Surf City USA

Thursday night, I embarked on another journey with my co-workers. We headed to the Perioperative Surgical Home Summit in Huntington Beach, California. We flew into John Wayne Airport and took a town car to the beautiful Hyatt at Huntington Beach. The weather was beautiful and it was nice to not feel the rush of humidity that hits you in the face when you step outside in Houston. 

I checked into the hotel and headed to my room. I quickly discovered they had given me the handicapped room and it was MASSIVE. The conference was great, but the location was even better. I was able to spend one night with Erin. We walked down the Pier and into the little surf town of Huntington Beach. The weather was cool and sunset was gorgeous. It was great to catch up and hear about the progress on Miss Riley James' Room. I'm incredibly excited for Erin and Jeff and can't wait to meet her!

Every time I visit California, I am reminded of how beautiful it is. Will we ever live there, only God truly knows, but I'll enjoy it when I can. The Doctor wasn't able to attend. He is furiously working to get everything finished and ready before he heads back to clinicals on Wednesday. Our house is still very early in the remodeling phase and we aren't entirely sure what we are going to do, but I know it all will be ok. This weekend, I decided that I am going to commit to walking Lola Bean every night that I can. I've been working a lot these past 2 years and it is time to reassess the work-life balance.

After spending the weekend on the beach, it was tough to get up and trudge into work today, but I know tomorrow will be easier. 

Back in the Saddle

Wow, it has been awhile, a long while. Lately, I have felt prompted to write, to document my life, if for no other reason than to remember it. My life has dynamically changed since my last post. I married "The Doctor" and now reside in Houston, Texas. Bet you didn't see Texas coming again...I know I sure didn't. Round two in the Lone Star State as proven to be decidedly better than round one, although admittedly, the bar was low.

I've changed houses, changed states, changed jobs, and changed last names, but thankfully, haven't changed dogs. My wonderful, sweet, amazing Lola Bean is still my faithful companion and friend. I can't imagine loving a dog more. My life has changed in many wonderful ways, but as I look back over some of my older posts, I realize, yet again, that I really haven't changed. I am still the girl who loves an adventure, a challenge, and a great country song. My heart and soul still calls for the mountains and I still have that restlessness...the kind that really never goes away. 

Back from Sabbatical

I am back…and feeling inspired again. I always do this. I journal for a while and then get bored with myself and decide to distract myself with other endeavors. The sabbatical has done me some good…and I am feeling renewed and ready to take on the world.

Things have been going pretty stinking smoothly in my life, so, of course I am super suspicious that something is about to rock my world. Sounds a bit pessimistic you say…I say, that is how God works with me. J Who knows, maybe my life will be puppies and rainbows from here on out…I am smirking to myself as I type that last sentence. Silly Emily…

Recently I found out that I might have the opportunity to travel to Africa to do some church work. I could not be more excited. Service work is something that has been on my heart for a long time and I am so thankful and grateful that this opportunity presented itself. Now, I must get busy on preparing myself in a way God wants me to…to bring those people joy, blessings, and service!

Happy Hump Day everyone…I hope the awesomeness is abounding in your life!

Emily...In Summary

Katie Schultz's sister, who I have never met, posts some great quotes. This one, exactly, sums how I feel!

30 Songs that Changed My Life

The title is a bit dramatic, but seriously...these songs are seriously significant to me for various reasons. In homage to my insanely, rapidly approaching 30^th Birthday…without further ado…

My Favorite 30 Songs (In no particular order)

1. Love Will Keep Us Alive – Eagles

2. Forever and Ever Amen – Randy Travis

3. Stroll Over Heaven – Alan Jackson

4. Livin on Love – Alan Jackson

5. Ramblin Man – Allman Brothers

6. Little Miss Honky Tonk – Brooks & Dunn

7. If You’re Gonna Play in Texas – Alabama

8. Long Way Around – Dixie Chicks

9. Come to Jesus – Chris Rice

10. There’s Your Trouble – Dixie Chicks

11. Two of a Kind Workin on a Full House – Garth Brooks

12. Ace in the Hole – George Strait

13. Amarillo by Morning – George Strait

14. Pick-up Man – Joe Diffie

15. Cotton Fields – CCR

16. Tupelo Honey – Van Morrison

17. Meet Virginia – Train

18. Last Dance with Mary Jane – Tom Petty

19. Take the Money and Run – Steve Miller Band

20. Edelweiss – Julie Andrews

21. Living Fast Forward – Kenny Chesney

22. People Change – Kenny Chesney

23. Life’s a Dance – John Michael Montgomery

24. Gimme 3 Steps – Lynyrd Skynyrd

25. Down at the Twist and Shout – Mary Chapin Carpenter

26. Louisiana Saturday Night – Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

27. Leave it There – Randall Goodgame

28. Ladies Love Country Boys – Trace Adkins

29. Home – Alan Jackson

30. Gotta Have You – The Weepies

Alcohol, Schmalcohol - I'm Over It!

In-de-ci-sion: Reluctance or inability to make up one’s mind; irresolution.

I am terribly indecisive. I make pro & cons lists, gather copious amounts of data, and wear my friends and family down with repetitive scenario analyses. My discussions with “The Doctor” on this topic have led me to the conclusion that I am a hierarchical decision maker…I need data…and plenty of it. The larger the decision is, the more information that I need to feel confident I am making the correct choice; however, in my strivings to place my life in the Lords’ hands, I am required to step-back and determine His will for me in all things.

For years, I have ridden the proverbial fence on the subject of alcohol and its presence, or lack thereof, in my life. I have abstained and partaken in varying gradients dependent upon my feelings at the time and at several points in my life, have been completely apathetic. I have struggled with whether or not I personally believe alcohol is a sin and what the Scriptures tell me about how I should conduct my life. I have had countless conversations with friends and family on both sides of the equation…all in the pursuit of gathering data.

Finally, I have arrived. Weary of internal turmoil, failing to see the value it adds to my life, exhausted in the analysis process, and cognizant of the happiness it brings another - I am finished. As unceremoniously as it entered my life, it exits and I have no doubt this is a continued part of the refining process my life has been experiencing. Sometimes we need that extra perspective to help us along the journey (at least I do)…and I am thankful for it.

Desirous never to return to the valley, I press onward striving for Christ alone to be the author and finisher of my faith!

Thinking about Thirty....

In the spirit of my quickly approaching 30^th Birthday (2 months from yesterday), I have decided to intermittently include Top 30 Lists to pay homage to my first three decades. I hope you enjoy. My first 30 List is affectionately titled:

30 Things I Have Learned in (Almost) 30 Years!

• Always follow your gut feeling…always
• Even your closest friends and family will let you down… forgive them and move on
• Taking a bath helps a stomach ache
• A little mascara and lip gloss go a long way
• Bleaching your entire head of hair is not a good idea
• Raw cookie dough will not make you sick
• It is ok to dislike golf
• When people tell you who they are….believe them
• You can not singly be responsible for another person’s happiness
• Exercise always requires a sports bra J
• If you can not tell whether it is a shirt or skirt...you should not buy it
• The rules do apply to you
• Sweet, good, kind men should always finish first
• Tell people how you feel about them…even if they don’t reciprocate
• Live life without fear and experience true adventure
• It is ok to say “no” and free your schedule for things you enjoy
• Black and brown can be worn together if done tastefully
• Be kinder than necessary
• Cute high heels are almost always worth the pain
• Mistakes foster compassion for others. Never say never…someday you might find yourself there
• Lamar’s Long Johns are worth the calories
• Single guys normally don’t just want to be your friend
• Applying makeup in the car is sometimes a necessity
• American blow dryers do not work in Europe…even with an adapter
• It is better to be overdressed
• People notice hard work
• Repeating the same behavior will bring you the same results
• Expect speed bumps and freight trains…God often teaches us the most valuable lessons at our lowest.
• Accepting a challenge simply for the purpose of having a challenge…is pointless
• Nerds win…embrace it!  J