Road Trip

So apparently all it takes to make my heart come alive in a BIG way is a weekend getaway to the mountains!! Moriah and I just got back from a quick trip to a retreat centre near Banff and had SUCH an amazing time! There's nothing like a road trip with a kindred spirit...getting away from the traffic and noise and constant busyness of the city...heading into the wilderness and learning to breathe again! :-) I need to start making this a regular part of my life! Seriously, we had barely pulled into the parking lot of the lodge we were staying at when I felt my creativity coming back in full force, my lungs expanding, and my heart exploding with all the possibilities!! (Yes, it was THAT dramatic!) ;-)

Friday night on the road...

yakking our ears off...what else? :-)

the forecast was cold and rainy...

but Saturday turned out to be the most glorious day ever,

nothing but hot sun and blue skies!

How can you tell we're in heaven,

finally getting out of the city??

Ah, a little sun-bathing by the river...

Beautiful views!!

Where I spent Saturday afternoon!
The most phenomenal few hours ever...
napping, journaling, praying, and the kind of
worship that words can't even begin to capture...
just my heart in communion with my Savior's.
Total, perfect peace!



A little hiking to get the heart rate up!

Our 6 am hike on Sunday morning...

got caught in a rain storm and then

locked ourselves out of the building.

It's all part of the adventure!

Very little sleep all weekend = yet another trip to Starbucks

on the way home! It's official; I'm addicted to coffee.

Our spontaneous and enthusiastic (three-hour-long) karaoke

party erupted shortly thereafter. :-)

And that's it!! Back home now, refreshed...renewed...with a killer tan...ready to tackle another crazy week!

Stepping back in time!

So the fantastic organization that I work for put on a roaring 20's fundraiser the other night...SO MUCH FUN! I think I was born in the wrong decade...we had a blast dressing up, eating delicious food, wine tasting, gambling with fake money, listening to live jazz bands, and mingling with local media celebrities. Barbara (our receptionist) and I had tons of fun designing our outfits...yep, we tend to get a bit crazy when we're together. :-) Here's a few shots from the night!

Things I love!

So I've been keeping a bit of a gratitude journal lately, just because I think it's healthy to focus on THAT for a change instead of all the things I can't control but try so hard to! :-) And it's amazing how, once you start learning to open your eyes and really see and recognize these things, there's SO MUCH blessing all around! Here's a bit of what I'm loving from the past few months!

The glorious return of spring...and summer...

and a chance to dig in the dirt, plant my first garden,

and watch the flowers spring to life!!

A job that I'm absolutely passionate about

with a team of co-workers I adore

and the chance to be part of something that's bringing hope

to families all over the world!

Old friends who come to visit

and no effort is required to rekindle the bond...

just lots of laughter, catching up, renewal...

oh, and painting the spare room!! :-)

Old friends who ALSO cook gourmet meals

that are waiting for you upon your return from work!!

The laughter and adoration of one of the sweetest, most

delightful little girls you'll ever meet...

Carefree summer days, and the return of
picnics in the park after church on Sunday,

barbeques, patios, long walks, sun-tanning....

can you say GLORIOUS???

Discovering a new (or perhaps OLD!) addiction and

shamelessly giving into it at every opportunity!

Sleepovers with my favorite little people

complete with movies, more junk food than should

be legal, games, crafts, stories, milkshakes for breakfast...

does it get any better than this?

Sleepovers with some of my favorite BIG people...

girl talk, manicures, pedicures, facials

and the comfort of just being ourselves!

Boys with amazing voices who teach you

that music, good music, transcends any language barrier

and shoots straight to the heart!

Creativity and inspiration for my latest writing project
(shhh...it's a secret!) and the freedom to take risks!

The fabulous ladies of Thursday

who love nights of cupcake decorating as much as I do

and faithfully gather every week to share life!



Watching my brother's heart come alive

as he takes one step closer to his dreams!

(with an amazing woman at his side!)

Rediscovering the freedom to worship

and dream

and live carefree in my Father's love.

Finding a kindred spirit who will soon become a roommate!

what are YOU thankful for???!!