Da Bears

I'm exhausted. I needed this long weekend to recharge- Thanks Christopher Columbus!

Kel took the extra day as an opportunity to have some fun with his brother. They bought two football tickets...

My husband enjoys football but more importantly he has a passion for Da Bears. The love that Kel and Ben have for the team brings joy to my heart. Their father was a Bears fan, they were raised Bears fans, and will forever be Bears fans. They've traveled to Chicago during the winter to watch them play, they've watched every game on TV and they've shared some wins and a few loses. Watching the Bears is a fall family affair. I've learned to appreciate football Sundays, learn the players and share in his enthusiasm. 

Every two years the Chicago Bears play the Atlanta Falcons. Four years ago, the game was held in Atlanta.

Here's a little taste of what a Bears game is like for this family.

Fast forward to today,

Kel and Ben headed downtown to enjoy their Sunday Funday....

Victory! 

Thank goodness the Bears won. There would have been two disappointed fans. 

It's sad but true

My mom's three week visit to Atlanta has come to a close.
Callie's grandmother, Lola, is heading home to her beloved. Good thing Ronnie and Mom will be back in time for Christmas.

As a thank you for everything my mom has done for us during her stay, my wonderful husband bought us two front row tickets to ......

It was my mom's first time to the show and let's just say she had a blast.

She laughed (well more like cackled) and smiled the entire show.  The characters, acts and costumes are simply amazing. The performances were the best I have ever seen.

Men were launching themselves high into the air on a teeterboard, a lady performed a hand-balancing routine before diving into a tiny bowl of water, there was juggling with fire and so much more.

We had such a great night.

Mom- Thanks for an amazing three weeks! 

McFadden/Graham Wedding

Kelly and I headed up to Wilmington, Delaware for my friends wedding. Tara was one of my very first friends at Dickinson. We played field hockey together for four years, joined Delta Nu together, were roommates and have been great friends ever since.

  

Getting out of Atlanta was a little bit of an ordeal. As we were getting ready to take off the runway, we were delayed due to a storm. After an hour, we were on our way. I dislike flying. Yes, I've accepted that I have to travel for my job and fly around the country. I still hate it. Whatever it took we were making it to this wedding, it was too important.

We made it safely to Wilmington and got ready for the rehearsal & dinner.

The following day, Kel and I had a little down time prior to the wedding so we went to hang out with his good friend-Farnan. The best thing about seeing friends is time doesn't skip a beat. They haven't seen each other in years and it was like old times. Reminiscing of their younger days over beers while watching football. Good times, Good friends. 

It's wedding time! Tara was a stunning bride. 

I couldn't have been more honored that Tara asked me to read at her ceremony. It's a beautiful thing when someone you love and care for finds their soul mate.

The wedding was held at the Winterthur Gardens. I'm not exactly sure how they found this gem, but Tara and Sean's wedding photos are going to be gorgeous! The venue was magnificent, the wedding decor was elegant and family & friends watched the happy couple become husband and wife.

The toasts made everyone sob, the drinks were flowing and the band got the night started. The lovely bride kindly provided sandals for her guests. The heels were off and everyone was dancing the night away. 

Congratulations to Tara and Sean! Thanks for making us a part of your special day!

R&R during the work week

It's been an extremely busy week for me. I had eight local inspections and by local I mean a 2 hour drive to Augusta, then an additional 3 hour drive to Bruswick.

I'm so thankful that my mom accompanied me on this work trip. Lucky us we ended up in Jekyll Island, GA....sorry Kel and Callie.

Beautiful!

It was a very short trip but I'm glad we decided to visit the Golden Isles. Jeykll Island is beautiful! Our timing was perfect, since school is back in session the beach was quiet. This would be a wonderful place for a family vacation. I look forward to many more memories on the Georgia coast. 

Next time Kel & the pup will join me!

Ladies Sunday Funday

It was time to get mom out of the house and enjoy Atlanta. We headed down to Piedmont Park for the Wanderlust Festival.

5K Run. Meditation. Yoga.

The morning began with a 5k run around the park. It was different than other races I've experienced. There was no pushing and shoving to get to the starting line. Everyone was relaxed, talking to one another, smiling and stretching.

It was a day of live music, mindful movement, healthy good, motivational speakers, hula hoops and freebies. We ended up leaving after the loving-kindness meditation session and sadly enough missed the yoga. 

I met up with a few of my CREW Leadership friends at the event. Per usual we had a blast together.

Mom and I had a wonderful time together and it was the perfect way to start my work week. As an adult our mother-daughter relationship has grown into a new phase. 

These are the moments that I cherish. 

May you be happy. May you be healthy. May you be whole.