Last Post from Lion's Den

Today is my last post from the big red office. It's so difficult to leave something you love and a place you've been so happy. A friend of mine recently put it so well, though. You know it's the right thing when you make the tough decision to leave something you LOVE, because you're not running from anything; not taking the first thing that comes your way because you're desperate to get out. So true, and in my case, much the opposite. I can't believe that almost three years ago, I met my friend Ashley in the lobby (still remember what she was wearing), and met some of the people that would mold and shape the next three years of my life for the first time.
I couldn't be happier or feel more grateful for the opportunity that has come my way. The timing was incredible, and it lets me know that God is working hard on my life, and taking his hand and trusting him blindly brings me incredible peace, amidst my feeling sad.
Here's to a brave new chapter and all that there is in store.

Season of Change

When Mandy and I went on vacation a few weeks ago, we commented about how this was the first fall in a long time where we didn't have a whole lot of change taking place in our lives. In the past it was always something: new job, new house, marriage, etc. One of us was always in a period of flux. This year? Well, we called ourselves boring! Ha!

I guess my wife was sick and tired of a season without change:

I am proud to announce that Mandy is shifting (albeit slightly) in her career and has accepted a new position to work for an agency called Bradley & Montgomery. I am so proud of her and this decision. While locally based, the agency offers a wide variety of national clients for my brilliant wife to stretch her growing advertising ideas.

This is not to say that she isn't a little sad to be leaving her recent home at Publicis. I'm going to miss them too. Great people and a fantastic organization. However, in the competitive world of advertising, job security and client loyalty are never guarantees, and the structure of this new job is perfect for Mandy to really settle down in. I don't think either of us expected a quick change, but it's amazing how quickly the wheels can turn when offers come calling. I am so proud of how quickly Mandy has built her professional resume and credibility here in town and I know this move will be great for everybody.

So, fall is back and we are changing again! Speaking of other fun change, we'll get pictures up on the blog soon of our new backyard, complete with patio furniture!

And, let's not forget the biggest development from this past weekend: I splurged and bought a Wii. Yep, welcome back to my life video games! I'm sure I'll have arm injury stories to report on as I continue to devlop my mad Wii skillz.

Enjoy the crisp air as fall gets closer!

Mini update

After chugging a couple Nyquil, and several teaspoons of some bitter liquid cough syrup (a prescription left over from the winter), I'm finally feeling ready to drift off to sleep this first night of our Labor Day weekend. Hallelujah!

As many of you know, Mom was in a bad car accident this week, and although her little Mini Cooper is completely totaled, we are infinitely grateful for the angels that were by her side Wednesday morning. She is well on her way to recovery with a great attitude, and is healing day by day. Thank you all for the prayers and for all you've done to help support us and her this week. I am humbled and so thankful for the outreach.

In happy news, Mr. Will accepted a great offer picking up a big chunk of play-by-play work for the fall doing IUPUI volleyball, and starts the season this weekend. You can listen to/watch him on www.iupuijags.com. He's got some other NCAA championship work coming up this year too, so he'll be busy. Although a couple date nights will have to be sacrificed, I'm busy on a mission to ready our house and garden for the fall. As soon as I kick whatever bug I picked up in the ER, I'll have pictures to share of our progress.

In the meantime, here's a shot of our baby, staying hydrated at the Dog Park.


Happy Labor Day!

Times they are a-changin'

The windows are wide open tonight and the first few breezes of cool air are drifting in (deep breath)...smells like fall is on its way. We have had stifling temperatures the past couple weeks and my poor grass, garden, dog, etc. can't seem to get enough water or shade. As I turned the corner down our little city block tonight, leash in hand, I saw my neighbors had planted some deeply burnt orange mums and hung their fall wreath. It made me smile the rest of the block.

Oh, how I love the fall... I love school supplies, super sharp pencils in particular, the latest Trapper Keepers, a new season of The Hills, Pumpkin everything, hot coffee, apple candles, and cozy clothes. I imagine that in a place where fall is always the season everyone drives Grand Wagoneers with sheep slip covers on their seats, and they all use Nutmeg, have red reading glasses, a big dog and wear clogs. In my mind, this is how I envision myself, of course. :)

The fall always brings great things for me; so many big life changes. When Will and I were on vacation this year, we joked that everything is surprisingly "normal" for this time of season. Alas, I spoke too soon. We returned to find lots of changes are occurring, and I pray this year, like all the others, will turn out great.

My boss shared with me some wise words this week, which I believe to be true: the best skill, he said, that we can each have is the ability to adapt to change. It will always serve us-- in our work, in our marriage, in our families and in our beliefs....

Each year when I watch the red and gold leaves drop from the trees with great excitement, I remember how thrilled I was in the spring to watch them pop from tiny green buds and burst forth onto their branch. It reminds me that this change is good, and so can all change be good.

Grace and I are going to finish the chapter in our book, light a "mulled cider" candle, kick off the AC and pick the coziest blanket we can find to ring in the new season... even if this cool only lasts a couple days.

Back from Vacation!

Well, it has been a few weeks since Mandy and I updated the good ol' blog. Why? Because we got something we've never experienced in our young, professional lives: 2 weeks of vacation!! It was an interesting experience to say the least. We were still in Indy for the first week, but felt like we were still working. Then, we got to spend the second week in one little piece of heaven, Watervale, a tiny resort in Northern Michigan. We slept, ate, drank, sunned and generally rediscovered the glory of doing almost nothing. No TV, barely any cell phone and a ton of quiet.

The water was freezing all week in the big lake, but it was perfect weather. Calm and sunny almost every day. I always joke with Mandy that when we first started dating, she wasn't as fond of the "do nothing" vacation because she was on edge to, well, do something. Now, with life hectic at home, there is nothing better. The tan is starting to wear off a little and the sleeping 'til 9:00 is not working very well with our work schedules, but I think it's safe to say that we are relaxed and feeling good about the start of another "new year." This time of year always seems like our own personal new year. We've always experienced some sort of transition, and the body clock still feels like I should be getting geared up for the start of another school year.

So, Happy New Year to everybody out there who feels the same way!

Thanks, Dad!

Being the loyal Cubs fans that we are, my Dad thought it only fitting that Gracie also had the appropriate attire. He sent a Cubs cap made especially for a dog, and she looks pretty darn cute in it. Thanks, Dad!

And outside.....

In the winter, I wrote a little bit about our garden and my plans for this summer. I snapped some pics this morning of the good progress-- looks like we'll have some serious veggies (especially squash) by fall! We also had a new fence installed along the back of our property and had a gate placed over the driveway for full privacy, and a nice place for Grace to romp her fuzziness around- sans leash. The vegetables have attracted a groundhog, who we have named Gary-- Gary the Groundhog (Will is big about alliteration). Although Will and I know that Grace would love to befriend him if he would take any interest in her red ball, he is completely afraid of her, so we haven’t had major damage to the plants. Fingers crossed.
New fence:





Garden: