Beautiful New Day!

The sunrise this morning was INCREDIBLE! I woke up to red and orange sprays of light dancing across the ceiling above my bed! This photo doesn't fairly portray it's grandeur--but it WAS 6am...

I think the sun must have been very attracted to me today--In fact, it turned me a slightly darker shade of burned than I was already...What can I say...? People have that affect on me..? Wait...Miss C help... turn the nametag over and call the number on the back!

Mmmm...Sunday Night Sweets!

So growing up Sunday evening was the time for sweets. Most of the sweet things we made growing up were on Sundays and holidays. Everyone would be over and whether it was carmels, cakes, cookies, carmel corn, suckers, pies, taffy or hot fudge--it usually was thought into existence by a loving fat dog--one of my brothers ;) My mother and I would usually cook up something wonderful and then as everyone sat around the talk of hot fudge or chocolate chip cookies would begin to circulate--usually starting with Scott or Matt--the ones who "don't do sweets" and what they mean by that is they don't buy them because they really like to eat them--and they will be rather disappointed if we don't keep the ingredients for them on hand for every possible gathering.

Tonight when I couldn't sleep I decided to make my incredible chocolate chip cookies. Seeing as it is Father's day and I am far from home, the scent filled my home with nostalgia. So many good times with little hands putting in the chocolate chips for me (some actually making it into the bowl--most filling little tummies) Big kids fighting little kids to clean the beaters, and more dough being eaten than cookies--always with a warning from my mother--you know 'if my mother were making these..." All in a batch of chocolate chip cookies.

'An Attitude of Gratitude...'

Today was okay. Started early with work and was kind of melancholy, but nothing too unusual. I'd wanted to call my family pretty much all morning--the kids had slept at 'hammy shans' so i knew i could call there; however, I did NOT want to wake them up. So I let a few hours pass and figured it was safe to call them around 10 o'clock their time--no answer--so i called a few more times--each time leaving crazy messages for my mom. even calling her land line--which if you know anyone in the family you know that is the least effective means of communication--I'd have better luck with 2 plastic cups and a string tied between them ;)

NO luck still.

Finally I gave up on 'hammy shans' phones and called uncle brad--sure enough--Sammy answered the phone!!! "Ah-eeE, Ah-eeE, Ash-eEE!!!" I got to talk to them--they were on their way to Hogle Zoo! and boy were they excited! The train--and of course the "mohn-kee's" (Samantha's new word--and it is really cute.) So I talked to them until they were in the parking lot and then let them go :( a little saddened by the 3,000 miles when 'Stockt-O' said so how many days until you come to UTA-hh? How many hours? That's a lot.

I couldn't get the kids off my mind all day! I called my mom's phone which obviously she did not have on her--3 or 4 times. Then finally I called Uncle Brad again--just wanting to hear their voices. I know it must sound crazy cause long amounts of time have passed since they moved to Ohio and I can't talk to them--but I called again--

They had just been in a car accident. A complete tire had come off a truck and had mangled the front end of my brothers fiances car. I am so grateful they weren't in his little BMW. I am so grateful the tire didn't go through the windshield. All 3 little ones were sleeping in their car seats in the back seat--only Syd stirring awake as the accident happened--with my mom in the front seat and Brad driving--how grateful I am that they were safe. When someone said they must have had angels watching out for them--Little Sydney added in--'it was my daddy."
How grateful I am for the people I love. Abby's new little Subaru has definitely seen better days--but it doesn't even matter--considering what it kept safe today.
A few days ago--a really good friend had suggested that I make some lists of the good things in my life-people and circumstances--and i had tried--it just wasn't very easy. So I have really made it a matter of prayer to seek and cultivate a greater attitude of gratitude--today that prayer was answered in a striking way...maybe not so graciously--but undeniably. I am so grateful for all those people that were protected in that car today--for my other brothers, and my dad. For the thousands of good people I have known in my life--and even for the days like today where the fragile nature of life is revealed so as to render a greater appreciation for those around us right now.

Welcome to Florida: Bullfrogs and Sunshine

Today has been a rather interesting--entirely exhausting day. Very early this morning I was awakened by an odd rap-rap--rappity-rap-rap on my window--my first thought was 'what in the world is Christi doing at my house at this hour?' Followed by a slight concern that maybe it was one of the creepy guys that live in my building--I know--[insert my mother's sentiment that if I were married I wouldn't have to live alone and worry such..]

I glanced up to see the body of a bullfrog making its way across my window. I went to get my camera and when i opened the blinds I scared the little (big) fella, and he bounded back to the ledge--where these beautiful beat-ee-eye-d photos could be taken!
Then after a crazy long day of work, and before starting my final job of the day--I decided to go make some phone calls by the pool. It was overcast and I hadn't planned on being out too long. WELL... the clouds all moved and a beautiful day emerged--let's just say i took in a few rays... I have a tan line from my necklace--and a few other ones that prove the day to be quite effective in deepening my already native skin color (thanks Grandpa Fisher for my beautiful olive skin!)

Well as random as they come--I know--I am off to bed!
10 pm :) work comes early tomorrow!

The Race Itself!!!

NOT to worry mom... This was just a joke--the little NYPD med cart drove past and a little too loudly I said--I wonder if they'd let me take my picture on that--Of course, NYPD always there to serve the public!!! Final comment from the officer, "you're not from NY are you?"

the BIG apple baby!!!

OK, So each photo has at least one story to go along with it--but so many have already asked to see pictures that our visual trip to New York will have to do--for now!