My hearts pitter patter: The Only Real Way to Live

Drinking Costa Rican coffee out a mug from Hong Kong...... This can only mean a few things.... my heart longs to be traveling again and I live with Erin Zimmerman. (She went to High School in Hong Kong so our house adorns lovely things from there)

I was speaking with Matt Hohler two days ago and he reminded me that we were just a few days away from our year anniversary of arriving in Honduras. What a sweet reminder that is.....

You may ask what I have been up too since it has been a long time (20 days since I last posted) well lets just say a lot. Here is a mini recap.....

For the past three weekends I was up in the Mountains (a common phrase we use in Colorado to reference getting out of the city). I spent a weekend in Silverthorne near Lake Dillon on a staff retreat (I am on staff in the Athletic Department at Colorado Christian University) Gearing up for our new school year and preparing our athletic coaches for what is to come. Following that weekend I drove back up to spend the weekend in Vail with my friends. Leaving on Friday we rented a condo for the weekend, laid by the pool, grilled out, stayed up late playing games, rode the gondola at sunset, spotted moose and went out on the town for one of our last summer hurrahs. A short four days after that, I left with the entire Athletic Staff and Athletes to spend the weekend in Buena Vista for our Annual Athletes Retreat. The weekend marks the beginning of a new school year and gives athletes the opportunity to get to know each other and bond before their seasons start. It was a beautiful weekend.....

So alas this weekend... and at this very moment I am sitting on my porch. Taking this Friday off and drinking my coffee, just as the sky turns blue at 6:31 am this morning. As I mentioned before my 20 things list is slowly getting checked off and one of them is reading the book, 1000 Gifts, with my mom. In light of reading this book I thought I would list a few things I am grateful for these days...... (mom and I are going to finish and discuss when I am back in Kentucky next week eekkk)

Grateful for.......

This front porch, with a creaky rod iron railing and two plastic chairs that are sat on more than any other piece of furniture in our house.
For four hour old babies, that look at the world with eyes of wonder
For a dear friend who was strong and brave and brought that sweet little girl, Story Rose, into the world
For friends who decide to run half marathons with you and encourage you on long training runs.
For plane flights that are able to bring my best friend from 1st grade to Colorado in October for one whole week ....... oh and did I mention she is running the half marathon too (yay Christie Lee)
For babies in offices that crawl all over the floor and wont sit still on your lap while you try and get work done
For neighbors who move in next door, who you share life with, a glass of wine and a beer on a Thursday night
For chalky hands after an intense crossfit workout, that always amazes me I complete
For yoga communities that I will be joining
For photos of new houses from my sister and parents
For short timelines (1 week till I am back in Kentucky)
For the promise that living where you are the best you can is the only way to really live at all
For celebrations of life commitments, Kylie my roommate from Honduras engaged to ShepGoggles (His instagram name I think is funny), Stephanie Riley best friend since middle school engaged to be wed in Guatemala...... So much to look forward to next year.
For crispy cool mornings
Sunrises on runs over Washington park
Newly mopped hardwood floors
Sharing stories about Honduras with others
Keeping stories to myself inside and reliving them
For water bottle holders that make it possible to bike with a bottle of wine in tow
Tears that fall at inappropriate times that take me straight back to that place down South called Honduras
For talented friends that create art with oil and paints to capture one of my favorite places in the world.