E in DC

Happy Girl!

I've been spoiled the last 2 weekends to spend in Chicago...this past weekend we all had to spend some quality family time in the closet during a tornado warning....as you can see Emma was very scared.

Holidays & Birthdays...

I really don't know how we are arriving at Memorial Day...seems too early. I'm not in summer mode yet, although I had my annual bad experience in the tanning bed last week and looked like the old lady from 'There's Something about Mary' for a couple of days.

Tomorrow is Casey's 4th birthday. My life was so messed up when I had him, and in many ways it's a celebration for me, too. I give all of the credit to God, He has been so faithful and He always provides. When I look at MB & Michael's friends' Scott & Karen's blog about their newly adopted daughter Annabel I often think about Mark & Julie and Annie & Chris. When I see how happy and loved Annabel is, it really makes me think about Olivia and Casey...and that they have been loved in the same way...

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Welcome to the world, John Michael Hubik! We are so happy you are here...

Happy Mother's Day!

There is only one other person in my life that can relate to my feelings about Mother's Day, although MB is expecting anyday now, we both made the decision to place children for adoption. Mother's Day is bittersweet-I gave birth to 2 beautiful children who God intended to be a part of other families, but I don't feel like a Mom. It's actually quite odd for me to think about every really being a Mom-leaving the hospital with my husband and a child in tow to the great unknown of parenting. At this stage of my life, this is not even a desire of my heart.

I am excited though, because I got my first official callback about a job in Chicago. It's a large Northwestern Mutual agency downtown. I am supposed to be in Chicago the first full week of June to interview, I am praying this first call will start a trickle down effect. I have decided to forego using a headhunter, instead using all of our family contacts in CR & Chicago...I truly feel that's the best way to go, but I WANT A JOB NOW. (Praying for a little patience here, too)

I am also officially back into my running...and I feel good. Last week I logged 11 1/2 miles..and 6 of that was done in Downtown DC on Saturday, it was a beautiful day and I was reminded how much I don't take advantage of being able to drive downtown in about 25 minutes and just enjoy the Nation's Capitol.

This is a real e-mail that I recieved today from a counterpart, who has an MBA.

Subject: How do I set-up a Conference Call?

e-mail: Hi E-I need to set-up a conference call for A, B, C and myself for next week sometime...I've never done it before...what do I do? :)

I am really going to make an effort to update this thing on a regular basis now. I am wrapping up 30 and to be perfectly honest, I am not looking forward to 31. Good news is that I will be celebrating in Iowa with Mom & Dad and my Mom 2, Lisa and daughter Amie will be coming in for a Women's Weekend as well. It's always disappointing when life does not go in the direction you thought it should go. The break-up with Jack has been really hard on me emotionally, but you cannot teach an old dog new tricks. If you have never been able to commit in your late 40s...EVER...then it may not happen.

It has opened some incredible doors, though...I am running again and (gulp) signed up for the Chicago Marathon this weekend-which will, God willing be my new hometown in the next couple of months. I am looking for a job in Chicago, although I finally love what I do in DC, it's far more important to be close to family. I am looking forward to being close to Emma and being an active Godmother, and having my own place again!

It's time for a change, although it's really scary-I feel good about it. Last year at this time I could not have predicted where this year would lead me, and every year gets better, so I'll get over the hump of 31 and trust that this year will get even better...

I'm back!

I know it's been a long time...see how big my niece is now? Life is changing lots day by day...it's not always easy, but with a little cutie like this in our lives now---it's not so bad!