june...

June! I feel like we were just celebrating the new year! Don't get me wrong I've had a busy five months since then, but I definitely feel like time just speeds up as you get older. I'm doing my best to slow down and really soak it in before this all passes me by...

First on the agenda... I have successfully made it to June without air conditioning. The ceremonial date to turn on the a/c will probably depend on the next time I have guests. It can come off a little too cheapskate-esque to not have a/c in June... in North Carolina. I've thought about hosting theme parties... bathing suit party... or a weight loss sauna party... the heat just becomes part of the decorations helping the guests get "in the mood."

I am just returning from a great weekend at home. I spent some quality time with my family and saw a few friends. My older sister showed amazing hospitality letting my friend and I stay at her house for a couple of nights... My youngest nephew gave up his bed for me... My parents spent way too much money to take me out to a local staple so I could have crabs... My mom made my favorite homecooked meal and packed up bags of goodies for me to take back... My former boss and family shared their pool with me... and my friend Dennis let me tag along Saturday to watch some lax and mooch some food.

I have a habit of overanalyzing situations and this weekend would have been the perfect opportunity for my head to get the best of me. I'm sure I still wandered off track occasionally, but I really wanted to focus on being in the moment... enjoying the break without second guessing or playing games. Thank you for those of you praying... I'm still praying... for continued guidance and patience.

Meanwhile I have another trip home planned in the very near future to see my best friend Laura and her family... preferably before she gives birth! I can't wait to meet Kaeden... but I also want him to wait as long as possible to keep both of them healthy! Please keep them in your prayers!

Spiritually... I have really tried to make sure my relationship with God comes first. I can be a bit of a perfectionist and sometimes make my spirituality more of a to-do list of things I can check off to ensure I'll be "ok." I've found that while it may help me appear ok on the outside... it doesn't work on the inside. I am seeking a relationship that doesn't rely on a good day or a retreat pick-me-up but is based on the original love that God first showed us... independent of circumstances or people around me. One of my favorite bloggers, Bianca Juarez, reminded readers today that blogs and devotionals cannot replace getting in the actual bible and studying for yourself. It seems ironic to use blogs to make a point within a blog about not relying on blogs but here comes another... I also read a blog from Jimmy Needham's wife about her search for a husband and how she had to change her mentality... such a good read... such a good reminder.

Television... you know you can get a solid recap here! Season finales... One Tree Hill, Grey's Anatomy, Mercy, Lost... they're all over. I even tuned into the American Idol finale in order to catch Kelly Clarkson... definitely worth it! In their absence I have a new season of Bachelorette (this week's deleted scene) and America's Got Talent while Army Wives continues. The tv could become obsessive but I try to keep it just as an escape mechanism to get away from the stress of work.

Random... one of the Women's Professional Soccer teams, the St. Louis Athletica, folded last week. It took me back to Sept. 15, 2003 when all eight teams in the Women's United Soccer Association folded while I was working for one of the teams, the Carolina Courage. I don't know the details of the decision other than the investors ran out of money and the league office didn't think it was possible to keep the team going under their supervision... I hope it wasn't fiscal irresponsibility, but either way I feel for the players, staff and fans going through what is not an easy time.

Some stuff to check out...
1. Future Funk from America's Got Talent... just aired tonight so can't link but please look them up... so cute!
2. Bianca Juarez's blog... will keep plugging this chick
3. Kelly Clarkson and Chris Daughtry cover "Fast Cars"... wow I'm a sucker for duets but love this!
4. Lee DeWyze and Crystal Bowersox... speaking of duets :)
5. Jennie Finch on MTV's "When I Was 17"... you have to catch her signature dance move!
6. "Leave Me" trailer... cool concept to make you think
7. Matt Maher's "Hold Us Together"... bonus: story behind the song!

Ok that's enough for one night but let me know if you have any good stuff to share!!