My Beautiful Day

So here's my question: why is that, when you call someone, they will answer the phone even when they have only a minute (or even a few seconds) to talk? Isn't that what voicemail is for? The reason I ask that is because three very important people in my life have done this to me already this morning, and by the third, I was feeling a bit frustrated! There are people who can do this and I completely understand and have no problem with it - like my brother, Tory. He and I rarely are on the phone with each other, so if one of us is calling, it's usually because it's important. He can pick up the phone and say "hey, I only have a few minutes" and I'll get right to the point and it's all good. It's when I'm calling people that I talk to regularly (and by regularly, I mean at least three or four times per week!) that I get frustrated that they insist on picking up the phone when they don't have time to talk. Now, put the shoe on the other...

I used to always believe that I was going to absolutely LOVE living in my own home, love the peace and quiet, love my own space. Don't get me wrong, I truthfully do love my home and wouldn't want to give it up for almost anything ... but the one thing that I've noticed resounds throughout the house is silence...... I miss the LOUD !!

I love that today is Friday! I'm working only a half day today, then I'm meeting my mom and my sister at my townhouse and we're going to go crazy - shopping and decorating and deciding on paint colors. Eventually, it will be a warm, cozy place to be. Now it's just a cozy place to be with WHITE WALLS EVERYWHERE! So they're helping me to remedy that problem. Don't get me wrong, I can likely do it myself, but why would I choose to do that when I have two immediate relatives who have degrees in interior redesign?!?! :) So that is my tonight. Tomorrow is the best, though .. I get to take my niece and nephew, Lexie and Zachary, for the day and I am sooooo excited! It has been really weird coming home to an empty house, as opposed to when I used to live with them and came home to them eating dinner. The second I would walk through the door they would both yell, "Auntie Kami!!" and come give hugs and kisses, as if I hadn't just seen them that morni...

I've been thinking a lot lately about some cherished memories I have in my life, and realizing the significance of each of those events in shaping me for the future. One such memory is my youth group's many missions trips to downtown Chicago. On one particular trip, we spent our free day at Six Flags. I remember sitting at the top of the Giant Drop (much like the Power Tower at Valleyfair), just waiting to plummet to the Earth, and singing out (along with my friends, Michelle and Marie), "Be bold! Be strong! For the Lord thy God is with you. I am not afraid, NO NO NO! I am not dismayed, uh uh. I'm walkin' in faith and victory, come on and walk in faith and victory, for the Lord thy God is with you!" And with that, the ride would fall to the ground and we would scream every second of the fall! It's moments like that that make me realize just how much my family shaped and impacted my faith, how much of a huge role my youth group played in solidifyin...

Well, I can finally say that most of my transitions are over! What an amazing feeling that is! Now it's just a matter of bringing more order and organization to my life, but that will come in time. Where to begin? How about I back up to last month. One of the best blessings I had last month was to get to see my best friend, Michelle! Monte and I drove to Forest City, Iowa and met up with her and Ethan (her husband) for a day of food and mini golf (a typical combination for Michelle and me!), and it was so wonderful! She's in her last month of pregnancy, so it was fun to see her with that big belly (because pictures truthfully do not do justice!). Unfortunately, our time together felt all too short, but was still completely worth every moment of the drive there! Shortly after our mini-trip to Iowa, I got to go to Colorado for five days of relaxation! We spent most of the trip in Breckenridge, and about two days in Vail. We hiked, shopped, (the girls) had a spa day, wen...