(A weekly round up. Each week I am going to “wrangle” my life's happenings into a post filled with pictures, lists & general tidbits about the past 7 days.)
What a glorious 2 weeks it has been :) Mays are always chock-full of good stuff for our family, leaving us, on June 1, exhausted but filled joy; reminiscing on the beautiful memories we were privileged to be a part of.We're in the midst of a mid-week lull, right about at the point where we are able to take a step back from the beautiful chaos and realize how tired we actually are. But even in the midst of the rush, the stress, the giving 100% and then giving 100% above & beyond... we are writing our stories. The memories that we are going to look back on in 60 years and sigh, "Oh, those were the sweet days..."
Some sweetness:
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Last Friday my heart swelled to 3x its normal size with pride. My baby sister Laurie graduated from Nursing School.
I had been excited for the 'big day' all week, but the emotions didn't really hit me until I was seated in the arena surrounded by my relatives, and 'Pomp & Circumstance' started playing. I turned to Jon with a lump in my throat & whispered, "I can't believe she's graduating all ready." It's the end of an era for sure. Now there is absolutely no pretending & no looking back. We're adults now. It's the end of an era.
But it's only the beginning of so much good that is to come.
Friday was such a blessing for me, not only to be able to witness Laurie taking a huge step in her life; but also to celebrate with my relatives. We're a pretty spread out bunch (OH, VA, NY), so we don't get to see each other nearly as much as we would like. It was a wonderful day (Heidi, we missed you bunches ... you were in our thoughts & hearts!)
Laurie & her boyfriend, Nick. Seriously, how cute are they?!
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It was also fun on Friday to return to the college campus where I spent 4.5 years of my life. I took pictures with shameless abandon, as I am no longer a student there and am allowed to "play tourist".
Here are some highlights:
Towers Hall
tour group
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About 2x a year, a couple from my work brings in and slices a whole pineapple for us to enjoy. Heaven is taking a huge bite of fresh pineapple & having the sweet juice run down your chin. YUM does not even begin to describe it.
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It's been kind of a busy & stressful
Tonight's labor of love: Veggie tacos (a la Jenna, of Eat, Live, Run)!
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I am also very thankful this week for my early morning devotion time.
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This may be the happiest corner of my kitchen: it houses the coffee pot (my lifeblood, heh) and pictures of these sweet babies. I cannot resist smiling when I am standing here.
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Do you see what I see?! Yesterday the sunny temperatures exceeded what was predicted! Way to overachieve, Ohio! Weather gods, I humbly thank you for hearing my plea...
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On Sunday, we celebrated our mothers.
Mommy & Amy, circa 1992
A special moment with my mother on my wedding day.
To my mother, who gave me curly hair, a profound love of reading, a firm foundation of love and taught me the beauty of independence; I thank you. I don't know how I got so lucky to get you, but I am forever grateful that I did.
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And on Monday, we celebrated Jon's 27th birthday with Chinese take-out & video games.
Here's to another year of joy, for the man who can always make me laugh.
Jon & Laurie's friend Josh, holding bags while the 'paparazzi' clicked cameras last Friday.
Your Turn: How's your week going? Have you ever had freshly cut pineapple?
