Florida....and a time of Thanksgiving

It's always when you're away from your family and friends that you truly appreciate all that they bring to your life.  God has changed my life in many ways this year.  He's asked me to go out of all I know and pushed me into a new and different place.  It's been everything I knew it would be, and then about 10x more.  I'm so thankful for all that he has set in front of me.  All the friends, my church family, and the family I work for.  They were brought to me, and the transition was hard, and challenging, but also a time of joy and excitement.  I'm so excited to be here.  I get the opportunity to see and experience all these different things. 

I spent Thanksgiving in Florida with my work family.  Henry's parents own a condo in West Palm Beach Florida.  It was absolutely beautiful here, and an amazing weekend.  The ocean was incredible, and I've never been in an ocean where it was worthwhile to put on goggles.  Gigi and I swam along the beach for hours picking up shells and looking at schools of fish.  I've never had so much fun in an ocean before.  The water was so incredibly clear you could see forever.  I felt like I was in some sort of movie.  It was an amazing time.  I woke up every morning and took pictures of the beautiful sunrise.  I was amazed by the beauty every single morning.  I would sit, and pray, and just thank God for that sunrise. 

I'm thankful that I was able to come even though I was sad to miss my families traditions.  I've never had a thanksgiving like this before.  We didn't do any cooking, and we were on the beach most of the day. 

We went to dinner at the Palm Beach Yacht Club which was very nice, and very fancy.  It wasn't the same, but it was nice.  I didn't make my famous coconut cream pie which is my thanksgiving tradition, but I might try to make it this week if I can find the time.  I've been craving a bite of my decadent pie.  

Well, I had a wonderful trip to Florida.  I've taken a few pictures, but I wish I would've taken more.  I just was captivated by the ocean and spent most of my time swimming. 
I'm somewhere over Florida on my way to Atlanta then onto Baltimore.  I gave up my seat on an earlier flight for two free round trip tickets.  Although it was a pain to sit in the airport for 4 hours, I'm happy for the ability to go home once or twice this year for free.  Airtran flies direct from BWI to SEA.  So, it'll be free to fly home for Meg's wedding!  Yay!  Anyway, I'm excited to be on my way home, and I can't wait to get back to my normal routine.  Making me even more happy then being home is the fact that I'll be flying back to Florida in a mere four days.  This time I'm not flying to Palm Beach though, this time I'm flying to Panama City Beach to see my dear cousin Hilary and her husband Tim.  O, I can't wait to see them.  It's been months.  Florida two weekends in a row.  It's a tough life here in DC.
Sorry for so few posts this month.  I'll try to make a video blog soon.  No time, no time. 
Love you all!

 

 

Smallz

Molly came,

Molly went.

Joy and fun

tears and mess

eating cupcakes

eating cake

eating out, and

PF Changs(burr)

Drive downtown

Stress and joy

DC  night

crazy fun

Down Independence

Turning on 7th

Up Constitution

to 17th

Skipping Movies

babysitting forgot

going at midnight

late night, too fun

Girls are crazy

my new life

Molly is patient

far to nice

Molly came

Molly went

tears, goodbyes

how time flies

So much happened

So little time

My dear sister

what a delight

November? Already?

October 9th.

That is pitiful.  I can't believe it's been nearly a month since my last blog post.  Crazy.

DC has been lots of things, but mostly it's been fun.  The weather is lovely, and it's finally starting to get cold and winter seems to be on its way.  I'm starting to really get to know people, and I'm meeting new people all the time.  I knew I was a social person, but it's interesting to see how my personality is manifesting in these new surroundings.  It's hard to give an overview and also give details.  So, for now, I'll just give you a few general things that have happened or are happening that you can grasp. 

I started running.  Well, I'm attempting to be a runner, but it's challenging.  I've been just running a little and walking a lot.  About 2 hours each day I spend walking the trail.  I find that these hours are some of my favorite of the day.  I'm often caught talking on the phone, but I also spend a lot of that time thankful for the beautiful landscape and praying.  I'm flying to Florida to see Hilary in just a few weeks and while I'm there we're planning on walking a half-marathon.  I'm excited, nervous, and realizing that 13.1 miles is a long way.  Mostly, I'm excited to see my dear cousin.  :)

I'll be in Florida the last weekend of November for Thanksgiving, and I'm going back the very next weekend to see Hilary, so I'm definitely looking forward to warm weather and the beach.  (sigh) I'm really looking forward to the beach.  

The girls are great.  They continue to challenge me, but I love them so.  I just enjoy being with them.  The longer I'm here the more I love them.  We're past the initial "new" phase which is so nice.  They're beginning to understand me and my way of doing things, and I'm beginning to anticipate their moves and understand them a little better.  I just love being here. 

My room is starting to feel like my room.  Sarah painted me some amazing flowers that now hang over my bed.  I'll post some pictures of my bedroom soon(but if you come visit me you can see my room in person...haha).   It's nice to have a place that feels like it's mine though.  My room has really become my retreat.  

Molly is flying to visit me on Wednesday night.  I'm soooo excited, and can hardly wait for her to get here.  My kiddos are excited too.  Alicia talks about Molly visiting almost every day.  She's so cute, and I know Molly and the girls are going to love each other. 

Overall I'm still just amazed at my surroundings, and amazed at where God has brought me.  He has taken care of me on a level that even I could not have been expecting.  I'm living with an amazing family, and enjoy these girls so much.  :)  I'm so thankful.