San Fran with My Man

Jon and I traveled to San Francisco, California, last weekend to celebrate his aunt's life. 

Even though I never had the opportunity to meet Aunt Phyllis, hearing anecdotes from her family about her sense of humor, passions for cooking, gardening, and reading, and always providing a "safe haven" in her home for her daughters' many friends gave me a great understanding of the special lady she was, and I'm grateful to have been there. 

Her family put together such a sweet tribute and the whole day was very meaningful. It was great to spend time with Jon's extended family that I had heard so much about, too, and I hope I get to see them again very soon.

Aunt Phyllis' husband and daughters brought many of her favorite books to her memorial and encouraged everyone to choose a book to take with them. Having a love for books myself, I chose a mystery to begin reading on the plane ride home- such a unique way for her memory to live on.  

We made the most of our free time in San Fran, working our way from Sausalito all the way down to Carmel! San Francisco is very crowded and there was so.much.traffic everywhere we went, but the weather was perfect and I loved sightseeing and exploring a new city with my man.

Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge is now checked off my bucket list, and we enjoyed a delicious and romantic Valentine's Day sushi dinner in Sausalito. 

Everyone else took advantage of the gorgeous weather the day we drove to Monterey and explored the aquarium... children everywhere! But we loved the sea otters and sea lions. : )

We had forgotten about the Pebble Beach golf tournament and 17 Mile Drive was closed to tourist traffic, but fortunately Jon is good with navigation and managed to get us to a beach in Carmel anyway. 

Driving along the coast with the sun shining over the beach, windows down with cool sea breeze and the sound of waves crashing holding hands with my favorite person... perfection.

You already know the beach is my happy place, and Carmel's views did not disappoint. I'd like to go back already. 

They aren't kidding about the hills in San Francisco, and Jon and I found ourselves giggling as we drove up steep grade hills near downtown, not really being able to see if there was more road in front of us- very different than being in flat Texas in his truck!

At lunch on our last day, Jon ordered queso, and when they brought this out, Jon had no idea what it was.  I couldn't stop laughing and finally explained to him that this was the California version of queso, or "fundido," to which he said, "I'm ready to go home now."

So, back to the land of "real" queso and frozen margaritas we went. There really is no place like home. Though if someone can figure out how to bring a beach to Dallas, I'd love you forever... seriously.

Happy Birthday, Baby Sis!

"A sister is a forever friend."

My little sister Kristen turns 21 today! It's hard to believe since sometimes I feel like she should still be about 5 years old, but she's legal! The lucky duck got a snow day off from school today, and I was a little jealous when she texted a picture from her mid-afternoon happy hour.

I distinctly remember holding her, so soon after she came home from the hospital, when this picture was taken.  Truly, where does life go?

Being four years apart, sometimes growing up it was hard to relate to each other-- being 8 is very different than being 4, and being 16 is sure different than being 12! But the older we get, the less the age difference matters, and the closer we become.

Don't worry, there have been plenty of times where drive each other completely crazy, like when she'd try to bite me as a toddler or eat my flavored lip gloss.  And I might have used my older wisdom to outsmart her and get my way, and try to tell her what to do a little too often.

But having a sister is like no other bond in life.  You don't always like each other, but you know you always love each other.

Happy Birthday, Sissy! Thanks for being the connection to my childhood, my built-in best friend, and a source of unconditional love.  

I'll Be Home for Christmas

Me, sister, and our family reindeer, Jager 

One thing I've come to realize in life is that it doesn't necessarily matter where you are, it matters who you are with.  I believe that you can learn to be happy in a lot of places, but the people in your life are who make all the difference. 

This has become even more evident to me this Christmas season.

I truly cannot imagine being alone for the holidays, and just thinking about those who are breaks my heart.  

As I've mentioned many times before, this is my first year living on my own in an apartment that I'm paying for, rather than my parents. I'm only 20 minutes away from home, but I have been amazed at how different it is to not be there every day during this holiday season.    

I sure am thankful to have a roommate to decorate the apartment and listen to Christmas music with, because it just wouldn't be fun to do that all by myself.  For me, a huge part of the joy and hope of the season is missing if you don't have your loved ones to share it with.     

I'll be heading over to my parents' house later this evening to begin the festivities- looking at Christmas lights, drinking hot chocolate, eating sweets, watching the Christmas classics, going to Christmas Eve church, playing board games, opening just a couple of Christmas Eve presents, then opening all the rest on Christmas morning before we get together with my extended family for food and family togetherness.  

It wouldn't be Christmas without all of those things, but most importantly, without my family.  

This is an interesting transition time in my life- I'm an adult, out of college and independent, but not yet married with children of my own.  I am enjoying this phase, but so look forward to having a husband and little ones of my own someday to expand my family and begin Christmas traditions of our own.

I'm so blessed to be able to say that I'll be home for Christmas.

Wishing each of you the best time with your loved ones, celebrating your own unique traditions, and finding peace, hope, and joy as we remember the birth of our Savior!  

Quarter of a Century

Here's what 25 looks like:

Lucky me, having my birthday on a Friday this year!  All day, and really all weekend, I was reminded just how blessed I am.

I received numerous birthday wishes at work, and my sweet team made a card and gave me a gift card... yay!

Post-work, I gave myself a little birthday pampering with a mani/pedi.  Relaxation at its finest!

Then I met up with many of my best girlfriends for sushi... yum yum!  Love having all of these ladies in my life.

My incredibly talented friend Heather over at Whisk Until Sweet made my adorable {and delicious} cake!

Saturday my wonderful parents gave me presents and took me to Salt Grass Steakhouse for dinner.  Delicious, and it was nice to spend the evening with them.  They're pretty great : )

The birthday weekend concluded with brunch at Blue Mesa with my friend Morgan... who got engaged last night, eeek!!

She gave me chocolate wine in a shoe wine holder... she sure knows the way to my heart!

Here's to the next 25 years!

Thanksgiving 2012

Family, food, and football.  What more can you ask for on Thanksgiving?! 

I am blessed beyond measure with a sweet, fun, and loving family.  We enjoyed a delicious, traditional Thanksgiving meal, complete with chocolate pumpkin cheesecake for dessert.  (Yes, just as sinfully delicious as it sounds!)

And, TCU was victorious over UT! Completed my Thanksgiving perfectly. 

Sister and I always have a photoshoot on Thanksgiving.  It's tradition.

A few throwbacks:

2011

2008.... and of course we had to get Jager involved!

2007

And my favorite from this year:

I'm continuing this turkey day break by playing with friends-- more about that on Monday!

Hello, Thanksgiving Break!

I'm taking a half day at work today and will get the next four and a half days off.  Hallelujah!

It didn't hit me until yesterday how ready I am for a break.  I love my full life, but a lot has happened the past few months, and I realized I haven't taken a single vacation/sick day since going out of town for my Grandpa's funeral in August.  Whew!  

Sometimes you just need a little rest and respite, which is what I have planned for the next few days.  Along with family bonding time, eating turkey and cheering on the Horned Frogs against the Longhorns, and spending time with friends and hosting a "Friendsgiving" party.  And going to see the final Twilight installment with my sister.  Don't judge us!

What are you going to do with your Thanksgiving Break? {I hope you all get some time off!} 

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations." -Psalm 100:4-5

Sunday Social: Thanksgiving

First and foremost, I am thankful for my Lord and Savior.  Without His grace and salvation, I would have none of these other blessings to be thankful for.

I am thankful for my tight-knit family.  My parents are still happily married, and have been a united team in my life from Day 1.  My little sister is a beautiful, smart, talented, sweet young woman, and I am thankful that we continue to grow closer as we get older.

And I can't forget our family pet, Jager.  We love our gentle giant!

I am thankful for an amazing circle of friends across the country, and even around the world.  Whether I met them in high school, at TCU, or even after college, I love them all.

I am thankful for a meaningful job that has taught me so much professionally and personally about what I am meant to do with my life.  I am grateful to further a cause that's much bigger than myself and helps so many... and I've met some incredible people along the way.

I am thankful for an apartment to call my own, and to have the stability to pay for it and everything I truly need-- a car, clothes, food, etc.  So many luxuries that can so easily be taken for granted.

And I'm thankful for the little joys in life- Starbucks, chocolate, good music, movies, etc.

I have SO much to be thankful for!

Happy week of Thanksgiving, everyone!

Sunday Social: The Big Questions

1. What do you value most in life?

My faith and the genuine relationships I have with my family and friends. They are what matter the most.

2. What do you think is the greatest invention in your lifetime and why? 

The Internet. Though it has created a new set of concerns, we now have access to so much information- the world is literally at your fingertips. 

3. What do you think is the secret to a good life? 

Discover what makes you happy, and then do it. Surround yourself with people that inspire you, challenge you, love you, and make you become the best version of yourself.    

4. What would you most like to be remembered for when you’re gone? 

I thought a lot about this when my Grandpa passed away several months ago. I want to be remembered for the way I made others around me feel, and how much I loved them.    

5. What accomplishment in your life are you most proud of? 

That I've stayed true to myself and my morals, and that I am doing exactly what I set out to do when I began college. 

6. If a movie was made about your life, who would you want to play you? 

Anne Hathaway

Where did November go? And, um, half of December...

I have been a very bad blogger lately! I feel like November flew by (I guess I just stayed really really busy), and we all know how crazy December is!

I am currently sitting on my bed, next to my boyfriend who is home in Texas for an entire month (!!!), and we decided we had neglected our blogs for far too long! So check out his blog (alexmckeemusic.blogspot.com) and then read below to hear a little about what I've been up to!

A majority of my time has, of course, been occupied by work. This is a good thing, however, because I really enjoy what I am doing and (most of the time) it doesn't even feel like work. As I've mentioned in my previous posts, part of my job involves coordinting the Center's young professionals' group, the Think Ahead Group, and at the beginning of November we celebrated two years for TAG! Alex was able to be there and see me in action/finally understand this organization that I am always talking about! The event was both of a time of celebration and a time of sadness, because the mother of three siblings who were part of TAG's founders passed away from primary progressive aphasia, a type of frontemporal dementia, the day before the party. Their mom was a huge inspiration for the creation of TAG and has left behind such a legacy.


Having Alex home for a few days in November was wonderful....and now have having him here for a month is a dream come true! Hopefully we will have lots of good pictures and memories by the time he has to return to Los Angeles for the last semester of his master's degree.

Thanksgiving was spent with my lovely family! As is tradition, the Carter sisters took a Thanksgiving photoshoot. The last one is going to be our Christmas card picture!






And, of course, I have been spending time with my sweet friends! Sometimes we are bad at taking pictures, but these hit a couple of the high points--last TCU home game of the season with Jenna, and my Women's Group Christmas Party! Looking forward to even more fun in 2012 with these ladies!


Oh, and somewhere in the middle of all of this, I turned 24! I don't feel that old, but somehow I am! My wonderful co-workers surprised me for my birthday, complete with pink and purple cupcakes, and after work I had delicious sushi with Marissa and Jenna!

Stay tuned for my next post...I hope that the topic is going to become part of a regular series for me! (If I can remember to update this thing!)

I hope you are all doing well this Christmas season and filled with joy from our many blessings as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior. I know I have much to rejoice in!