08 in review, part 3 & looking ahead...

In the midst of all the tragedy this summer, there has been one bit of good news. Lance recently accepted a new position at the Missouri Department of Conservation. His role as digital communications manager begins August 1.

The bit of bad news that comes with this is that it does mean that Lance and I will be relocating (eventually) to Jefferson City, MO. For those who haven't been there, it's actually a lovely area - lots of trees and green space. It will be hard for this die-hard Jayhawk to live in MU tiger country, but I'll make do.

The transition will be a slow one with Lance initially staying with his friend Jason (see part 2) and commuting from Columbia. After things have settled down a bit, we'll get our house on the market and once it sells we'll look for a new home in JC. We'll only be a couple hours away, and I plan to make regular trips back to KC - for work, book club, and to see my family.

That's all the farther the plan extends. As we know more, I'll let you know. And if you know anyone looking for a home, tell them we've got a darling, updated home in one of the top 10 cities in the country to live in. It's sits on a beautiful 1/2 acre lot and we've got great neighbors.

08 in review, part 2

June. What can I say about June? If March was one of the best overall months, June was most definitely the worst.

On June 3, I left work early. I wanted to talk to Dad. I called at 4:30. Not home yet. I called at 5:30. No answer. I called at 6:30. No answer. It's not like me to call repeatedly like that. Deep down I must have known something was wrong. I didn't know until later that he could hear my messages, but couldn't get to the phone.

He finally did get to the phone, and eventually ended up being taken by helicopter to the hospital. The details of the next 18 days are at once fuzzy and clear. I remember things very clearly and yet the happenings are surreal.

I do know that the night Dad died he reached out and stroked my hair -- told me it looked like his (dirty). He made me laugh. Still cracking jokes though he knew he was dying.

The days and weeks since have been a count. I know that will continue. I count every week. Friday nights I think, it's been one week. it's been two weeks. it's been three weeks. My life will forever be divided into two halves. The half before I lost my father. The half after.

Just before the three week mark we got more bad news. Lance's longtime friend, fellow j-school grad, and photographer Sarah died, leaving behind a loving husband (Lance's good friend Jason) and two adorable children.

These two losses are the ones closest to us -- the ones that hit us hard and have us functioning, but not thinking -- but there have been others in the terrible summer. It's been a summer of worry, stress and disbelief. We all await the fall.

Continued, see 08 in review, part 3.

08 in review, part 1

Well, you all know by now that I'm not the world's best blogger. Clearly, updating the blog is low on my priority list, but I'm finally making an effort and I know many of you want to know what's up.

Since my last update a lot has happened, and more changes are on the horizon. Here's where we've been since February...

In February and March, Lance and I both traveled some. Me to Vegas and Philly. Lance to Berlin. Then I enjoyed one of the best all around months in my life as I watched the Jayhawks plow through the NCAA bracket and come out on top. What a blast.

In April, my dear friend Noa visited us from Israel. She stayed with us for two and a half weeks. We had a great visit, and I was able to take a little time off work here and there so we could shop, chat, etc.

Then work started picking up -- especially the travel. In late April/May, Lance and I had six trips between us. He went to Tahoe, Vegas, and Calgary. I went to DC, San Francisco, and San Antonio. Stephanie joined me for the San Antonio trip and brought Devlin. We went to the zoo, ate on the river walk, swam in the pool and bought some princesses at the Disney store.

In all, this was a very busy, but productive, happy time.

Continued, see 08 in review, part 2.