happy birthday briana!!

happy happy birthday dear friend! I so enjoyed getting to spend your day with you {...please thank your family again for sharing you!} I hope this year is better than last, bigger than ever, and special in many ways! Happy happy day Briana!!!

...........................................................................

I ventured to Ohio on Friday for the first time since we moved. I went to celebrate Briana's birthday on Saturday and even had some time on Friday to pop in and see so more dear friends. Rosie and I enjoyed lunch together at Aladdins...it is one of our old time staples and hubby doesn't like it so I always go with the girls! We were missin' Vickie and Melissa and it would have felt like "old times". It was so good to catch up with Rosie and hear of her soon travels to Germany and her work travels to Vermont...she is one travelin' gal at the moment! Safe travels friend!!I peeped in on Carla and got to hug her neck! I miss her daily! My yorkie boys don't seem to converse with me near as well as Carla and I kept each other in stitches every day! Oh how it was so good to catch up! Come see us soon missy!

I spent the rest of the weekend celebrating Briana's big day! We ate at her favorite...Bahama Breeze...yum!!, filled our make-up drawers again at our favorite spot, and spent Saturday at the flea market...we shopped til our heart's content, our arms full, and we could no longer take the heat! We hit the jackpot on old books, found some great baubles {love my new earrings}, stumbled upon the coolest trinkets, and had the BEST time! I had a wonderful day shopping for fleas with you missy!!! Hope your day was everything you wanted and such a happy one!!!

sisters...

A visit from home was so refreshing! Even though we were just there in June it was so nice to have ChiChi visit for a while. It got me out of the house and we spent all our time...having fun getting to know the city! Surprising, but I actually didn't get many pictures...shocking I know it! We just seemed to enjoy really being together.

Among many things we enjoyed...
: chocolate factory & old fashioned soda fountain {yum!} : hilarious moments : childhood memories : good books : architecture : the mattress factory : yellow bridges : hubby's grilling skills : ikea : antiques : fleamarket {eessh...not a good one} : homemade cookies : mama mia : good deals : good eats : shop on the west side : shop on the east side : shop on the south of town : fashion tips : shared clothes : new friends : strip district : coconut juice and granola : late nights :

Not knowing the city quite yet we "happened" upon a lot of our sights...accidentally...even with a GPS! One being the historic Mexican War Streets...

The historic streets were created in 1848 {wow!!} by General William Robinson, Jr. He had recently returned from the Mexican War and divided his land and gave the streets names from the battles and generals of that war. The colors and arcitecture details here are so unique. Each one different...yet their uniqueness makes them alike and they flow together nicely.

: quote of the day :

mama mia!

Hubby, Krystal, and I ventured out to the movies this weekend just like some of the other MILLIONS of people out there. What a record-breaking weekend for Hollywood! No no no...hubby did not see Mama Mia...he watched the other record-breaking film...The Dark Knight. Have you seen Mama Mia yet? Wow...what eye candy! I loved the colors, energy, and pure hilarious moments. Don't get me wrong...I actually jumped in my seat the first time they broke out into song, but I soon got used to it and was so impressed with Meryl. She was fantastic...her energy was contagious and she truly seemed immersed in the moments. Pierce...I couldn't get used to his vocals, but the chuckle of it seemed to add to the feeling of the movie too. He didn't seem to have confidence in his voice, but I felt compassion for him for trying. Such a great flick!

Loved the music...see for yourself...

crafting sister...

While out running errands last week I unexpectantly happened across some extra time and needed to stay in town. I wandered into a store and found it...cream crepe paper. I was quite excited because I hadn't found creme before...the white I have didn't always cut it either.

I have been wanting to craft since we moved. I hadn't made anything with my hands since hubby's party in Texas and the ideas had been swirling in my head for weeks now. I was excited to find the time this weekend...hubby was at the hospital and with it being the weekend I didn't feel the need to work...so I crafted and started with cream crepe paper ruffles and a few other favorites!

I didn't really have a plan when I started, but as all my "random" projects...if I just get started the ideas will flow. So I started...and I knew one thing about my end result...

I wanted to make something for my sister. She is coming for a visit {today!!} and I wanted something for the doorknob to her room. I want her to feel welcome and at home in our new home. I can't wait to see her and caught myself singing..."there were never such devoted sisters" { from one of my favorites...white christmas }...all afternoon.

So I included some vintage sheet music and one of my favorite current pics of us {the younger ones involve HuGe hair on my part} and I think she might just like it. We shall see...I head to the airport in an hour to get her!

our new home...

As promised...here are some pics of our new place. We decided to rent instead of our original thought of buying...with the housing market as it currently sits we want to not have a house standing in the way of where we need to go after Residency {aka...when we are ready to head south...we can!} Renting also means less painting too. So I haven't done my typical striping of the walls...and I probably won't. I also seem to be hesitant to put holes in the wall...I'm sure this will change, but in the meantime you will see bare walls for the most part. I must also add...it was quite the adjustment moving into a brand new house...it was a challenge in my decorating mindset that I have tried to face head on. I was scared to scuff the walls, and all of the shiny white moldings, I was nervous about all my old pieces fitting in and not sure how my few peely paint things would work...but I have gotten used to it and things are fitting in quite nicely...well...that is until I redecorate and rearrange them...yet again!
There are so many things about our new house that we love, love, love!

{ the guest room }
what I love: that we have one complete with a bed!
favorite elements: huge window seat with the new.old chandi hanging over it


{ the living room }
what I love: light! the sun floods this room in the afternoon
favorite elements: the fireplace, large door to the patio, & built in bookcases


{ the dining room }
what I love: our new.old chandi {finally} hanging above the table
favorite elements: open to the kitchen


{ our bedroom }
what I love: that the master bath is attached
favorite elements: so spacious and beautiful crown molding


{ the kitchen }
what I love: the dishwasher!!!
favorite elements: one whole wall is open to the living room

{ the garage }
enough said!

{ the laundry room }
what I love: our new washer and dryer...aka bubbles and tumble!
favorite elements: off the kitchen

{ my office }
what I love: that I have one!
favorite elements: upstairs away from everything else

living in the temporary...

All during medical school friends, colleagues, strangers would ask us about where we would go for Residency...are we going home? I would always respond "thats the prayer" and never answer "yes". I would explain that we would love to be in Texas, but that more importantly we wanted to be where God wanted us. Well...skip a few years and you know how that prayer was answered...or not yet answered.

Now that we are in Residency in PA friends, family, and colleagues {I don't much run into strangers working from home} ask if we are going home to Texas for Practice. I now answer yes before I can even think about it...not because I know or because I am giving God the answer, but because it is truly the desire of my heart...now when God changes our desires our answer will be different. I always follow up with... I am praying one day God will bring us home!

Well...I have started reading the Purpose Driven Life {again because I have yet to finish it} and the chapter today talked about the temporary nature of this life and how it shouldn't feel like home, but just passing through. That is exactly that way I have always described Cleveland..."it just feels temporary". I shopped knowing it was our temporary home...I always considered the thought of moving it and was it too bulky before buying. {Now...our free finds are a different story...I can't turn down free finds/gifts.} We took care our apartment with extra care knowing it wasn't ours, but we were borrowing it.

Is that not exactly what God's talking about with living in this world? Live in it and enjoy it, but not too much because you aren't staying here. It is just a stop on the journey to Heaven. Don't waste your money on an abundance of possessions because you can't take them with you. Make great friends and make sure they come along with you on the rest of your journey and spend eternity with you. Live the moments of celebration because they will sweeten your memories.

I don't know that I would have ever understood "living in the temporary" like I do now since living away from home. I feel that God really taught us that feeling and is encouraging us to live life this way and also to have a greater understanding of home and how we should yearn for heaven.

We can't wait to live at home again...is that now how we should feel about Heaven? We know that its not time to be there yet...is that not also true of living in the pearly gates just yet? We know that we must live this part of the journey and learn the pearls He's teaching us until we get there...is that not true of our lives?

I don't know where He'll take us next...I know where we want to go...where we truly yearn to be, but I know that as I live life here temporarily that I need to learn what He is teaching me.

for the baubles...

speaking of baubles...I thought of you friends last week while at ikea. { yep...we have one in our new neighborhood!! } I saw this and thought it would be a great substitute for those of you looking for a stand/tree for your baubles since you were all so complimentary of mine...You can find it for a great price here... and probably even spray paint it a fun color if you need a little more punch than b&w provide!

{ image borrowed from ikea }

decorate...undecorate...redecorate...

I have decorated...undecorated...redecorated. Yes...the boxes are unpacked...well almost...I can't seem to get motivated to finish the last few {mainly my jewelry}...weird I know! I was sure to unpack the old worn books that add the warmth to our living room, and for some reason felt it necessary to get my holiday decorations all tucked away in the spare bedroom closet, but I can't seem to get motivated on getting my baubles up in my closet for easy reach. Maybe because for some reason I have yet to feel settled. Another reason could be because I don't exactly get dressed everyday anymore...therefore, I haven't needed that necklace. I have instead left them in a box and choose to grab my favorites when I do get dressed...my comforts that never got packed and traveled in the suitcase with me.

I am so thankful for this chapter in life...its just going to take some time adjusting into it. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else...and I truly wholeheartedly mean that. I feel like we are right where God wants us...not ahead...not behind. I have begun reading He Chose the Nails by Max Lucado {a fabulous read by the way by one of my favorite authors!}. One of the bits of wisdom I walked away with and will chew on all day is listening to God. I spend a lot of time asking him to speak to me and forget to stop and listen and recognize the signs. He really has blessed us in so many ways through this transition...

Hubby is exhausted, but truly loving his new place! He is learning and loving it! He did his first skin to skin this week and he did beautifully! I was so nervous...shhh don't tell him. It has to be along the lines of sending your child off to kindergarten. maybe? I know practicing glue dots and throwing suchers aren't exactly the same things, but you get the point. He double fisted on pager duty...yep...there was 2 this week and when the new one went off...he was cool as a cucumber...I on the other hand was nail biting in the background! He has adjusted beautifully and I am so proud of him!!

God has also blessed us with some wonderful friends already. Only by His grace and understanding...one of our new dear couple friends and hubby's co-resident is from Tyler...actually even better...from my little hometown of Whitehouse. How? Only His ways can explain. He knew we would need friends who love Mexican food just as much as we or understands the craving of having a church family in our new home or the laughs when they find your elementary yearbook pictures {oh my!} or even just the comfort of KNOWING what home feels like and the changes of a new city so different than what we are all used to. We feel blessed to be blessed with them!

I also find it no accident that God brought us only a few hours from Cleveland. He knew if we couldn't head home to Texas quite yet than we would have days where we craved their little faces! God blessed us with many wonderful friends in Cleveland and it is such a comfort to know how close they are! I am hoping to venture back that way before summer's end...to hug necks, meet the newest Mesec, and catch up!

So I promise I am working on pictures of our new place...it really is feeling like home and I am so proud to share it. I have taken pictures to share...then I redecorated. I promise to post some picture tidbits soon...very soon!

While I was home in June my mom, sis, and I had our pictures taken. We try to take family pictures at least once a year, but the boys of the family seem to never be too happy about all getting dressed and ready for pictures at the same time. So to cut out some of the confusion and belly aching we "allowed" them to just hang out at the lake while we had a photo opt! Here are a few shots from the day...


I love these 2 so much! They are 2 of my favorite girls! They are built in through blood yes...but I would still choose them if they weren't! It was quite the adjustment living without them in my daily life when we moved to Cleveland several years ago. It was the first time without at least one of them. We have managed to get along with cards, packages, letters, daily phone calls, texts, visits, and email...but there really is no place like just getting to be together. I can't wait to hug my sis's neck next week and have her visit for a week and then mom will be packing her bags for PA shortly thereafter! Miss you girls!

{ Thank you so much Linda for spending the afternoon shooting us...I so enjoyed getting to meet you! Thank you Ms. Rebecca for letting us use your yard and adorable home! }

what a catch!

I came across this today...and had to laugh out loud! It is one of the nicknames hubby gave me going back to our early dating years. With a fish this cute and detailed I'm ok with such a name!

{ designed by kayte terry ...one creative gal! }

a visit from OH!

I hope everyone had a lovely birthday for america! I can't say I had a lovely 4th as I was so sick. I ended up sending everyone off to watch fireworks downtown while I laid on the couch in my pjs with my yorkie boys and listened to the bursts of fireworks outside...I can't say I even worried to get up and see them...listening was enough.

Fast forward past Friday night... and we had a lovely weekend with some dear friends. The Dillers came on over Friday from Ohio just in time to try out the new guest room and celebrate the 4th and the first week of Residency with us!

We had such a great time...
we explored ikea : rode up the incline : checked out the amazing view of downtown : ate on carson street : visited a fabulous chocolate shop : baked cupcakes : watched scooby doo : entertained several more friends over for a fish fry : played corn hole : played card games : ate, ate, ate...

{ miss hannah with her "gourmeT" pretzel from the chocolate shop }

{ the many "techniques" of corn hole }

It was so good to see the littles and their adults! We miss so much having them close and right down the street! It was such a treat to catch up and hug their necks! Come back soon Dillers!

{ the little boys...exhausted after entertaining our guests all weekend...such the little hosts }

birthday wishes...

happy birthday america!
may all my american friends have a lovely 4th with family, friends, food, and fireworks aplenty!

{ images borrowed from superstock.com }

day one...

of grade school, middle school, high school, college, teaching, medical school, residency...my smartypants husband started his Residency today and I couldn't be more proud, teary-eyed, and lonely. In so many ways I can't believe this day is finally here. He is Dr. C today complete with his scrubs, pager {now officially flipped "on"}, degree, new post-initials, early morning routine, and responsibilities. Speaking of early morning routine...I tried to send hubby off in style this morning with one of these...I mean...I cringed when he wanted to take his lunch in a plastic grocery sack. He chuckled and soon realized I was serious...I even offered my Texan the cow print. How can he resist. Well he did...so at the wee hours of 5:30AM this morning as I was trying not to see cross.eyed and finishing up his pb&j sandwich and feeling guilty that as a work.at.home wife I couldn't provide more nutrition for my doctor husband's lunch...I sure did send him off with a crooked smile, crossed eyes, and a plastic bagged lunch...I did include a little tlc when I slipped in a note. Hope it makes him smile and not blush when he reads it around his new doctor peeps.

blessings for the red, white, and blue...

Can you believe it? July is right around the corner and the fireworks of the 4th will be sounding soon. I came across this little petite beauty...and thought...somewhere in some box or already put up in a "safe" spot...I too have 4th of July decorations...if only I knew where they might be... More importantly now though would be getting the guest room put together for hopefully our 4th of july weekend guests...yes?!

a new day...everyday

Hubby surprised me last week with a wonderful treat...Celine Dion's DVD: A New Day. I sat jaw dropped and in awe watching it in full over 2 days...and I have immersed myself in the dancing, color, wonderful wardrobe, and downright amazing vocal cords everyday since!



Its like watching her vegas show live in my own living room snuggled on the couch. I will admit...after seeing these sets I would have paid those high ticket prices to see her show live...it had to have been utterly amazing and would have been worth every peeny. Thankfully I can't truly "kick" myself for not going because she was off when we were in Vegas a few years ago. Anyone lucky enough to see her show live during her time in Vegas?

yummm...

We had a lovely evening tonight with some lovely friends. They have been so gracious, giving, supportive, and encouraging during our transition to Pittsburgh. They showed us the town when we were considering Pittsburgh, drove us around for days when we were looking for a house, answered all hubby's questions about the program, and were so supportive during our entire transition to make sure it all went smoothly. We were excited to finally be able to do something for them this time! Hubby fired up the grill, I baked a side and tossed a salad...and whipped up a scrumptious apple pie! { If only blogger catered to the sense of smell...yummy!! }

We are so excited to have arrived in PA just in time for the next phase of their lives...the welcome of their first babe in December/January! What a special time!

lookin' good...

look who finally got a facelift and some t.l.c. today!!
remember her...
hubby has taking to this little darling...sanding, new paint...she's looking good!