On Tuesday morning my Nonni went into the hospital for a routine hernia surgery. Well, there were some complications and she ended up going back into emergency surgery and then was on a breathing tube overnight. When they extubated her finally her heart rate sky-rocketed and her blood pressure dropped throwing her into atrial fibrillation. I don't know a super lot about a-fib but I know enough to scare me. So, they were going to wait it out and see if maybe the heart was just being compressed by the fluid built up from the surgery and hopefully the a-fib would work itself out. If not, they would have to perform a cardioversion. Thank the Lord, it worked itself out. So, Nonni is resting at the hospital and will probably be there for a little while longer.

This all really scared me. I love my Nonni so much and can't imagine the world without her! She brings so much joy to everyone one meets. One of my favorite Nonni memories is her dancing with Chris on our wedding day. She's so vibrant and spunky- I don't like imagining her laying in a hospital bed. Moments like this make is 100 times harder to live so far away......

loving spring!

I absolutely love this time of year. I love the warm weather, the look of freshly mowed grass (especially when it's in my front yard!), petunias being planted, and happy smiling faces that you see just because it's spring! But maybe what I look forward to most of all is softball season! Now, last year was no so successful as we didn't win a single game of the season. But, we're looking a little more promising this year! We have actually had practices and look good! And not to mention, Chris' men's team won their first game (which if you saw them play last year, you'd consider it a miracle!). So, all in all, looks like it might be a good season! Our first game is Friday against Calvary West- my old teammates! Should be some good times!

family love

I had such a great visit with my family this past weekend. I loved every minute with all of them. I am so thankful to be part of such a loving family. You would think that it would be getting easier to say "see you later" to them since I have to do it so often. But, it seems that the longer I live 900 miles away, the harder it gets. There's a part of me that, at times, feels selfish for moving so far away. I feel like I took something away from my parents. I know I shouldn't feel this way...it's natural to grow up and move on with life. I do love my life here in NC and wouldn't trade it for anything. But, when is it going to feel ok that I'm so far away? I'm just waiting for that first time that I actually don't cry when we all have to go our separate ways at the end of a visit. Oh what a sweet day it will be when they all finally move down here! A girl can dream, right??

thankful

I am very thankful, we are having the most beautiful weather!
75 degrees today.
This weekend is suppose to get up to 85! Despite the fact that I'm leaving tomorrow for Massachusetts (where the weather will be in the 60s...not terrible), I am extremely happy that the weather looks like it's here to stay. But, you never know I suppose.
I think it might be nice to blog about what else I'm thankful for (thank you Meghan for inspiring me to do this through your Thankful Thursdays!)
-the amazing grace of my Heavenly Father
-my wonderful Chris
-my incredible family
-my precious fur babies though there are certainly moments....
-having the physical ability to do all I want to do
-ice cream (it would be a lie to say it's not high on my priority list!)
-having a job that I enjoy
-the love of running (otherwise, I'd be VERY lazy I'm sure)
-knowing what real unconditional love feels like
-my church and it's service to the Lord
-simple life pleasures
-flip flops
-NCAA basketball playoffs (GO DUKE!)
-vacations! mine starts tomorrow :)

"Hey now, this is my desire
Consume me like a fire
Cause I just want
Something beautiful to touch me
I know that I'm in reach
I am down on my knees
And waiting for
Something beautiful"
-needtobreathe

Consumption the act of completely engulfing or wholly absorbing. To think that God loves us enough to consume all of us with His love if we let Him! How many times do we withhold a little part to take care of on our own? We miss a whole new level of blessing because we are too proud, too scared, too whatever. May we all desire to daily give all of ourselves to God.

Spring has sprung!

Thank you spring for finally joining us! What a beautiful past weekend we had...70 degrees and sunny! Ahh, the south, what a wonderful place to live! Chris and I took full advantage of the weather and did some hiking at Doughton Park. It's a new find in our hiking adventures. We were just planning to go to our old standby, Stone Mountain, but this new spot was recommended to us. It took us a while to actually find the hiking trails but once we did it was great! We're really looking forward to going back soon and checking out some other trails.

Fitz update...

Well, no more jumping over the fence! Fitz got zapped a couple of times and he does NOT like that one bit. Now, he doesn't go anywhere near the fence. For the first couple of days he actually wouldn't leave the porch...I think he wasn't quite sure what was zapping him! Chris and I have taken him out in the yard quite a few times and tried to help him understand what's going on. His new collar will beep at him if he gets within about a foot of the fence and now he seems to comprehend that. Check out the picture of him with his new collar :)