A wedding by the fountain

September 19, 2010

Congratulations Jessica and Ryan Sanchez! I am so happy for you both :)

It was a beautiful day, a beautiful wedding, and a lovely reception.

I am honored to have been a part of it all. Thank you!

Late summer haircut

In preparation for a mat-free winter....















Abe got a haircut. I'm always amazed at the transformation.

I found him under all that fuzz!

Squeaker gets the water!

Antoine Dodson, I love you!

Shawnee Mission dog park!!!!!

I woke up this morning with one goal on my mind: Find an off-leash dog park!

After leaving Minnesota and coming home to Abe, I really wanted to do something special for him. He always enjoyed his time at the off-leash dog parks in Minnesota so I thought it would be a lot of fun to find one here.

I gave Alison a ring, we brain-stormed, and then found out there was a dog park actually at Shawnee Mission Park! And the best part, dogs could swim there too!

Abe loves the water and it was the perfect day to play in the water.

Alison brought Baxter along (Abe made a new friend) and I thoroughly enjoyed Abe testing out his doggie paddle. I couldn't stop laughing at how cute he looked. His eyes were so big as he worked away at the water to keep himself afloat. Priceless!

Abe is now passed out by my side as I write this. He completely wore himself out for the rest of the day but he is an extremely happy boy. We will definitely be going back!

A joyful goodbye

It really pulled at my heart as I was leaving the Twin Cities last night.
I never could have prepared myself for how intensely lovely my visit turned out to be.
I came to the realization that I have so much family still living there. Maybe not family by blood but family of the heart. I love you all!

So I was driving down 35E South, last night, the sun was setting over Minneapolis, and my heart was feeling kind of heavy because I was leaving.

I was getting ready to go under a bridge and all of a sudden I looked up. There, on that bridge, stood two little boys, waving with all of their hearts to each car as they passed under them. My heart then filled with joy and I waved back in all my goofy glory.

I don't think those boys knew just how much their simple gesture touched my heart but there was something about it that filled me with hope and joy. Almost like they were the ambassadors to the Twin Cities saying, "Thank you for coming! Please come back soon!"

I will be back!

Just one of the McNeils

Have you ever walked into someone's house and felt completely welcomed and comfortable?

Driving into Saint Paul, last night, I admit to the butterflies in my stomach. I feel completely vulnerable everytime I come to this city. My life changed so drastically when I moved here years ago. I have so many memories, good and bad, that come flooding back each time I drive over the Mississippi River.

I can't tell you what a balm it is to walk into the McNeil's house. I feel like it's a safe place where I can acclimate to this state of 10,000 memories so that I can emerge and walk around outside in confidence.

I have never met a more gracious family.

So, Tim, Nancy, Melissa, (Kari-even though you aren't here this visit), Alli, Cody, and Sophie, thank you from the bottom of my overflowing heart! I am so thankful to have you in my life. I feel so blessed! I love you all!