Gracie. 7.28.11

Gracie has a small surgery scheduled for tomorrow to remove a tumor on her paw. She has been the most low maintenance dog and quite healthy for 8 years- so while I've been assured that everything will be fine- it doesn't mean that my heart aches less. To compensate for my anxiety- she instinctively has become my shadow. And follows me everywhere in the house.

UPDATE: she's doing well, recovering and has a red bandage on her paw. We find out Monday(ish) the results concerning the mass removed. She is still my shadow. I can't move from one room the next without her. In light of the week, I welcome it!

july 28

-a dance party- clubbing night out. that was absolutely ridiculous. a JJ themed/planned out: dangerous. "sweat those curls out." hysterically laughing.

-"pickle is a great name." (pickle?) "Yeah"- you just love pickles right now.

-it's not even sliced cheese, its chunked ham.

-"What are you going to do for your birthday?"

Krystal heard, "become a prostitute."

-Pretty Little Liars. "You feel like you are girl number 5"

-"Yes Dad, I was there. Yes, the whole time. The whole two weeks."

- Kids we are going to lunch and taking one for the team. Let's do this.

-Watching Krystal and Kristyn laughing- so hard and so often. Hanging out and palling around- their adventures to Kenny's with Dad.

-Matty Bday. Melting Pot. The Incredible Machine.

-Plans fitting together into all the right places.

-Taking naps in the middle of the afternoon.

-Favorite quote from The Village:

"She is led by love. The world moves for love. It kneels before it in awe."

-Sometimes confused by the way of forgiveness and reconciliation.

Radio:

-Turning Circles (random shuffle)

-Higher Window

-Fix You. Three times? Argh.

dream: ash ham

She's graced this blog a few times already, and I love to hear about what folks are learning in the craziness of the Young Life camping season. Ashley, thanks for being a faithful contributor! And keep focused on the Lord- for He knows your heart, desires, dreams, and hopes! He IS always Faithful. Always.

Kari!

Well, as you know, Property folks don't really get a summer vaca, but this summer I'm learning to trust the Lord to give me the desires of my heart (Psalm 37:4). It's really hard. I want to be back east, but trying to wait til the Lord tells me to go & love Or as much as I can in the meantime. Praying for your adventures!

Ash Ham

virginia.

1. A Jack sighting.

2. A confirmed move in date. Ahh. North Carolina: 3 weeks.

3. Moulin Rouge texts/FB banter. Sister sing-a-longs.

4. Joyful Spirit- all the time.

5. Packing "begins" though really- it just resumes.

6. done with dB. No regrets. My party is tonight. Dinner and dancing + Red Lipstick

7. One thousand pairs of shoes.

8. Gracie & the chicken

9. "You've been funny"

10. Thoughtful email responses.

11. Journey Continue.

-k

Winston-Salem

1. brew nerds and kernal kustard. winner!

2. downtown restaurant and night life scene.

3. Foothill Brewery

4. Old Salem: photo opportunities

5. Laughing w/ Danielle about life/work/travel. Instantly loved her.

6. Close to Mtns/Beach & Lexington

7. Casey @ the Welcome Center.

8. Instantly at ease. No traffic. Everything near by. Felt like it was right.

9. Content. Excited. Go Time.

10. So funny how the Lord weaves everything back together again. So thankful.

correspondence card: mandy

so far... favorite postcard received. I loved everything about it.

From front:

Dear Friend,

How are you? I am flying high, missing you.

Wish I had you, more sleep, more money, more time, some kisses ;o).

Doing lots of work, petting.

Hope you have behaved yourself.

Things are fine, tough.

Will be gone awhile longer, thinking of you, going to bed.

I have seen the mountains, lots of good-looking me.

Yours, 'till the cows come home.

Name, Mandy

From back:

Need I say more?

Love

mands

finished.

I felt like this yesterday @ 5pm. Like I won a prize. Really- I just completed a mission. Celebrated a well executed and hard fought experience with dB. Highlights include;

1. meeting JJ. Kaitlan. Lean. Cindy-Lou. Lauren.

2. Emily. My favorite bride ever.

3. "I just want to tackle your ass." --JJ

4. Shoe dye room conversations. The best.

5. Hiding in alterations. Monpila & Krispy Kreme

6. Jan's arm tattoo? The full sleeve. "See eye to eye."

7. Sangria Saturdays. Alexis. Emotional Tampon.

8. Whitney. The fear. Confidence in Christ. One night. Safety. Truly a changing experience.

9. Bands. Upright Laughter.

10. Starbucks daily.

11. Curry Chicken Salad

12. Deciding and knowing it was time.

13. Free dessert!!

14. Dancing before meetings.

15. Cora: "You were honest. Straight forward."

16. Endless laughter @ csr desk

17. Kaitlan, Sunday conversations.

18. "Inner Circle" lunches

19. Finishing with excellence. Proud!

multnomah falls: 7.17.11

1. Bfast with Matty. I love him. A lot. "So-Thanksgiving in Winston-Salem?" Yes. He knows my heart well. V-wraps will be made!

2. Fast job offers, praying through what is Best. Not First. Growing moment. It's so weird, but so good!

3. Day alone with Krystal. All I remember is laughing- and not even what was so funny. Not seeing HP- but going to the movies and snacks.

4. Gracie misses Bruce. I tell her, so do I.

5. I miss the River. I went, read, and swam quietly last week and it was perfect and incredibly needed.

6. The moon. So beautiful. I always am taken back by it on a clear summer night.

7. Beyonce #3. One statement. True. Matt knowing me well- figured first 4 would stick. Hah!

-K

july 11, two thousand and eleven

1) a day @ the salon with the girls. happy hour @ abuelos. dinner with jj

2) 60 minutes of hot stone massage goodness. take me back there. now.

3) a call within 30 minutes of dropping off the envelope to erin.

4) losing track of days a little bit.

5) I think Kaitlan will be one very missed part about dB. Some of our conversations were just prized.

6) Text messages with Mark about "that song". Hysterical. He understands scandal.

7) Wanted to throw a hissy fit at the changed Sheridan menu. Seriously.

8) So far behind in the 1/2 training. A daily guilt trip. Proud of Emily!!

9) A year since the madness of Mystic. That's hard.

10) Incredible enthused responses to Richmond. Go Time.

11) I love my brother. Quite possibly my favorite person ever.ever.ever.

Martin's General Store: Sandy

Kari-

Just had yummy breakfast at this cute little country store. We are taking in as much as we can on our last day here. Kids are at the lake swimming and Mom and I are chatting. Warm, perfect summer day! Wishing you all the best! If no one has told you yet today that they love you- we do!

Sandy

ps. The kids went fishing, they all caught fish, Renee caught about 15!! ;o)

St. Agatha, Maine: Sandy

Sandy sent two.

She gets two gold stars.

She first made it onto the blog here: Love.

Now to the latest contributions from her family vacation, that I wish more then anything I could have gone on. Especially because I have been CRAVING Maine Lobster for like 2 months now! ha! Thanks Sandy for loving me so well and so much!

KARI!

Finally a moment to write! We are enjoying a lovely week w/family and friends in my home town. I thought you would appreciate a picture of "my" lake in little St. Agatha. We've had time to relax, enjoy fresh Maine air and have quality time and many hugs and kisses! We've diligently visited all of the local eating places we love and had HUGE lobsters last night for dinner. We're headed south to Ct this weekend. I hope you are relishing every minute you have this summer- I know you love it! Missing you from far away!

Hugs and Love-

xxoo Sandy

ps. I forgot how much I love falling asleep to the sound of the loons!

dave's clock: july.7.2011

1. sometimes life is just plain old confusing. true story.

2. "shut the front door. shut the back door. shut the garage door."

3. cars 2: the best digital short ever- toy story. yes!!

4. a blast from the past.

5. Winston-Salem, NC?

6. Notice. the relief.

7. Sister. Laughter.

8. Beyonce 4. Only get to song 4 and go back to one.

9. text messages. trouble. yes. you.

10. vanilla ice cream cones?

11. desiring more time to lay in hammock. read. just be. the pace right now is just unreal.

12. really happy car is back... still.

13. lake house gets its own p.card

14. let go. finally.

15. lots of change. thankful for new adventures and leaps of faith. its never like how you think.

16. it just continues. time.

-kari

june 2011.

june 2011

1. my car is back. finally. thankful for Brian and the discount-- the return of XM radio!

2. mandy's vist.

a. alejandro's- no to the last basket.

b. cloudy day? no river? double feature @ the movies. winner.

c. waffle house meltdown. always crying @ the waho. ;) 8 song selection. laura bell bundy reaction.

d. charlottesville. melting pot. pink nails. flirty eyelashes.

e. perfect. too short.

3. k arrived saturday. full house. happy heart.

3. so much going on. overwhelmed. but taking each decision 1 step @ a time.

-me

Notre Dame: June 2009

I have always said that every picture tells a story. This one captures a whole day without words. This Frenchman spoke to me while I sat in front of the Norte Dame writing postcards. I spoke English. He French. Sometimes he would tie together broken vocabulary to help me learn his native tongue. We shared about 90 minutes together. He toured the outside and inside of ND- and at random points he held my hand. It was both bizarre and familiar at the same time. I remember almost everything about him and the time he spent sharing a proud landmark institution in Paris. Though I admit- the details of his face are hazy. However, the way he walked, the sound of his voice, touch of his hand are imprinted completely. I am encouraged by these memories because it makes me feel hopeful that I am remembered in recollection by those many strangers that became friends in all the miles I have traveled and lands explored. It was a beloved day. The next day came time with the Stegmans. And I was pumped. From journal that day: "part of his charm was that I couldn't understand him. The apple. My French grandfather." It was a story in a picture for sure.

doors: june 19th

It's been a really stressful and draining few weeks. I admit I struggle with feeling moody and disenchanted. Unconnected. Everything just feels heavy. But then there's light and truly blessed moments. Like Brian helping me out with my care. Like voice mails from Kerri, Patrick & Jules. Postcards sent at the most perfect time. Meaningful conversations with Kaitlan on the weekends at work. Laughing with Krystal. A phone call from Seth after a frustrating day- "How are you?", "Umm, ok."... "NO. Really, how are you?" Thankful to be asked twice. Continuing to celebrate health milestones- Emily reserved for Disney. I know there's so much to celebrate and be thankful for. However the fight is sometimes tiring- but I know that is when I can embrace that the Lord is my strength. my portion. my everything. And with and through Him all things are given, purposed, and possible. Yes. That's true. Amen.

Love.Love.

me

j.groban: june 14th

Some days are just what you need and absolute perfection.

1. slept in. made care packages.

2. dunkin donuts iced coffee.

3. apple store. a candy store for adults. new phone- thankful for the replacement, for free.

4. shopping- scoring some cute finds

5. cheesecake factory. always a fave.

6. concert. perfection. feb song and you are loved in opening set. funny and engaging. played favorites. had waited- was worth it. poignant and sappy- and grateful. highlight.

7. Sheetz. That guy. haha!

8. couple lost their car... so funny

9. laughter. conversation. ease of day. joy for josh. music is just intimate and powerful- how it can move you. love it.

10. a perfect combination of things and beloved day away.

11. would see josh anywhere. that fantastic.

faves:

you are loved

changing colors

hidden away

higher window

raise me up

war @ home

if i walk away

wandering kind

bells of nyc- everything