Nice Strangers

Yesterday my sister and I took a quick trip (quick is relative here-a "quick trip" is actually a 20 minute jaunt to the next town) to Coldstone. We wanted an ice cream fix before watching the finale of Lost. When we were paying for our ice cream, the lady behind me comes up and says to me, "you have the most beautiful hair! Do people tell you that all the time?" I turned around and smiled and said thank you. I was flattered. I don't usually get compliments from complete strangers! She made my day. I definitely left the ice cream shop happier than when I came in!

Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie

A little taste of heaven:

1 cup Chocolate milk

1 medium size banana

1 Tbsp peanut butter

1/2 cup ice

Mix all ingredients together and enjoy!

I promise you won't be disappointed!

Brings Joy to my life

I have watched these 2 videos many times, and each time they bring a smile to my face:

Little girl singing Taylor Swift

Kicking Monsters


Little kids are the best!

Trying it out: 7 Quick Takes

I have come across many blogs recently (some of my favorite day-to-day stops) that have their own version of Conversion Diary's "7 Quick takes" and I want to try it out too. We will see if I follow through every Friday!

Volume 1.

1. I am home!
Two weeks ago I was chomping at the bit to get home and take a break. Now I am home and don't know what I'm going to do to without being surrounded by UNC life. It's funny that the saying is true-the grass isn't always greener on the other side! I am so blessed with the job I have and I am most certainly going to enjoy the break but it is a weird feeling going from non-stop craziness in Greeley, to quiet, laid-back home!

2. Bittersweet
These past few days have left me feeling especially melancholy and bittersweet. I've had to say goodbye to dear friends and I have shed many tears. I am so resistant to change! I know all I need is time to think everything over, but because the feelings are so fresh, that is hard to do. I am so blessed with the people in my life! I am so thankful that I was given a chance, and then brought into a place where I was cared for and loved. I was made part of the family and I will cherish the memories and always be thankful. I am so excited for all my friends and their new opportunities and the ways that the Lord is blessing their lives!

3. Baseball games and crepes
This weekend is full of fun things to do! In the morning I am going to attempt to make crepes for the first time. My roommate Claire, who is from France makes them all the time and just taught me how. I'm hoping I live up to her standards! I am also going to my third Rockies baseball game of the season. I'm excited for a good night with friends, (hopefully) sunshine and a great game. Go Rockies!

4. Plane Tickets
In June I will be attending my first Ordination Ceremony. My dear friend, Deacon Ed will be ordained a priest for the Arlington, VA diocese! I am so thrilled for him and so excited to witness a this beautiful Sacrament! The only downfall is right now I am having a heck of a time trying to find decent plane tickets. It kills me to think of spending $500 for a 2 day trip. Things like this are not really in the budget, but I want to be there so badly for my friend that I think the financial sacrifice will be worth it.

5. 100 days
There are exactly 100 days from today to the beginning of the new school year. I have decided to commit those days to reaching my goal of running a half marathon. I have extra time because I do not have to attend all 5 weeks of summer training and I have decided to put that time to good use! I want to go back into the year feeling accomplished and proud of myself for reaching a goal.
13.1 miles, bring it.

6. Book lists
I am in need of new books to read! At this point in time I am not reading anything! This is a strange feeling because growing up I never was without a book (or 2 or 3 :-) ). I have a few I would like to read and a few I must. Some of the top choices right now are: Essays on Women (Collected works of Edith Stein), Pride and Prejudice, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, A Severe Mercy, Weapons of Mass Instruction and the list goes on and on....

7. Regulated Schedule
I am going to try my hardest to be on a good schedule while I'm home. I want to catch up on sleep, workout, cook dinner for my family, work on fundraising and leave room for leisure. I can be such a night owl that I stay up for no reason and then sleep in late. That's a habit that needs to be kicked out of my life! I have so many fun things planned this summer as well, that I don't want to waste time either!

Here Comes Summer

These past few days I have been reflecting on my memories of summer break. The long awaited 3 months of pure bliss that couldn't arrive soon enough the last few days of school. 3 months of lazy days, enjoying the sunshine without a care in the world. No homework, no school, nothing to do but be free.

The last few weeks, while watching the students prepare for finals and move out of the dorms, I felt the looming excitement of summer. Now, the parking lots are deserted, the dorms are quiet and the senior class has graduated. I am finished with all my commitments and I'll be going home soon-but I don't feel the "free-ness" summer brings along with it.

I think I am experiencing a weird "rite of passage" in life that happens to everyone as they grow older. Summer is no longer a "break" from reality. "Real life" continues each day, even through the 3 blissful months of summer. My summer is pack full of things to do! It's on to more fundraising, summer training and continuing my formation. I can't help but think that now I know how my parents felt when we were done with school and they had to continue to go to work. I never understood!
This will be an interesting summer, and even with the work that will need to be done, there are many fun things tucked inside-like friend's weddings, an ordination and a trip to California, but long gone are the continuous lazy summer days!

New Love

I love, love, LOVE this blog!
It makes my heart so happy!

The loveliest woman

Mom. That word seems so small for the greatness that defines it.
My mom is patient, funny, strong and to top it off she has a huge heart to love people with.
If we had been the same age at the same time, I think we would have been friends. Instead, I am privileged to be her daughter.

For 9 months she carried me right under her heart- and there was a bond created that is so special, so unique to just me and her it can never be broken or reproduced.

I secretely love when people ask if we are sisters. It means I'll continue to grow up and look just like her.

Thank you for giving me your beautiful brown eyes. You are the prettiest woman I know.

I've grown up watching and learning from her. Some points in her life have not been easy, and I have seen the pain and hurt she carries with her. She does not dwell in the past, and she moves fearlessly into the future-knowing that God is with her every step of the way.

Every time she's sacrificed one of her desires or wants, it was because she wanted to give us our desires and make us happy. Even if it goes unsaid, those sacrifices are noticed and appreciated. She's taught me so many things and I can't wait to continue to learn from her.

Life is good (if I may put it ever so simply) with my mother in my life.

I am so very, very blessed because she is my mother.

(Caitlin, my mom, me and Erin before Christmas Eve Mass 2009)