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.

The Real World

Last year we had a high school junior, Karissa, intern with Worx. She's one heck of an artist and has a hard working spirit. For about 12 weeks, she spent time with us to find out if design was a career choice she would like to pursue. The thing I love about Karissa is she is one of the most giving human beings I've ever met. She donates her time with various organizations, serves as a mentor to other youth and gives her time at homeless shelters. Her summer job this year is working with elderly, reading them books, playing cards and being a positive companion. I love her spirit.

This past weekend, I was honored to be part of her graduation party. She and her family invited us into their home to be part of a wonderful celebration. She asked if we would all write some inspiring words into her journal, and about 2 paragraphs into it, I started to cry. Karissa gave me a reminder of where I started. Who says a young female artist graduating high school can't tackle the world? Sounds familiar. When I look at Karissa, I see myself, 9 years ago. At her party, I had a huge sense of accomplishment, as if I had just graduated...not high school, but the next chapter of my life.

This girl is packed full of talent and compassion. She's closed one chapter but her book will have a long and powerful story. Later this month she'll start her college journey at Full Sail University, online, majoring in design. I'm honored to know Karissa, as she makes me strive to be a better person.

My full time hobby

I was thinking this morning, why on earth haven't I done a tread post this past week? We've done so many wonderful things! We spent the day at the circus, went to chocolate world, had a pool party with some extended family and went to a welcome home party for a friend returning from Iraq. I was having such a great time that I completely forgot to take pictures for the blog!

In the mist of our activities, I've also been handed a challenge and a gift. I like to call it my full time hobby, aka, my business. Today as I'm sitting in Highline listening to a slow jazz music and the sound of steaming milk, smelling the fresh brewed espresso, I'm reflecting on the last 2 weeks of work and all the amazing opportunities that have opened up. After almost 4 years of hard work and dedication, excitement and frustration, tears of joy and tears of fear, my business has nestled itself into a world of unstoppable opportunities. I never take a day for granted. I have been blessed with a talent that allows me to be who I am and be home with my family.

I've got one heck of a support system. These people have watched me walk away from a guaranteed paycheck and into the unknown. 4 years later, they are still my #1 fans. And don't you worry, there are still plenty of tricks up these sleves ;)