Happy Thanksgiving!

As I look around today, I realize how many wonderful things I have to be thankful for. In a world that is filled with such violence and strife, I count myself one lucky lady to be nestled in such a cozy existence and living a life where I often take for granted that which some view as a tremendous blessing. That being said, I don't feel that I adequately thank God for the many blessings that have been handed to me, so TODAY I want to take a moment and reflect on a few of the things that make this life so incredible! Hopefully, on the next day that finds me a little less than satisfied, this list can serve as a reminder of everything I have to be thankful for!

~ My amazing family who never fails to make me laugh & is always there when I need them
~ A group of friends who have become like family
~ Tucker, my oh-so-sweet puppy dog
~ A closet full of GREAT shoes :)
~ Health & Happiness
~ Living close enough to the ocean that I can enjoy the sun & sand during the day and the beautiful stars at night
~ That most delicious fried turkey that dad spent the morning preparing
~ A home
~ The view I have on my commute to and from work
~ The snooze button
~ Freedom
~ The scent of fresh lilies stirring throughout my apartment
~ Happy Hour Margaritas
~ A box full of old pictures that always makes me smile
~ Good music
~ Wagon Wheel's fried squash ;)
~ The changing of the leaves in Fall
~ All of my wonderful memories, and the anticipation of what's to come
~ Egyptian Cotton Sheets (they really are the greatest thing)
~ Babies laughter
~ And most importantly - LIFE!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU AND YOURS!!!

Baby Kayden

Have you ever reached a moment in your life where you KNOW, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that this is it - you're finally the dreaded "A" word? Dare I say it.... Adult. You have adult bills, adult decisions, and if you make a mistake it carries adult consequences.
I ask this question, because last night, I think I had my moment. That's not to say I haven't had this moment a million times before - like the day I bought my first car or the first day that my heels carried me into a 9 to 5 job - but I believe last night was IT! My roomie and long time close friend became a father.
Let me begin by saying, I have MANY friends who have ventured into the joys that parenthood can offer, so this is not a new concept to me. I am "Aunt CoCo" to more than just my wonderful nephew, Riley. It goes deeper than that! For years my roomie, Aubrey, has been like a brother to me... a little brother. I've watched him grow from that neighborhood skater kid into a hard-working man. When younger we would spend our time walking the nearby railroad tracks or skipping the rocks down at the Rapids - not a care in the world. And now, as of 10:15 last night, he's a father. A happy, proud father!
Just a few weeks ago we were discussing the anticipation of this event and I informed him that for the past 8 months I have lived under the notion that this pregnancy would just continue on for eternity. There would never be a baby, just a big belly - FOREVER. I guess I was proven wrong last night when little Kayden came into this world. Obviously 8 months wasn't long enough for me to process! :)
Although it is an enormous change, I know that he will be a blessing and I wish him all the fortune and happiness that the world has to offer. Welcome baby Kayden!

HELLO BLOGSPOT!

I find myself fascinated with sunsets lately! I am gravitated towards those mystic purples and pinks, yellows and oranges, all swirling together, as if God has cast his large celestial paint brush against the sky creating this oh-so-perfect masterpiece… like SOULSHINE! It’s getting to the point where I can hardly drive home from work in the evenings because I’m too busy staring off into that captivating sky-line. A thought I shared with my mom on the afternoon commute yesterday….. BIG NO, NO. Her maternal instincts kick in, and I instantly get the “you could accidentally drive off the side of the bridge” talk. Valid point, I will give her that! To ease her worries and ensure the safety of other motorists (as that seems important also) I reduce to quick glances at this gift from God – a perfect way to end the tiresome day. This soon leads into a free-flow of thoughts and I find myself reflecting on life. Where have I been? Where am I going? And on, and on! What magical power does this sunset possess, that it can force me into self reflection at a moment when all I want to do is push the entire world out of my mind?

At any rate, here I am…. driving and self-reflecting.

As I ramble on, to myself, I realize that I need an outlet. Not a voice on the phone or chatting over a bottle of wine (although I do L-O-V-E both of these activities) but a place of refuge where I can release my thoughts freely. No personal contact! Just me in an empty room, fingers to the keyboard. So here I go! This is me! A twenty-something lady, eagerly working to discover my place in this world, and HOPING that somewhere in the mix of all these words, I will get it right!