Well Hello There

Ho boy.

So it's been awhile. And in that while, a few things have happened.

1. I fell in love with coffee.

2. I turned into "Work is my Life" Meredith.

Let's begin with the first statement. It's true. After 28 years of refusing this disgraceful substance, I came to work one morning and realized I needed some caffeine. I poured myself a cup and thought, "Well, this isn't so bad." Day 2: Walked in, sat down, thought about how nice it'd be to have something hot on the coldish day... BAM! Coffee. Day 3: Walked in and headed straight for the coffee pot, not even stopping by my desk to take off my coat. 28 years denying its existence, less than a week to get absolutely addicted.

I wouldn't consider myself proud of the first statement, but I am downright disgusted at the second. Mid-November and all of December is busy season for me and it just so happens I'm supposed to run the show. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE being the leader (ask anyone who has known me for 4 minutes), but I DESPISE it if I don't know exactly what I'm doing. I think about work constantly--what needs to be done, what needs to change, what needs to stay exactly the same, etc. Michael will be telling me a story and ever so slowly my eyes start focusing on the right side of his forehead. At that point he has lost me to class codes, loss runs, and audits, none of which are as exciting as whatever he's telling me.

Tonight I came home from work and realized I hadn't taken a deep breath in approx 8 hours. I stood in our bathroom and told Michael I just needed to take a few big, relaxing breaths. I got my arms in the "big, relaxing breaths" position and as I breathed in and breathed out I realized my arms were going the wrong way. Damn. Michael showed me which way my arms were supposed to go (inhale up aaaaaaand exhale down) and it did actually make me feel better.

Until I realized I'm supposed to lead a team and I don't even know how to breathe properly. Yowza.

So I guess this is my "please forgive me" post in case I disappear for the next 6 weeks. I'm actually working on a weekend recap that covers approx 8 weekends (I wish I was kidding) and will hopefully have it up soon.

Until then.... Inhale aaaaaaand exhale.

Evan Laymon

Last week Evan turned two! As much as I love to hear about his growth (both physical and mental), a part of my heart aches when I think about how many milestones I've missed. Fortunately, his parents do a great job sending pictures and videos so we feel like we're right there with him, cheering on his every move.

Before we look at where he is now, let's take a look at how far he's come! And because pictures are always better with music, I've included a song that sums up how I feel about the little guy. My dad and I danced to this at my wedding and while I'm not a fan of country music, I think pretty highly of this song.

Happy Birthday, Evan! We love you and can't wait to see the great things God has in store for you.

Love - Aunt Mermi and Uncle Mickey

I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow,

And each road leads you where you want to go.

And if you're faced with a choice and you have to choose,

I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.

And if one door opens to another door closed,

I hope you keep on walking till you find the window.

If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile,

But more than anything, more than anything...

My wish for you is that this life becomes all that you want it to.

Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold.

And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too.

This is my wish.

I hope you never look back but you never forget,

All the ones who love you in the place you left.

I hope you always forgive and you never regret,

And you help somebody every chance you get.

You find God's grace in every mistake,

And you always give more than you take.

But more than anything, more than anything...
My wish for you is that this life becomes all that you want it to,

Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold.

And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too.

This is my wish.

"Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young,

but be an example for other believers

in your speech, behavior,

love, faithfulness, and purity."

1 Timothy 4:12