. But today, I shall celebrate spring!

Its also, the day of happiness. I know its been rather grim around these parts so today I promise to share some happiness in my life. First of all, in less than a month this lady is getting married! Oh and did I mention that I will be there?!? Yup, flight booked, hotel booked, bags, well not packed, but ready!! And... on top of that, I get to finally meet this lady too! I mean, how lucky and happy can one girl be to get to spend a weekend with two of her BOFF (best online friend forever)!!

You know what else makes me happy? The fact that at city group last night, the ladies managed to devour the entire bowl of fruit and the chocolate cake... by ourselves, sorry guys! And that we unofficially decided our tagline should  be Dogs, Babies & Jesus! (T-shirt coming soon). And that any night with the ladies of this group, and the men, just puts a smile on my face!

You know what else makes me happy? That I ate a lot yesterday and didn't care. Yup, cereal, fish sandwich and sweet potato fries, pizza, fruit, salad, quac, chocolate cake, golden Oreos..... yup... and no shame people, no shame!

And you know what else makes me happy? This guy (man he puts up with a lot):

These girls:

this guy who forces me to be stronger & faster and eat more protein (and listens to me whine):

single man ladies!

and this verse:

What makes you happy?

My Lately

I feel like I have nothing profound to say, no diabolical plans, no huge news, just life. However, I have recently decided that ya know 9:45 p.m. is the time to release all emotional crap I have been hanging onto for the month, week, day, minute. Yup, lately about 9:45 p.m. as I lay my sweet head onto my pillow and tuck my babies in to bed I just cry. I cry because I'm tired. I cry because I'm stressed. I cry because I'm overwhelmed with house, work, life, dogs! I cry because I am laying alone and the house makes creepy noises and I am too chicken-butt to do much, and come on if someone really broke in I would: a) hear the door; b) the dogs would go crazy; and c) I could be doomed anyway because my windows are painted shut!

Lately, all I want is a bagel and cream cheese for breakfast. Yup, you heard it, that is all that sounds remotely good to me, but lordy, we all know that won;t do a thing for the crying other than  make it worse cause now I'm sporting a bagel around my midsection. But I let myself have one every other day now and then.

Lately, I have wanted to just escape. I want to be in a different time zone, setting, state of mind. I want to go to a zen place. A place where there is nothing to do but think about my next meal.

Lately, I have missed the cascade of flowers that used to adorn my windowsill at work. Ya know  back when men sent me flowers for just about any reason if they thought it would get my attention. I admit I don;t want the hoard of men, just the pretty petals that brightened my day.

Lately, I have been a less than stellar puppy mom.I get home and feed them, but I have little desire to play tug-o-war or pet them endlessly while watching TV. Nope, I just want them to play nice and then sleep so mommy can rest.

Lately, I have been easily annoyed by anyone and anything. Let's call it perpetual PMS. Its been harder to bite my tongue and easier to roll my eyes. I know, I know... I need to keep it in check.

Lately, I have been dying for sun on my face and a tan on my shoulders.

How have you been lately?