I'm an aunt...again!

Noah Riley Dinning decided to grace us with his presence a little earlier than expected! He was born June 16th at 8:00 pm. He is a tiny little guy! Only 5 pounds 10 ounces and 18 inches long. I was able to go up to St. Joe after work tonight to see him and I must say...he is adorable! He kept scrunching his little forehead and would keep one leg stretched out at all times. Following in our family tradition...Jaxon pretty much wants nothing to do with his new baby brother. He kept saying that Noah was going to live at Nana's house. It should be interesting to see how this one pans out!

Cabo a Go-Go

So we are having a little competition at work...ok...more than a little competition. Grantham is sending 18 employees and a guest to Cabo San Lucas for a week in November. The results came in for the first week of the competition and yours truly is in the running! Not going to lie...spending a week surrounded by gorgeous beaches, palm trees, and sunshine sounds much better than working in cold Kansas City. Not only is Grantham sending the winners to Cabo...they are paying for everything and giving them $100 spending money plus still getting paid for that week. Can't go wrong! I don't really want to jinx myself or anything but was just kind of excited that I was even close to being considered! You all had better be nice to me...I might have a plane ticket with your name on it! I might have a little competition of my own.... :)

Daddy's Girl

4 years ago...

I never thought I would be surrounded by a room full of strangers that knew me 18 years ago. I had no idea who anyone was or how they were related to me, but somehow I felt at home. I grew up always wondering where I came from. Where I got my blonde hair. My freckles. My height. My chicken legs. I never felt like I would ever completely know who I was until this moment. The moment when my best friend and I knocked on my long lost uncle's door.

"I think I am your niece."

Tears. Hugs. Questions.

"You won't believe this, but your Dad is on his way over here right now."

A whirlwind of emotions. Could I really do this? Could I meet my Dad?

"Rick, I'd like you to meet your daughter."

That one sentence forever changed my life. It simplified things and complicated them all at the same time. I was finally complete. In that instance, I became a daughter, a step-daughter, a granddaughter, a sister, a sister-in-law, an aunt, a cousin, a niece. I know that four years doesn't amount to a lifetime, but it has meant the world to me. I can't imagine my life without these people in it. I'll never forget that day but especially what my step-mom said to me as Kensey and I were leaving. "Sweetheart, you just made your dad's life."

This may seem kind of random, but I often find myself thinking about this moment and trying my hardest to never forget how I felt. With one knee-knocking, heart-pounding, nerve-wrecking knock on the door, so many lives were changed. I am so grateful for my Dad and the love he has so freely given to me...not only in the past 4 years but throughout my entire life. Even if I wasn't able to reciprocate that love until 4 years ago.

Call me Martha Stewart!

So I have finally gotten the rest of my furniture and decorated my house the way I want it! It has only taken me 3 months...better late than never! Last weekend, Julie came over and helped me arrange the furniture and make this stunning flower arrangement! (FYI: Julie is a closet Martha Stewart too.) Here is also a picture of my newest furniture from NFM. Now I just need to find something to hang in my eating area and I'll be set! Oh and P.S. They accidentally delivered the wrong color of chair, so please don't judge me...just sayin'.

The Latest!

I know that I have been terrible about updating this...I wish I could say that there is nothing to update you all on, but life has been crazy the past couple of weeks! Here are some highlights...

I am FINALLY done with training at Grantham...seven weeks later! I am loving being out on the sales floor and am excited for what lies ahead. Not to mention I am grateful for the new (and stinking hilarious) friends that I have made thus far!

After four glorious years, I am selling my Honda CRV. It has been a good car for me, with many fun experiences. I am buying Quinci's 2001 Honda Accord (of course, it's a Honda!) It's so stinking cute...silver, 2 door, sunroof, leather interior...can't wait!

I am still getting ready to run the 5K in the fall. I never thought I would actually like to run, but I have gotten to the point where I feel weird if I haven't run for the day. Not a bad addiction to have, huh?

I think that's a good enough update for now...

We are the Champions!!!

I never thought this day would actually come! I always hoped for it, but could never fully imagine how wonderful it would feel to see my Jayhawks win the NCAA national championship. Year after year, whilst filling out my bracket, I always get ridiculed for putting Kansas all the way through. This year was no different. But I had faith in my team! Rock Chalk Jayhawk!!!

Rock...Chalk...Jayhawk...K-U!!

Ok so I was officially nervous during the KU-UNC game! I thought we had it in the bag pretty early on, but UNC gave us a run for our money! But alas, good old Roy was not victorious! I am pretty stinking excited for Monday! Memphis who??