A little insight into the deficiencies of my fish knowledge...

So while we were in Key Largo, we of course ate at several restaurants and had a wide array of fish options. I, however, did not begin enjoying any type of seafood until I was well into my college years. So, to give myself credit, I do have a limited frame of reference here. Anyway- we are sitting at this restaurant Wednesday night and I order a salad and Lauren orders a Mahi Mahi sandwich. She convinces me that I have to try this (because I've never had it before) and I'm little unsure, but I figure- what the heck. I eat it and enjoy it. Skip to the following evening, where we are at awesome little beachside restaurant:


I open the menu and immediately see the sandwich section, so I begin to peruse. All of a sudden, much to my horror, I see the option of a 'Dolphin' sandwich. I look frantically to Lauren and say- "People really eat dolphin?" To which she calmly responds, "Yes, that's what Mahi is- you ate it last night." Folks- when I tell you I was alarmed, that is an understatement. I practically scream, "You're telling me I ate FLIPPER?" At which point Lauren begins laughing and assures me that Mahi is a dolphin fish, not a porpoise. And to make me feel even better, she assures me that dolphin fish are indeed 'ugly.' So after dinner, we go into the connected store, and we find the facts that allow me to sleep at night.

I did, in fact, eat this:


and not this:



Ahhhh...what a relief. Sweet dreams.

Key Largo, Montego, baby why don't we go...

To the Florida keys! That is where I currently am at a work conference with my good friend Lauren. After some interesting travel getting down here, and a surprisingly not-as-nice-as-they-bill-themselves hotel, we have in fact been enjoying ourselves. We've been on a glass bottom boat tour of the coral reefs, laid out at the pool, shopped a little, ate at fun restaurants, and sat through three half-days of conference. So last night, our cable in our room goes out. Still out today after 3 calls to the front desk, and they say they'll call engineering. Enter the guy we'll affectionately call 'Bojangles.' He tries his hardest to fix it and get us a new remote, and we currently have fuzzy basic cable. He really was very nice, just not my picture ideal of 'engineering.' Anyway, so Lauren actually took pictures with me this year and didn't wear a bathing suit cover-up. And she witnessed me consume alcohol. In Lauren's words (said with a sly smile and a twinkle in her eye), 'we've really thrown caution to the wind!' To which I reply, 'wow, if this throwing caution to the wind...how boring are we?' Followed by hysterical, gut-busting laughter, which has typically occurred at least once a day so far. Definitely making memories! Pictures will come later!

No more bubbles!

Vulnerability creates intimacy. My cry is for an intimacy first with God and then with other people. It sounds simplistic to state it in words, but the process is so much more involved. There was a point in the past where I came to the realization that I was living in a 'bubble' of sorts. One where I was content to float and bounce along, watching the lives of others. I was safe and protected- my bubble hadn't been busted. Then, I started wanting more...I didn't want the pain and hurt of being out of my bubble, where situations and circumstances and people could wound me...but I wanted joy. You see, life in my bubble was a way of protecting myself from pain, but it also resulted in insulating me from feeling any sort of emotion. I smiled emptily and I encouraged half-heartedly. My heart was not engaged in life. Thank goodness for a timely message that led me to burst my own bubble. I've become willing to accept the moments of pain and heartache because with it comes the ability to choose joy. God has given us innumerable gifts- the greatest of which was His son. Jesus epitomized vulnerability for the sake of gaining intimacy with us. With me. Wow.

Vulnerability:

1. capable of or susceptible to being wounded or hurt, as by a weapon

2.	open to moral attack, criticism, temptation, etc.

3.	(of a place) open to assault; difficult to defend

Intimacy:
1. a close association with or detailed knowledge or deep understanding
2. a close, familiar, and usually affectionate or loving personal relationship

Encouraging Words

I have been reminded lately in several ways of the power of words- in every form. Words can destroy and words can create. They truly have the power of life and death. I am so grateful that people in my life have chosen to use their words to encourage my life. I am touched that people invest in me. My love languages are absolutely without a doubt- 1. Physical touch- boy, do I love me some hugs! 2. Words of Affirmation. So, it probably goes without saying, but my love tank sure is pretty full right now!

My amazing dinner...

Cooked in the comfort of my own home...or driveway as the case may be (for the grill). Yummylicious (to steal a word from my good friend Alison).

Boys will be boys...

So I took a long weekend from work and went to visit my family. Always an adventure with my nephews! The pictures speak for themselves...
Brayden refers to this hairdo as 'Spiky Business.' He is definitely his father's child!

Bradley's personality isn't so easily defined in pictures...he needs an audio file. The boy talks NONSTOP. And he doesn't miss anything...I mean, NOTHING. Smart kid.

My brother and sister-in-law better watch out. These two will get them back for EVERYTHING they've ever done, and more. I love them so much!

Memorial Day 2008

So to catch up a little, this Memorial Day weekend wasn't quite as action-packed as last year, but OH it was so much more relaxing and I didn't come home tired! We ate a little, shopped a lot, went to the beach, hung out at the pool, watched movies, played Scrabble (our trademark game), but most of all just got to talk and catch up. I love this girl. So much. How did I ever get so lucky to have her as one of my best friends???