Cheers to 34!

This weekend was full of love. 

Full of laughter. 

Full of joy for the year to come

and celebrating another year gone. 

****

I spent most of the weekend downtown. 

Since the Pope was in town, 

all roads were closed in and around Philly. 

It turned the city into a surreal urban paradise. 

It really was amazing running and biking around the streets. 

I read this great article and couldn't agree more. 

Pope drugs? Yes, Pope drugs. 

And they made us all better humans. 

Also, being that I'm in the middle of Philly Marathon training, 

it was the perfect opportunity to sneak in 

a long run on Saturday with friends. 

Luckily for Amanda and I, 

Gary was given selfie stick arms and could snap this

kickass shot of our 18 miler. 

Long runs are so much better with friends. 

They're also made better with finish lines 

at Beiler's Donuts. 

And we found $20 on the ground to pay for our breakfast! 

And more from downtown....

Dogs! 

Pope dogs! 

So much blue! 

After running 'til I couldn't feel my legs

and filling my belly, 

I headed home to rest and relax. 

JDog had no interest in reading. 

Or letting me read. 

hahaha. 

Oh, and I know I'm late to the game, 

but if you haven't read 

All the Light We Cannot See, 

go pick it up today. 

Heartbreaking but so beautiful. 

On Sunday, 

we headed back downtown to watch football and see mass.

And again, be so giddy about the lack of cars and noise. 

Honking was replaced with laughter. 

Yelling was replaced by small groups singing together. 

 So.Much.Joy.

See that fountain way back in the back? 

We weren't even that close. 

For reals. 

 

Regardless of being far away, it was so worth it. 

Eucharistic ministers walked all the way back

to where we were to hand out communion. 

Amazing. 

Also amazing? 

I think the Pope kissed all the babies in the crowd. 

And kids. 

Everyone. 

 Here's me with the Pope! 

:-) 

And finally, 

trekking through the quiet streets one last time. 

So Good. 

So Full. 

So Loved. 

Cheers to 34! 

xoxokb

Good Day! Sunshine!

It's the first time I've felt like writing in a long while.
Some people write when they're happy, others when they're sad.
For me, it's the happiness side.

Do you ever have the feeling that you're living in a fog?

Going through the motions,
not wanting anything, yet smiling and nodding along? 

I feel like I've been there for quite sometime now. 

I don't know what changed, 

but something just feels different.

Lighter. 

Sunnier. 

Carefree. 

Happier. 

More Present. 

I feel like I've snuggled under a rock 

for the past 2 years or so and am crawling out.

Cheers.
To the crappy days and the sunny
and to being present for both.

Feeling all the Feels...

Such a lovely little video 

about a man and his dog. 

Denali from FELT SOUL MEDIA on Vimeo.

Go home and greet your loved ones with joy!  

xoxoxokb

Gratitude Lately

Lately I've been grateful for

quiet Saturday mornings spent with 

husband, dog, coffee and books. 

For G-chatting with dear friends

and the seeds of a possible future venture together.

For relaxing days spent in forts. 

For surprise visits from lifelong friends. 

There's not much better than 

the laughter that comes from stories of days past. 

Also, this picture is from 2007. 

hahahaha. 

And Jax feels gratitude 

because I'm working on my sewing skills.

New toys! 

Cheers to gratitude and how it turns everything into enough. 

*kb

Dear Anthony,

After celebrating your birthday for 10 years,

I still can't believe the jackpot I hit when I married you. 

I love how kind & thoughtful you are to others.

I love what a great team we make. 

I love traveling with you and experiences new places. 

I love hanging with you and our nieces and nephews. 

You're going to make such a great dad some day.

I love that I can get history lessons at anytime of day.  

(yes, I did ask for a Hesbola explanation at 7am not too long ago). 

I love that we have a similar silly sense humor. 

I love your gusto. 

Being a working artist is no easy feat

and you're killing it. 

Marriage isn't easy and I'm thankful you're quick to forgive
and willing to work hard for this marriage.  

I feel so proud to call you my partner in crime, 
fellow fort-dweller, wife, and best friend. 

Cheers to the next 10 years! 

xoxoxokb

Gratitude Lately

Lately I've been grateful for coworkers 

who remind me that sometimes it's best to Shake it off. 

For Sunday night dinners with a table full of friends.

(and a pup who thinks he deserves a seat)

For a husband who lets me have the heated seat, 

and holds all of the leftovers. 

For stories from loved ones and new acquaintances 

about a life very well lived...

and the laughter that comes from remembrance. 

For new hobbies and stout beers. 

And for nephews who want to share their treats...

 ....

...and then quickly take them back. 

 Cheers to gratitude and how it turns everything into enough. 

xoxoxokb

.....

Also, a big thank you to everyone 

for the kind words, prayers and hugs. 

It means a lot. 

Every day is a good day.......some are just better than others.

My Grandpa Dale spent his first morning in heaven today. 

Although I know it was a joyous reunion for him 

and those waiting to greet him,  

it was a tough day for our family. 

I grew up next door to him and my Grandma, Carole.  

He was a constant example of a man living a Christ-centered life, 

was a wonderful husband and father, 

and taught me the value of hard work and a positive attitude.

In the summers when I was home from college, 

we spent every morning together on his porch solving word scrambles. 

He served in the Army, 

loved woodworking,

traveled the world, 

managed a bank, 

lead hymns at church, 

proudly visited every US state,

traded spy novels with Anthony, 

taught Business at a local College,
was a regular at Habitat for Humanity

and played a really mean game of cribbage. 

He was the best Grandfather a girl could ever have. 

Papaw, I know this was what is best for you;

you were ready to go home. 

All of us that you left behind are really sad though

and miss you already. 

Please pray for our family as we grieve this loss.