sharathon 2009.

I'd be here all day long trying to recap everything that has happened over the last three days. God is so good and has blown us away for showing us favor and providing more gifts of support than ever in KSBJ Sharathon history!!

We've been Twittering and blogging our hearts out though and you can check it all out here.

a must see.

When DK is excited about a movie, you know it's something worth watching. I mean, realllly watching. He's a huge fan of both Spike Jonze and David Fincher and for "The Fall" they've joined together for this creative masterpiece, directed by Tarsem Singh.

Not only was this film shot in the most incredibly scenic places around the world (with no CG's or special effects) the storyline draws you in and captivates you. I fell in-love with little Alexandria within seconds. I liken it to The Princess Bride. See what you think. (I only caught one cussword too.)



(And DK says Blu Ray is the only way to go.)

orson times two.

Today Orson went to the vet for a check-up. I'm at work and get a text from DK that reads: "Orson has doubled in size since his last visit." His last visit was two weeks ago.

Dear Lord, what are we in for? This boy is gonna be a BEAST!

dad and his granddogs.

Are you kidding me? This photo, oh this photo. Last weekend, Kenai and Orson spent time at dad's while we were in Orlando. When we dropped them off, Orson was white and fluffy. Last night when we picked them up, he was not only wet and muddy, but a completely changed dog. For the better, of course! Can you imagine the things he learned and discovered in the backyard with Kenai?

I'm convinced my dad should open an Adventure School for dogs AND kids where they'd learn how to survive and appreciate life, gaining experience and perspective above all else. Thanks dad. I love you.

falling harder in orlando.

We had an incredible time on our trip last weekend. In addition to the perfect balance of doing touristy activities and relaxing, enjoying God's nature while kayaking, the time I spent learning about DK and more of his history was mind blowing.

We flew out to Orlando after my shift on Friday night to meet Brandon and Gil, who had flown in from London (where they live). They'd been traveling around the states visiting friends and family and were headed south to meet up with us before heading further south to scuba dive in the Keys.

We were looking forward to Saturday's shuttle launch amongst a lot of other excitement but I have to say my favorite part of the entire weekend was watching DK with his very best friend Brandon, my heart doing flip flops as I saw how endeared he was by Brandon and likewise. To see these two guys with such great love and understanding of one another... DK will probably laugh when he reads this because of the overwhelming mushiness factor, but it was truly a beautiful sight to see.

I loved finally getting to know Brandon and Gil (short for Gillian) and catching up on so many years of memories, stories and hilarity. It's amazing what you can learn about someone in this environment and I was constantly astounded and enlightened, re-realizing all these new depths to DK's creativity and character. Brandon is hilarious, Gil is brilliant, her brother Simon and mother Jen, two of the most witty people I've ever met. That and I can't get the Brittish accent out of my head now, not such a bad thing! We toured Universal on Saturday and never had to wait in any lines for rides, thanks to our nifty Express passes. I got to be an extra in a production for the Distaster ride, we toured Jurassic Park, rode a roller coaster with The Simpsons, and battled mummies on The Mummy ride, to name a few. Apparently I scream my head off on roller coasters, the evidence found on the aftermath photos, my blue tongue standing out amongst the other coaster riders. (Mmmm, blue raspberry icies.)Sunday was a beautiful day and we spent it on the river kayaking and swimming. We saw tons of alligators, turtles and wildlife along the route and ate the best hoagies I've ever tasted in my life from the grocery store, Publix.

Monday morning we bid farewell to Brandon and Gil as they dropped us off at the airport on their way out to the Keys. It was tough to say goodbye but good to know we will for sure see them again, hopefully in London!! And don't be surprised if I come back with a full on British accent, either.

surprise return from iraq.

Click here to watch the video!

family photo.

karate chop ya weekend!

I grew up with all boys, forgive the karate chop reference. Though it serves as a great visual for my approach to this weekend, it does seem a bit violent, ya? Nah. Haha.

Here's what we've got going on:

Double date with Bob and Darcy. Never been to The Melting Pot - we made RESERVATIONS! Ohhh, fancy!

I'm addicted to the elliptical lately, get my ipod pumping and I'm a maniac.

Need to put another clothes rod in my closet, want to be more organized.

Helping DK clean out his closet, clothes he doesn't wear anymore.

Puppy play date with Jen and Daisy!

Typically I like to watch an Audrey movie on weekends while playing in Photoshop. I feel that maybe by osmosis, I may grow to be more glamorous like her... haven't seen Two For The Road in awhile.

Brunch at Beaver's - the best!!

Browse the best thrift shop in Houston.

Go to church :)

Make some ribs for my man!!

Take some portraits, play with DK's lights and stuff.

Swing by the Yale Street Arts Market, see what's new!

Definite nap too. I looooove weekend naps.

Have a great weekend!!

communication: boys vs. girls

Ohhh I just love him. He makes me laugh so much and warms my heart by simply being himself.

A lot of times I wonder if he's even trying to be funny or cute, but I find myself every single day scrambling to either write down or somehow remember the things he says and does.

This morning, this is how it went while discussing our weekend plans:

Me: Ok so Saturday, I'm going for a long run, then later meeting up with you to help with cleaning clothes out of your closet.

DK: Ok.

Me: Then brunch at Beaver's, go by Home Depot to pick up closet rails for me, pick up the framed art at my house...

DK: Yes, cool.

Me: ...then we'll run by storage, watch an Audrey, relax and maybe do some reading...

DK: (nodding) Sounding good.

Me: Dinner with Danni, concert, and church on Sunday.

Looking up from my list at him, I smile and tell him "Ok, repeat all that."

And he says, without missing a beat "Yes. And church on Sunday."

bob's photos!

Yesterday after work DK took Orson to visit some very close friends of ours, The Boyd's. Bob and Darcy have 4 boys and you can imagine the excitement and laughter that ensued once DK arrived with the cutest puppy on earth.

As expected, Bob was able to capture the visit in what are the most incredible photos of Orson so far... he really captured Orson's expression and bounciness, not to mention his adorable strapping young lads.

Click here for Bob's photos!

keri.

It's so funny how I feel like I know so many of you from reading your blogs, you leaving comments on mine, facebook, etc. yet most of us have never even met in person.

I want to spotlight a new friend whose blog I'm pretty much obsessed with. I love Keri's blog because she's REAL, she writes beautifully and her posts always make me laugh, cry, and understand.

Her most recent really blew me away and I think you should take a few minutes to read and tooooootally be blessed.

The "P" Word.

how much do i hate stopping to get gas?

It's such a waste of time. I realize the neccessity however, in the 12 years I've been a (licensed) driver it's such a drag and a pain in the rear. Probably because the spirit and wind of Danica Patrick moves within me and I feel a total loss at letting all the cars I just passed pass me by and get ahead. Or maybe it's Kramer from Seinfeld, test driving the Saab? (Domenica agrees with me, I'm not alone in this, just sayin'.)

Last night I leave work and my gas light comes on. I'm on the phone with DK and our conversation goes like this:

Me: Hey babe, guess what?!

DK: What's that?

Me: My gas light just came on, want to make a wager to see if I can make it all the way home without stopping for gas?

DK: No, that's a terrible idea.

Me: But it's an adventure and a challenge!

DK: Why don't you stop and get gas so you don't have to worry about it tomorrow?

Me: Because you don't understand, I know I can do it. Hmph!

DK: It will only take a few minutes, it's the smart thing to do...

Me: (under my breath) Oh ya, well your mom is smart... or something.

I got him good, didn't I?

Lord grant me patience and intelligence today!

insecurity vs. brokenness.

I'm probably one of the more insecure people you know. I doubt myself, second guess myself, I twirl my hair a lot. I know I could always be thinner, funnier, more productive, more focused and should definitely be more on top of it. It being life in general. I'm definitely pretty insecure. But, well... I mean, what do you think? (hehe)

This morning I had coffee with a dear friend I used to work with. Alicia is incredible, really insightful and from the time we sat down to talk till we left with 30 more things to ask about and catch up on, I was floored with how much I needed to have this coffee date. She is SO encouraging and really gifted when choosing what words to use. Hmmm, almost as though God was using her to speak to me. Wow, imagine that!

Out of nowhere I tell her how insecure I think I am. How I'm realizing it more and more. Then she shared that insecurity is something she struggles with in some areas as well. She went on to share about how and why but I heard something different in her. What I heard was more like brokenness and humility, understanding God's sovereignty and love for her even in the hard times, grateful for His goodness and provision, accepting His calling on her life even though she didn't see herself capable without His grace.

And that's when I saw it clearer than day.

See, I know all about brokenness and being humbled before everyone I know. Where we are weak, He is strong. I know it, I live it. But what I didn't realize so vividly was how the enemy is so able to invade that brokenness, planting fear and doubt, creating insecurity and questioning.

I'm not pretty enough to be his girlfriend.

I'm not qualified for this job.

I'm a terrible mother.

I'm not good at doing anything!

But I clearly see the difference now, that in brokenness there is a confidence. Knowing with God on your side, who can be against you? And with insecurity there is fear and fear is NOT of God.

That man is blessed to have someone who loves him as much as I do.

For this moment in time, God has me in this job for a reason!

I will rise up and be the best mother I know how to be today.

I am unique because God created me and has a will for my life.

Breathe it in. Soak it up. It's your destiny!!

And now I know something new to pray over all of us. Your thoughts?

best friends.

saaaailing, take me away!!

It's been about 7 months since I last saw my youngest brother and was chomping at the bit to get out of work Thursday night. Don't get me wrong, I love my job but I was really ready to board that plane to Jacksonsville the next morning. That and my childhood best friend Tiffany was flying in from San Francisco at midnight and I was excited to see her too!!

I picked her up from the airport and we had a blast that night even though we only had a couple hours to hang out. Her mom still lives in the same house around the corner from the house I was born into (our moms were pregnant together) and coming back was totally surreal. Tiff and I always seem to pick up where we left off no matter how much time has passed and while sitting in the living room that night I thought about us as kids together, realizing we really haven't changed much. I'm a little taller, her hair is a different color but we still laugh the same and about the same things. I love how Bernie (her mom) still has the same bamboo glass top coffee table that as kids Tiffany drew cartoons on while I schemed TV show ideas. Wow, time flies.

I woke up early the next morning and got on a plane to Jacksonville. It's a sunny city and the people are incredibly friendly. I rode the city bus to our hotel right on the St. John River and called to let Andy know I was finally there. The meeting between us outside the hotel was totally a scene out of a movie, of course followed with apologies to those around us for being so dorky and emotional. I couldn't believe how much taller, handsome, tan and striking he was. I have seriously handsome brothers and they seem to become more and more stunning each time I see them. It's the life and passion within them, I'm convinced.

Andy took me to the boat and I realize right away how the photos I'd seen do this ship no justice. I was stunned and gasped at first sight. Trying to blend in and not act like the camera happy sister I am, I was warmly greeted by each of the crew members and soon thereafter was put to work, scrubbing the deck. "This weekend... it's kinda like a car show, but for historic ships", Andrew informed me and I scrubbed harder.

The rest of the day I was pretty much an honorary crew member, especially after Capt. Dwight the gave me a crew t-shirt. Whoa. So many tourists coming and going, asking questions and many wanting to know "where is the plank?" You laugh politely but roll your eyes because this is so NOT a pirate ship and anyone in the sailing world already knew that, gosh. It was so fun to watch Andrew in action, telling details about rigging and other sailing language I still have yet to google.

The buzz that day was about a party later that night down at the Pride of Baltimore, a remake of a fantastic wooden ship. So after dinner with the crew and a long chat at Starbuck's, Andy and I met up with some of his crew and headed down to the sailor's party. My stomach still hurts from laughing at all the things that happened!! What fun! (And might I add, the term "cussing like a sailor" was highly inaccurate in this crowd!) I had a blast meeting crew members from all other ships - of all ages, all from different places, all with incredible stories, all sharing this insane love of sailing. What a night to remember. And it ended with me, Andrew and crew running down the pier towards the live cover band on stage playing in the square, all of us dancing as the last song played... The Turtles, So Happy Together... "Ba ba ba ba badadadada da, for all my liiiiiiife!"

The next two days were spent doing pretty much the same thing, and somehow the time flew by as I learned more about sailing than I thought possible. Dad and Uncle Greg showed up late Saturday and ready to sail - they are currently en route to Bermuda on the ship as part of the crew. It was a great time to spend with Uncle Greg too - our family is so huge (my dad has 7 brothers) and I've never had long periods of time to sit and get to know him and about his life. We all had some great laughs and late Sunday afternoon, I big everyone farewell and drove away for Orlando. (I was flying standby and all the Jacksonville flights were full.)

The drive was amazing and it was a great time to reflect all the non-stop action from the previous 2 days. I did however get a little sidetracked by all the exit signs and information about the Kennedy Space Center and the closer I got to Orlando, the more determined I was to find the shuttle. I saw on the news earlier how they are wheeling it out for the June13 launch and I was dying for just a glimpse. Well, I never found it and ended up missing my flight. Awesome. So I found a cheap hotel and made it home the next morning. I was bushed!!I definitely have a travel bug lately too... and am ready to go again. Next trip will be Orlando again to see DK's best friends in from London (they are visiting family) then Mexico with friends, then San Francisco, then Halifax, then who knows. Now I'm just rambling and am hungry for the new taco place across the street. So, see ya.

a little orson for your day :)

photos and blog from my weekend on the boat in Jacksonville to come soon!