After straining something in my arm on Wednesday, I took a little break from CrossFit and then ended up coming down with a little cold on Saturday, so I took the weekend even easier than usual. We spent a lot of time on the back deck in the morning with coffee, read books and fell asleep by the pool in the backyard, actually sat down to drink tea, and really only ventured downtown for 9:00 mass and breakfast afterward on Sunday.

I'm still not feeling that great, but my brother, mom, and I are headed to Charlottesville this morning so we can pack up a few things that are still in the apartment there. We'll make all the food and coffee stops that are necessary when one visits, and then we'll be back to Roanoke on Tuesday afternoon! Hopefully Dad and Rocky won't miss us too much.

It is so nice being home with my family. Now I just need Rob to come back!

How was your weekend? Who watched True Blood last night?

Happy Monday, friends. 

On a damp morning last week, my brother and I were outside unloading a truck full of old boxes for our parents. Sean went to open the garage door and found a little frog resting on the wall, right in the way. He was small and grey, and we scooped him up and took turns holding him as we sat on the driveway together with cups of coffee and bare feet.

There are so many quiet, wonderful moments that take place here and almost go unnoticed. 

Almost four years ago, I started a blog and had no idea what I was going to get out of it. I wrote, but no one really read. Then, later, people did read, and there were times when I would question myself. Do people care? Is it appropriate for one to put so much of their life on the internet? Is it worth reading? Is this a waste of time, a hobby, or something much more?

But then you meet three girls who also blog and take pictures of everything and want something much, much more out of life. You meet them and keep in touch for six months and then it's June and you're all sitting on your back porch together, laughing until you cry, and suddenly you realize that these are some of your very best friends.

It is definitely something much more.

A picture is worth a thousand words, right? Here are fourteen.

Jenna, Whitney, me, and Melissa

I have to really thank my mom and dad from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to invite into their home three people who, six months ago, were strangers; for keeping us full of delicious food and margaritas and wine; for gassing up the boat and taking us for a spin; and for generally being the thoroughly generous people whom I love so much.

And then there's my brother, who made creme brulee from scratch and drove us around and catered to our every whim. You are a wonderful brother and I love you, Sean. 

My heart feels so full and I am now not just missing a tall man in China, but three girls miles north of me, as well.