Lean In

I'm reading the highly controversial book "Lean In" by Facebook's female COO, Sheryl Sandberg. It is so good and I am learning so much. But man, I'm getting so amped up about the lack of female leaders in the business world that poor Bennett can hardly say anything without me saying something in return like "Why should I have to scoot over where there is less light? I'm reading and I was here first and I am JUST AS IMPORTANT AS YOU ARE!!!!" It's really creating an interesting dynamic in our house. Hahahaha.

It's true though- there is a real issue and I can totally see why. Anyway- good book- definitely worth a read for man or woman.

That's all I have to say for now. Here are some pictures from the weekend. Davis came home from school sick on Friday- had a fever almost all weekend- so that was frustrating...but we had a pretty good time anyway.

 So last night was a real switcheroo. Davis actually went to bed without too much of a fight- THANK YOU GOD! Yet little Miss Holden refused to go to bed. She never cries so I tried laying her down a few times and because she kept crying, I eventually got her up and let her hang out till 8:30. She and Bennett watched The Lorax. Holden usually goes to sleep at 6:30, so this was unusual. Today she was so happy to go to school. It is so nice to see her smile and get right in the mix.

We had a girls night at the mall last week- my mom, Holden and I. We shopped around and ate at Nordstrom Cafe. I think it was the day I announced the big news and I needed to charge me some happy. :)

This is the little outfit I got for Holden while Katie and I were in San Antonio.

Adventures at Target. Spring is in the air!

Holden's new favorite thing is rolling around on our bed. Yes, she is wearing a little tiered gray and white polka dot skirt. SO CUTE.

This isn't the best picture- for many reasons...but hello, how old is this guy? He got his hair cut Saturday and looks like a man.

And Some Pictures...

Okay I just wrote a pretty important post before this one- so make sure you read that...but I also downloaded some of these pictures from the last weekend. Enjoy!

Snapshot from the office where I was working in New York. I showed Davis, and he was pretty excited to see all those taxis Honey has told him about.

Quick pic driving by what is normally a beautiful lake and park while in Minneapolis.

Little tiny at the doctor's office last week. Between the four of us, we pretty much go in weekly.

Holden in overalls I wore when I was little. So sweet. 

My little crazy man, Davis.

My view almost every morning around 6:00 a.m. Naked Davis, watching monster trucks on my cah-pooter.

News

Been holding this in for a while, and it's the reason I've been a little (read: a lot) stressed, but...Bennett was recently offered the Director of Real Estate position for Great Clips, North America. A huge and exciting deal- I'm so proud of him- but it's been incredibly stressful because taking the position would require us moving from Austin to Minneapolis.

This has been about a 6 week process and we just decided yesterday that we are going to give it a shot. We are thinking of this as a short-term adventure- nothing more than that. But even so, it's really hard for me to think of leaving everything here. So, as my dearest friends, I ask that you help encourage me. That you tell me (even if it's a lie) how great it will be, and that you remind me that God has plans for me beyond what I can even comprehend. Because honestly, I'm having a really hard time with this. Not just leaving, but trusting that when we want to come back, the opportunities will line up for us in a way that makes it possible to come back.

So please pray for me.

And please, if you are at all connected to Austin or GSD&M, don't mention this. I have talked to my boss and mentor, but don't plan on saying anything to the broader group for a while...the main reasons being that 1) we won't be leaving until mid to late June and 2) even then, I hope to work remotely for a while to finish out some projects, and I know the second we tell people I'm leaving- I'll become a lame duck. So you won't see any facebook posts or anything like that...and this is probably all I'll say about it on the blog- but email me for deets!

And thanks in advance for your prayers. I really am such a wimp over stuff like this. I try to control so much and this is putting me entirely out of my comfort zone- which feels horrible- and is probably exactly why it's happening. Ha.

So I'm trying to really focus on this bible verse:

"No eye has seen, nor ear has heard, the plans that God has prepared for those who love him."

But I'll be honest- I still feel a bit sick to my stomach about it all. So please pray for me about that. And remind my mom it's short term. And remember I'll come back a ton- and that I expect a lot of visitors.

Poor Little D

D had such a hard time last night, just staying with our sitter while I went to work out for an hour. He cried and cried and begged me to stay. And he had a rough morning too. I think he misses his dad and is also ready for us both to be home consistently for a while. We've been traveling a lot. Luckily- we have a break for a bit. He cried all morning- over everything. I had a hard time having patience. At one point, while sobbing in the car, he said: Can you turn on a song that will make me feel happy?

I think it's interesting how in tune with music he can be...the other day I was listening to a Regina Spektor song on the way home and it was kind of slow and out of the blue he said "She is sad." And then he said "This makes me a little sad too." Hmm...who does he remind me of? ME. Music, movies, books, all these things affect me pretty deeply if I'm not careful.

Holden, on the other hand, is just a happy little camper. She no longer cries at drop-off and is just thrilled to be there. Yesterday we went over to Carrie's to play and just had the most amazing day talking and playing outside. I cannot get over how beautiful Austin is in March. Maybe it's because I just got back from snowy, cold Minnesota. Maybe it's because March is the best month in Austin. Maybe both.

Lately, I'm thinking about lots of things...and I feel like God is really speaking to me. To trust him. To be bold. To find joy. It's a good thing. And it's what is keeping me going in a stressful time.

Aside from that- I am thinking of some fun, frivolous things too, like planning my sister's bachelorette party. And our Moore girls trip to NYC. Ooh, how have those things snuck up on me? I have been scouring the webs for the perfect bridesmaid dress- I can't wait till I find it.

I have some pictures to share- just some funny snapshots but I'm having a hard time figuring out how to save them on my new work computer. It's probably something easy- but for right now- you'll have to do with text. :)

Au revoir, for now.

Good Friends

Cry with you, pray for you, encourage you, and tell you what you need to hear vs. just what you want to hear. I am so blessed and equally thankful for the dear friends I have in my life. You know who you are. Thank you!

Back from Minnesota

We're back from a long weekend in Minneapolis...Bennett and I traveled up there for an event for his job. So two things I quickly learned while flying over the city prior to landing...1) It's big. Like a lot bigger than I thought. And 2) They are not kidding about being the land of 10,000 lakes. Flying over, you would see all the lights and neighborhoods of the city and then a giant black patch...and then more lights, and then another patch. The patches were lakes. And man those people are CRAZY about their lakes. You ask them anything about Minnesota and their eyes light up talking about summer and spending time on the lakes.

Bennett works with some really amazing people. It was fun to spend time with them...and boy they think the world of him (Bennett)...so that's really why I like them, because we have that in common. :)

So while I was in San Diego, I was so homesick for Davis and Holden. I really wasn't this time. Is that bad to say? Not that I didn't miss them and stare at their pictures on my phone a couple times each day, but I wasn't sad/sick over it. I enjoyed sleeping late, I enjoyed talking with Bennett uninterrupted, and I enjoyed watching Zero Dark Thirty while ordering room service and making myself a rum and diet Coke in a martini glass. But when I got home tonight- my heart lit up seeing their smiling faces and excited reactions. They were so happy and it was so nice outside so we played in the front yard and ran around the neighborhood...

It's nice to have a great family. And I am forever thankful for Nikki and Honey who helped out again while we were gone. Here are to a few weekends with nothing to do! Is it too early to start a garden? Will it freeze again? I want to go help my grandmother plant her flowers on of these weekends too. I love spring.

Happy Heart

The past few days have been really good for me. We went to try on Nikki's wedding dress- so much fun! We played, I worked out, we went out to dinner and drinks with friends, and then we spent Sunday at my grandparents house. See for yourself!

Playing on Saturday...

Davis really wanted Holden to get in that tent with him. He loves her and is so sweet to her. I walked in after my workout and he was putting something in her mouth. I said "Davis! What are you doing?" "I'm just sharing a cookie with Holden!" He gives her little snacks, she is so happy and says thank you, eats it up, and then the second she starts to fuss, Davis puts another little cracker in her mouth. She is like a little bird...and he is so sweet to share and keep her happy.

Breakfast at Austin Java.

Dennis. The. Menace.



Davis was snuggling with Bennett for so long- very unusual and very sweet.

 



Holden loved all the people and the action at my grandparents' house. We were over there hanging out and hanging some new lights we gave my grandma for Christmas. If you want to see some of these pics a bit bigger- just click on the picture itself. :)

 

 

Hope you had a great weekend! I'm about to hit the sack in New York! Work tomorrow, home tomorrow night at midnight, work Wednesday, then a trip to Minneapolis on Thursday.