Back from hiatus..at least for a bit!

To my dear friends and family who continue to check back for updates, I apologize for my almost three month disappearance.  Sometimes, it's just difficult to put life into words!  But I have been writing more these last weeks and finally have my computer hooked up to the Internet at my new home (a 3 month sublet)...so I should be back in business, at least for a bit :)

I spent a wonderful month back home in the states visiting friends and family...so wonderful that it made it hard to come back to Berlin!  I really wanted to attend the wedding of two amazing friends I've had for the last ten years, so that's what sent me home on November 29th...just in time for the December 1st celebration; and, of course, I couldn't miss Christmas with my family, so I was home til December 27th.  

Lindsay, Kathryn, Meagan, Andy and me

Me and Maeve looking out over the valley after our hike up to Weverton Cliff

Michel and me smiling for a self-portrait during an afternoon outing in DC

It was wonderful to spend my first days back in the states in DC with some great friends; and to be able to be there for Andy and Kathryn's wedding, which meant I got to see some family too.  Meagan, Paul and Mary were in town from Norfolk for the wedding and Lindsay, Matt and Mac all came down from Pittsburgh too (although Lindsay isn’t a blood sister, she is most definitely a life sister…and if that isn’t family, I don’t know what is!).  With limited time and having arrived on Thursday night, I organized a happy hour for Friday night to see any friends who wanted to stop by.  Jet lag kicked in around 11 pm that night, but I managed to enjoy the company of friends until 2:30 am…which definitely helped with the jet-lag.   It was a wonderful first weekend for sure!  Then I was off to spend the week with Shannon, BJ, Maeve and Luke in the trailer at the farm.  The amazing old farmhouse they bought last spring is still under construction, but they are real troopers living in the trailer as long as they need to until the first floor of the house is completed and done just as they see it in their dreams.  It's truly amazing to see the love that Shannon and BJ have for each other and their family...so much love that there are no sacrifices too big on the long road to having their dream home.  They work their asses off.  Literally and figuratively.  They are always on the go; always in motion; always working on a project.  Always working towards the end goal of having their dream home and farm.  They inspire me so much and make me so grateful to have them in my life.  And as always, hanging out with sweet Maeve and feisty Luke brought many smiles to my face.  Those two are wild!  After five days on the farm, I headed back to DC for a quick weekend and a few more visits before flying down to Orlando to hang out with mom, Meagan and Mary.  Meam was in Orlando for work and mom was there to watch Mary during the day.  Although I had dreams of warm, sunny days at the pool, we spent most of our time inside as it was a cloudy, rainy week.  But it was great to be with three of my favorite ladies!  And Mary is such a precious little girl who has a smile and laugh that just fill your heart with joy…she’s just amazing. 

Pap and Mary

Sister love..."Always Awesome."

Paul, Mary, me, Tom (the Godfather), and Meagan

After five days in Orlando, we were off to Norfolk for Mary’s baptism.  As her Godmother, I wouldn’t have wanted to miss it for the world and am so glad that Meagan and Paul were able to wait for me to be home.  It was a gorgeous weekend of family, celebration and warm moments and was followed by ten days in Pittsburgh which were full of the same.  I’ve said it many times before…but I am a very lucky girl.  I just have an amazing family that warms my soul and fills me with life and love.  I don’t know who I’d be, or where I’d be in this crazy world without them…

It’s not often that we are able to go home for ten whole days, so I truly appreciated that time at home.  Mom and I spent a few days baking Christmas cookies and breads, running errands, shopping, decorating, etc.  We played cards with dad. We laughed.  We just were.  And it felt great!  I had a sleepover at Aunt Peggy’s and enjoyed a long night of talking with her (we were up til almost 1 am on a work night!).  I got to see some wonderful friends from high school, Camp Deer Creek and my Chelsea Grille days.  I shared some great moments with my beloved, amazing, funny cousins from both sides of the family.  I had a sleepover at Lindsay’s and spent some precious time with her and her boys.  We had our annual Christmas Day Brunch for friends and family…something we’ve been doing for 20+ years.  Shannon, BJ, Maeve and Luke were with us for five whole nights…more than we usually get with them over the holidays, which was fantastic!!  But we definitely missed having Meagan, Paul and Mary with us.  As life goes on and families grow, it becomes harder and harder to get everyone together at the same time….but we will continue trying J

Christmas cookie tray!

Family = Laughter and Love

Christmas Brunch spread

All in all, in four weeks time, I visited five different cities, and slept at eight different places.  A perfect example of my life since June!  It’s been a bit of a whirlwind at times, but it’s been an adventure and an important one at that.  I know this time on “the long road home” won’t last forever, but I truly appreciate it so very much for what it is: time for me to be me; to find me; to grow into more of who I am and to reflect on all that life is.  And in my eyes, you can’t put a time frame on that and you can’t put a price on that.  All I can do is use the time as best I can and appreciate it for all that it is…so that’s what I’m trying to do every day.