Thoughtful

The other day I came home from work to a little manila envelope in our mailbox. Oooh, what could it be?! It was from my Dad and the only thing inside was this book and a lovely note on the first page. Dad, you're the best and I look forward to reading it. Thank you!

Weekend

I'm going to try and post every day this week. But first, I'll give you a little preview of my weekend:

Timing

Something amazing happened tonight. I've been dog-sitting this week for the family while they're away. Tonight I went to a grocery store I don't usually go to to pick up things for their return. I walked in and turned a corner when I saw a group of people. Within that group, I spotted a dear friend who I haven't seen in many years. Her name is Chelsea and we were roommates at an orphanage in the Qingyundian Township of the Daxing District in China for the summer of 2005. She lives in Texas now but is in Charlotte this weekend for a wedding. Crazy!

I'm surprised I didn't scream when I saw her. We hugged and then I met her sister and beau. They continued to shop while Chels and I picked up right where we left off: where are you living now, what's new, how's so and so.... on and on. I can't even begin to tell you how amazing it is to run into someone you haven't seen in a while and the happiness that comes when you do. I was so sad to say goodbye to her because I'm sure we could've spent hours catching up. She's just one of those friends who knows you and you can talk about life, boys and everything else, and you don't have to explain much because she gets it.

I know you're just reading this blog post about me running into an old friend, but really, it's more than that. Tonight I was overcome with emotion as I realized how perfect God's timing is. What if I had picked a different store, different aisle or different time to go? I had the joy of experiencing God's timing and not only trusting that He wants good things for us, but orchestrates them to happen exactly when they're supposed to.

"From the Great Wall of China to Harris Teeter!" -Chels

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

DUKE WINS!

What a game! I watched it with Unca D & Leigh and we were on the edge of our seats the whole time. And what an effort by Butler! It was an incredible season for us: we beat UNC twice and won the ACC and NCAA tournament. Yay!

Beautiful detour

On my way home from Atlanta on Tuesday, I stopped in downtown Greenville, SC. It's so adorable and quaint! I loved walking around, going into shops, galleries and enjoying Falls Park. If you're ever in the area, you've got to check it out!

Easter weekend

What a fun Easter weekend it was in Atlanta! I drove down early yesterday morning to go to church with Al and B.
Then we went to Piedmont Park.

Ate a ton of yummy food.
Had a covert beer opening. (Al and I had sangria.)

We relaxed under the shade, people watched with sunglasses on and every 5 minutes said how perfect of a day it was.

After that we headed to my dear cousin's house for Easter dinner. Lauren & Lee have been in the Atlanta area for almost 4 years and I had never been to visit, so it was time! It's so fun to be with family for Easter. When I lived in New York it was, surprisingly, the one holiday I really wanted to spend with my family and I'm thrilled I got to spend it with my cousin, and of course Al & B, who are practically family anyways!

Lauren & Lee in their lovely home.


This morning Brian had to work, so Al & I went shopping. She's now off to Florida for Spring Break. I was hoping to find an art museum in Atlanta, but, alas! it's a Monday and most places are closed, except for some dinosaur museum, and no thanks. But I found my way to a Caribou Coffee and am now "killing time" on the computer even though I cannot sit still, and it's not the coffee. It's because I am anxiously awaiting DUKE vs. Butler!!! Ahhh!!

A couple weeks ago when I was planning this trip, I realized that if Duke was going to be in the championship game, I would need to find a place to watch it. And though I'm super sad not to be watching it with my Dad, I am going to watch it with my awesome Uncle Don and his wife Leigh. He graduated from Duke and was also an announcer at Cameron for the Dukies back in the day. Him & my dear Aunt Awah (who passed away 11 years ago) would go to many games in the 90's and love Duke basketball. Oh, and I just got my car washed because Unca D was also a race car driver and there's no way he'd be happy if I rolled up in a yellow, pollinated car. Good thinking on my part. :)

Hope everyone had a lovely Easter and GO DUKE!

It's awesome, baby!

I can't even begin to describe how awesome this weekend has been & will be. Seriously, it's been unreal.

GO DUKE!!

I'm on cloud nine! :)