The Day the World Changed

It is unbelievable to me that it has been six years since the tragedy of 9/11. It is one of those days that is imprinted on my heart and mind for life. I remember exactly where I was when I found out about the first World Trade Center being attacked. In my safe, naive, American world I knew it had to have been an accident... and then the other building... gone. My image that I had held onto my whole life of a secure, idealistic, United States changed in an instant. I never knew of such hate before. I had lived almost a quarter of a century on that day and I had never once thought about terrorism. HUGE reality check. This was a pure moment. A moment where I truly had to think about others before myself. I always thought I was socially aware and conscious of others but we live in a nation of privilege and security. Our security had been threatened and there was a loss and grief beyond the comprehension of words or feelings... so what happened next?

The thing that compels me most when I remember the circumstances surrounding 9/11 is the unity and LOVE that brought all of us together. In an instant we all came together as Americans and just loved one another. As I watched the continuing coverage on the news I grieved with those who lost loved ones, I prayed for the heroes and leaders in charge, I loved and I watched everyone else love. I saw every backgroud come together and lift each other up. We embraced those we never knew. We cried alongside of our neighbor. We all felt the need for each other... no life was taken for granted. I sometimes wonder when the switch flipped back again. When did life just casually slip back to the way it used to be? When did we all start taking life and love for granted again? I am just as guilty of taking these things for granted but I pray that the lessons of 9/11 will remain with me forever. I grieve for the loss of the husband, wives, mothers, sisters, brothers. I pray for our leaders and civic heroes. I just want to love. After all it is only love that will overpower the hate. Love like you mean it and never forget!

What I'm Listening To

"The Adventure" by Angels and Airwaves

Friday was great because...

1. I got to surprise Emma at school for lunch. (Which, by the way, should probably be called breakfast because her class eats from 10:03-10:28.) She was pleasantly surprised to see me and I had fun meeting all of her new friends.

2. I got a massage at this place. I highly recommend it. I've only had a couple of massages in my life, but I could get used to this! Some good friends gave me a gift certificate on my birthday last year and I just got around to using it (10 months later!)

3. I got a hair cut, which, in and of itself is not all that exciting, but I absolutely love when I get my hair shampooed and blow-dried by someone else. Anyone who knows me well knows how much I hate blow-drying my hair.

4. When I got home from being "pampered" all of the laundry was done and the house was clean! I have the best husband! (He hasn't been feeling very well and he STILL took the time to do a little housework because he knows how much that means to me!)

5. We had grilled pizza for dinner. That's right...we grilled the pizza dough and each put our own toppings on. Mine had mozarella cheese, red onions, yellow peppers, mushrooms and sundried tomatoes. Yumm-o!

6. My niece should be born any minute now in California. My twin brother is going to be a dad for the first time. I wish I could be there with them. My sister-in-law was induced at 7am and we are anxiously awaiting a phone call. We've been in touch all day and everything is progressing well, just slowly!

UPDATE: (10:14pm) Kylie Reese (my niece) was born at 5:26 (CA time) this evening. She weighed in at 7lbs, 13oz., 19 1/2 inches long. Mommy and baby are doing great. I can't wait to meet you, Kylie!

I hope your Friday was great! Have a fun weekend.

Welcome Back, Sandi!

Welcome back home, Sandi. We missed you so much - and we are so glad that you got to spend some quality time with your dad. Please know that we will all continue to pray for you, your dad, and the family.

Your blogging public has missed you terribly, as well.
Know that you are in our hearts and prayers...WELCOME HOME!

LuvYa, Angie.

Mi Familia Loca

I had the privilege of spending the day with my crazy Colombian family. Darrell and I went over to my uncle's house for a Labor Day barbecue and we had a great time. Let me take you there.
Setting: My uncle and aunt's house with a newly broken A/C. We hung out in their new sun porch though. It overlooks the lake in their backyard so it was breezy and beautiful.
In Attendance: Five out of six of my mother's siblings, their spouses, and children. Darrell, myself, my mother-in-law, my sisters Brittney and Cassie, Brittney's boyfriend Eric, my nephew Hayden, my grandmother and some friends of my aunt and uncle with their child as well, and a partridge in a pear tree.
Food: Hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs, and veggie burgers (I have a large vegan/vegetarian population within my family... they are converting more and more by each passing year.) We also had salad and baked beans... oh, and cake. Typical barbecue dining.
Ambiance: A lot of joking around and cutting up. Football was discussed on more than one occasion and there were many cuts made on other's teams. I caught up with my cousin Aislinn, who is a senior in high school. I had to get the dish on what's been going down in her life. It's all good. We danced to really, really, really loud salsa, merengue, and pop music. (This is always my favorite part of any family gathering. I love to dance and I love that everyone in my family loves to dance because they all do it so well... I get it from my mama!)
I love my fun family and the time I get to spend with them. It seems like we only get together with my extended family on the major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. I'm thankful for the bonus family day today!