Why me?

Have you ever said "why me"? When something doesn't go your way?  Your day doesn't turn out like you think it should?  If you believe in God, maybe you've even demanded from him - "WHY ME?!".

I have done it and I'm sure you have too.

But ever since I saw this sweet momma post about her baby boy yesterday in need of extra prayers - the concept of "why me" has been weighing on my heart.  And she has.  And this sweet boy.  The whole situation.  Now I don't know Annie personally, but she was at K-State the same time that I was and we have lots of mutual friends.  I have been following her journey for awhile now with her sweet son Jonah.  Stories like this in general tug at my heart, but the fact that Jonah is a five year old boy...and I have an almost five-year-old boy...and Annie is my age and went to college with me, when I see her posts about him, I read them all.  I read them hard.  Every word she posts, I read with thought and compassion.  It sounds kind of weird and maybe even more weird that I'm posting this because I don't know them personally - but their family is one that I cannot get out of my mind lately with the recent turn of events.  She had been able to finally post better news lately.  That his treatment was seeming to work and was getting better.  I was so thankful.  For her, for him, for his whole family.  I prayed to God and thanked him many times because as a fellow mom, my heart aches for her. 

And then I saw this post yesterday.

The full message from Jonah's mom, Annie:

You are not going to believe our night. Well, you will because it's us and I'm only telling you because Jonah is better now. Jonah got a biopsy of his neck yesterday and he did not recover well. I'm not sure what happened but the disturbance of the cancer cells somehow ignited an infection(?)/ I don't get it/ some how caused his blood pressure to go too low, and create a significant need for oxygen, and make him breathe harder and run a fever and need a blood transfusion. The team of docs and nurses that rushed to our room did as much for him as they could on the oncology floor before the PICU docs came up and decided he was better off THERE. Once there, literally once we got in the PICU room, Jonah woke up and started talking and being Jonah to the relief of everyone. Blood pressure normal, holding oxygen. He continued to stay up all night watching the Disney Channel.

In addition, the second scan he had yesterday showed more cancer than we knew about. Jonah lit up in several small places all over is body(even his legs) and his bone marrow too.

So, last night we were prepared to accept that this was Jonah's time. Aaron called for the priest and told the family they better get down here to FW. But God didn't take Jonah and he could have easily; the cancer has spread and is in his bone marrow and he's facing more treatment ahead. All God had to do was stop Jonah's overworking heart. But, he didn't.

I've been very angry at God for not saving us from this relentless nightmare. But I wonder today if I've been wrong about him, that he is helping. Did God urge me to look at Jonah's neck? If not, we wouldn't have known for weeks the cancer had spread and wouldn't be starting treatment so soon. And, did God save Jonah last night? He had to of, right?

The priest came today to pray with us, pray for the next treatment, and give Jonah his last rites (just incase.) I told him what I told you and he said, "God's got a plan for him. God's time isn't like our time."

Will you please add Jonah to your church prayer lists? And petition Saint Peregrine, the patron saint of cancer patients?

I don't know if we have 7 days or 70 years. But I accept either outcome.

I tear up every time I read this.  What amazing strength she has.  I have read it each time someone I now shared it on facebook.  Over and over again wondering if I was in that situation - could I do it?  But don't we all wonder that?  When we see stories on the news or social media about family's that are suffering - I often think "WHY THEM"?  One of my dear friends has a brother in law in his mid-20s that just got diagnosed with testicular cancer and is currently going through chemo - WHY THEM?  Someone's family member died too early - either from a tragic accident or a horrific disease.  WHY THEM?  A close friend lost her baby to a super rare disease- WHY THEM?

I even go the crazy mom route (I'm guessing this is normal - but just not talked about..if it's not, then just ignore I said this ;)) - but I lay in bed at night with my kids holding them or rocking them...over and over thanking God that they are healthy.  That they are at home.  And I even wonder WHY ME?  Why did I get so lucky to have these kids?  So many others either struggle to have kids or the kids that they have get stupid cancer.  So WHY ME?

It just struck me - while Annie might be wondering WHY ME all the time, she finds strength in Him through this journey she is on.  When you read her words, I can just feel when she typed them that she is confident that God had a plan for her sweet boy.  And that plan did not include leaving this place yesterday.  She doesn't know when, but He does.  And all she can do is trust and pray and hope and love.

I posted this so you will pray for Jonah.  That you will pray for Annie.  Pray for their family (she is pregnant also - so lots of prayers for that as well!).  I truly believe that every single prayer is heard, no matter if it's 10 seconds or 10 minutes.  Pray for Jonah's healing.  Pray for his comfort.  Pray for his strength.  They can use them all.

I also posted this because while I don't know this brave mama personally, I can't stop thinking how in following her journey how much I have learned from her.  A person I follow on the internet - this world is a crazy place.  What I learned from her is something I need to remember as a mom, friend, daughter, sister, wife, etc. - all I can do is trust and pray and hope and love.  Every day.  Not to wonder about the negative things and be thankful for the positive ones.  And that's exactly what I'm going to continue to do.  And even though I will allow myself a "WHY ME" every once and a while, I will push through that and focus on what I can control and leave God in control of what He controls.

Follow along Jonah's journey with the hashtag #makejonahglow

FIVE and FRIDAY

Happy FRIDAY!!!

{ONE}

Ok seriously - loved all the support about Noah's Bandage Project so much on Wednesday this week.  An amazing blogger even emailed me and said the cause spoke so much to her that she is going to have people bring bandaids to her son's birthday party.  HOW AWESOME!!  

Thank you for spreading the word and the support of this amazing cause.  And just so you know, this wasn't a one time thing to gather bandaids - they are always collecting bandaids and sending them to hospitals all over the world - so don't feel like you missed the chance to participate!!

{TWO}

Tomorrow = October = decorated for fall!  Well, I actually did that a while back (and Charlie and Maddie were SOOOO excited), but I'm loving my combo wreath + dollar spot Target sign on the front door.  Perfect because I can easily remove the sign after Halloween and keep the wreath up for fall.  

PS Isn't the back cute too!?

{THREE}

 I have a whole blog post coming that is "behind the pictures" because AGH.  Sometimes, we just have bad parenting days, right?  But here's a question for you...what to do if you kid legit HATES an activity that you have already paid for.  He doesn't so much hate soccer, but the indoor facility he doesn't like at all because his it hurts his ears.  I'm contemplating just stop taking him.  He does soccer at school and loves it and has loved it the last two years when we did it outdoors - but not indoors.  Too late to transfer to their outdoor program - but I hate wasting the money and if it seems like to him it's ok to "quit".

GRRR parenting.

But literally - he was so excited last week for soccer (see pic below).  And then we get there and BAM.  Meltdown because it's too loud.

{FOUR}

If you're in KC and/or a Chiefs fan, you'll want to jump on this amazing sale at  Freelance Clothing.  All their super cute Chiefs stuff is 50% off today.  NO WAY.  I must have the adorable unisex Arrowhead Hoodie.  Even though I'm not a diehard fan, my husband is, so I must look the part, right??  DUH!

{FIVE}

Finally - I'm kicking off my fitness challenge group for October on Monday and I'm SOOOO excited.  Going to keep up my good habits as I go into starting back up at work next week.  I'm going to post my results on my fitness blog soon - but today I have some must have fitness apps that I love!  Take a look HERE!!

With fall weather this weekend, we are excited to get out and about for the Aquinas homecoming game, celebrate Shining for Sharon, continue with our basement clean up and FINALLY - A SUSHI DATE NIGHT!!  I've been dying for this since Mikey was born almost 11 weeks ago!!

Cheers to the weekend!

Linking up with:

Sept Farm | Oh hey Friday!

A. Liz Adventures | Five on Friday

Momfessionals | Friday Favorites

Noah's bandage project - LINK UP!

Today is September 28!!  The day we are all linking up to spread awareness about childhood cancer AND the amazingness that is Noah's Bandage Project.  I'm so excited!

Like I mentioned in my post before, I was absolutely overwhelmed with how much support this received.  We were over at our neighbor's house on Friday night and they had SO many boxes full of bandaids in their entryway that were all from a local school district drive.  It's amazing.  They are just doing so many amazing things to spread the word about Noah's amazing project and continue to carry on his amazing legacy.  He was one amazing little boy with a heart of gold.  He thought about ways to help others when he was at his lowest...and he was only SIX.

Noah and his bandaids!

When I sent out the original email about this idea to about 10 of my blogger friends, one thing I was for sure of was how much fun bandaids can make kids smile.  The Wilson family obviously has lots of bandaids and when we were over there on Friday, they sent our kids home with a few...which they proceed to wear in the oddest places all weekend long (Maddie had one on her neck (see the picture below!), Charlie in the middle of his back...and both in the normal knee, arm places).  While it looked silly and there were no injuries, scraps or shots that the bandaid was protecting..it made me smile seeing how much they loved them and showing people them!  I can only imagine how the kids in the hospital battling cancer who are poked and prodded constantly feel - to get their favorite super hero or princess...or even a PICKLE bandaid (yes - those exist and Abraham Lincoln ones - all mentioned in Noah's video - the Wilson's have a shadow box with a picture of Noah and all those crazy bandaids he mentions in the video - pretty special!!). 

(Maddie and her bandaid on her NECK!  Riding along with our neighbor!)

So thank you.  Thank you for posting about this.  Spreading the word about such an amazing family and project.  Thank you for sending bandaids.  For your donations.  But mostly, for all the emails and comments and text messages and letters (in the bandaid boxes) that I've received.  Notes telling me about your own loved ones battling cancer.  Your cousins, neighbors, students, family friend..or even your own son or daughter.  Know that these bandaids mean so much to each and every one of those kids, as well as the money being raised for pediatric cancer research.  I passed all the notes and comments along to Deb and Scott and they are loving them.

Mikey and I did our own shopping the aisles and found some pretty neat bandaids at our local Wal-Mart!

My favorite ones that we got were the Emoji bandaids - I love that the poop Emoji is in the shape of a circle.  I can only imagine how that will make some kid somewhere smile!

My shopping partner peeking his eyes open and some of our bandaids.

By Friday - I had gotten 6 packages from people ALL over the country with over 25 boxes of bandaids!  We took those over to their house on Friday night and they were so excited to get the boxes and the notes from you.  I have 10 more packages with multiple bandaid boxes in each of them sitting on my counter now - it's amazing all the good just a little word of mouth can bring!  I cannot wait to see how many more come to my house and I know there are so many more going to the address below!

Here are some details (in case you missed them before or are a new visitor):

• Bandaids cannot be sent directly to hospitals, as they are hospital supplies, so funneling them through NBP is the way to go!
• Monetary donations are also always welcome - the Wilson's are working to increase the lack of funding there is nationwide for pediatric research (only 4% currently!!!).  So far, they have raised $100K and that number continues to grow (donations can be made on their website:www.noahsbandageproject.com)
• If you'd like to send bandaids to them, here is the PO address where they collect them:
• Noah's Bandage Project
  119 N Parker Street Suite 110
  Olathe, KS 66061
• Link up at below to promote NBP and pediatric cancer...OR use one of the hashtags on the image above on Instagram or Facebook to show your support

If you haven't watched this video - please please do.  It's amazing and Noah's story.  It tells his story of his idea to collect bandaids for other kids in the hospital and shows his passion for helping others.  As well as all about the amazing Wilson family and the reason they continue to collect bandaids for kids all over the world.  Each bandaid collected is just one more step in Noah's legacy.

This is Noah's story.  An amazing, wonderful story of an amazing, wonderful little boy.

I cannot wait to read each one of your posts - thank you so much for your support!

An InLinkz Link-up

Five things: Bandaids, DIY and end of leave

So it's "officially" fall- but I'm not buying it with these 90 degree temps in KC!!!  Looking forward to next week when it's a HIGH of 70s each day- yes!!!  

{ONE}

First things first.  How is September almost over???  But remember about the link up/Instagram posts promoting Noah's bandage project!!!  Even if you can't grab some bandaids or donate- I so appreciate your support in spreading the word about this amazing project and family!! See this post for more details and the image for the link up for next Wednesday!

{TWO}

You know I'm a sucker for DIY projects.  But DIY with all the supplies provided + you can bring your own drinks in...I'm sold!!  A girl I went to college with recently opened the most amazing store called Pink Antlers that I've been dying to go check out.  So when I saw the post about a workshop October 2 where you get to make this adorable double sided sign....

...I immediately asked some neighbor friends if they were interested in going with me!!! And now I'm so excited for a girls afternoon DIY session and for this amazing sign!!!!  And j can't wait to see the whole amazing store!!

{THREE}

 How about some more DIY for super cheap?  I'm SO excited to try out this DIY sign that a friend and other local KC blogger from Baby by Oakley posted earlier this week.  I've had an idea to do a sign with Jimmy's favorite toast about the bar area my dad put in earlier this year but wasn't sure I wanted to spend a ton of money on a personalized one.  So this is just the perfect way to give it a try with some extra scrap wood, chalk and paint pens!!!  Thanks Mackenzie for an awesome tutorial and tip!  Check out her blog post here.

{FOUR}

While we didn't have fall weather this week...we sure pretended with a fire pit (pot) and some smores!  In Iowa last weekend, the house we rented had a fire pit out back and Charlie was just dying for smores.  Even though we didn't get any, Papa held his promise that Charlie would get some!  And be delivered Wednesday night!!  We all enjoyed some yummy smores - but they would have been much better with Reese's instead of just chocolate!  But isn't everything better with peanut butter????!!

These two are crazy!!!

{FIVE}

This guy.  He was two months old this week - which is crazy!!  With the end of the quarter coming and the beginning of another forecast cycle, I'm back to work in just a week and a half, which doesn't seem possible.  We had a minor day care issue--- but I'm so relieved that's resolved and I'm happy to say that Mikey is starting up on October 5, which is the same day I go back to work. 

I'm going to miss his ADORABLE face and snuggles and the amazing smiles!!!!! Ugh - he's so awesome!!

Charlie is going to miss the Mikey snuggles and morning silliness!!!  Mikey - likely not so much :)

Me and my babe!!!!!!!

And so are the lazy mornings where I can drink and enjoy coffee and my breakfast with my little man and the Today show.  Such is life.  I am excited to see my coworker's (because they are the best!), but I'm anxious about the morning routine.  I have gotten into good daily workouts and eating healthy and want to continue!!! So I'm kicking off my first challenge group and there are some amazing ladies in it and ready to kick some work out butt starting October 3 (want to join in the fun???  Go here for more details!) Ahhh!!! I can do this!! 

We have some fun weekend activities planned and I'm looking forward to my last weekend before my last full week of leave!!! Happy Friday!

Linking up with:

Sept Farm | Oh hey Friday!

A. Liz Adventures | Five on Friday

Momfessionals | Friday Favorites 

Noah's bandage project link up - September 28 - GET YOUR BANDAIDS!!!

YOU GUYS.  I am in shock.

So I sent an email a few weeks ago to some of my blogger friends that I had done other exchanges/link ups with.  It was pretty casual but just reaching out to say I had a small idea.  Our next door neighbor's lost their son, Noah, to pediatric cancer in June 2015.  His story is amazing and he was one amazing little boy (here is my KCMB article with a little more details and see the YouTube video below that is amazing).  Well, they have a sign in their yard since it's September and it's pediatric cancer awareness month and EVERY single time I drive up/leave our house...I see that sign.  And it makes me think of Noah and all the little kids and their family's out there affected by pediatric cancer.   I kept thinking - there HAS to be something I can do.  

All I did was send an email to some bloggers.  I told them Noah's story and I said...wouldn't it be a great way to give back to such an amazing cause (Noah's bandage project) AND involve your kids in this?  Use it as a way for them to pick out bandaids and teach them more about the serving attitude that all of us need a little more of?  I said...just if anyone was interested, they could post on September 28 about NBP, the pictures of their kiddos buying bandaids and send me some bandaids that I could pass onto Deb and Scott, Noah's parents.

I knew these were some great ladies...but MAN.  Within a matter of hours, I was receiving emails from bloggers that I had never heard of.  Two, three and four forwards later to just a few of their blog friends, turned into who knows how many people that saw that original email that I sent about this idea.  I'm in shock and so moved.  Deb is so moved after I told her about my little email.  What an amazing community of bloggers out there - thank you thank you thank you!

Instead of just having everyone send to me (while I will be collecting), I have some more details if YOU want to help with this cause or you want to share more details with your readers on where they can send their bandaids.  AND I'll be hosting a link up on September 28 that you can link your post on Noah's Bandage Project so we can see just how many amazing family's are talking about and giving to this amazing cause.

Here is the image you can post for the link up - along with some hashtags if you want to post on your Instagram!  I know I have had some people say that they want to participate, but they don't have a blog - not a problem at all.  Just post this picture or a picture of you and your kids (if you have kids) getting bandaids - or whatever you want and hashtag this.  I'm literally beaming with excitement about this!!!  The love from this blogging community around this amazing project that sweet Noah started is unbelievable.

If you do have a blog and want to post about this and give your readers the chance to participate as well - here's some additional details:

• Bandaids cannot be sent directly to hospitals, as they are hospital supplies, so funneling them through NBP is the way to go!
• Monetary donations are also always welcome - the Wilson's are working to increase the lack of funding there is nationwide for pediatric research (only 4% currently!!!).  So far, they have raised $100K and that number continues to grow (donations can be made on their website: www.noahsbandageproject.com)
• If you'd like to send bandaids to them, here is the PO address where they collect them:
• Noah's Bandage Project
  119 N Parker Street Suite 110
  Olathe, KS 66061
• Link up at www.justanotherdayinparadise1.blogspot.com on September 28 to promote NBP and pediatric cancer...OR use one of the hashtags on the image above on Instagram or Facebook to show your support

THANK YOU again for all your amazing support with this.  It's just such an amazing organization to give back to and we all know how much our kids love bandaids, so think of how much a child that is undergoing cancer treatments will love them when they get a Batman or Elsa bandaid instead of the boring tan one during their normal treatment.

Hope to see you back here on September 28 - if you have any questions, you can email me at brittanycarter410@gmail.com.

Five things

It's Friday and we are looking forward to a fun weekend.  KU Football kick off tonight, first soccer practice/game of the fall for both Charlie AND Maddie (she's pumped!), a friend's birthday party and my birthday on Sunday!!  

These are all super random - so beware.

{ONE}

What have I been watching on TV/Netflix seems to be the common question I get in regards to my maternity leave. Haha.  I have found some shows on Netflix, but also some On Demand shows on our cable.  Night now I'm loving The Night Shift!!  Have you seen it?

{TWO}

Per an instagram recommendation by my friend (also a new contributor for KCMB!), Stephanie, I downloaded the book Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty and soared through this book.  So suspenseful and when you have anything that involves a kid, put things in perspective.  Check it out for sure - I love this author! 

{THREE}

In exciting news - I am going to be writing for as one of the new contributors of the Kansas City Mom's Blog!  I've read all the articles for the awesome mom's in the KC area since it came about.  The group of women is already so awesome, I'm excited to get to know them all more!!

My first post was published last week (check it out here).  It was all about our next door neighbors, the Wilson's, and their sweet son Noah, who passed away in June 2015 of cancer.  While Noah was being treated at Children's Mercy Hospital, he started an amazing organization called Noah's Bandage Project, that is continuing to encourage kids and raise money for pediatric cancer even after he's gone.  I was so nervous to start writing for this, but this was just the most wonderful thing to write about and I'm excited to continue writing for them!

{FOUR}

So what ELSE am I doing on maternity leave?  Is there some kind of nesting AFTER the baby is here?  Haha.  For some reason I'm on this organization spree in my house and this week I made it into my closet.  Holy cow - I have 3 full trash bags of stuff that I will be donating to Big Brother's and Big Sister's.  Luckily Mikey has been a champ in hanging out with me in the closet (and taking some decent naps in his crib so I can have my hands free!).  It's looking better and better by the day and guess what?  I'm feeling better because I don't have a closet full of clothes that I don't wear and organized drawers and jewelry!

{FIVE}

In somewhat of an attempt to get Charlie and Maddie to not consume a crazy amount of sugar daily (I mean let's be real - mom's a candy lover so sometimes that can be an issue)...I found these energy bites and have been giving them to them after they get home after school.  They LOVE them.  And they are so so easy (only 4 ingredients - yes please) to make.  The kiddos really like helping me roll them into balls too.  And bonus when mom and dad like them too!!

Check out the recipe here!  I actually whipped some more up today because Charlie kept asking me for them and they were all out - I like them because I know the ingredients exactly that are in it...however, I'm for sure one that passes over a breakfast bar as well.

And sorry - I can't end a Five on Friday post without something about my kids (duh!).

These kids make me crazy but make me love life more every day.  Seriously the emotions of parenting literally blow my mind daily!

Ok I'm almost done I promise- these cracked me up this week:

This one ^ omg- I died because it's sooo true!  Mikey seems to the easy one to put down!

Happy Friday friends!

Linking up with:

Sept Farm | Oh hey Friday!

A. Liz Adventures | Five on Friday

Momfessionals | Friday Favorites 

NYC bike ride

Oh man.  In the middle of October, I hopped on a plane with a few coworkers and jetted off to NYC.  The reason?  A bike ride around New York sponsored by my company to raise money for Autism Research.  This all came about because I had to go to a meeting either the Friday before or the Monday after the race and then someone was like, why don't' you just ride??

Well - the fact that I have haven't gotten on a bike in literally 7 years might have stopped me...but nope, it didn't.  So I signed up for Wall Street Rides Far, rented a bike and helmet and started fundraising.  The fact that all the money raised from the race benefited the Autism Science Foundation  made it even more special and close to my heart because my nephew, Eli, is autistic and the therapy that he got from wonderful teachers very early on has made a world of difference.  He's pretty amazing if you ask anyone, so I loved what a great cause this was going to (and wanted to raise as much money as i could in his honor!).  So thankful to all my friends and family that donated - it was so awesome.  now I just need to finish my thank you notes to them!

Of course, my intention was to get on a bike at least once, but yeah.  That didn't happen ever.  So the first time I got on my bike was in NY about a minute before I had to race.  I fell off on my first try and hurt my woman parts.  Great start, right?

However, we did get these awesome bike jerseys and had a pretty good time.  As much of a good time you can have riding a bike for FIFTEEN MILES.  Goodness sake.

It was HILLY!  And we made it up most hills, but had to stop and walk up this one!

We were POOPED.  I also forgot to mention that we headed out on Friday night after work and had to connect in STL.  Well, our flight from STL to LGA was delayed (of course) and then getting from the airport to Manhattan was not easy - there was the longest line of cabs and no close Ubers....so we didn't' get to our hotel until around 1AM.  Then got up and drove an hour out of the city to the race...we were tired.  After the race, Comic Con was in town, so there was crazy traffic and it took us 2 hours to get back into the city and to our hotel.  As great as NYC is, that in itself made me so happy I don't live there!  Was so frustrating!!

We thought about napping, but decided against it and Megan and I headed on the first subway ride of the trip over to Jill's apartment (our friend that we rode with that works in our NY office).

Jill made us reservations at The Smith and it was SOOO good.  Oh my.

We got a little bit of everything and shared.  Steak salad, mac and cheese and gnocchi.  YUM!

Then made a stop at the oldest bar in NYC!  They only have two drink choices: light or dark beer.  That's it! 

We went to a few more bars and then decided to make our way to Times Square.  The other three people I was with from KC had never been to NY before and while I was so tired and just wanted to go back to the hotel and sleep (not to mention we were all so sore!!!), I sucked it up and went with them to see the sights again.  

And of course I had to get a picture with some of Charlie's favorites.  But then they demanded I tip them and made me feel bad for not giving them enough.  Psssh.

We did make a stop to visit our competitor, Nasdaq. 

It was LATE and on the subway home I fell asleep.

After sleeping in until 9 (heavenly and much needed!), Megan and I headed to take a ferry across the Hudson River to Brooklyn.

Then we met up with our friends and went to Smorgaburg, which was like a huge food vendors all in one place in Prospect Park.  OMG.  So good.

Yes, all those things in the above right picture were for me.  Once in a lifetime, right?  

(Shrimp taco, Cheese curds with truffle sauce, mexican street corn and finally...an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie with sea salt, vanilla ice cream and hot fudge....YUM)

Then we walked across the Brooklyn bridge, which was crazy but fun.  The bikers across it were crazy.

After that, we parted ways and I headed to explore the city a little more on my own.  Got my kids some little cars from a street vendor and of course on my way back to the hotel, made a stop on Wall Street and to NYSE.

I grabbed some sushi to go and sat in my hotel room catching up on work and watching Sunday night shows (ps - east coast time is SO hard to watch shoes because it's so late!).  Megan and I decided to save our company money and just shared a room, but she and Jill went to the Giants football game that night so it was fun to get a little alone time!!

Then next day, the three of us headed to our NY office (a first visit for all of us).  And pretty much what everyone said is true.  The view is unbelievable.  Literally stare right at the statue of liberty.  Pretty much our office in Lenexa is mincemeat compared to the NY view and the London view (that looks at the Tower Bridge on the Thames river in London).

After my meeting and some work, I headed to the airport and couldn't believe the comeback the Royals made (I was watching with some girls on my flight).  Insane!!

The next morning, these two were excited to see me and the feeling was mutual!  (if you cannot tell, Charlie just really liked the police car/taxi cab I got them too!)

It was a fun weekend in NY (and I burned a LOT of calories with the bike ride and walking - it was insane, as I track all that on my Apple watch), but it always feels so good to get home.  Like I always say, visiting cities is amazing.  There is nothing like a big city and the commute and the people and the energy.  But then when I land back in Kansas City and get in my minivan and drive home- I just couldn't love my life more!