My Mander

It's been so long since I've done a post, but this weekend gave me a really great reason to do a special post. I've got the most amazing best friends in the world, honestly. This particular best friend is my Mander aka Amanda. We met 7 years ago at the yellow pages where we both worked. She was a sales rep, I was a designer.

You know when you just know that you've got something great for life? That's what Amanda is to me. She has been an amazing influence on me in so many ways. She taught me how to cook and how to garden. We spent endless weekends making projects and watching movies. There was a time when we were at her house more than our own! Amanda and I have been through so much together. We've seen one another in our best and at our worst times. We've been each other's rock. And at the end of the day, she has been and will always be one of the most amazing women I've ever met.

I've been blessed with a beautiful angel and I got to spend the entire weekend with her. We decorated for Kandon's party, made yummy food, had a picnic and enjoyed a beautiful fall scenery from HighRock. She's become part of our family. I am so excited to share a new chapter of life with her as she creates a beautiful little boy. It's such an honor to be part of her experience. That little boy has a very special mother, the best. I can't wait to see this dream come true.

I love you dearly.

Fun Times

As I sat on the tire swing at the park watching Kandon and AJ play on the slide, I can't help but think about how lucky I am. Every day brings new challenges for us all, but having a beautiful, healthy child and a handsome, loving husband sure does make a difference.

In the distance, we heard the faint sound of, what Kandon calls, a "Choo-Choo." All of a sudden AJ starts running and Kandon and his little legs start running behind him. "Hurry Daddy! The Choo-Choo is coming!" They had a race to see if they could make it to the fence before the train did. Their world stopped for the next 90 seconds as the train flew by them. Watching, pointing, smiling. Watching Choo-Choos are their favorite past time.

Did I run after them? Nope. Not because I wasn't excited too, but because I was caught in my own moment, watching the two of them form a bond that was so deep. When they ran, it seemed like it was slow motion, watching AJ look back at Kandon, Kandon pointing and his hair blowing back, the train approaching them... It was like everything had stood still. While they were focused on the train, I was focused on them.

This was one of those moments that stick in your heart.

Duck Pin

Wow! It's been a while since I've done a post. There's been so many great things happening! We've been doing a lot of afternoon activities with Kandon, like going to the museum, the pool, parks, and most recently, duck pin bowling!

Last weekend we paired up with some dear friends of ours, the Richer's, and took our boys, Kandon and their son Peyton, bowling. It was Kandon's first time, so Peyton showed him the tricks :) The funniest thing was on the way there, I said, "Kandon, we're going bowling!" and his response was, "They have a Wii there??!!" I couldn't help but laugh. The thing I cherished most about this trip was the good old fashion fun we had with friends and loved ones. Why can't we all just stop and enjoy moments like this more often? Laughter, stories, talking. It's so good for the soul to just enjoy life. It's too short not to!

It's so important to us for Kandon to experience life. We want him to see things, do things, have memories that last a lifetime. So we'll keep finding new things to do and new places to explore. And in the meantime, we're creating some pretty awesome memories for us too.

Little Miracle

For 10 months I had the pleasure of watching my best friend nurture and create a beautiful little miracle. It's amazing how in such a short amount of time (well, when you're pregnant it feels like forever!) the body can create fingers, toes, a heart and a life. How it all works we'll never understand.

Friday we got the call... it's go time. A week after her estimated grand entrance date. I was sitting in the studio and remember feeling like my heart was going to pound out of my chest. Would it go well? Would they both be safe and healthy? Should I go now or later? After driving myself nuts, I went home and took a nap in anticipation of a long evening. Around 7:30pm we headed to the hospital and I felt so relieved just to see Amber's face and to be with her. She had an amazing team with her; Mat, her wonderful husband was right by her side. Her mother was an amazing breathing coach through her contractions, and the rest of her family offered their love and support. Amber was a trooper, breathing her way through every step.What an honor to be part of this experience.

After many hours of labor and a good solid epidural nap, she was ready to go. We sat in the waiting room from 6am-7:30am when the nurse peaked her head out the door and said, she did it, she's here and healthy!

After her family spent their time with the new family, I got to meet her. Her long arms, her beautiful complexion, the head full of hair. She is perfect! We quietly rocked in the chair as we became acquainted.

Morgan, I am looking forward to watching you grow. Being your friend. Experiencing life with you in it. I love you Buhrman's.

Java

One of my favorite places to go is Port City Java in Hagerstown. It's relaxed and inspiring. Yesterday I was between clients and decided to pop in to Port City to enjoy a yummy grande soy frappacappacino with a little extra vanilla (yes, I'm very specific). I plopped down in the oversized leather chair, kicked my shoes off and turned on my laptop. The music was soft and upbeat and the smell of fresh espresso is unlike any other.

I remember sitting in that exact same chair when I was pregnant with Kandon. I had just quit my job and started the business. I was getting cabin fever and wanted to be in a creative atmosphere, so I would go to Port City to inspire myself. Hard to believe that was almost 4 years ago...

I always leave feeling the same way, relaxed and inspired. It's always been there for me.

a whole other world

Last week my girl Tamara took me to the city. We had some important business to take care of first thing, but then she took me into what I like to call "a city within a city." I am amazed at the amazing things that are out there. Within Rockville are these cities, where people eat, dine and shop. They essentially don't have to drive anywhere! Did I mention there was a 2 story Target and a cupcake shop? My heart pumps for these places, they fuel my creative juices.

This trip made me realize, Heck! I need to get out more! I need to experience what is out there and I need to take my boys with me! Different restaurants, unique shops, fun activities, there's so much to take in. So you can guess what we'll be doing this summer, seeing what the East Coast has to offer... I want Kandon to grow up with memories of taking adventures and finding treasures. What we have here is fantastic, but why not add to it?

BTW, you know someone loves you when you ask them to sit in the middle of a sidewalk to take a foot picture, and they don't even question you ;)

The Gap

If you live anywhere near Franklin County, you've been to Cowans Gap. For those of you who haven't, the Gap is like an escape, like going to the beach without having to drive 3 hours. There's something about driving up that windy road with the windows down into this hidden treasure that amazes me. Who knew at the top of a mountain there would be such a lovely escape from reality. How great is it to leave everything behind for a long afternoon. No work, the cell phone service up there is crap so you don't even have to talk to anyone, except the company you've taken with you.

This past Sunday dinner we had a picnic at the Gap. Grilled hot dogs, hamburgers, cheddar sausages... charcoal hotdogs have to be among my favorite things in the whole world. The best part about the entire trip was the monsoon that almost threw us off the mountain. We all got there, set up the canopy and blankets, and over in the distance came a very angry black cloud. In a matter of seconds the rain was coming down sideways and we were all hanging on to the tent for dear life. So much for the tent keeping things dry! We laughed so hard it was impossible to not enjoy this random act of nature. My favorite part was running in the wind with my beach towel over my head like Mary Poppins, soaking wet.

The Gap provides memories, and each time it has its own adventure. As Kandon likes to call it, "the beach" will always be there to add to the stories.