Every Party Has a Pooper!

Carly's fabulous Bachlorette Party and Noah goes green for Connor's 1st Father's Day...

Mother's Day & MUCH MUCH More!

So, we've been a little busy. For the past five weeks we have been all over the eastern half of the US, for work, weddings, and reunions.

It's been great, but it's been nuts. My annual work meetings went very well in mid May - I work with a great group of people and thoroughly enjoy getting together each year - working hard during the day and getting to know one another better over fun dinners and drinks. My sister is getting married July 21st, so we had her Bridal Shower June 2 (and Bachlorette Party tomorrow night!). We had our annual HBS reunion in Newport, Rhode Island - a complete blast!! Love the kids getting together - everyone's families are exploding! Betty and Mike took an adventurous road trip down to see us earlier this month and we had a wonderful time in Annapolis, downtown Fell's Point and having local picnics here in Towson. It was a a really nice, memorable time with them.

Here are a few pics - Noah 'n Mom celebrating our First Mother's Day :) Oh, it was very special. Newport...

A few more with links to albums soon...

Homesick

Glimpes of Home
Frederick Buecher: The kingdom of god is where our best dreams come from and our truest prayers. We glimpse it at those moments when we find ourselves being better than we are and wiser than we knew. We catch sight of it when, at some moment of crisis, a strength seems to come to us that is greater than our own strength. The kingdom of God is where we belong. It is home, and whether we realize it or not, I think we are, all of us, homesick for it.
My Grandmother is always there for me, throughout my entire life, giving her unending love, care and support. She is an extremely empathetic person and a role model in my life. She has a passion for prose. She shared the poem, above, with me recently, after Lydia's unexpected death...

I was able to visit Lyida's grandfather, 'Papaw', last weekend, and check on him. He is a very strong man of God--I am so glad I was able to visit with him; when I came away, I felt as though I had been encouraged and cared for, instead of the other way around. It is clear where Lydia got that from :)

Her life ended suddenly due to the rare disease of bacterial meningitis. Please keep her family and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.

Until We See You Again

Lydia Denise Gosnell

February 20, 1980 - May 20, 2007

Lydia and I were extremely close friends in high school and the type of friends that could go 6 months or so without seeing each other, post-college, and pick right back up where we left off. We'd meet in Gastonia when we were in town for coffees and book shopping, post school days...and laugh, reminisce, catch up, connect - she was an important part of my life and made a lasting impact on who I am. Lydia was a rare and genuine person. She is so loved by so many.

I know I am not alone when I say that she brought so much light to my life - she was just a unique, precious person. I knew her almost 15 years, and I can honestly say that she was a selfless, thankful-to-be-alive kind of person. Beautiful, inside and out. She made a forever impression on my heart, and I cannot wait to see her again one day.

Lydie-Bug - smile down on us now. We cannot wait to see you again...