28 and counting.

Well another birthday has come and gone. While this one wasn't much to celebrate,  I had many sweet friends and family members make it special. I spent the weekend in Tyler where my sweet friends threw me a Pirate Party...ARRRG on Saturday night. Then my awesome family had a huge birthday lunch for me on Sunday with all of my favorite eats and treats. My dad and I went to a Red Sox/Rangers game on my actual birthday on Monday. All in all, it was a great 3 day celebration!

As I reflect back on my 28 years I realize I have done a lot, but still have so much more to do. I have lived from Boston to Abilene, traveled from Chicago to Nigeria, studied math to neurophysiology, worked from a bartender to a DPT. I have truly learned some amazing lessons during this time and feel that the Lord has been so graceful in teaching me in those times. I have gone through some serious personal struggles with the divorce of my parents, my dad's battle with cancer, and some of my own demons, but through the provision of the Lord, I always come out on top and for the better. I've experienced my share of heartbreak and wondered how I'll ever move forward, but here I am, single but in a place of peaceful solitude with a healed heart.

My sweet friend P - the official Pirate host

MB and RS - the love the booty. :)

Oh the fun we had that night. 

Sunday's family party

Complete with all my favorites - everything from dressing to buttermilk pie! 

Rangers game with Dad

All the birthday cards! It's so nice to feel loved. 

I know I have so much to look forward to...meeting my soulmate, wedding bells, sweet cries of babies, continued learning and growing in my profession, seeing the life journies of my loved ones and friends. But I have to tell you, things are looking pretty good from where I sit right now. And I am so grateful for the abundant blessings in the last 28 years. So...here's looking to 28!

Viva la Vacation!

So, I made it back from the beautiful beaches of Mexico! I can honestly say I would have stayed another week. The time was so very relaxing, the resort was beautiful, and the time with my mom was very sweet. Our travel was extremely easy and the transport back and forth from the airport was easy peasy! We flew into Cancun and had about an hour and ten minute drive to our resort in Riviera Maya. We spent the next 4 days lounging on our backsides. We would go to the beach in the morning and lie poolside in the afternoon. We were never more than 15 feet from the bar or a cabana boy. Our daily routine was sleep in, eat, drink, nap, drink, eat, drink, dance, drink, and sleep. Basically, I was in heaven. Of course, I made a few cameo dance appearances with the resort boys, but there are NO photos of those trists....only Mexican legend. Speaking of pictures...here are a few...

Check AND Check

I'm a list maker. Always have been, always will be. My mom claims I was making her lists and post-it notes before I could even write. I'm not really sure how that worked out for her...seems like she would have had more sense than that. :)

I make lists for work, lists for errands, lists for the grocery store (duh), lists for lists. But MOST importantly, I make a MEAN packing list. I am getting ready to leave for the Riviera Maya in 2 days and I think I have already made 3 lists. And, guess who asked me to make HER a list... yep, my mom. She's my traveling buddy and as we were talking about all the things we needed to do... it popped out "Why don't you just make me a list?" Old habits die hard.

The older I get the more this list making is a contradiction to my lifestyle...I'm much more flexible, easy going, spontaneous than when I started this list habit. But these lists ensure that I don't forget my deodorant, or my favorite high heels...or worse...my floss! I know I kill millions of trees in the form of post-it notes...

But it feels so good to check things off!


And further proof of my genetic theories:

Post-it notes from my grandmother on my trip to Africa :)

See you when I get back with my tan lines :) 

All Star Tuesday

So, I love baseball. Plain and simple. Yes, I realize I am a female and that automatically discredits my love of the sport to a certain level. But, I can tell you about a squeeze, a balk, a cut-off man. I can call a double play before it happens, and have been known to call a grand slam more than once. We can even talk about predictable pitching changes depending on a Righty or a Lefty coming to bat. I can talk to you about ERAs and batting averages. I know most of the major league players names. I am an American League girl at heart. I'm getting better at recognizing the weird pitches like a Slurve ball or a Circle Change-up. But, I don't know how to keep a box score...that kind of annoys me.

I'm not sure when this love really started. My great uncle was the biggest Rangers fan I have ever known, and that was instilled in me at a young age. Now I know my girlfriends are getting a smug little smirk on their faces right about now, thinking "You love baseball because you love baseball players". While that might be true, this love was waaaay before that, and runs way deeper. While I LOVE looking at a good pair of baseball pants (from either side ;-)), have dated some VERY handsome baseball players, and actually made some good friends who play professionally, its something more than that. As cliche as it sounds, going to a game makes me giddy. It makes me feel patriotic when I sing the National Anthem, and makes me feel youthful when I sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" in the 7th inning stretch.

My dad and I got a mini-season group of tickets for the Rangers this year, and I have to say it has been some of the most precious time I have ever spent with him. Yes, parking is a nightmare. Yes, beers are expensive. YES, the garlic fries are AMAZING. And NO, I have not let him try the 2-foot hot dog yet. But looking over at him and seeing him get as excited as I do during a double play, or trying to catch a homerun in our great seats, or clap when they play "Deep In the Heart of Texas" really does tug at something deep in the heart of me. I don't know...maybe this whole baseball love is genetic and I'm just now discovering it.

And tonight is the All Star game. I get SO competitive around this time of year. When the play-offs come around, I'm an official mad-woman. I even took a tambourine and cymbals to a bar last year when the Rangers were in the World Series. Yes, yes I did. (and it was a hit, I must say). So guarantee I will be sitting on the very couch I am on now, cheering, yelling, and occasionally jumping up and down.

All I have to say is TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME!

Post Script: I feel it would only be appropriate to spend my 28th birthday at the ballpark watching my two favorite teams the Rangers and the Red Sox play my most favorite game with my most favorite dad. Yay for July 23rd!

A little Rangers warm-up...

Nothing like a good game with a great friend. 

Ranger's Stadium 

White Sox Stadium

My boy Josh Hamilton

View of Astro's Stadium from a suite :)

Nellie

Yes, I organize several "Rangers Days" at work.

LT and I run the Ranger's bases!

See it??

I'm in heaven.

Well blogging world... HERE I AM! Maybe I'll be better at this than I am at journaling...  


I often enjoy reading other's blogs, and thought maybe I should give it a shot. After all, I think I'm quite entertaining. 


I feel like I should give some kind of introduction in the off-chance that some stranger out there in internet-land might find this. Or perhaps for those who think they know me... I am in my late 20's, am from an old-society oil town in East Texas, and have narrowly escaped to the metroplex of Ft. Worth. I have traveled often in my first few decades, worked hard to earn my doctorate in Physical Therapy, and have found a job that I truly love. I work with the most amazing, and yet challenging, children every day and am blessed for all that I continue to learn and garnish from them. 


I have a complicated yet beautiful family. I have 2 great (yet divorced) parents, 3 siblings, 4 nephews, and NO I don't want a cat or dog, thank you though. Yes, I am 28 and single. No, I do not have any children, and have never been married. I have an unshakable love for the Lord, and at this point in my life, I am trusting that He is leading me right where I need to be going. Does that trust always snuff out the cynic in me? Not quite. But I try to find a balance everyday between realism and hope. I think in trying to find this balance, this delicate ebb and flow, I have been able to find and settle into my true self. Someone who still has some tiny hope in romanticism, but a greater understanding that if you want something, you work hard to make it happen. Someone who believes in the importance of feeling captivating, but understands that no one is perfect and it is often our own responsibility to recognize our value. But more on that later... 


I look forward to blogging, whether it be aimlessly or purposefully. Hope you enjoy the ride! 

My amazing brother K

Sisters A & C with Dad

My sweet dad

The youngest nephew!

Feisty but precious nephew #3

 

Brother and his saintly wife with their first!

Nephews # 1 & 2

I told you we were crazy! 

Baby Sister, Mom, and me