Worth it

I do love to blog. Mainly bc I have so many words that I like to use in a day....a pretty hefty quota in fact..... and Mac wears out around 200. So this is my space for the rest of them. But as you (assuming "you" are still out there) may have noticed or assumed, I've been lost..... in the land of the way too busy....I've seen many of you there! Ha!

I need to catch you up on the rest of my glorious birthday events, before I'm a year older! My new job. Our dear friend Robert joining Jesus. I want to blog about so many big things that have been going on. Big things that I get lost in. But tonight I was found. Grounded. And no, it wasn't thanks to my dear hubby cooking dinner for the third night in a row. That is humbling. But I only share that to brag! The news that found me, the reason I blog tonight, is a message from Mac's best bud Oscar and his way-too-cute family. You can watch the video as I did at the link below.

web.mac.com/oscar.avalos

Cute kids, right? But the video really got me tonight. Recently I was challenged by a best bud of mine regarding wealth. She reminded me that we all have so much. Though as long as I'm being transparent, I admit to often complaining of the opposite. Way often. 180 out of my 200 words some days. But I get her point. And the most exciting thing is that part of my wealth is knowledge of a Savior....who much like you (you are reading this, right?) hasn't given up on me yet. He's faithful. And I forget this in my busyness. I forget to share this wealth while I'm busy trying to make my own wealth...... And I don't see my life slowing down. And I doubt you do either! For the most part, I like my busy. And no, I'm not trying to find an escape clause. This is not some kind of easy way out. I know, and am thankful, that my busyness allows me to connect in my space, with people that I might otherwise never know. But realize that it also allows me to make money to support dear friends and strangers who are then able to have full time jobs leading people to the greatest source of all wealth.

When I allow myself to slow down. When I sit back and realize what matters. What I want to be my success. Where I want to find my value. I know that I truly do have abundant wealth. And I feel lucky that I get to give!

I love the 23rd!

As many of you know (assuming only friends/family read this), today is an extremely special day, its Julie’s birthday! That’s right, April 23rd is a day that I will forever cherish. Also, this is Mac and yes it has been awhile since I have written, but if there is ever a reason to jump back in, this is it.

I’ll always remember the first birthday she celebrated after I met her. Only because of the emphasis she stressed that it was her “Golden Birthday” (turning 23 on the 23rd) In my mind I just thought she had the best birth – day, seeing as how my favorite basketball player wore the same number on his jersey. Anyways, realizing the importance of this particular birthday, I took her to her favorite play, Les Mis. After that night, we have made seeing plays and musicals a regular event in our lives, but that one will ALWAYS hold a special place in my heart over the others.

Since the “Golden Birthday”, we have celebrated the 23rd many times. And without fail, every time this day rolls around, I count my blessings and am humbled that our amazing, personal and loving God chose to bless me with such an incredible person.

Julie – I love you more today, than any of the days before. You light up my world in a way nobody else can. You have the unique ability to make me laugh without reason, because to me, you are the funniest person I know. You sharpen and are patient with me as I learn to be the best husband for you. Thinking about all the things you are in my life, I can’t imagine where I would be without you.

My prayer for you today is that you know without a doubt how special and loved you are. Not just by me, but by everyone around you, because you deserve nothing less.

I love you and Happy Birthday!!

Still Lost

Dear Lost Writers,

You are my true Valentine and know the way to my heart. And to my friend Mark's heart (who is my new fave person to watch with, though he is leaving the country and the series is ending, better late than never, right?). Ladies, you might should listen to this one, Mark's heart is very much up for the grabbing!

Mark was, well you could say, pacified with the guyliner voyage on the Black Rock. The key to his heart=that silly ship.

I on the other hand have just been delivered my chocolate and roses as well. People.com reports that Lost producers have previously confirmed Elizabeth Mitchell will pop up again before the series ends.

Just when I thought you were going to leave me hanging. That you would never answer all of my questions in time, the way you show absolutely nothing in "next week's preview", while tearing me up to bagpiping Amazing Grace. You thought if I was crying I wouldn't notice the lack of new information you were shedding light on. But you are on to something. The chance of a "and then Sawyer and Juliette met in the sideways life, and lived happily ever after" was worth me giving the last 6 years of my life and potential at missing the Heels last game of the season. I got lucky. Games go into overtime and JJ Abrams pulled through once again. (I'm just going to give him the credit now in case this ends ugly).

Love you Lost. Miss you already.

Missing you like the Heels missed the tourney. But as a wise friend recently reminded me "Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending."

Loving Jesus means never having to check into rehab.....

So there are so many things I want to blog about. But life is sweeping me away at the moment, however, I just had to jump on. In honor of Holy week. and give a shout out to the Big guy. And you knew it would come back to Tiger. OR Jesse. OR whoever is going to rehab today. For the love, just confess you are sinful! Confess you are broken. To the Lord, not to me, though you know I love to hear every word they say, a sorta dreamer paparazzi wannabe.

Ok ok ok, I will start over. Like *most* things in life, there is a time and place for everything, including rehab...don't we all need it in one area or another? And hats off to people who need help and get it. I loooove me some time with a paid professional who can point out good, hard truths. Sometimes Mac will even do this for free. Aren't I lucky? BUT, I hate a cop out. so much that i don't even know if that's how you spell it. I'm not one to judge motives and talk about it on an open forum (and try not to behind any backs! yikes!), but pah-lease. You are not a sex addict. You just thought you could get away with it. I'm sure you are sorry....that you got caught! But for real. All your money in your fancy rehab won't cure your heart. Perhaps it will go far for your image. There's a chance it might go somewhere with your wife. But your heart needs saving. It needs something, even on your best day. And that's why we have Easter. You can work your whole life to be a good person and do good things. But you'll die trying, losing in comparison, to the one who lived life perfect.

At a wedding a few weeks ago the minister reminded us of a great truth. And I just keep repeating it to anyone that will listen. God did not create marriage to make us happy, but to make us holy. And His grace is enough to redeem us everyday. And we'll need it. Don't run away from your issues. Run to someone who can save you despite them.

Off the soapbox.....on to the pastel candy. I really do love this time of year.

Third Final Four in a Row!*

As long as you include the asterisk, couldn't be closer to my version of the truth.

TAAAAAAARRRRRRR..............(don't leave me hanging!)

Gives you chills doesn't it?

And now we can all giggle that the Final Four games are played on a Tuesday night. Really randy randar? You think I'm going to watch this instead of the 7th to last episode of Lost? Hmmm. Then you might have seen last night's episode and realize that NOTHING HAPPENED! Oh mister NIT commissioner, you are on to something. But go ahead and do me the favor of letting the Heels play in the 7 pm game. Just in case they explain the polar bears.

My sis thinks this could lead to one of those occasions you share with the grandkids...remember where you were when JFK was shot? The challenger blew up? Your team played for the NIT Championship? Big events. Often lead to onions.

Always a fan, just not always watching. Here's to hoping we end out the season as good ole 65.

A little game

Mac doesn't like it when I use girl adjectives. So I am not referring to his play-off basketball game this eve. The one I'm missing Lost to cheer on. I am however referring to a little real estate matchy match that I would like to play with you! You see. Every once in a while we speak of reproducing. Then we remember this.

Yes. That's right. Mac is feeding Baby Brennan. Without moving.

Sigh.

So while we are not expecting a child. We do realize we can't live in a one bedroom condo forever. And we (read me) LOVE our neighborhood. So on special Sundays. When the mood is right. We stop by neighborhood open houses. This weekend, the joke was on us (faded purple carpets, sinking hardwood floors, all around yuck). And so I hope to pass the joke along to you. Please match the pictures with the corresponding prices. And if you are brave you can pick which one we stopped by.













(3 bedroom condo in this building)



a. $7.12 Million. Like with loooots of 0s. $7,120,000.

b. $779,000. Still a 7, Less 0s.

c. $2,850,000

d. $1,195,000

Maybe this is only a fun game for me? The way that March Madness is now only fun for Mac :(

And this one, sadly is not in our neighborhood, but it sure does yell "GOOD TIMES!" for the asking price of $659,000.


If this blog thing doesn't take off soon I'm moving on to real estate.

Recognizing Yourself

So recently I haven't been able to recognize myself. And no I'm not referring to that extra softness that I've acquired from being so in love.....with thepioneerwoman.com. I've been a little less than faithful to my true love. And again I'm not referring to missing quiet times. Because that's a whole book of mess in and of itself. You see. I feel stuck. For the last 7 years I've headed up a March Madness bracket/pool/mania. It's been life changing. Mac used to joke that people should date a full year before they are married. So you can see each other through every season. He was referring to his need to see me during March. I LOVE MARCH. In fact if I think hard Mac broke up with me the second week in April. Perhaps my March-self makes people wonder. But I love myself in March. I love forcing my family to join a bracket and not even caring if I have to pay their buy-in. I love researching on ESPN and then CBS and then googling the odds only to find out that my company blocks that site. Every year. Every company.

That brings us to today. The first evening of the ACC tourney. The hope I feel comes close to the hope I felt on election day. (I love me some political jabs!) But seriously. I am taken back to yesteryear when I burned my Georgetown tee as they beat my Heels in the Dean Dome in the NIT!!!!!! This year I am giving my arm, leg, and most of my weekends to Georgetown. And yet my heart feels the loss and hurt of 2006. Ok not really, but that was really dramatic, eh? (did I mention I'm going to Canada, eh?)

So I have to poll. Do I even bother creating a pool? Will the 20 out of 25 people that usually pick UNC for that middle spot still try to get the computer to pick OUR team? Will Carolina pull the biggest upset in tourney history? Will they be the Cinderella at the dance? Or next week will I post pics from April 6, 2009?

I guess that's why you get married. Gig'em Aggies? My heart can only take so much.

Will you join my pool? OR should I try to fall asleep. And just wake up for my birthday.

**The picture above is full of great irony. The road did in fact end 4 hours after it was taken. And it might in fact end again 4 hours after I post this post"