To Good Beginnings.

A ham and cheese sandwich on artisan bread is just what the doctor ordered.  The doctor being a lovely green mermaid of course...

Jesse's mom flew home today, and we're once again reminded of how much we miss home.  Just this past Saturday, I was getting ready for the day when the brush in my hand paused.  I heard home.  It was a light swooshing noise, set to a distinct rhythm that could only be found along a shoreline.  I knew it wasn't possible, but convincing my ears of it was a different story.  I set the brush down and investigated--and I chuckled when I discovered my mistake.

DC has had unseasonably warm weather the past several days.  The end of January has felt much more like spring.  It's hard to believe that two years ago, we were buried beneath four feet of snow.  Due to the warm weather, we've opened our windows to allow the cool breeze to drift in and replace the need for A.C. Because after all, who in the northeast uses A.C. in January??? 

I quickly realized that my jogged memory bank was being teased by the traffic outside.  Who knew traffic on 395 could sound so pleasing--so relaxing--so much like home.  I suppose the moral of the story is...well actually, I'm not sure we need a moral.
I'm content with my tidal sounds of traffic and this scrumptious breakfast sandwich. 

Pictures of Mom's visit are soon to come...

Books, books, and more books

If you're an avid reader, or even just a novice getting started, there's a place made especially for your kind.  The Library of Congress is SPECTACULAR.  Not only are you surrounded by marble pillars and sculptures delicately portraying children playing in a garden, but you are immersed in literature.

Jesse and I both agree we need to get a library card to THAT library!

A beautiful day at Capitol Hill

Feels Like Home!

It was like every other weekday morning.  By 0700 we were in the car, dressed for work, and ready for another day of activity.  The only thing different was that our wipers were being put to good use...yep, it's raining this morning!  Folks will be in mad moods all day today because of the weather outside their window, but us?  Oh no--we'll be smiling all day.  Jesse summed it up nicely before hopping out of the car at the metro station:  "It feels like home."

Happy Friday!

Dogs Are Supposed to Sleep

Holly, my sister, used to own a hedgehog.  Pokey was a cute little creature, though he never did allow us to hold him without wearing Dad's hefty leather gloves.  When he walked, he picked up his prickly body as if he was picking up his skirts while scuttling across the floor.  The drawback to Pokey was his nightly activities.  To whomever is considering purchasing a hamster, a mouse, or a hedgehog for that matter, please consider what it means.  Nocturnal creatures are MISERABLE.  At least we thought so.

When picking out my adorable, cute, sweet, little puppy, it never occurred to me that I'd run into the exact same problem.  Thanks to that so-called adorable, little puppy, I have not slept one night all the way through this week.  He cries. He barks. He begs. He roams. He plays.  He does everything but sleep.

It's gotten so bad, I'm considering putting a tiny piece of a Tylenol PM in his water tonight. (No, PETA, I won't give in to my temptations).

On our way out the door this morning, we informed Hutch he had to sleep tonight or he'd be out on the balcony.  I'm hoping he heard us because there's no way I'm leaving my poor adorable baby outside during the night...

Wordless Wednesday...Well, Almost

Heather Field Lane exists just a few blocks away from work...

Fashion Pup

We had lots of morning cuddles today.  And if you're wondering why he has a sweater on, then you might want to ask Hutch.  He asked to put it on...

Very Pinteresting...

Just when I thought I had figured out healthy time management, my cousin (twice removed?), Erin, introduced me to pinterest.com.  This website is incredible, simply put.

http://pinterest.com/heatherfield/

For the first time in a very long time, I can honestly say I know what style I like. Jesse laughs at me when we go shopping because I'm all over the map.  I dress to please others rather than picking out something that I especially like.  So, with the help of this lovely site, I have discovered my style--both for home and for clothing.

Corny? Perhaps.  But quite fun! 

Wanting What You've Got

Jealousy:  (n) Jealous resentment against a rival, a person enjoying success or advantage, etc., or against another's success or advantage itself.

Jealousy is a dangerous road to travel.  We can become addicted to wanting another's possessions, or talents, or perhaps their whole life, and we miss what's going on in our own.  God does not bless some and ignore others.  He does not favor some and neglect the rest.  Why is it we desire what we do not have when God didn't choose to put that "thing" in our life?

Brace yourselves because in a moment I am going to make a statement that may offend half of you who read this silly blog.  Women are jealous creatures.

Phew, I said it.  Now, if I begin to get calls and emails about how I need to stand up for my sex, then I'll know exactly what to avoid on future posts.  But in all seriousness, while women are lovely creatures, they can become so focused on what others have that they miss their own blessings.  Men can be jealous too, of course, but women tend to take it to an extreme.

Take a lady at work, for example.  She is middle-aged but looks to be about thirty.  She has long, beautiful brown hair and hazel eyes.  She is athletic, in shape, and has one of those bodies you'd see on the front of a magazine.  She's wealthy, and I'm pretty sure she could go to the mall and buy just about anything she wanted.  She's intelligent.  She's witty.  And she's a good cook too (her peanut butter cookies are to die for!).  Now, after all of that, you'd think she is the person all the ladies are jealous about...but no.  This lady, bless her heart, is constantly comparing herself to the younger women at work.  She tells my assistant she wishes she could fit into her clothes.  She tells me I need to stop eating breakfast so I won't look like her.  She's jealous.  And the sad thing is, she is ignoring her own life in the process.  She's not thankful for her health, she wants others' fortunes. 

She is a reminder to me to focus on what God has placed in my life.  We can all compare ourselves to those around us, and I'm pretty confident that we all do at one time or another.  But what would happen if we compare ourselves to the person God wants us to be?  That's possible right--to compare ourselves to ourselves?  Try it out.  Stop disguising your blessings with jealousy and embrace them.  You might realize what you've got!

WILD PUPPY

We don't have boring evenings...there's no such thing in our world.  Why is that? Because we play WILD PUPPY.

Last night, Hutch got it in his head that the new table in the corner holding Kolby's cage was alive.

And for kicks, here's a photo of my outfit today. Haha.  Is it pathetic that I was proud of myself for putting this together?  Sorry for the "facebook" pose of taking a picture of my reflection.

Furniture Revealing

We aren't quite settled with the arrangement of our new furniture, but here it is in its present spot.  It's quite fun having furniture that matches! Is this a sign of adulthood???

City Girls

Well, I've officially been to New York City.  It was everything I'd hoped for, and more!

NY Bound

Brenda, Erin, and I are headed to New York City!  Our shuttle bus leaves the city early tomorrow morning, and we'll be in NY for three days and two nights.  My boss got us a hotel right in Times Square, so we are super excited!!!

Get ready for lots of photos!!!

Side note: our furniture came today.  I'll post some photos once the lighting isn't so "glarey."

HAPPY WEEKEND!

Cuddly Boy

Hutch is a little out of sorts now that the living room is almost bare.  The carpet cleaners come today, so his world can return to normal this evening. Until then...I'm LOVING his clingy and cuddly little puppy self!!!

For a Good Cause

Blogging started as a public diary of sorts.  People of all ages (well, let's be honest, people under the age of thirty) discovered a new way to communicate their joys and burdens, their struggles and accomplishments.  Before too long, the blogging community burst, and the real estate was booming.  Now, in 2012, nearly half a billion blogs have been set up, and communities are forming.  While I don't suggest blogs replace existing in-person social networks, I do suggest they encourage a tight-knit family of "followers."

Take me for example:  Back in 2009, I discovered a blog created by a Mama.  Kelle Hampton shares her story about raising two little girls, one with an extra chromosome.  Nella was born with Down Syndrome, and she is the sweetest little girl you'll ever see.  Check out her sight by clicking this link: http://www.kellehampton.com/

Last year, Kelle wanted to raise $25k to support the NDSS (National Down Syndrome Society). In a matter of minutes (I'm not exaggerating), she had met her goal and the thousands of her blog followers raised $100k.  She's now, in honor of Nella's 2nd birthday, trying to raise another $100k.  This Society builds opportunities with children and adults with disabilities.  It creates jobs, encourages growth, and does its best to tear down walls of discrimination.  If you are interested in helping the cause, please visit this site:
http://ndss.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1010652&supid=318966917

I have never personally met Kelle, nor have I spent time with her family...but, because of a blog, I feel as if she's a dear friend.  I feel like I could walk up to her in the street and start up a conversation with no hiccups.  Blogs for some may be just a source to spew emotional banter, but for some, it's a community--it's a way to breathe.  Check her blog out when you have time. You might be surprised at how powerful a blog can be...just another way to connect.

There's snow, and Then There's SNOW

The snow flurries started dancing around 11:00 am yesterday, and by the time 1:00 pm rolled around, the sky was in full performance.  The ice queen had been joined by all of her little fairies.  The flakes were full of moisture--big, wet, and heavy.  It didn't take very long for the trees to be laced in white and the ground to be covered in a soft wintry blanket.  Simply put, it was beautiful.

I tried taking photos of the snow, but somewhere between picking up Jesse from the Metro Station and attacking Hutch with the grooming razor, the photographer inside of me died (or at least went to sleep).  So, this morning, I went online to recover other DC dwellers' photos from yesterday.  I had high hopes to convey what my beautiful wintry wonderland looked like.  Only to find umpteen photos of this:

Snow in DC...Can you even see it???

Oh boy...have we got a long way before these city folk understand what beauty is! At first I thought, well perhaps they were so excited they started taking pictures before the snow started to stick.  But, after clicking through more photos than I'd like to admit, the photo above represents the theme of most of them.  So I guess I was the only one who was surrounded in white yesterday (perhaps it was all a dream).
I was able to find this one though...

This is almost what I saw...though I promise you, the trees WERE completely white when I left work last night. Next time I won't let the photographer inside me fall asleep. 

Quiet Time

Date Night. Quiet Time. Appointment with God.
They essentially mean the same thing--setting everything else aside to spend one-on-one time with God.

I wish I could say I was diligent about my time with my Creator.  Ever since I can remember I've struggled with staying on track with this habit.  And how timely for our youth group to begin discussing this when I, as a leader, need to crack down on it myself.

We challenged our small group to meet with God at least three times this week--in prayer, through the Bible, in silence, or however He asks you to meet Him.  I've challenged myself to meet Him once a day for a month in hopes that I can build a habit. 

I'm not a Christian based upon my daily talks with God, but my growth is dependent upon it. 

The Small Things

Shopping after work is never a good idea.  In fact, there should be warning signs posted in the parking garage: "WARNING: tired professionals may find it difficult saying no to the tag."  Okay, so maybe it's not that bad, but it certainly isn't the smartest way to solve work frustrations!  Regardless, I found myself in Nordstrom last night, sliding hangar after hangar across racks in search of the perfect dress.  NES (that's where I work) has its annual birthday party tonight to celebrate its existence (yes, I too find it a tad bit strange).  This cocktail party involves dinner, a Vegas magic show, live music, and lots and lots of expensive prizes.  It's fun, but I have officially run out of cocktail dresses now that I've worked here for two years.  So to Nordy's I went.

I started the adventure by doing something my mom taught us girls.  Pray.  You may think that's odd--praying for a dress, but it says God cares about all things--great or small.  And He answered.  I made camp in the dressing room and tried on a dozen dresses.  It wasn't until I slipped on the very last one that I knew this was it.  With Felicia's help, the Nordstrom attendant, I was in and out of there in less than thirty minutes.  It was then on to shoes.  The gentleman there was most helpful, and with a few trips around the department to make sure I could last in four inch pumps for five hours, I had my pick.  Would you believe I was home in an hour?  Believe it!  Thank you, Lord, for caring for the small things!

Bells Will Be Ringin'...

Christmas is a lovely time of year (especially when one decorates in early November!).  Jesse and I had a very fun time celebrating Jesus' birth, spending time with family, and slowing time to a screeching a halt.  Here is a glimpse into our festivities...

Jesse received a helicopter from his mom...I'm thinking once he gets this sucker going, he's never gonna put it down!

Look at this fun apron! Now I can bake in style. :)

The pile of pups

Dad showing off the "chipperest" of smiles...believe me, he wasn't this chipper when he first woke up on Christmas morning.

Dinner with Abel, Kara, Alan, and Gayle

They're awfully cute :)

Couldn't resist putting this photo in rather than the one where Alan is smiling...he's always up to something...

If you find my serious husband, please let me know.

IT FINALLY SNOWED!!!!

Abel and Kara joined us in celebrating the New Years

We played Hand and Foot into the wee hours of the morning.

Forget the ball dropping...Mom has her own way of welcoming in the new year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Break it up, you two!

Have to stay warm somehow...

We made a special trip to take Hutch's picture with his namesake...

Might I add it was FREEZING cold while taking this photo?!?

Thanks, Dad and Mom, for letting us crash at your home and for cooking dinner!!! We had such a fun time with you.  And to all of our family and friends whom we got to see and spend time with, it was a real treat!  We count ourselves blessed to have each of you in our lives. :)

Just a Quickie

First day back, so there's LOTS of work calling my name...but I couldn't resist quickly popping on here to post some phone pics on here...

Yummm! Snow!

Morning Cuddles

Walking the Dogs with Dad



HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO HOLLY MARIE NELSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sneak Preview

It's our last day in Minnesota, and while I'm excited to return to a routine, I'm not so sure I'm ready to leave behind family and relaxation.  Twelve days away from Virginia has been absolutely splendid.  Did you know you can fall asleep to a ticking clock rather than the whir of traffic?  I'd forgotten...

I'll write more later, but I wanted to post a photo from our sledding adventure.  Jesse and I joined Abel and Kara for an evening of snow and speed.  We had a blast, though I have to admit we discovered old age slows ya' down!